Dream Come True

Izumi stared at Aoi with her jet-black eyes in a daze, mesmerized by Aoi's handsome, diamond face.

He possessed a strange, attractive aura, pulling any girl closer to his world as though he was bringing them to his paradise.

Izumi used to describe how she liked Aoi with it, describing even Aoi's face, especially his long hair, stylishly shining in a black hue.

His long nose complemented his predatorial eyebrows, even more so on his pupils, seemingly piercing through her soul every time it reflected her.

When her gaze landed on his lips… she blushed.

She lowered her head and burrowed her face into his embrace, snapping Aoi awake.

The wall of text he was seeing suddenly changed.

He felt like he was staring at his physical status.

[Name: Aoi Toshiaki

Ego: 1

Power: D-

Endurance: D-

Dexterity: D

Coordination: E

Vision: C+

Technical Skill: E (Overall)

Store–]

Looking at those grades on each of his physical abilities made him grunt in annoyance.

He did not forget he might be dreaming of seeing such a thing, even thinking he was probably hallucinating after he died when he was just sleeping.

In the end, he gradually accepted his current situation.

'Since I appear I have not been dreaming, it means I came back from the past. The question is… how?'

Aoi was smart and cool-headed, thinking with the highest chance of believing that he had returned to the past.

The cause of it all might be the Egoistic Ace System suddenly appearing before his vision, hearing them talking in his ear.

When he meant "them" the gender of the voice was incomprehensible, looking like it could be a man or a woman.

He then realized it was indeed such an era the West was currently having a problem.

Aoi, halting to think about nonsense in his mind, glanced at the wall of text again and tried to comprehend what it was about.

Indeed, it elucidated his current physical capabilities so accurately he wanted to curse himself.

Now that he returned to the past, he could finally fulfill his ambition, only blooming when he was nearing middle age.

To become a number 1 striker!

Like Messi, Ronaldo, Pele, and others.

Though he regretted not being in the lottery, for if he only recalled the numbers to win a million, he would have settled for it.

However, he badly wanted to become a striker.

'It would start right here, right now.'

His coal-black eyes flashed with determination, unknowingly hugging Izumi tightly.

'I will not make the same mistake again. I won't become addicted to games. I want to learn more about sports. Be exposed to the world of football!'

Aoi swore to himself.

Now that he realized his ambition and goal, he had to face a problem… or what he should say his early reward.

He lowered his head and saw Izumi still in his embrace, not weeping anymore, cleansing the heaviness on his heart when he saw her break into tears.

He loved her now, deeply so.

Even so, he wanted to know more about her, to have lots of dates with her while he was crawling on the mountain to reach the peak of the football.

He said softly, "Izumi, I wanted to know more about you."

Izumi trembled, sliding her face upward, met Aoi's eyes – so near it caused her heart to quiver – and smiled.

She said, her voice was as cute as Aoi could remember, "You have the rest of your life to find out!"

Aoi was taken aback and lightly laughed.

The light laugh was the result of the myriad of different reasons to be happy.

Happy to be together with the love of his life, to see Oka on the field again, to play with him, to become a striker, to become there is!

He was given a chance, and he certainly doesn't want to waste it again.

He recalled his past, instantly discarding the idea of playing games, looming in his room all night – or the whole day when there was no class – and socializing more.

If he was not such an isolated type of person, he would have fallen in love early with Izumi, been influenced by Oka's addiction to football, and shaped the perfect physique Kami had given to him – instead of wasting it.

'There's no use for regretting it now. I can still redeem myself.'

Just like that, he continued to lightly laugh for a minute, dumbfounding Izumi and Oka.

Oka, who had been on the stairs for a while, enjoying, while feeling envious of Aoi's romance, steadily walked towards the lightly laughing Aoi in disbelief.

Concern was painted on his face.

Finally, when he got closer, he landed his hand on Aoi's shoulder behind his back, nudged him a bit, and asked, "Bro, have you gone crazy after receiving Izumi's confession? I mean, everyone would be if they were in your shoes. But, my brother… 

There's no way you act like this.

Something must have gone wrong!"

Izumi glared at Oka, hearing his second sentence, but the latter was so focused on his brother, feeling extremely worried.

Aoi was snapped awake by Oka's exaggerated comments, wiped the tears of happiness on his eyelids, and shook his head.

He replied, not turning his face on the back where Oka was standing, "I'm just happy. That's all. Don't overreact."

Oka exhaled a sigh of relief, nodded, and said, "I understand, brother. I will always be here with you."

Aoi smiled and nodded.

"You always have been."

Oka did not grasp the full reason behind Aoi's words, but he was glad because he had an idea about it.

After all, they had been friends since they were a child, growing together, causing them to have a better understanding of each other.

Oka was always happy for Aoi.

Of course, he could not be left behind.

'Now, I can't just be single while he has a girlfriend, right? I must find the one for me.'

Meanwhile, Aoi, feeling exhausted by today's event, said, "Let's go back to the class, shall we?"

He wanted to take a rest on his armchair, wanting to know more about the system or whatever it was he received.

Seeing Izumi nodding on his request, they returned to the class, where Aoi had not been for a decade…