Esperion youth

"Very well, then. I will announce the exam takers who will advance to the final exams," Fukuda declared with a serious expression on his face.

"Goalkeeper - Fukatsu Yoichi,

Defenders: Kakita Takeshi, Nakano Jun'nosuke, and Sunomo Ueda,

Midfielders: Izumi Mamoru, Suda Kenji, Hasegawa Yuudai, and Otomo Eikasu

Forwards: Tachibana Souichirou, Aizaki Kawada, and Aoi Ashito."

"Huh?" Aizaki wasn't surprised to hear his name but was shocked upon hearing Aoi's name. Looking at the curly-haired kid trembling with excitement, he thought to himself, "I guess his last play really left an impression on them."

"The final exams will begin in 30 minutes. Successful candidates are to remain on the pitch until the exams begin," Fukuda continued.

The minutes passed by, and Aizaki began doing light exercises to keep his muscles warmed up for the final exercise when a voice suddenly caught his attention.

"Can we talk?" a somewhat shaky voice resounded.

He, along with other exam takers, turned towards the voice.

"Like it or not, we are in the final exam. If eleven people advanced to the final exams, then the final exam will most likely be an 11v11 match. So, I was thinking it would be a good idea to get to know each other before the exams start."

Everyone stared at him for a moment before ignoring him and doing what they were previously doing.

"Why are you trying to make friends with your enemies?" a guy named Hasegawa Yuudai, spoke to Aoi. "Out of the eleven players here, more than half will fail this exam today, so why are you trying to make friends? We are all your enemies, every single one of us."

Aizaki sighed and shook his head. "It seems the pressure is getting to them," he thought to himself before speaking up.

"I'm in, doesn't sound like a bad idea to me." Aizaki raised his hand, signaling Aoi to come over when someone else spoke up.

"I don't want to be left alone until the final exams start," Otomo said. "Let's talk about love..." Gradually, different people began to voice their interest in taking part in the conversation, and soon enough, seven players were seated in a circle talking to each other.

"Alright then, I'll start," signaled Otomo. "Tell me about the kind of passes you all like and the kind of football you like to play."

Aizaki thought for a moment and then spoke up. "Personally, I like playing with dynamic forwards with me in attack. Strikers who are constantly on the move, dragging the opponent's defenders with them. I usually use their movement as distractions and cut in field from the left."

While they were having this discussion, the coaches were also observing them.

"Hmm? It seems some of the students are grouping and planning things between themselves," Coach Tsukishima pointed out.

"Interesting," Nozomi said, while Fukuda observed with a small smirk on his face.

Meanwhile, back to the players, "..so, I like receiving passes directly at my feet, since I'm not that fast," a smallish boy named Nakano said.

"Eh? You guys are really selfish," Aoi said with a surprised expression on his face.

Aizaki felt his eyes twitch at that comment. He was about to reply when Otomo spoke up.

"You're one to talk! You can't just run around and hog the ball to yourself like you did in the previous exam!" Otomo finished, his tone rising with each passing second.

Time flew by, and soon it was time for the final exams.

"Attention everyone, please gather around. Your opponents for the final exams have arrived!" a coach announced.

Aizaki and all the final participants turned their heads to look towards the entrance, and there, clad in black tracksuits, were 11 menacing-looking players.

"I kept you all waiting," Fukuda started, "but let me introduce you to Tokyo City's Esperion youth team."

Aizaki looked at the Esperion youth team and couldn't help but feel his heart beat faster. They radiated an oppressive and serious aura; it was clear that they were in a different league compared to the exam takers.

Suppressing a grin, he couldn't help but look at the fellow exam takers. Noticing their shocked and scared expressions, he couldn't help but click his tongue. Although he understood their reactions having seen them play, he was still somewhat annoyed by their scared expressions.

"What the hell?"

His eyes landed on Aoi, and he couldn't help but mutter this word. Aoi was currently staring down his opponents, having a wide smile on his face. He had a crazy look you could only find on a psychopath.

Aizaki couldn't help but chuckle, wondering if there was something wrong with his sanity.

"Well, at least he's not scared."

Little did he know he had an even scarier look on his face.

The exam takers tried to complain, but Fukuda shut them up, saying facing stronger opponents is the thrill of the game.

"Ah, one more thing. During a certain point in the game, I will say something to you. Just a particular piece of information, so make sure to listen. That will be all."

The exam takers were given extra time to warm up, although it was mainly for their opponents. While gathered together, Aizaki was able to pick up various pieces of conversations, mostly about how tough the match will be.

Meanwhile, on the sidelines

"Fukuda-san," a deep voice called out.

"Hmm? Akutsu? Is everything all right?" Fukuda replied with raised eyebrows.

"I'm sorry, but can you please have someone take over the linesman duty from me? I would also like to participate in the final exams," Akutsu asked with an eerie smile on his face.

Fukuda furrowed his brows and replied, "Why? What's gotten into you all of a sudden?"

Akutsu looked at the pitch where the players were currently hyping themselves up, namely Aoi, by saying "we can do it!" His smile widened as he looked back at Fukuda and said.

"It seems someone here is making quite the misunderstanding about us. Right?"