CHAPTER 1: FIRST STEP

[THIRD POV]

We see the passing of the ball by players in red. The ball moving from one side of the pitch to the other, their movement was quick and precise, showcasing that this wasn't just any game, but one of the elite category.

The crowd cheered loudly for their team, red coloured the stadium, indicating that this was the home team. While a small portion was in white color for the away team.

Back to the pitch, as the team in red advanced forward, cutting through the other team like knife through butter. The ball found its way to a player on the left wing, the number 14 printed bodly on his back.

As the ball reached him, the crowd cheered louder.

Zooming out from the pitch, we see a young boy, fourteen years of age, his gaze glued to the screen in front of him. He's light chicle skin being illuminated by the screen. He's bright purple eyes were fixated on the screen, his eyes unblinking like if he were to blink for even a second, he would miss one moment, a wide smirk on his face. A football rested on his body. He looked as stiff as a statue, and if not for the rise in his chest you would think he wasn't alive.

Picture here

Zooming back to the screen, we see his demeanor was replicated by the crowd as their eyes were also fixated on the player. The crowd cheering louder.

The player drove with the ball, the defenders 'trying' their absolute best to stop him. Emphasis on the word 'trying'. He glided through the defenders like they weren't even there.

As he continued on, looming closer towards goal. Eyeing the keeper, as he winded his leg for a shot, the boy's eyes focused on him even more, as he slotted it into the far corner with a cool finish

The crowd cheered louder. The boy jumped up in celebration as well. The red blew the whistle for the end of the game, and the video on the small TV came to an end.

The floor creaked under the weight of his celebration. The boy froze, his head slowly turning to the other end of the room. A figure lying on a bed.

His heart beated in his chest as he held his breath. He hoped he hadn't woken up his little sister, as he knew how grumpy she could be when her beauty sleep, as she liked to call it, was interrupted and he didn't want to bear one of her nagging's again.

Waiting for a few minutes, the girl shifted in her bed before falling back asleep. The boy released a breath, "Phew, that was a close one." He muttered under his breath, a nervous chuckle escaping his mouth.

He looked outside his room, the sun hadn't yet come out. Seeing that it was still quite early, the boy quickly got up. Rummaging under his bed, he found what he was looking for, some worn out boots and a red soccer Tshirt.

Quickly putting them on, he walked towards the window, the floor creaked under his weight. He stopped, looking at his sister to see whether she has woken. Seeing that she was still asleep, he took another step, only for the floor to creak again. 'Are you kidding me.' He grumbled in his mind, before he finally reached the window.

Carefully opening it. It creaked as it opened. 'Seriously,' he cursed in his mind.

After a few agonizing mintues, he finally opened the window.

Turning his head, he grabbed the open pipe by the side of the orphange home and slid down into the backyard.

Reaching down, he took a deep breath before a smirk made way to his tace. He then started to kick the ball, his mind focused on ithe ball as the surroundings started to blurr away. He imagined himself in the stadium, the crowd cheering him on as he played.

He moved, "Oh, Here's Neron as he dribbles through his opponents." He commented, as he ran around the backyard.

"The defenders try to stop him, but what does he do, he simply glides through them." He executes some feints and la crocetas.

As he continued to dribble around the backyard. He faced a tree, his leg winded back. "Ooh, Nerons through on goal, but the keeper is rushing him to close him down. He shoots, and he scores." He shot, the ball sailing through, curving round the tree, I mean goalkeeper before hitting the goal.

"Woah, what a goal. What a goal by Neron to send his team to the final. Woah, woah." He shouted, running around and doing a slide celebration like his idol does.

But unfortunately his fantasy ended as he heard a shout. "NEEEEEEROOOOON!!!"

He winced as he slowly turned his head. His eyes landed on the broken window with shards of glass scattered on the field. 'Oh boy, I'm in trouble.' he thought.

A middle aged lady came out of the back door. Her greyish blonde hair still glowed in the sun and her eyes matching said color. The air around her gave off the vibe of kind and just a nice old woman. But the smile on her face wasn't reaching her eyes as she stared at Neron

Neron gulped, he was in trouble, big time. "Sorry Miss Ella, I guess I was too focused ya know. Haha" He rubbed the back of his head, chuckling awkwardly at the end.

The lady sighed, as she shook her head. "Neron, this the fifth time this week. Fixing a window isn't cheap you know." She said, her voice in a scolding tone.

Neron looked down, shame entering him. "Sorry." He whispered.

Ella smiled as she walked towards him. She ruffled his head, "It's okay Ner. Now why don't you go and shower, and wake up the rest. And do please try not to break any more windows while you're at it."

Neron chuckled as he headed into the orphange to wake up the rest. But first, he needed a shower as he stunk.

An hour later, after showering and waking up the remaining kids Ella called everyone for breakfast. The kids hurried to the dining hall to eat, their laughter and talking filled the room.

Neron sat on his seat, eating his food. His eyes avoiding the gaze of the girl opposite to him.

The girl in question stared at him, features quite similar to his. Curly hair styles in two buns, transparent glasses rested on her face as purple eyes stared at Neron. This was Alina, his sister.

Her purple eyes narrowed at him, "You broke the window again didn't you?." She questioned, though from the glass shards in the trash and the shout that sounded in the morning, she already knew he did.

Neron paused. He chuckled akwardly, his eyes not meeting hers, "Would you believe me if I said it was a bird."

She raised an eyebrow, her expression saying, 'do you take me for a fool,'.

Clicking his tongue, he answered. "Okay, I may or may not have broken it by accident during practice."

His sister shook his head,"You know you can't keep breaking the windows. Money doesn't grow on trees. You already know how Aunty Ella struggles to keep us all fed and sheltered even though she acts it otherwise, so stop giving her a hard time you know." She reprimanded.

Neron looked down, a sigh escaping his lips."I know Lin." Before his attitude changed back to his happy one, "But when I become the best footballer, we won't have to worry about windows at all trust me ya know." He smirked

Alina shook her head, 'I know you'll be the best. I'll support you as much as I can big bro.' she thought, though you'll have more chances of catching bears dancing on Broadway than her ever saying that to him.

She shook her head, "Eat up or we'll be late for school. I don't want to be late for our first day".

Neron nodded as they continued to eat.

After eating, Ella gathered the kids outside. The bus soon harrived to take them to school, at least the older ones like Neron and Alina. Ella waved them bye.

The bus didn't take time to reach the school as it wasn't too far from the orphange. As it reached the school, Neron dropped down. His eyes widening as he stared at the school. It was really big, the biggest building he had ever seen. (A/N: Do note Neron hasn't been out much and the buildings around his orphanage are quite small).

He was greeted by a typical school building, the bold words kanji words, "SEIRAN HIGH" rested on the top. It was a traditional yet welcoming Japanese school. The main building rises three stories high, its clean, cream-colored walls lined with large windows that catch the morning light. A pathway leads to a neatly kept, open courtyard where a few sakura trees provide patches of shade, their leaves gently rustling in the breeze. A tall iron gate marks the entrance. Students in neatly pressed uniforms pass by, chatting and laughing as they head toward the main entrance, giving the campus a lively, warm atmosphere.

His sister hit him on the head, snapping him out of his trance. "C'mon you doofus we'll be late. Let's go" She said, her words dripping in annoyance.

Neron chuckled, as he followed.

After they changed their Shoes for indor ones, Neron and Alice headed towards the gym for the opening ceremony.

They both separated to go to their respective classes.

After the opening ceremony, which lasted for about an Hour, though Neron wasn't exactly paying attention. There we dismissed to go to their respective classes.

After saying goodbye to his sister. Neron navigated the school hallways in search for his class.

Nearing the classroom, noises of students entered his ear. As he entered, a few students came to view, already forming their social groups.

Neron's eyes scanned the classroom, until his eyes landed on his nameplate at the back of the class, near the window (A/N: Ahh, the Infamous Protagonist Seat).

Neron soon found himself bored, not really knowing what exactly to do. He's never really interacted with people much except for his sister and the Orphange Matron.

He tore up a piece of paper from his book, folding it and used it as a mini ball to hopefully clear his boredom.

After a few minutes, he noticed someone sitting to his right. Glancing at him, the first thing that came to Neron's mind was, 'Hedgehog'

Almost as it noticing his thoughts, the boy turned to his left and stared at Neron. Red eyes met purple ones as they were both scrutinized each other. Neron wanted to talk, but his skill level with interacting with people was about the same level as a newborn baby. Same could be said about the boy, as he wasn't also one to converse.

Neron awkwardly smiled, "Sup man, I'm Neron." He finally managed to say.

The boys red eyes stared at Neron, "I'm Baro, Shoei Baro" He introduced.

And then there was a silence between the two. Both boys not really knowing what to say, though that would soon change.

The door creaked open, a teacher entering into the classroom. At that, the class noise died down.

The man stood at the head table, he was quite young for a teacher, not looking older than 25.

He wrote his name on the board,

'MR. HIROSHI TAKEDA'

"Good morning class, You can just call me Mr. Hiro for short. I'll be your homeroom teacher for the next three years, so why don't we all introduced ourselves. Name, and what you hope to achieve." He said, a friendly smile on his face.

After almost everyone introduced themselves, it was time for Neron's turn.

He stood up, "Hi, My name is Neron and my dream is to be the greatest striker in the world and have fun doing so." He said, a bright smirk on his face.

The teacher nodded, a smile on his face "That's a nice dream to have Neron, why don't you join the football team then" Mr Hiro adviced.

Neron nodded, before going back to his seat.

Baros eyes focused on him now, it was his turn. "I'm Shoei Baro and I want to be the greatest football striker in the world." Baro said, a challenging smirk on his face as he stared at Neron

"Huh," Neron's face turn displeased, "No, I'll be the greatest striker ever."

Baro snorted, "Huh, You wish. You can have second place."

Neron stood up, "No, I'll be the best, just like Henry and play for arsenal, the best team in London."

"Best team?," Baro gained an offended look, "Chelsea's the best and I'll be the best striker, playing for the actual best team in London"

"No me." Neron brought his head forward.

"No me." Baro clashed his head with him.

They kept clashing heads, arguing who would be the best. The teacher smiled seeing this. He clapped to draw their attention, "Okay boys enough, you both can be the best. Now why don't you both join the football team then."

Neron and Baro looked at the teacher, then at each other before nodding. Sitting back down.

Baro turned slightly towards Neron, his fist held out for a fist bump. "We'll go to the football team and register after class and I'll prove I'm the better striker, unless you're too chicken." A teasing smirk on his face

"Oh, you are so on" Neron nodded in agreement, bumping his fist, a challenging smirk on his face.

Since it was the first day of school, classes went that long so Baro and Neron ended up going to the football club to sign up immediately.

[School Football Ground]

A giant of a man stood steady Infront of the group of kids. He was imposing personified, his dark hair flaied around his head like a lion's mane, his black eyes seemed to bring about fear when gazed upon. His gaze swept through the group.

A lady stood just beside him, a stark contrast to his imposing self, she looked as delicate as a flower. Her soft blue eyes stared at the group, her long black hair was styled in a cute bun that rested neatly on her head, a small smile on her face.

She smiled at the group, "Hello everyone, I am Sophia, Sophia Brooks, and I'm the coach of the soccer team." She introduced herself.

At that, bewildered looks passed through the players. They had thought the imposing person beside her was the coach, and you wouldn't balme them of such thought. Even Neron and baro to were shocked as well

"How's she our coach, she looks like a child." One person said.

The first team players that stood just behind her all collectively felt a shiver down their spine. 'They're so dead.' They collectively thought.

The woman maintained her smile, already used to such comments. "Please don't mind my height, it won't stop me from coaching you all. Now let us begin". She said, before her aura changed, she still has the smile on her face but something changed as the players all felt sweats dripping down their faces.

"Okay, listen up you pups. This is the try outs for the soccer team. If you don't got it, don't waste my time alright. You'll go through drills to test said ability so get ready for hell boys." She bellowed, her voice not matching her small statue as it resounded on the field. She ended with a mad grin, earning nervous gulps from the players.

Neron glanced at Baro, "Ready to loose to me."

Baro snorted, "Hah, You wish."

Neron's eyes were focused, a smirk on his face. His body brimming with excitement towards his first step to being the greatest ever.