Chapter 25 : Visit

The day after the intense match against Ipswich, the Luton Town squad gathered in the team bus, a somber atmosphere hanging over them as they headed toward the hospital. The weight of yesterday's brutal encounter hadn't lessened; if anything, the realization of Wakabayashi's absence had settled more deeply into each player's mind. Rahmat, seated at the front, looked out at his team, a mix of worry and hope reflected in their eyes.

As they pulled up to the hospital, Rahmat stood, addressing his players with a steady voice. "Let's keep it positive. Wakabayashi's strength has carried us through so much this season, and he deserves to see that same strength in us."

The team nodded, absorbing their coach's words as they filed off the bus, stepping into the hospital lobby. Mina joined them there, having arrived earlier to make sure Wakabayashi was ready for their visit. Her face brightened slightly at the sight of the team, though she still looked tired and anxious.

"He's been asking about you all," Mina said softly. "He's put on a brave face, but… I know he's worried about not being on the pitch with you."

The team walked down the hallway, their footsteps echoing in the otherwise quiet hospital. Finally, they reached Wakabayashi's room. As they opened the door, Wakabayashi looked up, and despite the bruises on his face and the cast around his torso, he managed a smile.

"Hey, what's with the long faces?" Wakabayashi joked, his voice a little strained. "Did you all forget we're still at the top of the league?"

Barou, now wearing the captain's armband that Wakabayashi had passed to him, stepped forward with his trademark confidence. "You think I'd leave my prey alone, Captain?" he scoffed, a fierce grin on his face. "I just came to make sure our wall hasn't crumbled"

Wakabayashi laugh.

Aoyama chimed in, his voice filled with determination. "We're holding it together, Wakabayashi. But it's not the same without you out there. The whole stadium felt it."

Wakabayashi shifted, wincing a bit but maintaining his composure. "I'll be back before you know it. This… this is just a bump in the road." He looked around, his gaze landing on each of them, his expression filled with a fierce pride. "You all showed Ipswich they couldn't break us. Even from here, I could feel the fight in every one of you."

Mina cleared her throat, stepping closer. "The doctors are optimistic, but it will take time," she said gently, looking at the team as much as at Wakabayashi. "For now, he needs rest and recovery."

Rahmat finally stepped forward, resting a hand on Wakabayashi's shoulder. "Take your time, Wakabayashi. You've done more for this team than anyone could ask. We're just here to remind you that we're carrying forward everything you taught us."

Wakabayashi's face softened. "Rahmat… I trust you, and I trust all of you. Keep fighting like that, and this team will be unstoppable." He paused, a hint of emotion catching in his voice. "I'll be back, stronger than ever. I promise."

Before leaving, each teammate shared a few words, offering encouragement, humor, or simply letting Wakabayashi know they had his back. As they stepped out of the room, there was a renewed sense of determination among them, a silent vow to honor Wakabayashi's fighting spirit on the field.

Back in the bus, Rahmat looked over his team, sensing the shift in their energy. They weren't just playing for themselves anymore. They were playing for the man who had been their shield, their leader, and their friend.

And as they pulled away from the hospital, each player knew that when Wakabayashi returned, he would find them still at the top, just as he had left them.

---

Lewis Hampton sat quietly on the team bus, his gaze fixed on the floor as they headed back from visiting Wakabayashi. The past day's events still swirled in his mind, like a storm he couldn't escape. The image of Wakabayashi, injured and being taken off the field, replayed in his head, and the weight of responsibility seemed to grow heavier with each passing moment. Though he was just the backup keeper, with Wakabayashi out, he felt like he was stepping into a role far beyond his reach.

Lewis wasn't just any player; he was the team's underdog in every sense. Raised by the local orphanage, he had joined Luton's youth academy with a single goal in mind: to earn enough money to support himself and give back to the place that had been his only family. He'd heard that footballers could make a lot of money, and, with no other prospects, he figured it was worth a shot. But back then, he was far from the team's hopeful prospect. In fact, Lewis had been the worst in his class—scrawny, uncoordinated, and lacking the Passion most of his peers had naturally. Coaches had nearly written him off, and he almost accepted that he'd never make it.

Everything changed the day he saw Wakabayashi play. Lewis had watched, wide-eyed, as the legendary keeper made save after save, commanding the field with an intensity and skill that left him awestruck. That match ignited something in Lewis, a passion he hadn't felt before. From that moment, he was determined to prove everyone wrong, and most importantly, to prove to himself that he could become someone who mattered on the field.

Training became his life. He showed up earlier, stayed later, and worked through the nights on drills and techniques that would bring him closer to his dream. Gradually, his hard work paid off, and he went from the bottom of the academy to earning a place as a substitute on the main team. Even with his progress, he kept a humble demeanor, never taking his place for granted.

Now, as he sat on the bus, Lewis couldn't shake the sense that he was in over his head. Wakabayashi's absence felt insurmountable, and stepping into the role of first-choice keeper seemed like an impossible task.

"Still thinking about the game?" Aoyama's voice pulled him out of his thoughts. Lewis looked up, startled, as Aoyama took the seat next to him.

Lewis nodded, hesitating before he spoke. "I… I don't know if I'm ready. Yesterday felt like I was just surviving out there."

Aoyama offered him a reassuring smile. "We all feel that way sometimes. But surviving a game like that? That's something to be proud of."

Lewis managed a small smile, but it faded quickly. "It's just… Wakabayashi, he's a legend. And me? I'm just the backup keeper. I'm not ready to be out there without him."

Barou, overhearing their conversation from the seat in front, turned around, the captain's armband stark on his arm. "Listen, kid," he said in his usual brash tone, but with a hint of encouragement. "Wakabayashi wasn't born a legend. He became one by showing up, game after game, and giving everything he had. You don't have to be him; you just have to be ready to fight for the team. That's what he'd want."

Lewis took a deep breath, nodding. The words began to sink in. He realized Wakabayashi hadn't built his reputation overnight—it was a series of moments, challenges, and battles, each one faced head-on.

By the time they reached the training ground, Lewis had made up his mind. He might not be Wakabayashi, but he was going to give everything he had for the team. As they filed out of the bus, he could feel the eyes of his teammates on him, not with doubt, but with a sense of quiet encouragement.

Rahmat noticed him lingering by the side and placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "Lewis," he said with a gentle smile, "you're not alone in this. We're all stepping up together, and that includes you. Don't put the weight of the world on yourself; just focus on one save at a time, one match at a time."

Lewis nodded, feeling a renewed sense of determination. He might be the youngest and most inexperienced on the team, but he knew that every save he made would be one more step toward honoring Wakabayashi's legacy.

As he walked toward the locker room with his team, Lewis couldn't help but feel a flicker of excitement beneath the nerves. The path ahead was daunting, but he was ready to take it on, one game at a time, fighting for every ball, every moment.