Introduce Yourself

"Before they arrived, you all better warm up now. The following players… gather before me," Nakahara ordered.

The players stayed still, hoping they were one of the players Nakahara called. They knew that the following players he was about to gather before him would be the first eleven players who would play against the visiting high school team.

As expected, the moment Nakahara called Aoi, Oka, Kaga, and the rest of the players who played well during the last practice match convinced them they would be the main first eleven players.

Those who were not called were disheartened, lowering their head as they left, having no choice but to warm up and practice on their own.

Seeing this, Nakahara was irked, spotting the low morals of other players who were not chosen.

Nevertheless, he did not scold them, saying, "Raise your chin high. Today does not decide your future. Make use of this present and choose your future. Remember, those who work hard with extreme concentration and reflection come out the winner."

The other players were stunned, nodding their heads and raising their chin high. They were not despondent anymore. Their raging motivations forced them to produce endless images in their heads about their training, hard work, and success.

Aoi glanced at them and shrugged. He recognized he had a cheat, but it did not mean he would entirely rely on it. Just like what Nakahara had said, even if he possessed the talent but lacked the boldness to overcome misery, then it would be totally pointless.

Aoi gathered before Nakahara with Oka to his left. To his right was Kuduou, briefly sparing him a glance and then focusing on Nakahara. 

Suddenly, he perceived an intense gaze, turned towards the direction, and discovered it was actually Ogata, who suddenly turned his gaze away from him as though afraid of meeting his eyes.

He shrugged, not knowing how to react when he realized Ogata seemed to have been treating him like a devil. It was even more so when Ogata was standing the further he wanted him from Aoi. 

Ogata was obviously breaking with sweat and was fidgeting every time Aoi stared at him. 

Helpless, Aoi did not want to bother Ogata anymore, knowing that Ogata's impression of him would not last. What he failed to recognize though, was that traumatic experiences were not easily resolved.

Who knows? As long as he was around, Ogata would always fear him.

Nakahara saw Ogata's body language and sighed – helpless, as well. He would try to see first before coming up with a solution to solve the problem.

Now that he had the chance to sweep his gaze from the eleven players he had chosen, he was satisfied, especially with the way they played yesterday.

He said, "Introduce yourself first and position."

Aoi glanced at the further right side and landed his gaze on Ogata. Ogata stared at him in return, tilting his head sideways and then slowly comprehending what he had just said. He turned towards his fellow football players but then tensed when he saw Aoi staring at him with half-opened eyes.

A chill ran down his spine, forcing himself to leave his gaze away from Aoi to calm his racing heart.

He gazed at Kaga instead, finding his ego slowly returning.

He said, "Me. Ogata. Ogata, first year. Me." He pointed at himself repeatedly. "A center-back player, Ogata. Me."

His fellow football players gazed at him weirdly, full of bafflement and curiosity. They even wondered how such a slowpoke like him even managed to enter high school. Nevertheless, they nodded in reply, noting his name and position as they glanced at the person next to Ogata.

He had raven hair and a brown complexion, and his face always seemed to be solemn. He gravely swept his eyes to his fellow members and said, "I am Kuemon Jin. Call me Jin. My position is a left midfielder. I'm known for my aggressive playstyle, have a good vision, and prefer to be offensive. I'm a second year student, by the way."

Nakahara nodded in satisfaction.

He said, "A very detailed introduction. Thank you, Jin."

Nakahara then stared at the person next to Jin, a striking player who initiated the Possession Football tactics.

"I'm Magohachi Kase, a third-year student. My position is a right midfielder. In contrast with Jin, I focused on defense. However, I have some knowledge as well when it comes to utilizing tactics when it comes to offensive, but still, unlike Jin, I can only initiate. And… I guess that's it?"

The other football players found his personality quite pleasing. He was affable, no doubt. Hence, other football players instantly decided to befriend him. After all, players like Jin, Aoi, and Kaga intimidated them. They certainly were insecure and afraid to even communicate with them.

Afterward, the remaining players, Nori, the central midfielder first-year student, Koji, a right-back first-year student, and Kohei, a left-back second-year student, introduced themselves.

Finally, it was the goalkeeper's turn.

Aoi spared a glance at him, leaving him a good impression. After all, he even managed to stop Oka's attempt to score a goal many times. His quick decisions and good judgment made him stand out the most.

"I am Oishi Miki, a second-year student. A goalkeeper." He went silent.

He peeked at Aoi and instantly turned his head away when he saw Aoi staring at him. 

Aoi felt wronged.

Why were they staring at him as though they were afraid of him?

What did he do?

He sighed.

"Insecure people."

"What did you say?" Nakahara glared at Aoi, hearing well what Aoi had said.

After all, it seemed Aoi did not even bother lowering his voice.

Aoi shrugged, causing Nakahara to be helplessly infuriated.

He seethed his teeth and said, "It's time to introduce yourself."

Aoi shrugged.

"I am Toshiaki Aoi, who will become the best striker in the world."

He went silent.

The football players were stunned.

Kaga, Jin, Oka, Kase, Miki, and the rest stared at him with mixed expressions.

Meanwhile, Aoi was grinning inwardly.

[Ding! You have shown Egoistic Behavior! You have been rewarded with 10 Ego Points!]

Who would have thought introducing himself to them would give him that many Ego Points?

What would happen if he introduced himself to the world, then?