Chapter 4: Training

FYI

: Speech

(Tone/Context):

- Thoughts

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Kousuke: Anyone that wants to train come over and join me at the training field outside.

Everyone gets up.

Kousuke- Well at least everyone seems eager. But this is strange.

Hirata: Everyone time to go.

Kousuke: Wait why are you... ?

Hirata: Based on your career you've been assigned as our team leader so we'll follow you completely.

Kousuke looks at a mirror in the locker room as his aura flares up.

Kousuke: I see.

Hirata: Kousuke, FIFA has been keeping a closer eye on high school leagues this entire time and been compiling information on the performance of several players like you who they suspected had the potential to make use of their Aura.

Kousuke: People like me have been observed by FIFA?

Hirata: Yes all of you have!

Kousuke: Then Why was I the only one chosen without Aura Augmentation?

Hirata: Perhaps they saw potential in you.

Kousuke: Potential in me? Hm. Alright well regardless of that let's go and train. It'll be 5 on 5 as it seems our other teammate won't be joining us.

Hirata laughs awkwardly as they all follow Kousuke out to the training field.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Kousuke and his team spend another day training as Kousuke splits his team in half.

Kousuke: Hirata. You'll lead the other team okay?

Hirata moves to his side of the field and Kousuke start emitting his White Aura.

Kousuke: Alright start!

Kousuke's side starts with the ball as Kousuke passes to his teammate for Kick-Off as he himself rushes forward trying to gain a more forward position. The position he picks has only open space between him and the goalkeeper with the person marking him trying to prevent a direct pass to him.

Kousuke- Since this is a 5 on 5 there's a lot more open space.

Hirata- I got to get to the front to score... Wait 

Kousuke gets into position as Hirata only then realizes the open space created with a 5 on 5 match as Hirata then rushes to the defense. However it's too late as the ball lands in open space in a place that the player marking Kousuke can't get to in time as Kousuke recovers the loose ball and scores.

Kousuke: All right everyone stop! Give me a second with Hirata.

Kousuke walks up to Hirata.

Kousuke: Hirata what are you doing?

Hirata: I... It was a lapse in judgement.

Kousuke: It was but that can't be happening out in the field. You're a Midfielder so you should have a better understanding of the field than me so that you can make the appropriate decisions.

Hirata: I know...

Kousuke: Hirata. I believe that you are not suited to this position.

Hirata: Wait... I can still.

Teammate 1: Hey Kousuke.. That's taking it a bit far!

Kousuke: I fail to see what you mean. I saw him looking towards the goal. For the first bit of it protecting his side of the field wasn't even on his mind.

Teammate 2: But still to say something like that on something he's worked towards for years.

Kousuke: All I'm saying is that Hirata is better suited to a more attacking Position.

Hirata: Huh?

Kousuke: Logically speaking you're better for that position. If you you can't look back to defense then you'll become I liability on the field. But if we put you as a Striker we can expect that from you and not have to worry about it.

Hirata looks a little down from hearing that he is a liability.

Teammate 3: Kousuke are you the type of person who only responds to logic? You haven't given off that kid of vibe till now.

Kousuke: Well kind of.

Hirata: It's fine guys. I'm lacking in something. Not Kousuke.

Kousuke: Hirata I don't want you in the Midfielder Position. Your feelings on this matter will not be taken into account. Especially when they aren't your true feelings. I'm putting you in the Winger position.

Hirata: I won't do it. I've already tried being in a more attacking role. It doesn't work for me.

Kousuke: Fine. Spend some time training. We'll see how you do in the match.

Teammate 1: Kousuke. Did you notice anything while we trained?

Kousuke: Yeah. While I'm using Aura and moving around a lot everything takes more of a toll on me. But when I'm sitting still or not moving around to much I can feel myself recovering faster. I also feel stronger and faster. My body just works better while I'm emitting my Aura. 

Teammate 4: Any chance your Augmentation...

Kousuke: Nope. I don't feel any change.

Teammate 2: Perhaps you should reserve it for critical moments?

Kousuke: That does make sense. However this plan won't work against opponents who can make every moment critical. It's not wise for me to leave this alone.

Teammate 3: But if you run out of...

Kousuke: Don't worry about that. I'll be doing stamina training with my Aura turned on.

Hirata: Is that wise?

Kousuke: If I'm the only one that hasn't reached the Augmentation Stage then that means I need to make up for it in whatever way that I can.

Hirata: Lets' continue the match.

Kousuke: Remember everyone. It's first to 3.

Hirata: Yeah. Everyone reset.

Everyone moved back to their original positions as Hirata's Teammate passed to him as Hirata moved forward with a teammate waving to him.

Hirata- What is he thinking moving into that spot? It's an open space yes but everyone will be on you before you can do anything with the ball.

Suddenly Kousuke steals the ball from him and shoot the ball catching the entire other half of the team off guard. Hirata falls backwards onto the ground.

Hirata: Not again.

Kousuke walks up to Hirata.

Kousuke: I could tell by the way you were looking at him. If you have time to criticize your teammates in your own thoughts then your head is not in the game. Focus. You should have just dismissed him as a possibility and found another way to the goal. Instead you let yourself get distracted.

Hirata (irritated) : I know already.

Kousuke: Although there is something to praise from that. You were able to instantly see the problem with that position. Had you been more focused I'm confident you would have made a sound decision.

Hirata: Thanks.

Kousuke offers Hirata his hand as Hirata grabs it and uses it to pull himself up.

Hirata: You know Kousuke. If I didn't know better I'd say you're better off as a Midfielder.

Kousuke looks a Hirata perplexed feeling vaguely interested but dismisses the thought shortly after.

Kousuke: Hirata. We need to go 1 more time at least so let's get started.

Kousuke and the others all return to their original positions.

Kousuke: Begin.

Hirata's Teammate passes to him as Hirata makes a dash for the goal as he draws int the attention of the defense who close in on him Hirata makes a pass as his teammate scores a goal. Hirata's Teammate smiles happily at the goal enjoying it a lot. Hirata however has a look of envy but he quickly hides it from the attention of his teammates. Kousuke catches on to this having been observing Hirata closely for the entire Training match.

Kousuke- His conflicted feelings will cause errors in his judgement to be sure. Seems I've done more harm than good by trying to reposition him.

Kousuke: Well done Hirata. That was good.

Hirata: Thanks.

Kousuke: All right let's go again.

They all return to their starting positions as Kousuke passes to his Teammate and he looks around the field for holes in the defense.

Kousuke- There!

Kousuke rushes into the center readying himself to receive a pass but Hirata blocks him off.

Kousuke- He's here so.

Kousuke's Teammate passes into the open space but Hirata acts quickly as he goes shoulder to shoulder with Kousuke. Hirata tries to push Kousuke off course with his shoulder but Kousuke doesn't even budge.

Hirata: What the hell? It's like pushing against a wall.

Hirata is eventually unable to keep up with Kousuke who scores.

Hirata: Damn it.

Kousuke: Not bad you made some sound decisions. You just lacked the physical ability to keep up with me. 

Hirata: I couldn't do it.

Kousuke: It can be fixed with training so don't worry about it too much.

Hirata: Thanks.

Suddenly Kousuke's Aura stops emitting from his body.

Kousuke: What the?

Kousuke then suddenly falls to the ground exhausted as his teammates rush over to him.

Hirata: Kousuke are you alright? What happened?

Kousuke: My whole body feels so heavy.

Kousuke falls unconscious as Hirata pulls out his phone and calls for help.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Kousuke wakes up in his room as he exits feeling refreshed as he opens the door to the locker room to find everyone sweating from training hard.

Kousuke: What happened to me?

Hirata walks up to him.

Hirata: Mr. Yoshino explained. When you stop moving while using Aura your Aura alleviates the condition of your body but if you run out of Aura or turn it off then it can't preform that task anymore.

Kousuke: So it's puts a strain on my body when I put my body through a lot but it simulates recovery so that I can continue to play for longer. It's almost as if it has...

Yoshino: A will of it's own?

Everyone turns to see Yoshino a the door.

Yoshino: That is a thought I had as well. You might not be far off on that regard.

Kousuke: Mr. Yoshino! What are you doing here?

Hirata: Kousuke. We're late to the match. We need to get going.

Kousuke: Huh? How long was I asleep?

Yoshino: You were asleep for the entire month.

Kousuke: Huh?

Yoshino: Funnily enough all Aura users at some point experience this. It's a world wide recorded phenomenon. However it seems you are the first in this Japan division to undergo it.

Kousuke: When is the match?

Yoshino: It's starting in 5 minutes. Normally I'd disqualify you but due to the circumstances I'll let it slide just this once.

Kousuke and his team put on their Jerseys and head out of the locker room.

Hirata: Hold on.

Hirata knocks on the door to the gym.

Hirata: Kenji. We got a match in 5 minutes. Be there.

They all arrive at the Stadium as Kenji arrives last. Kenji is the same age as the rest of the team with black slicked back standing at 5 Foot 7 with an athletic build.

Hirata: You're late!

Kenji yawns as he does some stretches.

Kousuke: It's fine. Leave him be.

Hirata: But Kousuke he...

Kousuke: I said leave him be. There's no point in causing an argument right now. We can have that conversation after the match. Of course if he performs well I won't need to talk to him.

Kenji: Oh. How interesting. No one's ever been able to stand having me in their team.

Kousuke: I can see why. But that's not important right now. I'll see what kind of person you are in this match.

Hirata: Are you sure about not reprimanding him Kousuke?

Kousuke: What good would that do anyways? Just get into position. Everyone!

Striker teams A and B walk onto the field as they see a crowd gathered in seats around the field who was surrounded by a fence that functioned to keep the spectators safe.

Hirata- It's time.

Kenji- This'll be an interesting match.

Kousuke- We're finally getting started.

Arashi walks onto the field slowly as he looks at Kousuke and smirks. 

Arashi: Finally. I'll crush you all right here and now!

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

To Be Continued

Next Chapter-Gunfire and Explosions!