The Dreamers
Rivalry

The tournament was over, but that sense of regret was still left in Hiro's heart. All of his friends including Ryota also felt the same way. No one wants to lose a final.

Hiro came home disappointed. He returns home alone on a city bus after Ryota says that today he can't take Hiro home as usual.

...

"See you losers!"

...

Although it sounded annoying, the last words from Daichi this afternoon made Hiro think of something, "Am I still working less?" Hiro looked at the bus.

After arriving, Hiro got off the bus which drove him to a stop near his home. His legs were heavy because he played three times today. Hiro could only let go of the fatigue while cooling down in front of his house.

When the sun had set, Hiro had to start making his wares back. Inside the empty house, Hiro still thought of being able to become like Daichi.

"How can I look like?"

...

Hiro still did not know what the secret of Daichi was so that he could play as great as that. He was very good and was already in demand by the talent scouts who witnessed it earlier.

After graduating from the academy, Daichi was confirmed to be directly signed by one of the professional football clubs in the Japanese league. Reportedly the club is very famous.

Hiro wants himself to get the same. But the question is, can Hiro?

...

Until the night Hiro thought about Daichi. Tired does not make him fall asleep quickly. He could not sleep even though he was lying in his bed. Hiro's two hands were behind his head as he stared at the ceiling while daydreaming.

Unwittingly, it's past midnight and Hiro's father is home.

Cklik...

The door sounds open. There was no voice of the father. Hiro's father thought Hiro was asleep and he was still awake.

After Hiro's father walked into the room, he was surprised to see Hiro. "Eh? you haven't slept?"

"Yes Well," replied Hiro. His voice sounded hoarse.

"What's wrong? why haven't you slept all night? done with schoolwork?" Hiro's father was curious.

But Hiro replied, "No," Because there's another reason that makes Hiro like this.

"Something happened today?" Ask Hiro's Dad.

"Yes,"

...

...

Hiro started telling his father everything about today. His father was still faithful to listen even though he was very sleepy.

The sound of lizard on the wall, as well as the clinking of the clock that has pointed to the number '1'. I don't think Hari has told me too long.

Hiro's father understood his son's situation. "Oh so that's what happened" Hiro's father said after he finished hearing Hiro.

Hiro's father felt his son too. "Dad understands how you feel, son" Hiro's father hugged Hiro warmly in the cold that night.

"Here you go, shall we sleep, son? it's very late,"

"Good dad,"

The light that was on was turned off. Now it's time for Hiro to continue his beautiful dreams in sleep.

...

...

When the sun had risen again, Hiro woke up like his usual days. Her father had left for work, had breakfast with food overnight, delivered merchandise to aunt's shop, and then left for school.

While sitting in his class, Hiro realizes that Ryota is not going to school today. Hiro doesn't know why Ryota is absent. The class guardians only know from the parents

Ryota that he's sick.

When there is no Ryota like this, Hiro has no other friends at school. Hiro doesn't know anyone other than Ryota in his class, he just knows their name. Hiro was only able to do school activities like a child who had just entered school for the first time.

...

As the bell rang home from school, Hiro rushed to Ryota's house to visit her. Hiro is worried that Ryota is sick from being too tired after playing all day in the tournament yesterday.

"Hopefully Ryota is fine" muttered Hiro.

When he gets to Ryota's house, Hiro presses his doorbell. Long enough the response from the person inside the house until Hiro had to press the bell again.

After the second time, Ryota's door finally opened. The person greeted Hiro's arrival warmly. "Oh! brother Hiro!" Cheerful voice from Ruka.

Hiro hadn't seen Ruka in a long time. Last time we met was in the summer. "What's up, Hiro?" Ask Ruka.

"Eh, Ruka.., Halo.., Ryota's sister is there?"

"What pain?"

Hearing Hiro's question, Ruka became difficult to explain. "Ehh.emm, don't know! just go in, brother! I call Ryota first, " Ruka said as she let Hiro in.

...

5 Minutes passed. Ryota arrives while driving Ruka to the living room where Hiro is waiting. Slowly Ryota sat down beside Hiro. His face was red, his eyes were not as sparkling as usual. Ryota is really sick.

After Ruka escorted her sister to the living room, she immediately walked to the back. "I made tea first, yes" Ruka said before going to the kitchen.

Things get awkward. "Eyeh, Ryo? you all right?" Ask Hiro.

Ryota replied in a soft voice, "Yes,"

"What are you sick with?"

"Fever," replied Ryota again.

"What happened to yesterday's tournament?"

"Yes,"

Hiro was running out of topics. Ryota also looked very tired. Hiro began to feel that his arrival to visit even disturbed his best friend's break.

Because it's not good, Hiro was allowed to go home. "Ryota.., I'm anyway-,"

"In the meantime Hiro.., I want to say something," Suddenly Ryota cuts off Hiro's speech. "Come a minute,"

"W-All right?" Hiro sat back on the sofa after standing up to go home. "What's Ryo?"

Ryota sighed. "Are you disappointed in me?"

"Huh?" Hiro was very confused. "You mean?"

Ryota also seems to have not expected Hiro's confused reaction. "You know for yourself, don't you? yesterday we lost! and I think it's because I forced myself to play even though I was tired." Ryota hated himself so much.

"I'm too lousy to face a tougher opponent! I won't be able to play as well as expected!" Ryota hates himself.

Hiro who heard Ryota's words became silent. He begins to understand Ryota's feelings.

"If you want to be a star player, you don't deserve to be on a team with this lousy me!" Ryota's words were emotional. Ryota also cried. "So from that, I thought that I should move to another football school. I don't want my ego to destroy you,"

Hiro remained silent. He hasn't said anything yet.

"In addition, my real reason is that I don't want you to lose your dream!" Ryota.

...

"BUT I DON'T WANT TO LOSE MY BEST FRIEND!!!"

...

"Huh?" Ryota was shocked to hear Hiro's yelling.

"I DON'T CARE IF IN MY WHOLE LIFE I'VE NEVER FELT LIKE A CHAMPION, BUT I DON'T WANT YOU TO SACRIFICE FOR ME EITHER!"

Hiro could not look Ryota in the face. "You're my best friend Ryota. I could be here too because of you...,"

"Hiro..?" Ryota's eyes are glazed.

...

"I want you to promise to be with me to achieve our dreams no matter what! you promised, didn't you?" Hiro.

"Everything also needs a process.., don't be afraid of what people say! keep fighting Ryota! I will always be with you in every sweat that drips in our hard training!"

Ryota could no longer answer Hiro. Ryota did not expect his best friend to remain confident in him, even after the defeat at the tournament yesterday. "Alright Hiro.., let's try together!"

...

...

Hiro then goes home after Ryota says that he will keep trying. Ryota and Hiro are both happy to support each other. Hiro couldn't have played ball if it wasn't for Ryota, while Ryota couldn't be as great as he is now if it wasn't for Hiro.

...

"Hehe.., the tea's already jad-, eh? where's Brother Hiro?"

"Back home," Ryota answered briefly as he passed his sister's body riveted.

"Yeah! brother! I'm making tea again! how come Hiro's coming home?!" Grumpy Ruka.

...

...

The days after, and the weeks that followed, Hiro had promised to give everything for football. He wants to win trophies with Ryota.

Hiro is aware that he also has to contend with Daichi's dominance in the academy. Daichi is a thick wall that covers Hiro's rays in the academy. However, when there is a competition, it certainly will not last forever. There was always a moment where that blazing soul started to go out.