Chapter 467: Regret?
Chapter 467: Regret?
As he heard him, Kenji felt a pang of regret weighing him down. Just like many other passionate young players, he once had made the same error of deciding in a hurry.
When the team he loved offered him a contract at the beginning of his career, he grabbed it without much thinking.
Before concluding, he should have at least researched the current players, profiles of the coach, how often the coach played young players, and many other things. But he drew to a conclusion without giving much thought to it.
Due to this, he struggled to get any playing minutes. It's not that he didn't get any loan offers. He had received a ton. But it was his stubborn nature that had nearly brought him to ruin.
Adamant about earning his spot in the team he loved, he refused to go out on a loan.
Though it had hindered his career greatly, it was all due to his foolishness.
As much as there were players who struggled there were also players who performed well. Just take the example of Lamine Yamal, despite being integrated into the first team of Barcelona so early in his career, he flourished.
However, we can't overlook the risk it brings to players as well. Ansu Fati, who was deemed as the next heir to Messi's legacy, nearly had to hang up his boots so early in his career due to a career-ending injury.
So, we can't just look at the success.
After all, who knows Hiro might turn out differently than him.
Nodding his head, Kenji praised his thoughtfulness, "You've thought it through huh?"
While they were conversing leisurely, others had finished most of the task. If not for Kenji, he'd have been more efficient.
At this moment, he heard the voice of Naoto.
"Hiro, can you pass me those balls?"
Turning to look at him, he realized that they had almost finished, all that was left was the five balls scattered a certain distance away from him.
When did they get so much done?
He felt a little guilty for not being much help. Though he had volunteered to help, he hadn't done much. Rather he had spent most of his time chatting with Kenji.
So, collecting those remaining balls was the least he could do to atone for his lackluster behavior.
"Do you need any help?" Kenji offered.
You kept me busy and now you're offering to help?
Hearing him, he couldn't help but lampoon. Yet still, he maintained his composure as he politely declined his offer, "I can handle it."
"Suit yourself"
It was just five balls. Why would he require his help to collect it?
Bam!
He struck the first ball with precision, easily slotting it in the bin despite the distance. "Impressive," Kenji uttered, impressed.
The smile on his face faded gradually as he witnessed the brilliance of Hiro. He slotted four shots consecutively without missing a single one.
If it was basketball, he would be shooting from the half line.
Along with his fading smile, his face grew paler as Hiro slotted four consecutive balls into the bin without breaking a sweat.
It was as if it was his daily routine.
The ball control, power, and precision. He couldn't fathom how someone so young possessed such striking qualities.
He had seen him play. But he hadn't had the chance to experience it in person since he played for Celtic in the Scottish Premiership.
Though he started his career in Hamburg, unable to procure any noteworthy results he had to return. Then for the better part of his career, he played for Urawa Red Diamonds.
Finally, he found a place where he belonged as he went on to win J. League MVP twice in his career. He also led his team to the AFC Champions League final where he nearly missed out on the title.
Though he failed to lift the title, his efforts were recognized as he earned himself a transfer to Celtic. It was pretty late in his career that he earned himself an opportunity to play in Europe.
So, he was rather hesitant to accept the offer.
But it was one of his close friends Kyogo Furuhashi who at the time was breaking multiple records for Celtic convinced him to sign for the club.
If not for him, he'd have possibly missed out on the opportunity.
Though he had already confirmed, once again as he watched him he couldn't help but doubt his age, "Is he really sixteen?"
The angle and the distance were rather difficult for the fifth shot.
Almost close to the sideline and behind the half-line, it was a rather difficult shot to make.
By now, the field was already buzzing with his praise. Well, after leaving everyone stunned by delivering four marvelous shots, it was bound to happen.
They were thoroughly impressed by his shots.
But even so, when they saw him preparing to take the fifth shot at such a difficult angle, they couldn't help but feel skeptical about him generating the same outcome as before.
"Even if it's him, it's still difficult to make this one"
"He'd have to materialize the soul of Roberto Carlos if he wanted to make it," giggled one of the players on the field.
Kenji however, remained tight-lipped as he watched him with a growing sense of curiosity. He didn't want to jump to the conclusion.
Instead, he was curious whether he'd make it or not.
To score in an open post from that distance although difficult was feasible. But he was going
to slot the ball in a bin so small that it wasn't even half the size of the post.
For sure, his abilities will be tested to their best if he were to make this shot.
"Do you think he'll make it?"
"Nah!"
"I say, he'll make it," Tatsuki intervened.
Had he gone crazy?
The moment they heard him, they couldn't help but look as if he had gone crazy.
"No way!"
They immediately refuted.
"Wanna bet?" Tatsuki challenged confidently.
As much as he seemed confident about Hiro, they were confident that he wouldn't make it as
well. So, they immediately accepted the bet without any hesitation.