Upon hearing Hiro’s answers, Akiyama Takeuchi smiled a bit as he concluded his question. He was impressed by Hiro’s answers and the way Hiro addressed to his questions.
After that another reporter rose her hand and started asking her questions, “I’ve read many articles about you. And we all also know that you’ve already signed contract with an agent from Europe. So my question for you is, are you planning on leaving for Europe in near future?”
Hearing her senseless question, Hiro wanted to scream crazily, “Are you for real woman? Why would I sign with a foreign agent if I don’t want to go abroad?”
But even so he refrained himself from screaming. Instead he continued to maintain his poker face and answered in a sensible way, “Who wouldn’t want to play in Europe? I doubt if there’s any player in this world who hadn’t dreamt once to play for club in Europe.”
His words polite and his face calm. Hiro calmly answered that reporter’s question.
“So do you mean that Japanese football is lacking?” As if that reporter was intentionally trying to create a controversy, she ruthlessly attacked Hiro.
Manager Makoto who was standing beside Hiro could tell what she was intending to do. Thus he was about to step in.
But just as he was about to step in, Hiro answered with the same demeanor and tone as before, “Japanese football is evolving. And may be in near future, we could also rival the top leagues of the world.”
Suddenly his voice changed a bit and his facial expression turned cold, “But if you’re comparing J-league of now to the top 5 league of Europe then I must say it is indeed no way near top leagues. And I believe every single one of you among here would share the same feelings.”
Hiro’s words were very straight. And there wasn’t even a hint of hesitation on his face when he said those words.
While Hiro was making himself clear, for a while surrounding aura around him had changed. And for a while, the reporters felt like they were interviewing a professional player instead of a kid who has barely set his foot onto the professional stage.
The reporters infront as silent as the night sky, they were all flabbergasted by Hiro’s answers. Even the lady reporter who was deliberately trying to create controversies had her mouth shut after hearing Hiro’s answers.
Manager Makoto who was standing beside Hiro was also somewhat shocked by Hiro’s way of handling such controversial questions.
‘Looks like he wouldn’t require any training to face interviews.’ Smiling meekly, manager Makoto revealed a satisfied expression.
After that the interview progressed smoothly without any problems. And as for that lady who was deliberately trying to create controversies, she didn’t get any opportunities to ask Hiro another question.
**** ****
Late in the night while Hiro was holed up inside his room, manager Makoto along with few other coaches were discussing something inside manager Makoto’s office.
“How can we send one of our star payer? What is manager Oniki thinking about?” Coach Kensuke’s wrinkled face wrinkled even more as he erupted furiously.
Manager Makoto who was silently sitting at his seat was looking like he was trying to think something.
“But it’s the order from the higher ups. We have no choice but to do as they say.” Answered coach Fuji while trying to calm coach Kensuke.
“But with Tatsuki gone what will we do if our form deteriorates? We have already lost Tomoyasu. But now you want to send another of our captain away? Although Kenta is somewhat okay. But he doesn’t have the required leadership skills to lead other players. He doesn’t have that decision making skill. Plus he also lacks personality to be a leader.” Coach Kensuke made his point clear.
Since Tatsuki was being called by the senior team and their first choice captain Tomoyasu was also injured, the coaches were debating about Tatsuki’s senior call up.
And just by listening to the words of Kensuke, it was clear that Kensuke wasn’t willing to let go of Tatsuki.
However coach Fuji on the other hand who was a rule-follower, although reluctant was supporting Tatsuki’s departure. Since youth coaches couldn’t deny the order of senior coaches, coach Fuji was simply following the rule.
“What about Minato and Nakahara? They’re good candidates to replace Tatsuki as the captain?” Manager Nozomi presented his opinion.
Hearing manager Nozomi’s opinion, coach Kensuke sneered, “Minato? Seriously? He can’t even pull his own shit. How can he lead others? And Nakahara? He’s way too aggressive. He’ll only create problems if we let him become the captain.”
“Then what about Shun? He has previously captained the U-15 team. He’s a good candidate.” Replied coach Fuji in a calming tone.
“May be after this year, he might be suitable. But for now, he’s out of the picture.” Still somewhat grumpy, Kensuke refused to agree with the suggestion of coach Fuji.
Finally just as Kensuke finished his sentence, manager Makoto broke his silence, “Then what about Hiro? He plays well, he’s also cool headed and I believe he even have that leadership qualities in him.”
Hearing Makoto’s suggestion, Kensuke went into a state of trance for a while as he began to ponder.
And as coach Kensuke quieted down an eerie silence engulfed the entire office room.
In somewhat doubtful way, coach Fuji was the first one to break that silence, “But what about his age? Isn’t he too young for such heavy responsibility?”
“You’re concerned about his age?” Asked Makoto in a surprising tone. “If it’s his age that you’re concerned about then I assure you, he’s way mature than anyone else in our squad.” Replying such with a determined look on his face, manager Makoto took assurance of Hiro’s age. 𝙡𝙞𝓫𝒓𝙚𝒂𝓭.𝓬𝒐𝓶
Makoto then turned towards Kensuke who was still pondering something. And as he turned towards him, Makoto spoke, “You were with me at the time of interview. Do you think that he’s childish?”
Coach Kensuke who also happened to observe Hiro’s interview close hand earlier was out of words. Although he was hesitant to appoint someone so young to be the captain of the U-18 team, he was also aware of Hiro’s personality.
And personally he too believed that Hiro had leadership qualities in him. But even so, just like other coaches, he too was concerned about Hiro’s age.
Seeing coach Kensuke’s reluctance to speak, manager Makoto added, “Let’s give him a chance. Has his age been a problem for us till now? Infact despite being the youngest in the league, he has performed way better than most players in the league. So let’s give him a chance. I have a feeling that he can become a great leader.”
Hearing Makoto’s insistence on appointing Hiro as the new captain of the team, coach Kensuke finally heaved a sigh of relief as he let go of his worries.
He then finally lossened his stiff body and face. After that he nodded his head and agreed to the suggestion made by manager Makoto, “I agree. He’s our best candidate. He’s calm, he makes quick decision, he’s not easily provoked and moreover the players trust him. And he’s also the most skilled player in our squad. So let’s give him a chance.”