An eerie silence engulfed the pitch as the announcent drew to a conclusion.
It had left many visibly devastated.
Despair gripped their heart as they stood still at their place with their head drooped. Many could hardly bring themselves to accept the reality.
Had they not sweat enough? Had they not cried enough? Had they not tried enough?
So, why? Why were they not chosen?
Questions of self-doubt erged in their head as they began to question their ability.
Soon those feelings of self-doubt changed into envy and a burning rage overtook their body, making them clench their fist.
Even so, gnashing their teeth they stood still at their place. After all, making a scene wouldn't benefit any at the mont. They could throw a fit. But this would only affect their future opportunities. So they desperately tucked their rage within.
At this mont, Hiro felt as if an invisible barrier separated the two sides. A side of the chosen ones and the other of the discarded ones.
One side seed much livelier while the other seed as if they were at their wits end.
It was the sa with many other players. They couldn't help but feel aggrieved by the hanging faces of the remaining players.
However, so remained indifferent about the failure of the players that failed to qualify. It was as if they were used to such a sight.
However, the sa couldn't be said for Coach Nanami. Maybe it was due to his inexperience or maybe he had a soft side, he appeared rather disheartened.
Looking at the sorry figure of those who were not chosen, a rather heavy feeling welled inside Nanami's heart despite his early preparation. Before making his way to the pitch, he had prepared himself ntally so that he wouldn't break down.
But even so, while looking at the sorry state of the remaining players, he couldn't help but feel a tad bit gloomy.
Winning and losing are the two sides of the sa coin. If there are winners there's bound to be so losers. It was all a part of the ga and a part of life as well.
But only those can co out victorious who fight until their last breath. As they say, a winner is a person who never gave up.
So though they hadn't been chosen presently, it wasn't the end. There will be many other opportunities. As long as they persevere they will make it. After all, only they get to decide when to give up.
Consoling himself, he tried to raise his spirit.
After all, he still had things left to do. More like there was more he could do. He could have chosen to end this announcent quickly by dismissing those who were not selected. But he didn't feel like it was the right way to end the matter.
Well, he was aware of the harshness of the real world. Yet, he couldn't bring himself to end the matter in that way.
He felt that it'd be like mocking their efforts.
Then he harrumphed before speaking, "Cough! First of all, I'd like to congratulate those that were selected. And secondly, I'd like to comnd everyone who participated in the camp for their effort. You all have done well. So, you can be proud of yourself."
"So of you might have not been selected today. But it isn't the end. Neither is it the end for those who have been selected. You all have much to do, much to face. It's only the beginning. The real test is yet to begin."
It was the sa, "Try again" nonsense, he was spewing. So even though his intention was pure, it didn't prove to be a tad bit helpful to those who had failed.
The atmosphere of the pitch continued to remain damp despite Nanami's efforts to cheer the players who hadn't made it to the team.
Rather it had a negative effect on the players. Instead of providing them assurance, it was like rubbing salt on their wounds.
It was like saying your efforts were comndable but it wasn't enough.
Akira could only sigh upon noticing the unmoved state of the players in front of him. Well, if he were on the receiving end, he'd probably behave the sa as well.
He simply couldn't help but empathize with the sulking players.
All of a sudden, Nanami spat on the ground, "Ptooey!"
At the sa ti, a fierce light shone on his eyes. Furrowing his brow, he harshly criticized, "Gave your best, my foot! For sure, you all wanted to hear those words of pleasantries. But, the only reason that you are leaving ho today is because you are weaker than the ones that are selected."
All of a sudden, every eye turned to look at him. The sudden change in his tone stunned many present on the field.
His words imdiately grabbed the attention of all the people present on the field. Those harsh criticisms pierced like dagger and many felt their heartache upon hearing such criticisms.
What happened to the saint-like aura he illuminated a mont ago?
Was he the sa person who until a mont ago was trying to console the devastated
players?
The temperant with which he carried himself was completely different. The gentleness in his eyes was long gone. It was the sa with his tone- It didn't hold a slight concern.
But for so reason, many devastated players felt better this way.
It was as if they wanted to hear the truth.
And right now, whatever he was saying was fact.
Indeed, it was because they were weaker than the selected players that they didn't make it to the team. It had nothing to do with their efforts.
"If you don't do well enough, soone else will outperform you. It doesn't matter if you're talented if you don't put in the effort. The sa person whom you've underestimated before will outperform you if you don't put in the effort."
Upon hearing such remarks, many turned to look at Kaoru who himself was ardently listening to Nanami. Exactly as he said, earlier many could easily outperform him. Due to this, they had dropped their guard against him.
Underestimating him, many didn't even think of him as a competitor.
But now, he was on the side that was leaving for Georgia tomorrow while they were on the
side that was leaving ho.
Their eyes twitched as they recalled the words of the coach. They couldn't help but relate.
He had said a lot but he wasn't done yet even though he had conveyed what he wanted to say. anwhile, players were observing him sharply, listening to his words ardently.
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