AN: Sorry about the missing update two weeks ago. I had camp last week and assessments lined up everyday, I really couldn't create time to write. Another heads up, I have revision week and exam week coming up, and with exams in VCE subjects I will be studying hard, so please forgive me if I miss an update or update late.

Chapter 5- UNIFORM

Kudo POV

I was in the soccer clubhouse nursing my beloved thermos of coffee when Kamiya arrived. We got to work right away making individual training notes as well as cross referencing our opinions. I learnt that we were very similar people.

Kamiya POV

I thought I was an early bird, but apparently not. Kudo and I got to work and created the notes. He had a more specific eye on the weaknesses, while I had more knowledge on the strengths and advantages.

When everyone arrived, they took their respective notes and got to work. In the afternoon we played another practise match and I tested Kudo's skills in defence as well as Mahori's skill as a centre. After that, Kudo temporarily became goalkeeper and I checked if Ishibashi or Nitta to took the defender position. Kudo did surprisingly well as a goalkeeper; he almost stopped all of them. I guess all the detective deductive abilities came into use to predict movements and ball direction. I shouted

"Okay, that is the end of training for today. Don't you dare be late tomorrow!"

Mahori POV

"So it's tomorrow then." Nitta sighed.

"What is happening tomorrow?" I asked.

"The announcement of the regulars." He replied.

"I guess I will know by tomorrow whether he upheld our agreement." Shinichi muttered from beside me. I was curious, what agreement?

Time skip

Kamiya POV

I talked with the coach of our team before the announcements.

"Sensei, I am putting Kudo on the sub list. It was his request. Also if he tells you to do any substitutions and timeouts during the match, do it. He is basically me off the field, keeping track of the game."

"Okay. Do you trust him with the decisions?"

"Yes, I do. I did some research on him as well, although he only played juniors he was clearly the playmaker. He is an all-round good player."

"Very well. I will follow his and your instructions. By the way Kamiya, I am proud to see the way you have lead the team so far and be prepared to answer some questions from the team about your decision." I walked onto the field and stood in front of the assembled club members.

"I will start the announcement. Don't forget to collect your uniforms as well"

"Keeper: Shiraishi."

"Remember Kubo will not be here to help you with the goal, it's your sole responsibility."

"Yes."

"Next defenders, Stopper Hattori. Right Yano. Sweeper Akahori. Left Nitta. Next, midfielder, Otsuka." The next uniform is mine. Number 7.

"Centre is Mahori."

"This was Kubo's position. I'm putting my trust in you. Don't let me down."

"Yes."

"Finally, forwards. Left, Sasaki. Right, Hiramatsu. Centre forward Tanaka." I gave him the number 10 jersey. He hesitated straight away.

"What are you doing? Take it."

"I can't."

"Take it."

"Toshi" said Hiramatsu. I looked at the other members; they were smiling and agreed with my decisions, especially the freshmen. Tanaka was the reason freshmen were even on the team. He finally took it after seeing the support from the team.

"Thank you very much." He said, with his face bowed low but determined.

"Now, I am announcing the substitution players for this season. You guys maybe switched around depending on our opponents or if there are injuries within the regulars. Ishibashi, Kudo."

[Sorry, I cannot be bothered creating characters. For your information, there are 4 subs. But only Kudo and Ishibashi will feature in this story.]

The other player's eyes widened so much that I was worried it would permanently affect their faces. They all saw Kudo's soccer capability, he could play any position and extremely well. I knew they were thinking "what the h***! Why is he a sub this season?"

"Gomen nasai, Kamiya. Something urgent came up, I need to leave." Kudo suddenly interjected coldly. He had been quiet, smiling and nodding with approval the whole time throughout the announcement, but now he had a blank, serious expression while reading and rereading a text on his phone, a message that consisted of one line of text. I guess a serious issue came up, to change his expression and tone so much, so suddenly.

"Okay, here's your uniform and you may leave, but you must be present at both morning and afternoon training tomorrow. No excuses."

"Of course." He replies with his normal tone, but with his eyes distant before running of the pitch.

"Back, to the task on hand. Before, any of your brains explode or your faces disfigure permanently due to your own actions. I will explain why Kudo will be on the bench."

"As you all know, he is a great player, with skills and technique. Kudo and I are very similar style players; therefore he is basically me on the bench. During the match, I will observe the situation during gameplay while playing; Kudo on the other hand will observe everything from the bench or from an audience stand to see the situation from above or court side. We will exchange strategies and information during breaks and timeouts also between halves. So if you have issues, talk to Kudo or me. I will sub him on at different times depending on the opponent and our plans. During some matches he will be on the starting list, but it is based on our opponent and the strategy. Do you understand?"

"Yes, captain."

"Okay, everyone come in uniform for the next few training sessions. We will be doing formation practice. Dismissed! Hiramatsu, stay for a minute." I wait until all the players are outside of the immediate vicinity before turning to Hiramatsu.

"You have seen or known about the flash pass strategy of Fujita East right?"

"Yes Kamiya-san."

"Have you seen the new added tasks on your personal training list right?"

"I have seen it and I have started to work on it. I have found information on Kudo and summarised into a 3 page report that I can give you. I have to say, he has had a lot of attention for being a detective that started at 14 years old. But on the Fujita East, I have been working on the different signals. I hypothesise that there are around 5 pass routes."

"Good work. Regarding the Fujita East flash pass, you can always ask Kudo for some tips. I'm pretty sure he has figured it out, but I think he wants someone in the regular team to figure it out as well. Can you slip the report in my locker sometime tomorrow?"

"Yes Captain."

"Okay. Kudo and I have strategy meetings at my house at around 5 on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. We believe that you can provide input with your knowledge of soccer observation skills. If you want to, you can come to the meetings and help with the strategy making for our matches. Also if you decide to come, please inform us via phone first and not suddenly turn up on my doorstep like Tanaka will tonight or tomorrow."

"Yes Captain."

"You may go. Also these meetings are between the three of us and no one else." Hiramatsu nodded and ran off the field. I felt so much older all of a sudden, and understood Kubo more. He did this for an entire year and a season with only my help.