The Ball Behind the Love of the Court
36. Retreat From Team

My steps stopped when I heard something. At first I thought that my ears had misheard the conversation saying my name. But after I got closer it turned out that there was someone talking there.

"I told you, you don't play that kid again"

"But Key has good potential sir"

"Although it has potential, it's my son that you change and he doesn't play. How can my son develop" he said with a slight mixture of anger.

"But sir.... "

"Here you go, I want him not to play tomorrow's game, I've paid you dearly". I stopped when I heard their conversation in the empty room. It turns out I saw the coach of Nature but the other one I don't know who he is because his face is invisible.

My face was so stunned as I listened to everything. How could he force the Nature coach not to play me. And how can the coach of Nature accept money for bribes.

As I listened to their conversation finished. Now I understand why I don't play at the beginning of the game and always get a game at the end. It turns out that it is true that I am only a complement and a builder to add to the victory. Looks like coach Alam has already teamed up with that guy. Then why am I put in the team if only as a complement.

"Who's that guy" I thought still asking about the couple talking to the Nature coach.

When I tried to remember the words of coach Alam earlier, he said that I had potential. But he can't argue and has to obey that guy so I don't get played.

Is this one of the dirty ways in ball games. Is this one that makes football lower just because of the money. I understand more and more that ability can be bought with money. Coach Alam also took the money and sacrificed me not to be played during the game.

Then the two of them left and I hid so as not to be found out that I had heard everything. But still someone's face is not clearly visible.if the person is a school citizen, I should know the characteristics. As for that person who was a stranger to me, but why did he get into the school. Let it be, everything will be answered with time.

From this I understood more and more that I was not much needed. I was only played to boost the victory when the team was behind the score.

"Loh key, you are here he said he wants to play ball in the warehouse" said Yuri who came with two drinks.

"Oh yeah, I'm waiting for you"

"Yes let's go" We both went into the barn. As usual I practiced ball there. Sharpening little by little so that the existing knowledge is not wasted.

When the break bell was over, we went in and continued the lesson as usual. Yuri and I focused on the lesson that was given until the return hour went off.

2 Days later, I was preparing for the next match. Even though I knew I wouldn't play but I pretended I didn't know. I'll follow all the scenarios I've made. And we'll see the end result later.

In the third game the opponent we faced was one of the underdogs. Because it has 2 matches and 2 losses.

The game continued well, in the first half we led 2-0. Temporary interest is on our side.

"God, God, you have given this team victory" even though I did not play, the gratitude I had for myself never diminished.

Next time I was in the dressing room, I just pretended to listen to what coach Alam said. My heart knows it will not be played in this game.

"You have to keep this game going, because in terms of tactics and attack they lost, and today we have to get 3 points"

"prepared coach" The direction that resonates for all players.

Next entering the second round, several players to be replaced by reserve players namely Mega, Ika, Rega and Vena. The armband is currently held by Ana. I just enjoyed it on the bench. And thankfully our team won the second half 4-0 and lasted until the last minute.

The victory of the current game makes our team successfully occupy the group champion standings while in the women's soccer High School Cup. Coach Alam's scenario I've been reading since the time he talked to that guy. But let's go with it as it is, still we have to focus on doing the last game 2 days again to win the position of group winners and can make it to the semi-finals of the final.

My heart is worried, between having to get out of toxic training or having to stick with the dirty ways that come into this team. This match is the only way to boost my talent even more. I am very happy to have a real coach. But he destroyed it all by accepting money for his own purposes.

I kept everything a secret to Ari and Yuri. I don't want them to be angry and involved about any of this. But in the end I wasn't strong enough to keep it all. And my best friend also knows that in my face this already looks like storing something. With the weight of the day I told you everything. About the game coach Alam who willingly received money just to play someone and willing not to play me in the team.

"Dirty game, I'll help you unload all the keys"

"Yes me too" We gathered at Ari's house. And I dare tell them everything. Ari and Yuri were furious at the instant I heard my story.

"Let's just say, it'll dismantle itself anyway"

"No key, from the beginning of Junior High you already have a very good talent, and I was surprised to hear that you were only used as a team reserve" replied Ari with a serious face

"Because of your support and input. In tomorrow's game I'll decide everything"

"You want to decide what key is?" Ask Ari

"Retreat" Briefly answered

"But key" Ari and Yuri say simultaneously.

They knew that I loved the ball so much, just because the cheating coach of Nature and one of the guys made me have the intention to back off the ball. Even though the risk is huge because the school team will lose if I suddenly retreat.

The final match for the group winners has already started. There are 2 statements if we lose this game we will still enter the semi-finals as runners-up. And if we win, we will come out as group winners.

To win the group is the dream of our football team, but whatever we get is important to go to the semi-finals. We're going to the match. After getting there everyone prepares to change into ball clothes. I was the only one who was silent and did nothing.

"Key, why don't you change your clothes"

"I'm stepping down coach"

"What do you mean, this is a match to determine the group winners so that we get to the semi-finals of the final" coach Alam told me. For a moment I was silent and gathered everything in my mind in order to freely express the fullness of my mind.

"Do what I am in the team, if not needed. Especially as a coach only. And I'm not a core player anyway so I don't have to defend and I don't have an important position" I tried to reveal everything I had in mind, but only a few said I had stopped.

"Good, if you go out. Your position is not needed and you are just a team reserve. You better be a wicket child" Rant does not mean wild from Ana's mouth that is wide open. His smile was satisfied when he chided me who wanted to come out during the crucial match.

"Close your mouth, Ana, I'm sick of you. You can only berate someone without having to look in the mirror. I think Key is better than you. He is never a blunder, his passing is accurate, even his physique is strong when he tries to run opponents and more importantly he plays with the heart. Than you who always make mistakes and make our team concede a few times" Rega vented it all. The dressing room became noisy with our voices.

"What do you mean, you are the captain of a team that has no use" Ana replied in a high tone.

"It's enough, it's not important we fight because soon the game starts. And you're Key, if you want to get out please come out"

"What's Key out? Coach is unfair. If the coach knew that what helped me organize the attack or read the tactics of the opponent was Key. He always helps me when we are in trouble or in a scoreline! And key also builds our spirit"

"Yes coach, Rega's right. The key that makes me excited to run even though their skil is good but the key assures that we can" Sahut Mega continued the words Rega.

Mega reopened the conversation, but she never sided with me. But now he dared to reveal in front of aylam coach.

"Yes coach" replied some of the core players who had felt playing with me.

The dressing room is full of arguments some like and some hate. There are also those who laugh happily because of my keoerfian from this team.

"You're so happy, we've played without him" said Ana who burned the atmosphere in the dressing room. Coach Alam was silent while listening to Mega and Rega's statements about me.

"After that, I better go and to go home I can go home alone. And for you guys, I'm sure you guys can play well spirit yes" Getting out of the dressing room is a better thing to hold back the emotions and even melt their mood so as not to get hotter.

Walk away from the match. Sit on a bench around the park near there. Mreenung itself fixed the ceiling and pigeons fell there. Trying to cool the mind and forget everything.

This time I definitely failed to get into the team and failed to also show talent to be seen by top-class coaches. Playing here is the first way I have to gain insight and learn from the opponent's skill.

Buy a bottle of drinking water at a nearby store and then go back and sit there by yourself. Relaxing with solitude is great. Want to scream as hard as possible to vent the existing annoyance. Can't talk anymore just about what happened. Suddenly tears trickled down a little due to the failure I felt. I've just been happy with God, but it's over.

"You don't deserve it here Key, you deserve to be inside to play" I was surprised and immediately wiped away some tears. No one wants to see that I am sad.

"Sir Dika" I said, and he immediately sat beside me.

"You've got a very good score than the others, but after hearing in the dressing room I became sad that you decided to step down" I just kept quiet by staring at the birds that were busy foraging in the park.

"You know, the current defense is very broken, all playing very chaotic without you Key. Even many play with emotion without a key heart" Kaka tried to explain the events that happened to our team in the match.

"That's none of my business, brother" I answered briefly

"That's your business, because you're responsible for burning the spirits of Key's friends"

"I've retreated, brother, and anyway........ "

"Please forget that key, and get back into the team. Don't you want to scent the name of the school and make a new history for our school"

"But brother.. . . . .. . "

"The decision is with you Key, I will go in to see the match completely destroyed inside Key" Brother Dika hurried away leaving me alone.

I went back to thinking about the words my brother had revealed to me. Looks like I'm wrong. Closing my eyes for a moment and thinking coldly for a while and hurrying away.

"Excite, let's not slack focus" All turned to my voice. I decided to change clothes a few minutes ago and go on the pitch and sit on the bench.

Shouting passion at all the friends who supported me not to back down. Smiles that had disappeared and moody are now again visible from some of their lips.

The game just now seemed to be a spirit. Like energy fires, they play hard. I was happy to see it and while looking at the Nature coach I lowered my head slightly and on his lips there was a slight smile for me. This time he smiled at me. I'll apologize to him after the game is over.