Episode 3: “Pressure, Secrets & Sparks”

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Scene 1: “Game Day – The Kickoff Begins”

[EXT. SCHOOL STADIUM – AFTERNOON]

The bleachers are packed. Students, teachers, parents—all buzzing with energy. Higashi Tokyo High’s first game of the season is about to begin. The team is huddled in the locker room. Coach Nakamura walks in with intensity.

COACH NAKAMURA:

“Today is more than just football. It’s the day we show everyone who we are. I don’t care about mistakes—I care about effort, about fight, about leaving the pitch with no regrets!”

The players cheer. Eikō stands up last, calm but focused, then slaps the team logo on the wall.

EIKŌ:

“Let’s cook.”

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[INT. FIELD – KICKOFF]

The whistle blows. Eikō takes the first touch. He looks up, scans the pitch like a pro. Within seconds, he’s dribbling past two players. The crowd erupts.

COMMENTATOR (STUDENT BROADCAST):

“Eikō Hiroshima already breaking ankles, folks! This isn’t football—it’s art!”

The match is tight. Takashi threads passes through tight gaps. The opposing team plays rough—targeting Eikō with hard fouls. But he doesn’t lose his cool.

COACH NAKAMURA (shouting):

“Keep your head, Number 7!”

EIKŌ (wiping sweat):

“I’m good… Watch this.”

In the 75th minute, Eikō pulls out a fake step-over, chips the keeper from outside the box—GOAL. The crowd loses it. Final score: 2–1. Victory.

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Scene 2: “Ayame’s Secret”

[INT. SCHOOL LIBRARY – NEXT DAY]

Ayame sits alone, quietly flipping through a notebook. On one page: photos of her as a child in a football uniform… standing next to a smiling man—her older brother, in a pro youth academy.

NARRATOR (V.O.):

Before she became the quiet top student, Ayame Kanzaki lived for football. But that life vanished when someone she loved disappeared from the field forever.

Takashi randomly enters the library, sees her, and recognizes the uniform.

TAKASHI:

“Wait… is that you? You used to play?”

She quickly closes the book, looking away.

AYAME:

“That was a long time ago.”

TAKASHI (genuinely):

“Guess you and Eikō aren’t so different after all.”

She says nothing, but her eyes drift toward the field visible outside the window… and her expression softens.

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Scene 3: “The Rival Returns”

[INT. PRIVATE ACADEMY – NIGHT PRACTICE]

Riku Hayashi trains under floodlights. He’s sharp, composed, deadly. A scout watches from the sidelines, impressed. Riku finishes a dribble, stares straight into the camera.

RIKU:

“So Eikō Hiroshima is back on the pitch… I wonder if he still plays scared.”

FLASHBACK – YOUTH MATCH YEARS AGO

A younger Eikō faces off against Riku. Riku crushes him with a tackle and scores.

RIKU (V.O.):

“You’ll never beat me again. Not until you stop hiding behind that smile.”

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[INT. HIGASHI HIGH – LOCKER ROOM – NEXT DAY]

Eikō opens his locker. Inside—an envelope. No name. Just a message:

> “Riku’s waiting.”

He pauses. Face serious. The past is calling.

EIKŌ (to himself):

“Didn’t think I’d have to face him this soon…”

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Scene 4: “Sparks in the Silence”

[INT. ROOFTOP – SUNSET]

Eikō sits on the edge of the school rooftop, football beside him. Ayame finds him there, quiet as always.

AYAME:

“You skipped class again.”

EIKŌ (smirking):

“I was studying the wind.”

She walks up beside him, sits.

EIKŌ (softly):

“You ever miss something you used to love?”

She looks surprised.

AYAME:

“…Every day.”

They sit in silence for a beat. Wind rustling. The city glowing in the background.

EIKŌ (smiling slightly):

“You don’t talk much.”

AYAME:

“You talk enough for both of us.”

EIKŌ:

“Fair. But when you do talk… I listen.”

Their hands almost touch, but neither of them moves. Just the silence… and the spark.

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TO BE CONTINUED...

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