Love Kickoff – Episode 5: “The Ones Who Are Watching”

SCENE 1 – “Dream Call”

Setting: Morning. Eikō’s penthouse. Light pours in from the windows. His phone buzzes. He rubs his eyes and picks it up.

Phone Notification:

> “From: FC Barcelona – La Masia Youth Academy”

“Hola, Eikō Hiroshima. After scouting your recent performances, we’d like to formally invite you to an official trial in Spain…”

EIKŌ (eyes widen):

“No… freaking… way.”

He jumps off his bed. He’s in boxers and socks but does a messy goal celebration across the room.

EIKŌ:

“Let’s goooooooo!!!”

He dials Takashi immediately.

TAKASHI (half-asleep):

“Bro, it’s Saturday—why are you yelling in my soul?”

EIKŌ (panting):

“La Masia, man! They just invited me for a trial!”

TAKASHI (suddenly alert):

“Wait—what?! Eikō, that’s insane! That’s Lamine Yamal, Messi, Iniesta-level!”

Eikō’s expression goes serious.

EIKŌ:

“I’m not gonna waste it. This is everything I’ve ever wanted.”

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SCENE 2 – “AYAME & Jealousy”

Setting: School courtyard. Yoda, the popular classmate, is surrounded by students. He’s playing freestyle keep-ups. I.M.A., the school idol and influencer, walks past and notices Eikō watching and laughing at something Yoda said.

AYAME(to herself):

“Huh… he usually only laughs like that with me.”

Yoda flicks the ball and it lands near I.M.A.’s foot. She picks it up with one perfect touch.

YODA (smirking):

“Hey, nice control. Wanna play 1v1?”

Before I.M.A. replies, she glances at Eikō, who’s still smiling—but not at her.

AYAME(forcing a smile):

“Sorry, Yoda. I don’t play second string.”

She struts off but her face darkens. Cut to her slamming her locker door.

AYAME:

“Why does he care so much about that clown all of a sudden?”

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SCENE 3 – “Reveal Yourself”

Setting: School hallway. Eikō is walking to class. A folded letter drops out of his locker. Pink. Heart sticker.

LETTER (voiceover as he reads):

> “You’ve inspired me since day one… You’re funny, talented, and the way you smile when you talk about football… it’s everything. I’ll finally tell you who I am. Meet me on the rooftop after school. — S.A.”

Cut to Eikō staring at the letter.

EIKŌ (blinking):

“Wait… this is real?”

TAKASHI (walking by):

“What’s that? A love letter?”

EIKŌ:

“...I think so.”

TAKASHI:

“Daaaamn. Who do you think it is?”

EIKŌ (shrugs, slightly blushing):

“Guess I’ll find out.”

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SCENE 4 – “The Match That’ll Decide Everything”

Setting: School football field. Afternoon. Eikō’s team is in full kit. Coaches pacing. Drones in the sky capturing the match.

In the stands: dozens of scouts, journalists, and even Japanese national youth coaches sit watching with notebooks and cameras. Isabel is one of them.

COACH:

“Alright, listen up! This is the biggest match of the year. The scouts from La Liga, Premier League, and the national team are watching. Play like your futures depend on it—because they do!”

Eikō stares down at his boots. Deep breath. Then he glances toward the bleachers and sees Isabel… and someone else. A Real Madrid scout.

EIKŌ (internal monologue):

“They’re all here. Watching. This is it.”

TAKASHI (slapping his back):

“You ready to be famous?”

EIKŌ (grinning):

“Nah. I’m ready to be great.”

Whistle blows. Match begins. Eikō surges past defenders, slicing through midfield like a hurricane. Crosses, flicks, and volleys. Every move sharper than the last.

Cut to Isabel texting:

> “Confirming: this kid’s the real deal.”

National team coach leans over to the assistant.

COACH:

“What’s his name again?”

ASSISTANT:

“Eikō Hiroshima.”

COACH:

“Remember it. He’s got it.”

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SCENE 5 – “Rooftop Confessions”

After the match. Sunsetting. Eikō walks to the school rooftop, nervous. Someone’s waiting with her back turned.