The Knight in the Area (エリアの騎士)

Soccer.

The sport loved by people around the world.

Those with footwork as sharp as a sword

and those who pass the ball like magic

shake the stadium with the enthusiasm they evoke from their fans.

Yet, not matter how long you control the game for,

without scoring a goal you can never win.

Therefore, Japan was searching for a knight

in the penalty area with the absolute power to decide the game.

The fifteen-and-under U-15 Japan/South America Cup,

Japan versus Brazil!

We're nearing two minutes of loss time here in the second half.

The score is 1-2, Brazil's lead.

Japan is feeling the pressure.

They've got to find some way of tying up the game.

However, Brazil isn't letting up on the attack.

They're pushing. Pushing.

I

I l

I li

I lik

I like

I like s

I like so

I like soc

I like socc

I like socce

I like soccer

I like soccer.

It's Aizawa!

Japan's number 10, the king of the field, Suguru Aizawa!

He took advantage of that momentary opportunity and stole possession!

I

I re

I real

I reall

I really

I really li

I really like

I really like soccer.

I really like s

I really like soc

I really like socc

I really like socce

I really like soccer

He's broken into a dribble.

The speed to suddenly switch the defense into offense.

He's broken past the first defender!

The second!

The magnificent footwork of a breakthrough.

Closing tens of meters into

nothing in an instant with a magical through pass.

And a shot like a flash.

GOAL!

Japan manages to tie up the score before the end of the half!

And the one who made the shot was, of course,

none other than the unstoppable ace, Suguru Aizawa.

My name is Kakeru Aizawa.

I'm Suguru Aizawa's younger brother.

I Like Soccer

Kamakura Middle School

Here comes Suguru.

He takes advantage of that momentary opportunity and steals possession.

Those who couldn't make it to the game: pay attention.

Brazil's defense is closing in, but he slips past one

and then the other with his magnificent footwork.

Whoa!

Finally, as if the ball was pulled in by a string, a gorgeous through pass!

Are you okay, Kakeru?

Hey!

Practice has already started.

Kakeru! If you're playing around because you're the manager,

just quit the club.

My bad, brother. I mean, I'm sorry, Captain.

My brother is amazing.

He's known as Japan's prize.

Suguru-senpai!

Wow! He looked over here!

Comparing my brother to me,

would be like comparing the moon to a turtle.

Damn it!

Here's your jersey.

Thanks.

Here's a towel.

Thanks.

Hey, Manager!

Yes!

Kakeru-kun!

Um!

Could you...?

To my brother, right?

I'll pass it on.

Switch it up!

Kakeru.

What are you doing? Leave that for the first years.

It's fine. It's fine.

At least let me help you out.

I'm really okay.

Hey! Aizawa!

Which Aizawa?

The lower quality one, obviously!

He didn't just say...

What is it?

Kakeru!

Can you get me my shin guards?

On it!

Kota, can you take care of this?

What?

Whoa! Hey!

Hey, Kakeru.

When you saw your brother's amazing play in the Brazil game,

didn't it remind you of anything?

Up until last year you played as a forward, right?

Quit being a manager and be a player again!

Exactly.

If you could use your left a little more,

you'd be able to match up against me.

Even if I turned my world upside down,

I wouldn't be able to play like my brother.

If my brother continues as a player, I'll continue as a manager.

Someday, I'll start studying to be a trainer.

When the genius, Suguru Aizawa,

stands on the World Cup soccer field,

my dream is to stand there, too.

I'll be my brother's manager and his trainer.

Whether that's manly or not...

Yuusuke, sub in. Get in there.

Okay!

Go get 'em!

Well, I guess that's one way to live.

C'mon! It's Yuusuke every single time!

It can't be helped.

Of all the second years, he's definitely the best.

Man! It must be nice to be the manager.

Meanwhile, I'm all nervous for tomorrow's red and white match.

It is the regular selection match, after all.

Dear God and Buddha!

Please let someone have a stomachache so I can play!

"To curse someone is to dig two holes," right?

How strange.

Hey, hey, hey!

I haven't seen your uniform around here before.

This is a no trespassing zone!

Do you want to be legally sexually harassed, huh?

Kakeru.

Kakeru, long time no see.

Why... do you know my name?

How cute!

I transferred to this school.

I've come back to Kamakura.

Um...

I guess you don't recognize me.

Um, I'm sorry. I, uh...

I'm Seven.

Seven? Uh, huh? Seven...

S-Seven?!

Hey! Quit slacking off!

Kakeru, nice header.

Suguru-san's the same as always.

Reminds me of our elementary school team.

Suguru-san was the leader,

and you and I were the top two.

Kakeru, you don't play soccer anymore?

What a waste. You should play.

I'd love to see the Suguru-Kakeru combination again.

Or don't you like soccer anymore?

I love soccer, of course,

but...

Oh! I have to go to the staff room.

See you later, Kakeru.

Yeah.

I'm going to be the soccer club's manager as well.

So as manager to manager, I look forward to working with you.

See you!

Manager to manager?

I'd like to introduce our transfer student.

Nana Mishima

Nana Mishima-kun.

I'm Mishima from Los Angeles. Nice to meet you.

The first real hot girl this class has ever had!

She's an angel! An angel has descended!

What a relaxing aura! I can feel the negative ions!

Wait a minute, boys!

What exactly does that mean?

Your seat is next to Aizawa.

What do you think, Kakeru?