Chapter 56 Soccer Club in Crisis

Soccer Club in Crisis

Ueda’s PoV

In the end, the friendly match was a disaster. We lost 4-1 to an inferior opponent.

The coach was furious, throwing plastic bottles at us. But we didn’t care anymore.

What will happen if this continues? Who are the traitors in our club? If this drags on, the entire school will find out that some of the soccer club members have been bullying Aono. If that happens, not only will we be barred from competitions, but we might also face punishment from the school.

“This is something the culprit will have to bear for the rest of their life. Why don’t you understand that? We, as teachers, will take this case seriously. Remember that!”

Takayanagi-sensei’s words echoed in my mind, repeating endlessly.

During the last interrogation, I could laugh because there wasn’t any solid evidence yet. But now, the situation is bad—really, really bad.

When will the photographer report to the teacher? Maybe they already have. That would expose a small inconsistency in our previous testimony. If there’s a gap in our supposedly perfect alibi, we’ll need to improvise. We were thoroughly prepared before, but now we’re forced to adjust on the fly.

After we parted ways and the coach left, deep anxiety settled over us in the clubroom.

“This is impossible. We can’t keep it hidden.”

I muttered without meaning to, and Aida, my classmate, turned to me with a startled expression.

“Hey, what’s that supposed to mean? Impossible? Don’t tell me you’re thinking of betraying Kondo-senpai and the rest of us?!”

He shouted hysterically, as if consumed by paranoia.

Mitsuda-senpai and the captain also stared at me sharply. So did the other club members.

“No, no. I’m not going to betray anyone. It’s just… I’m losing confidence that we can escape this. I mean…”

It was a weak excuse, and even my voice trembled.

“Damn it! Don’t be stupid! You and Aida broke Aono’s desk yourselves, right?! Don’t drag us down with you!”

Mitsuda-senpai grabbed my uniform roughly.

“Senpai was involved too.”

“Hah! Don’t you dare talk back to a Senpai! You’re the guilty one, so take responsibility! Don’t drag me into this. If you can’t keep it hidden, then kill yourself. Take responsibility for everyone—die, and no one will come after us!”

“No way!”

Someone will stop this, I thought. But no one did. Everyone else looked at me with sharp eyes, as if convinced it was all my fault. Only the captain spoke up.

“Mitsuda, let him go. Ueda, do you understand now? If you falter, we’re all doomed. Don’t act rashly.”

Am I the only one to blame? Even you, Captain, didn’t stop it. In fact, you actively spread rumors behind the scenes. Why is it all on me? Damn it!

“Yes.”

I was forced to yield to the pressure from everyone around me.

“First, we need to find out who took those photos. I don’t want to accuse anyone here, but it’s not one of the club members, is it?”

Everyone shook their heads at the captain’s question. Stupid. If there was a culprit among us, they wouldn’t confess. It could be anyone—a reserve player seeking revenge or a first-year holding a grudge against a third-year.

“Senpai, we need to quickly find the person who took those photos. We’ll beat them up and shut them up! If we don’t, we’re all finished!”

I blurted out everything I was thinking. After they told me to kill myself earlier, I wanted to redirect the club’s anger onto someone else.

Then, Aida sighed and walked toward a first-year.

“Ishigami. You’ve been bad-mouthing Kondo-senpai, haven’t you?”

He approached Ishigami, a first-year reserve player. Good job, Aida. Now I’m in the clear.

Ishigami panicked.

“I wouldn’t do that! Then again, Yoshida—you bad-mouthed Senpai to me!”

He immediately began shifting blame to others.

The already distrustful soccer club members started turning on each other, hurling accusations and pointing fingers.

Our club activities fell apart completely.

Endo’s PoV

After leaving the soccer club, I placed the photos in Amada’s mailbox and quickly walked away.

By now, the soccer team must be in utter chaos, consumed by suspicion and doubt. They’re probably desperate to find me, but they’ll never figure it out. I can’t think rationally anymore.

Once they start doubting, they’ll believe whatever is convenient and easy to accept. I’ll go to hell too, but if I can take down Kondo, the soccer team, and Eri, it’ll be worth it.

“Mitsuda, you’re Kondo’s lapdog, aren’t you? Go to hell with your master.”

I sealed an envelope filled with photos and moved on to the next phase of my plan.