Condemnation of the Soccer Club
Captain’s PoV
My homeroom teacher led me into an empty chemistry prep room.
An unsettling atmosphere hung in the air, and I couldn’t shake the bad feeling creeping over me.
No, deep down, I already understood. I just didn’t want to admit it.
Photos of Kondo had been circulated. The investigation intensified. Everything was about to come to light. That was the only explanation for why I was here now.
The vice principal was waiting inside.
“Do you know why you were called here?”
He was an elderly man who usually spoke in a calm and polite tone. But today, he felt like an executioner delivering judgment.
“I don’t know.”
I tried to resist, even if just a little. But I already knew it was useless.
“I see. You know, I had a lot of respect for the soccer team. You performed admirably in every prefectural tournament, overcoming the challenges of being a public school. But you became arrogant. Power has a way of blinding people. And we teachers share some of the blame for failing to keep that in check. I deeply regret that.”
His words carried the weight of someone who already knew everything.
“…”
My heart pounded in my chest. There was no escape now.
“The school has already obtained evidence of Kondo’s problematic behavior. And we’ve also uncovered proof of the soccer team’s organized involvement in bullying Aono Eiji, a second-year student.”
The vice principal’s cold, calm, and rational demeanor reminded me of a great detective cornering a criminal in a mystery novel.
“I have no—”
Before I could finish, he shook his head.
“We already know you’re lying, so don’t waste your breath. While you may not have been directly involved, you ordered your juniors to target Aono-kun. This messaging app history confirms it. We’ve also found your secret SNS accounts. You spread false rumors and encouraged others to do the same. Are you still going to deny that you were the mastermind behind this?”
Cold sweat, rapid heartbeats, guilt, and fear surged through me all at once. Under the pressure of his words, I broke down and admitted everything.
“Yes, I went too far. I apologize. I’ve caused trouble for the school. But from now on, I’ll reflect on my actions and dedicate myself to soccer more than ever…”
I desperately tried to continue my apology, but the vice principal clapped his hands sharply, silencing me.
“Apologize? And for causing trouble for the school? You’re going to work harder at soccer? Are you serious?”
There was a glimmer of hope in his tone, and I nodded quickly, clinging to it.
“Yes, I’m serious. I’ll change, I promise…”
“First, you must apologize to Aono Eiji!”
His voice thundered through the small room, freezing me in place. I couldn’t speak, couldn’t move—only stare at him in shock.
“Apologize to the victim. This isn’t about you or your future. Bullying is a criminal act. It’s not something you can just brush off. What you did has the potential to ruin someone’s life. Do you understand that? Aono-kun’s parents have already reported this to the police. They’re likely to file a civil lawsuit against you, the soccer club, and everyone involved in the bullying. You can’t stop that now. And it won’t just be you—your parents will also bear responsibility. You, the captain, who should have protected your team members, instead dragged them into hell with your negligence. You’ve failed as a leader.”
His words cut into me like a blade of dry ice, freezing and slicing my heart at the same time.
The vice principal’s gaze bore into me, cold and unyielding.
“And what about the soccer team?”
“Really… Is there any hope? No. Many members, including you, will face severe punishment. Do you think the school will allow a club riddled with bullying and scandal to continue operating? The soccer club is in the process of being disbanded. And naturally, there’s no way we’ll allow you to participate in the upcoming tournament.”
“But… if we don’t make the top four, my sports recommendation…”
“What are you talking about? No school would issue a recommendation to a student with such a stain on their record. You’ve destroyed your own bright future. And that’s exactly what you tried to do to Aono-kun. Now, do you understand the weight of your actions?”
With those final words, the vice principal turned and left the room. I collapsed onto the desk, sobbing uncontrollably.
I couldn’t stop thinking about the other members of the soccer club. They were probably going through the same thing right now.
And deep within the pit of my chest, anger and resentment toward Kondo slowly began to simmer and rise.