Sandbox/The Road to the Promised Land

Before the chapters are written (or, in some cases, rewritten) out, I'll use this page as a construction yard for a number of key scenes that are set to appear later. My main writing tool remains Microsoft Word, but readers will be able to preview certain scenes.Toukairin2012 (talk) 04:24, March 22, 2019 (UTC)
*Note: The list of scenes has a chronological order now.
==Scene 1: Yusuke meets Kakeru and Nana after the West Ham game (Chap. 30)==
"Hey, Yusuke!" Kakeru greeted.
"You made it back from the Asian Cup. I'm sorry for the loss in the final." Nana added.
"Thanks, Nana." Yusuke replied.
"Did you watch the full match?" Kakeru asked.
"I was in a box, and I watched the entire match." Yusuke replied. He was not enthusiastic for some reason.
"What is going on, Yusuke?" Kakeru asked.
"There is something you should know about Ryoma Oda."
"What about him?" Nana asked.
"After the Asian Cup final, he went to speak to the JFA's in-house reporter after the match. He... he threw Yoshida-san under the bus by criticizing his effort in the match." Yusuke replied.
"Why did he do that?" Kakeru asked.
"It's not like Oda-san covered himself in glory. His man-marking was poor in that match as well." Nana added.
"I thought it was just pure frustration, but then he started lashing out at you, Kakeru."
"WHAT? Bu... but, why? What did I do to him? What did he say?" Kakeru as baffled.
"He said that we would have won with you, but that you chose club over the country by not joining the National Team at all costs when there was a possibility that you could play at some point for us."
"That was Coach Van der Meijde's decision to let me complete my recovery in Manchester!" Kakeru was left with more indignation after what he heard.
"I know. He then started ranting about the Coach's decision on that until JFA officials stopped the post-match interview. As far as I know, the interview wasn't aired at all. However, some media are spreading rumors about what happened."
"Tell me he got punishment for that, Yusuke. Even if he was speaking out of frustration and anger, everything he said was uncalled for." Nana said.
"You bet he did. Coach Van der Meijde didn't hold back for one bit when he got the whole squad in the dressing room and shut the door behind him. You know how the Dutch are." Yusuke replied.
"Only too well." Kakeru said.
Flashback - 2 days ago, just after the Asian Cup final
Raimond van der Meijde walked into the Japanese dressing room. Even though his players were still distraught by the defeat they just endured in the final, but the coach was not in the mood to let Ryoma's critical words slide without showing a very strong response to reaffirm the authority. A display of legendary Dutch brutal straightforwardness was about to hit Ryoma very hard in the face.
"So, there are people who think I'm an incompetent, an idiot... There are people who think I know nothing about soccer. Some players have a few caps for Japan, but then they can afford to criticize. Sure, they feel they are good enough to tell me how to do my job. They can't even take a shot on goal against Qatar, and then they get caught leaving too much space for the shooter on 2 of the 3 goals. Hey, hey, that's quite something to feel ashamed about." Raimond quipped.
At that moment, Raimond's glare began to look icy and deadly.
"But they are capable of criticizing and backstabbing a teammate in the back, and then they say I'm a coward. There's a little bastard here who took easy shots against a veteran on the back of one bad performance, a veteran who gave years of his own blood and sweat for this team. That same bastard then accuses a teammate of choosing his club over his country when that teammate was a major reason why we qualified for this tournament. Those 2 players have more scars on their bodies than the amount of facial hair some players have. And now, do you think I can keep my mouth shut while a total klootzak (ballsack) is criticizing the job I'm paid to do so he can have his hypocritical face in the front pages?"
Frozen by fear in front of an angry side they never saw from Raimond before, none of the players even dared to answer the question. Then the Dutchman let the full extent of his anger explode like an erupting volcano.
"Well, a player like that IS NOT A MAN! That's a FILTHY MOMMA BOY!!! A GUTLESS SON OF A BITCH!!! Players like that make me throw up every time! I HAVE NO PLACE FOR THAT ON MY TEAM!! THAT DOESN'T DESERVE A SHIRT!!!"
Then Raimond walked towards Ryoma, who was keeping his head down to weather the storm. However, the Dutch coach was about to make sure he would show Ryoma who the boss truly was.
"Look at me, Oda. LOOK AT ME!!!" Raimond ordered.
Ryoma reluctantly raised his head up to look at Raimond in the eye.
"YEAH, YOU ROTTEN SACK... You pack your bags, you take the cab to the airport, and don't even think of joining the team for the international break in March. OUT! I will decide what to do with you for the Copa America if you make an apology to the entire JFA. I'm warning you this and only once: one selfish move too many, and there's a good chance your candy ass has played for the last time in this blue shirt. Am I clear?" Raimond sternly said.
"Y... Yes." Ryoma softly replied.
"Good."
Raimond then walked away to join the press room where he would answer to questions from the media. However, the sticky situation involving Ryoma was far from being solved, especially with the facts now known to everybody in the dressing room. The older players remained silent, but Toru Asuka and Akira Takajo, leaders of the players in Ryoma's age range, were not.
Toru, who didn't play the final because of an injury, walked to Ryoma and then coldly said: "I don't know what's taken into you, but you're the lowest scumbag."
"Bakayarou (***hole)." Akira did the same, looking disgusted at Ryoma.
On the receiving end of harsh and yet deserved criticism, Ryoma looked at Araki for a more positive response. However...
"I'm your teammate in both club and country, and I'm counting on you. But they are far from wrong, you know." Araki simply replied.
Ryoma looked around, but no one said anything supportive to him at that moment. The former Enoshima High defensive midfielder was definitely left on his own to deal with the consequences of his actions following an outburst of frustration and anger.
Present time
"I stood silent the whole time, but I really wanted to speak my mind to him." Yusuke said.
"Damn. I'm glad he's out of the National Team for some time after that." Nana said..
"I don't believe it... I thought Oda-san was a friend. Van der Meijde is right: he's a total coward, and he doesn't even have the guts to say it straight to me." Kakeru added. "CURSE YOU!"
"Kakeru..." Nana said softly.
"Hi, guys! What's going on?" Matthias, who was walking nearby, asked.
"Nothing." Kakeru replied. "We have to be ready for Arsenal."
"Yeah, we will work on it on Tuesday and onwards."
"No, Matthias. We need to be ready for war. This is personal now." Kakeru said.
"Uh... OK."
"I'll talk to you about it later, Matthias. Just leave him alone for now." Yusuke said.
Not knowing what else to say, Matthias then got on his way towards the team's bus.
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==Scene 2: Scene: Noriko has a little surprise for Yusuke after an important win (Chap. 35)==
Later in the evening, Yusuke took Noriko to a 4-star hotel in Downtown Manchester so they could enjoy the view of Manchester at night and then spend the night together. Yusuke had already booked a King Deluxe room for the night, much to Noriko's delight.
On the way up to the 17th floor, Yusuke and Noriko shared a passionate kiss as nobody else was in the elevator. Both lovers were laughing when Noriko pulled Yusuke towards the door leading to their room. After some kissing after they entered the room, Noriko let Yusuke enjoy a bath first for a few minutes. And then Noriko entered the bathroom with nothing but a towel to cover her front while Yusuke was sitting comfortably in the bathtub.
"Enjoying yourself?" Noriko asked.
"I am. Care to join?" Yusuke returned the question.
Noriko smiled before she dropped her towel on the floor, revealing her beautiful body. Then she took the hairband elastic off her ponytail to let her hair down before she seductively threw her head back to send her brown hair backwards.
"Sexy move there, Noriko."
"I'm going in, Yusuke." Noriko said.
The half-Japanese, half-British woman stepped into the bathtub. However, she was still standing up instead of sitting down in the bathtub.
"What are you doing?" Yusuke asked.
"I'm getting the show started for you."
Noriko then turned her body around to show her exposed back before she started shaking her hips in front of Yusuke. She started the little dance on her feet, humming a little song of her own. But soon enough, she lowered her body on Yusuke before she started arousing his senses with a provocative dance for a few minutes. When Noriko finished dancing, she turned her body around so she could face Yusuke and straddle him.
"You're very enterprising tonight." Yusuke said.
"You haven't seen anything." Noriko replied in English.
Noriko wrapped her left arm around Yusuke's head. Then both lovers gave each other a deep and passionate kiss that went on for a little more than one minute.
At the very time Noriko and Yusuke were making out inside the bathtub, Sarah silently entered the bathroom. The last sentence that Noriko said in English was, in fact, a signal that told Sarah to join the couple into the bathroom. Walking forward in the nude, Sarah was a little jittery.
"H-hello, Yusuke." Sarah said.
"Sarah, good timing." Noriko said.
"Sarah... WHAT?!" Yusuke was completely taken by surprise.
Yusuke immediately took both of his hands to cover his crotch in embarrassment. Nevertheless, he did not take his eyes away from the English woman's body. If one didn't know that Sarah was studying medicine, one could have easily mistaken her for a celebrity or a model.
"When did you get in here?" Yusuke asked.
"When you were pouring water in the bathtub. Noriko texted me the room number, and then she waited for that moment to let me into the room." Sarah replied.
"Noriko, what is going on?" Yusuke asked.
"Sarah asked me a favor almost a couple of weeks ago. It involves you, Yusuke."
"What kind of favor?"
"Well... Back then, Sarah told me that she has had a crush on you for quite some time. She has a recurrent fantasy in which she and you would... go at it together. I will spare you the explicit details. As you know, Sarah has been single for more than a year. She... politely asked me if I could let you two enjoy quality time for just one night. I was shocked, really! But because Sarah supports us as a couple, she was ready to drop the idea if I was not OK with it. Then I remembered you said that 'having a threeway' should be on our bucket list. Neither Sarah nor I have been with a girl before, so I felt this was the right moment to this up and enjoy discovering the unknown. I texted Sarah when I found out the hotel and then the room number. Then I let her in when you started taking your bath. That's how Sarah has come to us tonight." Noriko replied to Yusuke.
"Well..." Yusuke said before he switched from Japanese to English. "Well, I remember that we talked about it, but I didn't expect a threeway tonight."
"It's OK if you don't feel fully comfortable. But it would be a shame when I was planning this in case we would win today's big match, especially with you being the Man of the Match as the best scenario." Noriko replied.
"I will take it any way you want me to do, Yusuke." Sarah added.
Yusuke took a few seconds to weigh in all pros and cons. Finally, he decided that it was worth giving a shot.
"Well, why not?" Yusuke said.
Noriko and Sarah smiled in total satisfaction. The night was definitely on.
"Come and have a dip with us before we get started." Noriko said.
"Coming." Sarah replied.
Sarah then walked her way into the bathtub. With Noriko sitting to Yusuke's right, Sarah came sitting to his left. The blonde English woman quickly noticed that Yusuke was still hiding his crotch with both hands. The Japanese man was feeling a little jittery at that particular moment.
"Let me make you feel good." Sarah said.
"It's the first time... that I'm with a white woman like this." Yusuke replied.
Sarah liked Yusuke's honest reply, so much that she leaned towards and gave him a little kiss to make him feel comfortable.
"You're my first Asian man, so we're even." Sarah said with a smile.
'Yusuke, you're such a lucky bastard!' Yusuke thought for himself.
In a night of firsts, the jitters quickly went away. Yusuke, Noriko, and Sarah enjoyed wild moments until deep into the night. The 3 friends enjoyed it so much that they promised to repeat the experience from time to time again... at least until Sarah would find a new boyfriend for herself. Meanwhile, Yusuke and Noriko felt that such experience also helped both of them in developing their own relationship into something deeper, with much greater trust for each other.
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==Scene 3: Nana comes back home. Her mother is in a coma because of an accident (Chap. 41)==
"Home sweet home." Nana said with a sad tone.
"Yeah, it's still the same and more. Your mother never stopped collecting pictures and newspaper articles about you. She even framed a picture of you celebrating that late goal against Liverpool back in January." M. Mishima replied. "She... she said that you really looked happy after that goal... more than ever before."
"Mom..." Nana said as she felt the tears coming up as well. "I think I need a moment alone. Sorry, Dad."
"It's okay, Nana. I'll be buy a few groceries and come back later."
"Thanks, Dad."
Then M. Mishima walked outside the house, leaving Nana on her own. The young woman then looked around at the large collection of framed pictures, framed newspaper articles featuring Nana's exploits, and framed soccer shirts that were worn by Nana at various moments in time. As the young woman continued looking at the memorabilia, she felt like traveling back in time as she started to look at increasingly older pictures of her from when she started to become an established player against men, from when she started her professional career alongside Kakeru, and then from the days at Enoshima High School.
"You always followed me every step of the way, Mom." Nana said out loud.
Then Nana looked at older family pictures on a different bookcase. But when Nana saw a framed picture of her and her mother from the time when Nana was in elementary school, she picked it up.
"That was around the time I started going to school with Kakeru and Suguru-san."
At that moment, Nana saw something slipping away from the picture frame and dropping onto the floor.
"That's an... omamori?"
Nana picked up the Japanese amulet, which looked like any good luck charm found in any Shinto shrine. She realized that it was put inside the frame for a reason. Then she looked inside the omamori, where she found a misanga - a good luck charm shaped as a bracelet made from knotted embroidery thread.
"Could it be?"
Then very old memories came back to Nana's mind as she looked at the misanga.
Flashback - Many years ago
Nana recently joined a new elementary school in Kamakura. Mrs. Mishima also signed the papers allowing Nana to join the school's boys' soccer team. Mrs. Mishima was confident in her daughter's abilities, but Nana was feeling a little insecure about her own chances as she was about to leave for school on that particular day.
"I know you're a little nervous because it's your first day with the team today, that's all." Mrs. Mishima said.
"What if I'm not as good as they are?" Nana asked.
"I know you are a very good player, Nana-chan. You already are far better than all girls of your age." Mrs. Mishima replied before she reached for her pocket. "Here, I have something for you."
"What is it, Mom?"
"It's a misanga. I keep it on me as a good luck charm through good times and bad times alike, but I think you're old enough to have it now." Mrs. Mishima said before as she put the misanga around Nana's left wrist.
"Mom..."
"This will remind you that I'm always with you no matter what. Everything will be okay." Mrs. Mishima reassured Nana.
Taking a deep breath, Nana decided to go forward.
"Mom... I'll do it. Thank you."
"Show the boys everything you learned in America." Mrs. Mishima said with a big smile before she gave Nana one last hug and then let her go to school.
A little later that day, Nana joined the boys' soccer team in the midst of their training. The team's coach ordered all the players to gather around so he could introduce Nana.
"Starting today, we have a new member. A girl. Aren't you guys glad?" the coach said before he laughed out loud.
The boys didn't look particularly amused, especially the team captain.
"Um... hello. My name is Nana Mishima. Nice to meet you." Nana formally introduced herself.
"You guys get along now." the coach said.
"YES!" the boys replied.
"Coach!" the captain with the raven and spiky hair asked.
"What's up, Suguru?"
"Her name... might be a problem." Suguru replied.
"Hmm?" the coach hummed, signalling a question.
"What?" Nana asked.
"We already have a Mishima on our team, and a Nanase." Suguru replied.
"Hmm, that's true. What should we do?" the coach said before he turned towards Nana and asked her: "Do you have a nickname?"
"No." Nana replied.
The boys started chatting among themselves about potential nicknames, some funnier than others. But then a small voice in the group came up with an unexpected and yet brilliant idea.
"Seven..." a small boy with dark brown hair and brown eyes said. "What about Seven?"
"Seven?" the boys asked altogether.
Suguru laughed before he said: "'Seven' as a translation of 'Nana.' I get it."
"How about it?" the coach asked Nana.
"Oh, okay." Nana replied.
The small boy with dark brown hair was teased by his teammates. Then Nana started learning all of her teammates' names.
"Welcome, Seven." the small boy said.
"Thank you. What is your name?" Nana asked.
"Aizawa... Kakeru Aizawa."
The rest became history. Mrs. Mishima's misanga later inspired Nana to make two misangas of her own as farewell gifts for both Kakeru and Suguru before Nana and her family left for the United States.
Present time
"You knew I could do it, Mom. You always did. Thanks to you, ...I met Kakeru on the first day. Then he and I made all this way together in soccer and in life... from here to England."
Nana then started sobbing.
"You did so much for me, Mom... and I may never be able to thank you enough. Why did it have to be like this?"
Nana couldn't stop the tears from coming out for a couple of minutes. Then, at last, she wiped her tears away.
"What should I do now? What would you tell me if you were here, Mom?"
As much as Nana desperately wanted to have an answer to that question, that was not something she would find at that particular moment.
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==Scene 4: Example of a goal announcement inside the home of Bayern Munich (Chap. 42)==
Interacting with the crowd after the goal, PA announcer Stephan Lehmann made the announcement as followed:
Stephan Lehmann: In der 83. Spielminute... TOOOOOOOOOR für den FC Bayern München durch unsere Nummer 23 und dem Schwan auf dem Rasen (In the 83rd minute... GOOOOOOOOOAL for FC Bayern Munich by our number 23 and the Swan on the Grass), MINA!!!
Bayern supporters: MEIER!!!
Stephan Lehmann: MINAAA!!!
Bayern supporters: MEIEEER!!!
Stephan Lehmann: MINAAAAAAA!!!
Bayern supporters: MEIEEEEEEER!!!
Stephan Lehmann: Neuer Spielstand (New scoreline): FC Bayern München...
Bayern supporters: ZWEI!!! (TWO!!!)
Stephan Lehmann: Manchester United...
Bayern supporters: NULL!!! (ZERO!!!)
Regardless of how many goals the visiting team has scored, German supporters always shout "NULL" as an intimidation tactic.
Stephan Lehmann: Danke! (Thank you!)
Bayern supporters: BITTE! (YOU'RE WELCOME!)
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==Scene 5: Not knowing what decision to take, Nana feels the need to visit Suguru's grave (Chap. 43)==
Nana walked her way from home to the cemetery where the Aizawa Family grave could be found. On other times, she would come there only to pay her respects to the late Suguru. However, Nana was hoping that an answer to her dilemma would somehow show up for this time even if it meant talking out loud and thinking all by herself in the cemetery.
"Hi, Suguru-san. I wished I came here more often in recent years."
Nana knelt to pray for a couple of minutes in front of the grave.
"When my mom had that accident, I came back as soon as I could. The thought of losing her is just..." Nana said before she sobbed. "Sorry, Suguru-san. A part of me says that I should stay at my mother's side until she wakes up... if she ever wakes up. But a different part of me says that Kakeru, Yusuke, and all of my teammates need my help more than ever, especially so close to the end of our season. I'm really torn."
Nana looked at the grave, thinking about the conflict she is currently facing.
"What should I do, Suguru-san?" Nana asked out loud.
"Well, that's not the right question to ask yourself." a voice said.
Caught off guard by the reply, Nana turned around to look for the source of those words. Knowing that the voice was already familiar, she couldn't believe it when she saw who actually said the words.
"Suguru-san!"
Suguru's spirit was walking among the tombstones until he arrived right next to the Aizawa Family grave.
"Sorry for spooking you like this. Other than Kakeru, you're the only living person who actually saw me like this. I guess you must be something special if you're able to see me." Suguru said.
"How can this be?" Nana asked. "I always thought you were..."
"Inside Kakeru's heart? Yes, a small part of me was... more active until he grew to become such a fine player that I can let him do everything on his own." Suguru replied. "But, of course, the biggest part of me remains here in Japan."
"When was the last time Kakeru saw you?" Nana asked.
"Outside Old Trafford back in February; that was the first time in years. He saw me alongside the 8 players who lost their lives as a result of that plane accident in 1958." Suguru replied. "But, well, I'm not here to talk about that. I understand that your mother had an accident recently. Tell me what happened."
"She was walking back home in the evening when a truck hit her. The driver was asleep at the wheel. Mom has been in a coma since, and the doctors are not optimistic about her chances of survival."
"I see. So I guess you're torn between staying at your mother's side and going back to help your team, am I right?"
"Yeah." Nana said.
"Like I just said, that's not the right question you have to ask for yourself." Suguru replied.
"What is it then?" Nana asked, confused.
"It's more about what your mother would have wanted you to do. If she was here right now, what would she have said to you?" 
"Huh?" Nana didn't know how to answer.
"Think for one second: What did your mother always wanted you to become as a person?"
"She... she wanted me to grow and become a top soccer player. She always believed in me. She always believed that I would become a better person if I played in a team since I was born an only child."
"Which leads to..." Suguru said.
"She would want me to come back to Kakeru, Yusuke, Noriko, and the other players so we could all win together." Nana replied.
"There it is."
"But..."
"There's nothing left you can do but to keep hope alive for your mother. However, the right thing to do is to move forward and to focus on what you can control ahead of you." Suguru said.
When those words came up, she felt an echo from something Kakeru said back in September when he quoted a patient at the hospital where both Kakeru and Nana were working in.
"One can cherish fond memories of the past, but has to move forward in order to live without regrets and to do what's best for the time that is given to each of us." Nana said, remembering the quote.
"It's one way to put it, yes."
"I really wish it was this easy, Suguru-san. I don't know what to do if that could the last time I ever see my mom." Nana said.
"If that can help you to make your decision, there is a way for me to save your mother. But you will have to trust me."
Nana was surprised to hear those words, but a small light of hope suddenly began to glow in her heart.
Hey brother! Do you still believe in one another?Hey sister! Do you still believe in love? I wonderOh, if the sky comes falling down, for youThere's nothing in this world I wouldn't do.
"What do you mean?" Nana asked.
"When people fall into a coma, their souls don't leave their bodies for good and run free like I did when I died; they are in 'limbo.' It's a no man's land... a world of infinite subconscious where souls can be trapped." Suguru replied. "It would be a difficult task if I go there. My soul could be trapped there forever as well since I don't have a body."
"No, don't... Even if it was possible, it would be too dangerous for you." Nana said.
"If that is the price to pay to save a life, then I accept it. I will do everything I can to find her in there so I would bring her back for you. In a way, you're my sister. I always saw you like another young sister I would have liked to have. For you, there is nothing I wouldn't do for you even if the world collapses around. Just believe in me."
"Suguru-san... I really didn't want to ask the impossible from you. But since you're willing to do so, please find her. Mom is a huge reason why I made it so far, and I really don't want to lose her." Nana said.
"I know. Please help my brother and his friends for now. Even if you don't see me, I will always help you out." Suguru replied.
For a moment, Nana's thoughts revisited all the moments Suguru spent with her like a big brother watching over her and Kakeru from their elementary school days up to middle school. For some reason, she felt that everything would be alright with Suguru helping out.
Hey brother! There's an endless road to rediscoverHey sister! Do you still believe in love? I wonderOh, if the sky comes falling down, for youThere's nothing in this world I wouldn't do.
Ah, ah, ah.What if I'm far from home?Oh brother, I will hear you call!What if I lose it all?Oh sister, I will help you out!Oh, if the sky comes falling down, for youThere's nothing in this world I wouldn't do.
Smiling at the thought that Nana had already made her decision at that particular moment, Suguru's spirit started walking away.
"Wait!" Nana called out. "Thank you... for showing me a way."
"No. Thank you for taking care of my brother so well for all of those years and for living the same dream together." Suguru replied.
"Hope I will see you again."
"We will, Seven. Stay strong, always." Suguru finished.
Finally, Suguru's spirit vanished out of sight. Although everything seemed unreal for a moment, Nana felt that all doubts have gone away; the dilemma that she was confronted to was no longer standing in her way. She promptly took her smartphone and called home.
"Nana?" M. Mishima asked on the phone.
"Dad... I've made my decision. I wished I could stay at Mom's side, but I can't let Kakeru and my teammates down right now. I... I also wished there was a better way to tell you this." Nana replied
"No, you're right. I... I know that your mother would have wanted you to give everything for them, so I support your decision. Is there something else I can do?"
"Just come to the hospital. I'll meet you there." Nana said.
"OK, I'll see you at the hospital."
"Thanks, Dad." Nana finished before she ended the call.
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==Scene 6: Playing against Bayern Munich, United are searching a vital goal (Chap. 44)==
The Bayern Munich players passed the ball between themselves in midfield. Then Corentin Tolisso attempted a pass ahead towards Thomas Müller. However, Yusuke anticipated the pass, and then made a clean tackle to recover the ball.
Clive Tyldesley: Tolisso... Saeki cut the pass before it could reach Müller.
Yusuke then passed the ball ahead for Francisco, who then had to face his fellow Spaniard, Thiago. Nevertheless, the Spanish midfielder in red passed the ball to Joel on the right. Supporting the attack, the English right-back played a quick give-and-go with Santiago before he sprinted with the ball for some distance. The crowd at Old Trafford started roaring when they the possibility of a serious attack for the home side.
Clive Tyldesley: Muamba...
"Spider!" Kakeru screamed for a pass.
As Marius and Kakeru both sprinted towards the Bayern penalty area, Joel knew that Toru could not cover for both while Karl was caught a little off-position. Finding the right split second, the English right-back launched a pass that went by Tolisso and right on cue for Kakeru. The Japanese forward was entering the Bayern penalty area.
Clive Tyldesley: Rolling towards Aizawa...
Just as Kakeru made contact with the ball, he took a shot. Unfortunately for him, Toru blocked the shot. Nevertheless, the ball was rolling loose towards Marius. The Dutchman was ready to shoot with his favored left foot.
"No, you don't!" Karl shouted.
Clive Tyldesley: Coming to Van Leeuwen!
Marius also took a shot, but the German defender threw his body in the way. As a result, the ball was deflected and rolling sideways towards an open space with nobody there on the goalkeeper's right. Joshua Kimmich was running to get to the loose ball first.
Clive Tyldesley: Bayern Munich did just enough...
But then, coming almost out of nowhere, Nikolaj moved his body in the way between Kimmich and the ball. The German right-back tried to contain the Danish midfielder, but Nikolaj managed to spin around and give himself a passing angle.
Clive Tyldesley: ...but Kristiansen is on the ball.
Nikolaj unleashed a low and quick pass by both Karl and Tolisso. The ball was destined for Kakeru, who stood all alone in front of the 6-yard box. Unfortunately, Kakeru only grazed the ball with an outstretched leg, and thus missed his shot. But then Toru suddenly deflected the ball between Manuel Neuer's legs and into the back of the Bayern net!
Clive Tyldesley: Rolling to Aizawa AGAIN! OWN GOAL!!! TORU ASUKA!! Manchester United lead 2-0 with less than 30 minutes to go!!
Old Trafford, Victoria Warehouse, and every single other place where Manchester United fans watched the match in numbers erupted in unison into a deafening noise. The majority of the Bayern Munich players looked in disbelief while Toru was looking aimlessly in utter disgust. Meanwhile, Kakeru ran towards the nearest corner flag to celebrate the goal as if it was he scored it. He was joined by the 3 Manchester United substitutes who were warming up on the side, including Nana and Sean.
"COME ON!!!" Kakeru shouted.
"2-0 in front! Huge goal!" Nana exclaimed as she hugged Kakeru.
"Well done, Knight!" Marius congratulated Kakeru as more teammates joined the celebrations.
"LET'S GO!!" Sean shouted.
"Great job! You made him score on himself!" Santiago added.
"He scored on himself, yeah!" Kakeru replied.
"We have the goal, but we still have a job to do. Come on, lads!" Matthias said.
"Skipper's right. Let's play it tight now!" Nikolaj added.
"Yeah, let's go!" Kakeru added to the rally cry as well.
Clive Tyldesley: It's 3-3 on aggregate! As things stand, it's United who will go through because of the away goal in Munich. Toru Asuka turned it into his own goal, but really intense pressure put on the Bayern Munich defense.
Meanwhile in the stands:
"God, I can't believe it!" Noriko exclaimed with a smile. "Toru Asuka scoring the vital goal for us of all people!"
"It looks like Kakeru got a little touch there. That probably put Asuka off." Robert said.
"Yeah, it was just enough to stop Asuka from making the right connection with the ball. That ball came at a different angle from what he expected to be." Noriko replied.
"I'm glad Kakeru did that. Otherwise, I'm sure Asuka would have cleared that away." Harry said.
"Well, it doesn't matter who scores it. We'll take it." Sayuri replied.
Since the goal was scored, the crowd inside Old Trafford and the attendance inside Victoria Warehouse didn't stop cheering. In both places, the Manchester United supporters started singing altogether a song of praise for their team.
WE LOVE UNITED, WE DOWE LOVE UNITED, WE DOWE LOVE UNITED, WE DOOH UNITED WE LOVE YOU!
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==Scene 7: Nana makes her return to action in a moment inspired by a movie scene (Chap. 44)==
In the 74th minute:
Nana made her way towards the touchline between the 2 technical areas, right next to the fourth official. While she waited the OK from the officials for the substitution to take place, she looked up at the dark and rainy sky in Manchester with a little prayer in her mind.
'Mom... If you're there somewhere, I just want you to know that I'll carry you with me on that pitch. Please give me strength one more time.' Nana thought.
When the ball went out of bounds, the referee in the middle of the park notified the substitution that was about to proceed. Meanwhile, the fourth official put the numbers 21 in red and 19 in green.
Clive Tyldesley: This must be an emotional moment for Nana Mishima. You have to wonder what is going on in her mind at this very moment. For all the difficult moments she had to endure recently, she wanted to be here tonight for those who had an influence on her football career, including one big fan in particular.
Public address announcer Alan Keegan made the official announcement under loud cheers from the 69,000+ Manchester United supporters, who applauded her determination in the face of an ongoing personal drama.
Alan Keegan: Substitution for Manchester United: replacing number 21, Francisco Serrano... number 19, Nana Mishima.
"Good luck, Bruja (Witch). Get them." Francisco said.
"Thanks, Frankie."
Nana gave Francisco the double high-five handshake before she ran towards her assigned position on the pitch. Then she emptied her mind of all distractions at that time.
Clive Tyldesley: At long last, the long-awaited confrontation between Nana Mishima and Mina Meier will happen with less than a quarter of an hour left.
When Nana and Meier's gazes met beyond the raindrops, time appeared to slow down for a moment. In the distance separating both players, Meier saluted Nana. In response, the Little Witch saluted Meier to acknowledge the respect they share for each other in spite of the existing rivalry.
'You show great determination to be here today, Mishima. Because of that, I won't hold back on you. Bayern will go through tonight.' Meier thought.
'I have wished this moment to happen for a long time, Meier. We will fight until the very end for a place in the final. Bring it on.' Nana thought.
With no words being said out loud, the challenge has been issued and accepted by the two proud female competitors in a context of electric tension at Old Trafford. Nana only had one thing in mind: to help her team scoring the next goal before the final whistle in order to prevent the heartbreak of elimination.
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==Scene 8: In the last seconds of injury time, United need a goal to force extra time (Chap. 45)==
Less than 30 seconds to go – 5th minute of injury time:
Clive Tyldesley: The ball has been given away again. Mina Meier after it...
United attempted to launch a ball towards the Bayern penalty area, but Karl headed the ball away with authority. The loose ball was bouncing towards the center circle, and Meier was going after that.
'Fast dort. Das Spiel ist vorbei (Almost there. It's game over).' Meier thought.
"Noch nicht fertig! (Not finished yet!)" Yusuke shouted.
Yusuke came in with a scooping tackle that sent Meier sprawling, and yet recovered the ball legally. The Bayern players shouted for a foul, but the referee waved it off.
Clive Tyldesley: Good challenge by Saeki! Referee says "play on".
"Come on, Yusuke!" Noriko exclaimed.
With the ball recovered by United and still inside the Bayern Munich half of the pitch, the crowd at Old Trafford roared in full voice, urging the home side to launch one last good attack on Manuel Neuer's goal. Matthias also had moved up the field to play like an extra striker for the Red Devils.
"Zurück! Zurück! (Go back! Go back!)" Karl called for his teammates to defend with numbers.
Clive Tyldesley: We're in the dying seconds in injury time. Urgency for Manchester United now!
Yusuke promptly played the ball to Nikolaj. The Danish midfielder tried to gain a few yards ahead of him, but a Bayern Munich player was applying defensive pressure towards him.
Clive Tyldesley: Kristiansen...
With the crowd screeching for something to happen, Nikolaj launched a long ball towards Matthias. The German defender in red easily overpowered David Alaba before the ball was knocked back towards the face of goal.
Clive Tyldesley: Tossed in towards Köhler...
In front of goal, Marius, Karl, and Neuer jumped up for the same ball. Suddenly, Karl and the Bayern goalkeeper collided with each other while Marius went down in the domino effect. As a result, the referee saw no foul to call. In the following split second, Old Trafford held its collective breath as the ball arrived at Nana's feet.
Clive Tyldesley: Neuer going for it. It's MISHIMA!!!
Without a moment of hesitation, Nana struck the volley towards the open goal. But then Toru threw his left foot in desperation to block the shot in mid-air. The crowd at the Stretford End erupted, but then shouted alongside the Manchester United players as the referee didn't appear to call a goal.
Clive Tyldesley: OHHH!!! Was it across the line?
"IT WAS IN! IT WAS IN!! HEEEYY!!!" Nana desperately shouted at the referee.
"IT'S A GOAL!" Kakeru and Matthias shouted in unison while the ball was being cleared away by the Bayern Munich players.
Clive Tyldesley: Asuka cleared it away...
The referee looked at his watch as injury time was definitely expired. With no time left, the referee blew his whistle once before he suddenly pointed at his watch and then towards the center of the pitch, meaning only one thing!
Clive Tyldesley: GOOOAAL!!!
Upon the confirmation, Old Trafford went nuts as the 69,000+ United supporters jumped out of their seats altogether. Many things happened at the very same time in the aftermath of the goal.
On the pitch:
"YATTAAAAAAA!!!" Nana shouted as she slid on her knees to celebrate the goal. Then she pushed her wristband away to kiss her mother's misanga.
"YOU DID IT, SEVEN!!! YOU DID IT!!!" Kakeru hugged Nana from behind.
"ATTAGIRL, WITCH!" Matthias shouted before the other Manchester United players huddled around Nana.
Clive Tyldesley: MANCHESTER UNITED HAVE SCORED!!! It's 3-1 on the night, and we have a perfect 4-4 tie on aggregate!!
Meanwhile at Kamakura General Hospital:
[Spoiler content to be inserted]
Now back at Old Trafford, in the stands:
"YOU DID IT, NANA!!!" Noriko shouted.
"STUFF OF LEGEND!" Harry exclaimed while Sayuri and Robert were celebrating together.
Alan Keegan: UNITED'S GOAL... SCORED BY NUMBER NINETEEN... NANA MISHIMAAAAA!!!
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==Scene 9: Traditions and pre-match ceremony of the FA Cup final (Chap. 51)==
Meanwhile on the pitch, the Wembley Stadium staff deployed 2 giant touchline-to-touchline sized flags across both final thirds of the pitch. Wearing the crest of one of the two teams involved on the day, each of the flags was bookending another giant flag containing a giant image of the FA Cup trophy. After a small podium was installed at the base of the trophy-shaped design on the central giant flag, the pre-game show started with songs from a DJ for a few minutes. In the area where players from both teams were due to arrive minutes later, a trapezoid-shaped set of red carpets was installed. At the end of the upbeat musical performance, the DJ and the extras made way for a female soloist, a choir of football supporters from various clubs across England, and the Band of the Welsh Guards.
Set to happen within 15 minutes before kickoff time and thus following the pre-match concert, one of the great traditions in the FA Cup final was the singing of "Abide with Me". The Christian hymn was sung as a favorite of King George V, who conferred royal patronage on the sport by attending the 1927 final himself. Since that year, the singing of that hymn has become an annual tradition in the FA Cup final.
Although the hymn's lyrics and the melody were written respectively by 2 different people in the context of a meditation about death, "Abide with Me" is also used as a strong message that invokes the experience of human community. In the more contemporary context of the FA Cup final, the song is a moment where opposing teams, rivalries, and tensions are temporarily subordinated to an assertion of a shared humanity and unity in celebration for the occasion.
5:18 PM BST (12 minutes before kickoff)
The public address is assured by Wembley Stadium regular announcer for England, FA Community Shield, and FA Cup semi-final and final matches, Kris Temple.
Kris Temple: Ladies and gentlemen. In keeping the tradition, we will now sing the FA Cup hymn, "Abide with Me". The accompanying words will be displayed on the ribbons around the stadium. The hymn will be interpreted by the FA Cup Fans Choir, who will be accompanied by the Band of the Welsh Guards.
In the Manchester United supporters' area, Noriko and Sarah were ready to join their voices with those of 89,000+ in the stadium to sing the first and last verses of the hymn. The Band of the Welsh Guards started playing the first musical notes of the song to set the tone before the choir and the spectators followed altogether. The lyrics were also displayed on the electronic ribbons during the performance.
Abide with me; fast falls the eventide;The darkness deepens; Lord with me abide.When other helpers fail and comforts flee,Help of the helpless, O abide with me.
Inside the players' tunnel, only one voice was in sync with the singing crowd. It was Nana's voice that broke the overall silence while players from both sides could only try to remain as stoic as possible.
Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes;Shine through the gloom and point me to the skies.Heaven's morning breaks, and Earth's vain shadows flee;In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me.
"In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me." Nana added the last line to the singing as her own simple plea for divine support.
Inside the stadium, the crowd gave a massive round of applause for the performance as the FA Cup Fans Choir made their way towards the central tunnel. Then the FA Cup trophy was carried by former Arsenal striker Ian Wright and by former Manchester United winger Ryan Giggs towards the pedestal inside the set of 4 red carpets. In the stands and on top of more chanting, both sets of supporters started waving flags, which were disposed in particular positions to show the official color patterns of each of the clubs involved.
Inside the players' tunnel, the opposing managers stood in front of the lines of players. Each of the starting players was accompany by a child mascot. Kakeru stood alongside young Brendan Walker, who was chosen to be one of the mascots.
"A little nervous, Brendan?" Kakeru asked.
"Yeah. I always wanted to be on the pitch at Wembley." Brendan replied.
"Don't worry. It will be OK." Kakeru said. "We go out there for a few minutes, and then you'll go back to your family in the box we kept for you."
"OK." Brendan said before he took a deep breath. "Let's do this, Kakeru."
Finally, referee Martin Atkinson ordered both teams to follow him onto the pitch.
"OK, let's go!"
"Here we go, lads! Come on!" Matthias shouted.
5:22 PM BST
Kris Temple: Ladies and gentlemen... Please welcome the teams: ARSENAL and MANCHESTER UNITED!!!
Both teams made their way out of the players' tunnel under thunderous cheers. To add to the razzmatazz, fireworks and flames were also used to light up the sky in the process of greeting the players, who made their way to stand in parallel with the longest red carpet laid out there. Only 2 minutes after the players walked out, a group of 4 dignitaries walked out of the tunnel before they would walk on the red carpet. The leading dignitary was the FA figurehead President, who since 1939 has always been a member of the British Royal Family. Since 2006, the President is HRH Prince William, Duke of Cambridge.
The captain of the team is the one introducing each of his teammates and the manager to the President of the FA. With Arsenal being first in alphabetical order, the Arsenal captain led the introductions with Prince William shaking hands with each of the Arsenal players and manager. Following handshakes with the match referees, Matthias was the first to shake hands with Prince William in the name of Manchester United. Moving down the line of United players, Yusuke and Kakeru were next in line to meet the Duke of Cambridge.
"Yusuke Saeki." Matthias introduced Yusuke to Prince William.
"Good luck." Prince William shook hands with Yusuke.
"Thank you." Yusuke replied.
"Kakeru Aizawa." Matthias introduced Kakeru.
"Third time in the final. Good luck." Prince William shook hands with Kakeru.
"Thank you, your Highness." Kakeru replied.
Then Prince William continued his way forward while Yusuke and Kakeru shook hands with each of the other 3 dignitaries. After the dignitaries made their way just off the limits of the playing surface, it was time for the final part of the ceremony to take place.
5:26 PM BST
Kris Temple: Ladies and gentlemen. Please be up standing for the national anthem, led by the Band of the Welsh Guards and Laura Wright.
The drummers of the Band of the Welsh Guards rolled their drums as the cue for everyone in the stadium to be ready. On the go from the military musicians, the lead singer led the singing for 89,000+ spectators in the attendance.
GOD SAVE OUR GRACIOUS QUEEN!LONG LIVE OUR NOBLE QUEEN!GOD SAVE THE QUEEN!
SEND HER VICTORIOUS,HAPPY AND GLORIOUS,LONG TO REIGN OVER US,GOD SAVE THE QUEEN!
The crowd applauded the flawless performance of "God Save the Queen" before partisan chants resumed in both sets of supporters. In the sky, 2 Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets of the Royal Air Force made the flyover above Wembley Stadium as the final part of the pre-match ceremony.
The child mascots were allowed to leave the pitch and towards the tunnel before both teams proceeded with the customary handshake. Kakeru and Yusuke briefly shook hands with Ryoma to avoid needless controversy, but it was still very cold between the belligerents from their last encounter in February. After months of competition in which 736 teams were registered to enter in August of the previous year, there were only 2 teams left standing.
For the last time of the season, your commentator is Martin Tyler.
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==Scene 10: Nana does some magic at Wembley (Chap. 52)==
With the action still taking place inside the Manchester United half, the ball was passed around among the Arsenal players. When the ball went to Araki, Yusuke stepped forward to deny further access towards the penalty area.
"Come on." Yusuke challenged Araki.
But instead of attempting a breakthrough, Araki made a backwards pass to Ryoma. Then Ryoma flicked the ball first time and towards Elneny, who was slightly advancing on the right side of the central midfield. However, the ball went off Nana instead.
Martin Tyler: Oda...
The deflection off Nana got the ball rolling towards Erik. Araki attempted to reach the ball as well, but the Swedish defender managed to flick the ball above Araki and towards the center circle. In the center circle, both Marius and Sokratis jumped to reach the ball in the air. The Dutch striker got the first touch to cushion a header of a pass for Nana, who ran in full speed to spearhead a counterattack.
Martin Tyler: Good anticipation by Mishima...
Rushing with the ball in full speed, Nana managed to skip past an attempted standing tackle from Sokratis with a nifty move to her right. However, the 2 Arsenal centre-backs started backpedalling while Ryoma was rushing to stop Nana from behind in full speed.
"I will stop you! You will go down!" Ryoma said.
Ryoma put his hand on Nana's left shoulder in an attempt to slow her down or even drag her down if necessary. In response, Nana swung her left arm repeatedly to shrug Ryoma off.
'Have to shake him off.' Nana thought.
Over the span of several yards, the 2 Japanese opponents battled for control of the ball. However, Nana's resistance surprised Ryoma so much that the latter ended up bouncing off Nana and losing his balance. Martin Atkinson considered calling the foul against Ryoma, but chose to let Nana play the advantage instead.
Martin Tyler: Wonderful ball retention too. Well, Oda did his best to foul her...
Although Ryoma was ruled out of the equation, Nana still had to deal with the other Arsenal defenders as she approached the Arsenal penalty area. She skipped past a tackle attempt from Nacho Monreal by shifting slightly to her left. The Little Witch found herself against the 2 Arsenal centre-backs with Anthony and Marius being a little late to support her on the counterattack.
'Tony and Roman are too far behind. I have to try this alone.' Nana thought.
Nana bent her run from the right and towards the middle lane. Then she made a couple of body feints without touching the ball to hypnotize the opponents before her. Nana was entering the Arsenal penalty area.
Martin Tyler: She's still going...
"Go on! GO ON!" Noriko shouted as she stood off her seat.
Then at the very crucial split second, Nana made an elastico feint to get around the Arsenal defenders to her right side before she made a little burst of speed forward. Finding herself in a 1v1 situation against the Arsenal goalkeeper, Nana rifled the shot across and to the goalkeeper's right without any hesitation. The ball finally found the back of the Arsenal goal.
Martin Tyler: MISHIMAAAAAAOOOOOOHHH!!! IT'S ASTONISHING!!!
With tens of thousands of Manchester United supporters erupting in the stadium and especially behind the Arsenal goal at that moment, Nana ran to knock the nearest corner flag with a jump kick to celebrate the goal before she held her arms up and crossed them into the X symbol.
Martin Tyler: IT'S NANA MISHIMA!!! WHAT A FABULOUS SOLO GOAL!! SHE'S THE X-FACTOR!!Category:Sandbox
Category:The Road to the Promised Land