It’s interesting looking at both Shiba and Garuja who gave everything for Esperion and even bypassed their options to play internationally. No doubt in soccer playing internationally is just huge. Still I like that Shiba in his heart did want to play, but sometimes other things happen they you priortize.
Ashito makes a big splash on the 2nd day of practice and it is very much how he approached being on the A team. He ends up being very direct with his communication. It’s something simple, but at any level displaying your intentions is essential. It’s amusing Ashito is relying more on instinct than logic. But surely that will come in time since Ashito is someone who really presses his senpai with questions.
It’s interesting to understand that so much of Kuribayashi’s love for soccer comes from Spain. Which is where that Fukuda played until he had his injury. The fact he pushes himself and his Spanish skills really raises the point. His goal of playing for Spain is his absolute goal. Which is a clear difference from Ashito, whose goal is just to play pro for any team. Which is why Kuribayashi pushes he skills more and more each time we see him.
It’s also nice to get some focus on Yuuma since he is the sole member of the first years that hasn’t gotten that yet in this manga. It’s interesting to see an example of a player who is getting scouted by the Senior team but doesn’t really verbalize his thoughts. Consider Yuuma is a forward unlike Ashito that is perhaps the reason Fukuda doesn’t harp on that with him. As he possesses the more essential skills for a forward that Ashito lacks. For a manga that emphasizes how important communication is in soccer. You see with Yuuma playing forward it is the end of be all.
With the 3rd day of practice overlapping with Esperion Youth’s big game is interesting. No surprise Ashito is ignoring that match and not letting something he has no control over influence him. Interesting to see with Kuribayashi joining and how everyone is upping their play in practice. Still Ashito does seem he figured something important.
