Group Stage Draw

"We actually lost. It's all my fault. If only I hadn't lost the first match..."

Watching the camera flashes go off nonstop in the Japan Team's section, Sefried, still a middle-schooler, couldn't accept that mighty Germany had been dealt such a blow in an exhibition match.

The undefeated legend their seniors had spent so many years building for Germany had fallen at their hands.

"Wipe away your tears, Sefried. Arrogance and tears won't help you. Germany's undefeated glory shouldn't be an excuse for you to act arrogant, either. That would only expose your weakness!"

Polk said coolly as he returned to the sidelines.

"Yes!"

At that, Sefried immediately wiped away his tears and glared stubbornly toward the Japan Team's section, the team that had brought them such humiliation.

He looked at Saeki Muneyoshi, who was his age and also a middle-schooler.

That boy his age had just given him too many shocks, and made Sefried truly put aside the pride he'd felt as one of Germany's elite.

Polk glanced at the German players, shrouded in disappointment. Rather than shift the blame, he took full responsibility.

"The defeat in this match wasn't your fault. It was mine!"

"But I hope you'll remember the bitterness and humiliation you feel now. Next time, Germany will win it back!"

"In the end, the only team that can claim this World Cup title is mighty Germany!"

Polk gathered his gear, slung his tennis bag over his shoulder, and led the team toward the exit. "Now, it's time to leave!"

"Yes, Captain!"

Tezuka and the others nodded firmly.

Truthfully, though the loss in the exhibition match had displeased Polk, he wasn't especially angry.

For Germany's somewhat restless atmosphere at the moment, it might even be a good thing.

It would spur the middle-schoolers to work harder