42 Substitution Reques (1/2)
”… that's all.” Yuel finished venting his frustration in front of Howard. He said everything he had to said, from beginning to end. About how Trever got tilted after dying and performed poorly ever since, about how the team fell to the level of childish bickering and about how his shot-calls were rejected. Everything was laid bare, his own faults included.
”I… didn't do much to stop them,” Yuel admitted. He effectively ratted out his teammates, so the least he could do was admitting he wasn't perfect either. ”I stayed quiet the whole time, waiting for the storm to pass. At one point, I had the opportunity to change something, but the idea was shot down. At this rate, we have no chance of winning the next matches.”
”I see,” Howard said. ”I had a feeling it's something along these lines, but I didn't expect things to be this bad.”
”You knew?”
”It was written on your faces.” Howard sighed. ”The atmosphere in your room was all doom and gloom. I had to mentally prepare myself before walking in.”
[So, he figured it out at a glance. Just how good is this guy at reading us?] Yuel frowned. Having a psychic mind reader as vice-captain was unsettling on many levels, but right now Yuel was thankful for it.
”Alrighty then,” Howard's eyes turned sharp, peering into the depths of Yuel's mind. ”Let's get to the point. What do you think was the source of the problem?”
”Well, that's…” Yuel stuttered. Even though he summarized everything, he avoided pointing fingers. In his story, everybody was equally guilty. But, that's not how he truly felt. It's clear as day whose actions were the catalyst for the team's downfall. But, he felt bad pinning the blame on one player, since he was already talking behind his teammates' backs. Not to mention, the culprit he had in mind was [that guy].
”Hurry up. We don't have much time before your next match.”
”It's… Trever.” Yuel coughed up. ”He was the first to BM and I think all the negativity spread from him. Everybody had their bad moments, myself included, but I don't think anybody topped Trever. He only got worse with time, both in his plays and his attitude. Honestly, it was insufferable.”
Once Yuel's tongue started rolling, it refused to stop. That was the last bit of pent-up frustration he still carried, and Howard squeezed it out of him. Even without outright saying it, Yuel's position was clear: ”Trever should be switched out”.
”Alright,” Howard nodded. ”It's a shame, but you gotta sub Trever.”
”You agree? That easily?” Yuel was taken aback. ”He's the captain, you know?”
”Between you and me: he's the captain to ensure he stays motivated,” Howard said. ”You know how Trever used to be on the first string, right? I'm sure he's not amused about being placed in the second string, so at least being the 'captain' makes him feel more important. There's also his pride as a senior to consider.”
”That sounds kinda….”
”Don't get me wrong, I don't belittle him or anything. When he's in the right mood, he's a great player. He's also good at being loud, which can be annoying but it keeps morale high.”
”I don't know about morale, but it's sure annoying.”
”Right? Haha. Anyway, that's the good points about him. He's a vital teammate when he's doing well. But, if he falls into a slump, there's no getting out. I tried all sort of things before, but I never figured how to make him snap outta it. So, he's always a double-edged sword.”
”I see.” If even Howard couldn't pull Trever out of the slump, then nobody could. Especially, not Yuel. It's regrettable, but the only option now was to give up on Trever. ”So, can we sub Lars in?”
”Yeah, you have permission.” Howard nodded.
”Shouldn't you pass this by Aron first?” After all, no matter how dominant Howard's presence was in the club, he's only the vice-captain.
”Nah, no need.” Howard waved it off. ”I already talked to Aron about subbing Trever for Lars if something happens.”
”Already talked...?” Yuel's jaw dropped and refused to come back. What? When? Howard just learned about Trever's slump, so it meant he prepared for this situation ahead of time, long before this scrimmage began. He knew about Trever's problem, so he prepared a cure before the plague struck. He always did this, that's how he provided his teammates with an absolute defense. That's why he was Aegis, the impenetrable shield.
[I knew it too. I knew how Trever is, and yet...] Yuel gritted his teeth. He's the vice-captain of the second string. It's his job to ensure the team's victory. Yet, he didn't think of any countermeasures to Trever's bad habit. He was outdone by an ”outsider”, by somebody who already had his hands full managing the first string. Goddammit.
”Wait,” Yuel realized something big. ”Don't tell me that's why you made Lars practice with us?”
”Who knows.” Howard dodged, but the smug on his face said it all. He came up with this ”Plan B” all the way back then. He insisted Lars should train with the second string to ”practice their team-fighting coordination”. 3v3 battles were indeed a good way to improve teamwork, so nobody doubted Howard's intentions. But, that training wasn't just for those announced to be on the second string. It also ensured Lars practiced with them, so he can sub for Trever at a moment's notice. Everything was calculated.
Yuel was completely defeated. Not only he failed to prepare any countermeasures to Trever's problem, but he didn't even realize Howard's real intent. Ugh. Seriously, what was he doing? Howard was the first string's Support and shot-caller, the one Yuel had to overcome to claim a spot on the first sting. Yet, Yuel completely lost this round. Just how big was the gap between them? Did he have a chance of ever surpassing Howard...?
”Anyway,” Howard said. ”You're free to sub Trever. But, I'm not going back there, so it's all up to you.”
”Me?”
”Yes, you. I can't babysit your team all day. You gotta learn how to solve your problems yourself. So, you go back to your team and announce whatever changes you deem necessary.”
”Wait, are you serious?” Yuel gulped. ”You're aware Trever is technically still the captain, right? And, he's a senior while I'm the youngest player on the team.”
”Using age to defend yourself? I thought you wanted people to stop calling you a rookie.”
”Ugh, that's...”
”Didn't you say it's frustrating how the team rejects your shot-calls because you're the youngest one?”
”That's true, but...” Yuel clenched his fists. Yes, he hated all of that. Being treated like a rookie, not being trusted as a shot-caller and having no voice - he wanted to break out of these shackles. To do so, he had to confront the team whenever necessary. He couldn't run away.
With that said, they still treated him as a rookie right now, How did Howard expect him to change the team's opinion within a couple of minutes? Especially, with all that negativity hanging in the air. It's an absurd demand! ”What if Trever refuses?”
”Then forced him to step down,” Howard answered plainly like it was the easiest thing in the world. ”And, don't even think about sending him to me or Aron. Solve it yourself.”
”Excuse me, but you're being absurd.” Yuel insisted.
”I could've done it without a problem.”
”Of course you can, you're the vice-captain, You got authority.”
”No, even if I wasn't the vice-captain – I'd do it.” Each of Howard's words was heavy, pregnant with unyielding convicting. ”If I were in your shoes right now, I'd still do it. I'd make him step down, no matter how older he is or what position he has. In real matches, results are everything. Those who can't produce them shall be cut out.”
Howard swinging his blade, cutting Trever down. That's the image these words instilled. Yuel felt a chill because he knew it's true. Howard would have definitely done so. Without hesitation, without feeling any guilt.
[This is unfair.] Yuel bit his lip. He saw Howard as a rival, as a goal to surpass. And, Howard knew that. That's why he said all of this. What laid behind his words was one assertion: ”If you can't do this much, you'll never surpass me.”
The idea of facing Trever and the other upperclassmen terrified Yuel to the core. The pressure was almost strong enough to knock him out. Could he really do it? He, a freshman, force a senior captain to retire? Absurd. Unthinkable.
Yet, Howard claimed he would have done it. And, Yuel believed him. Regardless of age and position, Howard would have done what whatever it takes to secure the team's victory. He was that kind of guy. Results were everything.
Then, what about Yuel? Why couldn't he do the same? What's the difference between him and Howard? He understood what had to be done to secure victory and was granted permission to act.
Then, why? Why did his body refuse to stop shivering!? The mere thought of going against his seniors rooted him in place, freezing every cell in his body.