Tales of the Tournaments

The Japanese captain walked back into the locker room with the birch paddle, getting the immediate attention of the entire team. They had been sitting on the benches in the locker room, each in front of their own cubbies, stoic and silent as they waited for Saki's return. Now the Nadeshikos got to their feet together, turning to look expectantly at Saki as she entered.

The birch paddle was a surprise to all of them, but they were generally too well taught to protest its appearance.

Hina Sugita, though, sputtered at its appearance. "Kumagai-senpai, what's that?"

"I'd be happy to show you, Sugita-kun," Saki looked pointedly at Hina, who shook her head quickly.

"No Senpai, I'll behave." 

"Good," Saki said firmly. "I don't want any trouble from any of you, is that clear?"

A chorus of "yes, Senpai" reassured Saki that her team understood the behavior expected of them.

The second half commenced, and a minute later, Hina Sugita was subbed off. She understood it as a mild chastisement for speaking out of turn, and the Portland Thorns player's replacement with Jun Endo seemed pointed enough. Jun, who shared Hina's NWSL experience - though Jun was at Angel City, not Portland - was a fair substitute for Hina's abilities.

Sweden had the ball from the first, but a fierce strike from Johanna Kaneryd was countered by the Japanese keeper, Yamashita, blocking the attempt at goal.

Jonna Andersson took a corner kick, and the ball flew back into the game, where Fūka Nagano was whistled down by the referee for a handball. A penalty was awarded to Sweden, and Filippa Angeldahl stepped up to take it.

She scored, doubling Sweden's first half lead from Amanda Ilestedt.

The Japanese players tried not to panic. Panic never got anyone anywhere. But they could tell that Saki, their respected Kumagai-senpai, was Not Pleased.

Forward Mina Tanaka, who had not been able to get any scoring opportunities through for the Nadeshikos, was subbed off promptly after.

(Just in time, too, because Saki knew the team brat was prone to tantrums if things didn't go her way, no matter how disciplined the team was expected to be. She knew Hina would take Mina in hand and keep her from losing her temper.) 

Riko Ueki came on for her instead. 

Kosse was doing her best to stay focused and keep her head in the game, but she admittedly still felt sore, and a bit shaken from her meeting with Saki at halftime. She knew that she wasn't going to be able to play the full 90, though as the 60 minute mark came, she hoped to play at least another 10. Kosse watched as Magda's header went wide, and knew Magda would be upset with herself for the error. Not that it was a catastrophic error - they were still ahead 2-0 for now - but Magda would have liked to score. Of course all the Swedes would have wanted that for her.

The Japanese midfield had got hold of the ball. First the nineteen-year-old Aoba Fujino, then her twenty-six-year-old teammate, Yui Hasegawa (who played for Manchester City) each made an attempt on goal, unsuccessfully. Yui's strike went wide, and Aoba got the ball back, trying again. The teen looked briefly furious with herself as her attempt fell short yet again. 

But Kosse didn't have more than a couple minutes to observe the midfield pair's attempts - she was being called off the field now, in the seventy-second minute, for Madelen Janogy. She headed off the field with more than a little relief, handing the armband to Magda on her way out.

"You okay, Kosse?" Magda asked, and Kosse exhaled.

"I'll be fine."

Magda nodded, taking the armband and watching her disappear down the tunnel.

Fridolina Rolfo came off at the same time as Kosse, replaced by Lina Hurtig. They hoped to keep Sweden ahead, as the Nadeshikos still had control of the ball. Yui Hasegawa managed to get a shot on target, but it was stopped short by Zecira Musovic. The Swedish keeper put the ball back into play - and shortly after, Japan were awarded a penalty kick. Riko Ueki failed to connect.

Sofia Jakobsson had been watching impatiently from the bench, and felt a sigh of relief when she saw Musovic was still on top of her game, keeping the Nadeshikos out. It seemed Ueki didn't appreciate the Swede's efforts, though. Sofia couldn't quite make out what had happened, but she saw the yellow card flash out at the Japanese girl, and shook her head.

That wouldn't end well for her.

Seike Kiko replaced  Hinata Miyazawa, and Honoka Hayashi came on a sub for Fuka Nagano for Japan. Shortly after, Lina Hurtig won the ball, and Sofia watched her head it toward the goal. It went wide.

Sofia groaned, sighing. "She's going to be mad with herself for that one."

"Mhmm. Coach's almost ready to put us in, get up Sof."

Sofia looked at Hanna, raising her eyebrows at the twenty-year-old. "Don't whine, lillan, I'm up." She stood up, stretching her legs. "Did you see who he was calling back in?"

"Looked like Elin and Johanna."

Sofia nodded. "Alright then. Let's go."

A few minutes after Sofia went on, she saw Japan's Aoba Fujino attempt to get a shot in, but it bounced off the goalpost. However, before Sofia could feel too relieved about that, Honoka Hayashi got control of the ball, and she fired it past Zecira Musovic.

Zecira stretched to block it, falling so that she was doing the splits, but it wasn't good enough. The ball went in, and Japan had pulled back a goal, 2-1.

The Nadeshikos celebrated - but Sofia's gaze was on Zecira, writhing in pain between the goalposts. She and Magda got the med staff's attention, and Zecira was quickly being attended to.

Much to Sofia's relief, Zecira was on her feet and back in the goal before long.

"She's going to need a soak in the ice baths after," Magda said quietly. Sofia nodded. The ball was back in Japan's possession, and Riko Ueki , Seike Kiko, and Maika Hamano each took a shot at the goal a couple minutes apart. None of the attempts landed, however, all wide and off target. Sofia was secretly relieved that Zecira hadn't had to block the Nadeshiko girls - after that nasty fall, a second one might do worse damage.

They were in stoppage time now - five minutes into the ten minutes allotted. But the last five passed without incident; Sweden didn't see the net again, but nor did Japan, and the match was whistled to a close 2-1.

Sweden were through.

Relief swept through Sofia, mingled with a jumble of other emotions.

The Swedes came together in celebration, but Sofia hung back on the fringes. She felt a tap on her shoulder and turned around.

Jun Endo.

The Angel City striker gave Sofia a wan smile. "Well played, Sofia."

"Thanks," Sofia said quietly. "You did really well, too. Nothing to be ashamed of."

Jun nodded. "Is...is there anything you'd like me to tell her?"

Sofia exhaled and nodded, closing her eyes briefly. "We want to win this, of course, but...I'll try not to stay away any longer than necessary. Tell AT I miss her but not to be afraid, I'll be home as soon as I can. And...look after her for me, won't you, Jun?"

Jun nodded. "We all will."

We meant Angel City, not the Nadeshikos, Sofia presumed. She nodded back. "Thank you."

There was a whistle, and Jun turned. "Sorry, Sofia, I have to go."

Sofia gave her another nod. "Alright Jun, take care. I'll see you when I get back. Sleep well, and safe flight."

"Thank you, Sofia." Jun hurried back to her own teammates, anxiety rising.

They had lost.

Kumagai-senpai's not going to be happy, Jun thought to herself, grimacing. She knew some of her teammates hadn't played as well as they could. Jun had only had the second half of the game to make any kind of difference herself, but she hadn't done it. Honestly that might be enough for Saki to think she ought to be in trouble, Jun thought worriedly. But really, she had teammates who had more to worry about.

The Nadeshikos assembled swiftly and silently without being told, each of the girls removing their cleats and putting their regular shoes back on, then standing straight in front of their cubbies with their hands clasped behind their backs.

Jun went to her place, bowing respectfully with the others as Saki approached. She straightened, and kept her head bowed and her eyes closed. She knew how this would go.

Kumagai-senpai would go down the line, touching the shoulder of the girls she had decided required punishment. Riko Ueki, Jun thought, who had been yellow carded, would certainly be called on it. But the others were to remain still and silent until and unless they were summoned to take their swats.

Jun listened as Kumagai-senpai's soft footsteps drew nearer. It was clear when she had reached Riko; the twenty-three year old forward was no doubt suffering guilt for her missed shots, as well as the tantrum that had led to the yellow card. Saki's footsteps stopped, and Jun could hear as Riko turned around, trained to obedience no matter how reluctant. Jun didn't need to watch as Riko bent over, hands on the seat of the bench. She knew what to expect.

Well, except one thing.

The smack of flat wood on Riko's thinly clothed bottom, rather than the sound of the martinet cracking down, surprised them all. Jun's eyes flew open, but she forced herself to hold still at Riko's yelp.

"Senpai!"

"Shhh." Saki's voice was surprisingly gentle. "What's this now?"

"T-that's not w-what it's supposed to feel like, Senpai," Riko pleaded.

"This time it is, because I traded with Kosse," Saki reminded Riko, keeping her voice low and soothing, though the entire team could still hear. "You remember I was going to do that. You earned these swats, Riko-kun, you know better than to whine."

"Sorry, Senpai," Riko whispered, eyes lowered. "I'll be good."

"Yes, you will," Saki agreed with a faint smile. "All right now?"

Riko nodded.

Jun swallowed hard. She knew what the Swedes had in their possession - she'd heard about it from Sofia before. She wasn't looking forward to encountering it for the first time. Not, of course, that she hadn't seen the Angel City paddle before, but this seemed somehow worse.

Riko took three more swats before being guided to stand. Beside Riko, Fuka Nagano stood, stomach fluttering as she remembered her handball.

And there was Kumagai-senpai's hand on her shoulder, squeezing gently. Fuka swallowed nervously, but took up position as she had been taught.

One. Two. She received half the number of swats with the birch paddle as Riko had, but they were still a shock, when she wasn't used to such things. (The slipper, at Liverpool, maybe, but not a birch paddle.) 

"Thank you for correcting me, Senpai," Fuka whispered as Saki helped her to stand. Riko quickly echoed her.

Saki nodded. "You're welcome," she said quietly.

Then she moved on down the row, past Mina and Hana, and passing Jun herself, much to Jun's relief.

Yui Hasegawa, on Jun's other side, received two swats as well (to relieve guilt about her missed shot.) Beside Yui, Aoba Fujino was given four swats for the same purpose (double, for two separate times). Honoka Hayashi was next to Aoba, but Saki passed the single goalscorer by, instead tending to Kiko on her other side. Two swats, and then two for Maika Hamano three places down from Kiko.

That was all. 

It was more than enough, Jun thought, because the sound of every swat, every stifled gasp or cry had entered her consciousness. She swore her own bottom burned though it hadn't been touched.

"Thank you for our correction, Senpai," the team chorused, facing front again, eyes open. 

"You are welcome, my girls," Saki said. "And now what will you do?"

"Try harder."

"Be stronger."

"Do our best to improve."

Saki nodded to each answer as it was given.

"Good. I'm glad to hear it." Saki swept her gaze over her teammates. "I know we lost today, but I'm very proud of you all for how hard you tried. We'll come back stronger next time. Now let's get moving."

With a clap of her hands, Saki released her teammates from attention, and they scrambled to tidy up the dressing room before heading to the showers.

They undressed, showering quickly, and cleansing themselves thoroughly before returning to the baths. Ice baths were the norm for most of the teams, but the Nadeshikos were used to communal tubs of hot water, and the heat was especially welcome to soothe away their aches - especially for the girls who had just been paddled.

Normally they soaked together unclothed, with no pretensions toward modesty, but Jun noticed to her amusement that Maika and Aoba, the nineteen-year-old youngests, were covering themselves, hiding their no doubt pink bottoms with the small towels that were always an option, if not usually utilized.

When they finished their soak, the Nadeshikos dressed in silence, and headed back to their hotel to sleep.

It would be a long trip home tomorrow, and Jun Endo, for one, would be glad to be back with Angel City. She loved being with her national teammates, but she didn't envy the majority, returning home to their Japanese clubs after a loss. At least her American teammates wouldn't think of her as dishonored.

And she'd see AT again soon. That was something to look forward to. She hoped the little one was holding up alright.