This school visit marked the first time that three players — Hirato, Tanaka, and Kakita — participated together. As all three were同期 (dokyo - from the same graduating class) from the youth academy, they put on a well-coordinated performance.
The exchange was divided into two halves: the first half with third-graders, and the second half with fourth-graders.
After the players introduced themselves, they moved to one end of the gymnasium for long kicks. Long kicks are always a performance that delights children wherever we go. Since the balls were brought from the clubhouse, the kicks felt good, and the cheers erupted as the balls landed perfectly at their feet. The children were also thrilled by Kakita's dunk from a long kick. They also showcased ball juggling and "birdcage" ball possession drills.
For recreation, they played dodgeball, divided by class. It was a match between two players and one player plus Coach Jo. Midway through, two balls were introduced, making the game more chaotic. The players consistently aimed for the opposing team with powerful throws, resulting in them constantly moving between the inner and outer areas. Among them, Tanaka was particularly popular, pushing forward to actively get the ball, and comically collapsing when hit.
After a 7-minute match, the exchange with the third-graders concluded. After a commemorative photo and gift presentation, they switched with the fourth-graders.
The exchange with the fourth-graders also began with self-introductions. For their display of skills, they did a "birdcage" ball chase. While the third-graders barely touched the ball, the fourth-graders, as expected, would quickly get possession when two players chased the ball. The players also got serious, showcasing their brilliant footwork.
For recreation, they played dodgeball, divided by class. More than with the third-graders, the ball movement was powerful, and the children ran around with genuine enthusiasm.
With the fourth-graders, there was a little time for a Q&A session. When asked, "What's the trick to running fast in a long-distance race?" Kakita replied, "Practice running a lot, and if you have a strong desire to run the fastest, I think you can run fast."
Finally, they exited with smiles, walking through the path of flowers the children had made for them.
