In addition to a sense of security, there's also a sense of anticipation. 20-year-old Jumpei Hayakawa is more than just a "closer." This season, he's been brought on in the closing stages of Trial where his team is leading, and despite a total of 10 minutes on the pitch, he's scored one goal and provided one assist. He's performed his job perfectly in all three Trial he's played, contributing to convincing victories in each. When the coach calls his name five minutes before he's brought on as a substitute, he immediately starts to organize his thoughts. He thinks even before the manager gives him instructions. What is expected of him right now?

"It's important to perform the mission at near 100 percent. It's about how well we can maintain team discipline. To win by keeping a clean sheet, the way we apply pressure will also change."

In the opening match against JEF United Ichihara Chiba, he was brought on in the 88th minute with the score at 2-0, and he played a key role in balancing offense and defense while aggressively pressing high up the pitch. Although he didn't make a particularly outstanding contribution in his short playing time, he completed his mission properly. He calmly spoke about his role.

"When we're winning, the tasks are clear. We try not to lose, and if we have a chance, we go for it. When we have the ball, we keep it, and when we don't, we run to help the team. I'm not the type to let my ego get the better of me."

Nevertheless, the high-quality play he displays throughout the match is eye-catching. In the third match against Yokohama F･Marinos, he came on as a substitute in the 83rd minute and made a big impact with his first play. Matheus Savio intercepted a pass from the opposing goalkeeper and passed to him, putting him one-on-one with the goalkeeper. He calmly checked the position of the goal and, from outside the penalty area, beautifully slotted the ball into the near post with his favored left foot. This was his first goal for the Reds since the YBC Levain Cup match Shonan Bellmare in April 2023. He signed a professional contract at the age of 17, and it's already his fourth year. A sigh of relief escaped his lips.

"For me, it feels like I finally scored a goal. I'm relieved. I was a little nervous because I was so free when I took the shot. More than anything, it was good that the second goal had a positive impact on the team. It's better to go 2-0 than Trial. When you score, everyone becomes more relaxed in a good way, and their bodies start to move better."

When he shook the back of the net, old memories came flooding back. During his time in the Urawa youth academy, he not only created scoring opportunities but also scored many goals himself. After the match against Yokohama F. Marinos, he recalled those feelings and felt a slight desire to score again. However, it wasn't a selfish thought.

"Players who come on as substitutes have to give 100 percent to the team and then finish the job. Being able to score in that situation meant a lot to me."

No player would willingly volunteer to be a "joker." The ideal scenario is to be named to the starting lineup and play the full match. The more results he produces, the more it would be natural for him to show a desire to start, but Hayakawa always remains calm. In the fifth match against Mito Hollyhock, he came onto the pitch in the 90+1 minute of added time and calmly pulled off a great job. Receiving the ball in a tight space in front of the goal near the end of the match, he set up Toshikazu Teruuchi 's first professional goal. He timed his pass perfectly as Terauchi broke through the defense, delivering an exquisite final pass.

"Originally, I was a passer. I react to the movements of the players in front of me and play accordingly. Of course, I don't just choose to pass; I also take shots myself. Being able to play both roles is my strength."

A passer's character can also be seen in their consideration for the receiver. When his Urawa youth teammate made a diagonal run, Shoya Nakajima, who was free, was also in his line of sight. There were two options. It was a split-second decision, but what crossed his mind was the feelings of a striker entering his second year as a professional. Just one minute earlier, he had missed a golden opportunity.

"If I hadn't passed the ball there, Teru would have missed that crucial shot and finished Trial without scoring. Plus, I had this feeling that 'he'd score.' He often scores from positions like that in practice. He's a good shooter."

Even when Teruuchi, a year younger, casually called him by his first name without any honorifics, saying, "I thought if you ran there, 'Junpei,' he would pass the ball to you," he didn't seem to mind. "I'm a kind person, you see," he said with a laugh. After Trial, like a true senior, he generously treated his juniors to a meal.

"At first, he said, 'I'd like sushi,' but on the day, he asked, 'Is meat okay?', so we ended up with yakiniku (Japanese barbecue). Maybe sushi next time."

While he sometimes speaks frankly and smoothly in front of the press, he is fundamentally grounded. Even when he achieves results in a short period of time, he shows no signs of getting carried away. "What's important is how long I can keep it up," he tells himself. He had already been visualizing how to defeat Tokyo Verdy from an early stage in preparation for the match on March 14th. The opponent's formation will be a three-man defense for the first time this season. He intends to anticipate all possible winning patterns and put in more than 100 percent of his effort without getting carried away. His goal is to win consecutively. Persistence is power.

(Interview and text by Masayuki Sugizono)