[Welcome back, everyone. Enjoy the chapter.]
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The next morning, after what had happened, Kaiser and the rest of Team Z were chatting among themselves, a spectacle of expectations filling the room.
"Okay guys, this is our first play," said Kuon, getting everyone's attention. "Except for Kaiser-kun, all the members of Team Z are higher ranked than us, so we don't have the option of creating an elaborate strategy. Let's put our hopes in our skills and get the win."
Riachi muttered in disagreement, "I still don't accept the idea that Kunigami has managed to win the striker position."
"Accept the results and don't be a loser," Kunigami interjected, crossing his arms, although a small smile of self-satisfaction was visible on his face.
"Tch," Raichi simply expressed his disagreement, but he had to admit that Kunigami had won the rock-paper-scissors game that everyone else had fairly proposed.
"Your chance will come in the future, Raichi-kun," Bachira said with a calm expression, stretching his limbs.
"All right, I guess that's all there is to discuss for now. Ego-san explained to us the importance of the fact that whoever scores the most goals will still be able to qualify for the next test," Kuon intervened, drawing the attention of those present, with the exception of our protagonist, who simply continued on his own path.
"Hmm, finally I'll see some action. All this information and lack of action was starting to bore me," Kaiser muttered to himself as he watched the others discuss. In his opinion, he didn't bother participating in strategies or anything like that. The only thing that mattered was scoring goals, and that's it.
Isami was lost in his thoughts, occasionally nodding at what his teammates were saying. "To be completely honest, I'm still a little nervous. I didn't expect the game to start so soon, but I'm still excited about the idea of winning."
Noticing her complicated expression, Chigiri, who was standing next to her, raised an eyebrow and looked at her.
"Is something bothering you, Isami?" Chigiri reached out her hand and snapped her fingers, breaking her concentration.
"Ahh... It's nothing, just a little nervous, that's all," was all Isami said nervously, scratching her hair gently.
"Sure, just focus on your position and everything should be fine here," the redhead advised her in a soft tone.
Gagamaru and the other boys were talking among themselves, with a slight expression of dissatisfaction with the positions they had been assigned on the field. "I still can't get used to being the goalkeeper," he protested listlessly, sighing at his bad luck.
Naruhaya, who was standing next to him, sighed in agreement. "At least I got to be the left center. I'm not as good at making good defense like Kaiser-kun, but I'll do my best."
Kaiser, upon hearing his name, simply nodded with a smile. Unlike everyone else, he was unanimously assigned the position of left winger. According to everyone, it was an ideal position for someone of Kaiser's height, physical condition, speed, and high-quality passing skills, as it helped the team orchestrate relentless attacks and defenses.
"Kaiser-kun," whispered a voice in his ear.
Kaiser looked away from the others, noticing Bachira standing there with a smile and an expectant look on her face.
Kaiser just raised his eyebrow imperceptibly at her proximity. "Do you need something?"
Bachira nodded with an excited expression. "Yes, whenever you have the chance, I'd like you to pass me the ball so I can score a goal."
Kunigami and the two girls overheard the exchange and felt a strange sensation at Bachira's closeness. Upon learning of Bachira's open interest in Kaiser last night, they each had their own thoughts.
Kunigami decided to intervene. "Hey, you two, the game is about to start. This is no time for flirting."
"Are you jealous, Kunigami-chan?" Bachira smiled mischievously, observing Kunigami's embarrassed expression.
Kunigami lowered her gaze, trying to hide her disdain for Bachira's smile. "Just focus on how important the game is. This is no time for flirting."
Isami just narrowed his eyes and sighed at the two's argument. He clapped his hands lightly, getting Kaiser and the three of them to pay attention. "Enough, we have a lot at stake in this first game. Sort this out later, and stop playing around, Bachira."
Kunigami reluctantly agreed, as did Bachira, who simply laughed and walked away from Kaiser. He looked at Isami with a grateful look, still not used to Bachira's spontaneous closeness to him.
Isami nodded in surprise at Kaiser's gaze and turned her attention away from them.
A few minutes later, all the members of Team Z were walking down the hallway that connected to the playing field, a mixture of emotions passing over everyone's faces.
Kaiser walked calmly in front, alongside an excited Bachira and Kunigami, who smiled with excitement at being designated as the team's striker.
On the other hand, Isami and Chigiri, who were behind them, had serious expressions, although slight traces of excitement could be seen.
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Once Team Z arrived at the soccer field, some began to warm up slightly before the members of Team X arrived on the field.
"Looks like they're coming," Kaiser said, watching the gate opposite his open.
Kaiser's voice caught the attention of the others, who watched as Team X arrived on the field.
Among the members of Team X, someone stood out as peculiar in the eyes of our protagonist. He was a tall, muscular boy with black hair and a serious, arrogant, and disinterested look on his face as he watched them.
Kaiser smiled to himself, feeling a slight resonance with that boy.
"Interesting, but he's still weak," he thought, calmly watching Team X take their places on the opposite side of the soccer field.
Kunigami looked seriously at the black-haired boy. His words gave him a dangerous instinct. "That guy doesn't seem like a small fry."
Ikki was analyzing them in depth, trying to find a weakness or something that would give his team an advantage before the game started. "Apart from that boy, no one else poses a threat at first glance. I don't know if I should take that as a safety net or if they have a hidden monster like Kaiser."
Meanwhile, Bachira and Isami were talking a little. Noticing Isami's nervous expression, Bachira decided to intervene a little. "Are you still nervous, Isami-kun? What happened to those words you said last night about taking the striker position from us?"
Isami looked at her with some annoyance, immediately stopping thinking about the other team's presence in response to Bachira's provocation. "Rest assured that I will beat you and the rest," she exclaimed seriously in response to his teammate's mischievous smile.
"We'll see then. Get ready, the game is about to start."
Positions: Formation: 3-4-3
Goalkeeper - Gagamaru
Left Center - Naruhaya
Right Center - Raichi
Left Back - Kuon
Right Back - Imamura
Defensive Midfielder - Ikki
Midfielder 1 - Bachira
Midfielder 2 - Isami
Left Winger - Kaiser
Right Winger - Chigiri
Striker - Kunigami
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As soon as the game started, Bachira made a quick pass to Isami, who fearlessly advanced toward Team X's area.
However, Isami noticed three players running towards her to intercept the ball. "Tch, I can't force an opening here. These guys are desperate," she thought to herself as she made a reverse pass to Bachira, who smiled and started running towards the opposite side of the field.
However, Bachira immediately noticed the black-haired boy approaching her at full speed.
"I'm going to finish you off!" exclaimed the black-haired boy as he made contact with Bachira for control of the ball (Shouei Barou).
"Oh, how scary, sir," she began to dribble the ball, trying to free herself from Barou's mark on her, but she found herself at a standstill, unable to get past that wall with her dribbling alone.
Bachira clicked her tongue in annoyance, but what she didn't notice was the figure behind her.
"Sorry, but I'm taking this, haha!" Raichi exclaimed, stealing the ball under Bachira's surprised gaze.
"The best scorer will take the striker position, and that will be me, idiots!" exclaimed Raichi, trying to advance.
However, a few seconds later, Kunigami stole the ball, taking control of it under the annoyed gaze of Raichi and Bachira.
"Sorry, little bee and shark teeth, but that's going to be me," Kunigami shook his head impassively, starting to advance down the field, noticing the mark of five members of Team X on it.
As he approached the goal, Barou, who was at the back, intercepted the ball with a sweep, regaining possession.
Barou advanced uncontrollably toward Team Z's area alongside the other team members.
Ikki immediately ordered Naruhaya and Kuon to intercept Barou's advance, but it was in vain. Barou immediately performed a sombrero flick up in a mocking gesture under the surprised gaze of the three, who did not anticipate his move at close range.
Kaiser, noticing the situation, began to run at full speed toward his team goal space, surprising Chigiri.
"Those legs weren't just for show after all," thought the redhead with a drop of sweat on her face.
Gagamaru in the goal area was nervous as Barou managed to break through his team's defense.
"Damn, this is going to get ugly," thought the white-haired, noticing his team chasing Barou, who was getting closer and closer to the goal área.
"TAKE THIS!!" exclaimed Barou, kicking the ball with great power under the tense gaze of Team Z and the excited gaze of Team X.
A few seconds after the ball approached the goal area, a dark blue shadow immediately approached the area.
Kaiser, who a few seconds ago was at the top of the map, managed to arrive in time and, with great force in his leg, intercepted the ball's trajectory, taking control of the ball under the surprised gaze of everyone present.
Kaiser landed gracefully with the ball in his possession, smiling softly as he calmly and steadily placed the ball at his feet.
"Sorry, you didn't get a chance this time," Kaiser said with a slightly mischievous smile on his face, starting to run forward, dodging an angry Barou who tried to intercept him but to no avail.
With slight, millimeter-precise movements and dribbling skills that were decent in his eyes but difficult for the members of Team X to remove, Kaiser easily counterattacked with a precise pass that gave a slight curve toward Bachira, who just watched in surprise.
"Go for it, you wanted the pass before, didn't you?" That's what Bachira could read from the blond's lips.
An excited smile appeared on her face as she began to run frantically, intercepting the members of Team X who were closest to her, under the frustrated gaze of Barou, who tried to catch up with her, and the expectant gaze of Kaiser. Bachira approached within a few centimeters of the penalty area and made a precise shot into the corner of the goal.
The Team X goalkeeper tried his best, and as his hand approached the ball, he could only watch in frustration as the ball and its speed surpassed his reaction time.
*GOOOOOAL*
TEAM X: 0 - TEAM Z: 1
Kaiser just smiled contentedly, calmly returning to his position.
Isami looked at Bachira with frustration at the idea that she hadn't been the one to score the goal. "That little bee has already taken advantage of me."
Kunigami just sighed in annoyance as she watched Bachira's triumph. "I won't make it so easy for you," the orange-haired girl reminded herself of what was at stake on the field.
"The execution was good, and it looks like I landed a fatal blow on the other team. They seem more uncoordinated and nervous," Chigiri reflected in her mind, watching as the members of Team X looked at each other with fear at the idea of losing.
"We managed to land a fatal blow, but it's not enough. We only have a small advantage," Ikki said to himself, his hand on his chin, returning to his position alongside the others.
"Tch, show off," Raichi muttered angrily, upset that he wasn't the one who scored the goal.
Everyone recovered from the initial blow to the scoreboard and returned to their positions, with Team X in control of the ball.
The game restarted with a pass from one member of Team X to another, both running desperately towards the center, trying to escape the mark of Kaiser, who watched them with amusement.
"I won't waste my time with them, they're so weak that the others can take care of them."
Chigiri, on the other hand, was the first to try to intercept the enemy's advance, but she unconsciously looked at her knee nervously, which played a dirty trick on her, and they barely managed to get past her.
"¡What the hell is wrong with you, Chigiri?!" Raichi exclaimed angrily at her failed interception attempt.
"Tch," was all the redhead thought in frustration as she watched Team X's uncontrolled advance.
One of the members made a short but beautiful pass to Barou, who was running with an intimidating look, easily dodging Ikki's attempt to sweep him, much to Ikki's frustration.
"They're on a frenzy now. Even though they're out of control, it's hard to anticipate how they're going to play now. This looks bad," Ikki thought, sighing and resuming his run toward Barou alongside Kuon and Raichi.
Feeling the pressure on him, Barou made a short pass to his teammate as he advanced toward the goal area.
The other member of Team X made a quick pass, sensing Raichi's intention to get the ball.
Under the gaze of everyone present, Barou was able to gain control of the ball and, just a few meters from the goal, made an accurate and quick shot to the lower part of the goal.
However, to the surprise of Barou and his team, Gagamaru, who had begun to analyze Barou's movements earlier, barely managed to anticipate the shot and saved the ball with difficulty.
"GOOD JOB, GAGAMARU!" Raichi exclaimed excitedly under the frustrated gaze of Team X toward Gagamaru.
Gagamaru nodded impassively and made a short pass to Ikki, who was near the area.
Ikki nodded impassively, controlling the ball and evading Team X's attempt to take it away from him. He immediately made a short pass to Kuon, who easily launched the ball with a long pass to Isami, who was next to Bachira.
"Good," was all the black-haired girl thought as she successfully caught the pass, impassively watching the Team X defenders who were left out of Barou's attack.
Isami just looked at Bachira beside her, they both looked at each other and nodded silently.
Isami immediately began to run with the ball under her control, but she soon found herself being marked by two defenders from Team X who threw themselves at her, blocking her advance.
Under her impassive gaze, she made a reverse pass to Bachira, and Isami broke through Team X's defense alongside Chigiri, Kaiser, and Kunigami in a trident attack.
Team X's defenders immediately tried to adjust to counter Team Z's trident attack with Isami on top of them, but Bachira just smiled with satisfaction and made a surprise pass to everyone on the left wing.
Kaiser, who was watching the ball approach him, just smiled as he intercepted the pass and easily blocked the attempt by two members of Team X who lunged at him.
"All because of that pass earlier, Bachira?" Kaiser thought with amusement as he ran with the ball in his position, effortlessly sweeping away the opposing team's attempt to defend him.
Kaiser began to approach the goal faster and faster, but Barou, who had been outside the attack, began to run from before Bachira's pass toward Kaiser's position, trying to intercept his attack.
Barou and Kaiser found themselves facing each other just a few yards from the goal under the expectant gaze of everyone.
"You're not getting past me, scum!" Barou exclaimed angrily, glaring arrogantly at Kaiser.
Kaiser simply smiled impassively at Barou's arrogance and ran fearlessly toward him. The two found themselves wrestling, feeling that their physical condition was more or less equal, which prevented Barou from easily knocking Kaiser down.
They both began to dribble, but everyone noticed that Kaiser had the advantage, thwarting Barou's attempts to intercept his control of the ball.
"How amusing, but compared to that idiot Lorenzo, this boy still has a long way to go before he can threaten me," thought Kaiser, performing a two-way dribble that confused Barou, who lunged to the left, but Kaiser immediately took control of the ball, turning to the right and freeing himself from Barou's mark.
"NOOOO!" Barou exclaimed, running towards Kaiser, who just smiled.
The moment Kaiser finally reached the penalty area, everyone felt a cold sense of fear. They watched a calm but arrogant Kaiser, who just smiled and then kicked the ball in a half-moon arc with his right leg with such force that it looked like a rocket.
*Rush...* *Crash!*
The ball slipped effortlessly into the goal area under the fearful gaze of the goalkeeper, who didn't know how to react to Kaiser's shot.
Immediately, the field fell silent. Both Kaiser's teammates and Team X watched him with a mixture of emotions: anger, admiration, fear, anticipation, frustration, and more flowed toward him.
Kaiser just closed his eyes and raised his arms in celebration. Immediately, Team Z reluctantly celebrated with him, subconsciously accepting the difference in skill, but their hunger to claim glory and score a goal with their own hands flowed through everyone's minds.
TEAM X: 0 - TEAM Z: 2
"Damn it!" That was all Barou could think as he watched his teammates cower before his intimidating gaze.
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