Team Y took the kickoff.
They began passing the ball around their own half, calmly maintaining possession.
It looked like a harmless game of keep-away.
From midfield, Isagi frowned, noticing Ōkawa strolling idly in Team Z's half, not even pressing or defending.
Weird. Why aren't they pushing forward? And what's Ōkawa even doing?
Moments later, Raichi intercepted a pass, stealing the ball cleanly.
Team Z immediately switched to offense.
The forward for this rotation was Rensuke Kunigami.
"Nice pass, Raichi!"
But strangely, no one from Team Y stepped up to press him.
They gave him space too much space.
Kunigami advanced a few meters, spotted his range, and unleashed a powerful long shot.
"This one's going in!"
But the shot line was too predictable. Two defenders slid in together, blocking it midair.
"Damn, blocked again."
As the deflected ball soared upward, it dropped right at Futago's feet.
From the corner of his eye, Isagi saw Ōkawa sprinting toward their goal.
A chill ran down his spine.
Oh no. That's their plan.
"Exactly," Futago smirked. "We've been waiting for this moment."
He swung his leg, sending a long, arcing pass over everyone's heads toward the penalty box.
"Futago, perfect pass!"
"Ōkawa, finish it!"
Isagi sprinted back desperately.
It wasn't that they couldn't attack, they were baiting us in. Their true weapon is the counterattack!
Ōkawa charged forward, ready to receive the pass.
Just as the ball was about to drop
a flash of light streaked past Isagi.
Ryan Hoshino.
"Seriously? Is our backline made of glass? Do I always have to clean up your messes?"
He leapt behind Ōkawa, twisted midair, and trapped the ball against his chest like it was glued to him.
Without missing a beat, he flicked it wide.
"Your turn, Speed Demon."
"Got it, boss!"
That voice belonged to Chigiri.
Because he'd hidden his weapon in previous matches, Team Y had no intel on him; they'd assumed Z had no fast wingers.
So the flanks were wide open, tailor-made for him.
Chigiri exploded down the sideline, the ball dancing at his feet.
He could almost feel the chains wrapped around his right leg, the chains that once held him back snapping one by one with every powerful stride.
The wind whipped across his face, the turf pressed beneath his cleats.
This feeling… this is what I've longed for. The joy of running free.
"Stop him!"
"Damn it, he's too fast!"
Futago cursed under his breath.
He hadn't expected another speed-type player on Z.
All his analysis had focused on Ryan's central plays, so he'd packed the defense in the middle.
No one was ready for a wing assault like this.
Chigiri reached top speed and no one could touch him.
Seeing that they couldn't stop him on the flank, Futago yelled for his team to collapse back into the box.
Chigiri neared the area but paused, scanning the crowded defense.
There were too many bodies to shoot through; he trusted his speed, not his accuracy.
Then he saw it inside the penalty area, surrounded by three defenders, stood Ryan.
And yet, instead of being crushed, Ryan was pushing them back, dominating the physical battle.
That monster… he's already there before me. Then I'll trust him.
He swung his leg and sent a high cross into the box.
Futago squinted, gauging the flight path.
"Too high. It'll sail over."
He backed up to wait for the ball to drop
and then froze in disbelief.
"You've got to be kidding me. Is he even human?"
Ryan planted his hands on two defenders' shoulders and soared.
His hips rose to Futago's eye level; it was like watching a rocket launch.
For a split second, everyone forgot to breathe.
Ryan's header smashed the ball into the top corner of the net.
GOAL!!!
Ryan jogged over to Chigiri, raising his hand for a high-five.
"Nice cross. Could've been a bit higher though."
"Are you serious? Are you even from Earth?"
"Between you and me," Ryan said with a grin, lowering his voice, "I'm actually a Saiyan from Planet Vegeta. My parents sent me to Earth after our planet exploded. I plan to conquer it once I grow up. Wanna join me?"
"Do I look like an idiot? I've seen Dragon Ball, you know. Try that line on Bachira, not me."
"Aw, come on, I was joking. You're so mean, Chigiri saying stuff like that to a delicate boy like me."
A vein popped on Chigiri's forehead.
"You damn idiot…"
When he looked back, Ryan had already vanished.
Meanwhile, Kunigami sat on the bench, fists clenched in frustration.
"I had that shot. How could I miss?"
Ryan appeared beside him, waving casually.
"Yo, Kunigami. Why the long face? Did a girl reject you?"
"No… I just feel too weak. I had the perfect chance and blew it."
"What's this? The great hero's giving up?"
"No. Never."
"Then pull yourself together. Heroes don't quit, they break their limits. Push past yours, and you'll score."
"Break… my limits."
Kunigami murmured the words, his expression hardening.
By the time he looked up to thank Ryan he was gone.
Back near midfield, Isagi was still lost in thought.
"Yo, Isagi," Ryan said, suddenly appearing behind him. "Which girl's making you frown like that? Come on, tell me. Share the pain, make me happy too."
"Huh? Ryan? No, it's not that. There aren't any girls here, remember? I just… feel like something's off, but I can't figure out what."
"You're thinking of Futago, right?"
"Futago?"
Ryan pointed subtly toward the thick-banged midfielder.
Isagi's eyes widened as the realization hit.
"Y Team's core isn't Ōkawa, it's Futago. He's their switch between defense and attack, the one who feeds those decisive passes to Ōkawa."
Ryan snapped his fingers.
"Bingo. Give the man a prize."
The game was far from over,
but now Team Z had truly begun to see the battlefield clearly
and the monster named Ryan continued to dominate both body and mind.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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