Chapter 31: The Goal Formula and… a Misunderstanding
"Hey Ryan, wait a second."
Ryan turned around mid-step, frowning.
"Huh? What is it? If it's not something really important, don't interrupt me while I'm going to eat."
"It is important! I'll treat you to steak afterward, I promise."
In an instant, Ryan's expression flipped from annoyance to delight. He grabbed Isagi's hands dramatically.
"Ah, you should've said that earlier! I, Ryan Hoshino, live to help my friends. What happened? Did someone bully you? Are they extorting protection money from you? Don't worry, just point them out and I'll break every bone in their body until they kneel down to greet you every time they see you."
Isagi stared at him, completely thrown off.
"No, no, nothing like that! And kneel down to greet me?! That's way too much!"
Ryan sighed. "Then what's the big deal? Wait… don't tell me."
He leaned closer, eyes sparkling.
"Isagi… I didn't think you were that kind of person. You're not trying to drag me into some secluded corner, pin me against the wall, lift my chin and whisper, 'I've wanted you for so long…' are you?
Then I resist, of course, but my body is weak, and you overpower me! You glare and say no one will hear me scream and then you "
"STOP!" Isagi's face turned scarlet. "What the hell are you even talking about?!"
Ryan blinked innocently.
"Eh? Isagi, are you blushing? Didn't take you for the pure type!"
"Anyone would blush hearing something that weird! And for the record, I like girls, okay?! Stop messing around! I'm serious, this is important."
Ryan chuckled. "Alright, alright. Gomen, gomen. Couldn't resist. So what's up?"
Isagi took a deep breath.
"Ryan… please tell me. What do I have to do… to be like you?"
"Huh? You mean, like this handsome? Sorry, can't teach that. Some things you're just born with."
"Not that! I mean your scoring ability. You're the only person I've seen who can create goals entirely on your own. I want to be someone who can fight alone, too. So… will you have a one-on-one match with me? I want to learn something from it."
Ryan smirked.
"A one-on-one? You sure about that?"
"Yes."
He shrugged. "Fine, but don't say I didn't warn you. You asked for it. Don't cry when you lose."
On the Training Field
Ryan placed the ball under his foot.
"Alright, I'll go easy on you. To give you some experience, I'll only use thirty percent of my strength."
"Got it," Isagi said seriously.
They took their positions. Ryan started forward with the ball.
I can't beat him with brute force, Isagi thought, eyes locked on Ryan's feet. Focus on the ball. Watch his timing. Intercept the instant he moves to attack.
Ryan dribbled forward, executing lightning-fast feints. His footwork was so sharp that Isagi couldn't tell which way he'd go. Then Ryan suddenly pushed the ball to one side.
Now!
Isagi lunged to steal it
But Ryan pulled the ball back in a blur. Isagi's balance broke for a split second.
No, I can still recover !
But before he could, Ryan stepped past him and struck.
THUNK!
The ball ripped into the net.
Isagi froze, stunned.
He shot from twenty-five meters out… perfectly targeted.
"Again," Isagi said.
Ryan smirked. "Fine."
This time, he carried the ball sideways, body low.
Isagi stayed close, determined not to lose track. Ryan stepped forward, shielding the ball with one arm, and fired.
The ball curved through the air
and buried itself in the exact same spot in the goal.
"Incredible," Isagi muttered. "He hit the same target again…"
"Still wanna go?" Ryan teased.
"Again."
As they continued, Isagi analyzed everything Ryan's spacing, timing, positioning.
He doesn't rely on strength or luck. He's controlling every variable: the ball, his footing, the shooting angle… This must be his "goal formula" Ego talked about.
"Again," Isagi said once more.
Ryan tilted his head. "You a masochist or something?"
"A what?"
"Oh, right. Forgot you're a pure-hearted kid. It means someone who can endure pain and hardship… and maybe even enjoy it."
"Then… I guess that makes me one too," Isagi said innocently.
Ryan choked, trying not to laugh. "Pfft haha cough nah, don't mind me. Just remembered something funny. But uh, maybe don't go telling people that, okay?"
"Why not? Isn't that a good trait?"
Ryan folded his arms seriously. "Ever heard the saying 'Don't flaunt your wealth'? Same applies here. If the wrong kind of people hear you saying that, they'll get jealous. You can guard against good people, but never against petty ones."
"Oh, I see. Thanks, Ryan."
He grinned. "No problem. We're friends, right? Speaking of which, next time you score a goal, treat me to steak. I've got plenty of people who want to be my friend, you know. Gotta pay a little friendship fee if you want to stay on the list."
Isagi frowned. "Why does this sound like blackmail…?"
Ryan gasped dramatically. "Isagi Yoichi! How dare you?! I skipped my dinner just to help you train, and this is how you repay me? You question our friendship?! Fine! We're through! Don't ever talk to me again!"
Panic hit Isagi instantly.
"I'm sorry! I was wrong! I'll buy you steak, I swear! Please don't be mad!"
Ryan turned away, pretending to think, then sighed.
"Well… since you're being so sincere, I guess I'll forgive you. But be careful next time you might hurt the feelings of someone who truly cares about you."
"I understand. It won't happen again."
Ryan smirked internally. Heh. Training a dog's easier than I thought.
They resumed their one-on-one.
If my theory's right, Isagi thought, Ryan can't score from this position.
He muttered under his breath,
"Goal front, 40 to 50 degrees from center, about 25 meters out… that's his range."
That's where Ryan's absolute scoring zone lay the area where he could perfectly curve the ball into goal.
He'd built a formula around it, reproducing it again and again. But in a real match, surrounded by defenders, it wasn't easy to reach that zone. That's why he needed his speed and power to force his way in.
If I just keep him out of that zone, he can't shoot!
Ryan grinned.
"Too shallow, kid."
He kicked suddenly from thirty meters out and the ball soared past Isagi straight into the goal.
Ryan dusted off his hands.
"See, if I really were as predictable as you think, I wouldn't be me. You only saw what I wanted you to see."
He yawned. "Anyway, I'm starving. I'm done here. When you're ready to get humbled again, you know where to find me."
As Ryan walked away, Isagi couldn't help but smile.
"He really is incredible… Thanks, Ryan."
"Then hurry up," Ryan called back. "You still owe me that steak."
"Yeah, yeah, I'm coming."
That night, after dinner, the dorm lights went out.
"Ryan," Isagi said softly, "do you think… we'll win tomorrow?"
Ryan chuckled in the dark.
"Hah. You kidding? The word 'lose' doesn't exist in my dictionary. Victory's just a natural outcome."
"Yeah. We'll walk out of Building Five as the number one team."
The Next Morning
A furious voice echoed down the hall.
"RYAN! What the hell did you teach Isagi?!"
Ryan groaned, rubbing his eyes. "Ugh, Chigiri, it's too early for this. What's your problem?"
Ignoring him, Chigiri turned to Isagi.
"Say what you just said again."
"Huh? What's going on?"
"Just say it!"
Isagi blinked. "…I said, I'm a masochist?"
The entire dorm froze for two seconds
Then erupted into uncontrollable laughter.
Except for Igarashi, who was too slow to get it.
Ryan was laughing the hardest.
"HAHAHAHA! Oh, give me a sec my stomach ha!
Cough what's the problem, Chigiri? You've got such a dirty mind. I told him being a masochist means someone who can endure pain and even enjoy hard work. That's a good quality!
If you think otherwise, maybe you should explain your version to him."
Everyone turned to Chigiri expectantly.
Isagi's eyes sparkled with curiosity. "Really, Chigiri? What does it actually mean?"
Chigiri froze. He looked into Isagi's innocent eyes so pure, so trusting and couldn't bring himself to say it.
Ryan clapped him on the shoulder.
"Come on, man. He's gotta grow up sometime. Be a man and tell him."
Under the combined pressure of Ryan and Isagi's pleading, Chigiri reluctantly explained the truth.
The longer Isagi listened, the redder his face became until by the end, he couldn't even speak. He knew some adult stuff, sure, but this was… new.
Ryan crossed his arms, shaking his head.
"Chigiri, you've doomed us all. How could you corrupt our pure little Isagi like this? You monster."
Chigiri snapped back, "You're the one who started it, idiot! If you hadn't said that word, none of this would've happened!"
As they bickered, Igarashi finally nodded in understanding.
"So that's what it means, huh."
And that was how the great "Masochist Incident" of Team Z began
thanks, as always, to Ryan Hoshino.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
If you're interested, you can read advanced chapters:
pat reon .com / Samorash
~> Bonus Chapter every 300PS!!