After taking a bath, Ryan found himself painfully bored.
Kunigami, Chigiri, and Aryu weren't exactly talkative types
unlike Bachira, who could brighten a room instantly.
Man… I kinda miss Bachira's energy from day one…
Ryan sighed internally.
He lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling, thinking about what he should eat tomorrow.
But suddenly he felt
No! My life shouldn't be wasted spacing out like this!
So he pulled out his phone and started scrolling through videos.
He watched several highlights of world-class players performing insane dribbles and shots.
He thought about studying them closely, memorizing the techniques.
Then he decided that wasn't enough.
He began searching for more players' videos Messi, Ronaldo, and others.
As Kunigami walked past, he noticed Ryan watching pro highlights.
Curious, he asked:
" Ryan, which player do you like the most?"
"Hm… I don't really have a favorite.
If I had to pick, probably Noa.
If I'm going to like someone, it should be the strongest."
"…Very on-brand for you."
Suddenly, Ryan had an idea.
If I just learned these techniques
then why not test them right now?
Like a kid who just bought a new toy, he turned to Kunigami, eyes sparkling.
"Kunigami! I wanna try something. Come with me to the field!"
"Eh? Right now?? Isn't it late "
Before Kunigami could finish protesting,
Ryan grabbed him and dragged him to the pitch.
Kunigami watched as Ryan set a ball at his feet.
"So… what exactly do you want to do?"
Ryan tossed the ball high,
then killed it with his instep
so neatly it was like the ball glued itself to his foot.
"I just learned some dribble moves from those pro videos,
so I wanna try them out.
Theory and practice are totally different things, after all."
"Wait you learned them? That fast? No way "
"You forgot already?
During the match with Team V,
I copied Rin Itoshi's moves on the spot.
Even that one-vs-four dribble."
Kunigami froze.
He remembered.
He had wondered back then how Ryan pulled that off.
"That's my weapon
imitation.
If I see something once, I can replicate anyone's technique."
Kunigami's eyes widened.
It sounded absurd
but for Ryan, it felt almost… normal.
"So you want to go 1v1 with me?
To test your new skills?"
"Yep."
"…Am I enough?
Should I call Chigiri and Aryu too?"
Right then
"You two are secretly training behind our backs?"
Chigiri's voice echoed from the sidelines.
"And training at night is sooo stylish~"
It was Chigiri and Aryu.
Ryan blinked.
"Huh?
What are you two doing here?"
"You weren't in the room, so we figured you came to the field."
Chigiri replied.
"Caught red-handed…
Actually, Kunigami and I were having a midnight date.
Please, don't tell anyone~
If people find out, my life is over…"
Chigiri ignored his nonsense and looked at Kunigami.
" Ryan wants to test some new techniques he learned, so he asked me to practice."
Kunigami glanced at Ryan.
He didn't even tell Chigiri? Aren't they super close?
Ryan read his confusion and leaned close dramatically.
"Because it's my super-secret secret~
I only told you, Kunigami~
Feel special~"
Kunigami sighed.
He was used to Ryan's antics.
Chigiri, on the other hand, was completely lost.
"What the hell are you two even talking about?"
Kunigami looked at Ryan as if seeking permission.
Ryan nodded.
So Kunigami explained Ryan's imitation ability to them.
Chigiri blinked.
"That ability is insane…
But for a monster like you, I guess it fits."
"Copying abilities?
How stylish." Aryu added.
"Well
since you're here, train with me too."
Both agreed.
They began warming up.
Afterward, Ryan stepped on the ball,
facing the three of them.
A sly smile crept across his face.
"Okay~ I'm going all out."
ONE HOUR LATER
Kunigami, Chigiri, and Aryu lay on the ground
drenched in sweat, chests heaving, shirts soaked.
Ryan stood over them holding the ball.
"You shouldn't lie on the ground right after intense exercise.
You might suddenly drop dead."
Chigiri gasped, looking like he'd run a marathon.
"I know…
Just… give me… a second…"
Kunigami looked just as drained.
" Ryan… do you have a second personality or something?
Why did you turn into a completely different person?"
Ryan recalled all the trash talk he'd yelled at them mid-dribble
and felt a little embarrassed.
His face turned slightly red.
"When I play soccer or anything related to soccer…
my mouth gets… uh… kinda toxic.
Don't mind it."
Ryan helped them back up one by one.
After that, the four of them went back to wash up
again.
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