Listening to them buzzing around his ears like mosquitoes nonstop, the veins on Ryan's forehead instantly bulged.
"How the hell did you idiots even make it into high school? You're worse than elementary school kids how can you even ask questions this brain-dead?"
"I can Friday."
Bachira folded the paper from his notebook into a paper airplane and tossed it out, the pronunciation completely beyond saving.
Ryan lowered his head, his expression hidden.
"…Ah. Plane crash."
He slowly stood up, picked up the paper airplane that had fallen to the floor, and tore it into pieces without hesitation.
"That's fly, damn it. I'm going to kill you idiots."
Fire practically erupted from Ryan's eyes as he lunged toward Bachira, looking like he was about to throw hands.
Kunigami reacted instantly and grabbed Ryan around the waist.
"Calm down, Ryan! If you want to stay active on the world stage, you'll need this eventually so please, just endure it a little!"
Bachira, who had been hugging his head in fear, saw that Ryan didn't rush over. He turned around, clasped his hands together, and apologized sincerely.
"I am sorry. Sorry, sorry."
"Th ow, that hurts. I bit my tongue."
Seeing Ryan completely red in the face, Chigiri covered his mouth and laughed softly.
He didn't even know how many times Ryan had overheated like this while teaching them.
But he clearly wasn't truly angry. If Ryan actually wanted to beat someone up, the four of them wouldn't be able to stop him; they'd probably all get beaten senseless.
Just then, a voice came through the broadcast.
"Attention. The Second Selection has officially concluded. All players advancing to the Third Selection have now arrived."
"Please put on your uniforms and proceed immediately to the public hall."
"So it's over?"
"Finally moving on?"
"I was just about sick of studying."
Ryan rolled his neck and motioned for Kunigami to let go.
"Those guys took way too long. My body's practically about to rust."
Hearing Ryan complain, Chigiri couldn't help but twitch at the corner of his mouth.
Do you think everyone's a monster like you, clearing stages this fast? Most people were probably stuck struggling in the earlier rounds.
And besides, whether there's a match or not, you're always just playing on your phone anyway. You only train when we drag you there.
Thankfully, Ryan didn't hear Chigiri's inner sarcasm otherwise, he'd probably insist on "reasoning things out."
And by "reasoning," who knows words or fists?
"Additionally, there are seven teams that passed the Second Selection, for a total of thirty-five players. Please enter the venue in order."
The five of them walked through the corridor together.
Bachira stretched his arms behind his head and sighed emotionally.
"Only seven teams… that's pretty brutal."
"Yeah. Out of three hundred people, two hundred sixty-five were eliminated."
Images of Team Z flashed through Chigiri's mind, along with the powerful opponents they'd faced along the way.
Barou. Rin. Nagi.
"You're not missing Team Z, are you?"
Bachira looked at Chigiri just as he was about to answer
when Ryan suddenly placed a hand on both of their shoulders.
"Don't think too much."
"We didn't get here by luck. We fought our way here step by step, with our own strength."
"If they were eliminated, then it just means they weren't good enough."
"Winners rise, losers fall. Football has always been a cruel game."
"We're all standing here now because we've stepped over countless fallen bodies."
"Instead of worrying about them, you should be thinking about what comes next."
"There are definitely even tougher battles waiting for us."
After saying that, Ryan rubbed their heads and walked to the front of the group.
Staring at Ryan's back as he led the way, Chigiri froze in place.
He's right.
I can barely take care of myself how do I even have the luxury to worry about others?
What matters now is how to face the upcoming selections.
If Ego made us learn English, there's no way it was pointless. There has to be a reason.
Maybe…
Later on, we'll be facing foreign football players.
"Chigiri, hurry up. Why are you just standing there? What do you need to take a dump? Didn't you just go to the bathroom?"
Ryan stood ahead with his hands in his pockets, turning sideways to look at Chigiri.
"I don't need to go that badly. I was just thinking about something."
Chigiri jogged over to him.
"Oh? Were you captivated by what I just said? I mean, I know I'm handsome, but you should be used to it by now we've been teammates for a while."
Ryan stroked his chin, striking a narcissistic pose.
"…No. I was just wondering whether even stronger opponents might be waiting for us later."
Completely ignoring Ryan's self-love, Chigiri answered seriously he was already immune to it.
Ryan burst into laughter and slapped Chigiri on the back.
"Hahaha! Don't worry, Chigiri. How strong could they be stronger than me?"
"I don't even take Loki seriously. Why would I be afraid of some small fry? Just relax."
Chigiri nodded in agreement, but a different thought formed deep inside his heart.
Thank you, Ryan.
But I can't rely on you forever.
Being your teammate is fun and easy.
But if I keep depending on you, I'll never grow stronger.
Then when will I ever catch up to you?
"Achoo."
"You alright, Loki? Catch a cold or something?"
Loki shook his head at his concerned agent.
"I'm fine. Just felt an itch in my nose."
Seeing that Loki was okay, the agent didn't disturb him further, pulled down his eye mask, and went to sleep.
Loki sat in his seat, gazing out at the scenery beyond the window.
Reflected in the airplane glass, his own face appeared.
There was no frustration of defeat on his expression
only a faint, expectant smile.
I'm really looking forward to our next meeting…
Ryan Hoshino.
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