Then came fall in his second year of high school.
Isagi was contributing to the team not as a striker but through his assists. Ironically, his wide field of vision, excellent spatial awareness, and high soccer IQ have improved his team play to perfection. Thanks to that, their team was steadily advancing through the Prefectural Tournaments.
"It's finally here!"
Today is the final match of the Saitama Prefectural Tournament. In the locker room at the venue, their coach raised his voice. Just one more goal until the Nationals. One more win and it's the Nationals.
"Win or lose, you are my pride!"
The pre-game meeting. The coach is as intense as ever.
"Just grab this chance! If we all grab it together, we won't have any regrets! Let's go! One for all, all for one! That's the Ichinan soul!"
"YEAAAAAHHHH!!!"
The screams of the Ichinan High School Soccer Team echoed through the locker room.
"YEAHHHH!!!"
Even Isagi shouted with the same intensity, getting himself pumped up.
I definitely want to win...!
Their opponent in the Finals was Matsukaze Kokuo High School, which had one of the best strikers in the prefecture, Kira Ryosuke.
I will beat that Kira Ryosuke, go to the Nationals...get scouted, go to the
J-League...Someday, I will represent Japan...! Someday, I'll be at the World Cup I dreamed of...
He looked at his clenched fist and realized.
World Cup? So I'm still... hoping for something like that.
He had never told anyone about it, and even he had almost forgotten about it, but it had always been there in the bottom of his heart. He wants to represent Japan and win the World Cup. It was a dream that he had been thinking about ever since the day he saw Noel Noa for the first time when he was eight years old. Then a predictive thought came to his mind.
...if my dream were to come true, this match would surely be the turning point.
Just as when he was a child, Isagi felt he could see his future, just as he could predict the rain by looking at the sky.
...Then I should fight as if my life depends on it!
His true feelings welled up in his heart. Isagi heard the voice of his ego for the first time in a long time. He clenches his fist even more.
I've been fighting as a team for a long time, but there's no way this team will make my dream come true. As a striker, I can't give up here! If I get a chance...I'll win this game with my goal!
For the first time since entering high school, Isagi decided to take his own shot.
__________
The final match was led by the underdogs, Matsukaze Kokuo High School. One goal was scored by Kira Ryosuke in the first half, and the game was 0-1. Ichinan pulled through the pinch with their organized defense. They were pushed from start to finish, and no decisive chances came their way. They entered the second half without being able to attack, and time passed steadily. And at the end of the second half, the first chance of this match finally came.
"Come on, Isagi! GO! GO!"
"This play is our last chance!"
"ISAGIIIIII!!!"
Those benched cried out in prayer. Forty minutes into the second half, Isagi had the ball. There is very little additional time.
We'll go to the Nationals if we win this! Nationals! Nationals! Nationals! Nationals! I'll win with my own goal!
Finally, a chance to score in this match. Enduring, running, This is the chance that Isagi has pulled off on his own. The opponent's #7 and #9 were chasing after him. Just barely getting a yellow card, #9's arm grabs his uniform. Isagi forcefully shakes off the arm and charges into the enemy line. An astounding ability to concentrate.
We'll go to the Nationals if we win this!
With an extreme feint, he outwits the defense and breaks through.
Come on!
Here it is. The goal.
One-on-one with the goalie! I'll decide it with this shot!)
The enemy goalkeeper rushes out forward.
"I'm going. To the Nationals!!"
His nerves are strained to the limit, and all Isagi sees is the goal. He feels the same passion as he did one day. He began to remember his ego.
I am sure of it. This game will be the turning point for me...
He can do it. All he has to do now is to swing his leg through with all his might.
"Isagi! I'm wide open!"
The voice of his teammate snapped Isagi's concentration.
"Ah… Tada-chan…"
All of a sudden, he returns to his usual serious and tamed personality.
"I'll definitely! Return a point!
"!?"
Tada was free, coming up from the side.
He's right… If I pass, we'll get a point...
The goalkeeper could not react to Tada.
From that position, he could have scored a goal for sure.
"What are you doing, Isagi!? It's all over if we don't score here! One for all, all for one!!"
That's right... Soccer is a sport played by eleven people...
There's no need to take a risky battle. If they lose, it will be his fault and he will feel bad for the team.
He makes an exquisite pass to Tada's feet.
A perfect last pass.
The goalkeeper, who had been concentrating on Isagi, was caught by surprise with an "Ah!" and lost his balance.
All right! This will tie the score...
Tada shoots. CLANG! The shot hit the goal post and bounced off.
No way! Damn it!
Isagi's reaction was delayed due to the missed shot.
"Counter! Counter!"
The enemy No. 7, whom Isagi had shaken off earlier, immediately picked up the ball. He makes a long pass with no time. Of course, the destination is....
Breakthrough! Kira!
Kira Ryosuke was there. Kira receives the ball and dribbles like a demon to the goal. He smashed through the defense and kept his momentum going...
Thwack! The ball hits the net. The decisive point of the game. A chance to counter from a pinch, a spectacular goal that had the entire crowd on their feet.
Piiiii!
At 0-2, the whistle sounded to end the game.