The score now stood at 2-1 in favor of the first-year team. The upperclassmen stood in disbelief, stunned by Masaki Renjirou's ridiculous bicycle kick that curved into the top corner. The ball hadn't even stopped rolling in the net when Jito muttered, "He's still a monster."
Taro Misaki didn't look angry. He just smiled to himself, "He's gotten better, huh?"
The senior team regrouped. They weren't shaken — no, they were experienced enough to keep their composure. Jito started barking orders to reorganize the backline, while Hyuga stood silently at the halfway line, staring at Masaki with an intensity that could punch holes through walls.
"Get the ball to me," Hyuga finally said. "Let's wake this place up."
Kickoff resumed.
And the seniors surged forward like a storm.
Passes flew sharper. Tackles hit harder. Misaki slowed the tempo just enough to manipulate the positioning, pulling markers left and right. Jito's presence in the back made it impossible for any counterattack to survive past the halfway line. They were suffocating the freshmen.
And yet, the first-years held on.
Masaki sprinted across the midfield to intercept.
Taira dropped deep to block a through ball.
Even the goalkeeper dive like his life depended on it.
But Hyuga was different.
On the third run, Taro threaded a narrow pass between two defenders. It wasn't flashy — just precise. Hyuga anticipated it, burst through the gap, and with a single step, launched a ferocious shot from the edge of the box.
The net bulged.
2-2.
The seniors didn't celebrate too much. Kojiro just let out a satisfied sigh. "Now we're talking."
Masaki wiped the sweat from his jawline, muttering, "Not gonna let it end like this."
The final minutes were chaos. Back and forth, sprint after sprint. Every tackle echoed like a gunshot, every pass was met with screams from the sidelines.
With four minutes left, Taro tried another diagonal pass toward Hyuga — same strategy, same weight — but Masaki had been waiting. He cut in, intercepted it cleanly, and instantly turned it into a counter.
He gave the ball to Izawa on the left and surged forward.
Izawa, calm and fast, broke down the flank and floated a perfect cross toward the box.
Masaki was there — but instead of shooting, he gently nodded it backward, a soft header right outside the penalty area.
Taira arrived.
Right foot back. One touch.
He shoot it.
The ball slammed into the goalpost like a cannon.
3-2.
Everyone on the freshman team exploded into celebration.
The whistle blew not long after.
The freshmen had won.
They lined up for handshakes. Masaki stepped forward, holding out a hand toward Taro Misaki. "Still painting the field like a Pirlo."
Taro shook his head and chuckled. "And you still don't know how to stop being flashy."
Masaki moved to Hyuga next, offering his hand with a teasing grin. "That shot of yours almost knocked the soul out of our goalkeeper."
Kojiro shook his hand firmly, a smirk tugging at the edge of his mouth. "You sure you're not trying to get scouted by a circus with that volley pass? Acrobatics like that ain't normal."
"I thought I saw you in the front row clapping, Kojiro-san. You want tickets to my next show?"Masaki said.
"Heh" kojiro chuckled
Jito came next. His handshake was brief, but firm. "You've gotten sharper."
"You think?" Masaki replied.
"I remember during U-17 training camp, you couldn't even breathe after the fitness drills."
"Yeah," Masaki laughed. "You made me run until I couldn't feel my legs."
After everyone gathered, Coach stepped into the centre with the smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.
"You guys really pushed yourselves today. This was just a practice match, but the fire? The energy? You think I didn't notice how serious you were?"
Everyone was silent — listening.
"You went beyond your limits. That's how real growth happens. That's the mark of a real team. Today reminded me of my younger days… though back then, I was sharper, faster, and—"
"…Anyway," Coach said, regaining his seriousness, "Welcome to Seikan Football Club, freshmen. You've earned your place."
"Thank you very much!!" the first-years replied in unison.