Kei adjusted his wristband not because it needed fixing but because he needed a pause.Any kind of pause
The match had turned from a game into a silent war of minds
The opponent didn't celebrate when they scored their equalizer.They just nodded among themselves like chess players logging a move
Kei didn't look at the scoreboard
He looked at their eyes
And saw no joy
Only calculation
Amano cursed under his breath after another failed press."They knew we'd switch to a high line.They baited it"
Kei didn't reply.He was too busy watching the smallest things
The foot positioning of their striker
The way their center back angled his neck before passing
Even the water break timing from their coach
It was orchestrated
Like someone with no face had studied them and left a perfect counter on the field
Not a player
Not a system
But a presence
Ren jogged up beside him."They play like they've already seen this game"
Kei's jaw clenched
Then the whisper returned
"They're not here to win.They're here to erase your future"
The next ball came faster than expected.Kei trapped it with his chest but before he could pass it was stolen by a sliding tackle that shouldn't have been possible
The stadium gasped
Kei just stood up slowly brushing dust from his jersey
The scoreboard blinked
2-1
They were down
But it wasn't the score that made Kei's chest heavy
It was the realization that this enemy had no name
No face
No pride
Just purpose