The cafeteria went silent.
Jin Nakamura stood over their table, looking down at Takeshi with that trademark smirk.
"Yamamoto," Jin said loudly enough for everyone to hear. "I couldn't sleep last night."
Takeshi looked up from his breakfast. "Okay?"
"So I watched football. YouTube algorithm showed me Tokyo FC relegation matches." Jin paused for effect. "Saw your 5 to 4 loss against Yokohama. That Daichi kid destroyed you."
Every player in the cafeteria was watching now.
"But that trivela you scored in the 75th minute..." Jin tapped his chin. "Decent technique. For someone who almost got relegated."
He leaned forward slightly.
"For a bottom feeder, you've got some skill."
Takeshi's jaw clenched. Adult mind screamed this was bait. Teenage pride wouldn't let it slide.
"So here's my offer," Jin continued. "1v1 this afternoon. 2:00 PM. King of the hill, half pitch, first to 10 goals or highest score in 20 minutes."
He spread his arms theatrically.
"Let's see if that trivela was luck or actual ability. What do you say, relegation kid? Got the guts?"
Adult mind calculated rapidly. He's rank two, I'm eighteen. I'll lose badly.
But Elsa's words echoed. Play for joy, not rankings.
Takeshi stood up.
"2:00 PM. I'll be there."
Jin grinned. "Good. Don't disappoint me."
He walked away. The cafeteria erupted in whispers.
"Takeshi, he's gonna destroy you," Sato said quietly.
"Why'd you accept?" Ren asked.
"Because backing down is worse than losing," Takeshi replied.
Yuto adjusted his glasses. "Strategically, this could help. Coaches will watch. Effort against superior opponents shows character."
Takeshi hoped he was right.
By 1:45 PM, the entire camp knew.
Players made bets during morning training. "Jin wins 10 to 0." "Nah, Yamamoto gets at least two." "I bet Jin scores in first minute."
Takeshi skipped lunch. Stomach too tight. Hands slightly shaking as he changed in the locker room.
The system appeared.
CHALLENGE MATCH DETECTED
Opponent: Jin Nakamura (Rank #2, 93.2 rating)
Your Rank: #18 (72.4 rating)
Skill Gap: MASSIVE
Victory Probability: 2.1%
Scoring 3+ Goals: 18.4%
TIME RELAY Available: 3 uses
This isn't about winning.
This is about proving you belong in the same conversation.
Make him remember your name.
Takeshi walked onto the half pitch at 1:55 PM.
Every player was there. All thirty minus Jin. Coaching staff. Even facility workers.
Jin was already warming up, juggling effortlessly, flashy tricks for the crowd. Showman.
Takeshi stretched quietly. Few practice shots. Focusing.
His heart pounded.
2:00 PM arrived.
Assistant Coach Fujiwara stepped forward.
"Twenty minutes running clock. First to 10 wins immediately. If nobody reaches 10, highest score wins. Play hard but safe. Begin!"
Jin started with the ball.
Immediately attacked. Step over, body feint, cut inside right.
Takeshi positioned to block, but Jin's speed overwhelmed him.
Shot. Goal. 1 to 0 in 34 seconds.
The crowd reacted, some cheering, others quiet.
Takeshi took kickoff. Tried to possess, build an attack.
Jin pressed hard. His technical ability was suffocating. Stole the ball, counter attacked, clinical finish.
2 to 0 at 2:47.
Third goal came at 4:12. Jin's creativity on full display. Elastico into shot.
3 to 0.
It looked easy.
Jin's internal thought was simple. Expected this. Kid's got tactical sense but can't match my technique. Still, he's not giving up. Most rank eighteen players quit mentally by now.
Takeshi changed strategy at minute six. Can't win defensively. Might as well attack.
He pressed aggressively.
Jin enjoyed it. "Finally showing some fire?"
At 7:33, Takeshi won the ball in midfield. Jin had overcommitted.
Counter attack.
First TIME RELAY activation. Two seconds slowed.
Adult mind saw everything. Jin's recovery angle. Goalkeeper positioning. Shot window opening.
Shot. Low corner. Placed perfectly.
Goal!
3 to 1!
Room 304 erupted. "YES! THAT'S IT!"
Jin paused, eyebrows raised. "Okay. Not bad."
Then he immediately scored twice more in minutes eight and nine.
5 to 1.
Message sent. Your goal was nice. I'm still better.
By minute thirteen, Takeshi was exhausted. Midnight training plus this intensity. Body screaming.
But refusing to quit.
Jin attempted a nutmeg.
Second TIME RELAY activation. Desperation defense.
Takeshi read it in slow motion. Blocked. Won the ball. Immediate counter.
No teammate. Had to dribble versus Jin defending. Role reversal.
Jin actually defended seriously, surprised.
Takeshi used a step over he'd learned from watching Jin. Shot.
Jin blocked, but deflection. Goal!
6 to 2!
The crowd grew louder. Underdogs loved this.
"HE'S FIGHTING!" Ren shouted.
Jin smiled. Actually competitive now.
"You're better than I thought, Yamamoto."
At 16:44, Jin scored again. 7 to 2.
But he had to work for it. Takeshi was defending better. Learning patterns mid match.
On the sideline, Coach Saito wrote notes.
Taniguchi leaned over. "He's adapting. Reading Jin's movements."
Fujiwara added, "Yamamoto looks exhausted but hasn't stopped running."
Minute 18:30. Ninety seconds left.
Takeshi took kickoff after Jin's seventh goal.
Adult mind focused. One more. Make it count.
He possessed the ball. Jin pressed but respected him now. Not casual anymore.
Takeshi dribbled, looking for an angle.
"Come on then," Jin called. "Show me that trivela."
Twenty two yards out. Slightly right of center. Exact range.
Jin closed distance. Three yards. Two yards.
Third TIME RELAY activation.
World slowed. Two seconds stretched into clarity.
Jin's momentum carrying left. Goalkeeper positioned center, leaning right. Top left corner open. Small window.
Trivela curve needed. Outside of right foot. Specific angle.
Adult mind plus teenage body plus system synergy.
Perfect execution.
The ball curved beautifully. Outside spin. Arcing toward top left corner.
Jin turned, watching. Couldn't block.
Goalkeeper dove. Fingertips stretched.
Ball hit inside post. Top corner.
Goal!
7 to 3. Minute 18:47.
The crowd exploded.
Room 304 jumped and screamed. "TAKESHI! TAKESHI!"
Even elite players appreciated the shot quality.
"That was CLEAN!" Haruki yelled.
Daichi watched for the first time, showing interest. Small nod. Acknowledging technique.
Jin stood still, staring at Takeshi.
Then he grinned. Genuine respect.
"THAT'S what I wanted to see! That trivela... teach me the mechanics later."
Takeshi breathed hard, exhausted, but proud.
Made the rank two player smile.
Made Daichi notice.
The final ninety seconds played out. Both too tired for more goals.
Whistle.
Final score: Jin 7, Takeshi 3.
Clear victory for Jin. But not embarrassing.
Takeshi collapsed, hands on knees, gasping.
Jin walked over, offering his hand.
Pulled Takeshi to his feet.
"You're not hopeless, Yamamoto. Just unrefined. Raw talent without polish."
He looked him in the eye.
"But that trivela? That's elite level technique. Keep training. You might actually be worth my time."
Room 304 surrounded him immediately. Group hug.
"You scored THREE on the number two player!" Sato nearly cried.
"That last trivela was INSANE!" Ren added.
Yuto adjusted his glasses. "Strategic success. You exceeded expectations significantly."
Elite players approached.
Haruki fist bumped him. "Respect. You got heart."
Issei nodded. "Jin actually smiled. That never happens."
Coach Saito walked past, stopped briefly.
Looked at Takeshi, then at assistant coaches.
"I see why this guy went to Ajax as a kid," Saito said to Taniguchi. "He's the most talented player here... in his own way."
"Not the fastest. Not the strongest. But that mind. The way he adapted mid match, learned Jin's patterns. That trivela technique at fifteen years old."
He looked at Takeshi directly.
"Good effort. Keep that intensity."
He walked away.
Takeshi stood stunned. Adult mind reeling. Did the head coach just...?
Most talented. In his own way.
Recognition hit different.
Jin approached again, quieter now.
"Real talk. I watched your matches because I was curious. You were rank eighteen, but your match IQ looked higher."
He paused.
"Today confirmed it. You think like a coach, not just a player. That's rare at fifteen."
Classic Jin arrogance followed.
"I'm still better than you. Technically, physically, everything."
Then softer.
"But you could be great. If you keep working. Stop overthinking. Let your body learn what your brain already knows."
He offered his hand for a shake.
Takeshi shook it. "Thanks. For the match."
"Thank you. Finally someone who makes me try." Jin grinned. "Same time next week? I want 10 to 0!"
"You wish!" Takeshi laughed despite exhaustion.
From the distance, the coaching staff watched.
"Yamamoto's tactical IQ is abnormal for his age," Taniguchi said.
"Physical stats average. But effort is top tier," Fujiwara added.
Saito nodded. "He makes others better. Did you see Jin actually trying? Jin coasts usually. Today he was engaged."
"Players who elevate competition around them... essential for World Cup."
"Rank adjustment recommendation?" Taniguchi asked.
"Monitor Sunday evaluation. But he's trending up."
Saito noted something in his tablet.
6:00 PM, Room 304.
All four roommates. Post dinner. Exhausted but buzzing.
"Everyone's talking about your match," Sato said. "Bubble zone players asking how you scored three on Jin."
"You're like famous now. In a good way," Ren added.
Yuto analyzed. "Statistically, scoring three goals against the rank two player is exceptional. Your ranking will increase Sunday. Guaranteed."
The system appeared.
CHALLENGE MATCH COMPLETE
Result: LOSS (7 to 3)
But: EXCEEDED EXPECTATIONS
Performance:
Goals Scored: 3 (predicted 0 to 1)
TIME RELAY: 3/3 (all effective)
Adaptation: Excellent
Heart: Maximum
Rewards:
Respect: Jin Nakamura (rivalry evolved)
Coaching Attention: HIGH
Reputation Boost: Significant
Ranking Projection Sunday:
Current #18 → Estimated #14 to #16
Special Note: "Most talented in his own way"
Coach sees what others miss.
Intelligence IS talent.
Takeshi's phone buzzed. Text from Akari.
"Sato texted me about your match! You scored on the #2 player?? I'm so proud 💙"
He replied. "Lost badly but yeah, got 3 goals. Felt good."
"That's my boyfriend. Love you."
"Love you too."
He felt exhausted, sore, but alive.
This was why he came back.
Not to be perfect. But to compete. To fight. To make demons acknowledge him.
Tomorrow: Day 5.
Sunday: three days away.
And somewhere, Jin was probably watching that trivela on repeat.
Rivalry becoming something else.
Mutual respect through competition.
This was football.
This was living.