Seishiro Nagi nodded with a half-understanding look.
"Oh, I get it, Ryūma. So you and Rin have telepathy or something?"
"Uh, what kind of weird way is that to put it?"
"Well~ Rin and I have been playing together since the first round selection. Is it really that surprising we can sync like that?"
"Well, even so, to pull it off that perfectly…"
Before Seishiro could finish, Jinpachi Ego's voice came through the large screen again.
"Of course, that ball could've landed at the feet of an opposing player."
"If that had happened, given the positioning and numbers…"
"We would've faced a counterattack, and the result could've flipped completely."
"This match was decided by the slimmest of margins—truly thrilling."
"In the end, it was indeed 'luck' that decided the outcome!"
"But even when 'luck' arrives, those who just stand there and leave everything to fate will always waste their chance."
"They bring it upon themselves! Because they never built the right mindset to face 'coincidence.'"
"Once 'luck' strikes, it's already too late to start thinking!"
"If you don't anticipate its arrival and prepare yourself—to improve so that when it comes, you can seize it—"
"Then you'll never grab hold of it."
"You must sense where opportunity will appear and either move there or wait for it."
"Only those with that instinct will earn the smile of Lady Luck."
"Remember this: in football, there's 'luck' and there's 'coincidence.'"
"But can you still cry out that this result was mere 'coincidence'?"
"If you're being toyed with by luck, it means you're still second-rate."
"If you've already given your all, then hold your head high and face the 'coincidence' ahead of you."
"Accept it calmly—and carve it into your heart."
"'Luck' only descends equally upon those who truly fight for it!"
After Jinpachi Ego's long speech, Yoichi Isagi was the first to ask,
(So this is the secret of 'luck'!!)
"Rin, Ryūma, do you two really get all that?"
Rin Itoshi glanced calmly at Yoichi.
"No, that four-eyes isn't entirely right."
"I probably got used to that idiot always being there to catch my blocked shots."
"It made my shooting drop a bit in frequency… and I didn't think you'd actually anticipate it."
"Damn it, it's infuriating."
"I only beat you because of that tiny bit of 'luck.'"
"Fine. That goal was my way of accepting it—"
"My punishment for losing to you."
Ryūma Banjō smiled as he walked up beside Rin.
"Can't really blame you for losing. My coordination with Rin is already seamless."
"The moment I saw you running toward the goal, I had no idea if Rin's shot would be blocked."
"I didn't even think about it—it was pure instinct."
"My body just accelerated on its own. It's basically muscle memory at this point."
Yoichi didn't seem to hear what Ryūma was saying. His hands clenched tight, and he bit his lip, thinking to himself:
(The difference between Rin and me—)
(Is in accepting 'luck.')
(It's the gap in resolve—to face victory and defeat as fate.)
As he thought that, Yoichi recalled the goal he had scored.
"Ugh, I was pathetic."
(I actually thought I'd caught up to Rin.)
(No, I even believed I'd surpassed him for a moment...)
(But the truth is, I lost to Rin.)
(He only chose me after defeating me!)
(I have to accept that reality!!)
(If I keep going like this, there won't be a next time—)
(I need to factor 'luck' into my thinking—)
(I need to upgrade the way my mind works!!)
(To beat Rin, I need to become a completely new version of myself!!)
As Yoichi finished his thoughts, Jinpachi Ego wrapped up his explanation and announced what came next.
"Alright, that concludes your second round of selection."
"Whether through your own initiative, driven by others, or pushed by circumstance—"
"You've learned the essence of sparking chemical reactions."
He paused, adjusted his glasses, and continued,
"Now, it's time for the third round of selection!"
"As I mentioned before, you'll undergo intensive training with world-class players!"
"First, in 24 hours—"
"You'll face the Team World Five in a five-on-five match."
"Prison frogs—it's time to see the world!"
...Inside the five-person dorm, no one spoke as they stared at the five figures on the large screen.
Ryūma Banjō rubbed his temples, muttering inwardly,
(Fine, not one of these four has a clue.)
(Rin might, but right now he's probably off doing his cool-down yoga routine.)
(Jyubei Aryu? Judging by that guy, unless it's something trendy, he can't be bothered to care.)
(And Isagi—aside from his idol, Noel Noa, he probably doesn't care about anything else.)
Ryūma sighed helplessly, realizing he'd have to be the one to explain everything.
He completely ignored Seishiro Nagi—for good reason. Expecting that soccer idiot to know anything would be pointless.
"Ahem!"
Ryūma cleared his throat, drawing everyone's attention.
"Looks like none of you have any idea who these guys are."
"Huh? You know who they are, Ryūma? Tell us! How strong are they?"
Seishiro Nagi lay on his bed, chin resting on his pillow, staring at Ryūma with a dazed, curious look.
Yoichi Isagi, hair still damp from a shower, chimed in.
"Yeah, Ryūma, if you know them, we could use the intel to prepare in advance!"
"Didn't think you were the intel type."
Jyubei Aryu sat cross-legged, hair wrapped in a towel, looking every bit like a glamorous lady.
Ryūma didn't bother dragging it out. He pointed to one of the figures on the screen.
"England national team player—the Premier League's top scorer, Adam Blake."
"To give you some perspective—you all know my physical strength, right?"
"If I were to clash with him physically, it'd either end in a draw or I'd get knocked flat."
"Maybe I'd just lose my balance, but either way, colliding with him is dangerous."
Hearing that, the expressions of the other three—aside from Ryūma—grew serious.
They all knew how strong Ryūma was in physical duels. If even he said that...
Their previously relaxed atmosphere suddenly tightened with tension.
...
(35 Chapters Ahead)
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