The scoreboard changed again
4–0.
Even after that, Isagi and the others kept struggling desperately…
but it was meaningless.
Ryan scored yet another goal, sealing the match with overwhelming force.
And then
The referee's whistle pierced the air.
White Team wins.
The members of Red Team collapsed onto the ground.
Not just physically exhausted
but spiritually crushed.
Isagi knelt forward, face twisted in frustration.
Damn it… even if I give everything… even if I push past my limits… I can't score a single goal?
If that shot earlier had gone in… would everything have changed?
If my eyes could see more… if my body were stronger… if my technique were better…
Would the result have been different?
Am I still… too weak?
No… this isn't the time to wallow. I have to grow stronger. I don't want to stay like this. Never again.
Nagi sat on the ground staring blankly at the ceiling.
I lost again? Why?
I finally started to truly enjoy soccer… I worked hard… so why can't I make it happen?
Bachira alone seemed out of place smiling brightly.
"This match was amazing!
We got completely destroyed, but hey now I know where my limits are. Next time, Ryan
I'm beating you for sure."
Otoya gritted his teeth, full of shame.
Damn it… I was useless. Against their four… I couldn't do anything.
This… is the reality.
While Red Team despaired… White Team celebrated gently.
The four bumped fists together.
Ryan had also returned to his usual, unserious self.
"Good work out there, Chigiri, Kunigami. Nice job."
Kunigami shook his head.
"No… you're the one who worked the hardest. You scored nearly every goal. We mostly just defended and passed."
Aryu flicked his hair dramatically.
"Ryan, I must admit, today your performance was more fashionable than mine."
Chigiri laughed lightly.
"Seriously, without you, Ryan… we wouldn't have won so easily."
Ryan placed his hands on his hips and laughed loudly.
"Hahaha! Of course! I'm the strongest! Winning is only natural.
Honestly, you guys should feel blessed
it's the luck of eight lifetimes to be my teammates!"
The three looked at him, speechless, but didn't argue.
Because… he wasn't wrong.
Being on the same team as Ryan Hoshino was a blessing.
But that didn't mean they intended to hide behind him forever.
They wanted to grow into players who could influence the match
even players capable of deciding victory, like Ryan himself.
"So… who do we pick?" Kunigami asked.
The other two turned toward Ryan as well, waiting for his decision.
Ryan rubbed his chin as if contemplating deeply.
"Hm… honestly, any of them would be fine. But if I had to choose one… then obviously, it's him."
On the opposite side, Red Team's four players stood like lambs awaiting slaughter.
Ryan pointed his finger
straight at the kappa-headed boy.
"You. Bachira. Get over here."
The other three nodded. They agreed completely.
Aryu flipped his hair.
"What a coincidence. I wanted him too."
Kunigami crossed his arms.
"Yeah… Bachira's passing fills exactly what we lack. His dribbling helps relieve pressure from Ryan."
Bachira froze for a moment.
His performance today hadn't been the best
Isagi and Nagi were clearly stronger.
He didn't expect Ryan to choose him.
But he quickly smiled again and got up from the floor.
Bachira sighed.
"I really wanted to play with Isagi a bit longer…
but rules are rules."
"Bachira…" Isagi whispered.
"But hey, Isagi
I'm not waiting for you.
If you want to find me… keep moving forward."
Then Bachira walked toward Ryan's team and joined them in the next stage.
In the dimly lit corridor
Ryan casually wrapped an arm around Bachira's shoulder.
"Feels nostalgic, huh? Back in Z Team, we were teammates too.
Back then, I was still an innocent little boy.
Now look at me
a boring adult."
Bachira laughed.
"Yeah, those days were fun.
I wonder how the rest of Z Team is doing."
Chigiri, overhearing, muttered:
"It hasn't even been a month since then. Why do you sound like office workers reminiscing about high school?"
"You don't get it, Chigiri." Ryan waved dismissively.
"This means we've grown up.
You little kids can go play with mud somewhere."
A vein popped on Chigiri's forehead.
"Little kid?!
You
you're the one who's childish!
Needing someone to drag you to meals, refusing to sleep properly, staying up all night on your phone, pulling pranks nonstop "
"That's called having a youthful heart!
Also don't talk like you're innocent. Last time in the bathhouse, when you thought you were alone, you were happily swimming around.
Didn't even let me swim.
Someone was having fun~"
Chigiri's entire face turned red.
"W–WHEN did you see that?!
No that wasn't me! You've definitely mistaken someone else!"
"Sure, sure~ There's definitely another red-haired person around here~
But not Chigiri at all~"
"You YOU!!!"
Chigiri lunged at him.
But Ryan was already running.
"Kunigami! Save me!"
Kunigami stepped in the middle as Ryan dodged behind him.
Chigiri chased around him in circles, unable to catch Ryan.
Bachira burst out laughing.
"Hahahaha!"
Just like that
Ryan's team walked deeper into the passageway, full of life and bickering.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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