“Hahaha, nice tackle, Matsutani!”
“Our teamwork is unbeatable!”
Hisakawa Mii and Matsutani Kageaki threw their arms over each other’s shoulders, laughing arrogantly.
Ryūma’s expression began to change. He realized Team Y’s tactics were a perfect counter to him.
Well, not exactly a counter—he was a forward, after all. His defensive ability was nowhere near as strong as his offense.
If it was about attacking, Ryūma feared nothing. But when it came to defending? That was a headache.
What bothered him more was that even Rin Itoshi didn’t seem to have any answers. With a sigh, he muttered,
“Rin, haven’t you figured anything out? This whole match is basically whichever team gets possession, they score.”
“But they’re already ahead by one. That means it’s either a draw… or we lose.”
“Can’t you pull your weight here?”
“Huh? You brainless idiot, why don’t you think for yourself?”
“What? Someone as strong as me needs to think?” Ryūma said shamelessly, then turned to Yo Hiori.
“What about you, Hiori? Your game sense is just as good as Rin’s. You notice anything?”
Yo Hiori thought for a moment before answering slowly.
“It’s not that I’ve noticed something specific. I just have this feeling…”
“The other team feels like a precision machine, with every part performing its duty.”
“They know exactly when to act, when not to act. Everyone moves in perfect order.”
Hearing this, Ryūma’s eyes lit up. He nodded vigorously.
“Yeah, that’s it, Hiori! And it’s like whenever someone makes a mistake, they immediately correct it or cover for it.”
“Plenty of times, they seemed unsure of what to do… then suddenly they just knew.”
He hesitated, searching for the right words, when Yo Hiori clapped his hands as if he’d just realized.
“It’s like their entire team is a precision machine. Each player—each component—runs on pre-programmed instructions.
And that machine even has an auto-correction function. Whenever someone messes up or hesitates, it guides them back on track.”
Rin cut in impatiently, his voice cold.
“Enough, idiots. All this talk about machines? The only explanation for their perfect coordination—”
“…is that there’s one core player controlling everything, making the right decision no matter the situation.”
“Unless something happens beyond his foresight, everything stays within his control.”
“Heh, Rin, so you’re saying he’s a genius like you? If we lose, that’d be a huge embarrassment for you~”
Rin’s eye twitched, his tone laced with irritation.
“Shut up and kick off already, you brainless moron!”
“Haha, Hiori, look! He’s pissed again!”
“Alright, Ryūma, cut it out. Go kick off.”
Ryūma chuckled, nodded, and walked toward the center circle. A playful thought crossed his mind: Fınd the newest release on nοvelfire.net
(The core player, huh? Interesting. Like a game of Werewolf… who could it be?)
Team V possession. Ryūma kicks off!
After the whistle, Ryūma passed the ball to Yo Hiori on the right and burst forward in a straight sprint toward Team Y.
Receiving the ball, Yo Hiori dashed down the right wing.
The triplets did their part, blocking the three Y players who rushed to intercept him.
Hiori felt unstoppable. He didn’t even know why, but it was like his passes were remote-controlled—
wherever he wanted the ball to go, it went. Adjusting his angle, he spotted his chance and sent a perfect pass to Ryūma, who was charging through midfield!
Matsutani Kageaki leapt for the ball alongside Ryūma, but he’d clearly overestimated himself. He was taller, yes—
but against Ryūma’s monstrous physique, he didn’t stand a chance.
Mid-air collision. Ryūma landed with the ball secured, while Kageaki went crashing to the ground.
“Trying to body me? You’re pretty bold, kid.”
Ryūma smirked, then accelerated toward Team Y’s backfield!
Seeing him charge, Hisakawa Mii and two teammates closed in to intercept.
But Ryūma gave them no time. From midfield, he wound up and struck.
The ball soared high, far out of Hisakawa’s reach.
“Damn, that underspin shot again! Close it down!”
Just as feared, the ball plummeted suddenly toward the goal.
But Team Y was ready this time—their right back leapt and blocked it!
Too soon to celebrate. Rin appeared right where the ball dropped, already winding up.
He fired it toward Team Y’s goal!
But to Rin’s surprise, his shot was anticipated. Team Y’s attacking midfielder intercepted with his right foot, sending the ball away!
Ryūma froze for a split second.
(Rin’s shot got read? …No. His positioning got read!)
(That’s how they intercepted him in advance.)
(Sigh… guess it’s up to me again.)
He pivoted and sprinted after the deflected ball.
Just as Team Y’s right midfielder was about to claim it, Ryūma’s eyes glowed violet. He leapt forward at an impossible angle—
and launched another shot straight at goal!
“All together! One, two, three—jump!”
Team Y’s front trio blocked every angle, leaving only a sliver for their keeper.
Their formation managed to stop Ryūma’s shot.
Before Ryūma could track the rebound, a loud strike echoed—Rin had fired it back instantly!
Watching Rin’s relentless follow-up, Ryūma smirked.
(Hah. This guy acts like he won’t team up with me, but look at him. He’s syncing right into my attack.)
(Fine then. Let’s show them our Blitz Shot together!)
The ball, sped up again and again, carried terrifying power.
Even as Team Y scrambled to react, it was too late.
Their front trio lay sprawled on the turf, still stunned. The keeper had just risen to block—
but Rin’s shot ripped past, slamming into the net unchallenged!
GOAL!! Team V 4–4 Team Y