(Can't go for a direct shot? Then we'll have to find another way.)
(Nagi, once again—use your creativity to open the game for us!)
As that thought flashed through my mind, I leapt over the ball, striking it midair with the heel of my right foot, flicking it backward.
At the same time, I twisted my body, forcing myself to turn so that my back faced Julian Loki—essentially ramming straight into him.
My aim was simple: buy as much time as possible from Julian Loki, and give Seishiro Nagi more room to work his magic.
Receiving the pass, Seishiro Nagi immediately understood—he had only a moment to find the perfect shooting lane, or an opening for a pass.
Facing Pablo Cavasoz, he thought quickly.
(Dribble past him and shoot? No… that won't work.)
(Too many defenders in front of the goal. Then the only thing I can do— is throw them off balance!)
With that, Seishiro Nagi feinted a pass to the left—toward where Ryūma stood.
Pablo Cavasoz took the bait, thinking Nagi was passing back, and moved to intercept.
But at that exact moment, Nagi changed his motion. Instead of kicking the ball, he trapped it under his right foot, juggled it up,
then spun sharply to the right, flicking it with his heel toward the right side.
Unfortunately, Pablo Cavasoz read the play instantly.
He pivoted to the right almost in sync with Nagi and even took an extra step forward, closing the distance between them.
That subtle shift robbed Nagi of nearly all his creative dribbling options.
(Damn… not only did he block the right side perfectly, but he's also limiting my movements.)
(This is world-class defense? Amazing!)
(I want to crush you all!!)
White mist flared in Nagi's eyes as he gritted his teeth and stepped forward, risking a kick to his right foot from Cavasoz.
He forced his foot out and trapped the ball, then flicked it high into the air.
"Are you crazy!?"
Cavasoz froze the instant Nagi extended his foot to stop the ball.
He clearly hadn't expected Nagi to push himself that hard—he was here to play, not to break someone's leg.
(That was close~)
Nagi's heart raced. Even he didn't know how he'd managed that—it had been pure instinct.
As the ball rose, he didn't hesitate. Unsure when Cavasoz might lunge again, he spun backward,
raised his left foot as the ball began to drop, and kicked off with his right leg—
launching into a scissor kick midair.
His right foot smashed into the falling ball.
Thud!
But the five White Team players didn't even flinch.
Because that spectacular bicycle kick wasn't a shot—it was a pass!
(Rin, Ryūma—this one has to connect!)
Rin Itoshi's eyes tracked the ball, fully aware of what was at stake.
If this didn't go in, their team would never withstand the White Team's counterattack.
But behind him, the pressure was suffocating.
Leonardo Luna's presence weighed on him—equal to, if not greater than, his brother's.
Rin's mind raced, searching for a way out.
Yet the harder he thought, the more frustrated he became. Whether he tried to shoot, dribble past Luna, or pass—
it didn't matter. As long as Leonardo Luna was by his side, Rin was completely caged.
Instinctively, Rin glanced toward Ryūma's position. Maybe it had become a habit.
He always believed that idiot would somehow find a way through—it had happened in every match before.
But this time, Rin's faith wavered. Ryūma's situation wasn't much better than his. In fact, it was worse.
I had only just regained my balance. The momentum from earlier would've sent me crashing to the ground if Julian Loki hadn't cushioned me.
Honestly, if not for him, I'd be lying there right now pondering life itself.
Muttering a quick "thank you," I looked up—and locked eyes with Rin Itoshi.
That froze me completely.
(Huh? Why are you looking at me?)
(The ball, Rin! Just shoot already!)
(Bro, I almost took a nap on the turf—what's that look supposed to mean?)
Still, I snapped out of it fast. I'd just gotten up, head still spinning.
(Are you hesitating because of Luna? Why bother? He hasn't even gotten serious yet.)
(If you have to, just go for it, Rin! It's risky, yeah, but with who you are, Luna probably won't go too far.)
(And what do you expect me to do? I'm barely holding it together here, man T﹏T)
Honestly, I wasn't completely doomed—but it was close.
Dada Silva was a few meters ahead, Julian Loki was on my flank, Pablo Cavasoz on my right front,
and Adam Blake stood guard in front of the goal.
I was surrounded on all sides.
So why wasn't this a dead end? Simple—only Julian Loki was keeping constant eyes on me.
Dada Silva and Pablo Cavasoz just glanced my way now and then,
still focused mainly on where the ball might land.
Adam Blake didn't even look my way—unless the ball was passed or deflected toward this side.
I knew the moment Rin passed the ball to me, or if his shot bounced this way,
I'd be swarmed instantly.
Rin took one brief look in my direction, then turned away.
After instantly assessing my situation, the option to pass to me was ruled out.
Gritting his teeth, Rin chose the only thing left—a forced shot.
Unlike before, this wasn't strategy—it was desperation.
He knew it was meaningless, but he couldn't just stand there and do nothing.
Just as Rin made his decision, another figure suddenly began moving—
darting toward the space behind both Leonardo Luna and Rin,
toward the left flank.
Rin was positioned lengthwise now, trying to use his back to block Luna
and carve out a pocket of space to shoot.
That left flank—was their blind spot!
...
(35 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / GhostParser