Team Z was stunned.
They knew Ryan Hoshino was strong but not this strong.
The match had barely started, and he'd already smashed through the defense and scored in under two minutes.
Every player on Z swarmed him in disbelief, shouting and laughing, wrapping him in a messy pile of celebration.
And of course, the one who jumped on Ryan's back like an excited monkey was none other than Meguru Bachira.
On the other side of the field, Team X watched silently.
Some looked annoyed, others uneasy.
One of them scoffed.
"Tch. It's just one goal. What are they celebrating for? Acting like they already won."
But one man, the self-proclaimed king of Team X, Shoei Barou glared murderously at the scene.
His sharp, predatory eyes locked onto Ryan, his teeth grinding.
Ryan noticed. Their gazes met across the pitch.
So that's the 'King,' huh?
The corner of Ryan's mouth twitched upward.
Something wicked glimmered in his eyes the thrill of a new toy to break.
After the warning whistle for excessive celebration, everyone finally returned to their positions.
Team X kicked off.
The moment a random midfielder received the ball bam!
He was slammed aside by Barou.
"Hey! Barou, what the hell? We're teammates!"
"Shut up, trash."
Barou ripped the ball away, dribbling down the field like a beast unchained.
He bulldozed straight into Team Z's half, cutting through defenders one by one like they weren't even there.
And Ryan?
He didn't move.
He just stood at the halfway line, watching.
Let him have his moment, he thought, smirking. I want to see what this 'King' can do.
Some might ask: wasn't he afraid of losing?
But to Ryan Hoshino, victory wasn't something you worried about, it was inevitable.
And really, what kind of lunatic expects a lone striker to play defense?
Besides, this was a perfect chance to gauge his teammates' ability.
Unfortunately… that ability was not great.
Before long, Barou carved through Z's defense like a knife through paper.
GOAL!
1–1.
Barou stood tall, chest heaving, eyes wild. His arrogance filled the entire field.
"Remember this, you worthless insects! To me, soccer isn't about friendship, it's about servants orbiting their king.
Out here, I am the one and only monarch!"
Ryan's eyebrow twitched.
"...Who asked you?" he muttered under his breath.
This guy's even more full of himself than me.
He jogged back to midfield, a dangerous smile spreading.
"Hey, Your Majesty," he called across the pitch.
"That was impressive. But tell me can your royal highness stop me next time?"
Barou sneered.
"I won't let anyone outshine me. Watch closely, I'll take the throne back."
Kickoff again.
Ball at Ryan's feet.
Barou charged forward instantly.
"Stop right there, trash!"
"You really gotta expand your vocabulary, King Walnut. You say 'trash' more than you breathe.
Oh and since we're being formal, name's Ryan Hoshino. Try to remember it before I embarrass you."
Barou lunged but Ryan twisted, cutting sharply to the left.
Barou reacted fast, spinning around and clutching at Ryan's jersey, barely keeping up.
"Tch your hands are pretty clingy, huh?" Ryan taunted.
"All that matters is victory!" Barou snarled, pushing his body into Ryan's.
That was exactly what Ryan wanted.
He lowered his shoulder and slammed forward.
The collision echoed across the field.
Barou felt like he'd just run headfirst into a boulder, an immovable force.
The impact knocked him flat onto the grass.
For the first time, the so-called King looked shaken.
He'd never been physically overpowered like that not by someone his own age.
Ryan didn't stop. He pushed forward, cut through the last defender, and fired.
GOAL!
2–1.
The net rippled again.
Ryan turned to the sideline, grinning wide.
He raised his hand to his head and mimed placing a crown on top.
Barou's face twisted with rage.
His body trembled as he took a step forward, ready to explode.
"You bastard…!"
He would've charged if his teammates hadn't grabbed him by the arms, holding him back.
Another step, and he'd have earned himself a red card.
Ryan just winked at him from across the field.
"Better polish that crown, King," he called out with a laugh.
"You'll be handing it over soon."