Chapter 19 – Desperation

After scoring their goal, Team Y didn't waste time celebrating. They exchanged quick high-fives and hurried back to the center of the pitch, eager to force Team Z into restarting the game sooner than expected. The clock was ticking, and Team Y, having squandered earlier opportunities, was desperate to capitalize on their momentum and close the gap.

"We can still catch up!" one of Team Y's players shouted. "There's enough time left, let's push!" another added with renewed energy.

Kira, watching from the center of the pitch, noticed how Team Y's spirits had lifted. Their pressing had intensified, focusing particularly on Raichi and Isagi, who struggled more with ball control under pressure compared to him. Unlike Kira, they tended to take too many touches and were easier to rattle into making mistakes.

'If we keep attacking through Raichi and Isagi, they'll keep badgering us,' Kira thought, analyzing the situation. He knew it was time to take control and break through the defense himself.

'I'll have to force a path open,' Kira resolved, preparing for a decisive dribbling run.

He quickly called out to his teammates. "Raichi, Isagi, get ready! We're breaking through the center!"

Isagi responded eagerly, "Yes!" His desire for redemption was clear, while Raichi nodded, albeit with less enthusiasm.

Kira started his run, dribbling towards Raichi, who was positioned lower on the pitch. A Team Y defender stood between them, maintaining a safe distance. Kira lifted his foot as if to pass—his motion was deliberate, almost slow. The defender, sensing an opportunity, lunged forward to cut off the passing lane. But Kira had set a trap. He abruptly halted the pass and redirected the ball, leaving the defender off balance.

With the defender out of position, Kira continued his run toward Isagi, who was tightly marked by two defenders. Isagi noticed Kira's approach and moved in closer to provide a quick passing option, but this only dragged his defenders along with him.

Kira, ever the tactician, decelerated just as one of the defenders stepped in front of him. Using a body feint, Kira pretended to break left, causing the defender to react and inadvertently crash straight into Isagi behind him, resulting in a chaotic tangle of limbs.

Kira seized the moment. He accelerated to the right, shaking off the remaining defender. The left-back from Team Y tried to recover and give chase, but Kira expertly kept his body between the ball and his opponent, denying any chance for the defender to get near. In frustration, the left-back reached out to grab Kira's shirt but ended up losing his balance and toppling to the ground.

With space in front of him, Kira took his shot. He angled his kick from the left, aiming for the far-right corner of the goal. It was a perfectly placed shot, and Team Y, scrambling in a last-ditch effort to block it, saw Niko lead a slide to intercept. Miraculously, Niko managed to deflect the ball, changing its trajectory and sending it out for a corner kick.

As Team Y celebrated Niko's crucial block, they were determined to stay focused.

"Alright, Niko!" "Way to go!"

"Don't lose focus! We know number 7 is dangerous," Niko shouted, rallying his teammates.

While Team Y got hyped up under Niko's leadership, Kira stood silently, reflecting on his failed shot. 'Still too shallow,' he thought. 'I haven't reached the sharpness needed to breach their defense.'

Team Z set up for their corner kick, crowding the box with their players, including Kuon. Meanwhile, Kira and Isagi remained outside, observing. Isagi, watching Niko direct his defense, felt something click in his mind.

'Team Y isn't overloading the box,' he noticed, as Okawa positioned himself just outside the line, ready to break the offside trap. 'They're preparing for a quick counterattack, keeping just enough in the box to mark our players. Niko's ready to capitalize if that happens.'

Isagi glanced at Kira, who was already in position, ready to disrupt Team Y's plan. Kira met Isagi's gaze and gave a subtle nod. Without exchanging words, they understood each other's intentions. Isagi turned his focus back to Niko, knowing Kira had Okawa covered.

Bachira raised his hand, signaling the corner kick. The referee's whistle blew, and Bachira swung the ball into the box. Chaos ensued as players jostled for position. Kuon leaped up to head the ball, but a slight nudge from Team Y's defender threw him off balance, weakening his attempt. The keeper punched the ball out of the box, sending it directly toward Niko, just as planned.

"Good job, Ito," Niko said as he prepared to trap the ball.

But before he could take control, Isagi swooped in. "I don't think so," he declared, chest-trapping the ball and pushing forward toward the edge of the penalty box.

'Now's my chance!' Isagi thought, spotting an open path to the left corner of the goal. The keeper was distracted by Raichi. 'If I shoot now, I can score!'

Isagi swung his right foot and shot, but Niko reacted just in time, blocking the ball and sending it out for another corner.

'Damn... I missed!' Isagi thought, gritting his teeth in frustration.

Both teams took a moment to catch their breath and reset for another corner. As they did, Niko suddenly spoke to Isagi.

"Looks like you're catching up with me," Niko said, catching Isagi off guard.

Isagi perked up, listening closely as Niko continued, "We would've scored another point on that counter, making this game even closer to a reversal."

"I won't let you do that again," Isagi shot back confidently. "Kira will stop the counter, and I'm going to stop you!"

Niko smirked, unfazed by Isagi's determination. "You and I may have the same eyes," Niko said, forming a circle with his thumb and pointer finger and looking through it toward Isagi. "But you can't win against me. I'm in control of this game."

Isagi, fired up, tightened his mark on Niko, physically bumping and battling him for position as Bachira set up for another corner kick. The signal was the same, and the ball soared into the box once again. This time, Kuon was determined to break free from his defender. Using Raichi and Naruhaya as screens, Kuon leaped up to head the ball, but the goalkeeper, Ito, was quick to react. He aggressively launched himself up, stretching his arms wide to catch the ball mid-air.

"Alright, Ito!" "Good catch!"

Team Y players cheered for their keeper, but Kagura wasted no time.

"What are you guys doing? Quick! Pass the ball to me!" Kagura shouted, already sprinting into open space on the left side.

Ito threw the ball to Kagura, who immediately sprinted forward. Niko and the rest of Team Y followed suit, pushing forward like a red wave, overwhelming Team Z's territory with speed and precision. Their quick one-two passing left Team Z scrambling to keep up. Kagura, executing a slick one-two combo, blew past Imamura, heading into the final third where Kira stood, blocking his path to the center.

'We're going to score, we have to!' Kagura thought, staring at Kira. 'What are you doing here!? Shouldn't you watch Okawa's movement,' He tried to rattle Kira as he run, hoping to exploit a weakness. But Kira's laser-like focus left Kagura feeling uneasy. "Damn it…" Kagura muttered under his breath, his concentration faltering.

In that brief moment of distraction, Naruhaya caught up, bodied Kagura, forcing him to pass the ball to Okawa. Kira reacted immediately. Okawa controlled the ball but found Kira closing in fast, leaving him with no space to shoot.

As Okawa looked for a way out, he noticed a shadow darting toward the center in his peripheral vision. Without hesitation, he passed the ball toward Niko, who was locked in a fierce sprint with Isagi.

Before Niko could react, Isagi slid in with a perfectly timed tackle, sending the ball tumbling toward Gagamaru.

"Gagamaru, catch it!" Isagi yelled, desperate to prevent another goal. Gagamaru quickly moved to secure the ball.

But what Isagi hadn't accounted for was Niko's unrelenting desire to win. Without a second thought, Niko propelled himself forward, using both his hands and feet like a desperate animal. He dove toward the ball, nudging it with his head just as Gagamaru reached for it.

"What…?" Gagamaru gasped, startled by the audacious play. He flailed his arms in an attempt to stop the ball, but it was too late. The ball slipped past him and into the net.

The scoreboard lit up: Team Y: 2 – 3 : Team Z.