Chapter 27 – Burden

Team Z spread out strategically, moving into the empty spaces created by Iemon's earlier plays. Iemon quickly scanned the field and noticed Kira advancing on the left, while Isagi pushed forward on the right. In a split-second decision, Iemon passed the ball to Kira, trusting that he could capitalize on this opportunity to score.

Kira received the ball with the inside of his foot, sprinting down the left flank, pulling his defender along with him. His goal was to set up a combination play with Bachira. As they executed a quick one-two pass, Kira found himself dangerously close to the goal. He lined up a shot with his left foot, aiming for the far post. The goalkeeper reacted just in time, diving to block the shot, and a defender swiftly cleared the ball upfield to relieve the pressure.

"Get that ball!" shouted Team W's center-back.

"I've got it!" replied a Team W midfielder, rushing toward the loose ball.

However, Naruhaya arrived first, intercepting and keeping possession alive for Team Z. He quickly reset the attack, calling out, "One more!" as he held up his index finger, signaling for another play.

Team Z seamlessly replicated their previous movement, with Naruhaya passing the ball back to Iemon. As Iemon held possession, two defenders closed in, pressuring him heavily. Sensing the growing danger, Team W sent a third defender to press, hoping to disrupt the flow of play. Unfazed, Iemon anticipated the move and swiftly switched the point of attack, passing to his left to shift momentum.

Isagi received the ball cleanly with the inside of his boot. Seeing no direct route to the goal, he quickly dribbled to the right, trying to create more space. A defender gave chase, closing him down just as Isagi prepared to shoot. Isagi swung his leg through for a low strike, but the defender lunged in, attempting a block. The ball slipped through the defender's legs, heading toward the goal, but the keeper reacted again, diving and catching the shot, defusing the attack.

Isagi clutched his head in frustration, lamenting the missed opportunity. "Sorry, guys," he muttered, apologizing to his teammates for not converting the chance.

Now it was Team W's turn to launch an attack. They passed the ball among themselves, probing for weaknesses in Team Z's defense. Raito positioned himself just on the edge of Team Z's defensive line, hovering dangerously close to the offside trap. Raichi, tasked with marking him, gave him no room to breathe, sticking to Raito like glue. He pressed his right hand firmly against Raito's back, recalling Kira's advice on defending and man-marking.

'Use my hand to feel the attacker's body movements,' Raichi reminded himself. 'While my hand is busy, my eyes need to track the ball, adjusting to the play.' He glanced up, noting that Team W was focusing their buildup on the right side of the field. It was the same setup designed to unleash Raito's one-on-one abilities.

But this time, Raichi was prepared. As soon as Raito shifted his body, signaling his intention to break through, Raichi reacted immediately, anticipating the move and positioning himself a step ahead. He angled his body to force Raito toward the sideline, cutting off his escape route. Even when the pass was delivered, Raichi remained in control, intercepting the ball with precise timing and regaining possession for Team Z.

Raito, visibly frustrated, exhaled sharply, annoyed at being thwarted, but quickly reset himself, retreating to his position for the next play.

Team Z circulated the ball, but this time Team W had stepped up their aggression in the midfield. The game became a battle for control, with both sides engaging in fast-paced passing and relentless movement to cover ground. Naruhaya received the ball in a tight spot, surrounded by three Team W defenders who were already converging on him.

"Whoa...!" Naruhaya exclaimed as he swiftly pulled the ball away from the feet of one defender. There was no time to celebrate, though, as another defender immediately pressed him. Naruhaya struggled to keep possession, dancing on the ball, trying to hold out as long as he could. But the pressure was relentless. Realizing he was outnumbered and out of options, he desperately searched for a teammate to pass to. Spotting Chigiri positioned deeper, he had no choice but to send the ball backward.

Chigiri trapped the ball cleanly, lifting his head to survey the field. But before he could make a move, the Wanima brothers—Keisuke and Junichi—rushed him, pressing him aggressively from both sides.

"Today's the day we end your football career," Keisuke sneered, his voice dripping with malice. "That's what my big bro says."

They trapped Chigiri, leaving him no room to maneuver. Chigiri grimaced, feeling the weight of their pressure. He spun on his heels, trying to shield the ball, planting his feet firmly as he sought a way through.

"Careful!" Keisuke taunted. "Wouldn't want to shatter that glass leg of yours again!"

Chigiri froze at the cruel reminder, his body tensing up as memories of his past injury flooded his mind. The excruciating pain, the shock, and the long road to recovery replayed in his thoughts, paralyzing him in the moment.

Seizing the opportunity, Junichi lunged forward and snatched the ball from Chigiri's feet. In perfect sync, the Wanima brothers quickly sprinted toward Team Z's goal, combining effortlessly in a series of sharp one-two passes. Kuon tried to intercept, but the twins' coordination was too fast and precise for him to disrupt.

Now at the edge of the box, the Wanima brothers closed in on the goal. Gagamaru braced himself, trying to predict which way they would shoot, but the duo's trickery left him guessing. In the end, they calmly slotted the ball into the left side of the net, leaving Gagamaru helpless.

Team W: 2 – 1 Team Z.

Team W erupted in celebration, their cheers echoing as they finally took the lead. The Wanima brothers strode toward Chigiri, their expressions a mix of triumph and mockery. "Thanks for the assist! That's what my big bro says!" Keisuke jeered, reveling in Chigiri's discomfort. "Just stand there and relax for the whole game, glass knee!"

Chigiri remained silent, his guilt palpable as his eyes betrayed his shame for letting the goal slip through. The rest of Team Z was too focused on the game to console him, their attention elsewhere as they prepared for the restart. Chigiri watched Kira retrieve the ball from the net, making his way back to the center of the pitch.

"I'm sorry... they caught me off guard," Chigiri murmured, attempting to explain his mistake.

Kira, however, paid him no mind. He brushed past Chigiri as if he were invisible, his demeanor icy. "Like I said, it's more of a sabotage playing with you than playing with ten people," Kira replied, his tone dripping with disdain. Chigiri's heart sank as he caught Kira's gaze; it was clear he was no longer on Kira's radar. "Go sit your ass on the sideline," Kira said, pointing dismissively toward the locker room.

With that, Kira turned away, leaving Chigiri feeling crushed as he watched his teammates continue the game without him. The weight of his failure settled heavily on his shoulders, a stark reminder of the price of his error.