Chapter 37 – Lockdown

The second half kicked off without delay, the tension on the field rising as Team Z immediately took control of the offense. They were determined to breach Team V's defense. Isagi skillfully linked up with Bachira, who was supported by Naruhaya. Together, they tore through the left flank with surprising ease, weaving past defenders with fluid movement.

This time, Bachira launched a precise cross to the opposite side of the pitch. Kunigami was already in position, his eyes locked on the ball. Without hesitation, he swung his powerful leg, sending the ball rocketing towards the goal. It seemed destined for the back of the net—until the keeper made a desperate dive, barely managing to block the shot with his right hand.

The force of the impact reverberated through the keeper's body as he winced in pain, rubbing his trembling hand. Kunigami, hands over his head, let out a frustrated groan. Another golden opportunity had slipped away.

'Damn it,' Kunigami thought, trying to calm the storm of frustration within him. 'I need to remember what I studied from the video... I can't keep messing this up.'

As the game continued, Reo found himself in possession of the ball once more. He quickly scanned the field, his eyes landing on Nagi, who was being closely marked by Kira. 'I can't pass to Nagi... and Zantetsu is being caged too,' Reo's mind raced, searching for options. 'I'll hold the ball until an opportunity opens up.'

Seeing that Reo wouldn't pass to him, Nagi's body language shifted, his stance relaxing. His readiness for a sprint dissolved into casual strolling, the air of nonchalance unmistakable.

"You really don't want to be here, do you?" Kira remarked, striking up a conversation as he tracked Nagi's lazy movements. "Even when you lose the ball, you don't bother trying to win it back."

"Working is such a drag," Nagi responded, his voice filled with disinterest.

"Then why not just forfeit?" Kira's voice turned smooth and coaxing, like a devil whispering temptation. "You've already qualified for the second selection. Why bother trying any harder?"

Nagi paused, genuinely considering Kira's words. It was tempting—so much effort for a game he barely cared about. But then Reo's voice cut through the haze of his thoughts.

"Nagi!" Reo called, his voice sharp and urgent. "Run to the wings!" Reo had already kicked the ball in Nagi's direction.

Sighing, Nagi complied, his pace quickening as he dashed forward, with Kira staying on him like a shadow. Nagi finally received the ball on the left flank, but he was far from the goal, and Kira was already blocking his path. It was a classic one-on-one duel.

Nagi began with a few light touches, then abruptly tried to break through to his right. But he wasn't thinking strategically, simply moving on instinct. Kira read him like a book, predicting the move with ease. He stepped in, using his body to clash with Nagi, cleanly stealing the ball. Nagi, unprepared for the physicality, lost his balance and tumbled to the ground.

"Your intentions are so obvious," Kira said, not even looking back as he moved the ball toward the midfield. "I feel embarrassed taking the ball from you."

Nagi merely shrugged off the insult, his face unbothered. He'd wait for the next ball from Reo and try again—this time, maybe breaking left.

Meanwhile, Kira's presence in the midfield was becoming a problem for Reo, who now faced an overload of skilled players. 'Why did Kira move to right back in the first place?' Reo wondered. 'Whatever he's planning, I'll stop it.'

Kira, sensing the moment, decided to add fuel to the fire. "Time to turn up the heat," he muttered under his breath, signaling with his hands for the team to initiate a new strategy. Team Z immediately responded, shifting into a formation designed for fluid movement. Raichi and Kuon formed a defensive duo in the mid-space, while Isagi and Naruhaya mirrored them in a more advanced position. Imamura, Kira, and Iemon took central roles, while Chigiri and Bachira occupied the flanks, with Kunigami positioned on the right wing.

The result was an intricate, endless series of triangles with Kira at the heart of it all. What followed was a glimpse into the nightmare that Team V would face for the rest of the match. Kira passed to Naruhaya, who quickly sent the ball to Bachira. Kira then darted into Naruhaya's space, forcing him into the center and creating room for Chigiri and Bachira to link up on the left flank.

Team V was overwhelmed, their defense battered by the relentless, high-paced passing and dribbling from Team Z. Every attempt to press or disrupt was met with quick, precise movement that kept their rhythm intact. Panic began to seep into Team V's ranks as they realized they had no defensive leader to guide them.

The dizzying series of plays seemed to stretch on forever until Bachira made the final pass to Kira. With a swift, confident strike from his left foot, Kira sent the ball speeding toward the bottom left corner of the goal. The keeper, still reeling from the chaos of the passing game, was left frozen, unable to react in time.

The ball hit the back of the net.

Team V: 0 – 1: Team Z.

The celebration after the goal was brief, as Team V quickly restarted the game by passing the ball to Reo. But before he could make any significant move, Imamura pressed him hard, having shifted into Kuon's defensive position. Reo, confident in his ability to outmaneuver his defender, suddenly hesitated. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Isagi hovering nearby, ready to back up Imamura.

'They're closing in on me,' Reo realized, sensing the trap. In a quick decision, he passed the ball to his right, hoping to relieve the pressure. But that proved to be a costly mistake. Bachira swooped in like a predator, intercepting the pass with perfect timing.

"Damn it!" Reo cursed, his frustration growing.

Bachira didn't waste a second. With dazzling footwork, he weaved his way through three defenders, leaving them in his wake as he burst into the box. Now it was just him and the keeper. The keeper, trying to close the gap, spread his arms wide and stepped forward to narrow Bachira's shooting angle. But with a quick flick of his foot, Bachira unleashed a precise shot. The keeper lunged in the direction of the ball, but it was too late—the ball whizzed past him and slammed into the back of the net.

Team V: 0 – 2: Team Z.

'Shit! I didn't account for that guy stealing the ball!' Reo thought, his frustration boiling over as they prepared to restart the game. Once again, the same suffocating defensive tactics awaited him. 'I've got to find a way through this wall.'

"Reo! Pass to me!" Zantetsu called, positioning himself diagonally from Reo.

'Stupid-Tetsu,' Reo thought, though he couldn't deny the relief of having a teammate open. Reluctantly, he sent the ball to Zantetsu, who was already under pressure from Raichi. Zantetsu shielded the ball with his body, using his physicality to fend off Raichi. Then, with a burst of speed, he accelerated past his marker, leaving Raichi behind.

But now Zantetsu was in a footrace with Chigiri, both players charging down the field at top speed. The gap between them narrowed as they barreled toward the ball, a collision inevitable if they arrived at the same time. The crowd held its breath as the two speedsters pushed their limits. But Chigiri's superior pace won out—he reached the ball first, deftly stealing it away.

'What!? I lost in speed!?' Zantetsu thought, disbelief flooding his mind. Reo, witnessing the play unfold, was equally stunned by the outcome.

Chigiri quickly passed the ball to Kira, who wasted no time launching a rapid counterattack. His dribbling was sharp and purposeful as he charged toward Reo. Seeing the threat, Reo stepped in to disrupt Kira's rhythm, but Kira remained unfazed, his focus fixed solely on the goal.

'About 32-33 meters,' Kira calculated silently, his eyes scanning the field as he neared the optimal shooting distance.

Without warning, Kira nudged the ball to his right with barely any power, allowing it to roll to a stop. He positioned his body between Reo and the ball, using his hips to shield it. Reo, caught off guard by the sudden move, collided with Kira and fell to the ground.

As Reo hit the turf, Raichi stepped in, his right foot swinging forward in a powerful motion. The situation had been set up like a dead-ball exercise, and Raichi executed it perfectly. He struck the ball just beneath its center, sending it flying in a straight line toward the goal. The keeper, positioned well, seemed to have it under control and prepared to catch the shot.

But at the last second, the ball's trajectory shifted—knuckling sharply to the left. The keeper, bewildered, could only watch helplessly as the ball swerved past him and smashed into the net.

Team V: 0 – 3: Team Z.