Chapter 15 – Team Y vs Team Z

Three days passed, and during that time, Team Z practiced with relentless focus. Each player honed their strengths, learning not only to wield their weapons more effectively but also how to link up and support their teammates, especially Kunigami. The team's coordination improved, with fluid attack patterns and defensive cohesion beginning to form. By now, they felt more like a team, connected by a shared purpose.

The time for their second match had arrived. In the locker room, Team Z gathered to prepare for their game against Team Y. The atmosphere was a mix of quiet focus and nervous energy as they put on their gear and mentally readied themselves.

At the center of the room stood Kira, delivering final instructions to the group. The team had come to rely on his tactical insights, deferring most strategic decisions to him. His understanding of football tactics had earned him that respect.

"Hibiki Okawa," Kira began, addressing the team. "Kumamoto Prefecture's top scorer. He's someone we need to watch out for in one-on-one situations. I'll take care of him."

"Right," Kuon added, "The rest of the team doesn't need any special attention. We just have to do our jobs well."

Kira nodded in agreement but then paused, his brow furrowed as he recalled the match footage of Team Y. "However," he said, "there is one more player we need to be cautious of."

"Who is it?" Naruhaya asked, leaning in with interest.

Kira continued, "The one with black hair and bangs covering his eyes. I believe his name is Niko Ikki. In their match against Team V, he was the one who initiated all of their offense. Keep an eye on possible passing routes whenever he has the ball."

The team absorbed this information, nodding as they visualized their approach for the match. Kira then turned his attention to Isagi, who had been unusually quiet during their practices. "Isagi," Kira said, drawing everyone's gaze, "Can you tell me what your weapon is now?"

Isagi hesitated, stammering as he struggled to answer. "Ah… I'm still not sure," he admitted, his voice lacking confidence. Throughout their intense training, Isagi had yet to fully articulate his weapon. While his instincts and positioning often made him crucial in key moments, he couldn't define his strength in concrete terms.

Kira regarded Isagi with understanding, but there was a sense of urgency. "Then I'm assigning you to guard Niko Ikki," Kira said decisively. "He has a talent similar to yours. This could help you figure out what you're best at."

Isagi nodded, feeling a mix of pressure and resolve. He knew this was an important moment for his growth as a player.

With that, Kira concluded his tactical briefing. "Alright, that's all for our plan. Let's go out there and execute."

The team gathered their belongings and made their way from the locker room toward the football field, their footsteps echoing in the corridor. As they arrived at the pitch, they saw Team Y emerging from the other side, similarly focused and ready for the match. The atmosphere crackled with anticipation, the stakes of this game clear to both teams.

The whistle blew, signaling the start of the match. Team Z took immediate possession, with Iemon passing the ball to Isagi, who halted it calmly. Rather than rushing forward, Team Z circulated the ball patiently among themselves, allowing each player to settle into their designated positions.

Raichi sent the ball to Bachira, who effortlessly dribbled past two defenders with his signature fluidity. Isagi and Kira shadowed him, ready to support. Bachira, ever confident, teased his opponents.

"Come on, guys. Is that all you've got?" Bachira grinned, weaving through the opposition.

A frustrated defender from Team Y, realizing he couldn't stop Bachira, called out to his teammates, "Damn, sorry guys. He's all yours!"

"Don't let him get any further!" another Team Y player barked as two more defenders closed in, trying to block Bachira's path.

Bachira remained unfazed, his confidence unshaken. "You're gonna need more than that," he smirked, preparing to dance past them. But before he could break through, he felt pressure from his blind side as someone lunged for the ball with a well-timed sweep.

"We know. Your dribbling is quite educational," said a calm voice. It was Niko Ikki, the player with long black hair and bangs covering his eyes. His intervention forced Bachira to shield the ball quickly.

"Not bad, bangs-kun," Bachira said, clearly impressed. Without hesitation, he passed the ball back to Isagi, who had been watching the situation closely.

'Bachira's dribbling is the best on our team,' Isagi thought, his eyes darting towards Niko. 'But this guy, Niko, set a perfect trap to stop him. Kira-san was right. We need to keep an eye on him.'

Isagi quickly sent the ball over to Kira, and Team Z resumed their methodical passing. The clock ticked away until ten minutes into the game, when Kuon, keeping track of the time, raised his hand, signaling to the rest of the team.

"Guys, ten minutes have passed," Kuon called out.

"Finally! That's ten minutes too long!" Raichi grumbled, raising his hand as well, clearly eager to push forward.

"As we practiced," Isagi muttered to himself, preparing for the next move. The rest of Team Z followed suit, raising their hands one by one in unison.

This sudden and coordinated action caught Team Y off guard. They exchanged nervous glances, trying to decipher the meaning behind Team Z's gesture.

"What are they up to?" Niko murmured, his eyes narrowing as he tried to assess the situation.

One of his teammates, more aggressive in his approach, shouted, "Whatever it is, we stop them! We've got a plan of our own, and we're gonna win this!"

"YES!" the rest of Team Y echoed, their voices filled with determination as they prepared to counter whatever Team Z had in store. The tension on the field began to rise as both teams braced for the next move.

With the ball at his feet, Isagi sent a quick pass to Kira. A defender from Team Y immediately closed in, eager to steal possession. "I've got you!" the defender shouted, lunging forward in an attempt to intercept the ball.

Kira, calm and collected, nudged the ball just slightly to his left, causing the defender to miss completely. "Your intention is as clear as day," Kira remarked, his voice steady as he advanced further up the field.

Two more defenders rushed to block his path. Kira danced past one with ease, pulling the second defender out of position in the process. Without missing a beat, he passed the ball to Raichi, who was holding his ground. Isagi and Bachira moved swiftly to link up with Raichi, setting the stage for a quick, coordinated attack.

This was the spark that ignited Team Z's rapid-fire offense. In an instant, Isagi, Raichi, Bachira, and Iemon executed a seamless passing routine, dismantling Team Y's defensive formation with blistering speed.

"What the hell!? How are they moving this fast!?" one of Team Y's players shouted in panic.

"Shit! We're outnumbered—get more defenders over here!" another player yelled as Team Y scrambled to regroup.

Niko, sensing the danger, rushed in with reinforcements. For a moment, their efforts seemed to pay off, slowing down Team Z's assault. But then Kira positioned himself as another passing option, and suddenly, the defensive advantage that Team Y had fought for began to crumble once more.

'We can't steal it. If we charge in recklessly, those two—number 8 and number 7—will just tear us apart,' Niko thought, eyeing Bachira and Kira, whose presence on the field was causing constant pressure. However, Niko's instincts warned him of something even more pressing. From the corner of his eye, he noticed a player who had strayed far from his assigned position on the right wing.

'Don't tell me…' Niko's eyes widened as realization dawned. He turned to his teammate, panic evident in his voice. "Get back! You're leaving that place wide open!" Niko screamed, but it was already too late.

"Bingo," Bachira grinned, receiving a perfect pass from Kira. Without hesitation, he swung the ball across to the other side of the field, crossing it to where Kunigami had been waiting for the right moment.

Kunigami, positioned perfectly for the strike, watched the ball sail toward him. "Good job, Bachira," he muttered, before swinging his foot and connecting with the ball. It flew with precision, soaring into the right corner of the net.

The Team Y goalkeeper stood frozen, unable to react to the swift transition from left to right. The ball hit the net cleanly, and the sound of it echoed through the field.

Team Y: 0 – 1 : Team Z.

The score was finally broken, with Team Z taking the lead.