Shiro's team was complete now, with Kurona and Hiori standing by his side. Both were players he respected, each bringing unique qualities that complemented his own. Kurona's incredible reflects and close control made him a menace in tight spaces, while Hiori's precise passing and tactical vision allowed the team to dictate the tempo of the game. Together, they formed a balanced and dynamic trio.
As Shiro's eyes settled on the opposing team of Karasu, Otoya, and Yukimiya, a surge of emotions washed over him. These were the players who had exposed his flaws during the first selection, tearing apart his confidence and pushing him to the brink of despair. But those days were behind him. This time, he was ready.
Kurona noticed Shiro's intense focus and leaned closer. "You're looking at them like you've got unfinished business."
Shiro nodded, his voice steady. "They're the reason I'm here, Kurona. They showed me how weak I was. Now, I'm going to show them how far I've come."
Hiori adjusted his headband, a thoughtful look on his face. "This won't be easy. Karasu's a tactical genius, Otoya's unpredictable on the ball, and Yukimiya's got an iron defense and maestro dribble . But if we work together, we can beat them."
Shiro smirked, his eyes never leaving the trio. "That's exactly why I chose you two. Kurona, you can weave through their defenses, and Hiori, your passes will break their rhythm. Together, we're unstoppable."
The three of them stepped onto the field, the tension in the air thick enough to cut with a knife. Karasu, Otoya, and Yukimiya turned to face them, their expressions calm but their eyes sharp with focus.
"Shiro," Karasu called out, a sly grin playing on his lips. "So, you're coming for us? Let's see if all that training paid off."
Shiro clenched his fists, his heart pounding with anticipation. "You'll find out soon enough."
This wasn't just a game. It was a reckoning.
Without wasting any time, the two teams quickly agreed to head to a field to begin their match. The atmosphere between them was electric, charged with tension and anticipation. Shiro, Kurona, and Hiori walked in silence, each of them focused and mentally preparing for the challenge ahead.
As they arrived at the field, the boundaries of the match felt like a battlefield. The artificial turf gleamed under the lights, and the quiet air around them seemed to amplify every movement and sound. Karasu, Otoya, and Yukimiya were already warming up, their fluid movements showcasing the precision and skill that had earned them their reputations.
Shiro exchanged a quick glance with his teammates, their silent understanding forming a bond.
As the teams stepped onto the field, the tension in the air was unmistakable. Shiro's eyes lingered on Hiori for a moment, the memory of their last match flashing through his mind. Hiori had been with Karasu, Otoya, and Yukimiya in Team W during the first selection—the quartet that had dominated and humiliated Shiro's team.
Kurona glanced at Hiori, his eyebrows raised. "You sure you're ready for this? You were one of them last time."
Hiori adjusted his headband, his expression unreadable. "That was then. Things are different now. I'm here to win, and that means beating them."
Shiro nodded, his resolve unwavering. "Good. You know them better than we do. Use that to our advantage."
On the other side of the field, Karasu chuckled, his sharp eyes fixed on Hiori. "Well, look who switched sides. Feeling confident with your new team?"
Otoya leaned casually on Karasu's shoulder, smirking. "Guess he wanted a challenge. Too bad he picked the losing side."
Yukimiya didn't say a word, his steady gaze focused solely on Hiori, as if trying to gauge his intentions.
The whistle blew, and the match began. For Shiro, this wasn't just about proving himself—it was about dismantling the team that had once crushed him, even if one of his current teammates had been part of that very group.
Team white:Karasu,Otoya, Yukimiya
Team red:Shiro,Kurona, Hiori
The moment the whistle blew, Shiro felt his mind clear and his body enter a state of heightened focus. The world seemed to slow as he transitioned into the flow state, the result of the grueling 10 days of training he had undergone. During those days,he had found the key to enter the flow at will.
Kurona swiftly moved into action, to pass the ball to Shiro. The touch was perfect, and Shiro immediately locked his eyes on the opponent's goal. Standing in the cage was a hologram robot goalkeeper, programmed to protect the cage. On each side of the field, hologram robots acted as goalkeeper, adding an extra layer of strategy to the game.
As Shiro advanced, memories of his training surfaced. In the flow, his perception and range expanded, and with his Cristiano Ronaldo shooting range, he knew his limits were far beyond the ordinary. He glanced at the goal, realizing the small field's dimensions worked in his favor. From where he stood, he could take the shot—and he decided to seize the opportunity.
Planting his foot firmly, Shiro swung his leg with precision and power. The ball soared through the air, curving elegantly as it bypassed the hologram goalkeeper's outstretched hand. The net rippled as the ball slammed into the goal, and the sound of the impact echoed across the field.
"Goal!" Kurona shouted, his excitement palpable.
Hiori gave a small nod, a rare smile crossing his face. "Not bad, Shiro. Not bad at all."
On the other side, Karasu frowned, his sharp mind already calculating how to counter Shiro's newfound range. "He's more dangerous than before," he muttered. "We'll need to shut him down quickly."
The match had just begun, but Shiro had already sent a clear message: this was a new version of himself, and he wasn't holding back.
Team White vs Team Red
Score:0-1
The match restarted with Karasu taking control of the ball, his eyes scanning for an opening. He quickly passed it to Yukimiya, who smoothly started dribbling through the midfield. Hiyori attempted to close him down, but Yukimiya's footwork was too quick, and he breezed past him, heading toward the goal.
Just as it seemed Yukimiya would break through, Shiro appeared out of nowhere. His flow state gave him incredible awareness, and with a well-timed tackle, he dispossessed Yukimiya, taking control of the ball.
Without hesitation, Shiro passed it to Kurona, who made a swift return pass. The ball flowed seamlessly between them, and Shiro's focus was razor-sharp. He then flicked the ball to Hiyori, who was perfectly positioned. With one touch, Hiyori passed it back to Shiro as they zoomed past Otoya, who was left in their wake.
Now only Karasu stood in Shiro's path. Shiro's mind worked quickly, and in one fluid motion, he performed a quick roulette to evade Karasu's defensive pressure, creating the space he needed. With a surge of energy, Shiro readied himself, shifting the ball to his left foot and unleashing a powerful shot. The ball rocketed toward the goal with precision, its trajectory perfect as it hurtled past the hologram goalkeeper's attempt to save.
The net rippled once more as Shiro's shot found its mark.
"Another goal!" Kurona shouted, his eyes wide with excitement.
Hiori gave a short, satisfied smile. "Great work, Shiro."
On the opposite side, Karasu was left standing still, his mind racing to adapt to Shiro's sudden display of skill. "This isn't the same player we faced before," he muttered under his breath.
Shiro stood tall, adrenaline still coursing through his veins. The flow state was guiding him, and he knew he was just getting started.
Score:0-2
Seeing the unstoppable force that was Shiro, Karasu, Otoya, and Yukimiya exchanged a quick glance. They realized they needed to change tactics if they were going to keep up with Shiro's relentless pace. The trio knew they couldn't keep trying to play one-on-one against Shiro; they had to work together and outmaneuver him with speed and precision.
Without wasting a second, Karasu made a swift pass to Otoya, who, in turn, quickly fed the ball to Yukimiya. The trio executed a series of quick, sharp passes, each one designed to keep Shiro and his teammates guessing. They moved the ball with fluidity, their coordination in perfect harmony as they systematically moved up the field, bypassing the defensive coverage of Shiro, Hiyori, and Kurona.
Shiro's eyes narrowed as he watched their movements. He couldn't afford to take his focus off the play, but he also couldn't help but be impressed by their quick thinking. He shifted his weight, preparing to react, but the trio's precision and speed made it difficult to predict where they would go next.
The ball went from Otoya to Karasu, who made a clever backheel pass to Yukimiya, opening up space as they advanced toward Team Red's goal. They were pushing forward relentlessly, their passes tight and fast, keeping Shiro's team on edge.
Hiyori stepped forward, trying to disrupt the flow, but Yukimiya dribbled past him with ease, moving closer to the goal. Kurona positioned himself to block the path, but Karasu's eyes gleamed as he spotted an opening. With a sudden burst of pace, he surged forward, bypassing Kurona and leaving only Shiro between them and the goal.
It was a tense moment, and Shiro could feel the pressure mounting as he tracked their every move. With only one goal in mind, Karasu, Otoya, and Yukimiya had become a seamless unit, and now they were closing in on Team Red's goalkeeper, ready to strike back.
As Karasu passed the ball to Otoya, it seemed like a perfect opportunity for Team White to strike. Otoya was already lining up to shoot, but just as he prepared to take the shot, Kurona—whose quick reflexes were a key strength—appeared from the shadows. With a precise movement, he intercepted the ball, snatching it away from Otoya's feet and immediately sending a lob toward Shiro.
Shiro, ever alert in his flow state, received the ball in the middle of the field. Without hesitation, he flicked it up, lifting it effortlessly into the air before executing a stunning bicycle kick. The ball soared with incredible speed and accuracy toward Team White's goal. The hologram goalkeeper, despite its best efforts, had no chance to stop the powerful shot as it rippled the net.
"Goal!" Kurona called out, a grin tugging at his lips.
With the ball still in the net, Kurona turned to Otoya, who had been left watching the play unfold. "Shiro's not the only one who changed in those 10 days," Kurona said, his voice calm but laced with a quiet confidence.
Otoya's eyes widened, realizing the depth of Kurona's improvement. They were up against a different team now, a team that had grown not just in skill, but in synergy. Shiro's unstoppable flow and Kurona's sharp interventions were just the beginning of their newfound strength.
The match was becoming more intense with each passing minute, and Team White knew they couldn't afford to take Shiro and his team lightly anymore. The balance of power had shifted, and it was clear—this was no longer the same game.
Score:0-3
With the score at 3-0, Team Red (Shiro, Kurona, and Hiori) were firmly in control, but Team White (Karasu, Otoya, and Yukimiya) weren't backing down. Realizing that they needed to score 5 goals to win, Team White decided to change their approach, combining their strengths to break through Shiro and Kurona's relentless defense.
The trio started with Yukimiya, who unleashed his signature stream—an incredibly fast and precise dribbling technique that allowed him to weave through defenses with ease. Otoya, using his trademark speed, zipped forward, ready to capitalize on any openings that Yukimiya's play created.
Kurona and Shiro were quick to react, moving together to close down the space, but Yukimiya's stream left them just a step behind. Otoya, like a blur, shot forward, pulling away from Kurona's shadow and cutting in from the right flank.
Yukimiya, recognizing the perfect moment, passed the ball to Otoya, who, in one fluid motion, accelerated past Shiro's defensive line. As he closed in on the goal, he aimed for the corner, but Shiro quickly moved to intercept.
At the last second, Otoya feinted, using his agility to sidestep Shiro's defense and let the ball roll across his body. It was a perfect move. As Shiro tried to recover, Otoya launched a quick shot toward the goal.
Kurona, now fully aware of the shift in momentum, dived to block it, but it was too late. The ball flew past him, and the hologram goalkeeper made an attempt to save, but the strike was too powerful and too well placed.
Score:1-3
Kurona, brushing himself off, turned to Shiro with a smirk. "We're not done yet."
Shiro, ever focused, simply nodded. "Let's keep pushing. They're adapting."
The match continued, both teams now more determined than ever to be the first to score five goals and secure the win.
The game restarted with the ball at Hiyori's feet. He quickly passed it to Shiro, who, eager to repeat his earlier goal, aimed for the net. But Karasu was already applying pressure, positioning himself to block the shot.
However, Shiro, in his flow state, felt no pressure at all. As Karasu tried to close him down, Shiro executed a quick fake, sending Karasu in the wrong direction. With a touch to the right, Shiro was prepared to take the shot, but to his surprise, Otoya appeared, blocking his path.
Shiro, always quick on his feet, adapted. Recognizing the situation, he lobbed the ball toward Kurona, who had been anticipating the pass. With Karasu and Otoya focused on Shiro, he found the space to control the ball and immediately passed it to Hiori, who had been left unmarked.
Hiori, with the ball at his feet and the field open, passed it back to Shiro, who was now being closely marked by Karasu. Karasu, trying to use his center of gravity to push Shiro off balance, attempted to force him away from the ball. But Shiro, using his enhanced physical strength and intelligence, anticipated Karasu's move.
As the ball arrived, Shiro controlled it beautifully, preparing to strike. But just as he did, Yukimiya, who had been waiting in the shadows behind him, made a decisive move. He intercepted the ball just in time, sending it flying out for a corner.
The match was still intense, and both teams were playing at the peak of their abilities. Shiro stood with a determined look, ready to fight for the next chance.
The game resumed after Yukimiya's interception. Team Red was on the attack, and Shiro found himself standing at the corner flag. Hiyori and Kurona, still surprised by Shiro's earlier decision, approached him, curious about what he was going to do next.
"Shiro," Hiori said, still catching his breath, "Are you sure you want to take this corner? I thought you'd want one of us to pass it to you."
Kurona nodded, adding, "Yeah, we know your freekick ability, but a corner is a whole different thing. You've never tried this before."
Shiro looked at them both, his calm demeanor unwavering. He smiled confidently and said, "I'll take it. Don't worry, just find a space in the box, and I'll do the corner."
Hiori and Kurona exchanged looks, surprised by Shiro's decision. While they knew his skill with free kicks, they had never seen him try a corner directly. They both nodded and quickly spread out to find spaces in the box, trusting Shiro's judgment.
Shiro turned to face the goal, reflecting on what he wanted to do. At the end of the day, a corner is just a free kick from a different angle, a right angle, he thought to himself. If I apply a curving effect to my sniper shot, I should be able to score a direct corner.
With his plan in mind, Shiro struck the ball with perfect precision. The ball arced beautifully toward the second post, curling around everyone in the box. Karasu, realizing that Shiro wasn't passing, sprinted to intercept, but it was too late. The ball sailed past him, heading directly for the net.
The Team White goalkeeper, caught off guard, was unable to react in time as the ball flew in.
Goal!
Score:1-4
Hiori and Kurona, both in disbelief, watched the ball hit the back of the net. They rushed to Shiro, who simply smiled, his confidence now clear to both of them.
"I told you," Shiro said with a grin. "A corner is just a free kick from a different angle."
Hiori laughed, shaking his head. "You really know how to surprise us, Shiro."
Kurona chuckled. "I think it's safe to say no one expected that. You've really been holding out on us, huh?"
Shiro just smiled. "We're almost there. One more goal, and we've won."
With the match now 1-4 in favor of Team Red, Shiro's decision to take the corner had paid off in spectacular fashion. The game was far from over, but Team Red was in control.
As the match restarted, Team White seemed to have shifted gears. But something felt off. Otoya, who usually thrived on speed and creativity, didn't immediately glance at Yukimiya or Karasu. Instead, his focus was elsewhere. He took the ball, and with an almost casual stride, started dribbling past Hiori. His movements were sharp and deliberate, weaving through the defense. Then, with a sudden flick of his foot, he executed a smooth backheel pass to Karasu, who was sprinting down the left flank.
Karasu, always prepared to make a quick play, collected the ball effortlessly and sent in a precise cross to Yukimiya, who had positioned himself perfectly in front of goal. Without hesitation, Yukimiya took a volley—his signature move—aiming for the goalkeeper. But before the ball could reach its target, Iori, alert and ready, swooped in and intercepted it mid-air, sending the ball clear of danger.
Hiori quickly scanned the field, and in an instant, he made a decision. "You think those two are the only ones on this team?" he muttered to himself, sensing the overconfidence of Team White. Hiori quickly passed the ball forward to Shiro, who had already started positioning himself to receive the pass.
Shiro, now in his flow state, effortlessly controlled the ball with a single touch. With his enhanced focus and vision, he saw the opening he needed. Without a moment's hesitation, he sent a powerful shot soaring toward the goal. The ball blasted past the goalkeeper with unmatchable speed and precision, ending the match.
The final whistle blew, signaling a 5-1 victory for Team Red.
Shiro, Kurona, and Hiori celebrated, but the look in Shiro's eyes was one of quiet satisfaction. They had played well as a team, and now, with this victory, they had cemented their place in the next stage of the selection.