First Match

The opening whistle rang out, signaling the start of the game. The opposing team wasted no time, pressing hard from the very first second. Their movements were sharp, their passes precise, and their strategy clear: overwhelm us with speed and coordination.

I sprinted to my position, my eyes scanning the field. My role as a forward meant I needed to be ready to strike, but right now, all I could do was watch our defenders scramble to keep up.

A familiar ping sounded in my head as the system interface appeared.

Host: Shizuka Haiji

Team: Sakuraoka High Boys Soccer Team

Position: Forward

[Rank: R]

STR: C

AGI: C

SHO: B

SPE: B

VIS: C

END: B

[Skills]

One For All (Lv.1): When the going gets tough, you have to go beyond! PLUS ULTRA!

(Raise all stats by a single rank for five minutes) [Cooldown: 15 minutes]

I clenched my fists. The skill was powerful, but I wasn't gonna use it. Not yet.

The first twenty minutes of the match were a stalemate. Both teams battled fiercely, but neither could break through. I played conservatively, focusing on positioning and link-up play, but the opposing team's defense was suffocating.

Then it happened. Their midfielder sent a perfectly weighted through-ball to their striker, who broke past our back-line.

My heart sank. He was fast—too fast for our defenders to catch.

[Critical Situation Detected. One For All activation recommended.]

I didn't hesitate.

[Skill Activated: One For All]

A surge of energy coursed through me. My entire body felt lighter, stronger, sharper.

[Stats Updated:]

STR: B

AGI: B

SHO: A

SPE: A

VIS: B

END: A

The striker was fast, but now I was faster. I sprinted back, covering the distance in seconds. Just as he wound up for a shot, I slid in, cleanly stealing the ball and redirecting it toward our midfield.

"Counterattack!" I shouted, already on my feet and surging forward.

Okita, our captain, picked up the loose ball and sent it to me with a quick pass. I drove forward, weaving through their midfield with ease. My enhanced vision highlighted a clear lane to the goal.

At the edge of the penalty area, I planted my foot and unleashed a shot. The ball rocketed off my foot, curving beautifully into the top corner of the net.

Goal!!

The crowd erupted as my teammates swarmed me. Okita grinned, slapping me on the back. "That's what we needed, Haiji!"

The system pinged again.

[Remaining One For All time: 3:30.]

With the lead in hand, we tightened our defense. My enhanced stats held out for the remainder of the five minutes, helping me intercept passes and create chances. But as the clock ticked down, the familiar weight of my normal abilities returned.

[Skill Deactivated: One For All. Cooldown: 15 minutes]

Alright no pressure, just gotta last for 15 minutes. Sounds easy enough. And it was, half time came with a 1-0 scoreline in our favor.

At the start of second half, One For All was able to be used again and I didn't hesitate to unleash it.

[Skill Activated: One For All]

A familiar surge of energy coursed through me. Feeling my body lighter, stronger, sharper. Man, I could get used to this.

[Stats Updated:]

STR: B

AGI: B

SHO: A

SPE: A

VIS: B

END: A

With increased stats, I stole the ball from the opposing teams midfielder. The ball at my feet, I sprinted all the way to the opposing box and unleashed a wicked shot that glided past the keeper and hitting the back of the net.

Goal!!

My teammates erupted with cheer. Slapping my back and patting my head for the goal. 2-0 was the scoreline but the opposing team looked like they still had some spirit left in them. I aim to crush that.

With 1 minute left before One For All goes into cooldown, our left back sent a pass towards me.

The moment it arrived at my feet, two players came to mark me. I smirked, I passed the ball to the unmarked Okita before sprinting past my markers.

Okita sent a cross that perfectly reached where I was running towards. Two centre backs appeared to try and stop me the moment I trapped the ball. Unlucky for them, I unleashed a shot instead of trapping it which caught even the goalie off guard to the point it threw off his reaction time. 

The ball slotted cleanly into the back of the net with a swish.

Goal!!

The final whistle blew moments later, and the field erupted in cheers. We had won 3-0.

As my teammates celebrated, Okita pulled me aside, his sharp amber eyes studying me. "That was insane, Haiji. Where's this been hiding all season?"

"Guess I just needed the right moment," I said, trying to sound casual.

This win wasn't just about One For All. It was about announcing myself—and in this new life. I was in Shizuka Haiji now. And this? This was only the beginning.

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The locker room was alive with energy after the win. Cheers echoed as players slapped each other on the back, reliving the best moments of the game. Okita, as usual, was at the center of it, rallying the team's spirits.

"That's how you do it, boys!" he said, his grin wide. "We're one step closer to nationals!"

I sat quietly on the bench, catching my breath. Thinking back on the match just now. It felt exhilarating to destroy your opponents like that. I can't wait to do it again.

Okita plopped down next to me, still brimming with energy. "You're really something, Haiji. You showed the people out there why you're the ace of our team. Don't get cocky, though. I'm still the captain."

I chuckled. "Wouldn't dream of it."

He smirked, leaning back against the wall. "Still, a hat-trick? When did you have that in your locker?"

"Just needed the right stage, I guess," I said, keeping my answer vague.

I wasn't ready to explain the One For All system—or the fact that I wasn't even the original Haiji. That was a can of worms I wasn't opening anytime soon.

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The sun dipped low in the sky as I walked home, my bag slung over one shoulder. The adrenaline from the game was fading, replaced by a deep exhaustion.

[System Notification: Post-Match Analysis Available.]

I stopped in my tracks. "Post-match analysis?"

The interface expanded in front of me, displaying a breakdown of my performance.

[Post-Match Analysis:]

Goals Scored: 3

Key Passes: 2

Tackles: 1

Stamina Management: B-

Decision Making: A

Overall Performance: S

[Performance Rewards: Skill Box]

I blinked, not expecting the reward, 

I didn't wait and immediately opened the skill box. The familiar blue and red box appeared before exploding in a shower of confetti.

[Congratulations to the host for receiving the 'Fa Jin' skill]

[Fa Jin (Lv.1): Build momentum, unleash power!]

(Raises shooting or speed stats by one rank for five seconds) [Cooldown: 3 minutes]

LETS GOOOOO

Those were already my best stats but to get a skill like this. Christmas came early for little ol' Haiji.

Then I paused, rereading the skill, it said for five seconds. I have to be conservative with this skill it looks like. I mean, I can still spam it every three minutes, so there's not much to worry about.

Instead of heading straight home, I made a detour to the local park. It wasn't much—a few trees, a small field, and a net—but it was enough for what I needed.

I found a ball hidden in the bushes next to the field so I used that.

[Training mode activated]

Neato, didn't know the system could that. Learn something new everyday.

The system provided me with a simulated goalie that only I can see it seems. I wonder how it's gonna save my shot?

[Skill Activated: Fa Jin]

[Stats Updated:]

SHO: A

Time to give this baby a test drive. My feet hit the ball and it blasted off towards the goal. The simulated goalie had no chance to save that.

I went and grabbed the ball as my skill went into cooldown.

[Skill Deactivated: Fa Jin Cooldown: 3 minutes]

Well, it wasn't any different to when I use One For All. I expected that, but still, when you get a new skill, you have to at least test it out.

As Fa Jin's cooldown came to an end, I figured I try this combo out.

[Skill Activated: Fa Jin]

[Stats Updated:]

SHO: A

[Skill Activated: One For All]

[Stats Updated:]

STR: B

AGI: B

SHO: S

SPE: A

VIS: B

END: A

Excitement coursed over me. I shot the ball and immediately I see the difference. The ball went like its blasted out of a cannon. The sim goalie didn't even get a chance to move when the ball hit the back of the net.

Oh hell yeah, I can't help the grin that came to my face. Now this, is epic.

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I wiped the sweat from my forehead, satisfied with what I've seen with my skills. I couldn't stop grinning over the prospect of using this in a match.

As I packed up, I noticed someone standing at the edge of the field. A girl with short black hair and glasses, wearing the Sakuraoka uniform. She seemed hesitant; her gaze flicking between me and the ground.

"Uh… Hi," she said, stepping closer. "You're Shizuka Haiji, right?"

I nodded. "Yeah. Can I help you?"

She fidgeted with the strap of her bag. "I'm Aki… Aki Nishimura. I'm the manager of the girls' soccer team. I saw your game today, and, well…"

She paused, as if searching for the right words.

"You were amazing," she said finally, her cheeks turning a faint shade of pink. "The way you played… it was inspiring. I was wondering if you'd be willing to help us out during practice sometime? We're struggling with offense, and seeing you in action made me think you'd be the perfect person to give advice."

I blinked, surprised.

"Uh, sure," I said after a moment. "I'd be happy to help."

Her face lit up. "Really? That's great! Thank you so much!"

She gave a quick bow before hurrying off, leaving me standing there, bemused.

As I walked home for real this time, the weight of everything hit me again. The One For All system, the expectations of the team, and now this request from Nishimura.

I know I could handle it all. But the most important thing, it was this: I couldn't back down. Not now, not ever.

This wasn't just about soccer anymore. It was about proving that I, Shizuka Haiji, belonged in this world—and that I could be something more.

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It's 2 AM at the time of this writing, I felt bored and thought might as well release more chapters.

As always, please leave a review and if there is any room for improvement, please let me know.