Chapter 15: A New Rival

The sun hung low over the training grounds, casting long shadows across the pitch as FC Tokyo's youth team wrapped up their final session before the weekend match. The upcoming game wasn't just important for the team—it was Yuto's first chance to put his leadership quest to the test. But something else was weighing on Yuto's mind.

Coach Ishikawa had mentioned that a new player would be joining the team—a midfielder who had made waves in a rival youth league. Yuto couldn't help but feel uneasy. The idea of competition for his position was unsettling, especially when he had just started to solidify his role on the team.

As the team gathered to hear the closing remarks from Coach, Yuto noticed a figure standing at the edge of the field. The boy looked tall, with an athletic build and an air of confidence that was impossible to ignore. He wore a light smirk, observing the team's movements with sharp eyes. Coach Ishikawa gestured toward him.

"Everyone, listen up," Coach began, his voice carrying authority as always. "We've got a new addition to the squad. This is Riku Tanaka. He'll be training with us starting today, and I expect everyone to welcome him like the professional team we are."

Riku stepped forward, his smirk now more noticeable. "Hey, everyone. Looking forward to playing with you all." His voice was calm, but there was an unmistakable edge to it, as though he already considered himself better than most of the team.

Yuto's stomach twisted. There was something about Riku that immediately made him feel uneasy. It wasn't just that Riku played the same position—there was an aura of arrogance around him, like he had already decided where he stood compared to the rest of them.

Kenji leaned over and whispered, "Looks like we've got some competition."

Yuto nodded, keeping his eyes on Riku. "Yeah… I can tell."

The next morning, as the team gathered for drills, Riku was already on the pitch, juggling a ball with practiced ease. Yuto could feel the tension in the air. Everyone was curious about the new player, but there was also a sense of wariness. Yuto knew that in football, competition was part of the game. Still, the presence of another midfielder with such confidence felt like a direct challenge to his place in the team.

As training began, Coach Ishikawa paired Riku and Yuto together for several drills. They moved through passing exercises, ball control drills, and one-on-one challenges. To Yuto's frustration, Riku was good—very good. His footwork was sharp, his passes crisp, and he had a knack for reading the game that rivaled Yuto's own.

During a particularly intense dribbling drill, Riku easily sidestepped Yuto's attempt to tackle him, slipping past with a flick of his foot and sending a perfect pass down the line. The drill ended, and Yuto found himself clenching his fists, frustration bubbling beneath the surface.

"Not bad," Riku said casually as he walked by, his tone dripping with condescension. "But you'll have to be quicker than that if you want to keep up."

Yuto's jaw tightened, but he held back a response. He wasn't about to let Riku get under his skin.

That evening, after training, Yuto sat alone on the bleachers, the weight of the day pressing heavily on his shoulders. The system had remained quiet throughout practice, offering no guidance or rewards. It was as if it was waiting for Yuto to solve this challenge on his own. But how was he supposed to compete with someone like Riku? He had only just begun to feel comfortable in his role, and now it felt like the rug was being pulled out from under him.

As if sensing his turmoil, the system chimed in.

[ New Quest: Prove Your Worth.

Objective: Maintain your position as a key player despite new competition.

Reward: Tactical Vision (Level 2). ]

Yuto stared at the message, his mind racing. The system was pushing him again, just as it always did when things got tough. But this time, it wasn't offering him an easy way out. He would have to earn his place on the team, no matter how good Riku was.

I can't back down now, Yuto thought. I've worked too hard to let someone else take my spot.

The next day at training, Yuto was determined to rise to the challenge. He kept his head up, focused on his performance, and ignored the nagging feeling of doubt creeping into his mind. The drills were tough, but Yuto threw himself into them with renewed energy. If Riku wanted a competition, then Yuto would give him one.

During a small-sided scrimmage, Coach put both Yuto and Riku on the same team. It was an opportunity for Yuto to prove that he could play alongside the new arrival—or outshine him. From the first whistle, Yuto made his presence known, intercepting passes, directing the flow of the game, and setting up plays for his teammates.

Riku, to his credit, played well too. But as the game progressed, it became clear that the two of them had different styles. Riku was aggressive and flashy, always looking for a moment to shine, while Yuto was patient and strategic, focusing on the bigger picture.

There was a moment in the scrimmage that defined the day. With the score tied and time running out, Yuto received the ball in the midfield. He had Riku to his right, signaling for the ball. Yuto hesitated for a split second, knowing that Riku was likely expecting to finish the play himself. But then, Yuto saw something else—a space opening up on the left side where Kenji was making a run.

Trusting his instincts, Yuto sent a perfectly weighted pass to Kenji, bypassing Riku entirely. Kenji took the ball in stride and fired a shot into the top corner of the net. The scrimmage ended with Yuto's team winning, and Coach Ishikawa blew the whistle, signaling the end of practice.

As the team gathered around, Yuto caught Riku's eye. There was a flicker of surprise in Riku's expression, but it was gone as quickly as it had appeared. He gave a small nod, as if acknowledging Yuto's decision, but there was no smile, no congratulations. Just silent recognition.

Later, as Yuto was heading to the locker room, Riku caught up to him. For a moment, they walked in silence before Riku finally spoke.

"You made a good pass today," Riku said, his voice neutral. "But don't think that means I'm going to let up."

Yuto glanced at him, sensing the underlying challenge. "I wouldn't expect you to. I'm not planning on backing down either."

Riku smirked. "Good. This team could use some real competition."

With that, Riku walked ahead, leaving Yuto standing alone. For a moment, Yuto watched him go, the knot of tension in his chest slowly unwinding. Riku was going to be a rival, no doubt about that. But maybe, just maybe, this rivalry would push both of them to become better players.

As Yuto entered the locker room, the system chimed once more.

[ Quest Progress: Prove Your Worth.

Status: In Progress. ]

Yuto smiled to himself. This was just the beginning.

The weekend match arrived, and with it, the opportunity for Yuto to continue proving himself. As he stepped onto the pitch, he knew that Riku would be watching, waiting for any sign of weakness. But Yuto was ready. This game wasn't just about competition—it was about finding his place on the team and showing that he belonged.

And as the referee blew the whistle to start the match, Yuto's heart raced with anticipation. He was determined to rise to the challenge, no matter what came next.