Chapter 18: Reflections

The locker room was alive with the sound of laughter and celebration. Rosario High had done the unthinkable, dethroning the seemingly invincible Madeira High. Kaito and Mia were at the center of it all, surrounded by the rest of the team, shouting and cheering in triumph. But amidst the chaos, Lio sat quietly, away from the noise, his thoughts far from the present victory.

He stared at his reflection in the polished metal of his locker door. His smirk had long since faded, replaced with a pensive, calculating look. Victory was sweet, yes, but it was fleeting. His mind was already on the future, on the next step, on how to ensure that Chris would never stand a chance again. The memory of Chris's enraged face flashed through Lio's mind, his fists clenched, voice trembling with fury as he lashed out at his teammates.

"I broke him," Lio whispered to himself, the words barely audible over the din. But even as he said it, there was an odd emptiness that followed. He had achieved what he set out to do, and yet the satisfaction felt… incomplete.

Mia's voice cut through his thoughts as she approached, still smiling from the victory. "We did it, Lio!" she exclaimed, her eyes bright with excitement. "Can you believe it?"

Lio forced a smile, nodding. "Yeah… we did."

Mia's face softened as she looked at him. "You don't look too excited. Something wrong?"

Lio shook his head, his expression unreadable. "No, I'm just… thinking about what's next."

Mia tilted her head, a teasing grin on her face. "Next? Can't we just enjoy the win for once?"

Kaito, hearing the exchange, walked over with a bottle of water in hand, his hair damp with sweat. "Come on, Lio. We just beat Chris and his team! This is huge. You've been waiting for this moment, haven't you?"

Lio nodded again, but something about his silence made both Mia and Kaito exchange confused glances. Kaito took a seat next to Lio, lowering his voice. "You know, it's okay to let yourself feel good about this."

Lio glanced at his teammates, his gaze softening slightly. He appreciated their concern, but they couldn't understand. For them, this was the pinnacle, a once-in-a-lifetime victory. For Lio, it was only the beginning of a much larger game—one that would continue far beyond this stadium, this match.

"I do," Lio finally said, standing up and grabbing his towel. "But I've got bigger things to think about."

Mia frowned, stepping closer. "Like what?"

Lio hesitated for a moment before speaking, his voice low but steady. "Chris. I need to make sure he never gets the upper hand again."

Kaito blinked in surprise, his brow furrowing. "You're still thinking about him? Dude, you beat him today. Enjoy it!"

Mia crossed her arms, her eyes narrowing slightly as she studied Lio's expression. "You're not just thinking about today, are you? This is about more than just one match."

Lio glanced at her, a spark of understanding passing between them. Mia had always been perceptive, able to see through the layers of his thoughts. He sighed, running a hand through his damp hair. "No, it's not just about today. It's about making sure Chris is always behind me. I need him to know he'll never catch up."

Kaito opened his mouth to respond, but before he could say anything, the door to the locker room swung open, and the dean of Rosario High entered, flanked by several school officials. The room fell silent as the dean's authoritative presence commanded attention.

"Congratulations, everyone," the dean began, his deep voice carrying through the room. "You've brought pride to Rosario High today, and I couldn't be more pleased."

A chorus of cheers erupted from the team, but the dean's next words made Lio's stomach tighten.

"But this victory is only the beginning. There's more at stake than just this tournament. We have eyes on us now—eyes that will be watching your every move from here on out. The pressure will only increase, and you need to be ready."

Lio's heart skipped a beat. The dean's words echoed his own thoughts. This wasn't just about the win—it was about the future, about maintaining dominance.

As the dean continued his speech, Lio's mind drifted back to Chris. He pictured his rival fuming in the tunnel, consumed by anger and frustration. Lio had won this round, but Chris was not someone who would simply give up. He would be back, stronger, hungrier, and more determined than ever.

But so would Lio.

---

Meanwhile, deep in the shadows of Madeira High's locker room, Chris sat alone, his head buried in his hands. His teammates had long since filed out, too ashamed to speak to him after the outburst on the field. The weight of the loss bore down on him like an anchor, dragging him into a dark, suffocating pit of rage and regret.

How could this have happened? How could he have lost to Lio?

Chris's fists clenched, his nails digging into his palms as a burning fire ignited in his chest. He had underestimated Lio. That much was clear. But never again. Chris stood, his jaw set with steely determination. He wasn't going to let this defeat define him. He wasn't going to let Lio have the last laugh.

The next time they met, it would be different. Chris would make sure of it.

"I'll beat you, Lio," Chris whispered to the empty room, his voice dripping with venom. "No matter what it takes."

---

Back at Rosario High, Lio stood by the window in the locker room, watching as the last few fans trickled out of the stadium. The sun was beginning to set, casting a golden hue over the field that had just witnessed his triumph.

But as the light faded, a storm began to brew in the distance, dark clouds rolling in. Lio's reflection in the glass shifted, his smirk returning as the first rumble of thunder echoed in the distance.

The hunt wasn't over.

It was just beginning.