Chapter 23:Unyielding Spirits and Looming Threats

In the Team Z locker room, the atmosphere was electric with celebration. The team had just secured another crucial victory, and the air was filled with excitement and pride. The players were still coming down from the adrenaline rush of their triumph. Ine leapt from his seat, roaring in excitement, his energy contagious. The room burst into laughter and applause as they reveled in their win.

"If you keep kicking like that, you can take all the set pieces!" Kira shouted, his voice booming across the room. His remark sent the entire locker room into another uproar, the players' laughter mingling with cheers. The camaraderie was palpable as each player embraced the moment, basking in the glow of their hard-earned success.

As the noise started to settle, Kuon raised his voice, speaking above the residual chatter. "Since we won this match, we've qualified for the next selection," he announced, a smug grin on his face. His words instantly grabbed the team's attention. "All that's left is to beat Team V, and we'll dominate the round robin as the unbeatable champions."

The team erupted again, clapping and cheering at the thought of their next challenge. Victory had a way of lifting spirits, and today, they felt unstoppable.

For now, the locker room was alive with celebration, laughter, and the taste of sweet victory. They had fought tooth and nail, and tonight, they were the kings of the field.

Later in the video analysis room, the entire team sat, the lights dimmed, and the screen illuminated with footage from Team V's previous matches. Kira stood at the front, looking over his teammates, analyzing their body language, and searching for any hint of hesitation or doubt. He wanted to see if their hunger for victory matched his own.

"Just qualifying is not enough," Kira began, his voice steady but commanding. "We have to go all the way to the end." His hazel brown eyes scanned the room, searching for signs of agreement.

Isagi, seated near the front, leaned forward in his chair, his eyes gleaming with determination. "Since it's the last match, Team Z must win all the way!" he declared, his voice echoing in the room.

"That's right! The V Team must be feeling invincible with their winning streak," Raichi added, clenching his fist. "Let's crush their spirits!"

The team unanimously voiced their agreement, their faces reflecting the same burning desire to win. They weren't just satisfied with qualifying for the next selection—they wanted to win everything. They were determined to dominate, to prove that they were the best. Kira nodded in satisfaction, knowing that the fire in his teammates' hearts matched his own.

"Very well," Kira said, his voice calm but resolute. "Let's begin the next phase of tactical training. We must leave no stone unturned."

The screen flickered with highlights of Team V's recent matches, and Kira began to dissect their strategy, pointing out their strengths and weaknesses. They knew Team V would be their toughest opponent yet, but that only fueled their determination.

Meanwhile, Team V remained confident despite Team Z's three consecutive victories. They had Tsurugi Zantetsu, Mikage Reo, and of course, Nagi—their trump card. The general consensus was that Team Z posed little threat compared to their dominant squad.

Reo smirked as he glanced at Nagi, who hadn't bothered to look up from his game. "Nagi, aren't you going to prepare at all? After all, the Z Team has also achieved three consecutive victories, just like us."

Nagi shrugged, his fingers still tapping away on his phone. "Ah, there's no need to prepare much. We'll win anyway."

His nonchalant response drew a few chuckles from the other members. They had grown used to Nagi's laid-back demeanor, but they also knew that when it came down to it, Nagi always delivered.

The locker room buzzed with quiet confidence, none of them showing any signs of nerves. After all, they had already secured their spot in the next round, and this final match against Team Z felt more like a formality.

Later that afternoon, Kira and the rest of Team Z were seated in the cafeteria, enjoying a much-needed break before their next round of training. The mood was lighter now, and the players chatted amongst themselves, their spirits still high from the morning's celebrations.

Isagi stood up to throw away his trash, walking over to the nearest bin when he bumped into an unfamiliar face. A tall boy with silver hair and piercing green eyes stood before him, his presence commanding attention.

"Who are you?" the boy asked, his voice sharp but curious. He wasn't hostile, but his tone carried an air of superiority. Isagi recognized him immediately: Mikage Reo, ranked 222.

Isagi straightened up, meeting Reo's gaze with confidence. "I'm Isagi Yoichi, from Team Z. We'll be facing you soon. And let me make one thing clear—we're going to win."

Reo raised an eyebrow, intrigued by Isagi's boldness. Before he could respond, the rest of Team Z joined them, and not long after, Team V approached as well. The tension in the air was palpable as the two teams sized each other up, each side confident in their abilities.

Kira's eyes fell on Nagi, ranked 221, who stood at the back of the group, quietly observing the exchange. As their eyes met, Kira felt something shift in the atmosphere. Nagi's normally indifferent expression faltered for a moment, replaced by a flicker of surprise. He stared into Kira's hazel brown eyes, and for a split second, he saw something unsettling—a void, an endless abyss that seemed to pull him in.

Those eyes were unlike anything Nagi had ever seen. There was an intensity, a burning fire hidden beneath Kira's calm demeanor. It was as if Kira was not just a player, but a force of nature, an eldritch being trapped within human flesh. Nagi couldn't shake the feeling that he was staring into something far more dangerous than he had anticipated.

Despite the brief moment of unease, Nagi quickly regained his composure, his usual apathetic smirk returning to his face. "I see. You're Kira, right?" he said, his voice casual, as if their encounter hadn't shaken him.

Kira nodded, offering a polite smile. "That's right. We'll be seeing each other on the field soon enough."

The two parted ways, but the exchange lingered in Nagi's mind. As he walked away, he couldn't help but replay the moment in his head—the eyes that had looked into his very soul.

Later that night, as Nagi lay in his bunk, staring up at the ceiling, he couldn't stop thinking about Kira. Those eyes haunted him.

The player with white hair and piercing hazel eyes that burned with an intensity Nagi had never encountered before. Those eyes were like molten fire, threatening to scorch anyone who didn't face him at full strength. Nagi couldn't shake the feeling that he wasn't looking at a normal human being. No, when he stared into those eyes, it felt like gazing into the abyss, as if something ancient and dangerous lurked inside Kira, imprisoned within his calm exterior.

For the first time in a long while, Nagi felt something strange. Not fear exactly, but a sense of foreboding—a knowledge that the upcoming match wasn't going to be as easy as he had initially thought.

Kira was different. And in his heart, Nagi knew that underestimating him would be a grave mistake.

Back in the locker room, Kira stood with his teammates, their eyes filled with anticipation. The match against Team V was fast approaching, and they knew it would be their toughest challenge yet. But Kira felt no fear—only excitement.

"Remember," Kira said, his voice low but firm. "We're not just playing to win. We're playing to prove ourselves. This is our moment, and we will take it."

The team nodded, their determination unwavering. They had come too far to stop now.

Victory wasn't just a goal—it was a certainty.