Zenin FC (2)

Raiden stood up, adjusting his jacket before turning to Ayane with a more serious expression. "Before you both leave, there's something important I'd like to mention. Today, we're holding an exhibition match for all our young players. It's a key part of our assessment process."

Ayane raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "An exhibition match?"

"Yes," Raiden confirmed. "It's how we evaluate where each athlete stands in terms of skill and potential. The players are divided into classes—Class S being the strongest, followed by Class A, B, C, and D. The classes help us structure training programs based on each athlete's current abilities."

He turned his attention to Kenshi, who was listening intently. "This match would be an excellent opportunity for Kenshi to show the coaches and the club what he's capable of. Not only will we be able to observe him in action, but we'll also assess his stats across six key categories: speed, defense, passing, dribbling, shooting, and offense."

Ayane's expression became thoughtful as she listened, clearly weighing the idea. Raiden continued, explaining the importance of the stats. "Every player is given a rating between 0 and 99 for each category. The overall rating (OVR) is what helps determine which class they're placed in. To give you an idea, an OVR of 55 or higher is usually enough to secure a spot in Class A, and possibly even Class S for exceptionally talented players."

Kenshi's eyes lit up with excitement. "So, I get to play today?"

Raiden smiled and nodded. "Yes, if you're ready. This will be your chance to show everyone your potential. But don't worry—this is just the beginning. You'll have plenty of time to improve and grow with us."

Ayane glanced down at Kenshi, who was practically buzzing with energy. She could see the determination in his eyes, and for the first time in a while, she felt a sense of confidence about the path they were taking. "I think Kenshi's ready," she said softly, then turned to Raiden. "We'll stay for the match."

"Excellent," Raiden replied, his voice full of encouragement. "I'll make sure everything is set up for Kenshi. Let's see where he'll stand among our rising stars."

[]

The referee's whistle blew sharply, signaling the start of the match. Kenshi, in his red jersey, stood at center forward with a determined expression, eyes locked on the opposing team dressed in blue. His heart raced with excitement as the ball was placed at his feet for the kickoff. He quickly scanned the field and noticed his teammate, Kira, positioned in the midfield—a player he'd been briefed about with a unique talent for passing, something even Kenshi couldn't replicate.

This is going to be fun, Kenshi thought.

The whistle blew again, and Kenshi made the first touch, gently tapping the ball forward. The defenders in blue wasted no time, charging at him with surprising intensity. Reacting quickly, Kenshi passed the ball back to Kira, who immediately controlled it with ease. Without missing a beat, Kenshi exploded forward, weaving between the defenders, his agility and sharp movement creating space in front of him.

Kira smirked, eyes darting toward Kenshi's run. With flawless precision, he launched a high, curving pass into the open field. The ball soared through the air, bending just out of the defenders' reach and perfectly into Kenshi's path. Kenshi sprinted forward and trapped the ball effortlessly, the sound of his cleats meeting the turf echoing in his ears as he advanced toward the goal.

Two defenders closed in quickly, but Kenshi was already ahead of them. His feet danced over the ball, throwing them off with a series of body feints and quick, tight touches. One by one, the defenders fell for his moves, leaving them scrambling to recover as Kenshi cut through the line with elegance.

Only the goalkeeper stood between him and the back of the net.

Kenshi approached with a calm, calculating stare. He wound his leg back, faking a powerful shot. The goalkeeper reacted instinctively, diving to the left—exactly what Kenshi had anticipated. With the goalkeeper out of position, Kenshi flicked the ball lightly between the keeper's legs, nutmegging him with ease.

The ball rolled into the net.

"GOAL!" the announcer called out, but Kenshi had already turned, grinning as he sprinted toward the sideline in celebration.

As the ball sailed into the net, the cheers from the stands erupted. Ayane stood among the other parents, her hands clasped tightly together, eyes wide with a mixture of awe and pride. She had seen Kenshi play before, of course, but watching him in this formal setting, outshining kids much older than him, made her heart swell.

"That's my boy," she whispered to herself, a proud smile breaking across her face.

The other parents, however, were not as composed. The buzz of murmurs had started early when Kenshi first touched the ball, and now after his dazzling display, those murmurs turned into full conversations.

"Did you see that? He went through those defenders like they weren't even there!" one parent gasped; eyes wide in disbelief.

Another parent shook his head, incredulous. "I thought he was too young to keep up with these boys, but... look at him go. He's already playing like one of the best out there."

Ayane overheard snippets of their conversations but remained focused on Kenshi. She could see the excitement on his face, and it made her heart race with both pride and slight anxiety. She knew Kenshi had immense potential but seeing him put it on display like this in front of scouts, coaches, and competitive parents gave the moment a gravity she hadn't expected.

"Your son's quite the prodigy," a mother beside her said with a kind smile, though there was a hint of competitiveness in her eyes.

Ayane nodded graciously. "He's always been a fast learner. I didn't expect him to fit in so quickly."

The father of one of the blue team's players crossed his arms, trying to mask his surprise. "If that's him 'fitting in,' I'd hate to see what happens when he's comfortable."

Ayane chuckled softly at the comment, though she knew her son wasn't one to get comfortable. She had seen that glint in his eye earlier this morning—the one that meant he was hungry for more, never satisfied with his last move, always looking to push himself harder.

Kira, who had been watching the entire play unfold, threw his hands in the air with excitement. "No way, that was insane!" he yelled, running up to Kenshi. They leaped into the air, colliding in a mid-air celebration, their grins infectious.

"Hey dude, I'm Kira," he said, still catching his breath, his eyes bright with excitement. "We've got to do more passes like that, man! You're the first guy to catch one of my passes like that!" Kira's voice was full of energy, his admiration for Kenshi's skill clear.

Kenshi laughed, his own excitement bubbling over. "Yeah, I'm Kenshi! That pass was totally awesome! Let's keep messing around with those plays!" He fist-bumped Kira, the two of them already forming a bond on the field.

As they jogged back to their positions, Kenshi felt a rush of adrenaline. The match had only just begun, but he knew that this was just the start of something big—not just for him, but for the team as well. Kira's unique talent and Kenshi's raw ability were already proving to be a dangerous combination, and Kenshi couldn't wait to see how far they could push each other.

Back on the field, after Kenshi's celebration with Kira, the other players on both teams couldn't hide their mixed reactions. Some of the older kids on the blue team gritted their teeth, clearly frustrated. They were used to being the stars of these matches, and now a younger player—someone who wasn't even supposed to be a challenge—had just made them look amateur.

One of the boys on the blue team muttered, "Who even is this kid? He's barely taller than my little brother."

But others, including some of the red team players, watched Kenshi with awe. "Man, he's like a mini pro out there. Did you see the way he handled those defenders?"

The red team's coach, standing by the sideline, raised an eyebrow, clearly impressed. He leaned over to Raiden, whispering, "This kid... he's already got Class S potential, doesn't he?"

Raiden smirked knowingly. "I told you, this one's special. We just need to see how he performs throughout the match, but I think he's about to turn some heads."

Ayane, now sensing the ripple effect Kenshi's goal had on the entire game, stood straighter, her pride swelling even more. This was the beginning, she realized Kenshi was starting to show the world what she always knew he had in him.

But as excited as she was, she couldn't help but notice some of the parents watching Kenshi with competitive eyes. Some whispered to each other, clearly wondering how their own kids would measure up. It was only natural; parents always wanted the best for their children.

Still, Ayane felt a deep sense of certainty. Whatever came next, Kenshi would face it head-on—and she would be right there with him, supporting his every move.

[]

The blue team regained possession, and it was their turn to push forward. Two notable strikers led the charge—Ryu Takeda and Haruto Sakamoto. Though they had never played together before, they quickly adapted to each other's playstyle, relying on strong fundamentals to build their attack.

Ryu, a stocky player with explosive power, initiated the assault, passing the ball to Haruto, a lean, quick-footed forward known for his sharp decision-making. They began executing rapid 1-2 passes, smoothly cutting through the red team's midfield. Despite their limited chemistry, the two strikers showcased impressive coordination, moving in perfect sync as they advanced toward the penalty box.

Ayane, along with the other parents, watched anxiously from the sidelines, the tension thick in the air. The red team's defenders scrambled to regain their shape, but Ryu had no intention of slowing down. He pulled the ball back with his foot, glancing up just once at the goal, then launched a stunning, high curving shot from nearly 40 meters out.

The ball soared through the air, its trajectory seeming impossible. Kenshi's team, along with the crowd, watched in disbelief as the ball whipped toward the top-left corner of the goal. The goalkeeper leaped desperately, but it was too late—the ball struck the net with a sharp thud.

Goal.

The parents erupted in cheers and gasps of amazement. Even Ayane, who had been so focused on Kenshi, felt her jaw drop slightly in surprise. She hadn't expected the blue team to pull off such an extraordinary shot from such a distance, especially at this level of play. The whole field seemed to buzz with shock and excitement, as even some of the red team players felt momentarily stunned.

"Wow... did you see that?!" one of the parents exclaimed.

"That kid's got some serious range," another remarked, shaking his head in disbelief.

Ayane's hands tightened slightly, her pride in Kenshi unwavering, but she was also keenly aware of the level of competition that was unfolding. These kids weren't just playing around—they were showcasing talent beyond their years. But despite the shock of the goal, Ayane's gaze shifted back to Kenshi, curious about how he would react.

On the field, Kenshi watched the entire sequence play out with calm, unwavering focus. Ryu's strike had been incredible, there was no denying that, but there was something in Kenshi's eyes—a glimmer of confidence, almost as if he had expected this.

As his teammates started to exchange nervous glances, Kenshi stood tall amidst the rising tension. A small smile crept across his face, not of arrogance, but of recognition. He knew, deep down, that what Ryu had done wasn't anything special. It was impressive, sure—but it wasn't out of reach. Kenshi instinctively understood that if he needed to, he could pull off something like that as well, maybe even something greater.

"Don't worry, guys, it's just one goal," Kenshi said with a calm reassurance, breaking the silence that had briefly taken hold of his team. His voice was steady, as if the pressure of the moment hadn't affected him at all.

His teammates looked at him, unsure at first, but Kenshi's confidence was infectious. Slowly, the tension began to fade, and the team refocused.

Kira jogged over, a determined look in his eyes. "He got lucky with that shot," he muttered, glancing at Kenshi. "But we'll show them what we can do."

Kenshi nodded, his smile widening. "Yeah, let's make them regret it."