EP 003: The Mysterious Coach, Zhao Jinyun

...

The morning sun crawled over the horizon, its amber light bleeding across the red clay tiles of the Kogarashi Mansion. The air in Tokyo was crisp and carried the faint scent of rain and asphalt, a sharp contrast to the salty breeze of Inakuni. Inside the quiet halls of the manor, the peace was abruptly shattered by a rhythmic, mechanical chirping.

*Beep... Beep... Beep...*

A tan hand shot out from beneath a thick futon, fumbling blindly before slamming the button on an Eleven Band. 

"Gao! Wake up, M-A-N-S-A-K-U-kun!" 

Hiyori was hanging upside down from the top bunk like a particularly energetic bat, his hair dangling toward the floor. He dropped onto the mattress with a soft *thud* and began to spin in place, a dizzying blur of pajamas and giggles. "Hehehehe! Morning! Morning!"

Mansaku let out a long, pained groan, his eyes fluttering open as he stared at his teammate’s spinning form. "Ugh... Gao-san... give it a rest. It’s barely dawn."

In the opposite corner of the room, the chaotic energy hadn't reached everyone. Hanta was still deep in the Land of Nod, her arms wrapped tightly around a plush green frog pillow. 

Golem stood over her bed, his massive frame casting a gentle shadow. He shakes her a little, his voice a soft rumble. "It’s morning, Han-chan. Wakey-wakey~"

Hanta’s eyes squeezed shut tighter for a second before she rubbed them with a tired fist. "Morning..." she muttered, her voice thick with sleep.

Across the hall, Hiro sat up with clinical precision. He reached for his nightstand, slid his glasses onto the bridge of his nose, and adjusted them until the world came into focus. He let out a long, civilized yawn. "Good morning, everyone."

"Morning." Both Golem and Hanta answer.

Downstairs, the common area was already beginning to hum. Norika sat cross-legged on the group, her back straight as she went through a series of morning stretches. Her tablet rested on the floor in front of her. Suddenly, it chimed. 

A notification popped up: a photo of her mother, holding up a fresh catch and flashed a bright peace sign. The caption read: 

> "Good PRAWNing! The fishes say hello~"

Norika let out a soft giggle, her eyes crinkling. "Good morning, Mom," she whispered, typing back a quick heart emoji. 

One by one, the rest of the team filtered into the room. Despite the white bandages crisscrossing their arms and the gauze patches on their faces from the Seishou match, the atmosphere wasn't heavy. If anything, they looked lighter than they had since leaving the island.

Hiura and Kozoumaru entered first. Hiura walked straight to the window, sliding it open to let the cool breeze swirl through the room. "Good morning, Asuto," he said, turning with a calm smile.

Asuto shuffled in behind them. He looked like he’d been through a blender. His signature hair was a bird's nest of tangles, and the bags under his eyes were so heavy they looked like bruises. 

"You know that the night was made so we can sleep, right?" Hiura teased.

Asuto blinked slowly, looking like he was processing the words in slow motion. "Oh... morning..." He let out a jaw-cracking yawn. "I couldn't sleep. Too much to think about. The game, the sponsorship... the fact that we’re still here."

Ms. Yone bustled out of the kitchen, wiping her hands on her apron. She took one look at Asuto and clucked her tongue. "Then you should go back to bed, sweetie. You’ve got to be at one hundred percent for today, you know."

"You heard the boss, Asuto," Hiura grinned, leaning against the window frame.

"I'll be fine, Ms. Yone," Asuto insisted, rubbing his eyes until he saw stars. "I’m too pumped up. If I lay down now, my heart will just keep racing."

"Alright then," Ms. Yone smiled warmly, her eyes twinkling. "Just make sure you eat well. A full stomach makes for a brave heart."

"Yes Ms. Yone." Asuto nods and sits at the table, staring up at the ceiling with a dazed, happy expression. "A brand new day... gotta make it count. Work extra hard!" He pumped a fist feebly, his determination outstripping his physical energy.

He turns back seeing Kozoumaru sitting next to him. "Oh, morning Kozoumaru."

Kozoumaru sat a few seats away, staring out the window with his usual grumpy silence. "Yeah... morning," he muttered when Asuto greeted him.

The silence was broken by the heavy thud of feet on the stairs. Goujin marched down, a phone pressed hard against his ear. "No, Pops! Don't do a backflip! They’re just toying with ya!" He hissed into the receiver, his face turning a shade of frustrated red. "Listen to me! It’s me, Goujin! Please, for the love of God, drink less!"

Asuto and Hiura stared at each for a sec then they stared back at Goujin.

Michinari followed him down, a towel draped over his damp hair. He looked refreshed, a stark contrast to his frazzled forward. "Good morning!"

Suddenly, the front door swung open with a dramatic *BANG*. Ootani stood in the doorway, her arms flung wide as if she were embracing the entire building. 

"Gooood morning, Captain! Good morning, everyone!"

"Ootani-chan." Hiura waved.

"Starting with a dramatic entrance as usual, Ms. Ootani," Michinari chuckled.

"Yep!" Ootani marched into the room, her eyes scanning the boys. "Look at all of you! You guys look reborn! I’m so glad I don't have to drag you around acting like zombies anymore!" She let out a long, exaggerated sigh of relief.

Michinari looked at his team, his family. "That’s Inakuni for you," he said softly. "It doesn't matter what happens. We’ll always come back. Reborn like a phoenix."

The smell of steaming rice and grilled fish filled the room as the team scrambled for their seats. 

"You look bad, Asuto," Norika said, leaning in with a worried frown. "Did something happen?"

"Asuto-chan, did you fall out of bed?" Golem asked, peering over his shoulder.

"I'm okay, really!" Asuto laughed, though it ended in another yawn. "I just... the thought of playing again. It’s like a dream I don't want to wake up from."

"I barely slept too," Hiro admitted, polishing his glasses. "The statistical probability of our survival was low, and yet... here we are. It’s worth thinking about."

"Just knowing we’ll be playing against the best in the country," Hanta added, her voice a mix of nerves and excitement. "It’s overwhelming. But we’re going to do it!"

"Well said, Han-chan!" Norika cheered.

"Let's give our best to bring football back to the island," Michinari declared, his voice ringing with authority.

"Yeah!" the team shouted in unison, their voices shaking the walls of the old manor.

Goujin, still on the phone, didn't break character. "Urgh, Pops... of course Fire Lemonado is a thing! It’s the most powerful hissatsu ever created! You said it yourself, right? Then just believe! It doesn't matter if those folks laugh at you!"

The team stared at each other, sharing a calm knowing smile.

Mansaku finally walked down, adjusting his trademark cap. "Yo."

"Good morning!" they all chimed back.

Ms. Yone stood at the head of the table, looking like a proud commander. "Is everyone here?"

Michinari did a quick head-count. "Asuto, Mansaku, Golem, Gao-san, Norika, Hiro, Han-chan, Kozoumaru, Goujin, Ms. Ootani, Hiura, and me. All present and accounted for!"

"Wonderful! Hiura-san, help me with the trays?" Ms. Yone asked. "And Mansaku-san, we’re out of juice. The market is just down the street. Could you run and grab some?"

"My pleasure." Hiura stands up and follows Ms. Yone.

"Sure thing." Mansaku nodded, turning back toward the door.

As the team dug into their traditional breakfast of miso soup, grilled salmon, and crisp veggies, Mansaku walked through the quiet streets of Tokyo. He adjusted his cap, his eyes scanning the unfamiliar storefronts. 

He didn't notice the figure slipping out of a narrow alleyway behind him. 

The stranger kept a careful distance, blending into the morning shadows. Mansaku stopped at the market, grabbed a few cartons of juice, and stepped back out. As he turned a corner, he caught a glimpse of a silhouette in the reflection of a shop window. He paused, looking back over his shoulder. The figure immediately turned away, pretending to examine a vending machine. 

Mansaku shook his head, a frown touching his lips. *City jitters,* he thought, and picked up his pace.

The mysterious figure sighed as Mansaku disappeared around a bend. He pulled out a phone and dialed a number. "It’s him. What now?" 

A pause.

"No, I’ve been spotted," the man whispered, his voice tense. "I can't get any closer without making a scene." He listened for a moment longer before nodding. "Whatever. I hope it works." He hung up and slipped back into the alley.

Mansaku burst back into the Kogarashi Mansion, holding the plastic bag aloft. 

"Alright, guys! Who wants some Tokyo juice?" He says with a smile.

"Gao! H-i-y-o-r-i wants juice!" Hiyori shouted, reaching as high as he could.

"Take a seat, Mansaku," Hiura laughed. "If you don't hurry, Golem is going to finish the salmon."

"Wow, it must be good then!" Mansaku handed the bag to Ms. Yone and slid into his spot.

Asuto took a massive, steaming bite of fish, his eyes widening. "Wow... Tokyo food is actually amazing..."

"Of course it is!" Ms. Yone beamed. "That’s my homemade cooking you're eating."

"Gao! Good food makes Hiyori happy!" Hiyori smiles with his mouth stuffed.

The room was filled with the sound of clinking chopsticks, laughter, and the shared warmth of a team that had survived the impossible. Asuto looked around the table at his friends, his exhaustion fading behind a bright, wide smile. 

Everything was finally starting to feel normal again.

...

The midday sun beat down on the iconic Raimon junior high pitch, turning the emerald turf into a stage of shimmering heat. The air was filled with the rhythmic *thud-thud-thud* of soccer balls and the sharp, melodic chirping of cicadas in the surrounding trees.

Ootani stood on the sidelines, her clipboard hugged tightly to her chest, her eyes wide with a mix of awe and analytical frenzy. "Wow..." she whispered, her ponytails twitching. "So this is how the Island really plays... it’s like they have a secret language on the field."

"Goujin!" Asuto shouted, his voice cutting through the humid air. He sent a crisp, low-spinning pass toward the striker.

"Yeah! Leave it to me!" Goujin roared, his face drenched in sweat and his eyes bulging with effort. He stepped forward, ready to claim the ball and ignite an attack.

"Move up guys! Everyone on the defense!" Michinari commanded, his captain’s instincts flare.

In a blur of yellow jerseys, Hiro and Michinari closed the distance, flanking Goujin and effectively cutting off his passing lanes. Goujin’s cleats skidded on the turf as he tried to pivot. "Urgh..." he hissed, his eyes darting left and right like a trapped animal.

Across the pitch, Kozoumaru watched the exchange with a look of pure, icy disdain. He didn't move to help, he simply sprinted forward, waiting for the ball. 

Despite the high morale, the technical gap was showing. Goujin, in his desperate haste to prove himself, swung his leg for a pass. Instead of a clean strike, his boot caught the top of the ball. It sputtered away, rolling aimlessly toward the sidelines.

Goujin doubled over, hands on his knees, gasping for air. "Urgh... I almost had it... just a bit more 'fire' in the kick..."

"The next one is yours, Goujin-sama! Cheer up!" Hiro called out, offering a polite, encouraging nod before jogging back into formation.

"Yeah! You bet!" Goujin forced a smile, wiping sweat from his forehead with the back of his hand. He turned to Kozoumaru, who was still staring him down. "Sorry about that, man! We'll totally nail the next one!"

Kozoumaru let out a sharp, dismissive hiss. "We're not here for fun, so stop fooling around. Your 'miracle' won't last if you keep playing like a clumsy amateur."

Goujin’s face flushed a deep crimson. "Hey, what do you mean? I am playing seriously! My soul is on fire, you brat!"

"Hey guys, let's get back to training alright?" Norika shouted from the goal, her voice stern but worried. She could feel the friction between the two strikers threatening to boil over. 

"Tsk..." Goujin turned his back, muttering under his breath as he stomped back to the center circle.

"These two..." Hanta sighed, sharing a look with Golem. "Let's go back to our positions, Golem! We can't let them outwork us!"

"Ok!" Golem nodded, his massive shadow looming over the midfield as he lumbered back.

"Cheer up guys!" Asuto shouted, his characteristic optimism radiating like a second sun. "Let's keep going, alright? The ball is still round."

"Yeah!" the team answered in unison, the tension momentarily breaking under Asuto’s light.

"Switch Teams!" Michinari barked.

Asuto took a deep breath, his lungs burning. The pace was grueling, but he felt a strange, humming clarity. *Focus... everything starts with the next touch.*

Ootani blew the whistle, a sharp, piercing *tweet!* and the world went into motion again.

Asuto claimed the ball immediately, his feet moving in a blur of practiced agility. Hanta and Hiyori were on him in a heartbeat, shadowing his every move. Hiyori suddenly darted in front, his eyes wide and playful. "Gao!"

"Feeling confident today, huh, Gao-san!" Asuto smirked. He executed a lightning-fast step-over, feinting right before dragging the ball left.

Hiyori didn't bite. He mirrored the movement with predatory grace, his center of gravity low. "Nice try! Gao!"

"Aaaaaiyaaaa!" Hanta screamed, throwing herself into a sliding tackle from the flank, her eyes locked on the leather.

Asuto’s reflexes kicked in. He flicked the ball to the right, a micro-adjustment that sent Hanta sliding past him on the grass. But the moment he cleared her, Hiyori was there again, and Hanta was already scrambling back up. 

"A-s-u-t-o-chan is covered! Gao!" Hiyori smiled, his teeth bared in a friendly but competitive grin.

"Got you, Asuto!" Hanta added, her breathing heavy but her positioning perfect. "Right into our trap!"

"Cool!" Asuto’s smile widened, his eyes sparkling. "But did Hiura fall into your trap too?" With a blind flick of his heel, Asuto sent the ball whistling backward.

Hiura exploded into the space behind them, catching the pass in full stride. "See you guys on the other side!" he laughed, leaving the stunned duo in his wake.

"Gah! Asuto-chan is always two steps ahead!" Hanta hissed, frustrated but impressed.

"Gao! Gaoooo!" Hiyori didn't hesitate, he pivoted on a dime and chased after Hiura with the tenacity of a hunting hound.

"Let's go guys! Move up!" Michinari shouted, the team shifting like a single, breathing organism.

"Ehehehe." Asuto gave a small, smug grin and sprinted to support Hiura.

Golem stood like an ancient monolith at the edge of the box. His eyes were narrowed, tracking the ball's trajectory with surprising focus. 

"Here it goes!" Hiura let fly a powerful, curling long-shot.

"Never!" Golem roared. He met the ball with his chest, the impact sounding like a drum, and sent it spiraling away.

Asuto was there. He caught the rebound on the volley, striking it with every ounce of his determination. "Take this!"

"Not a chance!" Hiro slid in, his glasses reflecting the sun as he deflected the shot with a clinical block. 

The ball bounced toward Mansaku, who controlled it with a deft touch. "You guys did enough already, it's time to strike back!" He took off, his speed turning him into a yellow streak across the grass.

"Let's go!" Hiro shouted, pushing forward alongside Michinari.

"Nice defense, Golem!" Hiura called out, flashing a quick thumbs-up.

"Ehehe." Golem blushed a faint pink, scratching the back of his head with a bashful smile.

"Nice one, Golem, but next time we are going to get you guys! Just wait!" Asuto shouted, already retreating to help the defense.

Mansaku and Michinari wove through the midfield, their passing lanes tight and their chemistry undeniable. Norika slammed her gloved fists together, the sound echoing through the goal area. "Bring it on, guys! I'm ready!"

"Captain! Shoot!" Mansaku centered the ball perfectly. 

Michinari wound up, his body coiling for a massive strike. "On it!"

Norika’s eyes narrowed. She saw Michinari’s foot swing, but then, the air changed. Michinari’s foot whistled through the air in a feint, and Mansaku appeared from behind him, striking the ball with a guttural roar. "Ghrrah!"

"Got it!" Norika didn't even think. She dived to the right, her body parallel to the ground, and snatched the ball out of the air, slamming into the turf with a satisfied *thump*. She rolled and came up grinning. "Heh... nice try!"

"Argh, you caught the trick already!" Mansaku laughed, though his eyes were full of competitive fire.

"Not bad, Norika-san. The next one is going in!" Michinari promised.

"This one is yours, Kozoumaru-san!" Norika shouted, punting the ball deep into the midfield. "You guys gotta deal with him now, Tee-hee~"

Kozoumaru intercepted the punt with effortless grace. Goujin lunged for the ball, but Kozoumaru did a simple drag-back, letting Goujin’s momentum carry him harmlessly past.

"Hey! Let some ball for the rest of us too!" Goujin complained, turning back to chase.

Hiyori reached Kozoumaru next, his savage energy at maximum. Kozoumaru’s expression didn't change. He performed a series of rapid-fire step-overs that left Hiyori dizzy.

"K-o-z-o-u-m-a-r-u-san is covered! Gao not gonna let pass!" Hiyori shouted, sticking to him like glue.

"Is that so?" Kozoumaru’s voice was a whisper. "Then where is the ball?"

"Gao?" Hiyori looked down. The space between Kozoumaru’s feet was empty. 

Kozoumaru was already five yards ahead, the ball rolling perfectly in front of him. He had flicked it through Hiyori’s legs while the smaller boy was looking at his face. "Tsk..."

"Gah! Gao!?" Hiyori’s eyes went wide, spinning in a circle to find his opponent.

"Getting past Gao-san this easily? Kozoumaru-san is really on another level," Hiro noted, adjusting his glasses as he prepared to step up.

Kozoumaru was a ghost on the pitch. He bypassed the defense with footwork that was as efficient as it was beautiful. 

"Heads up guys! Give it your best!" Michinari yelled.

"Yeah!" 

"Fire...." Kozoumaru rose into the air, his leg coiling back, heat seemingly radiating from his form. Norika braced herself, her heart hammering. "Do your worst!"

"Tornado!" Kozoumaru struck, but the ball didn't go toward the goal. It was another feint, a low, powerful pass to the wing.

"Wha- !?" Norika gasped.

"Golem! Ninja Technique: Sky Ninja!" Hanta screamed while jumping up.

"Alright, Han-chan!" Golem feets meet Hanta's, by their ankles with a roar of effort, Golem swungs her like a human catapult, launching her through the air.

"Haaaaah!" Hanta soared over the defenders, her head connecting with Kozoumaru’s pass at the peak of her flight. The ball hammered toward the goal.

"Wow! That was sick!" Ootani screamed from the sidelines. "She just flew like a rocket!"

"Not yet! Take this!" Goujin appeared out of nowhere, diving for a header to redirect the ball.

"This one is mine!" Norika lunged, her fingers closing around the ball just before it crossed the line. She rolled across the grass and stood up, triumphant.

"Ghrrah! I almost got it!" Goujin hissed, clutching his head in mock-agony.

"See what happens when you follow my lead, muscle head?" Kozoumaru crossed his arms, looking away.

"Yeah yeah, whatever!" Goujin pouted, though he couldn't hide a small grin.

"Nice shoot, Kozoumaru-san! You almost got me." Norika panted, wiping sweat from her eyes.

Asuto watched his teammates, his chest heaving with exertion. They were miles away from the island, playing in a stadium of giants, but the soul of their football, the laughter, the grit, and the bond was still exactly the same.

High above the pitch, a group of girls stood there, judging. At their center was Anna, her blue eyes cold and unreadable.

"Look at them," one of the girls sneered, her voice dripping with privilege. "They think they already own the place just because they can run in circles."

"I heard they got a sponsor even though they lost their first match," another added, flicking her hair. "It’s pathetic. Who gives money to losers?"

"How dare those hicks call themselves the 'Raimon Eleven,'" a third girl scoffed. "It’s an insult to the history of this school. It’s like calling pickled vegetables a fine confectionary."

The girls giggled behind their hands, their sharp insults echoing in the field.

Anna remained silent. Her gaze was locked on Asuto and the team.

Something about the way they moved, the pure, unfiltered joy they radiated despite the bandages and the crushing loss they had suffered made her chest tighten in a way she couldn't explain. Her eyes sparkled with a flicker of something that wasn't disdain, but she quickly masked it.

"Anna-san?" one of the girls asked, noticing her silence. "Is there something wrong? Do they bother you that much?"

Anna’s jaw tightened. "Silence..." she hissed, the word cutting through their laughter like a knife. Without another word, she turned on her heel and walked away, her footsteps clicking sharply against the stone.

The girls exchanged bewildered looks, the laughter dying in their throats as they followed her.

The morning clouds draped the Raimon pitch in a heavy, molten gold, casting long, dramatic shadows from the goalposts across the churned turf. The air was thick with the scent of crushed clover and the sharp, metallic tang of sweat. The Inakuni players were scattered across the grass like fallen leaves, their chests heaving in a ragged, collective rhythm that spoke of a day well spent under the punishing gaze of the sun. 

"Alright, here you have guys! Cold water and towels!" 

Ootani practically floated toward them, balancing a crate of condensation-beaded bottles and a stack of fluffy white towels. Her ponytails bounced with every step, and her face was flushed with a secondary glow of pride. 

"Here!" she chirped, handing a bottle to Hiura.

"Thanks!" Hiura accepted it with a weary but grateful smile, his fingers immediately slick with the melting frost on the plastic.

"Thank you, Ootani-chan," Norika added. She took a bottle and pressed the cold plastic against her flushed cheek, closing her eyes as a sigh of relief escaped her. "I think my lungs actually caught fire for a second there. That last sprint felt like running through a furnace."

"You guys were so cool!" Ootani chirped, her voice skipping with excitement. She clapped her hands together, looking at the bruised and grass-stained team as if they were gilded statues from a legend. "I was watching from the sidelines and honestly, I forgot to breathe for a second! Seriously, you guys were incredible! Seeing those passes, the way you move together... it’s like watching a dance! Did you guys always play with this much soul back on the island?"

"Gao! Soul and stomach!" Hiyori chirped. He was sitting cross-legged on the grass, attempting the impossible feat of balancing a full water bottle on top of his head. He wiggled his ears, giggling when the bottle teetered dangerously. "Hehehe! If heart full, the feet is fast!"

"It was just... what we did," Hiura added, wiping his brow with a slow, rhythmic motion of his forearm. "The field was our world back home. But being here, on this grass, in this stadium... it feels like the volume of our football has been turned up to the max."

Norika laughed softly, the sound bubbling with a newfound warmth that hadn't been there when they first arrived in Tokyo. "Back home, we didn't have fancy turf like this. We played on the dirt and the sand until the tide came in and chased us off. But yeah... I think we’re finally finding that rhythm again."

"Heh, right?" Goujin grunted. He didn't bother with small sips, he poured half a bottle of water directly over his head, the liquid spraying everywhere as he shook his hair out like a dog. He let out a loud, sputtering roar of refreshment. "I feel so much better now!"

Golem was currently lying flat on his back, his massive frame taking up a significant portion of the sideline. He stared at the deepening blue of the sky. "I just want... to take a nap. What a busy day today was," he rumbled, his voice vibrating through the ground and into the soles of the others' feet.

Hanta sat cross-legged next to him, wiping a smudge of dirt from her cheek with a corner of her towel. "We really did pull it together today. The way we handled that three-man press? We’re ready for whoever they throw at us next! I feel like I could outrun a bus right now!"

Michinari, the captain, nodded and allowed himself a rare, relaxed smile. "I feel a lot of improvement during these days. Coach’s methods are really very effective, even if I don't always understand them at first."

Asuto nodded, looking up at the first few stars beginning to pierce the orange haze. "They really are working. I feel lighter on my feet. Like the ball and I are finally starting to speak the same language again."

"Still very unconventional, hehe." Hiura smiled, thinking of the weird drills involving heavy tires and rhythmic snapping.

Hiro adjusted his glasses, which had fogged up from the radiant heat of his own face. He wiped them carefully on a dry section of his towel. "Yeah, Coach's training methods are better than expected... even if they lack a certain... linear logic. The tactical synergy was up by at least 15% today since we arrived, and it keeps rising. We just need to keep the rhythm. We are reaching a peak."

"You said it!" Goujin ripped the towel off his face, his eyes blazing with a sudden, intense fire. "I can feel it! My heart is vibrating through my soul! It’s almost ready to explode! I can't wait for our next game! Let's get back out there and show Tokyo what a real hurricane looks like!"

"Me too!" Hanta cheered, leaning back against Golem’s broad shoulder. "I’m so fired up I could play another three games right now! Hey, Ootani-chan, when is the next match? Who are we crushing next? Is it tomorrow? Monday? Give us the news!"

"Hm, that's a great question." Hiro adjusted his glasses, mentally preparing a scouting report.

"It should be in a week or so, right?" Golem asked, peering over his belly.

"Maybe in a few days!" Goujin added, already shadow-kicking the air.

Norika nodded confidently. "Makes sense. After all, the tournament just started, and the pace is usually pretty fast in the preliminaries."

The whole team leaned in, eyes sparking with the hunger of a group that had tasted the bitterness of defeat against Seishou and was now desperate for the sweetness of redemption.

Ootani tapped her chin, looking at her digital schedule with a bright, innocent smile. "Oh! Well, based on the current block brackets and the sponsorship paperwork... the next official match should be in about a month or so! I don't really know for sure, but the schedule looks pretty empty until then!"

The silence that followed was absolute. A cricket chirped somewhere in the distance.

"EH!?!?!"

"Hm?" Ootani blinked, tilting her head as she looked at the circle of horrified faces.

"A MONTH!?" Goujin shrieked, jumping to his feet so fast he almost tripped over Golem’s legs. "You’ve got to be kidding me! I can't wait a month! My heat will go out! I’ll turn into a human popsicle by then!"

Asuto went quiet, staring at his boots. A month of "nothingness" was a terrifying prospect for someone who lived and breathed for the next whistle. "Weird..." he whispered to himself.

"A whole month of just... standing around?" Hanta complained, her shoulders slumping. "We finally get our momentum back, we finally feel like the Raimon Eleven, and now we have to freeze-frame?"

"Really?" Hiro’s eyebrows shot up. "In a month, the physical condition of our opponents will have shifted entirely. They'll be training, evolving... and we might just be stagnating."

"We don't even have a program for one month! Coach just gave us one for, like, just a week!" Goujin shouted, waving his arms at the sky.

"Are we going to just stay here and do nothing!?" Hanta gasped, looking at Michinari for an answer.

Michinari held up his hands, palms out, trying to act as the dampener for the team's sudden volatility. "Everyone, calm down. Look at the bright side. A month gives us more time to perfect strategies. We can polish our skills until they're almost perfect. It’s a gift of time, after all. We can't rush the tournament organizers."

"It’s a gift with a lot of dust on it, Captain," Mansaku grunted, adjusting his cap to shield his eyes from the setting sun. He didn't seem angry, just restless, tapping his foot against the grass. "Waiting around makes you stiff. We’re finally clicking. If we stop now, we might lose that spark that makes us 'us.'"

Asuto sighed, looking up at the sky. "Well... I get what you're saying, Captain... but I agree with the others." He paused, his gaze turning serious. "We're like a bonfire right now. If we don't keep adding wood, the fire just goes out. After that game with Seishou, we need experience. We need to feel the pressure of a real opponent, even if it's just for fun. On the island, we played the locals or each other constantly, and that's how we improved. Standing still is the same as moving backward."

Norika nodded in agreement. "Asuto's right. We need a challenge now, or we may get very rusty later on. I don't want to lose the feeling of the ball in my hands."

"Hmm..." Ootani hummed, thinking deeply.

In the far corner of the field, the silence was punctuated by a sharp *thud-crack*. Kozoumaru hadn't even looked toward the group. He was systematically slamming balls into the corner of the net, his face a mask of stoic, solitary intensity.

"Figure it out yourselves," Kozoumaru muttered, his voice cold and flat as he fetched his ball. "I’m not wasting my breath on a month of talking. I’m training."

"Tsk. See? Even the brooding guy is bored!" Goujin pointed an accusing finger at Kozoumaru’s back.

Mansaku let out a long, slow breath. "Alright then, any ideas? We can't exactly barge into Seishou and demand a rematch."

Everyone looked at each other, scratching their heads. They had plenty of complaints, but not many solutions. 

Ootani watched them, her finger pressed to her lip. "Hmm... you guys really want to play that badly, huh?" Suddenly, her eyes lit up with a brilliant, slightly mischievous spark. "Oh! I almost forgot! Tomorrow is the day the Inazuma Kids F.C. are coming for their scheduled visit!"

"Inazuma... Kids?" Asuto blinked, tilting his head like a confused puppy.

Norika asked, "Who are they? Some kind of fan club?"

"They used to be called the Raimon Kids F.C.!" Ootani explained, her hands moving excitedly. "They’re the official Junior Team of Raimon! They might sound small and adorable, but don't let that fool you, they are fierce! They’re incredibly professional. They've won at least two regional championships, and they’ve made it to the semi-finals almost every year in their division. They’ve been part of the Raimon legacy since the original Inazuma Eleven days. They look up to the senior team as their role models!"

"Role models, huh?" Hiura smiled, looking genuinely impressed. "A junior team with that much history... they must have some incredible potential. Their fundamentals must be rock-solid."

"Professional kids..." Norika mused. "That sounds interesting. It’d be nice to meet the next generation and see how they play."

"Small but fierce..." Golem whispered, looking slightly intimidated by his own size. "I don't want to step on them by accident. Do they have pads?"

"Gao! I-n-a-z-u-m-a Cubs are strong! Like little lions!" Hiyori hopped onto Golem’s back, looking thrilled.

"Junior team, huh?" Hiro murmured, his brain already crunching numbers. "If they’ve been around that long, their tactical discipline might be superior to some high school teams."

"They sound like they have a lot of potential," Michinari noted, rubbing his chin. "It’ll be good to meet them. It’s important to see the future of the school while we are here. It reminds us of why we’re carrying this name."

"We would be happy to spend some time with them, Ootani-chan," Michinari said, looking back at her. "But how does a meet-and-greet help us with our 'waiting for a month' problem?"

Ootani beamed, her smile wide and seemingly innocent. "Well, I was thinking... since you guys are so bored and they’re so eager to play literally anyone and I mean *anyone*, I might be able to arrange a friendly game between the Raimon Island and the Inazuma Kids F.C.!"

The entire team froze. The wind seemed to stop blowing.

"EH!?!??!"

The roar was so loud it startled the birds from the stadium rafters. Even Kozoumaru’s ball rolled to a stop as he glanced over his shoulder at the commotion.

Ootani blinked, her head tilting to the side in genuine, puzzled confusion. "Why is everyone making those faces? Is something wrong?"

...

The Inazuma Riverbank was calm, caught in the gentle eddy of the water and the swaying of the tall, emerald grass that lined the slopes. It was the golden hour, and the sun hung like a heavy, ripened peach above the horizon, casting a long, amber glow over the brick paths and the shimmering surface of the river. Families were scattered across the grassy banks, elderly couples sat on the weathered wooden benches, sharing quiet conversations while watching the ripples, and joggers passed by with the rhythmic *thud-thud* of sneakers against the pavement. In the distance, the faint, melodic rumble of a train crossing the bridge added a heartbeat to the otherwise tranquil scene.

Unfortunately for the Inakuni team, the cozy atmosphere was anything but relaxing.

They stood in a rigid, slightly crooked line near the concrete stairs leading down to the lower pitch. To any passerby, they looked like a disciplined squad of athletes, but a closer look revealed a collective aura of sheer, unadulterated panic. They were dressed in their yellow and blue kits, the fabric still smelling faintly of the laundry detergent from the Kogarashi Mansion, but their postures were stiff, their faces pale under the fading sunlight.

The weight of the "Raimon" name had never felt heavier. 

*Gurgle... Groan...*

A sound like a sinking ship echoed from the middle of the line. Golem suddenly doubled over, his massive hands clutching his stomach as his face turned a peculiar shade of seafoam green. His knees knocked together, sending small tremors through the grass.

"Ugh... my stomach feels like it’s full of angry eels," Golem whimpered, his voice trembling. "What if they expect me to give a speech? What if I trip and flatten one of them? I’m too big to be an inspiration, I’m just... a landmark!"

Hanta, standing right next to him, let out a sharp, jagged hiss of air. She was practically vibrating in place, her fingers twitching at her sides as she adjusted her position for the tenth time in a minute. "Control yourself, Golem! You're making the ground shake, and you're making me even more nervous!" She wiped a bead of cold sweat from her forehead. "I’ve never been a 'role model' before. We haven't even won a game yet! We’re basically frauds in fancy jerseys. What if they ask for our autographs and the pens run out of ink? Or what if they see right through us?"

"I've calculated the probability of us being exposed as 'inadequate' by a group of ten-year-olds," Hiro whispered, frantically adjusting his glasses. He said staring intently at a leaf on the ground as if it held the secrets to the universe. "It’s currently hovering at 74%. If we don't look like we know what we're doing, the psychological fallout could be catastrophic for their development. And mine."

Hiura stood with his arms crossed, his expression calm, but the way he was constantly smoothing out the invisible wrinkles on his sleeves betrayed his internal state. "It’s the title," he murmured, his voice low. "Being the Raimon Eleven means we're stepping into shoes that were worn by legends. I think we all know that. Now they’re coming to see us... and all we have is a loss and a few bandages."

Hiyori was doing a strange, slow-motion stretch, his eyes darting around the riverbank. "Gao... scary..."

"Calm down Gao-san." Mansaku leaned back slightly, his cap pulled low, though his eyes were darting toward the distant bridge every few seconds. "Just breathe, guys. They're just kids. They probably just want to run around and kick a ball. We don't need to be gods. we just need to not fall over our own feet." He shifted his weight, his cleat digging a small hole into the turf a nervous habit he wouldn't admit to.

Asuto let out a long, slow sigh, closing his eyes for a second. He could feel the frantic energy of his teammates buzzing around him like a swarm of bees. He adjusted his stance, planting his feet firmly and letting the warmth of the sun soak into his shoulders. *It’s just soccer,* he told himself. *The same game we played on the island.* He opened his eyes, the amber light reflecting in his pupils, and managed to steady his breathing. He remained in line, a small, determined anchor in the sea of yellow jerseys.

But the silence was broken by a rhythmic, irritating sound.

*Tap. Tap. Tap-tap-tap.*

Kozoumaru was standing at the end of the line, his arms folded tightly over his chest. His right foot was tapping against the concrete path with the precision and speed of a jackhammer. He wasn't looking at the river, or the people, or his teammates. He was staring at a spot on the horizon with a look of bored, icy intensity.

Goujin, whose nerves had manifested as a hair-trigger temper, finally snapped. He turned his head toward Kozoumaru, his brow furrowing into a jagged line. "Hey! Stop that! You’re making that sound and it’s getting on my nerves! Can't you see we're trying to have a serious moment of professional contemplation here?"

Kozoumaru didn't even turn his head. His gaze remained fixed on the distance, and the tapping didn't slow down. If anything, it got faster. "What's the matter, Goujin?" he asked, his voice dripping with a cool, mocking edge. "Is the big, tough striker afraid of a few elementary schoolers? You're shaking so hard I can hear your teeth rattling from here. You're a total scaredy-cat."

Goujin’s face went from pale to a vibrant, dangerous shade of plum. "WHAT DID YOU CALL ME?! I’m not scared! I’m... I’m vibrating with anticipation! There’s a big difference! And don't talk to me like that, you brooding little brat!" He stepped out of the line, pointing a finger at Kozoumaru, his voice rising to a shout that made a nearby jogger stumble.

"You're loud," Kozoumaru muttered, finally shifting his eyes to Goujin with a look of pure disdain. "Loud and nervous. It’s pathetic. If you can’t handle a group of kids, how are you going to handle a stadium full of people?"

"WHY YOU- !" 

"That is enough!" Norika stepped forward, her voice cutting through Goujin’s roar like a cold snap. She placed a hand on her hip, her expression firm and maternal. "Both of you, cut it off right now already. We are here to represent the school and the island. The Inazuma Kids are going to be here any second, and the last thing they need to see is the team acting like toddlers in the middle of the riverbank. We have to give them a good impression. We have to be professional!"

Goujin huffed, crossing his arms and turning away with a pout that looked ridiculous on a teenager of his size. "Fine. But he started it with his clicking toes."

Kozoumaru simply closed his eyes, his foot finally going still, though the smug smirk remained on his face.

Michinari stepped to the front of the line, nodding toward Norika in silent thanks. He adjusted his captain's armband, his expression softening but remaining focused. "She’s right. Take a breath, everyone. I know we’re all feeling the pressure. We haven't won a game in the tournament yet, and it feels like we're wearing a crown we haven't earned. But look around."

He gestured to the riverbank, where the peaceful life of the city continued unabated. 

"These kids are coming here to see the spirit of the team that took over the Raimon legacy. Despite them being only kids, don't forget what Ootani said, they are mostly skilled players. They’ve won championships. If we treat them like a joke, or if we show them how shaky we are, we fail them and ourselves. Focus. We can do it."

The team fell silent. The bickering stopped, and the nervous fidgeting slowed. Golem took a deep breath, his stomach finally settling. Hiro stopped mumbling and stood a little straighter. Even Goujin managed to uncross his arms and stand at attention.

"Yes, captain!" They shout in unison.

They stood there together, a line of yellow and blue against the backdrop of the golden river. They watched as a small group of figures began to emerge from the shadow of the bridge, a pack of smaller silhouettes, energetic and bright, carrying the future of the game with them. 

The Inakuni players shared one last look. The fear was still there, tucked away in the corners of their minds, but as the first sounds of children’s laughter drifted toward them on the breeze, it was eclipsed by a new, quiet resolve.

The Inazuma Riverbank was bathed in a thick, honey-colored light that seemed to turn the very air into liquid gold. It was that specific hour of the afternoon where the world felt soft and quiet, the grass swaying in a lazy, rhythmic dance to the tune of the gentle wind. On the upper paths, elderly couples moved with slow, practiced steps, and the distant *ding-ding* of a bicycle bell harmonized with the melodic lap of the river against the stones. It was a place of deep, cozy tranquility, but the atmosphere around the Inakuni-Raimon team was as tense as a pulled bowstring.

They stood in a long, somewhat uneven line near the lower practice pitch, their shadows stretching out like giants toward the water. Golem let out a low, vibrating rumble from his stomach, his hands clutching his jersey. He looked down at his trembling knees, his face a ghostly shade of pale.

"Mhm...," he whimpered.

"Hold it Golem..." Hanta sighs, her fingers nervously snapping against her thighs. She was trying to stand perfectly straight, but her eyes were darting around like a cornered bird’s. "We can do it..."

From the top of the concrete stairs, Ootani finally appeared. She was waving enthusiastically, her pigtails bouncing with every step. "We’re here! Everyone, look!" Following her was a small, energetic pack of children, the Inazuma Kids F.C. who were chatting and giggling amongst themselves, their voices high and bright like wind chimes. 

Behind the cluster of children, a woman followed at a slower pace. She was draped in an athletic tracksuit, her expression unreadable but professional as she lugged two heavy-duty medical kits and a massive, steaming thermal box. The girl at the front of the kids' pack, glanced back and noticed the woman’s shoulders dip under the weight. She immediately scampered back, her face full of concern, gesturing toward the heavy box as if offering to take a corner. The woman didn't say anything, she simply paused, offered a soft, tired smile, and gave a gentle, reassuring nod. She waved the girl back toward the group with a flick of her fingers. The girl gave a quick, determined nod and sprinted back to the front just as they reached the grassy level of the pitch.

The woman set the gear down with a muffled *thump* near the benches, rubbing the small of her back and letting out a long, silent breath. She stayed there, a silent observer in the background, her eyes sharp and analytical as she watched the two teams face off.

Ootani approached the Inakuni players, her smile a bit shaky as she took in their rigid postures. "Hey guys... are you all... ready?"

"We are." Michinari nods.

The team shared a quick, silent look, a collective prayer for survival and nodded in unison. "Ok, here we go." Ootani nods and then she turns back, cleaning her throat, stepping toward the kids. "Ehem!"

"Hey little guys, I want you all to meet our new team, they are the Raimon Island! Say hello to them!" she announced, her voice pitching up an octave in her excitement.

The Inakuni players immediately shifted. They had agreed to be an inspiration, to be the polite, powerful mentors these kids deserved.

"Ooooh, you are all so cute!" Norika chirped, stepping forward with her hands clasped to her chest. Her eyes sparkled with a warm, sisterly glow. "Welcome to the pitch, everyone! We are so, so happy to meet the future of Raimon!"

The kids didn't sparkle back. Several of them exchanged a look of slight annoyance, their brows furrowing as if they found her enthusiasm a bit patronizing.

"Uh...?" Norika blinks a little.

Mansaku stepped up next, tipping his cap with a polite, measured nod. "It’s an honor. We’ve heard you guys are the regional champions. That’s a lot of hard work for kids your age. Very impressive."

A boy named Ryuusuke rolled his eyes, kicking a tuft of grass. He didn't look impressed, he looked bored.

Asuto and Mansaku stare at each other for a sec, slightly confused.

Michinari offered a steady, captain’s smile. "We’re really looking forward to seeing your skills today. It’s important for us to see the legacy we’re carrying."

Goujin couldn't help himself. He stepped forward, striking a dramatic pose and pointing a thumb at his chest. "And I'm Goujin! The ace striker! If you guys watch closely, I might show you a move or two that’ll make your heads spin! Who wants to see the muscles behind the goals?" He flexed his arm with a boisterous laugh.

The kids collectively winced. Ryuusuke looked at his teammates and let out a long, theatrical sigh of annoyance.

"Uh... Did I do something wrong?" Goujin blinks a little.

Hiura tried to smooth things over with a charming, easygoing grin. "Tell you what, after we have a good session, maybe we can all head over to that shop by the station and eat some ice cream? My treat."

"We're athletes, not toddlers," a girl named Hirata muttered, her arms crossed tightly over her chest.

"Yeah! O-ofcurse, you are all very talented athletes!" Hiura forces a smile despite being confuse.

Hanta did a playful little hop. "I'm the speedster! If you want some tips on how to sharpen your first step, I’m your girl! It’s all about the toe-spring!"

Hiro adjusted his glasses, holding up his tablet. "I’ve even compiled a basic breakdown of positional awareness and- "

"We already know how to play," Ryuusuke interrupted, his voice flat. 

The Inakuni team froze. They looked at each other, their smiles wavering as they realized their attempts at being charming were failing spectacularly. Their effort were being met with stone-cold indifference.

"Ehem!" Mako suddenly barked, turning on her teammates with a sharp pout. "We should all start with a big hello, you dummies! Where are your manners? They’re our seniors!"

"Hello..." the kids muttered, though their gazes remained filled with suspicion and a growing sense of disappointment.

"I'm Mako!" the girl said, turning back to Michinari and bowing perfectly. "I'm the Inzauma Kids F.C. captain. It’s... it’s nice to meet you. Please excuse them, they’re just... tired."

"Oh, it's no problem at all!" Michinari said, his smile feeling a bit heavy.

"It is a problem!" Ryuusuke blurted out, stepping forward and ignoring Mako’s warning glare. "We saw you on TV. You guys lost to Seishou. Badly. We thought the new Raimon would be like... giants. But you guys just look like regular people. Maybe even a little weaker than the last team."

"Hey! What are you saying!" Mako shouts annoyed.

Ootani’s eyes went wide, and she began to fidget with her clipboard, her face flushing. "Oh! Well, you see, the Seishou game was- I mean, it was very tactical! They were just- " She started to panic, her voice fluttering as the kids' disappointment became vocal.

"They didn't look tactical," A girl named Amei, added. "They looked like they were running in circles. And the goalie didn't even use a hissatsu! Our goalie has super cool move! Why don't you have anything cool?"

"Maybe she doesn't have one." Their goalie, Munakata crosses his arms.

"Well, I- " Norika started, her face turning crimson with embarrassment. She looked at Michinari, who just stared back at her, both of them realizing their inspiring presence was currently at sub-zero levels. "It's not that simple... You know?"

"You must not have any imagination then! How are you suppose to defend the goal without an hissatsu? I don't get it!" Munakata adds frustrated.

Ryuusuke added, his voice cold. He looked at Golem. "And the big guy... he just stood there. Is he a defender or a statue?"

Golem hunched his shoulders, his face turning a deep shade of crimson. "I-I was trying to stay in position- "

"A position for what? Watching the other team score?" the kids chimed in, their voices overlapping in a barrage of unfiltered, playground honesty.

"Urgh!" Another kid named Kaito scoffed. "You guys look like a mistake. My brother said you guys are only here because the school felt sorry for your island or something!"

"Stop it!" Mako shouts. "Why are you guys acting like this!?"

"Mako-chan," Another kid named Ryouta said, adjusting his cap. "They don't have 'it. Can't you see?"

"Now, listen here..." Goujin started, but then he caught the look on the kid's face, genuine, unfiltered disappointment and his voice died. "Eh..."

Goujin looked at Hiura, who just shrugged helplessly, scratching the back of his neck.

Hiyori was currently looking down at his shoes, scratching his hair vigorously, his wild spirit nowhere to be found. Kozoumaru simply turned his head away, staring at a distant bridge with his arms folded, acting as if he wasn't part of the conversation at all.

"Stop it!" Mako shouted, her face turning a dangerous shade of red. She stomped her foot, pointing a finger at Ryouta. "They are the Raimon Eleven! They are our seniors, and they’ve worked hard to get here from that island! You don't say things like that! Apologize right now!"

"But Mako-chan, it's the truth!" a smaller boy named Haru whimpered. "We wanted to see heroes..."

Mako sighs, looking back at the Inakuni team and bows. "Please, sorry for our bad behavior."

The Inakuni team felt a collective sting in their chests. the silence that followed was heavy with a profound sense of embarrassment. They had come here to be the idols, but they were being treated like a disappointment.

Ootani looked like she was about to burst into nervous tears herself, her hands trembling as she tried to find something positive in her notes.

"Wait."

Asuto stepped forward. Looking at the kids with a gaze that was steady, quiet, and strangely sharp.

"You're right," Asuto said. The kids went silent, surprised by his bluntness. "We lost. We didn't look like heroes on TV. And right now, we’re standing here trying to act like we’re big shots when we haven't even won a single game in Tokyo yet. We’re disappointed in ourselves too."

Ootani stopped fidgeting, her breath hitching as she watched him. She slowly began to relax, seeing the sincerity in Asuto's posture. "Asuto..."

"But soccer isn't a TV show," Asuto continued, his voice firm. "And it isn't something you can understand just by watching one game. You say you're professionals? Well, on our island, we played until our shoes fell apart and the sun went down, and we never judged a team before we stepped on the pitch with them. If you think we 'suck,' then that’s fine. But don't walk away before you've actually felt our soccer. Judge us by the ball, not the screen."

He didn't plead. He didn't ask for their likes. He just stated it as a fact.

"That's right." Michinari stepped up, his captain's aura finally returning. "Give us a chance. Not as 'seniors' to 'juniors,' but as one team to another. Let’s play. If we’re as bad as you think, it’ll be a quick practice for you."

The kids stared at each other, slightly surprised.

The kids listened. They didn't cheer. They didn't suddenly have stars in their eyes. Ryuusuke just shrugged, his expression still tinged with a lingering annoyance. "Whatever. If you really want to do this, fine. But don't expect us to go easy just because you’re older."

"We’re going to show you that championship rhythm," Kaito added with a shrug of indifference.

Mako looked at the Inakuni team, then gave a quick, respectful bow. "Thank you for the opportunity. We’ll... we'll be ready." She then turned back to her team, whispering fiercely at them to get their gear.

The kids didn't rush to start. They moved to their side of the field with a casual, almost bored air, taking their time to stretch and discuss their own tactics as if the Inakuni team were barely a factor. 

The Inakuni players stood in their half of the pitch, watching the small children prepare. The embarrassment was still there, a dull ache in their pride, but it was being replaced by a cold, hard focus. 

"A-Asuto..." Golem whispered. "Are you sure? We can end up you know... stepping on them or something..." He says a little bit nervous.

"We can do it." Asuto nodded, determined. "Worry about yourself first, Golem."

"Uh..." Golem stared at Hanta, who just nodded.

The silent woman by the benches poured a cup of tea from the thermal box, the steam rising in the cooling evening air. She looked at Asuto, then at the kids, and for the first time, a very faint, almost imperceptible smile touched her lips. The sun dipped below the horizon, and the golden hour was over.

The twilight was deepening over the Inazuma Riverbank, turning the vibrant amber of the afternoon into a bruised, beautiful purple. The wind had picked up, carrying the cool moisture of the river and the sharp, nostalgic scent of cut grass. High above, the first few stars were beginning to blink through the haze of the city’s lights, but down on the lower pitch, the atmosphere was anything but quiet.

Ootani finally exhaled, a long, shaky breath that seemed to deflate her entire posture. She jogged back over to where the Inakuni team was huddled, her face pale but relieved. After the sheer, unfiltered honesty of the children, the silence of her own team felt like a sanctuary. She tucked her clipboard under her arm and wiped a smudge of nervous sweat from her temple, finally relaxing as the immediate threat of a playground uprising passed.

"They’re certainly... spirited," she murmured, her voice finally losing its frantic edge.

The Inakuni players didn't answer immediately. They were gathered in a tight circle, the weight of the upcoming match hanging over them like a storm cloud. Mansaku reached up, his fingers hooking under the brim of his cap to pull it lower over his eyes a familiar gesture of grounding himself. 

"Alright," Mansaku said, his voice low and steady. "What’s the plan then? We can't exactly go out there and play like we're afraid of bruising their shins."

Asuto looked at his teammates. The embarrassment from moments ago was still visible in the way Norika avoided eye contact and Goujin chewed on his lip, but Asuto’s own eyes were clear. He punched his fist into his palm, a dull *thud* that drew their attention.

"Let’s play as we always do," Asuto said, his voice ringing with a quiet, stubborn determination. "No tricks, no holding back. We just have to give it everything we've got. If we play our soccer, they'll see who we really are."

The team looked at one another. The tension in their shoulders eased just a fraction. They nodded, a collective silent agreement ripples through the circle.

Hiro adjusted his glasses, the fading light glinting off the lenses. He tapped a finger against his chin, his mind already spinning through a dozen different tactical scenarios. "Right. I recommend us to watch closely how they play. They’re small, which means they’re likely agile and have a lower center of gravity. We cannot underestimate them, but we also can't let their size dictate our pace."

Michinari stepped into the center of the huddle, his expression hardening into that of a captain who had found his footing. He looked at each of them, at Golem's massive frame, at Hanta's twitching, energetic feet, at the quiet intensity of Hiura.

"Hiro is right," Michinari said firmly. "Don't hold yourselves back. Play like this is the most important game of the tournament. If we treat them like kids, we’re disrespecting them and ourselves. Let's go!"

"Yes, Captain!" the team shouted in unison, their voices echoing off the concrete supports of the bridge above.

Just as the echoes began to fade, a rhythmic *clack-clack-clack* of footsteps rang out from the riverbank stairs. A young man, came sprinting down the steps. He was dressed in a casual athletic windbreaker, his hair slightly windblown as he skidded to a halt at the bottom. He paused for a second to catch his breath, his hands on his knees, before straightening up and walking toward the cluster of children.

The Inazuma Kids FC turned as one. The suspicion and annoyance that had clouded their faces moments ago vanished instantly, replaced by a pure, radiant joy.

"Coach! You’re here!" Ryuusuke shouted, a wide, gap-toothed smile breaking across his face. 

The kids swarmed him, a sea of yellow and blue jerseys surrounding the young man. "Hey kids, I told you I would make it, hehehe," the coach laughed, reaching down to ruffle Ryuusuke’s hair and high-fiving a few of the others. 

The Inakuni team watched the scene from across the pitch. The sight was unexpectedly wholesome, a sharp reminder that despite their sharp tongues and brutal honesty, these were just children who loved the game. The kids who had just dismantled their pride were now just kids excited to see their mentor.

"So that's their coach, huh..." Mansaku murmured, watching the young man laugh with his players. 

"He is very young, though," Norika added, her eyes softening as she watched the interaction. "Like our age."

Hanta looked around the riverbank, her brow furrowing. The sun was almost gone now, and the shadows were stretching across the grass. "Talking about coaches... where is *our* coach, Ootani-chan?"

Ootani blinked, her eyes widening as she realized the glaring absence. She quickly pulled her phone from her pocket, her thumbs flying across the screen. "Well... I don't know... I texted him about the location and the time for this practice match, but he didn't answer. I think he saw the message, though... the 'read' receipt is there."

Goujin’s face immediately twisted into a mask of pure, unadulterated fury. He hissed through his teeth, his fist shaking at his side. "That fatty is toying with us! He’s probably back at the mansion eating dumplings while we’re getting grilled by seven-year-olds!"

"Let’s stay focused, guys," Michinari interrupted, his voice cutting through Goujin’s rant. He was looking at the pitch. "Coach or no coach, we have a job to do. We can do it."

The team gathered their resolve one last time, nodding. "Yeah!" they roared.

Across the field, the Kids FC had finished their own huddle. They joined hands in a circle, their small voices rising in a high-pitched, disciplined cheer. "Yes!" they shouted, breaking away with practiced precision.

"Alright then! Everyone in the field!" the kids' coach shouted, his voice energetic and clear.

The two teams began to file onto the pitch. The size difference was almost comical, Golem looked like a titan towering over the miniature strikers, and Norika seemed to fill half the goal compared to the kids' keeper. But as they took their positions, the playfulness vanished. The kids moved with a terrifying, synchronized grace, their eyes locking onto their opponents with a focus that wasn't child-like at all.

The kids' coach walked to the center circle, a silver whistle glinting in the twilight. He looked at Michinari, then at Mako, and saw the spark of genuine competition in both.

He raised the whistle to his lips.

*TWEEEEEET!*

The sharp, piercing sound sliced through the evening air, and the ball was in motion.

The whistle's sharp blast was still vibrating in the humid river air when the Inazuma Kids FC transformed. The "cute" children vanished, replaced by a red-and-yellow blur of synchronized motion. Mako didn't hesitate; she tapped the ball to Ryuusuke with a precision that made Michinari’s eyes widen. 

"Focus, guys! They’re coming!" Michinari barked, dropping into a defensive stance. 

Ryuusuke stayed low to the ground, his center of gravity making him look like a sleek feline as he wove between the larger Inakuni players. He dived between Hanta and Hiura before they could even close the gap.

"Woah- hey! He’s like a mosquito!" Hanta yelped, pivoting on one heel to give chase, her ponytail whipping through the air. She pushed her legs to the limit, but every time she got close, Ryuusuke would shift his weight, forcing her to over-correct.

The ball zipped to the midfield where Hasebe and Amai were operating like a two-headed dragon. They didn't even look at each other; the ball moved in a perfect triangle between them, bypassing Mansaku with a clinical efficiency that felt insulting. 

"They’re reading our passing lanes before we even form them!" Hiro shouted, his glasses reflecting the harsh glare of the stadium-style lights that had just flickered on around the pitch. He tapped a frantic rhythm against his thigh. "Don't let her turn! She’s the pivot!"

Goujin roared, charging toward Amai with the subtlety of a runaway truck. "I got this! I’ll just block the whole path!" He spread his arms wide, trying to use his superior size to intimidate her.

Amai didn't flinch. She waited until the last possible second, then performed a delicate drag-back that sent Goujin stumbling past her, nearly tripping over his own oversized cleats. 

"A-A ghost?!" Goujin sputtered, flailing his arms to regain his balance. "She didn't even touch me!"

"Watch out, Goujin!" Asuto screamed, sprinting back to cover the hole in the defense. Asuto’s eyes were darting everywhere, his mind racing to keep up with the kids' rhythm." He noticed the way Haru, the other player, was peeling away toward the corner of the box, drawing Golem away from the center.

"Golem, stay central!" Asuto commanded. "It’s a distraction!"

Golem stopped his lumbering pursuit of Haru just in time. "R-Right! Staying put! I’m a mountain! I’m a mountain!" He planted his feet, but his eyes were wide with a mix of fear and admiration as Haru executed a flawless step-over right in front of him.

On the sidelines, Ootani* was practically vibrating, her hands clenched so tightly around her clipboard that the plastic was creaking. She looked like she wanted to scream encouragement, but the professional air of the kids' coach, who stood with his arms crossed, silently nodding, made her swallow her shouts. She glanced at the mysterious woman, who was now calmly sipping tea, her gaze never leaving the ball. The woman’s silence was more deafening than a cheer; she was waiting for Inakuni to break.

In the backline, the kids' defenders, Kitagaki and Kaito, were a literal wall of discipline. When Hiura finally managed to intercept a stray pass and tried to launch a counter-attack, he found himself instantly boxed in.

"Their positioning is... flawless," Hiura whispered, sweat beading on his brow as Kitagaki stepped up to pressure him while Kaito shadowed the passing lane to Kozoumaru. "It's like playing against a single mind."

Kozoumaru stood in the middle of the field, his gaze dark. He hadn't touched the ball yet, but he was watching Kaito with a predator’s intensity, his chest heaving slightly. 

"Go for it, Gao-san!" Michinari shouted as Haru broke through the midfield again.

Hiyori let out a nervous "Gao!" and lunged for a slide tackle. He missed the ball entirely, but the sheer chaos of his movement forced Haru to slow down for a microsecond. 

"That's it, Hiyori! Close the space!" Mansaku called out, sliding into the gap to provide back-up. "We have to funnel them toward the wings! Don't let them have the middle!"

The ball eventually found its way back to Mako, who was hovering near the edge of the penalty area. She looked at Norika, a playful but sharp glint in her eyes. 

"Here it comes, Big Sister!" Mako chirped before blasting a low, stinging shot toward the bottom corner.

Norika dived, her fingers grazing the grass as she parried the ball away with a sharp *smack*. "I won't let a single one in!" she grunted, rolling back to her feet and immediately pointing at her defenders. "Mark your man! Don't look at the ball, look at the players!"

The ball rolled toward the sideline where the grass was damp. The Inakuni team was breathless, their faces flushed with a mixture of embarrassment and a growing, desperate respect. They were being outplayed by children, and every time they tried to act like professionals, the Kids FC would simply run under their arms and take the ball.

"They're playing compact football,'" Hiro analyzed, his voice tight. "They use our height against us by keeping the ball low and fast. If we don't adjust our stride, we're just going to keep tripping over air!"

Asuto wiped a smear of mud from his cheek, his eyes glowing with that familiar, unshakeable fire. He looked at Michinari and gave a sharp nod. 

"We've seen how they move," Asuto said, his voice carrying over the sound of the rushing river. "Now, it's our turn to show them why we're on this pitch. Everyone! Stop trying to be polite! Play like your life depends on it!"

"Right!" the team roared back, finally shaking off the last of their hesitation. 

The kids' coach blew the whistle for a throw-in, his eyes narrowing. The tourists from the island were finally starting to show up their skills, Behind him, the woman set her teacup down, her eyes fixed on the game. The game was only five minutes in, but the riverbank was already beginning to feel like a stadium.

Amai stood at the sideline, the ball held firmly above her head. Her eyes were narrowed, scanning the Inakuni defense with a cold, tactical precision that made Hiro shift uncomfortably. With a sharp exhale, she launched the ball. Straight line of force directed toward Mako.

"I got it!" Mako trapped the ball with the side of her foot, the impact making a soft *thud* that echoed in the quiet evening. Unlike her teammates, who were operating with grim, professional efficiency, Mako was grinning. Her pigtails whipped behind her as she exploded into a dash toward the Inakuni side. She looked like she was having the time of her life, weaving through the midfield with a light-footed grace that seemed to defy the slippery turf.

"She’s coming! Don't let her get a rhythm!" Michinari shouted, his voice cracking slightly with the effort of keeping his lungs full.

Hanta and Golem shared a quick, desperate glance. They didn't need words. Hanta, suddenly dropped low, her center of gravity shifting as she sprinted in a wide arc, using her speed to get ahead of Mako. She wasn't trying to take the ball yet, she was acting like a sheepdog, herding Mako toward the center.

"Now, Golem!" Hanta barked.

Golem didn't hesitate. He planted his massive feet, his shadow falling over Mako like a falling mountain. As Mako tried to pivot away from Hanta’s pressure, she ran straight into the trap, Golem didn't tackle her yet, he simply stood his ground, his sheer mass acting as an immovable object. Mako’s eyes widened in surprise as she bounced off his sturdy frame, the ball squicking out from under her feet.

"I... I did it!" Golem gasped, his face flushed with a mix of terror and triumph.

But the celebration was short-lived. The ball didn't roll far before a blur of blue intercepted it. Ryuusuke had been lurking in the shadows of the midfield, and he snatched the loose ball before Mansaku could reach it. "Amateurs..." He didn't look back. He sprinted in front of the penalty area, his eyes locked onto the goal.

Norika dropped into her crouch, her gloves snapping as she tightened her grip. "Come on!"

"Take this!" Ryuusuke’s movements became a blur of acrobatic prowess. Launched himself into a series of lightning-fast backflips, his cleats barely touching the grass as he gained momentum. On the final rotation, he used the tension in his core to spring high into the air, his back arched like a bow.

As he reached the apex of his jump, he began to spin, a violent, horizontal rotation from left to right. The air around him screamed as a veil of sharp, biting wind began to swirl, glowing with a faint, ghostly white light. The wind gathered, thickening into a vortex that obscured his form.

"ROLLING KICKUU!" 

He snapped his leg forward, his foot connecting with the ball with a sound like a gunshot. The wind veil transferred instantly to the ball, turning it into a spinning drill of gale-force energy that tore across the pitch, leaving a literal furrow in the damp grass.

"Ghraaa!" Norika let out a guttural roar, jumping forward with her arms wide. She met the spinning vortex head-on, catching the ball right against her solar plexus. The sheer force of the wind veil ground against her jersey, her feet sliding backward, carving deep ruts in the turf.

She was being dragged back toward the goal line, her teeth gritted so hard they might have cracked. At the last possible second, she tucked her chin, rolled backward with the momentum, and used her entire body weight to slam the ball down against the ground.

*CRACK.*

The wind dissipated into a harmless breeze. Norika lay there for a second, the ball pinned under her palms against the earth.

"She saved!" Ootani screamed from the sidelines, jumping so high her clipboard went flying. "Norika-chan, that was incredible!"

The rest of the Inakuni team let out a collective breath they hadn't realized they were holding. Goujin punched the air. "Yeah!"

The kids, however, were frozen. Amei and Haru stared with wide eyes, their indifferent masks finally shattered. Mako’s eyes glowed with a pure, unadulterated awe. "Wow... she stopped it with just her body?" she whispered, her voice filled with more respect.

Ryuusuke hissed a curse under his breath, his chest heaving. He looked at his foot, then back at Norika. "How... can she stop a Hissatsu like that without even using a move?" he muttered to himself, his frustration warring with a creeping sense of realization.

Norika stood up slowly, wiping a smear of mud from her cheek. A sharp, confident smirk played on her lips, a look that said she finally belonged on this pitch. She tossed the ball into the air and gave it a powerful, soaring kick. 

"Our turn! Go!" 

The ball soared over the midfield. Mansaku was the first to react, tracking the ball's flight with a veteran’s eye. "I've got it! Don't let them regroup!" He headed the ball down to Hiura, who was already moving.

Hiura trapped the ball with a silk-smooth touch, immediately finding himself face-to-face with Hasebe. "Nice try, kid," Hiura said with a wink. He performed a dazzling step-over, shifting the ball to his left and leaving Hasebe reaching for air.

"Hiyori! On the wing!" Hiro shouted, his eyes darting across his mental map of the field. "The defenders are over-committing to the center! Use the space!"

Hiyori let out an energetic "Gao!" and sprinted down the sideline, his small frame moving with a surprising burst of speed. "Gao's going, Gao's going! Watch this!" He took the pass from Hiura and sent a low, curving cross into the box.

"Gimme that ball!" Goujin roared, charging in for a header. He was so focused on the goal that he didn't see Kaito coming. The small defender stepped in front, nudging the ball away just as Goujin’s head connected with nothing but air.

"Argh! You little- !" Goujin tumbled into the grass, but he didn't stop. "Michinari! Get the rebound!"

Michinari was already there, cleaning up the loose ball. He saw the Kids' defense tightening. "Don't rush it! Hanta, overlap!"

Hanta blurred past him, drawing Kitagaki out of position. As the defense shifted to cover her, Michinari slid a reverse pass to Kozoumaru, who had been standing in the shadows, silent and deadly.

Kozoumaru didn't say a word. He just looked at the goal, his eyes narrowing. He saw opening. He tapped the ball toward the center, where Asuto was charging in like a lightning bolt.

"This is it!" Asuto shouted, his voice filled with the heat of the island sun. "Let's move!"

He passed the ball back to Kozoumaru as both sprinted forward, the Inakuni team moving as one cohesive unit for the first time since they had arrived in Tokyo.

Kozoumaru moved with a terrifying, silent economy. He didn't waste energy on flashy feints, he simply cut through the kids' defense like a shadow passing through a gate. Kitagaki and Kaito lunged simultaneously, but Kozoumaru shifted the ball between his feet with a micro-movement that left them tangling their own legs. He reached the edge of the box and, without even breaking his stride, let loose a drive.

The shoot had the weight of a cannonball. Munakata, the kids' goalkeeper, didn't flinch. He stood in the center of the net, his small arms crossed tightly over his chest, his gaze locked onto the spinning leather with a focus that made him look decades older. 

"It's not going in!" Munakata roared, his voice cracking with the strain of his determination. He uncurled like a spring, diving to his left, his fingers stretching toward the limit of his reach.

*CLANG.*

The sound of the ball striking the iron goalpost was deafening, a metallic scream that echoed under the bridge. The ball ricocheted violently to the right, spinning with a wicked, unpredictable curve.

"WATCH IT!!!" Ryuusuke screamed, his eyes wide with terror as he realized the ball was still live and their keeper was out of position. 

The kids stood frozen, their gazes wide open. Only Mako remained still, her eyes shimmering with awe as she watched the trajectory.

Out of the blur of yellow jerseys, Mansaku appeared. He had anticipated the rebound perfectly, his cleats carving a deep furrow in the turf as he leaned into a volley. 

"Take this!" Mansaku bellowed, his leg snapping forward like a whip. He caught the ball with all his might, a clean, thunderous strike aimed at the open side of the net.

Munakata didn't give up. Before his body had even fully settled on the grass from his previous dive, he dug his toes into the mud and launched himself back toward the center. With a desperate, sprawling lunge, his small hands clamped around the ball just inches from the line.

*Thwack.*

The kids let out a collective, explosive sigh of relief, immediately swarming their keeper. "Nice save, Munakata!" Ryuusuke panted, wiping sweat from his brow.

Asuto walked past the two strikers, giving a bright thumbs-up to both. "Nice try, guys! We almost had them!"

"It would have been a goal if he’d struck it a little bit harder," Kozoumaru muttered, turning away without looking back, his hands already retreating into his pockets.

Mansaku just smirked, adjusting his cap so the brim shadowed his eyes. "I'm not Goujin to fall for your cheap insults. I know what I'm doing."

Michinari clapped his hands sharply, the sound snapping the team back to reality. "Alright guys, back to positions! The game isn't over yet!"

"Yes, Captain!" the team roared.

"Alright, let's go..." Mansaku whispered.

The game resumed with a new, frantic equilibrium. It was now a chess match played at a hundred miles per hour. 

The kids' coach stood on the sidelines, his arms crossed and a genuine, proud smile tugging at his lips. He blew the whistle, and the ball was back in play. 

Hiura intercepted a short pass from Amai, his movements as smooth as silk. "Not this time, little miss!" He spun around a charging Hasebe, but before he could launch a long ball, he found his path blocked.

"Hiyori! Get in there!" Hiro shouted, his eyes darting across the pitch as he calculated the passing lanes. "They’re shifting into a diamond formation! Close the gap on the left!"

Hiyori let out a fierce "Gao!" and threw himself into a sliding block, successfully disrupting a pass intended for Haru. The ball bobbled loose, and Hanta was on it in a heartbeat, her pigtails a blur as she used her explosive speed to bypass the midfield.

"Over here!" Goujin yelled, waving his arms like a madman.

Hanta glanced at him, then at the three defenders closing in on him. "Maybe next time, Goujin-senpai!" She instead clipped a delicate pass to Michinari, who was orchestrating the play from the center.

"Golem! Watch the counter!" Michinari commanded as he moved the ball forward.

Golem was currently being stared down by a kid half his size, but he didn't look scared anymore. He planted his feet and puffed out his chest. "I’m the mountain! You can’t move the mountain!" 

The kid tried to dribble around him, but Norika stepped out from her line, her voice booming with newfound authority. "Golem, stay left! He’s trying to draw you out! Mansaku, cover the cross!"

The Inakuni team was finally talking, really talking. The embarrassment of the first few minutes had burned away, leaving behind a raw, focused energy. Even Kozoumaru, though he acted bored, was moving into pockets of space that forced the kids' defense to stay permanently on edge.

The mysterious woman on the sidelines watched as he the team played. She set her empty teacup down on the thermal box. The Islanders were starting to look like a well builded team for her.

"See?" Mako whispered to Ryuusuke as they tracked back. Her breath was coming in short, sharp gasps, but her smile was wider than ever. "This is their true strength! This is Raimon, admit it!"

"Don't get too excited, Captain..." Ryuusuke replied, his eyes narrowing as he saw Asuto prepare to receive a pass.

The riverbank air was thick with the heat of the struggle, the two teams locked in a dance where every inch of grass was fought for with everything they had.

The Inakuni team moved like a single organism. The embarrassment that had weighed them down earlier had been forged into a sharp, clinical focus. 

Mansaku intercepted a clearing header, nodding the ball down to Michinari. "Moving up!" Mansaku called out, his eyes scanning the field with a veteran's calm. 

Michinari didn't hesitate, spinning around a lunging Haru and clipping a pass to Hiro. "Hiro, find the lane!" 

Hiro adjusted his glasses, his eyes darting across the pitch like he was reading a digital blueprint. "Initiating Phase Two! Hanta, overlap now!" He slid a perfectly weighted ball into the space behind the Kids' midfield. 

Hanta blurred past Amai, her pigtails snapping in the wind. "I'm on it! Too slow, little guys!" she teased, her feet moving in a dizzying patter. She didn't hold the ball long, crossing it back toward the center where Hiura was waiting.

Hiura trapped the ball with the tip of his cleat, performing a smooth 360-degree turn that left Hasebe reaching for a ghost. "Sorry," Hiura said with a confident wink. He saw the opening and threaded the needle, a laser-accurate pass that found Kozoumaru at the edge of the box.

Kozoumaru didn't smile. He just hissed a low, "Tsk..." as he felt the weight of the ball against his foot.

Kozoumaru's used his heel to flick the ball high into the air, the leather sphere spinning against the dark sky. In one fluid motion, he performed a backflip, his cleats grazing the grass before he launched himself upward.

 

As he ascended, a violent stream of orange and crimson fire erupted around him. He began to spin clockwise, his legs becoming a blurred vortex of flames that lit up the entire riverbank, casting long, flickering shadows against the bridge pillars. 

At the apex of his jump, Kozoumaru shifted his body into a horizontal plane. The fire intensified, swirling into his right foot until it glowed white-hot. With a sharp, guttural shout, he connected.

"FAIYAA TORNADOOU!"

The ball tore through the air, trailing a spiraling tail of fire that scorched the damp grass beneath it.

Munakata's eyes went wide. For a split second, the sheer brilliance of the flames distracted him, the heat was palpable even from the goal line. 

"Munakata! Catch it!" Amai screamed, her voice breaking the spell.

Munakata snapped back to reality, his jaw setting in a grim line. "I've got it!" He reached into a small pouch at his waist, drawing a handful of glowing cards and throwing them into the sky.

The cards expanded instantly, turning into massive, steel-like plates that interlocked into a shimmering barrier.

"CARDO PROTECT!!! Haaaaah!!!"

The flaming ball clashed with the cards, a shower of sparks illuminating the pitch. The force was immense, Munakata’s cleats dug deep into the turf, carving long ruts as he was dragged backward toward the net. He gritted his teeth, his small muscles bulging under the strain. 

*CRACK.*

The central card shattered, then the rest followed in a cascade of glass-like fragments. The ball slammed into the back of the net, the nylon mesh bulging outward as it hissed with heat.

Inazuma Kids FC 0 - 1 Raining Island

"Goal!!!!!" Ootani shrieked, jumping into the air and pumping her fist so hard she nearly lost her clipboard. "We did it! We scored!"

"Yeah!!!" The Inakuni team converged in the center. Hanta smirks, wiping a bead of sweat from her brow. "It got in! Finally!"

"Nice one, Kozoumaru!" Michinari said, a genuine smile breaking through his captain's mask.

Kozoumaru just let out a long sigh, walking back to his position without a word of celebration. Asuto, however, was beaming. "We did it, guys! That's our soccer! Let's keep it up!"

"Yeah!" the team shouted in unison, their voices unified and strong.

Goujin shook his head, a wry smile on his face. "Man, that move... it always gets me."

Across the pitch, the atmosphere was different. Mako stood frozen, staring at the charred spot on the net. Her eyes were wider than ever, glowing with pure excitement. "Wow... what a goal..."

Ryuusuke hissed, kicking the dirt. "Darn it... I forgot they had a hissatsu like that. We let our guard down..."

Munakata stood up, kicking the grass in frustration. "Argh! It got in... I almost had it!"

"Come on guys, we can still score!" Haru called out, clapping his hands to rally the children. "Don't let t them dominate us!"

Kaito nodded fiercely. "Yeah, let's go! The game's not over!"

"Yeah..." the kids roared, their indifference slightly gone, replaced by a fierce championship fire.

The coach blew the whistle, and the Kids FC exploded into action. The ball moving between Mako, Ryuusuke, and Haru so fast it looked like a flickering light.

"They're faster now!" Norika shouted, dropping into her crouch. "Stay sharp!"

Goujin tried to intercept, but Ryuusuke did a nutmeg that left Goujin spinning in circles. "Hey! Come back here, you little- !"

Golem moved to block, but Haru used Golem's own shadow to hide a quick pass to Mako. "Golem, don't let her turn!" Michinari barked, but Mako was already gone, a blur of blue and yellow.

Hiyori lunged for a tackle, but Amai tripped the ball over his foot with a giggle. "Gao was close!" Hiyori muttered, scrambling back to his feet.

The Inakuni team was being pushed back, their coordination tested to the absolute limit. Mansaku and Hiura were working overtime, their jerseys soaked in sweat as they tried to contain the kids movements.

"They're coming again!" Asuto yelled, sprinting back to help the defense. "Give it all!"

The air was getting colder, and every breath from the players appeared as a faint puff of white mist, but the heat radiating from the pitch was undeniable. The Inakuni team had found their spine, standing like a phalanx against the red-and-yellow tide of the Inazuma Kids FC.

Hiro was in constant motion, his eyes darting behind his spectacles like a radar screen. "Shift left! They’re overloading the flank!" he commanded, his voice sharp against the backdrop of the rushing river. Hanta responded instantly, her pigtails a blur of kinetic energy as she zipped between the passing lanes. Behind her, Mansaku anchored the line, his hand constantly adjusting his cap, eyes narrowed to slits as he tracked Mako’s every twitch.

"I’ve got the channel! Golem, stay on the pivot!" Mansaku barked. 

Golem planted his massive feet, his chest heaving. "Understood!"

Despite the Inakuni team’s coordination, the kids were relentless. They didn't tire, they only grew more frustrated, their eyes burning with a championship pride that refused to be insulted by a loss. Ryuusuke snatched a stray ball, his face a mask of pure concentration as he charged. 

Hiro stepped up, his shadow falling over the smaller boy. "End of the line!"

"Out of the way!" Ryuusuke didn't blink. With a subtle flick of his ankle, he sent a no-look pass to the side. 

Hasebe caught it in stride, his cleats carving a sharp *skirr* into the turf. He didn't slow down as he approached the looming figure of Golem.

"I'm not letting you through!" Golem roared, spreading his arms wide, confident in his physical dominance.

Hasebe smirked, his body leaning forward until he was almost parallel to the ground. In a move that looked like a magician's trick, he snapped a card from the thin air.

He leaped into the air, the card suddenly expanding into a massive, shimmering rectangle of energy, with the patterns of the card glowing.

"CARDO SLAP! Hasebe screamed, brutally swinging his arm down.

The oversized card slammed into the ground with a thunderous *BOOM*, kicking up a massive, choking cloud of dust and grit. "Ghraa!" The shockwave sent Golem stumbling backward, his heavy boots losing their grip on the slick grass as he tumbled into the dirt. 

"Golem! Are you okay?" Hanta shouted, her voice laced with genuine worry.

Golem sat up, blinking dust from his eyes and rubbing the back of his head with a dazed expression. "I'm okay, Han-chan... that just... stung a bit."

Hasebe didn't wait. He drove forward and zipped the ball back to Amai, who was already mid-sprint. Mansaku was on her in a heartbeat, staying glued to her shadow with a veteran’s persistence. 

"You're not catching us off guard twice!" Mansaku hissed.

"Wanna bet?" Amai retorted. She mirrored Hasebe’s movement, pulling another card from the air. "CARD SLAP!" 

The second explosion of force was even more violent. Mansaku was caught in the center of the blast, a groan escaping his lips as he was blown off his feet, landing hard on his shoulder. "Ghrr..!"

"M-A-N-S-A-K-U-KUN! OKAY?!" Hiyori yelled.

Mansaku groaned, pushing himself up and dusting off his jersey. He let out a long, weary sigh. "I'm fine... but man, they are getting fierce. These kids play for keeps."

"Keep them away, guys! Don't let them stabilize!" Michinari shouted, sprinting back to reinforce the crumbling midline. 

But the momentum was already gone. Hasebe threaded a needle-sharp pass to Mako. She moved like liquid, her feet dancing over the ball in a series of feints that left Hanta lunging at thin air. 

"Gah! She’s too fast!" Hanta hissed, spinning around to see Mako already entering their side of the field.

Norika dropped low, her gloves slapping together with a sharp *thwack*. "Give it all you've got! I'm ready!" 

"Ok! Here it goes!" Mako shouted, a radiant, joyful smile breaking across her face.

Mako launched the ball high into the sky. She sprang upward, her pigtails trailing like twin comets. As she reached the ball’s peak, her right foot began to glow with a brilliant, pulsing cosmic energy. Stars seemed to gather around her cleats, swirling in a golden vortex. 

She twisted her body in mid-air, a perfect volley position. "SUISEI SHOOTOOO!"

The ball struck with the force of a falling star, trailing a tail of shimmering yellow stars as it roared toward the goal like a comet. 

Asuto didn't wait. He threw himself into the path of the glowing sphere, his leg swinging in a desperate attempt to deflect it. "Haaah!" He connected, but the cosmic energy was overwhelming. The ball didn't stop, it plowed through his defense, sending Asuto spinning backward into the grass.

"Gah! It's... it's pretty strong...! Catch it Norika!" Asuto gasped from the ground.

"Get it, Norika!" Michinari pleaded.

Norika let out a guttural, warrior’s cry. "Ghraaa!" She dived head-first toward the light, trying to wrap her entire body around the ball to smother it. But the comet had too much orbit. The impact lifted her off her feet, dragging her backward into the netting.

The mesh bulged. The ball dropped. 

Inazuma Kids FC 1 - 1 Raimon Island.

"GOAL! We did it!" Ryuusuke screamed, jumping into the air. 

"GOAL!" The kids converged on Mako, a chaotic pile of hugs and cheers. Mako stood in the center, her chest heaving, a look of immense pride on her face.

"Nice one." Asuto sat up, watching them celebrate. A small, genuine smile touched his lips. He looked at Norika, who was sighing as she retrieved the ball from the back of the net. 

"Oh man..." Goujin sighed, rubbing his face. "We really let that one slip."

"It was a good attack," Hiro admitted, adjusting his glasses. "The velocity was higher than my initial calculations for their age group."

"Man, looks like they were also hiding some tricks up their sleeves," Hanta added, stretching her sore legs. 

Kozoumaru hissed, his eyes fixed on the center circle. "Let's go already, you idiots!"

Michinari clapped his hands, his face hardening with a renewed resolve. "You heard the man, Let's get back to it! We still have time to win this!"

"Yes!" the team shouted in unison, their voices unified and loud enough to rattle the bridge above.

The kids' coach watched the Inakuni team reform their lines. He saw the fire in Asuto's eyes and the grin on Mako's face. He raised the whistle, begining the second half.

*TWEEEEEET!*

The ball was back in play once again.

The whistle's trill had barely faded before the Inakuni trio, Asuto, Goujin, and Kozoumaru formed a jagged, aggressive arrow. They moved with a newfound synchronization, the ball zipping between them like a shared thought. The kids' defenders scrambled, their small legs moving at a frantic pace, but the Inakuni arrow was relentless.

"Keep it moving! Don't let them set their feet!" Asuto shouted, his voice bright and commanding. He snapped a pass to Hiura, who was already drifting into space. 

Hiura moved with a chilling grace, his feet dancing around Ryuusuke and Amai as if they were frozen in time. "Here I go!" he teased with a calm smile.

"Guys! Don't let them score!" Ryuusuke roared, his face flushed with the heat of the chase. 

The ball flowed back to Asuto, then to Goujin, who was practically vibrating with competitive energy. "You are not getting the ball away from me! Raah!" Goujin charged forward, his shadow towering over the kids. He plowed through the midline, his sheer physical presence forcing the defenders to scatter like autumn leaves.

Goujin centered the ball to Michinari. The captain took it low, his body swaying like a willow in the wind. He evaded a lunging tackle from Hasebe with a delicate touch that barely disturbed the grass. 

"Kozoumaru!" Michinari barked, firing a crisp pass toward the edge of the box.

Kozoumaru trapped it, but was immediately bracketed by Ryuusuke and Haru. They leaned into him, using their low center of gravity to try and shove him off balance. "You are not getting through!" Ryuusuke hissed through gritted teeth.

"Tsk..." Kozoumaru’s eyes flashed with a cold, focused fire. He back-passed to Asuto, who immediately returned the favor, the two of them playing a lightning-fast wall-pass that left the defenders dizzy.

"No! Stop them!" Haru screamed, realizing they’d been baited.

Kozoumaru redirected the ball to Goujin, who was perfectly positioned. "Here it goes!" Goujin’s leg snapped forward like a hydraulic piston, striking the ball with such force that it whistled as it cut through the air.

Kaito, the kids' smallest defender, threw himself into the path of the shot without a second thought. "Kyaaa!" The ball slammed into his chest, the sheer momentum sending him tumbling backward into the dirt, but he’d slowed it down just enough.

"Go!!!" Goujin encouraged, his fist clenched.

Munakata was ready. He stood tall in the center of the net, his hands already reaching into the air. "I got this!" He unleashed a flurry of cards that expanded into a massive, interlocking shield of energy. "CARDO PROTECT! Haaaah!"

The ball struck the barrier with a dull *thud*, losing its spin and popping high into the air. "I got it!" Munakata smirked, already preparing to catch the rebound.

But the light from the sun was suddenly eclipsed. A shadow fell over the goalie. 

The kids gasped in unison. Kozoumaru was already there, suspended in the air like a predatory bird. His silhouette was sharp against the dark sky, his expression one of absolute, unwavering intent. 

"Munakata!" Haru warned, his voice cracking.

Munakata looked up, his eyes widening as he saw the fire beginning to spark around Kozoumaru’s silhouette.

Kozoumaru performed his signature back-flick, the ball hovering perfectly above him as he landed and instantly sprang back into the sky. A violent, swirling stream of fire erupted from the grass, spiraling upward until he was encased in a pillar of flame. He spun clockwise, his legs a blur of orange and red heat.

"FAIYAA TORNADOOU!"

The ball ignited, turning into a miniature sun that streaked toward the goal. Munakata flinched, the sheer heat of the move making him take an instinctive step back. He was paralyzed, the shield was gone, and the fire was too close.

"Guys!!! Stop it!!!" Ryuusuke pleaded.

Hasebe didn't hesitate. He dashed into the mouth of the goal, his teeth bared in a snarl of effort. "It's not going in!!!" 

He raised his hands, a massive card binder manifesting above him in a flash of blue light.

Thousands of cards poured out, flying up in the air.

"CARDO SPLASH!!!"

The cards formed a shield and clashed with the Fire Tornado, a shower of sparks and paper-thin energy filling the box. Hasebe gritted his teeth, his feet sliding back, his muscles screaming under the pressure of the flaming ball. 

But the fire was too hot, the force behind the kick too intense. The cards burned away into ash, and the ball slammed into the back of the net.

Inazuma Kids FC 1 - 2 Raining Island.

"Goal!!!!" Ootani shrieked, hopping up and down. "We did it again! We scored!"

"Gaooo!!!" Hiyori shouted, running in dizzying circles around the center circle, his hands in the air. 

Norika wiped a bead of sweat from her forehead and smiled. "Alright! What a goal!"

Mansaku walked over to Kozoumaru, adjusting his cap with a respectful nod. "Nice one, Kozoumaru. That's the rhythm we needed."

"We caught up! Let's keep it going!" Hiura added, his eyes bright with the thrill of the comeback.

Michinari clapped his hands, his face serious but filled with pride. "Back to positions, guys! It’s not over yet!"

"Yes, Captain!" the team roared.

On the other side of the pitch, the kids were reeling. Ryuusuke hissed, kicking at a tuft of grass. "Argh! They scored again! How are they so fast?"

Hasebe hisses, adjusting his little cap. "I can't believe this..."

"Gah! This is so boring..." Amai muttered, though her chest was heaving and her face was flushed bright red. 

"Super boring..." Haru echoed, trying to look indifferent while his hands were literally shaking.

"No, it's not," Mako said quietly.

The kids looked at her, confused. Mako was standing in the center of the field, her eyes sparkling with a joy that transcended the scoreline. She pointed at Ryuusuke’s hands. "You guys are trembling with excitement. That only happens when you’re enjoying the game!"

"This is a serious game, Mako-chan!" Ryouta argued, though he couldn't hide his own grin. "We can't lose to them!"

"Uhum!" the others nodded.

"Yes," Mako said, her voice warm and proud. "But that doesn't mean we can't have fun! That's what football is all about! Having fun with your friends and pushing each other to be better!"

The kids shared a long look. The tension in their shoulders vanished, replaced by a pure, unadulterated championship fire. "Let's go! We still got a game to play!" Mako shouted.

"Yes..." the kids roared back a little.

The kids' coach watched from the sidelines, his heart full. Beside him, the mysterious woman took a slow, deliberate sip of her tea, her eyes fixed on the game. 

Asuto took a deep breath, the cool night air filling his lungs. He felt lighter than he had since arriving in Tokyo. "Everything is going great," he whispered to himself. "We just have to give it our best until the end."

The coach blew the whistle.

"Let's go guys!" Mako shouted, her pigtails whipping behind her like banners.

"Yes!" the Kids FC roared in unison, their movements becoming even more fluid, guided by a newfound joy that made them twice as dangerous.

Michinari felt the shift in the air. The pressure was mounting, but it wasn't the suffocating pressure of a losing game, it was more like the electric friction of two teams finally pushing each other to their limits. "Here they come! Give it all guys!" he commanded, his chest heaving as he dropped into a defensive stance.

"Yes, Captain!" the Inakuni team responded, their voices thick with a resolve that felt like iron.

The ball became a blur. Ryuusuke threaded a pass through Hiyori’s legs, who let out a startled "Gao!" and scrambled to recover. Haru picked it up, spinning away from a charging Goujin. 

"Get the ball guys! If we lose the ball then the game is over!" Michinari shouts.

"Don't think I'm just a statue!" Goujin grunted, his shadow looming large, but Haru was like smoke, slipping through his fingers to find Hasebe.

"Go! Score another one!" Ryuusuke shouts, sprinting forward.

"Defenders! They are getting closer!" Norika shouts, preparing herself.

Hasebe ignited, dashing toward the Inakuni side. 

Hanta was a blur of motion, her eyes narrowed. "Stop him!" she hissed, her legs churning. 

"Go Han-chan! Go!" Golem shouted.

"It's too late! I won't be able to make it!" Hanta hisses, moving as fast as she could.

"Norika! Prepare yourself!" Michinari shouts.

"On it!" Norika moves forward following Kaito's steps. "He is too close... Yet, I got to try!"

Before she could close the gap, Asuto appeared like a flash of sunlight. He intercepted the ball with a grace that looked accidental but was perfectly calculated.

"Looks like this is the end of the line..." Asuto said, a calm, confident smile playing on his lips.

"Asuto!" Norika sighs, relieved.

"Never!" Kaito shouted, sliding in front of him. He didn't hesitate. He raised his hands, and the air shimmered as a card binder materialized above. "CARDO SPLASH!!!"

A rain of heavy, energy-laden cards began to splash down toward Asuto like a localized storm. 

"Asuto! Be careful!" Norika screamed from the goal, her knuckles white as she gripped the crossbar. 

"Keep the ball, Asuto!" Michinari echoed, his heart hammering.

"Hm!" Asuto nods.

For a heartbeat, the world went silent. The roar of the river, the hum of the lights, and the shouts of the crowd faded. Asuto exhaled, a slow, deliberate breath. He closed his eyes, and in that darkness, he felt the warmth of the sun that had watched over him on the island. He placed a hand over his heart, and a dazzling, golden glow began to seep through his fingers.

"Come out..." he whispered.

Asuto crouched low, his hand glowing with a brilliance that rivaled the stadium lights. Swirls of bright yellow energy gathered in his palm, condensing into a pulsating orb that hummed with pure, radiant warmth. He snapped his eyes open with intensity.

"SUNSHINE HEARTO!"

He thrust his arm to the side, throwing the energy orb high into Kaito, who yelped and covered his eyes, being blown back by the sheer pressure of the light blowing him backward into the grass.

Asuto didn't miss a beat. He dribbled through the fading sparks of light, the ball feeling like a part of his own body.

"Wow!" Ryuusuke gasped, his jaw dropping. "That was... that was so... shinny..." He whispered to himself and hisses, trying to sound annoyed but somehow, he couldn't.

Mako rushed to Kaito's side. "Are you okay?" 

Kaito blinked, stars still dancing in his vision. "Yeah... that was some crazy move..."

"That was a hissatsu, Asuto! You just created a new move!" Norika yelled, her face split by a massive, relieved grin.

Asuto smirks, the golden aura still faintly clinging to his jersey. "Hehe..." 

"That was amazing!" Hanta cheered, her eyes sparking with inspiration. 

"Hey! When did you learn something like that?!" Goujin shouted, half-jealous and half-impressed.

Asuto closed his eyes for a moment, the image of the island’s shore and his mother’s smile flickering in his mind. All those nights spent training until his legs gave out... it had finally manifested. *I did it, Mom...* he thought, a quiet peace settling in his chest.

"Nice move, Asuto!" Michinari called out, his voice filled with pride. He turned to the rest of the team. "Let's focus, guys! Follow Asuto!"

"YEAH!"

The Inakuni team surged forward like a rising tide. Asuto clipped a pass to Hiura, who redirected it instantly to Mansaku. The kids didn't back down yet, they swarmed like hornets, their faces set in grim, happy determination.

"It's mine!" Ryuusuke roared, lunging forward to intercept Hiura’s next pass. He didn't waste a second. "Go guys!" 

"The ball!" Hiro shouts, his eyes wide open with shock.

"Don't give up yet!" Asuto shouts. "We will get it back no matter what!"

"Go for it, guys!" Michinari shouted. "Defend!"

"YEAH!!!" The Inakuni team roared in unison.

Ryuusuke fired it to Mako, who tapped it to Amei. "This one is going in!" Amei declared, her pigtails flying.

"Keep them away!" Michinari shouted. Suddenly, the Kids FC executed a perfect tactical shift. They started to mark. Each child shadowed an Inakuni player, staying so close they were practically sharing the same footprint.

Hiro adjusted his glasses, his analytical mind sensing the trap. "Be careful! They’re using their size to stay in our blind spots!"

The Inakuni players tried to break free, but the kids were like glue. Mako broke into a dead sprint toward the goal, the ball at her feet. 

"There she goes!" Goujin yelled, struggling to shake off his marker.

"They are small, but they really fill the space..." Hiura admitted, genuinely impressed by their discipline. "Not bad!"

"Here it goes!" Mako shouted, her foot drawing back for her final strike. 

Norika shifted nervously. She moves around trying to get some space to defend the upcoming shoot. "I got to prepare myself..."

"Golem, Hanta! Norika needs help!" Asuto screamed as he tried to break his own marking.

"Err, I think we also need some help!" Golem grunted, his massive frame being held in place by two determined children. 

"We can't move!" Hanta hissed, her feet twitching.

"Just like the training! Go for it!" Asuto’s voice cut through their panic.

Hanta and Golem locked eyes. They remembered the drills, the hours of trying to synchronize Hanta’s speed with Golem’s power. They nodded in unison.

Hanta suddenly jumped, and Golem didn't move away, he dashed *toward* her. The defenders marking them blinked in confusion as the two collided. 

"It's our time, Golem! Let's go!"

"On it, Han-chan!" Golem roared.

Hanta landed in Golem's feets, Green energy began to crackle between them. Golem pulled Hanta with everything he had, propelling Hanta forward like a human missile with the force of his legs. 

"Ninja Technique: Sky Ninja! Haaaaah!" Hanta shouts.

She blurred through the air, leaving a massive cloud of dust in her wake. She reached Mako just as the girl was about to kick. 

With a mid-air spin, Hanta took the ball right from under Mako’s feet, balancing it on her forehead for a gravity-defying second before landing gracefully.

"Wow..." the kids whispered, completely awestruck. They had never seen a combined move like that.

Hanta landed and immediately cleared the ball out toward the midfield. She blinked, looking at her hands, then let out a piercing shriek of joy. "We did it! Our own hissatsu! We did it, Golem!"

Golem stared at his hands, his face turning a bright shade of pink. "Wow... we actually did it..."

"You guys did it! Nice job!" Hiro cheered, a wide smile on his face.

"Nice one, guys!" Michinari laughed. 

"Man... everyone is getting new hissatsus besides me," Goujin sighed, though he was smiling. "I'm gonna train until I grow wings!"

"Thank you so much, Asuto-chan!" Hanta beamed.

"I didn't do anything," Asuto said, his eyes warm as he watched his teammates celebrate. "You guys did it all."

*TWEEEEEET—TWEE-TWEEEEET!*

The coach’s whistle blew long and final. The game was over. The Inazuma Riverbank was quiet again, save for the heavy breathing of twenty-two players who had just found something more important than a win.

"We did it!!!" Hanta shouts.

"We did it!!!"" The Inakuni team celebrated all together, their voices rising in a joyful roar that echoed off the massive bridge above. They had won the game fair and square, but more importantly, they felt the weight of their own growth.

"That was amazing! So many emotions!" Ootani cried a little, her eyes rimmed with red as she used her hands like tiny fans to dry her tears. She looked at her clipboard, which was now messy with frantic notes and a few damp spots from her tears of relief.

Mako stared at the Inakuni team and smiled, a deep sense of satisfaction warming her chest. The score didn't sting on her, it felt like a lesson well-learned. 

"We...we lost..." Ryuusuke whispers, his eyes narrowing.

The Raimon Kids walked back to the benches where their coach was waiting. They moved slowly, their heads hanging, not quite sure what to say to the man who had seen them at their most arrogant.

"So, what did we learn today?" The coach asked, his voice gentle, a knowing smile playing on his lips.

"We got to train more..." Ryuusuke pouted, kicking at a loose clump of grass with his small cleat.

"We need more hissatsus..." Amei added, her pigtails drooping.

"We need like a super tactic to win or something..." Haru muttered, crossing his arms.

"To never underestimate the opponent..." Mako said, her voice bright and clear. She looked at her teammates with an encouraging grin.

"That's right. Never underestimate your opponent," The coach nodded. The kids stared at Mako, then at each other, the realization slowly sinking in. 

"They were lucky... that's all," Ryuusuke pouted, still clinging to a sliver of his pride.

"Hm!" The whole team nodded and pouted.

"No, you all were lucky," The coach countered softly. "Today you didn't play like you're all used to playing. You played to prove something, and in doing so, you forgot the most important thing: having fun. That’s why you lost." He pointed toward the Inakuni team, who were currently laughing and bumping shoulders. "They play together and have fun while playing. They play as one and are there for each other. That’s why they won. They are really a Raimon Eleven."

The kids looked at the celebrating team, their eyes narrowing a little.

Ryuusuke hissed a little under his breath, but finally, he let out a long, defeated sigh. "They are..." He turned to the coach and bowed deeply. "S...Sorry for today's loss, Handa-sama..."

"Sorry, Handa-sama!" the rest of the team followed suit, their voices high-pitched and sincere.

Mako beamed, her heart swelling as she saw her friends admitting their faults. "Mommy!" she suddenly called out, sprinting toward the woman sitting on the bench. "Did you enjoy today's game? Did I play well?"

"You were great, my little star," The woman smiled, reaching out to tuck a stray hair behind Mako’s ear. "You remembered the important part the whole game. I'm proud of you..."

Mako hugged her tight, her small face buried in her mother's jacket. "Easy there, girl," the woman laughed softly, "Don't forget about my back..."

"Oh, sorry Mommy!" Mako stepped back, giggling.

Handa looked over at the woman. "Wanna give some words to the kids, Ms. Sally?"

Sally shook her head, watching the children with a soft gaze. They had already learned what they needed to.

"Now let's go excuse ourselves!" Mako suggested, and the kids nodded, though their faces flushed a bright pink with embarrassment.

The team gathered and followed Handa toward the Inakuni team. Handa stepped forward, raising his hand in a gesture of peace. "Nice game."

The Inakuni team turned, their faces breaking into relieved smiles as they realized the rivalry was over. Michinari stepped forward to shake Handa’s hand. "Nice game, thanks for letting us play. You must be the Raimon Kids coach, right?"

"Yes, that's me. You can call me Handa," he smiled.

"Nice to meet you, Handa-san!" the Inakuni team bowed politely.

"WE ARE SORRY!" Ryuusuke suddenly shouted, bowing so low his forehead nearly touched his knees. "We shouldn't have said those things!"

"We are sorry!" the other kids echoed, a chorus of high-pitched apologies as they stared at the ground in shame.

Michinari blinked, surprised by the sudden shift. The rest of the Inakuni team shared a glance, their expressions softening instantly.

"Oh, don't be sad, okay?" Ootani said, kneeling down to be at eye level with them. "You guys were amazing out there!"

"It's okay, little one," Mansaku added, his hand resting on his hip.

"It's not a big deal, Hehe," Golem scratched the back of his head, looking a bit shy himself.

"We are just glad that you guys gave us a chance to show our skills. Thank you," Asuto said, bowing back with a warm, genuine smile.

"I-It's not a big deal! We are the ones who were wrong!" Ryuusuke insisted, bowing again.

The riverbank was peaceful, but for a few of them, the game felt like it had only just begun.

The riverbank air was cool, but the warmth between the two teams was undeniable. The Inakuni players, sensing the lingering tension in the children’s slumped shoulders, decided to take the first step. They moved in closer, not as opponents, but as peers.

"Hey, nice game you guys," Asuto said, crouched down to Ryuusuke’s level with a bright, toothy grin. "That speed of yours? I’ve never seen anyone on the island move like that. You’re like a bolt of blue lightning."

Ryuusuke blinked, his face flushing a deep red. He looked up, his eyes wide. "Really? Even after you used that... that sun move?" When Asuto nodded, Ryuusuke stood a little taller, a shy smile breaking through. "Thanks, Asuto-san. I... I guess I am pretty fast."

"And those card moves!" Hanta chirped, hopping over to Amei and Haru. "They were so flashy! I wish I could pull something out of thin air like that. It’s like magic!"

Amei giggled, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "It’s all about the wrist flick! Thank you, Hanta-senpai. Your ninja jump was way cooler, though!"

Haru nodded vigorously, his pout completely vanished. "Yeah! How do you even jump that high? Can you teach me?"

Hanta laughed, striking a ninja pose. "It’s all in the 'toe-spring' and trust! Golem here is the best launcher in the world!"

Golem rubbed the back of his head, his face turning pink. "I just try to be a steady mountain for Han-chan. But you kids... your defense was like a steel trap. I had a hard time even moving!"

"We were just trying to keep up with you!" Kaito admitted, looking up at Golem in awe. "You're so big and strong, I felt like I was running into a brick wall!"

Michinari stepped into the center of the group, his presence calming. "You all have a discipline that we’re still working on. The way you cover for each other... it’s a real Raimon trait."

Hasebe and Ryouta, who had been more embarrassed, finally relaxed. "We've been champions for a long time," Hasebe said softly. "But today felt... different. Better."

"Yeah..." Ryouta added.

"It’s because it was a challenge for both of the teams." Hiura said, leaning against a bridge pillar with a smooth smirk. "Keep that composure of yours in the midfield. It’s your best weapon."

Amai smiled. "Thank you..."

Hiro adjusted his glasses, looking at the kids' analytical players. "Your tactical diamond formation was 94% efficient. I’d love to compare notes on spatial management sometime."

Ryouta’s eyes sparked with interest. "Wait, you use data too? I thought I was the only one!"

"Man, everyone is talking shop," Goujin grumbled, though his eyes were twinkling. "What about me? Didn't anyone see the potential there?"

"Nice shots, Goujin-sama!" Mako laughed, and the rest of the kids joined in, making Goujin huff in a playful way.

Suddenly, the group shifted their attention to Kozoumaru, They approached Kozoumaru with wide, shining eyes.

"Wow..." Munakata whispered, his voice trembling with excitement. "That was a Fire Tornado right? It was very cool!"

Kozoumaru didn't move. He kept his eyes closed, his arms crossed tightly over his chest. He didn't even acknowledge their presence.

"Does the fire hurt your feet?" Haru asked, leaning in closer. "Do you have special cleats?"

Silence. Kozoumaru didn't even twitch an eyebrow.

"Aw, come on! Just one hint!" Ryuusuke pleaded, his hands balled into fists of anticipation. "Is it a secret training method? Do you kick volcanic rocks?!"

Kozoumaru let out a tiny, nearly imperceptible "Tsk," but remained a statue. This only made the kids more eager, as they began whispering theories to each other right in front of him, their admiration for him reaching a fever pitch.

Hiyori skipped over, patting a few of the kids on the head. "K-o-z-o-u-m-a-r-u-san grumpy! Gao! Little cubs play with a lot of heart at the end. That’s what Gao will remember!"

"Yeah!" the kids shouted together, their voices bright and full of life.

Norika walked over to Munakata, offering a hand. "Your saves were incredible. You have a real goalie’s soul.' Keep protecting that up, okay?"

Munakata took her hand, his face beaming. "Thanks a lot... I will try."

The two teams stood there under the bridge, the artificial lights making the scene look like something out of a movie. The bitterness was gone, replaced by the kind of friendship that can only be forged through a hard-fought battle on the pitch. They weren't just two different teams anymore, they were now all players who shared the same dream under the same night sky.

Asuto stepped forward, a wide smile on his face. "I like the hissatsu shoot, it was pretty strong."

Mako’s eyes lit up. "Really? Thanks Asuto-chan!"

Handa slowly walked away, joining Sally on the bench. They watched the two teams mingle, their shadows stretching long across the grass. "They're good kids," Sally murmured. Handa simply nodded, a proud smile on his face.

Ootani let out a long, shaky sigh of relief. "It's finally over... and everyone's happy."

A little bit further away, shrouded by the deep shadows of a large oak tree, a figure was watching. The person stood perfectly still, their gaze fixed on the Mansaku.

"Spark..." The person whispered.

Mansaku suddenly stiffened. He turned around, his eyes narrowing as he scanned the treeline. He felt a prickle on the back of his neck, the unmistakable sensation of being watched. He caught a glimpse of a silhouette, someone tall, standing in the dark. As soon as his eyes locked onto the spot, the figure retreated, vanishing behind the thick trunk of the tree.

Mansaku hissed under his breath, his brow furrowing. *Who was that...*

"What's wrong?" Asuto asked, noticing Mansaku's sudden shift in posture.

"It's nothing! Nothing at all..." Mansaku said quickly, looking away and forcing a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes.

Asuto nodded, but his internal radar was pinging. He could tell Mansaku was hiding something, a flicker of unease beneath the surface. He looked back toward the trees, but saw nothing but swaying branches.

Kozoumaru observed the exchange silently. He didn't say a word, but he turned his gaze upward, looking at the sky through the gap in the bridge. His expression was pensive, his mind already moving past the celebration and toward whatever shadows were starting to gather around them.

The air beneath the bridge grew cooler as the night deepened, but the warmth between the two teams was a palpable contrast. The grass was flattened and muddy in patches, a silent testament to the fierce struggle that had just taken place. Now, however, the space was filled with the sound of laughter and the lighthearted exchange of secrets.

Hiyori was showing a group of kids how to balance the ball on their heads making them laugh at the way he was doing it, while Norika and Munakata stood by the goalpost, comparing glove grip techniques. Hiura and Asuto were surrounded by Ryuusuke and Mako, who were hanging onto every word of their stories about life on the island. The others taught the kids something they knew and the kids listened to them, The Inakuni team felt a profound sense of pride, it made them more happy than ever.

*CLAP-CLAP!*

The sharp sound of Handa clapping his hands together cut through the lively chatter. He stood by the equipment bags, his silhouette framed by the distant city lights.

"Alright, everyone! That’s the whistle for the night," Handa called out. "It’s getting late, and the buses won't wait forever. Time to pack it up and head home."

Hiro checks the time on his phone. "It really is..."

Hanta giggles, scratching the back of her head. "We got super distracted!"

Norika smiles. "Yeah..."

A collective groan erupted from the kids, sounding more like a chorus of disappointed spirits than a championship team.

"Already?" Mako blinks a little.

"Nooo! Just ten more minutes, please!" Ryuusuke pleaded, grabbing onto Asuto’s sleeve. "I haven't shown him my new dribble yet!"

"I'm sure it is perfect!" Asuto smiles.

"Yeah but I wanted to show you!" Ryuusuke pouts. "Just a little more please!"

"I don't wanna go yet!" Amei pouted, crossing her arms and looking away, though she was clearly clutching the signed card Hiro had given her.

"Please! Just for a little bit!" Haru begged, looking up at Golem with wide, puppy-dog eyes. "You didn't finish telling us how you trained in the mountains!"

Michinari stepped forward, his expression softening as he looked at the disappointed faces. He reached out and ruffled Haru’s hair gently. "We have to go, guys. It’s getting late, and look at you all, you’re exhausted. We all need a lot of rest after an intense game like that. If we don't sleep, we won't grow strong enough for our next match, right?"

The kids groaned again, a long, drawn-out sound of reluctant acceptance. They kicked at the turf, their shoulders slumping as the reality of the departure set in. They had truly found friends in these island tourists, and the thought of the riverbank going quiet again felt lonely.

The Inakuni team and Handa looked at each other, their smiles reflecting a shared sense of accomplishment. Amidst the lingering sadness, "Handa-sama!" Ootani suddenly scurried over to Handa, standing on her tiptoes to whisper something urgently into his ear. Handa listened, his eyebrows rising in surprise before settling into a warm, contemplative nod. He looked at the kids, then at Michinari, and smiled broadly.

Meanwhile, Sally stood up from the bench, having meticulously repacked the medical kits and organized the team’s baggage with professional speed. She smoothed out her jacket and looked at the circle of children. "Now, kids," she said, her voice firm but motherly, "what do we say?"

The Inazuma Kids snapped into a perfect line, their earlier grumbling replaced by the discipline of a team that had regained its heart. They bowed in perfect unison, their voices echoing under the concrete canopy.

"THANKS FOR TODAY!" the Raimon Kids shouted, bowing so deeply and in such perfect unison that it looked like a wave of blue and yellow crashing against the shore.

The Inakuni team didn't hesitate. They stood as one, mirroring the gesture with a warmth that felt like a sunrise.

"THANKS FOR TODAY TOO!" they roared back, their voices carrying over the rushing water and up into the Tokyo night.

The bow held for a long moment, a silent pact of friendship sealed under the bridge. As they straightened up, the embarrassment was gone, replaced by the glowing embers of a day that had changed both teams forever. The stadium lights flickered once, as if signaling the final curtain call on an unforgettable encounter.

"Come watch us train tomorrow, guys!" Ootani smiles.

"Really?" Ryuusuke eyes wide open with excitement.

Handa nods with a smile of his face.

"Yeah!!!" The kids shout in unison, rising their fists up.

...

The morning sun danced across the surface of the training field, It was another day of training for the Inakuni team.

Lined up along the sidelines, perched on the equipment boxes or sitting cross-legged on the dirt, were the Inazuma Kids, who came to see the training, their eyes every single pair of them were glued to the Inakuni team with a devotion usually reserved for world-class professionals.

"Wow..." they whispered in a ragged, breathless unison every time a ball was kicked or a player pivoted.

Ootani stood by her clipboard, her chest swelling with such intense pride that she felt like she might float away. She watched her team move with a fluidity and confidence she hadn't seen since they came. Seeing them through the eyes of these children made the struggles of the past weeks feel worth it. She felt a familiar prickle in her eyes and quickly used her hands as fans, fluttering them frantically in front of her face. "Don't cry, Ootani! You’re the manager... Stay professional..." she squeaked to herself, though a tear of joy escaped anyway.

On the pitch, Goujin, never one to miss a spotlight, felt the gaze of the fans and couldn't help himself. "Hehe..." he stopped dead in his tracks, planting his cleats firmly and crossing his arms, jutting his chin out in a classic hero pose.

"Hehe, look at me kids! Check out the true ace striker in action!" he boomed, his voice echoing off the bridge pillars.

"Goujin-sama!" Ryouta shouted, pointing to his back.

"Goujin-sama, look out!" Mako screamed, her hands cupped around her mouth.

"Eek!" Goujin’s hero pose crumbled instantly. He ducked his head so fast his neck cracked, a ball whistling through the air exactly where his head had been a millisecond before. The wind from the shot actually ruffled his hair.

He spun around, eyes wide. "Hey! What are you doing?! You almost took my nose off!"

Kozoumaru stood a few yards away, his leg still extended from the follow-through of the shot. He slowly lowered his limb and crossed his arms, his expression as cold and sharp as a winter morning. "Are you done playing the jester?" he hissed, a dark aura seemingly radiating from his shoulders. "If you wanna keep toying around, then get out of the field."

Instead of being scared, the kids erupted. 

"Kozoumaru-sama is sooo cool!" Haru squealed, jumping up and down. 

"Kozoumaru-sama! Teach us how to be that cool!" the kids shouted in a chaotic, adoring chorus.

"Argh!" Goujin hissed, clutching his head. "He’s stealing my crowd! Darn it!"

"Let's move, Goujin! The training isn't over yet." Michinari called out, laughing as he jogged past. He felt lighter than air today, the burden of leadership replaced by a simple, joyful momentum.

The drill reignited. Hiro intercepted a pass with surgical precision, his eyes scanning the field behind his glasses. "Asuto, it’s yours!" He sent a crisp, low-drilled pass across the midfield.

Asuto received it in stride, his feet moving in a blur of yellow and white. Hiura lunged for a tackle, but Asuto performed a dazzling spin, dodging to the left with a burst of speed that left a streak in the damp grass.

"Nice one." Hiura shouted, a genuine, competitive smile on his face as he gave chase.

"Let's keep going, guys!" Asuto shouted, his voice ringing with the heat of the sun. He clipped the ball forward to Mansaku.

"Asuto-sama is so agile! He moves super fast!" Kaito said, his eyes literally sparking with awe as he watched Asuto’s every step. "Asuto-sama! Show us more!"

Mansaku trapped the ball, adjusted his cap with a confident smirk, and saw an opening. "Goujin! Don't miss this one!" He fired the ball toward the box.

Goujin’s eyes lit up. He forgot his jealousy and focused entirely on the leather sphere. "Got it!" He drew his leg back, the muscles tensing for a massive strike.

*SHIRR.*

Suddenly, the ball wasn't there. Golem had appeared out of nowhere, his massive frame sliding across the turf in a perfectly timed tackle that scooped the ball away cleanly.

"Argh! Hey! That was my moment!" Goujin shouted, stumbling over his own momentum.

"Wow! Golem-sama is huge, yet he’s so fast at slide tackling!" Ryuusuke yelled, leaning over the sideline fence. "He’s like a moving fortress!"

"Golem-sama!" the kids cheered.

Golem stood up, brushing dirt from his shorts. Seeing the kids cheering for him made his face turn a shade of red that rivaled a ripe tomato. "Ehehe..." he mumbled, looking at his feet and shuffling shyly.

"Earth to Golem!" Hanta suddenly zoomed past him, snatching the ball with a mischievous grin. "Are you coming or what?"

"Oh, right!" Golem barked, finding his footing and lumbering after her.

"Take it, Gao-san!" Hanta chirped, passing the ball to Hiyori.

Hiyori didn't just run; he exploded into a sprint. "Gao! Gao! Gaoooo!" he roared, his wild energy catching everyone off guard. He zigzagged around Mansaku and Michinari with a erratic, unpredictable pattern that looked like a wild animal on the hunt.

"There he goes..." Mansaku smirks, shaking his head. "He’s in the zone today."

"Don't stay behind! Let's keep the pressure up!" Michinari commanded, pushing the midfield forward.

At the other end of the pitch, the ball broke through the defense. Kozoumaru fired a practice shot toward the top corner. Norika didn't flinch. She tracked the ball’s flight, leaped with a powerful extension, and caught the ball firmly against her chest. She hit the grass, performed a perfect roll to dissipate the force, and popped back up to her feet in one fluid motion.

"Norika-sama is the best! She can catch anything!" Munakata shouted, his hands over his mouth in shock.

Norika smiled, a soft, embarrassed blush creeping onto her cheeks. She tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "Ehehe... well... I wouldn't say *everything*... but I’m trying my best for the team."

The training session continued for another hour, each player pushing themselves harder because they knew they were being watched by their biggest fans. Finally, Ootani looked at her watch and blew a long, sharp blast on her whistle.

"Alright, that's it for today! Great work, everyone!"

"YEAH!!!" the kids erupted, jumping over the small sideline fence like a tidal wave of blue and yellow.

"That was amazing!" Ryuusuke shouted, running onto the pitch.

The Inakuni team stood in the center of the field, catching their breath. Seeing the kids waving and cheering for them made them feel like they were standing in the middle of a national stadium. They stared at each other and then waved back, their faces flushed with a mix of physical exhaustion and the pure, ego-boosting heat of being admired.

"Man, today is the best day ever!" Goujin laughed, waving both arms like a maniac. "Nothing can go wrong when you've got a fan club!"

As the team started to walk toward the benches, Ootani put her hands on her hips and looked at the kids. "Hey, since you all enjoyed the show, why don't you help me out today, huh?"

"Uh?" The kids stopped, looking at Ootani and then at each other. A second later, they scrambled for the equipment bags.

The scene turned into a beautiful chaos. The kids surrounded each member of the Inakuni team, treating them like royalty.

Mako ran straight to Asuto, holding out a chilled bottle of water and a pristine white towel with a wide, bright smile. "Asuto-sama! You worked so hard! Here, please take this!"

"Oh! Thanks a lot, Mako-chan!" Asuto beamed, taking the towel and wiping the sweat from his forehead. He felt a strange, fluttering warmth in his chest as he was now someone these kids looked up to.

Nearby, Ryuusuke had cornered Golem. He was practically vibrating with excitement. "Golem-sama, your legs must be made of iron! Here’s your water!" He handed over the bottle like it was a sacred relic.

Golem took it with trembling fingers, still blushing furiously. "T-thank you, Ryuusuke-kun."

Munakata was hovering around Norika, holding her towel with both hands. "Norika-sama, that save on the upper corner was a miracle! Please, rest your hands!"

Norika laughed softly, taking the towel. "You're too kind, Munakata-kun. You can do those kind of saves too you know?"

Amei and Haru were following Kozoumaru, though they were a bit more hesitant. They set his water and towel on a bench near him, bowing slightly. "Um... You were so cool today, Kozoumaru-sama," Amei whispered with a smile.

Kozoumaru didn't say anything, but he gave a single, curt nod as he took the water, which sent the two kids into a silent fit of giggles.

Kaito was busy helping Hiro and Hiura, handing them towels while asking a thousand questions. "Hiura-sama, how do you make the ball curve like that? Hiro-sama, do you really see the field in numbers?"

"It's a secret of the trade," Hiura teased, giving a cool wink that made Kaito gasp.

Hiro adjusted his glasses, looking at the towel Kaito gave him. "Thank you, Kaito-kun. Your assistance has improved my recovery time by at least 12%."

Ryouta and Kaito were helping Michinari and Mansaku, acting like professional ball boys. "You are a very cool captain, Michinari-sama!" Kaito said with a smile, handing Michinari his bottle as Ryouta handled Mansaku his. "Wow, Mansaku-sama! You were everywhere on the field!" Ryouta said excited.

"Thanks, I try to make myself useful for the team." Mansaku smiles looking up at the sky.

"I appreciate it, guys," Michinari said, feeling a deep sense of peace. "We couldn't do this without your energy."

Goujin was currently being serviced by three different kids who were trying to fan him with their hands. "Ah, yes! This is the life!" he joked, leaning back on the bench. "Don't stop, I can still feel a breeze!"

Hanta and Hiyori were sitting on the grass, surrounded by a group of kids who were trying to mimic Hiyori. "Gao! Gao!" the kids shouted. 

"Gao! Not bad! Need more wild, hehe." Hiyori laughed. 

"This kids are so cool, hehe." Hanta said with a smile.

"You guys were amazing! I couldn't even blink the whole time!" Ryuusuke shouted, his eyes shining as he looked around at the whole team.

The training field, once just a place of grueling practice and doubt, had become a sanctuary. As the Inakuni team sat there, draped in towels and sipping water provided by the next generation of players, they didn't just feel like a team anymore, they felt like legends in the making. The laughter of the children and the soft rushing of the river blended into a perfect, wholesome harmony, a memory they would carry with them during their journey.

"Ohohohohohoho~"

The eccentric, high-pitched laugh cut through the atmosphere like a serrated blade. High up on the crossbar of the goalpost, silhouetted against the bright sky, stood a large man in a dramatic fighting pose. With a sudden, surprisingly agile leap, he plummeted toward the grass, landing in a cloud of dust and striking a pose that belonged more in a kabuki theater than on a soccer pitch.

"Gah!" Ootani’s eyes went wide, and she nearly tripped over her clipboard as she jumped back. Her eyes narrowed into slits of pure bewilderment. "W-what the..."

The Inakuni team’s smiles vanished instantly, ther eyes wide open.

"Eh..."

"Asuto-sama... W-who is that?" Ryuusuke whispered, pointing a trembling finger at the man. 

Mako blinked, her head tilting to the side in genuine concern. "What a... weird mister..."

"Eek!" The kids didn't wait for an explanation. They scrambled backward, scurrying behind Golem’s massive frame like ducklings seeking shelter from a strange predator.

"H-Hey!" Golem turned to the huddle of children, his voice gentle despite his size. "You don't have to be afraid, he won't bite you... I think..."

"Co-coach...?" Asuto blinked, squinting against the sun.

"What was he doing up there?" Goujin hissed to Hanta, his jaw hanging open.

"How did he even get up there?" Hanta whispered back, her eyes tracking the height of the goalpost in disbelief.

Michinari stepped forward, his expression hardening into his captain's persona. "Coach, you’ve been gone for weeks. What happened? Where have you been?"

Coach Zhao Jinyun smirked mischievously, his eyes twinkling with a secret. "Here’s a question!" 

"Eh...?" The Inakuni team stared at one another, the collective confusion palpable.

"All of you will soon be facing a new trial. Now, whatever could that be? Hm? Click." He whipped out a neon pink smartphone, a large 10-second timer pulsing on the screen.

Asuto leaned in, whispering, "Huh... Trial?"

The countdown ticked away in the silence of the riverbank. *10... 9... 8...*

"Time's up!" Zhao Jinyun shouted, the sudden volume making the entire team flinch.

"Eh...?" The team blinks a little.

"Urgh... I swear this guy gets on my nerves," Goujin hissed, rubbing his ringing ear.

"Co-coach... we don't understand..." Norika said, her brow furrowing. "A trial?"

The team nodded in a silent, unified demand for answers. Even the kids peered out from behind Golem, their curiosity finally outweighing their fear.

"Your new trial is..." Zhao paused for dramatic effect, his cape which seemed to appear out of nowhere fluttering in the breeze. "Whether you will be able to win a place in the Football Frontier! You guys still have a chance to qualify!"

"WHAT?!" The team shouted in unison, the sound echoing off the concrete bridge.

Goujin blinked, his brain rebooting. "We... aren't qualified yet? I thought we were already in the thick of it!"

"We are, right?" Hanta asked, her voice rising an octave. "How are we able to train and play if we aren't qualified?"

"We shouldn't be able to do that, right Ms. Ootani?" Michinari turned to the manager, seeking logic in the madness.

Ootani laughed awkwardly, rubbing the back of her head. "Well... you guys technically lost your last official match, so..."

The team went silent, the weight of their precarious situation finally sinking in. 

"Does that mean you won't be able to play, Norika-sama?" Mako asked, her bottom lip trembling.

"No... you guys have to play!" Haru added, his small fists clenched in worry.

"We don't know that... yet, little guys," Norika said, trying to offer a comforting smile despite her own anxiety.

"So that's why it took so long to find a game," Asuto mused, his hand on his chin. "We weren't even on the brackets to begin with..."

"So we have a chance to qualify...?" Michinari pressed.

"Aiiiiaaaaa!" Coach Zhao ignored the question entirely, breaking into a series of rapid, eccentric kung-fu moves, his limbs blurring in the air.

"C-coach?" Ootani blinked.

"Yes." Sub-coach Kameda walked into the light, his face as stoic as ever, clutching a tablet. The team looked to him for actual information.

Kameda tapped the screen, and a digital board projected into the air, showing the complex tournament structure.

| Phase   |                            | Requirement |

|  Preliminaries  | 16 schools per block. |

|  Match Format  | 6 randomly chosen opponents. |

|  Advancement  | Top 2 ranks in the block qualify. |

|  Tiebreaker  | Goal difference. |

"Whoever ranks in the top two is guaranteed a place," Kameda explained, his voice flat. "If teams are tied, it's decided by goal difference. Scoring as much as you can is the primary objective of this season."

"Heh..." Kozoumaru smirks, his eyes glinting.

"So my assumptions were correct," Hiro said, pushing up his glasses. "Even with a loss, if we keep winning the rest of our games..."

"We still advance..." Asuto whispered, the fire returning to his eyes.

"You guys will be able to play!?" Ryuusuke asked, his eyes lighting up like stars.

Goujin let out a roar of triumph. "YES!"

"YEAH!" The kids joined in, jumping around the Inakuni players in a dizzying display of support. The tension that had gripped the team for weeks finally unspooled, replaced by a clear, albeit difficult, path forward.

Kozoumaru let out a sharp sigh, whispering to himself, "It’s too early to celebrate, idiots... you all could ruin everything before it even starts."

But Asuto was undeterred. He stepped into the center of the field, the sun catching the sweat on his brow. "I'm all burned up. Let's train like crazy and win every single match for now on!"

"Nothing’s changed, guys! Let's keep going!" Michinari smiled.

"YEAH!" 

While the team erupted in cheers, a different kind of energy permeated in the school building. Anna stood by the floor-to-ceiling windows, her silhouette sharp against the glass. The other girls in the council stood behind her, their gazes judgmental as they watched the distant figures on the field.

"Those guys intend to play more games?" one of the girls sneered, her voice dripping with annoyance. "After that embarrassing display?"

Anna watched the training in silence. Her eyes narrowed as she locked onto Asuto’s distant, moving form. She could still hear his voice in her head, that stubborn, annoying conviction.

*"It doesn't matter how many times they knock us off. Football... it won't leave us. It's right here."*

He had said that while covered in bandages, his spirit refusing to break. It was frustrating. It was illogical.

"Anna-san... today you are quite..." one girl started, noticing her president’s pensive state.

"What?" Anna snapped, turning with eyes so sharp and dangerous the girl visibly recoiled.

"Nothing..." The girl looked down at her shoes.

"Anna-san!" another girl interjected, stepping forward. "We can't let them play another game! They'll just lose again and make our school a laughingstock! They are an embarrassment!"

"Uhum," the rest of the group nodded in unison.

Anna looked back out toward the sky, the blue expanse offering no answers. "Yes, you are right..." she said, her voice cold and final. 

"It’s time to disband them..."

...

Later, inside the clubhouse, Coach Zhao stood at the front of the room, Ootani and Kameda flanking him like awkward lieutenants.

"I will announce your next opponent and the training menu starting today," Zhao said, that unsettling smirk returning.

"Yes, coach!" the team shouted.

"Finally..." Kozoumaru whispered, his foot tapping rhythmically against the floor.

"Alright," the coach continued. "Your next opponent is known as the towering stronghold of the soccer world... Minodouzan Boulders High!"

The screen flickered to life, showing a wall-like formation of players who looked more like mountain peaks than teenagers. They stood shoulder-to-shoulder, their physical presence intimidating even through a digital display.

"Minodouzan..." Asuto whispered.

Goujin leaned back, crossing his arms and scoffing. "Heh. They sound like a bunch of sumo wrestlers."

"Wow... they are huge..." Golem said, feeling unusually small for the first time in his life.

"They look like construction workers, Hehe..." Hanta giggled, pointing at their heavy-set builds.

Sub-coach Kameda adjusted the display. "Minodouzan bounces back anyone who approaches."

"Not a single person can intrude into their end of the field. They block every single attack with efficiency and they block every single shoot with before even reaching the goalie. They call it... The Stronghold Defense, their way of football."

"Gao! They are a wall? Then Gao jumps over!" Hiyori said with a big smirk, mimicking a leaping motion.

"I guess that’s the plan," Michinari noted, his mind already spinning with tactical counters.

Kozoumaru hissed, his eyes dark. "If all they do is defend, all we have to do is attack. I’ll crush them."

"*We will crush them!" Goujin interjected, slamming a fist into his palm. "I won't stay behind!"

"Nobody asked your opinion..." Kozoumaru sighed, not even looking at him.

"Why you little- !"

"The match is in one week," the coach interrupted, his voice cutting through the bickering. "For training, we will do only one thing... Click. What could it be?" He held up the pink smartphone again. 10 seconds.

Asuto's eyebrows shot up. "Crushing their defense?"

The coach made a loud, obnoxious *BUZZ* sound with his mouth. "Wrong!"

"Eh..." The team blinked a little.

Asuto sighed, closing his eyes in defeat. 

"The answer is..." Zhao paused, looking around the team with a smirk.

The team looked at each other, the silence stretching uncomfortably long.

"It’s getting kinda long..." Norika smiled awkwardly.

"Too long..." Hanta added.

"Very... very long..." Hiro finished.

""INCREASING YOUR DEFENSE! Hohohohohohohoho!"

"EH?!" The team’s collective shout nearly shook the locker room.

Kozoumaru blinked, his brain halting. "What..."

"Huh? Defense only?" Asuto asked, completely lost. "But how does that help us score?..."

"I don't see how that helps us break through..." Mansaku added, looking to the sub-coach for help, but Kameda remained silent.

"Coach... are you sure this is a good idea?" Norika asked.

"Coach's orders are final!" Zhao said, already turning toward the door. "Now let's go! Time is money!"

"Hold on there!" Kozoumaru stepped forward, his gaze full of fire. "What is the meaning of this? Are you out of your mind? We need to train our offense! As a forward, I'll break through with the right training!"

The coach stopped. He turned and stared at Kozoumaru for a long, silent second. Then, without a word, he sat down on the floor, crossed his legs, and pulled out a small TV and a gaming controller.

"What are you doing...?" Kozoumaru’s eyes darkened, his fists tightening until his knuckles were white.

The coach ignored him entirely, his thumbs moving frantically on the controller. "Ugh! I almost got him! Stupid boss fight!"

"V-video-games...?" Michinari blinked a little.

"C-coach..." Ootani blinked, her clipboard drooping.

"You piece of shit..." Kozoumaru's rage was palpable, a low growl vibrating in his throat.

Asuto watched the scene with a sad, heavy gaze. He didn't understand the coach’s methods, and he certainly didn't agree with the lack of explanation. Yet, as he looked at the screen and then at his team, he knew they had no choice. There was a logic buried somewhere in Zhao’s madness, he just hoped they’d find it before the Stronghold crushed their dreams for good.

...

The sun beat down on the  training field , casting sharp, dancing shadows across the grass. But the usual rhythmic "thwack" of a well-timed strike was missing. Instead, the air was filled with the sounds of heavy breathing, frantic shouting, and the clumsy thud of balls hitting shins instead of cleats. 

The Inakuni team was struggling. Tasked with focusing entirely on defense, the players looked like they were learning to walk for the first time. The transition from their natural, aggressive flow to a stifling, back-and-forth defensive containment was proving to be a disaster for all of them.

Mansaku lunged for a ball, but his timing was completely off. He slid across the damp turf, missing the ball by a foot and coming to a stop with his face practically in the dirt. "Darn it..."

Hiyori tried to intercept a pass intended for Hiro, but he mistimed his jump. "Wha-!" Hiyori gasped as he collided mid-air with Michinari. 

"I got you!" Michinari catches Hiyori and lands on the ground. "Are you ok?"

"Gao..." Hiyori hissed. "H-i-y-o-r-i look like trapped animal..."

Hiro adjusted his glasses, which were sliding down his nose from the sweat. He tried to calculate the trajectory of a loose ball, but before he could even move, it bounced off his shin and rolled out of bounds. "This is... something else..."

Hanta was dashing back to cover, but she tripped over a stray tuft of grass, performing a clumsy somersault. "Whoa! I meant to do that! It was a... tactical roll! Hehe..."

Golem giggles passing the ball back to Hiura who passes to Norika.

"Norika-san!" Hiura shouts.

The ball passed straight on front of Norika, who couldn't run faster to get it. "Ah! Sorry..."

In the center of the chaos, a different kind of tension was boiling. Kozoumaru and Goujin were locked in a fierce battle for possession. 

Kozoumaru gritted his teeth, his breath coming in sharp, angry rasps. He moved the ball with frantic, jagged movements, trying to weave around Goujin.

Goujin, surprisingly, was in his element. His eyes were narrowed, focused entirely on the ball. He didn't care about the clumsiness of the others, he just wanted to prove he could do what was asked. As Kozoumaru tried a quick step-over, Goujin saw the opening. He lunged with a heavy but precise foot.

"Got it!" Goujin shouted, successfully hooking the ball away and spinning it toward the sideline.

Kozoumaru stopped dead, his chest heaving. He let out a sharp, venomous hiss. "Darn it! What is the point of this training?!"

Goujin straightened up, wiping sweat from his brow and letting out a long, weary sigh. "Just quit complaining, Kozoumaru... Coach gave us a job. We just have to do it!"

Kozoumaru didn't answer. His eyes were dark, filled with a frustration that bordered on fury. He didn't want to understand the point. He just wanted the ball at his feet, facing a goal, ready to burn the net.

On the sidelines, the atmosphere was even stranger. Coach Zhao was slumped on the bench, his eyes glued to a smartphone screen. His thumbs moved with a speed the players on the field could only dream of. 

"Take that! And that! Ohoho, the secret boss is no match for my ultimate combo!" he cackled, completely oblivious to the stumbling players in front of him.

Sub-coach Kameda stood beside him, his eyes twitching with every clink and beep from the phone. He looked like he was about to snatch the device and hurl it into the river. He couldn't believe they were wasting precious hours of the qualification window on mobile games.

Ootani sat on the edge of the bench, clutching her clipboard. Her gaze was fixed on the team, her brow furrowed in genuine worry. The rhythm they had built against the Inazuma Kids was gone, replaced by a disjointed, awkward mess. "Coach... don't you think we should... help them?"

Zhao didn't even look up. "Hehehe..."

Ootani pouted, the gaze back at the team, looks like she couldn't do anything to help.

Asuto dribbled slowly around Michinari, his movements lacking their usual spark. "Captain, what do you think about this? This defense focus... it feels so strange."

Michinari shadowed him, trying to keep his feet moving. "I really don't know what to think. The weird training we did before, it had a purpose. Maybe this one does too. We just have to trust the process."

"Yeah," Asuto agreed, looking toward the bench. "He always seems to have something up his sleeves."

Suddenly, the sharp trill of Kameda’s whistle cut through the air. "Gather up!" he barked.

The team stopped immediately, a collective sigh of relief rippling through them as they trudged toward the bench. They found the Coach standing tall, a smug, mischievous smirk plastered across his face. Beside him stood a mysterious object, roughly four feet tall, hidden under a heavy black velvet curtain.

"Here’s what we will do next," Zhao said, his voice dripping with theatrical flair.

"W-what’s that?" Goujin asked, leaning forward with suspicion.

"Are we going to open presents?!" Hanta’s eyes sparkled with hope. "Is it a new set of kits? Or snacks?!"

Hiro sighed, adjusting his glasses. "It isn't even Christmas, Han-chan."

"So what is it?" Norika asked, her curiosity finally overriding her exhaustion.

"Hehe..." The coach’s smirk widened. "Our... secret weapon..."

The team let out a collective gasp. A secret weapon? Was it a high-tech training machine? A new tactical board?

"Its name is..." Zhao said, pausing for the ultimate dramatic effect. He gripped the corner of the velvet. "The Mystery Lottery Box Number 3! Ohohohohohoho!"

He whipped the curtain away to reveal a gaudily painted wooden box with a large hole at the top. It looked like something from a cheap street carnival.

"Eh!?" The team stared at the box, then at the coach, then back at the box.

"L-lottery?" Asuto blinked, his hope deflating.

Golem whispered, his voice low and cautious. "It looks suspicious."

"Step right up, Hehehehe..." The coach leaned forward, his eyes gleaming with a manic energy.

The team stood in an awkward circle, staring at the hole in the top of the box. Finally, Asuto stepped forward. He reached in, his fingers brushing against small slips of paper. He pulled one out and unfolded it.

"I lost...?" he said, staring at the blank paper. He looked genuinely confused, as if losing a lottery was a error he hadn't prepared for.

The team watched in silence, unsure of how to react. Kozoumaru had seen enough. He turned on his heel and started walking away. "I’ve had enough of this."

Asuto frowns slightly, seeing Kozoumaru leave. Michinari shakes his head, understanding his frustration.

"I won?" Hiura pulled his hand out of the box, holding a slip with a bright red circle on it. He looked at the paper, then at the coach, his face a mask of uncertainty. "But coach... what did I win?"

Golem went next, with Hanta perched on his massive shoulder to get a better view. "I won too...?" Golem rumbled, looking at his red-circled paper. He didn't know whether to be happy or terrified, but he smiled.

"The two who have won are free to skip this incredibly intense training!" Zhao announced, throwing his arms wide.

"Eh?" Golem gasped, his eyes widening.

"Skipping training?" Hiura looked shocked. "But coach... We need to prepare for game..."

"Wha-" Golden eyes wide in shock.

"In exchange," the coach added, his smirk turning sinister, "you will be helping with a few chores! Very important chores!"

"C-chores!?" the team gasped in unison.

"Eh...?" Asuto blinked. He felt a strange sensation, like a cold breeze passing behind him. He spun around, his senses on high alert.

There, standing just a few feet away, was a strange child. The kid was dressed in traditional Chinese silk clothing, vibrant and ornate. But the most striking feature was the mask, a large, traditional face mask that obscured every feature. 

Asuto stared, his mouth slightly agape. "Huh?"

The masked kid looked at Asuto, the painted eyes of the mask fixed on him. Slowly, the child raised a single finger to the mouth of the mask.

"Shhhh..."

Then, with a sudden, explosive burst of speed, the kid sprinted away toward the bridge, moving with a grace and velocity that seemed almost inhuman.

"What was that...?" Asuto whispered to himself, his heart racing.

...

The pre-dawn light over Raimon High was a bruised purple, a heavy, translucent fog clinging to the eaves of the buildings like damp wool. The world was unnervingly silent, and calm, outside of the rhythmic breathing of two boys standing by the monolithic concrete wall outside of the school gates.

Golem let out a yawn so wide it threatened to dislocate his jaw, his eyes watery and blinking against the chill. Beside him, Hiura was shivering slightly in his tracksuit, his fingers buried deep in his pockets as he rubbed his eyes.

"What chores could we possibly be doing this early in the morning?" Hiura sighed, his breath blooming into a small cloud of silver vapor. "The staff aren't even here to let us into the equipment room..."

"I feel uneasy..." Golem rumbled, his voice low and vibrating with a touch of genuine fear. He cast a wary glance toward the shifting fog. "It feels like we’re in a ghost story, Hiura-kun."

"Good morning!" 

The voice didn't come from behind them, it seemed to materialize directly out of the mist. Coach Zhao stepped into the pale light, a smug, cat-like smirk stretched across his face. He wasn't wearing a coat, seemingly immune to the morning frost, and in his hand, he held a pink smartphone that cast a glow against his cheek.

"Coach..." Hiura and Golem whispered.

"Iwato-kun," Zhao said, his voice dripping with a terrifyingly pleasant smugness. He pointed a dramatic, gloved finger at the towering wall behind them. "Here is where your destiny begins today."

The wall, which had been blank the night before, had a strange image, Sprawling across the concrete were intricate, aggressive drawings of soaring dragons and jagged, mountainous landscapes. The paint lines were colorful and thick, as if someone had spent all night frantically scribbling a legend onto the school’s architecture.

"Someone has been drawing on these walls," Zhao said, his eyes twinkling. "As a dedicated member of this school, it is your duty to make sure every single stroke is scrubbed off."

"W-wha- what?" Golem’s eyes went wide, his mouth hanging open. He looked at the vast expanse of the wall, it was at least twenty feet high and fifty feet long. "All of it? By myself?"

"Uh..." Hiura tilted his head.

"Correct!" Zhao chirped. He then turned to Hiura, his smirk widening. "And for you, Hiura-kun, a more... fluid task."

A few hours later, the rest of the Inakuni team arrived for their morning drills, only to stop dead in their tracks at the edge of the campus.

"Is that... Golem?" Hanta asked, her jaw dropping. 

Against the massive wall, Golem was a blur of frantic, heavy-set motion. He used a old cloth , his massive arms pumping back and forth in a wide, rhythmic arc. He looked like he was fighting the wall itself. Sweat was already pouring down his face, soaking his collar despite the morning chill. 

"Golem, you’ve been at this since five in the morning?" Hanta’s eyes were wide as she watched his shoulder muscles ripple with every aggressive scrub.

"Sheesh, this drawings look crazy..." Goujin muttered, impressed despite himself. 

"I bet the Coach was the one who drew those dragons in the first place," Hiro said, adjusting his glasses with a cynical click. "Look at the line work. It’s the same frantic energy as his kung-fu poses."

"Huh..." Asuto blinked, scanning the area. "And where is Hiura? He was supposed to be here with Golem."

A sudden *whoosh* of water and the sound of frantic footsteps answered him. The team turned just in time to see Hiura sprinting across the courtyard at a full-tilt jog. He was lugging a heavy, industrial-strength hose, the yellow tubing snaking behind him like a giant serpent. 

 

He didn't stop. As he ran, he held the nozzle with both hands, aiming a high-pressure stream of water with surgical precision. 

"Watering?" Norika asked, her head tilting as she they folloed him..

"Yeah..." Hiura sighs. He didn't break his stride, his feet pounding the pavement in a steady, unrelenting rhythm. 

"Why are you watering everything while running?!" Goujin shouted, running alongside him for a few steps.

"Coach said I need to water all the areas of the school..." Hiura said, his eyes focused on the target ahead.

The team watched in stunned silence as Hiura veered toward a flower bed, drenching it in a second, then pivoted his entire torso, without slowing his feet, to blast a high-pressure stream against the second-story windows of the main building. 

"He wants me to spray water all over everything basically. Hiura said. "The trees, The flower beds, and the  windows."

*SPLASH!* A stray arc of water hit a nearby tree, shaking the leaves violently. Hiura’s grip on the hose was white-knuckled, his arms vibrating from the kickback of the pressure as he fought to keep the stream steady while navigating the turns of the campus.

"This is nuts..." Hiro whispered, adjusting his glasses.

"But we have to practice all together..." Norika shouted, looking genuinely distressed. "How can we build a strategy for Minodouzan if everyone is doing their own thing? We're supposed to be a team..."

"Well... coach’s orders are final..." Hiura’s voice faded as he rounded the corner of the library, the hose snapping taut behind him.

Hanta let out a long, weary sigh. "Man, why does Coach do these things? It feels like we’re just being used for free janitorial work."

Asuto didn't join in the complaining. He stood still, watching the distant figure of Golem scrubbing and the spray of water from Hiura’s hose catching the first rays of the rising sun. He squinted, a thoughtful look crossing his face. "He has a reason," Asuto whispered to the sky. "He’s weird, but he never makes us move for nothing."

...

While the team struggled outside, the atmosphere inside the Raimon Football Clubhouse was slightly tense. The air smelled of old trophies and floor wax. 

Coach Zhao Jinyun was draped over a chair, his legs kicked up on the table. His thumbs were a blur on his pink smartphone, the tinny sound of the game filling the room. Sitting across from him, her back straight and her eyes like frozen flint, was Anna. 

"The Student Council has reached a final decision," Anna said, her voice dropping like a heavy curtain. "The Raimon Football Club is to be officially disbanded."

His thumbs continued to dance. Anna’s eyes widened slightly, not out of fear, but out of pure, unadulterated disbelief. She had expected a plea, a shout, perhaps even a dramatic kung-fu pose. Instead, she was being ignored for a mobile game, she ignored too, continuing her argument.

"The Raimon Football Club is a legendary existence," Anna continued, her voice flat. "It represents the spirit of this school. We don't need an eleven that soils its name with amateurish play and eccentric coaching. I'm protecting the legacy."

"Aww, man! I lost!" Zhao suddenly wailed, his shoulders slumping. He tapped the screen aggressively.

Anna stares at him in silence.

He finally lowered the phone, letting out a long, dramatic sigh. Anna’s expression didn't change, she stared at him with a indiferent gaze.

Zhao finally turned his head. the playful light in his eyes vanished, replaced by a dark, piercing depth that caught Anna off guard. He kept his back to her, looking out the small window toward the pitch where the team was struggling.

"Do you dislike football, President?" he asked with a mischievous smirk, finally staring at her.

Anna said. "It doesn't matter. What's necessary for the club right now is-"

"I understand," Zhao interrupted, his voice cutting through her explanation like a blade. He stood up slowly, his movements deliberate. 

He turned to face her, and for the first time, Anna felt the weight of the man’s presence. He wore a mischievous smirk, but his eyes were cold and calculating. 

"The football club is a very important matter to this school, I can tell..." Zhao said, leaning over the table until he was inches from her face. "But... Hehe..." 

He leaned back, his smirk growing wider, more predatory. "Do you really want to be the one to get rid of the name? The reputation?"

Anna stared at him, trying to find the crack in his armor, but there was nothing but a wall of smug confidence. 

"Who’s going to take the blame for that, I wonder?" Zhao mused, tapping his chin. "Will it be the 'weird' coach who tried to save it? Or will it be the Student Council President who was too afraid to let them try?"

Anna pressed her lips together, her eyes her gaze sharper than ever. "Is that a threat?"

"Oh, no no no no no no..." Coach Zhao smirked, "it's just a simple question."

Anna stared at him, she could tell there was more to this man than she could read.

"I urge you to see it for yourself, with your own eyes," Zhao said, turning his back once more and heading for the door. "Watch them. Watch how they play. Watch how they fight. And then make up your mind, President... very, very... *carefully*."

He left the room with a sharp, echoing laugh that seemed to linger in the air long after the door clicked shut. Anna stood there in the silence of the clubroom, looking at the empty chair. 

She turned toward the window, her gaze fixing on the field where Asuto and the others were gathered. Her eyes narrowed, the gears of her mind turning as she weighed the weight of a legend against the reality of the boys on the grass.

...

The sun climbed sluggishly over the jagged skyline of Tokyo, its light filtered through a hazy layer of morning smog that turned the horizon into a dull, bruised gold. In the sprawling urban landscape, the city began to churn with the mechanical precision of a clockwork toy. Salarymen in crisp, navy suits marched toward subway entrances with rhythmic footfalls, their faces buried in digital screens. Students in varied uniforms hurried along, the chatter of their voices lost to the hum of early morning traffic and the distant shriek of sirens.

Despite the bustle, a strange, biting chill lingered in the air, a cold that seemed to seep through fabric and skin alike, settling deep within the marrow.

On the training field, the only sound was the repetitive, violent *thud* of leather meeting mesh. Kozoumaru stood alone at the edge of the penalty box, his breath coming in short, visible puffs of white vapor. His eyes were narrowed, fixed on the top corner of the goal with a predatory intensity.

He didn't care about the team’s collective defense drills. He didn't care about the confusing mandates of the Coach. He trained alone, doing things his way. He drew his leg back, the muscles in his calf tensing like a coiled spring. With a grunt of effort, he unleashed a shot that screamed through the air, the friction nearly singing the blades of grass beneath it. 

The ball slammed into the netting with such force that the metal Kozoumaru turned to retrieve another ball from the mesh bag, his mind a fortress of ambition.

The air inside the Kogorashi Mansion was calm and warm, Mansaku sat on the edge of his futon, his head resting in his hands. His skull felt like it was filled with wet sand, and every time he blinked, his eyelids felt like they were scraping against his eyes. It felt like a deep-seated lethargy that seemed to have settled into his marrow overnight.

"Urgh, damn... How do I feel so tired all of a sudden?" he muttered, his voice sounding raspy even to his own ears. 

He stood up, his knees letting out a sharp *pop* that echoed in the quiet room. He felt out of sorts, his balance a little off as he navigated the hallway toward the kitchen. The morning light was beginning to filter through the windows, but it was a cold, grey light that offered no warmth.

Ms. Yone was already in the kitchen, her back to him as she busied herself with the morning prep. The rhythmic *thwack* of her knife against the cutting board felt like a hammer against Mansaku’s temples.

"Mansaku-chan!" she called out without turning around, her voice sharp and energetic. "You woke up late today."

"Yeah, I guess I was a little more tired that the usual." Mansaku said rubbing his neck slightly.

"Well, Since you're up now, could you be a dear and grab these for me before you head to school? I’m completely out of the soup base I need for tonight." Ms. Yone smiled.

Mansaku leaned against the doorframe, rubbing his face. "Sure, Ms. Yone. Just give me the list."

The city of Tokyo was already breathing by the time Mansaku stepped out. It was that specific time of morning where the world felt monochromatic, grey buildings, grey asphalt, and a pale grey sky. The temperature had dipped unexpectedly, and a biting wind whipped through the narrow streets, carrying the faint metallic scent of the subway tracks.

Mansaku pulled his collar up, his hands shoved deep into his pockets. He felt invisible in the sea of commuters. Salarymen with dead eyes shuffled toward the stations, and groups of students huddled together, their laughter sounding distant and hollow. He crossed the first major intersection, his mind drifting toward the upcoming match against Minodouzan, but his focus kept slipping away, I thought of something he didn't want to but sometimes couldn't ignore, Mansaku hisses and shakes his head, it was better to just let it go...

As he navigated a particularly narrow sidewalk, he didn't notice a loose paving stone jutting up. His toe caught the edge, and he stumbled forward, his shoulder clipping a damp concrete wall. A small pool of stagnant rainwater, hidden beneath the stone, splashed upward, soaking the side of his sneaker and the hem of his pants. He stopped for a second, looking down at the muddy streak with a dull sense of irritation, then simply shook his head and kept moving. "Tsk..."

Further down the block, a sudden, violent gust of wind swept an old, discarded newspaper off a trash bin. The heavy, damp paper slapped directly against Mansaku’s face, momentarily blinding him. He swiped it away with a hiss of annoyance, the cold ink leaving a faint smudge on his cheek. As he crumpled the paper and tossed it aside, a cyclist swerved wildly to avoid a stray dog, forcing Mansaku to hop onto a patch of muddy grass to avoid being hit. "Hey! Watch it!" Mansaku shouts.

"Sorry!" The cyclist says already far gone on the road.

"This city man..." Mansaku sighs.

He felt heavy, his movements lacking their usual athletic grace. He stopped at a crosswalk, waiting for the light to change, when a sudden, thunderous horn from a passing truck made him flinch so hard he nearly dropped the grocery list. Just as he regained his footing, his right shoelace caught on a piece of jagged metal sticking out from a construction fence. He felt the snap of the lace breaking. 

"Great," he whispered, kneeling down to tie the frayed ends together. 

While he was on the ground, a large crow landed on the fence post directly above him, letting out a series of harsh, grating caws. It shifted its weight, and a heavy, grey feather drifted down, landing right in the middle of his messy knot. He brushed it off, his jaw tightening. Thinking about how much he wanted to be back in bed.

He passed a vending machine that chose that exact moment to let out a high-pitched, mechanical shriek as it restocked itself, the sound echoing painfully in his ears. A construction worker nearby dropped a heavy metal pipe onto the pavement, the *clang* vibrating through Mansaku’s teeth. Everything felt loud, abrasive, and slightly tilted.

"Argh, darn it..." Mansaku hisses.

"Hey kid, you good?" The construction worker asked.

"I'm fine..." Mansaku sighs, *this city really was a mess.* He thought.

He walked around, lost on his thoughts again, his gaze up to the sky.

He was only two blocks from the grocer when the atmosphere of the street shifted. The crowd thinned out as he turned into a district dominated by older apartment blocks and cramped warehouses. The buildings here seemed to lean over the street, blotting out what little sun was trying to break through the clouds.

"Help! Somebody help me!"

"Hm?" The scream was sharp and desperate. Mansaku’s instincts flared up, the fatigue in his legs vanished as adrenaline took over. He spun toward a narrow alleyway tucked between a laundromat and a shuttered bookstore. 

Inside the gloom of the alley, a young girl was being backed into a corner by a hooded figure. They were wrestling over a leather bag, the girl’s knuckles white as she struggled.

"Give me! Ehehehe~" the thief giggled, a strange, wheezing sound.

"Hey!" Mansaku roared, his voice booming in the confined space. 

He didn't wait for a response. He lunged forward, using his momentum to deliver a solid shoulder tackle to the hooded figure. The impact was heavy, sending the thief flying backward into a stack of empty wooden crates that shattered upon impact.

"Urgh..." the figure hissed, disappearing into the shadows of the debris.

The bag fell to the floor. Mansaku stepped in front of the girl, his chest heaving as he stood his ground. "Are you okay? Did he hurt you?"

The girl didn't say a word. She snatched her bag off the ground, gave him a quick, wide-eyed look of terror, and scrambled out of the alley toward the main street. 

"Tsk..." Mansaku watched her go, a small, weary smirk forming on his lips. "You aren't that brave anymore, aren't ya?" he said, turning back toward the wreckage of the crates.

The figure didn't get up. Instead, a low, melodic laughter began to bubble up from the shadows. 

"Heh... You sure never change, Spark..."

Mansaku’s smirk froze. The air in the alley suddenly felt ten degrees colder. That name *Spark* was something he hadn't heard in years. It was a name from a life he had tried to scrub clean from his memory.

"What..." Mansaku blinked, his vision suddenly blurring as the adrenaline began to fade. "That... voice..."

He looked around. Despite the morning sun being high enough to light the street outside, the alley felt stuck in a permanent twilight. The walls were stained with old graffiti and grime, and the silence was so thick it felt physical.

Suddenly, something moved in his peripheral vision. Before he could turn his head, a soccer ball, kicked with bone-shattering force, slammed directly into his stomach.

"Aagrh...!" The air was driven from his lungs in a sickening wheeze. Mansaku collapsed to the ground, his knees hitting the concrete hard. His vision swam with black spots as he clutched his belly, his body curling inward to protect itself from the pain.

"Hehehehe..."

Footsteps approached, multiple sets, heavy and rhythmic. Mansaku struggled to look up, his eyes watering from the impact. He saw the ball rolling slowly across the wet concrete, stopping just in front of a pair of scuffed, heavy boots.

"Gahh..." He hissed, clutching his belly.

"Looks like we caught a big fish, Mari... Hehehehehe..."

A group of teenagers stepped into the light, or what passed for light in the alley. They looked like ghosts of a violent past. Their jackets were worn, their faces marked with the scars of street fights and hard living. They carried bats and heavy, rusted chains that clinked like a funeral march.

"It...it... can't be..." Mansaku wheezed his eyes wide, his voice trembling.

"So it was really you, huh..."

A girl stepped forward. She had blue hair pulled back so tightly it seemed to pull at the corners of her eyes, which were a sharp, piercing lilac. A jagged scar ran vertically through her left eyebrow, giving her a permanent, predatory squint.

"M-Mari... guys... it's that really you?" Mansaku asked, his hands scraping against the rough ground as he tried to sit up.

"H-how..." Mansaku's lips trembled.

"What's wrong, little Spark... You look like you just saw a ghost... Hehehehe" The gang laughed in a hollow, practiced unison.

"Hahahahahahahahahah!"

Mari squatted down, her lilac eyes locking onto his. "You know," she said, her voice a low, dangerous purr.

Mansaku looked up at her, his eyes narrowing. "M...Mari..."

"Heh," She turns back. "When the gang told me they saw the a certain walking around Tokyo, I couldn't believe it. Genuinely."

"W... what's going on..." Mansaku whispers, "H...how...."

She stood up and began to pace around him, her movements fluid and menacing. "The idea of seeing the mighty Spark again was just a dream... a wish... something impossible." 

She stopped, her back to him. "But here you are. It's really you, Spark"

"He came back to us on his own! Fufufufu!" the gang roared, the sound echoing off the narrow walls.

"Ehahahahahahahaha!"

"M-Mari... how....how are you here..." Mansaku hissed, his face pale as he struggled to maintain his balance. "H....ow...how are you all...here...."

Mari turned her head slightly, her scar catching the light. "This is our home now, Spark. Did you think we just evaporated?"

"The Islanders always find home back, did you forgot about that?" Mari whispered.

"M-Mari..."

"You haven't changed at all," she spat, her voice suddenly cold. "You’re still playing the protector. Still trying to be the good guy. It was so easy to lure you in here. One scream and you come running like a loyal dog."

"It was a trap..." Mansaku whispered, his heart sinking.

"You forgot about us, didn't you? You thought you could just leave the family and we’d stay quiet," she said. "Betraying us..."

"M...Mari... guys..."

One of the thugs tossed her a ball. She caught it on her foot, balancing it with effortless skill.

"He thought he could just throw us away..." a thug sneered.

"Just toss us away..." another one said.

"M-Mari, I..." Mansaku struggled to stand, but his legs felt like water.

"You what..." She turned to look at his face.

Mansaku stared at the ground, his eyes narrowing." I..."

"You thought you could substitute us!?" she shouted, her voice suddenly explosive. She spun around, her eyes wide and filled with a terrifying intensity. 

Mansaku eyes wide open, he steps back, stumbling a little. "...Ma...Mari..."

"Do you think we’re just garbage?! Are we garbage!?" She shouts.

"M...Mari... please..." As Mansaku finally managed to stand, Mari dropped the ball. It hit the ground with a soft *thud*, and as it bounced, she unleashed a strike that hummed with violence.

"You piece of shit!"

The ball slammed into Mansaku’s gut again, right in the same spot. He was thrown back against the brick wall, his head snapping forward as he crumpled back to the ground.

"Gh..ghrah...!" He coughed, the metallic taste of blood filling his mouth.

"Do you know how many times we looked for you?" Mari screamed, her composure cracking with her eyes wide. "How many times we waited for you to come back home? To call back? Do you know!?"

"M-Mari... I..."

"You made us suffer, Spark..." one thug said.

"You left us behind..." another one added.

The insults rained down as thick as the shadows. Mansaku lay in the dirt, his pride and his body equally shattered. He tried to crawl away, but a boot slammed down on his shoulder, pinning him. "Urgh..."

"And all for what? Those friends of yours ?" Mari asked, her voice returning to a whisper. "The ones who don't know who you really are?"

Mansaku’s breath hitched.

"They like the Mansaku-chan, don't they?" Mari smirked, leaning down until her face was inches from his. "They think you're so cool. So perfect."

She paused, a cruel, triumphant glint in her eyes.

"Do you think they’ll still want to play with you once they find out... that you took somebody's life?"

Mansaku’s world went cold. The sound of the city outside vanished. He stared at her, his eyes wide and vacant, his body trembling so hard his teeth rattled. "N...no... No..." he whispered. "Don't... don't say that..."

"They think you’re a hero," one of the thugs laughed. "But you aren't that, you are a coward hahahahaha!"

"G-guys... P...please..." Mansaku pleaded, his voice breaking. He was no longer a defender; he was a terrified boy, begging for his life.

"Look at him! He’s  so pathetic! Hahahahahaha!" 

"Poor Mansaku-chan... seems like today isn't your lucky day," Mari whispered, her smirk widening. "Your friends will love to know they’re playing with a killer."

"P-please! Don't! I'll do anything! Just please... don't tell them!" Mansaku crawled toward her, his fingers clawing at the concrete, his dignity discarded in the filth of the alley.

"Why not? You should be true with them..." Mari smirks.

"M...Mari...please... I'll do everything..." Mansaku pleads his eyes narrowing in terror.

Mari looked down at him with pure, unadulterated contempt. "You’ll do... everything?"

"Yes! Yes! Anything! Please... Please...."

"Alright then, Spark," Mari said, a dark joy in her voice. She stepped back and signaled to the gang. "Since you love football so much, you will be judged by the ball."

The gang members lunged forward, hoisting Mansaku up and pinning him. He couldn't fight back, he couldn't do anything, he could only watch as Mari prepared her strike.

"Every morning at 8:00 AM, you come here," she said. "And if you tell a soul, the whole world will know about what you did that night."

"M...Mari..." Mansaku whispered.

Mari put the ball down. "Let's go," she hissed.

The barrage began. Each shot was a heavy, physical assault, striking Mansaku with the force of a sledgehammer. He just took it, his eyes shut tight as the scuffed leather balls pounded into his body, leaving a map of bruises that he would have to hide from the world.

Hours later, the sun was beginning to set, casting long, orange shadows over the Kogorashi Mansion. Ms. Yone was in the foyer, humming a soft tune as she polished the dark wood of the floor. The house was quiet, the only sound the rhythmic *shirr* of her cloth.

*SLAM!*

The front door was thrown open with such force that the handle dented the wall.

"Gah!" Ms. Yone jumped, clutching her chest. She hurried to the door, her heart racing.

She stopped dead, a scream catching in her throat. "Aaaah!"

Mansaku lay on the floor, his body bent at an awkward angle. His face was a mask of dark purple welts. His clothes were dirty and covered in the unmistakable circular dust marks of soccer balls. Despite his state, he was still clutching the grocery bags, the contents secure.

"Mansaku-chan! Mansaku-chan!" she shrieked, kneeling beside him and pulling his head into her lap. "What happened?! Who did this?!"

Mansaku’s eyes opened a sliver, glazed and unfocused. "M..Ms. Y...one..." he whispered, his voice barely audible. "D... don't tell... anyone... please..."

He slumped into her arms, unconscious. The grocery bags fell from his hands, an egg rolling out and cracking on the floor, the yellow yolk spreading like a stain. Mansak-chan!!!" Ms. Yone’s cries for help echoed through the empty mansion, but the boy who had walked out that morning was nowhere to be found.

The Inakuni players were united around the school gate as they stood in an uncharacteristic, with heavy silence around them.

Asuto slowly slid his phone into the pocket of his tracksuit, his brow furrowed as he stared at the blank screen for a second longer than necessary. His usual calm energy seemed dampened, replaced by a flickering shadow of concern.

"So...?" Norika asked, her voice hushed as if speaking too loudly might confirm her fears. "What did Ms. Yone say? Is he coming?"

"She said Mansaku is sick," Asuto replied, looking up at the group. "He told her he wasn't feeling well this morning since we left, chills and a fever, I think. He won't be coming to practice today."

The team exchanged looks of genuine confusion and worry.

Hiyori frowned, his small frame tensing up as he began to pace in a tight circle. "Gao? M-A-N-S-A-K-U-KUN too fine yesterday... he lead defensive line drills!"

"Yeah," Hiro added, pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose with a clinical click. "Just looking at him, suggested he was at peak physical condition during our dinner. A sudden onset of a fever is possible, but statistically, it’s a bit of an outlier for someone with his immune system."

Michinari stepped into the center of the group, placing a steadying hand on Asuto’s shoulder. "Well, let's hope he gets better soon then. The city air is still tough for us people from the island. Let's all make sure we take care of him when we get back home tonight. Maybe we can help Ms. Yone with some extra chores."

"Yes!" the team shouted in unison, though the cheer lacked its usual bite.

"Let's get moving then!" Goujin barked, slapping his thighs to wake himself up. "That fatty must be waiting for us by now,"

"You guys go ahead," Hanta chirped, stretching her arms toward the sky. "I’m going to go check on Golem! He’s been MIA since the crack of dawn."

"Alright, see you at training then," Michinari nodded, leading the bulk of the team toward the main pitch.

Hanta dashed toward the massive concrete perimeter wall, her light footsteps echoing against the pavement. When she arrived, she stopped dead, her jaw dropping. 

Golem was still there. He looked like a statue carved from the very stone he was cleaning. His large hands moved in rhythmic, circular motions with the old cloth, but his eyes were glazed over, staring intently at a patch of grey concrete that had already been scrubbed five times.

"Hey, Golem!" Hanta called out, waving a hand in front of his face. "Aren't you coming to practice?"

Golem didn't blink. He leaned closer to the wall, his nose nearly touching the surface. A profound, almost spiritual gaze settled over his features. "Han-chan... did you know? A wall may seem like a flat thing, but it has mountains. It has valleys. Every pore in the concrete is a world of its own..."

Hanta blinked, her head tilting to the side. "Uh... okay...? I think the paint fumes might be getting to you, big guy."

As they stood there, a flash of vibrant color caught Hanta's eye. 

From right close to them, the mysterious kid in the traditional Chinese silk clothing darted out. The kid’s movements were fluid and jagged, like a character leaping out of a street-art mural. The oversized mask jiggled as they pulled out a few paint brushes and, with a few lightning-fast strokes, began sketching a long, snarling dragon tail across the section Golem had just finished.

"Eh!?" Hanta’s eyes went wide. She pointed a trembling finger at the intruder.

The kid froze, the painted eyes of the mask seemingly staring right through Hanta. The kid tilted their head, the silk of their sleeves fluttering in the wind. Then, slowly, the kid raised a single gloved finger to the mouth of the mask.

"Shhhh..."

With a sudden burst of speed, the kid vaulted over a nearby bench and vanished into the shadows.

"Ahhh!" Hanta shouted, stamping her foot. "He’s drawing on the wall again! That guy definitely works for the Coach! Golem, did you see him?! He just ruined all your work!"

Golem didn't even turn his head. He just smiled, a soft, eerily peaceful expression. "It’s okay, Han-chan... As long as the wall is still a wall, and the cloth is still a cloth, the cycle continues. Nothing else matters."

"G-Golem!" Hanta shouted, her eyes wide with genuine alarm. "What did they do to you in those hours you spent?! You’ve turned into a monk!"

Over at the main building, Asuto and the rest of the team were making their way to the pitch when they spotted Hiura. He was still lugging the industrial hose, but the frantic running from earlier had stopped. Instead, he was standing in the middle of the courtyard, surrounded by a light mist of water that caught the sunlight, creating tiny rainbows around his head.

He was aiming the spray at the high windows of the faculty lounge with a relaxed, confident smile.

"Oh, are you guys off to practice now?" Hiura asked, turning his head slightly while keeping the water pressure steady.

"Yeah..." Asuto said, stopping to watch. 

"You seem way more relaxed than you were an hour ago, Hiura." Michinari said.

"You could tell?" Hiura’s smile widened, his eyes sparkling with a new kind of intensity.

"What happened?" Norika asked, impressed by the way he was handling the heavy hose with just one hand now. "Did Coach let you off the hook?"

"Not exactly. I just found a way to do the watering more efficiently," Hiura said. He shifted his grip, his thumb pressing down hard on the nozzle. "Look at this. If I squeeze down on the hose at just the right angle, I can compress the flow. It sends the water much further, and with way more force."

He swung the hose in a wide, sweeping arc. Making the water cut through the air like a liquid projectile, slamming into the third-story windows with a resounding *thwack*.

"This way, I can reach whatever I want with the water without having to move my feet at all. Pretty efficient, right?" He smirked, his gaze sharp and focused.

As he turned to show them another angle, the pressurized stream swept across the path where the team was standing. 

"Whoa! Watch it!" Goujin yelled, but it was too late. The spray doused the entire front line of the team. 

"Yeah... real efficient," Hiro sighed, wiping a stream of water off his glasses. 

"Yes..." The team sighed.

"I guess I’ll join you guys pretty soon," Hiura said, seemingly oblivious to the fact that his teammates were now dripping wet.

By the time the team returned to the Kogorashi Mansion that evening, the sun had long since dipped below the horizon, leaving the sky a deep, bruised indigo. They trudged through the front door, their bags slumping from their shoulders, their stomachs letting out a collective, hungry roar.

"We’re back... and we’re starving..." Hanta sighed, leaning against the doorframe.

Ms. Yone was in the kitchen, her back to them as she scrubbed a large ceramic bowl. The clinking of the dishes seemed louder than usual in the quiet house. "Oh, good night, everyone," she said, her voice sounding a bit strained.

"Good night, Ms. Yone!" they answered, though Asuto’s eyes were already searching the common room.

Kozoumaru didn't join the chatter. He walked straight to the fridge, grabbed a bottle of water, and headed back toward the sliding door. He didn't say a word, his expression as cold and unreadable as a stone. 

Asuto watched him leave, noticing the way Kozoumaru’s grip tightened on the bottle. There was a tension in the air tonight that even the smell of Ms. Yone’s cooking couldn't mask.

"How is Mansaku feeling, Yone-sama?" Michinari asked, stepping toward the kitchen counter. "Is he any better?"

"I hope it isn't anything too serious," Goujin added, crossing his arms. "We need our defense solid for the next match."

"Is he still asleep?" Norika asked softly.

Ms. Yone’s shoulders tensed for a split second. She finished drying the bowl and turned around, a soft, practiced smile on her face, though her eyes remained narrowed and sharp. "Well, it isn't anything too serious, don't worry. Just a bug he picked up. He’s in his bedroom if you guys want to go check on him, but try not to stay too long."

"Thanks, Ms. Yone. We’re heading there now," Asuto nodded, leading the way down the hall.

Ms. Yone watched them go, her hands trembling slightly as she gripped the kitchen towel. She took a deep breath, steadying herself, and turned back to the sink, the lullaby she was humming sounding fragile and thin.

The hallway was dim, the wooden floorboards creaking under the weight of the team as they approached Mansaku’s door. Michinari stepped forward, his knuckles hovering over the wood for a moment before he gave three soft, hesitant knocks.

"Mansaku? You awake?" Michinari called out.

There was a long pause. A muffled sound came from inside, something that sounded like a heavy slide and a sharp intake of breath. Then, the door creaked open just a few inches.

Mansaku stood in the gap, his body heavily wrapped in a thick, quilted blanket despite the room not being particularly cold. His face was flushed, and beads of sweat stood out on his forehead, glistening in the hallway light.

"Hey guys..." he said, a weak smile flickering on his lips. His eyes looked tired, the usual confidence replaced by a dull, glazed film.

"Hey, are you okay?" Hiro asked, leaning in to get a better look.

"Ms. Y-O-N-E said M-A-N-S-A-K-U-KUN feel sick," Hiyori said, his voice small and full of worry.

"What are you feeling, man?" Goujin asked, trying to peer past the blanket. "You look like you’ve been through a blender."

"Oh, hehe... it's nothing much. Just a... a cold or something. Caught me off guard," Mansaku said. He shifted his weight, and a small, sharp hiss escaped his teeth as he gripped the edge of the door.

"You’re sweating a lot, Mansaku," Asuto said, his voice dropping an octave. He stepped closer, his eyes locked onto Mansaku’s. "Don't you feel anything else? Any pain?"

Michinari nodded in agreement. "You’re also looking really pale under all that sweat. Are you sure you don't need a doctor? We can call one."

"It's just a little cold, guys. Seriously, don't worry about me, alright?" Mansaku’s smile didn't reach his eyes. "I just need some rest."

The team stared at him, a heavy, uncomfortable silence filling the narrow hallway. None of them moved, their collective concern hanging in the air like a physical weight.

Mansaku let out a loud, forced yawn, his hand coming up to cover his mouth. "Ugh, man. I'm really wiped out. I’d better sleep early so I can be back on the pitch tomorrow. See you guys in the morning! Bye!"

Before anyone could protest, he pulled the door shut. The click of the latch sounded final, like a gavel striking a bench.

"But-" Asuto started, his hand reaching for the door handle before he stopped himself.

The team looked at each other again, the unease in their chests growing.

"Well... if he says he's okay, then let's try not to crowd him," Michinari said, though his voice lacked conviction. "Sleep is the best medicine for a fever."

"If you say so, Captain..." Hiro adjusted his glasses, looking at the door with a lingering, analytical frown.

"Let's go back to the living room, guys. We should let him rest," Norika said, gently ushering the others away.

The team slowly dispersed, their footsteps fading as they walked back toward the common area. Asuto was the last to leave. He glanced at the closed door one more time, his heart heavy with a suspicion he couldn't name. He let out a long, quiet sigh and followed the others.

Inside the room, the moment the footsteps vanished, Mansaku’s sick facade disintegrated. 

He leaned his back against the door, his breath coming in jagged, ragged gasps. He clutched his left arm, his fingers digging into the flesh. His face contorted into a mask of pure, unadulterated agony as he slid down the wood, his strength failing him.

The heavy blanket he had used as a shield slipped from his shoulders, pooling on the tatami mat. Beneath it, the truth was laid bare. 

His tracksuit dirty and marked, white bandages were wrapped tightly around his forearms, his shins, and his entire midsection. Dark red and purple stains were already beginning to seep through the gauze over his ribs. His skin was mottled with the circular, angry bruises of high-velocity impact marks, the calling card of a striker who played for blood.

He hissed through his teeth, his eyes shut tight as a wave of nausea rolled over him. 

"Mari..." he whispered, the name sounding like a curse and a prayer all at once. "I... can't... I'm... I'm sorry..."

His body finally gave out. He slumped sideways onto the floor, his head hitting the mat with a dull thud as he fainted, the darkness finally claiming him.

The city of Tokyo never truly slept. Even from the elevated balcony of the Kogorashi Mansion, the distant hum of the Shinkansen and the rhythmic pulse of neon lights from the Shinjuku skyline vibrated in the air. The sky above was a deep, velvet indigo, polished by a cold wind that chased away the usual urban haze, leaving the stars to flicker like distant, icy diamonds.

Asuto stepped out onto the balcony, the wooden floorboards creaking softly under his feet. He took a deep breath, the chill of the night air stinging his lungs in a way that felt grounding. He looked up, a small, tired smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. He wasn't alone.

Leaning against the railing, his silhouette sharp against the city lights, was Kozoumaru. He sat with his arms crossed, his gaze fixed on a point far beyond the horizon. There was a stillness to him that was almost unnerving, a quiet intensity that seemed to push the rest of the world away.

Asuto approached him slowly, leaning his elbows on the railing a few feet away. "I see you’ve been here for a while now..."

Kozoumaru didn't move. His eyes remained fixed on the void, his expression carved from the same hard stone as his personality.

"The stars are bright in Tokyo, aren't they?" Asuto said, sliding down to sit on the floor beside the railing, pulling his knees to his chest. "I didn't think we'd be able to see them this clearly with all the buildings."

Still, silence. Kozoumaru’s jaw remained set, a muscle leaping in his cheek.

Asuto didn't seem deterred. His voice remained calm, carrying a soft, nostalgic lilt. "Back home on the island, the sky was everything. I used to practice until the stars came out, long after the other kids had gone home for dinner. The grass would get damp with dew, and I’d be covered in mud, but I couldn't stop."

He leaned his head back against the railing, his eyes reflecting the silver light from above. "My mom used to scold me for that. She’d stand on the porch and yell that I should only practice under the sun. She said the sun would give me the strength to overcome any challenge that awaited me ahead... that the light would burn away any doubt." Asuto’s voice dropped to a whisper, thick with a quiet, bittersweet ache. "Now I see that she was right. The sun... it’s different here. But it’s still the same light."

Kozoumaru’s gaze finally shifted. He looked down at Asuto, his eyes unreadable, a mix of irritation and a strange, buried recognition. He let out a long, heavy sigh, his shoulders losing a fraction of their rigid tension as he leaned back against the wall.

"I know," Kozoumaru said, his voice a low rumble. "I see you practicing out there every time I head back to bed.

Asuto smiles, "I thought I was more discrete..."

Kozoumaru looked back up at the sky, his eyes narrowing as if searching for a specific memory among the stars. "I practiced until late at night too. When I was little."

"Really?" Asuto asked softly.

"I used to be a defender," Kozoumaru said. The words seemed to taste bitter in his mouth. "They told me it was perfect for me. Because of my size. Because of my body structure. They said I was meant to be a wall, nothing more."

He hissed, a sharp, dismissive sound. 

Kozoumaru’s mind drifted back. He saw a smaller version of himself, his jersey soaked through with sweat, his face smeared with the red dirt of a cramped practice field. He remembered the feeling of his lungs burning, his legs shaking as he jogged in circles, jumping sideways, forcing his body to be the anchor the team demanded.

*THUD.*

Another striker had blown past him. Another goal. Kozoumaru had fallen to the ground like a sack of potatoes, gasping for air that wouldn't come. 

"But no matter what I did," Kozoumaru whispered to the Tokyo night, "the opponent always got past me. I wasn't fast enough to be a wall. I wasn't big enough to be a mountain. I was just... in the way."

He remembered the looks from his old teammates. They didn't say it to his face, but their eyes were loud. They looked at him like he was worthless, like he was a drain on their resources. A kid wasting everyone’s time by trying to play a role he couldn't do it.

"Then one day," Kozoumaru said, his voice gaining a sudden, sharp clarity, "I met him."

"Him?" Asuto asked, his interest piqued.

"He changed my life," Kozoumaru said, his eyes widening slightly. "He changed the very way I looked at the ball. He showed me that the role everyone chooses for you... it’s just a cage if you let it be."

Kozoumaru remembered the day clearly. It was a humid afternoon, and he had been doing his usual, solitary drills on the outskirts of the city. He was jumping, pivoting, trying to find a way to be a better defender. Suddenly, a high-pitched scream cut through the air.

"Kyaa!"

Kozoumaru spun around. A woman was standing on the sidewalk, her face pale with shock as she pointed a shaking finger toward a man sprinting away with her handbag. "Somebody! Catch that man! He took my bag!"

Without a second thought, Kozoumaru bolted. He pushed his legs to their limit, his heart hammering against his ribs. He managed to cut across a corner, sliding to a halt directly in the thief’s path at the top of a long flight of stone stairs.

"Give that back!" Kozoumaru panted, his chest heaving, his face set in a grim mask of determination.

The thief slowed down for a second, looking at the small, sweating boy in front of him. A smug, ugly grin spread across his face. He didn't even stop. With a casual shimmy, he dodged Kozoumaru’s reach as if he were a ghost, sprinting past him and down the stairs with ease.

"Gah!" Kozoumaru’s eyes went wide. "D-darn it!"

He tried to turn, tried to give chase, but his legs felt like lead. He managed to get halfway down the stairs before he had to stop, clutching his chest, his vision swimming. He watched as the man reached the bottom, slowing to a triumphant walk, thinking he was already far away from any threat.

"Ghrr..." Kozoumaru hissed, his fingers digging into his jersey. He was too slow. He was a failure. Even here, he couldn't stop anyone.

Suddenly, a sound tore through the air. It was not a shout or a scream or something liminar it was the high-frequency *whistle* of air being displaced by something moving at an impossible velocity. 

A soccer ball, wreathed in a faint, shimmering heat, blurred past Kozoumaru’s ear. It moved so fast that the wind from its passage made his hair stand on end, the sheer pressure of the shot vibrating in his very bones.

The ball traveled like a comet, striking the thief squarely in the center of his back. 

"Ghrrah...!" The man was launched forward, his body slamming into a concrete wall with a sickening *thud*. He slid to the ground, unconscious before he even hit the pavement.

The ball fell to the dirt, rolling slowly and rhythmically back toward the stairs. Kozoumaru turned, his eyes wide with a mixture of terror and awe. 

Standing at the top of the stairs was a figure. He was draped in a dark jacket, the wind ruffling his hair. He looked calm, almost bored, as if he hadn't just unleashed a force of nature. 

Below, the woman followed by a police officer arrived at the scene, retrieving the bag and securing the thief. But Kozoumaru didn't look at them. He sprinted back up the stairs, his eyes locked on the stranger.

"Who are you!?" Kozoumaru shouted, his voice cracking with emotion. "I play football too! I’m a defender! Who-"

The figure stopped, turning his head just enough for Kozoumaru to see a sharp, focused eye. "Is that so?" the man said. His voice was cool, carrying a weight of experience that Kozoumaru couldn't even begin to fathom. "You are certainly good at staying in people's way."

Kozoumaru flinched, his eyes wide.

"But," the man continued, his gaze drifting over Kozoumaru’s stature, "you aren't suited to be a defender."

"T-that's what I have to do!" Kozoumaru argued, his eyes narrowing in a desperate defense of the only life he knew. "D-defend... a person of my weight, my size... they can only be a defender! That's what everyone says!"

"Who said that?" the man asked.

Kozoumaru looked at the ground, his voice dropping to a whisper. "People..."

"You were brave enough to go after that thief," the man said, his gaze sharpening into a blade of pure intent. "But you aren't brave enough to decide what you want to do? Are you a player, or are you a puppet?"

Kozoumaru looked up, his breath catching in his throat. He looked at the man’s face, really looked at it. The realization hit him like a physical blow. "You... you’re Gouenji Shuuya. From Kidokawa Seishou..."

The legendary striker didn't confirm or deny it. He simply took a step forward, his shadow falling over Kozoumaru. "If you cant see where you're supposed to go ahead of you, then look the other way."

"The other... way..." Kozoumaru whispered, looking up at Goenji.

"Your strong point isn't your ability to block," Gouenji said, "It’s that you are powerful enough to bulldoze through even a grown man when you have a goal. Find the path that was meant for you, not the one they drew for you."

With that, Gouenji turned and walked away, his silhouette disappearing into the glow of the night.

"Gouenji Shuuya..." Asuto whispered.

"Later, he became the Inazuma Eleven’s genius striker. A legend. A man who changed the game forever." Kozoumaru said.

Asuto nodded, his expression solemn and full of understanding.

"After a lot of reconsideration," Kozoumaru said, "I found out he was right. I was a terrible defender, but I was a natural-born strike. I kept his words in my heart and I trained until my legs gave out, every single day, to become a striker worthy of that shot." He looked down at his fists, tightening them until his knuckles turned white. "All of that hard work... all that sacrifice... just to be held back... It annoys me. It burns me up inside."

"Kozoumaru..." Asuto said, reaching out a hand, then pulling it back.

Kozoumaru let out a long sigh and looked away, his face hardening again. "I’ll come back to training tomorrow. But I’m not playing his games. I’m doing it my way."

"It's okay," Asuto said, looking back at the stars with a bright, genuine smile.

Kozoumaru looked away, but he didn't argue. He allowed himself a single, fleeting glance at the sky, remembering what Goenji taught him.

"There you are, you two! I was wondering where everyone went."

Norika stepped out onto the balcony, her hair damp from a shower, wearing a warm oversized sweater. She leaned against the doorframe with a smirk.

"Hey, Norika," Asuto said, his gaze still on the stars.

"You both have been out here for a while now," she said, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "Especially you, Kozoumaru. I didn't think you were the stargazing type."

"And...?" Kozoumaru grunted, though there was no real heat in it.

"Well, I warmed up dinner for you two," Norika said, stepping closer and placing a hand on her hip. "The food tastes better when you’re eating it with everyone, you know. Words from a certain Goddess of the Sea, tee-hee~"

Kozoumaru stared at her, his eyes narrowing slightly. He had spent his whole life playing alone, training alone, being worthless alone. But now, he had people who waited for him. People who warmed up his food. People who shared the same night sky. He pressed his lips together, fought back a shadow of a smile, and looked away.

"I guess..." he sighed, pushing himself up from the floor.

Norika and Asuto exchanged a silent, knowing look, sharing a smile as they followed the stubborn striker back into the warmth of the mansion.

Inside the Kogorashi Mansion, the lights were dimmed to a soft, amber glow. The house was silent, save for the rhythmic ticking of the wall clock.

Hiyori crept out of his room, his footsteps silent on the tatami. He was dragging a large, fluffy pillow behind him, his eyes half-closed with sleep. He walked down the hallway until he reached Mansaku’s door.

He didn't knock. He didn't want to wake him. Instead, he carefully placed his pillow on the floor, right in front of the door. He curled up on it, a small, loyal sentinel guarding the entrance to his friend’s room.

Inside, Mansaku lay on the floor, his body a map of pain and bandages. He opened his eyes just a sliver, catching the thin silhouette of Hiyori through the crack at the bottom of the door. A faint, tired softness touched his eyes for a brief second. He knew he wasn't alone. 

His eyes drifted shut, and he surrendered to a heavy, dreamless sleep, the shadow of his secret still looming over him like the Tokyo night.

...

The next day, the Inakuni team returned to their training, The air was thick with the scent of trampled clover and the sharp, ozone-like smell of hard-packed dirt being kicked into the air by dozens of cleats.

The Inakuni team started to defend more efficiently than before, becoming a well oiled machine. 

Hiura stood at the edge of the midfield, his eyes tracking the ball with a newfound, surgical precision. The days spent wrestling with the industrial hose and mastering the pressurized flow had translated into a frightening accuracy in his passing. he directed the ball, thumbing the imaginary nozzle of his foot to send the ball zipping across the grass with a flat, hissing trajectory that made it nearly impossible to intercept.

"Golem! Left flank!" Hiura shouted, his voice echoing off the school’s concrete walls.

Golem moved with a strange, hypnotic fluidity. The hours spent scrubbing the school’s perimeter wall had changed his perspective on defense. He slid into position, his massive frame creating a physical barrier that seemed as immovable as the very bricks he had spent days cleaning.

"I got it!" Golem grunted, his large chest heaving as he blocked a shot from a practice dummy with his stomach, the ball thudding off him like it had hit a bag of sand. He stood his ground, a serene, smile plastered on his face. He had found peace in the wall.

"Nice on, Golem!" Hanta smiled, proud of him.

At the center of the pitch, Asuto wiped a bead of sweat from his chin. He looked up at the vast, open blue of the Tokyo sky. It was so different from the island, vaster, louder, and filled with the constant drone of distant planes.

*Watch over us, mom...* he thought, his chest tightening with a familiar, dull ache. *I don't know if we can make it. This city... the people we're facing... it’s all so much bigger than I imagined.*

"Move up, Asuto! Let's keep going!" Michinari’s voice cut through his internal fog. The captain was pacing the backline, his face red from exertion, his eyes flashing with the weight of responsibility.

"Right!" Asuto shouted back, shaking off the doubt. He flicked a crisp pass back to Michinari, his movements sharp, though a flicker of worry remained in the back of his mind.

The team dived back into the drill. They were practicing a new formation, a dense, shifting defensive that required every player to be in perfect sync. They moved like a single organism, a wave of yellow and blue jerseys that ebbed and flowed with the movement of the ball. Even the Coach, sitting on the bench with his usual enigmatic, sleepy-eyed expression, allowed a tiny, satisfied smirk to play across his lips.

The rhythmic *thud-thud-thud* of the training was interrupted by the creak of the heavy metal gate at the edge of the field.

Mansaku walked onto the grass, his pace slow and deliberate. He was wearing his full training kit, but he had pulled his jersey down tight, and he kept adjusting the waistband of his shorts, his fingers fumbling with the fabric. He looked like he was walking through knee-deep water, each step a calculated effort to remain upright.

"Mansaku!" the team shouted, the sound erupting in a joyous, collective roar.

Mansaku flinched, his shoulders hunching up toward his ears as if the sound itself had physical weight. He quickly smoothed his expression, forcing a weak, lopsided smile onto his pale face. "Hey guys... sorry I'm late again."

"Hey! Are you feeling okay today?" Norika asked, jogging over to him. She squinted at him, her maternal instincts buzzing. "You look like you haven't slept in a week, Mansaku. Your eyes are all puffy."

"A little, hehe. I'm recovering slowly," Mansaku said, his voice sounding thin and raspy. He reached up to rub the back of his neck, and for a split second, the hem of his sleeve slid down, revealing a sliver of white gauze wrapped around his wrist. He caught it and yanked the fabric back down instantly. "The Tokyo flu is a real kicker, you know?"

Asuto approached, his gaze lingering on the way Mansaku was standing, slightly hunched, favoring his right side. "Hm, you have been coming slightly late since the sickness started, Mansaku. You should really rest up. The Coach wouldn't mind if you took the whole week off."

"Asuto’s right," Hiura added, joining the circle. "You should stay in bed for the rest of the week. You're missing a lot of the tactical sessions anyway because you're waking up so late and feeling so drained. Just stay under the covers and let Ms. Yone take care of you."

Mansaku’s smile tightened, becoming a brittle mask. "You guys worry too much. I'm just fine. It's nothing serious, really. Just a bit of a lingering chill. I don't want to rot in that room while you guys are out here getting stronger."

The team stared at each other. The silence was heavy, filled with the unspoken realization something was wrong but they didn't knew what.

"M-a-n-s-a-k-u-kun- " Hiyori started to speak, his small hand reaching out toward Mansaku’s arm.

"I'm totally fine, guys!" Mansaku interrupted, his voice rising a pitch too high. He turned away from them, breaking the circle. "Let's start training. I don't want to stay behind. I’m a defender, remember? I’m supposed to be the one protecting you guys, not the other way around."

He began to jog toward the defensive line. Every time his foot hit the ground, a jolt of electricity-like pain shot up from his ribs, through his spine, and into his skull. He hissed under his breath, his eyes fluttering shut for a second as he fought the urge to collapse. 

*Just endure it,* he told himself, the image of Mari’s lilac eyes and the cold weight of the soccer ball slamming into his gut flashing in his mind. *8:00 AM tomorrow. Don't let them see. Don't let them know what you are.*

"Okay guys," Michinari said, his voice soft but firm. "Let's help Mansaku not feel so useless while he's recovering, alright? Cover his zones if he falls behind. Every player is important, and we look out for our own."

Hiro nodded, adjusting his glasses. "It's better this way. Physical activity can sometimes stimulate the immune system, provided he doesn't overexert. Mansaku can take care of himself."

"Let's get back to training, alright?" Michinari shouted, clapping his hands.

"Yeah!" the team answered, though the energy had shifted.

Hiyori didn't join the cheer. He stood still, his eyes locked on Mansaku’s back. He remembered the weight of the pillow in the hallway the night before, and the how Mansaku was behind that door. He knew the smell of antiseptic and the sound of a person trying to breathe through cracked ribs. He turned away slowly, heading back to his position, his heart heavy with a secret he wasn't sure he was allowed to say.

As the training resumed, the intensity reached a fever pitch. Mansaku threw himself into the drills with a desperate, reckless energy. He lunged for tackles he had no business making, his body slamming into the turf with a sickening *thud* that made Norika wince from across the field. 

Each time he fell, he scrambled back up, his face a pale, sweating mask of defiance. He pressed his eyes shut, trying to block out the world, trying to ignore the stinging heat of the bruises hidden beneath his jersey, the marks of Mari’s barrage. Each shoot he had endured that morning felt like a brand on his skin, a reminder of the debt he was paying in blood and silence.

From the sidelines, the Coach watched. His eyes were fixed on Mansaku, tracking the slight limp, the labored breathing, and the way the boy’s hands trembled whenever he wasn't moving. 

The Coach’s smile remained calm, collected, and utterly unreadable. He tapped his clipboard rhythmically against his knee, the sound like the ticking of a clock. He saw the fortress being built, but he also saw the crack in the foundation, a crack that was widening with every sunset.

"Heh," the Coach whispered to himself, his voice lost to the wind.

...

The air at Raimon Stadium roared. A sea of fans, a mosaic of yellow and blue banners, surged in the stands like a living tide. Every few seconds, a rhythmic chant of "RAI-MON! RAI-MON!" shook the very foundation of the concrete structure. Vendors darted through the aisles, the smell of yakisoba and hot buttered popcorn mingling with the electric tension that always preceded a Football Frontier match. 

High above, the commentator’s booth was a hive of activity. "The Football Frontier preliminaries finally start!" the announcer bellowed into his microphone, his voice amplified to a deafening volume. "The match between Raimon Jr. High and Minodouzan Jr. High is about to begin! Who will the Goddess of Victory smile upon today?!"

Inside the pristine, white-tiled locker room, the atmosphere was a stark contrast to the chaos outside. It was a place of quiet focus and the rustle of new fabric.

Asuto stood before a mirror, his fingers tracing the sharp, professional lines of the new sponsor logo emblazoned across his chest. "So this is the sponsor logo, huh..." 

"Island..." Michinari whispered, looking down at his own jersey. The word carried the weight of their home, their families, and the dream they had brought across the sea.

"This is so cool!" Hanta chirped, spinning in a circle to see her reflection. "I feel so official! Like we’re actually a real team now!"

"Yeah... I still can't believe it's happening," Golem added, a rare, wide grin stretching across his large face.

A soft, measured footsteps echoed in the room as Shimabukuro-san stepped into the light. He wore a sharp suit that looked out of place in a locker room, but his expression was warm. "You look very good in them. I hope you enjoy the responsibility that comes with that logo."

"Shimabukuro-san..." Asuto said softly, his voice cracking slightly with emotion. "Thanks for... for believing in us." He took a deep breath and bowed deeply, his head nearly touching his knees.

The rest of the Inakuni team followed suit instantly, a wave of yellow jerseys bending in unison. "Thank you, Shimabukuro-san!"

"You are welcome," he replied, a gentle smile touching his lips. "I’m just happy to be able to sponsor a team with such heart. I look forward to your performance today. You have improved immensely, and I believe today you will succeed. Give it everything you have, alright?"

"Yes!" the team roared back, the sound echoing off the lockers. 

As Shimabukuro-san walked away, satisfied, the door swung open again. Ootani bounced into the room, nearly colliding with him. "Oh, hello Shimabukuro-san! Goodbye Shimabukuro-san!" She turned back to the boys, her eyes sparkling. "Hey, everyone! Looking fancy!"

"Amazing, right? I already feel like a pro... hehe..." Goujin said, puffing out his chest and admiring the way the light caught the fabric of his shirt.

"Yeah, it’s really something else," Hiro murmured, his usual analytical mind momentarily overwhelmed by the reality of the moment.

Ootani clapped her hands together. "By the way, I have an announcement to make!"

"Hm?" The team tilted their heads in unison.

"What is it, Ms. Ootani?" Michinari asked.

Ootani stepped back into the hallway, her voice booming. "Here! You can come inside now!"

The door creaked open, and a figure stepped into the room. The team’s eyes went wide.

"You are..." Asuto whispered.

"The Student Council President..." Michinari finished, his jaw dropping slightly.

Ootani practically pushed Anna into the center of the room. Anna looked stiff, her arms crossed tightly over her chest, her sharp gaze darting from player to player.

"That's right, this is Ms. Anna Mikado!" Ootani chirped, giving Anna another little shove forward. "She’s a little shy today, but she’s going to be part of the manager team I told you guys about, remember?"

"O...oh..." The team blinked, the silence in the room becoming heavy with shock.

Anna let out a soft, sharp sigh, looking down at her shoes for a heartbeat. Then, she felt Ootani’s encouraging nudge. "Come on, Anna-san! Say something!" Anna's cheeks were flushed with a faint tint of embarrassment, making her look far less intimidating than she usually did in the hallways.

"I don't... really..." Anna started, her voice barely a whisper. 

"Go on, you’ve totally got this!" Ootani beamed.

Anna took a sharp breath, her posture snapping into a rigid, commanding line. She looked back at the team, her eyes narrowing into icy slits. "I am only here to keep this team in line," she declared, her voice suddenly ringing with the authority of the Student Council. "Any tiny mistake, and consider yourselves disbanded by the end of this game. I cannot tolerate foolishness in the Raimon name. That is all."

She punctuated the statement by raising a hand forward as if dismissing a court. 

"Eh..." The team looked at each other, stunned by the sudden personality shift.

"Let's welcome Anna-san, guys! Clap, clap, clap!" Ootani started the applause, her energy infectious.

"Welcome, Anna-san!" The team joined in, their initial shock replaced by smiles. Despite the friction of the past, having the President on their side felt like another layer of legitimacy.

"Alright, Anna-san! This is your first job! Give it your all!" Ootani handed a small, high-tech camera to Anna.

"Uh... okay..." Anna stared at the device as if it were a strange artifact. 

"Alright guys! Gather up! Poses!" Ootani shouted.

The Inakuni players scrambled together, pushing and shoving playfully to get into the frame. Doing their best poses, Anna took the pictures with a surprisingly steady hand, focusing on getting their best angles.

"What are these pictures for?" Anna asked, handing the camera back.

"Nice question!" Michinari said.

"They’re for these!" Ootani pointed to a small, whirring machine in the corner that was spitting out plastic cards. "They’re done!" 

She snatched up a stack of cards, holding them aloft like a trophy. "They are the Eleven Licenses!"

"Eleven License...?" the team asked in unison.

Ootani handed the stack to Anna. "Alright, Anna-san! Hand them over to the boys!"

"...Okay," Anna nodded, walking through the group and handing each player their card.

"Gao! What these?" Hiyori asked, turning his card over. "Oh! It’s H-I-Y-O-R-I!" 

"I look so cool! Wow!" Hanta shouted, bouncing on her heels.

"Wow...." The team gasped collectively as they saw their own faces, professionally rendered and encased in high-quality plastic.

"Only players who have sponsors and are officially recognized receive these," Ootani explained with a proud smile. "They serve as keys for the lockers, player identification, and much more!"

"Pretty interesting..." Hiro said, adjusting his glasses to inspect the microchip embedded in the card.

"I don't look that bad..." Asuto smiled softly, a quiet sense of pride swelling in his chest.

"Um... this photo is a total disaster. Can I retake it?" Goujin shoved his card right into Anna’s face.

"Don't talk to me," Anna said, her gaze turning sharp and dismissive.

"Err... okay?" Goujin stepped backward, a cold sweat breaking out on his brow. "She... she’s scary..."

"Too bad, Goujin-sama! I’ve already sent the data to the central server," Ootani giggled, sitting next to Anna and pulling out a small card.

"These player cards are turned into playing cards and sold to the public! Pretty cool, right?"

"Eh... I look like a dork on those..." Goujin’s eye twitched.

"Too bad for you, Goujin-san." Hiro adjusts his glasses.

"The picture really describes you well," Kozoumaru said, looking away.

"Say that again!" Goujin hissed.

Ootani ignored the bickering, showing Anna a collection of cards. "Do you like my collection, Anna-san?"

"My latest find is the mysterious Captain of Otei Moonlight, Nosaka-kun. Boys who play football are so cool, right?"

"I don't care," Anna replied flatly.

"Look up, Anna-san!" *Flash.* Ootani took a quick picture of Anna.

"Uh..." Anna blinked, blinded by the flash.

"Managers have their own cards too, you know?" Ootani beamed.

Anna adjusted her hair, her expression softening just a fraction. "Is that so... well, take another one. I wasn't ready."

"I want another one too! Urghhhh!" Goujin groaned in the background.

...

As the team began to file out of the tunnel and onto the bright, sun-drenched pitch, a figure watched from the very top of the spectator stands. Haizaki walked around, his grey hair windblown, his eyes fixed on the ground with a mixture of boredom and simmering intensity.

Two figures approached him from the side, a boy with striking pink hair and a tall, stoic companion.

"That's Haizaki from Seishou Academy," Nishikage said quietly.

"Hm," the pink-haired boy replied.

The three of them stopped, the air between them thick with a silent, competitive tension.

"Nosaka Yuuma from Otei Moonlight," Haizaki said, his voice dripping with arrogance and sarcasm. "How curious to see the Tactical Emperor himself present for a local preliminary game like this."

"It’s an interesting team," Nosaka replied, his voice calm, collected, and utterly devoid of emotion. "I’m looking forward to seeing the match." 

He paused, his eyes drifting toward the pitch. "Since you are here too, I must guess you have an interest in this team as well."

"Tsk." Haizaki hissed, shoving past Nosaka. "I was just bored." 

He walked away without looking back. Nosaka watched his departure for a moment out of the corner of his eye, then turned his focus back to the field, Nishikage following silently behind him.

The sponsor adds start to play.

"It’s Raimon Island vs. Minodouzan Boulders!" the commentator shouted as the teams lined up.

"For Raimon, this is the last chance! If they don't win this, they lose all hope of advancing in the tournament!"

Asuto stood at the center circle, the ball resting at his feet. He looked across the halfway line and felt a chill. The players of Minodouzan were massive, their sheer physical presence creating a golden, fortress-like aura around them.

"They are... larger than I thought..." Asuto whispered.

On the sidelines, Michinari looked over at Ootani, who was holding a phone to her ear. She slowly pulled the phone away and shook her head, her expression clouded with worry.

"This was a bad idea..." Michinari muttered. "We’re going to have to play without him."

"He will be here any minute, Captain," Hiura said, though his own eyes were darting toward the stadium entrance. "Trust his word."

"I know, but..." Michinari looked at the Minodouzan giants. "In the state he's in, if he does show up... he might get overwhelmed."

Hiyori looked behind him to the empty spot where Mansaku should have been. He bit his lip, looking down at the grass. Norika saw the movement, her grip tightening on her gloves. 

"Golem, are you ready?" Hanta asked, her voice uncharacteristically serious. "We’re going to have to do double duty today."

"Yeah... I’m ready, Han-chan," Golem nodded, his face setting into a mask of grim determination.

"Minodouzan Boulders has a reinforcement committee member on their side to raise their level even further!" the announcer roared. "Former Raimon Eleven... Kabeyama Heigorou!"

The crowd exploded. Kabeyama stood near the Minodouzan bench on crutches, his gaze focused and heavy. 

"Ordinary, reinforcement members are able to play, but Kabeyama had a lession during a training session." The commentor said.

In the middle of the Minodouzan front line stood a kid who looked out of place. He was significantly smaller than his teammates, looking nervous as he adjusted a bone-like mask on his head, his fingers trembling as he rubbed the horns.

"Ryuuki!" Kabeyama shouted.

The kid, Ryuuki, spun around, his eyes wide.

"I taught you everything I could! It’s all in your hands now!" Kabeyama called out.

Ryuuki blinked, swallowed hard, and turned back to the pitch, looking more terrified than ever.

The menager of the team approached Kabeyama, her eyes focused on the field. "Is little guy going to make it?" She asked.

"I don't know..." Kabeyama said.

The Minodouzan captain, a muscular boy with spiky black-and-purple hair, stared at Ryuuki with visible annoyance.

The other players stared at Ryuuki with the same intense gaze.

The whistle blew, a sharp, piercing sound that signaled the start of the battle.

"And the kick-off begins! Raimon Island vs. Minodouzan Boulders!"

...

"Alright!" Asuto shouted, quickly tapping the ball back to Goujin. 

Asuto, Kozoumaru, and Goujin immediately formed an attack arrow, sprinting with everything they had toward the opponent's goal.

"What kind of football will Raimon show against the impenetrable stronghold?!"

As the attack arrow approached the halfway line, the Minodouzan players didn't move to tackle. Instead, they stepped together, shoulder to shoulder. Ten players formed a literal wall of meat and muscle. 

Goujin passed the ball back to Asuto. Asuto stopped dead, his eyes narrowing. The space ahead of him was gone. There were no cracks, no lanes, and no way through.

"T-they look even bigger up close..." Goujin stammered, rubbing his eyes.

Kozoumaru hissed, his teeth gritted in frustration. 

The Inakuni team stood frozen, staring at a defense that looked less like a football team and more like a mountain range.

...

Miles away, in a damp, lightless alleyway, the contrast was sickening. 

While the stadium roared with joy, Mansaku lay face-down in the grime. His Raimon jersey was torn, covered in the muddy, circular imprints of a dozen soccer balls. He was gasping for air, each breath a jagged needle in his lungs.

The gang stood over him, their laughter echoing off the brick walls like the cackling of demons. Mari stepped forward, her lilac eyes cold and devoid of any mercy. She balanced a scuffed ball on her toe, looking down at Mansaku with pure disgust.

"What's the matter, Spark?" she hissed, her voice a poisonous whisper. "Don't you have a match to play? Don't you have a team waiting for you?"

She dropped the ball and drew her leg back. "Too bad. You aren't going anywhere until I'm finished with you."

She unleashed a shot at point-blank range, the ball slamming into Mansaku’s side with a sickening *crack*. Mansaku just shuddered, his fingers clawing at the wet concrete as the shadows of his past continued to tear him apart.

                                       To Be Continued...