Chapter 51: Chapter 51 – Challenging Number 1
The training continued with a mix of pairings—Nagi and Kira versus Shidou and Raichi, then Kira and Raichi against Shidou and Nagi—allowing them to experiment with different strategies and combinations. Shidou, with his explosive style, dominated the scoring. His aggressive, selfish play meant that any chance created by his teammates turned into a scoring opportunity. However, the only time he struggled to find the back of the net was during one-on-one situations against Kira, where the two frequently clashed.
Kira, for his part, matched Shidou's intensity, and most training sessions ultimately evolved into head-to-head battles between the two. Shidou's physicality and relentless aggression posed a new challenge for Kira, who had never encountered such a ferocious style of play in his career until now. The intensity between them became the focal point of the session, leaving Nagi and Raichi struggling to keep up. Both Kira and Shidou scored almost equally, with their duels often deciding the outcome of each match.
For three hours straight, the group played with only short breaks for hydration, but Kira and Shidou barely slowed down. They relentlessly pursued each other, each driven by the desire to outdo the other.
Nagi, now resting on the sidelines, watched the scene unfold, letting out a tired sigh. "How do those two keep going like this?"
Raichi, also taking a break beside him, gulped down water before replying. "Ever since that match, they only see each other. When they're teammates, they're unstoppable. But when they're on opposing sides, it's like a personal battle—a one-on-one contest."
As Raichi finished his sentence, Kira initiated a dribble to the right. Shidou, fully committed, shifted his balance to chase him. But just as quickly, Kira reversed with a sharp flip-flap, sending the ball in the opposite direction. Shidou, caught off guard, tried to recover, adjusting his body to chase Kira. But Kira, with perfect timing, slipped the ball through Shidou's legs with a subtle touch. The sudden shift in direction, combined with Shidou's overzealous defending, caused him to lose his balance and tumble to the ground, leaving Kira free to finish the play with a clean goal.
"That makes it 35 wins for me, against your 34!" Kira shouted triumphantly, his voice full of competitive energy.
"35? You mean your 34 against my 35 wins!" Shidou shot back, refusing to accept defeat.
"Exhaustion's messing with your brain!" Kira teased. "It's 35 to 34 in my favor, get your math straight!"
"You're the one with the math of a toddler, inflating the score to suit yourself!" Shidou growled, matching Kira's intensity as they bickered, neither willing to back down.
Raichi and Nagi watched with a mix of weariness and amusement as their two aces, Kira and Shidou, descended into yet another childish argument over who was winning. By now, they were used to it, having endured three hours of the pair's bickering during training.
"Why are they trying so hard?" Nagi muttered, half to himself. His tone carried a mix of curiosity and exhaustion. Raichi, though knowing Nagi wasn't necessarily expecting an answer, responded anyway.
"Shidou... he lives for his 'explosion,'" Raichi began, thinking carefully about his next words. "All he cares about is that one moment—when everything clicks, and he scores. It's the only thing that drives him." Raichi paused for a second, glancing over at Kira, who was already preparing for the next play.
"Kira, though..." Raichi hesitated, searching for the right way to explain his enigmatic teammate. "Kira lives and breathes football. I've never seen him without a ball at his feet or watching some match on his phone. It's like he's consumed by it, every hour, every day."
He gave a small shrug, as if that summed up the two players entirely. "So yeah, you could say both of them are football. It's all they are."
As Raichi finished speaking, Kira and Shidou were back at it again. This time, Shidou was on the offensive, charging at Kira with his signature aggressive play, while Kira, cool and composed, took on the challenge of defending.
"You won't stop me, Whitey," Shidou taunted, his eyes locked on the ball, analyzing every possible angle for an explosive breakthrough.
Kira smirked, unphased. "Try not to lose the ball, tanning freak."
"It's from the sun, not a salon!" Shidou snapped back, his irritation clear. Without wasting another second, he charged forward, beginning his dribble with explosive intensity, aiming to outmaneuver Kira with his signature unpredictability.
Another showdown was unfolding before Raichi and Nagi eyes, the intensity between the two showing no signs of waning.
…
…
…
The team walked toward the lobby, ready to challenge the next team and push forward in the selection. Despite their goal, Kira and Shidou remained locked in their heated duel, even as the night dragged on. Raichi noticed that if no one intervened, those two would likely play against each other endlessly.
When they arrived at the lobby, they found Rin Itoshi's team already waiting, clearly with the same idea in mind. Rin's team consisted of Rin Itoshi, a taller, muscular young man with sharp teal eyes, distinct black hair that partially obscured his right eye, and an intense, focused presence.
His teammates, Tokimitsu Aoshi, Aryu Jyubei, and Meguru Bachira, filled out the squad. Tokimitsu sat slouched on one of the couches, his large, round green eyes filled with anxiety, while Aryu, impossibly tall and elegant with waist-length black hair and a delicate appearance, observed the scene silently. Then there was Bachira, ever the cheerful one, who immediately recognized Kira and Raichi.
"Yaho! You guys finally made it!" Bachira chirped, his usual infectious energy radiating through the room as he attempted to cling onto Kira's back. Kira swiftly dodged the gesture with ease.
"I thought Kira failed since he didn't show up in the first lobby!" Bachira continued, brushing off his failed attempt, patting imaginary dust from his pants.
"Hah! You won't get rid of me that easily!" Raichi shouted, puffing up with pride.
"I wasn't talking to you," Bachira replied innocently, causing a vein to pop on Raichi's forehead as he seethed in irritation.
"You're still the same, huh?" Kira observed with a smirk.
"Yup!" Bachira confirmed, "Though I'm curious—between you and Rin, which of you has the more interesting monster?" His eyes gleamed with excitement, anticipating the showdown between the two teams.
Kira turned to glance at Rin, who was now nose-to-nose with Shidou, locked in a heated exchange. Shidou had his usual fiery grin plastered on his face, looking to provoke Rin at every opportunity.
"Let's play some football, eyelashes," Shidou goaded, his face dangerously close to Rin's, pushing for a reaction.
"Get out of my face, mutt," Rin responded coolly, not giving in to Shidou's intensity.
Tokimitsu, who had been quietly observing, muttered to himself, "Are we really going to face these hotheads? I'm not sure I can handle it."
Meanwhile, Aryu scanned Kira's team with a disappointed look. "These guys... they seriously lack style," he lamented, dramatically placing a hand on his forehead as though personally offended by their appearance.
Raichi, disgusted, recoiled. "What the heck is this weirdo talking about?"
"Yeah, Jyubei-san's a bit eccentric," Bachira casually explained.
Nagi, still lounging with disinterest, asked, "Are they really that strong?" He wasn't impressed by their demeanor.
"Oh, they're strong," Bachira reassured, his usual smile unwavering. "In fact, let me told Rin-chan that we should play against you guys."
"Hey, Rin-chan! Let's play these guys! You want to advance quickly, right?" Bachira called out, cutting through the tension between Shidou and Rin.
"I never refused this mutt's offer," Rin answered, his eyes narrowing. "Let's get this over with. You're all just stepping stones to me."
A vein popped on Shidou's forehead at the insult, his grin morphing into a menacing smile. "Big talk, eyelashes. Let's see if you can back it up." His voice was filled with dangerous excitement.
Kira joined in, irritated by Rin's arrogance. "Be careful not to choke on your words, pretty boy."
With the tension between the teams now at its peak, both sides headed to the pitch, eager to settle things once and for all.
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