章 88: A Nostalgic Gameplay

The air was thick with tension as both teams lined up on the field, the atmosphere electric with anticipation. Sota's heart pounded in his chest, the echo of the previous handshake still lingering in his mind. He had locked eyes with Lucas during the handshake, and in that brief moment, it felt like time had stopped. Now, as they prepared for the first play, Sota couldn't shake the uneasy feeling that gnawed at his gut.

The whistle blew, sharp and shrill, signaling the start of the game. The quarterback from Shinkai High, a lean, agile player with a determined glint in his eyes, crouched low behind the center, his hands ready to receive the snap. Sota's eyes flicked to Lucas, who was lined up on the far side, poised like a coiled spring. There was an intensity about him, a focus that was impossible to ignore.

"Stay sharp!" Kaminari shouted, his voice cutting through the tension like a knife. "Watch their moves!"