Capítulo 48: [48] Collaborating Again
"This guy... he actually used Itoshi Rin as bait!" Reo stared in disbelief at Kurona, who stood emotionless yet confident as he faced Shinichi.
That confident expression left a deep impression on Reo. "Perhaps... their way of coexisting is the right one..."
"This is going to be tricky," Ishikari muttered as he walked over to Nagi.
Compared to Rin, his only advantage was his height for aerial battles.
But Rin's positioning and insight completely outclassed everyone on their side.
Without diverting Rin, passing the ball would be nearly impossible.
"Yeah, I know," Nagi replied, roughly wiping his face with his collar. "If only we had someone from Team Z... what was his name again? Isagi Yoichi? If we had someone with his positioning skills, things might be a lot easier."
"But... still..." After mumbling to himself for a moment, Nagi turned to Reo. "Reo, I need you."
"Huh? Aren't you the one who said I was useless? And now you're coming to me?" Reo scowled, turning his head away in frustration. But Nagi persisted.
"Because you went back to defend in the end. Reo, you still want to win, don't you?"
"..."
"I know we might not be able to win, but I still want to give it one more shot."
"Then go try it yourself. Don't come running to me just because you hit a setback." After a moment of silence, Reo forced himself to harden his resolve and refuse again.
'Damn it, don't come over! Don't come over, Nagi. I've already found something... something that feels like the right direction. Don't make me go back...'
"But I can't do it," Nagi admitted. "I tried relying on myself, but things like organizing the attack and figuring out the next step... you're still way better at those than I am."
"I'm just more used to having you by my side, Reo. Without you, there's no way I can achieve the dream of being the best in the world on my own."
"My weapon is trapping the ball, but without your passes, I can't fully unleash its potential."
"Help me, Reo."
...
After a long silence, Reo finally let out a deep sigh. "Just this once."
'Maybe I was wrong. Becoming the best in the world was my dream, my selfish desire. I was the one who dragged Nagi into this world, the one who despaired and gave up on my own. It's only natural for him to be upset.'
'I never expected Nagi, who used to see everything as a hassle and couldn't care less, to value our dream so much… That's right. From the very first day we started playing football, we've always been together. Only the two of us can make each other whole.'
"This time, it's for the dream, isn't it, Nagi?" Reo still didn't look at Nagi, but he raised his right arm and extended his fist toward him.
"Yeah." Nagi responded with a fist bump. "Reo, how many goals do we need?"
"As many as possible. Score as much as you can."
...
"Rin, it looks like something's about to change on their side. Don't get caught off guard." Shinichi shouted loudly from near the goalpost, his voice directed at Rin up front.
In response, Rin shot him an annoyed glare, which made Shinichi shrug and drop the subject.
Instead, he leaned on his chin, watching Nagi and Reo with interest.
"Due to the overwhelming gap between them, Reo began doubting his own abilities and the feasibility of his dream, while Nagi grew disappointed after sensing Reo's hesitation."
"But now, for the sake of victory, they're collaborating again. Tsk, tsk. What a complex relationship. But if they end up losing even in this state, what would happen then? When it comes time to choose, what kind of move will this unpredictable guy Nagi pull off next?"
...
Reo, in the middle of discussing tactics with his teammates, suddenly shivered inexplicably.
It felt like a malicious gaze was fixed on him, but the sensation quickly dissipated.
Dismissing it as his imagination, he continued instructing his teammates.
"Their player, Itoshi Rin, has individual skills that none of us can handle one-on-one. That's how they've managed to neutralize our numerical advantage. I think we need to make the most of our numbers."
Reo drew a diamond shape on the grass with his finger. "We'll push forward in this formation. Keep the distances between each other short to avoid being isolated and forced into one-on-one situations where individual skills will decide the play."
"I'll play as a defensive midfielder at the back and decide who to initiate the attack through. Ishikari, keep moving and don't let their players cut in front of you. If they block you, passing the ball to you will become too risky."
After receiving a nod of understanding, Reo turned to Zantetsu. "Zantetsu, your role remains the same. Keep running on the left flank and look for opportunities. I'll get the ball to you."
"Nagi, just act as you see fit at the front. Everyone, don't hold onto the ball too long. Pass it around as much as possible, make them chase, and wear them out. Let's use our advantage to score this point!"
"Oh!"
"Got it."
"Sure~"
The replies were scattered, uneven in tone and enthusiasm, but Reo wasn't concerned.
The fire of determination burned in everyone's eyes.
Beep—!
The whistle blew. Reo sent a direct pass to Zantetsu. "Zantetsu, use your speed to carve us a path forward!"
"Not happening, speedy glasses!" Kurona was initially left behind by Zantetsu's explosive acceleration, losing a step.
But after just a few meters, he gritted his teeth and started closing the gap.
"Let's see who's faster!" Kurona challenged, pushing himself to keep pace.
Zantetsu glanced at Kurona but didn't respond.
Instead, before Kurona could catch up, he lifted his foot and passed the ball away. "Sorry, but I have a job to do… Isn't that right?"
"Absolutely right, Zantetsu," Reo said as he received the pass and surged forward. His eyes darted around the field, analyzing everyone's movements. "Still not coming? If this keeps up, I'll push all the way to the goal myself."
"Finally, here it is!" Reo muttered to himself as he noticed Rin abandon Ishikari and charge toward him.
"Impressive. Even while coming at me, you're carefully blocking the passing lane to Ishikari behind you." After observing Rin's actions, Reo began to understand part of his strategy. "But this time, it won't work!"
"Ishikari!"
Ignoring Rin's aggressive approach, Reo kicked the ball high into the air, a lofted pass soaring over Rin and heading straight for the forward line.
Ishikari, already tracking the ball's trajectory, dashed toward its landing point.
"This is the grand strategy you spent all that time devising?" Rin's voice, calm yet laced with disdain, made Reo pause instinctively.
Rin gazed at the ball flying past him, his expression indifferent. "Playing football driven by dreams… With your level of skill, you're not even fit to be that guy's sidekick."
As if to prove Rin's words, Hiori appeared out of nowhere, blocking Ishikari's path.
Instead of contesting for the aerial ball, Hiori simply used his body to prevent Ishikari from reaching it, ensuring neither could claim it immediately.
Once the ball hit the ground, Hiori loosened his stance and both players lunged for the ball simultaneously.
However, when it came to ground ball control, Hiori's superior technique was undeniable.
"Your mediocre, childish version of football ends here"
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