The team erupted around Riccardo, celebrating his goal. Once again, the pitch fell silent, every player and spectator momentarily stunned by the display of skill.
Coach Ishii allowed himself a small smile as he observed the boys, sweat dripping and hearts racing. Finally… some clarity.
Riccardo high-fived Shimizu, then extended his hand to Nishimura. The midfielder hesitated for a fraction of a second, unsure—but Riccardo's sincere smile softened him. He exhaled and returned the high-five.
"Nice goal…"
From the sidelines, all eyes were on him. Two goals in quick succession—Riccardo had made his mark.
"Even if he's the principal's recommendation… he's proving himself!" Yuzuki exclaimed, admiration shining from her blue eyes.
Kaneko's jaw clenched at the remark.
"Damn…"
"Keep your cool," Tanaka warned, stepping closer. "An angry captain only creates problems."
Kaneko walked past, ignoring him, muscles tight.
"Shut up. I know what I'm doing."
The referee blew the whistle. The match resumed. Kaneko passed to Tamura, who fed Enomoto, pushing forward.
Enomoto scanned the field, seeing Nishimura closing in. Tanaka was marked, and Ono shadowed Riccardo.
"Long ball!" Kaneko shouted, urging a deep pass.
Instead, Enomoto spotted Nakamura sprinting along the right flank, using his speed to gain an advantage. He delivered a precise pass—but Koyoma intercepted before Nakamura could reach it.
"Damn!" Nakamura exclaimed.
Riccardo claimed the second ball, pressed by Ono. Using his superior strength, he pivoted and drove toward the opponent's half—but noticing Tamura closing in, he deftly passed to Nishimura, raising a hand as a calm signal:
"Let's stay composed."
Nishimura sensed Riccardo's awareness. Even with fewer players in position, Riccardo's mind was calculating the safest, most effective plays.
When both Enomoto and Tamura converged on Nishimura, he returned the ball to Riccardo, who executed a sharp move to escape Ono's marking. Shielding the ball, Riccardo sent it back to Hamada in his own half.
"Man!" Hamada murmured, noting Kaneko barreling in. With quick thinking, he spun away, avoiding the pressure. Kaneko, frustrated, tugged Hamada's shirt—foul. The whistle blew.
Koyoma high-fived Hamada. Kaneko, seething, confronted Enomoto.
"Why didn't you pass to me earlier!?"
Enomoto blinked, startled. "I thought the best attack was…"
"Don't think I'm not good enough!" Kaneko's glare darkened.
"N-no! That's not what I meant!"
"Then next time, pass me the ball!" Kaneko stormed back to the bench, fuming.
Noguchi watched quietly. Kaneko Raizo, 17, third year… At first glance, just a hothead. But anyone who'd known him three years understood—he cared, he was loyal, but he loved soccer too much.
Nishimura took the free kick, passed to Kinoshita, who quickly found Ueno. Ueno surged forward, surprising Tanaka, shielding the ball, pushing the attack. Shimizu adjusted, clearing space for Ueno's run.
Kuwahara moved to intercept, but Ueno flicked it to Shimizu. Pushing toward the back line, he received a return pass just before an offside call. A cross attempted—but too short. Aoki cleared before Riccardo could intervene.
Kaneko advanced to midfield, shielding from Hamada. Seeing Tanaka sprint down the left, he sent a through ball. Tanaka sprinted unhindered, evading Kinoshita's attempt. The ball was crossed—but not to Kaneko. Nakamura had reached the far post. A burst of speed, a sliding shot… goal.
Kaneko turned to Tanaka, incredulous. "Why didn't you pass it to me!?"
Tanaka's gaze was cold, serious. "Senpai… you wouldn't have scored with two defenders on you. And after this game, you won't be a starter anymore."
Kaneko froze.
"If Aliberti had been in your place, I'd have given him that assist."
Silence. Kaneko was speechless. Tanaka walked away.
The clock ticked: 25 minutes. Nishimura's team focused on control; Kaneko's team desperately pressed. The speed, precision, and intensity were mesmerizing.
Riccardo received the ball in the center. He spotted Shimizu breaking past the offside line, opposition defense dangerously high. With a precise through ball, Riccardo delivered it perfectly, Shimizu maintained full speed.
Tanaka recovered quickly, blocking Shimizu, forcing a reset. But Shimizu's skillful double step bypassed him, moving the ball right. Corner.
Shimizu crossed to Riccardo, marked by Aoki and Tamura. Riccardo leapt, higher than both, heading the ball powerfully—goalkeeper Yamauchi reacted with a spectacular save. Aoki parried the rebound.
Kaneko, out of position and unfocused, didn't recover. Hamada intercepted and passed to Riccardo. In a flash, Riccardo nutmegged an approaching Tamura with a clever heel flick.
Sato gasped. "Did you see that?!"
Aoki tried to intercept, but Riccardo escaped with a flawless ruleta, then slid the ball low to Nishimura, who had slipped in unnoticed. Calmly, Nishimura scored.
The linesman hesitated, flag down—goal validated.
The team erupted. Scoreboard: Team 1 1 — 3 Team 245:00
Half-time whistle. Exhausted, the boys returned to the bench.
Coach Ishii intercepted them. "That's it for today! I found the answers I was looking for!"
The team stared in disbelief. Coach Ishii smiled faintly. "Great job. See you next week!"
Outside the pitch, applause broke out—Sato, then Yuzuki, then the other spectators.
"Great game!"
"Well done!"
Shimizu leaned on Nishimura. "See? They finally became fans."
Tanaka approached Riccardo, patting his shoulder.
"No need to say it. After that game… welcome to the team."
Everyone gathered to congratulate Riccardo—except Kaneko, who slunk off toward the locker room, silent and dejected. Noguchi noticed.