Rin Itoshi raised an eyebrow and sneered.
"Don't make me sick. I don't need a brainless idiot as my brother."
"Huh? You bastard, pushing your luck, huh? Today I'll show you—my fist is as big as a sandbag, Ryūma Banjō!"
"Alright, alright, Ryūma. Rin, stop messing with him and explain it to us."
"Honestly, I just feel like there's something strange about Team Y's attacking midfielder, but I can't put it into words.
With your ability, Rin, if you're certain he's their core, then you must have completely seen through Team Y."
Watching Rin prepare to speak, Ryūma felt an air of superiority radiating from him.
(What a stuck-up jerk!)
Clearing his throat, Rin began.
"It's simple. Every time they hit trouble or confusion after changing formations, they instinctively look in a certain direction.
In other words, instead of figuring it out themselves, they're watching for something else."
Yo Hiori quickly nodded.
"Exactly, Rin. That's what threw me off too."
"I noticed it as well! Haha, I thought they were just zoning out mid-game!"
"You two, shut it. Especially you, Ryūma. If you interrupt again, get lost."
"Tch! Playing favorites, huh."
Ryūma muttered, but Rin ignored him and kept going.
"At first, I thought it was coincidence. But with Ryūma's reckless attacks, that 'coincidence' turned undeniable.
They weren't just looking around randomly—they were watching for signals from their teammates."
"After realizing that, I kept testing it—and I found something strange.
The same players who had been looking for signals became the ones giving them moments later.
That's what's interesting. If he relies on teammates when he's stuck, how can he be the one giving orders?"
Rin paused, glancing at Ryūma, then continued.
"And thanks to this idiot's brainless attacking and defending, the constant pressure forces them to keep checking for signals."
"Huh? Rin, you brat, is that supposed to be a compliment or…?"
When Rin just stared at him in silence, Ryūma quickly shut up, pretending it hadn't been him.
Rin sighed and pressed on.
"Their reliance has only grown. Now, whenever Ryūma drives with the ball, they immediately look for instructions to tell them what to do.
Even when I intercept, they do the same.
They're losing the ability to think on their own. Their first instinct in any situation is to look for help.
But in this entire match, there's been one player who has never once looked for another's signal—only given them.
At every critical moment, he's been the one to react instantly and perfectly, without waiting for input.
That's Team Y's attacking midfielder—hidden behind the others, yet the true engine of their team."
Ryūma nodded over and over, wide-eyed.
"I don't get it… but I'm blown away! Damn, Rin, you noticed all that?"
(That's insanely detailed. How did I not catch that they were following signals?)
(And he even singled out the one guy among ten who never received a signal, only gave them out.)
While nodding, Ryūma chuckled inwardly.
(This is brainwork on another level. Figures… Rin and Shidō are the type whose heads spin 360 degrees every match.)
Just as Ryūma was about to ask Rin how many times his brain spun per game, a confident voice cut in.
"Hmph. So you've figured me out. I thought I could hide a bit longer."
The voice belonged to Team Y's attacking midfielder. With fiery red wolf-tail hair, deep crimson eyes, and the aura of a lone wolf leading a pack, he stepped forward.
"You were eavesdropping, weren't you?"
"Huh? Who cares about eavesdropping. I just happened to catch your last line.
So, you've confirmed I'm Team Y's core?"
The playmaker fixed his gaze on Ryūma, running his fingers back through his hair as he spoke.
"Let me introduce myself. I am Kudo Tōya—the brain driving Team Y.
So what if you know I'm their core? My eyes will see through your every move.
We won't lose."
With that, Kudo Tōya turned and walked back toward his side of the field.
Ryūma glanced at Yo Hiori beside him and smirked.
"Seriously? Who asked him? Acting like anyone cared about his big introduction."
Yo Hiori noticed Kudo's steady stride falter for just a moment. Clearly, he'd heard Ryūma's jab.
Unable to hold back, Hiori burst out laughing.
"Hahaha! Ryūma, you'd kill it as a comedian. One line from you and the tension's gone!"
"Tch~ Damn right. I won't let anyone upstage me!"
"Enough, you two. Back to your positions. I'm taking the kickoff this time."
"Alright, Rin. We're heading back."
"Got it. The kickoff's yours."
Ryūma jogged back to his position, speaking toward Rin ahead of him.
Since Rin had given him all the previous possessions, Ryūma didn't mind letting him take this one.
...
Team V possession! Rin Itoshi at center for the kickoff!
After the whistle, Rin didn't pass either. Like Ryūma, he charged straight into Team Y's half on his own.
The difference was that he lacked Ryūma's fiery recklessness. His eyes stayed cold and steady.
Now exposed, Kudo Tōya no longer gave covert signals. He issued clear commands instead.
"Spread out! Form up with me as the anchor!"
"Kobayashi, Matsutani, Hisakawa—stick to the plan!"
"Understood!"
At Kudo Tōya's command, Team Y's players spread out to their positions.
As three defenders closed in, Rin Itoshi muttered calmly,
"I've already seen through your weaknesses."
His feet began to move as he spoke. First, he threw off the balance of the first defender with a step-over.
Then he surged right, drawing the second defender to block.
But Rin had already predicted it. With a Marseille turn, he spun left with the ball.
"Got you!"
"Hmph. Too obvious."
Cutting left, Rin trapped the ball with his right instep, shifted his weight back, and spun smoothly.
In one flawless motion, he slipped past the two Y-team players who hadn't even reacted.
"M-Miracle turn?!"
...
(35 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / GhostParser