In Team V's locker room...
"I don't know why, but this match feels even more exhausting than the last two."
Yo Hiori slumped in his seat, visibly drained. He couldn't explain it, but every part of his body felt worn out.
"I think it's because you awakened a new ability, Hiori. That long-range Passing—you couldn't do that before."
"The first time I used a new shot, I felt completely drained too. Don't worry! Just keep practicing."
Hiori sighed helplessly, glancing at Ryūma.
"I don't have your stamina, Ryūma. I can't just adapt on the fly like you."
"Alright, alright! Let's eat!"
Ryūma bolted out of the locker room like a starving wolf, heading straight for the cafeteria.
The others, already changed, followed one after another—just like me.
...
Building 5 Cafeteria
"Ah~ Only when I eat like this do I really feel alive."
Hiori rolled his eyes at Ryūma, who looked like he might burst into tears from joy.
"Seriously, Ryūma? Your obsession with food is ridiculous."
"Partner, you don't get it! When you're starving and finally get a proper meal..."
"That feeling—it's so good you can't even put it into words!"
Rin clicked his tongue and gave Ryūma and Putian Daiwa a look of utter disgust. Without a word, he turned on his heel and strode out of the cafeteria.
"Uh, bro, did Rin just look down on us?"
"Forget him. I just feel sorry for someone who doesn't know the joy of eating."
"Ryūma, I'm heading back. I'll watch Team X's match footage."
"Fine. You can run tomorrow's strategy meeting—analyze Team X for us."
"Huh? You're actually coming to tomorrow's meeting?"
"Of course! I'm really curious about Team X. I'll drag Rin along too."
"Don't worry, Hiori. Everyone will definitely be there tomorrow."
That was unusual. Normally, Ryūma either slept through meetings or stayed in his room playing on his phone. If he wasn't interested in the opponent, he didn't bother.
Rin's stance was even harsher: "No matter the opponent, I'll win. These meetings are a waste of time."
That left Hiori frustrated every time. Spending half a day analyzing tactics and making arrangements, only for the team's two cores not to show...
Still, Hiori knew the truth—unless they faced an opponent who could go toe-to-toe with them, no one could win against raw skill alone.
Even their match against Team Y had only felt close until Rin and Ryūma figured out who the key player was. From then on, the balance tipped heavily.
Nodding once at Ryūma, Hiori stood up and left the cafeteria.
...
The next day, in the strategy room...
"Come on, Rin, don't be such a buzzkill. Team X is undefeated like us! Aren't you curious who they are?"
"Stop dragging me, idiot! I told you—no matter who we face, I'll win."
"Yeah, yeah! Hurry, the meeting's about to start!"
"You're not even listening..."
I didn't bother with Rin's protests—I just dragged him straight to the strategy room door.
As we stepped inside, the mechanical female voice echoed:
"The eighth and ninth matches in Building 5 have concluded. The final match will begin in 24 hours."
Team V VS Team X!
"You finally showed up. I thought you'd ditch again."
"Without Hiori, Rin never says a word in meetings. Took me forever to convince him to come."
"You idiot! You looking for a fight?"
Rin's fist clenched, ready to swing at me.
"Hey, enough! Focus. This meeting is more important."
"It's the final match. Who would've thought Team X, like us, won all three games too?"
"I went over their footage. They use a dual-core offense—exactly like us."
"And just like Ryūma and Rin, their two cores specialize in extreme frontal breakthroughs."
"Oh? Now you've got my attention."
My interest spiked instantly. I dropped into a seat, eager to hear more.
Rin didn't say a word, but he too walked over and sat down, clearly waiting for the analysis.
Hiori stepped to the front, clearing his throat, excitement written all over his face.
After all, this was the first time Team V was holding a full-team strategy meeting.
"Ahem. First, let's look at the current standings. Team X, like us, is undefeated."
"But their goal tally is even higher. After three matches, the table looks like this—"
The screen behind him lit up with the rankings:
1st Place – Team X: 9 points, +23 goal difference
2nd Place – Team V: 9 points, +13 goal difference
3rd Place – Team Z: 4 points, -8 goal difference
4th Place – Team Y: 4 points, -15 goal difference
5th Place – Team W: 0 points, -20 goal difference
Glancing at the board, I couldn't help feeling sorry for Team W.
(So pitiful. Not even a single draw, let alone a win. Looks like they lost all their confidence after Rin and I crushed them in the opener.)
(Then they probably ran into Team X, too. Hiori said their offense is as sharp as ours...)
(Guess their fate was ugly. I wonder if that big-haired guy is even holding it together anymore.)
(This is basically back-to-back beatdowns.)
A smirk tugged at my lips.
Hiori continued:
"I went through all three of Team X's matches yesterday. The reason they score so much more than us..."
"...is entirely because of their two offensive cores. Every single goal was scored by them."
"I ran the numbers—they've put away 25 goals between them in just three games. Calling that 'extreme' is no exaggeration."
"Pfft. If Rin passed me the ball more, beating that would be easy."
"Shut up before I rip your mouth off."
Hiori could only shake his head at Rin and me.
"Seriously, can you two go one day without fighting?"
"Anyway, back to the point! These are Team X's offensive cores!"
The screen flickered again—revealing the two players who carried Team X's attack.