Chapter 50 — Part 4 The Moment After the Kick
The ball hit the net.
It slammed into it with a sharp, violent snap—rope fibers stretching, shaking, screaming under the force. Dust burst up from the ground near the goalpost, drifting lazily into the air as if the field itself needed a second to understand what had just happened.
For a heartbeat… nothing moved.
The net was still trembling.
The ball rolled once, twice, then stopped, resting inside the goal like it had always belonged there.
Kuroiwa Nana stood frozen just outside the penalty area, her body angled toward the goal but her head turned too late. Her eyes followed the ball as if it might suddenly apologize and roll back out.
Shindou Rika blinked. Once. Twice.
"…Huh?"
Mizuno Ayame didn't blink at all.
Her face was completely blank.
No smirk.
No confidence
Just stillness—like her brain had momentarily shut down.
Around them, the training field had fallen into an unnatural silence.
Only the faint sound of dust settling… and the soft creak of the goalpost net swaying back and forth.
Several girls on both teams slowly turned their heads toward the center of the field.
Toward him.
Haruya Takahara stood where he had kicked the ball, his posture relaxed, one foot still slightly forward. His arms hung loosely at his sides. His breathing was steady.
Too steady.
He looked down at his foot, then back up at the goal.
"…Did I," he paused, genuinely puzzled, "do something wrong?"
The question landed heavier than the kick itself.
His expression wasn't proud.
That, more than anything, unsettled everyone.
A boy had just fired a shot so fast that trained players hadn't even reacted in time.
And he was asking if he messed up.
Someone swallowed loudly.
Another girl shifted her weight, boots scraping softly against the ground.
Inside their heads, the same thought echoed—loud, panicked:
Did a boy just do that?
The coach, standing near the sideline, stared at the goal for a long second. Then she turned her gaze slowly, deliberately, toward Haruya.
Her eyes narrowed—not in anger, but in calculation.
The dust finally settled.
The field breathed again.
But the atmosphere had changed.
This wasn't training anymore.
---
Reactions Split the Field
The silence didn't last long.
It cracked.
First with a nervous laugh—high-pitched and unsure.
"Ah… hah… that was… fast," one girl from Haruya's team muttered, rubbing the back of her neck as if laughing would somehow make what she saw normal.
Another leaned closer, whispering under her breath, "I didn't even see the ball move…"
Murmurs spread, soft at first, then overlapping.
"Was that really Haruya?"
"Did he just shoot from there?"
"No way that was full strength…"
Saeko stood completely still, her hands clenched so tightly at her sides that her fingers trembled. Her heart was pounding so hard it felt like it was echoing in her ears.
That's Haru.
Of course it is.
Her chest filled with a warm, overwhelming pride that made her breath hitch. She stared at his back, eyes wide, pupils practically sparkling. Without realizing it, her lips curved into a soft, stunned smile.
Amazing…
He's amazing…
Her face flushed bright red, heat rushing up to her ears. In her imagination, fireworks exploded. Somewhere deep inside her mind, a ridiculous, embarrassing little voice screamed, That's my Haru! Her eyes almost formed little hearts before she hurriedly blinked, trying to regain composure.
Reina reacted differently.
Her eyes sharpened.
She took in the angle of the kick, the speed, the lack of wasted motion. Her mind replayed the moment instantly, breaking it down piece by piece.
"…So that's how it is," she murmured under her breath.
A faint blush crept onto her cheeks—not from embarrassment, but from something closer to admiration mixed with resolve. Pride swelled in her chest, heavy and grounding.
If he's capable of that…
Her gaze shifted subtly, positioning herself closer to Haruya without even thinking about it.
…I really do need to stay closer to him.
Across the field, the mood was the exact opposite.
Kuroiwa Nana clenched her fists, her jaw tightening until her teeth almost ground together. Her eyes flicked from the goal to Haruya and back again.
"That wasn't luck," she muttered darkly.
Shindou Rika crossed her arms, unease creeping into her posture. "No… it really wasn't."
Mizuno Ayame finally moved.
Her lips parted slightly, her breath shallow. The confident fantasy she'd been playing in her head—of going easy on him, of impressing him, of controlling the pace—shattered like glass.
Why… didn't I move?
Her legs felt heavy even now, as if they remembered freezing.
Why couldn't I react?
Why did my body hesitate?
For the first time since she stepped onto the field, Mizuno Ayame felt something unfamiliar crawl up her spine.
Threat.
And beneath it—anger.
Her eyes narrowed, a forced smile slowly returning to her face, but it didn't reach her eyes.
And already, the field had chosen its center.
---
Haruya and the Question That Followed
The field was still buzzing with whispers when the sensation finally caught up to him.
A dull ache pulsed through Haruya's foot.
It started small—easy to ignore—but quickly spread upward, sharp enough to make him subtly shift his weight. He kept his expression neutral, shoulders relaxed, as if nothing had happened.
Inside, though—
Ah… crap.
He curled his toes slightly inside his shoes, testing the pain.
I really forgot…
This body isn't my old one.
In his previous world, that kick would've barely registered. Countless hours on dusty fields, chasing a half-deflated ball until sunset, had hardened his legs. Muscle memory was still there. Technique was still there.
But this body?
This body was different.
Lighter. Softer. Not built for explosive force.
Tch… I really overdid it .
He glanced down briefly, then back up, pretending to stretch casually.
I can't just kick like that again.
If I keep using that much power… this body will give out first.
A faint sigh escaped him.
Looks like I'll need to be careful. Control over power… not power itself.
While Haruya was recalibrating quietly, the coach began walking toward the center of the field.
Her steps were slow.
Deliberate.
She stopped near the goal, eyes lingering on the net that was still gently swaying, then turned her gaze to Haruya.
The field quieted again—not because she shouted, but because her silence carried weight.
"Haruya-sama," she said calmly.
Haruya straightened instinctively. "Yes, coach?"
She studied him for a moment longer than necessary. Not scrutinizing his body—but his expression. His posture. The way he stood without pride, without fear.
"…Have you played football before?" she asked.
The question landed softly.
Inside Haruya's head, alarms went off.
Ah—bad.
This is bad.
His mind scrambled.
What should I say?
If I say no, that makes no sense.
If I say yes… how much?
He swallowed once.
Think. Calm down. Don't overdo it.
"Um," ( ⊙﹏⊙ ) he started, rubbing the back of his neck lightly, letting his voice soften. "I… like football a lot ."
The coach waited, eyes attentive.
"So I… practiced sometimes," he continued. "At home. Just by myself."
That should work.
Simple. Vague. Harmless.
For a brief moment, the coach hesitated.
Something about it felt… off.
Practicing alone didn't explain that kick.
Talent like that usually needed guidance. Training. Experience.
But then she looked at him properly.
His calm eyes.
His gentle expression.
The way he stood there, unaware of the chaos he'd caused.
Her heart melted a little.
Ah… right.
He's special.
She smiled faintly.
"I see," she said, nodding. "You have good instincts."
Haruya let out a breath he didn't realize he'd been holding.
The coach didn't press further.
Instead, her thoughts began racing in a completely different direction.
If Haruya-sama joins sports club officially…
Her gaze drifted briefly to the sidelines, where girls were still whispering, still staring.
More girls would join the club.
Interest would explode.
The principal would notice.
This wasn't just talent.
This was opportunity.
A boy like him in the football club would raise attention, reputation—everything. Elite status. Funding. Prestige.
But…
Her lips tightened slightly.
That homeroom teacher…
Stubborn. Possessive. Overprotective bitch.
She'd never allow it easily (ノ｀Д´)ノ彡┻━┻.
Still, the idea sparked something greedy and ambitious inside her.
I'll think of something.
There's always a way.
In her imagination, she already saw it—special approval, praise from above, maybe even a position among the elite faculty.
Her lips twitched.
Then she snapped back to reality.
Ahem.
She clapped her hands sharply, breaking the lingering tension.
"Alright," the coach announced. "Enough standing around."
Players straightened immediately.
"Reset positions," she commanded. "We're moving into full-speed drills."
The air shifted.
This time, there would be no holding back.
And Haruya, standing quietly among them, adjusted his stance once more—
Not realizing how deeply he had already changed the flow of the game.
---
Training Intensifies (Pressure Rises)
The coach's voice cut through the lingering tension like a blade.
"Reset positions. Full-speed drill."
No hesitation. No room for questions.
The players moved.
Shoes scraped against the turf as formations shifted. The earlier shock faded, replaced by something heavier—competition. Pride. Pressure. The casual atmosphere from moments ago vanished as if it had never existed.
This wasn't practice anymore.
This was a statement.
"Eyes up!" the coach barked. "Ball movement fast. No holding back. Treat this like a real match."
The whistle blew.
Everything accelerated.
The ball was passed hard, almost aggressively, from one foot to another. The pace jumped instantly, forcing even experienced players to react on instinct. Bodies collided. Cleats dug into the ground. Voices rose—sharp calls, frustrated clicks of the tongue, short shouts of command.
Saeko struggled at first.
She misjudged a pass, barely managing to redirect it before an opponent closed in. Her breath hitched, panic flickering across her face for a second.
Focus. Focus.
She clenched her fists, forcing herself to calm down. Her eyes flicked toward Haruya without meaning to—and just seeing him there, steady and composed, grounded her.
"I can do this," she whispered under her breath, pushing forward again.
Reina was different.
From the moment the drill started, she moved with purpose. Her positioning was precise, always a step ahead, always where she needed to be.
She intercepted a pass cleanly, redirected the ball, and immediately shifted back into a protective formation without even glancing behind her.
Her eyes kept returning to one place.
Haruya.
He was moving.
Not fast in an obvious way. Not flashy. Just… efficient.
When the ball came to him, he didn't rush it. He didn't freeze either. He adjusted his footing smoothly, passed when needed, held when necessary. His movements were compact, controlled, almost minimalist.
No wasted motion.
That made people uneasy.
Some girls tried to close in on him harder, testing his limits. One lunged in too aggressively, expecting him to falter.
He sidestepped.
The girl stumbled past him, blinking in confusion.
"What…?"
Another tried to pressure him from the side.
He pivoted, shielded the ball briefly, then released it with perfect timing.
Whispers started forming mid-drill.
"Why isn't he panicking…?"
"He's not slowing down…"
"Is he even tired?"
On the opposing side, Ayame's eyes stayed locked on him.
Her jaw tightened.
This wasn't what she imagined.
She had expected him to hesitate. To flinch. To rely on others.
Instead, he blended into the flow of the game as if he belonged there.
Worse—he made it look natural.
The pressure kept rising.
Tackles got rougher. The ball was contested harder. Sweat began to drip down faces, breaths growing heavier with each sprint.
Thirty minutes passed like a blur.
When the whistle finally blew again, the sound felt almost merciful.
"Training over!" the coach shouted. "Rest."
One by one, players collapsed.
Some dropped straight onto the grass, arms spread, chests heaving. Others bent over with hands on their knees, gasping for air. A few lay flat on their backs, staring at the sky like survivors of a battlefield.
The opposing team was completely spent.
Several girls didn't even try to get up.
Haruya slowed to a stop, breathing heavier now, a thin layer of sweat clinging to his hair and collar. His legs trembled slightly, but he remained standing.
He looked around.
Reina was still upright—breathing hard, but steady.
Saeko leaned forward with her hands on her thighs, exhausted but smiling faintly, refusing to fall.
They're strong…
That thought surprised him.
His chest rose and fell as he wiped sweat from his brow.
This body really is weak…
If I push like before, I'll burn out fast.
His legs felt heavy now. Not injured—but clearly strained.
I need to build this body properly.
Technique alone won't be enough.
Despite the fatigue, a quiet satisfaction settled in his chest.
After so long…
I'm finally playing again.
The field slowly quieted, the chaos giving way to exhausted silence.
But beneath that silence, something had shifted.
And everyone there—whether they admitted it or not—could feel it.
---
Akari's Reaction (Quiet, Chilling)
From the far side of the grounds, partially hidden by the tall fence near the staff corridor, Akari watched.
She hadn't moved since the moment the ball hit the net.
While others shouted, gasped, or froze in shock, she remained perfectly still. Her posture was relaxed, almost casual, as if she were simply observing another ordinary school activity.
But her eyes never left him.
Haruya.
She saw everything.
The kick.
The silence that followed.
The way the field seemed to pause around him.
A faint smile slowly curved her lips.
Not excited.
Just… satisfied.
"As expected," she murmured under her breath.
There was no disbelief in her voice. No surprise. To her, this wasn't shocking at all. It was confirmation.
Of course he's special.
Of course he shines wherever he Is my love.
Her gaze softened as she watched him wipe the sweat from his forehead, breathing a little harder now, human and real. The exhaustion only made him look more precious in her eyes.
"They don't understand," she thought calmly. "They're only seeing the surface."
Her fingers curled slightly against her sleeve.
"But I see everything."
She imagined the future without effort—him standing out more, drawing more eyes, more desire, more danger. The thought didn't frighten her.
It thrilled her.
"I'll be worthy," she whispered quietly, her voice almost tender. "No matter what it takes."
The whistle blew again. Training ended. Students began to disperse.
Akari turned away before anyone could notice her presence, her expression returning to its usual gentle calm.
The game had started.
And this time, she was watching very closely.
---
The Calm Before Tomorrow
The coach's whistle cut sharply through the air.
"Training over," she announced. "Everyone, rest. Hydrate. Stretch properly."
A collective groan rose from the field.
Players collapsed where they stood. Some dropped onto the grass without dignity, others sat with legs stretched out, hands braced behind them, chests heaving. Jerseys clung damply to skin. The late afternoon sun cast long shadows across the field, turning sweat into glittering lines.
The match hadn't even begun yet.
Haruya stood a little apart, hands on his knees, breathing slow and controlled. He wiped his face with his sleeve, eyes calm, unreadable.
Saeko watched him from a few steps away, heart still pounding. To her, he looked unreal. Like a Price from gacha game stepping out of a story game world she never expected to be part of.
"He was amazing…" she thought, cheeks warming again. "I knew he would be."
Her gaze followed every small movement he made, memorizing them without realizing it.
Reina, standing closer than before, subtly shifted her position so she was between Haruya and the opposing team. Her arms were crossed, her eyes never stopped looking haruya with blushing cheeks.
Across the field, Mizuno Ayame forced a smile as she stretched her legs, her eyes locked on Haruya with an intensity that hadn't been there before. Not admiration. But for desire and taming haruya thought.
So that's how it is, she thought. Then I won't hold back either.
The coach clapped her hands once, sharp and decisive.
"Tomorrow," she said, "we simulate a real match. Full rules. Full pressure."
The field stirred.
Whispers spread. Excitement mixed with tension.
Tomorrow wouldn't be training anymore.
Tomorrow would reveal everything.
Haruya straightened, listening quietly. His fingers curled once, then relaxed.
Tomorrow, huh…
Saeko swallowed, heart fluttering. Reina stepped even closer. Ayame's smile tightened. And from far away, unseen, Akari's eyes followed him until he disappeared from the field.
Different thoughts. Different desires. All circling the same boy.
— To be continued…
--------------
Author note 🧾
I'd love to hear your thoughts on this chapter. If anything felt confusing or raised questions, please let me know.
Your feedback really helps my dear readers
—king_fuzu_