Chapter 34 Football 34 Counterfeits and Genuine Products

The air was filled with the faint smell of sweat after exercise and the unique scent of air freshener in the locker room, creating a sense of tension and anticipation as the game was about to begin.

The players, some sitting and some standing, were busy preparing for the upcoming match.

Perhaps because this match was a long-awaited opportunity to "fight alone," the W team players quickly got ready, leaving only Tenno Minaka and Kira Ryosuke inside.

Kira Ryosuke stood to the side, a hint of amusement in his eyes. He slowly squatted down and gently poked Amano Minaka, who was focused on tying his shoelaces.

"Zhongjiang" (a type of Chinese sauce).

Upon hearing this, Amano Minaka paused, then looked up, his gaze inadvertently sweeping over Kira Ryosuke's knee pad on his right leg. It was a shade of blue, exactly the same as his tight-fitting sportswear.

"Why did you suddenly decide to wear this?"

The knee pads on Kira Ryosuke's legs were a birthday gift from Amano Minaka a while ago; they were custom-made in blue for him.

"I felt a little off since I woke up this morning, so I took it out and put it on." Kira Ryosuke bent down, his fingers gently tracing the patterns on the knee pads. "Blue is my lucky color."

"They're all blue, don't you find that strange?"

Ten no Michi pointed to the dark blue tight-fitting sportswear.

Kira Ryosuke flashed a bright smile and gave Amano Minaka a thumbs up, "Blue on blue, luck stat MAX!"

His words carried a hint of playfulness and confidence, as if he truly believed that this combination would bring him endless good fortune.

Amano Minaka shook her head helplessly and said softly, "Whatever makes you happy."

No! It still feels so strange.

He unconsciously glanced at the knee pads several times, secretly grumbling to himself.

Is Team V very strong?

Suddenly, Kira Ryosuke said to Ten no Minaka, "I feel like you've been out of sorts lately."

He stayed up all night watching all of Team V's matches.

Supermodel.

This was Kira Ryosuke's only thought.

An overwhelming victory; whether against Team X or Team Y, Team V won by a large margin.

The tactical style was also obvious; all the players revolved around three people, and after watching the two games, it gave him the feeling that V team only had three people playing.

“Yesterday, Advisor Bu Luan Yuan contacted me.” Tian Zhi Yu Zhong spoke slowly, his tone heavy. “He mentioned that the Football Association is considering restructuring our team, and they plan to separate us.”

Upon hearing this, Kira Ryosuke's pupils contracted sharply, and his light brown eyes widened instantly, filled with astonishment and disbelief. He stared intently at Amano Minaka, as if trying to find a trace of comfort or denial in the other's eyes.

“However, I have tried my best.” Tenno Minaka sighed softly, trying to make his tone sound as light as possible. “I reached an agreement with them, so at least the three of us can continue to fight side by side.”

"Agreement? What kind of agreement?" Kira Ryosuke asked impatiently, his tone full of anxiety and unease.

"I cannot join any team other than the national team for the next five years."

"Huh? Are you kidding me? Five years? How many five-year periods does a person have in their lifetime?"

Kira Ryosuke couldn't believe that Amanominaka would make such a choice.

It's no wonder he was so shocked, because the only major international events in the next five years are this year's World Friendship Games and the A Games four years from now.

Based on this calculation, there will be at least a three-year gap between the openings of Ten no Michū.

For athletes, time is money, and health is capital.

He didn't believe that Tenno Minaka was unaware of how damaging a gap in athletic performance can be.

Three years is enough time to reduce an athlete's commercial value to a minimum, especially since the Football Association only sees football as a business.

This agreement is entirely detrimental to Tennoyu.

So that's why!

Amano Minaka stood up, her face showing little emotion, and said in an almost calm tone, "I only have you left."

"...Don't let me down."

The members of Team W were all enthusiastically warming up in their assigned spots.

Tenno Minaka stood in the winger position, his cold and deep golden pupils slightly narrowed.

“Naka-chan.” Kira Ryosuke put his hand on his shoulder. “We will win.”

"I see... oh?"

A noncommittal answer from Ten no Mika.

He irritably tugged at the jacket draped over his shoulders, his gaze sweeping over the V team players who had just arrived at the stadium, as if they weren't worth his attention.

"Ling Wang".

The tall, white-haired boy pointed to Amano Minaka's jacket, rested his head against the neck of the purple-haired boy who was carrying him, and asked in a calm tone, "Is it okay to wear a jacket while playing soccer?"

Reio Mikage gently helped Seishiro Nagi sit up, her tone gentle yet authoritative: "In a proper match, that's not allowed, Nagi. You should warm up properly first!"

Upon hearing this, Nagi Seishiro deflated like a punctured balloon, collapsing onto the green field the moment his foot touched the ground, muttering, "What a nuisance..."

Seeing this, Kenjou Zentetsu adjusted his glasses, his eyes gleaming with seriousness and wisdom, and said earnestly to Nagi Seishiro, "Warming up is necessary, Nagi. Otherwise, if you get injured or strained, it would be a huge loss." He then looked at Mikage Reio, "Is that right?"

"It's definitely not worth the loss, you idiot, Zhan Tie."

Reio Mikage chuckled and patted Kenjou Zantetsu's shoulder, then turned her gaze to the W team members who were already on high alert, pondering, "But why didn't W team let Kira Ryosuke play as the forward?"

Nagi Seishiro heard a familiar name and looked up. "Who?"

"Ryosuke Kira, 'A Gem of Japan'."

"Huh?"

"It's that one with the milky white hair." Reio Mikage pointed to Seishiro Nagi. "It's a lot like your hair color, Nagi."

Upon hearing this, Nagi Seishiro's mouth formed an X. "Is that so..."

"Neon's...treasure"?

Nagi Seishiro's gaze was fixed on Kira Ryosuke, as he secretly pondered what was going on in his mind.

His gaze then shifted to Amano Minaka, who was talking to Kira Ryosuke. "He looks pretty ordinary, but the short guy he's talking to gives off a rather unusual vibe."

While warming up, Reio Mikage said to Seishiro Nagi, "That's the 'Child of God.'"

“‘Son of God’? "

“Yes, I’m really looking forward to this match!” Mikage Reio tidied his hair, his purple eyes revealing his determination. “I have to show him what Nagi Reio is all about.”

Although Nagi Seishiro seemed a little weak, he still managed to reply, "Ah—then it's up to you."

As soon as the ball was kicked off, Seishiro Nagi was like a cheetah ready to pounce, instantly unleashing astonishing speed and drawing a beautiful arc on the green field.

His goal is to play as Ryosuke Kira, who will be a guard wearing the number 10 jersey.

In a series of fluid movements, Nagi Seishiro skillfully executed a Marseille spin, completely negating Kira Ryosuke's prediction. The ball seemed to come alive, bouncing nimbly under Nagi Seishiro's feet.

Left? Or right?

Kira Ryosuke's pupils followed the ball's trajectory, rapidly rotating as he tried to catch that fleeting opening.

right!

Kira Ryosuke leaned slightly to the right, preparing to extend his leg to intercept the fatal blow.

At this critical moment, Nagi Seishiro seemed to have seen through his intentions. He suddenly accelerated and, with a dazzling feint, easily swept past Kira Ryosuke's right side, leaving behind an afterimage and Kira Ryosuke's astonished expression.

"So slow."

Nagi Seishiro casually uttered two words, then passed the ball without hesitation, his movements so relaxed as if he were just doing an unimportant practice and didn't care where the ball would end up.

Kenjou Zantetsu used his speed to steal the ball from W team's number 9 and scored a quick goal for V team.

"They don't seem as formidable as I imagined," Kenjou Zantetsu said.

But something still feels off.

Kenjou Zantetsu thought to himself as he adjusted his glasses.

Team W's number 7 loudly reassured everyone, "It's only one point, we'll get it back soon."

Nagishiro, bored, scratched his neck and looked at Kira Ryosuke. "Are you really a 'treasure'?"

This is really troublesome. Is this all he's capable of?

Or am I really a genius?

Kira Ryosuke remained unperturbed by the sudden questioning, and explained to Nagishiro Shirou with a smile, "It's just media hype."

"Oh, I see." Nagi Seishiro's light brown eyes met Kira Ryosuke's gaze, and at that moment, a subtle connection was established between the two.

But this connection was quickly interrupted by Nagi Seishiro's sudden stomach discomfort, and a barely perceptible twist flashed across his face.

I'm so hungry. I should have eaten more this morning.

"Indeed, if something of this quality can be called a 'treasure,' then the word is far too cheap, isn't it?"

"But you're still pretty good. At least in the six months I've been learning football, you're the only one who can keep up with me."

Nagi Seishiro turned and left.

Huh? Half a year?

Kira Ryosuke watched Nagi Seishiro's departing figure, a cold, incredulous smile playing on his lips. His steps involuntarily halted.

It can reach this level in just six months?

Is it fake?

Those eyes, which were originally full of fighting spirit, now seemed to be shrouded in a gloom, appearing dull and lifeless.

With the referee's whistle, Team W launched their attack. The forward, number 7, had just touched the ball when it was instantly intercepted by Rei-Oh Mikage with lightning speed.

Reio Mikage steadily advanced with the ball, facing Amanomi no Minaka. Upon seeing this, he immediately passed the ball to her.

Completely unprepared?!

The players present were all amazed by the brilliant pass due to the angle of view. But only Reio Mikage knew that it all happened so naturally and effortlessly.

Mikage Reio gazed at Ten no Minaka, her heart filled with doubt and confusion.

"Could they be releasing water?"

Amano Minaka shook his head. "No, Rei-oh is very strong."

"It doesn't sound like a compliment at all." Mikage Reio chuckled, but her eyes sharpened even more.

He knew that the real contest had only just begun.

The moment the ball was accurately passed by Reio Mikage, Ryosuke Kira immediately entered a state of complete concentration.

With his keen intuition, he accurately predicted the ball's final landing point and sped off in that direction without hesitation.

Kira Ryosuke's heart raced, his muscles tensed, as if he were concentrating all his strength into this one sprint.

Just as he was about to touch the ball, a tall figure appeared in front of him like a ghost.

"That's all there is to it."

Seishiro Nagi contorted his body at an incredible angle, effortlessly snatching the ball from Ryosuke Kira's toes before shooting directly at the goal.

This happened so fast that Kira Ryosuke didn't even have time to react.

"Good!"

With Nagi Seishiro's successful shot, Team V scored their second point.

Score 2:0

again.

I had clearly predicted the landing point of the ball, and I had clearly seen the trajectory.

Why was it almost there?

A slight difference in speed, a slight difference in angle.

The muscles relax just before the ball touches the ground, and breathing and heartbeat suddenly slow down at that moment, as if... preparing for an upcoming victory.

But... that's not the end of the race!

Victory was not what followed.

With just a little more effort, and by pushing past my limits, I can complete my own evolution.

Why can't we do it?

In less than a minute, Kira Ryosuke's heartbeat returned to normal, the tension in his muscles dissipated instantly, and his breathing returned to normal.

His body seemed to convey a sense of ease, an ease that indicated he wasn't using his full strength, that he hadn't reached his limit.

Seeing this, Nagi Seishiro nimbly took a few steps back, avoiding any possible "contact." "Don't try to scam me, you fake."

I'm so hungry, I'm definitely going to have a big meal after the competition.

Kira Ryosuke looked up at Nagi Seishiro, a hint of surprise and confusion flashing in his light brown eyes.

He was clearly very surprised by the sudden label of "fake".

"What else could it be but a fake? Does someone like you, who got in through connections, dare to call himself a 'treasure'?"

Nagi Seishiro seemed oblivious to Kira Ryosuke's emotional fluctuations, or perhaps he simply didn't care, and continued in a nonchalant tone, "If you're looking for a new client, you might want to consider Rei-Oh."

"After all, only wealthy people like him wouldn't care how much money they've been extorted from."

A note from the author:

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Nagi overheard many conversations earlier, and he only listened to what he wanted to hear. So in his eyes, Kira was: someone who was said to be a treasure like himself (but was actually a gem) -> someone who got in through connections -> a fake.

Regarding the previous agreement, it was essentially a case of Ame no Michi selling himself to the Football Association to protect Kira and Suoh. So, in Ame no Michi's view, he made a choice that was entirely detrimental to Suoh and Kira, and then he saw Suoh abandon him.

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