Chapter 23 Football 23 The Red, Fiery Meteor
"Flow" is also known as mental flow.
"Based on their rich accumulated experience, humans pursue and achieve a state of intense spiritual passion. Once in that state, one becomes completely selfless, as if merging with the surrounding world."
"It makes the behavior itself a driving force, leading the brain into a state of high excitement and concentration, allowing people to deeply experience a pure and intense vitality that transcends the ordinary."
"In other words, entering [FLOW] can improve your strength."
The players of Team Z sat quietly in a circle, listening intently to Huixin Shiba's explanation.
"It sounds like something out of an anime!" I, Yamaru Gin, clenched my left fist and gently patted my slightly open right palm, exclaiming in sudden realization.
Cheng Zaocha Ri instantly appeared next to Yawan Yin, affectionately hooking her arm around Yawan Yin's neck, and placing her other hand in a figure seven shape on her chin.
"Oh, it's that kind of power that suddenly appears when the protagonist is forced into a desperate situation, which can instantly increase his strength."
It sounds reasonable, but it would be more convincing if the speaker didn't seem a bit comical because of the height difference I, Yamaru, slightly pointed out.
Huixin Shiba interrupted the conversation with his signature cold tone, his words like a bucket of cold water, mercilessly extinguishing Chengzao Chaori's fantasies.
"Stop dreaming. This is the real world. There aren't that many miracles here. The so-called 'Flow' isn't some mysterious entity that can instantly grant people Saiyan-like powers."
"It is a skill that has been accumulated through long-term training."
Upon hearing this, Yuta Imamura showed a hint of regret on his face and sighed softly, "Oh, I see... I was originally planning to take a picture in 'fower' mode to show my juniors how amazing I am."
Iemon and Hisahi exchanged a subtle glance.
Izumi lowered his voice and said to Kujou, "Is this kid really here to play football? Why is he full of these strange ideas?"
"Who knows?"
Raichi Jingo, standing nearby, pointed at Suoh Koki, who was busy turning on his phone, and asked, "Huh? Haven't you started the official match yet? How come you have a phone?"
Suoh Hyo-hee lightly swiped her finger across the phone screen to unlock it.
"That was given to me by Ryosuke. Anyway, he has a lot of points, so I might as well use them."
Raishi Jingo squinted and asked suspiciously, "Huh? How many points did he get?"
"Probably around sixteen or seventeen points."
Suoh Hyo-hee's attention was completely drawn to the phone screen. He quickly swiped the screen, his finger precisely stopping at the top of the chat history, and began to reply to each message one by one.
With each reply, the corners of his mouth would unconsciously turn up in a smile.
"!? When did he get it?" Raichi Jingo's voice suddenly rose, clearly shocked by the number.
"Team W won two games in a row last night. Didn't you hear Jiu Yuan say that last night?"
"...I fell asleep at the time."
"Their team only scored 16 or 17 points in total, right? And he accounted for all of them?!"
Su Wang Xiaoxi stood up without saying anything more, still clutching her phone tightly in her hand, and walked straight out of the dormitory.
Blue Prison appears to be financially strapped, and to reduce unnecessary expenses, most things here are shared, including bathrooms and toilets.
Stepping through the slightly weathered door, a scent mingled with heat and the fragrance of shower gel immediately enveloped you.
The shower area is neatly arranged all around, with each cubicle separated by frosted glass or simple partitions. In the center of the bathhouse is a huge hot water pool with crystal clear water and steaming hot water.
Suoh Koki had finished showering, with a towel draped around his neck and a bath towel wrapped around his waist, as he emerged from the shower area. Carefully avoiding the hot water, he prepared to leave the bathroom with Kira Ryosuke to go eat.
With a sudden and loud countdown of "three, two, one," a figure suddenly darted out from a corner, like an arrow released from a bow, heading straight for the hot water pool.
The water splashed violently with a deafening roar, and countless glistening droplets scattered and splashed, mercilessly invading Suoh Hyoki's skin, which had just recovered its dryness.
That's why I don't like public bathrooms.
Suoh Hyo-hee's hand tightened unconsciously around the towel, her fingertips trembling slightly with anger and helplessness. She turned to find the culprit.
"Feel sorry……"
A weak, feeble voice came from the hot water pool.
Ryosuke Kira approached upon hearing the sound and saw a tall, white-haired boy half-submerged in the water, seemingly one with the pool, motionless.
"Hey, are you alright?" Kira Ryosuke's heart tightened, and he quickly took a few steps forward.
But Suoh Hyo-ki, soaked to the bone, didn't care about that. He strode forward and grabbed the white-haired boy's hand, demanding, "What are you doing here?"
"I'm sorry..." The boy, who had been suddenly pulled up, swayed as if he might fall at any moment.
Seeing this, Kira Ryosuke was terrified and quickly tried to stop him: "Koki, let go! He's about to faint!"
Upon hearing this, Suoh Hyoki, though unwilling, finally released his grip. In that instant, the boy lost his balance once more and fell back into the water with a splash, creating an even more violent spray than before.
Scalding hot water slid down Suoh Hyo-ki's wet black hair, dripping back into the hot water pool. His emerald eyes flashed with a mixture of murderous intent and rage.
"I'm not asking you to let go now!"
Kira Ryosuke himself was also soaked to the bone, but his primary concern was the boy's safety. He quickly crouched down, anxiously checking on the boy's condition, ready to lend a helping hand at any moment.
Surprisingly, the boy slowly floated up from the bottom of the pool amidst the two people's worried gazes, as if everything that had just happened was just a false alarm.
"They're quite difficult to kill."
Suoh Hyo-ki's face was so gloomy it seemed like it could drip water. He glanced coldly at the white-haired boy, who was sitting up unharmed.
Without a word, he turned around and stepped back into the shower area.
"I'll wash it again."
Kira Ryosuke, on the other hand, seemed much more casual. He didn't have the same severe germaphobia as Wang Xiaoxi and decided to simply dry himself off and head to the changing room.
Before leaving, he cast a gentle glance at the white-haired boy and softly reminded him, "Don't run too fast in the bathroom, you might slip and get hurt."
After saying that, Kira Ryosuke headed straight for the changing room.
It's still early, so there aren't many people taking showers, and the changing rooms are almost empty.
Qianqie Baoma curled up in a corner of the bathroom, her arms wrapped around her curled left leg, her head buried deep in her hair, her fiery red hair cascading down like a waterfall, a few strands of hair inadvertently touching her skin, bringing a subtle itch.
Under the white light, the fiery red hair seemed even more vibrant and dazzling, like a burning flame.
"Chikiri-kun?"
Kira Ryosuke's gentle yet tentative voice broke the silence.
Qianqie Baoma looked up at the sound, followed the sound with a hint of surprise in his eyes.
He never expected that Kira Ryosuke would recognize him in this unexpected situation.
"Huh? What's wrong?"
Kira Ryosuke took a blue hoodie from the cabinet and said slowly while tidying up his clothes, "During yesterday's match, I thought I was seeing the wrong person. I had the privilege of watching your match before, and you were so dazzling that it was impossible to look away."
Upon hearing this, Qianqie Baoma gently covered his leg, a hint of desolation flashing in his eyes.
He replied softly, "But that's all in the past."
His tone revealed a longing for past glories, as well as helplessness and感慨 (a sense of mixed emotions).
Kira Ryosuke keenly noticed the disappointment in Chikiri Hyoma's eyes. His light brown eyes, filled with understanding and care, gently fell on Chikiri Hyoma's scarred leg.
"Zhong always mentions you to me and speaks very highly of you."
Qianqie Baoma paused slightly, a self-deprecating smile playing on his lips: "I..."
The words were unfinished, yet they were already brimming with complex emotions.
"A fiery red meteor."
"That's how he described you, and that's true. No one who watched your matches described you that way."
"It is very fast, has a long range, and its movements are incredibly agile."
However, Qianqie Baoma simply put on the loose blue hoodie silently, and the light in his eyes seemed to dim a little.
"Really? But that meteor is already dead."
The voice was deep and heavy.
"The meteor's internal energy has been exhausted, and it can no longer shine with its former brilliance."
"...Do you mean geothermal energy? That the planet wasn't destroyed by interplanetary collisions but by cooling from its core to its exterior?"
Kira Ryosuke repeated Senkiri Hyoma's words, his brow furrowed slightly as he fell into deep thought.
He wasn't an expert on planets, but he fully understood the deeper meaning behind Chiki Hyoma's words.
"Then why not give it another try? Rekindle the passion."
Qianqie Baoma immediately refused, "I can't do that."
He uttered those three words softly but resolutely, each word like a heavy hammer striking the surrounding air.
He ruptured the cruciate ligament in his left leg, and if it ruptures again, his football career will likely be over.
He couldn't accept that outcome.
Kira Ryosuke was mostly confused, but...
"Why can't you do it? Aren't you already here?"
Qianqie Baoma rested his head on his left leg and remained silent.
“I’m sorry…” Kira Ryosuke noticed the disappointment in Senkiri Hyoma’s red eyes. “If what I said made you uncomfortable, I’m very sorry.”
"But I still hope that the red shooting star will shine again."
"Ryosuke."
A clear voice rang out.
Senkiri Hyoma and Kira Ryosuke looked towards the door.
Amano Minaka, wearing a white coat, leaned against the door frame with his arms crossed. Suoh Koki, who had somehow gotten dressed, followed behind Amano Minaka, seemingly carrying a large box.
"They're gone."
Kira Ryosuke responded with a "Okay," and then stood up.
"It would be such a pity if someone as outstanding as you could no longer shine."
……Yeah?
Qianqie Baoma's hands involuntarily clenched.
As soon as he stepped outside, Kira Ryosuke curiously opened the box in Suoh Koki's hand.
"What is Koki holding in her hand?"
"!?!" A hint of surprise flashed in Kira Ryosuke's eyes, followed by a low exclamation, "Instant noodles? That's contraband! Where did you get that?"
He looked around to make sure no one was there, then lowered his voice, his tone full of disbelief.
Suoh Hyo-ki remained silent, his green eyes fixed on the perpetrator.
Kira Ryosuke stared at Amano Minaka in shock.
"Keep it a secret."
Amano Minaka crossed her arms and said, "I don't want to eat dumplings anymore. If I eat dumplings again, I'll really turn into a dumpling."
Then he made a face at the camera.
Behind the camera, Hui Xinshiba, radiating cold air, called Di Jinxingli.
"Di Jinsang, lock my instant noodles from now on."
"Huh? Who would steal instant noodles? And I'm not your personal assistant!"
A note from the author:
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