Chapter 64 Football 64 What's truly despicable is...
The match was decided just like that.
The time is 3 PM tomorrow, and the location is A7 Stadium.
After confirming the details of the match, Nishioka Hajime hurriedly left, his steps filled with undisguised excitement and confidence. He turned and glanced at Amano Minaka, a slight smile playing on his lips.
Then he strode off and disappeared at the other end of the court, pulling out his phone as he walked, eager to share the good news with his teammates.
Meanwhile, Kurono Ranshi was successfully provoked by Nishioka Hatsumi, who shouted, "Give him a lesson!" He grabbed Kiyoro Blade, who was standing next to him, and the two walked side by side towards the training room to train in preparation for the upcoming challenge.
Now only Tenno Minaka remains at the public stadium.
Ten no Michū receives a pass from a virtual player wearing a green jersey and quickly dribbles towards the goal.
"Peng—"
The crisp sound of the ball striking the net broke the silence. The black and white soccer ball drew a beautiful arc in the air, cleverly bypassing the multiple defenses set up by the opposing virtual players, and accurately fell into the goal net.
The net swayed gently, announcing the birth of yet another goal.
The score on the screen widened again.
15:0
The projected goals have also been updated to [15/30].
After the soccer ball enters the net, the kickoff point first descends and then rises with a new ball until it is level with the grass on the field.
The virtual players quickly reset and returned to their respective defensive positions, ready to face the next round of attacks.
Tenno Minaka gently brushed aside her slightly messy bangs, her eyes slightly upturned while her brows furrowed.
He strode to the kickoff point, the ball gently bumping against his shoes before moving slightly in the opposite direction. Instantly, the surrounding virtual players reacted, rushing towards Tenno Minakata.
Tenno Minaka quickly scanned the direction of the goal, rapidly constructing a brilliant attacking route in his mind—a trajectory that could bypass all the tight defense of the opposing players and strike directly at the heart of the goal.
His left leg suddenly swung backward.
"Peng—"
The crisp sound of the ball hitting the net rang out again, and the ball went into the net once more, but the score remained unchanged.
"Shh-"
The sound of a whistle also rang out at the same time.
"Foul! The player who kicked off touched the ball repeatedly."
as well as--
"Ten no Mikoto, your training time has exceeded two hours. For your health, please rest as soon as possible."
Ten no Michū paused slightly, his expression freezing instantly.
He seemed lost in thought, or perhaps absent-minded.
This 5 vs 5 training session was originally expected to be completed easily in just half an hour.
What... it's been two hours and it's still not over?
The number [15/30] on the screen was so glaring.
Tenno Minaka lowered his head slightly, his gaze fixed on the soccer ball at his feet. The light shone through the wisps of hair on his forehead, illuminating his handsome face. His golden eyes, however, paled in comparison to the sun's brilliance.
I poured so much energy and emotion into this sport that I forgot about the passage of time.
He sat down and gently patted the soccer ball at his feet, as if apologizing to his silent partner.
"middle."
The figure he didn't want to face suddenly appeared before his eyes.
The air condensed.
Suoh Hyo-hee's tone was filled with barely concealed urgency and unease. He had just hurried through the crowd, his steps slightly flustered, constantly asking other players for information, his usually composed eyes now flashing with anxious light.
After some twists and turns, he finally learned the location of Amano Minaka from Kurono and the others, and then rushed in that direction without hesitation.
It must be said that time is indeed something that can calm people down.
During his long journey to find Amanominaka, countless fragments flashed through Suoh Koki's mind like a revolving lantern—his past dreams and perseverance, the sweat and laughter on the U-18 field, and that promise about the future...
Why choose to leave U-18?
Have you really given up on that dream that once ignited our passion?
Are we just going to break our agreement so easily?
These questions came like a tidal wave, initially accompanied by sharp questioning and the pungent smell of anger. As time passed, these intense emotions gradually subsided, transforming into a profound tranquility.
When Suoh Koki finally stood before Amano Minaka, all words seemed to be swallowed up by this sudden calm, leaving only Amano Minaka's name, which slipped gently from his lips.
Amano Minaka leaned back slightly on the soft grass. Sweat trickled down his face. When his gaze inadvertently met that of Suoh Koki, who was also panting and looking somewhat disheveled, Amano Minaka unconsciously shifted his gaze slightly.
An indescribable surge of emotion welled up within me.
He found out.
A barely perceptible bitter smile appeared on Ten no Michū's lips.
"What's wrong?" he asked, his tone completely flat, as if he himself wasn't the one who decided to leave the field and give up his football career.
"...Have you found an opponent yet?" After a long silence, Suoh Koki finally spoke, his voice tinged with uncertainty, "If not... perhaps we could consider... a match against our team."
“It’s decided.” Amanomichi interrupted Suoh Koki’s unfinished words without hesitation. “I will face off against Nishioka-kun’s team.”
Nishioka?!
Hatsumi Nishioka?
Is he here too?
Upon hearing this, Suoh Kōki abruptly looked up, his emerald green eyes fixed on Amanomi's face, his gaze trembling slightly, a complex mix of surprise and unease in them.
He never expected that Amanominaka would make such a quick and decisive decision. What shocked him even more was the name of the person who was about to become Amanominaka's rival—Nishioka Hajime.
That opponent who once made him lose face on the field.
Hatsumi Nishioka's ball control skills can only be described as divine. He can turn nimbly and freely in tight spaces, easily shaking off any defender. Coupled with his amazing agility and dexterity, he can quickly change direction and evade opponents' defenses.
On the field, Hatsumi Nishioka was like a slippery earthworm, completely unpredictable.
The ever-changing playing style left Suoh Hyo-hee bewildered on the court, and he could only watch helplessly as the man repeatedly broke through his defense.
When that name was mentioned again, it echoed in Suoh Hyoki's ears like a spell, instantly stirring up the restlessness and unease deep within him.
Images of his duel with Hatsumi Nishioka kept flashing through his mind, and his mood worsened.
"Aomori's Messi, Hatsumi Nishioka."
"This name is much more impressive than 'Son of God'."
Amano Minaka slowly stood up, gently patting the grass stains off his clothes, his tone tinged with amusement, "This is a player who defeated Koki."
He raised his golden eyes and looked directly at Suoh Hyoki, but the other seemed lost in his own thoughts, his expression detached.
"I also want to see for myself just how capable he is."
Tenno Minaka stared at the football at his feet, a hint of reminiscence unconsciously creeping into his voice.
"A fated showdown. Before, it was Matsukaze Black King vs. Aomori; now, it's 'Child of God' vs. 'Messi of Aomori.' If he wins, it will be... a perfect farewell."
"so……"
Suoh Koki slowly pulled himself out of his reverie, his sharp gaze fixed on Tenno Minaka. "Are you really going to give up playing soccer like this?"
Amanomichi's eyes flickered slightly, as if the question had touched a corner of his heart. He lowered his head, his gaze returning to the soccer ball at his feet, and remained silent.
"Do you believe you'll never be number one again and are planning to give up on the sport? Or do you think someone in the Blue Prison can reach your level?"
"With this sense of crisis, even Ryosuke and I can't keep you here?"
"You want others to keep up with you, but when you actually meet someone who can keep up with you, you choose to run away."
You can't have it both ways.
Suoh Hyo-ki's tone carried a hint of reproach. He took a step closer, his hands clenched into fists, as if all his inner emotions were concentrated in that force.
These blunt words, like a sharp blade, mercilessly shattered the tranquility in Tenno's heart. He felt an indescribable pain surge through him. Stripped of his outermost disguise, all his vulnerability and unease were exposed.
"Then what do you take me and Ryosuke, who have always followed you, for?"
Suoh Hyo-hee clenched his teeth, veins bulging on his forehead, clearly trying his best to suppress his anger and dissatisfaction.
"Your retinue and appendages?"
"Besides, you should know better than I do, right?" Suoh Hyoki's eyes were cold and deep, as if they could see into every corner of people's hearts. "In the world of sports, there is not only victory and glory, but also defeat and regret."
When the words "failure" and "regret" came out of Suoh Koki's mouth, Amanokinaka's eyes became empty and unfocused. Suoh Koki before her became repulsive in her daze.
What kind of hatred was that?
It is the fear of failure, or the despair of never being able to stand at the top again.
Amano Minaka's hands unconsciously clenched into fists, his knuckles turning white from the force. He tried to calm the turmoil within him: "So, what exactly are you trying to say?"
He knew what Suoh Hyo-ki was about to say, but he was unwilling to listen to the advice that was about to flood his ears.
Whenever his gaze fell upon Suoh Hyo-ki and those guys working so hard, he would recall the passion and excitement that had infected, inspired, and ignited within him, as well as the constant unease and confusion that followed.
"I..." Tenno Minaka hesitated, her voice trembling slightly.
“What you’re saying is meaningless to me now.” He took a deep breath, trying to make his tone sound more firm. “If you want me to stay, give me stronger teammates.”
"I want Shido Ryusei." Ten no Michu's words struck at the very core of Suoh Koki's death.
He remained expressionless, repeating each word slowly and deliberately: "I said, I want Shido Ryusei. Go and beat him, then deliberately lose to me."
Suoh Hyoki's green eyes shone brightly at that moment. "...Are you kidding me? That's not how the competition is conducted."
He took a sudden step forward, grabbing Tenno Minaka's collar, instantly closing the distance between them to almost nose-to-nose. "No matter what I say, you won't listen..."
His words were resolute: "Then let's have a fight."
"Just you and me."
Suoh Hyoki's eyes burned with the flames of battle.
"Now, immediately."
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The author's note: Hatsumi Nishioka's playing style is based on Messi, after all, Messi is known as the Messi of Aomori.
If the original artwork doesn't match this point in the later parts, then consider it a self-created setting.
[Finger pairing]
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