NOVEL NEXT Chapter 5: Nara Shōbu
Koinoke Athletic Stadium
The stadium was alive with energy. As I stood on the field, staring across at the opposing team, I couldn't help but feel the weight of the moment. This wasn't just any match—it was the finals, and we were up against Nara Shōbu High School, who in recent years has cemented themselves as one of the top teams in the prefecture.
And then there was their ace, Tsurugi Zantetsu, wearing a number 11, standing confidently near the center circle. His speed was something to look out for. Even from here, I could feel the aura of a player who was used to dominating matches.
I swallowed hard, taking in deep breaths.
"Don't psych yourself out," Okita said, nudging me as we walked toward the middle for kickoff. "Just play your game."
I nodded. I was confident that we could carry out the win against Nara Shōbu.
The whistle blew, and the match began. Nara Shōbu immediately took control, their midfield dictating the pace with crisp, precise passes. I stayed patient, keeping an eye on Zantetsu.
At the 12th minute, he made his move.
He sprinted down the left wing, and I swear it was like watching a bullet leave the chamber. Our defenders didn't stand a chance. He cut inside effortlessly, leaving them in his dust, and then unleashed a rocket of a shot.
Bang!!
The ball didn't get the chance to go far before it collided with my feet, smothering its power, giving our goalie an easy catch.
I knew Zantetsu was going to cause problems early in this match, so I kept myself in my teams half the entire time waiting for him to make a move. I can successfully say that I made the right call.
The roar of the crowd was deafening. Zantetsu stood there, dumbfounded. He might shake it off as a fluke, but his guard will definitely be raised.
I ran back to the center of the field. Looking at the Nara Shōbu players, they must've expected to have already scored by now. Don't worry, I'm going to crush their confidence.
At the 20th minute mark, the ball came to Okita, and we shared a brief eye contact. Understanding the meaning behind his message, we started performing a one-two pass with each other.
Our coordination and speed left the opposing team scrambling. With the ball at my feet 23 meters from the goal, I decided its time to make a statement.
[Skill Activated: Fa Jin]
[Stats Updated:]
SHO: S
I unleashed a monstrous shot that left the defenders with no chance to react to, going to the top corner into the back of the net.
Goal!!
The crowd broke into thunderous cheers. I hit the knee slide to celebrate my goal. My teammates leapt on top of me as they celebrated.
"That's what I'm talking about!! Give us another one, Haiji!!" said Okita.
I gave him a thumbs up in response.
Nara Shōbu restarted the game and immediately they went into the offensive. They were desperate, a team that's always in control suddenly on the back foot. Come on, I thought they were a national level team. I guess my goal messed them up pretty good.
By the 30th minute, their midfielders were coordinating passes. Even in desperation, they can string up some neat passes. I decided not to do anything just yet and see where this goes.
Their coordinated passing ended up at their right wing player. If Zantetsu's the speedy left wing, then this guy must be the crosser. I guessed correctly when the guy crossed the ball into the box towards their number 9.
The dude had pretty good aerial ability and would've gotten the ball too.
If I wasn't there.
[Skill Activated: One For All]
[Stats Updated:]
STR: A
AGI: A
SHO: S
SPE: S
VIS: A
END: S
I headed the ball away towards one of our players. The moment I felt solid ground, I immediately started sprinting.
The guy who had the ball, that I now realize I don't know the name of, passed the ball back to me. With the ball at my feet, I dribbled toward the center circle and encountered two midfielders.
After they started closing in on me, I lobbed the ball over them for a pass towards Okita. Taking advantage of them being caught off guard, I passed the midfield.
Able to understand my intent, Okita rushed forward alongside me towards the opposing goal.
The goal insight, Okita once again passed the ball to me.
"You think we're going to let you pass so easily this time!?" said Thing 1.
"We'll stop you!!" said Thing 2.
I didn't answer them with words. I let my dribbling do the talking for me as I maneuvered past Thing 1 using a roulette while using a heel flick turn for Thing 2.
My move left them dumbfounded as I reached a one-on-one with the goalkeeper. After passing the defenders, I saw him rush towards me, giving me the perfect opportunity to calmly chip the ball over his head. He watched with wide eyes as the ball smoothly descended into the back of the net, uncontested.
Goal!!
The crowd in the stadium once again erupted into a frenzy over my audacious goal, making the scoreline 2-0.
Over the cheering and excitement, I saw the Nara Shōbu players were starting to get demoralized.
I smirked over what felt like an achievement, but then I saw Zantetsu.
He still had a fighting spirit in him. Still ready to fight with everything he had in this match.
Nara Shōbu restarted the match once again. They didn't waste any time and immediately passed to Zantetsu.
Zantetsu wasted no time unleashing his speed upon my team.
[Remaining One For All time: 2:12]
While he was busy zigzagging his way through our defense, I waited closely for him to shoot.
After he went past our last center back was the moment I struck. I had to time it perfectly, too quickly and he'll reposition himself. Too slowly and he'll let loose his left foot shooting.
Just as he was about to strike the ball, I successfully slide tackled it just in time to clear the ball out for a corner.
I looked back at his face. I can see his frustration boiling on his face. Twice in a row, I've shut him down. He's probably feeling the sting of failure.
Their corner led to nothing, as our defenders cleared it away.
With five minutes left in the half, the Nara Shōbu players looked more sluggish. Okita and I nodded at each other and started our attack.
With precise and clean one-two passing, we reached their defence line. Their defenders focused on me, opening a path for Okita.
With the defenders closing in on me, I made a through pass that went between the defenders' legs to Okita. He had a simple time one on one with the keeper cleanly slotting the third goal.
Goal!!
The crowd supporting Sakuraoka went into pure jubilation. Feeling the game already in their grasp with reaching the nationals already being a foregone conclusion.
When the referee blew for half-time, the crowd cheered as if the match was already over. The crowd on the other side looked like they were at a funeral. Their solemn faces were visible.
The Nara Shōbu players were more frustrated, none more so than Zantetsu. The guy looked like he was ready to commit homicide.
Sakuraoka and Nara Shōbu went into the tunnel to their respective locker rooms for a brief rest before continuing with the second half.