The System Makes Me a Player

The gym was still buzzing when the players began leaving the court. Kelvin kept walking in silence, eyes fixed forward. Ian walked beside him, smiling like a kid.

"Dude… do you have any idea what you just did?", he said, half-laughing, half in disbelief. "I saw Dante", he added, "he was up there almost unable to believe it!"

Kelvin shook his head, taking a deep breath.

"I'm going to win this tournament".

Ian frowned.

"You crushed them. 7–1! Elias and Bruno couldn't even look at you by the end. Takumi was analyzing you like a scientist watching a new species!"

Kelvin stopped. He looked back at the now-empty court, then up at the bleachers.

"That's what I'm talking about. Now that they've seen what I can do… they're going to come after me. And I'm really happy about that"

Takumi, still seated high in the stands, kept watching. A faint, almost invisible smile appeared at the corner of his mouth. Beside him, a man in formal clothes closed his notebook and exchanged a few quiet words with a coach.

"That kid really is good", murmured Takumi. "It's not just talent. It's instinct. Decision-making. Control"

As they left the gym, Dante ran up to Kelvin, full of excitement.

"Dude, tomorrow the whole school's gonna blow up. Everyone's gonna be talking about you! They're saying the video is already going around in the group chats!"

"What video?", asked Ian.

"The one of the last goal! Someone recorded it and posted it on Instagram. It's already got over 130 views in less than ten minutes!"

Kelvin ran a hand through his sweaty hair, deep in thought.

"That could be good"

Dante slapped his shoulder, laughing.

"Man, I'm telling you. After today… you're ready for anyone"

Kelvin didn't reply. His gaze drifted for a few seconds, as if seeing beyond the gym walls, beyond the school itself. A certainty was growing inside him — and the system, silent until now, appeared and delivered the reward for the completed mission.

The night passed quickly.

The next morning, the school felt different. Crowded hallways, whispers in every corner, phones being passed from hand to hand. The match video was spreading like wildfire. Everyone wanted to see the curly-haired, dark-skinned kid from Sanu who had humiliated one of the tournament's favorites.

Kelvin arrived a bit before class, backpack on and headphones in. But even with the music blocking out the sounds around him, he could feel the stares.

Groups went quiet as he walked by. Some whispered his name. Others just stared, wide-eyed.

In the classroom, Ian was leaning against a desk, grinning like it was his birthday

"Everyone's talking about you", he said as soon as he saw Kelvin. "The video's got almost a thousand views. People are asking who your manager is"

Kelvin chuckled softly, sitting down.

"Manager? It's still way too early"

During class, it was hard to concentrate. The teacher spoke, but the students were more focused on their phones. Kelvin caught a glimpse of someone replaying the video in the back row. It was a clean cut — the dribble on Elias, the calm shot. Everything in slow motion, with epic music in the background. Caption: Kelvin: the futsal prodigy.

At break, Dante showed up with two snacks in hand.

"They're already betting on today's game. We're up against the senior team from Uchi. People say they're good"

"Hope they are", said Kelvin, biting into his food. "I want to keep up this pace"

"Our match is at 2 p.m., right?", asked Ian.

"Tell Alisson to get there early. He said he might come straight from the gym", Kelvin reminded him.

At 1:50 p.m., they were already in the locker room. Before heading to the game, Rafael had handed them the Sanu uniform. Kelvin took number 11, and Ian got number 8.

The uniform was mostly black, made of lightweight fabric. Thin electric blue stripes ran from the shoulders down the sleeves, adding striking contrast. The rounded collar had a subtle blue outline, matching the back number, which gleamed faintly under the gym lights. Vertical blue lines along the sides broke up the dark color scheme, giving it a modern, speedy look. The shorts followed the same design — black with blue details on the edges and minimal logos.

In the restroom, Kelvin laced his shoes with focus while Ian spun the ball on his fingers.

"Feel that?", Ian asked. "The gym's different today. More crowded. Everyone's here to watch us"

Kelvin nodded, still serious.

"This is how it starts. The hype comes fast. But I just want to play like yesterday. Or better"

Alisson appeared at the restroom door.

"You guys ready?", he asked, adjusting his gloves.

"Always", Kelvin answered, standing up.

But when they were called to the court… their opponents weren't there.

The trio exchanged puzzled looks. The referee waited the regulation time: five, ten, fifteen minutes.

Nothing.

The referee then announced, with a somewhat awkward tone:

"Win by forfeit for the team of Kelvin and Ian"

The crowd murmured in surprise. Many protested. They had come expecting a show.

Kelvin closed his eyes for a moment. Took a deep breath.

"What a waste"

Dante ran up to the edge of the court.

"They didn't show up?! People are saying they didn't even come to school today!"

"Are you serious?", Ian turned. "They just disappeared?"

"I don't know if it was fear, coincidence or whatever… but you guys made it to the next round without even touching the ball".

Kelvin scratched his neck, thoughtful.

"That's not good"

"Why not?", Dante asked.

"Because now people will say we got lucky. And I don't want luck. I wanted to play"

Takumi was still at the back of the bleachers. When he heard about the forfeit, he stayed silent. The man beside him muttered something about the other team's irresponsibility, but Takumi didn't reply.

He was watching Kelvin. Even without a game, the boy looked ready — like a caged lion waiting to run.

"He wanted to show more", Takumi murmured. "And he's going to. When he does… no one will be able to stop him"

As they left the gym, Kelvin and Ian walked side by side.

"So… what do we do now?", asked Kelvin.

"We're in the final now, since we won", Ian answered. Kelvin looked at him seriously.

"Then who are we facing?"

Ian sighed.

"Don't know yet. The other semifinal's in about 30 minutes. It's the Yamu team… they're up next"

The trio climbed the bleacher steps when Dante, still panting, said excitedly:

"Confirmed! The semifinal's starting now. And Yamu's on the court"

Kelvin immediately looked down to center court, where the players were already warming up. It was the second time he'd seen the legendary team up close.

Yamu School was famous throughout the region. Known for state-level victories and for producing professional athletes, they rarely joined regular school tournaments. Just the name 'Yamu' caused a buzz. Some people came just to see them — just like some came now only to see Kelvin.

And the atmosphere in the gym proved it.

"There's people here who already graduated, man", Ian whispered.

Kelvin crossed his arms, eyes sharp. Yamu's duo were tall, steady, composed. School shirts perfectly fitted, numbers 8 and 11 on their backs. They didn't talk. Just warmed up — in sync, like a programmed machine.

"These guys are different", Dante commented, edging closer.

"Are we playing them in the final?", asked Kelvin.

"If they win", Ian replied, light but direct. "The game's still ahead"

The ball rolled.

From the first touch, the difference was obvious. The Yamu pair controlled the game's rhythm like maestros. Quick exchanges, precise passes, silent movement. No shouting, no calling for the ball. Just pure play.

The opposing team, though good, always seemed a second too late. Every attempt was calmly shut down, with no visible effort.

Kelvin watched without blinking. His eyes tracked the details — the positioning, the sharp cuts, the patience in each touch.

"They don't chase the ball", he murmured. "They make the ball come to them"

In under fifteen minutes, the score was 5–0.

No exaggeration. No loud celebrations. Just hard stares and constant focus. When the whistle blew, the silence felt almost respectful. Even their opponents seemed relieved.

"So…", Ian said, scratching his head, "…it's against those guys"

Kelvin stood.

"Yeah. I'll love playing them"