The System Makes Me a Player

Kelvin adjusted his black jersey, taking a deep breath as the ball was brought back to the center of the court. His face was drenched in sweat, his breathing still heavy, but there was a gleam in his eyes — a gleam of genuine excitement

He smiled

Not the usual smug or superior smile he wore during games, but a real one — the smile of someone who had finally found something worthy

"So this is it", he muttered to himself, eyes locked on Takumi in the distance, "finally, someone who actually plays for real"

While Ian stood in position, head down, still digesting the dribble and the goal, Kelvin walked up to him. He gave two quick pats on his teammate's back, drawing his attention

"Hey, what was that?", he asked with a firm tone, but no anger, "you hesitated, Ian. You had him. Why'd you stop?"

Ian grumbled, wiping his face with his sleeve

"I thought he'd pass it to Leo right away… I tried to anticipate it, but…"

Kelvin raised his eyebrows

"But?"

"I don't know, man. He… said that thing and I lost focus for a second", Ian gave a nervous, humorless chuckle

Kelvin slowly shook his head, then looked Ian straight in the eye

"We're in this game, and we play it until the end. Got it?"

Ian stared at him for a moment. Kelvin grabbed his shoulders and gave a firm squeeze, like he was trying to shake the focus back into him

"Shake it off, if he's going to win, let him win going all out. But we're not handing it over. Stay in the game, bro"

Ian took a deep breath and nodded

"Alright, let's go"

Ian replied, but his mind was still spinning with Takumi's words

He walked back to his position, clapping his hands

"Let's go, Sanu! It's not over yet! Let's show them we came to play too!"

Takumi watched the scene unfold with his usual calm. Leo, standing beside him, crossed his arms and remarked,

"He doesn't look shaken…"

"Not at all," Takumi replied, "he's happy"

"Happy?"

Takumi slowly turned his head, eyes following Kelvin as he repositioned himself

"Yeah, I think so"

The ball was brought back to the center of the court. The scoreboard now read 1–0 for Takumi and Leo. The crowd was electric, many standing, phones raised, eyes locked onto the four players on the court

Kelvin planted the ball under his sole and smiled — not because of the goal they conceded, but because of the atmosphere. The tension. The presence of someone who finally pushed him past his own limits

"Let's see how far you'll push me", he murmured, more to himself than to his opponent,

He gently passed the ball back, initiating the play. Ian, positioned near the center circle, received it. Takumi's reaction was almost instant: he closed in with sharp reading, as if he could predict Ian's next move before he even made it

Ian tried to pivot to the right, using his body to shield the ball, but Takumi pressed in with his hip and shut down the passing lane

"Breathe", Ian whispered to himself, trying to stay in control. He pulled the ball to the other side and saw Leo advancing upfield, which seemed like a gap. With a sharp spin, Ian tried to launch a diagonal pass, aiming for Kelvin making a run

But the pass… came out wrong

Too strong, too high, and more importantly — too predictable

Takumi was already moving before Ian's leg even completed the motion. He darted forward like a lightning bolt and intercepted with ease, controlling the ball with his thigh and settling it instantly with a short touch — smooth, balanced, fluid. Effortless

He stopped in front of Ian for half a second. His expression serious, neutral. Then came the words that cut like a blade

"You didn't get it, Ian?"

The Sanu midfielder, still panting, stared at him in confusion

Takumi continued, as cold as ever,

"Your passes aren't from a midfielder. They're like a forward's — one who doesn't know the basics of passing"

The phrase hit hard, muting even the crowd noise for a few seconds. Ian felt as if the court had shrunk around him. The audience reacted with murmurs — even a few awkward laughs

From the back, Kelvin shouted,

"Ian, stay in the game! We fix it later, but now is now!"

But Takumi wasn't still anymore. With the ball glued to his foot, he spun on the sideline and accelerated. Ian tried to respond, running after him, but every touch Takumi made on the ball looked like a choreographed dance step — shifting directions with elegance that was more than technique. It was art

Kelvin rushed back desperately, zigzagging across the court to try to close the space, while Leo advanced on the far side, calling for the ball with a gesture

Takumi stepped on the ball and stopped

Kelvin braked as well, and for a moment, the two stood face to face again — as if nothing else existed

"You gonna play seriously now?", Takumi asked, eyes locked onto Kelvin's

Kelvin smiled

"I don't have a choice anymore,"

Takumi tapped the ball sideways to Leo and darted diagonally, dragging the defense. Leo controlled it but wasted no time — passing it right back to Takumi, who arrived in front of goal

Alisson, fully alert, stepped out from the goal line to cut the angle. The crowd held its breath

But Takumi didn't shoot. He pulled back, feinting, and at that moment, Kelvin slid in with an outstretched foot to intercept

But Takumi chipped the ball with the tip of his foot

Kelvin slid right under it, catching nothing but floor

Takumi caught it on his chest, let it bounce once, and fired a sharp, low, cross shot

Alisson dove…

The ball scraped past the post

The crowd erupted

"HE ALMOST SCORED A MASTERPIECE!", shouted the commentator. "IS THIS JAPAN'S FUTSAL PRODIGY?"

Kelvin got up from the ground, eyes wide

"He's playing with the court. With space. That guy's reading everything,"

Takumi simply tucked his hair behind his ear, turning to Leo with a subtle "good play" gesture

Meanwhile, Ian slowly walked toward Kelvin, visibly frustrated

"He…", Ian said, angry at himself

Kelvin looked at him seriously, but without aggression

"Get up and answer with your game. He's not invincible, but if we keep handing it over, he'll look like he is"

Ian took a deep breath, pulled himself together, and gave a nod

The ball was returned by Alisson. The game continued. And now, no one dared to blink

Alisson passed the ball to Ian, who stood still for a moment, eyes scanning the court — but something was pounding in his mind

It had been a long time since Ian had felt that feeling —

That feeling of being weak

Utterly inferior

And then, little by little… Ian began to remember

The reason he hated Takumi so much.