The System Makes Me a Player

"Hey, Ian", said Takumi, approaching with slow steps, as if savoring every second of what he was about to say, "Understand this: you'll never be on my level. And it's not with a pathetic pass like that that you'll ever get close to me"

Ian paused for a brief moment. His eyes, once fixed on the ground, lifted just enough to glance sideways at Takumi — like someone staring at a noisy insect on the window. He didn't respond. He didn't need to.

Without a word, he pivoted on his heels and. walked back to his side of the court, where Kelvin was waiting. The referee was already in position to restart the match. Kazana sat wide-eyed, trying to process what he had just witnessed. Beside him, Dante mumbled to himself, as if he no longer recognized his friend on the court.

Back on the court, Kelvin glanced sideways at Ian.

"Let's turn this game around, Ian", he muttered

The referee's whistle pierced the air. Game resumed.

Takumi passed to Leo, who immediately received it, spinning his body with precision and controlling the ball with his right leg. His eyes scanned the space, searching for an opening — but Ian was already there.

The same old Ian? No.

Leo noticed it on the first touch. His opponent's steps hit the floor with weight, like each. movement was too deliberate for someone who played just for fun.

"He's charging like a bull", Leo muttered, trying to speed up his pass.

Before he could even touch it to Takumi, Ian pounced.

A sharp snap — a clean interception with his right foot, cutting off the pass before it even left Leo's foot. The ball ricocheted to the side, heading straight to Kelvin.

Kelvin caught it on his chest, softened the touch gracefully, and took a few steps back, setting the timing.

"Go!", he shouted, not even looking.

Ian understood instantly.

With two quick touches, he darted down the wing. Takumi moved in to cover, his body low like a feline ready to pounce. But Ian didn't slow down. Quite the opposite.

"You wanna see destruction, Takumi?", Ian muttered, his eyes blazing.

With a swift move, he feinted to the right, twisting his hips and rolling the ball underneath his own body, completely fooling Takumi. But reflexively, the number 11 stretched out his foot — the ball brushed against it. It slipped away, and Ian burst past him like a flash of wind.

Takumi turned, stunned.

"That bastard..."

The play continued. Ian weaved between invisible cones, like the court had been memorized into his brain. Kelvin opened wide down the flank, ready to receive. Ian glanced at him — but this time, he kept going.

Leo rushed in, desperate. Tried to block the shot

"No chance!", Ian shouted, toe-poking the ball, not at the goal, but directly at the side wall of the court.

The ball bounced hard, smashing off the wall and flying back to Kelvin, who calmly trapped it and held it.

The referee blew his whistle, signaling a throw-in — but no one moved.

The crowd was silent.

In the stands, Kazana leaned forward.

"He's the complete opposite of Takumi"

Dante bounced his knee nonstop, nervous.

"Ian's playing like he wants to rip a piece of Takumi's soul with every pass"

Takumi stepped forward again, slower this time, and for the first time, his eyes had a more serious tone.

"So? Gonna keep ignoring me? Gonna run from the comparison forever?"

Ian looked at him with a crooked half-smile

"I don't need to run from you anymore. I'm digging my own abyss... and you're gonna fall into it"

Kelvin tossed the ball back to Ian.

"Let's keep going", he said.

"Let's destroy them", Ian replied, stomping the sole of his cleat hard on the floor.

Across the court, Leo and Takumi exchanged a look.

Ian took control of the ball with precision, feeling the adrenaline in his fingertips. He spun toward the center, drawing Takumi's attention with a slick heel touch. The movement also caught Leo's eye, and he quickly moved to block the passing lane

That's when Ian saw it.

Kelvin.

Alone.

With a quick flick, Ian released the ball — a low pass, lightning fast, streaking across the court like a flaming arrow.

Kelvin took it first touch, controlled it with his chest, and lined up for the shot. The court held its breath.

He struck it hard. A powerful, cross-court shot full of intent — but the execution betrayed him

The ball rose.

It skimmed the crossbar, slamming into the back wall with a loud, muffled crash. A collective groan erupted from the stands.

"Aaaah!"

Kelvin lowered his head, frustrated.

"Damn... went in too eager", he muttered, kicking the air.

The referee raised his arm, glancing at the clock

"End of the first half!", he announced in a firm voice.

The players started pulling away, sweaty and breathless. Ian walked slowly, breathing heavily, trying to stay focused. Kelvin threw himself to the ground for a moment, exhaling deeply.

On the other side, Takumi wiped the sweat from his forehead and walked up to Leo, stopping beside him with his eyes locked on Ian.

He pushed his hair back, exposing his serious, impassive face. A faint shadow of a smile curled at the corner of his mouth.

"Those bastards...", he muttered, just loud enough for Leo to hear, "They've held their own so far. But let's see what happens now"

Leo nodded, still catching his breath.

"Time to stop playing around, huh?"

Takumi didn't answer. He simply stretched his arms overhead, cracking his neck with a soft pop

In the stands, Kazana crossed his arms, restless.

"Second half's gonna be way better"

Dante bit his lower lip, anxious.

"There's gonna be blood in this match"

On the other side, Ian took a sip of water, but his eyes never left Takumi.

The second half was drawing near.

The referee blew his whistle hard, calling the players back. Halftime was over, and the second half approached like a storm about to break.

Kelvin got up, rolling his shoulders, sweaty but still with a sly grin.

"Ready for more, Ian?"

Ian didn't respond right away. He was staring at the cracks in the court floor, as if searching for answers. Then, slowly, he raised his eyes — a certainty settling into him.

"Now's the time"

They walked together to the center of the court. Takumi and Leo were already in position. Their expressions had changed. There was no more teasing in Takumi's gaze — only focus. It looked like he'd left something behind during the break.

Leo rolled his neck from side to side, like someone waking up from a light sleep and finally facing reality.

"Let's finish this", he said, taking position

The ball was placed at the center again

Takumi looked at Ian and Kelvin for a few seconds before speaking, loud enough for all to hear.

"How about we let talent do the talking now?"

The referee raised his hand.

"Second half... begin!"

And the game was back on.