The System Makes Me a Player

The ball rolled again with Rafael's team in perfect sync. The formation looked solid. Murilo shouted commands from goal, fully alert. Márcio and Victor held firm in defense, while João Vitor and Danilo constantly supported down the flanks. Dante, in the center, shielded the defense with confidence and passed quickly, just as Rafael had asked. Ian and Rodrigo kept switching positions, confusing the opposition.

The ball reached Ian in the middle. He spun away from his marker and fed Rodrigo, who quickly found Dante. The defensive midfielder didn't hesitate — a long ball, cutting through midfield straight to Kelvin, already in motion.

Kelvin controlled it on his chest, set it down, and burst forward. The fullback tried to anticipate, but Kelvin was already past him. A flick forward, and the field opened up. Kazana dragged a defender, and Felipe made a run to the far post. Kelvin faked the cross, cut inside, and fired — low and dangerous.

The keeper stretched and just managed to get a fingertip on it, deflecting it for a corner. The crowd roared. Back in the stands, Takumi remained motionless, but Guto let out a whistle.

"If that shot had gone in, I'd have clapped", he said, half-mocking.

Takumi didn't reply. He just kept watching.

Ian stepped up for the corner. He looked, signaled. Curled it in. Kazana jumped, flicked it with his head — and Felipe showed up at the far post, unmarked. He tried a volley, but mishit it — the ball flew too high.

Kelvin approached Ian.

"Play more through me", he asked, eyes serious.

Ian nodded, already turning to press the opponent's restart. The other team tried to break quickly, but João Vitor intercepted the pass and sent it to Rodrigo. One touch, and he found Ian in the center circle. Ian advanced a few steps, glanced left, and delivered another perfect ball to Kelvin.

Kelvin was already on the move. He received it in stride, shielded with his body, and accelerated. The fullback, tired and desperate, lunged in. Kelvin just raised his head and cut inside — sharp and clean — leaving the defender on the ground.

In the stands, a group of teenagers yelled:

"THAT'S HIM!"

Kelvin entered the box, tricked the center-back with a short feint, and slid a low pass toward Kazana. The number 9 attempted a backheel — missed. The ball fell to Rodrigo, who struck it hard. Off the post!

The sound of the shot echoed through the stadium. Murilo, back in goal, cheered even without touching the ball. Rafael was animated on the sideline, gesturing wildly.

"KEEP GOING! IT'S WORKING!"

While the opponents tried to breathe, Kelvin was already pressing high and winning the ball back. A quick pass to Dante, who gave it to Ian. Ian dribbled past one, spun, and found Dante again.

Dante received it, dribbled smoothly to create space, and crossed. Low and perfect. Kelvin just tapped it in.

GOOOOOAL!

The players huddled in the left corner of the field. Kelvin looked up to the stands — straight at Takumi.

Takumi, arms crossed, kept a stern expression. But Guto, now sitting with his legs crossed on the step above, smirked.

"Don't tell me you didn't feel that, Takumi"

"It's just a game", he replied, coldly. "He hasn't faced anyone real yet"

Guto stood up, stretched his shoulders, and sighed.

"I've seen enough"

"You leaving?", Takumi asked, eyes still on the field.

"Yeah. Not wasting my whole Saturday here. But I'll remember that name. Kelvin, right?

Takumi didn't respond"

Guto adjusted his glasses, gave one last glance at the field — just as Kelvin was making another move and got fouled hard near the box — and headed down the steps toward the exit.

On the sidelines, Rafael called out:

"Stay focused! There's still game left!"

Ian approached Kelvin, who was just getting up after the foul.

"You're driving the whole team crazy"

Kelvin took a deep breath and gave a half-smile.

"And I'm not even being serious yet"

Ian gave him a light slap on the shoulder.

"Then let's finish the job"

The wall was set. Three players trying to cover the keeper's left side. The goalie jumped in place, shouting nervously. Ian placed the ball carefully, but before the kick, Kelvin stepped in.

"I got this", he said, calm.

Ian didn't argue. Just backed away, confident. Kelvin adjusted the ball with surgical precision. The crowd quieted, like the whole stadium held its breath.

He inhaled deeply, three steps back. Looked at the goal. Then at the wall. And then, he went.

The shot was a masterpiece. The ball soared with power, curled perfectly around the wall, then dipped sharply — kissing the top right corner of the goal. A guided missile.

No chance.

GOOOOOOOOAL!

5–0.

The net was still shaking when the stadium exploded. The bench rushed to the touchline, and Rafael punched the air, ecstatic. João Vitor and Danilo hugged, while Murilo ran a few meters from his goal, still in disbelief.

Kelvin sprinted to the corner, arms wide, head high. His smile was calm, but his eyes… his eyes burned.

In the stands, the roar was deafening. Some filmed with their phones, others just screamed.

"THAT KID'S INSANE!"

Takumi, still seated, didn't move. But for the first time, his eyes followed every second of the play. Never once did they look away.

The game resumed, but it was total domination. The opponents couldn't react. Felipe was flying down the right, Kazana battled for every ball, and Ian conducted the game like a maestro.

And Kelvin... Kelvin looked like he was on another level.

He got the ball between three defenders, spun twice, beat two of them, was pulled, fell, got up, and kept going. The pitch felt too small for him. It was like time slowed down when the ball touched his feet.

Rodrigo, running nearby, laughed:

"You're playing video game, huh?"

Kelvin answered with a backheel nutmeg that dropped the defender to the floor, dazed. Felipe received it wide open, but sent it back — Kelvin had called for it.

The ball returned.

Kelvin took it in stride, glanced at the box, and hit a curling shot with the outside of his foot, aiming for the top corner again.

It scraped the crossbar. The crowd jumped.

On the sidelines, Rafael shouted:

"LET'S GO! DON'T STOP!"

And Kelvin, jogging back to midfield with heavy breaths, smiled once more.