The scoreboard flashed: 5-7. They only needed three more goals to win.
Isagi wiped sweat from his brow, his heart pounding in his chest. This was the kind of pressure he thrived on—the kind that pushed him to think faster, act sharper, and give everything he had. Beside him, Bachira was practically vibrating with energy, his grin wide and wild.
“We’re so close, Isagi! Let’s crush them!” Bachira cheered, already darting into position.
“Right,” Isagi said, his mind racing as he analyzed the field. Three goals. We can do this.
The opposing team wasn’t making it easy. Reo and Nagi’s perfect synergy kept the ball moving fluidly, while Baro’s sheer physicality bulldozed through anyone who dared get in his way. Rin and Shidou, despite their earlier fight, had grudgingly found a rhythm, their combined skill pushing back against the chaos.
Rin intercepted a pass from Reo, his sharp instincts cutting off the opposing team’s momentum. Without missing a beat, he sent the ball flying toward Shidou, who caught it with a flashy move that had the others gasping.
“Let’s make this quick,” Rin muttered, sprinting forward.
Shidou grinned, his wild energy flaring. “You got it, lashes!”
Their dynamic was tense but effective, and the opposing team struggled to keep up.
“Bachira, cover Shidou!” Isagi called out, running to intercept Rin.
“On it!” Bachira replied, diving into Shidou’s path with a mischievous laugh. “Hey, Shidou, show me what you’ve got!”
Shidou smirked. “Don’t tempt me, little guy!”
As Bachira tangled with Shidou, Isagi closed in on Rin, who was scanning the field for his next move.
“You’re not scoring this time,” Isagi said, his tone firm.
Rin’s eyes flicked to him, cold and calculating. “Out of my way, Isagi. You’re ruining my true potential.”
Isagi’s determination flared. “You’ll have to get through me first.”
Rin didn’t respond, but his movements became sharper, his focus unshakable. Isagi could feel the weight of Rin’s talent pressing down on him, but he didn’t back down. He was determined to stop him.
In a sudden burst of speed, Rin feinted left, then cut right, leaving Isagi momentarily off-balance.
“Damn it!” Isagi muttered, chasing after him.
Before Rin could take the shot, Baro appeared out of nowhere, blocking his path with his towering presence.
“This is my field, Itoshi!” Baro growled.
Rin glared at him but didn’t hesitate. He passed the ball back to Shidou, who was already breaking past Bachira.
“Too slow!” Shidou shouted, taking a powerful shot toward the goal.
But the opposing goalkeeper was ready, diving to block the shot with an incredible save.
Isagi saw his chance. He rushed toward the loose ball, beating Nagi to it by a split second.
“Bachira, go wide!” Isagi shouted, sending the ball flying toward him.
Bachira caught it with ease, his grin returning. “Let’s go, Isagi!”
They moved in perfect sync, their passes quick and precise as they dodged defenders and closed in on the goal.
“Now!” Isagi called, positioning himself for the final shot.
Bachira flicked the ball toward him with a perfectly-timed pass, and Isagi unleashed a powerful strike, sending the ball soaring into the net.
“GOAL!” the referee shouted.
The score shifted to 6-7.
“We’re catching up!” Bachira cheered, giving Isagi a high five.
But the game wasn’t over yet, and everyone knew it. The tension on the field was palpable as the players reset, ready for the final push.
“Two more,” Isagi muttered to himself, his eyes locking onto Rin across the field.
Rin’s gaze was equally intense, his determination burning like a flame.
This isn’t over yet, Isagi thought, ready to give everything he had.
End of Chapter 12
To be continued…
