❝ Score? Sure, i'll make a score.❞
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Chapter 17
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Soccer, one of the most popular sports in the world, far outnumbers others; it wasn't only soccer that drew people to it; it was their aspirations, desire, and passion.
So, what thoughts do you have while playing soccer? Do you have any incentive to part with it? Do you plan on doing it anyway?
Yes?
No?
Maybe?
The three choices that have always been there in your life, ever since your birth. The decision with three options from which you must choose.
In this case, how many times did you consider playing this type of sport before you ended up on a green field with a group of professional athletes?
You don't even know if you had a choice when Zhao Jinyun asked you to be their player for the remainder of the match, as he gave you a substantial amount of money in exchange for your agreement.
That's businesslike of you.
"WAH-! NOZOMI-SAN FIGHTO-!"
You squinted at the voice that had shouted, and upon realizing who it was, you turned your head to the bench and saw Ootani cheering for you.
You acknowledged her existence by waving your hand and nodding, causing Ootani to emanate a floral aura.
As she observed her co-antics, manager's Mikado merely sat there nervously chuckling and sweating profusely.
Goujin whispered to the rest of the team, "I thought the coach was joking when he said that someone would replace Hiro."
The said name, "Okuiri Hiro," a member of Inakuni Raimon who wore glasses and agreed with his coach that he would not play today, went to change his clothes.
He truly understands the reason because he could see in himself that you have the potential that others don't, even if he wasn't sure if he could trust you to win this game.
Huh, smart time.
"Are you okay with this?" Iwato asked, grasping Okuiri's shoulder.
"At first I wasn't, but now that I give it some thought, I see how Nozomi-san can help out the team, so I'm okay with it."
"Is she that good?" Hattori paused momentarily, to which Mansaku responded, "We don't know yet, but let's see."
On the spectator side of the stadium, a particular pair had already positioned themselves to observe the game
Nosaka, as he chewed on some marshmallows, remarked, "Mmm, these things have a sweetness that makes me want to jump, jump, jump."
Nishikage responded "Yes" without hesitation. He then realized, "Wait a second, huh?"
"Let's see how Zhao Jinyun devised this strategy," he continued to eat while offering the treats to the taller boy, who replied, "Let's see how he came up with it."
"It's Raimon vs Hakuren, with Raimon kicking the ball!"
When the announcer proclaimed the start of the match, you stood there like a piece of frozen meat waiting to be cooked, and paid attention to what was going on for the first time in what seemed like an eternity.
Unlike most first-timers, who will likely be shaking with fear, you handled the situation with poise and composure.
Learning the game's rules; you've come this far without knowing the fundamentals, but what should you do now that you're actually on the field?
"All you have to do is defend, attack, and have fun!" The words that Zhao Jinyun had previously spoken echoed in your head.
"Fun, he says?" You hesitatingly closed your eyelids momentarily. Unconsciously smiling faintly so no one can see, you may have fun again after a while, even if only for a short time and even if you don't know how to play.
However, when you realize you're involuntarily grinning, your gracious smile becomes a narrow line.
Confused, you asked yourself, "What am I smiling for?"
"Mui-san?"
"Earth to Mui-san."
After a few owlish blinks, you saw a hand in front of you shifting uneasily from left to right. As soon as Asuto realized he finally had your attention, he beamed with confidence and flashed a broad grin.
"We've got this!"
He glanced at you and waited for your response; you simply nodded, eliciting a gleaming beam from Asuto and Ootani.
Ootani merely observed your interaction with Asuto, correct? Considering that she is actually observing from a distance, how could she possibly understand what you are saying? Clearly, she was watching.
"LET'S DO OUR BEST!"
"YEAH!"
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Hajime was just sipping the juice box while leaning back in her chair and resting her feet on the other chair's armrest. She was present, as usual, to ensure that the cafe was operating and managed effectively.
She has already sent Hikkiri to school, so her only current duty is to monitor the entire building, but here she is enjoying her break.
However, her one-minute break was interrupted when a staff member knocked and opened the door. "Hajime-san, a customer has filed a complaint."
She straightened her back and raised her eyebrows, speculating, "Is it a Karen?" She inquired, prompting a staff member to nod. Hajime sighed and began to stand up, putting her drinks away before saying, "I'll be there."
She was about to exit the room when she froze in place. "Am I imagining things?" she asked, rubbing her eyes with both hands. To ensure that she is not dreaming, she even slaps herself.
"Nah, impossible, I think she just looks like Kamui-chan." She nodded internally; she had reasons not to believe that the person on the television was you, because you wouldn't do that, you're a logical person, and you wouldn't just go there to play, especially since Hajime knew a lot about you.
She snatched her drink and downed it in one gulp, however, "There will be minor adjustments, Inakuni have added new members to their team." Her eyes widened and she spat out the juice when the camera zoomed in on your face, making it evident who it was.
"What the fck,"
Then, she literally saw you squatting on the ground and staring at a few ants.
"I must make my way there."
"Kiri! Please take care of the cafe while I'm gone." She yelled as she grabbed her coat and slid it to her shoulder.
"Wait! What about the dissatisfied customer?"
Hajime turned around and smirked, "Annoy her." Kiri deadpanned at his senpai's words, but nodded and grabbed a broom that resembles a witch's broom. As the door slammed shut, he sighed and prepared to cause a scene in the cafe.
"Sadly, I did not receive a sufficient sum of money for my efforts."
"Wait a minute, why am I being so formal to myself?"
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A certain Fubuki, who is the polar opposite of gentle and nice, sensed something around him. It shook him to discover who it was due to the intimidating nature of the intrusiveness. The funny thing is that when he looked around, he noticed a pretty girl staring at him blankly.
He wonders to himself how a young girl with a neutral expression can emanate such a menacing aura. Though he has already promised himself and his brother that they will win this game together, and that no new player will be able to stop them.
You noticed that he stares at you directly in the eyes, and after tilting your head and blinking owlishly, you turn around and walk away, leaving the proud Fubuki to close his eyes and grin.
"Brother, did you see that?" He placed his hands on his hips while his twin simply smiled in response.
"We're going to beat them." Atsuya declared.
Within a few minutes, the referee blew the whistle, which could be heard throughout the stadium, and the game began.
Almost all of the other players, excluding yourself, have complete plans for how they will play and make their point. You, on the other hand, do nothing but stare as Asuto, Norika, and Kozoumaru attempt to score with "Artic Polar bear no. 2," but their attempt is thwarted by the opposing team, whom you consider to be your enemy on the field.
"Certain death bear kill - restraint!"
"He stopped Arctic Polar Bear No.2." Norika murmured, and it was clear that her face was filled with dismay, but their determination remained unaffected.
"Who do you think I am? I'm Atsuya, the bear killer!"
You couldn't help but deadpanned at his words, given his expression of self-assurance and knowledge of the game's outcome.
You reasoned that it would be less awkward if there weren't so many people present.
The air that filled the field's open area has entered your nostrils; it is invigorating.
You were too wrapped up in your own thoughts to take note of the Hakuren's effortless scoring or the game's fluid progression. The sudden brightness of the sun blinded you for an instant, but after rubbing them gently, you see yourself standing in the midst of grassy and flower-filled fields.
"Again?"
On this occasion, however, the scene was more typical, with clear skies and lovely landscape. However, it is highly unusual for you to be in this place, since you must surely only be experiencing hallucinations.
Right?
Noticing how you didn't move a single muscle, Kozoumaru approached you with his head held high and grabbed you by the collar. He was far from being a gentleman; he wanted to win this game like his idol wins every game, so he would do anything to get you to move and assist them at the very least. How can his coach turn a complete stranger into a player and force them to play without any prior experience? How can Zhao Jinyun be so stupid?
"What on earth are you standing for?!?"
Silence. He received absolutely nothing from you, not even a single word or sound. Even Mansaku and Tatsumi, who had previously argued, remained silent to ensure they could hear your response.
This frustrates Kozoumaru, whose patience is slowly being eroded by the silence. Before he could do something violent again, Asuto stopped him, saying, "Kozoumaru, violence is not the answer."
The argument led to another, in which you were involved.
It's embarrassing enough that you're standing here doing nothing, even though you're not to blame. Why? Just think about it: you're interested, but that doesn't mean you want it. Furthermore, your current situation is extremely difficult because you have no idea what is going on. You have no control over them.
Fudou sat on an audience seat, which was significantly closer than his previous seat. He couldn't stand still when Zhao Jinyun offered you a chance to play; his gut was telling him something, but he couldn't figure out what it was. However, he was excited to see you play on the field with a player who had no experience.
He grimaced at how easily Hakuren scored with you doing nothing but staring. He was well aware that he couldn't do much, especially since he was so far away from you. So when a certain Inakuni player approached you to grab your collar, he couldn't help but furrow his brow.
"What the fck he's doing?" He thought to himself, He knew you were wrong for doing nothing, but he also knew it was not your fault in the first place, so how could that mushroom in Inakuni have the audacity to do that to you?
Fudou couldn't stand to see you acting like an idiot, and before he could embarrass himself in front of the crown by shouting, someone beat him to it.
"KAMUI-CHAN!"
Zooming in, Fudou noticed a purple-headed woman shouting your first name in the midst of a crowd. That woman had messy hair all over her face, and he could see how she spat a strand of her hair out of her mouth, and she was also clearly out of breath, as if she had just run ten kilometers.
Little did he know that Hajime had indeed run 10 kilometers from the cafe to the stadium.
When you look up in response to the person's call, the shadow that has obscured your vision because of your unruly hair disappears. You thought to yourself, "Oh, it's Hajime-san," as you felt a slight choking sensation. You then turned to face the silhouette in front of you, and sharp orbs moved in the direction of Kozoumaru's eyes.
"Let go."
"I said let go."
The moment you feel Kozoumaru's hand leave your collar, you decide to whisper something that leaves him speechless: "I'll make my point."
Your voice sounded so parched, and your eyes were penetratingly cold. There is no burning determination in your heart, only emptiness, as if you do not wish to stay in this place.
Your eyes were fixed on the goal stand as you whispered:
"Bloom as the wind blows,"
"You are commanded to hear my whispers,"
"Let them be set free,"
The wind howled like a night searching for the serenity that kept the peace in stillness until it blew so fiercely around the stadium that the players had to shield their eyes with their arms.
Suddenly, it vanishes.
No one dared to speak, not even the player, the audience, or the announcer, and they all remained paralysed in your unfamiliar presence.
"Kage."
The word "Shadow" slipped unintentionally from your tongue, and you roared once more as black shadows appeared beneath your feet and conquered the arena.
Beyond the thing, it was boundless; without a doubt timeless, given that it was limitless.
Their eyes are as wide as a ball that continues to approach the net. It was as if lightning appeared out of nowhere in front of the goalkeeper.
It was silent until a gasp was heard; it would not have been so loud if that person hadn't made any additional noises, but the person did.
Hajime uttered with hee mouth agape, "HOLY CRAP!"
As the ball was spotted within the goal; the goalposts were nearly destroyed, bending like gymnasts.
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Details
—Kage is a japanese term that translates to "shadow" in English.
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