Fortunately, Shōei Barō was still in his “Awakening Moment.” Otherwise, with his usual reaction speed, Ryusei Shido’s kick would’ve taken his head clean off.
Barō instantly let go of Kudo Tōya and threw both arms up to shield his head.
In the next second, Ryusei Shido’s right foot slammed into Barō’s right arm.
Barō grunted, forced back two steps before he barely stabilized himself.
Seeing Shido about to press the attack, Kudo Tōya quickly reached out and held his shoulder.
“Enough, Ryusei. I’m fine.”
“Hah? No way! He started it. Let go of me, Tōya!”
“Brats like him deserve a proper beating!”
Tōya didn’t remove his hand from Shido’s shoulder. Instead, he looked calmly at Shōei Barō and said:
“Weak players are . When they realize they’ve been used—combined with suddenly gaining power—they lose themselves. Cut him some slack.”
“But let me remind you: the only reason you scored was because I dug out your potential and triggered your ‘Awakening Moment.’”
“Otherwise, Ryūma would’ve cut your ball off from the very start. Your attack wouldn’t even have existed.”
“And you might be misunderstanding something. I didn’t choose Ryusei to shoot because I know him well.”
“I chose him because he’s stronger than you. In finishing ability, he’s better than everyone on Team B—including me. That’s why he was the one to score.”
“Heh. If you’re confident you could score while being defended by Ryūma, why wouldn’t I pass to you?”
Before Barō could finish, Ryusei Shido cracked his knuckles and cut him off with a laugh.
“That’s enough, Tōya. Stop wasting breath. Let me knock him flat and clear his head!”
Just as Shido was about to lunge forward again, the mechanical system voice echoed across the field:
Any further violent behavior during selection will result in immediate disqualification!!
Tōya sighed helplessly, patting Shido’s shoulder.
“Alright, Ryusei. Happy now?”
“And Barō—there’s nothing more to say. If you want me to pass to you, prove you’re stronger than Ryusei. Then I’ll naturally pass to you.”
“Let’s go. They’re about to restart.”
Meanwhile, Ryūma stared fixedly at Tōya, deep in thought. Orıginal content can be found at NoveI★Fire.net
(Alright. We’re at the critical moment again. What do I do?)
(Those three are still in their ‘Awakening Moment.’ Looks like I’ll have to use the quadruple ‘Slow-Motion World’ again.)
(But the timing has to be perfect. Otherwise… I’m digging my own grave.)
Team A ball. Yo Hiori to kick off.
As soon as play resumed, Yo Hiori passed directly to Ryūma on the right side of center circle, then sprinted alongside him toward Team B.
Receiving the ball, Ryūma exploded forward, scanning the field.
(Tōya’s retreating… but Shido and Barō are the ones coming to intercept me?)
(Weird. What’s he planning?)
Before long, Shōei Barō charged in, fury twisting his expression.
Ryūma had already prepared for him. He pulled the ball back, spun sharply to dodge Barō’s tackle, and cut around him.
But Barō, still in his “Awakening Moment,” wasn’t so easy to bypass.
He violently twisted his body mid-run, forcing his way back into Ryūma’s path.
“You’re looking a little impatient, Muscle Gorilla.”
“What’s wrong? Did Shido kick your brain loose?”
Ryūma shifted his footwork. With a stylish touch, he slipped past Barō and immediately sent the ball to his left.
At the exact moment he struck the pass, Ryūma shut down “Slow-Motion World” and switched straight into “Limit-Breaking State.”
In the next instant, Ryūma exploded like lightning, sprinting in a straight horizontal line toward Team B’s left midfield.
By the time Yo Hiori received the ball on the left, Ryūma had already blazed past him.
Sensing Ryūma’s terrifying acceleration, Yo Hiori instantly understood.
(So that’s the plan. After kickoff, he dragged me to the right to draw Team B to that side…)
(Then he breaks away at full speed toward the empty left.)
(And to reach his absolute maximum speed—and to keep Team B from reacting—my pass becomes the key.)
(Then the perfect spot to send it is… there, Ryūma!)
Yo Hiori’s eyes shimmered blue as he locked onto a position on the left flank. He adjusted and struck—
A blistering fast lofted ball plummeted toward the left side of Team B’s midfield.
Ryūma arrived ahead of the ball, eyes narrowing as he looked across the field.
(Now. From here, I can see every member of Team B.)
(Activate—quadruple ‘Slow-Motion World.’)
The gold drained from his eyes, replaced by drifting gray haze.
(Tōya’s movement… he’s closing toward the ball? He wants to block my shot? Did he already anticipate I’d shoot here?)
(Seriously? I haven’t even decided how to shoot yet, and he already read it?)
(Tch—why is Barō still looking that pissed? It’s not like I messed with him that much.)
(He’s been obsessed with me since kickoff. What’s got him so riled up?)
(Charging at me like that… does he really think being in ‘Awakening Moment’ means he can stop my shot?)
(Where’s Shido? Huh? Why is he still just standing there? Not even looking my way? Gave up?)
(Or does he have absolute trust in Tōya?)
(Ah. Kairu Saramadara is marking Yoichi Isagi, and Kyohei Shiguma is marking Rin. Nothing to worry about there.)
(Then it’s simple. Beat Tōya—and I win.)
“Ha! Bring it on! The final showdown!!”
Ryūma shut down his quadruple ‘Slow-Motion World’ and triggered Limit-Breaking State once more.
He unleashed his full power, about to leap and chest down Yo Hiori’s pass—
…when he suddenly realized Shōei Barō was also leaping toward the ball with everything he had.