The whistle blew, marking the beginning of our last chance.
We were down by one, with only ten minutes left, and every player on the field knew what was at stake.
Isagi took the kickoff, sending a quick pass my way before sprinting forward.
Team X was still well-organized, with Barou and #3 holding positions, looking to cut off any passes.
There was no more time to think, glancing up, I locked eyes with the grey-haired #3, standing between me and the path forward. I didn't have time for small talk, I quickly cut inwards, finding only a few meters of space before Barou stepped up, ready to block my path.
Attacking with both of them so close was a risk I wouldn't take.
A quick glance revealed Isagi, now running up the left wing.
With a fast pass, I sent the ball to him, with a few weights off my shoulders it felt as if we were back at Ichinan High, moving in sync Just like we used to.
Isagi took a touch, and I seized the moment. Using Barou's blind spot, I slipped behind him, sprinting toward the right of the box, aiming to receive the ball in a spot where I could make a shot.
I was in position, if we timed this right I'd run right into the shot course and Make a curve shot.
'But Could I Do it?' The same self-deprecating thoughts came up.
But this time it was different, I knew my potential now, and I was here to prove it. If I missed, I'd accept it—but I wasn't going back to who I used to be.
Even if it means dying with my miss. I'd rather die with it than with regret.
Isagi was making the motion to cross, but just before he made contact #3 came crashing in with a ruthless tackle, sending Isagi sprawling on the floor.
BZZZZZ! TEAM X #3 - Doku Ban: Yellow Card.
"Psh, I didn't even touch him," he sneered.
I sprinted over, 'How was that not a red card?' Pushing the scum away I helped Isagi up and got set up for the freekick.
This spot was perfect for me. It was right next to the corner only a little closer to the box.
I waited for everyone to enter their positions before seeing what choice to make.
This was it, If we could equalize it here we could certainly score another in Et.
My target was Kuon. He was easy to see being the tallest there. Without a second thought, I unleashed a high curler straight to my Striker.
Our thoughts seemed aligned, with him eyeing the ball with a look of pure, childlike focus.
But just as I could see the vision of a goal. Barou leapt forward and cleared the ball with a powerful header.
It seemed luck wasn't on our side as the header landed perfectly at Doku's feet.
"Sweet," he smirked.
The Counter-attack was on.
I Couldn't believe our luck; Naruhaya and Igaguri were our only defenders left.
"I can't let it end here. Not like this."
I sprinted down the field, using every ounce of stamina to catch Doku. Just as I reached him, he passed to another teammate, both moving in perfect sync to open a path for Barou.
Barou arrived right on time to receive a through ball, Now with a clear path toward goal.
He was free, there was nothing that could stop him now
"Except me."
I had to stop him, i was the only one who could catch up now. I reached out, grabbing at his jersey, but he shrugged me off like it was nothing.
Physicality wasn't my strength, but I couldn't let him just walk it in.
I threw myself in his way, determined to do something.
"Is that really all you've got, donkey?" he taunted, shoving me aside.
I knew from before that in a battle of physicality I would be easily bested.
So i made another choice. I had to Waste time. Even if it cost me a red card.
I had to make a choice, and I did, I had to foul him. And while I missed the ball, I managed to make him stumble.
Looking up i saw Iemon charging at Barou taking advantage of his slight weakness.
Then it happened. It almost seemed as if it where in slow motion. Barou chipped it over Iemon, the ball rolling slowly toward the net
"I have to get up... I have to reach it." With a struggle, I got to my feet just in time to see a blur streak past me.
Pink hair flaring in the air like a bolt striking the field, It was Chigiri.
I couldn't believe my eyes. I hadn't seen someone run like that since the 2022 World Cup Star came into view.
With what seemed like an effortless attempt, he stopped the ball just before it crossed the line, preserving any chance we had for a comeback.
Once again, the counter was on.
Chigiri didn't seem intent on doing much more. but I couldn't care less, it was now or never.
Calling for the ball, Chigiri looked at me and gave a half-hearted pass.
Half of Team X had already started celebrating, leaving gaps everywhere. I dodged past two half-asleep midfielders furthering past the halfway line.
A defender quickly closed in on me, but I had more in mind than just getting past him.
I passed the ball to Bachira, who effortlessly rabonad nutmegged his check with ease continueing forward without breaking stride.
I felt absolute confidence right now.
There were only 2 defenders in the box now with me bachira and Isagi all searching for breaking points.
I didn't get properly think for as soon as I looked towards bachira he had passed the ball to me.
It didn't seem I had much a choice now.
I could almost hear the words "Finish it."
My gaze locked onto the top left corner of the net. This was it—fear, excitement, and pure confidence surged through me. I'd almost cracked a smile.
"I will Score."
For a split second, the same feeling I had before returned to me.
It felt as if the world itself had come to a standstill, only allowing the ball and my goal to go forward.
I didn't want it to end.
Shooting the ball with all my might I expected the ball to fly true into the back of the net.
But Just as I swung, Barou lunged in with a tackle from god knows where. His foot had barely grazed the ball, sending it just wide, merely inches from the goal.
But in the end we had one more chance.
"Stay out of my way," Barou snarled,
pushing me as I was trying to get pack up.
The prick looked like ape on tren right now I really couldn't stand it.
'Ive really had enough of this guy.'
it took alot out of me to hold back. I couldn't afford a yellow card at a time like this.
I didn't have the energy nor time to respond. I grabbed the ball for the corner, quickly positioning it and preparing for what was our last chance.
It was now or never. I had to make this one count.
Everyone, including our goalie, Iemon, was in the box now. It seemed everyone was keenly aware this was the very last play.
My eyes subconsciously scanned for Isagi, who seemed to be focusing on something beyond the players and spaces. I couldn't get a hold on his thoughts, but he wasn't looking for the usual openings.
Either way I just had to have faith.
But for some reason, he seemed to have his focus on something else, he wasn't watching the players in the box nor was he looking for space.
Either way I just had to have faith.
The best option once again looked like Kuon, but Barou was marking him closely, and even if i made a higher arc there was no promise he wouldn't clear it again.
A low, hard pass to Kunigami could work. But then I caught Doku's gaze. He looked straight at me, then at Kunigami, then back towards me. a smirk tugging at his lips.
"Tsk" I let out an audible amount of frustration, it really seemed like there where no options.
For the first time in a long while, I couldn't 'see' a clear path to the goal.
'Should I just kick it? No, that's too risky. Maybe I should go for goal? But can I make it? No, it's too risky, what if miss?'
Dammit this was useless.
"Hey psst, pass the ball!"
I snapped back to reality, seeing Bachira just a meter away, he seemed quite calm despite us being down a point with a single minute left.
"Huh? What's your plan?"
"C'mon, Just trust me."
For some reason, his calmness felt even more unsettling than his usual smiling self.
But I trusted him.
Passing the ball to bachira, I watched as he ran headfirst into the chaos.
Two defenders instantly went to press, I thought he was going to take them on and somehow score himself, but for some reason, he passed it right back to me.
"Huh?"
The ball was at my feet, and two defenders instantly began to press me.
"What kind of plan is this??" I couldn't even think straight I wasnt ready at all.
But I had to move, with a point burst of pace, I dribbled to the outside, just enough to create a small opening.
The angle for a shot was there, I could see the top right corner begging for it, but I hesitated. My ego told me I could make it, but deep down, I felt I knew my limits.
I wasn't gonna fuck it all up for my egos sake.
So I did something else.
Cutting back in i was now in I now had nearly no space, i had one defender on my outside and one defender on my inside.
There was no going back now, without a thought I began doing stepovers in place hoping for a quick getaway, but it didn't work as well as I hoped, with both defenders closing in. I rolled a dice and did a rainbow flick.
This was a skill I had been practing since grade school, just so I could get the girls to like me and here I was doing it so I could save my team.
Somehow, maybe by luck, or even by the prowess of God.
I watched as the if the ball seemingly had a mind of its own, gliding perfectly over my head and landing just beyond the defenders, right at my feet.
Sadly, I didn't have time to thank my lucky stars glancing up, I saw it. The goal.
Isagi was wide awake now, his eyes locked in a trance, fully in the moment.
Without a second thought, I laid the ball off to him, right in the center of the chaos.
He didn't hesitate. With one clean strike, Isagi fired a direct shot, sending it straight into the back of the net.
It felt like a dream, I had so much hatred for this guy this morning, but now I couldn't help screaming :
GOALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL
It felt great, I jumped on the suckers back and before I knew it the field erupted in cheer. It almost sounded like a carnival.
*FWEEEEE FWEEEEE FWEEEEEE*
*BZZZZT BZZZZZZZZT* THIS GAME HAS RESULTED IN A TIE 4-4! GAME OVER!