The game resumed after the goal celebrations were over. Aizaki couldn't help but feel a bit light headed after his goal.
"What the hell was that?"
He muttered as he watched Goshogawara High pass the ball around. The truth was he had no idea how he just scored. One moment, he was was jogging towards the goal, then the world turned black and white, and the next thing he remembered was him hitting a volley and scoring the rebound.
The tension in the pitch was nearing a crescendo. Ryuunsuke High school were still controlling the proceedings, but Goshogawara High increased the intensity of their counter- attacks. This back and forth tempo went on throughout the game until a moment of brilliance in the 91th minute.
It all started with a counter attack. Ichigo Kitasaku, central Midfielder of Goshogawara High intercepted a pass to Aizaki. With a simple drop of his shoulders, he skipped a challenge from sotaharu Ryuunsuke's CM. He then released a up through pass towards the left wing were Hara Tanehata LM was running.
Hara took the ball in his stride beating Chuuya Shimonoe ryuunsuke high's CB for pace down the wing. However, just as he was about to send in a cross, Ketsu Komito DM, came in with a sliding tackle winning possession cleanly.
Ketsu, then sent in a long high pass to the opposite wing where Aizaki was waiting at the left wing. ( ryuunsuke High now attacking from left to right)
Aizaki brought the ball down brilliantly with the outside of his foot before looking up. He was about to release a through pass to Yoo when it happened again.
"The world turned grayscale, and everything slowed down. His mind blanked as it was too much information to process, but his instincts took over.
He ignored the run of Yoo and used him as a dummy to reduce the number of defenders. He ran diagonally from the wing towards goal.
With Yoo dragging the defense backwards, Hidefumi was freed up with his back facing the opposition goal.
Aizaki dribbled past an opponent with a drop of his shoulder and then released a pass towards Hidefumi the number 22, while simultaneously running into an empty space in the middle of the field. Due to the nature of the pass, Hidefumi couldn't control the ball and risk being shut down, so he had to pass the ball back to Aizaki.
Aizaki received a return pass from the number 22 and slipped through the oppositions defense. He then ran unhindered into the opponents 18 yard box.
The center backs Ozumi and Setsunoshin quickly reacted and closed him down but he was not fazed. He lifted his left leg and shot, baiting the goalkeeper to follow, when suddenly he released a simple back pass through the legs of Setsunoshin the defender who was marking him from behind, and into the path of Bou Muroya RM who was trailing behind the defender.
Bou wasted no time and fired a raking shot from outside the 18 straight into the net. The keeper who had already committed himself to blocking the fake shot couldn't react in time and could only watch the ball sail freely into the net.
The stadium exploded with cheers as the Ryuunsuke High supporters danced in ectasy waving their banners and screaming at the top of their lungs.
Aizaki who created the goal stood there looking up to the sky. He felt free, high even. His teammates celebrated taking the lead for the first time in the match, but he just stood there unmoving. He was bathing a new sensation of control. He felt like a puppet master manipulating the strings and bending the players to his will, and it was an intoxicating feeling giving birth to a sense of arrogance.
High up in the stands the man with messy hair smirked as he thought to himself " I guess we're witnessing the birth of an emperor."
Back on the pitch the game resumed after the celebrations were over. Due to being on the losing sidez Goshogawara High began to take risks and pressure Ryuunsuke High, but the tables turned as the Ryuunsuke players went for all out defense opting to hit their opponents on the counter.
The game continued like this and eventually the referee blew his whistle bringing the game to an end.
Coach sakumo could contain his grin as he shook hands with his rival Coach Takehiko.
"Good game." He said but was only met with a glare. That didn't damper his mood tho but pushed him into new levels of joy. He snickered as he watched his rival walk away before turning his attention to his celebrating players. He smiled in satisfaction before rushing unto the pitch to join them
Ecstasy engulfed the entire stadium as the final whistle blew, declaring Ryuunsuke High victorious. The triumphant players erupted into a jubilant celebration, their cheers harmonizing with the thunderous applause of the crowd. Arms raised in exhilaration, they formed a joyous huddle, jumping, shouting, and embracing each other in a cascade of unrestrained elation.
The air was charged with the sweet taste of victory as teammates exchanged high-fives, hugs, and triumphant smiles. The pitch transformed into a canvas of exuberance, with players relishing the culmination of their hard work and dedication, etching this moment into the annals of their shared triumph.
After the celebrations cane the individual awards. Runoka Shihi got the award for best goal scorer, the golden boot and MVP of the tournament. Kihou Oomune received the Golden glove, and Aizaki received award the playmaker award for his assists.
After the award presentation the players went back to their dressing room to continue their celebrations, before boarding the school bus back to school.
Aizaki walked with his teammates back to the bus still giddy with excitement from qualifying for the nationals.
"That was a nice pass Aizaki-kun. Just by your performance today, you deserve to be the MVP of this tournament." Bou praised as they walked towards the parking lot.
"You know if Goshogawara High supporters hear you you'll be strangled to death right?" Aizaki replied shaking his head as a small smile made it's way to his face.
"Hmpf. Let them come, I'll show them why am refered to as Boy the Mighty!" Bou replied while flexing his toned muscles
"More like Bullheaded Bou" Amatski chimed in from the side earning a glare from Bou.
While this friendly banter was going on, someone stepped into their path catching their attention.
"Excuse me Mr Aizaki Kawada but I would like to speak to you alone."
The three students narrowed their eyes as they stared at the stranger as if to pick him apart, but he just stood there having a non chalant air about him.
As if sensing their hesitation he spoke up again. " I assure you this will be beneficial to your footballing career"
Aizaki observed him for a while before he let out a long sigh and said " you guys go on without me, I'll meet up with you at the bus."
"Are you sure? This guy looks shady" Bou said glancing at Aizaki before glaring at the stranger again. Amatski didn't say anything but it was obvious from his eyes he agreed with his hot headed friend.
"It's alright you guys. As long as he isn't a Goshogawara High supporter I'll be fine. Or are you a Goshogawara High supporter?"
The man shook his head then asked "what's wrong with me being a Goshogawara High supporter?" To which Aizaki replied by saying
"They're crazy people."
After assuring his teammates that he was fine, they finally left but not before Bou gave the stranger a menacing glare.
"How rude" Aizaki heard the man mutter but didn't say anything.
"Okay let me get down to business. My name is Tatsuya Fukuda, and I'll like to invite you to tryout for Esperion youth FC.
"W-what"
Aizaki was taken aback by the abruptness of the situation. He knew about Esperion City. It was a football club that played Ib the highest tier of the Japanese football league, the J1 league. Getting scouted into their youth team meant he had a shot at breaking into their first team.
"Why me" he asked. "Am sure you have better players in the Academy, so why me."
Fukuda look at him silently for a moment then said. "Your eyes."
"Huh?" Aizaki was confused.
"You have good eyes." Fukuda continued. " Am sure you saw it, the way to the goal."
Aizaki's eyes widened in surprise as Fukuda continued.
"Time went still, and your instincts led you to the goal, blocking out all unnecessary details and leaving you with a clear sight to goal . Like a wolf chasing after its prey, you hunted down a goal." He took a dramatic pause and continued.
"You have something I like to call the Emperor's sight. Come over to Esperion City, and I'll lead you to the world stage."
Fukuda handed him his card and walked away saying, "see you at the tryouts next week, I'll be waiting."
Aizaki stood there his feet glued to the ground. His shocked expression gradually turning into a mad grin. He could feel his blood boiling and his heart racing as he thought over what he had heard.
He had to force himself to calm down as he walked back to the bus. He could feel a sense of excitement and expectation rising within him. He thought back to the feeling he had on the pitch and help but chuckle
"Emperor's sight huh. What a perfect description."
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The next chapter will be a slice of life chapter. If you like those indulge, if not you may jump to the next chapter.