Chapter 82: The second goal.
Akeshi cracked his fingers one by one, the joints making soft popping sounds that somehow echoed through the field. It was almost ritualistic, the way he did it. Then, with a swift motion, he sent a quick pass behind him and darted forward. His pace was electric, his movements calculated, as if each step was a beat in a song only he could hear.
Chen observed Akeshi's rapid advance, his eyes narrowing. Without hesitation, he stepped forward, stealing the ball from under Akeshi's feet. A light tap, and the ball was airborne, flying toward Namakemono, who waited with a calm that belied the intensity of the match.
"Go and score!" Chen's voice was almost a command as he kicked the ball high, sending it spiraling between Kagami and Akeshi.
Kagami managed to stop the ball, a smirk curling on his lips. "So, it seems I've stopped the ball, huh? I'll take it from here."
Before Kagami could make his move, ren's voice cut through the air with a sharp edge. "I feel like you're the type of guy who likes cuckold manga. Or NTR in general."
Kagami's smirk vanished, replaced by a snarl. "Fucking hell! Don't play with me!"
With an aggressive burst of speed, Kagami stole the ball back, sending it flying in Keitaro's direction.
Chen watched silently, his mind a whirl of analysis. 'So he's playing with his opponent, learning about their mind...' It was a technique Chen was all too familiar with—one he'd used countless times. And now, Ren was using it on someone else, cursing him.
Keitaro stood ready, but Chen was already on him, blocking his path. "Come on now, don't glare at me like that. It hurts in my chest."
Keitaro's glare only intensified. "I'll put the ball between your legs!"
A quick move, and Keitaro nutmegged Chen, who cursed under his breath and spun around to chase after him.
'Manipulating the field...the players' psychology without being there...indirect manipulation...' Chen's thoughts were a tangled mess, each one intertwining with the next, trying to make sense of the game that was unfolding.
Namakemono appeared in front of Keitaro, his expression as lazy as ever. Keitaro sneered. "Go and sleep, you damn lazy man!"
Namakemono yawned, unperturbed. "Look who's calling whom lazy. Aren't we the same?"
"Don't want to know, don't care about it," Keitaro shot back.
But when Keitaro tried to nutmeg Namakemono, the ball barely moved. Namakemono had already anticipated the move, and with a casual kick, he sent the ball flying towards Ren.
'What is supposed to happen now? He was with Ren a few seconds ago and now he isn't there... What is he trying to achieve?' Chen's thoughts raced as he tried to keep up with the shifting dynamics of the game.
Ren jumped up and controlled the ball with his chest. "Left, right, left, right..." He mumbled under his breath, almost as if he was lost in a trance.
Myushi approached Ren, determination etched into his features. Ren sighed, shaking his head. "Myushi, you know better than I do that you won't win. You call Keitaro lazy, but in fact, you're the one who's lazy. You use Keitaro to hide yourself, don't you? You know you're better than them, yet why go somewhere you don't belong?"
Myushi's expression twisted into one of anger and self-disgust. But Chen could see it—the emotions weren't directed at Ren. They were directed inward, at himself.
"I know that well enough, that I am a loser!" Myushi spat the words out, glaring at Ren. "But I don't care about it! I'll strive to be better so that my friends can say that I am their 'friend'. That's what I want!"
In a surprising turn of events, Myushi stole the ball from Ren, who looked genuinely shocked. 'Trying to guilt-trip him, yet you yourself became blind due to his motivation...' Chen mused.
"I know I can't send a perfect pass, but here goes anything! Mikage!" Myushi shouted as he passed the ball, collapsing onto the ground in exhaustion. Mikage was ready, watching the ball's path. But before anyone could react, Yuuki sprinted in the opposite direction, a mad grin plastered on his face.
"Is it just me, or are you so easy to read..." Yuuki's voice was tinged with excitement, his eyes wide with determination.
Mikage cursed under his breath. The pass was terrible, but he had no choice. He had to work with it. He glanced up, seeing Yuuki bearing down on him like a man possessed. There was no trace of Yuuki's usual cheerfulness—only sheer determination.
Mikage took a deep breath and kicked the ball with all his might, sending it flying away from the goalpost.
Haruto's eyes widened in realization. He glanced at Akeshi, who wore a knowing smirk, their eyes locking across the field.
'Bluffing, deception...manipulation of info...manipulation of mind...and seeing through people...' Haruto could only piece together fragments of what Akeshi had said to him before, but it was enough. Something clicked inside him, something that had been lying dormant until now.
Kagami sprinted towards the ball, but Haruto intercepted him, standing his ground, out of goal post's range. "So, Hirokima Kagami, tell me, do you really think you can score? And even if you did, what would you benefit from it?"
Kagami's eyes narrowed, but Haruto continued, his voice calm and measured. "You're one of the frontliners of the Japanese football team, yet you can't even win against kids who haven't played a year in their life?"
Kagami's composure cracked, anger boiling just beneath the surface.
"Do you really think you're worthy of being in this team? A team that will lead Japanese football? A team that will represent Japan on the international stage?"
Self-doubt flickered in Kagami's eyes, his calm facade completely shattered. Haruto could see it—the insecurity that Kagami tried so hard to hide.
A cruel smirk spread across Haruto's face. "Think about this. If anyone were to tell the national team's manager that you, Hirokima Kagami, lost to a bunch of high school brats who only played football for one week, what do you think his reaction would be? I bet he'd be furious."
"Shut up!" Kagami squeezed his eyes shut and screamed, trying to block out Haruto's voice.
'Yes...'Haruto thought, his smirk widening. 'I'm inside his brain...now all I need to do is give a little push, and he's done for...'
Haruto's eyes zeroed in on the tattoo on Kagami's arm. It was a lotus—a symbol of resilience, of rising from the mud. "That tattoo on you... It's a symbol, isn't it? That you came out of a shitty environment."
Kagami's face contorted with a mixture of emotions—anger, fear, insecurity.
"It's a symbol or a mark that you worked your way to the top. That's what the lotus means, doesn't it?" Haruto continued.
"He's a piece of work, isn't he?" Namakemono commented, his tone light, as if they were discussing the weather.
Yuuki turned to Namakemono, incredulous. "What do you mean by that?"
"He's here because he's like that." Namakemono answered him , casually.
"That explains shit," Yuuki retorted, irritation creeping into his voice.
"What I meant is, because he's a selfish individual, Akeshi decided to bring him into the team. He's like all of us. We're ready to do whatever it takes to win. Aren't you?" Namakemono added a last question for Yuuki.
Yuuki stared at namakemono, the words sinking in. "Yeah... I guess you're right."
But as he watched Haruto work his verbal manipulation on Kagami, something inside Yuuki stirred. A flicker of recognition, of understanding. He was like them, yes. But was he ready to sacrifice everything, to break people down, just for a win? The thought gnawed at him, leaving a bitter taste in his mouth.
.
.
.
.
The field buzzed with tension as the game progressed, with every player locked in a mental and physical battle. Akeshi's orchestrations on the field were becoming more apparent, his strategic mind weaving a web that slowly ensnared his opponents. Yet, the real game was taking place in the mind of Hirokima Kagami, with Haruto pulling the strings.
Haruto, his eyes locked on Kagami, took a step closer, outside the goal post."You know, Hirokima Kagami," he began, his voice smooth and almost casual, "that tattoo… it's supposed to mean something, right? A symbol of your struggle, your rise from nothing."
Kagami's eyes narrowed, a flicker of doubt creeping in as Haruto's words wormed their way into his psyche.
Haruto smirked, catching that flicker. "But here's the thing, Kagami… What happens when that symbol turns meaningless? When you lose to a bunch of kids who've barely touched a football? What does that say about your struggle?"
"Shut up!" Kagami's voice wavered slightly, his grip on the situation loosening.
'See that?' Haruto thought with a smirk, 'Just a little more, and he's mine.'
"Think about it," Haruto pressed on, his tone a mix of pity and cruelty. "What will the national team's manager say when he hears that Kagami, the rising star, got outplayed by high school brats? It's not just your pride on the line, Kagami. It's your entire career."
Kagami's face twisted in anger, but beneath the surface, Haruto could see the self-doubt bubbling up. The once sure and confident Kagami was now questioning everything, and Haruto was more than happy to keep pushing those buttons.
"Imagine it," Haruto continued, his voice lowering to a near whisper, forcing Kagami to hang on every word. "The headlines, the whispers, the disappointment. That tattoo… nothing but a reminder of how you almost made it."
"I said shut up!" Kagami's shout was louder this time, more desperate, his composure slipping further.
'Perfect,' Haruto mused, 'He's right where I want him.'
He took a step back, feigning a look of pity. "You know, Kagami… Maybe it's not too late to quit while you're ahead. Leave now, and maybe you can still salvage some dignity."
Kagami clenched his fists, anger and frustration etched across his face. He was teetering on the edge, just one push away from completely unraveling.
'What a pitiful man...' adult ren noted in Ren's mind, watching the scene unfold. 'Is it really that easy to manipulate him?'
'Seems like it,' young ren replied, a tone of curiosity in his voice. 'But why does Haruto enjoy it so much? What's the point?'
'Power, control… It's all about showing who's stronger, even if it's not physical.' adult Ren explained, the logic cold and precise. 'People like Kagami can't stand the idea that they're not in control, that someone else is pulling their strings.'
'But isn't that cruel?' young Ren mused, a hint of hesitation. 'Isn't it wrong to do that to someone?'
'Is it?' adult ren countered, the question rhetorical. 'In this world, it's either manipulate or be manipulated. You know that as well as I do.'
'I know…' young Ren conceded, though there was a lingering unease. 'But…'
The inner conversation was cut short as the ball shot through the air, landing between Akeshi and Kagami. Akeshi, sensing the opportunity, made a swift move.
"So, I seemed to have stopped the ball, huh? I'll take it from here," Akeshi said with a grin, his fingers itching to continue the game.
"I feel like you're the type of guy who likes cuckold mangas. Or NTR in general," Haruto shot back with a smirk, breaking the tension with his offbeat humor, copying the conversation he took in previously.
"Haha! Cute." Akeshi retorted, half-laughing as he launched the ball towards Keitaro.
Ren, sensing the ball approaching, felt the familiar tug of internal dialogue begin once more.
'Here it comes again…' young Ren observed, watching the ball's trajectory with interest.
'This time, let's make sure they know who they're dealing with,' adult Ren added, his voice firm and determined.
'But… What if they don't understand?' young Ren questioned, a hint of doubt creeping in.
'Then we'll make them understand.' adult Ren responded, his tone unyielding. 'Doesn't matter who's in control. We are the same anyway.'
Young Ren sighed, conceding to his older counterpart's logic. 'Alright… Let's do this.'
Ren caught the ball with ease, his body moving with a fluid grace that belied the mental turmoil within. He saw Myushi approaching, his face a mixture of determination and frustration
In a swift movement, Myushi managed to steal the ball from Ren's legs, leaving the latter momentarily stunned.
'He's determined…' young Ren noted, a hint of admiration in his voice.
'Determination doesn't always win games,' adult Ren reminded him, his tone practical.
Myushi, now with the ball, made a desperate pass towards Mikage, who was already prepared to receive it. The ball, however, was intercepted by Yuuki, who had been lurking nearby with a smirk on his face.
The game intensified as Rentaro, noticing Yuuki's approach, made a calculated move to block him. Yuuki, however, was unfazed, his expression turning serious as he sprinted in a completely different direction.
The ball, now free, rolled towards Kagami, who hesitated for a moment, his mind still reeling from Haruto's earlier manipulation. Haruto's voice echoed in his mind, the taunting words replaying like a broken record.
'What are you doing, Kagami?' young Ren thought, watching intently from the sidelines. 'He's too slow…'
'That's the hesitation chabashira planted,' adult Ren replied calmly. 'But… he's got something left in him, doesn't he?'
Kagami's eyes narrowed as he pushed Haruto's words aside. 'No,' he thought fiercely, 'I'm not done yet!'
With a sudden burst of determination, Kagami surged forward. The hesitation that had momentarily gripped him evaporated as adrenaline took over. His mind cleared, focusing only on the ball and the goal ahead. Haruto's manipulation had planted seeds of doubt, but Kagami was determined not to let those seeds take root.
Haruto, the Roward goalkeeper, saw Kagami's advance and braced himself. Though of average height, he made himself look larger between the posts, his eyes sharp and calculating.
"Kagami, you're too easy to read," Haruto muttered, his voice laced with condescension. He had been in control of this game for too long to let it slip away now. But Kagami's determination was unshakable.
Ren and Yuuki rushed to intercept, but Kagami's movements were swift and precise. He feinted left, drawing Ren off balance, then cut sharply to the right, leaving Yuuki scrambling to catch up. Namakemono tried to block his path, but Kagami was already past him, his mind clear and singularly focused on the goal.
Haruto, seeing Kagami's approach, readied himself. His eyes locked onto the ball, tracking every movement.
"Kagami, you won't get past me!" Haruto shouted, his voice steady despite the tension in the air.
Kagami reached the edge of the penalty box and drew back his leg. The entire world seemed to slow down for a fraction of a second. Every sound, every movement around him dulled as he locked eyes with Haruto.
Then, with all the power and precision he could muster, Kagami unleashed his shot. The ball rocketed off his foot, slicing through the air with deadly accuracy.
Haruto, seeing the trajectory, leaped into action. He stretched his body to its limits, his hands outstretched, fingertips grazing the ball as it shot past him.
The sound of the ball hitting the back of the net was like a gunshot, resonating through the field.
Goal.
Kagami's eyes widened as the reality of the moment hit him. He had done it. Despite everything, despite Haruto's attempts to break him, he had scored.
The Roward players, Akeshi, Namakemono, Ren , chen, and yuuki, stood stunned for a moment. Haruto, their goalkeeper, was the first to react, frustration evident on his face.
"Damn it," Haruto muttered, pounding a fist into his palm. "I should've seen that coming."
"Guess he wasn't as easy to read as you thought, chabashira," yuuki quipped, trying to lighten the mood with a joke.
Namakemono shot Yuuki a look. "Not the time, Yuuki."
Akeshi nodded in agreement, his gaze still fixed on Kagami. "We underestimated him. That's on us."
Haruto, still in the goal, clenched his fists. The manipulation he had used on Kagami had backfired, and now they were one goal down because of it. "I won't let that happen again," he muttered under his breath.
Back in Ren's mind, the two selves watched the unfolding events with a mix of curiosity and calculation.
'He's got more fight in him than I thought,' younger Ren mused, reflecting on Kagami's sudden burst of resolve.
' chabashira's good at what he does,' adult Ren replied, his tone neutral. 'But now it's our turn to see this through.'
'Right,' young Ren agreed. 'Doesn't matter who's in control. We are the same anyway.'
As Kagami jogged back to his team, the chidori players rallied around him, trying to shake off the goal and refocus on the game. But the sting of Kagami's success lingered, a reminder that this match was far from over.
The Roward players exchanged glances, their resolve hardening. Kagami's goal had thrown them off balance, but they were far from beaten. It was getting interesting for them.
Yuuki looked at his teammates, determination etched on his face. "We're not done yet. Let's show them what we're really made of."
Namakemono nodded, his eyes still looked tired , "Next time, we'll be ready."
Haruto adjusted his gloves, his gaze never leaving Kagami. "I won't let another one past me," he vowed.
Yuuki, still the jokester, grinned. "Let's make sure that was the last time they see the back of our net."
With their spirits reignited, Roward prepared to push back against chidori with everything they had. The game was only just beginning.