Ryota's eyes roamed around while he started running, targeting the opponent's goal. He let a small grin show as he noticed Nevan but his concentration didn't waver. He was all too focused while acting relaxed. It was an irritating sight to watch, for someone who was from the opposite team.
Instead of going for the goal himself, Ryota passed to one of his teammates and they played back and forth. It was as if Team White was being teased for having no mutual understanding. Ryota and his teammates seemed to get along, despite never having met before.
Nevan stayed in motion but it was clear, they were confused about their opponent's plans. What were they thinking about? A midfielder from Nevan's team finally managed to find a way in their closed game and stole the ball while it was being passed.
"Finally!" Sunshine spoke in a relieved tone. The direction of the game changed once more. The players started moving towards the Team Purple's goal. Nevan moved with the people. He lingered near the goal of the other team but the ball never got too close there.
The strategy of Team Purple was clear. They were focused on making goals and win that way, instead of defending their goal. Meanwhile, Nevan's team was playing defensive. Most of the players were in the goal's close proximity. Only Nevan, Grumpy and two midfielders were away from the goal so that if a ball came their way, they could call to action immediately.
Grumpy was running to catch the ball while Nevan simply moved, in case the pale-skinned boy would manage to get the ball. He did manage to do so. And just like he had anticipated, he shot the ball to Nevan. Without even thinking, his body moved there, to block the ball and shoot it directly in the goal.
It was blocked by the goalkeeper. Irritation bubbled in Nevan as the sphere bounced back. It was Grumpy who was nimble and fast to adapt and kicked the ball right back into the goal.
A shrill sound rang through the gymnasium. It was now 1 - 0 for Team White. Apparentally the score was being monitored for not only this field but it was actually announced.
"And, it seems in the first fifteen minutes, a goal has already been scored! Team White gets the lead in the middle field, playing against Team Purple!"
It was the same man who had given the speech earlier. A sense of warm pride spread through Nevan's body. Finally, the teams were getting into the game. Up until now, it had only been a warm-up to most of the people.
The atmosphere shifted. The first goal had made all six teams present in the hall tense up. It was a sudden burden on their shoulders and the urge to be better than anyone else that rested on the shoulders of the player. The seats in SPC were limited. What if, they were determined by how many goals a person had scored?
Grumpy's face lightened up ever so slightly. He let out a laugh. It was a center-back who had taken the ball right after and kicked it in the opposite direction, to a teammate who had teamed up with Ryota. Now Team Purple was more cofused and wary of their opponent.
The playful tease of the chemistry within the team had been broken down by something that yearned for achievement in this game. Goals. That was the only focus of this team. Despite being at a slight loss right now, they didn't change their strategy. Charging forward was what they kept doing.
The ball was being passed from player to player. Nevan's team kept trying to intervene, to the get the white-black sphere in their possession which didn't work out the way, they wanted it to. The center-backs were on alert, standing right in front of the goal.
The other team dominated the field now, without any doubt. The ball was in their grasp. Nevan couldn't help but admire the way it sticked to their feet, so close to their body that it was impossible to steal it away. But he had no time to admire his opponents. If this was enough to amaze him, it meant, he had a long way to go in his own training.
The almost-goal by Nevan was discouraging to him. He had been outshined when he had been sure of being the star after this goal. He felt threatened. What if, he was outshined? Unable to prove himself and make it into the SPC? It was true, the failure to join the camp didn't mean, it was a dead end. But this was a rapid way to get trained and be able to play for the national team.
Just then Ryota seemed to see a chance. The center-backs were too focused. Despite being at attention, they were laid-back now that they understood that the ball was just being passed. It was something the tall guy had been looking for. In a swift motion, he shifted his body as soon as he was in the possession of the sphere again and kicked it right into the goal's direction.
The goalie stretched his arm and turned his body to the left, where the ball was headed to. It grazed his fingers but landed right into the goal.
"What do we have here? Another goal has been made at the middle field, by Team Purple this time. The score stands 1-1!"
He had to do something. That was for sure. Others were doing their best, too. Sunshine had blocked several goals. Ryota had shown his skills by deceiving and Grumpy had shown his ability to adapt at a rapid speed.
"At minute 44, Team Blue makes a name for themselves as well. By scoring the first goal at the left field!"
His mind barely registered those words. Team Blue? The team where Keisuke was? His mind blocked out any unnecessary thoughts. His focus was at the ball now. Nevan finally moved from his spot.
He had come to his senses too late. It was half-time now. He let out a frustrated sigh. What could he do to show his potential? He had no idea. He was being outshined and his future being threatened. Nevan left the gymnasium to drink something. He was in no mood to interact with anyone right now.
He had only spent a few minutes outside before going back. He saw his teammates gathered and talking about the game. He joined.
"We should change into an attacking formation. We are too defensive." Grumpy spoke. It seemed like he was arguinh with Sunshine who would accept nothing but his own opinion.
It went back and forth until they were supposed to assemble at the field again. Nevan hadn't said a word. All he noticed was how difficult it was for his team to be in harmony with each other.
He had 45 minutes to shine. If everything went as usual, that would be enough. A gut feeling told Nevan that it was impossible, it would go to an end in his favor. It was an ugly feeling that had buried itself deep into his stomach. He couldn't ignore it despite his best efforts.
Instead, whenever he ran after the ball he felt himself growing more weary and exhausted from all the past weeks. And this match. He had trained for this. It should be easier for him since he had solid two weeks to train than the rest of them who had only had lousy four days.
What had changed? Or what seperated him from all the other players? He couldn't tell. And yet, this unknown fact was bothering him more than he wanted to admit.
He was almost a shadow of himself on this field. The time was slipping. Ten minutes into the second half and he couldn't even focus on the game.
Nevan looked at the system. For the first time, it hadn't intervened with his choices. It hadn't even given him any daily tasks today. Why? In the past two weeks, he had learned to rely on this system. On the workout tasks it gave him. He was level 12 by now.
The tingling feeling of nervosity was welling up inside of him. What if, he didn't make it? What if, he was not good enough?
The next second he had discarded these thoughts from his mind. He had always managed. Nevan was a smart guy. Whatever he did, he was good at it. That was the reason why he never went to the depths of his talent. He was good at everything, after all.
The ball was being kicked around, from person to person. How come, there was no harmony? Even those on his team were his rivals. They didn't have his best interests on their mind. They had their own goals.
His eyes graced the timer. It was 67th minute already. Would be make it? Get into the SPC?
For the first time, he wasn't sure if he was good enough. Would he make it? What if, he didn't? Would that be the end?
A player from Team Purple had the ball. Nevan had fallen into a leisurely walk as he watched them direct the ball in Team White's goal.
They were playing as offensive as ever. Nothing had changed in rheir tactics. Team White hadn't changed anything too, after all.
Not being able to coordinate with the rest of your team wasn't a skill or anything. It was a curse. But Grumpy was navigating just fine. As well as the other players who were blocking off the opposing team's players.
As the player in possession of the ball was about to shoot the ball, something snapped in Nevan. His body set itself into motion.