The next morning, Yuto woke up with a sense of urgency gnawing at him. The previous day's victory felt distant, overshadowed by the weight of the new quest the system had given him. "Defend Your Role." The message was clear—he couldn't let up, not even for a second. The upcoming three matches would decide if he could hold on to his starting position, and with Riku now in the mix, the stakes had never been higher.
Yuto arrived at practice earlier than usual, determined to push himself harder than ever. The field was empty, the crisp morning air carrying a silence that gave Yuto time to think. He knew that his journey was far from over. As much as he wanted to trust the system and his instincts, there was an increasing pressure from within—his desire to prove himself, not just to his teammates or Coach, but to himself.
He started his warm-up drills alone, focusing on ball control, sharp passes, and quick turns. The system remained silent, observing him without interfering, and Yuto appreciated that. Today, he didn't need extra boosts or prompts. He needed to refine his technique and prepare mentally for the battles ahead.
As the minutes passed, the rest of the team began to arrive. Kenji was the first to join him on the field, bouncing the ball with a carefree grin.
"You're up early, Yuto," Kenji said, jogging over. "Still thinking about yesterday's game?"
Yuto shook his head, sending the ball Kenji's way. "Not really. Just want to stay ahead."
Kenji nodded, easily trapping the ball with his foot. "Yeah, I get it. Riku's good. He definitely adds some heat to the competition."
Yuto's gaze flicked over to the locker room, where Riku had just stepped onto the field, his expression calm and focused. "He's not going to make this easy for me. But that's fine. I'm not backing down either."
Kenji gave a thumbs-up, his face bright with enthusiasm. "That's the spirit! We're all in this together, right?"
Practice began with intensity. Coach Ishikawa pushed the team through tactical drills, placing special emphasis on maintaining possession and controlling the tempo of the game. Yuto and Riku were often paired up, forced to work together in small-sided games. To everyone watching, they appeared to be functioning well as a unit. But Yuto could feel the underlying tension in every touch of the ball, every pass, every look they exchanged.
Riku wasn't flashy today. He played smart, waiting for the right moments to show his skills without hogging the ball. He was calm, measured, and precise. And Yuto couldn't help but acknowledge it—Riku was good. Incredibly good.
During one of the passing drills, Yuto misjudged a ball, allowing it to roll too far ahead. Riku stepped in, effortlessly recovering the ball and sending it down the line to Kenji. Yuto felt a pang of frustration—his mistake had been minor, but it was a mistake nonetheless. The system chimed softly in his head.
[ Warning: Minor error detected. Confidence slightly reduced. ]
Yuto shook his head, trying to block out the notification. He couldn't let something like that get to him. He needed to stay focused.
The real test came during a scrimmage later in the day. Yuto's team was down by a goal, and the pressure was on to find an equalizer. Riku, as expected, was playing a pivotal role, organizing attacks and dictating the flow of the game. Yuto found himself in a strange position—rather than competing against Riku, he was forced to play alongside him.
They both hovered in midfield, reading the game from different perspectives. Yuto's mind worked furiously, scanning the field for opportunities. The system chimed again, this time offering him advice.
[ Hint: Opponent's defense is weak on the left. Exploit this area with diagonal passes. ]
Yuto nodded, taking the suggestion to heart. He picked up the ball and shifted the play toward the left flank. Kenji was already making a run, and Yuto delivered a perfectly timed pass, cutting through the opposing defense.
Kenji reached the ball, but Riku was already darting forward, moving into the box, his hand raised for a cross. Kenji hesitated for a split second, torn between passing to Riku or taking the shot himself. In that moment, Riku shouted, his voice sharp and authoritative.
"Cross it!"
Kenji complied, sending a low cross into the box. Riku met the ball with a controlled volley, sending it into the bottom corner of the net. The game was tied, and Riku turned, his expression cool as he jogged back to his position.
Yuto clenched his fists. It wasn't jealousy that gnawed at him—it was the realization that Riku had the same tactical awareness he prided himself on. And today, Riku had executed it flawlessly.
After practice, Yuto sat on the bench, wiping the sweat from his face with his towel. The system remained silent for the rest of the day, as if waiting for him to process everything on his own. He knew the real challenge wasn't just about the upcoming matches—it was about the constant battle for control. Riku was pushing him to his limits, and Yuto couldn't afford to let doubt creep in.
Kenji plopped down next to him, chugging water from his bottle. "You're in your head, Yuto. I can tell."
Yuto sighed, glancing at his friend. "It's just… Riku's really good. I know it's supposed to make me better, but it feels like no matter how hard I try, he's always a step ahead."
Kenji gave him a playful punch on the shoulder. "You're both great players. But you've got something he doesn't."
Yuto frowned. "What's that?"
Kenji grinned. "You've got us. You're not alone out there, Yuto. The team believes in you because you play for us, not just for yourself. Riku's skilled, but he doesn't have the same connection with the rest of us. You bring everyone together."
Yuto looked at Kenji, absorbing his words. He'd been so focused on Riku, on competing against him, that he'd forgotten the bigger picture. Football wasn't just about individual skill; it was about the team, about trust, and about leadership. Riku might be his rival, but that didn't mean Yuto had to fight this battle alone.
As the sun set over the training grounds, Yuto stood up, feeling a renewed sense of purpose. He wasn't going to let the pressure break him. He would rise to the challenge, not just for himself, but for his team.
The system chimed softly in his mind.
[ Confidence restored. Quest: In Progress. ]
Yuto smiled to himself. The road ahead was going to be tough, but he was ready. And he wasn't facing it alone.