The days leading up to the first of the three crucial matches were a whirlwind of preparation, mental strain, and physical exhaustion. Yuto could feel the growing pressure from every angle—his teammates, Coach Ishikawa, and most of all, from within. With each passing day, Riku seemed to get sharper, more comfortable on the field. There were moments when Yuto could swear that Riku was reading his mind, anticipating his every move, making his presence known in every drill.
Despite this, Yuto pushed himself harder. He couldn't afford to falter now.
Match day arrived sooner than Yuto expected. The stadium buzzed with energy as the team bus pulled up to the entrance. Yuto sat at the back, staring out the window, watching the crowd gather. His heart pounded in his chest, but he remained calm on the outside. Kenji was seated beside him, bouncing his leg nervously.
"You good?" Yuto asked, trying to distract himself from his own nerves.
Kenji nodded, though his expression was tight. "Yeah, just the usual pre-game jitters. But I've got a good feeling about today. You?"
Yuto gave a small smile. "I'm ready. We've worked hard for this."
In truth, Yuto wasn't entirely sure if he was ready. His mind was still locked in an internal struggle over how to handle Riku's growing influence. But he couldn't let that distract him now. He had a mission to complete.
[ Quest: Defend Your Role (Match 1/3).
Objective: Maintain your position as the starting midfielder and contribute to a victory. Reward: Skill Upgrade: Advanced Playmaking. ]
The locker room was filled with the sound of cleats clacking on the floor, the sharp hiss of air escaping from tape as the players wrapped their ankles, and the low hum of focused conversations. Coach Ishikawa stood in the center, his voice steady as he gave his final instructions.
Yuto tuned most of it out, focusing on his own thoughts. The game plan was clear. He knew his role—control the tempo, feed the forwards, keep the midfield stable. But today, the stakes felt higher than ever before. Riku, who sat a few seats away, was focused, eyes closed as he mentally prepared himself.
Yuto's gaze drifted toward him, wondering what was going through Riku's mind. Did he feel the same pressure? Or was he simply confident that his time was coming?
Kenji slapped Yuto on the back, breaking his train of thought. "Let's go, man. We've got this."
Yuto nodded, standing up and pulling on his jersey. The familiar weight of the team colors gave him a sense of pride and responsibility. He wouldn't let his doubts ruin this opportunity.
From the first whistle, the match was intense. Their opponents were fast and aggressive, pressing high and cutting off passing lanes. Yuto found himself constantly battling for control in midfield, with Riku by his side. The two of them had to work together, despite the tension that simmered between them.
As the game wore on, Yuto began to feel the rhythm of the match. He made crisp passes, directed traffic, and even took a few shots from distance. But every time he started to feel like he had control, Riku would step in, make a play, and remind everyone of his own capabilities.
Midway through the first half, Riku intercepted a pass and drove forward with speed, bypassing two defenders. Yuto sprinted to catch up, calling for the ball, but Riku ignored him. Instead, Riku took a shot from outside the box. It was a blistering strike that forced the goalkeeper into a full-stretch save.
The crowd gasped, and Yuto felt a surge of frustration. Riku had the right to take the shot, but it felt like he was trying to prove something—to Yuto, to the team, to everyone watching.
The system chimed softly in Yuto's mind.
[ Emotional Fluctuation Detected: Increased Frustration.]
[ Warning: Performance may be affected. ]
Yuto clenched his fists, forcing himself to calm down. He couldn't let this get to him. Riku wasn't the enemy. The real challenge was the match itself.
The second half began with more intensity than the first. The score was still tied at 0-0, and both teams were getting more desperate to break the deadlock. Yuto felt his muscles starting to fatigue, but he knew he couldn't afford to slow down.
With 20 minutes left, Yuto received the ball in midfield. He glanced around, looking for options. Riku was nearby, calling for the ball, but Yuto saw Kenji making a run down the left wing. Without hesitation, Yuto sent a perfectly weighted through ball into Kenji's path.
Kenji sprinted toward the ball, cutting inside the box before delivering a low cross. Their striker met the ball, slamming it into the back of the net.
1-0.
The stadium exploded with cheers, but Yuto remained focused. He had done his job—created the play that led to the goal. But there were still 20 minutes left to defend.
As the clock wound down, Yuto and Riku found themselves working more closely together than ever before. The opponents were throwing everything they had into attacking, and Yuto knew that if they conceded a goal now, the momentum would shift.
In the 85th minute, the opponents launched a dangerous counterattack. Yuto sprinted back to cover, but he was out of position. The opponent's winger sped down the sideline, cutting inside with dangerous intent.
Riku was there, though. He slid in with a perfectly timed tackle, dispossessing the winger and sending the ball out of play. The crowd roared with approval, and Yuto couldn't help but feel a mix of relief and admiration.
Even in the heat of competition, Riku was still a teammate.
The final whistle blew, and Yuto's team celebrated a hard-fought 1-0 victory. Yuto stood in the middle of the pitch, catching his breath, feeling a mixture of exhaustion and satisfaction. They had won. He had contributed. But he knew this was just the beginning.
The system chimed once more.
[ Quest: Defend Your Role (Match 1/3) Complete.
Reward Unlocked: Skill Upgrade: Advanced Playmaking. ]
[ New Objective: Continue to maintain your starting position for the next two matches. ]
Yuto's heart lifted at the notification, but he knew the hardest part was still to come. The system was pushing him, but so was Riku. He couldn't afford to let up—not now, not ever.
As he walked toward the tunnel, Riku approached him, a small smile playing on his lips.
"You played well today," Riku said, his tone neutral but with a hint of respect. "But this isn't over. You know that, right?"
Yuto met his gaze, nodding. "I wouldn't expect it to be."
Riku gave him a nod before walking away, leaving Yuto to contemplate what lay ahead. The rivalry between them was far from settled, but today, at least, Yuto had defended his role.
And he was ready for the next challenge.