The victory celebrations had been intense. Yuto's assist to Riku had turned the tide of the match, and their teammates were ecstatic. As the adrenaline faded and the team left the field, Yuto felt a mixture of exhaustion and relief wash over him.
Despite the growing tension before the game, it seemed like things between him and Riku were starting to heal. Riku had even given him a small nod of approval as they exited the field. It wasn't much, but it was a start.
Back in the locker room, the atmosphere was buzzing with energy. The players were laughing, slapping each other on the back, and recounting moments from the game. But Yuto felt a familiar pull in the back of his mind. The system was still active, and he could feel it processing something.
[ New Skill Unlocked: Enhanced Teamwork Boost
Effect: Increases synergy with teammates during matches, improves passing accuracy, and heightens awareness of team positioning. ]
Yuto's eyes widened as the system's voice echoed in his mind. This new skill was exactly what he needed, especially after everything that had happened with Riku. It wasn't just about being better individually—it was about lifting the whole team, making them stronger together.
Kenji came up beside Yuto, grinning as he sat down. "Man, that assist was perfect. It was like you knew exactly where Riku was gonna be."
Yuto smiled, though part of him felt a pang of guilt. I did know, he thought, thanks to the system. But Kenji didn't need to know that. "I just got lucky," Yuto said, shrugging it off. "Riku made the run, and I saw the opening."
Kenji laughed. "Lucky or not, we needed that win. You're on fire lately, Yuto."
Before Yuto could respond, Coach Ishikawa entered the locker room, his usual stern expression replaced by a rare smile. "Good job, boys. But don't get too comfortable. We've got tougher opponents coming up, and we need to keep pushing."
The players groaned in mock protest, but the coach's words were clear. There was no time to relax.
Over the next few days, training resumed with the usual intensity, but the dynamic of the team had shifted slightly. Yuto noticed that while Riku was still focused and competitive, the tension between them wasn't as sharp anymore. They communicated better on the field, their passes more fluid, their movements more in sync. It was as if the barrier that had been between them was finally starting to break down.
But the system's new skill—Enhanced Teamwork Boost—wasn't something Yuto could ignore. During practice, he found himself almost instinctively aware of his teammates' positions. His passing became more accurate, his timing sharper, and his ability to read the flow of the game felt almost second nature. He was playing better, not just individually, but as part of the team.
Still, the mental strain of balancing the system's help with his own efforts weighed on him. How long could he keep this secret? How could he continue to use the system without alienating his teammates further? The system had helped him grow, but it also isolated him in ways no one else could understand.
During one particularly grueling training session, Coach Ishikawa gathered the team around for a quick debrief. "We've got an important match coming up next week," he began. "This team is no joke. They've got skilled players, and their defense is solid. We're going to need to step up our game."
The team murmured in agreement, the pressure already settling on their shoulders.
As the coach began outlining strategies, Yuto felt a small jolt in his mind as the system activated again.
[ New Quest: Face the Upcoming Challenge
Objective: Assist in at least one goal during the next match.
Reward: Physical Endurance Boost. ]
Yuto's heartbeat quickened. Another quest, another challenge. He had been relying on the system more and more, but each new task pushed him to his limits. The rewards were always worth it, but the strain was starting to show. Physically, he was improving faster than ever, but mentally, he could feel the pressure mounting.
As the team dispersed to continue training, Yuto noticed Riku lingering near the bench, his brow furrowed in thought. Yuto hesitated for a moment, then walked over.
"Hey," Yuto began, unsure of how to approach the conversation. "You were great in that last game. We really needed that goal."
Riku looked up, surprised by the compliment. He nodded slowly, then sighed. "Yeah, but… I can't shake the feeling that something's off."
Yuto tensed. "What do you mean?"
Riku glanced around, making sure no one else was listening. "It's just… you, Yuto. You've changed a lot recently. It's like you've leveled up out of nowhere. I mean, don't get me wrong, I'm glad you're playing better, but it feels… unnatural."
Yuto's stomach tightened. Riku was perceptive, as always. He had been noticing the rapid improvements, and Yuto knew that hiding the truth would only get harder from here.
"I've just been training harder," Yuto said, his voice steady, but the weight of the lie felt heavy on his chest.
Riku stared at him for a moment, his eyes searching Yuto's face for any signs of deception. Finally, he nodded, though his expression remained skeptical. "Yeah. Maybe. Just… don't forget we're all in this together, alright? It's not just about one player."
Yuto nodded, forcing a smile. "I know. I won't forget."
As the days passed, the upcoming match loomed larger in Yuto's mind. The team was training harder than ever, and the pressure to perform was becoming palpable. Yuto's new Teamwork Boost was helping, but it wasn't enough to erase the underlying anxiety he felt.
The system had become a constant in his life—guiding him, pushing him, challenging him. But it was also becoming a burden, one that made him feel disconnected from his teammates, even as they worked together on the field.
One evening, after an exhausting practice session, Yuto sat alone in his room, staring at the ceiling. The system had been quiet for the last few hours, but he could still feel its presence, always lurking in the back of his mind.
He wondered what it would be like to play without it. Could he still keep up? Could he still be the player his team needed?
[ Reminder: Face the Upcoming Challenge
Objective: Assist in at least one goal during the next match.
Reward: Physical Endurance Boost. ]
Yuto sighed. There was no turning back now. He had to keep moving forward, had to keep growing, even if the weight of it all was becoming too much to bear.
But as he closed his eyes and tried to quiet his racing thoughts, one thing was clear: the journey was far from over.