*We have to win! We have to win! We have to win!* Ryunnouske thought, panting as drops of sweat fell from his face.
"Ryunnouske." Hajime called.
*We have to win! I have to win! I have to win! I have to win!*
"Ryunnouske!!!" Juro, Hajime, and Haryu called.
"Huh?" He asked, looking at them.
"Ryunnouske..."
"Guys..."
*I... I can't win on my own. I've got to rely on my friends and teammates too.* He thought before relaxing.
"Sorry, guys. Looks like I kinda spaced out." He said, forcing a smile.
*It's a practice match. We'll get stronger in the future. I'm sure of it, but what can I do in the future if I don't try to surpass my limits? If I'm still holed up in my safe zone, I can't do shit. A goal, two, three or more! We've gotta score, or else Coach Akihito would look down on us! We might not be able to become regulars this way!* He thought before exhaling.
"If you're ready, let's get going." Hajime said, smiling.
"Mmn! Let's go!" Ryunnouske said as they walked back to their positions.
*Think, don't play recklessly. Any wrong move, and they'll score their third. Their keeper is really strong.*
WHISTLE...
*He seems to know where the ball's coming from and block it immediately.*
PASS...
*I can see his eyes. He looks around carefully. His defenders are also good. He must trust them.*
CROSS...
*Those twins... they're so good. Their passes to confuse their opponents.*
PASS...
*But their wings aren't very well defended! When the game initially started, it looked like everywhere was well defended. They looked at the way we played, and since we were going straight for their post, they decided to defend the middle.*
"Ryunnouske!" Juro shouted.
"Got it!" Ryunnouske said, running forward with the ball.
He passed back to Juro and looked at Haryu, giving him the sign to move forward.
*Does he want to do that?* Haryu thought, nodding and smiling while running forward.
*It's not a rare or super cool move. I learnt it when playing soccer games with the guys in Juros' house. I almost always score whenever I try that. But still, it's just by luck, and luck is enough. Let it work, please!* He thought as Juro passed the ball to Hajime, who crossed it to the left wing where Haryu stood.
Haryu crossed the ball into the box, and Juro headed it to Ryunnouske, who had already moved back a bit farther from the defenders. He controlled it and kicked it into the post from the little space he noticed.
"Goal!!!"
"We are tied!"
"Our school finally got one!"
"The first years aren't so bad."
*A corner, a distraction, and a goal. Since their defence was so weak around the wing, Haryu could make good passes without having any problem. This only happened because the opposition underestimated us. We might not have any more chance.* Ryunnouske thought as Juro jumped on him.
"Ryunnouske! You scored!" He shouted.
"I was afraid it wouldn't go in."
"How'd you do it?"
"N-no, I scored with you guys' help. Thanks a lot." He said, waving at them and smiling nervously.
"Tch. That was a mistake. They won't score anymore." Gojo said.
"..."
*Good, it looks like they've understood the circumstances they are in.*
"Whoo, they got one in." One of the guys from Hidemari said.
"Let's get one back." Yoshiko, the captain for Hidemari, said.
*They got one in. These guys can't be underestimated!*
79:53.
The game continued with a goal from both sides. The players were already tired, and since they couldn't be substituted, they just had to keep playing.
85:33.
After a really strong defence, Yoshiki passed the ball forward, allowing the twins to make their play. They dribbled past the guys from Shinsei and scored their second goal.
"Hidemari scored once more."
"They're only first years of course they'll lose. Their first goal was a mistake."
"Why didn't the coach let the seniors play?"
"Who knows."
*Tch...*
"Let's go again, guys." Ryunnouske said before telling them his plan.
90 +2 [91:18]
Ryunnouske and the other players had to bet on the last few seconds. to score one more goal.
Juro ran forward with the ball dribbling past one of the midfielder while passing back to Hajime.
"Don't waste your energy. You won't get past alone." Yoshiki said.
"Not alone." He said.
*What, Where's he?! Did he disappear?" Yoshiki asked as the ball went over his head.
*I'm flexible, I can totally bend down and get past you while kicking the ball over your head.* Juro thought, passing the ball to Haryu.
"You guys, don't let him through!" Yoshiki shouted.
*Good, focus on him.* Ryunnouske thought, running forward.
*Did he just smirk? That left winger would make a cross to him, and he'll score. He planned this out since he knew I'd panic and ask the guys to take the ball away from the winger. Naive! I'm still here.* Yoshiki thought, running towards Ryunnouske.
"Ryunnouske!" Haryu shouted, making a cross to Ryunnouske, who ran for the ball, who was a distance between him and the goalkeeper.
*Hmph! I can steal the ball from you, and even if I can't, the keeper will get it. Just a few seconds, and we'll win. Don't underestimate us!* Yoshiki thought.
"Hmph, come at me." Ryunnouske said as the keeper dived for the ball while Yoshiki slid for it.
Ryunnouske tapped the ball with the inside of his left foot and used the heel of his foot, and passed it back. Hajime ran forward and kicked the ball into the net.
"Crap!"
WHISTLE...
2-2...
"Whoa! The first years really got tied with the bigger guys!"
*That goal was... a result of their teamwork. These guys are really good for the first years.* Hime thought, smiling.
"Hmm? Hime?" Yuki called.
"Ah! L-let's get going." She said, standing from her chair.
"Okay."
*It ended as a draw.* Ryunnouske thought, looking down.
"Ryu-nnou-ske!" Juro called, slapping his back.
"Ouch, Juro."
"Nice game, man." Hajime said.
"I'm so glad we didn't lose."
"Me too."
"Same here."
*They look so happy. I'm glad. Thank goodness, I didn't mess up.* He thought, smiling.