Isagi knew convincing a striker to play goalkeeper would be a tall order, especially someone as unpredictable as Gagamaru. But the reality was, Iemon wouldn't be much better in the position. Gagamaru was their best option—if he could be convinced.
"Why me?"
Gagamaru asked, his usual stoic expression betraying no emotion.
"Because you're the tallest and can jump incredibly high"
Isagi began, his tone calm but firm.
"You also react to situations faster than anyone here. I've seen you play before, and I thought you'd make a fantastic goalie."
It wasn't entirely a lie. Isagi had watched Gagamaru's highlight reels, where his acrobatic movements and daring plays caught his attention. But convincing him now? That was a gamble.
"Oh, that's why…"
Gagamaru said flatly before shrugging.
"Nope. I don't want to play as a goalie."
Isagi let out a small sigh.
"I figured"
He muttered.
Kunigami stepped in, breaking the brief silence.
"Then we stick to the plan. Let's decide based on the rankings. Kira, you're ranked first—pick your position."
All eyes turned to Kira, who stood confidently.
"I'll play center forward"
He said, his voice steady and decisive.
Kunigami nodded, seemingly satisfied, and looked at Isagi.
"You're up next, number two."
"Then I'll play as a central attacking midfielder"
Isagi declared without hesitation.
The room was quiet for a moment as the significance of Isagi's decision sunk in. CAM wasn't the spotlight role of a striker, but it was the linchpin of the team's offensive strategy. It required a vision of the entire field, precise passing, and the ability to control the pace of the game.
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Team Z's players reluctantly agreed to the formation Isagi explained, but what they'd actually do on the pitch remained a mystery. The tension in the air was palpable as they stepped onto the field.
Igaguri, having drawn the short straw, jogged to the goalpost with a grumble.
"Why do I have to be the goalie?"
He muttered under his breath, clearly unhappy. The promise of rotating with Iemon every match was the only thing keeping him in position.
As Team Z settled into their formation, the opposing team, Team X, emerged. Leading them was Barou Shoei, a towering, muscular presence whose confidence radiated like a storm cloud. He strode onto the pitch, exuding dominance, his piercing glare fixed straight ahead.
So that's him, Isagi thought, sizing up the self-proclaimed "King." He's exactly as intimidating as I imagined—a monster in human form.
The whistle blew, and Kira, positioned as center forward, made the first move, passing the ball to Bachira on the right wing. Bachira skillfully controlled it and passed back to Isagi, who was positioned slightly deeper in midfield.
Isagi began to dribble forward, but three Team X players immediately rushed him. Their chaotic movement wasn't coordinated—each one was more focused on stealing the ball for themselves than defending properly. It was a free-for-all.
'They're not defending. They're competing.'
Raichi joined the fray, sprinting in from the side to take the ball from Isagi. But Isagi, unfazed, nudged the ball backward with his heel and slipped it between Raichi's legs in a clean nutmeg.
"What the—? Nutmeg?!"
Raichi shouted, frustration flaring as he spun around to chase after him.
"Damn it!"
Isagi had already crossed the half-line, and Bachira noticed his run. Moving swiftly, Bachira darted past Team X's midfielders, anticipating a pass. However, Team X's defenders were alert, and two of them broke formation to close down Bachira, leaving gaps in their line.
Isagi pressed forward but was soon met by the towering presence of Barou.
"Give it here, peasant"
Barou growled, his voice commanding and full of disdain.
Isagi smiled faintly, keeping his focus.
'So, the "King" thinks I'm just another pawn? Let's see about that.'
He tried quick touches to get past Barou, but the defender didn't fall for them. Instead, Barou lunged aggressively, attempting a tackle. Isagi seized the opportunity, chipping the ball neatly over Barou's head and running around him.
Barou turned sharply, not one to be outdone. But as he charged after Isagi, he realized the ball was no longer with him—it was at Raichi's feet.
Raichi, surprised by the pass, hesitated for a split second. The three attackers—Kira, Kunigami, and Bachira—were open, each signaling for the ball. But Raichi wasn't eager to share the spotlight.
'If I pass, they'll get the glory. What do I get out of it?'
With five players converging on him, Raichi made the fateful decision to try dribbling. He charged forward, but the pressure overwhelmed him. Team X's players closed in, stripping the ball away. It landed at Barou's feet.
The "King" didn't waste a second. Barou surged forward with unstoppable force, cutting through both teams with sheer power and precision. His dribbling was aggressive, his movements calculated, and no one could stop him.
As he entered his shooting range, Barou unleashed a thunderous strike aimed at the top-right corner. Igaguri dove, but the shot was far beyond his reach. The ball slammed into the net.
"Goal! Team X takes the lead, 1-0!"
Barou turned back, his cold eyes locking onto Isagi. A smirk tugged at the corner of his lips.
"You trash can't stop the King"
He declared, his voice dripping with contempt.
The tension on Team Z's side of the pitch was palpable as the aftermath of Barou's goal spilled over. Kunigami and Kira were locked in a heated argument with Raichi, frustration bubbling to the surface.
"Why didn't you pass? I was wide open!"
Kunigami growled, his voice sharp with irritation.
Raichi, never one to back down, stepped into Kunigami's face, anger etched across his features.
"Yeah? And why the hell should I pass to you, huh? Don't you get it? The top scorers are the ones who advance. Do you really think this sorry excuse for a team—the weakest in the entire building—has any shot at being one of the top two?!"
The words hung in the air, the bitterness cutting deep. Isagi quickly moved between them, pushing Raichi back with a firm hand. "Enough!" he snapped, his voice carrying authority.
Before he could defuse the situation further, Naruhaya chimed in from the backline.
"Isagi, why did you even pass to him in the first place? He tried to steal the ball from you right after the game started."
Isagi opened his mouth to respond, but the speakers crackled to life, the automated voice instructing the teams to resume play. The argument was cut short, and everyone reluctantly returned to their positions.
The whistle blew, and Kira sent a quick pass back to Isagi. This time, Isagi didn't trap the ball. Instead, he launched it forward, sprinting after it with unrelenting determination. Barou was there again, his imposing figure blocking Isagi's path.
"Peasant, you don't learn, do you?"
Barou growled, moving in for the steal.
But Isagi was ready. With a swift flick, he nutmegged Barou again, the ball slipping effortlessly between the "King's" legs. Isagi didn't even glance back, his focus locked on the path ahead as he broke through the midfield.
Now faced with four defenders from Team X, Isagi's instincts kicked in. Raichi and Bachira both positioned themselves on the right, calling for the ball.
"Give it here, Isagi!"
Raichi shouted, his voice desperate.
But Isagi had other plans. Smiling faintly, he continued his run, drawing the defenders toward him. His sudden shift to the right sent two defenders scrambling, their momentum carrying them to the ground as they tried to adjust. Isagi then cut back to the left, leaving the remaining defenders struggling to keep up.
One defender lunged for the ball, but Isagi coolly nutmegged him, leaving him in his wake. The last defender hesitated, unsure of how to handle the relentless forward. Isagi sidestepped him with ease, reaching the penalty area.
Kira was there, his hand raised, signaling for the ball.
"I'm open!"
He called, his voice insistent.
But Isagi didn't pass. Instead, he adjusted his stance and let loose a powerful finesse shot, aiming for the top-right corner of the goal.
The ball flew with precision and speed, curving slightly before smashing into the net. The goalkeeper didn't even react, rooted to the spot by the sheer perfection of the strike.
The pitch fell silent for a moment as everyone processed what had just happened.
Barou, watching from the other side of the field, narrowed his eyes. The shot was all too familiar. That was my move… he thought, recognizing the technique and placement. But this wasn't just imitation—it was executed with clinical precision, as if Isagi had perfected it in a single moment.
Isagi turned back to his teammates, his expression calm but his eyes blazing with determination.
'If you won't work as a team, then I'll show you how far I can carry this myself.'
The score was now 1-1, and the game had truly begun.
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