Chapter 37:Second Selection: Part 4 – Firepower Unleashed
"Ah! What do we do now? Even Itoshi Rin can't handle Yūshin Seiichi!"
"And with Yūshin Zeya on their side too… we're screwed." Aoshi Tokimitsu clutched his head in agony, nearly in tears.
"So stylish…" murmured Jyūbei Aryū, twirling a strand of hair. "Those braids… and those shots… absolutely fashionable."
"Want me to drop back and defend?" Aryū offered playfully.
"No need. I'll crush him myself," Rin said coldly, his gaze locked on Seiichi like a blade.
Beep! The match resumed.
Hiori Yo positioned himself in front of the goal to cut off Rin's long shot.
Rin passed to Aryū, then sprinted forward like an arrow. Tokimitsu followed close behind, trying to distract defenders and ease Rin's pressure.
Zeya and Seiichi exchanged a glance—silent, but understood. They moved in sync to close down.
Aryū took a touch, then sent the ball straight back to Rin.
But Seiichi read it instantly.
In a flash, he was in front of Rin again.
"Let's dance, Rin." Seiichi smirked, a spark of provocation in his voice.
Rin wasn't fazed. His eyes were deep and unreadable—like still water hiding a lurking current.
This guy's more locked in than before, Seiichi thought, eyes narrowing.
Suddenly, strange lines flashed in Seiichi's irises—his spatial awareness activating.
Rin nudged the ball with his left, eyes scanning every twitch of Seiichi's body.
But Seiichi's posture was perfect—knees bent, arms spread, a steel wall.
No gaps.
Then I'll make one! Rin thought.
He crossed his legs and burst into a lightning-quick set of stepovers—two rotations, faster than the eye.
Even Seiichi hesitated for half a second.
He's even faster than Zeya with those…!
Rin capitalized—flicked the ball right, then pulled it back instantly.
Seiichi lunged—
—but Rin passed back to Aryū just in time.
Aryū poked the ball up, curling it midair toward Rin's running line.
But Seiichi had read everything.
As Rin darted forward, Seiichi turned and stuck to him like glue.
The two clashed again—shoulder to shoulder, step for step.
Meanwhile, Hiori's eyes locked onto the ball flying toward them. He moved quickly to intercept.
But the ball bounced unexpectedly, curling away from his line and dropping right at Rin's feet.
That pass… ridiculous.
Hiori glanced at Aryū—seriously this time.
At the same moment, Seiichi gripped Rin tightly, shoulder to chest.
They wrestled for space, power surging through both frames.
Seiichi had a slight upper hand—until Rin cut left.
Hiori slid low to intercept—
—but Rin pulled the ball back, created just enough space, and—
Bang!
A curved shot! The ball sliced through the air in a banana arc.
Too late!
Ding! Goal! 2–2!
"So cool, Rin!" Aryū celebrated with a soft clap.
"Let's finish this quickly. I've got better things to do," Rin said icily.
"Rin's something else," Seiichi muttered, wiping sweat from his brow.
Zeya's eyes followed Rin silently.
"Yeah. I played against him once before," he said flatly. "Back then, he was sharp—but still raw. His emotions leaked out. He flinched. Made mistakes."
He narrowed his gaze.
"Now… he's cleaner. Focused. But that doesn't mean he's stronger."
Seiichi turned to him, curious. "Then?"
"It just means he's finally worth beating seriously."
Seiichi blinked. "You fought him and didn't tell me?"
"Wasn't important. I won."
He glanced at Rin again. "And I'll win again."
Seiichi smirked, the fire back in his eyes. "Alright then. Let's crush him together."
Ding! White Team Kick-off.
Seiichi passed back to Hiori, then sprinted ahead.
He remembered from the original story that Hiori had top-tier passing ability and field vision.
It was time to trust him.
Hiori blinked, surprised.
Why is he trusting me…?
Even if Zeya told him about my style, he's only just seen me in action.
And after that goal we let in… I've been the weak link.
Still—he felt the trust radiating from Seiichi's run.
Then I'll return it.
Hiori's eyes sharpened—like a predator scanning the field.
Seiichi darted into space, cutting behind Aryū.
Hiori fired a sharp ground pass with perfect pace and direction.
Snap—!
But Rin slid into the lane, cutting it off.
He read it?
Hiori's heart sank—but before Rin could secure the ball, Seiichi dove in.
Tack! A clean toe-poke stole it back.
Seiichi didn't hesitate.
With a fluid turn, he scooped the ball up with his left and sent a sharp low cross across the box.
"Zeya!" he barked, voice cutting through the air.
The pass flew like a guided missile—right into Zeya's path.
"Already on it," Zeya muttered, eyes blazing.
He met the ball in full stride.
Zeya unleashed his aura—pure intensity radiating off him.
Tokimitsu stepped up, trying to hold the line.
"So scary!" he cried. But even as he panicked, he pressed close, trying to body Zeya.
"You're too slow."
With a flick, Zeya shoved off with his right foot—exploding forward.
Tokimitsu was left behind.
"Nooo! Almost had him!" he gasped, stretching desperately.
Bang!
Zeya's shot roared through the air—straight into the top right corner.
Ding! Goal! 3–2, White Team.