Chapter 40: Four-Man Formation
"I lost… I really lost…"
Aoshi Tokimitsu collapsed onto the field, drained of all strength, as if his soul had been pulled from his body.
He raised his arms slowly, hugged his knees, and buried his head between them—like he wanted to disappear entirely. The words repeated from his lips like a broken mantra.
Nearby, Jyūbei Aryū stood trembling, barely able to support himself with his hands on his knees. The long, glamorous hair that once flowed proudly now hung dull and defeated.
The fantasy of "fashion" had shattered.
And Itoshi Rin?
The one who had raged like a devil just moments ago now sat frozen in place, like a statue.
Head bowed. Sweat dripping. Shoulders limp.
His empty eyes looked through the floor.
He was a machine… deactivated.
—
"That pass just now was great, Hiori."
Yūshin Seiichi approached Hiori Yo and gently bumped his right fist to the boy's chest.
"Nah," Hiori smiled faintly. "It was all instinct, really."
But he couldn't hide the excitement blooming in his chest.
He finally made a difference.
He finally mattered.
—
"Let's choose who to bring over," Yūshin Zeya said coolly, cracking his neck.
"I think we all know the obvious answer," Seiichi replied seriously.
"Yeah. That guy was amazing," Hiori nodded firmly.
In terms of skill, vision, and raw ability—no one else compared.
Zeya turned toward Rin. "Oi, Itoshi Rin. Come here."
"…?"
Rin remained motionless on the floor.
Zeya's brows twitched. Was this guy in shock?
He hadn't meant to break him this bad. That'd be hard to explain to Sae…
Just as he was about to step closer—
Tap. Tap.
Seiichi walked over, crouched down in front of Rin, and sneered.
"What? That's it? You fall apart this easily?"
"A defective little brother like you? You really think you're gonna surpass Sae?"
"I don't know what he sees in you. If you were my brother, I would've disowned you years ago."
THWACK!!
A punch exploded across Seiichi's jaw.
He was sent flying like a ragdoll.
"Seiichi—!" Hiori yelped, rushing toward him.
Zeya's eyes sharpened. A beastly aura surged from his body as he stepped forward to retaliate—
"Stop. I'm fine."
Seiichi wiped the blood from his lip, grinning as he stood up.
He looked Rin straight in the eyes.
"Good. That's more like it. If you can't face failure… you'll never reach Sae."
Rin's furious expression slowly faded back into something cold, something calm.
"I'll surpass him… and both of you, too."
He pointed at Seiichi and Zeya.
Then, without another word, Rin turned and walked toward the tunnel leading to the fourth stage.
—
"You knew, didn't you?" Zeya asked quietly. "About the brothers."
"Oh?" Seiichi tilted his head mockingly. "Didn't know you were into gossip."
"Ahem. I'm just curious."
"Beg and I'll tell you."
"Pass."
"Fine, it started when—"
"I said I'm not interested!"
—
Behind them, Hiori watched the two bicker with a soft smile.
His eyes curved like crescent moons.
This was what it felt like to play football and truly belong.
—
Elsewhere, in the third-stage waiting room…
Bachira Meguru scanned the crowd of advancing players with a grin.
"Isagi! Who do we fight?"
"If we win, we get to steal one of their players," Nagi Seishiro offered, raising a finger. "So it makes sense to challenge a team with someone we want."
"Right! That's what I was thinking!" Isagi Yoichi agreed.
"Then, Isagi—who do you want to bring in?" Nagi asked.
Isagi and Bachira glanced at each other, then replied at the same time:
"Chigiri Hyōma or Kunigami Rensuke!"
Just then, a familiar voice cut in from behind.
"Great minds think alike."
Kunigami and Chigiri stepped forward, flanking a calm, sharp-eyed Mikage Reo.
Clearly, the three had formed a team.
"Reo…" Nagi murmured.
"So you did pick someone else," Reo said, eyes cold. "Guess I made the right call, too."
Nagi didn't respond. The tension between them was heavy—years of partnership broken in a single decision.
"I'm going to show you," Reo said quietly, "that I don't need you anymore."
Nagi's smile faded.
In that case…
Isagi stepped forward. "Let's battle!"
"Bring it on!" Kunigami clenched his fists.
"We're ready," Chigiri nodded.
"Don't expect mercy," Reo added, eyes locked on Nagi.
"Let's do this!" Isagi grinned.
"Yeah!!"