Chapter 42: Finally Arrived!
It had already been three days since they reached the fourth stage.
Still, no team dared to challenge Yūshin Seiichi's squad.
…
"What's going on? Where did everyone disappear to?"
Hiori Yo wandered the facility, unable to find any trace of his teammates. It was as if they had collectively vanished.
As he passed the gym, he finally heard voices echoing inside.
"197… 198… 199…"
Hiori peered through the door and was stunned by the sight before him.
Inside the gym, Seiichi, Zeya, and Rin were grinding through brutal leg presses, their expressions twisted in pain. Yet none of them yielded. Their teeth clenched, muscles trembling—they pushed each other to the brink through sheer pride.
Minutes later…
"Ahhh~ time for a break."
Seiichi collapsed into a chair, his legs quivering.
The moment he did, Zeya and Rin also dropped their sets—at last.
"Trash," Rin muttered.
"Weakling," Zeya added.
"Yes, yes, I'm trash, I'm weak," Seiichi sighed, eyes closed, drained.
Hiori could barely comprehend the intensity. These three weren't normal.
They were monsters who trained harder than anyone.
"I… uh… just got back from the cafeteria." Hiori entered quietly.
"Hm? What's up, Hiori?" Zeya asked while chugging water.
"I asked the teams who cleared the third stage if they'd challenge us…"
Hiori looked down, awkward. "No one's willing."
Being on a strong team had its downsides.
Not only did you get crushed during practice—but other teams actively avoided you.
"Oh~ don't worry," Seiichi said, brushing sweat from his neck. "Someone will show up soon."
Because once Isagi Yoichi reaches this stage, he will definitely challenge them.
And Seiichi couldn't wait to see how far that guy had evolved.
He smiled. "I'm looking forward to it, Isagi…"
…
Meanwhile—3v3 Selection Match
The field was tight.
Isagi's team had finally reached their turn after dozens of other matches.
And the game was close. One last point remained.
Suddenly—Chigiri Hyōma made a blazing run and cut past Bachira, shooting sharply into the upper-left corner of the net.
Ding! Score: 4–4
"Let's go! One more to win!" Chigiri shouted.
"Beautiful, Chigiri!" Kunigami pumped his fist.
But…
"Damn it… damn it…"
Isagi's heart pounded in his chest.
They were about to lose. He couldn't let that happen—not now.
He clenched his jaw. The words of Seiichi echoed in his head:
"Your weapon is spatial awareness."
"You're a genius who adapts in real time."
Ding! Match resumes.
Isagi passed to Nagi. Then sprinted forward without hesitation.
Reo Mikage raised an eyebrow. "What is he doing? No ball, no angle…"
But Nagi—cool and unfazed—dodged his marker and passed to Bachira.
"Not today!" Kunigami rushed in, cutting Bachira's angles.
But Bachira grinned. "I feel it, Isagi! Your selfish heart—pounding!"
He exploded with speed and used rapid step-overs to break through. In a flash, he fired a pass toward open space in the left channel.
Isagi broke through.
Reo saw it too late. "What?! No way he predicted that!"
Isagi turned his body around mid-run. The ball rolled toward him perfectly.
Reo closed the gap—
But too late.
Boom!
A perfect backheel.
Ding! Goal.
Victory: Isagi's Team – 5 to 4
"Yes!!!" Isagi roared.
He'd predicted everything—Bachira's pass, Reo's path, and even his own timing.
"You're insane, Isagi!" Bachira laughed.
"That backheel… damn, man," Nagi added, lightly ruffling Isagi's hair.
"I did it," Isagi said, determined. "Seiichi… Zeya… Rin…"
"Wait for me."
…
During the post-match player draft, they selected Chigiri Hyōma for his burst of speed and late-game evolution.
In the locker room afterward—
"Everyone," Isagi said seriously, "I'm going to challenge Yūshin Seiichi's team at Stage 4."
"You're really going for it, huh?" Bachira grinned. "You got guts, Isagi."
"Wait, what if Rin already beat them?" Chigiri asked.
"No," Isagi shook his head. "Seiichi won't lose. And Zeya's with him. I'm sure they're still there."
"I'm gonna beat him," Nagi said, sparks in his eyes. "It's time."
…
Back at the training ground
Seiichi and Zeya were practicing free kicks together in silence.
Then—
A ball rolled toward Seiichi from across the field, stopping neatly at his feet.
He looked up—
And saw Isagi Yoichi standing at the stadium entrance.
Seiichi smiled.
"You finally made it."
His deep blue eyes ignited with flames.
The real battle begins now.