The second half kicked off. We had possession.
"Shin, here!" a midfielder called out, passing me the ball.
I controlled it and immediately flicked it over an opponent with a sombrero, then kept advancing. I played a quick one-two with a teammate, who sent it back to me deeper into the space. Receiving it again, I found myself face-to-face with Cruyfford.
I accelerated to the right, he followed. Then I stopped sharply, leaving him sliding past.
"Well tried." I said with a smirk as I resumed my dribble.
"It's not over." he replied, unfazed.
I whipped in a cross toward the center. Kerry Dixon, our striker, was perfectly placed. He rose, timed it right, and headed the ball straight into the net.
"2–1 for Chelsea! The visitors take the lead with a brilliant header from Kerry Dixon off a perfect cross!" the commentator announced.
The game restarted, and Manchester United pushed forward. Cruyfford had the ball again, I stepped up immediately to intercept.
"My turn." he said with a grin, threading a beautiful through-ball just past my outstretched foot. It landed at the feet of an unmarked attacker, who blasted it into the net.
"And Manchester United equalizes! A pinpoint assist from Brian Cruyfford!"
Back to level. The match continued, tense and fast-paced.
A few minutes later, I had the ball at my feet again. This time, Cruyfford read me well and stole it, sprinting off toward our goal.
But just before he could shoot, I slid in, clean and hard.
"Argh." he grunted as I took the ball back.
I immediately launched a counterattack, flying down the pitch. Two quick nutmegs, one on a defender, another on the last man, and suddenly, I was in front of the keeper.
I faked the shot, he didn't dove. I kept the ball, advanced another step, and as he rushed forward to snatch it, I slipped it right between his legs.
"No!" he shouted, helpless.
GOAL.
"Incredible! A second goal for Shin Orochi! Securing the win for Chelsea in stunning fashion!" the commentator roared, just as the final whistle blew.
We had won.
"You're good." Brian Cruyfford said, extending his hand toward me.
"So are you." I replied, shaking his hand.
"We'll meet again this season." he added, turning to join his team.
A few months later, toward the end of the season, at Chelsea's academy training ground.
I was on the training pitch, taking shot after shot. Focused. Repeating the same move over and over.
I was refining my shot, the one I'd crafted through hours of practice.
"I see you finally pulled it off… your own signature shot." Coach Medina said, walking over with a proud smirk.
"Yeah, Coach. I've got it. I'll use it during the international tournament." I replied, still catching my breath.
"You never stop surprising me, Shin." he said. "I can't wait to see that shot… in a real match."
I nodded. I couldn't wait either.
Meanwhile… In Japan.
The stadium roared with excitement as the Middle School Nationals Final unfolded, Toho Academy vs. Nankatsu.
"It's the legendary Tiger Shot from Kojiro Hyuga!!" the commentator shouted as the ball rocketed into the net like a cannon blast.
"Such power! What a goal!"
Moments later, Nankatsu was on the attack.
"Tsubasa has the ball. He's setting up for a shot… it's the Falling Leaf Shot! And… It's in!!"
The ball danced in the air before dipping unexpectedly into the goal.
"It's 3–3! What a match! What a final! We're heading into extra time!"
It was now the second half of extra time. Whether it was Toho or Nankatsu, every player on the pitch was running on fumes.
"I'm sick of losing!!" Hyuga roared, digging deep into his last reserves of strength and unleashing yet another devastating shot.
"Kojiro Hyuga strikes from long range with the Tiger Shot! Will this decide the match?!" the commentator shouted.
But just as the ball tore through the air, Tsubasa sprinted in from behind. With a cry—"Aaaaah!"—he launched his Falling Leaf Shot, colliding perfectly with Hyuga's strike mid-flight, redirecting it toward Toho's goal. The crowd held its breath in stunned silence.
Hyuga, barely standing, threw himself in front of the redirected ball and took it full force. He collapsed instantly.
Then… the whistle blew.
"The match is over! With no winner after extra time, both teams are declared champions!" the commentator announced.
"It's over." some players whispered, collapsing onto the pitch, some sitting, others lying on their backs, drained but proud.
"Draw… huh," murmured Wakashimazu, catching his breath as cheers erupted from the stands.
"It's a draw… maybe that's for the best," murmured Munemasa Katagiri from the stands, watching the players below.
"Nankatsu wins their first national title, while Toho Academy becomes the first school to claim national championships at all three levels, elementary, middle, and high school!" the commentator proudly announced.
Down on the field, Hyuga turned to Tsubasa, a hint of regret in his eyes.
"I couldn't win this last match against you." he said. "It's a draw."
"No." replied Tsubasa gently. "If you had aimed for the goal instead of me, you would've won."
Hyuga was silent for a moment, then nodded slowly.
"You're probably right. I made our duel more important than the team…"He paused, lifting his head to the sky before continuing. "Go to Brazil."
"Huh?" Tsubasa looked surprised.
"If you stay here, I'll keep thinking about surpassing you. But I've come to realize something today. I remembered what made football fun in the first place. I don't need to beat you, or anyone. From now on, I'm aiming higher… even if I don't know what that means yet."
"Hyuga… I'll leave for Brazil after middle school." said Tsubasa with determination.
"Then our duel is on pause." Hyuga said with a faint smile.
"Yeah." Tsubasa nodded.
The two of them then exchanged jerseys, a moment of deep mutual respect.
"Hyuga and Tsubasa exchange shirts, what a gesture of sportsmanship and respect!" the commentator said, his voice slightly choked with emotion.
The crowd erupted into heartfelt applause.
Later, the award ceremonies took place.
Trophies were handed out, and team photos taken, marking the end of one era and the beginning of new journeys for both rivals… and friends.