The White Team’s trio advanced once more into the Red Team’s half. But as Yoichi Isagi pondered his next move, a figure suddenly appeared before him—wreathed in swirling purple flames.

“What’s on your mind? You look so eager. Care to share it with me?”

Seeing Ryūma Banjō suddenly standing in front of him, Yoichi’s mouth hung open, his eyes filled with disbelief.

(Wh... what?)

(How did he get here? Wasn’t he just behind Nagi?)

(I only glanced toward Bachira’s side for a second—did he use that moment to rush forward?)

(Even if the distance between Nagi and me isn’t that big, this speed is just insane!)

But Yoichi knew this wasn’t the time to get caught up in shock. He forced himself to focus again—because the pass from Meguru Bachira headed his way was about to be intercepted by Ryūma Banjō.

Watching Yoichi’s movements, Ryūma grinned to himself.

(So weak. His interception skills are about the same as that guy, Putian Daiwa.)

(Heh, while Isagi’s weak, I might as well have some fun bullying him.)

Having made up his mind, Ryūma Banjō feinted toward the ball. As expected, Yoichi took the bait and sprinted toward Ryūma’s left side.

Seeing the straightforward Yoichi, Ryūma chuckled.

“Sorry, Isagi~”

“Huh?”

Before Yoichi could react, Ryūma suddenly stopped, crossing his left foot over the ball and flicking it backward with his heel. Then, in one smooth motion, he spun around and bolted toward the White Team’s goal.

The ball rolled right through Yoichi’s legs—his Nutmeg—before Yoichi could even respond.

(What? Damn it, I fell for it!)

(He ran at the ball just to bait me into cutting off his left side!)

(And since I couldn’t outpace him, I was already trailing behind—now his feint positioned me perfectly at his back-left!)

(This made it even easier for him to nutmeg me and pivot straight toward the ball!)

Turning sharply, Yoichi looked toward Ryūma’s direction—and saw one last glimmer of hope.

“Nagi?!”

“Stop him!”

Seishiro Nagi stood just a few meters ahead of Ryūma. When Ryūma had sprinted past him earlier to reach Yoichi, Nagi knew things would get messy. So he had already fallen back, arriving before Ryūma could fully enter their half.

“Nagi~ your ball control’s top-notch, but your defense…”

Ryūma smirked as he suddenly burst left. Nagi reacted quickly, moving to block him.

“Hmph,” Ryūma exhaled, his eyes glowing purple as he abruptly switched directions, darting right.

Fortunately, Nagi was prepared. His defense wasn’t great, but he knew Ryūma wouldn’t rely on basic moves.

Even so, his block still failed.

Ryūma stepped his right foot in front of the ball and leaned forward. With the inside of his right foot, he flicked the ball onto his left calf—then, with a quick tilt of his body, he kicked sharply upward with the back of his left heel.

The ball lifted into a perfect arc, sailing cleanly over Nagi’s head.

“Rainbow Flick?”

Yoichi and Bachira, who had just made it back to their defensive line, both had the same thought.

(We’re screwed!)

【BOOM!】

The ball had barely bounced a few centimeters off the turf before Ryūma Banjō met it with a thunderous volley, blasting it straight into the White Team’s net.

GOAL!! Red Team 4 : 1 White Team

“Sorry, Isagi. That rainbow flick came out of nowhere—I couldn’t react.”

“It’s not your fault. I was the one who got baited.”

“One more goal and it’s over for us. This isn’t looking good~”

“Then we just have to score four first.”

Yoichi clenched his fists. “Right! Let’s hit back!”

(There’s no way our soccer ends here!)

White Team ball. Yoichi Isagi took the kickoff from the center circle.

The White Team stuck to their usual routine—Isagi passed to Meguru Bachira, who led a triangle offense with Nagi to push forward.

As they neared Red Team’s half, Yoichi’s thoughts raced.

(Perfect! With this triangle setup, we can move through midfield—as long as we stay wary of Ryūma Banjō’s sudden bursts.)

(That leaves just one problem—how do we finish?)

(The last pass to me was read perfectly by Rin. Even though Nagi and Bachira’s chemistry got us a goal...)

(That kind of play is too unstable to recreate.)

(This time, I’ll have to create the chemistry myself. But how?)

As Yoichi thought, a cold voice cut through his focus from behind.

“How long are you planning to just pass it around? You still call yourself a striker?”

Yoichi turned in surprise to see Rin Itoshi approaching, his voice steady and sharp.

“Come on. I’ll finish this.”

(Don’t underestimate me, Rin!)

(You’re this close—and you’ve left your back wide open!)

Yoichi grit his teeth and shouted, “Bachira!”

(Pass it here!)

Bachira immediately understood and sent the ball exactly where Yoichi wanted it.

After calling out, Yoichi sprinted into the Red Team’s box, determination blazing in his eyes.

(I’ll create the scent of a goal myself!)

But before he could act, Rin Itoshi appeared beside him, matching his stride toward the ball’s landing spot.

“Find a good gap yet?”

“Better relearn how to use those eyes, trash.”

Ignoring Rin’s taunts, Yoichi was frozen by realization.

(Huh? What? I should’ve completely outpaced him—I beat him!)

(How did he get here? That’s impossible!)

(He must’ve read my entire imagined play!)

While Yoichi tried to make sense of it, Rin had already leapt, cushioning Bachira’s pass against his chest.

Bachira’s eyes widened. “No way! Nagi!”

“Yeah, I’ll go for the steal!” Nagi replied, charging in.

Meanwhile, Yoichi’s thoughts spiraled.

(Even if he predicted it, how could he react instantly?)

Then, Rin’s earlier words echoed in his mind:

[Do you really think I can’t see what you see?]

Yoichi’s pupils tightened. In that instant, he understood everything.

(Could it be—the scoring scene I imagined wasn’t mine to see? He made me see it?)

(He lured me into that space! Rin crafted the future of this field—and dragged me into it!)

(Damn it! The one ruling this field isn’t me—it’s him!)

Overcome by frustration, Yoichi shouted,

“Bachira! Nagi! Stop him!”

But there was no way Meguru Bachira or Seishiro Nagi could stop Rin Itoshi now.

(Are we really going to lose? No… I refuse to lose!)

(With my skill, I can’t even gauge the distance between us…)

(That means the gap between us is like heaven and earth—utterly crushing. But why?)

(Facing defeat, my eyes—my heart—can’t look away…)

(They’re drawn to the beautiful arc of his shot!)

As Rin Itoshi’s strike hit the back of the net, a mechanical female voice announced:

Beep~ Beep! Stage 3: 3v3 Capture the Flag

Red Team wins 5–1!