CHAPTER 46: RACE TO BE THE BEST!

Izaya bit his tongue between his lips. And in a sudden burst of energy he sprinted forward. His eyes wide with intense focus locked ahead on Minato sensei who stood holding a football.

As Izaya neared, Minato sensei tossed the ball low towards the ground. It struck the turf and bounced sharply upwards.

Izaya with his unshaken focus leapt up in the air and met the ball with a header, pushing it away to the right.

In an instant time slowed down, with Izaya still in the air, watching the ball going away. In the next instant his eyeballs snapped forward, to find Raon standing with another ball at his feets.

Raon struck the ball fast, sending a grounded pass to the right side of Izaya.

Still in the air, Izaya licked his lips, before landing lightly on his feet, outstretching his leg far towards his right, trapping the ball beneath his foot just before it could enter the mini goal, placed already on his both left and right.

With his face etched with focus, Izaya bit down on his tongue once more, snapping the time back to normal, as he in one swift smooth motion rolled the ball to his left foot and fired it forward. The ball traveled some distance before hitting another cone already placed in position.

The rest of the team watching from the sidelines erupted into cheers and applause, clearly impressed by the display.

Haruma, clapping along with his team, was watching Izaya, who was standing on the field, his tongue still in lip, eyes wide with laser sharp focus.

"The youngest, but undoubtedly the most skilled and focused!" He thought with a hint of awe in his expressions, "He’s definitely getting selected!"

Yagami, now coming next, ran towards Minato sensei who bounced the ball hard towards his direction making it soaring high up into the air.

Gritting his teeths, Yagami leapt up high and met the ball with a crisp header. Just as he landed on the ground, where Raon without missing a beat fired a sharp grounded pass to his left.

Caught off guard, Yagami’s eyes widened as he swiftly shifted his body more to his left and outstretched his leg wide, barely managing to stop the ball, but losing his balance. Causing him to stumble slightly, losing the ball completely, but he quickly regained the ball again and frustratedly smacked it forward hitting the targeted cone...

Ichimaru was up next, as he came running forward and leapt up high, meeting the ball cleanly with a solid header. But as he landed the ball had already crossed past from his right side. Caught off guard, Ichimaru panicked and threw his right foot in a desperate attempt to stop it, but his rush movement threw him off balance. He stumbled and the ball went inside the mini goal...

Now it was Taro’s turn, who came running and leapt into the air, heading the ball away before landing smoothly and launching himself at his right, only to halt mid-step, because Raon’s pass was on the left side, as he failed miserably to predict the move...

Taking a deep breath, It was Itsuki taking a few steps backwards before he burst into a sprint and leapt up high, connecting with a perfect header. As he was still in the air, he snapped his eyeballs to Raon who had already fired a pass to his left.

Landing smoothly, Itsuki sprang to the left, outstretching his leg wide, barely stopping the ball with just the tips of his toes, still not in full control. Gritting his teeths in determination, he slightly shifted his right foot more to his right, giving his left foot to stretch more and trap the ball under his foot. Without missing a second, he rolled the ball to his right foot allowing him to regain his footing, before tapping the ball back to his left foot. and with a swing of his leg he met the ball with a powerful volley strike, firing it towards the targeted cone. But unfortunately he missed.

The players from the sidelines groaned in disappointment, some holding their heads in disbelief.

Haruma’s face fell, his hand reaching to his forehead.

Raya shook his head, his voice low with sympathy, "A volley kick to hit the small cone on the ground... surely is difficult!"

Itsuki kicked the ground frustratedly, clenching his fists tight, letting out a low growl of anger...

Coming at last was Nagisa. He came running forward and leapt high up in the air heading the ball with pinpoint precision. As he landed only to find the ball was already coming to his left. He smoothly launched both of his legs to that direction, sliding in his left foot to stop the ball while using his right foot to steady his balance. The move was so cleaned and controlled that it left everyone watching in silent awe.

With perfect control, Nagisa slightly tapped the ball upwards, quickly regaining his balance and twisted his body into a smooth spin, with his left foot swinging in the same motion meeting the ball with a powerful spinning volley kick, sending it flying forward, striking the targeted cone with effortless precision.

Everyone from the sidelines fell into stunned silence, jaws dropping as they stared in utter disbelief. Raya and Itsuki’s eyes were popping out trying to process what they’d just witnessed.

Haruma was watching with wide eyes, completely speechless as the words were stuck in his throat.

From the stands, Kento sat frozen, his mouth agape, eyes locked on the field.

Still speechless, Haruma thought to himself, "How is he doing that? What kind of ball control is this?"

Minato sensei’s wide eyes were locked on Nagisa with a big smile spread across his face before he broke into loud applause, clearly impressed.

Raon, beaming with excitement, quickly joined in, clapping and cheering him on.

Nagisa standing with a calm expression turned to his heel and began walking towards his gathered team on the sidelines. Once reaching, he paused, then turned to his left and walked directly to Kurogami before standing face to face with him.

All eyes were locked on Nagisa as he stood face to face with Kurogami, who was staring back at him.

Without breaking his gaze, Nagisa spoke up in a calm steady voice, "I’m the best around here!"

His words hit everyone like a shockwave, instantly causing everyone’s jaws to drop in disbelief. Jiho’s expressions tightened with fury, while Haruma watched with wide unblinking eyes.

In response, Kurogami just kept staring back at him, but in the silence between them, the challenge was loud and clear...

Taking deep breaths, Jiho was now standing with the ball at his feets, with his eyes locked ahead on the goal post with Chinra standing as the goalkeeper, penalty shootouts was next.

With a short jog forward, Jiho unleashed a power shot, firing the ball to the left. Chinra dove to the left, but it was too late, the ball went past, smashing the back of the nets.

"Yeahhh!" Jiho let out a fierce triumphant roar...

With Chinra still in the goalpost, Raya jogged forward and fired a shot towards the top right corner. Chinra dove, but once again it wasn’t enough. The ball sailed cleanly into the nets...

Next up, Tezuka jogged forward and struck the ball, sending it straight forward. Chinra predicted wrong and dove to the left, leaving the nets wide open causing an easy score for Tezuka. Frustrated Chinra punched the ground and let out a sharp groan...

Now stepping up as a goalkeeper, Subaru stood tall in front of the nets, radiating confidence.

Jingo took a deep breath before jogging forward, taking his time and striking the ball towards the far left side of the nets.

Subaru, with perfect timing, launched himself in that direction, outstretching his arms wide, deflecting the ball away from the nets with a sharp save, causing the players at the sidelines to break into appreciative applause.

Subaru quickly got back to his feet and slightly punched the air in joy...

Now taking the penalty was Nagisa. His eyes sharply fixed ahead on the nets where stood Subaru with his arms raised.

Nagisa let out a deep breath and began his jog, swinging his foot and smashing the ball with explosive power, which soared to the far left side, with Subaru desperately diving, but it was too late as the ball slammed the back of the nets.

Everyone’s eyes snapped open in disbelief, while Subaru was stunned with his breath caught in his throat watching Nagisa in disbelief.

Kento from the stands watched with slightly wide eyes, "Nagisa... surely he’s going to be a player to watch out!"

Yagami now stood ready to take the shot. As he jogged forward and struck the ball cleanly, sending it flying towards the left. Subaru with sharp focus, reacted instantly and dived to the left, catching the ball effortlessly. He quickly got back to his feets, dropping the ball to the ground before walking back towards his gathered teammates, clearly not happy nor excited.

"Damn... Nagisa must’ve hurt his pride!" Itsuki muttered standing next to Haruma.

Minato sensei then blew the whistle sharply, before calling out, "Itsuki, you are taking the next shot!"

Itsuki grinned and eagerly took his first few steps, clearly excited about his turn. But the moment his eyes fell forward, his smile and excitement began to fade.

The man taking his position as goalkeeper was none other than The Black Kallor Kurogami!

A chill ran down Itsuki’s spine, his steps slowed with growing hesitation. He swallowed hard, keeping his eyes forward where Kurogami was staring at him, wearing his black goalkeeping gloves.

Standing along with the rest of the team, Jiho broke into applause, "Come on Itsuki, you’ve got this!" he cheered him on.

Seconds later, Raya joined in clapping, "Yeah itsuki you can do this, come on!"

Fueled by their support, Itsuki clenched his fist and began walking towards his position with renewed energy.

Taking his position Itsuki placed his one foot atop of the ball gazing forward at Kurogami, who appeared calm and composed.

letting out a sharp breath, Itsuki composed himself and began taking a few steps backwards.

From the sidelines, Haruma was watching intently, his eyes following every step Itsuki was taking.

Itsuki began jogging forward and swung his foot and struck the ball with all his force, sending it flying rocketing towards the right side of the nets.

Calm and composed, Kurogami gracefully dived at the right side, stretching his arm, deflecting the ball with ease.

Itsuki threw his head back, wrapping his arms around his head before dropping to his knees. The weight of back to back failures crashing down on him.

A wave of quiet sympathy swept through everyone watching from the sidelines. No one expected to see Itsuki’s failures like this, it was hard to watch.

Haruma exhaled softly, watching Itsuki’s slumped form, still on his knees in silent frustration.