CHAPTER 50: CHASING VICTORY

The third and final round kickoffs, as Raya moved forward with the ball, focused intensity etched across his face. When suddenly, Zora came from the side, slamming his shoulder onto his, attempting to tackle. But Raya, calm and composed, glided past him with a precise dribble that left Zora stunned.

Just as Raya gets past Zora, Ichimaru comes attempting to tackle, but with a swift shift to the left, dodges the challenge creating plenty of room, watching a big opening of the nets.

Eyes locked on the opening, Raya fired a powerful shot from the right wing, sending the ball soaring through the air, curving beautifully towards the exposed nets.

Kabuto came sprinting, leaping up high, attempting to head the ball away but the shot was too high and too precise, gliding just beyond Kabuto’s reach.

The ball continued its arc, bending towards the nets, until Kurogami launched himself, flying to the right. His left outstretched hand reached the ball, slightly grazing it away, enough to deflect it and send it skimming past the post, just missing the goal.

Raya let out a frustrated roar kicking the grass in disappointment.

On the sidelines, Haruma, Jiho and Tezuka, slightly jumped out of excitement, letting out an energetic roar before exchanging high fives, clearly thrilled.

Raon broke into applause, his face lit up with genuine joy, while Minato stood beside him, crossed arms, smiling with quiet pride.

Mio was bouncing excitedly on her seat, clapping with pure delight, "Father, can brother Kurogami fly too?"

Kento chuckled warmly, "Yeah," he said ruffling her hair, "Both your brothers can fly."

Back on the field, Kurogami was still lying on the grass, when Itsuki rushed in with a smile, helping him to his feets patting his chest in appreciation.

Kabuto Ichimaru and Naoya came running, jumping onto Kurogami in a heap of pure excitement and joy.

Watching them celebrating, Tezuka and Jiho sprinted onto the field before jumping on top of them in a pile, joining the celebrations.

Haruma, still on the sidelines, smiled warmly before picking up water bottles and jogged over to them.

Minato sensei and Raon stepped on the field as well, both smiling and clapping.

Raya’s team stepped onto the field, gathering around him and Nagisa, offering pats on the backs for their efforts.

With a big smile, Haruma joined with his arms full of water bottles, prompting everyone to grab one.

Haruma held one, then called out, "Raya!" and tossed it at him.

Raya caught it effortlessly, offering a grateful smile, "Thanks buddy!" he replied.

Haruma then tossed bottles to Nagisa and Jingo, who caught them, drinking eagerly.

Minato sensei then took a step forward drawing everyone’s attention, "Brilliant," he began, "An absolutely brilliant performance not just from Kurogami’s side, but from Raya’s side as well."

He led a round of applause, joined by Raon and the players who were on the sidelines.

As the applause faded, Minato sensei began, "Now’s it time for the other half of the game, It’s Haruma, Jiho and Tezuka taking on Izaya, Haru, Makoto, Rei and Taro and Subaru."

Haruma, Jiho and Tezuka instinctively turned their heads, to find Subaru Haru and Makoto was already gazing back at them with a challenging smile.

Izaya’s smile was unsettling, eyes wide biting his tongue between his lips, giving a chilling vibe.

The air grew tense as the both sides exchanged looks, as the next challenge was about to begin...

The whistle blew once again, as Haruma, Jiho and Tezuka stepped up onto the field, heading towards their position backed by their teammates applauds.

From the stands, Mio’s eyes sparkled with excitement as she watched Haruma stepping on the field.

From the other side, Haru, Makoto, Izaya, Rei, Taro and Subaru stepped onto the field one by one, each stretching.

Subaru took his position in front of the nets, with the defenders spreading across the field.

Meanwhile Haruma took his position, placing a firm foot on top of the ball, with Jiho on his left and Tezuka on his right.

Minato sensei raised the whistle to his lips and blew sharply, prompting Haruma to move forward, with Jiho and Tezuka flanking him in sync.

Izaya began moving forward with slow steps, his wide eyes locked on the ball, tongue caught between his teeths in unwavering concentration.

Makoto, gritting his teeths, began moving forward too, followed by Haru who seemed focused on the ball.

Haruma scanned the field, eyes darting the defending line, before passing the ball to his left, from where Jiho collected it and burst into a sprint towards the nets.

Kurogami slightly flinched watching Jiho sprinting towards the nets, "You fool...* he muttered to himself.

As Jiho was sprinting forward, Haru stepped between, cutting off his path with perfect timing, keeping his eyes locked frimly on the ball.

Still burning with intensity, Jiho attempted to dribble pass, but Haru’s sharp focus gaze followed his movements. Sensing risk, Jiho stopped mid-dribble, retreating the ball back to him, as Haru wasn’t giving him any space.

Noticing other defenders approaching Jiho. Haruma began running towards the nets, raising his hand, calling out, "Jihooo! here!" silently asking for the pass.

Jiho saw Haruma sprinting towards the nets, calling for a pass. But, he hesitated, he turned his gaze around realizing Rei and Taro were also approaching him.

Gritting his teeths, Jiho launched himself on Haru’s left, attempting a quick dribble to break through. But Haru, slid his foot in, trapping the ball under his foot in Jiho’s mid-dribble.

Jiho stumbles forward, momentum carrying him forward, while Haru with ease gains possession and clears the ball out of play.

From the sidelines, Raya and his team erupted into cheers, applauding Haru’s flawless tackle.

From the other side, Kurogami stood still, staring at Jiho with greeted teeths. Itsuki watched with concern while Kabuto appeared visibly irritated.

Haruma rushed over to Jiho, "What are you doing? You were supposed to pass, I was in the clear!" his tone, low yet sharp.

Still furious, Jiho replied in a calm but bitter tone, "You think I’m fool enough to follow that jerk’s strategy? He’s trying to get me off the team, but I’ll score and get my spot!"

Haruma let out a disappointed sigh, "You don’t trust Kurogami? Fine. But, don’t you trust me too?"

Jiho scoffed before turning his back on Haruma, "You are his friend! Of course I don’t." Without any other word he jogged towards his position, leaving Haruma in silence.

Tezuka came jogging besides Haruma, "Everything’s fine? Is he still angry?"

Haruma gave a slow nod, "The strategy we made won’t work now," he added, "We both have to be very careful with our passes now, all while backing Jiho’s game."

Tezuka nodded thoughtfully, seeming to understand his words before jogging back to his position, followed by Haruma...

As the second round was underway, Haruma with the ball was moving forward, his movements both cautious and slow, when suddenly Rei came in front blocking his way.

Haruma paused, trapping the ball under his foot before attempting to move from his left, but Rei followed his movements, causing Haruma to not make the move.

Instinctively glancing to the right he spotted Tezuka, but he was trapped by Makoto who was not giving him space.

Clenching his teeths Haruma slightly pulled the ball backwards, spinning on his heels before firing a sharp pass to the left, beating past Haru and Taro, to land on Jiho’s feet, who collected it and stormed towards the nets.

Haruma, scanning the field, realizes that Jiho was still not in a clear position.

Clenching his fist, Haruma turned back to Rei who was raising his arm, blocking his path. Haruma launched himself forward, shoving Rei aside, sprinting towards the nets.

Not giving up, Rei chased after him relentlessly pressing his shoulder to his. Both running shoulder to shoulder pushing each other aside.

Kurogami, watching everything, hardened his expressions, "They are going out of plan!" He was clearly pissed.

Itsuki, watching with concerned expression, spoke up, "Jiho needs to be stopped, he’s making a mistake!"

Kabuto, watching with irritation, said, "This meathead will cause us the game!"

Jiho sprinting forward when Haru catches up to his side pushing him off balance by his shoulder.

With fury burning in his eyes Jiho moves the ball backwards spinning around attempting a dribble, which seems successful until Izaya joins the fray, sliding his foot at the ball, his eyes burning with focus, biting his tongue.

Reacting to his instincts, Jiho moves the ball away from Izaya’s approaching foot. causing him to stumble, slightly losing his balance.

Taking the opportunity, Haru pushed him from the back, making him lose control completely. Meanwhile Izaya slides his foot in for an easy tackle.

Jiho gritted his teeths, thrusting his foot firmly on the ground before slightly flickering the ball upwards causing Izaya to miss the tackle.

Everyone’s eyes widened. watching the brilliant instincts from Jiho.

Kurogami, with wide eyes, stepped forward and shouted, "To Harumaa!"

Haruma, running with Rei still giving him a tough time, clenched his teeths and shoved him aside, switching his run and dashed himself from the opposite direction on Rei. Running past him.

Jiho beat both Haru and Izaya, and turned to spot Haruma in an excellent position.

Clenching his jaw, Jiho moved his foot at the ball but instead of passing to Haruma he moved the ball further to his left making plenty of room for himself, watching the nets on his far left, before swinging his foot hard towards the ball.

Kurogami’s expressions hardened further, "Noooo!" he screams.

Jiho’s foot reached the ball making contact hard, the impact was felt by everyone.