?OUND ? ???? ?llk.

13 TEAM V

Our strategy of pressing them and forcing them to pass where we want them to is doing good so far.

The ball lands at Isagi's feet, and the jet-black-haired boy gives the monk a thankful look, passing it over to Bachira. You grip the velvet fabric of your pants and lean forward—thoroughly enamoured with their plays—with pointed brows. This is it. This is what we practised. 

You chew down on the inside of your cheek as Gagamaru dives for the ball, using his head to slam it forward to the goal.

The ball flies off the top railing of the goal, and your hope instantly dies down. The goalie catches it in his arms, and without thinking, you stand up and cup your hands around your mouth, "ONE MORE TIME!"

Team V's eyes turn to you in surprise—or confusion, you can't be sure—but you pointedly ignore them to focus on Gagamaru, who looks you dead in the eye when he stands up and nods silently. He turns his head away, but you still nod back, taking a seat and bouncing your heels eagerly.

But you are still left surprised when their purple-haired conductor—Reo—starts laughing, and rushes up to Nagi, with an all-too-wide grin, slaps his friend on the back, "What a play! This got interesting! Hey Nagi, let's try that move!"

Nagi moves away from his friend's face and hangs his head low, letting out a deep sigh, "Eh... sounds like a real hassle..."

Reo—back in his original position—catches the ball between his feet, and when the whistle blows, he pelts it across the field, just like you all did before. You watch with wide eyes as Nagi leaps up into the air and stretches his leg out, catching the ball with minimal effort in what should've been an impossible move. He sends it flying past Iemon's head and into the net—his usual, disdained expression still flat on his face.

Your jaw drops as soon as he turns around, muttering something to your teammates that makes them all collectively gasp in shock. This boy—Nagi Seishiro—was so unbelievably nonchalant about that shot that he pulled off that should be close to impossible. And the funny thing was—none of his teammates was surprised either—like they were used to such incredible feats from him. Reo runs up to Nagi and engulfs him in a side hug, laughing and grinning.

You don't look over when Kyouka—a bag between the two of you acting as a barrier—speaks, voice just as quiet and timid as you remember, "Nagi really is amazing."

You grip the velvety fabric of your pants and you unclench your jaw. Voice monotone and bland, you say, "He is." You don't get to see the way she stares at you with a look of hurt, nor the way she hangs her head low and keeps her eyes to the ground after that.

The ball is passed to Kunigami, and he runs towards his desired spot to shoot the goal. His intense mid-field shot is certainly a force to be reckoned with—and it looks like Team V is aware of this fact because Reo immediately jumps in as soon as he's about to get within his range. He skillfully maneuvers the ball away, dodging each attempt Kunigami makes at grabbing onto him and dribbling it away—tossing it over your team's heads and to Nagi.

Nagi props the ball up, kicking it high with his foot and Igaguri jumps for it—only to be met with nothing, as Nagi flips backwards on his heel and shoots the ball behind him, landing from a somersault onto his feet and steading himself. Raichi growls, eyes twitching and face contorted in anger as he stomps up to Kunigami and grabs him by his shirt—tugging him forward—while sneering.

Kunigami's brows furrow and he says something back with just as much aggression, fists balling up. Isagi quickly breaks them up before either gets a yellow card, and Raichi scoffs, lightly shoving the other boy away and turning on his heel.