Chapter 14 – The Game of Deceit
The 4th match of Blue Prison Building 5 is about to begin.
"Both teams, enter the venue."
— Team Y Locker Room —
"Everyone, please do your job well!" Ikki Niko declared firmly.
"Can we really win? We're up against Yūshin Seiichi…" a teammate muttered anxiously.
Their crushing defeat in the previous match had left Team Y rattled and discouraged.
"Trust Ikki Niko! We have no choice left."
"If we lose again, it's over for us. No future in football, no national team. Nothing." Okawa clenched his fists.
"I don't want to give up football."
"I want to win!"
That desperation started to transform. Tears dried. Teeth gritted. Fear turned into resolve.
"We've studied Team Z thoroughly," Ikki Niko continued. "If we can neutralize Yūshin Seiichi, the others are manageable."
"Defeat Team Z!"
"Defeat Team Z!"
"Go!"
— Team Z Locker Room —
"Let's go, everyone! Let's get our second win!"
"Wooo!!"
The atmosphere was light, confident. Too confident.
Seiichi watched, a quiet smirk playing on his lips.
They're not evolving fast enough, he thought. Looks like I'll need to shake things up.
— Stadium Tunnel —
"They're coming," Raichi pointed out.
The red-uniformed members of Team Y emerged from the opposite tunnel.
"Huh? These guys? No wonder they got wrecked 8-0 by Team V," Naruhaya scoffed.
"Don't underestimate them," Kunigami warned. "Their ace, Okawa Hibiki, is a lethal striker."
Isagi stared at Team Y. Desperate players are the most dangerous.
— Kickoff Approaches —
From across the field, Ikki Niko raised an OK sign to his eye, locking onto Seiichi with deadly intent.
I'll shut you down, Yūshin Seiichi.
— Kickoff —
"Let's go, Isagi!" Bachira smiled as he tapped the ball forward.
"Hup!"
Isagi surged ahead. Stick to the plan: pass to Seiichi, then let him control the field.
But—
What!?
Seiichi was tightly marked. Two Team Y players shadowed him relentlessly.
"Pass it!" Naruhaya shouted. "You're surrounded!"
Flustered, Isagi shifted the ball to Bachira instead.
"No genius to rely on this time," Bachira said, grinning. "Guess we'll have to win this ourselves."
He sped past one defender with a cheeky nutmeg.
So clean! Is this Bachira's weapon?
Isagi was in awe.
"Double team him! Don't let him through!"
Two more defenders closed in—then a third. Bachira's next move was stuffed out.
"We studied your dribbling," Ikki Niko said coldly. "Three is the magic number."
— Tactical Breakdown —
Even Bachira had been dissected.
Isagi analyzed quickly.
They've studied our weapons… They're playing on the edge. They have to.
What can I do?
— 10 Minutes In —
"Switch!" Kunigami barked.
Team Z rotated forward combinations. Now it was Kunigami's time.
"Spread wide!"
Team Z stretched the defense to open space for Kunigami's shot.
Isagi sprinted outward, dragging defenders.
Yes! That's it!
The ball came back to Kunigami. He readied his left foot—
Blocked!
Team Y swarmed. They had no intention of attacking. Just absorbing pressure.
Why won't they counter?
Isagi's eyes flicked to Okawa. Just him, standing high.
Wait—
Another shot. Another block. Ball rebounds to Ikki Niko.
Long pass!
"Okawa!"
The striker broke loose, charging up the right.
"Chigiri, stop him!"
But Chigiri was a step behind.
Bang!
Goal!
Team Y: 1 — Team Z: 0.
"What are you doing?!" Raichi shouted, grabbing Chigiri's collar.
"Cool it!" Isagi broke them up.
"That counterattack… they've been baiting us," Isagi realized aloud. "And it worked."
"They're playing anti-Seiichi tactics," Bachira added. "They're not attacking because they don't need to."
"Then give me the ball!" Naruhaya said. "I'll score!"
"No, me!" Raichi argued.
"Guys—"
"Enough!" Isagi interrupted. "Stick to the rotation. Everyone uses their weapon. Stay calm!"
— Midfield Reset —
Seiichi passed the ball to Isagi under pressure. Isagi relayed to Kunigami.
Another steal.
What are they doing?
Team Y started wasting time—cycling possession in the backfield with no intention of scoring.
Time bled away.
Team Z was helpless.
— Halftime Locker Room —
"What are you all doing out there?!"
"They kept the ball the whole time during my ten minutes!" Raichi exploded.
"I didn't even get to shoot!" Naruhaya pouted.
"We couldn't press them. They'd just counter," Chigiri said, frustrated.
Isagi stared into the middle distance.
This can't be it… I refuse to lose like this.
He turned to Seiichi.
"Seiichi—"
But Seiichi was motionless. A towel draped over his head. His face unreadable.
Isagi froze.
No… no way. He's not…
Is he giving up?
His chest tightened.
You're the genius. The one who dominated everything.
Don't go quiet now!
The others were discussing tactics, unaware.
Beneath the towel, Seiichi's lips curled into a wicked smile.
Everything… is going exactly as planned.
Get ready, everyone.
This game is about to change.