Chapter 31: An Existence Beyond Measure
"Kira… isn't this decision a little too sudden…?"
On the field, Hyoma Chigiri walked up beside Ryosuke Kira, a faint trace of worry visible on his delicate features.
"This is a good opportunity for you, isn't it?"
Kira responded with a gentle smile.
"The opponents will definitely defend extremely tight in the first half. We need you to tear open their defensive line. And they'll be marking me to death early on, without a doubt. Your presence will catch them completely off guard."
"But…"
"Don't forget—you've been training with me every day these past few days. No one knows your body better than you."
Kira patted Chigiri's shoulder. Though Chigiri had said he'd "given up on soccer," he still joined Kira for extra training every time team practice ended.
"The first half is all about you guys showing your strength. I'll secure the back."
Kira's gaze shifted toward the opposite half of the field.
"Look—Team Y is already staring at us like wolves ready to pounce."
At that moment, in the other half, almost every player on Team Y had their eyes glued to Kira.
They had watched the game footage—Team Z vs Team X—where Kira had practically dominated the field single-handedly.
Ikki Niko's tactical plan was simple and direct: focus everything on defense, especially on shutting down Kira.
He believed that if they could completely block Team Z's primary attacker, they would gain a huge advantage.
A few minutes later, both teams had gathered in their respective halves, arranging themselves in formation.
And Team Y's attention, without exception, fell upon Kira.
"What's going on?"
"Isn't Kira standing… in the back?"
"He's playing… defender!?"
Team Y was stunned. None of them had expected Kira to appear as a defender.
"Is that bastard looking down on us…?"
Hibiki Ōkawa's brows furrowed, anger sparking in his eyes. To him, Kira playing defender was nothing short of mockery.
Meanwhile, Niko studied Team Z's formation with a serious expression.
From the way Z moved and behaved, they weren't being arrogant.
What caught Niko's attention was Chigiri—playing winger.
He had almost no impression of him. In the previous match, Chigiri had done nothing at all, practically nonexistent.
Why would Z put someone like that in the forward line?
"Even if their formation surprises us, don't let emotions get in the way. Stick to the plan. Everyone focuses on defense—only Ōkawa attacks. No matter what, we must win this match!"
"Right!"
"The match will begin shortly. Both teams, please prepare!"
The broadcast echoed across the enclosed arena. Every player sharpened their focus.
"Kickoff by Team Z. Match start!"
The crisp chime rang, and Z's assault began.
Meguru Bachira dribbled forward through the center, weaving the ball with his exceptional footwork—but Team Y had already anticipated this.
They assumed Bachira, aside from Kira, would be their next main ball carrier.
Before he advanced even a few meters, two defenders pinched in on him—
and from the corner of his eye, he spotted Niko.
The double-team was bait. The real trap was Niko's zone, where he waited to seize the ball.
But Bachira's reactions were sharp, and Kira had warned him earlier about Team Y's probable tactics.
"Just like Kira said—double pressure!"
Before Niko reached him, Bachira passed the ball back to Yoichi Isagi, who reorganized the attack.
After a series of passes, Team Z managed to create several shooting opportunities, all blocked by Team Y's airtight defense.
Finally, the ball reached Rensuke Kunigami.
"A great chance!"
He raised his left leg and launched a fierce shot—
—but two defenders immediately threw themselves into the line, blocking it cleanly.
Team Y had thoroughly researched Team Z. Kunigami's long-range abilities had been obvious since the first match; they were prepared.
"Going again!"
Isagi picked up the loose ball and set up for a shot.
But just as he prepared to take it—Niko struck, stealing the ball cleanly.
"Got you… finally!"
A rare smile appeared on Niko's face.
This was their strategy:
Heavy defense.
Wait for the opponent's mistake.
Explode with a counterattack.
Because Team Z had committed so many players forward, their own half was exposed—
and now it was time for their strongest attacker, Ōkawa, to finish.
…
"Niko. Physically average, but with exceptional spatial awareness and field vision. He's the most promising gem in Team Y."
Jinpachi Ego muttered as he watched the live feed.
"Team Y's defense is tight. Team Z barely has any attack space. But I'm curious—Kira is supposed to be their ace, right? Why is he playing defense?"
Anri Teieri leaned forward, puzzled.
"I have no idea."
Ego shrugged lightly.
But his thoughts drifted back to what Kira had once told him—
Everything is for victory.
What would he show while standing on the back line?
Ego possessed extraordinary intelligence. To him, every player's performance was a part of the script he had already written.
Except for one.
Ryosuke Kira—
was the only existence in this entire facility he could not predict.
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〔TL〕
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