Chapter 41: Ten Goals? Just a Small Goal!
"Team Z has defeated Team Y with a score of 9–0."
Jinpachi Ego's voice came from the screen as he calmly observed Team V's reactions.
"Nine goals, huh?"
Zantetsu pushed up his glasses.
"9 is bigger than 8, so that means Team Z scored one more than we did?"
"Didn't expect you, idiot Zantetsu, to handle complex arithmetic like '9 is bigger than 8.' Amazing."
Nagi commented lazily while still playing his game.
"Looks like Team Z isn't to be underestimated. We should study their match footage carefully. I heard they have someone named Ryosuke Kira who's really skilled."
Zantetsu said earnestly.
"Regardless, there's no way they can beat Nagi. The difference between a genius and the ordinary is massive."
Reo smiled.
"That said, we still need to watch the footage together. It's part of the team activity."
"Do we really have to go?"
"Yes."
"Can I play my game while watching?"
"...Do whatever you want…"
...
About two hours later, after changing and eating, Team V gathered in the screening room to watch the match between Y Team and Z Team.
Everyone was focused on the footage — except Nagi, who remained glued to his phone game.
"Ryosuke Kira played defender this match? What kind of weird tactic is that?"
"...Hey hey hey, he can defend that?!"
"This guy… is he absurdly strong or what? He looks even stronger than in the first match!"
Team V members murmured in disbelief.
Even Reo's expression grew noticeably serious.
He understood very well that Kira's strength was terrifying. Even when positioned as a defender, he still dominated the entire match with ease.
That wasn't something a normal player could ever achieve.
For a moment, Reo felt pressure—real pressure.
But when he caught Nagi in the corner of his eye, still casually gaming, that sense of danger immediately vanished.
'Even so… he'll never beat us.'
Reo reassured himself.
...
Meanwhile, Team Z had finished celebrating their victory.
Some went to rest; others headed to the screening room to review the day's matches.
Kira, as usual, went straight to the field for extra training, quickly securing the additional 10 points.
Afterward, he decided to rest for a bit and texted Riko, telling her they'd won again.
Not long after he sent the message, his phone rang — it was Riko.
"Hello, Riko."
"Ryosuke! You won again?!"
Her voice rose instantly, brimming with joy.
"Mm, overall everything went smoothly."
Kira nodded.
"That's great! So… um… how did you do this time?"
"I scored five this match. Counting the one left from last time, I've got six points now. I should be able to reach ten next match, then I can come out."
"Really?!"
Riko's voice jumped a full octave in excitement — but she quickly realized she was being too loud, cleared her throat, and after a brief pause continued more gently:
"Um… when is your next match?"
"Not sure yet. Probably in three days at this pace."
"Three days? Not the weekend… I might be late coming home then. I'll need to train the basketball team at school."
Although Riko was only a first-year, she was already the manager and coach of Seirin High's basketball team.
Seirin was still newly founded. Kuroko and Kagami hadn't entered yet. Middle school basketball was still ruled by the Generation of Miracles.
It would be some time before they arrived.
Even with a modest roster, Riko had already led the team to decent results — proof of her ability.
"It's fine. I'll just go to your school and walk home with you after."
Kira said with a smile.
"Ah—come to my school…? Uh—sure! I'll introduce you to the basketball team I've been training!"
Her voice carried a hint of pride.
"Okay."
Kira responded.
...
Seirin High School Gymnasium.
Even though it was already night, the basketball team was still training hard.
Seirin had just been founded, but they needed to break through the preliminaries to earn a spot in Interhigh (IH) qualifiers. So even this late, they were practicing intensely.
Riko had just ended her call, still smiling softly.
Only then did she notice that she was surrounded.
The players had finished their drills and gathered around her while she'd been focused entirely on talking with Kira.
"Riko, who were you talking to?"
Izuki asked curiously.
"Who knows? It's rare to see Riko smiling that softly."
Kiyoshi laughed. He was the team's ace, once known as one of the Uncrowned Kings—those overshadowed by the Miracles.
"I heard something from Mr. Aida, you know."
Hyuga suddenly spoke, wearing an expression that was far too meaningful.
He had known Riko since middle school and often worked out at her family's training facility — so he knew her father.
"What? What?"
Everyone leaned forward with interest.
"Apparently, Riko and Ryosuke Kira are very close. Like… 'at necessary times, he must kill him' levels of close, according to Mr. Aida."
"For real?!"
"Who's Ryosuke Kira? Sounds familiar…"
"I think he's a local soccer player. Pretty well-known, lots of fans."
The team buzzed in excitement—
And Riko's face turned bright red, practically steaming like she was about to explode.
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〔TL〕
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