The scoreboard glared down at them — 1-1 — but it felt like Team Zeta was the one on the back foot. Delta's defense was an impenetrable wall, their captain Yuto Kisaragi the mastermind behind every move.
Renji Kurogami stood at the center of the field, his breathing steady, his eyes locked on the opposing captain.
Perfect passing, perfect vision… Renji's fists clenched. If I don't crush this guy, I'll never reach the top.
Kaede Arata jogged up beside him, his voice low. "You feel it, right? That pressure… He's the real deal."
Renji didn't take his eyes off Kisaragi. "Yeah. But that just makes it more fun."
The whistle blew, and the game resumed.
Delta kept up their suffocating defense, their formation tight and their movements precise. Every attempt Team Zeta made to break through was shut down before it could even take shape.
"Damn it," Riku Saionji hissed after his pass was intercepted. "It's like they know what we're gonna do before we even do it!"
Yamada Goro growled. "Then we stop being predictable!"
But that was easier said than done. Every time Renji tried to push forward, two or three Delta players closed in on him instantly. He tried using Sora Amagi's Phantom Step, but Kisaragi adjusted his team's formation before Renji could fully slip through the gaps.
"They're reading us," Sora muttered, falling back beside Renji. "Every movement, every play… They see through it all."
Renji's frustration grew. He needed an opening — any opening — but Delta wasn't giving them a single inch.
Then, in the 67th minute, the worst happened.
Kisaragi made his move.
Receiving the ball in his own half, the Delta captain began directing the attack. His vision expanded across the entire pitch, his passes perfectly weighted and timed.
"Mark him!" Kaede shouted, but it was already too late.
Kisaragi's final pass cut through Zeta's defense like a blade. The ball landed perfectly at Shunpei Takeda's feet, and with a single touch, he rocketed a shot toward the top corner.
Jin Kazama leapt — his fingers grazing the ball just enough to send it wide.
"Nice save, Jin!" Haruto Inoue called out, but Jin's face remained tense.
"They're getting closer," Jin muttered. "We can't keep this up."
Renji's jaw tightened. He knew Jin was right. If they didn't change something — and fast — they were done.
But then he felt it.
That spark.
It started deep in his chest and spread through his limbs, a familiar hunger rising in him. His vision sharpened. Every movement on the field became clearer, every possibility laid out before him.
Spatial Awareness.
Renji's eyes locked onto Kisaragi. "It's time," he whispered.
The next time Zeta regained possession, Renji took control. He pushed forward, his senses heightened, his mind processing every player's position in an instant.
"Kaede — right!"
Without looking, Renji sent a no-look pass to Kaede Arata on the wing.
Kaede didn't hesitate. He sprinted down the flank, dragging defenders with him.
"Riku — center!"
Riku Saionji broke into the box. The defenders followed him, opening up the tiniest gap — and Renji saw it.
The ball came back to him. He shifted his weight, his body moving with Sora Amagi's Phantom Step — but with a twist. Renji's acceleration was sharper, his changes in direction even more unpredictable.
He slipped through the defense, and for the first time, Delta's formation broke.
"Renji!" Kaede sent a cross into the box.
Renji launched himself forward, his eyes on the ball — and then a flash of white cut across his vision.
Yuto Kisaragi was there.
The Delta captain intercepted the cross with a perfect slide tackle, sending the ball out for a corner.
Renji hit the ground, his teeth grinding in frustration.
"You're not bad," Kisaragi said calmly as he stood. "But you're not ready to beat me yet."
Renji's eyes burned. "We'll see about that."
The corner kick came in fast. Kaede Arata curled the ball toward the far post.
Renji rose for the header — but Yamada Goro beat him to it.
The ball rocketed toward the goal… but Delta's keeper made an incredible save.
The rebound fell to Itsuki Maeda at the edge of the box. Without hesitation, Maeda struck a powerful volley.
But again, the keeper was there.
"Unbelievable," Kaede muttered. "How do we break these guys?"
Before anyone could answer, Delta launched their counterattack.
But this time, Renji was ready.
He moved before Kisaragi could make his pass, intercepting the ball at midfield.
And then he ran.
"Renji!" Sora called out.
But Renji didn't stop. His world narrowed to the goal ahead. The hunger inside him grew. He could feel it — his teammates behind him, the defenders closing in — and he wanted to devour them all.
Faster. Stronger. Better.
As he reached the edge of the box, he saw his chance.
He planted his foot — and just as he prepared to strike, a flash of white appeared again.
Kisaragi.
But this time, Renji was ready.
He shifted his weight at the last second, cutting inside and leaving the Delta captain behind.
The goal was wide open.
Renji struck — a powerful, curving shot aimed for the top corner.
But the keeper wasn't done.
With a desperate leap, he got his fingertips to the ball, deflecting it just enough to send it off the post.
The ball bounced back into play — and right to Kaede Arata's feet.
Kaede didn't miss.
He smashed the rebound into the net.
2-1, Team Zeta.
Renji stood there, his chest rising and falling with each breath. But even as his teammates celebrated, his eyes stayed locked on Yuto Kisaragi.
This wasn't over.
Not even close.
To be continued…