Chapter 21 – Equal But Distant
Beep!
The whistle blows.
The game resumed.
Only 20 minutes remained in the first half.
Both teams ran tirelessly, each player pushing their limits as they fought on the pitch. But neither side managed to break through. As the whistle echoed across the field, the first half came to a close.
Team Z Locker Room – Halftime
"That was amazing, Chigiri!"
"You really awakened out there!"
Kunigami Rensuke beamed with admiration as he replayed the goal in his head. Chigiri Hyōma's blistering speed was something even he, the physical powerhouse of Team Z, had to respect.
Chigiri's play screamed ego. It was a declaration that he wasn't just a pretty face with long hair—he was a weapon.
"There's just one half left. Let's hold this lead and finish strong!" Kunigami rallied.
"Let's go!"
"Win this, and we all move forward together!"
"We'll keep winning until the end!"
Yūshin Seiichi remained silent in the corner, calmly sipping water, his mind calculating.
Team W Locker Room – Halftime
By contrast, Team W's atmosphere was suffocating.
The silence was painful.
Some players choked back tears. Others sat with vacant eyes.
With three goals under his name, Jun'ichi Tanishiro—one of the Crocodile Brothers—was Team W's current top scorer. His younger brother, Keisuke, and Kuon Wataru had only one goal each.
If nothing changed, Jun'ichi would stay. The rest would be eliminated.
No one dared to offer encouragement. No one had the strength.
Facing Yūshin Seiichi was bad enough. But now, Chigiri Hyōma had joined the ranks of awakened monsters. And the Crocodile Brothers' unique coordination had been neutralized.
It felt hopeless.
Fifteen minutes flew by.
Team W emerged slowly, their steps heavy.
"Oh? Looks like they've given up," Kunigami muttered as he watched them walk out.
"Our three-win streak is basically in the bag," Youda said with a smug grin.
"Don't get cocky," Isagi Yoichi said firmly. His eyes scanned the field as he joined Bachira and Chigiri to form Team Z's attacking trident.
No matter what they try—whether they surrender or fight back—I'm going to score.
"Everyone!" Kuon Wataru's voice cracked as he stood before his teammates. "Stop looking so dead!"
"If we give up, we've already lost! But we're only two goals behind!"
"We're not done yet!"
Kuon's voice grew louder. "Tanishiro! Don't you want to beat your old teammates?! Or are you ready to admit that you're worse than Chigiri Hyōma?!"
The Crocodile Brothers winced. His words struck deep.
"You piece of trash… What are you saying?! Even if we lose, my brother still stays!"
Keisuke yelled in fury.
Slap!
Jun'ichi smacked his younger brother's shoulder hard.
"Wha—brother…?"
"I get it," Keisuke whispered. "I want to stay with you too."
"…Okay, then. Let's equalize this."
Their eyes met with a fierce determination.
The brothers would fight together—one last time.
Second Half – Kickoff
Team Z had possession.
Isagi passed to Bachira. In sync, Chigiri and Bachira raced forward to support the attack.
Ball to Yūshin Seiichi.
With smooth chemistry, Seiichi and Bachira executed a quick one-two that left Keisuke in the dust. Passing seamlessly, they broke into Team W's penalty area.
"Don't let them through!"
Tsuchima and another defender tried to shut Seiichi down.
Boom!
With surgical precision, Seiichi noticed the tiny gap between the two defenders and slipped a pass through it—clean and fast.
"What?!"
Kuon spun around.
A through ball?!
"Goalkeeper, move!"
But it was too late.
Chigiri Hyōma had already read the play. With a flash of red and blue, he broke away from his marker and lashed a powerful strike with his right foot.
Boom!
The keeper couldn't even react.
Drop!
Team Z: 3 — Team W: 0
Bachira clapped Chigiri on the back. "Two goals already! You're a true egoist, Chigiri."
Chigiri grinned. "It's not enough. I want more."
That goal shattered Team W's already fragile morale. Many players stopped moving. Kuon didn't even bother trying to rally them.
So what if they give up? As long as the Crocodile Brothers don't quit, my plan still works.
Team W Kickoff
Jun'ichi and Keisuke exchanged a glance—then charged.
"Stop them!"
Kunigami, Youda, and another defender rushed forward to intercept.
"Damn, this is tough…"
Jun'ichi was boxed in.
"Look at me, Keisuke!" a voice called from the flank.
It was Kuon Wataru—unmarked on the right.
After a brief hesitation, Keisuke passed it to him.
Kuon gritted his teeth and advanced, but Reishi appeared in front of him.
"Don't even think about passing through."
A direct breakthrough would be reckless.
Then I'll go over you.
Kuon lifted the ball—a high, arcing pass toward Jun'ichi.
Perfect.
Jun'ichi's eyes lit up. He received the ball cleanly and looked for a weakness in Team Z's defense.
"Not letting you past!" shouted Youda, diving in with a slide tackle.
Jun'ichi reacted instantly, laying it off to his brother Keisuke, who surged forward again.
Inside the box now!
"Don't you shoot!" Kunigami rushed in to close down Keisuke.
"Hah! You got baited, dumbass!"
Keisuke passed laterally again—straight to Jun'ichi.
"That's right. Big bro finishes!"
But just as Jun'ichi prepared to shoot, he felt a dark pressure behind him.
A monstrous presence.
No way…
He turned and saw Yūshin Seiichi charging at him like a beast.
But—
Boom!
A faster figure beat them both.
"What?!" Seiichi's eyes widened.
Kuon Wataru?!
Kuon had predicted the entire play. He knew Jun'ichi always finished their combinations. He had watched every movement, every breath, waiting for the exact moment.
He cut in, shooting like a bullet.
The ball ripped past the keeper and into the net.
Goal! Team W: 1 — Team Z: 3
Kuon dropped to his knees and roared.
"I did it!! I didn't need to betray anyone! I scored with my own strength!"
With one more goal, he'd tie Jun'ichi. He still had a chance to survive!
"You bastard! You used me and my brother!" Keisuke ran over and grabbed his collar.
"I did it for our win!" Kuon snapped back.
"You—!"
Before it escalated, Jun'ichi stepped in.
"Keisuke… Let it go."
Very good, Kuon.
Yūshin Seiichi narrowed his eyes.
Whether that was dumb luck or genius insight… doesn't matter. You just stepped into my world.
Blue flames surged behind Seiichi's back.
At this moment, the egoist was fully unleashed.