Chapter 8

A/N: Yo guys, just a heads up, I decided to write the matches in the style I used in the prologue. I think this is more “entertaining” to read/write but I really struggled to write “normal” dialogue in this style.

So moving forward the matches will be written like the “prologue-style” and outside of the matches I’m gonna stick to script-writing.

Anyways I’m happy to see all of you enjoying my story so far. Have fun reading Chapter 6 and have a good day! <]:P

Chapter 6 “That’s your whole plan?”

Team Z is seen standing on the pitch stretching to get ready for the fourth match of wing 5.

Current standings after Game 3: Team W-4 vs Team X-1

Rank 1 – Team V – 3 pts – +8

Rank 2 – Team W – 3 pts – +3

Rank 3 – Team X – 3 pts – -1

Rank 4 – Team Z – 0 pts – -2

Rank 5 – Team Y – 0 pts – -8

“They’re here.” Raichi said whilst staring towards the door across the field with his arms crossed.

‘Looks like it’s time for our second match’ Gento thought to himself, currently sitting down on the pitch to fully stretch his legs.

“Just like us, It’s all over for Team Y if they lose. The one to watch out for is their number 9, kumamoto prefecture’s top-scorer with exceptional shooting technique Hibiki Okawa” Kuon says to the rest of Team Z, who were currently in a huddle. “But this time we have ‘Operation: Me next 9’. All we can do is bring out what we practiced.” He continued.

“We’ll win this even if it kills us, TEAM Z!!” Kuon finished his motivational speech with Team Z responding with a resounding “YEAH!!!”.

Gento who was currently tying his shoes begins thinking to himself ‘If we lose, we’re fucked. I honestly think I can get through, but leaving Bachira, Isagi and the others behind so early? It doesn’t feel right:’ Standing up and looking towards the rest of his team ‘But honestly, if push comes to shove. I’ll leave them all behind.’

Team Y vs Team Z

Game Start!!

Operation: “Me, next 9” – Style: Bachira

At Kick-Off Kunigami passes the ball over towards Bachira.

‘Bachira’s weapon is dribbling!’ Isagi thought to himself, watching as his teammate began moving towards Team Y’s defense ‘He can break through to where he wants to go by himself, it’s a super independent strategy!!’.

Bachira continues to move up the field using all types of dribbles to move past his opponents, be it lightning-fast step-overs, roulettes or simple body-feints none of Team Y’s defense manages to stop his creativity-fueled attack.

‘The rest of us just need to pick up any rebounds and give it back to that weirdo’ Gento thought to himself, staying a couple meters behind Bachira to have a full-view of the pitch. ‘Maybe the schizo will pass the ball if he feels like it. But seeing him dribble just makes me excited to beat those nobodies.’ At this thought a small-smile grows on Gento’s face.

“Don’t let him get any further! / We’ll make this a two-on-one” Two defenders scramble to close Bachira’s path. “Is just two enough? I’m gonna get past you!” Bachira responds to Team Y’s attempt at defense beginning to move towards his left, not seeing Team Y’s number 7 moving towards him.

“No, it’s the three of us.” Team Y’s #7 proclaims, whilst shooting his foot forward to stop Bachira’s movements. “Your dribbling is quite educational.”

“Not bad, Bangs-kun” Bachira responds, flicking the ball back with his heel “Time to send it back for a bit!”.

“O-Okay!” Igaguri exclaims receiving the ball from Bachira.

‘That wasn’t luck, they planned that shit’ Gento thought to himself ‘Using two defenders to block his path and make him move towards the third. Smart, too smart for this to be made-up on the fly.’.

To his right Isagi manages to come to the same conclusion ‘Team Y has its own plan, too!’.

Team Y – Formation: 4-5-1

‘But that makes sense… It’s over for them if they lose, too!! they won’t let us win this so easily but there’s no mistake we’re on the offensive here!!’. Isagi finishes his thought, while Igaguri passes the ball back towards their bob-cut having striker.

‘Wait a sec… almost all of Team Y’s here but… where’s #9’ Gento stops moving forwards and turns toward their side of the pitch, seeing Okawa standing near the half-way line with his hands in his pockets. ‘He’s just standing there? Something’s off!’ Gento makes his way towards the waiting striker trying to stay out of his line-of-sight. ‘Ten minutes are almost up anyway, I’m left back next, no?’.

Bachira continues to try and break through Team Y’s defence yet not managing to do so, due to Team Y’s #7 making his life hell. “Oi!! Ten minutes are up!” Raichi all of a sudden yells from their side of the pitch.

“Okaaay!” Bachira responds, passing the ball towards Kunigami.

Operation: “Me, next 9” – Style: Kunigami

Receiving the ball, Kunigami stands near the half-way line, “Move up the side!!” Kunigami yells towards the rest of Team Z.

Whilst Kunigami passes the ball towards Raichi, who along with the rest of their midfielders begins moving up the sides of the pitch Isagi continues to analyze the situation before his eyes.

‘Kunigami’s weapon is his left leg shot!! He lets us take care of moving the ball up, so then he’s free to go right to the front line!’ Bachira alongside Kuon starts a run towards Team Y’s penalty box, Team Y’s defence responds by trying to cover their supposed attacks, effectively dragging most of the opponent’s defence with them. ‘Rather than the penalty box, which is crowded with players, he positions himself just outside…’ “Just like we practiced!” Raichi yells, passing the ball towards his ginger teammate. ‘… receives a pass from his team and with the clear space in front of him, hammers the ball with his powerful left leg!!’

With Isagi finishing his line of thought Kunigani receives the pass from Raichi and trapping it to the floor in front of him before shooting the ball with all his might. However just as Kunigami shoots two of Team Y’s defenders lunge forward closing the shooting angle of Kunigami causing the ball to rebound towards another of their teammates.

“All clear!!” Team Y’s #2 yells, booting the ball up the field towards the waiting Isagi. ‘They blocked Kunigami’s shot?! Their defense is seriously tough.’ Isagi thought while receiving the ball. ‘However we’re still in possession!’ “One more, Bachira! Build it up again!” The raven-haired boy shouts before passing towards their #8.

Bachira quickly passes the ball towards Kunigami, who again finds an open space for him to shoot from. “Nice pass, Bachira!” Kunigami exclaims before setting the ball up for him to shoot again. “I’ll get this one for sure!” At his proclamation Kunigami fires another shot with his left leg.

However, yet again his shot gets blocked by Team Y’s defense. Upon seeing this Kunigami becomes irritated, “Dammit!! AGAIN?!”. With the loose ball up in the air the players scramble to try and get it. “It’s up! Second ball!” Igaguri yells upon seeing the ball soar through the air.

The player that actually manages to receive the ball is Team Y’s #7, seeing his teammate receive the ball Okawa begins running towards Team Z’s goal. ‘He’s moving!’ Gento realizes moving to follow the opposition’s striker.

“Yeah, this is what we were waiting for…” #7 says whilst shooting the ball up the field, towards his striker. “It’s about time, Niko!” Okawa screams, towards his teammate with a grin on his face while he continues running up the field, to receive the pass sent by Niko.

“I’ll leave it to you, Okawa-kun” Niko says, making a circle with his thumb and index-finger in front of his right eye. ‘They got us!! Team Y was aiming for a counter-attack! And their target is kumamoto’s top scorer, Hibiki Okawa!’ Isagi realizes.

Receiving the ball near the penalty box, Okawa prepares to shoot the ball at Team Z’s goal. Seeing the striker suddenly in front of him Iemon gets nervous, ‘Shit we fell right into their trap! They’re good! Where’s he shooting? Right?! Left?!’ Iemon slides forwards trying to steal the ball from Okawa, seeing this the striker flicks the ball over the goalie. ‘Shit!’

However, just before the ball crosses the line a certain white-haired striker traps the ball, keeping it from crossing the line and stealing possession. “Really, that’s your gameplan?” Keeping his foot on the ball Gento stares boredly at the stunned striker in front of him. “I mean our strategy was kind of scrambled together, but yours? Completely pathetic.” 

Upon finishing his sentence Gento passes the ball to Chigiri, “Hey princess, help me for a second will ya, pretty please?” receiving the ball Chigiri responds with a quiet chuckle “Sure, since you asked so nicely.”.

Beginning to move up the field Chigiri and Gento continue passing the ball between the two of them. “I’m not planning on starting a revolt in our team, so let’s not skip the order shall we.” Gento passes the ball towards Raichi who remains on the left side of the pitch. “Use that ‘Super-sexy-soccer’ of yours to make some space buzzcut”.

“Don’t tell me what to do, dipshit!” Raichi yells back at his younger teammate, whilst listening to his instructions. ‘Dude don’t yell at me when you’re literally doing what I told you to.’ Gento sweatdrops.

Nearing Team Y’s defensive line Raichi locks eyes with Gento. “Just like we practiced right, pipsqueak?” Raichi grins while passing the ball towards the white haired boy who was already in the penalty box.

Upon receiving the ball a certain mop-head appears in front of Gento. “You’re in the position where you scored your goal last game, I thought you guys had a plan. Not planning to follow it?” Nikko asks sarcastically whilst moving forward to intercept the ball.

“Dude no shot you actually fell for that right?” Gento responds with a shit-eating grin on his face before flicking the ball with his heel towards the waiting striker just outside the penalty box. “I’m not a fan of our plan, but I literally already told you, I’m not planning on skipping the queue.”

The ball falls in front of Kunigami who is already waiting with his foot pulled back, ready to shoot. “Thanks for the assist, Ghost-boy!” Kunigami yells before shooting the ball with full force towards the top-left of Team Y’s goal.

Team Y’s goalie jumps trying to reach the ball, managing to touch the ball with his fingertips. However with the force of Kunigami’s kick the slight touch of his fingers is not enough to change the trajectory of the ball.

Team Z GOAL!!! – Scorer: Rensuke Kunigami – Team Y 0-1 Team Z

“YEAH!!” Kunigami yells out whilst running towards Gento. Reaching the younger boy, Kunigami tackles him into a hug, with the rest of Team Z making their way over and joining the dogpile with varying shouts of celebration. “Hell yeah! / Nice one, Kunigami! / Huge Assist, Gento!”

“You saw through our plan.” Niko says towards Gento, who was currently making his way out from beneath his teammates. Hearing his opponent’s voice Gento turns towards Niko whilst running a hand through his messy white hair. “Hmm? Yeah, I did. Gonna cry about it?”

“Wasn’t planning on it.” Niko responds, “I already figured you out, you’re not going to win this game Team Z” He continues, while walking towards the halfway-line where Okawa was already waiting. “Come on, let’s score the next one Niko. The rest of you just keep that white-haired weirdo off of me.”

‘Seriously calling me weird? With that haircut?’ Gento sweatdrops at the striker’s comment.

“Alright everyone, don’t get cocky it’s still only 1-0!” Kuon yells at the rest of Team Z “Also it’s been ten minutes. Time for my formation!”

Operation: “Me, next 9” – Style: Kuon

‘That puts me as the left midfielder, right’ Gento thought to himself honestly struggling to remember his new position, ‘This strategy is so dumb. That’s just not gonna work against an actually good team, holy hell. Anyways Kuo’s weapon was his jumping power, so just spam crosses I guess.’

Whilst making his way towards his new position Gento walks over to Raichi and talks to him in a low-tone, “Oi, stamina-freak bet you won’t get the ball back after kick-off” Hearing the younger players comment Raichi immediately gets an annoyed expression on his face. ‘Come on hothead fall for the bait.’ Gento thought to himself, seeing his teammate get even more annoyed at his presence.

“Huh?! Who the fuck do you think you are?! I’ll show you dumbass!” Raichi yells at Gento before taking a running stance, preparing to sprint at Team Y immediately after Kick-off. ‘Knew you would fall for that.’ Gento gains a smug expression on his face, at his teammates declaration.

Back at the center point, Okawa is talking with Niko. “Come on, let’s get the equalizer quickly.” Upon hearing the striker’s voice Niko passes the ball to Okawa, starting to move back towards their own defence. However, what none of the players on the pitch saw coming was Raichi sprinting full-speed at Okawa.

Okawa, who was startled at the sudden appearance of Team Z’s bulldog, faltered for a second, not passing the ball to the waiting Team Y players. Raichi seeing this goes in for a sliding tackle, passing the ball towards the awaiting Naruhaya. 

“See Dickhead! Told you I could do it!” Raichi cockily exclaims at his younger teammate. “Yeah, sure surprised me hothead.” Gento chuckled whilst moving back towards Team Y’s #9, not wanting to give them the chance to counterattack.

“Go for it, Kuon!” Naruhaya screams while passing the ball high up the field. Seeing the ball go way above their heads, the defenders currently near Kuon try to predict where the ball was going to land, not expecting Kuon to jump up into the air and head the ball at the waiting Kunigami.

Kunigami quickly makes his way up the field trying to set up the second goal for Team Z. Seeing the ginger’s advance two of Team Y’s defenders, yet again close off Kunigami’s path.

“You paused your footwork.” Niko calmly points out from behind Kunigami before shooting his leg forward and using it to pull the ball back to gain possession.

Isagi, currently hovering near the waiting Okawa waits for Niko’s pass towards their striker. ‘Here it comes! Okawa’s pass!’. Yet Niko’s pass doesn’t go towards their striker but another of his teammates. ‘Huh? He passed to a different teammate?’

Looking around Isagi spots Gento who was yet again hovering near Okawa, also waiting for the mopheads pass. ‘Ah of course… He knows Gento already saw through their attack, so he’s trying to find a way to get Gento off of Okawa without completely disrupting their gameplan.’

The next couple of minutes consist of Team Y passing between each other, keeping the ball in possession and trying to find a path to the goal. However Gento consistently remains near Okawa, not giving them the chance to pass to their ace.

Wing 5 Game 4 – First Half: 30:00 – Team Y 0-1 Team Z

“HAHA! IT’S MY TURN NOW! It’s Raichi time!” Raichi exclaims with a laugh, whilst spreading his arms wide “You bums con focus on getting me the ball! I’ll take care of the rest myself”

Raichi proceeds to not even get the ball for the next 10 minutes.

“It’s my turn now right?” Gento says boredly toward the rest of Team Z, watching as Team Y continues to pass the ball between themselves. “Don’t bother switching formation for now, just keep them from scoring for the next five minutes, we’ll do my thing after half-time”.

Wing 5 Game 4 – Half Time -Team Y 0-1 Team Z

Back in Team Z’s dressing room.

“FUUUUCK!!” Raichi screams with all his might in the middle of the dressing room. “Is this a fucking Joke?! YOU FUCKERS ARE SUPPOSED TO PASS ME THE BALL, NOT LOSE IT!!” He continues looking around the room, making sure to scream at every single player in his vicinity, “They had the ball for my ENTIRE TEN MINUTES!”.

“Dude quit yelling already, it literally was the same for my five minutes” Gento says towards his tantrum-having teammate, sitting on a bench near Bachira who was drinking from a bottle of water.

“THE FUCK DID YOU SAY TO ME, YOU DUMBF-” Raichi yet again gets interrupted before he can finish insulting his white-haired teammate.

“Whilst I’m honestly not a big fan of our current strategy, it’s working somehow.” Gento says ignoring the raging Raichi. “They can’t break through us, or well me but who cares.” Turning towards his tallest teammate Gento continues “Hey Gagamaru, you ok with the both of us sharing our turn?”.

Not expecting to hear his name being called, Team Z’s cavemen turns toward Gento “Share? How’s that supposed to work?”. 

“It’s simple honestly.” Gento replies, raising his pointer finger into the air. “Our strengths combine quite well, or well part of our skillsets at least.” He continues gaining Team Z’s full attention.

“Our goal feels a bit like a fluke mainly because we couldn’t replicate it. One of your biggest weapons is your superior physical ability. With you upfront Team Y needs at least 2 or hell maybe even more defenders on you to stop you from scoring.” Raising another finger into the air Gento continues his rant. “I excel when I’m given the chance to play freely, with me being the solitary striker that’s not gonna happen ’cause Team Y’s gonna be on my ass.”

“He sounds kind of like Ego when he rambles like that” Bachira whispers to Isagi, who was listening intently to their teammate’s plan.

“Just focus on gaining their full attention, you’re probably going to score anyway since only that Niko guy seems to have a functioning brain in their defence. Meanwhile I’ll keep going for openings or rebounds to poach a goal and extend our lead.” Standing up Gento moves towards the white-board near the wall of their dressing room and begins writing on it.

“This is going to change our formation for the next fifteen minutes drastically in comparison to the normal ‘Operation: Me next 9’ layout, but I think it’s gonna be more effective.” Gento finishes writing up his proposed strategy pointing towards it with his marker.

“Let’s go with ‘Operation: Me next 9 – Style: Haunted Cave’.”