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Chapter 19: The Superior Soccer Player
Day 24 (Thursday - April 9th)
"Can I play?"
"Huh." One of the winning players sounds out. "Didn't think anyone would actually join."
"Okay, I'm sure you heard 'all that' earlier, right?" The leader of the winning team comments.
"Yeah," Relon off-handedly responds, passing by the group of players. "Can I be center mid?"
"I don't think we have anyone for that position now," the black and white-haired teen comments.
"Tch, whatever! It isn't over till it's over! I'm scoring and when I do, I'll wipe those smirks off your faces!"
"Against middle schoolers maybe, dumbass!" A player insults.
"The hell was that?!" He shouts stomping over to be pulled back by some players. "GET OFF ME! YOU WON'T SAY THAT TO MY FACE THOUGH!"
"Can we play already? This match has killed my mood and I just want it to be done."
It was a simple question. One quite understandable given the status their team was in. It was a casual game but there was still a competitive nature in the air for those that remained. At least, almost.
The striker in question, likely the aforementioned one to hog the ball and shoot, stood there staring at the night sky in complete boredom.
One permanent striker…
Eyes cutting behind to one of the three defenders, that being the same redhead. The first thing the male noticed was his bare leg. No brace was apparent. He could simply be playing safe. Or there was another reason.
One permanent defender…
One glance at the two players, a midfielder, defender, and the goalie told him nothing. Meaning they weren't important. Those not important… didn't matter.
"Hey, do you want to be left or right wing?" The black and white-haired male asks.
"Center." Relon didn't bother to await a response before he moved into position.
During his quick scan, the arguing from up front ended, he got a clear view of the situation. The bored player and shark tooth were their strikers. He along with the other guy to his left were the midfield. Behind them lied the redhead and the other two defenders.
A 3-2-2 formation versus a 4-3-3…
"Pass back to me."
It wasn't a request, rather an order. The sound of his tone devoid of life, only shrouded in mystery.
"Huh? What was that," Shark Tooth called back.
"You want a quick goal, right? Pass it here."
Taken aback for a moment, his confusion quickly shifts back to anger. Meanwhile, the tan-skinned male's eyes loom on Relon.
"WHO THE HELL-"
"I say let him." Head whirling to the tan-skinned male, his bafflement further evolves at the uncaring striker beside him. "It's either we pass to each other or back. Who cares at this point?" With that, he headed for the 50-yard line.
"Seriously? Tch, whatever! You better pass it! I'm sick of that guy hogging the ball!"
"Least I can take shots on goal," he hollers from the line.
"Their coordination has been rough since we started," his fellow midfielder comments. "Oh yeah, Gin Gagamaru's the name."
Mind acknowledging the introduction, Relon turns halfway to face him.
"Relon Lucinance."
"Lucinance? Where have I heard that name before…?"
"You've likely heard it from Numazu's head doctor Mé Asuka. She originally went by Mé Lucinance."
Looking over his shoulder at the red head approach, his eyes go forward.
"Oh yeah! That's it! Then you're her son. She spoke a lot about you during my recovery."
"That sounds like Mom."
At the mention, his mind replays his vile comment regarding his father. In response to the mere image, his hand flexes though he retains the subtle gesture.
"Wow, I didn't think I'd ever meet her son. She really saved me. I got injured by a bear attack but she treated my ear like it was nothing. Didn't even have to pay, that's what surprised me the most."
"Yeah. That's definitely my mom." For a fleeting moment, a genuine smile graces his features before his lurking emotions withdraw any positivity showing. "Should you be playing with your leg…?"
"Hyoma Chigiri." He answers noting of the attitude change. "It's fine. I had an accident a little ways back. Just taking it easy now."
"Easy… huh? I get it now..." With that, Relon walks forward as the strikers call for the game to resume.
"Get what exactly?"
Neither had truly realized but Relon's mood had staggered all day. In this moment, as he stalked forward with his eyes locked on the ball, memories from the near past resurfaced. Agony, hatred, contempt, fear. Unlike his previous discussion with Miguel, no hormones were active. None could be suggested as the cause for his next words. All of what was to come would be of Relon Lucinance's own accord.
"Simple." He offers an empty glance back.
"Are both teams ready?" A civilian acting as referee calls out while both teams reorganize. "Team 1 is up three goals while Team 2 has none! 30 minutes left on the clock!" With the blow of the whistle, Shark-teeth passed to Tan-skin and then straight to him.
As it came, his eyes ignored the approaching object. All he cared about was the goal and the sole defender behind the tide of this game shifting.
One step. In one step, his form leaned at the ready.
"Wait, don't tell me he's…!" Chigiri widens.
"Dumbass, don't shoot!" Shark-teeth.
BOOM!
As if next to dynamite, the ball whizzes past both strikers' heads in an arch. The opposing strikers still had their eyes straight ahead as it sailed overhead. The midfielders couldn't react either. Curving from outside back in, no defender could hope to stop such a shot. Too far ahead, all the goalie could do was helplessly watch as it appeared from over the heads of his teammates before sailing into the back of the net.
For a moment, none reacted.
"What needs to change. That is the answer to your question."
[Scoreboard 3:1]
With the blow of the whistle, applause from the scattered spectators brought all players back to reality.
"N-No way…!" One opposing player sounds out looking between Relon and the ball still in the net.
"That curve…!" Another awes. "That power from a simple pass…!"
"He didn't even wind-up! He took a single step!" A third exclaims.
In actuality, Relon Lucinance had wind-up for the shot. The difference came down to simple skill level. Unlike those that needed to ready themselves for their best shot possible, he did not. The need to position your form and body was a skill many had to hone. Unlike many, Relon had mastered this within a short span of time…
"You see, I'm in a bad mood."
"Huh?" Gagamaru is the first react.
"To be blunt, my mood has been shot since this morning. Now, seeing those asshats take shit has pushed me over the edge somewhat. I've given you all the first goal. Now, I'll help you earn the rest."
"You'll help us earn it?" Shark-teeth eyes incredulously. "Do you think you're better than us? IS THAT IT?!"
"Yeah." Relon's answer was as swift as the snarling expression he donned. "As I am currently, no one on this field can beat me. If I wasn't you would have scored by now. Or are you going to blame the incompetence of your teammates?"
Veins flexing, Shark-teeth balls fists unable to refute the truth.
"I'm not here to argue, much less start a pointless fight." Pointing past the two strikers at the opposition, his eyes narrow. "My targets are them. An actual team dogging on a round-up group of randoms. I'll let my skills do the talking as I just have." At that, some gulp.
"F-For a guy to shoot that accurately with such power… Tch, we need to get serious, y'all!" One hollers.
"Hey! Cool it! He's just hot air! They got one lucky shot because we got complacent! Focus up and we got this! We still have 25 minutes!"
Like a rallying voice of reason, their opponents seemed to come to their senses.
"I got a question for ya." Relon's eyes shift to the tan-skin. "We're still outnumbered."
"And?" Despite his fierce gaze, the response couldn't be any more genuine.
So simple and call that it managed to catch the attention of all on the field at the perfect moment when their voices didn't synchronize. Yet, the simplicity of his answer was all it took to spur the striker on.
"Heh. Alright then, Captain, let's see how this goes." He grins a feral grin. "Ryusei Shido. At the least, you should know my name."
"Tch! Going along with things all of a sudden, what the hell?!" Shark-teeth demands.
"Hey, when a man talks like that without a shred of hesitation, either they're all talk or they can back it up, Sharky. As we've just seen, he can definitely do that."
"A good shot, so what?! That was luck! Their goalie was too far up!"
"Hmm, maybe," Shidou shrugs. "But if that's the case, you aren't curious to see what else can happen? After all, he wants to beat these dirtbags the same as us? What's the hurt in seeing what else he can do? If he can back it up, then this game will actually become worth my time."
Once again gritting his teeth, the male relents to glare at the uncaring Relon.
"Jingo Raichi," he introduces before stomping off back to center field. "Don't score, huh? Let's see what happens then." He growls under his breath.
"Gagamaru." Relon calls calmly.
"What is it?"
"What's your main skill?"
"My skill? Probably my reflexes."
Giving a momentary glance with an arched brow, he looks forward.
"If you have good reflexes then you should be a goalie. You have the necessary height and build to be one."
"A goalie? I never thought about that… I did play baseball when I was a kid…"
"Do it. Any chance to increase our victory, we're taking it. And don't forget to be vocal."
"Okay, I'll give it a shot." He nods in spite of the sudden mood change by the male. "Hey, let's switch!" He calls with a waved hand.
"Chigiri, move up to left midfield." Relon calls out for Gagamaru to halt mid-stride.
"You don't want to keep him on defense?"
"No. Trust me, this move will be worth it if things go well."
Nodding, he stops with the defenders to which Chigiri's expression becomes surprised as does the goalie. Looking Relon's way, the protagonist only needs to wait as the redhead reluctantly moves up.
"Why?"
"You know why, Chigiri. If you can't see it now, you will soon enough."
Walking away leaving the teen to his own confused thoughts, Relon readies himself.
Gagamaru, Chigiri, Shidou, and Raichi. Those four will be the core with defense doing what is the most natural and easiest job.
Memories looming to the forefront, he relents.
"Okay..."
The blow of the whistle signals the start. In response, bodies move. As he predicted, Chigiri remains still. Ahead, he watches as the opposing team presses with numbers.
"Tch, bastards are just going to swarm us!" Raichi growls.
"Who cares? They can't do anything if we get the ball. It's easier now that they're so crowded!" Shidou grins rushing forward to widen. "What the hell?" In front of the ballkeeper, several bodies line up in front of one another. "Out of the way!" He scoffs pivoting to the right side to find the ball absent.
Where's-
"DAMN IT!" Head whirling to the left, his eyes take sight of them pass back-and-forth around Raichi. "INCOMING!"
Hesitantly, Chigiri steps back.
"Running away?" Head lifting to snap to Relon, he watches as the male looks directly at him with an impassive demeanor.
"Why say that…?" Even as they passed by the idle duo, Chigiri's eyes filled with disbelief faced Relon's.
"Heh, they left their defense helpless!"
"Turner was right! That shot was just a fluke!"
"Defense, spread out! Mark the closest one to you!" Gagamaru calls out.
"In this sport, if you can't run, then you're worthless." Relon's shift from calmness to viciousness made his tremble. "If you're worthless, then why even bother playing? To live the experience you had before whatever accident hindered your ability? Is that your excuse?"
"THE HELL ARE YOU TWO DOING?!" Raichi exclaims as he and Shidou pass by.
Astonishingly, the defenders were holding their own. Unable to clear, they were able to mark the proper opponent through the guidance of Gagamaru. Dismissing the waste of temporary space, he turns. Exhaling a steady breath, it hitches. Legs tensing, he takes off. Like a blur, he shoots forward.
"They won't hold out!" Raichi shouts.
From behind, a red and black blur zooms into the fray.
"Here!" A player calls passing it.
Weaving around and through, many can only look on at the boy low to the ground.
"Marcus!" A player calls passing a crossover.
"Crap!" A defender pants. "He's wide open!"
With a single trap, the striker grins to shoot at the top left corner.
"Oh no!" A defender exclaims as do the eyes of many.
"This cements our win!" Marcus announces.
Leaning to pounce, Gagamaru's gloved hand blocks it.
"What?!" Marcus gasps.
Hitting the ground, Gagamaru's blank look meets the others.
"Whoa, I did it…"
"Once more!" Another striker grins gaining the goalie's attention.
"Huh?" Head lifting, he pushes himself on all fours backwards to block the shot with his face. "Oof!"
"Impossible!"
"The third time's the charm!" Another player grins running for the free ball. "This one's totally ours!"
"Who decided that?"
His voice was cold, brimming with an emotion of restrained anger. Head whirling, he sees nothing. However, he feels a force rip apart his footing as well as his control over the ball.
"Huh?" The striker gasps halfway in his descent to the ground.
Skidding to a halt, his eyes meets those of the onlookers.
"How did he…?"
"He moved so fast, I couldn't keep up!"
"Shooting, accuracy, and now speed?! Just what skills does this guy have?!"
"A better question; who is this guy?!"
"Quit gawking and get him!"
"You idiots committed too hard!"
In doing so, their failure opened up a route to capitalize on and one lone striker was already on the move. The moment Relon took action, he believed Relon would recapture the ball and turn the tide of Team 1's assault.
I see you, striker!
Give it here!
"No you don't!" Three offensive members surround the male.
"Didn't I just say…" Feinting the pass to lift the ball onto his foot, he flicks it to the side before shuffling away as the three collide where he once stood. "You dumbasses committed too hard! Now, score!" With a kick, the ball soars over.
"Where are you-" Cutting himself off as he turns about to run for the goal, Raichi widens as his eyes take sight of Shidou already approaching the defensive line. "How the hell did he get there?!"
"Oh shit, that's hot~! I can feel it! My instincts are telling me to shoot! And that's…!" Pivoting into a skid to face the ball, memory of the players' position frozen in his mind.
"What's he doing?!"
"Don't tell me he's going to jump!"
"EXACTLY WHAT I'M GOING TO DO!" Before all, he jumps, unleashing a devastating bicycle kick.
Like a meteor, the ball hurls at a rapid angle down striking the ground before bouncing back up passing the diving goalie. With the same swish as before, the net ruffled from the contact.
[Scoreboard 3:2]
"RAAAAA!"
With a mighty howl, Shidou roars a victorious howl into the air.
"He shot it." For the first time, it's Raichi who is at a loss for words. "From half-field…!"
Calming his own self, Relon's ears pick up on the bickering and bafflement his opponents bare. Discourse led to mistakes and that in turn would lead to their defeat. Their attempt at gaining momentum backfired.
Still… one glance at Chigiri told that last goal stirred something within the teen. He'd moved just slightly to act but not by much. He was getting over his trauma and Relon would push that recovery to its maximum if need be.
"The hell kind of shot was that?!" The voice of Raichi barks at the returning striker.
In all honesty, that was a fair response given the circumstances. Shidou had at first glance shot an incredible shot equal to Relon's own. However, there was a slight difference and that key was what allowed this goal to go in. Without directly asking, more so a hypothesis, Shidou likely failed all of those shots as well as didn't pass because his natural instincts are so vastly superior to the average player that the actions he personally made may have looked odd to some. When in reality, it was those sum of players that failed to simply keep up with him.
Whether he believed in my own ability or simply followed his own thoughts, that goal came from our interaction. A sort of chemical reaction that could only occur through our actions affecting the other.
"That was a sexy ass pass, Captain~. Gimme some more~." Shidou grins.
"The hell?! Quit it with your zesty ass!" Raichi growls.
"All I did was pass," Relon dismisses. "You simply took it from there. That combination wouldn't have happened if Gagamaru and our defense hadn't done their part."
"Heh, you ain't wrong there." Shidou agree. "Nice job doing your job, boys!" He hollers for Gagamaru to nod with a thumbs up. "So what's your plan to get mopey over there to turn up?"
Eyes trailing to Chigiri simply standing, his eyes move to the arguing team across the field.
"I have an idea."
"Screw him! Who needs the guy?! We're doing better already!"
Inwardly rolling his eyes at Raichi, Relon sighs.
"The next goal is yours, Raichi. Be ready."
"Heh, not if I get it first~." Dispersing, Raichi can only click in irritation.
He wouldn't lie that he was feeling hella better now that they were on the road to making the comeback. He just hated how they were doing it.
"Bastard thinks he's all that. I'll show him!"
One whistle later, they were underway once more. He had a good idea how Relon worked now. He attacked and then waited to see how the team would respond. Simple enough. He got the first goal and reacted to their numbers attack.
One glance at Relon told he was right. Turning back, a vein nearly exploded.
Before his very eyes, a full team was keeping the ball in their possession.
"No fucking way…! YOU ASSHOLES ARE SO COWARDLY YOU'RE BALL-HOGGING?!" In a blind fit, he charges. "Using such a pathetic tactic against a team with less numbers, huh?! I'll show you!"
"Awe man, looks like we need to-"
"Hold on." Head lifting to Relon, his lips curve into a smirk.
"What're you plotting, Captain~?"
Reaching just after they pass, he grunts redirecting himself. Despite every attempt to intercept, he's foiled by their sheer numbers.
"How much stamina does this guy have?!" A player demands.
"Don't worry it's just him pressing!" Another says passing to their teammate.
"Heh, we're fine as long as we-"
"Marcus, behind you!"
Instinctively, the player gets rid of the ball in time for Shidou to appear smirking.
"Gotcha~."
"Crap!" True to his own words, he slipped. He failed to initiating a perfect pass. Pressured, he only gave half the power and accuracy needed to reach a teammate leaving the ball to roll lifelessly to a standstill. "Someone, get it!"
"I got it!"
"HAAAAA! I DON'T THINK SO!" Raichi roars charging like a madman ramming into the player.
"Tch, how the hell can you keep going?!"
"BASTARDS, I TOLD YOU DIDN'T I?! I'D MAKE YOU ALL REGRET WHAT YOU PATHETIC ASSHOLES SAID AND DID! I WON'T STOP…" He halts, eyes tracking Shidou on the move. "UNTIL YOU'RE ALL GROVELING FOR FORGIVENESS!" Managing to take control, he kicks it towards Shidou.
"Get going, you stubborn shark!" Shidou grins.
"DON'T TELL ME WHAT THE HELL TO DO!" He shouts, pivoting and breaking for the goal.
Taking one more step, he becomes aware of the sudden swarm blockading his advance.
"You're not getting past us!"
"Heh, losers. Whoever said I was going to get through?"
"Huh?"
"The hell are you on about?"
Inhaling, he breathes out as his eyes widen alongside his manic grin.
"Don't forget about the monster in our domain? You've already forgotten, haven't you? About our Captain?!" With a quick roll around and a tap with his heel, the ball goes backwards for a red and black figure to take it.
"Good work, Zesty Demon!"
"Crap! We'd he come from?!"
"I couldn't see him anywhere!"
"Don't tell me…! He hid himself directly behind this guy!"
I knew it. Phenomenal instincts plus unrelenting stubbornness mixed with boundless stamina plus my superiority can create endless opportunities!
"PASS IT!"
Complying, he strikes. No sound-shattering boom comes but the mesmerizing arch soars overhead one more. Looking at the high ball, Raichi's eyes catch several defends surround him.
"Don't let him get it!"
"Keep him from reaching it!"
"Get him away from the goal!"
"Fucking vermin like that won't stop you, will it? Jingo Raichi?"
Veins protruding as muscles flex to their limit, all the defenders holding Raichi down snap from the descending ball to the male.
"You all… are worse than scum… You talk shit… Use pathetic tactics… If you think putting bodies on me is enough after coming all this way…! With a snap and shift of his body, he wrings them off to jump. "THEN YOU SHOULD JUST ROLL OVER AND DIE!" With the slam of his forehead, the ball is redirected at the ground away from the goalie. With a bounce, it jumps high into the net.
"LET'S FUCKING GO!"
[Scoreboard 3:3]
"How the hell…?"
"The shit are you guys doing?! It was one guy!" Their striker, Marcus, exclaims.
"EAT IT, SHITHEAD!" Raichi grins. "I told you we'd come back and make you eat your words! Next, we're going to win!"
Walking off high on his victorious goal, he meets both Shidou and Relon.
"Had you thrown that opportunity, I would have taken that goal for myself."
"Heh, cocky over a simple goal. Eat trash." Raichi smirks.
"Next, we crush them."
"And send them straight to oblivion!"
With the clap of high-fives, all three return back to the cheers of their teammates.
"Three minutes left!" The ref announces.
"Nice work guys!" Lifting his head up, he sees Gagamaru waving. "Just one more!"
"Damn right! I'll score another and end their whole careers while I'm at it!"
"Gotta say, Captain, things escalated from zero to 100 once you joined." Shidou notes.
"Things will continue until that whistle sounds. Until then, I don't plan on stopping."
"Heh, I love the sound of that."
"THEY'RE NOTHING! THE HELL ARE YOU IDIOTS DOING?!"
Halting mid step, Relon along with the rest of his team looks back to the captain of the opposing team losing his shit.
Blinking at the sight uncaring to listen in, Relon doesn't even bother to shrug and instead turns heading for Gagamaru.
"I'm going to do something so you'll have to block a shot or two."
"Huh? Okay…? Isn't that risky?"
"No. You're capable of stopping weak shots like theirs." He says walking off.
"Oh. Uh, thanks."
"Have you come up with an answer?" Still form moving in response to his words, Chigiri looks to his approaching form. "Will you finally act or simply continue to be a spectator? Well?"
Hand flinching, his mouth opens but nothing comes out. Frustration written on his face, Relon closes his eyes.
"I see. You're still on the field so that fire, that drive, still burns no matter how small. If you can't answer me or yourself, then I'll simply make you answer." Turning around, he departs to his side leaving a speechless Chigiri alone.
"You guys sure seem shook," Raichi grins at the group clearly sweating. "What's wrong? Terrified at a bunch of randos smacking you?"
"S-Shut up!"
"You know, stuttering doesn't exactly help you put on a brave front," Shidou notes. "Kinda makes you look like a wimp."
"We'll show you!"
"You guys keep going on and on but you haven't exactly shown anything. The only thing shown is how easily your team crumbles under a little pressure." At the start of the whistle, they pass back. "And we'll-" Cut off, both he and Raichi halt as the entire offensive line blitz past them. "What the?!"
"We're still in this too!" The lone midfielder shouts, punting the ball in between the two and curving to the left side in the direction of Chigiri.
"Get it, dude!" A defender calls.
Taking a single step, his pulsing eyes shift from the ball upwards to the rushing players. Suddenly, a feeling of dread locked him in place.
"Damn it, he's not moving!"
"I'll take that!" Macus grins, pushing Chigiri to the ground and stealing his ball. "Thanks for the free ball, NPC!"
"Damn it, out of my way!" Raichi shouts being squished alongside Shidou.
Watching them pass by, Relon's eyes remain on Chigiri.
"Why stay?" He calls over gaining the redhead's attention. "What keeps you from walking away. Answer me. Why risk our defeat?"
"I… I…" Feeling a hand lift him up, his eyes widen at the male suddenly in front of him. "How did you…?"
"Look!" Relon growls pointing a finger.
Following it, his eyes take in their team doing their best to defend against Team 1's onslaught.
"They're all still fighting but what about you?! You're here doing fuck all while they're battling, clinging in desperation to a chance to win! Either get off your ass and move or get off the field! We're here to become the best! If you think you can just stand idly by, then give up on that dream." Like a knife, his harsh words pierced Chigiri's very being leaving him still, speechless, and trembling. Relinquishing his hold, Relon watches as he falls to his knees.
Relon understood the concern Chigiri has. He can understand too well where he comes from. Losing the ability to do what you love most only to hesitate when you finally gainthe ability once more. The fear of what can come, the risks that may follow. He's injured Chigiri's pride as a soccer player. Now, all he had to do was hand over the catalyst to his inner turmoil and see what happens.
Looking at the ground in search of an answer, Chigiri's fingers scrap against the dirt in frustration.
What the hell, Lucinance?
"Telling me to 'move'? Give me a break…"
I could just lose and it would be over… I could give up on my dream and finally accept the peace that's been near for so long… So why…? His fingers curl into fists as he punches the ground, an expression of fierce determination dawning upon himself. Why the shit am I becoming so fired up now of all times?!
Watching Relon take a single step, to burst with incredible speed into the fray, he narrowly steals the ball.
"Don't leave one free. Not one!"
So that's it… Lucinance, you're the same as I was back then.
"About time you showed up! We've stopped two goals!" Shidou grins sweating from the exhilaration.
"JUST STEAL IT BACK! DO THAT AND WE SCORE!" Raichi shouts.
"Watch the far wings!" Gagamaru orders.
When I believed I could be the world's best and risked it all for the sport back then…
"Damn it, they got possession again!"
"We can't keep everyone marked! There's too many!"
"KEEP MOVING EVEN IF IT KILLS YOU!"
"Just a little more! Our victory is almost there! Don't stop! Not now!"
Why… am I here? What am I so afraid of?! Not being a prodigy? Ruining my right leg? Not being able to play soccer anymore? Slowly, he gets to one knee. What the hell…? None of that stuff really mattered.
"One minute left!"
"Free ball!"
"Clear it!"
"Decide! Right here! Right now! HYOMA CHIGIRI!"
With an aimed kick, the ball sails over the bunched up players. Over and to the left it landed before him. Hyoma Chigiri.
You want me to… choose?! Now?! Why…? Why, why, why, WHY?!
Even in the face of his approaching teammates, Chigiri remained still as a statue. As his eyes lowered to the ball at his feet, he suddenly lost the ability to move. Not out of desperation or confusion, not a haphazard condition that rendered him immobile out of the blue. No. He couldn't move… as if in fear.
Fear in the risk that would pave before his life. He survived one incident, one surgery, and regained the ability to walk. A limiter of sorts was placed on him. The doctors had confided in his past ability, his past self's immeasurable speed, would likely never return. It would be a miracle above all miracle for it to defeat the looming dread of failure to walk. The joy of running clashed with the image of crutches and the image defeated his own joy.
I just got back from a check-up! Had I known something like this would happen, I never would have played!
In that sense he was right. How could he have known that a chance encounter with Relon Lucinance would spur people around the both of them onward. He was a stranger. One with extraordinary skills. An enigma above all and here he was telling the redhead off one moment, unleashing a combination of speed and maneuverability that even Chigiri in his prime had dreamed of reaching, only to suddenly pass to the male who refused to budge. Now, the moment he needed to move, he couldn't.
It's right here but if I… But if I touch it and go, what will-
"It landed before the NPC! Just kick it out! We'll at least tie by time out!"
"DON'T LET THEM RUN FREE!"
"Captain!" Shidou exclaims to stop any further speaking as he gazes upon the confident gleam Relon's eyes sport as noted by the approving grin.
"If you have time to think, then you have time to run. Isn't that right, Chigiri?"
Trust your instincts! The voice crying out to act the only way it knows how! Chigiri!
What I need to believe in… are these emotions boiling in me! Chigiri mentally exclaims.
"MOVE NOT FOR THE GAME! NOT FOR THIS UNREPEATABLE MOMENT! WITHOUT REGRET, WITHOUT REMORSE! HYOMA CHIGIRI, MOVE! NOT FOR US BUT FOR YOURSELF!"
That was it… The key to it all. How had he not realized it sooner? His love for soccer faded into a constant cycle of indecisiveness, into reluctance. He wished to play it, not risking the negative and accepting the positives yet he couldn't embrace those positives to the fullest without accepting the negatives.
To think some random guy would talk shit upon the opposing team as well as his own teammates and somehow make such a dire defeat into a possible victory. That future, he wanted it too!
I want to… grasp victory! Once more…!
Like shackles unlocked, this random team, Relon Lucinance at the epicenter, became the key to undoing the binds of self-loathing and acceptance.
I want to experience it! Even if this becomes the last time, I want to do it… of my own accord!
"RUN!"
"Run, young man! Run, chosen one! For your life is on the verge of changing!"
Once again, a single sentence broke amongst the stampeding chants of rumbling feet and ominous sounds
"Run!"
"Run!"
"Run!"
"Run!"
He would not become like them! His abilities were his own. The suffering they caused him, he would use those experiences to better those around him.
You… I'm sorry. Chigiri, everyone, I'm sorry for acting so cruel. But please, You, let me vent the only way I can and help these players win!
With a single tap, he was off with the three right behind. By the third step, the margin between the three doubled.
"About time you do something! That's some speed, red panther!" Shidou howls.
"HEY, DON'T RUN STRAIGHT AT THEM!"
Too caught up in the moment, both failed to immediately notice Relon appear in between them.
"Incoming!" A striker hollers. "IT'S JUST ONE GUY! DON'T LET HIM THROUGH!"
"What's the plan, Captain~?" Shidou grins a sadistic smile.
"ISN'T IT OBVIOUS?! FUCKING SCORE AND WIN!"
A guy whose shackles have come undone can't be stopped! Once someone's limiters have been removed, it's next to impossible to stop them!
From a single glance at who he was upon joining the game, Relon could tell. A past leg injury, a slim body, that forlorn expression, the supposed inactive state he's been in since the very start; the pieces placed themselves so easily that he could see the entire story before him.
Grasp it! Clench it! The present that transcends into the future only you can envision, Chigiri!
Screw it all! If it breaks, it breaks! I'll show you jerks, I'll show you loudmouths, I'll show you, speedster, that I can match your level and become the world's best!
On the left side running up with the ball just inside of the touchline lies Chigiri.
Yeah..! I can do this! I just need to speed up! Faster! Faster! So fast that…
"You're not getting through!' A midfielder exclaims running in and sliding.
Flicking the ball, Chigiri hops over.
I can break through!
"What's with that speed?! Don't tell me… they had two speedsters?!" The voice of a striker exclaims rushing as fast as he and his team can. "SOMEBODY, ANYBODY, STOP HIM!"
It's been so long… This feeling of springing off the ground and getting even faster. Watching Lucinance do that over and over made me envious. How could I stop doing something so amazing..? How could I forget what was most important than being some prodigy or being unable to play soccer ever again? The first day I played soccer… That ecstasy… of breaking past someone!
With two defends coming to intercept from ahead, he taps the ball sending it past the two.
"What the heck?!"
"Why do that?"
"That guy got one hell of an ego." Shidou grins.
"Did he… just pass to himself?!" Raichi exclaims.
Feeling his body surge, Relon ups his speed leaving the two behind.
That's what soccer means to me…! That ecstasy only I can savor!
"Watch out, he's trying to catch up to it!" The first defender exclaims.
Putting out a foot in an attempt to stop him, Chigiri's eyes soften.
This is it… I remember…
With a jump, he strafes in the air over him leaving two awaiting him.
"We'll grab you and stop this chance!"
"Even if it hurts us!"
"Tch!" He clicks in annoyance to spot something out his peripheral.
"I'm here too." Relon announces coolly. "Our speed sets us apart from them."
"Lucinancen…! I get it!" Passing to Relon, he passes back.
"Faster!"
Once more, Chigiri passes to receive the ball back.
"More precise!"
"Closer!"
"Don't slow down!"
"Those two are demons themselves!" Shidou cackles
"Consistent give-and-goes?!" Marcus widens in disbelief.
True to the terminology, both ran shoulder length apart passing the ball so fast, so close, that the mere image made the eyes of the defenders become lost in the object itself.
"Left or right, which is it?!"
"Go left, I'll go right! We gotta stop them!"
At once, they stab their legs out.
Gotcha! Both think.
Tapping the ball with matching power straight down the middle, both evade the two who can only look back in horror.
"NOOO!"
"GOOO!"
Reaching the ball, Relon takes off with Chigiri right behind him.
Just keep burning straight ahead! The me from back then who believe he'd be the world's best is gone, but… with Relon and everyone here, I'll gamble everything on this moment!
"Goalie, you gotta reach it!" Marcus calls out. "STOP IIIIIT!"
Relon, you said you wouldn't score any more. You've kept your promise up until now. Because of that…
Approaching the goal, Relon reels his left foot back. Eyes meeting the goalie's and then to the right side, he swings as the goalie dives. In that moment, all widen as the goalie's eyes open to see nothing but blades of grass.
"I told you, didn't I? I wouldn't score anymore." He speaks though his face is hidden by his locks.
Appearing from behind him, Chigiri reels his leg back.
I knew you wouldn't shoot! If I were to miss or my leg gets busted again, then I'd give up on soccer. However, once I make this and my leg still isn't broken, then I'll make my dream a reality…! To once again become the best in the world… and keep playing!
Thump. Swish.
[Scoreboard 3:4]
"Winners! Team 2!"
First came the announcement and then the spectating crowd's cheers.
"... RAAAAAAAH!"
"LET'S FUCKING GOOOOOO! EAT SHIT YOU ASSHOLES!"
"Heh, that was a ball." Shidou grins in satisfaction to furrow.
"We actually did it…" Gagamaru mumbles in disbelief.
"Look, Lucinance! This is-" Stopping himself, Chigiri's celebration is cut short as he scans the area to not find Relon. "Where… did he go?"
Preview!
He's always pushing himself, not caring about what others think. He'll go to whatever lengths when it comes to helping someone no matter how odd it may be. Innocent, determined, and kind; that is who Relon Lucinance is. That is who my best friend tends to be. He has a soft side that he allows only a few to see and even fewer to hear what truly bothers him. As far back as I can remember, I've always… Find out my answer next time on Love Live! Revolution! Chapter 20: Convalescence. I wish moments like these would last forever…