CHAPTER 42: TENSION AMONG THE TEAM

"I saw you play." Kabuto drawled in a low, lazy tone, "You are an interesting one... I’m a defender. So how about one-on-one?"

Haruma blinks in both confusion and surprise, keeping his eyes locked on Kabuto.

Just then a hand landed on Kabuto’s shoulder and pulled him back from Haruma... It was Raya, stepping in with his usual calm presence.

"Hey Kabuto." Raya began with a friendly smile, "It’s time for you to get back to training. Three sets of lunges with ten reps each."

Kabuto let out a dramatic sigh, and with his shoulder slumped he turned around and started walking away, dragging his feets like a reluctant student.

Raya turned to Haruma with a warm smile, "Haruma, start with three sets of push ups with fifteen reps each, I hope it won’t be a problem for you."

Haruma returned the smile with a nod, and just as he was about to turn away, Raya called him out, prompting him to turn back to him.

Stepping closer, Raya stood right before Haruma, "Haruma I’d appreciate it if you talk with your friend. Ask him to coordinate with us, it would cost us if he’s not willing to show teamwork."

Haruma turned to Kurogami who was doing pull ups with his headphones on.

Turning back to Raya, Haruma said, "He’s not exactly a friend or anything, but don’t you worry I’ll try to talk to him."

"Thanks," Raya replied with a nod, "Let’s give our best in serving this team."

He extends his hand for a shake. Haruma smiled and took his hand, both. sharing a brief genuine handshake...

On the training grounds players were fully locked in, dribbling through the cones, each player giving their best. All were in their Tokyo Wolves training bibs except for Haruma and Kurogami who were still in their casual attire.

Raya with his face etched with focus stepped up and started dribbling through the cones, moving forward with fluid movements that were smooth and perfect, making everyone praise him under their breaths.

As Raya was done, Izaya stepped up next and with biting his lower lip in concentration, he began dribbling with unwavering focus.

The coach Minato was standing nearby, observing everyone closely with sharp eyes.

After Izaya, Jiho came next and with his face etched with fury, he let out a sharp yell before launching into the dribbling. His energy was intense but his technique lacked finesse and his dribbling was rough and undefined.

Then came Haruma. He started dribbling smoothly, his movements were fast and accurate, making everyone appear slightly taken aback by his speed and skill...

With a fierce shout, Jiho burst into a sprint tearing down the running track with raw power. He flew past the coach who was standing holding a speed measuring gun.

Coming to a stop, Jiho swiftly turned back to the coach, breaths coming out in sharp bursts, "Coach!" he called out loud, "how was it?" he asked eagerly.

The coach gave him a nod, saying "That was impressive Jiho!"

Hearing the words, Jiho threw his head back letting out a triumphant roar...

Raya came running forward and struck the ball cleanly, sending it soaring through the air, gliding smoothly towards the nets, hitting the target hung at the corner of the net, leaving everyone to watch in awe.

Next up was Nagisa, the boy with purple hair, who fired the ball with a powerful shot. The ball rocketed forward and struck the target in no time, causing murmurs of admiration to break through the players, but Nagisa remained stoic.

Now, Jiho stepped forward and took the shot, sending the ball flying into the air. But instead of hitting the target, it slammed against the post with a loud clang, causing a frustrated groan to escape from Jiho’s mouth as he began pulling his hair in frustration with Izaya bursting into laughter from the sidelines...

At the end of the training, Jiho let out a big sigh and fell backwards onto the grass, lying flat with his arms stretched wide.

The sun was about to set and all the players were gathered together at the corner of the field.

With a big smile, Raya announced, "Great work today everyone! That was an incredible session, now make sure you all get plenty of rest, tomorrow’s training is going to be even tougher."

Drained from the training, everyone could offer tired nods, too exhausted to respond by words.

Haruma with a smile picks his training bag up, preparing to leave.

"Wait just a second!" Jiho called out, his voice suddenly full of energy, drawing everyone’s attention to him.

Jiho pushed his body up, standing up straight on the grass with a look of determination crossing his face.

"Before we go, I wanna prove myself!" Jiho said with a determined voice, "I want to challenge someone who thinks he’s the best!"

With that Jiho turned to Kurogami, who was staring back at him with a serious face.

A heavy silence fell over the scene, with everyone caught off guard by the sudden challenge.

Izaya’s eyes lit up with excitement, while Itsuki was shocked, Raya and Haruma were taken aback.

Jiho clenched his teeth tighter and called out, "Come on, Mr Best, be a man and accept my challenge!"

Kurogami was standing still, staring back at him with cold, unflinching eyes.

Raya smiles awkwardly and raises his hand as if calming Jiho down, , "No, no, no, there’s no challenge going to happen! our day is off and we all need to rest u-

"I accept!" Kurogami interrupted firmly with a determined tone.

Jiho’s grin stretched wider in response, Meanwhile all the other players were exchanging surprised yet excited looks.

Only Haruma and Raya were the ones seeming to not like the idea of this challenge thing.

"Finally, talking like a man, huh!" Jiho growled through gritted teeths. "Penalty shootout! one-on-one, just one shot! The winner will prove himself... The Best!"

Kurogami smirked, "It’s on!"

Raya let out a weary sigh, "Guys... this is not-

"Shut up Raya!" Jiho snapped, cut him mid sentence, "I’m doing this for the team, it’s important to break this man’s arrogance and ego!"

Kurogami maintained his smirk, keeping his eyes locked on Jiho.

Raya sighed and gave a reluctant nod, Izaya’s face lit up with excitement, while Kabuto’s smile grew wide.

On the other hand, Nagisa sighed slightly, shaking his head in disappointment. Itsuki was flashing a forced smile, clearly unsure how to feel.

Haruma stood still with a straight face, except for the slight furrow of his brow in concern...

Jiho thrust the ball onto the grass before standing tall with his eyes locked ahead on Kurogami, who was positioned in front of the goal, calm and composed.

The rest of the team gathered nearby watching the showdown.

"Come on jihoooo!" Izaya shouted, practically jumping on his feet with excitement.

Rest of the players cheered alongside Izaya.

"Come on Jiho, you got this!"

"Show him his place Jiho!"

"Come on Jiho!"

Only Haruma and Itsuki stayed quiet, standing side by side at the edge of others. Itsuki appeared nervous, while Haruma watched with steady eyes, silent but attentive.

Jiho and Kurogami were staring into each other’s souls. Jiho’s chest was rising and falling with sharp breaths, his body pulsed with adrenaline as he slowly began to step back, preparing for the shot.

Guarding the nets, Kurogami crouched slightly, side raising both his arms, his eyes locked on Jiho.

Then with a shift Jiho sprang to move more to his right side before letting out a fierce growl and running forward towards the ball.

The players watching stood still in silence, anticipation growing heavy in the air.

Jiho closed in with a scream and swung his leg back clearly intending to aim at the right corner. His legs muscles tighten, veins bulging with intensity as his roar was echoing through the field.

"Right corner it is!" Raya muttered with a tensed tone.

"He has to be accurate!" Itsuki added, echoing Raya’s concern.

Just as Jiho’s feet neared the ball, he slightly switched his planted foot to the left, causing Haruma’s eyes to widen slightly, noticing the change.

Jiho struck the ball hard, its impact so fierce that it sent shockwaves felt by everyone.

Haruma felt the impact ripple through his body and thought to himself, "Jiho is strong... but Kurogami..."

The ball rocketed right towards the top left corner of the nets. Kurogami’s leg muscles tightened with raw power and in an instant he launched himself into the air with an almost inhuman reflex. With his arms outstretched his hands meet the ball mid-air flight, deflecting it with flawless precision.

Every eye on the field flew open in utter disbelief. Jiho’s jaw dropped, eyes popping out as he watched Kurogami’s form still in the air like the time stopped. His own body remained locked in his shooting pose.

"... Is unbelievable!" Haruma completed his thought. His eyes wide, sweat trickling down his face.

Then, In an instant, time snapped back to normal.

The ball deflected and flew off course. Jiho dropped to his knees, breath caught in his chest, watching Kurogami who hit the ground and instantly rolled smoothly and rose back to his feets in seconds.

Raya stood speechless, mouth agape and brow furrowed in shock, sweats streaming down his face.

Izaya clutched his hair throwing his head back a groan of frustration, while Kabuto was standing with eyes wide with shock. Nagisa swallowed hard, drawing in a deep breath. Besides him, Itsuki appeared frozen with amazement.

Kurogami smirked and turned his attention solely on Jiho who was still on his knees.

"That’s right!" Kurogami said coolly, "Kneeling before greatness!"

Jiho could only stare up at him, his eyes wide, stunned into silence.