21. Fifty-Two Metres

Y/N felt the best he'd ever felt since coming to Bluelock. Playing properly, even if he didn't put much effort into it, was so freeing. He never realised how much he actually enjoyed soccer - when he was just standing around, it was boring as hell.

He grinned widely, completely unaware of the looks everyone was giving him. And whether it was admiration or fear or envy, everyone was watching him.

Isagi seemed pumped by the goal, and instantly began rallying the team. He called out orders as Team V retrieved the ball from the back of the goal.

As Reo and Zantetsu walked over to the centre of the field, Y/N could hear them talking.

"Ever since Nagi and I took up soccer six months ago, our record's been spotless. I don't want a stain on it, but at the same time, I don't mind if it's Y/N that's the cause of that." The purple haired boy met Y/N's gaze, face softening into a smile.

Y/N was thankfully called away by Isagi, as the blue-haired boy tried to organise the team. "Raichi, man mark Reo! Chigiri, Gagamaru, cover the space that opens up. Y/N, play midfield and try to get the ball! You can feed a pass to me all the way next to the goal!"

"Like hell I will." Y/N scoffed. Even without realising it, Isagi is organising the team into a formation where he can score, and everyone else has no chance. And everyone's going along with it for some reason.

"What?" Isagi looked startled by Y/N's rejection. "It's our best way to win!"

"No, it's the best way for you to win." Y/N replied, lowering his voice slightly so the rest of the team wouldn't hear. "But whatever. It's good to see your ego."

Raichi was running forwards, straight towards Reo. Even though he was behind, he quickly caught up, latching onto Reo and trying to steal the ball.

It was an effective technique as Reo had to constantly deal with the blond boy. He didn't have room to dribble nor shoot, and instead, he passed it out to the flank.

Zantetsu stopped the ball, pausing for a second as he began to run forwards. His boots dug into the ground fast, accelerating at a high speed as he narrowed his eyes. "I'll carry the ball forward!"

Chigiri went to meet him. The princess's top speed was much faster than Zantetsu, but it didn't particularly matter as the Team V player changed directions, still accelerating.

"Mark him with me, Kunigami!" Isagi called over Kunigami, the two of them heading to pincer Zantetsu from either side. The ball had steadily inched its way closer to their goal, and now was sitting in the middle of their half of the field.

Before either of them could do anything, Zantetsu suddenly stopped, his face creasing with confusion as he realised he wasn't kicking the ball forwards.

He slowed to a halt, looking around blankly. "What?" Isagi and Kunigami stopped as well, seeing no ball between the black-haired boy's feet.

"How the hell?!" Reo's voice ran out loud across the pitch. Y/N had the ball somehow, sprinting towards the centre touchline faster than anybody could react.

Three Team V members closed in from the front in a tight bunch. Y/N didn't seem to care at all. He pushed the ball using the outside of his foot, changing directions so fast his entire body looked like it teleported.

He ran along the centre line, towards the edge of the field as Team V converged on him. His own team called out for the ball, but the small boy didn't seem to hear them as he ran for the sidelines.

"What is he doing?" Reo slowed, watching as four of his team attempted to surround him. It seemed to work - they had him pinned against the side, and the only way Y/N could get the ball out was by passing back.

Y/N pursed his lips. He didn't once look back at his own team, and instead drew back a leg.

Reo was utterly confused. Team Z had so many players open, with most of Team V just trying to contain Y/N only. He had so many passing routes, which one would he go to?

None, apparently.

What everyone had expected to be a pass, was a shot. Y/N's foot collided with the ball, making a deafening thud as the ball flew forwards at incredible speed.

If it'd hit the players trying to mark him, it would've hurt like hell. But, like the ball was remote controlled, it flew straight between two of their heads. It rose high, spinning as it flew across the field.

"Keeper!" Reo managed to get out. "Stop-"

Twisting midair, the ball changed trajectory. It looked like it was going to the right side of the goal, and the goalie had been ready for that. In the last ten metres, it suddenly dipped, bouncing off the left hand post and going into the net.

Y/N just raised a hand to his eye, blocking off one of his eyes as he studied something nobody else could see. His brow creased with concentration.

After a few seconds, he nodded with satisfaction. "Fifty-two metres. A bit slow, but I can work on that."

The half time whistle blew.

🥕🥕🥕

"Y/N, you're absolutely insane!" The changing room was nothing but praise for him.

Laughing quietly, Y/N took a sip of water. He was sat on one of the benches, leaning his head back relaxed against the wall as he bounced his leg. "Nothing special. I'll let you guys score some next."

As hard as he tried, the smile on his face wouldn't disappear. He loved soccer. He loved challenging himself to make shots like that, to make crazy plays like that. Because as easy as he made it look, a shot over fifty metres was no joke no matter who you were.

"You're going to win this, okay?" Y/N told everyone. "I'll support you guys next, let you score some goals. I've helped you out, but you need to show me you deserve to win."

"What does that mean?" Isagi tilted his head with confusion.

"Well, if I score all the goals, then you guys might not deserve to win. You'd just be letting me carry you, which is why I haven't played properly so far." Y/N explained. "So even though I've helped you, it needs to be you to show me that you deserve the win."

"That's a strange way of seeing things." Chigiri commented, rubbing his hands together. "Not that I'm complaining, I want the next two goals."

"Everyone at the top level is a bit strange." Y/N replied instantly. "You have to be a bit crazy to dedicate your life to soccer."

"True, I guess."

🥕🥕🥕

When the game restarted, it was Team Z's ball.

Kunigami brought the ball a good distance forwards, but was quickly pressured by two Team V players.

They seemed a bit hesitant, constantly shooting glances over Kunigami's shoulder, and the orange-haired boy quickly realised what they were looking at. Even when Y/N's not doing anything, they're terrified of him.

He couldn't dribble it any more forwards, though, and so passed it out to Bachira, who was tagging along beside him. Instead of receiving it, Bachira just passed it a second time, launching the ball high towards Gagamaru.

It was an ambitious pass. Y/N's play seemed to have inspired the entire team, and even though Gagamaru was way in front of the ball, he still wanted to go for it.

The caveman didn't drop back. Nor did he slow down. Instead, showing impressive agility and flexibility, he lunged onto his front, using his heel to scorpion kick the ball towards the goal.

It would've gone in. The keeper reacted slowly, not expecting a kick like that, but Zantetsu came in like a train. He shouldered the ball aside, grunting with effort.

Isagi was there to receive it. He took the ball down with his chest, and began dribbling forwards. I want to score! It was slow and laboured, and in a few seconds, two Team V players were on him.

"Crap!" He attempted to pass back, again, his movements slow and inefficient. The enemy took the ball, booting it far down the field and keeping it clear of their goal.

Reo took the ball. Before he could do anything, though, Raichi was on him, roughly barging into the purple-haired boy as he attempted to dribble.

Reo growled with frustration. "Are you my stalker or something? Go mark someone else!" He grunted with effort, trying to shake Raichi off.

Growling right back, Raichi grinned with his pointed teeth. "I'll demolish you!"

Reo carried on trying to move the ball, slow and hindered by Raichi's pressing. It would only take one slip up, or another player, for him to lose the ball, so he had to be mind-numbingly careful. Meanwhile, Raichi was laughing. "What's wrong? Gonna report me to the police?"

He bodyblocked Reo, his strongly built frame much taller than Reo's lean body. "Without that genius, Nagi, you're a master of nothing!"

That was too far. Reo whipped around, forgetting about the ball as he drove an elbow right into Raichi's neck. "Bastard...!"

The whistle immediately blew, as Raichi grinned, rubbing at his neck. "Team V, Reo Mikage. Yellow card. Free kick awarded to Team Z."

Reo's eyes went wide, and he gulped nervously.

In that small time while he was distracted, Raichi took the free kick. "Go, missy!" While everyone was still preparing for the free kick, he passed it out to Chigiri, who was running straight past him.

Chigiri came face to face with Zantetsu, both of them squaring off against each other. He attempted to run sideways, but before he could build up speed, the black-haired boy was on him. His weapon is his acceleration...

Pink eyes widening, he grinned. Then he kicked the ball hard, aiming over Zantetsu's shoulder. The two speedsters took off after it, both of them breathing heavily as they accelerated.

As they went, Chigiri's speed only increased, as he slowly pulled ahead of Zantetsu. He edged past the enemy player, getting far ahead enough that he could stop, plant a foot, and shoot for the goal.

It flew in perfectly. The score became tied up with the whistle, 3-3. Team Z was performing, drawing even with Team V. Y/N nodded with satisfaction, standing in the centre of the field by himself.

"Come on, Team Z. A few more."