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nInside the tunnel, the Yokohama players arrived first, their faces set with determination. A tense air hung around them, and it was clear something had occurred in the locker room. They moved like soldiers marching into battle, their resolve evident in every step.

nBut Shun stood apart from the others. His eyes darted around as if searching for something- or someone. His expression changed the moment he spotted the Kawasaki players entering the tunnel.

nHis face lit up with a smile, the anticipation in his posture making it clear he’d been waiting for them.

n“Well, well, look who’s here,” Tatsuki grinned as he pointed to Shun, nudging his teammate.

nAs Tatsuki reached Shun, he gave him a friendly pat on the back. “Couldn’t wait for us, could you?”

nShun chuckled, brushing off Tatsuki’s playful hit. “You guys sure know how to keep a man waiting,” he replied, his eyes gleaming with excitement.

n“Thought you’d be more serious before a match like this,” Tatsuki teased, crossing his arms. fгeewebnovёl.com

n“I am serious,” Shun replied, his tone growing firm but lighthearted. “Just excited to crush your hopes today.”

nTatsuki raised an eyebrow, grinning back. “We’ll see who does the crushing. Ready to back up all that talk?”

nShun smirked, “I’ve been ready. Let’s make this one to remember.”

nTatsuki could vividly see the flames of determination burning in his eyes. So, he couldn’t help but feel excited.

n“But where’s Hiro? Is he stuck somewhere?” Shun asked as he failed to find Hiro.

n“He’s benched,” Tatsuki responded.

nWell, it wasn’t a matter that he couldn’t talk about. So, he revealed it without any hesitation. However, just as he revealed the matter, many opposing players turned to look at him.

nTheir eyes displayed a mix of emotions such as disbelief, joy, and curiosity.

nIt was almost as if they were relieved to hear the news.

nShun, however, frowned his brows as he asked, “But why? Is he injured?”

n“Well, can’t reveal the inside news to an opponent now, can I?” Tatsuki teased.

nBut Shun understood what he meant to say. It was a fact that he was right now playing against them. So, he couldn’t pry further.

nHence, he nodded his head, “You’re right”

nAfter a while, the players emerged out of the tunnel.

nThe moment the players walked out of the tunnel, the cheers of the fans got louder than before. The sea of supporters erupted as they cheered.

nBut soon, someone discovered that Hiro wasn’t in the starting eleven.

nSo, it got them curious.

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n“Isn’t Hiro playing today?”

n“I specially came here to watch him”

nIt didn’t take them long to find him on the bench.

nEven the commentators were surprised, “Seems like coach Haruki is resting most of his players for their next match”

nIt wasn’t just Hiro who was benched but a few other starting players were also rested. So, it didn’t take long for the commentators to figure out the absence of Hiro on the pitch.

nYet still, people weren’t satisfied with his decision. So, some of them couldn’t help but express their dissatisfaction.

nCoach Haruki, however, didn’t seem bothered by the jeers of the dissatisfied fans. More like, he couldn’t be bothered by their jeers.

nHe knew what he was doing. And he didn’t need a bunch of fools telling him what to do. So, he maintained a poker face as he calmly greeted the opposing coach.

nBeep!

nThe match then began with the referee’s whistle.

nImmediately players sprang into action as they heard the whistle. They knew that they had to act fast. So, right from the get-go, they charged aggressively as if their life depended on it. With the absence of so many starting players from the opposing squad, it was their only opportunity to take the lead. So, how could they let go of such an opportunity?

nMost of them were simply benched. They weren’t excluded from the entirety of the match. So, who knows when the opposing coach might deploy those players?

nIt wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that they had the advantage at the moment.

nWith their experienced squad, it wouldn’t be a pipe dream to win the match against the mighty Kawasaki.

nTheir motive was clear- take the lead and then park the bus.

nAt that time, even if the opposing team deploys their stellar players, it would be hard to get a goal back. So, they had to do all they could to secure that first goal.

nEven so, despite their effort, it was proving to be rather difficult to penetrate the opposing goal. Despite their lack of experience, the opposing squad was holding well against their onslaught. They were even producing many opportunities.

nIf not for Shun, it would have been their side who would have already conceded two or more

ngoals.

n“Even the youngsters of Kawasaki are different”

nThe opposing coach mumbled with a frown.

nFor most of the game, he had been on edge. It’s not that his players weren’t trying hard

nenough but the opposing squad was simply too organized.

nMore than half the squad of the opposing team was made up of rotational players. Yet still, it

nwas proving extremely difficult to score a goal.

nMore than thirty minutes had already passed. Yet still, the score remained the same with

nneither side managing to take the lead.

nThe unchanging scoresheet had got the opposing coach worried.

nPreviously, he had thought that Manager Haruki was underestimating him. But now, he couldn’t bring himself to think such.

nHe had to admit that his tactical brilliance was one of a kind.

nBut just then Kaoru made an important tackle. At this time, most of the opposing players were

ndispositioned.

nSeeing such a scenario, his eyes perked up with excitement.

nThen he shouted, “Push!”

nAlmost immediately after winning the ball, Kaoru sent the ball flying. At this point, his

nteam’s forward was already charging ahead.

nAll he had to do was play a successful pass.

nSensing the threat, the players of Kawasaki began to retreat. Especially the defenders began

nto sprint blindly.

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