~Egocentric~

⚽️Chapter 9⚽️

Fifth Stratum
Match 9: Draw
Team W Team Y
1 1

"Match number 9 ended in a draw thanks to Niko's Team Y and the Wanima Bro's Team W. After this match's result, our group's standing has changed like so..." Iemon spoke as Team Z sat in the monitor room.

They were all huddled together with the exception of Kuon who sat silently in a corner.

"Hah! We're tied in first place with Team V, right? I don't know about you guys, but I feel like keeping this winning streak." Y/n said with a slightly arrogant grin.

"Kuon, I reeeeally hope you're listening, else I'm beating your ass!" Raichi said as he cast the boy a glare.

"Why bother? It's not like he'll play with us anymore." Naruhaya piped in.

"But wait...About Team Y...Was Niko really the kind of guy who'd actually try to make his own goal?" Chigiri questioned, staring at the footage for Team Y vs Team W.

"I think he was inspired by a certain someone, surely." Bachira grinned.

"Well then, we need to know the key behind Team V's success. And that'd be...this trio." Iemon said as the screen presented said people.

Y/n slightly perked up at the familiar faces of his friends and he grinned before directing his attention back to his phone, tapping on the screen.

"In three games, they have scored a collective 18 goals. These top 3 players are responsible for their team's ridiculous and surreal victories...With 5 goals, Tsurugi Zantetsu. With 6 goals, Mikage Reo. And Team V's top scorer with 7 goals, Nagi Seishiro." Iemon listed.

"If we don't stop these guys, we can kiss our winning streak behind."

As Isagi stared at the scene, he couldn't help but remember Nagi's words.

"Those who can't win even after putting in all the effort are just weak guys not worth the hassle."

'That guy makes me sick...! We will win, no matter what...!' Isagi furrowed his brows.

–––––

Team V's Locker Room

Pew pew pew

"Hey, Nagi. Did you really skip our training today as well?" Zantetsu asked, wiping his sweat as he approached the boy.

Nagi, who laid on his stomach while tapping away on his phone, simply hummed without shifting his eyes away from his screen.

"Yeah. It's just gotten annoying." Nagi said.

Pushing his glasses up, Zantetsu furrowed his brows and said, "...and you're okay with that? If you keep on slacking, you won't keep your lactic acidosis levels steady and your knees will get all messed up that not even glucosamine will help you with that."

"Did I get that right?" He muttered.

"Sounds like it." Nagi said.

Reo, who overheard the conversation, make his way over and threw his arm around Zantetsu's shoulder.

"What are you saying, dumb Zantetsu? Nagi will be fine, even if he skips practice." Reo said.

"Reo...You're far too easy on Nagi." Zantetsu sweat dropped.

"Of course I am. He's one of my treasures. When everything goes according to plan, me, Nagi, and a certain someone will be able to reach our goal." Reo said as a huge smile stretched onto his face.