Domination on the Field

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Kayden: —Good morning, Hirata.

Hirata: —Good morning, Osawa-kun —replied Hirata as he entered the soccer club's locker room.

The holidays were over, which meant returning to classes. Although I regularly attended the club, I didn't usually talk much about it. After all, there wasn't much to tell.

A while later, my club mates and I finished our warm-up and were ready to start our morning practice.

Kayden: —Hirata, how about a one-on-one?

Hirata: —Sure, though I doubt I'll manage to take the ball from you —he laughed as he got ready.

We positioned ourselves opposite each other, with tension and excitement in the air. I tossed the ball upwards, calculating so that it would fall right between us. The duel was about to begin.

The ball fell between us, and as soon as it touched the ground, we both rushed for it. Hirata, as quick as ever, moved forward with good control, shifting to his right. But as soon as he took the first touch, I was on him.

With a quick move, I stole the ball in one swipe, sliding it inward with the sole of my foot. Hirata tried to block my path, but a soft touch to the left left him off-balance. He adjusted his position well, but had already lost ground.

I advanced with the ball glued to my feet, making small feints, just enough to confuse his mark. Hirata, despite his effort, couldn't get close enough to try and take control. It wasn't a lack of skill but a difference in pace.

He tried to pressure me with a break to my right side, but I anticipated it. With a quick spin on my own axis, I passed the ball behind me, changing direction before he could react. The ball flowed as if it were an extension of my feet.

Hirata was breathing heavily but didn't give up. He approached again, throwing a leg to cut my advance. I dodged it with a gentle touch over his extended foot, making Hirata stumble a bit.

The morning practice hadn't officially started yet, but this small competition felt like a personal duel. Hirata smiled despite his frustration as he tried to keep up. But it was clear that every one of his movements was a reaction to mine.

I passed the ball through his legs with an unexpected nutmeg, and when he realized, I was already running behind it, giving it light touches. I let him come close enough to make him think he had a chance, and when he tried to steal the ball, I had already changed direction again.

After several minutes of keeping control without Hirata being able to touch the ball, I decided it was enough. I stopped abruptly, placing my foot on the ball and watched Hirata, who was just a couple of steps away, breathing heavily.

Kayden: —Not bad, Hirata. But you'll have to try harder if you want to take the ball from me.

Hirata laughed between breaths, shaking his head. He knew he hadn't been close.

Hirata: —How are you so good? —he asked while taking a sip of water, still trying to catch his breath.

Kayden: —I've been playing soccer for a long time.

Hirata: —I have too, but I'm nowhere near as good as you. Look at you! You're not even sweating after everything we've done.

Kayden: —Well, I'm pretty athletic. It takes more than this to make me sweat —I replied with a smile.

Just then, a voice interrupted us.

???: —Hey, guys! How's practice? —said a blonde student, approaching with a confident smile.

Shibata: —Nagumo-senpai, everything is going great —Shibata replied, bowing slightly.

Nagumo: —I'm glad to hear that. I hope you're improving because last time you couldn't take the ball from me —Nagumo said with an air of confidence.

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