Soccer...
Hearthrob of many players...
Its popularity hitting unlimited heights.
Players love it from the bottom of their hearts.
And that's the reason why Inazuma Japan along with the other teams from FFI were able to stop Irina, the head of Orion...
Xavier Schiller had officially reached his limit... And it was only 2 days in the infirmary.
One week of bed rest. One entire week of being poked by nurses, scolded by doctors, and—worst of all—forced to eat hospital food. He was a striker, damn it. He needed real fuel. Glancing at the clock, he waited until the night nurse stepped out for her rounds before slipping out of bed. His ribs still ached from the explosion, but the pain was dull now—more of an annoyance than a real obstacle.
"Curfew's at 9:30, but who's gonna stop me?"
Grabbing his hoodie, he shoved his feet into sneakers and crept into the hallway. The infirmary was eerily quiet, the only sound the hum of the vending machine at the far end.
Xavier smirked. Freedom tasted sweet already.
11:37 PM – Elliptical Island's Food Plaza~
The island at night was a different world. The usual buzz of players and coaches had faded, replaced by the whisper of wind through palm trees and the distant crash of waves. Streetlights cast long shadows, and Xavier stuck to them, avoiding the security drones patrolling the main paths.
His stomach growled.
'Ice cream. I need ice cream.'
The 24-hour automated ice cream parlor was a hidden gem—a shop run entirely by an AI robot named "Gelato-9000." Xavier discovered it on Day 1 of the tournament and has been plotting his return ever since.
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Rounding the corner, he froze.
Someone was already there.
Silver-white hair glinted under the neon sign, and a familiar figure stood in front of the AI, tapping her foot impatiently.
Spirit Flow...
Xavier's smirk returned. This just got interesting.
11:39 PM – The Ice Cream Parlor~
Spirit nearly jumped out of her skin when Xavier's voice cut through the silence.
"Ordering a midnight snack, Ms. Queen?"
She whirled around, golden-red eyes narrowing.
"What are you doing here, Noodle-Hair?"
Xavier leaned against the glass display, feigning offense. "
First of all, rude. Second—same as you. Escaping tyranny."
Spirit rolled her eyes but didn't argue.
The AI bot, Gelato-9000, beeped cheerfully.
"Welcome back, valued delinquents! Would you like to try our new Wasabi Caramel Swirl?"
Xavier gagged. "Hard pass."
Spirit, however, grinned.
"I'll take it. And..." She scanned the menu. "A scoop of Black Licorice Lavender."
Xavier stared at her. "You're crazy..."
"Says the guy who probably eats 'ketchup on vanilla'," she shot back.
"Excuse me, strawberry with ketchup is a classic—"
"That's disgusting."
"You're disgusting."
Gelato-9000 whirred. "Bickering detected. Would you like to order or continue your clearly romantic banter?"
Both of them choked.
"I'll have Cookie Dough Tsunami," Xavier muttered, face red.
