### Chapter 38: 出会いと挑戦 (Encounter and Challenge)
Summer break had finally arrived, bringing with it a well-deserved respite from the rigors of school and soccer. For Saijo and his friends, this break was a chance to relax, recharge, and maybe even get in some extra practice. The streets of their neighborhood were bustling with the energy of students freed from the constraints of their academic duties, and the soccer fields were alive with the sounds of games and laughter.
---
One scorching afternoon, Saijo, Kaito, Gon, and Elvis decided to head to their favorite soccer field. It was a well-worn pitch nestled in a park, a place where they had spent countless hours honing their skills and bonding as a team.
As they approached the field, they noticed someone already there. A boy, about their age, was kicking and dribbling a tattered soccer ball with an almost supernatural grace. His movements were fluid and precise, each touch of the ball a testament to his incredible talent. But there was something off about him. He wore rags, his clothes torn and dirty, and his face was bruised. His eyes, empty and void, told a story of hardship and pain.
---
"Who's that?" Gon asked, squinting at the figure.
"No idea," Kaito replied. "But he's got some serious skills."
Saijo frowned, his curiosity piqued. "Let's go find out."
---
They approached the boy, who barely acknowledged their presence. Up close, the extent of his injuries was more evident. His face was a map of bruises, and his eyes held a cold, distant look.
"Hey there," Saijo greeted him. "You're really good. What's your name?"
The boy paused, looking at them with a mixture of disdain and indifference. "Ayataro," he said curtly.
---
Kaito stepped forward, trying to be friendly. "I'm Kaito, and these are my friends, Gon, Elvis, and Saijo. Do you want to play a game with us?"
Ayataro scoffed, a bitter smile forming on his lips. "You uptight privileged pumpkins don't know the reality of life. You think you're tough because you play in your fancy uniforms and nice fields? You don't know anything about how harsh life is."
---
The venom in his words caught them off guard. Saijo felt a surge of anger. "You don't know anything about us," he retorted. "Why don't you put your skills where your mouth is? Let's have a one-on-one match."
Ayataro's eyes gleamed with a dangerous light. "One-on-one? That's too easy. How about this: I'll take on all four of you at once."
---
Saijo, Kaito, Gon, and Elvis exchanged glances. There was something almost sinister in Ayataro's gaze, a murderous intent that sent a chill down their spines. But they couldn't back down now.
"Fine," Saijo said, his voice steady. "Four-on-one it is."
---
They took their positions on the field, with Ayataro standing alone on one side. As soon as the match started, it became clear that this was no ordinary player. Ayataro moved with a speed and precision that seemed otherworldly. He dribbled past Gon with ease, his feet a blur of motion. Kaito tried to intercept, but Ayataro's agility was unmatched; he spun around Kaito, leaving him in the dust.
---
Elvis attempted to tackle, but Ayataro anticipated his move, sidestepping with a deft touch that sent Elvis sprawling. Saijo, the last line of defense, braced himself. Ayataro's eyes locked onto his, filled with malice and a hint of something darker. It was as if he was toying with them, and the realization made Saijo's blood boil.
---
Ayataro charged, his movements almost a dance. Saijo lunged, trying to predict his next move, but Ayataro was always one step ahead. With a flick of his ankle, Ayataro sent the ball through Saijo's legs, executing a perfect nutmeg. Saijo spun around, but it was too late. Ayataro had already scored, the ball rocketing into the makeshift goal.
---
They tried again and again, but each attempt ended in humiliation. Ayataro's skills were beyond anything they had encountered. He played with an intensity and ferocity that bordered on savage, his aura radiating a murderous intent that made it impossible for them to focus.
---
"Come on, is that all you've got?" Ayataro taunted, his voice dripping with contempt. "You call yourselves soccer players?"
Saijo's frustration reached a boiling point. "You think you're so great? You're nothing but a bully!"
---
Ayataro's eyes narrowed. "A bully? You don't know what real suffering is. You've never had to fight for every scrap, every breath. You live in your safe little bubble, thinking you're tough. But out here, in the real world, it's kill or be killed."
---
The match continued, but the outcome was clear. Ayataro decimated them, his skills and ruthless determination leaving them in the dust. They were no match for his raw talent and the burning rage that fueled his every move.
When it was finally over, Saijo and his friends were left gasping for breath, their bodies aching from the relentless assault. Ayataro stood over them, a triumphant yet hollow look in his eyes.
"Remember this feeling," he said coldly. "Remember how it feels to be truly powerless. Maybe then you'll understand what it means to survive."
---
With that, Ayataro walked away, leaving them in stunned silence. The encounter had shaken them to their core, and Saijo felt a deep sense of failure and anger. But beneath the frustration, there was also a spark of determination. He knew they had a lot to learn, and this encounter was just another challenge to overcome.
---
As they regrouped, Saijo looked at his friends, seeing the same resolve in their eyes. "We're not going to let this break us," he said firmly. "We'll get stronger. We'll prove ourselves."
Kaito nodded, his face set with determination. "We'll train harder than ever. Ayataro's not invincible. We can beat him."
---
Gon and Elvis agreed, their spirits lifting. The fire within them had been rekindled, fueled by the desire to overcome this new obstacle. They had faced many challenges before, and they would face many more. But as long as they had each other, they knew they could overcome anything.
---
The chapter ended with Saijo, Kaito, Gon, and Elvis standing together on the field, their resolve strengthened by the encounter with Ayataro. They had been pushed to their limits, but they would rise stronger and more determined than ever. The journey ahead was uncertain, but they were ready to face it, together.
---
### End of Chapter 38