The Calm Before The Storm

After practice, Gabriel, Ryota, Kenta, and Daichi walked together, their usual easygoing conversations replaced by silence.

Finally, Kenta groaned. "Man, this sucks."

Ryota nodded. "They're gonna come at us hard. I mean, they weren't exactly thrilled with how things got left last time."

Daichi exhaled. "We can't let it get to us."

Kenta side-eyed him. "You say that, but what happens if they start to respond in the pitch? We all saw how they were at the arcade. I just say we should just be careful."

Gabriel ran a hand through his hair. "Look, I won't lie—this match is personal for me. For them and for us. But if we go in thinking about the past, we'll lose before the game even starts."

Kenta kicked at a loose rock on the pavement. "Easier said than done."

Gabriel suddenly grinned. "And also, what is better than if we just completely destroy them on the field?"

The group stopped walking.

Kenta blinked. "Huh."

Daichi shrugged. "Not a bad plan."

Ryota smirked. "So instead of fighting them physically, we embarrass them in the game?"

"Exactly."

Kenta chuckled. "I can't wait to play them now."

The tension lightened. It wasn't going to be easy, but at least now, they had a plan.

As they reached the segment before split up, Gabriel's phone buzzed. He pulled it out and saw a message from Ayane.

Ayane: Hey, did I hear right? You're playing against Tsurumaru High?

Gabriel hesitated, then typed back.

Gabriel: Yeah. Why?

Her response was almost immediate.

Ayane: Be careful. Those guys don't forget grudges.

Gabriel stared at the screen for a moment before shoving his phone back into his pocket.

He knew that already.

The night before the match, Gabriel found himself lying awake, staring at the ceiling of his room. His body ached from the past weeks of training, but his mind wouldn't rest. Tsurumaru High. 

He clenched his fists. He wasn't scared—no, fear wasn't the right word. But he couldn't ignore the feeling that this match wasn't just about football.

A vibration from his phone pulled him from his thoughts.

Ryota: "Yo, you up?"

Gabriel smirked. Figures. He texted back.

Gabriel: "Obviously."

Ryota: "Daichi in a panic. Says he can't sleep. Wanna head to the park?"

Gabriel exhaled. It was late, but he knew there was no chance of getting sleep at this point.

Gabriel: "Yeah. Meet you guys there."

The park was almost empty, save for the occasional distant sound of a car passing by. Ryota was already there, juggling a football between his feet, while Daichi paced back and forth like he was expecting a final exam. Kenta leaned against a lamppost, arms crossed.

Daichi groaned. "Dude, why are we even playing against them? It's a friendly match—can't we just, I don't know, fake an injury or something?"

Gabriel snorted. "Real inspiring, Daichi, i didn't expect you to suggest something like that."

Ryota flicked the ball into the air and caught it. "He's just nervous. He remembers how things went last time."

Daichi threw his hands up. "Of course I do! Do you know how terrifying it was to see those guys when Gabriel wasn't around? You think they'll just let that go? And i don't like to fight i'm sure they are sill resentful from what i did."

Kenta finally spoke. "It was surely not just a fight for them. It must touch their pride."

Gabriel nodded. "Exactly. But that's why we need to keep our heads. Our only concern should be to focus on the win."

Ryota stretched. "Still, can't say I'm not looking forward to watching them eat their words when we outplay them. I still remember of our defeat against them last year."

Gabriel looked at each of them. "We'll handle this. Together."

For a moment, no one spoke. Then Kenta huffed. "Fine. But if they try anything funny, I'm kicking the ball right at their faces."

Gabriel smirked. "I'll pretend I didn't hear that."

The morning of the match arrived faster than Gabriel expected. The locker room buzzed with a tense energy—not the usual pre-game excitement, but a quiet, heavy anticipation. The sound of cleats tapping against the tiled floor, jerseys being pulled over heads, and deep, measured breaths filled the space.

No one was joking around. No unnecessary conversations.

Gabriel sat on the bench, tying his laces tighter than usual. Across from him, Ryota adjusted his shin guards. Kenta was leaning against the lockers, arms crossed, staring at nothing in particular, while Daichi drummed his fingers against his knee, clearly restless.

Takahashi stood near the door, rolling his shoulders. His expression was unreadable, but Gabriel knew him well enough to sense the tension beneath the surface.

Then, the door swung open.

Coach Emaon strode in, eyes scanning each player before he spoke. "Alright, listen up."

The room fell silent.

"I don't need to tell you that this match isn't just another friendly," he said, his voice even but firm. "Tsurumaru plays hard, sometimes dirty. They'll do everything they can to get inside your heads. But we're not here to fight—we're here to play football, remember that."

No one moved. No one spoke.

Emaon continued, his gaze settling on Takahashi and Gabriel. "That said, leadership starts now. Anything to add?"

Gabriel exhaled, standing up and facing his teammates. "This is our first real test as a team, and see how we are from the other team beside the top one," he said, voice steady. "I know the team lost to them last year, but that doesn't mean anything today. What matters is how we play right now."

A few players nodded, but there was still uncertainty in the air.

"They're going to try to push us, to make us lose control that how they played. Its why we need play our game. We play as a unit. And we're trying to take the win."

A moment of silence, then Kenta smirked. "That almost sounded inspiring."

Ryota chuckled. "Yeah, I'm kinda pumped now."

The other players also felt this desire to win.

Coach Emaon nodded approvingly. "Good. Now suit up. We're heading out."

The walk from the locker room to the field felt longer than usual. The crisp morning air did little to shake the tension settling in Gabriel's chest. The moment they stepped onto the field, his eyes landed on the opposing team.

Tsurumaru High's players were already warming up, stretching and passing the ball between them. But Gabriel's attention was drawn to a small group standing near the center of the field.

A familiar voice cut through the air.

"Well, well. Look who finally showed up."

Ryota jaw tightened as he recognized the speaker—Tsurumaru's captain, Chūichi.

Chūichi, smirked as he walked toward them, his teammates following closely behind.

Ryota muttered under his breath, "Of course it's this guy."

Gabriel squared his shoulders, meeting Chimaon gaze without hesitation.

"Didn't think you'd actually show up," Chimaon continued, tilting his head slightly. "Figured you'd come up with some excuse after what happened at the arcade, and its look like you have a new player on your team."

Kenta scoffed. "You're still mad about that?"

One of Chūichi teammates, who was their during the altercation at the arcade, let out a chuckle. "Let's just say we don't like unfinished business."

Gabriel could feel the tension behind him—Ryota shifting his weight, Kenta clenching his fists, Daichi swallowing hard.

Chūichi took a step closer, lowering his voice. "This isn't just about the game, you know. I hope you're ready."

Gabriel didn't blink. "We are."

For a second, there was silence. Then, Chūichi smirked again. "Good. I wouldn't want to see y'all making excuses when you lose."

He turned and walked away, his team following suit.

Ryota let out a low whistle. "Man, I forgot how much I hate that guy."

Daichi exhaled. "I think I stopped breathing for a second there."

Kenta cracked his knuckles. "I swear, if he so much as—"

Gabriel cut him off. "Ignore them. They're trying to get in our heads."

Easier said than done, but they had no choice.

Just then, Takahashi spoke for the first time. "They're not just talking. They mean it."

Gabriel turned to him. "Yeah. I know."

Takahashi met his gaze, something unreadable in his expression. Then, after a pause, he nodded. "Then we'd better be ready."

Gabriel smirked. "We will be."

The warm-up began, but the atmosphere felt heavier than usual. Every movement, every pass, every stretch—it all felt like preparation for a battle rather than a game.

Emaon observed from the sideline, arms crossed, eyes sharp. After a while, he called Gabriel over.

"You're holding yourself together well," he said.

Gabriel raised an eyebrow. "You sound surprised."

Emaon let out a short chuckle. "Not surprised. Just making sure you keep that mindset when the match starts."

Gabriel exhaled. "I know what's at stake."

Emaon studied him for a moment before nodding. "Good. Because this isn't just about words, Gabriel. It's about proving yourself when it matters."

Gabriel nodded firmly. "I understand."

As he walked back to the team, Ryota jogged up beside him. "What did the old man say?"

Gabriel smirked. "Nothing I didn't already know."

Ryota grinned. "That's what I like to hear."

The referee blew his whistle, signaling the teams to gather. The crowd—small but lively—began to murmur in anticipation.

Gabriel took one last deep breath. This was it.

Gabriel didn't react.

This match wasn't about the past.

It was about proving who was stronger—where it actually mattered.

And Gabriel intended to win.