The End

Coach Emaon look back at the action, "I thought he was running forward because we were attacking... but he saw that Takahashi and Hikaru were already there and he put himself in a position where he could calculate the space he needed to score, it was more like he could see the pitch from above like a hawk." Renji look around and thought, to who do is saying all that.

Gabriel shot the ball.

"Hey, you idiot! If you have taken my pass its was a goal...Why you didn't take the ball??!. Chūichi said taking the collar of Chimao.

Chimao just sigh and said, "cause you never make a pass, it always has been like that."

With a lob the ball goes above everyone the keeper try to go back but its not enough the ball the line...Gabriel score the goal its first goal since joining even though it wasn't an official game he was happy to score this goal, all the team goes and celebrate with him.

The referee announce the end of the game, win for Kagoshima the final score 1-3.

The player go on a line and salute each other after the game, the both coach do the same.

As the players walked off the field, the emotions on both sides were mixed. The Kagoshima players were celebrating, but not loudly—just enough to show their satisfaction. For Tsurumaru, it was a crushing loss. Some of their players dropped to their knees, exhausted, while others stood still, looking towards the sky in frustration.

Chūichi clenched his fists as he walked off. His jaw was tight, and his eyes were sharp with frustration. He kept replaying that moment in his head—the missed pass, the lost opportunity, the defeat. He turned toward Chimao, still irritated.

"You should've been ready." His voice was low but firm.

Chimao, who was wiping the sweat off his forehead, just shrugged. "And you should've passed sooner."

Chūichi took a step toward him, but Higo placed a hand on his shoulder. "Let it go, man. It's over."

"...Tch." Chūichi clicked his tongue in frustration and stormed off toward the bench.

On the other side, Coach Emaon clapped his hands together, gathering the Kagoshima players. "Good work. We turned things around in the second half because we played as a team." He gave a brief glance at Gen. "Especially some of you who finally decided to wake up."

Gen, still catching his breath, smirked slightly. "Took me long enough, huh?"

Coach Emaon didn't respond, just gave him a knowing look before continuing. "But don't get comfortable. If we played like we did in the first half, we'd have lost. Learn from this."

Gabriel, still buzzing from his goal, threw an arm around Ryota's shoulders. "Man, that was a crazy game. Almost thought I wouldn't score today."

"You almost didn't," Ryota teased. "That crossbar shot was scary."

Gabriel laughed. "Yeah, yeah, but it still went in."

Jun, standing nearby, glanced over at Coach Emaon, who was watching him carefully. He had felt something change in himself today. The way he played, the way he adapted... this match had tested him.

And he passed.

As the team started walking toward the locker room, Renji caught up with Jun. "You... really did it today, huh?"

Jun raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

"You listened to your instincts, even when the coach told you otherwise." Renji gave a small smirk. "Not bad for a guy who never listens to anyone."

Jun chuckled. "Guess even I can change."

The atmosphere in Tsurumaru's locker room was heavy. The sound of cleats being kicked off and jerseys being tossed to the floor echoed in the silence. No one spoke for a while.

Then, finally, Coach Sato broke it. "We lost because we lost control. Simple as that."

No one argued.

Chūichi sat on the bench, staring at the floor, fists clenched.

"You relied on yourself too much," Coach Sato continued. "You wanted to win so badly that you forgot football is a team game."

Chūichi looked up, eyes filled with anger. "They just weren't fast enough to react!"

"They weren't expecting it because you never pass!" the assistant coach snapped. "You can be the best player on the pitch, but if your team doesn't trust you, you'll never win."

Silence.

Chūichi gritted his teeth. His pride wouldn't let him admit it, but deep down, he knew they were right.

After a long moment, Coach Sato sighed. "We'll go over everything in training. Rest up."

As the players packed up, Chūichi glanced at the scoreboard outside the locker room.

1 - 3.

He had lost today. But this wasn't over.

Not by a long shot.

As the Kagoshima players exited the stadium, they spotted Chūichi standing near the team bus, waiting for them. He wasn't alone—Higo and a few other Tsurumaru players stood beside him.

Gen was the first to step forward. "Something you wanna say?"

Chūichi locked eyes with him, then shifted his gaze to Jun. "You got lucky today."

Jun just smirked. "If that helps you sleep tonight, sure."

Chūichi narrowed his eyes, then turned back to Gen. "Next time, there won't be any luck involved. Remember of this we're not done with you."

Gen crossed his arms. "Looking forward to it."

With that, Chūichi turned and walked away.

As Kagoshima's players watched him go, Gabriel stretched his arms. "Man, that guy really doesn't like losing, huh?"

Jun chuckled. "Neither do we now."

As they boarded their own bus, a new fire burned in their hearts.

This wasn't just a game.

On the Bus Ride Back

The Kagoshima team bus was filled with a mix of exhaustion and quiet satisfaction. Some players were chatting in low voices, while others leaned back in their seats, staring out the window at the passing city lights. The adrenaline from the match was still there, but fatigue was starting to settle in.

Gabriel sat in the middle of the bus, tapping his fingers against his knee as he replayed his goal in his mind. His first goal since joining.

Jun, sitting across from him, noticed his quiet excitement. "You're still thinking about it, huh?"

Gabriel smirked. "Hard not to. First goal with the team… Feels good."

Ryota, sitting beside Gabriel, nudged his shoulder. "Enjoy it now, 'cause next time, you better not hit the crossbar first."

Gabriel laughed. "Yeah, yeah, I'll work on it."

At the front of the bus, Coach Emaon was going over notes occasionally glancing back at the players. The atmosphere was different now—more focused. This win meant something. It wasn't just about scoring goals; it was about proving something to themselves.

The bus ride had been long, and by the time Gabriel stepped off at his stop, the streets were quiet. He slung his duffel bag over his shoulder and walked toward his house, the sounds of the night surrounding him—distant car engines, a few cicadas still chirping despite the cooling weather.

When he got inside, he tossed his bag near the door and sit on the couch. His body ached, but he wasn't tired enough to sleep. He grabbed his phone, scrolling through a few messages he got.

He received a text from Ayane.

Ayane: Ryota told me that you score. Today.

Gabriel stared at the screen for a moment. He exhaled and typed a quick response.

Gabriel: Thanks. I'll try to score more next time.

Ayane: I'm waiting to see that.

Gabriel sighed. He ran a hand through his hair and leaned back.

As he goes back to his message one conversation stood out, the name of the contact was G. Santan, the message were only one sided and was just a resume about Gabriel journey trough the day Gabriel start texting.

Gabriel: We had a game today, the team we faced off was good even though they were asshole i score today my first goal since playing back, i feel happy lately i didn't feel like that since a while, maybe cause i take football back...I forgot we will soon play for the prefectoral and have a chance to save the club, i hope your watching me from where you are.

Gabriel sighed, tossing his phone onto the table. He ran a hand through his hair and leaned back.

A voice came from upstairs, "Gabriel is it you, i didn't hear you enter." 

Gabriel look up it was Satoshi, "Your still here, how long are you planning to squat here don't you have a job at Kyoto."

Satoshi rub the back of his head, "huh why are you so harsh with me," he sigh and continue "I got fired, so now i'm looking for something near the area,"

"Why i'm not surprised...Anyways were are mom and Aiko?!" Gabriel ask as he got up from the couch.

Satoshi respond, "They are visiting some family in Ishigaki they all goes without me." he said with a fake sad face.

"Ishigaki you said, thank god were not in a out of school period at the moment, i hate visiting her family...I remember i had to work all night in the restaurant and exhausted myself add all the tourist that came to see me like i was a sort of attraction." he said as he walk toward the kitchen.

Satoshi laughed, "yeah remember about that time, you were just coming from Brasil and still adapting from that change."

Gabriel take something to drink in the fridge. "Let's not talk about this don't we."

"Ok, let's talk about something else instead," he said with hos hands up. "Tell me how it goes with your team, last time i help you get rid of your frustration i don't things to go bad like these time."

Gabriel sigh, "It get better we even win today, so i think if we continue this way we might get a chance for the prefectoral and even dream for the national."

Satoshi ruffle his hair, "I'm glad to hear that. And see you taking pleasure from football again."