Time slowed to an absolute crawl.
Up in the VIP box, Isamu stood with his jaw dropped, entirely paralyzed by the sheer speed of the interception. Beside him, Hideo and Itsuki's eyes were stretched wide, tracking the loose ball in stunned silence. Ameha was frozen in place, her jaw clenched so hard her teeth ached, her mind racing in pure disbelief.
The crowds were suspended in mid-air. Keiichi's mouth was ripped wide open in a fierce, silent scream of adrenaline.
Haru's jaw was locked tight as he leaned over the railing, while Daiki was caught mid-roar, his chest expanded. Shuya was right in the middle of bursting into cheers, his hands already flying up into the air.
Down on the pitch, Firas was left completely unraveled, a volatile mix of sharp anger and profound shock crossing his face, staring at Haruma, who was effortlessly maintaining his stance, completely balanced and immovable.
