— VIP stands —
Sitting in his seat, Takuma was stunned as he watched his friend from above.
He had just scored… right after coming on.
"Wow… so you really did it, Rikuo… my friend… my rival…" Takuma murmured.
"I was right to admit it… this guy is really talented. He comes from somewhere different than me… you can feel it. But it pushes me to reach that level too… enjoy it, Riku," he added, hands behind his head.
— Back on the pitch —
On the opposing bench, coach Matheus couldn't do anything but admire number 77.
"Not bad… this kid's got real talent. He could make it in Europe," he thought.
Then he shot a sharp glance toward Sato.
"So… you still had that card in your hand, Mr. Sato… interesting…"
During a stoppage—one Kashima player was down injured—he gestured for Akira to come over with a few others.
"Yes coach… I'm sorry… it's my fault he scored. I was defending him, but he got past me easily… it's frustrating," Akira said, angry.
"Calm down, Akira. There's still time. And you have to admit… number 77 is talented. That's not why I called you."
He turned serious.
"Miya is coming in with you in midfield. Listen carefully."
"Miya, Akira you'll double-team number 77. Don't give him time to breathe. Every time he gets the ball, both of you press him aggressively. Win it back, then play it forward to Alex. Understood?"
"Understood, coach!" said Miya.
But Akira hesitated.
"Coach… putting two players on a kid like him… that's like admitting he's better than me. I can't accept that."
"Yes. He is more talented than you," Matheus replied coldly.
"And if you refuse, you'll come off immediately."
Silence.
"This is his first professional match. You need to use that. Be aggressive, force him into mistakes. He lacks experience. You understand that, right?"
"…Yes coach. I'm sorry. I'll follow the instructions and bring the ball to Alex," Akira answered, calmer.
"Good. Go."
The substitution was done. The game resumed.
Tokyo controlled the ball.
Fast.
Sharp.
You could feel it everywhere—the home team wanted more.
They had struggled before.
Now they were pushing.
And the fans loved it.
"LET'S GO TOKYO CF!!" the crowd roared.
"Damn… I can't stop smiling out here… all these people watching… I'm playing… and I'm just smiling…" thought Rikuo.
He received the ball in the opponent's half.
The whole team was high up.
Kashima didn't rush.
Rikuo passed to Minato the heart of the team.
Raizo called for a through ball.
Minato ignored it.
Rivelinho dropped closer, pulling defenders with him.
Minato recycled the play.
Switch to the right.
Keep control.
5 minutes left.
Rikuo scanned the pitch.
Looking for a weakness.
Then—
The ball came to him.
"Oh! Akira and Miya are already pressing the young Rikuo! What intensity!"
"Yes, Miyazaki-san, they clearly want to force a mistake!"
"Sorry kid… nice show earlier, but now you're giving us the ball," Miya smirked.
"Oh really? I don't think I'm weak enough for just two players to take it from me. Bring ten if you want," Rikuo replied with a grin.
"Cocky brat!" Akira charged.
Miya followed.
Too late.
Nutmeg on Miya.
Akira tackled…
His own teammate.
The stadium exploded again.
"Rikuo! Send it!" shouted Raizo.
With a smooth outside-foot pass—
Perfect.
On Raizo's chest.
"Here Raizo… do your thing."
"WHAT A PASS! Ladies and gentlemen… words aren't enough anymore!"
"Matheus… I see your plan. Double-mark my player… but it won't work. That kid is too talented for pressure to affect him… otherwise I wouldn't have sent him in," Sato murmured with a slight smile.
"Minato! Support Rikuo now!"
On the left wing—
Raizo had the ball.
Shun overlapped and called for a pass.
But Raizo used it as a decoy.
"Too easy."
Right side open.
"Pass it, amigo!" shouted Rivelinho.
"No problemo!" Raizo replied.
With One-two they created space
Minato moved inside.
"The space is open! Minato is free in the center! What will Raizo do?!"
Everyone expected the pass.
But—
"No… that's too obvious," thought Raizo.
He looked up.
Number 77.
Behind.
He passed.
"I knew you'd give it to me… playing with good players is fun," Rikuo smiled.
Control.
Miya sprinting back.
Rikuo held the ball with his sole.
Waiting.
— Flashback, training session —
"In the final third, this is what we'll do," said Sato.
"Rivelinho, you pull defenders. Minato, you attack the space."
"Then Raizo or Bao supports," Minato added.
"Exactly. Triangle play. You have the technique for it."
"I'd just shoot from 20 meters," Bao said arrogantly.
"No. Play simple," Minato replied.
"If I play, I'll combine with them… that'll be easy," thought Rikuo.
— Back to present —
"Haha… I was right. This is easy with players like them."
Minato called for the ball.
Raizo moved closer.
Triangle formed.
Rikuo at the edge of the box.
Miya behind him.
But Rikuo's control…
It was too good.
Too clean, the ball seemed to be stick to his feet.
Then—
when Rikuo was about to pass to Minato..
His leg lifted.
"FIIIIIUUUUU!"
"WHAT A TACKLE!! A dangerous one from Miya right outside the box!"
"That's not a good look… Rikuo was controlling the ball so well… but Miya stops it brutally…"
"Are you serious?! You could've injured him!" shouted Minato.
"What? Is he that fragile?" Miya smirked.
"You get embarrassed and then you foul him. That's all it is," Minato snapped.
Yellow card.
The stadium whistled loudly.
"BOOOOOOO!"
In the stands—
"Oh no… Rikuo… please don't be injured…" thought Takeshi.
In VIP—
Takuma slammed the glass.
Whistling too.
Like any fan.
On the pitch—
"Are you okay, genius? You flew there," Minato said.
"Haha I'm good… it hurts a bit but I'm fine. Honestly, if I forced that… it's because I was too good for that guy," Rikuo laughed.
"Hahaha you're not wrong. Get up and show the coach you're fine," said Raizo, helping him.
The crowd applauded.
Rikuo stood up.
Signaled he was okay.
"Good… Senda would've killed me if you got injured," thought Sato.
"Not what I asked for… this is embarrassing…" thought Matheus, hand on his face.
That's the impact of Rikuo.
He changed everything around him.
At the foul spot—
Minato looked at him.
"You want to take it?"
"No. You take it. Show me how it's done… score the winner… let's share the spotlight, big bro."
"Hahaha… you never fail to amuse me. Alright. Let me remind you why I was called Japan's clutch genius."
Free kick.
20 meters.
90th minute.
+3 added time.
The whole stadium stood.
"This is it! After the young prodigy's brilliance, Minato stands over the ball! Three minutes left! What will happen?!"
"Fiiiuuuuu!" — whistle.