When Shirase and Kojima Kana arrived at school, Kirisu Mafuyu was already there, leading the team. Several soccer club members had gathered, their faces bright with excitement, the air buzzing with energy.
After a round of greetings, Kirisu-sensei's gaze briefly swept over Kojima Kana before settling on Shirase. "You weren't affected by nerves last night, were you?"
Shirase blinked. "Did someone from the club have trouble sleeping?"
Kirisu lowered her voice, glancing at the others. "It's natural. They're still teenagers. Facing last year's champions for the first time—it's normal for them to get too excited to sleep."
Then her eyes studied Shirase carefully. "But you and Hayama-kun can regulate yourselves well. I trust emotions won't throw you off."
"He slept perfectly fine," Kana cut in, smiling proudly.
Shirase nodded in agreement.
Kirisu visibly relaxed before changing topics. "Your academic progress has been remarkable. I'll admit, I misjudged you before. You're the first student I've seen improve that fast."
Shirase blinked innocently. "Sensei, aren't you forgetting something? You didn't say your signature line, 'I was careless.'"
Kirisu froze on the spot and glared at him in silence.
Unbothered, Shirase went on, "Kana-nee told me that's your favorite phrase."
Kirisu's sharp stare immediately turned to Kana, who gave a sheepish nod. "Sorry, I might've mentioned it…"
Kirisu sighed helplessly and looked away. Losing face in front of Shirase wasn't new to her anymore—as long as it didn't spread, she could live with it.
...
Ten minutes later, the rest of the team arrived.
Isshiki Iroha, the club manager, had noticeable dark circles under her eyes. Clearly, she hadn't slept either, but she forced a bright smile anyway.
"Since everyone's here, let's go."
Kirisu-sensei and Kana led the way to the subway. Their timing was perfect—any later and rush hour would've made it impossible to squeeze in.
As they boarded the train in matching uniforms, they drew plenty of stares. A few girls looked particularly eager to start a conversation, but even the ever-friendly Hayama Hayato wasn't in the mood today.
Thirty quiet minutes later, with several disappointed girls left behind, they stepped off the train.
"Welcome."
At Toritsu High's gate, a group of teachers greeted them warmly.
One of them—a balding man with a shining bald dome—shook hands with Kirisu before approaching Shirase and Hayama with a broad smile. "If you're ever interested, Shirase-kun, feel free to visit again with your friends. We'd be happy to host you."
Then he said the same to Hayama.
Isshiki, following close behind, whispered in disbelief, "Trying to poach players right in front of us—that's so rude."
Hayama chuckled. "Their ace is graduating this year. It's natural they're scouting new talent."
Isshiki pouted. "That doesn't make it okay! It's still infuriating."
Then she tugged on Shirase's sleeve. "You're not tempted, right?"
"Of course not," Shirase said flatly.
Her face lit up. "I knew it. You're loyal to our school!"
"Actually," Shirase corrected, "I'm not tempted because their girls aren't as pretty as ours."
Isshiki's smile froze.
Hayama, glancing at a few nearby female students, nodded thoughtfully. "Well… he's not wrong."
"Exactly," Shirase agreed seriously. "How can they poach me without cute girls?"
Isshiki stared blankly at the two of them. These idiots are syncing up.
As the guide led them through campus, the players curiously looked around—until they stepped onto the soccer field and froze.
Every seat around the pitch was full.
Hundreds of spectators, mostly students in Toritsu uniforms, filled the stands, their chatter echoing across the open field.
Kirisu, Kana, and even the most confident players stood stunned.
The Nakano quintuplets were among the crowd, sitting together on the far-right corner.
"Why are there so many people?!" someone gasped. "I've never played in front of a crowd this big—what if my legs give out?"
"Then go to the restroom and, uh, relieve some stress," another joked.
"Don't suggest weird stuff at a time like this!"
Isshiki tiptoed to peek over the others and gasped. "Wait, is that… a commentary table?!"
Sure enough, two empty chairs sat in a small booth by the field.
Even Hayama's easygoing smile faded. "They're taking this match seriously."
Kirisu approached the host teacher. "Your school seems unusually invested in this 'friendly' match. You even have commentators?"
The teacher smiled helplessly. "You probably won't believe me, but we didn't ask anyone to come. They all showed up voluntarily—even though it's a day off."
Kirisu gave him a skeptical look. She didn't buy it.
The captain nudged Shirase. "You nervous?"
"Not really," Shirase said, scanning the crowd. He spotted the Nakano sisters easily—and even caught sight of Yukinoshita Yukino. No sign of Demon Lord Haruno yet.
The captain frowned. "You think that teacher's lying? Why would students give up their weekend voluntarily?"
Several teammates nodded.
Hayama put on his best reassuring voice. "I doubt he'd lie about that. Their soccer team's probably really popular. It's common for classmates to come support them."
He smiled at everyone. "Remember, soccer and baseball are the big two in high school sports—one has Koshien, the other has the Nationals. They're dreams for a lot of students."
The tension in the group eased instantly. "Makes sense! As expected of Hayama—smart and composed!"
Just then, a few girls in uniforms pointed at them, whispering excitedly:
"It's them! Our senpai wasn't lying—they really are handsome!"
"They look even better than in the videos! Should we try to get their contacts?"
"Quickly, before someone else does! Everyone's here for them anyway. Honestly, I'd take either the blonde or the black-haired one."
The whole team went silent.
Hayama's confident smile froze mid-expression.
Isshiki sighed. "So that's why there are so many girls… they came to see you two."
Shirase clapped Hayama on the shoulder. "Don't take it too hard. Just a small miscalculation. If you want to fix it, go charm their fans—turn this into a home game."
The team burst out laughing. "Yeah! Go for it, Hayama! If you seduce enough girls, maybe they'll cheer for us instead!"
Hayama rubbed the back of his neck with a weak smile. Okay, maybe this was his fault. Who could've guessed teenage girls thought entirely with their hearts?
Soon, the opposing players appeared.
Shirase's gaze immediately locked onto number 7. He'd faced this guy hundreds of times in [Immersive Hosting]. He knew every move—the angles, the patterns, even the exact moment he'd reach into his shorts to "adjust trajectory."
"This guy…" Shirase muttered.
"They're coming," Isshiki whispered nervously.
Player #7 stepped forward first, greeting them with a polite smile. "Shirase-kun, we've been looking forward to this. I've watched your footage—your speed is incredible."
Shirase shook his hand. "I also know everything about you."
The other boy smiled politely, assuming he meant video analysis.
He didn't know Shirase had literally fought him hundreds of times in simulations—and won a few, too.
Ah, the perks of having a system.
After introductions, #7—Hasebe Shuuichi—explained, "We invited you because your style is similar to the ace who beat us last year."
Isshiki frowned. "Then why not invite that team?"
Hasebe gave a wry smile. "They refused. Didn't want to reveal their tactics to us."
Shirase nodded in understanding. "So basically, we're your stand-ins."
"N-no, not exactly—"
"It's fine," Shirase cut him off calmly. "If we beat you, doesn't that make us championship material?"
Isshiki puffed her cheeks. "Exactly! If we win, that means we're champions too!"
Hasebe smiled. "Then, see you on the field."
As he walked off, Isshiki muttered, "I don't like him."
"Same," Shirase said solemnly. "Let's have Hayama seduce him later."
Isshiki burst out laughing.
Hayama sighed. "Why am I even here…"
As they started warming up, the captain asked nervously, "You're actually serious about going for the championship?"
"Of course," Shirase said matter-of-factly. "We're already here. Might as well aim high."
The captain groaned. "What kind of logic is that?!"