"We're ahead! We took the lead! Mafuyu-chan, did you see that?"
The moment the ball hit the net, Kojima Kana flung her arms wide and hugged Kirisu Mafuyu.
Overjoyed, she'd completely dropped her usual "Demon Kojima" persona—right now she was bouncing like an overexcited kid, curves and all.
"I saw it… Wait, what did you just call me?" Mafuyu quickly braced herself so Kana wouldn't topple her, then realized she'd just heard a rather questionable nickname.
"Huh?" Kana froze. "Mafuyu-chan" was a name she only used in private; besides Shirase, she'd never called anyone that in public.
Seeing Mafuyu's expression turn dangerous, Kana coughed and hugged her tighter. "There are so many people watching—let's just let that little detail slide, okay?"
Oh, so now you remember people are watching?
Mafuyu sighed helplessly. Your cover's already blown in front of the students.
Sure enough, in the stands behind them, the students who'd come to cheer for Shirase's team were staring at Kojima Kana like they'd seen a ghost.
Was the terrifying "Demon Kojima" actually capable of smiling like that?
No one could process it.
Compared to their excitement, Toritsu High's players wore grim faces on the field. Even the teachers and coaches on the sideline had gone pale.
When Shirase's team arrived, the pleasantries they'd exchanged were just polite formalities. They didn't know each other and barely interacted.
In fact, Toritsu's supervising teacher had even thought about easing up today, to preserve Aoyama High's pride.
They were a championship favorite, after all.
But that pride and arrogance only made the sting worse now.
Failing to score in the first half was bad enough—falling behind was a slap in the face.
Sometimes the hits you can't see hurt the most.
Halftime.
Inside Toritsu's locker room, the coach's expression was thunderous. He'd wanted to tear into the players, but when his gaze landed on their ace, Hasebe, he swallowed it down.
Stars get special treatment.
"Hasebe, you have to step up in the second half. Our tactics revolve around you. If you stay as ineffective as you were in the first half, the whole team's rhythm collapses."
Teeth clenched, Hasebe said bitterly, "Hasn't anyone realized it yet? That guy Shirase understands me completely."
Everyone stared, puzzled. Isn't scouting opponents normal?
Seeing their faces, Hasebe realized the misunderstanding and rushed to clarify. "I mean he's playing like a teammate who's trained with me forever—not just my moves, but my runs, even what I'm planning in my head. It's like he's seen through everything."
"That's impossible!" came the immediate pushback. It sounded absurd.
Hasebe fell silent. He'd expected that.
Sure, high school teams have tactics, but not everyone has a pro's discipline, game sense, or execution. So most high school playbooks are limited.
Coaches and teammates usually funnel chances to the ace and let him create with individual skill. It's simpler and more effective.
Which is exactly why Hasebe felt their entire approach had been laid bare by Shirase.
With the ace locked down, the team's overall strength cratered.
How is he doing this?
Staring at the scoreline, Hasebe's face darkened.
...
Meanwhile, in the next locker room over—Led by Hayama Hayato, the team finally circled Shirase to ask the question on everyone's mind.
"We didn't catch it at first, but now it's obvious—Shirase, how do you know Hasebe so well? I remembered that whenever he tried to lead an attack, you always guessed exactly when he'd pass."
Under their curious stares, Shirase said calmly, "Honestly? I've been fighting them in my dreams every night. If I'm counting right, I've played them over a hundred times."
The room burst into helpless laughter and heckling:
"Who's gonna buy that?"
"You think we're idiots? Dream battles? Why not say you assassinated someone in your sleep?"
"My bet is Shirase did private recon. Maybe he even hired a PI to find out their underwear colors."
Even Hayama couldn't resist teasing. "You didn't secretly know Hasebe already, did you? Otherwise, how could you read him like that?"
Shirase only shrugged. "Told you. It's the truth."
No one believed him.
Sometimes that's how it is—tell the truth and nobody buys it.
Taking a one-goal lead over a powerhouse was a massive boost, even with everyone's stamina flagging—especially Hayama's, after being targeted all half.
But right now, everyone's will to win was burning.
Not just Hayama—everyone wanted this.
"I'm guessing they'll come at us hard in the second half," Hayama said as they filed out.
"That's a given," Shirase replied with an easy smile.
Hayama smiled back. "The more desperate they are, the more chances we'll get to counter… Though, don't tell me you foresaw that too?"
"Nope. Definitely not," Shirase said, deadpan.
Hayama clearly didn't buy it, but let it go and voiced his worry instead. "Even if their desperation helps us, we're still weaker overall. We might concede again."
"If we concede, we'll just score one back," Shirase said, steady after so many battles in [Immersive Hosting].
Hayama gave him a quick, surprised look, then nodded. His voice firmed up. "You're right."
---
T/N: 4 chaps meeting this weeks quota, i was too focused on something elseeeeeeeeeeeee ive been playing 7daystodieeeeeeeeeee
bonus chaps
100 stones -> 1 chapter
200 stones -> 2 chapters
300 stones -> 3 chapters
and so on
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