On the subway ride back, Shirase's teammates were still buzzing from the win.
After all, they hadn't just beaten some random team—they'd taken down a championship favorite at full strength.
Isshiki Iroha stood beside Shirase, her small face glowing with excitement. "Didn't you say earlier that if we actually won today's match, we'd become championship favorites ourselves?"
"Mm." Shirase nodded with his usual calm.
Isshiki's lips curled into a delighted smile, her voice almost trembling with energy. "Then does that mean we're officially aiming for the national championship now?"
By the time she finished, even her breathing had quickened.
The others around them perked up too, the spark spreading fast.
National champions. Until now, it was something they'd never dared to imagine.
Even the captain, whose only wish had been to end his high school career on a high note, had never truly entertained the thought of being number one.
But hearing Isshiki's words—and remembering the rush of victory—the idea didn't feel impossible anymore.
It wasn't arrogance. It was the kind of reckless hope only youth could hold: bright, fearless, and contagious.
With Shirase as their pillar and Hayama as their versatile ace, a few more months of solid training might just make that dream real.
"Everyone's confidence keeps growing," Kirisu Mafuyu murmured softly from the side, her voice touched with pride.
Kojima Kana leaned closer and whispered, "When we boarded the train, Shirase-kun told me we shouldn't schedule any more friendly matches for now."
Mafuyu blinked, momentarily surprised, then nodded slowly. "He wants to hide the team's strength?"
"Exactly." Kana smiled faintly. "He said the soccer club might blow up in popularity soon. If today's footage ends up on TikTok again, it'll go viral for sure."
"He probably just wants more people to admire his looks," Mafuyu said dryly—a rare bit of sarcasm from her—but she couldn't deny he was right.
After all, defeating a top-ranked school would definitely draw attention.
...
Across the aisle, the Nakano quintuplets sat shoulder-to-shoulder, eyes locked on Shirase's group a few seats away.
"They still look pretty hyped. Maybe we should wait before going over?" Yotsuba said, scratching her cheek.
Miku nodded. "Yotsuba's right."
Ichika smiled, her voice laced with mischief. "It doesn't really matter whether we go. But if a certain someone doesn't make a move soon, Shirase-kun might belong to someone else by tonight~"
"Ichika! I swear, one more word and—!" Nino snapped, cheeks puffed red.
Ichika ignored her, gaze flicking toward Shirase. "I'm not kidding. Haven't you noticed Isshiki-san? She's been stuck to his side the entire time."
Nino turned sharply—and sure enough, Isshiki was practically glued to Shirase, chatting animatedly, following his every move.
Nino's smile dropped instantly. Great. Another rival to add to her list.
At the back, Itsuki felt the same quiet pang but quickly ducked her head, hiding her expression from her sisters.
"Anyway!" Yotsuba raised her hand. "Shouldn't we throw Shirase-kun a victory party or something?"
"A victory party?"
The other four paused, then Ichika clapped her hands. "That's actually a great idea. He's not just our friend—he's helped us tons with our studies, too."
"That's true," Miku said softly, sneaking another glance at Shirase. "But won't he be busy tonight?"
"No, he won't," Nino said flatly.
All four turned to her at once.
Nino crossed her arms. "With that guy's personality, unless Kana-nee drags him out, he'll just hole up at home."
Yotsuba giggled. "He can be pretty chuunibyou sometimes, huh? Always saying dramatic stuff."
Nino and Miku both gave her identical, puzzled looks.
Yotsuba blinked. "What? Did I say something weird?"
Miku replied bluntly, "We're just surprised that you, of all people, are calling a top student an idiot."
"…"
Yotsuba puffed her cheeks. I'm not an idiot anymore… I've been studying hard thanks to him!
"Alright, it's settled," Ichika declared, slipping back into her older-sister tone. "Nino, you contact Shirase-kun later and invite him over for dinner. Oh—and make sure to invite Kana-nee too."
Everyone agreed at once—even Itsuki, who had been quiet, brightened at the word dinner.
When they exited the subway, the team captain immediately announced he'd treat everyone to a meal to celebrate.
But Hayama quickly stepped in. "No, let me do it. I owe you guys. I made some mistakes before."
"Huh? What mistakes?"
Aside from Shirase, everyone looked confused.
Hayama smiled faintly. "I was too overconfident before, and it made me lose focus. Thanks to Shirase, I finally snapped out of it."
"Shirase?"
Everyone turned to him at once.
Isshiki tugged at Shirase's sleeve and whispered, "What happened between you two?"
Meanwhile, the rest crowded around Hayama, shouting over each other:
"Hey, don't be all cryptic!"
"Yeah, spill it already!"
"You didn't secretly steal our socks or something, did you?"
"Shut up, Fukuda! Not everyone's a pervert like you!"
As the laughter built, Kirisu Mafuyu and Kojima Kana exchanged amused glances and quietly slipped away, leaving the students to their chaos.
The Nakano sisters headed home as well, eager to prepare for the impromptu dinner.
But Hayama wasn't escaping anytime soon. His vague apology had only made the others more curious.
With a resigned sigh, he shot Shirase a pleading look.
Shirase stepped forward calmly. "I'll explain."
The chatter immediately died down—everyone knew Shirase never joked when he spoke like that.
He took a breath and said, perfectly serious:
"The reason Hayama wants to apologize is because he's secretly in love with someone in our soccer club—"
"What?!"
The carriage erupted.
Hayama's face froze in horror. Is this how you're helping me?!
"…'s classmate," Shirase finished smoothly, after an excruciating pause. "Back then, he was so distracted by his feelings he couldn't focus on practice. But he never confessed, so he's apologizing now."
A stunned silence followed.
Then—
"Shirase! Next time you talk, don't pause halfway!" the captain shouted.
"Seriously! You almost gave me a heart attack!"
"Well, if it's Hayama-kun, I might not mind—"
"Fukuda, shut up, you creep!"
The tension broke instantly. Laughter and mock arguments filled the subway car again.
No one pressed Hayama for more details—they respected him too much for that.
Instead, they turned their teasing toward Shirase, who endured it in stoic silence while Isshiki laughed and joined in.
Watching from the back, Hayama smiled faintly.
Shirase had just made something up to save him—but somehow, he'd hit the mark exactly.
For a moment, that image—the one he'd been trying to forget—flashed before his eyes again.
Then he forced a grin, shook his head, and stepped forward to join the others, throwing himself into their loud, carefree teasing.