Someone to Chase...

The stadium was electric. The air was thick with anticipation, and the crowd's roar was deafening, vibrating through the very core of Shun's body as he stood on the pitch. The semifinals. The match that would decide his future—his future with Japan's national team. His eyes flickered across the field to his opponent: Takumi Harada, the unstoppable striker from the rival team.

This is it. The one player I need to surpass. Shun clenched his fists, feeling his heartbeat quicken as the gravity of the moment settled over him. This wasn't just another match. This was the test. The match would decide if he truly belonged on the same level as Japan's elite.

Shun took his place on the pitch, eyeing Harada with a fierce determination. His breath slowed, each inhale a reminder of how far he had come. The tournament, the late-night training, the pain—all of it had led him to this moment. The light of the stadium illuminated the field, casting long shadows across the grass, where Shun and his team stood facing their greatest challenge yet.

The First Half: The Calm Before the Storm

The match began with explosive speed. Harada's team immediately took the offensive, moving with such precision that it was like they had rehearsed every move. Harada himself was a blur of motion—his footwork so quick it was almost as if he was dancing around his defenders, leaving them in his wake. He moved with grace and power, his eyes locked on the ball as if he could already see the goal before it even materialized.

Fukura's defense struggled to keep up with the onslaught, but Shun was focused. He could feel Harada's presence, his confidence on the field—but Shun wasn't going to back down.

I've trained for this. Shun thought, squaring his shoulders as he prepared for the inevitable. His teammates were in position, trying to keep up with the sheer power and coordination of Harada's team. The ball quickly made its way to Harada, who took it in stride and made a break for a goal.

Shun's body moved on instinct, darting to intercept, but Harada was too fast, too precise. He managed to take a powerful shot from the edge of the box, sending the ball screaming toward the goal. Goalkeeper Yuto dove for it, but it was too late. The ball hit the back of the net with a resounding thud.

The opposing team roared in triumph as Harada, calm and composed, stood in front of the net, a small smile on his face. He knew he was untouchable.

But Shun... Shun just gritted his teeth.

The Middle of the First Half: Shun's Determination

With the score now 1-0, Shun's resolve hardened. I can't let them get away with this.

The next few minutes were a blur of tactics and counterattacks. Fukura's offensive line, led by Shun, surged forward, trying to create opportunities, but Harada's defense was impenetrable. Every time Shun attempted a dribble, Harada was there, shadowing him like a ghost.

It was a cat-and-mouse game, but Shun was growing faster with every passing second. His mind was sharper than ever, every movement calculated. He faked left and dribbled right, but Harada was there every single time. Renji, seeing Shun struggle, shouted from the sideline.

"Come on, Shun! Breakthrough! Don't let him control the game!"

And that's when it hit Shun. This is how he's going to beat Harada. Harada's strength lay in his speed and anticipation, but Shun had something else: his flow. His ability to control the game and bend it to his will. He knew that this wasn't just about speed or skill anymore—it was about overthinking Harada. Outplaying him at his own game.