Someone to Chase...

Rika stood at the edge of the stadium, her heart racing as she watched Shun on the field. She had been here countless times, watching players battle it out, but this—this was different. There was something in the air tonight, something about the way Shun carried himself. Her eyes followed his every movement, the way his legs pumped with power, the way his body seemed to flow with the rhythm of the game.

He's different now, Rika thought, a small, unexplainable flutter in her chest.

When they had first met, Shun had been… well, a little bit of a mess. He'd been determined, yes, but something was missing. He wasn't the player he was today. Now, though, she could see it—his focus, his precision, the way he led the team. His movements were graceful, and calculated. He was like a predator stalking his prey, completely in tune with every pass, every touch.

It was the way he moved that caught her attention. How did he get so good so quickly?

The match had been fierce from the start. Harada, the opposing striker, was a force to be reckoned with, but Shun didn't back down. The way Shun locked eyes with his rival, how he analyzed every play—he wasn't just reacting. He was thinking—thinking faster than anyone else on the field.

Rika's breath hitched as she watched him glide past defenders, narrowly dodging Harada's attempts to block him. How does he do that? she wondered, her gaze fixed on his every move. Her heart thudded in her chest as Shun took a shot, the ball ripping through the air before crashing into the net.

Goal. 1-1.

The stadium erupted into cheers, but Rika's thoughts were somewhere else. She felt a twinge of something she couldn't quite identify. She knew Shun had always been determined, and always worked hard, but now—he was a force to be reckoned with. He was unstoppable. The realization hit her, and it wasn't just pride she felt. It was something else.

Why am I feeling like this?

Her hands clenched into fists at her sides, and she tried to ignore the warmth spreading through her chest. There was no time for this. She couldn't afford to get distracted. But the truth was, she couldn't tear her eyes away from him.

Why do I care so much?

When Shun scored the second goal, her breath caught in her throat. She couldn't believe it. She had seen plenty of amazing plays in her time as a player, but this—this was something else. The way Shun unlocked his flow, the precision of that bicycle kick from midfield. It was a moment of pure brilliance. It wasn't just skill; it was evolution. Shun wasn't the same person he used to be. He was someone new, someone formidable.

As the crowd went wild, Rika found herself standing still, her heart beating wildly in her chest. She blinked rapidly, trying to shake off the sensation. It was ridiculous. He was just a teammate. A rival.

But as she stared at Shun, her mind wandered back to the first time she met him. He had been so... quiet. So unsure of himself. But now? He was standing there—cool, confident, unshakable.

And the way he looked at the goal just before he scored… It was the look of someone who knew, deep down, that he was destined for something greater. Something more than just the game.

She didn't notice the faint blush spreading across her cheeks as her eyes lingered on him longer than she intended. Get it together, Rika, she scolded herself silently. She didn't have time for these feelings. She had her path and her own goals.

And yet, as she watched Shun celebrating with his teammates, something in her chest tightened. It wasn't just admiration anymore. It was something deeper, something warmer, something that made her question why she was feeling this way. Her gaze locked with his across the field, and in that moment, she swore she saw something in his eyes—a flicker of recognition, of connection.

Is he looking at me…? Her heart skipped a beat.

But the moment passed too quickly. His teammates surrounded him, lifting him into the air, and celebrating his victory.

Rika stood there, a wave of conflicting emotions washing over her.

She had always known Shun was talented, but this—this was something more. He was becoming someone. Someone who could change the world of soccer. Someone who could stand alongside the greats. And she couldn't help but feel a strange sense of pride… and something else, something she couldn't quite place.

As the match ended and Fukura's victory was sealed, Rika felt a pull in her chest. It wasn't just the excitement of the game. It wasn't just the adrenaline. It was Shun. The way he had played. The way he had changed. She wanted to be there, to see it up close—to witness his journey, not just from the sidelines, but beside him.

She shook her head, trying to clear her thoughts. Focus, Rika.

But as she made her way down from the stands to congratulate him, she realized something.

Shun had become someone she cared about more than she had ever expected.

Volume-2 The End