[Team Z defeated Team Y with a score of 9-0.]
Jinpachi announced on screen while studying Team V's reactions.
"Nine goals?" Zantetsu adjusted his glasses, "Nine is greater than eight, so Team Z scored one more goal than us?"
"I'm amazed that an idiot like Zantetsu can handle such complex math as comparing nine and eight." Seishiro remarked sarcastically, not looking up from his game.
"We shouldn't underestimate Team Z. We need to study their footage carefully. I heard they have a particularly strong player named Ryōsuke Kira, right?" Zantetsu said with genuine concern.
"It doesn't matter — they can't possibly beat Nagi. There's a huge gap between genius and mediocrity." Reo said confidently.
"Even so, we still need to watch the footage together. This is a team activity after all."
"Do we really have to go?"
"Yes."
"Can I play games while watching the footage?"
"...Whatever..."
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Two hours later, Team V's members had changed, eaten, and gathered in the screening room to watch the match between Team Y and Team Z.
Everyone focused intently on the footage — except Seishiro, who continued playing his game.
"Is Ryōsuke Kira playing as a defender this time? What strange tactics."
"Whoa, he can even block that shot?"
"This guy is incredibly strong — even better than in the first match!"
Team V's members discussed as they watched.
Even Reo's expression turned serious.
He recognized that Ryōsuke's abilities were terrifying. Even as a defender, he dominated the game effortlessly — something no ordinary player could achieve.
A moment of doubt crept into his heart, but after glancing at Seishiro, his confidence returned.
'Still, he definitely can't beat us.' Reo thought to himself.
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Meanwhile, Team Z's members had finished eating and celebrating today's victory.
The others went their separate ways — some to rest, some to the dedicated screening room to watch today's match footage.
As for Ryōsuke, he went to the field to train as usual, quickly earning today's 10 Competition Points.
After training, he took a short break and messaged Riko about their win. His phone rang almost immediately — it was her.
"Hey, Riko."
[Ryōsuke! Did you win the match again?!]
Riko's voice bubbled with excitement.
"Yeah, everything went smoothly overall." Ryōsuke nodded.
[That's great! So... how did you perform?]
"I scored five goals this match. Adding the one from last match, I now have six points. I should be able to get ten points by the next match, then I can come out."
[Really?!]
Riko's voice jumped another octave before she caught herself. She cleared her throat, paused, and continued more softly.
[Um... when is the next match?]
"Not sure, but probably in three days based on the current schedule."
[Three days? Not on the weekend... I might be late that day, I need to train our basketball team at school.]
Despite being only a first-year in high school, Riko was already the manager and coach of the high school basketball team.
Seirin High School was newly established, and Tetsuya Kuroko and Taiga Kagami hadn't arrived yet. Middle school basketball was still dominated by the Generation of Miracles.
That would come later when Kuroko and the others entered high school. Even with the current lineup, Riko had led the team to achieve decent results, proving her capability.
"No problem, I'll come to your school and we can go back together." Ryōsuke said with a smile.
[Oh, coming to our school... Okay! I'll introduce you to the basketball team I've trained myself!]
Riko responded, pride warming her voice.
"Sure." He nodded.
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Seirin High School Basketball Club.
Despite the late hour, the basketball club members were still practicing.
Though Seirin's basketball club was new, they trained diligently even at night, working hard to win the Preliminary Tournament and qualify for the Interhigh Championship.
Riko had just hung up the phone, still smiling.
At that moment, she realized she was surrounded by people.
While on the phone, she had been so focused on Ryōsuke that she hadn't noticed the team members finishing their training and gathering around her.
"Who was Riko just talking to?" Shun Izuki asked, one of the basketball team members.
"Don't know, but it's rare to see such a gentle smile on her face." Teppei Kiyoshi said with a smile.
He was the team's ace, once known as one of the 'Uncrowned Kings'. The Generation of Miracles had been the ones who kept him from the championship.
"I heard something from Mr. Aida." Junpei Hyūga said, raising his hand with a knowing look.
He was Riko's middle school classmate who had even trained at her family's gym, so he knew her father well.
"What is it? What is it?" The others asked eagerly.
"I heard Riko and Ryōsuke Kira are quite close! To the point where 'Ryōsuke Kira must be killed if necessary'!"
"Really?"
"Who's Ryōsuke Kira? The name sounds familiar."
"I think he plays soccer locally — has some fame and quite a few fans from what I've heard."
As everyone discussed animatedly, Riko's face turned bright red, looking like she was about to explode.
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