The players returned to their positions.
The game resumed.
At midfield—
Ryota Kise stood still, waiting for the ball.
But unlike before—
He wasn't just excited.
He was focused.
Deeply focused.
He did this… then this…
I think… I can do it.
His breathing slowed.
His eyes sharpened.
The world around him began to fade.
WHISTLE!
The ball was passed—
Straight to Kise.
In that instant—
He entered his peak state.
A defender rushed toward him, trying to steal the ball.
Kise moved.
So this is how he did it—
A sharp turn.
A sudden shift.
Clean.
Precise.
He passed the defender exactly like Midorima had.
I see…
So that's what I did wrong…
Damn… I need to improve my defense too.
On the other side—
Shintaro Midorima was already moving toward him.
But when he saw it—
His eyes widened slightly.
"…He copied me… after seeing it once?"
A spark ignited inside him.
Excitement.
Pure excitement.
What are the limits of this guy…?
Midorima reached him.
Now—
Face to face.
A one-on-one.
Kise pushed forward.
Trying to replicate every movement.
Every dribble.
But Midorima saw it immediately.
The flaws.
The misuse.
"…I get it now."
His thoughts sharpened.
He can copy instantly…
But he doesn't understand when to use each weapon.
Kise felt it too.
His movements weren't working the same way.
Not as clean.
Not as effective.
"…So that's it…"
His eyes narrowed.
Then I'll learn that too.
Step by step—
He began adjusting.
Correcting.
Improving.
Not just copying—
Understanding.
At the same time—
He started mimicking Midorima's defensive posture.
Footwork.
Spacing.
Timing.
The duel continued.
One minute.
Two.
Three.
Five.
Neither of them gave in.
Their teammates—
Were completely shut out.
It was no longer a team match.
It was a battle.
Kise advanced.
Then retreated.
Fighting to maintain control.
Adapting every second.
And Midorima—
He was smiling.
From ear to ear.
He's learning everything… and using it better each time.
And because I can observe and remember everything…
I'm improving too.
A quiet laugh escaped him.
This is fun… hahaha…
On the other side—
Kise was smiling as well.
He's incredible…
He doesn't repeat a single mistake.
Their eyes met.
And at the same time—
The same thought crossed their minds.
I want to beat him.
Then—
Kise did something unexpected.
He passed the ball.
And sprinted forward.
Midorima blinked, surprised—
But immediately gave chase.
The game shifted.
Now it was movement.
Positioning.
Timing.
A constant chase.
Like a game of cat and mouse.
Back and forth.
Again.
And again.
Finally—
Kise's team managed to send the ball forward.
Near the penalty area.
Kise received it.
He looked at the goalkeeper.
Analyzed the angle.
I can do it… just like him.
He moved.
Sharp direction change—
But then—
Something felt off.
His speed dropped.
His power decreased.
"…What?"
His body didn't respond the same way.
I can't… replicate it perfectly…
Still—
He kicked.
The ball curved—
But weakly.
It didn't even come close to the goal.
Silence.
Kise froze.
"…I can't… do what he does…?"
For the first time—
Doubt appeared.
Midorima watched everything.
Then—
A small laugh escaped him.
Not mocking.
Not cruel.
Just honest.
"Kise… you're crazy."
Kise looked at him.
"I'm me… and you're you," Midorima continued, smiling.
"My body works for me."
He pointed lightly at Kise.
"And yours works for you."
His tone remained calm.
But firm.
"If you really want to reach me…"
His eyes sharpened.
"…then find something you can do better than anyone else."
A brief pause.
"And combine it with everything you've copied."
A small smile.
"That's the only way you'll reach this level."
Kise stood still.
Those words—
Hit deep.
Then slowly—
His expression changed.
Determination.
Real determination.
"…Yeah…"
I get it now.
The ball returned to Midorima.
And Kise—
Stepped forward to defend.
This time—
Using everything he had learned.
Midorima grinned.
"Hahaha… Kise, my defense is good…"
He leaned forward slightly.
"…but not perfect."
His eyes gleamed.
"Playing against you makes me improve two—no, three times faster."
A step.
"You're incredible!"
Then—
He moved.
A body feint.
The ball shifted left.
Kise reacted instantly—
Throwing his weight in the same direction.
But—
Too late.
Midorima exploded to the right.
Gone.
He passed Kise—
Then one—
Two—
Three—
Four players.
Like they weren't even there.
He reached the goal.
The goalkeeper rushed forward.
Midorima slowed slightly—
A fake.
The keeper reacted—
Opening his legs.
That was enough.
A precise shot.
Through the gap.
GOAL.
"AAAAAAHHHH!!"
Midorima shouted, punching the air.
His entire body trembled.
That feeling—
The perfect play.
From start—
To finish.
"…This…"
He smiled widely.
"…this is why I play."
To be continued.
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