Chapter 82
"Counterattack!"
Just as Soubu High School was continuing to organize its attack, the scene almost repeated itself.
Just as Hayama Hayato passed the ball out, Hasegawa Izumi once again appeared out of nowhere and intercepted the ball in mid-air.
"What!?"
The senior officers of the Soubu High School were once again astonished.
Isn't this person going too far?
Does it mean that monitoring the other side requires all of them to attack together?
That's called a gang fight, not playing football.
"Number 5, this ball is for you."
This time, Hasegawa Izumi used a different person to pass the ball.
"I... I don't need it."
Number 5 scratched his head shyly.
Despite his actions, the ball still reached his feet.
"There's no other way. Since it's Lord Hasegawa's kindness, I'll do my best!"
As a devoted fan, he cheered himself on and dribbled the ball forward.
This time, Hasegawa Izumi followed along slightly, Soubu High School, to show how much he valued him, directly blocked his path with three people.
However, this also gives other members of the Soubu High School room to maneuver.
So, number 5, in collaboration with Sunohara and others, broke into the penalty area, but unfortunately, the goalkeeper managed to stop the shot.
"Just a little bit short."
Number 5 ran back looking disappointed.
"It's okay, don't be discouraged, there will be another chance."
Sunohara comforted the other party.
He could tell that Hasegawa-kun wasn't really interested in the match; he was only agreeing to the Soccer Club's request to prove that he was the king of Shuchiin and that he was good at both domestic and international matches.
Actually, that's not the case. Hasegawa Izumi wasn't interested in any kings; she was just impressed by their shamelessness.
In a sense, Hasegawa can be considered a helpful person.
After several rounds of back-and-forth, the score remained 1-0 until the end of the second half, and the game seemed very close.
"Hasegawa-kun, we're leaving the rest to you. You don't need to worry about our feelings anymore!"
"Hasegawa, I am already more than happy to have received your teachings!"
"We're exhausted, we really can't go on."
In the lounge, the team members shared their opinions.
Sunohara said breathlessly, "I'm going to take a walk on the court in the second half."
"Alright, then leave it to me."
Hasegawa Izumi responded listlessly, paused, and then said, "By the way, what score do you think would be appropriate?"
Everyone:...
Damn it, I'm so unwilling to accept this!
When will I be able to show off like that?!
That's probably what they're thinking right now.
The second half resumed.
This time, although Hasegawa Izumi suppressed his strength, unlike in the first half, he began to take initiative.
"Hasegawa-kun, it's all yours now!"
At the start of the game, the player in front passed the ball to him in the back.
After Hasegawa Izumi dribbled the ball into the opponent's half,
"Ignore everyone else, we must stop him! Even if it's just once!"
Suddenly, Captain Takayama Satoru uttered something astonishing.
Brothers, I want to win too, and I'm really unwilling to accept defeat, but there's nothing I can do!
This is the crushing power of genius; ordinary people like us can never surpass it!
Now, we can only take on this challenge by pooling everyone's resources!
Even winning just once would be enough!
Seeing the tears welling up in their captain's eyes, the teammates immediately understood.
Indeed, even if they are not the best in the country, they will still shine in the face of the strongest high school basketball skills in history!
"Charge! Let me show you our bond!"
Led by Sato, the entire Soubu High School team mobilized, shouting as they charged towards Hasegawa Izumi.
"A man's demand for a head-on confrontation—I will not shy away from it!"
With a powerful kick that subdued the ball, the boy's azure eyes finally brightened as he looked at them, and a slight smile appeared on his lips.
That's right, that's the drive we need!
The courage to draw one's sword even in the face of gods—that is the true praise of humanity!
Infected by this spirit, if he were in the world of sorcery, he would probably be so excited that he could unleash Black Flash.
"I am coming!"
He roared, lifted his right foot slightly, and started dribbling again.
Sato, leading the charge, tried to catch up with his lightning-fast dribbling.
But he faked it out with a single move.
The next player will be sliding in with a tackle.
He leaped again, jumping over the ball and himself.
The third player stepped up to the challenge once again.
At that moment, he spun around, suddenly turning his back to his opponent to confuse them, and then kicked the ball away.
The ball flies over the opponent's head, and the person passes by the opponent at an extremely fast speed.
The remaining center-backs followed suit, but the ball at his feet seemed to be drawn to him by a magnet, constantly circling around him. Coupled with his unbelievable Divine Speed, it seemed to leave an afterimage in the opponent's field of vision, making it impossible to touch.
Just as he was about to break through to the goalkeeper, Hayama Hayato, the Forward, seemed to have anticipated this and appeared in the backfield.
However, he had completely ignored his opponent and was about to shoot.
"Hasegawa-kun, I'll stop you!"
Hayama Hayato's eyes were resolute; he wanted to steal the ball before Hayama could kick it, but he was a step too late.
"However, there's no angle left to shoot..."
He made his own judgment.
As he expected, the ball struck the crossbar.
But at that moment, a figure suddenly leaped up, seemingly hovering in the sky, and then flipped 180 degrees, making a shooting motion in mid-air.
"Call out!"
While everyone present stared in disbelief, the ball... went in!
And in the time that followed, this scene repeated itself time and time again.
"Thunder Beast Shot!"
"Flame Shot!"
"Recoil Speed Cannon Kick!"
The entire process was almost entirely a one-man show by Hasegawa Izumi; no one else could get a piece of the action.
The final score was 9-0.
The title of "strongest" is etched upon Shuchiin!
94 Misunderstandings Cleared
After the match, almost all of Soubu High School's teammates collapsed on the ground, not from being kicked, but simply from exhaustion.
Despite a slight difference in strength, they persevered to the end.
"I'm really impressed by you, Hasegawa-kun. You're amazing! I've never seen such skills before. If you were to go pro, you'd definitely become the brightest star."
The blond, disheveled man, covered in sweat, reached out and laughed.
Thank you for your compliment.
One doesn't hit a smiling face, so Hasegawa Izumi shook hands with him.
Seriously, does this friend have such a good attitude?
Indeed, someone who can become the soul of a team must have some real skills.
"Thank you so much, Hasegawa-kun. We wouldn't have won this match at all if it weren't for you."
"You're too strong, Hasegawa. I feel like you could win even if we didn't play."
"Get rid of the feeling."
"Stop bragging! Without us, this competition wouldn't even be able to start!"
At this moment, the members of Shuchiin also gathered together, sharing their thoughts and joking with each other.
Don't ask them if the game was useful or not, just tell me if they won or not!
"Just don't blame me for stealing your thunder."
Hasegawa Izumi smiled faintly as she watched them fooling around.
A few minutes later, Soubu High School others recovered their strength and proceeded with the post-match handshake.
Despite being beaten by a huge margin of 9-0, no one except Hayama Hayato showed any displeasure or resentment towards him.
They were truly defeated.
If someone is only slightly better than you, you can set goals for yourself and strive to surpass them. But if someone is vastly better than you, all you'll feel is admiration.
Therefore, after the competition, Hasegawa Izumi received unanimous praise from them.
"The friendly soccer match between Shuchiin and Soubu High School has now concluded. It was a fantastic game, and although the score was decided by a large margin, we also witnessed the tenacious spirit of the Soubu High School students..."
After the referee, as was his habit, offered a consolation prize to the losing team, everyone left the field one by one.
Only...
"Hasegawa, I love you!"
"Hasegawa-kun, you're so cool!"
"Hasegawa-kun, marry me!"
When the girls saw him arrive, they all shouted loudly, some even uttering wild and lewd words, their eyes seemingly sparkling with hearts representing love.
Actually, among the previous challenge matches, the one that boosted his popularity the most was undoubtedly the basketball match. After all, the number of viewers decreased when he challenged Busujima Senpai and Shinomiya-san, and everyone only knew the result.
This friendly match saw an unprecedented number of spectators, earning him countless new fans and solidifying his status as a school idol.
"Well..."
Hasegawa Izumi felt ashamed as he looked at the stadium exits packed with people.
Being popular is a good thing, but being too popular isn't necessarily a good thing.