Chapter 221: I Need You

“Ji! My partner! Your show just ended! Next, you’re gonna get frozen by me!”

Number 7 Beast got stronger with every setback!

The tougher his foe, the more pumped he felt!

Totally epic, yeah—only a game like this truly counted as awesome!

Number 7 Beast’s whole body and soul felt like it was about to catch fire!

…

He stuck to Himekoji like glue after that, tailing every move, spouting trash talk nonstop.

“See? This is my ultimate defense!”

“No one can score with me pressing this tight!”

“Bibi—!”

“4-11!”

Himekoji scored his fourth goal!

…

N-No one could score?

But he’d just thrown out that bold claim!

“Ji! You’re not even human!”

Goal valid!

At the whistle, Number 7 Beast’s tough face twisted into a pouty frown.

Wrong!

Clearly, his trash talk wasn’t harsh enough!

He instantly started self-reflecting—

“Ji! How’d you build such perfect muscle over the past year? Teach me!”

“Weren’t we gonna become soccer legends together? How come you ghosted me all this time?!”

“Ji! What happened to that mole by your nipple?!”

“Shut it, dumbass!”

Himekoji flicked past Number 7 with a fancy stepover, then blasted the shot!

“5-11!”

Himekoji’s fifth goal!

…

“Woohoo!”

“So cool!”

“Cult Leader-sama’s unstoppable! His power’s limitless!”

Without noticing, everyone got swept up in Himekoji’s dazzling skills.

That effortless dribbling, those flashy dribbles, those lightning-fast moves—plus that killer shot!

He single-handedly took over the whole game!

Speed and power merged in him flawlessly… just wow!

Super handsome! Super slick! Totally hypnotic!

After “Clothing Explosion,” Himekoji hadn’t just gained physical power. Remember: he now had 500% extra charm!

While Hayama’s name owned the air earlier, now the entire field practically chanted the title “Pervert” instead.

“Pervert! Do it again!”

“Pervert! Beat those Meiwa jerks silly!”

“Come on, Pervert! You rock!”

With Himekoji’s explosive comeback, Toyosaki’s momentum rose.

The cheer squad yelled harder—finally, some home-field energy.

…

“6-11! Yesss!”

“7-11! Woo!”

Didn’t even need the speakers!

Each goal Himekoji scored just made the crowds roar louder…

Like tidal waves rolling higher and higher!

…

“7-12! Oh……woah?”

“Huh? Wait! This time Meiwa scored?!”

Toyosaki fans readied cheers until—wait. This wasn’t the script!

They’d gotten used to Himekoji crushing Meiwa nonstop!

But after seven straight brutal goals, Meiwa woke up.

Led by Number 7 Beast, they switched to quick passes and long balls.

Finally, Meiwa found Toyosaki’s weak spot!

Took them long enough!

Yup, Toyosaki’s weakness was… only having Himekoji!

To drill down:

Himekoji post-“Clothing Explosion” outsprinted everyone. But could he outrun the ball?

Just pass the ball before he got close, right?

Himekoji crushed any Meiwa player one-on-one. But Meiwa crushed every other Toyosaki player too!

Himekoji tackled flawlessly, even outnumbered! One guy versus a group? Easy!

But without any heads-up clashes… what could he do? Just watch!

Using those tactics, Himekoji’s defensive impact faded fast. His tackle stats plunged.

Earlier, he’d bulldoze anyone in range using sharp reflexes.

Now? Meiwa players warned each other. They’d send long balls five meters away before he closed in.

After several failed attempts, Himekoji quit chasing defense.

He threw all his energy into offense.

The “Clothing Explosion” skill overclocked every stat… but it also weighed his body down.

Each burst consumed a massive amount of physical strength.

After scoring seven goals in a row and sprinting recklessly all over the field, Himekoji was gradually feeling overwhelmed.

For defense, he could only pin his hopes on Hayama and the others!

…

“8-12!”

“Hail the Pervert!”

“Way too cool, Bro!”

…

“8-13!”

Damn it, Himekoji realized—

Relying on Hayama and the others was hopeless!

…

“Damn it! How did they score again?”

“What are the others even doing besides the Pervert?”

“Hayato’s clearly trying hard too!”

“Huh, is Hayama still on the field? Well… trying hard? I guess?”

“Compared to the Cult Leader, that guy’s only got ‘effort’ going for him. Pathetic.”

As the “Normie King,” Hayama was usually the center of attention wherever he went.

But today, his presence on the pitch was completely overshadowed by Himekoji.

…

“9-13!”

A chipped shot from Himekoji!

“10-13!”

Himekoji dribbled past five defenders, dodged the goalkeeper, and slid it into the net!

Even though he’d exhausted huge amounts of stamina and was panting heavily, as long as the ball reached Himekoji’s feet, he could still single-handedly devastate the defense and score!

…

“14-16!”

The match neared its end.

Only ten minutes remained.

“Mihara, are you okay?”

Hayama moved closer, taking the ball from Himekoji without asking.

After placing the ball back at the center circle for him, Hayama turned with concern.

“Pant, pant… I-I’m fine.”

Sweating nonstop, the sole pair of shorts Himekoji wore was completely drenched, clinging to him like he’d just been hauled out of water.

[Ding!]

[Warning! Warning!]

[Severe physical energy depletion!]

[“Clothing Explosion” state will automatically cancel within three minutes!]

Darkness swam before his eyes. Himekoji’s legs buckled, nearly sending him crashing to the turf. Luckily, Hayama reacted instantly, stepping forward to steady him.

“You really think you’re fine? You can barely stand!”

Hayama’s brow furrowed with worry.

“I said I’m fine.”

“You should take a break.”

Hayama raised his hand, signaling to the referee for a substitution.

“The match is nearly over. We have minutes left… I need to win.”

Himekoji slapped Hayama’s raised arm down forcefully.

But it was painfully clear—after forcing “Clothing Explosion” for over half an hour, Himekoji was at his limit.

Just that forceful movement made his body sway unsteadily again.

“Enough! You’ve done enough! A glorious defeat still wins honor! You’re already the Hero of Toyosaki!”

Hayama had seen Himekoji’s brutal struggle: fouled countless times in the second half, tackled, shoved, crashing into the ground repeatedly, his whole body smeared with mud and grass.

Staying on the field exhausted like this, he’d get hurt!

“Who cares about ‘glorious defeat’! A Hero? What Hero fails? I’m not a Hero. I don’t want to be a Hero. I just… want… to win!”

Dehydrated, throat parched, voice like sandpaper, Himekoji’s choked roar at Hayama was raw and cracked.

“But look at you! What can you even do on the pitch now?”

Hayama looked down, heart aching at the sight of Himekoji’s bruised, trembling legs, battered from relentless falls.

Everyone only sees the light when you score.

But I know… how much you burned, just to shine like this.

“What can I do?”

Himekoji’s gaze locked fiercely onto the opponents’ goal,

“I can still score.”

…

“You are really…”

“Hayama.”

Hayama started to speak, but Himekoji cut him off abruptly.

“Huh?”

“Sorry.”

“What? Sorry for what?”

Hayama was utterly confused.

“My apology stands. Football isn’t a one-man sport.”

“No… in the second half… it was just you… carrying Toyosaki forward…”

Hayama shook his head with a bitter smile.

He was Toyosaki’s captain… yet he had been useless.

“Hayama!”

As Hayama drowned in self-reproach, Himekoji called his name again, urgently.

“I need you.”

Himekoji suddenly turned his head, staring into Hayama’s eyes.

The intensity was real.

…