Chapter 222: Putting the Win in Your Hands!

The last three minutes of “Clothing Explosion”!

Himekoji fought desperately!

Even if he couldn’t pull ahead, he had to at least tie the game!

“16-17!”

While Himekoji risked everything to score two goals, Meiwa High School refused to be left behind. Their Number Seven smashed in another goal with a powerful shot.

The second half had turned into an all-out goal-scoring battle between the two sides.

It was unbelievably exciting!

The double-digit scores were almost impossible to believe for a soccer match.

…

[Dear User, Please note: Your “Clothing Explosion” time is less than 30 seconds. Please recharge promptly.]

Recharge?

Yeah, he’d like to!

The problem was, this damn System just spat out words!

He couldn’t recharge!

The final attack while under “Clothing Explosion”—

Himekoji pressed his lips tight. His vision was starting to blur.

Staggering, stumbling, he barely made it to the box, but it was nothing like his earlier effortless moves.

“Huh?”

“He’s out of gas!”

Seeing the previously unstoppable Himekoji looking so ragged this time, with messy, clumsy footwork instead of his usual smooth moves, the Goalie understood immediately!

Off balance – this was his chance—

He rushed out of the goal!

Without hesitation, he made his decision.

This time, he’d definitely wipe away the shame! He’d show this Pervert!

My goalpost isn’t something you can just score on whenever you feel like it!

Aiming for the ball, the Goalie launched himself into a slide tackle!

…

“Whoa! Chip over!”

Almost without thinking, Himekoji’s body moved on its own, reacting instinctively.

“Dude! That leaves the goal wide open!”

“Shoot it!”

“Shoot shoot shoot!”

The spectators on the sidelines, for the first time ever, were wildly cheering for a Pervert.

The ball was still hanging in the air. Himekoji twisted his body, swinging his leg up—

“Aerial Volley!”

The crowd shouted the name of his technique for him.

If this shot went in, the score would tie!

And after tying, how far could winning be?

Every Toyosaki supporter clenched their fists tightly, hearts surging with hope!

However, right at this exciting moment about to arrive—

[Beep-beep!]

[Time’s up!]

[“Clothing Explosion” ends!]

The thing Himekoji feared most happened!

In that instant, it felt like his body was completely hollowed out.

His supporting leg buckled. Himekoji stumbled. The powerful kick he’d wound up for, aimed perfectly, completely swung through empty air!

He lost all balance. His whole body pitched forward.

“What happened?”

“Missed an open net?”

“Don’t hold back now, man!”

Gasps of shock erupted on the sidelines. They couldn’t believe it!

Himekoji’s finishing shots had never let them down before!

…

He really was exhausted. Out of energy, like a candle burned to its end!

Everyone has limits, no matter how strong they are!

The Goalie, who had almost messed up by rushing out recklessly, was overjoyed.

It really was like escaping death to find life!

He scrambled back up off the turf, using hands and feet. Pushing off his right leg, he stretched out his arms toward the soccer ball falling from mid-air.

This time, I’m the one who wins!

No, it’s better to say—

I’ll be the one winning from now on!

Because… you’ve got nothing left!

Stamina is the foundation for any soccer move.

When you’re out of gas, even a world-class player has to subbed out and sit on the bench!

The nightmare time of being dominated and controlled by this Pervert was finally about to end!

His fingertip had already brushed the ball. The Goalie’s face couldn’t help but crack into the smile of a victor.

Relieved and confident.

…

But just then—

“GO IN!”

A hoarse, dry roar exploded right beside the Goalie’s ear!

The voice wasn’t loud, yet it was filled with an indescribable toughness, like thunder and lightning.

Himekoji’s face twisted fiercely. His body, which had lost balance and should have already fallen, somehow forced itself to hang in the air for one more second!

It was this one physics-defying second that gave him the chance to headbutt the ball in!

No, it was a face shot!

That handsome but fierce face slammed hard into the soccer ball!

“A face shot?!”

“It was a face shot!”

“Expected of Cult Leader-sama!”

“Strong! Unbeatable!”

……

In the end, the ball was just a passerby on the goalkeeper’s fingertips; they met briefly but missed each other, failing to connect.

“Peep peep—”

“The goal counts!”

“17-17, tied!”

The referee blew his whistle.

……

“THUD!”

Himekoji fell heavily to the ground. After the face shot attempt, he couldn’t keep his balance and landed face-first, biting into mud and grass. His insides felt jumbled, all messed up.

This time, the ball was scooped out from under the crossbar by player number seven.

“Hime, are you done already?”

The tough guy reached out to Himekoji.

Though Himekoji stayed silent and cool, ignoring the trash talk, he couldn’t refuse player seven’s offer to help him up.

Because he couldn’t get up on his own…

“Pfft!”

As soon as Himekoji stood, player seven couldn’t help but laugh out loud.

After the “face shot,” Himekoji’s face was swollen red, with a huge, round imprint of the soccer ball…

A pity for such a handsome face…

No, no, off track!

None of this mattered to the current game!

Back to the match—

Meiwa High School kicked off.

Standing at the halfway line, Himekoji was at his limit.

“Hayama…”

Glancing sideways, he saw the person beside him—always an opponent, but now maybe a teammate.

“I know!”

Hayama answered in a low voice, serious.

From the start of the first half, Hayama had held on till now, using as much strength as “Himekoji in Clothing Explosion mode.”

But at this moment, no tiredness showed on his face.

Only calm, excitement, and resolve!

Taking a deep breath, Hayama’s gaze slowly swept over Himekoji.

Suddenly, he clenched his fists!

……

You fought through the whole second half, finally seeing hope to win, and put your last trust in me.

You said we couldn’t lose.

Then let me bring victory to you!

Playing a match means winning!

What kind of youth is filled with defeat?

……

[Ding!]

[Skill unlocked— “Encouragement”!]

[Skill note: Has a small chance to start. Lets one friend show hidden power for a short time, greatly boosting their ability! Exact effect depends on the situation!]

……

Player seven dribbled the ball.

Himekoji gritted his teeth, using his last bits of strength to rush at him!

“That guy is closing in! Make a long pass away!”

“I know!”

Though Himekoji looked drained and might be beaten with a quick run, player seven wouldn’t take the risk.

This match, Meiwa High School had to win!

The top team losing to a one-time national tournament loser?

No, they couldn’t afford to lose!

At the final time, they had the ball, so playing safe was best!

Player seven tapped the ball, passing to the wing.

“Oh no!”

The instant the ball left his foot, he spotted someone he’d ignored charging from the side.

The ball was stolen!

And Himekoji, just as player seven passed, had changed his run to dash forward!

Wait!

Dashing forward?

Impossible!

Your strength clearly wouldn’t let you pull off a solo breakout trick!

……