Chapter 223: He’s Also Shirtless!
Chapter 223: He’s Also Shirtless!
Hayama intercepted the ball in the midfield and defense area. Without hesitation, he lobbed a long pass.
“Hayato!”
“It’s Hayato! He intercepted it!”
“He’s charging forward!”
“Nice one, Hayato!”
Even though he’d been quiet the whole first half, completely overshadowed by Himekoji, the moment Hayama made a move, he still easily won cheers and support from most of the crowd.
This was the charm of the “Normie King”!
The ball soared rapidly toward the center of the field.
Himekoji, sprinting at high speed, controlled the ball with his chest while running. With another burst of speed, he trapped it and broke through instantly!
Swiftly and cleanly, he shook off the defender rushing toward him.
This was the first time in the entire match he’d received a pass from anyone— no, it was his first time since entering high school!
…
“Oh man! Here he comes again! He was supposed to be out of gas!”
Complaints rose from the Meiwa High School side.
They’d been so far ahead in the first half!
Yet after a nightmare-like second half, they’d somehow been equalized…
And now, the other side could overtake them at any moment!
It made them question their lives! No— question the whole game!
Had they been playing fake football all along?
…
“Block him! Block him! Even if we have to hold hands and make a circle, don’t let him break through again!”
Clearly haunted by earlier defeats, seeing Himekoji charging furiously, someone on the Meiwa side panicked and suggested an utterly ridiculous plan.
Yet, this super dumb idea actually got agreement!
“He’s right!”
“Even if the ball gets through, make sure he doesn’t!”
The Meiwa defense group instantly agreed with each other.
Exchanging looks, they started closing in on Himekoji as he charged forward at high speed.
Here they come!
Himekoji bit down hard on his tongue, forcing his fuzzy mind to stay clear.
His “Clothing Explosion” state had ended. His fierce dribbling right now was all an act.
Not only was the opponent’s defense line still solid, even a one-on-one wouldn’t guarantee him any advantage in his half-dead state.
Himekoji subtly glanced back sideways. Seeing something, his mind eased slightly. He slowed his advance, changed direction, and dribbled alone toward the sideline.
“He’s slowing down!”
“Planning to cut inside after going wide?”
“Rush him together! He has even less room to work on the flank!”
Doing this left the center wide open.
But so what?
For the Toyosaki team, focusing only on this one guy was enough!
The only threat— the only one scoring— was this shirtless player!
…
He delivered a long pass, a perfect pinpoint cross.
After that, Hayama tucked his head down and charged forward without a word.
In the second half, he’d only done the hard, unglamorous defensive work. Meiwa had almost forgotten he existed.
Himekoji had drawn all the defenders to the side. Hayama easily penetrated deep into Meiwa’s thirty-meter zone and found a perfect opening.
Just waiting for the pass!
He turned his head, looking toward Himekoji.
…
Black.
Everything went black.
His vision blurred.
As he ran, Himekoji’s heavy breathing sounded like an old, wheezing bellows.
Where was Hayama?
Himekoji looked toward the center—
Nothing clear!
Every player he saw trailed afterimages, one blurring into another.
And worst of all—
The Toyosaki and Meiwa jerseys looked way too similar!
Had Hayama made it to position?
Which one was Hayama?
Where was Hayama?
Himekoji shook his head hard. Now, even the single football looked like three.
…
“You’re good, but it’s over!”
The approaching Meiwa defense trio slid into a tackle— all at once!
Their challenge wasn’t aimed at the ball. They were going straight for the man!
…
No stamina left? Then get off the field and stop bothering us!
They’d had enough!
As long as Himekoji stayed on the pitch for one more second, they couldn’t feel safe for a single second.
So, go down!
“Watch out!”
“Get away!”
“Danger!”
Shouts of alarm erupted from the spectators off the field.
Himekoji ignored them.
He scanned his gaze toward the center of the field—
“Damn it!”
“Hayama, where are you?”
“I can’t see you!”
Himekoji growled fiercely, his face twisted.
Blood trickled from where he’d accidentally bitten his own tongue.
…
Couldn’t see him?
How was that possible?
Hayama was supposed to be “hiding” near the top of the penalty arc, ready to strike!
Unless…
Himekoji must have pushed himself beyond his limit!
What to do?
What to do!
Hayama panicked. If Himekoji couldn’t spot him, he couldn’t make the pass.
Without that pass, their best chance to flip the game would vanish!
Maybe…
There was only one way left!
Hayama clenched his teeth, resolved.
Himekoji needed him!
That thought alone banished all hesitation.
Hayama yanked off his jersey, revealing his sculpted, sweat-slicked torso.
His bare-skinned body glistened under the sun, a gleaming testament to youth and athleticism.
Too dazzling!
A wave of screams erupted from the sidelines.
“Whoo!”
“Hayato! So cool!”
“Hayato, Hayato, I love you!”
“Come conquer me right here on the field, please!”
One moment they’d been worried about Himekoji, and now? Only Hayato filled their eyes again.
These self-proclaimed “Hayato fangirls” definitely weren’t kidding.
…
Himekoji, do you see me?
Hayama lifted his discarded jersey high and swung it wildly.
It flapped like a banner setting off to war – bright and impossible to miss.
Hayama!
Himekoji finally saw him!
Facing Meiwai High defenders sliding in with brutal tackles, Himekoji stabbed the ball first.
It carved a graceful arc through the air, flying straight toward the center.
A cross!
“THUD!”
The next instant, Himekoji was sent flying, hit brutally.
His body hung weightless in mid-air, yet he felt no pain. His eyes stayed locked on the ball, locked on Hayama – both of them now shirtless.
You have to score now!
…
“He passed it? He actually PASSED?!”
“How?! This guy’s a lone wolf! Played over thirty minutes without a single pass!”
“Don’t panic! That crazed Toyosaki scorer’s the only one who can finish!”
“True…”
“Wait, hold on! The guy on the ball now? He’s shirtless too!”
An alert Meiwai player noticed the danger.
“What?!”
…
Himekoji’s pass landed perfectly – the angle sharp, the pace spot on.
Hayama took it smoothly, pushing the ball ahead with one touch, charging full steam into the penalty area.
The defenders were all tangled with Himekoji. Hayama had free space!
A clear run on goal!
We win this!
Himekoji had staked their last hope for victory on him. Hayama would not let him lose.
Facing the keeper rushing off his line, Hayama stayed ice-cold, curling it toward the far corner!
“PEEEP—!”
“18-17!”
“Toyosaki takes the lead!”
Goal valid. The ref blew his whistle.
…
“Hayato!”
“Hayato!”
“Hayato!”
“See! When it comes down to crunch time, it’s always Hayato!”
“Hayama! The strongest! Finisher! Hero! The winning GOAL!”
The cheers from off-field rolled over them like breaking waves.
“THUD!”
Amidst the raucous celebration, Himekoji alone crashed heavily to the ground.
…
“Akito, the strongest!”
“Hmph, Akito. Always playing like his life’s on the line…”
Even though Hayama, who slammed in the winner, was now the stadium’s star…
Still, some eyes stayed fixed, right from the start, only on the Pervert.
…
…