To say Kira was nervous was a bit of an understatement. He was about to face against his rival Hitori Akira. Even though he knew he was the better player, that didn't mean he could take him lightly.

There was no doubt he had accomplished a lot in middle school, winning the championship two times before going on to high school and being named the top scorer both times and being named the MVP one time, the other going to Itoshi Sae. But that was in the past, high school is different ball game, more competitive with higher skilled opponent, and without Itoshi Sae or Rin, or that washed-up speedster, Hitori had no one to rely on to score a goal.

He watches all the tapes of Hitori's previous games, from middle school to now. Speed was obviously his main weapon, like that Chigiri fellow, but his speed alone wouldn't be enough. He prepared the best he could with the help of his team, his coach, the U16 National Team, and even the JFA. The last one was surprising but he wasn't gonna look at a gift horse in the mouth.

'I'm going to win this and settle who is the future of Japan!'

The coach came in and told them that it was time to line up with their enemy.

"Let's win here and then win nationals!" His declaration stoked the ego and excitement of his teammates as cheers of their boomed from the guts, all in support of his message. He was their leader. He was the star. He was Japan's National Treasure. The exited the locker room in a single file, the number 10 on his jersey paved way towards victory for him and his team.

Kira and his team eventually came to the tunnel where Akira and his team already stood ready, while some of Kira's team fidgeted in nervousness or excitement, all of Akira's team were focused and stared straight ahead towards the pitch. Even the younger brother of the Wanima Twins stopped smiling. He never stopped smiling.

The complete disregard or ignorance his rival was showing him made a tanding next to the rival his awkward for Kira. Kira kept looking over at him, trying to find the right words to say, and in the process notice many characteristics of his. Besides the obvious, Kira noticed that Akira was was shorter than him, but not by much. Where Kira was 5'11, Akira was 5'9.

That matter very little since Kira was intimidated by the look on his face. Putting on his signature charming smile he put his hand on Akira's shoulder to get his attention.

"Hello there, it's nice to finally meet you, Hitori Akira. I wanted to say good luck and let's have a good ga-" Kira's arm made a violent jerk away from Akira's shoulder and looked to see a raging inferno staring right at him. He regained his composure when Akira turned away and started to walk forward with his team.
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Akira's eyes were focused on the ball, even in the team huddle which he was in currently. He only needed to say two things. He looked up at his teammates, he needed them to be ready for what was to come. "You already know how to play the best football in the country, so don't worry about the number of people, just do what we normally do and the rest will take care of itself."

The huddle was about to break up, but they noticed that Akira was still in speech mode. They saw this deep purple aura leaking off his shoulders and out of his eyes, they all stiffened but smirked. They were excited to see Akira like this. His eyes ordering them to trust his judgement.

"Get ready to counter." Akira commanded before breaking up the huddle.

The teams broke off from their huddles and started to get into their positions; Akira started as close as Kira as he could. Eyes focusing on his media-proclaimed rival. The whistle blew and the other striker kicked the ball towards Kira.

'Okay let's start the play-Nani? Where's the ball?' Right before Kira could get his first touch on the ball, Akira accelerated forward.

"Don't just pay attention to the ball." Kira flinched, not from the words themselves. No...his tone...it was so calm, so serene.

'It's like I'm not an obstacle for him?!'

Akira pulled his leg back, causing confusion among his opponents and the crowd.

"He's going for a high lobbed pass, don't let the Wanima Twins through!" Kira commanded, but sunk further into confusion when he saw neither twin move from their starting position.

"Not even close," Akira kicked the ball so hard it looked to soar over the goal than in it. However, when the ball reached its apex height, it began falling towards the net a frightening speed. The keeper couldn't react or even make the smallest twitch of his fingers since the ball was already at the back of the net.

[There should be a GIF or video here. Update the app now to see it.]

"W-W-WHAT AN AMAZING GOAL BY NUMBER 13 HITORI AKIRA! TO SCORE LIKE THAT SO EARLY ON, FROM THAT DISTANCE! SIMPLY AMAZING FOLKS!"

The crowd broke out into cheers and screaming. They were seeing the two most promising football players since Itoshi Sae duke it out in front of them so it was bound to be entertaining.

However on the pitch, Kira shook in horror. The steal, the goal, Akira made it look easy.

"You see it know don't you?" Kira's head snapped up as if he had been woken up from a daydream. "You could never hope to beat me."

Akira smirked at him as he began to walk back to his starting position for the reset.

'He's right. I can't beat him in a 1 v 1...but if I can get the whole team to cut off his speed then we can shut him down.'

Kira called over his teammates and told them the plan.

The two teams got back into position with Kira's team starting off again. It began as the last start off did. Akira stole the ball from Kira but noticed something...

'That was way too easy.' As Akira ran towards the goal, he was quickly doubled-quadrupled teamed by the opposition. 'Oh, that's his plan, reduce the amount of space I have to make sure I can't blitz pass them.'

Meanwhile, Kira smirked at the success his plan had. As soon as the defenders closed in, Akira would be forced to slow down to not get the ball stolen from them.

'That's when I can strike and steal the ball back.'

However, no plan survives first contact with the enemy. Even though, Akira slowed down, he merely controlled the ball that reminded everyone of the Japan's Genius and squeezed through two defenders.

(AN: Replace Sae with Akira and Isagi and Bachira with two randoms from Kira's team)

The next two defenders were stunned at the move and that moment of hesitation was all he needed. Feinting to the left, back both players reacted and went to block him but had forgotten who was next to the other and bumped into each other, allowing Akira to move to the right.

Akira smirked as there was no one left to try and stop him. However...

Kira came sprinting at max speed, making sure to stay in Akira's blind spot before going for a slide tackle. Even if it ended in a foul, he had to stop him.

But it came to nothing, as Akira flicked the ball up before jumping himself, controlling it in mid air.

Akira gave Kira the most laziest side eye. As if he was bored.

'Did he...? Did he expect me do to this? Did break down my entire play like that?!'

Akira dismissed Kira and proceeded to score right foot volley, making the score 2-0.

Kira's eyes became the size of dish plates. How could this be? He was the best, the Jewel of Japan, the next Itoshi Sae, Japan's National Treasure? How could he be so outclassed by some poor orphan who didn't even look Japanese?

"Really, you're Japan's National Treasure? Nah, want to know what you really are?" Akira stared down at Kira before smirking. "You're Japan's biggest fucking joke."
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