(Match 4: Rika's Team vs. A Team with a National-Level Player)
🔥 Pre-Match: Facing a National-Level Monster
Rika stretched her arms, her breath steady despite the storm of nerves swirling in her chest. She glanced at her teammates, their faces filled with determination but also unease.
Across the field stood their opponents—Himura Academy.
A powerhouse.
But the real problem wasn't the team. It was one player.
Tachibana Reo.
A Japan U-17 national player.
Rika clenched her fists. This wasn't just another game. It was a test—a battle to prove she could stand on the same level.
⚔️ First Half: A One-Sided Destruction
From the first whistle, Himura Academy dominated.
The moment Rika touched the ball, Reo was on her.
His incredible speed cut off her passing options. His tight marking shut down her dribbling. And when she tried to pass—
Intercepted. Again and again.
Within fifteen minutes, her team was down 0-2.
Her teammates looked at her, waiting for a spark. But every time she tried to create something—Reo crushed her.
"Is this all you've got?" Reo smirked after stealing another pass. "I expected more from you."
Rika gritted her teeth. She was falling apart.
🔥 Second Half: Awakening the Storm
At halftime, Rika stood in the locker room, staring at her reflection in the mirror.
Sweat dripped from her forehead. Her heart pounded.
She had to do something.
She closed her eyes.
And then, she remembered.
Shun.
How he never stopped. How he always adapted. How he found a way to win.
Her eyes snapped open.
She wasn't just a playmaker. She could be a fighter too.
⚡ The Second Half Begins: A New Rika
From the restart, Rika changed.
She no longer waited for openings—she created them.
Instead of forcing passes, she baited Reo in—and then outpaced him with quick one-twos.
Instead of backing away from tackles, she drove straight through them.
And then—the breakthrough.
70th minute.
Rika dribbled past two defenders, cut inside, and took a shot from outside the box.
The ball curved—a perfect strike.
GOAL!
The score was 1-2.
đź’Ą The Final Moments: Pushing Beyond Limits
Reo intensified his defense. But now, Rika wasn't scared.
She kept attacking. Faster. Sharper. More precise.
In the 90th minute, Rika received the ball one last time.
Reo rushed at her.
But this time—she feinted left, spun right, and broke past him.
With a final low cross, she sent the ball into the box—
And her teammate scored!
2-2!
The referee blew the final whistle.
It was a draw—but to Rika, it was a victory.
Because today—she had stepped onto a new level.
And she wasn't stopping now.