"Out?" Ryu's lips curved into a sly smile.
"Didn't the game say you're only out when time runs out?"
"The game isn't over yet."
Arashi Kurimu's pupils trembled violently.
He stared at Ryu with disbelief, unable to read his intentions.
Everyone else feared being the Oni—the cursed "it."
But this guy? He volunteered for it.
Is there something wrong with his brain?
Or is he just a madman?
Without waiting, Kurimu fled, terrified of becoming 'it' again.
All eyes on the field watched Ryu warily, waiting for his next move.
But Ryu stayed perfectly still.
He simply watched the clock—one minute had passed.
"Did he give up?" Isagi Yoichi wondered from afar but quickly dismissed the thought.
Every word Ryu had said screamed one thing:
This guy's terrifying.
He wouldn't quit.
Even Ego Jinpachi, watching from above, turned his cold gaze toward the Z-field.
He saw Ryu standing alone, ball in hand, motionless yet unyielding.
A faint smile crossed Ego's lips.
Because on the field—only the one who shoots is dazzling.
Those who don't touch the ball, who dodge passing,
In Ryu's eyes...
are trash.
With a sudden bang, the ball shot like a cannon toward a player.
Had their eyes not been glued to Ryu, they wouldn't have had time to react.
Thankfully, they dodged just in time.
But Ryu wasn't done.
He dribbled swiftly behind them—no shot fired yet.
Sweat dripped from their brows, confusion and dread gnawing at them.
If he wants to shoot, why not shoot now?
Ryu's relentless pressure crushed their nerves more than the fear of 'being it.'
Because 'being it' had the advantage—you only had to tag someone before time ended.
But these runners?
They faced the burden of evasion.
Suddenly, one voice cracked the tension.
"Isn't someone still asleep over there?"
"Why don't you pass the ball to him?!"
Kurimu's terrified eyes landed on Bachira—still sprawled on the ground.
Ryu's gaze flickered briefly to the prone figure.
He almost forgot about him—he probably was too busy watching football highlights on TV last night.
He glanced at the timer. Thirty seconds left.
A faint smile tugged at his lips.
Bang.
The ball rocketed like a bullet toward Bachira.
No scream followed.
Instead, Bachira, in a strange, half-awake posture, received the ball effortlessly.
He rubbed his eyes.
"Huh? Has it started already?"
Suddenly, he spotted Ryu.
"Aki, you're in the same room? I thought you went somewhere else!"
Ryu chuckled softly.
"Isn't it better to be together?"
"Now you've got a chance to chase me."
Bachira grinned wide.
"Aki, aren't you talking too soon? It's not clear who's chasing who!"
The others noticed the two chatting casually.
In this situation?
They could barely believe it.
Ryu nodded at the screen as the countdown edged closer to zero.
"Bachi, if you don't pass the ball, you're out."
Bachira smiled wider.
"Out? Time's not up. And the ball hasn't been shot—doesn't mean it's over!"
Shock rippled through the crowd.
Ryu and Bachira—both bold and fearless.
The ball hasn't been shot, so the game isn't over yet.
Without hesitation, Bachira charged.
His target wasn't the others—it was Ryu.
His eyes gleamed predatorily, locked on his prey.
Ten seconds remained.
Ryu smiled calmly.
"You haven't changed."
"Devouring each other, growing stronger."
"Only by facing the strongest do you know your weakness."
"Aki, right now... I'm going to beat you!"
Bachira's speed and dribbling blurred the ball at his feet—like afterimages trailing a lightning strike.
The ball rocketed toward Ryu.
Ryu's face remained calm.
As the ball flew close—
He leapt.
Muscles tensed, thighs bulging with power.
Volley Shot!
Bang.
The kick was impossibly fast.
No one reacted before the ball crashed into Yuuda Imamura's face.
Blood sprayed into the air.
The timer hit three seconds.
The final elimination was decided.
Ryu landed with steady grace, eyes cold, unreadable.
He had planned every moment.
Shock froze the room.
Even Isagi stared, stunned.
That volley... from a ball just passed to him, not even fully controlled—
The precision, timing, and raw power were insane.
If that shot had been aimed at him...
yoichi knew without a doubt—
He would have had no chance.
The ball was too fast.
Too perfect.
What everyone thought was dodging was actually Ryu controlling the game.
The game wasn't over until the ball was shot.
And Ryu was rewriting every rule.