Noah arrived at training earlier than usual, feeling a mix of excitement and unease. Ever since that conversation with Leo, he had been pushing himself harder—arriving early, staying late, focusing on every touch. But as soon as he stepped onto the pitch, he knew something was different today.
Coach Harper stood near midfield with a player Noah had never seen before. The newcomer was taller and leaner, his posture relaxed but commanding. His boots were pristine, his bib crisp like someone who had no intention of getting dirty. He juggled a ball lazily, eyes scanning the field with quiet confidence that bordered on arrogance.
"Noah," Harper called, motioning him over. "Meet Riku Sato. He's on trial for a midfield slot this week."
Riku turned, offering a short nod. "You're the starting eight, right?" His English carried a faint Japanese lilt, smooth and deliberate.
"Yeah," Noah replied carefully.
"Good." Riku's smile was polite, but there was something sharp behind it. "I like competition."
The words lingered in Noah's head as Harper announced a training scrimmage. They were placed on opposite teams, Harper clearly wanting to see who could control the game better.
From the first whistle, Riku's presence was undeniable. He demanded the ball constantly, snapping quick passes with confidence and moving players around as if he had been part of the squad for months. His passing vision was sharp, threading gaps like they were drawn on the pitch for him alone. Noah quickly realized this was no average trialist—Riku already played like a professional.
But Noah had grown too. When he received a pass from the backline and saw Leo darting forward, he trusted the glowing lane that appeared faintly in his vision. He pivoted sharply and delivered a perfectly weighted pass that cut through two defenders. Leo took one touch, then slid the ball into the net.
The console flickered at the edge of Noah's vision: [Bond Perk Active: Leo Barnes – "Trust Link Lv1"] Pass Accuracy Bonus Applied: +3%.
For a moment, Noah felt proud, but then Riku jogged over, wearing that same faint smile. "Not bad," he said casually, "guess you're not as passive as you look."
Noah blinked, unsure if it was meant as praise or provocation. Riku just jogged back to position before Noah could reply.
After training, Noah sat quietly on the bench, untying his boots with slow, deliberate movements. Leo plopped down beside him, tossing a water bottle at his chest. "You're quiet again," Leo said. "What's going on?"
"Riku," Noah muttered.
"What about him?"
"He's… different. Confident. Maybe too confident."
Leo smirked. "He's good, though. Did you see that disguised pass he pulled off? Damn."
Noah frowned. "Yeah, I saw it. He just shows up and acts like he owns the midfield already."
Leo raised an eyebrow. "You're acting like you've never had competition before."
"This isn't about competition," Noah said. "It's like he's challenging me without even saying it. And you… you were praising him like he's your new best friend."
Leo grinned. "Oh, so this is jealousy talking."
"I'm not jealous," Noah shot back, though his tone betrayed him.
"Sure." Leo stood, stretching. "Look, man, he's here for one week. If you're worried about him taking your spot, then outplay him. Simple as that."
The words stung, not because Leo meant to hurt him, but because he was right. That night, Noah opened the console and found a new notification: [Rivalry Detected: Riku Sato] Rivalry Perk Unlocked: "Competitive Edge Lv1" Effect: +2% Focus & Reaction Speed when Riku is on the field.
It was official now. Riku wasn't just competition—he was a rival.
The next day, Harper paired them together in midfield for a full-field match. "Two playmakers," he said, "let's see how creative you can be."
From the start, it was uncomfortable. Riku demanded the ball, calling for quick one-twos and barking instructions like he was already captain. At first, Noah tried to adapt, but Riku's constant comments started to grate on him. "Too slow, Kane. Pass earlier. No, switch faster." Every word felt like a judgment.
At one point, Noah executed La Pausa, freezing a defender and slipping a perfect pass to Leo. Riku received it on the return but tried a solo dribble, lost possession, and immediately blamed Noah for "putting him under pressure."
The argument escalated quickly, both voices rising until Leo stepped between them. "Enough! Both of you, shut it." He glared at Riku. "You're here on trial. Stop acting like you already own the team." Then he turned to Noah. "And you—stop letting him get in your head. You're better than this.
Noah froze, surprised by the sharpness in Leo's voice, but he was right.
The match restarted, and Noah made a decision. When Riku pressed high, expecting him to panic, Noah trusted the glowing lane again. A deft chip over Riku's extended leg freed the winger into space, leading to a clean goal. The console pulsed: [Bond Perk Active: Leo Barnes – "Trust Link Lv1" +3% Pass Accuracy] and [Rivalry Perk Active: Competitive Edge Lv1 +2% Focus & Reaction Speed].
For the first time, Riku's smirk faltered.
After training, Riku approached, towel draped around his neck. "You're better than I thought," he admitted, then added with a smirk, "but you're still holding back. You're thinking too much—about me, about Harper, about Leo. That hesitation will kill you in pro football."
Noah frowned. "And you? You play like it's just you out there."
"That's why I get noticed." Riku turned to leave, tossing one final glance over his shoulder. "See you tomorrow, Kane. Try not to play scared."
Noah clenched his fists, watching him go.
That night, another notification appeared: [Bond Update: Leo Barnes – Trust Link Lv2 Effect: +5%Pass Accuracy when passing to Leo] along with the steady glow of the rivalry perk. The console's text lingered longer than usual: "Two bonds, one push forward. Growth comes from trust and rivalry alike."
Noah smiled faintly. Rival or not, Riku was forcing him to grow—and Leo, despite their argument, was still by his side. Tomorrow, things would be different.