The shoot from Rikuo was beautiful, The Pro Team's goalkeeper, Kaito Takahashi, took a strong step forward, dived, and… with his opposite hand, he pushed the ball onto the crossbar.
"Nooo way!"
"So close…"
"Kaito is way too good…"
Rikuo's teammates shouted in frustration.
"He's a real professional keeper… his reach is insane. I really thought the ball was going into the top corner," whispered Rikuo , frustrated.
But the play wasn't over.
The ball bounced off the crossbar and landed right at Minato's feet. In one quick touch, he sent a perfect pass to Rivelinho, who controlled it on his chest and fired a left-footed shot into the bottom corner.
The Test Team's goalkeeper was beaten.
Rikuo's teammates fell to the ground, frustrated, one knee on the turf.
But then the referee broke the silence with the final whistle.
The match was over.
Breathing hard, bodies burning, the young players and the pros looked at each other — exhausted, frustrated… but proud they had pushed the pro team this far.
Rikuo walked toward the center of the pitch.
Takuma placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Thank you…" he said — a real smile, for the first time.
"Thanks for letting me play with you. I learned something today."
Rikuo smiled softly.
"Thanks to you too. We were better together."
Rivelinho walked over next, eyes shining.
"Garoto… você é incrível."
"You're incredible, kid. You have real talent. Keep going."
Then Minato, the Japanese maestro, approached.
He held out his hand to Rikuo.
"Join me on the pro stage. I want you to see up close what the real level looks like."
Rikuo blinked, surprised but honored, and nodded.
The Coach's Speech:
Once everyone gathered, Kirishima — usually serious and strict — stepped forward.
He looked at the young players, his sharp eyes carrying a different kind of light.
"That's it. The three days of testing are now over."
He paused, letting his gaze move across each sweating, tired face.
"We'll call you all tomorrow starting at 10 a.m.
The pro coach, the club president, and I will meet you one by one to give your results in private."
A respectful silence fell.
Every young player felt how important this moment was.
"You can be proud of yourselves.
You pushed your dream as far as you could.
You were brave.
Even if the pro team wasn't at full strength, you played an amazing match."
A small smile finally appeared on Kirishima's usually cold face.
The players exchanged stunned looks:
The coach had smiled.
"I enjoyed watching you these past three days.
Remember this.
Remember what you're capable of."
The air around them softened.
The tension, the fatigue, the fear… all of it faded into something filled with respect.
Rikuo's heart was still racing as he clenched his fists.
Tomorrow… he would know.
Tomorrow… he'd find out if his efforts were enough to officially join Tokyo CF.
But tonight, he already felt alive — more alive than ever.