Chapter 22: "Team Z vs Team W Pt. 1"
"Our phones…! And a bed…?! I want that!"
Isagi exclaimed.
His excitement palpable.
Kunigami chuckled at Isagi's enthusiasm.
"For now, I'll settle for the meat,"
He said, gesturing to the steak plate in front of him.
Then, pausing briefly, Kunigami added.
"And that goal? You deserve half the credit for it, so I'm gonna give you half of this too."
Isagi's jaw dropped.
"What?! Are you sure?"
Kunigami grinned.
"Of course. You earned it."
Carefully, Kunigami sliced off a portion of the steak.
And placed it on Isagi's plate.
Isagi didn't hesitate—he took a bite.
His face lighting up the instant the flavors hit his tongue.
"Hhhhnnggg~ it tastes like heaven!"
Isagi practically sang.
Savoring every bite.
Kunigami burst out laughing.
"Haha! Doesn't it?"
As Isagi chewed.
He glanced up at Kunigami.
"Thanks, Kunigami. You're a great guy!"
Kunigami froze for a split second.
The compliment catching him off guard.
His face reddened ever so slightly.
As he coughed into his hand to mask his reaction.
"...Shaddap, it was nothin',"
He mumbled, avoiding eye contact.
Isagi tilted his head, confused.
"Huh?"
Kunigami cleared his throat dramatically.
And straightened up, deflecting the moment.
"A-anyway… we've gotta be ready to win our next match!"
He extended his fist toward Isagi.
A confident grin on his face.
Isagi smiled back.
Bumping his fist against Kunigami's.
"Yeah! Let's do this!"
…
After another grueling day of training.
Team Z trudged off the field.
The tension between them as thick as the sweat on their backs.
The next match hadn't been announced yet.
And the uncertainty was gnawing at everyone.
Sensing the heavy mood.
Bachira grinned mischievously.
"Hey, why don't we play charades tonight?"
Raichi immediately snorted.
"What are we, kids? That's a waste of time."
Imamura shrugged.
"Actually, it sounds fun. Better than sitting around doing nothing."
"Yeah, I'm in,"
Naruhaya added.
One by one, everyone agreed—except Raichi, of course.
Who crossed his arms and grumbled.
"I'll watch, but I'm not playing."
Later, in their shared room.
Everyone sat on one side, laughing and relaxed.
Everyone except Raichi.
Who stood stiffly in the middle of the room.
With a dramatic sigh.
He began acting out his character.
Flailing his arms awkwardly.
"A robot?"
Imamura guessed.
"No, wait, a wrestler!"
Naruhaya shouted.
"An angry wrestler?"
Lemon tried.
The timer on Isagi's phone buzzed loudly.
A phone that he exchanged 3 points for.
From the 'Goal Bonus' System.
"Time's up!"
Raichi threw his hands up.
"I was Godzilla! Obviously!"
"Godzilla?! That was the worst Godzilla ever!"
Chigiri burst out, laughing so hard.
He had to wipe his eyes.
"Maybe he was budget Godzilla,"
Kunigami added.
Shaking his head.
"Shut up!"
Raichi snapped.
Sitting down with a scowl.
"This is why I didn't want to play!"
Next up was Kira.
Calm and confident, he smirked.
"I've got the perfect one."
The timer began.
Kira adjusted invisible glasses and gave a smug.
Calculating expression.
Isagi's eyes lit up.
"Wait, I know this! It's—"
Before he could finish.
The room's monitor flickered on.
The stern face of Jinpachi Ego filled the screen.
"Jinpachi Ego!"
Jinpachi declared.
His voice cutting through the room like a knife.
Everyone froze.
Naruhaya, who was closest to the monitor.
Let out a yelp and promptly passed out.
Jinpachi didn't miss a beat.
"Your next match is tomorrow morning against… Team W."
"Prepare yourselves. Get enough sleep, or don't bother showing up."
With that, the screen went dark as abruptly as it had lit up.
Naruhaya groaned from the floor.
"Did… did Ego just crash our game?"
Kunigami rubbed the back of his neck.
"Well, I guess that's the end of charades."
Raichi stood, clenching his fists.
His eyes blazing with determination.
"Team W, huh? Bring it on!"
The room filled with nods of agreement.
Everyone's earlier tension replaced by a new sense of purpose.
Playtime was over.
Their next battle was just hours away.
…
Team Z waited on the Fifth Stratum Center Field.
The morning air thick with tension.
They were itching to play.
Their excitement barely contained.
A stir on the other side of the field announced Team W's arrival.
They sauntered in, exuding cocky confidence.
Like a pack of hyenas ready to pounce.
Isagi's sharp eyes scanned the players.
Stopping on the pair leading the charge.
Identical in build and movement.
The Wanima brothers stood out instantly.
Their faces screamed trouble.
Flashback
The night before, Team Z had gathered in their room.
Everyone sat on the floor, all eyes on Isagi.
Who stood at the front like a captain delivering a mission briefing.
"The Wanima brothers,"
Isagi started.
His tone calm but commanding.
"These two are dangerous because they don't just play—they connect. Their pass-and-go style is their weapon, and it's deadly."
"They sound annoying,"
Imamura grumbled.
"They are,"
Isagi replied.
"But they're also predictable. They can't do much without each other."
Kuon leaned forward.
"So, the plan is to split them up?"
"Exactly,"
Isagi confirmed.
"If we isolate them, they lose their edge. That's how we'll shut them down."
Raichi slammed his fists together, grinning.
"Leave one of 'em to me. I'll break their rhythm in no time!"
Naruhaya raised his hand.
"Hey, I've got a strategy too—"
"Skip,"
Gagamaru cut in, deadpan.
"Your plans always suck."
The room broke into laughter before Isagi continued.
"Focus,"
He said.
"We'll use the same approach as against Baro—target their strength and turn it into a weakness. Stick to the plan, and we'll win this."
He raised a fist.
"Let's show Team W what we're made of!"
"Yeah!"
The team roared back, their spirits high.
Present
Now back on the field.
Team W settled into their positions.
The Wanima brothers exchanged glances.
Their confidence radiating across the pitch.
Isagi tightened his fists.
"This is it."
Kunigami stepped up beside him.
"Let's make it count."
Isagi gaze locked on the twins.
"Yeah."
"It's time to win."