Striker Genesis: E.O.S (Evolution of Strikers)

The night before their next match, the team gathered in the training hall. The room was dimly lit, the only sound the steady thud of a ball against the wall. Kaede was at it again, working on his shots long after everyone else had finished.

"Kaede, take a break," Reo called from the bench.

Kaede didn't stop. "Not until I'm perfect."

Renji watched him, arms crossed. "Perfection's a myth. Control — that's what you need."

Kaede slammed the ball one last time, sending it crashing into the net. "Then I'll control everything."

Before anyone could respond, the entrance swung open. A tall figure stepped inside — their next opponent's captain, Kaito Sora. He walked with lazy confidence, his eyes half-lidded like he didn't have a care in the world.

"You guys are making quite a name for yourselves," Kaito said, his voice calm and smooth. "But tomorrow? It's over."

Kaede bristled. "Big talk. Let's see if you back it up."

Kaito just smiled. "I don't need to talk. You'll see on the field."

He left without another word, but his presence lingered like a shadow.

The next day, the stadium was a storm of noise. Team Eclipse stood on the opposite side — and Kaito Sora was at their heart, moving like a ghost.

The whistle blew.

Eclipse attacked first, and their style was chaos. Their formation shifted constantly, players swapping positions without warning. Renji tried to read them, but they slipped through his grasp like smoke.

In the confusion, Kaito struck. His shot was a flash of light — and just like that, they were behind.

0-1.

Reo gritted his teeth. "We need to break their rhythm."

"I'll smash through it," Kaede growled, already surging forward.

But Eclipse's defense was a trap. Kaede charged into it — and the ball was gone before he even realized it.

Renji clenched his fists. They were being outplayed.

That's when Riku spoke. "Let them come."

Everyone turned to him.

"What?" Kaede asked.

Riku's eyes were steady. "They thrive on chaos. But chaos falls apart when you stay calm."

Renji nodded. "We hold the line. Riku, you call the defense. Reo, slow the pace. Kaede…" He smiled. "Wait for your moment."

Eclipse attacked again, but this time, Riku was ready. His positioning was flawless, cutting off their every move. Reo controlled the midfield, turning their frantic energy against them.

And when the counterattack came, Kaede was waiting.

The ball sailed toward him — and this time, there was no wildness. Just control.

His strike was a cannon shot.

1-1.

Eclipse fought back harder, but the cracks in their chaos started to show. Riku intercepted again and again, his calm a perfect contrast to their frenzy. Reo turned every steal into a chance.

And when Kaede struck again, it was over.

2-1.

After the whistle, Kaito approached Renji with a slow clap. "Not bad. But next time… the shadows will be darker."

Renji just smiled. "We'll be ready."