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

The atmosphere was electric. Match after match had pushed every player to their limit — and now it was Kaede's turn.

The screen flashed his name.

Kaede Aizawa vs. Shiro Kurogane

Kaede cracked his knuckles, grinning like a maniac. "Finally! I've been waiting for this!"

"Try not to get tackled into next week," Reo teased.

Kaede shot him a thumbs-up. "No promises!"

Renji watched as Kaede jogged onto the field, but something felt off. Shiro Kurogane was quiet — too quiet. His pale hair fell over his eyes, his posture relaxed. But the air around him felt… dangerous.

The whistle blew.

Kaede started fast. He snatched the ball and surged forward, his speed undeniable. He wasn't just fast — he was explosive.

But Shiro didn't flinch.

When Kaede went for his first feint, Shiro moved — and the ball was gone.

"What—" Kaede spun, wide-eyed.

Shiro stood there, ball at his feet. His eyes lifted slowly. "You're loud," he said, his voice cold. "I don't like loud people."

Kaede's grin returned. "Well, too bad! I'm gonna get even louder when I win!"

But Shiro wasn't listening. He moved — and his dribbling was flawless. Smooth. Almost lazy. Yet Kaede couldn't get close.

"Damn it," Kaede hissed. "He's fast."

Shiro reached the goal without breaking a sweat. And when he shot — the ball was a missile.

0-1.

The crowd fell silent.

But Kaede… laughed.

"Now we're talking!" he yelled. "Come on, Shiro! Let's see how long you can keep that up!"

Kaede didn't back down. He attacked harder, faster. And when Shiro tried to steal again, Kaede adapted. He spun just in time, keeping the ball out of reach.

"You're not the only fast one," Kaede growled.

He broke past, reaching the shooting zone — and fired.

The net rippled.

1-1.

The crowd roared.

Shiro's calm cracked. His eyes narrowed. "You should've stayed quiet."

The battle escalated.

Shiro's attacks became vicious, his speed blinding — but Kaede matched him step for step. They clashed again and again, neither giving an inch.

But Shiro was relentless. And with one brutal feint, he broke through.

Kaede chased — but he was too late.

Or so everyone thought.

At the last second, Kaede dove. His foot connected — and the ball shot wide.

The stadium exploded.

Shiro stared, disbelief flickering across his face. "You—"

Kaede grinned, breathless. "You're gonna have to try harder than that."

The final minutes were a blur of speed and chaos. And when the whistle blew — the score was unchanged.

1-1.

A tie. But it didn't feel like a loss.

Kaede walked off the field, battered but smiling.

Renji met him at the sidelines. "Not bad."

Kaede grinned. "Next time, I'm taking the win."