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

The air in the locker room felt heavy. The walls seemed to close in on them, the pressure crushing.

0-3.

Renji sat with his head down, fists clenched so tight his nails dug into his palms. He hated this feeling — the weight of failure pressing down like a storm.

Kaede punched the bench. "I'm not gonna sit here and take this! We're getting humiliated!"

Riku's voice cut through the noise, calm and sharp. "Shouting won't change anything."

Kaede glared at him. "Then what? Just sit here and accept it!?"

"No," Renji said, his voice low. "We fight."

Kaede turned, surprised. "We've been fighting! Look where it's gotten us!"

Renji looked up, his eyes burning. "Not enough. We've been holding back. Playing it safe. That ends now."

Riku leaned against the wall, watching him. "And what's your plan?"

Renji stood up, his heart pounding. "We stop fearing failure. We take risks. We stop being predictable." He looked at Kaede. "You've got power — use it. Take those wild shots you're always afraid will miss."

Kaede blinked, then grinned. "Heh. I like that."

Renji turned to Riku. "You see everything on the field. Call the plays. We'll trust you."

Riku's eyes narrowed. "And you?"

Renji's fists tightened. "I'll make the difference."

The second half began.

And this time — they weren't the same team.

The whistle blew. The ball moved.

Koga Ren came at them again, his speed like lightning. But Renji was waiting.

He didn't chase. He anticipated.

And when Koga tried to slip past him, Renji was already there.

The impact was brutal. They collided, and Renji stole the ball with sheer force and determination.

He didn't wait.

He exploded forward.

Shiro Amani closed in fast — but Renji didn't flinch.

He cut right, then left, his body moving on instinct. Shiro reached — and Renji was already gone.

Kaede was screaming for the ball — but Renji didn't pass.

He saw the goal.

He felt it.

And he struck.

The shot was wild — powerful — reckless.

And unstoppable.

1-3.

The crowd roared.

Kaede grinned. "Now we're talking!"

But there was no time to celebrate.

Koga came back harder. Faster.

But Renji wasn't backing down.

The game turned savage.

Kaede unleashed his power, taking shots from impossible angles. Some missed — but some didn't.

2-3.

Riku controlled the field, his vision perfect. He saw plays no one else did.

And Renji?

Renji was a storm.

He stole. He passed. He attacked.

And when the chance came again — he struck.

3-3.

The stadium shook.

But there were still minutes left.

And their opponents weren't done.

Koga Ren's eyes burned with fury. "You think this is over!?"

The final attack began.

And no one was ready for what came next.