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Chapter 63 - Against the Wall

A heavy silence fell over the training ground.

For the first time in weeks, even the wind seemed to hold its breath.

Kaito stood at the far end of the pitch eyes narrowed sweat dripping off his jaw as he stared at the cluster of cones arranged by Coach Yamada

It was a brutal drill

Each cone represented a defender with instructions to make precise movements stop at odd angles and simulate real-time match pressure

It looked like a maze built for one purpose to destroy rhythm

"You mess up the tempo once and it's over" Coach Yamada said leaning against a post arms crossed "Go"

Kaito didn't flinch

He dashed forward the ball attached to his foot like it was stitched into his DNA

Left cut tight right outside flick a sudden pullback

The rhythm was unnatural forced

Kaito's movements became choppy messy too quick

He reached the third cone but slipped slightly adjusting too late

The ball skidded two inches off course

Whistle

"Again"

Kaito walked back no complaints no words

Coach Yamada watched him with unreadable eyes

After the sixth run Kaito's chest heaved his foot scraped raw from repeated bursts

Yuto leaned on the fence chewing a protein bar "That drill's illegal I swear"

Kaito ignored him

Seventh attempt

This time he slowed down

Not out of weakness but intent

Each step was calculated almost eerie

He didn't fight the drill he bent around it

Coach Yamada's brow lifted ever so slightly

Cone three passed

Cone four passed

The sharpest turn arrived Kaito rolled his foot backward leapt around and caught it with his heel

A feint disguised as recovery

Coach Yamada's fingers tapped his stopwatch

Cone five cleared

Final one

Kaito paused for a fraction of a second then with a low center of gravity shifted the ball left cut inside turned fully and nutmegged the last cone

Silence again

The stopwatch beeped

"Thirty two seconds" Coach said then turned "Again"

Yuto gawked "Bro what do you mean again He just broke the record"

Coach Yamada's voice was cold "Records mean nothing under fatigue"

Kaito didn't react

He simply picked up the ball again as if the moment hadn't happened

But deep down behind those focused eyes the fire flickered hotter than ever

The wall wasn't a punishment

It was a mirror

And Kaito was ready to punch through it

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