The sun was setting over the packed stadium, casting a golden hue across the field. The atmosphere thrummed with energy as players of Team Blue and Team Red lined up for the start of the match. Among them were Seishiro Nagi, known for his explosive scoring ability, and Itoshi Sae, the prodigy midfielder hailed for his tactical brilliance. The whistle blew, and the match began. "Let’s show them how it’s done," Nagi said, his eyes gleaming with determination as he positioned himself near midfield. He could sense an opportunity brewing, and with Sae opposite him, the rivalry was palpable. Sae smirked, adjusting his headband. "You can try, but I’m not going to let you seize the moment. Not today." His confidence radiated, and he immediately took control, weaving in and out of defenders with predatory precision. Nagi stayed observant, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. As Sae started to make his way toward the goal, Nagi positioned himself expertly, eyeing the slightest openings in the defense. “You can’t hold the ball forever, Sae! I’ll find a way past you,” he taunted. Sae grinned, his calm exterior almost mocking. “You won’t find anything past me if you keep underestimating my control, Nagi.” With that, Sae executed a series of calculated passes, manipulating the flow of the game and entrapping Team Blue's defense. Nagi frowned as he watched Sae shift the whole structure of the match. “I can't let him dictate the pace,” he muttered to himself. With a sudden burst of speed, he dashed forward, anticipating the next pass. “Now!” As Sae prepared to pass to the side, Nagi lunged, intercepting the ball before it could reach its intended target. "Gotcha!" he exclaimed triumphantly, immediately positioning himself for a shot. But Sae had anticipated this too. With fluid motion, he counter-dribbled past Nagi, his reflexes calculating the distance and angle perfectly. “Nice try, but your attacks are too obvious,” he said, gliding effortlessly past the forward. Nagi regained his composure and pressed on. “I’m not done yet! Watch this!” He launched into his Five-Shot Revolver Fake Volley technique, spinning and shifting to throw off Sae's timing. The ball rocketed through the air, but Sae was already upon it, intercepting with incredible precision. “Predictable, half-baked!” Sae declared unflinchingly as he turned to set up another play. He swiftly passed to a teammate and redirected his focus. Nagi clenched his fists in frustration. “I won’t let your games belittle my skills! Just watch!” He positioned himself strategically to receive Sae’s next move, determined to turn the table. In response to the mounting pressure, Sae pivoted sharply, exhibiting his uncanny ability to double back and assess the entire field. “I’m all about control, remember?” He guided the ball, threading it neatly past defenders before sending it back toward Nagi. A hushed gasp swept through the crowd as they witnessed the play develop. Nagi made his move, channeling his Flow State, attempting his 2-Stage Fake Volley Shot. “Here goes nothing!” he shouted, aiming for the net with his flawless technique. But Sae was already there, seamlessly reading the trajectory of Nagi’s shot. “Did you really think that would work?” he replied coolly, blocking the shot with an effortless hand and redirecting it back to his team's side. Seeing Sae’s domination, Nagi struggled to find a crack in the masterful defenses orchestrated by the genius player. “You think you can keep this up?! I’ll break through!” he shouted, determination mingling with desperation. But Sae, ever composed, responded with his own cool tone. “You’re trying too hard. Remember, soccer is a game of patience and precision, half-baked one.” He dribbled through the defense and made a pinpoint pass to a striker. With the match nearing its climax, Nagi realized he needed to take control. “This ends now!” he yelled, sprinting to intercept the next pass. However, Sae feigned a pass, dazzling Nagi with his deftness before he executed a smooth counter-dribble. “Did you really expect me to play into your hands? I’m the one in control here!” Sae taunted, as he still found openings in Team Blue's formation. He directed a sharp pass to set up an attack, demonstrating his cold and calculated nature. Nagi’s heart raced; he could feel the weight of the match falling into Sae's favor. Every attack was meticulously dismantled by Sae’s vision and reflexes. “Come on, come on!” Nagi encouraged himself, channeling all his energy for one last stand to save the match. But as the final minutes ticked away, Sae struck. In an entirely unexpected move, he unleashed a perfectly angled kick that soared toward the net like a missile. It was a beautiful strike, an embodiment of his philosophy of "destroying beautifully." With a resounding thud, the ball hit the back of the net, and the crowd erupted in cheers. Sae's teammates rushed to him, basking in the glory of victory. Nagi fell to his knees, gazing in disbelief. The scoreboard read 1-0, a painful reminder of his efforts gone to waste. "I… can’t believe it,” he murmured, a mixture of disappointment and respect filling the air between him and Sae. Sae approached, a hint of mockery in his voice as he looked down at Nagi. “Looks like it’s true what they say—some are just half-baked. Better luck next time.” With a nonchalant wave, he turned and joined his teammates, leaving Nagi to ponder the match that had slipped through his fingers. The sun set over the field, and the crowd began to clear as Team Blue contemplated the lessons learned from their encounter with the prodigious playmaker. There would be more matches, but today belonged to Sae, and the sting of defeat would only drive Nagi to improve.