My system allows me to copy talents

Chapter 780: The Battle Of Friends VI

The crowd gasped at the sight of this unbelievable save. The opposing fans erupted forth, a roar of pure elation escaping their throat.

"Woah!"

However, before that cheer could even take root in the stadium, a rather crisp sound echoed, leaving the opposing fans disappointed.

The ball, upon getting deflected, bounced before Julian, who had been lurking inside the defensive third like a serpent coiled in the grass.

The ball landed right before him, and he didn’t fail to capitalize on the situation.

He struck the ball hard, connecting a volley that sent the ball soaring towards the post. The post, now vacant without the presence of its dispositioned keeper, was like a castle without its guard.

Though Shun pushed himself to stop this second threat, too.

This time, he failed.

Even with his arms outstretched, he couldn’t reach the ball.

The net rattled, trembling under the sheer pressure of the strike that changed the course of the game.

"Goal!"

The crowd erupted forth, their cheers resonating throughout the stadium.

Julian himself sprang to the sidelines, his expression one of pure bliss. He threw his arms in the air as he roared in excitement.

His teammates followed after him, throwing themselves on him.

The crowd cheered alongside, celebrating the goal that had opened their score. This goal had broken the tough balance of the game, and the crowd couldn’t bring itself to stop.

While others were engrossed in the celebration, Hiro jogged on the field like he wasn’t in a rush to be a part of the celebration.

Unlike the wide, elated grin on the faces of his teammates, he had a rather faint smile.

Then, on his route to his teammates, he turned around.

Just at that moment, Shun also turned to look at him.

However, unlike Hiro, his expression was rather dark, a sharp contrast to the atmosphere of the stadium. Though his brows were knitted, he didn’t look disappointed. Instead, he looked rather enraged.

His teeth were gritted, his knuckles pressed hard against the cold ground underneath.

At a glance, it seemed as if he would snap.

Hiro could see through his frustration. He had been like this for a long time. That anger in him was like a double-edged sword. It had helped him unlock his potential at times. But it had also held him back.

There were instances when he had gotten into fights because of his temper.

Be it his own teammates or the opposition, he had fought with both.

However, compared to the events before, this time it seemed as if this anger was directed at himself rather than others.

Though he could see him struggling to contain that temper of his, he couldn’t do much about it this time. However, he didn’t avert his gaze from him. Instead, as he proceeded, he continued to stare at him, never taking his gaze from him.

Shun bit his lips as he stared at Hiro, his pupils constricting.

Then he lowered his gaze, tilting his head.

’I get it. I won’t snap.’

He thought as he tightened his knuckles and reflected on his actions. Though Hiro didn’t utter a word or taunt him, he could tell that Hiro wanted him to calm down.

Upon witnessing his head lowered, Hiro understood that he needed time to compose himself. Hence, he too averted his gaze from him and continued towards his teammates.

The celebration lasted for a while before the players retreated to their positions to continue the match.

"That was intentional, wasn’t it?"

While retreating to their position, Julian mumbled.

Hiro turned to look at him. But didn’t utter a word. How was he supposed to tell him that it wasn’t intentional at all?

He found it difficult to explain.

Hence, he chose to remain silent.

However, to his surprise, Julian smiled as he continued, "Come on. You don’t have to be this humble, now. I caught your signal when we locked our gaze."

What gaze?

What signal?

What is he even talking about?

Hiro couldn’t help but find his words confusing.

Dumbfounded, he stared at him as if he wanted to know what he was talking about.

However, once again, Julian misinterpreted his actions and continued, "I get it. You’re telling me you don’t want me to thank you, right? I get it. But I can’t do that. This goal belongs to you as much as it belongs to me."

"Thank you, partner!"

Hiro blinked as Julian darted past him after thanking him for the assist he hadn’t even made. This left him utterly dumbfounded for a while.

However, he figured it was better to let him be in such delusion than to explain the real thing.

Hence, he didn’t bother explaining himself and just went with the flow.

If only he knew that he had actually gone for the goal himself, would he be thanking him like that?

He wondered as he let out a crooked smile.

Then he wandered to his position.

Upon positioning himself, he stared straight at the opposing post where Shun stood between the poles.

Though the distance between them was far, he could still see in his posture that he had composed himself.

’Hmm. You have grown, indeed. That save earlier was ingenious. Had your teammates acted better, you’d have shut us down.’

Hiro started recalling the earlier moment that led to the goal.

In the earlier encounter, Shun had done nothing wrong. He hadn’t made a mistake. In fact, he had acted in time to prevent the shot from finding the goal.

However, due to the disposition of those around him, he had conceded that goal.

Hence, he couldn’t be blamed for that blunder.

But the fans wouldn’t be so kind as to think such. The fans would probably haul him with negative comments.

After all, unlike most other players of the squad, he’s their newest addition.

Hence, it’d be better to go after the new guy than let others take the blame for it.

Thinking about the aftermath, Hiro couldn’t help but feel sorry for his friend. Even so, he wouldn’t show mercy to him, even if he were his friend.