Run !

The whistle pierced the air, signaling the end of the first half. The players were allowed a brief respite, a mere few minutes to catch their breath, rehydrate, and prepare for the next phase. But Takeshi knew that these precious moments were more than just a break—they were a countdown. The second half would be even more brutal. The team that faltered, even for a second, would be wiped out.

Takeshi’s muscles screamed in protest. Every second he stood still, his body felt as though it were turning to stone, frozen in place for an eternity. But his resolve remained solid. He was playing for something more than just survival now. Every move he made, every decision, could be the difference between life and death.

Yusuke stood near him, his hands on his knees, taking deep breaths. His face was a mix of determination and exhaustion, but there was a spark in his eyes that Takeshi recognized. It was the fire of someone who had been pushed to the edge and was ready to fight for their life.

“We’re doing alright,” Yusuke said, wiping the sweat from his forehead. “But we can’t afford to slow down. The other team—they’re strong.”

Takeshi nodded, scanning the other side of the field. The red team had been tough opponents, but what worried him the most wasn’t their strength—it was their tactics. They were beginning to play like a well-oiled machine, and that could only mean trouble.

“I know,” Takeshi replied, his voice low. “They’re adjusting to us. We need to adapt, too.”

Anri, standing nearby, looked as focused as ever, her eyes narrowed as she observed the red team. She had been exceptional during the first half, blocking several powerful shots with ease, but even she was starting to look worn out. It was hard to ignore the toll the game was taking on everyone.

“The second half is going to be much harder,” Anri muttered, more to herself than to anyone else. “We can’t afford to be predictable.”

Takeshi glanced at his teammates, feeling the weight of responsibility settle on his shoulders. He had been chosen as the leader of their team, and now was the time to prove that they could trust him to make the right decisions.

As the minutes of the break passed, the loudspeaker crackled to life once again. The voice of the announcer filled the air, cold and indifferent.

“Players, prepare for the second half. The time limit is 47 minutes. If the score is tied at the end, extra time will be added. Remember the rules—freeze every three minutes. Move, and you die.”

Takeshi felt a chill run through him as the voice echoed through the stadium. There was no room for error now. Every decision would be life or death.

The whistle blew again, signaling the start of the second half. The players lined up, the tension palpable in the air. Takeshi gave one last look to his team—Yusuke, Anri, and the others who had made it this far. They were all counting on him now.

The game resumed.

The blue team was back on defense. Takeshi stood in his position, his eyes never leaving the ball. The red team came charging down the field with renewed vigor. They had made adjustments—this much was clear. Their passes were sharper, their coordination tighter. Takeshi knew that if they didn’t act fast, the game would slip from their grasp.

Yusuke was already on the move, darting across the field with speed that surprised even Takeshi. His eyes were filled with determination, and for a moment, Takeshi wondered if this was the same man who had suffered so much in his past. But now, there was only one thing that mattered: survival.

The whistle blew.

Takeshi froze in place. His body tensed as he remained still, but his mind was already racing. He had to think several moves ahead. They needed to stop the red team from gaining momentum. Their defense was strong, but it wasn’t perfect. There were gaps—small openings that could be exploited.

The ball was passed to the red team's striker, a tall, muscular player who had been causing problems throughout the match. Takeshi narrowed his eyes, watching his every move. He had been studying him during the first half, and now, it was time to capitalize on his weaknesses.

The whistle blew again.

The game resumed, and Takeshi was already in motion. Yusuke was close by, ready to intercept any passes, while Anri took her position at the goalpost, eyes fixed on the incoming striker. Takeshi’s gaze never wavered from the ball. The red team's striker took a step back, winding up for a powerful shot.

But Takeshi wasn’t worried. He had seen this coming. In an instant, he darted to the side, cutting off the angle and forcing the striker into a corner. The striker hesitated for just a second, and that was all Takeshi needed. With a swift motion, he closed the gap and stole the ball from his opponent’s feet.

The red team’s striker stumbled, caught off guard by the sudden shift. Takeshi took full advantage, sending the ball toward Yusuke, who had already begun his sprint down the field.

"Now!" Takeshi shouted.

Yusuke didn’t need to be told twice. With the speed of a seasoned player, he launched himself toward the goal, dodging a red defender who tried to stop him. The tension in the air was electric as the blue team’s attack took shape.

“Freeze!” The loudspeaker blared again.

For a brief moment, time seemed to slow down. Yusuke was just inches from the goal, but he had to freeze in place. Every player on the field was once again locked in time, frozen in their positions. Takeshi’s heart raced as he watched Yusuke’s position—just a little further, and he could take the shot.

He took a deep breath, knowing that this moment was crucial. They had worked for this opening, and now they needed to capitalize on it. The three-minute freeze passed in what felt like an eternity.

The whistle blew.

Time resumed, and Yusuke didn’t hesitate. With a powerful strike, he sent the ball soaring towards the goalpost. The red team’s goalkeeper lunged, but it was too late.

The ball hit the net with a satisfying thud. Blue team—1, red team—0.

For a brief moment, there was silence.

Then the crowd, composed of the other players, erupted into a mixture of relief and cheers. But Takeshi didn’t allow himself to feel elated just yet. The game was far from over. One goal didn’t mean victory—it just meant they had a chance.

The second half continued. The red team wasn’t going to take this loss lying down. They came at the blue team with renewed fury, their offense more aggressive than before.

Takeshi knew that the battle was far from won .