Ryoma smiled. The NSP cartridge in his locker would remember this save file forever. Not because of the trophy—but because for one night, the new hero wrote his own ending.
The rain stopped as Ryoma lay on his back, staring at the sky. Hyuga limped over, offered a hand, and said the words Ryoma had heard a thousand times in the game’s post-match victory screen:
In the 18th minute, Ryoma received the ball near the center circle. Kojiro Hyuga, on crutches, shouted from the sidelines: “Move forward, Hoshino! Don’t just pass sideways!”
Tsubasa Ozora (Nankatsu) vs. Ryoma’s team, Touho Gakuen (Hyuga’s school). But Hyuga is injured. The spotlight falls on Ryoma. The whistle blew. Within ten seconds, Tsubasa had the ball. He weaved past two defenders like they were training cones, then executed a Drive Shot from thirty meters. The net bulged. 1–0. Nankatsu. Captain Tsubasa--- Rise of New Champions -NSP--JP...
Tsubasa closed in. Ryoma didn’t shoot. Instead, he back-heeled a blind cross —a move he’d practiced 5,000 times in the game’s “Training Mode.” The ball curved unnaturally, landing perfectly at the feet of Touho’s striker, Sato.
Ryoma closed his eyes for half a second. In his mind, he saw the game’s “V-Zone” meter—that fictional burst of team spirit. He opened his eyes. “Alright. Let’s script this.”
Sliding volley. Goal. 1–1.
The All-Japan Youth Championship finals. Stadium floodlights carve shadows into the wet grass. 50,000 fans roar.
He intercepted a lazy clearance. Three Nankatsu players pressed him. His stamina bar—real and metaphorical—was blinking red. No more Mirage Pass . No V-Zone left.
Then he remembered: in the game’s JP version, there was a hidden mechanic. If you perfectly timed a normal dribble between two tackles, you unlocked a “Momentum Chain.” No flashy moves. Just perfect basics. Ryoma smiled
He didn’t shoot. He passed —directly off Wakabayashi’s extended fist. The ball rebounded high. Ryoma jumped, twisted in midair, and delivered a falling volley into the opposite corner.
Ryoma Hoshino – a custom “New Hero” midfielder, not naturally gifted like Tsubasa, but a relentless student of the game. His special move: Mirage Pass – a short, unpredictable dribble that leaves two afterimages.
Ryoma stepped left. Defender #1 slid past air. Step right. Defender #2 collided with his own teammate. Ryoma was through. One on one with goalkeeper Genzo Wakabayashi—the SGGK. The rain stopped as Ryoma lay on his
“You’re not a genius, Hoshino. But geniuses fear players like you.”