The Star

Chapter 2: 'Friend'

"I don't understand, Ego-san" Anri commented as the phone call between Akihito and Ego ended with the latter reaching his object in getting Akihito into Blue Lock. "Akihito had rejected our invitation to join Blue Lock so why should we allow him to participate in the final selection? I admit that he has tremendous amount of talent but it seems to me that you are being unfair to the others who got locked off."

"So? He would have make it to the final selection should he have joined Blue Lock a year ago anyway. Compared to the other diamonds who got locked off, he is a much more important talent to have. It is just a shame that his family is dirt poor" Ego shrugged while continue to eat his cup noodle.

"But he does not seem to have an ego! Throughout his soccer journey, he mostly only assisted Rin Itoshi as another striker while Rin Itoshi on the other hand is a proper striker who score goals. Furthermore, he missed the two selections and we may not have time to bring out that ego of his!" Anri argued, trying to emphasis her point by showing the past articles on Akihito Tham. There were actually not many articles about him to begin with since he never really seemed to accept interviews so Rin was much more in the spotlight compared to him. From what she had gathered, Akihito was a Singaporean with a Japanese mother so she highly doubted him in wanting to represent Japan. Though representing Japan was a much smarter choice, where his loyalty lies was unknown.

"That is not difficult, Anri-chan. We just need to use money to motivate him like all the greatest footballers in history who came from poor families. I understand your worries but he is not like Asahi Naruhaya. I can guarantee that so you don't have to worry much, Anri. It is just one boy after all"

Though still unconvinced, Anri decided to listen to Ego's assurance. After all, Ego had never been wrong in his judgement.

I still have my concerns though, she sighed. She would just wait and see.

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To Rin Itoshi, Akihito Tham was an enigma.

He was a year older than him, yet very skinny and pretty short which caused him to look younger than his actual age. He also seemed very distant with everybody and only talked when it was needed and had a lack of initiative.i This was the reason why he had underestimated him as a soccer player at first when he showed up at the tryouts.

Lord, he was very wrong.

Despite having zero experiences, Akihito managed to beat the two first years who had play soccer for more than half of their lives and had bigger physiques than Akihito himself. He even won without Rin's aid much to everyone's surprise and amazement. On that day, everyone, including Rin, learnt that-Akihito was not a lukewarm player everybody thought him as.

Seeing Akihito's plays, there was actually a flicker of hope that in Rin's heart. That, there may be someone who could fill up the void that was left behind by his older brother. Which was why he even approached Akihito in the first place under the excuse of soccer. He then began to teach Akihito all he had known about soccer, like about the ways to counter, defence, dribbling and more. Basically everything Sae had taught him before he left for Spain.

However, Rin sometimes could not help but feel a sense of guilt. He felt that he was just making Akihito a copy of Sae which was literally what he had been doing since Akihito's arrival while Akihito on the other hand, 'probably' been treating him as a friend. Though he normally shove that thought away.

The word 'friend' was quite a foreign word in his dictionary. Sure, he had his teammates but they were more like friendly acquaintances than 'friends'. 

He was an unsociable person to begin with and was very blunt and a complete perfectionist. So, it was not strange that he had no friends outside of soccer. But then, he found that Akihito and him were actually kind of similar. Both of them were not sociable and were blunt. Furthermore, they could understand each others' plays and wants very well. Just that unlike himself, Akihito cared about his family more than soccer while soccer was Rin's number 1 priority. Thus, Rin felt comfortable with him around. 

Except that it all changed after that fateful night when Sae came back from Spain, and Rin started to see Akihito as an opponent like Sae. That was when he finally admitted to himself that he had been seeing Akihito as a replacement of Sae.

Sae.Sae. Sae. And more Sae.

Rin was frustrated. Frustrated that what was now left from the shared memories between Sae and him was Akihito.

It caused him to be very conflicted when he played alongside Akihito on the field and it was very frustrating. He had expected Akihito to be just as furious and frustrated when he saw him in high school since he had changed. But still, Akihito remained the guy he was. He continued to buy onigiri for him despite being a cheapskate and even went as far as showing up more for trainings along with spending extra time on them.

He still treated him as a 'friend'.

Rin was vexed that he had only noticed this while he was back in Blue Lock when he witnessed the frienship between Isagi and Bachira. He made it clear to himself after winning against Sae in a 1v1. That Akihito was not at fault at all.

It was himself that was being unfair and immature. He assumed that Akihito was the 'child' and that he was the 'adult'. Oh god, he never even considered Akihito's financial circumstances and helped him as a 'friend' but instead, saying all those inconsiderate words at him.

Rin hated that he was being selfish towards him. Also hated the fact that he realised it too late.

"A latte for you?"

"Well, I don't mind if you are the one paying."

He wanted to make up for it. And maybe. Just maybe. That they could restart their 'friendship' from where they had left it off.This time, he would be the proper friend that Akihito deserved.

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This feels kind of awkward, not that I know what is considered as awkward, thought Akihito. Besides, he told himself, it has been quite a while since I see this view.

It was a view of the sea with the sunset. Akihito fancied this view due to its calming and relaxing effect. He was astonished to see Rin on his doorstep but at least there might be a chance for them to catch up on things as they had not been in contact for almost a year.

Akihito took a sip of his latte, "how are you doing?"

"It's alright. As you know, I am no.1 in Blue Lock"

Akihito smirked, "proud as always aren't you?" Ensuring not to bring up Sae, Akihito questioned " Why the sudden visit?"

Rin gulped, to Akihito's surprise as he could not believe that Rin was nervous for once.

"Actually..." He began, sipping his green tea. "I have something to tell you."