BLUE LOCK - a place where soccer is more than just a sport and a future of worldwide glory is within grasp. Desperate to prove her worth and break barriers, Keiko Iteya fights to hold her own in a rigorous competition against 299 young men in Japan...
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The bus ride to the Blue Lock facility nearly gave me a panic attack. I hadn't been inside anything with wheels for obvious reasons, my PTSD from the car crash flaring with anxiety. So it was with a squeak that I put the baseball cap back on after tucking my hair inside, not wanting all the boys to gawk at me. I slowly boarded the bus with shaky legs and sat at the back by myself.
It was a far drive to the facility. I was gripping the seat tightly but my grip loosened when I saw the large pentagonal building in the distance. It was bigger than I had thought and I swallowed in anxiety as the bus rolled to a stop. Following all the other boys off the bus and into the big doors, I was directed to a sign in table.
The woman running the table put a box in front of me when it was my turn. "Put your phone, wallet, and everything else inside except for your clothes." I did as she said. "What's the name?"
"Iteya," I told her. "Maybe under Keiko??? Otherwise under Hikaru....."
"Iteya...." she repeated and then reached under the table. She handed me a uniform still in the plastic. "You're in Z. Good luck."
I was once again directed to a far branch of the building. As I walked, I stared down at the uniform in my hands. There was a big 300 on the sleeve, followed by the letter Z. '300? That must be my rank. Ego really did put me in the bottom.' I was approaching a door that was labeled with a big Z. 'This must be it.' I took a breath and then let it out. 'You got this. Remember why you're doing it.'
Taking a step forward, the door automatically opened. I walked inside, immediately gaining the attention of everyone in the room - again. The boys filling the room were already dressed in the uniforms. I quickly tilted my head down, my hat hiding my face from their curious eyes. Off to the side, there were lockers. But there was nothing else in the room. Swallowing the large lump in my throat, I stepped towards the locker and stopped in front of the one labeled 300. I lifted a shaky hand to open it. It was empty apart from some cleats, shin guards, and a few jerseys.
Movement to my side causing my eyes to shift and I stiffened as a cute guy with black hair and blue eyes next to me took off his pants suddenly, revealing his boxers. My eyes widened and my cheeks reddened at the sudden exposure and I held back a gasp as he also took off his shirt. 'Oh fuck!' My head spun around, in search of some clue. 'Is this the locker room? I'm the last one here and there's literally no cover!' I began to panic. 'I'm screwed. I'm so screwed.' I wanted to die. This was a bad idea.
"You going to change into your uniform?" someone asked and I turned to see it was the boy with white hair from earlier that had objected to Ego's offer. I guess he changed his mind. The boy's eyes set on mine. "Hey! You look familiar! Are you Iteya Hikaru? You're a lot shorter than you look on the field."
I wanted to die. I was dying on the inside. "Uh....."
"Go on and change," the boy encouraged. "There's no need to be so shy! It's just dudes in here."
