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...
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
Team Barou's two point lead slowly turned into five. It was 5 to 0 and there were three minutes left on the clock. The game was over at this point. I knew that. I couldn't help but feel a little buried by the weight of the loss, even though the game was still going. I shouldn't have let it get to me. But I did.
We all lined up for what would be the final kickoff. Bachira and Isagi were talking at the mid line and I stood back, sending small glares in Barou's direction. I never expected anyone to go easy on me while I was here, but I'm pretty sure he over applied his strength on me on purpose. A simply nudge from Barou would have been enough to send me stumbling away from the ball. But no, he decide to shove me and force me down. That bastard.
The whistle blew and Isagi passed it to Bachira before sprinting straight up the field. My eyes widened and a small smile grew on my face at his spirit. I also ran up, trying to match Isagi's pace as Bachira became surrounded by the opposite team. My leg muscles burned in fiery familiarity as I surged across the grassy field. The warmth in my chest began to grow. That familiar fire of passion.
I smiled, watching as Bachira punted the ball up field, landing it perfectly in front of Isagi. Isagi caught it with his foot, putting down in front of him as he sprinted at the wide open goal ahead. I was mentally cheering for him, coming up on the left side behind him.
"Hey Number 11," Barou said to Isagi, suddenly sliding into his path out of nowhere. "Stop making yourself stand out more than me. I told you I'm the King. Try getting past me, sucker."
Isagi stopped, his foot on the ball and his eyes wide in slight panic. Barou was completely in his way.
"Isagi! Behind you!" Raichi cried out, a defender on top of him.
"No pass to me!" Kunigami called, also marked as he tried to get ahead.
"I'll shoot!"
"Here!"
At that moment, Barou moved forward, his red eyes locked on the unmoving ball at Isagi's feet. Isagi just stood there, eyes almost twitching in place. I tightened my hands into fists, silently urging him to do something, anything.
But then he passed left - right to me.
"I should have seen you earlier. I'm sorry I wasn't there."
"It's okay. You will be next time, I'm sure."
The words we had spoken earlier echoed in my head as the ball landed at my feet. I was so focused on Isagi's move to realize that I had unconsciously placed myself in the perfect position. I was left undefended to the left side of the goal. All eyes moved to me in slow motion as I tapped the ball in front of me, jumping forward and digging my left foot deep into the grass on the side of the ball and my right foot charged back. My eyes narrowed on the goalie. He was tall. I'd have to aim high. My eyes locked on the right corner post. Yeah. Right there.
