Ascension│Bluelock x male reader

14. Destruction Of Dreams

The whistle blew three times.

Overhead, the VAR system rang out loud. "Time's up. Team Z wins over Team Y, 2-1."

Team Z crowded around Isagi, yelling. "YEEAAAAHHH!" They jumped, they screamed, they cheered that they'd hung on. They could still play soccer. Their dreams were still alive, if only by a thread.

Raichi wiped the sweat off of his chin, his scowl a little less pronounced as he watched the others. Gagamaru pumped his hands in the air in a victory pose, and Iemon ran over, cheering loudly.

Chigiri took a deep sigh of relief. Kunigami clenched a fist in silent victory, and a wide smile grew on Bachira's face as he giggled.

A few of them hugged each other, wide smiles all around as they celebrated. Sure, they would have to draw one game and win another to progress, but for now they were still in it.

And across the field, Y/N watched Team Y collapse to the floor, their faces completely the opposite of Team Z. One of the defenders stood, a blank expression on their face as they stared at the ball in the back of the goal.

More of them lay or sat across the floor, struggling to hold back tears as they muttered things under their breaths. One boy was quietly whimpering to himself, curled into a ball as his chest heaved.

Y/N was used to it. He was used to watching people's dreams get ripped away from them in an instant. And he knew what he wanted to do.

Team Y was basically out of the Bluelock program, and all the games they played from now on couldn't help them at all. The only person that would be staying was their top scorer.

Right now, that would be their number 9. But Y/N didn't want him. Y/N wanted Niko to carry on.

He didn't really know why, but he felt oddly protective of the younger boy. Besides, Niko was the best on their team by far, with his eyes and brain.

Isagi walked forwards, out of the crush of Team Z members as they complimented him for his goal. Y/N waited for a few seconds, walking behind the blue-haired boy and staying out of his eyesight.

It was like he was in a daze. Isagi's strides were slow and steady, but his body swayed ever so slightly, and his eyes flickered from each player as he passed them.

When he stopped, it was in front of Niko, who was kneeling with his head in his arms. The skinny boy looked up. His bangs had parted, showing huge sea-green eyes, and Y/N momentarily paused at the look of absolute misery on his face.

Niko's lip quivered, and as Isagi stared down at him, it was clear he was struggling to hold back tears.

Then Isagi walked off, leaving Niko behind him, and back to Team Z.

Chigiri came up to Y/N from behind, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder. He smiled a little, and tried to tug Y/N away. "Hey, let's head back to the team. They want to have a celebratory dinner together."

"Tell them I'll be there a few minutes, prepare it without me." Y/N smiled at Chigiri, clasping a hand over his and nuzzling a little into it. "I have something to do first."

"Ah... alright." The pink-haired boy left him with the rest of the team. Chigiri didn't talk much with everyone else, he had noticed. The only person he seemed to even interact with was Y/N... With everyone else, he looked just worn out.

Shaking off the thoughts, Y/N headed towards Niko. The team Y player was still in that same kneeling position, his forehead pressed to the turf like he was praying to someone.

He was taking it even worse than the rest of his players, entire body shaking as muffled sobs rang through the air.

"Fuck... I had him... I had it..." He mumbled, voice trembling with emotion. "How... why... fuck it all..."