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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"That was such a stylish finale!" Aryu exclaimed, interrupting my hug with Isagi.
"Huh?" Isagi pulled back to turn towards him as Bachira laughed happily. "Oh thanks!"
"Nice goal, hero," a new voice said and we all turned to see Aiku Oliver approaching. I stepped back from Isagi as the U-20 team captain stopped in front of us. "Were you aiming for my blind spot the whole time?"
"Yeah," Isagi told him. "And a point from which I could score in one shot. Also, I trusted in Rin's chance to let him beat Sae. And that everyone would to the last second to get the ball to the goal. It was a culmination of the whole ninety minutes."
Aiku let out a laugh and said. "In that moment you reflexively ran to the point where those three conditions overlapped and the ball just happened to land there or...." His pretty heterochromic eyes landed on me with a smirk. "I guess you just got lucky..." He then took off his glove with his teeth and held his hand out to Isagi. "Isagi Yoichi, the U-20 team lost. Congratulations, Blue Lock." Isagi gave him a competitive smile before shaking his hand firmly. Then Aiku turned to me. "And you... Iteya Keiko... I think everyone kind of underestimated you. But... Something tells me that won't ever happen again." He gave me a wide Cheshire-like grin and grabbed my hand, shaking it once between both of his palms. "Allow me to be the first one to congratulate you on making some history here today."
My face turned red but I gave him a smile and a nod. "Thanks! I appreciate it."
Aiku let out another chuckle before waving at everyone else. "I'm sure we'll meet again soon. This won't be the last time you see us on the pitch." Then he turned and left, moving to where his team was quietly watching with exhausted expressions. I made an amused face at Aiku's sportsmanship, and exchanged a look with my teammates.
Looking around to take in the moment, I saw Shido walking off wearing a wide smirk as he moved to where the exit of the field was. But he caught me watching when he looked toward where we were all standing. Shido winked once before facing forward and continuing to leave. I raised an eyebrow in confusion, noticing how he was taking the loss surprisingly well before continuing my gaze around. Flags were waving, the crowd was still active and excited, and photographers were beginning to line the touchlines to take pictures. But in midfield, stood Sae, only steps away from where Rin was sitting and looking extremely defeated. Sae seemed to be saying something to him before looking in our direction, his teal eyes focused.
"Iteya! Iteya-chan!" My name was suddenly cried from close by and I turned my head to find the yell. A slightly familiar woman was waving at me from the touchline with a smile. Instantly I recognized her from that press conference Ego had taken me to. Slowly I approached, leaving my team and awkwardly waving back at where she was standing next to a bunch of photographers and people with cameras. The pretty lady beamed at me. "Hi! Do you remember me? I'm Kato Ayame and I write for Football Insider!"
