Symptoms of Depression

8- Slowed thinking, speaking or body movements

Isagi's exhaustion caught up to him, I guess. This is what you get when you're pushed to the limits.

"Is that all you got, Yoichi? This was your idea, wasn't it?" Kaiser stole the ball from his teammate, Isagi. Then again, Isagi never expected anything less than choosing Bastard Muchen.

He could feel every step colliding with the grass as it echoes its collision throughout his whole body. His ears diluted any outer noise and focused on his ragged breathing, limbs aching and legs willing to unsolidify itself.

Nagi stole the ball this time, avoiding two midfielders.

Isagi couldn't help but laugh like a lunatic. Is this the time he gives up? They are miles away from him, their bodies refined and minds set on the goal.

He didn't know if he was in the "zone," like a lion ready to pounce, or simply sleep-deprived.

Noel's eyes bore into him. Isagi had to straighten his back and get into the game; his idol was someone he could not disappoint.

Okay, Isagi. Just think.

Nagi is like a baby chick when he plays alone; he relies too much on a single idea to keep moving forward... that idea was him. Goddammit, Isagi, why can't you stay quiet and lie low?

Kaiser-this and Kaiser-that.

He stole his goal and his ball, and now he blocked Nagi's goal, which HE was supposed to do.

Why can't Isagi track anything?

He glided a hand over his face, now conscious of his breathing.

Breathe in and out.

It's okay, Isagi. You're still in mid-development.

He needs to catch up. He needs to move forward- he needs to BE a forward.

(His body screams as it's reaching its limit. Isagi refuses)

—

Kaiser is not looking at the ball at all! He's not looking! What is he doing?!

He swore that his brain was taking a simple break; it was not functioning well then, and he needed a rest. That's all. But it still doesn't explain why he couldn't read Kaiser's movements, that fucker.

"You're fucking blind," Kaiser says, as simple as that. A ball curved slightly in its travel, avoiding Reo and Nagi, passing by other players and dodging the goalie's hands.

GOAL

1 - 1

Then it clicked.

Kaiser's goal was all he needed.

Isagi felt the internal organs working like a booted, rusted machine, seeing the light of day after years of dormant—the feeling of fatigue disappearing and his legs giving each other a pep talk to keep going.

—

Kaiser was never like this.

"Kaiser, please!" Ness pried the blond's hands off himself. Drool dripped down his chin, and his eyes rolled back with the prick of tears that Kaiser refused to release.

"I'm so fucking weak," Kaiser choked. He only scored ONE goal. One out of four. He was pathetic. It's so pathetic that even Ness had to pick up his slack.

Kaiser worked hard; he doubled his hours (useless). He changed his diet (you sack of shit) and forced himself to become a new person, trashing his old self back into the dens where it belongs.