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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"261, 262, 263, 264..." I trailed off as the soccer ball kept bouncing off of Charles' foot. "270."
"My foot is starting to cramp up," Charles said, standing above where I was sitting on the ground and stretching while he juggled the ball on his foot.
"Keep going Charles-kun!" Nanase encouraged from he was sitting next to me. "You can't stop now!"
"273, 274..." I wasn't even watching anymore, just listening to the sound of the something slapping against his foot as I nearly sat in a split. "I'm getting tired of counting..."
"I've got to make it past 300!" Charles said with his eyes focused on the ball. Of course, they only time he showed effort outside of a match was when it was related to something he actually wanted to do. Like having a juggling contest after training.
"Come on guys," Chapa called from the doorway of the field. "Loki wants us to watch the England and Germany match. Get changed."
I sighed and stood up as Charles made a face and protested, "But I'm so close to 300."
"You're almost there!" Nanase encouraged as I walked away. "296, 297, 298, 299-"
"300!" Shido punted the mid air ball across the field, coming out of nowhere with a snarky laugh. The ball sailed across the field and into the net. "Still got it, ha!"
Charles gave him a look. "Rude."
"Aw..." Nanase frowned.
I rolled my eyes and exchanged a look with Zantetsu, who murmured, "There he goes again."
Everyone was getting use to Shido's antics now, I think. Slowly the team had learned over time just to not acknowledge his obnoxious behavior.
After changing out of my training uniform, I walked with other members of my team and sat down in the front row of chairs by the big media screen. Since I was the shortest one and because I wanted to have a good spot, I hurried to get there first. Nanase and Charles sat at my sides, the latter rubbing his foot that he had propped up on his chair. Loki walked in behind us and patiently waited as the rest of our players began to find their seats.
"Hey Loki," I said with a curious smile. "Who do you think is going to win? Manshine City or Bastard München?"
He returned my smile before saying, "Manshine City is known for their player's physical abilities. This is going to be a match of muscle vs logic." He shrugged a little. "I guess we will have to find out." Then he spoke to the rest of the group. "Let's pay attention to England's reactions."
There was a quiet mumble of agreement from around the room and I looked behind me to see Rin sitting with his arms crossed next to a smirking Shido. That can't be a good seating arrangement.
Blue Lock TV began to stream onto the screen and we all watched as the announcers gave introductions and the players came out.
"It's Nagi and Reo," Zantetsu muttered as the camera panned on the duo and Chigiri all walking up to Isagi almost immediately. "They look.... what's the word.... self-esteemed... or is it just esteemed?"
