𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐂𝐎𝐋𝐎𝐑, 𝐏𝐔𝐑𝐏𝐋𝐄. || 𝓶𝓲𝓬𝓱𝓪𝓮𝓵 𝓴𝓪𝓲𝓼𝓮𝓻.

⤷ 03 - U-20.

˚ʚ❁ɞ˚

➤ Before the U-20 match; Locker room.

Reo was sitting at the benches, eyes wandering around the room. Every one of them was ready for the match. Being the substitute, he had some breathing room although he was itching to show how much he had improved.

"Ah, man," Hiori muttered, looking at his hands. He couldn't calm his nerves down even if he wasn't in the starting lineup. He felt like he was missing something.

"Hiori, heat pack?" The person handed out the pack with a small grin on his face.

"Isagi..? Thanks." Hiori breathed a sigh of relief, holding the heat pack tightly. It always did help him even if it wasn't much. "Now that I think about it, where's that girl? She's always provided this for us."

Isagi nodded, understanding what he meant. The girl that didn't have a name was what they knew her as. Isagi first met her on the first day of Blue Lock when she came to tend to the injured. He noticed her from time to time but she didn't exactly look like she wanted to be there either.

"I've been curious, who's this girl you're talking about?" Both of the boys turned to face Reo. He had his back against a locker, arms folded as he kept his eyes down. "I heard Bachira mentioning something of that sort."

"Ah, ya' haven't met her? That's weird." Hiori spoke up before looking at Isagi.

"We don't know her name but she usually helps around in the Blue Lock building," Isagi explained, rubbing the back of his neck as he looked at Reo. It did seem weird that Reo did not know of her existence. "I mean, she doesn't talk much to begin with."

Reo raised an eyebrow slightly at Isagi's last statement. Out of all the people, he was the one who hadn't seen her. Of course, Rosé was avoiding him on purpose but he didn't know that much.

"Hm."

---
⤷ Rosé POV.
---

Yeah, I was running late for the match.

The weeks passed by in a flash, and now it was the game day for Blue Lock. I was too focused on my practice to even bother keeping track of time. That was until Ms. Teieri called me multiple times, telling me how Ego wanted me there.

Now here I am, getting dropped off by the Blue Lock building. It probably ended and I wouldn't hear the end of it from that bastard. Either way, I would say Blue Lock did have its moments. They probably lost to U-20. I sighed, jogging my way into the security easily before making it to the stadium.

It was tiring enough to be worrying about my prefecture matches, now I'm in a completely different yet familiar territory I let myself get into. God, how irritating. I was starting to regret not putting up a fight to reject the idea of staying in Blue Lock-

My train of thought disappeared in an instant. The gush of wind, the smell of the tension, and the yelling of the wide audience. It made me stand there frozen at the top of the stairs.

"What is going on...?" I muttered under my breath, my eyes immediately gluing to the players on the field. Any dumbass can tell that the match was more than what they expected. 3 - 3.

I took a step down, my eyes darting around before I found someone with the ball. It was none other than Itoshi Sae. Of course, it was. He could probably manipulate the field, but that doesn't answer the fact of how Blue Lock could keep up. It felt so wrong yet, so right.

"They're monsters." As soon as I mumbled that, someone came to block Sae's path. I let out a hum, raising my eyebrows as I observed. That younger brother of his is determined.

Wait, that expression...

I squinted my eyes, going further down the stairs before looking up at the monitor. My eyes widened in shock as I continued staring. Rin was.. drooling. He wasn't doing it on purpose at all. That was how much concentration and dedication he was putting into this moment.

My eyes were trained on the brothers, hands reaching the railing. The crowds were going wild, some of them roaring in their competitiveness. I had the habit of believing what came to my mind. I didn't expect such a crowd or Blue Lock Eleven to keep up.

Before I could process what happened, the ball collided with their feet at the same time. It flew into the air and in the direction of a U-20 player-

No, the ball was going over the player's head and to...Isagi Yoichi. His eyes focused on the ball and he scored with his shot. It happened too fast, I couldn't keep up. I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding, gripping the railing tightly. There was silence for a moment before the crowd yelled in excitement and satisfaction. Blue Lock...won.

Lucky...

As the crowd threatened to blow my eardrums off, I glanced down to the bench. Ms. Teieri's eyes were glistening with tears that eventually fell. Where else, Ego was staring at the ground? He looked as blank as ever but the clenching of his fists told me that emotions were being felt.

"Young girl, you seem to enjoy the match." Someone spoke up, standing beside me. I looked up to see a middle-aged man who had a kind expression.

"Why do you say that?" I asked quietly.

"Why? Well, your smile gave it away."

Huh?

My hand slowly raised to my lips, tracing it lightly. I didn't even realize it, but I was. This... wasn't how I expected myself to react. It was just a goal...

---

I walked into the arcade, my hands shoved in my pocket. Now that Blue Lock was on a break, I could finally focus on something else. It didn't take long after my volleyball practice that I ended up in this place. I find peace here, knowing something is waiting for me.

Taking a deep breath, I walked around the place before standing in front of a particular rhythm game machine. I stared at it for a while, my mind blank. It had my mother's face and signature on the side of it. I once asked the owner of the arcade about it, knowing most people were trying to forget about her by removing her face everywhere.

"Ah, I can't bring myself to put it down. You see, I've been a big fan of her since the earlier days. A singer like her deserved this much."

That was what he said. Of course, I couldn't freely bring up the fact that I was her daughter. It'd cause unwanted attention and doubts. That aside, I was unaware of how much love her fans were willing to give. It was infuriating, knowing she hadn't handed her love to me. I was needy, yes, but could you blame me?

Parents should care for their children.

"Sixteen win streak..." I blinked as I heard a small mutter behind me. Glancing over, I see a familiar figure playing a one-on-one game. It took me a while to realize it was one of the Blue Lock players, Nagi Seishiro. His hair gave it away.

For him to be here in the same arcade was a big coincidence. Despite that, he was too engrossed in the game, so it gave me a sense of relief. I wasn't about to expose myself anyway.

"Hey! The game addict, bothersome prince over there!"

I spoke too soon.

I sneak a glance, holding the strap of my volleyball bag properly. It was practically the entire Blue Lock team. God, I'm really trying here.

Maybe next time, mother. I gotta run.

I walked the other way, trying to make my way around. Seeing the exit, I walked quicker, only to be pulled by the back of my collar. Right then, I let out an exasperated sigh.

"Looks like I found the princess." He said sarcastically, making me let out another sigh.

Reo.