Ethereal ✦ Blue Lock

07|| Resolution

Chapter 7: The Isagi-Niko Glare-Off

Song: Champion

I was born for greatness

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───

Louis's POV:

The game resumed with their kickoff. They started trading passes quickly between each other. Kuon leapt into an aerial challenge, managing to steal the ball in a high jump. As the ball soared, it headed toward Niko's position, but Isagi stepped in and intercepted it. "I'll stop every pass that comes your way!" he declared, eyes locked on Niko.

Niko shot him a frustrated glance. "What an annoying..." he muttered, but didn't finish his sentence as they both sprinted along the same path, racing toward the next play.

"You guys heard Ego's speech about 'weapons,' right?" Niko suddenly spoke, his tone shifting.

"What about it?" Isagi asked, keeping pace, but clearly intrigued.

"I've been thinking about it a lot," Niko continued. "In our last match, there was someone from the other team who told me we had similar weapons, but I didn't know how to use mine. At first, I didn't understand what he meant. He didn't seem strong, fast, or particularly impressive" He said, probably that player played in his head.

"He played casually, nothing special. But then I started to realize—something was different. The ball was always coming to him. He didn't chase it, he didn't force anything—it just happened. He knew exactly where to be, exactly which players to align with. He was playing the game in his head long before the ball even reached him. And that's when it clicked for me." he mumbled his last words.

Niko's gaze sharpened, and his voice dropped as if revealing a secret. "I analyzed his entire game, broke it down, and used it to shape my own style. My mind... my eyes... they've become my weapon now. I see the field in ways others don't. I plan everything out. And even if you try to stop me, you can't stop my planning."

"What does that even mean..." Isagi muttered, trying to process Niko's words, but there wasn't much time to think.

Team Y players began trading passes with lightning precision, moving the ball so fluidly it was hard to keep up.

"Separate Ohkawa from Niko!" Isagi shouted, his voice cutting through the chaos. "They can't score without them working together!" His eyes narrowed as he took off running, as if in that moment, he had begun to find his own weapon.

The last ten minutes were ticking away, and it was finally my time. Let's do this... Wait—what's happening?

A random player from the opposing team sent a pass to Ohkawa, and suddenly, everyone from their side surged forward with blistering speed.

"It's our final one-shot kill counterattack!" Niko called out, joining the forward charge. We barely had time to react as the ball found its way to Niko, who began tearing down the field, trading quick passes and leaving our Team Z players in the dust.

Now, he was one-on-one with the goalie. Would he take the shot?

But just then, out of the corner of my eye, I saw Isagi sprinting toward Ohkawa, his focus laser-sharp. So that's it...

"I knew it! It's always Ohkawa, Niko," Isagi muttered under his breath, voice filled with conviction. "He 'smells like a goal' more than anyone." He paused briefly, determination flashing in his eyes. "I'll win this time... Niko, you're unfit to be a striker!"

Isagi intercepted with a well-timed pass to Kunigami, who sprinted forward. But as the defenders closed in, Kunigami was forced to pass to Bachira.

Bachira, with his signature flair, dribbled past the defenders with ease, shifting the momentum. He sent the ball across the field, aiming for the far side where Gagamaru leapt to catch it—but the ball soared just beyond his reach.

And then, there was Isagi.

The ball hit the back of the net. Silence fell over the field for a split second, suspended in disbelief. The voice saying the game is over was disappered due to the sound of cheerings, voices blending in celebration as everyone rushed toward him, their arms wrapping around him in pure excitement... 

As we walked back to the building, passing by the other team, Isagi stopped momentarily in front of Niko. He didn't say a word, only looked down at him before continuing on his way, leaving Niko behind without a second glance. Later that night on our room:

"We did it, Team Z!" everyone cheered, excitement filling the air. We formed a circle, shared our food, and celebrated our victory together.

"I forgot how good meat tastes!" Naruhaya exclaimed, helping himself to Gagamaru's portion. Gagamaru scolded him and tried to retrieve his food from Naruhaya's mouth.

"Alright, let's bring everyone's food to the table. There's much more to enjoy than just this," Kuon suggested.

"You sound like a grandma, Kuon," I muttered. 

The next day, we kicked off our daily training again until that emo guy popped up on the screen. His daily speech? Ugh, I was already tired of this nonsense. Honestly, it felt like everyone was more interested in the noodles he was slurping than anything coming out of his mouth.

Then he flashed our new rankings with Isagi being on top, after him was me.

Our next match is against Team W, who got absolutely wrecked Team Y with a 5-0 score and then crushed Team X at 4-1.

As the countdown clock began, Kuon suggested we take a break, and I started to stroll inside. But then my eyes caught Isagi charging off to train again. Just like that, the rest of the team started following him, except for Chigiri and me. I watched them for a moment, shaking my head. Hard training? Not really my style.

Later, before bed, we settled in the monitor room to scout our opponents. But instead of Kuon, it was Iemon talking.

"In the next match, we'll face Team W," he said as three faces appeared on the screen. One looked familiar—so familiar that I didn't want to remember. "Their key players are Ryouta Seishu and the Wanima brothers." Aiza had the highest ranking—her score was like 50 ranks higher than mine, losing will be the biggest regret of my life...

"Why is Iemon even telling us about them? Isn't this Kuon's job?" Raichi asked.

"Kuon's still in the bathroom," Iemon replied. Just then, the door opened, and Kuon shuffled in, looking a bit sad or maybe just disappointed.

"Sorry, took me a while to come up with tomorrow's strategy name," he said, of course, it was something ridiculous and lame. "3x3 All-Stars Tactic!" he announced with way too much enthusiasm. Everyone facepalmed. Then he started explaining the tactic, which was a blur of jargon that made me zone out.

"Does that mean I'm the goalkeeper?" Iemon asked, pointing at himself. Raichi and Naruhaya chimed in, clearly thinking it was obvious.

"Thanks for the service... just in case," Isagi said, and Iemon replied, "Thanks, man."

"Are you joining, Chigiri?" I asked him, but he waved me off with a not-so-respectful "no."

"Let's win this, Team Z!!" Kuon shouted, and everyone cheered. I just shrugged, mentally already back in bed, wondering if I could sneak in a nap before the game.

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───

End of chapter 7.

Next chapter will be the start of Team Z versus Team W:)