Extraordinary // Blue Lock Fanfic

9: Internal conflict

"So in Wing 5's ninth match Niko from Team Y scored a goal to get a tie with Team W and the Wanima twins. Because of that, this is how the rankings look right now.
With Team V in lead with 9 points followed by Team W and us with both 5 points. This means we have to at least tie to advance.", Iemon explained.
"Shouldn't we aim to win? We'll get too complacent if we just strive for a simple tie.", I argued.
"I agree. We should aim to win!"
"We're really lucky that Team Y tied with Team W. Otherwise who would've know if we'd advance."
"Wait. I don't think Niko was the type of player that tries to score himself...", Chigiri brought up an interesting point.
"Guess he had a change of heart! Thanks to a certain somebody!", Bachira replied playfully while shooting a glance at Isagi.

"So for our crucial match... these are our opponents... Team V's key players. These three...", Iemon declared as a picture flashed on the monitor. A guy with rectangle glasses, a purple haired guy and a white haired guy. The ones from the night before.
"They've scored 18 goals over all their previous 3 matches. They've won with their stupidly strong attack power. With 5 goals, Tsurugi Zantetsu. With 6 goals, Mikage Reo. And finally Team V's top scorer, Nagi Seishiro with 7 goals. If we don't stop them we have no chance at winning.", Iemon explained.

Silence engulfed the room once more. We'd been doing fine so far but we have to somehow beat the team which hasn't lost a single match so far. I was preoccupied with something else entirely. I have to absolutely avoid taking any kind of injury. No injury means no more seeing that man. Deep in thought I didn't notice a pair of worried eyes looking at me.
"Hey, Asher?", Chigiri asked me with worry evident in his voice.
"What was yesterday all about? You know... the announcement of Ego? And why did you come back so late?"
Now that Chigiri stroke up an interesting topic all eyes were on me again.
Thinking back, I was never able to erase the images that had been engraved into me. I couldn't think of anything to answer and struggled to find anything to say at all.
"Ah...I...", I managed to mutter under my breath noticing all the curious stares.
"Man just spit it out!", Iga-guri exclaimed with expectant eyes.
"I..It's none of your business.", I replied coldly hoping it would make them give up trying to find out anything.
"What? You don't have to be an ass about it!"
"Yeah, right!"

I kept my mouth shut while avoiding their gazes.
"At least I don't pry into every single detail of your private life. So cut it out, dickhead."
Why does it always turn out like this? Why can't I be honest and say 'I'm sorry, I don't wanna talk about it' ? I always mess up...
"You-!"
Before it could escalate further Kunigami made a cut.
"Ok, that's enough; from both of you.", he shot me a disappointed glance.
This wasn't like me. Why am I...
I glanced back at him, only to feel immense guilt overwhelm me. I frantically looked around for anyone who'd maybe understood me even though I didn't properly convey my feelings in the correct way. My eyes got slightly blurry... by tears? I continued looking downward with a shadow cast on my face so they wouldn't see any tears; any signs of weakness.
"Just don't hold me back when we face Team V.", I said as I left the room.
As soon as I closed the door, various screams and shouts could be heard from the monitor room.
I quickly wiped my tears and went to the training room. At least I could get my mind off from everything.

As I started running on the treadmill I put aside my personal worries and concentrated purely on running. After around 3 hours I stopped to continue with proper football practice on the training field. Hopefully nobody was there. I'm not sure if I'd be able to face any of them right now.
As I walked along the corridor towards the training field I could hear faint voices which made me freeze in my advance. I peeked out from the edge of the wall to see the entire team practicing. Yep. I'm not doing it.
As I turned by back to the field I could hear another voice shouting my name.
"Asher..!"

My heart stopped for a second as I recognised the soft voice.
I turned around to see a certain red haired princess.
To his call everyone turned their attention to me with a variety of expressions.
Some with a scowl, others with a soured expression and some others with relief.
"What do you want?", I asked with a colder and harsher tone than intended.
"I...", before he could utter another word, he was interrupted by the bald monk.
"Stop wasting your time, Chigiri!", Iga-guri called out.
"Let this arrogant prick sort this out himself."
"Hey! Asher's our teammate!", Bachira defended.
"Did you forget what he said to us before? We're nothing more than dead weight to him!", Iga-guri argued earning a few agreeing nods.