Project: Bland King

Chapter 68: Stake Your Life

A small child, no older than 8, clenched the collar of his Paris St. Germain jersey. His three other siblings started to tease and celebrate, all loudly proclaiming Isagi as the Best Blue Lock Player with their Isagi jerseys.

Brother #1: 2-for-2! Goat!

Brother #2: Even Kiyotaka can't stop him now!

Brother #3: And this is why you bet on Blue Lock's Ace and not on, wait, what's your jersey name again?

His third brother yanked his shirt around and snickered.

Brother: #3: Ah c'mon, Tenshi. Not even a Kiyotaka jersey?!

Brother: #2: He always liked the most boring players.

Tenshi frowned slightly but continued to hold onto his collar and stared at the screen. There, stunned at Isagi's goal, Karasu sighed.

Tenshi: (Come on, Karasu!)

The name on the back of his jersey was the other part of the Analytical duo.

...

...

...

Raichi and Kunigami collapsed on the ground and took large heaves of air.

Kiyora and Kaiser looked stunned. Despite their perfect tandem of play, which led to an accurate Kaiser Impact Magnus, it all fell short of the goal.

Karasu, Tokimitsu, Zantetsu, and Nanase stood in place, shocked by the events before their eyes.

Isagi: AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!

He celebrated by sliding across the ground, embraced on all sides by his partners in crime. Hiori and Kurona yelled from both sides.

Kiyotaka's eyes narrowed as he walked over to Rin who was staring intently at Isagi's celebration while also enveloped in rage.

Kiyotaka: Looks like Isagi is going to surpass us both and score a hat trick. He'll be the number 1 player in Blue Lock.

Rin scoffed.

Rin: So, you're already accepting defeat, you fucking bum?

Kiyotaka: Well, I'm merely thinking about it logically. I've got a goal, I stopped Kaiser's greatest weapon in its tracks and proved my worth for another mediocre increase in value. Sure, we could lose 3-1, but my value is secured. However, you haven't contributed much of anything in this game.

Rin: ...

Kiyotaka: The one who should be desperate right now, is you.

Rin: You talk big for someone who got dismantled by that fucker for his second goal. So don't go patronizing me when you're acting this pathetic, you defective android.

Kiyotaka sighed.

Kiyotaka: Even after everything that's happened, you're still the same player who entered Blue Lock.

He stared into his eyes as Karasu, Zantetsu and Charles walked over to him.

Kiyotaka: The current you, fixated on other people and less on your own, innate evolution, is useless to me. Arrogance made you interesting before. Now, your ignorance is frankly disappointing.

Rin: What did you say, y-

He turned his back and went over to his squad to discuss strategy. Nanase and Tokimitsu supported Rin, their only means of increasing their values high enough to pass to the next stage of Blue Lock.