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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Life often hands out justice and luck where those things are due.
I sucked in a breath as I watched the ball fly past the shoulder of the defender in front of me.
In the darkest moments of life, we often see the worst in what happens to us, not realizing it sets up for something better - a burning destiny that shines so brilliantly it goes beyond the imagination.
The other team was scrambling in slow motion, rushing to defend the net, leaving Isagi and Rin behind to defend their goal.
But - the opportunity can often slip of out grasp. It's a cruel game to play.
My hands gripped into fists as I balanced on one foot from my kick, focused eyes locked on that spinning ball.
You have to take charge, put everything on the line, take the risk that could shatter everything. Sometimes you have to take that shot.
Players were putting their bodies in the path of the net, blocking my access to the goal as the clock dwindled down to three seconds.
And sometimes....
I let out that breath I was holding... smirking to myself. "Idiots..." There's no way I could have made the goal from this angle. I'm one step too short.... but they don't know that.
Sometimes you miss.
My eyes narrowed as the ball slammed into the goal post and shot back to the left in front of all the defenders blocking the goal. It bounced across the turf in the penalty box, rolling right where I wanted it to. In two big strides, the world's next great striker came running, setting himself up for the brilliant game winning shot.
"I see you..." I murmured, lifting one hand and pointing at him. "Itoshi Rin."
The ball left Rin's foot in a twisting blaze, flying right into the unguarded part of the goal to the left of all the players. The net made that satisfying crack as it caught the ball followed by the sound of the buzzer overhead.
The crowd let out a deafening scream as the whistle blew three times.
"Itoshi Rin has made the game winning goal, setting the final score at 3-2 for Japan!" shouted the announcer. "Japan wins the U-20 World Cup!"
Isagi let out a victorious shout from my right, holding his arms up high.
I grinned, my body feeling like it was on fire. We did it! Turning I saw Rin staring at where the ball was now resting on the ground at the back of the goal with slow heavy breaths. My feet began moving towards him automatically.
"Rin!" I screamed out as I ran.
He broke from his trance and turned towards me at the last second as I leapt up. My arms closed around his neck and my legs wrapped around his back, grappling onto him. "You did it!" I yelled, gripping his jersey for support as he staggered from my surprise jump. "You scored!"
