Perfection in Chaos ✦ Blue Lock

04||Foundation (II)

Louis's POV:

I kicked off, passing the ball to Bachira. Naruhaya blocked him instantly, like the annoying child he was, stealing the ball and charging down the field. 

Great. Just what we needed. I couldn't decide if I wanted to kick the guy or the damn ball!!

He gave up the ball, and of course, a Team X player was there to steal it. Their team was looking more like a real unit now—like they were actually following a plan, centered around their so-called king.

The ball landed at Barou's feet, and our team scrambled to block him, leaving everyone else wide open. Couldn't get worse, right?

Barou, clearly trying to flex, flicked the ball with the back of his foot like he was some kind of football magician, sending it to a teammate.

Thanks to my keen analysis, I can predict his movement. I blocked it with ease and snatched the ball right back.

A smug grin slid across my face. "Guess you underestimated me, King," I muttered, before quickly sending the ball to Bachira on my right wing.

Bachira and I quickly fell into sync. His passes were near flawless, which surprised me.

Mine... well, let's just say I was doing my best not to screw it up completely.

Defenders started closing in. Of course. This wasn't a vacation, it was a game. Why can't we just play without being blocked every damn second?

But then Barou came charging at me again. Not exactly the best position to be in, huh?

I tried to sidestep him, but, surprise, that didn't work. The guy's like a freight train with a chip on his shoulder.

Other defenders were also closing in, and I had to do something. Anything, really. My eyes darted around, searching for an opening—anything to save me from this clusterfuck.

Before I could even act on it, Barou was already glaring at me like I owed him my ney "You think you can shake me off that easily, peasant?" he growled.

"Is that your best? I thought you were supposed to be some big shot," I shot back with a smile, doing my best to look unbothered.

Barou scoffed, clearly not impressed. "Keep dreaming, peasant. You wouldn't last a second in my shoes."

I gritted my teeth, making a mental note to remember this smug bastard's face.

I'd be sure to return the favor—when I wasn't busy dodging his backup crew.

Ah, there it is.

The opening I needed!!

"Kira!!" I shouted, kicking the ball with all the grace of a blindfolded chicken.

My pass barely brushed against one of the defender's legs. It wasn't exactly perfect, but it wasn't worse than I expected.

Not that my passes were any good to begin with.

Somehow, Kira got control and dashed for the goal, defenders closing in from every angle.

He shot.

It clipped the side of the net and veered off.

"Damn it!" He cursed, glaring at the ball as if it personally betrayed him. The ball fly before finding itself on the legs of Isagi. 

He started running forward with it, his movements a little rough around the edges, but he was confident. I could respect that.

Then, I realized, Barou wasn't behind me anymore. What the hell? My brain scrambled for a second, and by the time I looked up, Barou was already sprinting toward Isagi, leaving me wide open. Shit. How the hell did I miss that?

He was positioning himself between Isagi and the goal, blocking the shot.

For a second, Isagi hesitated, his mind racing. Shoot? Pass? What the hell do I do?

"Give me the ball, Isagi!" Raichi's voice rang out, harsh and demanding.

"Pass it, Isagi!!!" Kunigami joined in, urgency in his voice as he sprinted toward the goal.

I started running too, but deep down, I knew it was hopeless. The ball wasn't going to reach me—there was no way.

Raichi was in a better position, and the goal was still a solid 27 meters away. 

When Barou finally positioned himself right in front of Isagi, poised to steal the ball, I was already accepting defeat. What the hell was I even expecting?

But then, Isagi surprised me. He passed the ball.

Straight to me.

For a second, my brain froze, processing the unexpected move. Isagi... you've got to be kidding me.

I kicked the ball before I could overthink it.

It shot through the air like a bullet, slamming into the side of the net with a satisfying thud. Not perfect, but loud enough to shut everyone up.

Team X - 1

Team Z - 1

Time seemed to stop for a beat. I saw Isagi's face, and he was probably second-guessing every life choice that led to that pass.

And then, predictably—Raichi exploded.

He stormed over to Isagi like a mad bull, grabbing him by the collar. "Are you seriously shitting me, Isagi?!" Raichi barked. "You pass to him of all people? When I was unmarked and ready for the shot?!"

"Hold on—" Isagi stammered, looking rattled but not from fear—more from the whiplash of what just happened. "I wasn't trying to pass—"

"Are you stupid or what?!" Raichi started, "What kind of idiot passes when you have a clear shot?!

I couldn't take it anymore. "Enough, Raichi!" I cut in, pulling Isagi out of his grip like I was yanking a kid out of a tantrum. "We scored. End of story."

Raichi scoffed, face scrunching up like he was going to spit nails. "Oh, sure, you scored! And I'm supposed to cheer for someone else's goal?!"

I raised an eyebrow. "Seriously? You're gonna blame Isagi for that?"

Raichi's eyes narrowed. "What the hell do you want, Louis?!"

I grinned. "Nothing. Just thought we could stop fighting and get back to winning. Or do you need a hug, Raichi?"

"You—"

Before Raichi could retort, the voice echoed across the field: "Restart the game. Return to your positions."

I laughed under my breath. Raichi's face was priceless.

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───

End of chapter 4.5

Next Chapter: Dribble like no one's watching (Exept everyone)