You'll never walk alone
By ArokuRaita
Disclaimer: Blue Lock belongs to Muneyuki Kaneshiro and Yusuke Nomura and this fanfic was written nonprofit.
6. Power
When Isagi entered the room, nobody asked him where he was because of the tension about the upcoming match. Igaguri and everyone were nervous, even himself. But he knew it was because they were fighting for their dreams, so he told them that and seemed to calm them down.
The next day, Kunigami was a bit distant towards Isagi. Maybe he was feeling guilty. Anyway, Yoichi felt sad and relieved at the same time. I couldn't take another round even if I wanted to, he thought.
For his part, Bachira had been thinking about what a defeat could impact his life and growth areas. Soccer was the most important, of course, but Isagi's friendship was near and he needed to know if he was important for his friend too.
Finally, the big moment came. While they were walking towards the field, Bachira talked to Isagi.
"If we lose here, then we'll probably never meet and play football together again, aren't we?"
"Bachira…"
"I feel lonely just thinking about it, so I'll give it all I've got"
"Yeah, we've got this!"
After a short pause, Meguru asked:
"Isagi, I know this is sudden, but… Is my friendship important to you?"
The brun guy looked at him, surprised.
"Of course! At first I thought you were annoying, but after getting to know you better, I'm really glad I met you. You're the best teammate I've ever had, so I'll give my all too to stay in Blue Lock together!"
Bachira just smiled happily and nodded. His fears and doubts were finally gone.
Things were looking awful. Team V scored 3 goals in just minutes and nearly killed Team Z's hopes to stay longer in Blue Lock. How could he think he was good enough to do it? In front of him there were 3 unrivaled monsters destroying their strategies and strengths!
Bachira, maybe I was a bit hasty when I told you that before the match…
"Great! Finally something fun to do!"
"Bachira? What are you saying?"
Basically, he was saying that these guys were an excellent opportunity to improve, because he saw obstacles as challenges, but for Isagi they were just monsters.
"Isagi, don't tell me you're afraid?"
He was, but wouldn't admit it. Instead, he listened to his friend's theory while playing. Now they had nothing to lose, it was the perfect moment to unleash their abilities and cross their limits! And Bachira was the first one to show them with a 'rabona' goal. He really was an awesome player.
Playing soccer is funnier when Bachira is here, Isagi said to himself, smiling.
After the goal, Meguru was surrounded by his teammates and Kunigami even messed up his hair. He felt nothing, but it was a bit strange to be touched by his best friend's boyfriend. Isagi wasn't there, so Bachira was disappointed. As a best friend, he should be closer than anyone! By the way, what would it be like to be hugged by him? He thought.
But there was no time to imagine things. They had a match to win.
They almost lost the ball until Igaguri stopped Nagi's shot with his face. When Bachira received it and passed to Kunigami, the sturdy guy tried to get closer to his shooting zone, but Team V knew his moves and stopped him. When his mind was going blank, he could hear Isagi's voice:
"Don't panic! Take the risk! Don't you want to be a superhero?"
That was all he needed to clear his mind. Yeah, Bachira's charisma motivated him too, but with Isagi it was different. It was almost like his body cells reacted to him, his voice, his aroma, his laugh, his touch… His desire.
He kicked the ball as a superhero would do and the ball entered cleanly into the rival goal posts.
When we finish this match, I will embrace Isagi until morning. No matter what happens next, Rensuke promised to himself.
Second half was harder for Team Z, because Team V was well guarded. Isagi even lost the ball and, when he was trying to retrieve it, Nagi got close to him and started to talk crap about him and his teammates. And that was something he wouldn't accept from such an annoying guy.
"Shut up, genius! I'm on a roll right now!"
Isagi kept going, but Nagi stopped. He never knew someone so passionate while losing. Then, Chigiri made the third goal and Team Z dominated the match. But that wasn't important for the white haired striker. With just his friend's strategies, he could easily increase the goal count for his team.
He was calm even when some untalented guy from Team Z had the nerve to tell him that he couldn't do anything without an order from Reo. At least tell me that after winning, dude.
However, everything blew up inside him because of Reo's despaired expression. Nagi's body moved on his own accord to break Igaguri's block.
"Reo, pass to me! I'll give it a try!"
Winning was cool. Being considered a soccer genius was fun. But creating his own path to the goal was something Nagi didn't know before, because every plan was thought of by Reo. This freedom to move is better than playing on a console or a smartphone.
He was curious enough to evolve. And he'd do anything to win and keep Reo calm and collected: his lifestyle was in the line.
So he scored Team V's 4th goal. And there would be more…
… from both sides. Kunigami's goal tied them at 4 goals. But it wasn't enough, because Nagi got a pass from Zantetsu and used his back to trap the ball in front of Isagi.
If it hadn't been for Kuon malicious play, that would've been the end of Team Z.
The last 3 minutes were full of an adrenaline overdose, which climax was delivered by Isagi's direct shot and Team Z's victory.
Reo was greatly dismayed because of the result. Nagi surely felt even worse, although his face didn't show it. I know him. This will change him for better or worse, Reo thought.
The first one to hug Isagi after awakening and making the awesome goal that won the match was Kunigami. But it wasn't because he was horny —he just wanted to celebrate and feel closer to his boyfriend, because he was sure there wouldn't be more opportunities.
After Rensuke, Bachira jumped at Isagi's back to congratulate him and everyone else surrounded them, except Kuon. He wouldn't accept being part of the celebration, even when Kunigami said it was fine. Raichi's punch was enough to leave his treason behind.
Team Z's room was full of laughter and all kinds of meals. It was an epic milestone! The first thing everyone did was to eat meat and play around. Bachira and Isagi weren't neither hungry nor playful, so they offered to bring the drinks from the dining hall.
Isagi felt it was safe to talk to Bachira about his goals, even if he aimed too high. "I feel like Isagi Yoichi can start being a striker!" Meguru just looked at him with attention.
How many faces does Isagi have? His expression right now is…
"Ah, no. I may have gone a bit too far there…"
"That's a good expression. Ego-y, ego-y!" The smaller guy laughed. It was cool to see his friend growing like that. Maybe they would have to fight in the future for the first place as strikers, but for now everything was fun with him.
Oh, so is it friendship, then? Meguru's monster asked. Yeah, I don't see what else it could be! He replied mentally while giving Isagi a fake out chop.
At that moment, they saw all the guys from the loser teams walking through the hall crying and sobbing. They could have been there, too, so neither Bachira nor the blue eyed striker dared to laugh.
"Congratulations on Team Z's victory", Niko said from behind. He was one of the few players who had been saved because of his number of goals. Isagi remembered well, especially his eyes full of tears after his team's loss. Niko talked about how Isagi had affected him with his goal and closed with a challenge that Team Z's scorer answered immediately.
"Aren't you popular, Isagi?" Bachira smiled.
Yoichi's eyes were burning. He had power —to affect someone with his goals, to end dozens of dreams, to deliver the goal of victory. It was exciting.
When they were back to the dorms with the drinks, they saw everyone sleeping like little children. Isagi's dreams of grandeur and power vanished as he smiled tenderly while watching his teammates.