Chapter 2: The Blue Lock Invitation
Beeeep!
The match resumed, with Ichinan High in possession.
Right after the restart, Isagi continued using his sharp eyes to search for weaknesses in Matsukaze Kokuo's defense.
The ball kept leaving Isagi's feet and returning to them, as he orchestrated the plays.
...
In the commentary box.
"It seems the earlier conceded goal hasn't affected Ichinan High's morale at all."
"They are slowly regaining their rhythm, still led by their number 11 player."
"Matsukaze Kokuo hasn't let their guard down either. The outcome of this match is still undecided."
The commentator delivered his professional analysis.
On the field, Isagi tried to reassure himself.
"That earlier play was probably just a fluke. He's only strong in other areas. Stay calm, I can win this."
Meanwhile, he kept scanning the field for any changes with his eyes.
Not far away, Kira was also observing the situation on the pitch.
Isagi's ability was to comprehend the entire field. Now, possessing the same vision, anything Isagi could see, Kira could see too.
Furthermore, his own physical strength, dribbling, and shooting were all superior to Isagi's. So in this match, Isagi Yoichi, you're going to lose badly.
Having finished his analysis, Kira's mood instantly brightened. Since that was the case, he might as well enjoy the match properly.
The clock reached the 17th minute. Isagi finally found an opening through the center, delivering a through pass that sliced between two defenders, heading straight for his teammate.
However, the ball never reached the Ichinan High player.
Wearing the number 10 jersey, Kira had appeared early, forcefully intercepting the ball.
"It's number 10 again! He has thwarted Ichinan's attack once more!" The commentator was incredulous.
Isagi, even more stunned, stood frozen in place. If the first time was luck, then predicting his moves twice in a row could only mean one thing: Kira's level was far above his own.
As expected, after Kira intercepted the ball, he advanced to the penalty area as if encountering no resistance.
Nearing the goal, he used a simple feint to wrong-foot the goalkeeper and slotted the ball home with a push shot.
2-0.
By the sidelines, in the commentary box.
The commentator excitedly rose from his seat.
"Whoa! This match has completely become Kira Ryosuke's personal showcase!"
"He's been outstanding on both ends of the pitch!"
"He's seen through his opponent completely!"
Overwhelmed with excitement, he completely forgot his earlier comment about the match still being undecided.
On the field, Isagi stared blankly at Kira's figure, a question forming in his mind: Did I actually think I could beat a guy like this?
Beeeep!
The match continued.
In the ensuing play, the other Ichinan High players had already given up in despair, leaving only Isagi struggling on alone, but it was futile.
Even after the attribute boost effect wore off, Kira managed to score two more goals later in the game. The final score was set at 4-0.
When the match ended, the chants of "Kira! Kira!" from the stands flooded everyone's eardrums like a tidal wave.
Post-match, near the Ichinan High substitutes' bench.
The Ichinan High coach was giving a speech, his voice choked with emotion.
"The day will come when you realize this loss wasn't meaningless in your lives..."
"Everything in life has meaning. To me, the Ichinan Football Club is the best team in Japan."
"No." Isagi Yoichi stood below, listening to the coach's heartfelt words, but a different voice echoed in his heart.
"We're just another ordinary team that couldn't even make it to the national tournament," Isagi finished the thought silently in his mind, then turned his head away. That figure was surrounded by flowers and applause.
"At the very least, I need to become a player like him first." Isagi secretly resolved.
And on the other side.
Kira stood on the interview podium, finally understanding why winning felt so exhilarating. The feeling of being in the spotlight made him feel truly alive.
He secretly vowed to keep winning, even in the upcoming Blue Lock selection.
A reporter below raised a microphone: "For a player like Kira, participating in the national tournament should be a given, right? Are you confident about making the jump to the U-18 national team roster?"
Such a familiar question. The original Kira probably would have said something like 'My current plan is to play well in the national tournament, thanks to my teammates,' right?
But I'm not him. Kira pondered for a moment before answering: "Participating in the national tournament is just my starting point. My goal is to become the world's number one, number two, and number three striker."
Holy crap, this youngster...
The reporters were somewhat shocked by the young man's lofty ambition. But even considering Kira's stellar performance today, none of them took his statement seriously.
The world's best striker? It was just a child's dream.
...
After the interview, Kira said goodbye to his teammates and coach.
Returning home.
"I'm home!" Kira Ryosuke shouted as soon as he opened the door.
"Welcome back! How was the match, Ryo-chan?" His older sister, Kira Rinko, wearing an apron, emerged from the kitchen.
Kira looked at his family in this world and smiled. "We won, of course! Your little brother scored four goals!"
"Oh my, four goals! That must be pretty amazing, right? Sorry, your sister doesn't know much about football."
"Hahaha, it's fine. You just need to know that your little brother is going to be the number one man in the football world!"
His sister was amused by his boast but pretended to be a responsible elder, patting his head. "No being arrogant! Now, go wash up, it's time for dinner."
A short while later, "Burp..." Kira lay on the sofa, rubbing his full stomach, complaining slightly, "Sis, your little brother here is aiming to be a professional athlete. If your cooking is this delicious and you keep feeding me like this, I might get too fat to run!"
"Then eat less, silly..."
"But it's just too tasty!"
"Oh, right," Kira Rinko seemed to remember something, taking a letter from a drawer. "This seems to be for you. It's from some football federation."
It's here. Kira instantly perked up. He opened the envelope. Even though he knew what it was, he couldn't suppress his excitement.
"Kira Ryosuke, selected for the intensive training camp list?" Sister Rinko looked confused. "But aren't you going to the national tournament next? Is this good news? Your sister doesn't really understand."
"It's good news, very good news," Kira Ryosuke said, looking at the letter in his hand, unable to contain his surging emotions. Isagi must have received a letter too by now, right? That place is a den of monsters. I'm really looking forward to meeting them all.
"Sis."
"Hmm?"
"When I become a professional player, I'll buy you a big house."
"Eh? Really? Okay, I'll be waiting for that day."
...
On the other side, at Isagi Yoichi's home.
Isagi curled up on his bed, reminiscing about everything related to football.
I'm just an unknown second-year striker. I can't become a superstar like Noel Noa (the Blue Lock world's European Player of the Year, a legendary striker known for his unmatched skills and dominance on the global stage).
He thought back to his childhood, crouching in front of the TV watching Noa play, captivated by his skill, gradually getting involved with football step by step.
He kept playing, became one of the best among his peers, and even foolishly dreamed of becoming Japan's national team top scorer and winning the World Cup.
In the end, he was just an ordinary player who couldn't even reach the threshold of the national tournament. Probably, even becoming a professional player would be difficult in the future.
The image of Kira Ryosuke playing today surfaced in his mind.
He's so strong. His awareness, dribbling, shooting – undoubtedly all top-class for a high school student.
That guy will probably become a professional player. No, a star player. Even a superstar.
We're both second-year high school students. Why? Why is the gap so vast? There's still one year until graduation. If I... if I had trained harder, much harder before, would the outcome have been different? No... my fate probably won't change now, will it?
I'm not willing to accept this! Not willing!
Two streams of tears, unbidden, flowed from his eyes – tears of frustration at his own lack of effort, and despair at the gap between him and Kira Ryosuke.
Knock knock.
A sound came from the door.
"Yoichi, there's a letter for you. It seems to be from some football federation," his mother's voice came from outside the door.
Isagi quickly wiped his tears and went to the door, also wondering what it could be.
"Isagi Yoichi, selected for the intensive training camp list?"
Isagi read the words on the envelope, his face full of disbelief.
Why? Me?
Will Kira Ryosuke be there? Isagi suddenly felt a twinge of hesitation.
No. If he's there, then I'll just have to beat him. Win back everything I lost.
Isagi Yoichi thought with determination.
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