23. Have Any Sugar?

"You've got to be fucking kidding me."

Even though Anri was right in front of him, and he was currently sitting in a medical bed with his leg burning with pain and two doctors trying to put a needle in his leg, Y/N despised the idea of sitting out.

"Y/N, we need to treat your leg now." Anri explained. "A friction burn is a huge patch of open flesh, and we need to clean it, sterilise it, and then skin graft. You'll need to take things easy after that as well, for a few days."

"How will I do the second selection, then?" Y/N tried his best to not react to the pain, grimacing.

"There's a small gap between the first and second selection, where all players in Building Five will have to do some physical endurance." Anri replied. "The skin graft should be okay after that long."

"But Team Z will have to play nine against eleven!" Y/N protested. "And I might not progress!"

A shadow detached from the wall, which was surprising considering how well lit the infirmary seemed to be. "Y/N, I wouldn't let you go out like this." Ego Jinpachi stood near him, staring down at him coldly. "Especially since you showed us a hint of your full potential in that game."

Y/N scoffed. "What, you'd bend your precious little rules?"

"Yes." Ego replied instantly. "You would be an exception. Replacing Kuon Wataru is easy, considering how he got those goals. Besides, it doesn't look like you'll need to worry."

He took out a tablet, showing it to Y/N. It was a live feed of the game playing out, streamed from the cameras dotted around the pitch.

Y/N looked closely. Team Z had somehow held out against the corner kick, with Gagamaru going for a risky kick that sent the ball flying off the crossbar. It went high into the air, and with a dazed look on his face, Isagi received it.

Before anything else could happen, Y/N felt a stabbing in the side of his neck. Ego nodded once, satisfied as Y/N felt the energy leave him. "The burn needs to be cleaned, sooner rather than later. It is a painful process, so we'll put you asleep for now. Enjoy the rest."

You sneaky little bast-

Y/N didn't even have time to spit out an insult before he was out like a light.

🥕🥕🥕

"Um... Can I talk to him? I know it's late..."

A quiet, withdrawn voice broke Y/N's sleep, gradually allowing him to come back to his senses.

First, the feel of his back against the medical bed, arms touching the metal rails on either side and head against a pillow. Right after, the scent of some kind of candle, probably vanilla from the sweet, delicate smell. And last, the taste of chemicals filling his entire mouth.

Y/N's eyes shot open, and he retched. Sitting up, he quickly grabbed a conveniently located bin right next to his bed, and was sick right into it.

Niko glanced over at him with surprise, standing next to a doctor who had been insisting Y/N get sleep. He looked the same as usual, with his bangs covering his eyes and his Bluelock casual wear on. It was late at night, and his posture seemed tired, worn out from a day of training. "You okay...?"

Y/N nodded, raising one finger for Niko to wait as he coughed. When he was done, wiping his lips with a tissue, he managed a small smile. "Okay enough... Do you have any sugar?"

"Hmm?"

"Sugar. You know, that sweet stuff. Or the steak from the cafeteria." Y/N coughed again, sucking in deep breaths. "Or even crack cocaine, that would be good."

"And why do you need that stuff?" Niko mildly asked. "Hopefully not for my training."

"Nah," Y/N grinned. "Just to get the taste of chemicals out of my mouth."

The doctor wordlessly offered him a plastic cup filled with mouthwash, and Y/N accepted it, shrugging his thanks. "This'll do, I guess." He drained it, looking up at Niko from where the Team Y boy stood next to his bed. "So, how are you?"

Taken aback by the oddly caring question, Niko flushed bright red. "I'm... good. I passed the first selection, which is nice. And I think that I'm improving my eyes."

Y/N nodded, listening attentively with his mouth filled with mouthwash. He looked a bit like a hamster, cheeks puffed out, and Niko felt his own small smile creep onto his face. "You didn't show up to train me, so I came to find you. And also, I watched the game against Team V."

"What did you think?" Y/N spat out the pink liquid, taking some more breaths.

"You're... so cool." Niko admitted.

"That's it?"

"What do you want me to say?"

"Nothing about how fast I was... or how mind-blowingly smart I am... or how handsome and hot I am... or no complimenting my eyes...?" Y/N jokingly listed off a bunch of things, holding back his laughter as Niko rolled his eyes.

"You've got nice eyes." He replied. "Happy?"

Y/N rolled off the bed into a standing position. He was around the same height as Niko, able to look directly into where the young boy's eyes should be. "I am happy."

He placed a gentle hand on Niko's shoulder, drawing a small noise of surprise. "Happy that you got through, Neeks." Really, he didn't know why he was being so nice to the younger boy. But he was oddly protective, and just looking at the way Niko's face flushed, he didn't want Niko to be eliminated.

"T-thanks..."

"Now, shall we celebrate?" Y/N laughed, taking back his hand. After a second, his face froze, and the smile dropped off his face. "Wait, did I even pass?"

The doctor, who had been hanging around the bed adjusting the equipment, nodded. He spoke in a quiet, deep voice. "Team Z passed as the second place from Building Five. And also, you should check your leg first. Make sure the skin graft is to your liking."

Y/N chuckled. "If I don't like it, what will you do?"

"Rip it off." The doctor calmly replied. He didn't sound like he was joking, and Y/N's eyes widened with unease. "You're free to go. Muscle damage was minimal, so you'll be functioning at full capacity except for a bit of sensitive skin where the graft is."

Bending over, Y/N pulled back his trouser leg to see a large patch of skin, a bright red colour. Honestly, it didn't look bad at all, and the colour of the graft was more or less exactly his own skin colour.

"They had to clean blood off the field after your game." Niko commented, looking at the injury with him.

"My little ray of sunshine." Y/N sarcastically replied. "It doesn't look that bad, though... and I'll still be able to play. That's the important thing." He grinned.

Tossing an arm around Niko's skinny shoulders, the two of them left the room. Y/N's legs ached, and his entire body was stiff after the long sleep. At least, he assumed it was a long sleep. "Niko, how long was I out?"

"They operated on you for a few hours, I'm told. And then you were kept there for three days."

"Three days?" Y/N exclaimed. "How long is it till the second selection starts?"

"They're putting us through a heavy training course. It's all physical running, jumping, weights, and none of us are allowed to touch a ball." Niko sighed, gingerly pinching his own arm to feel the ache. "We're waiting for the rest of the buildings One to Four to finish their matches."

"Ah." Y/N didn't bother mentioning he knew that the rankings were a complete scam. "Will I have to do training too?"

"Probably..."

They walked through a few familiar corridors, heading towards the Team Z dorm room. The corridors were completely empty, and silent except for their feet on the ground. Y/N glanced across as they headed under a few bright lights.

"So, where have you been sleeping?"

Niko seemed taken aback. "I've got a private room now, 'cause I was the only one from my team that made it. It's just across the hall from here."

He pointed down the corridor, in the opposite direction of Team Z's dorm. Y/N hadn't really taken into account just how big Bluelock was - each building was huge, well maintained with its own fields, cafeterias, and countless rooms each filled with different things.

"That's sick!" Y/N laughed. "Big shot now, are you?"

"I scored seven goals." Niko proudly replied. "More than you did."

"For now."

As they headed to Team Z's room, getting just outside of the door, Y/N picked up barely any noise. There were people inside, shown by the lights being on and the noise of showers running, but no conversation.

He knocked on the door, not waiting for a response before he poked his head in. Y/N was part of Team Z, after all. He should be able to go and come as he pleased.

Met by the ragged, worn out Team Z, Y/N burst out laughing. Standing outside the door, Niko tapped his shoulder, patiently waiting to go in and see what Y/N was laughing at, but the boy was laughing too hard to notice.

"Y/N..." Niko's soft voice was lost in his friend's loud laughing, and before he could try tapping Y/N more, he was bodily dragged into the room. Yelping softly, he slapped Y/N's hand, not expecting the pull.

Team Z was a tired, grumpy mess. They still shared the same camaraderie as they had before, but it was obvious the three days of physical training had taken their toll. In their friend groups, they sat amongst the many mattresses and pillows and blankets, muttering softly to each other.

Isagi, Kunigami, and Bachira were clustered together on a mattress, Bachira leaning on Isagi's shoulder as they talked. Naruhaya and Gagamaru were both sleeping side by side in the corner of the room, looking exhausted. Igarashi, Kuon, and Iemon were all sitting quietly together. Raichi and Chigiri weren't on the beds, but the noise of showers came from their shared bathroom.

"Y/N!" Bachira scrambled up from where he was talking, running directly for him. Backing away did nothing as the bumblebee hit him with an affectionate hug, giggling. "You're back!"

"That I am." He grinned. Team Z was noticing him one by one, smiles all round. It was good they were being grateful - they owed him two of the goals against Team V. "You guys look like shit."

"Feel like it too." Kunigami stood up, walking over to Y/N. He dwarfed the smaller boy, and Y/N looked up curiously at the orange haired boy. After sharing a look, he offered Y/N a handshake. His face flushed a bright red.

"Hmm?" Raising an eyebrow, he took it, shaking Kunigami's hand twice. His own hand fit perfectly inside the larger boy's palm. "What's this for?"

"For keeping our soccer careers." Kunigami's voice was sort of shy, especially for a large guy like himself. "Thank you."

Y/N tilted his head, curious. "You think I kept your soccer careers safe?"

"You denied Nagi's goal, and scored two super goals by yourself!" Bachira grinned happily, clinging to Y/N like a koala bear. The small boy groaned under the weight, trying to get the bumblebee to leave him alone, but Bachira seemed too happy to notice.

"I did that, but that didn't keep you alive." Y/N hastily corrected. "In all the games before that, you were the ones proving to me you were a team worth playing for. Most of you here have the capability to become great, and I didn't want to let that talent go to waste."

He glared across the room at Igaguri, who was watching him wide-eyed. Well, all of them were watching him. "And in that last game? I was off. You played nine against eleven, and managed to bring home the victory. So that was all you."

Isagi smiled. He stood up, walking over to Y/N as they met each other's eyes. Oddly, he seemed like he had much more energy than five minutes ago. "Just wait. I'm going to surpass you, and become the best striker in the world!"

Grinning at that fanciful idea, Y/N laughed in response. "Sure, sure."

"No, I will!" Kunigami exclaimed.

"What about me, huh?" Naruhaya piped up. He playfully yelled from across the room. "I'm going to be the greatest!"

The noise of a door open drew Y/N's attention to the side of the room. Steam leaked out from the bathroom, dissipating in the air as it spread out. Chigiri and Raichi appeared, the former with a towel on his head dressed in Bluelock uniform, and the latter with a scowl on his face dressed in a too-large uniform.

"No, I'm gonna be the best!" Raichi screamed. "You're all nothing compared to me!"

Chigiri glanced across the room at Y/N. He didn't say anything, but Y/N caught the fiery, egotistical look burning in his eyes and got the clear message. No, I'm going to be the best.