2.5. Walkout

Aryu brushed his long hair over his shoulder, maintaining his perfectly glam posture. This was the big game. He was going to be akin to a shining star, showing his brilliant glam soccer with the world. Nothing would take this moment from him.

His eyes slowly ran over both teams as they lined up side by side in the tunnel. For the past weeks, they'd been training as a full team of eleven. He was playing in the back, as a defender, and while it wasn't his preferred position, Aryu didn't mind.

Because no matter where he played, he would play with style, and outshine everyone as the most glam person on the field. There was no doubt in his mind of that.

Both teams were already exchanging banter. Up in front of him, he spotted Isagi, smirking at the captain of the U-20 team. Rin, one of the more glam people in Bluelock, was staring dully at the bright light coming from the end of the tunnel. Bachira was laughing at a man with the name Sendou on the back of his shirt.

Beyond the players... the noise of the crowd was tremendous. Aryu couldn't see anything from where he was standing at the back of the line, but he could hear them. A constant roaring, loud enough to be heard through the concrete roof above them, and echoing down the tunnel. It was terrifying, and exhilarating at the same time.

The entirety of Tokyo was out, it seemed.

Above their heads, a light flashed green, and that was their que. The two lines of players began to slowly move forwards, Aryu taking a deep breath as the first pair of players disappeared into the bright light.

Then a second pair, and a third pair. The cheering rose significantly, each player entering the field drawing a fresh wave of cheers. Announcers sprang to life, their rapid-fire, excited talking ringing out from huge speakers. Aryu smiled to himself. A big crowd meant more people to see his glam soccer.

"The players are walking out onto the field as I speak, let's give them a warm welcome, shall we?" The crowd's cheer rose even higher, noise blasting Aryu from the end of the tunnel.

"This game is bound to be an amazing one. Sae Itoshi has returned to Japan, and I'm looking forward to seeing just how good he looks in the domestic leagues!"

"That's right, Tereasa! Sae Itoshi has been an absolute demon in Spain, on La Real. And combined with this U-20 team, his midfielding is going to be an absolute treat to watch! Everyone on this team is at their peak right now."

"Oh, here come the two main stars! Aiku, captain of the U-20 team, alongside the rest of his 'Iron Wall Quartet'! They're incredible defenders, every single one of them! And Sae Itoshi... the genius himself!"

The crowd impossibly grew louder, but this time, Aryu could hear a chant with it.

"Sae!"

"Sae!"

"Sae!"

"And their opponents, the Bluelock project! Headed by Ego Jinpachi of the JFU, they're a project that is trying to make the best strikers in the world! Only recently has the project been made public information, so to any folks in the audience that don't know what they are, they're a team of U-20 forwards that are trying to usurp the current team!"

"This is a game to represent Japan in the U-20 World Cup, Natsuki! Bluelock, or the U-20 team, it's bound to be a hell of a game!"

Then it was Aryu's turn to walk out.

He emerged into the field, blinking in the bright light, heart quickening at the roar of the crowd. The entire place was packed. Hundreds- thousands- no, tens of thousands of fans filled the arena, waving flags, yelling, waving, calling names and singing praises. For the few hundred metres around, the air was charged with energy.

The noise, the heat - it was like nothing he'd ever felt before. Camera crew, ballboys, managers surged around the edge of the pitch, preparing last minute things. There was no wind, just a powerful buffeting of air coming from the stands.

Aryu had watched events like this on TV. He'd been to a few games himself. He'd sat on the front row before, close enough to hear the players yelling at each other across the field. But none of that could've prepared him for the sheer adrenaline rushing through his veins, as he walked onto the pitch.

They'd done stretching, and preparation beforehand. Both teams headed to their own halves, grouping up into huddles. The commentators' voices broke through the white noise of the crowd. "Japan, are you ready?! A match for the ages is about to begin, and the stadium's absolutely packed!"

They tightened the huddle, sounds of breathing heavy in each other's ears. Their jerseys were all brand new, made specifically for the occasion. Aryu had to crouch a little to join in the huddle, with Isagi to his right, and Niko to his left.

"Right about now, both teams' formations have been sent to your phones! These will be updated live, courtesy of one of our sponsors, L/N Technology, where performance is everything!"

"Of course, Itoshi Sae is the attacking midfielder!"

Aryu's focus was drawn off the commentators, as Rin spoke up. He didn't say much, but the determination in his eyes was clear. "We're winning this game. And I'm scoring the goals."

"No, I am." Isagi immediately replied. He levelly held Rin's gaze across the huddle.

One by one, the entire team yelled assent. Each of them wanted to score their own goals. They were going to win, but not for the team. For themselves.

Though, there was one thing Aryu was confused by.

Where was Y/N L/N?

Watching from the sidelines, Anri Teieri had the same question.

"Where's Y/N?"

"Not here." Ego stated the obvious.

She glanced over at Ego, both of them standing directly next to the barriers with the rest of Bluelock. Everyone was there, sat in neat rows with blankets on and bodies ready for action. The rules of the game were simple - both teams were allowed to make as many substitutions as they wanted, with the game ending immediately after the ninety minutes was over. No penalties, and no extra time.

"Isn't that a problem? He's not a starting member of the lineup!"

"That doesn't affect the game plan." Ego stared out over the field, as the two teams lined up. "I already went over this with the team. The U-20 are arrogant, and selfish. They won't want to acknowledge an outsider unless they need it. So, no Y/N for now."

"But you trained them a bunch to specifically deal with Y/N and Sae!" Anri's eyes watched as a ball was moved to the centre of the pitch. Both teams spread out, goalies strapping on their gloves, defensive lines being set up, forwards eyeing each other across the field.

"And that will be very useful when Y/N comes on." Ego replied slowly. "In any case, the structure we're using is a very flexible one. Provided everyone does their job, they'll be able to adapt to any situation on the pitch."

Anri tapped on a tablet, bringing up two photos sent out by the match organisers. The starting lineups. "They're playing quite defensive, though."

For Bluelock, it was a hyper-aggressive system. They were spread out as a 4-5-1, but had potential to bring out a 3-6-1. Ego had put Niko, Aryu, and Karasu as fullbacks, with Rin in the striker's position, and six of their best players in the centre of the field. Nagi and Isagi flanked Rin, and the sides were covered by Otoya and Chigiri on one side, and Yukimiya and Bachira on the other.

The U-20 team had been trivially easy to predict for Ego. Gen Fukaku in goal as always. Aiku, Niou, Nero, and Darai forming their classic Iron Wall in defence. Wakatsuki and Sou in the midfield, acting as support for Itoshi Sae in the dead centre of the field. Sendou, Chou, and Kozato formed a triangle at the very top of the field.

"Have you ever heard that one question?" Ego had been quiet for a few seconds, but suddenly spoke up.

"Hmm?"

"What happens when an unstoppable force meets an immovable object?" Ego leant forwards in his chair. His dark eyes glittered. Rin stepped up to the ball. The tall boy looked completely unbothered by the crowd, choosing instead to stare down the U-20 team.

"I think we're about to find out."

🥕🥕🥕

"Look at them go on the pitch!"

"This is amazing, dear! It's been so long since we've gone to a game together, isn't it!"

"Honestly, I'm just happy to see Isagi on the field. He's all grown up now..."

Isagi's parents stood in the stands, watching with bright, excited eyes as their son took his position on the field. "He's near the front, isn't he? That means he has to be pretty good!" Iyo, his mother, smiled.

"Honestly, I don't have a clue about any of this." Isagi's father, Issei, admitted. "But just look at him! He doesn't even look nervous. If it was me down there..."

"If it was you down there, Bluelock would have no chance at winning."

They laughed, sharing matching smiles. The noise of the stadium gradually rose, as the tall boy in the middle began the kickoff. He passed back, and the parents watched with elation as the ball went straight to their son.

"Hey..." Issei pointed to the sidelines - more precisely, at a small figure just getting off the substitution bench. They'd got seats pretty close to the front, so he was barely able to watch as one of the U-20 players on the sidelines broke out into a heated argument with a coach. "Who's that?"

The short, slender player and coach stepped towards each other, one looking up, the other looking down. Neither of them backed off though, yelling into each other's faces. Iyo shrugged. "I've never seen him on TV before."

"Says here Y/N L/N..." Issei blinked as he checked the player roster online. "I've never heard of him before. But it looks like they're fighting?"

They most definitely were. The short substitute's hands were clenched into tight fists, the veins in his neck standing out even at the distance Isagi's parents were watching at. He looked ready to burst, or kill someone, right there and then.

Iyo sighed. "I'm sure it's fine. It's their own internal issue." She smiled. "How about we just focus on the game?"

They settled into their seats, smiles growing ever wider as they watched Isagi move the ball up the field.

And across the stadium, voice sore from yelling, Y/N seethed.