18. Emo and Pipsqueak, Live TV

"I was expecting more of a challenge."

Y/n whistled. "Hmmh, that's kind of hot." He clapped, walking toward Rin and putting a hand on his shoulder because his elbow wouldn't reach.

Rin froze and furrowed his brows, gritting his teeth. "Hands off, little guy."

Nagi's mouth was agape. "Is that even a legal play?"

Bachira grinned. "Yeah, it is. You just don't see it getting pulled off that often is all. Completely legal."

"No way... These guys are the real deal," Isagi whispered under his breath.

"Yup, and I'm getting fired up just thinking about beating them," Bachira said, his eyes not betraying his feelings one bit.

"You sure we can beat them?" Nagi inquired, gazing at the two that gave them a bit of a scare.

"Hell yeah," Bachira responded. "Get on with the kick off, hm?"

Isagi nodded, returning the ball to its intended position on the field before the game was to start again.

"Hey, little bee," Y/n started coolly, "strikers aren't meant for insane dribbling."

"Ooo," Bachira cooed, "a backhanded compliment. Saying I'm not meant to be a striker because I've got crazy good dribbling? I'll show you, Mr. Zero."

"Ego said you can't fully read the field. You're always missing a piece of the puzzle," Isagi spat. "Looks like you need extra spatial awareness training."

Y/n's brows furrowed. "Whatever Ego said is false. I'm the best here, my stats are maxed out, I'll become the best striker in the world, end of story."

"Stop talking big." Rin nudged Y/n with his elbow. "Don't go protecting your fragile ego and providing false information. Even if you can't read the field that well, you've got me to control you."

"Nobody's controlling me, you sorry excuse of a little brother," Y/n retorted. "No wonder Sae left you alone, out to freeze in the cold."

"You keep that tiny mouth shut. You're the one that was abandoned before I was so I don't want to hear you spouting dumb shit again," Rin replied as he pushed Y/n off. "Start the game. I don't have time to mess with lukewarm idiots."

Yeah, both of them were pissed. Royally pissed.

Isagi passed to Bachira, and the aforementioned individual shot out into the field.

"Whew," Y/n hummed, eyes wide as he crossed in front of Bachira. "Hey... I want that..."

"Well you can't—" Before Bachira could finish his sentence, the ball was gone.

Y/n had messed up the busy bee's whole plan.

A foot between the legs, cleat barely grazed the ground, a ball rolled over his feet.

It all happened so fast. Way too fast.

Rin rammed into Y/n, eager to take the ball from him. He bit the inside of his cheek and furrowed his brows. "You're all speed and no brains, pipsqueak."

Y/n sped up. He was gone. Both mentally and physically. He grumbled angrily, "Nobody's gonna collar me. Who does he think he is? Controlling me? Yeah, right. He's just a little bitch that can't handle someone being better than him.

"He's just so incredibly fucking salty"—a rough turn around Nagi—"and he talks like he's been through hell when his brother rightfully abandoned him"—a nutmeg for Isagi—"yet he's so obsessed with the fact that Sae is such a bad brother."

Y/n's leg reeled back. His very own whip, attached to his body, crashed into the ball.

"FUCK YOU, RIN ITOSHI."

After scoring the goal, Y/n pressed two fingers to his lips. "Mwah," he grinned. "'Notice me, Sae-chan.'" He mocked Rin.

"Bipolar, much?" Rin spat.

"So glam!" Aryu cooed dramatically.

"Unbelievably petty," Isagi said.

"Eesh,"—Bachira recoiled—"I'd hate to be on the receiving end of that."

"No kidding," Nagi mumbled. "He's like the textbook definition of apathy."

"Since when did you use big words?" Bachira turned his head toward Nagi.

Nagi just shrugged in response.

🥀🥀🥀

Escaping the strings of Rin Itoshi on the field proved to be a hassle.

It was an incredibly close call each time, as Y/n was almost impossible to use because of his lack of teamwork. He never played into anyone's hands, whether it be intentional or not.

It was pissing Rin off.

"Come on," Rin muttered, going for the ball. "I'll collar you like a little mutt sooner or later. Instead of strings I'll keep you on a leash."

"And a chain one, at that." Rin seethed, growing increasingly angered over the short individual that refused to be taken control of. "You won't be breaking free when I chain you up, executioner."

Rin sighed heavily, shooting the ball as naturally as he was breathing.

"So lukewarm." Rin stood rather still. "Now, who to choose.."

Y/n looked over the three.

Aryu did as well. "I want bobcut. That dribbling was so incredibly glam..."

"I don't care who you choose," Rin spat sternly. "Just choose someone that isn't mediocre."

Isagi's eyes went wide. "You can't...be serious..."

"'Fraid we are," Y/n retorted. "Come on, little bee. Buzz your way over here."

Bachira smiled, looking back at Isagi. "Y'know, Isagi, I'm not gonna be waiting for you. If you want me, you'll have to win me back."

Isagi's demeanor shifted. At first, he felt defeated. He still did, but now he acquired a newly formed sense of fire burning within him.

🥀🥀🥀

Teal eyes scanned the screens plastered along the wall. They squinted with intrigue. The pale male quirked a small smirk, his eyes locked nicely on a particular player.

"Anything?" Ego's wide eyes darted to the well-dressed individual beside him.

"That one." His voice was soft yet stern. "I want that one. Number zero." He tapped the interface below the screens impatiently. "Replay his first goal."

Ego did as he was told.

The usually cold, emotionless face that the player wore faded, and it was replaced with a grin. He leaned forward more, desperately trying to capture every single detail of Y/n's play.

Ego smiled a little, but there was a pit of nervousness growing in his stomach.

"After he's done here, you bring him to me, understood?" The male's eyes darted and locked onto Ego.

"Understood," Ego replied.

And notice him Sae did.