Chapter 49: The Second Selection
"Boo hoo hoo..."
"Stop crying... you idiot!"
"Dammit..."
Footsteps and murmuring voices came from the cafeteria entrance. Kira and Bachira turned to see the eliminated members from the other teams in Building 5, carrying their packed luggage.
"Kira, are they the eliminated players? They all seem so dejected," Bachira whispered, careful not to be overheard and upset them further.
'This guy is quite considerate,' Kira thought, silently praising Bachira as he nodded. The dreams of these young men, the national team, had all vanished into thin air at this moment.
"Congratulations to Team Z for advancing in first place. Long time no see..." A guy with long bangs walked in through the door. It was Niko.
"Niko..." Kira was somewhat confused. Shouldn't Niko have stayed? Why was he with these eliminated players?
"I'm here to see my teammates off. I stayed behind as a top scorer!" So that was it. Kira's question was answered. The figures in that group had looked familiar; some were from Team Y.
Kira even thought he saw the figure of Hibiki Okawa. Inwardly, he felt it was a pity; Okawa was a forward with decent attacking power, but this was as far as he could go.
"Congratulations, Niko," Kira said with a smile.
"Kira, that last match against your Team Z... it was precisely because of what you said to me at the end – 'Be yourself'– that I could find my own way to survive in Blue Lock as a striker... From that moment on, I changed my playing style and ultimately stayed as Team Y's top scorer!"
"But next time we meet, I will be the winner!" Having said his piece, Niko turned stylishly to leave, giving the three a view of his back.
"Hey, Niko," Kira called out, stopping him. "The reason you could stay isn't just because of my words. Your constantly thinking brain is your most powerful weapon. Of course, if we meet again, I look forward to your different playing style!"
"Tch, how irritating, your hypocritical praise..." Niko seemed irked by Kira's compliment. Kira was slightly taken aback. 'This guy seems to understand me a bit? Is the mask of the hypocrite about to be seen through?'
"Oh ho ho, Kira, more and more people are taking notice of you now. This long-banged guy seems very interested in you..." Bachira teased from the side.
Isagi also nodded in agreement. Niko was someone Isagi considered noteworthy too. To think this person became stronger because of Kira's words? Incredible. Isagi's estimation of Kira rose yet again.
"Hahaha, never mind that. Let's just take the drinks back first. We shouldn't keep them waiting!" Kira quickly changed the subject, not wanting to discuss this further. Right now, he just wanted to get back to the dorm and eat.
So, the three of them, each carrying a large load of drinks, hurried back to the dorm.
…
A moment later.
"You're finally back!!"
"Naruhaya almost finished the steaks, but luckily I saved some for you..." Kunigami, uncharacteristically thoughtful, showed off the steaks he had defended for them.
'Ahh, Naruhaya, you absolute snake. Not so keen on defending during the match, but first in line when it comes to eating.' Kira was speechless inwardly, but there were other dishes available, so he sat down with everyone to eat, drink, and chat.
Unknowingly, it grew late. After everyone finished eating and cleaning up, they went to bed to rest. Kira, for once, didn't go to the training room. Lying in bed, he contemplated his future plans.
His passing, dribbling, speed, shooting, and other skills had been steadily improving with each match, combined with his usual training using the Trial Cards. But he wasn't sure exactly what level he had reached.
'Probably... my dribbling is slightly worse than Bachira's now. My speed is a bit slower than Chigiri's. My shooting is a bit weaker than Kunigami's. My passing quality is a bit lower than Isagi's.'
After finishing his assessment, Kira winced. 'Haven't I become like Reo Mikage? An all-rounder, decent at everything but not outstanding in any particular area.'
'It seems I just haven't absorbed enough,' Kira pinpointed the problem. 'In the coming days, I need to absorb and train harder. I must maintain the best condition to face the Second Selection.'
'Itoshi Rin, that monster is still waiting for me.'
"Hey, Kira, aren't you going for extra training today?" Isagi suddenly popped his head right in front of Kira's face.
'Damn it!' Kira was in the middle of his thoughts. How did a head suddenly appear? He was genuinely startled.
"What the hell, Isagi! Don't suddenly stick your head out like that. It's scary, you know?"
"Uh... Sorry. I just thought it was strange you weren't going for extra training... Want to go? Together."
"Not going! Go by yourself." Kira pulled the covers over his head and answered grumpily.
Isagi rubbed his head awkwardly, quietly put on his gear, and prepared to go train for a bit by himself. As he stepped out of the dorm door, he turned back and suddenly saw Kira, also fully geared, following him out.
"Kira? I thought you weren't going?" Isagi was confused.
"Stop talking nonsense. Let's just go straight to the training ground..." Kira, looking unwilling to explain further, strode towards the training ground.
"Oh, oh, oh!" Isagi quickly caught up to Kira, feeling a bit of warmth in his heart.
'This guy Kira... he said he wouldn't go, but he still came with me.'
Gradually, the two disappeared down the dorm corridor.
…
The Next Day.
The Team Z members gathered in the training room, waiting for the next selection to begin. However, Ego Jinpachi appeared on the screen and informed them that the second selection wouldn't start immediately and that they would begin a period of training.
"Ah, what did you say? Why? Give me a reason, you bastard!!!" Raichi's fiery temper couldn't take it. He immediately got angry and questioned Ego.
"Stop causing a racket! While waiting for the second selection to begin, you need to undergo strengthening training for specific body parts!!" Ego Jinpachi solemnly announced his plan.
"You've got to be kidding! Why do we have to wait for the results from the other buildings..."
"How long will this training last..."
"Will the food still be as bad as before during this time?!" (This inquiry came from Igaguri.)
The Team Z members all voiced their questions.
"Shut up, you guys from the lowest-ranked building... You need some self-awareness..."
"..."
Ego began his speech. Kira pretended to listen because he knew Ego's physical training plan was meant to enhance each player's physical fitness. This was actually good for the players' development, but it was usually very arduous, requiring a reverse-psychology approach to make the boys comply.
Sure enough, in the end, spurred by Ego's words, everyone began to feel the desire to train.
Then, the following days became hellish physical training. Endurance runs, weightlifting, sprinting, core muscle exercises. Team Z started repeating these inhuman training sessions every day.
"I can't do it anymore, I can't..." Igaguri repeated these words every training session. Isagi also persevered, his face pale. Kira himself felt he was pushed to his limit every time. Even Kunigami and Raichi had to grit their teeth to endure.
In short, this training regimen was brutal, but the effects were also evident. After five days, Kira felt himself gradually adapting to the training intensity. His body no longer reacted with extreme discomfort. But the chestnut-headed player vomited every day, and Isagi vomited occasionally. Everyone else eventually started to adapt.
…
Day Ten.
Just as everyone was starting to feel like they were in endless darkness, unsure when the training would end, an announcement came over the loudspeaker.
Beeep.
"All qualifiers, please change into your training clothes immediately and assemble downstairs!"
"Repeat! All qualifiers, please change into your training clothes immediately and assemble downstairs!"
Cheers of joy erupted from the Team Z members.
"It's finally over!"
"The next stage is about to begin!!!"
Anticipation also filled Kira's eyes.
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