Chapter 52: The Hypocrite
"Hah? I'll admit your face has some style, but what gives you the right to act so high and mighty in front of me?" Aryu lost his composure completely after hearing Rin's declaration, sweeping his long hair back as if ready to fight.
"Whoa, whoa, no fighting! Calm down, everyone!" Seeing the situation deteriorating, Kira quickly stepped between Aryu and Rin, trying to pacify them.
Just then, the passage door opened and another figure entered hesitantly. "Huh? S-sorry... is this a bad time?"
All three in the room, including Kira, looked over. It was a massively built guy with the face of a genuinely kind person—Aoshi Tokimitsu. He seemed somewhat shy, awkwardly looking at the three of them.
'Tokimitsu!' Kira recognized him immediately. 'He really does have that easily bullied look.'
"Hello! Congrats on clearing the first stage. I'm Kira Ryousuke..." Kira enthusiastically introduced everyone. "This is Aryu, and this is Itoshi Rin..."
"Ah... hello everyone... I'm Aoshi Tokimitsu!" he fumbled, then found a corner to sit in by himself. "You're all so amazing... you cleared it before me. That means I'm still not good enough... I'm so worthless..." He started to sniffle.
"A real man, a true gentleman, doesn't snivel. It's utterly unstylish," Aryu said with disdain. Rin didn't even grant him a glance.
Only Kira walked over to him. "How can you think of yourself like that? Making it here proves you're already very skilled! You should be happy about your own talent!"
"Huh?" Tokimitsu seemed unaccustomed to comfort. "R-really? I'm actually... skilled?"
"Really!" Kira's handsome face was full of sincerity.
'Wow.' It was as if a beam of light suddenly shone into Tokimitsu's heart. 'This guy named Kira is so warm. Someone this warm actually existed? Compared to him, am I not too gloomy? I want to be a sunny, confident guy too... What should I do? What should I do?' Tokimitsu began his self-questioning again.
Kira sighed inwardly. 'This kid's issues run deep.'
"I don't have time to babysit and play therapist here!" Rin sounded thoroughly impatient. "The wall says three people form a team for the next stage. Any two of you, follow me."
Huh? Team up with Itoshi Rin? Kira had never considered this—he came here intending to challenge Rin.
"Hmph, while your words lack style, this proposal is quite stylish. I'll join first," Aryu said, then looked at Kira and Tokimitsu. "Now we just need one more. Which of you will it be?"
Kira and Tokimitsu exchanged glances, both uncertain. Kira's face showed hesitation. Should he team up with Rin and Aryu now without waiting for Isagi and Bachira?
…
Monitoring Room
Anri Teieri watched with interest. "Player Kira seems somewhat at odds with your Egoism philosophy since joining Blue Lock. He always acts like a team leader, more like a collectivist. I bet he'll wait for his former Team Z teammates, Bachira or Isagi Yoichi. Those three are closest."
"Naive. You still don't understand, do you?" Ego Jinpachi's face showed contempt. "Do you think this is some kind of game? This is Blue Lock — it decides their football futures. How could they choose teammates based on personal relationships? Strength is the only criterion here."
"And you think the gentle, sunny personality Kira Ryousuke displays is his true nature?" Ego continued. "The football locker room isn't just for rest—it's where conflicts erupt. Without Kira, Team Z's disparate personalities wouldn't have meshed so smoothly. Someone who observes teammates' moods and wins over the locker room becomes its leader. If he were truly pure and kind, he couldn't have enjoyed leader status in Team Z."
Anri looked incredulous. "You mean his kindness is fake?"
"Not exactly. He's skilled at using his kindness to achieve his goals. Someone who leverages their personality for team status—he's practically a different kind of Egoist representative." Ego seemed excited, as if discovering new territory. 'Choose now—continue being a hypocrite waiting for teammates, or show your true self!'
…
First Stage Clearance Room
"If you two won't decide, then Tokimitsu can join us!" Aryu said, not particularly caring which of them joined.
"Huh? I can really join you?" Tokimitsu seemed flustered yet delighted. "Okay, then I—"
"I'll join!" Kira suddenly declared.
"Huh? But I... I also want..." Tokimitsu became hesitant again.
Kira approached Tokimitsu, looking down at him with a smile. "Tokimitsu, I assume you're not going to compete with me for this spot, right?"
'He's smiling, but why do his eyes feel so cold?' Tokimitsu's intuition warned him that refusing would lead to something terrible.
"Ah! So scary! The sunny guy has a demon inside! So terrifying! Ah, I'm so scared!!" Tokimitsu's expression shifted as if another suppressed part of him was emerging.
"Huh? Where did everyone go?" When Tokimitsu finished transforming, he discovered the three had already entered the next passage, leaving only their retreating backs.
Tokimitsu looked around, completely confused. 'Weren't they just asking for my opinion? Why did they leave without me? They never really considered me at all...' Tokimitsu felt heartbroken.
…
In the Passage
Aryu glanced at Kira who had joined them. "Don't worry, this is a stylish decision. For the next match, you can just take it easy..."
"Hah, as if I'd let you two steal all the spotlight. I'm looking forward to playing with you," Kira said, his lips curling into an uncontrollable smile.
'That's right. Since I came to Blue Lock, of course I should play with stronger players when given the chance!'
'Bachira, Isagi Yoichi—if you want to play with me, then catch up!'
Rin remained silent as ever, his icy demeanor still making him hard to approach.
…
Monitoring Room
Anri covered her mouth in surprise. "Kira... he actually didn't wait for his teammates."
Only now did she realize the boy on screen wasn't as one-dimensional as he appeared.
----
Every 100 stones = +1 extra chapter!
If you want to read chapters early and show some support, check out my Patreon!
Just search "Demonic_Fiction" on "P4trƐon" (link in the synopsis)