Chapter 53: The New Trio
Third Stage. Matchmaking Area.
"Congratulations, you three. You are the first team to successfully form."
"The third stage involves 3v3 mini-matches between teams of three players."
"Each team's goalkeeper will be BLUE LOCK MAN (the holographic goalkeeper from the first stage). The first team to score five goals wins!"
"Then, the winning team can select one player from the opposing team to join their own, forming a new four-player team. With each subsequent stage cleared, one more member is added, until a complete five-player team is formed by the fifth stage."
"Of course, the remaining players from the losing team will return to the previous stage. When a team is reduced to two players and loses a 2v2 match, the last player left unselected, left all alone, will be eliminated!"
Ego Jinpachi's figure appeared on the screen, explaining the upcoming rules.
"This is the full picture of the second selection, where you steal opponents from each other! It's called the [Enemy-Stealing Decisive Battle]!"
"Furthermore, which team you face is your own choice. A match only begins if both sides agree." Having said that, Ego's figure disappeared from the screen.
"I see. These rules are quite stylish," Aryu offered his assessment.
Kira found a seat and sat down, wondering what changes his joining Rin's team would bring to the storyline.
'Would Kunigami still get eliminated? Which team would Tokimitsu end up with? But Kunigami comes back later through the revival match... Is it good or bad for him to be eliminated now?'
Kira shook his head. 'Better not overthink it. Since I'm here, I'll go with the flow. Since I decided to play with them, let's first get through the second selection smoothly. After all, there's a world-class all-star team waiting for me.'
Itoshi Rin, same as before, leaned against the wall, unapproachable.
"Looks like we'll have to wait a while for others to arrive. So, Aryu, where's your hometown?" To kill time, Kira decided to chat with Aryu.
"Oh, my hometown is very stylish…" The two began chatting.
…
Second Stage Room.
Phew.
Isagi Yoichi walked out of the passageway. He had completed it, safe and sound, and felt his shooting technique had improved. 'Kira probably cleared it early and is waiting for me here!'
As soon as Isagi entered the room, he started looking around but couldn't see Kira. 'What's going on? Where's Kira? Is he slower than me? Impossible!'
"Hi, Isagi." Just as Isagi was puzzled, Bachira's voice sounded beside him. Bachira walked over, waving.
"Bachira, congrats on clearing it!!"
"Hahaha, didn't expect to see you again so soon!" The two enthusiastically high-fived.
"Have you seen Kira?" Isagi scanned the room again but still couldn't find Kira.
"Nope..." Bachira also shook his head helplessly.
Isagi's heart sank. 'What's going on?'
"Isagi, look, the wall says to form teams of three to proceed to the next stage," Bachira reminded him.
"Yeah... If only Kira were here. With the two of us plus Kira, we'd be invincible," Isagi said somewhat regretfully.
"Eh? Isagi, are you just deciding we're a team?" Bachira actually seemed a little reluctant.
Isagi looked deeply offended. "What's wrong? Is it embarrassing to be with me?"
"It's not that. I was waiting for Kira, but I got you instead. But teaming up should be okay, I guess," Bachira replied playfully.
Isagi looked exasperated."So, who should our third person be?"
"Eh? Shouldn't we wait a bit longer for Kira?"
Bachira gave Isagi a sad, lonely look. "Idiot, don't you get it? With Kira's skill level, he definitely arrived before us. If he's not here now, it can only mean..."
"It can only mean he already teamed up with someone else!" Isagi unconsciously finished the sentence.
'Ah... So that's it. Was I abandoned because I wasn't strong enough?'
"Cheer up, Isagi. Since Kira has already gone ahead, let's find one more person and catch up to him."
"Okay, good. Who should we pick? Kunigami or Chigiri?" Isagi began considering the remaining options.
"But we can only pick one. Who do you want?"
"Then let's pick whoever arrives in this room first!" Isagi answered without hesitation.
"Hey, Team Z guys, where's your Kira?"
"Huh?" Bachira and Isagi turned around and saw Nagi and Reo from the former Team V.
"Don't know. He probably already went to the next stage," Isagi replied politely.
"Is that so? Wanted to invite him to team up," Nagi sounded a bit disappointed, too.
"Hey, hey, Nagi. So the person you wanted to wait for to team up was Kira Ryousuke."
"Yeah. From the last match, I felt he was really strong. I wanted to play with Kira."
"Uh..." Reo was speechless. 'Well, I'm here keeping him company, and he's thinking about playing with someone else.' But if it was Kira... Reo recalled Kira's performance. 'He's a monster. Worth trying together.'
"In that case... do one of you two want to come over to our side?" Nagi also invited them.
"Can't do it. We're already a team here," Isagi said. Although Nagi was strong, he didn't want to give up Bachira to go over there.
Bachira looked at Isagi with some surprise. Actually, Bachira originally wanted to go over. After all, without Kira, teaming up with stronger players was better. But seeing how decisively Isagi refused, Bachira chose to remain silent to avoid hurting his feelings too much.
"Oh, really? That's a shame." Nagi went back with Reo.
Without Kira, Isagi and Bachira were good too. But clearly, they weren't worth Nagi abandoning Reo for.
Kira's appearance had caused subtle changes in the team formations in the second stage. The scenario of Nagi and Isagi teaming up surprisingly didn't occur.
The passage door opened, and the long-haired Chigiri finally appeared.
"Hey, Chigiri!!!" Bachira waved and shouted happily.
"Yo, Bachira, Isagi. You've already cleared it," Chigiri also looked happy to see familiar faces right after clearing the stage.
"Want to team up with us? They say this stage requires teams of three to proceed," Isagi invited.
"Wait a moment..." Images of Kira and Kunigami flashed in Chigiri's mind. "Where are Kira and Kunigami?"
Clearly, in Chigiri's heart, Kira and Kunigami were the best team choices.
Bachira and Isagi exchanged a look.
Bachira explained, "We predict Kira has already teamed up with others and gone to the next stage."
"What?" Chigiri's eyes widened. 'He didn't wait for me?'
"No way... How dare he leave without me? That guy is so infuriating..." Chigiri said through gritted teeth.
Bachira and Isagi felt the same.
"In that case, let's the three of us team up! We must catch up to him and beat him soundly!!!"
Chigiri joined Isagi Yoichi's team.
…
Third Stage. Matching Room.
"So your favorite player is also Noel Noa?"
"Noel Noa is stylish, but I think the most stylish player is Marc Snuffy."
"Marc Snuffy? I like him too..."
Kira and Aryu were chatting very happily.
Creeak.
The passage door suddenly opened, and three figures walked in. Kira unconsciously turned to look. Isagi, Bachira, Chigiri? Not Nagi?'
Kira was surprised to see them. He pretended not to know them, feeling a bit embarrassed.
"Kira Ryousuke! So you're here! We've been looking all over for you!" Chigiri's face was fierce.
The atmosphere in the room instantly became somewhat awkward.
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