"Right? Right? That's what I'm saying!" Ryan said excitedly. "You know, I actually know a guy whose hair care routine puts most girls to shame. I'll introduce you he can give you tips."
Aryu's eyes sparkled. "There's someone that stylish in Blue Lock? I have to meet him."
The two of them were deep in animated conversation when Rin suddenly interrupted.
"Hey, you two. Enough chatter. We're moving on."
"Moving on?" Ryan grinned mischievously. "Wait, Rin-chan, don't tell me you're finally revealing your true nature? That whole 'I only love soccer' speech was that just a ploy to lower my guard? Are you planning to pounce on me the moment I'm distracted?"
He turned to Aryu with a dramatic whisper. "Careful, Fashion Bro. He just told me he doesn't like girls, which means, you know… maybe he likes guys. Don't ever turn your back on him."
Aryu flipped his hair. "Fashion Bro, huh? I like that nickname. Very stylish."
Rin scowled. "Just get over here already. I don't care who my teammates are. I just want to move forward."
Aryu blinked and finally noticed the holographic display beside them.
"Oh, three-man teams, huh? Teaming up with you two sounds pretty fashionable to me. I'm in."
Ryan raised a hand. "Yeah, about that… I refuse."
"What?" Rin frowned.
"I'm not teaming with you. You're strong, sure but strength isn't what I lack. Being in a team with you would be boring. That's all."
"You bastard…" Rin muttered, though he didn't argue.
Aryu chuckled. "That line… was very stylish."
Ryan smirked. "You think so? I've been saving that one for ages. Finally had a chance to use it. Come on, admit it, I sound cool as hell, right?"
The two fashion-obsessed idiots kept chatting, while Rin sat off to the side in silence, massaging his temples.
A few minutes later, the gate opened again.
A timid boy stepped in, trembling as everyone stared at him, Tokimitsu Aoshi.
"Th-three people already? Oh no… they all look so scary," he mumbled to himself. "Should I… maybe stay away from them? No one's gonna want to team up with me anyway."
Aryu tilted his head. "What's with this guy? Zero confidence. Not stylish at all."
"Stylish!?" Tokimitsu froze. What is this long-haired dude even talking about…
"So how do we form teams?" he asked nervously.
"Obviously, the top three should form one team," Aryu said proudly. "That's the most fashionable way. But since number one here doesn't want to join us, I guess you're the next best option."
Tokimitsu's inner voice screamed, He's definitely a weirdo. Better refuse politely.
"Um, no, I I'm not very good at soccer. I just barely passed the last round."
"I see," Aryu said.
Rin stood and started walking toward the exit. "You two done gossiping?"
Wait… is he talking to me? No way. He can't mean me. I'm way too weak for him to invite…
Ryan sighed. "Hey, self-isolation boy. He's talking to you."
"Eh?! M-me?" Tokimitsu squeaked. "R-right! Coming! Please take care of me!"
Aryu nodded approvingly. "Obedience is stylish."
The three of them disappeared down the passageway, heading toward the next stage.
Ryan stayed behind, sitting cross-legged on the floor, waiting.
A few unfamiliar players came out and tried to invite him, but he coldly refused every offer.
After a while, a flash of red caught his eye hair that stood out even in the sterile white light.
"Chigiri! Over here!" Ryan waved energetically.
Chigiri walked over, arms crossed, glaring. "Ryan, what the hell was that back there before the test? What did you mean by those words?"
Ryan blinked innocently. "What words?"
"Don't play dumb!"
"Ohhh, those words." Ryan chuckled. "Honestly, I just thought it looked cool. Rin's all broody with his long lashes, so I figured I'd act like a top-tier rival too. Don't you think I nailed it? Saying 'Weaklings don't deserve to stand beside me' in front of everyone man, I actually got chills thinking about how badass I sounded."
Chigiri sighed and covered his face. "You… are such an idiot."
"Chigiri."
"Huh?" He straightened instinctively.
"Team up with me." Ryan extended his fist.
For a moment, Chigiri froze, caught off guard by the sudden offer but then smiled faintly and bumped his fist against Ryan's.
"Alright. But do you already have a third member in mind?"
"Kunigami."
Chigiri smirked. "I was thinking the same."
Before Kunigami appeared, though, they ran into Nagi and Reo.
"Yo, Reo, Nagi! How'd you know I finished first? You stalking me?"
Reo gave him a deadpan stare, but Nagi walked up instead.
"Ryan, wanna team up with us?"
Reo's eyes widened. "Wait, you want him?"
"Yeah," Nagi said simply. "He was the strongest in that match. I want to play with him."
Ryan grinned. "Whoa, hold up. Is this a confession? You lost to me once, and now you've fallen for me? You trying to use 'forming a team' as an excuse to confess? Sorry, but I have to refuse. White-haired emotionless types aren't my thing."
Reo sighed. "See? That's just how he talks. But yeah, he rejected you."
"Hmm." Nagi nodded. "Then I'll just join his team instead. That works, right?"
Reo's expression twisted like he'd just been stabbed in the heart.
"What are you talking about, Nagi? You're supposed to team up with me! What the hell am I supposed to do now?"
"Reo," Nagi said calmly, "you taught me soccer. Wanting to be number one with you hasn't changed. But… we lost. We're not the best yet. For the first time, I felt regret. I want to play with Ryan and see what more I can become."
Reo clenched his fists, head lowered. "Whatever. Do what you want."
Ryan elbowed Chigiri with a grin. "Hey, you seeing this? Feels like we're watching a breakup scene."
Chigiri whispered back, "Yeah. Never thought I'd see those two split. What are you gonna do?"
At that moment, Nagi looked at Ryan, waiting for an answer.
Ryan smiled slyly. "So you really do like me that much, huh? Man, I'm such a heartbreaker. But sorry I've already got people in mind. Can't have you clinging to me like that."
Nagi simply nodded and turned to leave.
Ryan caught him by the neck and whispered in his ear.
"Hey, even though I said no, take my advice. Go talk to Reo properly. Look at him, he's sitting there like someone just dumped him. I know you still want to play with him. But your words made it sound like you think he's weak. Don't let a misunderstanding ruin your bond."
Nagi glanced toward Reo, sitting in the corner, and paused thoughtfully.
Ryan sighed. "This won't do. One's too quiet, the other refuses to ask questions. Guess it's up to me, the resident nice guy, to fix it."
He waved. "Oi, Reo! Get over here. Nagi's got something to say."
Reo trudged over, shoulders slumped. "Ryan, if you're here to mock me, don't bother."
"Mock you? Never. I just can't stand seeing friends drift apart. Nagi speak up."
"…About what?"
Ryan groaned. "Unbelievable. Fine, I'll help. Nagi, do you like playing soccer with Reo?"
"Yeah."
"And do you still want to play with Reo?"
"Of course."
"Then what the hell was that speech earlier?"
"I… rely on him too much. If I keep doing that, I'll never grow strong enough to be the world's best striker. So I want to grow on my own, away from his protection. But once I've done that… I want to play with him again to become number one together."
Reo's eyes lit up.
Ryan grinned. "There. See? He never stopped believing in you."
Reo nodded. "Thanks, Ryan. If it weren't for you, he never would've said that."
As the two walked off, Ryan watched proudly. "Man, this world really needs more guys like me."
Chigiri rolled his eyes. "Didn't expect you to actually do something human for once."
Ryan blinked. "What's that supposed to mean?"
A few minutes later, Kunigami arrived.
"Finally!" Ryan said dramatically. "We were waiting forever. You know how bored we were? Even Nagi tried to join us."
Kunigami looked touched. "You two… really waited for me?"
Ryan laughed. "Don't cry, man. I know I'm amazing, but hold it together. Though if you were a girl, maybe I'd let you show your gratitude physically, wait, never mind. You're not. Forget I said that."
Kunigami chuckled. "You idiot."
Chigiri sighed. "He just thought that line sounded cool, Kunigami. Don't take it seriously."
Kunigami smiled. "Yeah, sounds about right. Alright then let's move."
Ryan raised his fist.
"Let's go."
"Yeah!" the two answered, bumping fists with him.
The Third Stage – 3v3
The trio stepped through the gate. Their names flashed on the display then the door opened.
In the dim hallway, Chigiri asked,
"So, Ryan, if you were the first one through, does that mean others already formed teams before us?"
"Yeah. Second, third, and fourth. The second's that guy with the long lashes you know, Rin. He tried to team up with me too, but I shot him down."
"Ah, the Itoshi brothers," Kunigami murmured.
Ryan's expression turned serious. "Word of advice: don't mention his brother in front of him. They don't exactly get along."
"How strong is he?" Chigiri asked.
Ryan smirked. "Let's just say… I've beaten him before. Don't worry. With me here, we're unstoppable. We'll crush everyone who stands in our way."
"Then we'll do our part too," Kunigami said firmly.
They passed through the corridor and entered a vast new chamber.
Ryan immediately spotted familiar faces Rin, Aryu, and Tokimitsu.
"Yo, Rin! Fashion Bro! Self-Isolation Guy! Long time no see!"
Aryu flipped his hair with a smile. "Still as stylish as ever, my friend."
Ryan gestured to Chigiri. "Fashion Bro, this is the guy I told you about earlier. Check out that hair impeccable, right?"
Aryu leaned in, examining Chigiri's crimson locks. "Magnificent. I've never seen a guy maintain his hair so well. What's your routine?"
Chigiri stiffened. "Uh… can you not get so close?"
Ryan laughed. "Alright, ease up. You're making him uncomfortable."
Aryu nodded gravely. "Right, right. Not stylish behavior."
Before they could continue, Ego's voice filled the room through the screen above.
"Hi there, my precious raw talents. Welcome to the Third Stage of the Second Selection, the 3v3 Battle Royale.
Each team of three will compete in small-sided matches.
Each side's goalkeeper will be a BlueLockMan.
The first team to score five goals wins.
The winning team will steal one player from the losers, forming a four-man team.
At each new stage, you'll keep adding members.
The first team to gather five members passes the Second Selection.
Losers will return to the previous stage.
If they lose again in a 2v2, and no one picks them afterward, they're eliminated from Blue Lock forever.
You will fight and steal from each other.
Choose your opponents freely. Matches begin once both sides agree."
Chigiri's eyes widened. "So if we win, we can steal a player from another team?"
"Exactly," Ego said. "You can fight teams whose members you want to recruit. To help you decide, I'll now display the new Blue Lock Rankings."
Ryan glanced at his shoulder display.
#01 – Ryan Hoshino
Chigiri – #08
Kunigami – #11
Ego continued,
"These rankings are based on the order you cleared the previous round. Everyone here has already proven themselves capable of turning zero into one.
Now it's time to make those ones collide to evolve through ego and conflict.
Control that chaos, and you'll earn your place among the world's elite strikers.
Win however you must."
Chigiri sighed. "Another complicated rule set."
Ryan shrugged. "In short, win five-on-five and move up. Easy enough."
Then a trembling voice spoke up Tokimitsu again.
"I-I don't want to fight. If we lose, I'll never get picked. Then I'll lose again and get kicked out. I can't, I don't want to!"
Ryan muttered, "Man, this guy really is a bundle of anxiety."
Aryu twirled his hair. "If we're gonna fight, we should fight the top-ranked team. Even if his teammates aren't ranked fifth or sixth, it's still the most fashionable option."
Rin glared at him. "Shut up. I don't care who the opponent is. I just want to finish this and move forward. You two are just extras."
Aryu's eyes narrowed. "Extras? Listen here, your face might be stylish, but your attitude sure isn't."
Kunigami sighed. "They're fighting already? Aren't they supposed to be teammates?"
Rin ignored the jab and spoke coldly.
"Don't get the wrong idea. We're not a team. We're just the first three who happened to finish after Ryan. To me, neither you nor Blue Lock matter.
All I care about
is winning,
becoming a part of Japan's U-20 squad,
and surpassing my brother, Itoshi Sae.
That's what my soccer is all about."
The room fell silent, Rin's words echoing like steel.
And for Ryan Hoshino, the real battle was just beginning.
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Explore my latest work -> Attack on Titan: Chronicles of the Lightborne Titan.
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