Chapter 21: Ending & Celebration Banquet
[Match over. 1–11. Team Z wins.]
Hoo~
It's over.
Naruhaya Asahi lifted his head and let out a deep breath. He had never played football so freely before.
This was the first time since losing his memory that he found a football match genuinely fun.
The frustration of being scored on,
the exhilaration of trampling opponents,
the thrill of crushing someone else's hope…
Maybe because he had originally been a football player, whenever he faced enemy players, he didn't even need to think — muscle memory alone let him dismantle their moves instantly.
The only disappointing thing about this match was that Team V was, after all, a weak team. They were too easy to break. It left him unsatisfied.
Well, whatever. As the final opponent of the first selection, their performance wasn't bad. Not bad at all as a dessert after the main course.
But the thing that made him happiest in this last match was something else entirely.
Naruhaya Asahi turned and met the eyes of his Team Z teammates.
It was time for him to say goodbye to these guys.
Their strength wasn't even in the same dimension as his.
Continuing as teammates would only drag each other down.
The rest of Team Z felt the same.
In the last twenty minutes of the match, Team Z finally understood why Asahi had never considered them real teammates, only "vampires" forcibly bound to him by the administrators.
If before, the distance between them was that of mountain and plain, then once Asahi truly went all out, the gap — just in raw physical ability alone — became something beyond measurable data.
Team V's reaction was even greater than Team Z's.
None of them had expected their opponent to have been holding back so much from the start.
They fought tooth and nail for a single point, only for that tyrant to casually reclaim eleven points.
A hope for 1 point turned into despair of losing 11.
Their freshly ignited fighting spirit was drowned instantly in a sea of hopelessness.
Huff… huff… huff—
No good. Even breathing hurts their lungs now.
Do players like them really deserve to represent Japan in the World Cup…?
When the match ended, everyone finally understood the overwhelming gap between an ordinary player and a little tyrant.
Despair began spreading across the entire field.
Tap… tap… tap.
Unaware of the pressure he had caused, Naruhaya Asahi walked straight from Team V's goal toward the Team Z area. Seeing everyone collapsed on the ground, he opened his mouth — but was interrupted by the stadium broadcast.
[Building No. 5 — all matches concluded. Announcing the results of the First Selection.]
[Five teams participated in the round-robin. Final standings as follows.]
[1st place: Team Z — 11 players.]
[2nd place: Team V — 11 players.]
[Among the eliminated three teams, highest scorers: Wanima Junichi (Team W), Niko Ichihiko (Team Y), Barou Shouei (Team X).]
[A total of 25 players from Building No. 5 have passed the First Selection.]
As the broadcast ended, Asahi immediately sensed something off.
Normally, after the final match of the First Selection, they should announce the end of the phase. But the broadcast only reported the passers — it didn't say, "The First Selection has officially ended."
Considering the insane training before the start and the supervisor's cruel attitude, Asahi assumed that before announcing the next stage, they'd drag out Team Z's disbandment for maybe two more weeks.
At that moment, a sudden wave of dizziness made Asahi frown.
My adorable…, when dealing with obedient servants, we nobles must give rewards. Rewards and punishments must be distinct. That is the way of a family head.
In the memory, a noblewoman in an extravagant kimono gently patted his head.
Unlike the usual third-person perspective of his memories, this one was first-person.
He clearly saw her luxurious Kyo-Yuzen kimono, saw her squatting down to pat his head — but he could not see her face.
Such a strange memory…
Asahi touched his own face. Five little stars flickered once in his pupils. After a moment of thought, he decided to follow the suggestion given by that noblewoman in his memory:
Give these guys a celebration feast — a reward for obeying his commands throughout the First Selection.
"Steak or massage. Which do you ball-trash want as your reward?"
Asahi raised his chin with the arrogance of a ruler questioning his "subjects".
Raichi Jingo was closest to the little tyrant and still had some strength left. He stood up slowly and leaned in with hostility:
"Hah? What the hell is that supposed to mean, you little midget?"
The tyrant stared at him calmly with his brown eyes.
"In the match against Team V, you ball-trash finally evolved from vampires into obedient and somewhat useful dogs. As your master, of course I should reward my doggies."
"And this is also my celebration for the end of the cursed bond called 'Team Z.'"
"So— steak or massage?"
Raichi glared silently.
Everyone else watched nervously.
Although the tyrant had promised a reward, his past insults still lingered. No one dared speak.
Time passed. Asahi's patience frayed.
"Say it already! Steak or massage! If you don't answer, I'll assume you want neither!"
Seeing the tyrant getting irritated, Raichi grinned smugly, pointed at himself with a thumbs-up and shouted:
"Hmph— I'm starving! Steak for me!"
The moment Raichi answered, the others quickly began choosing too.
No one had ever experienced massages here, but they had tasted his steak.
The memory of sizzling grilled meat… appetite won.
"Steak." ×9
Seeing all ten choose steak, Asahi nodded and looked at the always reliable, attentive Kuon Wataru.
"Kuon. Follow me to the cafeteria to carry the steaks."
Kuon froze, then nodded quickly.
Everyone began drooling at the thought of food.
Imamura Yudai and Igarashi Gurimu hugged each other, crying tears of relief.
They thanked the tyrant deeply — not only did he not beat them for letting Zantetsu escape earlier, he was even feeding them steak.
(Actually, Asahi simply overestimated their ability and intentionally let Zantetsu score. That's why he didn't blame them.)
Nearby, Kunigami Rensuke and Chigiri Hyoma exchanged a look and bumped fists.
Fine. For the sake of steak and his monstrous strength, they'd forgive his trash-talking for now.
But in the future, when they got the chance to face him, they would absolutely crush him and teach him a lesson.
Isagi Yoichi and Bachira Meguru leaned together, staring at Asahi.
Their weapons — spatial awareness and dribbling — were little more than sticks compared to him. And he used both better than they did.
But because of him, they now understood how far their weapons could evolve.
Bachira stuck out his tongue, cooling himself down:
"Isagi, I'm really glad I came to Blue Lock… and met you guys."
"So am I," Isagi nodded. "And thinking about the monsters on Buildings 4 through 1… it makes me excited."
The gap had crushed them briefly, but knowing more monsters awaited, their pupils burned with challenger's spirit.
They would challenge this tyrant again in the second selection.
Gagamaru Gin didn't think that deeply — he only knew the little guy was treating him to delicious steak. So he walked up to Asahi:
"You treat me steak. I treat you dumplings. Want?"
Asahi smirked.
Seriously? Someone of his status begging for someone else's food?
"Yeah!"
…Yes. Yes, he was.
Ashamed of his own gluttony, he cursed himself internally.
Why is that idiot's dumpling so tempting… (ノへ￣,)
But the dumplings were really good…
As the team's goalkeeper for the match, Iemon Okuhito laughed loudly:
"Hahaha! Since Gagamaru is sharing dumplings, how about everyone brings their own food for the celebration banquet?"
Everyone looked at each other — then agreed in unison:
"Okay!"
Seeing Team Z's tension dissolve because of the tyrant's invite, Mikage Reo sighed bitterly and turned to leave.
Team V had lost completely.
"Team V — hold on a second."
Reo clicked his tongue and turned back, ready for more taunting.
Nagi, Zantetsu, and the rest of Team V thought the same.
But the moment they turned, they saw the eleven Z Team members lined up neatly under Asahi's command.
Reo stared.
"What the hell are you guys doing?"
Asahi smiled.
"I told you before — I will consider you as opponents in the upcoming competition."
And in Team V's stunned eyes, the tyrant and all of Team Z extended their hands toward them.
Eleven hands. Eleven different players.
Reo froze and lowered his head. Damn… he felt his eyes sting.
What the hell was this?
Behind him, Nagi and Zantetsu patted his shoulder, then walked forward. The others followed, leaving the center spot for Reo.
Reo wiped his eyes on a dry part of his sleeve and stepped forward.
At that moment, both teams lined up and shook hands firmly.
The final match of the First Selection truly ended.
In the monitoring room, Anri watched the scene and felt tears well up.
Anri: "Ego, among all these boys… who do you think will last the longest in the football world?"
Anri: "Naruhaya Asahi, I suppose?"
"..."
Ego didn't respond. He simply drank water silently.
A body like a star athlete.
A disturbingly perfect sense of social timing.
Naru Asahi was nothing like the data described.
Was this change because of the lost memories,
or the "Rising Star Project"…?
Inside Team Z's dorm, beds were pushed aside and food filled the tables.
Steak, stir-fried liver and chives, curry, vegetables, grilled saury, fried chicken, bacon and eggs, dumplings (half already claimed by the tyrant), salad, tamagoyaki, natto, pickled radish—
A full feast.
After Kuon arranged everything, he realized: no drinks.
Before he could ask, Isagi and Bachira raised their hands — they'd go.
In the cafeteria, they collected drinks.
"Should be enough, right?" Bachira asked.
"Looks like plenty," Isagi replied.
As Bachira sealed bottles, he suddenly asked:
"Isagu, did you figure out your goal formula?"
Isagi nodded.
"In the match, around Asahi's eighth goal — when he shot without trapping the ball — that's when I realized how to use spatial awareness."
"Even if I can predict the situation with spatial awareness, if I trap the ball in front of goal, I waste time and lose that one instant of advantage."
"When I recalled my own goals, I found they were all direct shots — except the one against Team W. That's when I realized my formula."
"Spatial awareness × direct shot = Isagi Yoichi's scoring formula."
"I've finally connected my instinctive talent into a complete formula! My path as a striker starts now!"
Then he realized he'd been bragging and apologized:
"Sorry, I got carried away."
But Bachira only laughed and placed a hand on his head:
"Good look on your face. Be selfish like that~ Beat that tyrant next time~ Egoist Isagi."
Isagi laughed and raised his hand to high-five—
Only for Bachira to smack his head instead.
"High five! Except nope — karate chop."
Isagi held his head: "You little—!"
Before they could start arguing again, more voices echoed outside.
Crying. Players in leisure clothes walked past.
"My dream…"
"Damn it…"
"Aaaahhh…"
Tears streamed down their faces.
Their uniform codes showed Team X, Y, and W — the eliminated teams.
Watching them leave, Isagi felt the true cruelty of Blue Lock.
Lose, and you are forced out. Your football career ends.
Under the glowing red [EXIT] sign, the three eliminated teams walked out crying.
"Congrats on passing."
Isagi turned. Niko Ikki, the top scorer of Team Y, leaned against the wall.
He was about to throw out a threat—
But froze when a voice whispered into his right ear:
"Excuse me, long-bangs blocking-your-eyes guy, could you move? I need to go teach those two slow idiots a lesson."
Naruhaya Asahi stood beside him, brown eyes gleaming like a predator.
Niko jumped in fright and instantly retreated, no longer wanting to talk tough. He slipped away at once.
The cafeteria now held only Asahi, Isagi, and Bachira.
Isagi & Bachira:
"…We're dead."
Asahi sighed.
"I lied to the long-bangs guy. Hurry up and grab the drinks. Everyone's waiting."
"Oh! S-Sorry!!"
Then—
"Big bro… goodbye. I can only go this far. When you become the world's No. 1 striker, I'll become a performer who imitates you! Stage name… 'Keisuke Davidson'!"
Wiping tears, Wanima Keisuke waved goodbye to his older brother.
Wanima Junichi clenched his jaw and nodded through tears.
"Big bro… you have to make it to the end!"
Keisuke left toward the exit.
Junichi's fists shook. Veins bulged on his neck.
"Keisuke… leave it to me. The ones who tore us apart — I WILL destroy them. I swear."
Asahi, Isagi, and Bachira froze at the corner.
Bachira whispered:
"That guy…"
Isagi: "So he can talk."
Feeling someone whispering behind him, Junichi turned with a murderous glare.
Bachira and Isagi dove behind the wall instantly.
Asahi simply tilted his head with a question mark: "Hm?"
Junichi saw the tyrant who shaved all of Team W's score to zero and fled in terror.
Asahi stared blankly.
"…Am I that scary?"
Isagi & Bachira, who were once punched during tag:
"..."
"I see," Asahi sighed. "That answers it."
-_-|||