NOVEL WEB Chapter 32: Chapter 31: Taken
For the first time in his life, Kiyotaka had suffered defeat. He laid on the ground from his previous tackle which displaced Shido's shot right towards Isagi.
Kiyotaka: (Defeat... so this is what defeat tastes like. I had been longing to prove my father wrong and thought I would relish in defeat but... it doesn't feel very good. Not very good at all... Have I really developed such an ego?)
As Isagi celebrated alongside Bachira and Hiori, Rin looked annoyed at the whole display. Kiyotaka's teammates were about to walk over to him when Shido ran through and extended his hand to Kiyotaka.
Shido: Need a hand, rival?
Kiyotaka: Isagi was the one to defeat me, not you. So you're still on the basis of a victim. But that doesn't matter now. Thank you.
Kiyotaka stood up as Shido smiled.
Shido: So, how does it feel?
Kiyotaka: If you're talking about defeat, it tastes metallic and disgusting.
Shido laughed.
Shido: That's how it's supposed to taste. It must be awful for someone like you who's never tasted it before.
Kiyotaka: I don't want to get use to this taste. I learned my lesson. I'll just have to get better.
Shido: That's the spirit. Come on, best friend! Fresh barbecue is the best medicine to a loss!
Kiyotaka sighed.
Kiyotaka: Take the lead. This was our last match anyways.
The pair left the field together, without even speaking towards the rest of their teammates, almost like they only needed to acknowledge each other.
Inside the cafeteria, the two sat together as Ayanokouji put his face down on the table, not really interested in eating all that much, almost like he was mulling over the game.
Shido: C'mon, cheer up. You got a chance to show the entire world your soccer in a couple weeks.
Kiyotaka: I could care less about whether the world sees me or not. I just care about what I do with my own abilities. And I'll feel better over time. It's still recent.
Shido: Well, I won't let you starve. Here.
Forcibly putting pieces of steak into Kiyotaka's mouth, Shido started laughing.
Shido: You can't starve yourself. You burned a ton of calories. Let me replenish them for you, hehehe.
Kiyotaka: Fine, whatever.
He accepted the offering of food and the two were peacefully eating until Bachira, Chigiri, Isagi, and Nagi plopped themselves at his table.
Shido: Now this is a huge crowd. Don't ya guys have anything better to do? We're kinda busy.
Bachira: We just came here for Kiyo. You'll let us sit down, right?
Isagi looked down at Kiyotaka who got up from the table and stretched.
Kiyotaka: Sure, why not. It's better than hanging out with just Shido.
Absolutely shocked, Shido tugged around Kiyo.
Shido: Do you really mean that, Kiyo?
Kiyotaka, ignoring him listened to the rest of his friends who now sat down in the same table.
Nagi: I'll work better on my touch so I can control your pass better, Kiyotaka.
Kiyotaka: It was my fault. I got too excited. At least you did good, Chigiri.
Chigiri: I still have to prove I'm faster than you so I'll keep getting better too.
As everyone talked amongst each other, Kiyotaka looked over at Isagi as he slightly mumbled his words.
Kiyotaka: Congrats, Isagi. You beat me. I preoccupied myself with Shido and should have seen you in the chaos. Nicely finished.
Isagi: You brought out the best of my vision that I didn't even know was possible. I didn't beat you today 1 vs. 1. But, I'll keep getting better and reach flow at will!
Kiyotaka smiled slightly.
Kiyotaka: I wouldn't have it any other way, rival. The next time we face, I'll destroy you properly.
Chills were sent right through Isagi's spine as he pulled back.
Kiyotaka: Just kidding, but I won't lose to you again. It feels really annoying.
Lending out his hand, Isagi took it. Shido, looking at the display, was almost a bit jealous. But since that day, he began to view Isagi just like Ayanokouji did, as the proper threat to him that he truly posed.
Despite the climatic match, they spoke with one another like the friends they were. Eventually, they all finished their meals and headed to their rooms for rest.
Both Kiyotaka and Shido were walking down the hallway when they saw two people were standing in front of their room.
One was Anri-chan, and the other... was none other than Itoshi Sae.
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Shido: Hm, what's this little getup? Shu, shu, you're in the way.
Anri-chan: Actually, we were waiting for the two of you. This is Itoshi Sae. Now the reason-
Itoshi Sae: I'll cut to the chase. I'm here for a striker that I want to test out from this project, Blue Lock. It's you, demon.
Pointing right at Shido, Itoshi Sae looked on with his normal, stoic face.
Shido: Huh?
Kiyotaka: What?
Sae: Go pack up your things and walk with me.
Shido: Who do ya think you are barging off orders at me?! You're just like your brother, thinking you own the whole lot when you can't do shit.
Anri-chan finally put in her two-cents.
Anri-chan: In order to have this match between the U-20 and Blue Lock, Itoshi Sae was allowed to select a player from Blue Lock to play alongside him in the U-20 lineup. He chose Ryusei Shido. There's nothing more to dis-
Shido: Yeah there is. What if I don't want to? You can't force me.
Anri-chan: Um... I can. Ego-san and I head this entire pr-
Sae: And what's your reasoning behind your decision, demon? Do you think your skills were meant to be taken advantage of by someone who doesn't know what he's doing?
He looked over to Kiyotaka when saying this.
Sae: I went through the footage. You were more entertaining when you acted like a wild beast where only your goal would bring you relief. And now you look like domesticated cattle, obediently following your master who lacks the Ego to match yours. He's second-rate, an amateur.
Kiyotaka: Alright, we get your-
He was stopped in his tracks. He was stunned to see Shido's face contorting and his veins popping due to sheer anger and fury.
Shido: Why don't you say that again in the hospital, you piece of shit?!
Charging forward, Shido swung his body around and was about to nail a perfect round-house kick to Sae's face.
Sae dodged his kick easily.
Sae: I guess I'll have to discipline you myself.
At the same time Sae launched a straight jab, Shido recovered and threw a punch of his own.
Anri-chan was completely taken off-guard and was unable to react in time with her electric switch.
In a flash, Kiyotaka appeared in front of the pair and blocked both of blows with sheer ease, shocking the both of them.
Kiyotaka: That's enough. Shido, back off.
Shido: But he's trying to-
It was Shido's time to look shocked as he saw a face he had never seen before from Kiyotaka, pure wrath.
Kiyotaka: I'll kill you before you lay a hand on him.
Sae, taken aback at Kiyotaka's demeanor, finally composed himself and spoke directly to Anri.
Sae: Use the switch, Anri-san.
Without hesitation, Anri flipped her switch and Shido was electrocuted. He fell to the ground, completely unconscious. Kiyotaka looked on in dismay.
Sae: This wasn't how I wanted things to play out but so be it. By the time the U-20 match comes, I'll make him into mine. I'll rid your leash on him, Kiyotaka.
He walked past Kiyotaka and grabbed him on his shoulders.
Sae: I'm aware that this project is everything to you so you don't need me to remind you that hindering me in anyway means you'll be kicked out.
Anri looked uneasy at what she was seeing. She did not like doing this one bit.
Sae took Shido and turned around, walking away.
Kiyotaka: I won't ever forgive you. Consider your fate sealed.
Sae: How scary. I can see how you were able to traumatize my brother.
He walked into the darkness with Shido, as Anri-chan bowed and put her hands together in sorrow. She then turned around as well and followed Sae outside of Kiyotaka's view.
For the next few minutes, Kiyotaka stood there. A flurry of memories collapsed his brain, all containing Shido.
...the first time they met...
...the time they became a team alongside Igarashi...
...their first chemical reaction...
...their blossoming friendship...
...the times they practiced together...
... the time where they both went to the sauna...
...their win over Rin Itoshi and the emergence of their dual flow...
...their perfect chemical reaction that bypassed even the World Five...
...the time he put an exhausted Shido on his back since he couldn't walk...
...their first match against one another...
...and their last confrontation together where Kiyotaka stopped him once again in his tracks...
All of these memories flooded his brain and his true feelings surfaced.
Kiyotaka stood there and experienced a whole new emotion: unwavering despair.
After ten more minutes which felt like an eternity came and passed, Kiyotaka finally came to his senses and went back inside his dorm, where Ego was sitting right on Shido's bed.
Ego: Been a while, Bland King.
Kiyotaka: What are you doing here? I could care less about what you want to tell me. I don't have the energy to deal with it.
Ego: The Japanese Association called us earlier today in regard to Sae's selection. If we didn't do it, they'd cancel the whole match and just disband Blue Lock.
Kiyotaka: I understand why you did it. You wouldn't take out such an important tool to your victory like Shido for no reason. If that's all you came to tell me-
Ego: It's not good to hit someone when they're down, but at this point, it doesn't matter. Your father contacted be earlier today as well.
Kiyotaka: And what does he want?
Ego: Nothing from us, instead he just said he would be sending a whiteroom student into the U-20 lineup to bolster their attack. I'm just giving you a head's up and to go after what's important.
Kiyotaka: I'm well aware of what I have to do: I have to get my friend back. Losing isn't feasible. We only need to win. Anything less than that is unacceptable. Another one of my father's failed whiteroom students won't change anything. It doesn't affect our bottom line.
He looked at Ego with sheer desire and determination. His eyes looked crazed in a sense.
Kiyotaka: Help me win.
Ego smiled and got off the bed and loomed over the determined Kiyotaka.
Ego: I came here to instill a desire to win because I thought Shido's kidnapping would crush your determination. I was wrong. You're finally growing a backbone, Bland Masterpiece. That's good.
He walked past Kiyotaka with his hands behind his back.
Ego: The way we are, there is a chance for victory. It all hinges on you, Ayanokouji Kiyotaka. Do not disappoint me now. We're in it for the long haul. I took you out of your normalcy and into the unknown for a reason. The existence of Blue Lock and your freedom are in the balance.
He left Kiyotaka alone in his room, as he sank down to his bed. A call came in on his cellphone at that instant and it was none other than Kei.
*SWIPE*
He declined the call and sat there, thinking about his next course of action and what he needed to do in order to improve.
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With all the matches completed by the next day, Ego himself announced through the speaker that he had finished finalizing the teams. He wanted everyone inside the central room.
Isagi, seeing Kiyotaka in thought, went up and greeted him.
Isagi: I can't wait to see who gets picked. I want to be in the lineup.
Kiyotaka: You should be in the midfield. I wouldn't have a lineup of Blue Lock without you as the Central Attacking midfielder.
Isagi: Eh?
Bachira soon joined after Isagi alongside Nagi and Chigiri.
Bachira: Hey, what's up? Hm, Kiyotaka, where's Shido. You both are inseparable, so I'm surprised he isn't with you.
Kiyotaka: He just couldn't make it.
Chigiri: Huh? Why?
But before Kiyotaka could respond to Chigiri, more players arrived inside the room until everyone was accounted for. The screen inside the room had a countdown and it was slowly but surely going down until it reached 0.
When it reached 0, a door opened in the opposite direction of the masses and out came Jinpachi Ego.
Ego: Howdy, good work you lumps of talent. Is this the second time we've met face-to-face? Nice to see you.
Igarashi looked shocked.
Igarashi: Wow, in the flesh...
Bachira: Raw Ego...
Ego, holding a notebook, continued.
Ego: 'Soccer is a game of scoring points.' First, let's redefine that. Goals determine a striker's worth. So, in the third selection tryouts, I decided to create a team centered around those with the highest scoring probability. Now prepare yourselves and listen up. I'm going to announce the Eleven players who will take on the Japanese U-20 team.
The selection had begun.
Ego: First, our 'top' player... Rin Itoshi.
The striker for the Blue Lock 11, would in fact be Itoshi Rin.
Ego: With an average goal rate of 2.7 through three matches, He will be the crux of the team. We'll use a specialized attack-heavy formation.
Isagi: (I know Rin is definitely deserving of the top position, but after seeing them both play, Kiyotaka seems to be better. He would have been a better pick. Ego-san did the same thing in the third selection when he placed him at 3rd despite beating Rin. Does he have something against Kiyotaka? If he was evaluating on sheer performance, he should be our striker.)
Ego: If the other team scores five points, you still win if you snag six points. For a team made of entirely strikers, there is no other path to victory. It's up to you to embody the team theme from the vanguard. And the remaining players I announced will be bullets who facilitate an escalation of the destruction. First off... the goalkeeper.
Ego: Gagamaru Gin.
Gagamaru: Me?
Kiyotaka: (Makes sense, he's the only striker in Blue Lock to have the reflexes plus a desirable height and wingspan for a goalkeeper.)
Ego: Your explosive ball response, your flexibility, you have a number of physical abilities that make you most suitable for goalkeeper. You will be this team's guardian.
Gagamaru: So that's why... alrighty...
Ego: Jubei Aryu, and Ikki Niko... a right centerback who can overwhelm opponents with his height and reach... and a left centerback with an intellect that allows him to excel at stealing the ball and reading the field. And the one who will control the right side with his technique, mystic, and agility will be Eita Otoya.
Otoya: Sure...
Ego: And on the left side, with his incredible dribbling prowess and speedy first touch... Meguru Bachira.
Bachira: Oh, yeah? Well, whatever position I'm in, I'm still gonna try and score.
Ego: Next, of the four on the defensive line... this player will be able to switch to the front line...Tabito Karasu. With some of the best ball-retention ability in Blue Lock, and the analytical power to see goal opportunities, you will be the heart of the team.
Karasu: Tsk, I had a feeling you'd say that jerk.
Ego: Now for the offensive line... on the right wing I've picked the fastest player Blue Lock has to offer. With a average goal of 2.7, he and Rin are essentially interchangeable kegs in the Blue Lock Eleven. Whatever happens in terms of offense are to be funneled into these two's feet. He was the only person to connect with the demon that is Ryusei Shido and a total package when it comes to the offense: Ayanokouji Kiyotaka.
Kiyotaka: Fine by me.
Ego: On the left side, an overwhelming presence who can force his way past any one-on-one matchup... Kenyu Yukimiya.
Yukimiya: It would be my pleasure.
Ego: And finally, encamped between them, are the two players who will form the nucleus of our attack. With superb ball-handling, goals that defy common sense, and magnificent talent... Seishiro Nagi.
Nagi: Gotcha.
Ego: And finally, the last piece of you and Rin's optimal partner... Yoichi Isagi.
Isagi looked completely stunned.
Isagi: Yes, sir!
Ego: These are the Eleven players who will challenge Japan's U-20 team... the Blue Lock 11.
In his head, Isagi rejoiced!
Isagi: (I WAS CHOSEN! I'M ONE OF THE BLUE LOCK ELEVEN!)
Barou looked on in sheer disgust.
Barou: Damn... it!
Yukimya, after Barou's annoying beta male outburst, asked an important question.
Yukimiya: A question, Ego-san. Why isn't Shido-san a part of the team? He scored plenty goals and was Blue Lock's number 1 right?
Ego sighed.
Ego: Yeah, good question. Ryussei Shido scored an average of two a game which would have put him amongst the top, third only to Rin and Kiyotaka. He also fostered a perfect chemical reaction alongside Kiyotaka, of which was at the peak of what Blue Lock could create. However... he had no chemistry with Itoshi Rin and the rest of Blue Lock in general. That being said, his strength is still needed so my plan was for him to replace Rin as a Joker should we be put in a dilemma.
Yukimiya: I see.
Ego: That was the plan... until yesterday.
Everyone: Huh?
Ego: I received a call yesterday. It was the president of the JFU. He said that Sae was dissatisfied with the forwards on the Japanese U-20. If we didn't submit to Sae's request, then he threatened to call off the game since nobody would watch. The condition was... that Sae Itoshi could take any player from Blue Lock and add them to the U-20 team.
Hearing this, Rin gritted his teeth, seething in anger. Isagi, along with the majority of the players inside Blue Lock looked over to Kiyotaka, as his eyes were entranced in anger, Ego's words reminding him of his failure to protect his friend that was taken from him.
Ego: Itoshi Sae didn't choose any of you. He chose Shido.
Igarashi: For real? Then Shido...
Ego: ...will fight you as a Japanese U-20 representative. That being said, for the upcoming match, we're able to register twenty-three players on our roster. I've yet to decide the twelve non-starters. So those of you who weren't chosen... will make a case for yourselves to seize those spots.
Ego closed his notebook.
Ego: This concludes the lineup announcement. There were some surprises... but now the stage is set. Only fifteen days remain... during that time I will administer training to forge you into a battle group. Failure is not permitted in the days to come.
Kiyotaka: Isn't that obvious? If we lose, we're done. But even that doesn't matter. I don't plan to stomach another loss... especially to a pretentious fuck like that.
Ego smiled.
Ego: That's the spirit. That's the ego I wanted to see. Your final training camp is about to begin! COME ON YOU UNPOLISHED GEMS! LET'S PROVE THE WORLD STAGE YOU BELONG!