So it's time for the beginning of the original story. Today Ego is supposed to send out invitations to his project (he didn't send them yesterday, I'll explain why later), so I'll be home all day, even though my teammates decided to celebrate at the diner today.
When I got home yesterday, my family and I celebrated, and my mom made a yummy treat in honor of the win. Dad came with a little gift of a silver bracelet. In fact, it was his first major gift to me. I thanked him from my heart and put it on right away. I decided not to take it off, but in the Blue Lock building it would be necessary, either to ask Henri-san for a small concession right away, or to earn goals. However, I would not wear the gift during the match, simply because it would interfere a lot, and maybe even come to the point of breaking it, or injuring me.
I was always watching the news, so I saw Kira in the news. He's still called the "Pearl of Japan" despite the fact that I'm in the country, and there's talk that they're waiting for him in youth. And why is that? Because he shows patriotism, then-when I didn't say anything during interviews, or avoided reporters. And after a few silent interviews like that, they just got away from me.
Generally, you have to understand that all the time Ego wanted to lead Japan to victory in the World Championships. And that's why I wanted to get into the Ego project. Yes, of course I could have tried to move to another country to perform as a young talent there. However, neither in my past life, nor now, do I think that being not in my homeland is complete nonsense. I was born where I was most needed, where I was most welcomed. And this is where I will spend my life until I achieve my goals. It's as simple as that.
Back to the beginning, so I watch the news, so I know that the Matsukaze Kokou - Ichinan match, will be today, and the invitations are sent out during the day, the exact time was not shown in the manga and anime, because Isagi's parents only gave him a letter after he came home after losing. With about this content: [Recipient's Name], [Selected Players], [You have been selected to participate in the Blue Lock Project].
The letter also had an appendix about how to get there and where to go. So no one got lost. I also thought, about the fact that now without that monk, Isagi will be the last, that is, the 300th. After all, I would now be one of the strongest in the project. At least, I hope so.
Missing time in two days
I ended up getting an email two days ago, around 5:00 p.m., but the appointment was set for today at 3:00 p.m. Come to think of it, though, it's not much of a drive from the very edge of Japan to Tokyo, so you can get there in a day. Although there is one nuance: the meeting will still be on the outskirts of the city. As I understand it, in order to be able to drive normally outside the city. So I will have to drive there, about an hour. After all, the city is big, and despite the fact that I live close enough... it's still a lot.
But here I am, and I have to wait a little bit. I came early on purpose, so as not to get crowded. So I need to stay here for another 15 minutes. By the way, I immediately told my parents about where I was going, so they know everything about the project. Or rather everything I told them about what I knew.
- What faces are here! Matsumae-san's here! Hi! My name is Nishioka Hajime, I'm from Aomori Prefecture, and I'm a striker. - He held out his hand to me with a smile, and I answered him. But I couldn't find a reason to smile, so all he could see was a poker face.
- Hello Nishioka-san, you already know my name, Takahiro.
- Pleased to meet you!
- Nice to meet you too.
And so it went on, everyone was getting to know each other, making connections. I don't think we'll be meeting Nishioka-san. I don't know where Ego-san's going to send me, but I think that's where Rin was. But it doesn't make any difference, I'm going to be the best anyway!
At this moment if you were standing to the side, or in front of your face... no anywhere, you would feel our protagonist's heart blazing. His sincere desire has been noticed by absolutely everyone in this room, and just now Isagi walked in with Reske.
- Ahem. Ah. Ah... Ah... Congratulations, Uncut Diamonds.
Everyone in the audience turned their attention to the man on stage who was speaking.
- You are strikers from all over the country, whom I personally selected according to my criteria. There are 300 of you in all. My name is Ego Jinpachi. I'm the man who was hired to make sure Japan won the World Cup.
Everyone in the room turned even more attention toward Ego. Everyone started, either laughing at the man's appearance or laughing at his words. In general, everyone was not indifferent.
- To put it simply, in order for Japanese soccer to become the best in the world, one thing is needed... the birth of a striker who will shake up the world! Of all the people gathered here, I will create the world's best striker through my experiment.
Now everyone is paying attention to this "crazy" man.
- Look at the screen. This is the complex that is needed for this...the Blue Lock.
Everyone turned their attention to the screen, which began to show a schematic of a pentagonal-shaped building, with one single field in the center, which is outdoors.
- Starting today, you will all live together under the roof of this complex. And you will also exercise in my specially designed methodology. You will not go home, and besides, we will separate you from the soccer life you had before. But I can say with certainty: If you survive my experiment and defeat all 299 players, you will become the best striker in the world. That's it for me. Nice to meet you.
Now everyone was looking at Ego with round eyes, full of wonder and delight. After all, it is not every day you are told about such a project, and on such a scale. Only Kira Reske looked at Ego aggressively. While our protagonist, stood and clapped for this beautiful speech.
The sound of applause.
- Beautiful speech Ego-san, where should I sign?
Now everyone is dumbfounded looking at this blond kid who is 187 centimeters tall. Especially surprised was the main character of the original story. After all, here he is, the man who was not afraid, answered the challenge of the Ego. He decided to become the best in the world, and he is not afraid to lose.
- It would just have to go backstage, that would be enough. - Ego-san looked at me, a little surprised by this reaction.
He hadn't counted on something like this, so Matsumae Takahiro, he was even more interested.
- Okay. - I got up and just strolled backstage, and out of the corner of my eye I noticed that Rin and Hajime were following me, and Ryusei was following me a little behind them. The four of us left the hall, only to be met by Henri-san and put on a bus. That is, we weren't given a choice of bus, just told: Get on the first one, choose your seats there. Don't you dare make a mess.
After the four of them left.
Isagi Yoichi.
- Um... I'm sorry! I can't agree with what you said!
"Kira Ryosuke?!"
- Each of us, have a team that we all cherish, not like those four. There are those who have to play in the National Tournament. The obscure program you speak of, I can't join by dropping the team.
- Exactly! I've got a tournament coming up, too!
- All of a sudden, all of a sudden, living together? That doesn't make sense.
- Yes!
- Yes! (LAUGHS)
- Who the hell are you, anyway?!
- Invite a normal person!
"That's right. We were suddenly called here... to win the World Championship or the title of the best in the world... I don't understand anything at all..."
- That's how it is. You're all sick in the head here. Get out. Get out, all of you who want out. I'm not keeping you here.
"!!!"
- Precious team? Tournament? Instead of being the best in the world, you choose to be the best high school in the country that lost? А? Geez! Just thinking that you're all the future of Japanese soccer makes you want to just lie down under a train right away.
"Eh? What?"
- You know? Japan has a good soccer organization. You can call it a gift from our people's foundations, which have been hammered into us since our earliest years. But everything else is crap. Let me ask you, what is soccer?
"?!"
- A sport in which 1 person fights on the field by joining forces? "It's all about the bond"? "For the sake of comrades?" No. That's why our soccer is simply pathetic. I'll tell you what soccer is. It's a sport in which you have to get more points than your opponent. The best one is the one who gets the most points. If you want to play friends, get out of here. No one's holding you back.
"What's he...? This is ridiculous..."
- It's outrageous! Take it back! Soccer players... Honda or Kagawa... and many others too... they're the 11 representatives of Japan that fought bravely... we grew up watching them play! They are my idols! You're wrong!
"..."
- М? Honda? М? Kagawa? Hmm? They've never won a World Cup! I'm talking about the best in the world! No? Were you even listening to me? Let's talk about the best in the world! For example: Noel Noah once said: "Rather than win 1-0, it's nicer to lose 3-4, but have a hat trick." And then there's this. A phrase from the greatest player of the 20th century, Eric Cantona: "I don't care about the team, as long as I stand out." Three-time World Cup winner Pele said, "Best striker, best defender, best midfielder, best goalkeeper ... whoever you ask of the players, everyone knows it's me." There. Disappointing?! Isn't it?! And they're all the best! The best strikers in the world are actually selfish. That's what Japanese soccer lacks. If you're not the world's greatest egoist, you can't be the world's best!
"Everything he said... are probably not true!"
- I want to create such a man in this country.
"For no one has ever told me of such a man!"
- Someone who will remain the only person in my project.
"Impossible. I have no outstanding qualities. No talent... I'm just an ordinary, unknown striker..."
- Well, it's time to answer the last question. Picture this. The final of the World Cup. 100,000 fans in the stands. And you're on the field. The score is 0-0. Second half of the match. Overtime. Last chance. After a pass, you take the lead. You're one-on-one with the goalie. Six meters away, your teammate is waiting to pass. A moment where a goal pass would've been a sure thing. You are the hope of Japan and the fans. You are responsible for losing or winning. And only an egoist is capable of making a shot himself in this situation. Remember. Soccer is a sport where it's the strikers who decide. You are the star on that field. Everyone else is there to help you score.
"I'm shaking... Because no one told us that."
- Recognize that your own goal is a striker's greatest joy! And live for that moment! Isn't that the essence of a striker?
"He controls my destiny... Those four, did they know what they were getting into? Discerned this man's competence at the first monologue... How far away they still are from me..."
- I am the attacker! - And I ran, looking only at the open curtains of the stage. I no longer saw the people around me starting to run after me, I ran right after those first people who were already sitting on the bus. There were two who were silent, and two who were having some sort of conversation. And there he was. Matsumae Takahiro - Silent Star.