Two days after Midorima's farewell party—
In Japan.
Ryota Kise stepped onto the field for another match.
His opponent—
Ichinan High.
On the other side—
A boy with blue hair and blue eyes was warming up.
Yoichi Isagi.
Isagi watched carefully.
These guys…
They're way more intense even during warm-up.
And they feel… different.
Like their "stats" are higher than ours.
His eyes locked onto Kise.
Kise…
Kise, on the other side of the field, stretched lazily.
How many goals should I score today?
A brief pause.
Four would probably break them…
A small smile.
Yeah… I'll score five and relax for the rest of the game.
No tension.
No pressure.
This match doesn't matter.
Meanwhile—
Isagi kept staring.
That's him…
"Ryota Kise…"
A monster with absurd stats…
Perfect technique in every part of the game…
A mix of admiration—
And envy—
Filled his chest.
After warm-up—
The match began.
There was no mystery.
Five minutes in—
Kise scored.
He dribbled past five players.
Including Isagi.
Goal.
Silence.
They're really weak…
Kise thought, bored.
How did they even reach this stage?
Isagi clenched his teeth.
What the hell is this…?
This is unfair.
He didn't even try—
And he scored in five minutes?!
Frustration.
Jealousy.
Anger.
And it didn't stop.
The game continued like that—
Relentless.
Hopeless.
Until the 30th minute of the second half—
5 – 0.
Kise had scored five goals.
Exactly as he planned.
Isagi's emotions grew heavier.
But his mind—
Sharper.
That bastard…
He's not even trying.
And every time he touches the ball…
He scores.
His head started to hurt.
From thinking too much.
Analyzing.
Breaking everything down.
There has to be a way…
Isagi wasn't a bad person.
But Kise—
Was too strong.
Too talented.
And for the first time—
Isagi felt something new.
Hatred.
Not just anger—
But something deeper.
I hate him.
After the whistle—
Play resumed.
Isagi passed the ball—
And focused.
Then—
He noticed something.
Kise… and his team…
They're holding back.
They're not playing with the same intensity.
A realization.
I can use this.
Isagi started moving—
Quietly.
Carefully.
Staying out of sight.
Out of awareness.
Disappear…
Then—
A gap.
There.
"I'm open!"
The pass came.
And in that moment—
Isagi felt something overwhelming.
Euphoria.
Anticipation.
His vision sharpened.
His body moved.
I'm going to score.
He ran forward—
Passed two players.
Now—
Just him—
And the goalkeeper.
He prepared to shoot—
But—
A teammate appeared.
"Pass!"
Isagi hesitated.
A split second.
He looked at the goal—
Faked a shot—
And passed.
At least we'll score one…
At least… I can hurt that genius bastard.
The teammate shot—
But—
Kise appeared.
Out of nowhere.
And stole the ball.
Isagi froze.
A statue.
How…?
How…?
How…?!
His mind broke.
I lost… completely.
The match ended.
Defeat.
Later—
Walking home alone—
Isagi remembered his coach's words.
"We played well as a team."
"I'm proud of you."
Isagi stopped.
His fist tightened.
He punched a pole.
Hard.
"Bullshit!"
"We lost!"
"And we did nothing!"
His voice echoed.
Alone.
Why did I pass?
How didn't I see him?
How did he read me?
Questions—
Endless.
Then—
A thought.
Noel Noa.
I guess…
I'll never play with you.
Meanwhile—
Kise walked with his teammates.
That was weird…
That blue-haired idiot…
For a second…
He felt dangerous.
A pause.
Did I imagine it?
"Kise! Karaoke!"
"You coming?"
Kise smiled.
Doesn't matter.
I'm the strongest.
"Yeah."
"Let's celebrate."
Three days later
A letter arrived.
At Kise's house.
At Isagi's house.
A single invitation.
Blue Lock.
Kise opened it.
"…This looks fun."
A grin.
"Let's see what you've got, Blue Lock."
Excitement.
Curiosity.
Meanwhile—
Isagi read his letter.
Silence.
His hand trembled.
A second chance…
A program to become better…
His fist clenched tightly.
I can't lose this.
Determination burned in his eyes.
I want to improve.
I never want to feel that again.
Not against him.
Not against anyone.
To be continued.
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