(A/N: I know it might feel a bit confusing — especially since the last chapter ended with basketball and all that — but that was actually the final chapter of Volume One!
This new chapter marks the beginning of Volume Two, where the story shifts gears and dives straight into the world of soccer. From here on out, we'll follow every match leading up to the start of the Blue Lock Project — the stage where talent, ego, and ambition will collide like never before.
So buckle up! The real game is about to begin.)
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The following morning, the sky over Saitama dawned clear, a soft blue that promised a perfect day for playing soccer. A gentle breeze blew, carrying the faint scent of freshly cut grass from the main field of Ichinan Academy.
In the locker room, the sound of zippers and the clatter of cleats against the floor echoed off the bright walls. Laughter, friendly banter, and the typical murmur of a team about to play filled the air with that electric pre-game energy.
Isagi sat in his usual corner, calmly tying his cleats. The new uniform, white with small black details, fit his body perfectly. The number eleven on the back still gleamed as if brand new—and perhaps it was; he had received this uniform today, reserved especially for the starting players of the Inter High, which would begin in two weeks.
Normally, they wouldn't wear the official uniform before a professional match, but because of the friendly game scheduled for that morning, they were required to don it.
He couldn't help but think about the wild weekend when he met Marin, an unexpected encounter that, surprisingly, brought him closer to his mother in this new life and led him to learn how to sew. Then there was the basketball game against the Generation of Miracles, an intense matchup that pushed his skills to a new level. All these events seemed unreal, things he could never have dreamed of in his past life… but they had happened.
His current life was, without a doubt, far more exciting.
Even with the hassle of school routines—something he was too lazy for, like any average Brazilian—and the whirlwind of emotions involving his relationships with Alya, Kaguya, and Yuki, he wouldn't trade this life for anything in the world. Especially now, when he had a real shot at becoming the greatest striker on the planet and fulfilling the dream that had been tragically stolen from him in his past life, cut short by his death.
A smile crept onto his lips as he finished putting on his cleats.
Takeshi, already ready, tossed a towel in his direction.
"Hey, Isagi, don't just sit there daydreaming, man! Coach Saito will have your head if you're late for warm-ups."
Isagi caught the towel mid-air, unhurried.
"Relax, we've still got time."
"You always say that…" Takeshi replied, laughing. "And yet, you're always the first to get to the ball. Seriously, that's annoying."
"Maybe you just need to read the field better."
"And here comes the soccer philosopher," teased Tada, the team's other striker, as he adjusted his cleats. "Gonna quote Einstein again? 'Space and time bend when the right striker touches the ball,' wasn't that it?"
"You memorized it," Isagi shot back with a half-smile.
Laughter filled the locker room, light and genuine. That mix of nerves and excitement before a game always made hearts race. But they were all confident! Especially when they looked at the guy in the number eleven jersey, sitting so casually!
Just over a month ago, Isagi Yoichi was merely a good player. Not the best, not the worst, just someone with talent and a solid game sense.
But then, everything changed.
No one could pinpoint exactly what happened. Maybe he'd been training in secret, or maybe he just "woke up different" one day. The fact was, in a matter of weeks, Isagi went from a promising striker to something none of them could fully grasp.
During practices, he started playing for pure fun—sometimes as a defender, other times as a midfielder, or even in goal. But it didn't matter the position.
He was always the best.
Coach Saito, who preached the philosophy of "one for all and all for one," believing in the strength of a united team, saw his convictions completely shaken.
It all started when Isagi, playing as goalkeeper in one of the internal matches, caught the ball with his hands, scanned the entire field… and started dribbling.
One, two, three opponents fell for his feints.
A spin, a sharp cut, and before anyone could react, he was already in the opposite box and scored.
Alone.
The entire field fell silent. Coach Saito, who usually shouted for more teamwork, merely held the whistle between his teeth, speechless.
From that moment on, there was no more debate.
Isagi had become the undisputed best player at Ichinan Academy, in any position. And even though his playing style was the opposite of what Saito taught, no one could deny the reality:
He was simply too good to be left on the bench.
And so, almost naturally, the entire team began to revolve around him.
The title of ace came first.
The captain's armband followed soon after.
Saito never said it out loud, but he had already accepted the truth: as much as he disliked Isagi's selfish style of play, that kid was the soul of the team, the kind of player who could change the fate of an entire squad.
And now, with the friendly match about to begin, everyone knew: as long as Isagi was on the field, Ichinan's victory was only a matter of time…
The sound of the whistle echoed through the locker room, cutting through the laughter in an instant.
Coach Saito walked in, his steps firm, his dark blue cap on his head, and his usual serious gaze. The kind of look that made even the most playful team member straighten up.
"Let's go, boys," he began, his voice deep and direct. "Today's friendly is against Minamida High. They came from Kanagawa, and I want to see you giving your all. They didn't come here for a stroll."
"Minamida…" Takeshi muttered, scratching his head. "Aren't they the ones who came in second at the Winter Cup?"
"Exactly," Saito replied, crossing his arms. "They play in a 4-3-3 formation, press high, and move the ball quickly with short passes. Their captain, Hayato Aizawa, is a creative midfielder. Don't underestimate him. Give him space, and he'll create a play even in the middle of a fire."
"Cool…" Tada said, laughing. "So we just don't give him any space."
"Let's see if you're still saying that after five minutes of chasing the ball," Saito shot back, the corner of his mouth twitching into a faint smile. He blew the whistle again and said, "Now, let's go!"
The boys exchanged glances, and slowly, the playful atmosphere gave way to that electric pre-game energy. Their cleats tapped rhythmically against the floor as the group filed out.
The late-morning sun greeted them with a warm light, and the main field of Ichinan Academy looked ready for a final: impeccable grass, freshly painted lines, and the stands—built just last week—packed with excited students.
The previous week, the school had officially announced the "School Integration Day," an initiative created to promote sportsmanship and unity among students, teachers, and school clubs. The idea came about after the confirmation of the friendly against Minamida High, one of Kanagawa's most prestigious schools, known for the high technical level of its sports teams.
The administration saw it as a perfect opportunity to strengthen Ichinan's image, both internally and externally.
With the event scheduled, all morning classes were canceled. Instead, students were invited—practically summoned—to watch the match and cheer for the main soccer team. The school distributed small pamphlets and black-and-white flags, and even the teachers were instructed to attend, participating as part of the support and organization staff.
The field, usually quiet on regular days, had been prepared in advance. The stands were cleaned, speakers were set up, and the student announcer, a member of the broadcasting club, was given permission to narrate the game live. Everything was arranged to turn this friendly into a spectacle.
For many students, it was just a disguised holiday, a chance to skip classes without guilt. For others, it was the event of the semester, especially after the rumors about Isagi Yoichi's exceptional performance in recent practices and matches. In just a few weeks, he had become something of an internal legend, and the friendly against a strong opponent like Minamida was the perfect opportunity for everyone to witness what had been buzzing through the hallways.
The result was a full, vibrant, and noisy stadium.
Seated in the area reserved for the student council guests, Kaguya kept her hands delicately clasped in her lap, trying to appear serene. However, her gaze remained fixed on the figure emerging from the players' tunnel—Isagi.
In recent weeks, she had managed to get closer to him since the student council dinner he attended. She had even managed to get his phone number, which she considered a small personal victory. Of course, she needed Hayasaka's help to navigate social media—she had never been particularly tech-savvy. Still, the effort had been worth it. She had genuinely managed to grow closer to him, something she had been trying to do for the entire past year. Thinking about it made her heart race, and the impeccable composure she always maintained wavered for a moment, revealing a slight flush on her cheeks.
Hayasaka had said the "next step" was to ask him out, which, to Kaguya, sounded far more daunting than it should. Admitting to herself that she wanted to do something like that had been hard enough; after all, her pride was far too great to allow something so direct. Deep down, she wanted him to confess first. She wanted Isagi to look at her with that calm smile and say, without hesitation, what she herself had been trying to hide from everyone—perhaps even from herself. Still, as much as she fought against this feeling, the truth was simple and undeniable: she wanted to be by his side. She wanted to stay with him forever, even if she could never muster the courage to say it out loud…
"LET'S GO, ISAGI! CRUSH THEM!"
A female voice rang out loudly through the stands, cutting through the usual cheers and applause of the crowd. It was a clear, enthusiastic voice, impossible to ignore.
Kaguya blinked, snapping back to reality, and turned her head toward the sound.
There she was—Marin Kitagawa, standing, waving a small black-and-white flag with an enthusiasm that would make any professional cheerleader look amateur. Her pink-blonde hair glinted under the sun, and her smile was so natural it outshone the brightness of the day itself.
"ISAGI! SHOW THEM HOW IT'S DONE!" she shouted again, as if she were a cheerleader from an anime, completely swept up in her excitement.
Some students nearby turned to look, laughing at her infectious energy. Others, especially the boys, seemed simply mesmerized—Marin wasn't someone easy to ignore…
Kaguya, however, merely raised an eyebrow.
Another one?
The thought crossed her mind like a reflex, tinged with a pang of irritation she quickly tried to mask. She kept her polite smile and serene gaze, but the slight tightening of her hands betrayed her.
"That girl is… loud…" she murmured, unaware that Hayasaka, sitting beside her, was already watching the scene with a sly grin.
"Oh, that's Marin Kitagawa, from the first year…" Hayasaka commented, resting her chin on her hand. "Model, famous cosplayer online. I heard she and Isagi met recently."
"Met…?" Kaguya repeated, her tone subtly cold.
"Yeah. I heard some students saying they saw the two of them looking pretty close earlier on the way to school…" Hayasaka glanced at Kaguya out of the corner of her eye. "What's with that face, President? Don't tell me you're jealous."
"Don't be ridiculous," Kaguya replied quickly, smoothing her hair and keeping her chin raised. "Jealousy isn't something a Shinomiya would feel. I just… find it curious that someone would shout so much at a school event."
"Curious, huh?" Hayasaka drawled the word mischievously. "Especially when the target of the shouting is the same guy you've been talking about all week."
"I haven't been talking about him all week."
"You have. Almost as much as you talk about council meetings."
Kaguya looked away, a faint blush creeping back onto her cheeks, subtle but noticeable.
Fortunately, the noise from the stands completely drowned out the brief exchange between Kaguya and Hayasaka. The student announcer was enthusiastically calling out the names of the starting players, the crowd was waving flags, and the sound of school drums echoed in a rapid rhythm.
But Kaguya wasn't the only one who felt a pang in her chest upon hearing that vibrant voice calling out for Isagi.
A few rows down, slightly to the left, Alisa Mikhailovna Kujou—better known as Alya—watched the field with narrowed eyes. The usual sparkle in her gaze seemed slightly clouded, as if something deeply bothered her.
And it did.
"Тра́тник…"
(Traitor!)
Her voice was soft, almost inaudible, but the Russian carried a sharp, venomous tinge, the kind of childish resentment only someone truly in love could disguise.
Beside her, Maria Mikhailovna Kujou, known to everyone as Masha, turned her head curiously.
She tilted her head, her eyes glinting with slight concern.
"Hmm? What was that you said, Alisa?"
"Nothing," Alya replied quickly, her eyes fixed on the field.
"You sure?" Masha pressed, making an adorable pout. "It sounded like you called someone a… traitor."
Alya crossed her arms, looking away, her face slightly flushed. "You must've heard wrong."
"Oh, really?"
Masha's tone carried that provocative sweetness only an older sister could wield without seeming malicious.
Alya pretended not to hear. She was too busy trying to maintain her cool facade while the breeze tossed a strand of hair across her face—and, more importantly, while she watched Isagi raise his head and smile at the stands after hearing Marin's cheers.
His smile looked… happy.
And that bothered her more than she wanted to admit.
Since that night at the student council dinner, when he walked her home and saved her from that drunk man, Alisa's routine as Isagi's desk neighbor hadn't changed much. He was still the same as always, though he seemed slightly different in subtle ways: less lazy, more focused, and, somehow, harder to tease.
But that wasn't the most important thing. What had truly changed was that, after that night, they had grown genuinely closer. They started talking more naturally, sharing confidences, small jokes, and mundane stories from daily life—simple things that made her feel increasingly comfortable around him.
And without her realizing it, Isagi began to occupy a larger space in her thoughts. He was there at random moments—during classes, breaks, even when she tried to focus on something important. It was impossible to avoid. Not that it had ever been easy to control him before… but now, it seemed completely out of her reach.
And he had the audacity to catch the attention of that girl he'd been staring at a month ago?!
While her sister was seething with jealousy, Masha let out a soft sigh, resting her chin on her hand as she looked at the field. Her eyes followed Isagi's movements with a serene but memory-filled glow.
"Sa-kun is… incredible…" she thought, a faint blush coloring her cheeks.
On the other hand…
Seated a few rows higher, Yuki Suou watched the field intently, her legs crossed elegantly and her gaze fixed on Isagi's figure. Her normally composed and serene demeanor now held something different—a subtle tension in her lips, an uncomfortable glint in her eyes.
She was there with her brother, Kuze, who lazily waved the small black-and-white flag distributed by the school, showing little enthusiasm. To him, this was just another school event. But for Yuki, it was impossible to watch the scene without feeling something tighten in her chest.
Isagi was smiling.
And it wasn't just any smile. It was that light, natural, carefree smile she knew well. The same smile he gave when he said something silly just to tease her. The same smile she had tried—and failed—to hide her fondness for.
But now, that smile was directed at someone else.
More precisely, at Marin Kitagawa, who was cheering like she was at an idol concert.
"…Tch."
Yuki gripped the edge of her skirt, looking away. The gentle breeze played with her dark hair, and for a moment, she tried to seem indifferent—after all, a lady would never show something as trivial as jealousy in public. But the flush on her cheeks betrayed her completely.
Kuze noticed immediately.
"Oh? Don't tell me my dear little sister is… jealous?" he asked in a teasing tone, a lazy smile tugging at his lips.
"Don't be foolish, Masashika," Yuki replied, her usual calm and refined tone masking her emotions. "I just found it… curious how loud that girl is."
"Curious, huh?" he continued, resting his chin on his hand. "Curious enough for you to keep staring at her since she showed up shouting Isagi's name."
Yuki turned her face to the side, her blush now more evident. "It's merely a matter of etiquette. Shouting like that at a formal event is… unbecoming."
"Uh-huh. Sure, sure. Etiquette," Kuze said, stifling a laugh. "And this 'etiquette issue' has anything to do with Isagi smiling at her?"
Yuki froze for a brief moment, her gaze wavering. Then she took a deep breath, recomposed herself, and raised her chin, as poised as ever.
"…What kind of heroine gives up just because she has too many rivals?"
Kuze blinked, surprised, then burst into laughter.
"Look at that… so it's a heroine war now?"
"It's not a war," Yuki retorted, crossing her arms. "It's… a fair competition. Each with her own charms."
She tried to sound confident, but the glint in her eyes betrayed something more: a shy but firm spark of determination.
Because, despite all her pride, Yuki Suou was, deep down, an incurable otaku. And she knew very well what happened in stories where the heroine gave up too soon.
Those who bowed their heads were forgotten.
Those who fought to the end won the happy ending.
And she, without a doubt, had no intention of being a side character in Isagi Yoichi's story.
Kuze laughed again, shaking his head.
"You're really something, Yuki. You're gonna end up the protagonist of an anime at this rate."
"I already am…" she replied in a near-whisper, with a small, proud smile.
Meanwhile, Isagi, who had looked up at Marin's cheers echoing across the field and smiled at her, let out a soft sigh.
He could already imagine those cheers would bring him trouble later—after all, with so many girls interested in him, it would only spark more gossip.
Was this the price of popularity?
Pushing the thought aside, he began preparing for warm-ups. He turned his body slowly, adjusted his socks, and for a moment, his eyes scanned the stands filled with students.
The sea of uniforms and black-and-white flags shimmered under the sun, and for an instant, everything seemed to slow down.
He could make out a few familiar faces in the crowd. Higher up, Ishigami had his headphones around his neck, his expression dripping with boredom. Beside him, Chika Fujiwara, as lively as ever, was waving a flag with more enthusiasm than necessary.
A bit further along, Mai Sakurajima, dressed simply yet elegantly, sat discreetly, wearing a cap and sunglasses in an attempt to blend into the crowd. In another row, Sakuta Azusagawa watched the field with a lazy half-smile, while Tomoe Koga, beside him, buzzed with youthful energy.
And finally, Rio Futaba, with her analytical gaze, held a tablet in her lap, seemingly jotting down technical notes about the match—perhaps out of boredom, perhaps out of sheer scientific curiosity.
There were several other familiar faces in the crowd, people he'd crossed paths with in the hallways but never really spoken to.
Still, it was impossible not to notice Alya, Masha, Yuki, and Kaguya. The moment his eyes met theirs, a shiver ran down his spine. Each of them was watching him in a different way, but all equally intimidating.
Isagi took a deep breath, trying to shake off the weight of all those gazes. He had a game to play and needed to focus.
Later, he'd deal with other things… like Marin showing up at his house, all excited, to make him keep his promise to help her with her cosplay.
But, of course, she wasn't the only "problem" on the horizon.
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(A/N: Hello, everyone! I have some amazing news to share with you! From now on, all of our stories — Blue Lock, Against The Gods, and High School DxD — will have daily updates from Monday to Friday on Patreon! That's right: one new chapter every day, all week long, for those who want to follow everything in real time.
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