Chapter 87: Blake's Gaze
"Actually, I was pretty tempted by Loki's offer..."
Kira hesitated, carefully choosing his words as he answered Rin's question. "The French League is one of the top five, sure. But let's be real—it's not the main stage."
"England, Spain, Italy, and Germany. The leagues in those four countries? They've got way more pull for me."
The others in the room nodded in agreement.
Rin finally understood. So that was it. Kira thought the French League was beneath him.
Isagi didn't know what to say. Even if France was considered the 'farmers league' by some, it was still one of the Big Five. Surely it was better than rotting in Japan?
"Besides, Loki invited me on behalf of his team."
"That team already has a King. It already has Loki."
"No matter how well I perform there, the best I could ever hope for is being the Number Two. The sidekick."
Kira said it with such conviction that he almost believed it himself. He sounded like a man with monumental ambition, someone who would only move to a team where he was the core, the sun around which everything else orbited.
Hearing this, everyone in the room was stunned by the sheer scale of Kira's ego.
Aryu couldn't help but speak up. "And here I thought I was the most arrogant person alive."
"I didn't realize you were the one with the real god complex, Kira."
"Hahaha, well, I might be wrong. Just my personal philosophy." Kira laughed it off, eager to end the topic before he dug himself deeper.
What Kira didn't know was that his casual deflection had sparked something in the others. They began to question their own futures.
'Kira's dream... it's not just a dream. It's a blueprint.'
'He's already mapping out his position in the pro world.'
'Compared to him, I'm just an idiot shouting about becoming the world's best striker without a plan.'
In Isagi's eyes, Kira's stature grew even more imposing.
Rin also seemed to have an epiphany. He had never actually considered these practical realities. His goal had always been simple: destroy Itoshi Sae. As for where he would play after that? He had zero concept of it.
Rin's mind drifted back to the match. Even while being crushed by the World Five, Kira had consistently produced moments of brilliance. Rin hadn't scored a single goal. Kira had scored two.
In reality, that match had been Kira vs. The World Select Team. The rest of them? Just spectators. Even Rin felt like he hadn't made much of an impact.
He feels... even more formidable than Sae.
While Rin was lost in thought...
"Eh? Kira, didn't you just shower? Why are you gearing up again?"
Bachira exclaimed in surprise.
Kira was fully dressed in his training kit, ready to head out.
"No way. You're actually grinding right now?"
"Go if you want. I don't have a single ounce of energy left," Aryu grumbled.
"Are you made of iron? We just finished playing the World Team. Can your body even handle it?" Isagi couldn't help but worry.
Kira grinned. "Hahaha! I just feel weird if I don't touch the ball before bed."
In truth, he still had two Trial Cards sitting in his mental inventory that he needed to burn through.
Kira bid farewell to his exhausted roommates and headed straight for the training grounds.
"That guy really is a monster," Aryu muttered, watching the door close behind him.
Bachira wanted to go, too, but his body refused. Every muscle screamed in protest. He had no choice but to give up.
Rin said nothing. He just kept chewing on his shoelace, staring at his cleats. Everyone had their own pace. Forcing yourself to keep up when your body was broken would only be counterproductive.
***
One hour later.
Inside the Blue Lock facility.
Adam Blake was strutting through the corridors, dressed in fashionable street clothes, whistling a tune.
His face was covered in lipstick marks. He was wandering the halls, still savoring the memories of Japanese nightlife. The local women weren't as bold or open as those in Europe or America, but their reserved, coy nature had its own unique flavor that Blake found intoxicating.
If he didn't have another match coming up, he would have stayed out partying for days.
Thump.
Thump.
The sound of a ball being kicked echoed through the building.
"This late? Someone's still grinding?"
Blake's curiosity was piqued. He followed the sound.
As the top scorer of the English Premier League, he knew exactly how crucial hard work was. Sure, the moment he had time off, he was hitting the clubs and chasing skirts. But that didn't stop him from being a disciplined beast when it counted.
He respected the hustle.
"Let's see who's burning the midnight oil."
Blake stealthily approached the player tunnel.
On the field, a lone figure was dribbling, shooting, and cutting. Sweat flew with every movement.
It was Kira, training deep into the night.
Impressive!
Blake had a sharp eye for talent.
Kira's dribbling was polished and stable. His shots were heavy and powerful. His rhythm and frequency were spot on.
Even his posture was stylish. His movements had a certain flair.
It was... almost exactly like Blake's own style.
The corners of Blake's mouth curled up. He really appreciated this kid.
But wait. Why did these moves look so familiar?
That narcissistic expression when he shot.
The way he would suddenly burst into a goal celebration even though no one was watching.
Wait a minute!
Blake's eyes lit up. Isn't that my signature celebration?
This Japanese kid... could it be?
Is he a fan of mine?
The thought made Blake puff up with pride.
That had to be it. Suddenly, everything made sense.
Why did Kira reject Loki's invitation?
Because Kira's idol was him. Adam Blake.
His target was obviously the Premier League.
So what if you're talented, Loki? You can't recruit a genius like this if his heart belongs to another King.
Ahem.
Thinking of this, Blake started to straighten his clothes. He prepared to walk out there, acting like a benevolent mentor. Teach the kid a move or two. Then casually recruit him to England. It would be a legendary story for the ages.
And after that, he could take Kira clubbing to pick up girls... Cough. Getting ahead of himself.
"No, wait."
Blake realized he was covered in lipstick marks and dressed like a playboy.
Usually, he wouldn't care. But this kid was his fan. The idol burden kicked in.
He had to set an example. He couldn't walk out looking like this; it would make him seem too frivolous.
Blake stood in the shadows of the tunnel, stroking his chin.
Since he's my fan, he'll definitely come find me later. I can't be too eager. That's desperate, like Loki. It lowers my value.
I'll wait for the kid to come to me. Then, I'll pretend his request is a bit troublesome... and finally, 'reluctantly' agree.
"Hahaha..."
Blake almost laughed out loud and quickly covered his mouth.
On the field, Kira continued his solitary practice.
Phew.
He hadn't been spotted. Blake relaxed.
And so, Blake stood in the tunnel for a full thirty minutes, watching Kira train.
Even when Kira's movements became a bit less fluid toward the end, it didn't dampen Blake's appreciation. He must be exhausted from the match earlier today, Blake rationalized.
Finally, satisfied with what he had seen, Blake turned and left.
***
"Phew..."
"That old creep finally left."
Kira gasped for air, leaning over his knees. He was exhausted.
He had noticed the gaze burning into his back a long time ago.
When he had glanced back, he saw a shadow stretching long and distorted from the player tunnel. And on the face of that shadow? A weird, lecherous grin.
It terrified Kira. He had clenched up and focused intensely on his training, praying the guy wouldn't come over.
He'd heard rumors about certain… tendencies among some players.
Kira had pretended not to notice, silently grinding away, hoping the guy wouldn't lack self-awareness and try to strike up a conversation.
"Looks like the Premier League just dropped to the bottom of my list."
"If even the Top Scorer is like that... I can't go there. I'm too handsome. I'd be eaten alive."
Kira shook his head vigorously, traumatized.
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