Chapter 144: The Refusal
Huh?
Snuffy's question caught Kira completely off guard. A genius? Kira had never actually seen himself as a genius in the traditional sense. Everything he had achieved up to this point was built on the foundation of his system.
'A genius? No. To me, geniuses are just the fuel I burn to keep my engine running.'
Snuffy watched Kira's silence, assuming he had hit the nail on the head. He continued, his voice dropping into a more personal register. "Listen. Aside from being a footballer, you are just a regular guy. If you lose sight of that, you will always be an amateur at heart."
"If you don't understand that, you will end up looking down on everyone who wasn't born with your gifts. But talent is just a roll of the dice, a gift from your DNA. If you don't respect the responsibility that comes with it, you'll never make it as a pro."
Kira realized what was happening. Snuffy was afraid Kira's ego would lead him to a dead end.
Kira took a long, steady breath. "Snuffy, I think you're worrying about the wrong things. Talent is something you're born with; I can't change that. But I don't take it for granted. If the universe decided to give me a seat at the table, I am going to make the most of it. I am going to eat every last bite on that plate and leave it spotless. I won't waste a single drop of my potential."
Kira's gaze was hard, filled with a cold, iron-willed determination. Snuffy actually laughed. "You really aren't like the other 'geniuses' I've met. Most of them are so full of themselves they think they're untouchable. They think they're gods... right up until the moment they hit the pavement. I like you. I wish I had your perspective when I was eighteen."
Snuffy's expression clouded over, a shadow of grief passing through his eyes. He went quiet for a moment before deciding to open up. "When I was your age, I bet everything on my talent. I had a best friend, and we had the same dream. We made it big. We had the money, the fame, the lifestyle. We thought we were the kings of the world, and we never doubted for a second that we would stay there forever."
"But we blew it."
The pain on Snuffy's face was raw. Kira didn't say a word; he just listened. He hadn't realized this world-class superstar carried such a heavy burden.
"We stopped training. We got lazy. Our form tanked, and we tried to force it on the pitch, which led to injuries. The scandals followed. We were dropped from the starting lineup, and the fall from grace happened in the blink of an eye. My friend couldn't handle the crash. He fell into a hole he couldn't climb out of... and he took his own life."
Snuffy had regained his composure, speaking now as if he were discussing a plot in a book rather than his own life. "So, here is what I need to know. Ryosuke Kira, if you woke up tomorrow and you weren't a genius anymore... would you still like the person staring back at you in the mirror?"
The question hit Kira like a freight train. He stood there in the quiet pitch, unable to find the words. That question went straight to his deepest insecurities.
The shadow of his previous life—that mediocre, struggling existence—still loomed over him. He had spent so long being the best at Blue Lock that he had forgotten what it felt like to be nobody. He couldn't even visualize a world where he was just a 'regular guy' again.
"Snuffy... I'm sorry. I can't answer that right now."
Snuffy looked surprised by the honesty. Most kids would have given a canned, heroic answer. "At least you're being real with me. Think about it. Keep it in the back of your mind."
"In the meantime, I still want you to be the candidate for the King of Ubers. You have the potential to lead this company to the top."
Kira shook his head, clearing his mind of the heavy thoughts. He looked Snuffy in the eye. "I appreciate the offer, Coach. Truly. But I have to refuse."
"Oh?" Snuffy raised an eyebrow. He clearly hadn't expected a 'no.'
"Your tactical system is incredible, and I want to learn everything you have to teach about execution and efficiency," Kira said firmly. "But your vision for the King is too rigid. It's a blueprint that doesn't allow for variables. I don't want to be a piece on your board. I don't want to be a King that you manufactured."
"A throne isn't something someone gives you. It's something you take for yourself. And honestly, Coach? It sounds like you're afraid of the future."
Snuffy froze, the words hanging in the air. Kira realized he might have been a bit too blunt, so he decided to make a quick exit before the awkwardness settled in. He gave a respectful nod and jogged out of the training center.
***
"What the hell? Are you guys serious?"
The entire Ubers squad was standing right outside the door. They hadn't even tried to hide the fact that they were eavesdropping.
Lorenzo drifted over, flashing his gold-plated grin. "I called the meeting. I know exactly what's going on in the coach's head, so I figured everyone should hear the drama."
'Thanks for nothing,' Kira thought, feeling a headache coming on.
"Man, you've got some serious balls," Aiku said, his tone a mix of mockery and genuine respect. "I don't know if I could have turned down a guaranteed promotion like that."
"Tch. I guess you aren't a total puppet after all," Barou muttered. He looked almost satisfied. He had expected Kira to fall in line with Snuffy's 'corporate' football, but seeing him push back made Barou feel like he wasn't the only one in the room with a spine.
The next two days of training followed the same routine. Snuffy didn't mention the conversation again, and his professional attitude toward Kira didn't change. He treated everyone like an employee, exactly as he had promised.
***
That evening, Kira was in the common room, trying to get through a yoga session with Barou. It was an unofficial meeting of the 'Anti-Coach' club.
Lorenzo walked in carrying a massive bowl of popcorn. "Forget the stretching. Let's watch a movie."
Without waiting for an answer, Lorenzo swapped the relaxing nature footage on the big screen for a gory horror flick.
"Change it back, gold-tooth! I'm in the middle of a set! Do it now or I'll bury you!" Barou snarled, his eyes flashing with fury.
Lorenzo ignored him, shoving a handful of popcorn into his mouth. "Kira-chan, you're the talk of the town. Snuffy really wants you to take over."
"Don't eat that in here! You're dropping crumbs everywhere, you slob!" Barou's veins were bulging in his neck. He couldn't stand the mess.
Lorenzo continued to ignore the King, moving closer to Kira. "Snuffy is the Crown Messenger for a reason. He's won every league he's ever played in. He's only playing right now to fulfill the dream he had with his dead friend."
Barou was vibrating with rage. "Why are you talking to us? Clean up your mess!"
"If he wins the title with Ubers this season, he's retiring. He said it before the season even started. That's why he's so desperate to find a striker who can take his place."
The room went quiet. Barou's anger momentarily stalled as the information sank in.
Kira finally understood the urgency in Snuffy's voice. The man wasn't just looking for a player; he was looking for a legacy. He wanted to leave the game knowing that the throne he'd built wouldn't crumble the moment he stepped away.
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