After a satisfying dinner, Ryan wandered aimlessly through the corridors of Blue Lock.
He strolled past the practice field and stopped.
Under the pale floodlights, Bachira was still training, alone.
"Yo, Bachira. Still up this late? You trying to out-grind me now?"
Bachira paused mid-dribble, panting.
"Couldn't sleep."
"Well, maybe that's 'cause you nap all day," Ryan teased. "As your big bro, I gotta remind you athletes need a proper sleep schedule. Mess that up and you'll feel it in training and matches."
"I know that… but that's not why I can't sleep."
"Then what is it? Don't just drop half a sentence like that."
Bachira lowered his gaze.
"I've been thinking about what you said. You were right. I've always been listening to the 'monster' inside me… like it's controlling me. But that thing's been with me since I was a kid when no one else wanted to play with me, it was always there.
Now, whenever I touch a ball, I instinctively look for it. My body moves on its own, obeying it.
So… what should I do?"
Ryan folded his arms, sighing dramatically.
"If you want to stick with your monster so badly, then stay with it forever."
"Eh…?"
Ryan's tone sharpened.
"That thing's not just controlling your game sense it's controlling your mind. What, did you lose your sense of self too? Don't you know what you want?
Listen, if a striker doesn't have ego if he doesn't have the selfishness to impose himself then he's not a striker.
Go play house with your monster if you want.
But if you stay that way, you'll be stuck watching my back forever.
I'm heading for the top, the greatest striker in history."
Without waiting for a response, Ryan walked off the pitch, leaving Bachira standing motionless in the grass, his expression hollow.
Ryan kept wandering, hands in his pockets, humming lightly. Passing by the surveillance room, he noticed light still spilling through the window.
Curious, he opened the door.
Inside, Chigiri sat alone, watching footage from that day's match replays of Ryan's goals looping endlessly.
"Yo, Chigiri. Admiring my majestic highlights? Pretty cool, right?"
"Ah… Ryan. Yeah… you're amazing."
Ryan grinned.
"Heh, didn't know you could be that sweet-tongued. Flattery won't get you anywhere though."
Chigiri's voice was quiet.
"What's it feel like?"
"Huh? What?"
"Scoring."
Ryan blinked.
"What do you mean, what's it feel like? Feels awesome! Why, you jealous? If you beg nicely, maybe I'll be generous next match and let you score a couple."
But Chigiri didn't laugh. His brows furrowed as if replaying some painful memory.
"What's wrong? You constipated or something? Happens to the best of us. I recommend bananas natural cure."
Chigiri sighed. Ryan's nonsense seemed to hit a wall.
"Ahem, sorry. Just trying to lighten the mood." Ryan leaned on the table. "Hyōma Chigiri… I've read about you. You tore your ACL last year, right?"
Chigiri nodded slightly, his long crimson hair hiding his face.
"Yeah. Right knee, anterior cruciate ligament. The doctor said if it happens again, my career's over.
I used to have a great weapon my speed. I used to lose sleep after every goal, too excited to rest. I dreamed of becoming the best striker in the world.
But even though my leg's healed… I'm still scared. Scared of losing that joy again.
So I came to Blue Lock… to find a reason to give up."
He looked back at the screen, eyes dark and distant.
"After watching you play, Ryan… I think I finally can."
Ryan frowned.
"Man, you're talking gibberish. Let me ask you one thing
Do you like running?"
Chigiri froze.
He hadn't expected that question. His lips trembled, unsure what to say.
Ryan's tone softened but his gaze stayed sharp.
"Say it. Out loud. You love football, but you don't look like you're having fun."
"What do you know? Someone like you could never understand!"
Ryan crossed his arms dramatically.
"You're right, someone as handsome, invincible, and charming as me could never understand the twisted mind of a moody princess like you.
But if you don't answer me, I swear I'll shave off that long pretty hair of yours while you're asleep. Buzz cut. Clean. And I'll get the others to hold you down if I have to."
Chigiri's eyes widened in shock.
"You bastard ! …Fine." He inhaled deeply.
"I love running! I love the look on people's faces when I pass them. I love the feeling of my legs digging into the grass. I want to run with everything I've got again!"
Ryan burst into laughter, clapping him on the shoulder.
"See? You can say it! Good!
Now I'm giving you an order, as your captain next match, I want you to run like hell! Got it?"
He walked out with that same bright grin.
Chigiri sat there for a moment, watching his back.
"Fine then, Ryan… I'll run with you. Even if it breaks me, even if it's the last time… I want to feel that joy again."
Ryan strolled toward the dorms, whistling to himself.
He felt light like he'd just saved two lost souls tonight.
Man, I'm basically a life coach, he thought proudly.
Back in his room, he collapsed onto his bedroll and pulled out his newly reclaimed phone.
Powering it on, his confidence vanished instantly.
The screen lit up 99+ unread messages.
"...Oh crap.
I'm dead."
He gulped, staring at the flood of missed calls all from one name.
Kana.
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