ᶻ 𝗓 𐰁

"I want to sleep..."

You groaned, turning on your futon but unable to fall asleep again, "You can't, we have our last match in an hour." Ai said while approaching you, picking you up by your shirt collar.

"Eh...But it's the last ranking team, we can easily defeat them so why the need to get worked up?" You rolled your eyes, stretching your body in a carefree manner.

"It doesn't matter what team we're playing against, at the end it's a match and we have to respect that." The strawberry blonde-haired female scolded you, "Fine.."

You slipped past her grip and stubbornly got ready, it wasn't long until the team was already strategizing in the locker room, "I'll go Fukushima and her only...The rest of you can see what you're doing. " 

Since you and Fukushima have the same weapon, you plan on using your skills to stop her or at least destroy her, you then shift your Misa. Lately these days you noticed she was oddly...Avoiding you? If that would be the correct word.

You kept looking at her, unable to take your eyes off her, "Uhm, is there something on my face?" Misa asked with a noticeable blush, "Oh er nothing sorry." You quickly averted your gaze.

Never in a million years did you think the two of you would have an awkward tension but on the other hand while you were ticked at Misa's change in behavior you also didn't want to initiate a talk.

This gloomy feeling was creeping in between you two and you knew it but didn't know what to do, 'Talking it out isn't my best suit...'

Or even talking about anything that wasn't your best suit. It was safe to say you preferred communicating through your actions at best.

You fidgeted in your seat until it was time to go, "Finally! I thought I was gonna grow old!" Ejiri exclaimed, "You already do look though." Misa commented which made them both snap onto each other again while you just stared into oblivion.

Both teams reached the field, the tension was high...You could feel it seeping in through your brain and acting like pure ecstasy to your brain.

You unconsciously licked your lips while looking at Fukushima which weirded her out, 'Show me what you got.'

Kick-off started and as usual, you didn't waste any chances and got straight into work, maneuvering yourself around the field like water that no one was able to keep up yet you could feel Fukushima's gaze follow you seemingly.

'I have to think of a way to shake her off me and onto others.' Suddenly it clicked, if you didn't do anything for the first half and rather conserved your energy...You could completely turn the tables in the second half.

You passed the ball and returned, noticing Fukushima's change in expression you slyly grinned, 'I can't wait to play you.'

Misa scored the first goal with the help of Ejiri, scoring 1-0. You mentally cheered Misa on while a look of boredom rested on your face.

Ai scored another goal, you could already see Team Z's morale crumbling but one was set apart...Fukushima. You could see from her eyes that she was roaring to score, her gaze was dead set on your goal.

But you wouldn't let that happen in a million years...right? The others struggled to get the ball from Ejiri but some other girl managed to piss her off and get elbowed in the throat, That's just great.'

After a little more struggle with Ejiri and her aggression toward every single living being on this fucking planet, she managed to score a goal as well bringing the score to 3-0.

'There's 10 minutes before half time.' You didn't mention it but man were you bored at this point so you decided to move towards Fukushima.

"What's wrong? Weren't you the one who told me that Team Z would bring us down?" You teased her making her grit her teeth, "Just you wait...I'll show you."

You let the Team do whatever the hell they wanted to while keeping a tight lid on the defense but unfortunately, there was one little hole left open and Kagura, one of Team Z's members dribbled an overwhelming goal in.

'Tch, one goal won't bring you anywhere.' You scoffed but as you turned to look at them you were shaken. All of them together, celebrating such a small goal with tears in their eyes.

They held each other with such tender but enthusiastic embrace as if they had won the World Cup. Maybe it was pure adrenaline of the moment but they looked at each other as if they were family, not a Team, not just here to play soccer but to make memories.

'Huh...?' The more you looked at them the more you noticed how each one had everyone's back, all trying to strive together to move forward as a Team but not as individuals.

'Is this what sets us apart Fukushima? You've been through countless defeats but still standing strong together for one last time...Is this what friendship is according to you?' You were left speechless.

And that's right when it dawned on you

From the start of Blue Lock, you never saw anyone as a friend or hell even as a precious Team member. All you perceived was helping hands for you to ascend to the next stage.

You never cared for these people but on the other hand, you didn't know they cared for you. They all Saw you as an important person to them...But you failed to realize so.

You were trying so hard to keep yourself in a proper cycle so you don't spiral out of control that you ultimately failed to notice others around you, failed to notice how they saw each other as a family including you.

Your precious little cycle of peace made you distant and deep down you knew that but you never seemed to fix it no matter how much it hurt the others around you.

You clutched your head, feeling a sight throb but decided to ignore it, 'What am I even doing?' You, right at this very moment came to terms with the reality of yourself. It crashed down on you how much of an asshole have you been to Misa and the others and how the cycle you put so much faith in broke down.

'I never even tried to understand you...Im sorry Misa.' But that wouldn't cut out, would it? You needed to say it to her face and apologize but your gut screamed no, ashamed to take accountability for its actions.

All the time that you had spent on the team was a waste. All the time you spent with Misa was a waste and you never thought Fukushima, a stranger who challenged you would make you realize that. 

You were selfish and arrogant but held yourself in a higher regard from the others. You would bash Misa for being stupid, Ejiri for being aggressive, Ai for being too nice towards others, and Fujioka...Well, you never thought of anything wrong with her.

'I'll change...And I'll do it by defeating you, Fukushima!' Suddenly a new resolve was ticking in your head and you were no longer going to ignore it like how you had used to.

With the last 5 minutes left for the first half you cooled down and observed more this time, 'I was so stupid for underestimating her and keeping my guard down.'

This time you didn't let your gaze move away from Fukushima for even a second, memorizing her moves over and over again to the point you were visualizing a 1 vs 1 in your head against her.

You didn't realise but you were unlocking your weapon's full potential. No one was able to score a goal right before halftime which left the score at 3-1.

You let your team walk back into the room first then you followed, "Guys, I have to tell you all something." Everyone's head turned towards you in confusion.

You sucked a breath through your teeth, "I apologize for my dismissive actions till now!" You bowed full 90 degrees in respect which left everyone in even more confusion and shocked.

"What the fuck are you on?" Ejiri questioned, "Exactly what you all heard. I have realized that till now...The last match I never cared for any of you as a Team and only sought after what was best for me. I didn't even try and play the Team player card and never tried to communicate with any of you which made things hard." 

 The awkwardness that filled the room could be cut down with a knife at this point as even you got a little embarrassed, "Are you dumb or just very dumb?" Ejiri broke the silence.

"Huh?" Now everyone's eyes were on Ejiri, "You dummy, everyone in this room is playing teammates with each other because we have to for our own sake. Being selfish for your career is not equivalent to being a bad person in the first place!"

"I know damn well that after the first selection, everyone is bound to get separated and fight on our own so we're just using each other as a grappling hook to reach that very spot in the first place. Everyone sitting in this room right now cares or will care about only themselves at some point either way." Your eyes widened.

"And we all know how much of an introverted person you are so we never tried to bug you. Without even communicating and practicing you already made the perfect plays so what more would we ask of you in the first place? It's just stupid and bothering to do so so we left it alone."

You couldn't believe Ejiri out of all people was able to say something so unsure, "Also if you think we are trying to play family with each other in the slightest then you're completely wrong. Why would I personally form a strong bond that's meant to be broken off at some point and all of the others in this room also know this."

"So you guys don't care about each other?" You choked out, "Not from that standpoint, we care about each other right now because we're teammates but if any of us in the future would have to play against one another then why wouldn't we give it all?" You nodded along.

"Ejiri's right, [Name]. No need to burden yourself with these useless feelings when we're all the same...We accept you either way as a team member." Ai placed a hand on your shoulder.

From the corner of your eyes, you saw Misa, sitting on the bench, shaken by your words, "Misa-" Before you could even approach her she ran out. You looked at Ai who nodded at you making run after the raven-haired female.

It took you a minute or so to find Misa sobbing uncontrollably in the restrooms, "Misa..." You managed to choke out her name. You didn't know what happened or what you had said for her to have such a reaction.

She didn't react, still sitting on the bathroom floor and wiping her tears, 'Then I guess I should...' You sat down beside her, not saying a word and letting her calm down.

"Im sorry...I'm not good at helping sad people." You voiced out, "Silly...I already know that." The raven-haired female giggled as dry tears stained her face.

"Here." You handed her a napkin after she washed her face but both of you said nothing, 'Should I ask or not?' You were in a mild state of panic before Misa cut your thoughts.

"This takes me back...When we were little kids you know?" She smiled at you, "Mhm." You replied, remembering the day you two met.

It was exactly like this...

𝄞⨾𓍢ִ໋

★ Hi, erm yeah my bad for disappearing for so long. Before you came and bomb my house for not posting for this long I have a good reason, I was in the seven-day come due to a head injury (I fell while skateboarding🎀🗿) And was in rest during the whole of August and then there were exams in September which just finished a few days ago so I'm free and ready to update again! I know this chapter didn't have soccer plays but that's because I needed a built-up like this to write names and Misa's past and stuff so yeah I hope y'all understand.★