Chapter 41: 2v2 Training Match
Inside Blue Lock's small indoor pitch…
"Please take it easy on me, Rin," Yūshin Seiichi said with a grin, offering his hand to his new teammate.
It was a 2-on-2 training match within their squad.
Team A: Seiichi and Rin.
Team B: Zeya and Hiori.
"Mm." Rin responded coldly, ignoring the offered handshake.
"You're so cold," Seiichi teased, stretching his thighs. "But keep it up. I don't plan on losing to Zeya."
This match would be decided by first to three goals.
"You can win, Zeya," Hiori said seriously.
Even if it was just training—he didn't want to lose.
"Of course," Zeya replied calmly, eyes firm. "No matter who we face, we'll win."
"Well… I want to learn from Seiichi," Hiori added after a beat.
"Alright. I'll take Rin then," Zeya nodded.
Drop!
Kickoff.
Seiichi passed the ball to Rin and immediately darted forward.
"I won't let you pass!" Hiori stepped up and blocked his path.
"I like the look in your eyes," Seiichi smirked. "But you can't hold me back like that~"
He suddenly sprinted left—Hiori followed.
Then Seiichi spun back with dazzling footwork, leaving an afterimage behind as he sprinted right instead.
Too fast!
Hiori's eyes widened—he was left behind instantly.
Rin immediately chipped a low pass forward.
"Nice one, Rin."
Seiichi smiled, stopped the ball perfectly on his right foot—
Only for Zeya to flash into his path like blue lightning.
"Not in the mood to score today, huh?"
Seiichi grinned and back-heeled the ball.
Boom!
Rin caught it cleanly and slammed it into the upper-right corner.
Ding! Goal. Seiichi's team leads, 1–0.
Hiori's face stiffened.
Too strong… I'm not on their level.
Whether it was strength, technique, or football IQ, those three were on another tier.
"I'm not a genius," Hiori muttered.
"Hey, don't worry about one goal," Zeya reassured him. "Your talent isn't inferior. Just find something to fire yourself up."
Hiori looked at Zeya's serious face and nodded.
Game resumes.
Zeya passed to Hiori, then made a sharp run.
Hiori's eyes scanned quickly—he fired a pass toward the backline.
Rin pressured immediately, sticking to Zeya's side.
Zeya's pupils narrowed, light blue eyes glowing gold. He used his shoulder to pin Rin, chest-trapping the ball, then let it bounce right—
Swing. Fake shot!
Rin bit on the feint. Zeya reversed direction and—
Bang!
Left-foot strike into the net.
Ding! Zeya's team ties it, 1–1.
"Tch."
Rin clicked his tongue, frustrated.
I was one step late again.
"Want to switch marks?" Seiichi asked.
"Hmph. No need."
"Work harder, then, Rinlin~"
"Don't call me that, jellyfish-head!"
"…It does look like a jellyfish," Seiichi mumbled.
"That was a good pass, Hiori," Zeya added. "You've got touch and IQ. Use your eyes and brain. You've got talent."
"…Okay."
Hiori nodded. It was hard to believe, but he'd try.
Game resumes.
Seiichi passed to Rin and sprinted.
Rin played a give-and-go—short passes, fast movements.
Zeya and Hiori couldn't react in time.
Boom! Goal. 2–1.
"That's great, Rin. Thoughts?" Seiichi beamed.
"…Hmm." Rin gave a noncommittal grunt.
Still… this guy wasn't bad.
It felt nostalgic. Like playing with Sae again.
"What was that? I didn't hear you~" Seiichi teased.
"Get lost."
"Wow. That attitude. I'm telling Sae."
…
"Let's go, Hiori. We can still win."
Zeya and Hiori began combining well—quick passes and movement.
Zeya darted forward, creating space—
Hiori saw it and launched a pass—
But—
Block!
Seiichi stepped in and intercepted.
"Your pass was too obvious~"
He read it completely…
Hiori's heart sank.
Still, he threw himself back on defense.
"Zeya was right," Seiichi said calmly, shielding the ball. "You've got talent."
"But your one-on-one ability? That's a big weakness."
Seiichi feinted left—Hiori bit—
Seiichi exploded right, blew past him, and—
Boom!
A grounded strike ripped into the goal.
Ding! Goal. 3–1. Game Over.
Seiichi walked over to Hiori, who was bent over, panting.
"Right now, you need to build strength. Improve your duels."
"Yeah… I see that."
Hiori clenched his fists weakly.
Against players like Seiichi or Rin, his physicality was nowhere near enough.
In larger matches, he could support.
But 1v1 or 2v2?
He was outmatched.
I can't bring out my full weapon yet…
"Come on~ Don't think too much," Seiichi said. "Let's go take a bath."