Chapter 46: 24-Hour Countdown Competition
In the corridor…
"Please give me your guidance, Bachira-san," Hiori Yo said politely, glancing at the teammate walking beside him with a visibly downcast expression.
"Huh? Oh… yeah. Likewise, Hiori," Bachira Meguru replied with a halfhearted grin.
"Your dribbling's really amazing. I couldn't stop you at all," Hiori smiled gently.
Bachira scratched the back of his head and sighed. "Not amazing enough. Against guys like Seiichi and the others, my dribbling didn't matter at all…"
"Yeah, those three are monsters," he added, looking away.
"Monsters?"
Yūshin Seiichi, walking just ahead, turned around upon hearing that.
"Don't say weird stuff like that. I'm not a monster."
He raised his hand dramatically.
"Ahem. Actually… I'm just a sunny, cheerful young man! My only talent is smiling—"
Wham!
A heavy fist slammed onto Seiichi's head.
"Shut up, idiot," Yūshin Zeya muttered, dragging him forward by the collar.
(⊙o⊙)…
"Seiichi has that side too?" Hiori blinked in surprise.
"Haha… he's really hard to read," Bachira chuckled. His earlier gloom lifted just a little.
…
The group reached a large central hall.
"Yo yo~ You shining gems of potential," came the familiar voice of Ego Jinpachi, appearing on the large screen.
"Congrats on passing the second selection."
Ego's narrowed eyes scanned them behind the lenses of his sharp-framed glasses.
"So? Any questions?"
"Nope~," Seiichi grinned.
Honestly, this selection phase hadn't brought him much actual growth in skills. Maybe better stamina. But he wasn't worried. The real monsters of Blue Lock—and the world—were still ahead.
"No," Zeya answered coolly, though a thrill danced in his golden eyes.
He was hungry. Hungry for the next battlefield. The next challenge.
"I don't need explanations. Just start the next round," Rin said coldly.
He had only one mission: join the U-20 team and defeat his brother.
Bachira opened his mouth to ask something—but seeing everyone else stay silent, he swallowed the words. Maybe Seiichi or Zeya could answer later.
"Ahem. Since none of you are curious, I'll move forward."
Ego adjusted his glasses.
"Welcome to the third selection: the World Class Training Arc."
"In 24 hours, you'll face a team of world-class players in a 5-on-5 match."
"It's time for you frogs in a well… to meet the ocean."
…
Blue Lock 5-man Dormitory
"Whoa! Is that Luna from Real Reyal?!"
Hiori, stretched out on his bunk, scrolled through a list of the incoming world players.
Zeya sat on the edge of his bed, checking his boots. Nearby, Seiichi walked out of the bathroom, towel over his shoulder and hair still damp.
"Zeya, let me borrow your phone. Mine's dead—I think my mom messaged me."
Zeya nodded and tossed him the device.
"Hey, is Rin doing yoga again?" Seiichi asked.
"Probably," Zeya replied without looking up.
"I'll go bother him, then. He should teach me some flexibility stuff."
…
Blue Lock Physical Training Room
Rin balanced upside down on one arm, shirtless and completely still, deep in handstand form.
"Rinnnn~ My dear teammate."
Seiichi stepped into the room and smiled widely.
"Wow! That pose's intense. Teach me sometime?"
Rin ignored him.
Undeterred, Seiichi plopped down nearby.
"Ohh… the skincare Sae recommended me is so effective."
Pat, pat.
He tapped his cheeks dramatically. Rin's shoulders twitched.
Seiichi smirked and reached for Zeya's phone. He scrolled through the contacts and hit dial.
Beep… beep…
"Hello?"
The cool voice of Itoshi Sae came through.
"Ahem, Sae! It's me, Seiichi—"
Click.
The call ended.
(⊙o⊙)…
"Wow, both brothers are this cold, huh?"
BAM!
Rin crashed out of his pose and stomped over, grabbing Seiichi by the collar.
"What the hell are you trying to do?!"
"I just wanted to learn yoga…" Seiichi replied sheepishly, tongue out.
"Get lost! I'm not teaching you anything!"
"Okay~"
(o╥﹏╥o)