62. A MEETUP, COLLECT YOUR STUFF!

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THE

silence following his words is really, really awkward. Like, seriously awkward. Like, you-want-to dig-a-hole-and-die-on-the-spot awkward. Thankfully, this uncomfortable situation does not last much longer, because your saviour, coach, and the only football player you actually know finally arrives.

Noel Noa, in his middle-aged wonder, walks out onto the grassy plain and the aura surrounding him just demands respect. No kidding he's the number one, you think. He does have that vibe of glory.

"Stop, Kaiser, and quit it with that habit of acting like you're superior. It's childish." He talks sternly—he doesn't yell, or even make a face—but the way he talks makes everyone in the vicinity follow his order like a mantra.

Kaiser plasters a smile onto his face—but it doesn't suit his bones right and stretches out a little too far to feel real. He says, in the most artificial joyful tone you've ever heard, "Sorry, Noa. I thought it'd get them hyped up."

Noa's face darkens and if you look hard enough, you think he's glaring at Kaiser. "Don't talk back to me. I make the rules."

Kaiser clearly doesn't seem to think so—but agrees nonetheless if only to get the master striker off his back.

"For now, the first training is over. You must have noticed by now, but this room is meant to gauge your physical abilities. Bastard Munchen's philosophy is super rationality. I do not take invisible things like impressions or emotions into consideration. Only those who hold the proper numbers to win will be chosen as regular players."

Noa motions towards the big, digital screen behind him. As soon as he does, there is a list of all the players who had joined Bastard Munchen ranked by this test. "I'll take the data from the results of this training and from your matches for all 21 players here. Those who make it to the top 11 will be used in matches. And those below, will not. Bastard Munchen is a team that wins with logic."

Dead last—on the bottom of the list is Isagi, with the words below his name, Not clear.

As Noa begins explaining the data and requirements of the players, you can't help but mumble under your breath, "That's unfair." It's not like Isagi wanted Kaiser to intercept him. It's more to yourself than anything, but Mariele still humours you with a response.

"Noa's practically a cyborg. The process is useless to him. All that matters is the result." Her voice is low too—even though you both are standing far away enough that he wouldn't be able to hear even if your voices were normal—the low tone gives a sense of secrecy. It makes you smile a little. "Most adults wouldn't agree with him, but they can't really hold a candle to the world's number one striker."

A small giggle escapes her lips. It feels a lot less bland it usually does. That thought makes you smile even wider. "Yeah... If it works out for him, then I guess things will be fine, right?"

She hums a low tune that reverberates through her throat. "I guess so."

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Right. You almost forgot. You still need to collect your bags, and you also probably have to collect the ones your Blue Lockers left behind at the start of the training regime, as well.

Ego did say he would allocate somebody to get them for you... but you seriously doubt it. 

With a sigh, you slip off your bed. The room you were given is nice. Two beds, two nightstands that hold all your things, a small closet for you and Mariele's clothes, and a bathroom specifically for you two just beside your room. It's quaint and nice, and you were allowed to bring decorations of your own if you wished.

(Personally, you didn't, but seeing as Mariele sets up a rather unique-looking painting right above her bed, you think you may be alone on this one.)

You slip on a pair of slippers and slide off the sheets of your bed. Mariele is still inspecting the painting thoroughly, thumb pressed against her chin while she tilts her head side to side to make sure it is straight. You call out, "Hey, I'm just going to go get some things. I'll be back in a bit."

She glances at you and nods in acknowledgement but is obviously too enthralled by her painting to respond. With a small sigh, you walk out of the room and look around. 

Should you ask if they want to get their stuff too? 

You ponder this for a few moments, standing right outside a door to a room (you think this room holds the four players—Yukimiya, Isagi, that shark-toothed guy Kurona and Hiori). Maybe I should just—

You don't get a chance to finish your thought, the doors suddenly slide wide open and you're met face-to-face with a very much shirtless Yukimiya. You glance down—then back up as quickly and respectfully as you can muster—it takes all of your willpower to keep your eyes directed on his.

He looks just as surprised as you are, one hand tugging on the towel around his neck. He's clearly just had a shower, if you can judge by his wet, unstyled hair (which oddly enough, suits him well) and the smell of the Blue Lock body wash permeating your senses (no, this was not creepy—you were the one tasked with refilling it every Sunday).

You press your lips into a fine, awkward line before speaking, "Hi." You force the word out of your dry throat, and it almost hurts to do so.

Suddenly, the surprise melts away from his soft features and are replaced by his pleasant, drop-dead smile once again, "Hi. Do you need something?" 

He doesn't ask like he's annoyed or it's a bother—you appreciate this—but rather he's wondering why you've just appeared here without warning. You clear your throat and tear your gaze from him, choosing to stare at the tiles on the ground instead of the little heads of Hiori, Kurona, and Isagi peeking out from over Yukimiya's shoulder.

"I..." Well, no turning back now. "I was wondering if you all would like to come with me to pick up our stuff since I doubt Ego will deliver it to us."

Yukimiya blinks—you think this is the first time you've seen him without the lens of either of his glasses—in realisation before nodding. "Oh, right! I almost forgot about that. Sure, I don't mind. Just let me get dressed first."

Another reminder that he's half-naked and you think you might be burning up. He quickly walks out of the doorway and Isagi gives you a big thumbs up from where he's running up to you, "I'll come too! Better now than later."

Hiori nods, walking up slowly, "I was just planning to go now, actually."

The shark-toothed boy, Kurona nods and walks beside Hiori, eyes wide and unblinking. "Yes. I almost forgot. Forgot."

The way Kurona repeats his words doesn't pass by you, but you brush it off as an odd quirk. This is your first time meeting him, after all. You nod, smiling wide—teeth peeking out behind your lips, "That's good. I was afraid I would have to go by myself."

A few seconds later, Yukimiya reappeared with a sleeveless black compression shirt on and his rounded glasses rested on the bridge of his nose, accompanied by a bright grin, "Okay. Do you want to go now?"

You nod—you and the four men start walking.

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"So, you left all your stuff here?" After using your ID card to open the doors towards the front of the training room, you look at where their bags have been left. 

Yukimiya bends down and slings his bag over his shoulder, then tilts his head up at you. "Yes. It would've been a bother to carry this throughout that obstacle course."

Speaking of that obstacle course—it was now inaccessible, closed off by a ridged metal door. A shame, really—you would've liked to partake in it. (Not really. It was more the equivalent of going to a playpark with your friends as an older teen—just for fun).

Isagi, with his bag slung over his shoulder and jacket wrapped loosely around his form, walks up to you and grins wide. "It was a pretty good surprise to see you here, [name]. I didn't know if the managers would've stayed around for this long."

The pay is really good, Isagi, you want to tell him, but you don't.

You smile as Hiori and Kurona both gather their things and walk up to where you, Isagi, and Yukimiya stand in front of the door that leads to your old room. "Oh, I couldn't leave just yet. I still want to see you guys win the World Cup."

But then again, that's not a lie either. It's not like the pay is the only reason you've stuck around for this long.

Another big part of it... was you, Isagi.

I want to see you win.

Yukimiya pushes up his glasses and sends you both a warm grin, "Well, whatever the reason was, I'm glad to know that you're our manager."

You snort, "Why? Is there a manager you wished to not have?"

"Don't tell her, but I'm not too sure if I would've been able to deal with Merodi once more." His voice lowers playfully, lips curled upwards as he talks, and it causes Isagi's laugh to ring out through the room.

"Why? The music isn't all that bad if you buy earplugs," Isagi says, in a teasing manner.

Yukimiya wilts, like he's reminiscing a bad memory. "I dealt with her guitar all throughout the first selection... and I've been enjoying the silence since. At least, I hope you don't play the electric guitar throughout the night either?" The look he gives you is nothing but teasing, and it makes heat rise to your cheeks.

"O... Of course not. I'm not as inconsiderate as her," you shake your head and pout a little. "I can't believe you think that lowly of me."

"Wha—" Isagi blinks in surprise, but panic settles in soon after at your pouty face. "No way, [name]! You're the best manager ever! I wouldn't want anybody else."

Even Yukimiya looks a little apologetic, "I promise I don't think lowly of you—you're diligent and quick on your feet—"

As much as you enjoy the praise coming your way, you wipe the pouty expression from your face and smile as brightly as possible—hands clasped behind your back. "Kidding. But I'm glad to know that you like me that much. I like being your manager, too. I don't want anybody else, especially not that..."

You stick out your tongue in a gagging motion. "Eugh. Kaiser."

Hiori suddenly pipes into the conversation, left hand clasped tightly around the strap of his bag. "Oh, right. I dunno what his deal was—with you becomin' his manager 'n allat. You got any clue?"

His accent is remarkably similar to Karasu, but his voice is completely different. Much softer, almost feminine, and calm to listen to. You shake your head to his words, sliding your card against the scanner as soon as Kurona makes his way to you all as well. "I don't know either. I've never even seen him before that moment, so it kind of freaks me out."

"Maybe it was from how you defended Isagi." Kurona pipes up, and when you look towards him, he taps against his teeth. "He looked pretty surprised when you slapped his hand away. I also don't think he likes his actual manager that much."

His words slowly settle in, and it has you thinking hard. "Yeah. You're right. She isn't a big fan of him either..."

Not to toot your own horn or anything, but perhaps Kaiser wanted a manager such as you. His words—and you'll become the perfect manager for me—you finally get what they mean.

"So Kaiser wants a manager who will defend him like that... but without all the work of building up a relationship or anything?" Isagi scrunches up his nose in a very clear fashion of distaste. You're mildly offended that he believes it was difficult to build up a relationship with you—but you understand what he means. You weren't the easiest to get along with, during the first selection especially.

Even Yukimiya looks like he disapproves of this. "He feels so entitled."

"[name], never go with him. He will not treat you right," Isagi looks at you with deadly seriousness—it almost makes you chuckle, but you decide in this situation the consequences of that would not be worth your humour. 

"No way," you shake your head. As if you'd ever go with somebody like him. "I'd never. He'd be a terrible teammate."

"And we have to play with him," Hiori sighs like he's dreading the thought. "If we even make it on the starting line-up."

You smile and shake your head—the dainty silver necklace wrapped around your collarbones sways with your movements. "No way, you're all totally going to make it. I've seen you guys play, and it's really good."

Isagi's cheeks flare pink and he rubs the back of his neck, "Aw, shucks, [name]..."

Soon enough, you've all finally made your way to your room, with all your things inside. You stand at the door, hand on your hip as you use your other to swipe your card across the scanner, and the doors slide open.

Behind you, you hear Isagi say lowly, "Is it... really okay for us to go into a girl's room?" He sounds mildly embarrassed.

"What kinda guy are ya, Isagi? Yer havin' weird thoughts?" Hiori laughs a little at the smaller boy beside him. Isagi waves his hand around defensively—he should consider playing as a defender with how easily it comes to him—and tries to explain what he means. It only makes the cyan-head laugh harder.

While the two amuse themselves in front of your doorway, Kurona and Yukimiya walk in with you to grab your things. Kurona looks surprised at the amount of bags you have with you. "Woah. Woah. Suitcase, and bags. That's so much stuff. What do you even keep in there?"

You laugh a little at his starry-eyed reaction. You decide Kurona's pretty cute. "A lot of stuff. Stuff."

The smile he sends you—shark-toothed and wide—makes your heart flutter.

"Do you want me to carry some of your bags?" Ever the gentleman, Yukimiya offers to carry your things with a bright smile that could seriously blind you if you weren't careful. With a small nod from you, he slings one of your duffel bags over his other shoulder. "It's not that heavy, anyway."

"I can get this one," Kurona picks up your other duffel bag and hold it under his armpit, elbow wrapped securely to make sure it won't fall. "Light, like a feather."

It's almost enough to bring a tear to your eye—they're so kind. "You guys really don't have to... but thanks, I appreciate it."

"If it makes your workload a little lighter, of course." Yukimiya sends you a fond, kind look. His words are so genuine that it makes you feel a little embarrassed. "You do enough already. You set up everything in the mornings, right? That's already so much work, but you also keep up with our stats, write reports, run our training, cook and clean everything. That's a lot."

Kurona nods, bobbing his head up and down—his braid flutters beside his head. "Miss Manager does a lot for the team. We should do a lot for her too. Too."

You don't know how to respond—you're rendered speechless by their kind words. 

After so long of dealing with angsty, rude people, like Rin, and over-the-top wild people like Shidou... this is so much calmer... I feel so at peace—like I've tapped my inner zen...

"You guys..." You look down to hide your face and shiny sparkles practically fly around you as if you are Aryu. "You don't have to treat me so well..."

But you'd be lying if you said you didn't enjoy such treatment. What can you say? It's nice to be appreciated, that's something you're sure everybody can agree on.

You'll have to remember to do something nice for your friends.

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note: filler chap. mostly unimportant but i think it's still relevant enough to the main story to build up her relationship with hiori yukki and kurona since she didn't really know them well before lol

you best believe i WILL incorporate a yukki kiss scene one way or another. just watch me i will do it