Chapter 93: Niko's Forehead
Burp.
Igaguri patted his round, stuffed belly with a satisfied look.
"I'm definitely choosing Team A," he announced with a smug grin. "After all, Kira and Shidou are both there. It's the easiest ticket to a win."
In Igaguri's eyes, latching onto the heavy hitters of Team A was the smartest way to coast through the match.
"I think I'll go with B or C," Gagamaru replied after a moment of thought. "No specific reason. Just a gut feeling."
"I heard the audiovisual room has footage of every match played so far. I'm going to watch those first," Raichi said, showing a rare flash of strategic planning. "Then I'll pick the team that visually clicks with my style."
Everyone nodded in agreement. Raichi's method was surprisingly solid and logical.
Bachira, however, looked completely relaxed as he shared his plan. "I'm going to let an Amidakuji[1] [1] decide."
"Huh? Are you seriously leaving your future up to a child's game?" Raichi looked at him like he was an idiot.
"What about you, Chigiri?" Raichi turned to ask the redhead.
Chigiri hummed for a moment, then shook his head. "I haven't decided yet..."
Deep down, Chigiri wanted to choose Kira's team, but he worried that being in Kira's shadow wouldn't allow him to fully showcase his own weapon—his speed.
"And you, Kunigami?"
The question fell to the orange-haired hero.
Kunigami's gaze darkened instantly. "I'm definitely not picking Team A. I don't care if Kira is there."
"I'm going to crush that pink-haired bully."
"Isagi will probably pick A or B," Bachira said, looking at Isagi like he had him all figured out.
"Eh? Bachira, you actually understand what I'm thinking?" Isagi was surprised.
"We've been teammates for a long time, haven't we?" Bachira grinned. "If you pick Team A, you can maximize your chemical reaction with Kira."
"If you pick Team B, you get to fight Rin for control of the match."
"Either way, both teams have something for you to devour. You'll gain something no matter which one you choose."
Bachira analyzed the situation with a serious expression.
'This guy...'
Isagi's impression of Bachira shifted. Bachira wasn't just the happy-go-lucky eccentric he appeared to be. When it came to football, his instincts and intellect were terrifyingly sharp.
Isagi was torn between A and B.
His gut leaned toward Rin's team. That environment offered more chaos, more unknown possibilities to exploit.
If he went to Kira's team, there was a high risk he'd end up in Kira's shadow, just playing a supporting role. He'd likely end up assisting Kira over and over until the game ended.
Which side should he choose?
Isagi remained lost in the maze of his own ambition.
***
Meanwhile.
Kira and Rin had returned to their room early. The dormitory arrangements for this selection round kept the original five-man groups together.
As Kira was organizing his clothes by his bedside, he noticed a card sitting conspicuously on his pillow.
"Whose card is this?"
Kira looked confused.
Rin, intrigued by Kira's voice, walked over to check it out.
Kira picked it up.
"Adam Blake!!!"
Kira's hand trembled, and he almost dropped the card.
"Why would he give you his contact info?" Rin asked, his eyes widening in shock.
"Wait, there's writing on the back."
Rin's sharp eyes caught the handwritten English text on the reverse side.
Kira flipped it over and read it aloud.
"My dearest Kira... my little partner."
"By the time you read this, I'll be on a flight back to Europe."
"The biggest surprise of this trip to Japan was meeting you."
"You are welcome to come find me in Europe. If you need anything, I'm here to help."
"For example, if you want to come play in the Premier League..."
"—Blake."
Rin sucked in a sharp breath.
It wasn't just Loki who had eyes on Kira. Even the Premier League's top scorer had left a personal card to recruit him.
If Rin said he wasn't envious, he'd be lying.
That was the Premier League! The biggest stage in the world. So many of the stars Rin admired played there.
Kira felt a momentary rush of joy, but then, the image of Blake's lecherous, creepy smile from that night flashed through his mind.
"No way..."
A chill ran down Kira's spine.
Rip. Rip. Rip.
Without hesitation, Kira tore the business card into tiny confetti.
That old creep. He couldn't be trusted.
He was definitely interested in something other than Kira's football skills.
"Huh? You..."
Even the stoic Rin couldn't control his expression.
That was Adam Blake's personal card. And you just ripped it up like that?
"Let's focus on playing football here first. One step at a time," Kira explained with a serious face, ignoring Rin's shock.
Whether Rin believed him or not was another matter.
***
High in the sky.
Adam Blake suddenly sneezed violently.
"What the hell? Why do I suddenly feel a bad omen?"
Blake rubbed his nose, confused.
***
Public Washroom.
Isagi stood in front of the mirror, getting ready to brush his teeth.
A towering figure walked up beside him.
It was Barou.
"Barou, have you decided on your team?"
Isagi was curious about the King's choice.
"What is there to hesitate about? It's all the same to me," Barou scoffed.
"None of the three teams have anyone I've played with before."
"Besides, wherever I go, I'm the King. I dominate the field."
"Incredible. That's just like you, Barou." Isagi genuinely admired Barou's unwavering philosophy.
"But, Isagi. I didn't expect you to miss out on the Top 6."
Barou dropped the comment casually, catching Isagi off guard.
Isagi had also thought he would make the cut. It was surprising that Barou, of all people, thought so too.
"You were the one who dragged us kicking and screaming all the way back to face Kira and Rin."
"Aside from Kira, you're the one I want to crush the most."
"Don't go dying in a ditch in a place like this, you scrub."
"Oh…" Isagi stared blankly, joy rising in his chest.
Someone actually recognized his growth!
After the brief exchange, Barou finished washing up at lightning speed and marched out.
Isagi continued brushing his teeth, savoring Barou's backhanded encouragement.
"Isagi, can I borrow your face wash?"
Isagi turned around to find Niko standing right next to him.
"Huh? Oh? Niko."
Isagi's reaction was a beat slow.
Niko had already grabbed the face wash without waiting for an answer.
"Looks like you haven't chosen your team yet."
"You caught my attention back when I played Team Z. Not like Kira, but still."
'Oh.'
'You really didn't need to add that last part.'
Isagi silently thanked Niko for his "good" memory and nodded, admitting he was still undecided.
"Ego-san is doing this to ignite our competitive instincts. He wants to see if we're compatible with the Top 6."
"Yeah. Niko, have you decided on your team?"
"I'm choosing the team that allows me to enforce my personal style."
I see.
Isagi nodded again. It seemed both Niko and Barou had clear visions for themselves.
"Oh, right. Isagi."
"What?" Isagi leaned in, expecting some profound insight or declaration of war.
"Can you get out? I don't want anyone to see me washing my forehead."
Niko held Isagi's face wash, issuing a blunt eviction notice.
"Hah?"
"Oh. Okay. Sure. Whatever."
Isagi felt baffled as he quickly finished rinsing and walked out.
'What is there to be shy about?'
'Is there gold buried under those bangs or something?'
Isagi walked away, utterly speechless.
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[1]: Amidakuji is a simple lottery game where you follow lines from top to bottom to randomly determine a result. It's often used in Japan to make decisions by chance.
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[1] Amidakuji is a simple lottery game where you follow lines from top to bottom to randomly determine a result. It's often used in Japan to make decisions by chance.