Proyect: Bland King - Ayanokouji Kiyotaka en Blue Lock

----Tohoku University, Japan----

In his dorm, Manabu sat down with his soccer nerd friends who begged him to watch the newest spectacle of national football on a week that didn't have any club football. He reluctantly agreed and sat at the end of the couch, not exactly all too interested in Japanese football. 

All he heard were the ramblings of Itoshi Sae playing for Japan's U-20 team against an unknown Blue Lock.

Their friend group consisted of 5 girls and 5 boys including him, balanced as all things should be. 

Their decently sized flat screen tv lit up and the game was about to start. 

???: Come on, Manabu. You should at least pretend to have fun. Here, have some soda. 

Manabu: Fine. 

Taking a can of soda from his friend and popping it open, Manabu just relaxed in place, pretending to care about the strangers he saw on screen. 

Manabu: (Soccer games tend to last at least two hours. This is going to be annoying)

???: Ah, there he is! Itoshi Sae! 

However, in that moment, something caught Manabu's eyes. The familiar presence of a kouhai he cherished flashed on the screen. 

Manabu was surprised but resorted to keeping his composure. It didn't last long, however. What appeared next proved it wasn't a fluke or hallucination.

*PFFFFFFFFFFFFFFT*

He spit out his drink and coughed slightly much to his friend's shock. 

???: Hey, are you good man? Something scare you?

Manabu: That player from Blue Lock... the one on the right wing... he was my underclassman. 

Another friend chimed in.

???: Eh?! Are you serious? Small world huh. 

Seeing Kiyotaka line up for the start of the game, Manabu couldn't help himself and started to chuckle.

???: No way? Is he... laughing?! I don't think I've even seen him smile!

Manabu: (I can't believe my luck. I don't know how you ended up playing soccer, Kiyotaka. But it doesn't matter. I know you can run pretty fast but what else can you do? Thanks for making today bearable.)

...

---MATCH START---

...

On Blue Lock's bench, where the subs, Anri and Ego sat, confusion surfaced in regard to their opponent's offense. 

Igarashi: The opponent's starting lineup doesn't include Shido?!

Raichi: Why the hell not?! Are they looking down on us?!

Hiori: Maybe he didn't mix too well over there, either?

Ego sighed as Anri looked slightly nervous. 

Ego: Something like that. Don't worry about it. It doesn't change what you all have to do. Execute the plan, you unpolished gems... rev up the Blue Lock Eleven. 

On the pitch, Rin checked the ball to Isagi, starting the game.

Isagi: (So our offense is made up of me, Rin and Nagi in the middle... the three of us will set up the foundation in a central, triangular formation!)

***Flashback***

Thinking back to a past memory during their training, Ego made their gameplan very clear. 

Ego: This particular formation is basically a 4-3-3 with Itoshi Rin at its lead. But this is only for when we're defending. When we're on the offensive, the key player is at its core. Karasu Tabito will fall back and defend as a back three with the other center backs. 

Karasu: I see. 

Ego: And the two side backs will move up... to make a 3-6-1, an explosive formation that crowds the midfield. This is made possible precisely because this is a team formed of only strikers. As a variable formation that allows for goals to be scored from everywhere. THIS IS THE SUPER AGGRESSIVE, BLUE LOCK SYSTEM.

***END OF FLASHBACK***

In that moment, both Bachira and Otoya jolted forward, passing both Yagami and Chou. Karasu dropped back in the middle of Arryu and Niko.

{{}}

From the stands, Hirata remarked on the change of offense. 

Hirata: So they're going for that approach. 

Kei and Sato Maya: What approach?!

{{}}

Yagami: Hm? They're raising their numbers. 

Niou: They're trying to attack us all at once. 

Isagi: (We can't waste the moment in which the opponent is still reacting to us. Go, monster!)

Their attack commenced with Isagi sending a dart pass over to Bachira. 

Bachira: FIRING OFF!

Immediately, one of U-20's defensive midfielders pushed up and met Bachira's advance. 

Hayate: Whoa. Whoa. You coming kid?

Bachira stuck out his tongue. 

Bachira: Got an issue with that? 

He quickly performed multiple step-overs and then a double feint, surprising the grounded Hayate. 

Hayate: (He's fast! A double touch feint-)

Immediately, Bachira turned on the ball and spun while maintaining his full speed. 

Bachira: (Aerial Rush Turn!)

Completely bypassing Hayate, Bachira pushed forward, surprising the entire stadium. 

{{}}

Arisu: He's quick on his feet. I guess he must specialize in dribbling. 

Kamuro: He looks pretty short, like a middle-schooler. 

{{}}

Wakatsuki pushed forward and almost stole the ball away from Bachira, who dropped back and assessed his situation. 

A slimmer of a flash passed by on the wing, making Bachira smile. 

Bachira: (Come on, one man army. Let's put on a show!)

*FLICK*

A perfectly placed pass met a perfect first touch. Kiyotaka touched the ball for the first time in the match.

{{}}

Hirata: Look! It's Kiyotaka-san's first touch of the game!

Maya: I knew he was an athlete when he ran side-by-side with President Horikita-san!

Suzune Horikita: But he's never shown any interest in football before. Nothing's making sense. He's wrongfully expelled and now a couple months later he's playing for an unknown organization known as 'Blue Lock?'

Kei was surprised to see Horikita looming over her. 

Suzune Horikita: And why is Yagami on the other side? He was also expelled and now he's a part of a football U-20 team with no prior experience?

Kei: Look you can ponder about conspiracies later, Horikita. Kiyo's attacking!

{{}}

Wakatsuki: (He's Kiyotaka, right? I heard he's dangerous in a 1v1 scenario-)

*FLASH*

Before he could even comprehend the situation, Kiyotaka had accelerated at full speed and left the unsuspecting midfielder in the dust. 

Wakatsuki: (He just went into a full speed sprint in less than a second, what the fuck-)

Kiyotaka: (With Shido on the bench, this is our best chance to get a lead.)

Darai: Something smells. Your moves do not escape me.

Kiyotaka: You're the team's buddha. Sorry but my effort is better spent on essential characters, not npcs. 

He dashed forward only to be stopped in his tracks by Darai's impressive off-the-ball movement and defense. No matter which direction, Kiyotaka couldn't get past him. 

Isagi looked on in surprise. 

Isagi: (Even Kiyotaka can't get past him?)

Rin: (Tsk, that bastard. He's just sizing him up.)

Darai: All your movements are known to me. You've been caught in my we-

Kiyotaka: Caught in what? 

He smashed forward this time using his physicality, shocking Darai. Forfeiting his defensive-area approach, he proceeded to fake a foul in order to regain possession of the football from an offensive mistake. 

However, before Kiyotaka could crash right into Darai, he stopped his momentum immediately and effortlessly completed a rainbow, catapulting the ball above Darai's head as his feet gave way. 

Darai: ...

Kiyotaka: Just like I said, fodder. 

{{}}

The fans looked on in sheer shock and bewilderment while Kiyotaka continued his advance. 

Ryuen: Kukuku, where the fuck did that come from? He looks like a male ballerina.

Katsuragi: I don't know much about soccer, but his speed is insane. It wasn't like this against Horikita Manabu.

Ibuki: It's cuz he's actually trying now. I don't know what the hell he's doing here but after beating the shit out of the four of us, does this really surprise anyone?

Albert: Not one bit. 

Kei cheered alongside Hirata and Maya, all in unison. Sudo, now swinging by to Horikita, was not as surprised as the rest. 

Sudo: He always had the body for this kind of thing but actually wanting to do it... that's not like him. Not that I'm complaining, fuck the U-20! Go, Kiyotaka! 

Koenji smiled and put his feet up, resting on the head of a student from Ichinose' class. 

{{}}

Tereasa: N-NUMBER 30 PASSES THROUGH DARAI AND INTO THE RIGHT CORNER OF THE FIELD WITH NOWHERE TO GO!

In a single second, Kiyotaka scanned the field in front of him and pinpointed the perfect choice of play. 

Aiku and Niou were in the middle, alongside a trio of Rin, Isagi and Nagi. However, the only player to have a decent amount of open space was Isagi. 

Kiyotaka: You better be ready for my pass. 

*PASS*

Hitting the ball from the right corner of the entire field, Kiyotaka sent it with great speed right towards Isagi, who was slightly outside the box. 

Isagi: (Kiyotaka's perfect pass... to me... I won't let it go to waste!)

The ball swooshed right through Niou, surprising him. Rin, Nagi, and the rest of the fans in the stand looked on as Isagi made contact with Kiyotaka's sideways cross. 

*SMASH*

The ball was hit awkwardly from the side of the ball, surprising Isagi. He failed on reacting to the pass in the appropriate time. It still shot forward, right towards the goal. 

The unsuspecting Goalkeeper was slightly out of position, surprised from Kiyotaka's sudden surge. 

He glided from the left-side of the goal all the way to the right, but his hand was still one-inch short. He wasn't going to get there on time. 

However, one individual, almost out of nowhere, jolted forward and hit the ball into the post with his head, saving the imminent goal. 

Isagi: WHAT?!

{{}}

Arisu: That twerp muffed his pass. He got the gitters or something? If he can't react to Kiyo then get him off the pitch. 

Kamuro: You're being a bit unfair...

Kei: Ah! So close! 

Hirata: That's Aiku for you: the captain of the Iron Wall Quartet. 

Ichinose was visibly angry. The thought of someone ruining her crush's perfect pass had her almost in a yandere state. 

Ichinose: Let him miss another one and see what happens to him. 

Kanzaki: Ichinose?

{{}}

Kiyotaka sighed. 

Kiyotaka: (Can't blame Isagi for that shot. It was on target and should have gone in. The U-20 team's captain is a monster.)

Aiku, like a snake suddenly emerging from a bush to ambush ongoing prey, kept the score 0-0. 

The ball went out of bounds, redirected off the post, and the game's first corner kick was called. 

Aiku: Hehe, not on my watch. 

Tereasa: AN INCREDIBLE JOB BY OLIVER AIKY CLEARING THE BALL THAT WAS MOMENTS AWAY FROM OPENING THE SCORE! WHAT DO YOU THINK, NATSUKI-SAN?!

{{}}

Ryuen: So Ayanokouji fucks up their defense and this guy is quiet but then starts fangirling over some fucking putrid header? Talk about bias.

Ishizaki: That wasn't just an ordinary header. It was a clean shot but Aiku reacted on sheer instinct. 

Ibuki: I never took you for a soccer geek. 

Ishizaki: Hey, don't be like that. 

Ike looked on alongside Shinohara. 

Ike: Damn, Ayanokouji should have given a better pass. But then again, it's not like he was ever a good soccer player. 

Shinohara giggled. 

Shinohara: He probably got picked off the street after getting expelled to be fodder for that total babe Itoshi Sae. 

{{}}

Natsuki: HE'S NOT CAPTAIN OF THE TEAM KNOWN FOR ITS STRONG DEFENSE AND QUICK COUNTERS, THE 'DIAMOND GENERATION' FOR NOTHING! IT'S GIVING ME GOOSBUMPS!

Chants of Aiku's name screamed out from every corner of the stadium. 

Isagi: (FUCK! His play just now... that's a defense that took into account the source of the pass and the positioning of every player! Taking in everything in an instant. He ran without hesitation toward where we could do the most damage. That's the only way he could've cleared it. It's... just like Kiyotaka's vision!)

Aiku: Here comes the throw-in! Everyone get to their positions!

Isagi: (Unless we can crush Aiku, we won't be able to win this match!!)

Aiku looked over Isagi and towards... Kiyotaka. 

Aiku: You're a popular guy, Kiyotaka. That other squirt couldn't stop talking about you. That was a pretty good pass. But did you know that people often see strikers as robbers, and defenders as cops. So, on my watch... I'm not letting no robbers steal any goals. 

Kiyotaka: Talk after you helped your goalkeeper keep a clean sheet. Actions speak louder than words. 

Isagi: (Even though Kiyotaka sent me a perfect pass, and my shot was on target, he saw through it and shut us down in an instant... so this is how amazing the U-20 team is... Oh this'll be fun... I'VE FOUND THE ONE I WANT TO CHALLENGE! AIKU WILL BE THE LANDMARK THAT LEADS ME TO FLOW!!) You're gonna wanna have me on a leash, Aiku. 

Aiku looked back over to Isagi, slightly smiling. 

Aiku: I might. 

...

...

...

Rin: I'm taking the corner. End of discussion. 

Kiyotaka put his hands out in sheer surrender. 

Kiyotaka: Fine by me. Have at it. 

Rin walked over to the corner, ready to take it as everyone else got into their positions. 

Kiyotaka: (He's not going to pass. I can tell at least that much. He's going to shoot from right there.)

Sae, immediately assessing the situation, switched onto Kiyotaka. 

Kiyotaka: (There's too many bodies in the box to take someone 1v1.)

Everyone inside the pitch awaited the whistle from the ref. 

*WHISTLE*

Rin smashed the ball cleanly through the middle, a large swerve in the right and then a simply curve to the left, guided the ball right towards an open pocket of space. 

{{}}

Arisu: Hm, from there?

Koenji: Not a bad approach! Although it only matters if it works!

Ryuen: We got a couple of loose cannons other than Ayanokouji it seems!

Kei: Why are you aiming at the goal?! Pass to Kiyo!

{{}}

The goalkeeper, however, chose not to move. And this was because Aiku had already gotten in position, clearing the ball away inches from the goal line and into the oncoming chaos. 

Rin: TSK!

Kiyotaka: (He really has everything on lockdown. However, he's still only human.)

He had already surmised Rin wouldn't score and instead positioned himself at the perfect place for the deflection, a couple of feet out of the penalty box. By sliding through a big body like Arryu, he was able to switch off Sae and escaped to his current position. The ball was displaced and getting closer and closer to Kiyotaka's feet.

Aiku: I see ya, robber. 

He dashed at full speed over to Kiyotaka, forsaking the penalty box so that he can overwhelm the potential goal scorer. 

The ball eventually was just a few centimeters from Kiyotaka's feet, as he looked over at the goal, and determined what he was going to do. 

Taking Isagi's weapon once again, he smashed the ball right dead in the center immediately, surprising Aiku who assumed he was going to control it first. 

{{}}

Kei: Yeah! Let's go! It's a goal!

Hirata: What a shot!

{{}}

It soared right past his grasp as it curved around and dropped beautifully towards the goal. 

The U-20 Goalkeeper could only look on as it reached closer and closer to the goal from the opposite side, his reflexes unable to react to such a perfect shot.

*HEADER*

On the brink of his first goal of the game from outside the box, Kiyotaka looked on in understanding and irritation at the sight before him. 

Yagami had analyzed Kiyotaka's movements up until this point and pushed forward, reaching the potential pocket of space in between the ball and the goal. 

Without a second to spare, he cleared the ball away and tumbled down on the ground, saving the score out of nowhere. 

{{}}

Kei: EHHHHHHH?!!!! How did that annoying expelled midget get there?!

Hirata: That was almost superhuman. He shouldn't be able to contort his body like that. 

Arisu: Fufufu, a match between White room students is so much fun...

Kamuro: What are you even spewing?

{{}}

Tereasa: WHAT A CLEARENCE FROM THE NEW ADDITION! A WELL-PLACED SHOT IS ONCE AGAIN SWATTED AWAY BY THE U-20'S RIGHT WING, TAKUYA YAGAMI!

Yagami smiled. 

Yagami: (You don't get to live the life you want after what you did. I'm going to make sure to get your ass back in the White room.)

Isagi: (Are you kidding me?! He blocked that?!)

Rin: (For a short midget, he can jump all right.)

And almost as if by fate, the ball drops and lands in the feet of the main actor of this game, Itoshi Sae. 

Yagami: (What's so special about some brat like him? Let's see.)

Kiyotaka: (Now comes the real challenge: the revamped offense under that kidnapper.)

The genius that is the pride of Japan! A world-level player bares his fangs against Kiyotaka and Blue Lock!!!

{{}}

Sudo: DEFEND! LET'S GO!

Nudging at Horikita and the others, Sudo urged them on. 

Sudo: Come on! We gotta cheer for our old classmate. 

Horikita: All he's getting is my silent affirmations. 

Maya: Woah, that's kinda sad. 

Kei and Hirata started yelling out to defend as Atsuomi Ayanokouji looked on from his seat, with a glare, assessing the situation.

{{}}

...

...

...

Tereasa: AND THE BALL GOES TO... ITOSHI SAE!!!!!!!!!

Cheers exploded from every reach and corner of the stadium. Signs, jerseys, chants and confetti erupted. The player that everyone came to see now had possession of the ball. 

{{}}

Kei: Jesus, it's so fucking loud. My ears are ringing. 

Hirata: That's Itoshi Sae for you. His fans are in the millions for a reason. He's a total prodigy.

{{}}

Isagi: (He's not the main actor for nothing.)

A flash of speed went right past Isagi. 

Kiyotaka: Guard Yagami. Seal him off from the others. 

Isagi could see the amount of determination Kiyotaka had. He agreed almost instantly. 

Isagi: Right!

He pressed forward to guard Yagami who was surging forward on the wing. 

Yagami: Wow, you let Kiyotaka-senpai order you around? 

Isagi smiled. 

Isagi: He says you're a danger, I'll help him guard you. 

Yagami: But how are you going to do that when you're so fucking slow. 

*DASH*

Isagi: Huh?!

Entering a second gear, Yagami stormed past Isagi, leaving him in the dust. This gave Isagi Chigiri vibes. 

Sae immediately passed forward to Kento, who remarked on the perfect pass he received. They were now penetrating Blue Lock's side. 

Kento: Just perfect. 

Arryu immediately dashed forward. 

Arryu: I am here to be your opponent mannequin Man. 

Kento: Nah. Come on, kid. 

He passed to an open space where Yagami immediately resurfaced. 

Yagami: Yes, sir!

 Karasu: Come at me, shorty. You're not leaving my side. 

Yagami: Sure, why not? I'm already where I'm supposed to be. 

*DART*

He sent a clean pass to the middle pocket of space in front of the penalty box now. 

Karasu: (SHIT! Are you kidding me?! He's already there?)

Itoshi Sae took the ball and was about to shoot. 

*FLASH*

Kiyotaka: Not so fast, prodigy. 

A shadow emerged from Sae's back. It was Kiyotaka. He had caught up in time and almost stole the ball away from Sae's side. 

{{}}

Hirata: Kiyotaka's on Sae!

Kei: (It doesn't look like they are all that fond of each other.)

{{}}

Sae: You're tenacious, I'll give you that. 

Completing multiple stepovers and turning on a dime right, Sae continued to extend his hand, protecting the ball in his grasp. 

Kiyotaka didn't let him off the hook as he stuck onto his side like monkey glue. 

Niko and Otoya, seeing this, rushed forward to assist Kiyotaka. 

Niko: (Good, we've got him surrounded! We've neutralized Itoshi Sae...)

An eerie feeling emerged in Kiyotaka's thoughts as he analyzed the situation in front of him. And all he could do was be impressed. 

*TAP*

In a single movement before Kiyotaka could deflect the ball away, Sae had sent it forward through the small gap in between Otoya and Niko. 

It was a perfect lob pass. 

Kiyotaka: (That's right... that's exactly right... he's not a striker... he's given up that path of his life already... Shido not being in the lineup... it makes sense. He's testing the offense that's already here. And the person he sent that pass to was...)

Sendo: HELL YEAH!

Niko: (Just how far ahead can he see...?!)

Gagamaru: Ah, shit. Here it comes!

*SMASH*

Sendo sent a clean kick through as it was just him, face-to-face with the goalkeeper, Gagamaru. 

Gagamaru: Right... I got it... FLY, MY SYNAPSES!

From the left side of the goal to the right, Gagamaru cleared it in less than a second, as the ball hit the post and out to the right-side corner. 

Gagamaru: (Gagamaru Punch!)

Niko: Nice, Gagamaru! 

Sendo: WHA...

Kiyotaka: (Incredible save.)

Yagami: (Are you fucking kidding me? It was just you and a striker they made a keeper. No wonder this Blue Lock project's got merit if this is their ace.)

Itoshi Sae's face, although emotionless, now had a visible glare of sheer annoyance at the incompetence put forth in front of him. 

Gagamaru: NOT YET! IT'S STILL IN PLAY!!! ITOSHI SAE'S GUNNING FOR IT!

Isagi, who had made it to the penalty box, saw Sae dribbling forward and immediately retreated into the mess of players in the box. 

Isagi: (WE HAVE TO GET READY FOR HIS PASS!) IT'S COMING AGAIN! WATCH OUT FOR A PASS TO THE CENTER!

Kiyotaka: (No... it's not a pass... he's annoyed. He's annoyed at the incompetence in front of him when he has a real weapon on the bench. I should know... I'd be annoyed in the same scenario.)

On the right corner of the penalty box, Itoshi Sae finally caught up to the displaced ball from Gagamaru's save. 

Gagamaru: (He can't make it from that angle... we'll be ok!)

*SMASH*

{{}}

Koenji: What a beautiful kick. It certainly is getting by the keeper. Although... it's a shame that's all it'll accomplish.

Hirata looked in amazement while Kei and the others looked a bit worried. 

Ike: Nice shot!

{{}}

The ball chipped Gagamaru completely and dropped down into the goal. 

Kiyotaka: (I'm here for a reason. Just a single reason....)

*BLIP*

The entire stadium that chanted Itoshi Sae's name stopped in the tracks. 

The entire U-20 team looked on in surprise. 

Gagamaru's mouth was wide open and everyone, including Rin widened their eyes at the sight. 

Itoshi Sae shared the same fate, his face showing his annoyance and his eyes showing his surprise. 

The ball never finished its intended course. It stopped mere centimeters away from the line. 

Seeing Aiku's perfect clearance and combining it with Nagi's ability on the fly, Kiyotaka controlled the ball in between his legs, midair, stopping its momentum and regaining possession.

{{}}

Ike: Wha...

Hirata and Kei screamed from their seats alongside Sudo and even Horikita who looked on in sheer admiration.

Arisu continued to chuckle as Ryuen almost fell from his seat in sheer euphoria. 

Ichinose, alongside the rest of her class, were completely stumped and couldn't articulate their emotions. 

In his VIP booth, Atsuomi Ayanokouji clenched his fist slightly and sat up on his seat. 

Atsuomi: (Do you think an amateur clearance merits any sort of praise? There's no situation where you won't be in the White Room again. Simple as that.)

{{}}

Tereasa: D-DENIED! NUMBER 30 WITH THE DEFENSIVE STOP!

Kiyotaka and Itoshi Sae met eyes. 

Kiyotaka: Win... I'm going to win...

Itoshi Sae: Fucking pest. 

Entranced in silence, all the attendance could do was process what had just happened. 

He dropped down from his jump and sent a pass cleanly forward to the determined Otoya. He used his stealthy steps to move forward. 

Kiyotaka: Nagi, Rin, Isagi...

The three looked over to Kiyotaka as he stared them down with conviction. 

Kiyotaka: Time for our counterattack. 

--------------------

Time: 15 minutes