Chapter 16 – Chigiri Hyōma
"Cheers!"
"Cheers to Team Z's second win!"
"It's delicious~"
"Smells so good~ Smells so good~"
"I haven't eaten meat in so long. This is amazing!" Kunigami Rensuke smiled as he tore into a skewer.
"My tooth fillings! Why aren't you eating?"
Imamura Yudai lunged toward Wanima Yūma and tried to snatch a piece of beef, only to be thrown to the floor and pinned down.
…
"Seiichi, why aren't you eating?" Isagi Yoichi approached, confused, watching Yūshin Seiichi squatting in the corner drawing circles on the ground.
Hearing Isagi's voice, Seiichi turned his head dramatically, tears welling in his eyes.
"Yoichi… do you think Zeya might've changed his phone already? What if he messaged me… and I never replied?"
"…Huh?"
Isagi scratched his cheek awkwardly. How many personalities does this guy have…?
"Seiichi~ you said you were going to redeem your points and treat us to meat, remember?" Bachira Meguru strolled over and ruffled Seiichi's blue hair.
"Here, say 'ahh~'!" Bachira offered him a slice of beef with a goofy smile.
"You're too kind, Bachira~ Next match, I'll only pass to you~"
"Really?! Then I'll give you some of mine too!"
Isagi stared blankly at them. These two totally struck a deal just now, didn't they?
…
Dormitory – Later That Night
Ugh, too excited to sleep.
Isagi sat up. He had evolved again today, and the adrenaline still rushed through his veins.
He scanned the room.
Huh? Where's Chigiri? And Seiichi? He stood and stretched. Maybe Seiichi's off trying to scam another reward. Diligent genius… No way I'm slacking off!
He stepped out into the corridor.
Wait… why are the lights on in the AV room?
Isagi pushed the door open.
"Chigiri?"
Inside, Chigiri Hyōma sat alone, watching footage of their earlier match.
"Oh—Yoichi. What are you doing here?" Chigiri looked back, surprised.
"Couldn't sleep. Was hoping to ask Seiichi something. You?"
Chigiri turned to the screen again. "He went toward the training field. As for me… I'm here to watch the game again."
"You were the only one who broke free from Seiichi's 'cage' today and scored," he added. "You're probably the only one he truly recognized in Team Z… I'm jealous, Yoichi."
Isagi sat beside him quietly.
"Before Blue Lock, I never imagined I'd get to feel the joy of scoring like that. It was like being reborn." He stared at his open palms.
"But honestly… if I had to do it again, I'm not sure I could. What happened in that moment… it just felt right. Like instinct."
"You awakened your ego," Chigiri replied. "And I think your spatial awareness is even more special."
"Spatial awareness…" Isagi muttered, scratching his head. "Seiichi said something like that too. But I still don't really get it."
"When most players run at full speed or dribble, their field of vision narrows. But you—sometimes you see the entire field, as if you're watching from above."
"Like a god's perspective," Chigiri explained, pointing upward. "That's spatial cognition."
Isagi's eyes sharpened.
That's it. That feeling… like I can see the whole field all at once.
"But I'm still relying too much on instinct. I haven't mastered it."
He clenched his fists.
"Oh, right—Chigiri. What's your weapon?"
Chigiri's body tensed. "Didn't I tell you? I don't want to talk about it."
"Huh? Why not? I want to understand you."
"…My right knee's ACL is torn," Chigiri said at last, hand pressed to his knee.
"I got injured a year ago. Doctor said one more tear, and I could lose my football career forever."
Isagi fell silent.
"I used to have a powerful weapon, just like you," Chigiri said, standing. "Today, I wanted to score like you. To prove to Seiichi that I'm not a waste. That I'm a genius too."
"…But now, I'm scared. Scared of getting hurt again. Scared of losing football."
He walked to the door, shoulders heavy.
"I came to Blue Lock looking for a reason to give up on my dream. And after watching you and Seiichi… maybe now I finally can."
He reached for the door handle.
"You're lying, Chigiri," Isagi said from behind.
Chigiri froze.
"Don't blame others. You don't actually want to give up. I don't either."
"This… isn't the victory I imagined. If I stayed under Seiichi's shadow forever, I'd never become the world's best striker."
"I want to prove I can win on my own."
"You'll never grab your dream if you're too scared to risk losing it."
Chigiri clenched the handle.
"…What do you know about me?!" he barked, then stormed out.
Isagi didn't follow. He just stared at the door.
Chigiri…
He turned and left the AV room.
I still need to find Seiichi. There's more I need to ask.