It was nearly 10 p.m., and Ryan knew exactly who would still be awake.
He opened the chat with Utaha Kasumigaoka, his "third" girlfriend, though certainly not the least dangerous one.
Utaha:
"Junior-kun, remember to take care of yourself over there, okay? Don't let some pretty girl seduce you the world's full of bad women nowadays."
"Ahh, it's almost deadline day again. I've been writing all night, I'm exhausted… I really need one of your hugs to recharge."
"My new book signing's coming up. Once I make more money, I'll buy a big house… and lock you in the basement so you'll belong only to me."
"Hahaha! Eriri asked me where you've been. Said she hasn't heard from you in days. You didn't tell her, did you? Serves that blonde loser right. Should've quit early."
"Why aren't you replying? Don't tell me you're out with another woman. Are you getting tired of me?"
Then came several provocative photos, the kind that could kill a man who'd been surrounded by sweaty athletes for a week.
Ryan's blood pressure spiked.
He clapped his hands together, shut his eyes, and chanted under his breath:
"Namu Amida Butsu… Namu Amida Butsu…"
After a few repetitions, he managed to calm his raging heart.
I can't lose focus now. Training and matches come first… women come second.
Just as he was "critically analyzing" the photos purely from an artistic standpoint, of course his phone buzzed again.
Incoming video call: Utaha Kasumigaoka.
Ryan sighed, closed the photos, and answered.
Utaha appeared on screen, lying sideways on her bed. Her face filled half the frame the rest occupied by just enough… "accidental" exposure to be dangerous.
"You too, huh? Calling at this hour?"
"Oh~ so there were others before me? Let me guess Mai?"
"Uh… maybe."
"And I bet Yukino too, right? Ugh, always last. Figures."
"Come on, don't be jealous. You're all equally important in my heart."
"Heh. You really are greedy, aren't you? Aren't you afraid one of us might pull a kitchen-knife ending on you one day? I still can't believe I agreed to date you even knowing you already had two girlfriends."
Ryan wiped the sweat off his forehead.
Her passive-aggressive aura's off the charts tonight. Gotta flip this fast.
"I saw the photos you sent me."
"Oh? Did you like them?"
"Loved them. The moment I saw them, every ounce of fatigue from training just melted away."
"You exaggerate."
"Nope, not a bit. Even though you were the third to join, Utaha, you're the one who matters most to me. Why else would I have chosen you over Eriri?"
"You'd better not be lying. You really won't get swept away by some new girl?"
"Of course not. I already have you, that's more than enough. You're all my wings."
Her lips curved into a small smile.
"I know. I was just venting. It gets lonely, writing alone at night, no one to talk to…"
Ryan's tone softened.
"We're both chasing our dreams, yours as a writer, mine as a footballer. Don't lose heart, Utaha. Where's that sharp-tongued senpai I fell for? Once I score ten goals, I'll trade for a day pass and come see you all. Everyone gets their turn."
"Hmph. You're talking about other women while flirting with me. You really are scum, Junior-kun."
"I just don't want to lie to you because you matter too much to me."
Utaha looked down, silent.
"What's wrong? Blushing?"
Her head jerked up; sure enough, her cheeks were red.
"You're awfully smooth. You say this to all three, don't you?"
"Nope. Only to you."
She stared into his eyes through the screen, then nodded shyly.
"Alright… I believe you."
After a few more minutes of small talk, she yawned.
"I'll hang up now. You should sleep too. Athletes need good schedules."
The call ended, and Ryan collapsed backward onto his bed.
Phew… survived another boss battle.
The Next Morning
On the practice field, Team Z was running through the new rotation strategy.
Chigiri stood off to the side, visibly conflicted.
Ryan noticed immediately and clapped his hands loudly.
"Attention! Eyes on me! Chigiri's got something to say."
Everyone stopped training and gathered around.
Chigiri shot Ryan a deadly glare; Ryan just smiled back innocently.
Now cornered, Chigiri took a breath and spoke.
"Everyone… a year ago, I tore my right ACL. The doctor said if it happens again, my career's over. I came to Blue Lock looking for a reason to give up.
But Ryan woke me up. I've been running scared afraid to sprint again. But now I've realized… even if this leg breaks, even if it's the last time, I want to run again."
Ryan grinned.
"What're you waiting for? Clap, people."
Applause filled the field.
"So that's why the princess kept slacking off."
"So Chigiri's weapon… is speed?"
That day, Chigiri joined training in earnest.
The moment he sprinted, jaws dropped, his acceleration was insane.
Almost as fast as Ryan. Almost.
Whether Ryan was going all-out, no one could tell.
Match Day: Team Z vs Team Y
Team Z arrived early to warm up. A few minutes later, Team Y walked in.
Kuon briefed everyone:
"Y lost their first match, they've got their backs to the wall. Expect them to come out desperate.
Watch number 9: Kyōki Ōkawa, the top scorer from the Kumamoto regional tournament. Excellent finisher."
No sooner had he spoken than Ōkawa strode straight toward them toward Ryan.
"Ryan Hoshino. This time, I'm going to defeat you."
"Uh… sorry, who?"
Ōkawa's vein bulged.
"You seriously don't remember me?! I was in the national quarterfinals last year you eliminated me!"
"Can't say I recall. I've beaten too many people to keep track. Hmm… was it 'Ō-Ogre,' right?"
"Ō-Kawa! Whatever! This time, I'll make sure you remember my name forever."
"Cute. Even nobodies who can't win nationals think they can trash talk me now. Guess I've been too nice."
"Hmph. You'll eat those words. I've trained like a demon for this day. Just wait till kickoff!"
"Sure thing," Ryan said with a lazy grin. "I'll be watching. Try not to embarrass yourself."
The whistle blew moments later.
The showdown between the prodigy and the obsessed rival was about to begin.
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~> Bonus Chapter every 300PS!!