Chapter 2 – The Eyes That Refuse to Yield
Early Morning. Bright Skies.
The sun rose gently over Saitama, casting a golden hue over the quiet city streets.
In a nearby park, two figures ran along a worn dirt path.
Their breath was heavy. Their pace relentless.
"Phew~ Ten kilometers… complete~! Oh yeah~!"
Yūshin Seiichi stopped beside his twin, hands on his hips, sweat glistening across his forehead. He exhaled deeply and smiled in satisfaction.
Since the age of five, the twins had trained side by side—always pushing each other, always racing to get better.
It was their way of life.
"Zeya," Seiichi said as he let down his ponytail and tied it back up with a snap.
But Yūshin Zeya didn't respond. Headphones on, lost in his own world, he kept stretching in silence.
With a pout, Seiichi yanked the headphones off.
"Hey! You better be listening!"
Zeya gave him an irritated glare, wiping sweat from his jaw with a towel.
"What now?"
"You want to see Blue Lock, right? I'll take you to where it starts—today."
Seiichi's eyes narrowed into a sly smile as he handed the headphones back.
Zeya paused.
"Oh? Where?"
"3:30 p.m. Saitama Prefecture. Odori Stadium."
National High School Football Championship – Saitama Prefecture Finals
Odori Stadium.
The brothers arrived late. As they entered the grandstands, the air buzzed with electric energy. Spectators waved banners, cheer squads bounced in rhythm, and chants echoed across the packed coliseum.
"Oof, we're a bit late," Seiichi muttered as they looked for seats.
The match had already been underway for fifteen minutes. The score was locked at 0–0, and both teams were still testing each other.
"Come on, there's room over there," Zeya said, pulling his turtleneck higher. The chill of late autumn was settling in, and without motion, it crept beneath his clothes.
They pushed through the crowd and found two seats. As soon as they sat down—
"Look! It's the Gemini of Rikkai!"
"They're really here! Yūshin Seiichi and Yūshin Zeya!"
"I heard they're as skilled as Itoshi Sae!"
"No way—Sae's already playing in Spain. He's one of the Top 11 of the new era."
"Have you even seen the twins play? Their control of the field is just as dominant!"
Whispers turned into debates. Fans leaned in. The excitement wasn't even about the match anymore.
"I told you to wear a hat and a mask!" Seiichi hissed, jabbing a finger at his brother.
"How was I supposed to know we're this famous?" Zeya muttered, flushing a little.
"You're famous? Please. Everyone's here for me."
On the Field
The game was still neck and neck.
Suddenly—
Counterattack!
Yinan High School intercepted a pass and surged forward.
A long ball sailed into the air.
"Kira Ryōsuke controls it—on the chest! What a touch!"
"Let's go, Matsukaze Kuroo High!"
"Come on, Kirara!"
With a dazzling bicycle kick, Kira shook off his defender, fired a sharp cross—
Goal!
The stadium roared.
1–0. Matsukaze Kuroo took the lead.
Kira's teammates swarmed him in celebration. The cheerleaders danced. The chants doubled.
The first half ended moments later, and both teams retreated into the locker rooms.
"That's it? You brought me to watch this?" Zeya said, crossing his arms. His voice was icy.
Seiichi winced.
"You're really impossible to please."
Zeya's tone turned darker.
"This is why I don't want to stay in this country. Except for that No. 10—Kira—the rest are trash. This level of play won't get anyone to the top of the world."
He stood up to leave.
"Wait—wait! Where are you going?!"
"Bathroom."
Seiichi facepalmed.
"This guy… totally different from me. No patience."
Second Half – Final Stretch
Fifteen minutes later.
The whistle blew.
The second half kicked off, and now Yinan's No. 11, a lean striker named Isagi Yoichi, stood at the center circle.
His fists clenched.
"Nationals… I want to make it to the national tournament!"
The game ramped up. The crowd's noise grew sharper.
From the sidelines, Seiichi noticed Zeya returning.
"Back already? Thought you were gone for good."
"Still haven't explained the point of this match," Zeya said, sitting down again.
"Relax. You'll see. Consider this your mental training for the day."
As the final minutes ticked down, tension gripped the stadium.
90 minutes. 5 minutes of stoppage time.
Corner kick — Matsukaze Kuroo.
Boom!
But the Yinan defenders cleared it!
The ball dropped to Isagi's feet!
Counterattack!
"Go!"
Yinan's cheer section exploded.
Isagi tore down the field, eyes locked on the goal.
His pace was blinding. The defenders were left behind, gasping.
"I will go to Nationals!"
Cycling!
He passed the final defender!
Only the goalkeeper remained.
The crowd was on their feet.
"Shoot! Shoot! Shoot!"
Isagi grit his teeth, sweat pouring down, body on fire.
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw an open teammate to his right.
"Isagi! I'm open!" shouted Tada, No. 9.
Isagi hesitated.
His coach screamed from the sidelines:
"I am for everyone—and everyone is for me!"
A lesson from every team huddle. A mantra.
He passed.
Tada shot—
Clang!
The ball hit the post.
Silence.
A rebound. Kira pounced.
Goal. 2–0. Game Over.
Isagi stood frozen, staring at the scoreboard as despair swept over him.
His dream of the national tournament…
Gone.
On the Train Ride Back
The train rattled quietly.
Zeya stared out the window in silence.
Seiichi couldn't take it anymore.
"Hey… don't ignore me. Are you mad again?"
No answer.
"Are we breaking up? Don't leave me, man. We've been friends two lifetimes."
Zeya exhaled, still looking out.
"So… are you going to tell me or not?"
Seiichi perked up.
"The protagonist of Blue Lock was in today's match. On the field."
He leaned in, eyes twinkling.
Zeya looked at him, eyes sharp.
"No. 11. From Yinan High. Isagi Yoichi."
Seiichi blinked.
"Huh? That obvious? What about Kira? The guy's good-looking, talented, hyped as Japan's golden boy."
Zeya shook his head.
"It was the eyes. Isagi's eyes. Even after losing, he didn't break. His eyes didn't give up."
He looked at Seiichi with rare intensity.
"You saw that from the stands? What are you, clairvoyant?"
Seiichi rolled his eyes, but didn't argue further.
He knew Zeya was right.
"I am for everyone… everyone is for me."
Seiichi laughed softly.
"What a joke. I thought that was a slogan for environmentalism."
He looked out the window.
"See you soon, Isagi Yoichi… in Blue Lock."