Chapter 15: Relaxation and Chaos

With a team of 4, Ayanokouji walked through the exit, as a long hallway opened up that lead right into the next stage.

Shido: I wanna get another match already. Let's just fight the first team we see.

Igarashi: What?! We need to rest. We just finished a match right now.

Raichi: Whatever, chump. I'm perfectly fine to go again.

Shido: See, even shark boy gets it.

Raichi: Why, you...

Ayanokouji: We'll have to choose our next opponent carefully. We need one final player to complete our team.

Shido: Does it really matter all that much? The rest are just extras with me and you as the headliners, hehehe.

Igarashi: Huh?!

Raichi: Fucking bastard.

Ayanokouji: They're not extras. They're our defense.

Shido: Ya think I can pick the next person we take?

Ayanokouji: If you score more goals than me, then you can.

Shido: Hehehe, that's kind of unfair since I'm receiving passes from you.

Ayanokouji: I'll still grab a few myself.

Finally, the group entered the 4th stage room and saw... no one. It was completely empty.

Shido: Huh? What the hell is this?

Ayanokouji: Look over there.

On the wall, there was a sign that read: 'You must wait 24 hours before challenging another team.'

Shido: Tch! And there goes my hard-on.

Igarashi: Oh thank god, we can rest until tomorrow.

A timer started, showing a count down from 24 hours.

There was an exit door on the side that left stage 4, where the four strikers went through another hallway opening up to the cafeteria.

Ayanokouji: New quarters. Not bad.

Inside his pocket, Ayanokouji took out his phone that showed it was already nighttime.

Ayanokouji: Let's grab some dinner and find the room they've allocated for us.

Igarashi: Works for me! I'm starving!

Raichi: They might get us some good food this time.

Because of the teams low rankings, they were given low-ranked food. Ayanokouji had the usual rice and miso soup but his side dish was natto. Shido had pickled raddish. Igarashi had ramen. Raichi, on the other hand, had a Hamburger steak.

Igarashi: No fair, Raichi. I want it-

Raichi: Get your own fucking steak. This one is mine.

Igarashi: Shouldn't the loser be grateful the winner chose them?!

Ayanokouji quietly ate his food, and Shido used his chopsticks to snatch some natto from him.

Shido: I'll give ya some radish for some of your natto.

Ayanokouji: Look over there.

Shido peered his head towards where Ayanokouji was looking at and there he saw a place that redeemed points that you've accumulated.

Ayanokouji: You scored 3 goals today. Eat whatever you want from there. I was going to get some steak for the table.

Raichi: Really? Fuck yeah.

Igarashi: Ah, a juicy steak...

Shido smiled.

Shido: I guess I can treat myself.

Ayanokouji: I'll go with you. Might as well get my steak too.

Both Shido and Ayanokouji went and reclaimed a total of five steaks from the point area, bringing it back to the table.

Igarashi: Ah, so many...

Shido: What are ya blabbering about? Three are mine.

Igarashi: EH?! There's no way you're gonna eat 3 steaks on your own!

Shido: Is that so? Watch me, Baldy!

Ayanokouji: Relax everyone. Here, you and Raichi each take one steak.

Igarashi: But you won't get to eat one, Ayanokouji.

Ayanokouji: That's fine. I normally fill myself up with just the miso soup and white rice.

Shido looked over and smiled.

Shido took a piece of the steak on his chopsticks and held it towards Ayanokouji.

Shido: Hey, Kiyo. Say 'Ah'.

Raichi: What the fuck?

Ayanokouji: (I didn't think Shido would be the sharing type. But why from his chopsticks? He didn't even clean them off with a napkin. I guess it's fine.)

Ayanokouji's head reached over and was about to bite the piece of meat right off Shido's chopsticks when he used his own chopsticks and snatched it up.

Ayanokouji: Thank you Shido.

Shido: (Eh... cheeky Kiyo.)

Igarashi: So... shouldn't we train together as a group before our next match? That way we have better chemistry.

Shido: But I got a great little wavelength with Kiyo over here, right?

Igarashi: I know but-

Ayanokouji: Shido's right. As long as we know each of our roles, we'll be just fine. The connection between Shido and I can't get more precise through training. He only awakens himself where the soccer is the most intense.

Raichi: You're gonna leave me on defense the whole time?

Ayanokouji: Exactly. With you and Igarashi in the back, our opponent can't counterattack properly. Shido and my aggressive prowess will be enough. We just need to choose a team with a suitable player to round out our 5.

Shido: Naturally it's gotta be the strongest team. I don't want another lopsided score like last match.

He stared right at Raichi and smiled.

Raichi: Bastard...

Ayanokouji: We'll pick a suitable team tomorrow. Today, eat and rest. Everyone needs to be at 100 percent by tomorrow.

The group of four finished their meal in the cafeteria and cleared their plates. Signs in the hallways directed them to their rooms. In the room they chose, it was surrounded in concrete and a screen on the wall had each of their names down along with their ranks. Two sets of bunk beds was all the furniture this small room had.

Igarashi: It's like a prison cell.

Raichi: Tch. Maybe a sleeping bag's better than this.

Shido: So me and Kiyo can sleep in this one and you two go sleep in the other one.

Igarashi: Hey-

Ayanokouji: Sure, I don't mind. I'll sleep in the bottom bunk.

Shido smiled and wrapped his arm around Ayanokouji's shoulder.

Shido: Sweet dreams everyone. Don't wake us up and keep your hands to yourself.

Ayanokouji: I could say the same to you.

Grabbing Shido up, Ayanokouji threw him up into the top bunk as his head hit the ceiling.

Igarashi and Raichi: EH?!

Shido: (He's been holding back that strength of his, hehehehe. How many layers do I gotta peel away? And what will I find inside? I'm sure it'll be divine.)

With that, the group decided to call it a night.

...

...

...

Kei: How's everything going with you, Kiyo?

Ayanokouji: I'm fine. Just tired today.

Kei: School's so annoying without you there. I... really miss you.

Ayanokouji: I'll be waiting for you on graduation.

Kei: Can you bring flowers and a limo to pick me up?

Ayanokouji: I never took you for a 'fancy' girl.

Kei started laughing.

Ayanokouji: What's so funny?

Kei: I don't know, hehehe. Seems like you've changed a bit.

Ayanokouji: Have I?

Kei: Yeah, I can tell your emotions a little better now. You seem very happy. It better not be because of another girl though.

Ayanokouji: No, like I said. It's an all-boy academy. I guess you can chalk it up to a new friend I made recently.

Kei: Look at you, Mr. Popular.

Ayanokouji: It was more so forced at first but it hasn't been so bad recently. 

Kei: So, Kiyo. Let's say I withdrew from ANHS. Can we see each other immediately?

Ayanokouji: You shouldn't even think about it unless it already happens. From what you've told me, Horikita has been doing a good job at maintaining the class' ranking and accumulating points. Ride it out till the end. Don't make enemies. This is a big opportunity for you.

Kei: You're right... it's just that I feel like there's no point in staying here if I can't see you.

Ayanokouji: Well, to answer your initial question, even if you did drop out, we wouldn't be able to hang out because I'm stuck at this academy for the rest of this year and the next.

Kei: Y-Yeah, you're right. What was I even thinking, hehehe.

Ayanokouji: Well goodnight.

Kei: Eh? So soon?

Ayanokouji: Oh right. I love you. Good night.

Kei: EH?!!!

*Call ended.*

Shido: A girlfriend. A robot like you has a girlfriend? How did that come about?

From the top bunk, Shido poked his head down to Ayanokouji's bed.

Ayanokouji: I confessed to her a few months ago and she agreed.

Shido: You must have been some soccer superstar at your school. She probably leached onto you cuz of your popularity.

Ayanokouji: No. I rode the bench my entire career.

Shido: Nah, I don't buy it.

Ayanokouji sighed.

Ayanokouji: It's midnight. Go to sleep. Just think about chemical reactions or something so you can go to sleep.

Shido: That's not gonna make me sleep. Oh, I know. How bout a relaxing bath?

Ayanokouji: A bath at this time of the night?

Shido: Yeah, why not? Come on, let's just relax in a bath room.

Ayanokouji: Sure. If it'll get you to sleep soundly for the rest of the night.

Shido smiled.

Shido: Ya won't regret this. Let's go.

Quietly jumping down, Shido sneakily walked out of the room alongside Ayanokouji who left his phone inside his covers.

...

...

...

Shido: Ah, this is the stuff. No one ever wanted to go with me and it's no fun if I'm alone.

Both Shido and Ayanokouji were naked and inside the bath room's hot pool.

Shido swam aimlessly around the hot pool while Ayanokouji remained in place, relaxing his tense muscles.

Shido: See, I told ya this will do you some good. Ya gotta listen to me more often. Now come here. I'm gonna wash your back.

Ayanokouji: No thank you. I can do that on my own.

Shido: So I wanted to ask ya since I overheard your conversation with your girlfriend... but why are you lying to her? Shouldn't she be happy you're in something like this.

Ayanokouji: She worries about me alot. I just want her to be happy.

Shido: I guess that's not the only thing you've lied about. The more important question is this: How did you come her without playing a single soccer game in your entire life?

He smiled towards Ayanokouji as he looked completely deadly.

Ayanokouji: And what proof do you ha-

Shido: Those damn eyes of yours!

Ayanokouji: This again?

Shido: I always got pissed off when bastards shit-talk soccer as some sort of sport that needs tactics or 'just kicking a goal in a net.' Soccer is life. I don't care about becoming the best striker or even the best player in the world. I just want to score goals to satisfy my thirst for greatness. I want the world to know me.

Shido cleaned some foam off his face and folded back his long hair.

Shido: The reason I called you boring in the beginning, was because in your eyes, you felt the same way everyone else around me felt: lifeless and unmoved about soccer. Even those puny-ass strikers had something in their eyes. Each of them liked to play soccer or at least felt some sort of puny joy about it. But you, you were different. I could tell you never scored a goal in your entire life.

Ayanokouji: So what changed?

Shido laughed.

Shido: That's what I wanted to know? You couldn't even understand my shock when I looked into those same eyes again.

Ayanokouji: What did you see?

Shido: A bomb. A nuclear bomb that hasn't been detonated. Your eyes had passion for the game and because of that, I saw some life in you. And now, even after that match, your eyes keep changing. You're slowly becoming like me. Soccer is becoming your life.

Ayanokouji: I wouldn't go that far, but I'd be lying if I said I haven't felt different.

Shido: I bet you'll know more about ya true self once ya break your limits. And it will be pretty fucking fun to help peel your layers and show your true self. Ah, just thinking about it is getting me hard.

Ayanokouji: Out of all the places you could get hard, please not let this be one of them. This is a bath, not a place for your little release.

Shido: What are you talking about 'little'? There's nothing little about it. Maybe you're talking about yours.

Ayanokouji: I wouldn't call it little. A few friends gave me a nickname for it.

Shido chuckled.

Shido: What's the nickname? Tell me!

Ayanokouji: No.

Shido: Damn, now I'm curious. Ah! I could just ask Kei. She'd know-

Ayanokouji: Don't bring her into this. If she'd know the nickname, things would be forever awkward between us.

Shido: Come on! You can't just talk about a curious nickname and expect me not to ask about it! You're being a killjoy. I bet I can figure out the nickname just from looking at the source. Let me see!

Ayanokouji: No, pervert.

Shido charged towards Ayanokouji and he dashed to the end of the hot pool. But before he could get out, Shido was able to grab his leg and spin him around.

Falling on his front, Shido caught a glimpse that completed his curiosity and made him laugh hysterically.

Shido: Are you fucking kidding me? I thought it was another leg, HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! The nickname must be 'third leg'!

Ayanokouji was incredibly annoyed but he didn't show it. Instead he grabbed Shido's hair and dumped his head inside the foamy bath.

Ayanokouji: Looks like I need to cleanse your eyes so you don't remember the sight again.

Ayanokouji kept his hand on Shido's head, as he kept struggling underneath the water.

Ayanokouji: Oh, and before I forget, hold out your right hand if you promise to keep what we've spoken here a secret. There's no point in losing your life over a few words.

Quickly, Shido extended his right hand out from the water and Ayanokouji finally relented an let go.

Shido: Ah... I was almost about to drown.

Ayanokouji: Alright, that's enough fun for you today. Let's get out, dry ourselves and go to sleep.

Shido: Fine, fine.

But before the duo finally left the bath area, the front door of the bath room opened and two people entered.

Ayanokouji: What a surprise.

Shido: Oh, it's that bastard who went in first, Mr. Number 1 rank.

Bachira: Oh, Ayanokouji-kun! Didn't know you were here already. How's it been.

Rin: You know these two?

Bachira: No just Ayanokouji. He was our team's top goal scorer.

Rin darted his eyes to Ayanokouji.

Rin: I see.

...

...

...

Ayanokouji: So you were part of Isagi's team and you lost to Rin so he took you in.

Bachira: Pretty much. We're just waiting for Isagi to rise up to the 4th stage so we can face them.

Rin: If that loser even makes it that far. But what do I care?

Shido snickered.

Shido: If you don't care, then why are ya indulging your teammate. Why don't I cut your time in two and challenge you? Let's battle it out and see who goes through first.

Rin: I could care less about you, idiot so shut up. All that matters is getting to my brother and crushing him. So I don't care who we face so I indulged in my teammate on a possible warmup match if his ex-teammate comes back to claim him.

Ayanokouji: Relax Shido. We'll find someone else to go against.

Shido: Why should we? Didn't I tell you, Kiyo?

Ayanokouji: Huh?

Shido: In order to improve and find our true selves, we need to surpass our limits. Evolving in soccer is evolving in life. If it's against this putrid turd of a little 'oni-chan', then they might be better than the last team we destroyed.

Rin: 'Putrid turd'? Look who's talking, lunatic. You should get your teammate in check, Ayanokouji. A good owner needs to at least keep his dogs on a leash at all times.

Shido: Hehehe, guess I struck a nerve. He thinks he can beat his brother if he can't even beat us. Look at how hysterical he is. Almost makes me wanna laugh until I die. The only thing in this bastard's head is the thought of sucking off his brother, HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

Bachira: oh...

Ayanokouji: (Shido...)

Rin looked incredibly furious.

Shido: I'll say this again so you can get it, you deaf fuck: I wanna kill you.

Ayanokouji sighed and grabbed Shido, throwing him aside.

Ayanokouji: I apologize for his ac-

Rin: Fuck your apology.

Bachira: Hm?

Ayanokouji: (Looks like the time for peace is done.)

Rin: If you want to carelessly march to your death so badly, lunatic, then I'll receive you earnestly.

Bachira was surprised and began to panic slightly.

Bachira: But, we agreed that-

Rin: Like I said, I don't care who we go against. So, Ayanokouji, I want to fight your team. Meet us in the Stage 4 room tomorrow. I'll gladly take a player from your team and send you back down to hell.

Shido: I wouldn't want it any other way.

Ayanokouji: Same here. We accept.

Rin: Your dog ruined my mood. I'm leaving.

He got out of the bath, taking his towel, and left the bath room.

Bachira: Ayanokouji, this is bad... Isagi won't be able to fight us now...

Ayanokouji pat Bachira's head.

Ayanokouji: What are you talking about?

Bachira: Hm?

Ayanokouji: As long as I don't take you, Isagi can come back and reclaim you. We're going to destroy Rin and send you down a level. Then you can meet Isagi back in Stage 4 after you aquire a new member.

Bachira: Ayanokouji...

Shido: That sounds like fun. I'm pumped up.

Bachira: I should go. I'll see you two tomorrow then.

Ayanokouji: Likewise.

With that Bachira left the bath room and Ayanokouji and Shido finally exited the bath, brandishing towels around their hips.

Shido: We need this, Kiyo. You'll thank me fo-

Ayanokouji: You don't need to patronize me, Shido. I completely understand. I was merely being respectful to Bachira's intentions.

Shido smiled and looked up at Ayanokouji's eyes as their golden aura encased his vision.

Ayanokouji: If we beat Rin tomorrow, that makes us the best players in Blue Lock. He's the brother of the phenom, Itoshi Sae. The amount of data and moves I can learn from him... outweighs any of the downsides in facing his team.