Chapter Text
The match was over.
Meguru stood trying to catch his breath. His body wasn’t moving anymore and yet he could still hear his heartbeat thumping loudly in his ears. Was it the left over adrenaline? The rush from winning? Or was it because of the dark haired boy he couldn’t seem to pull his his gaze away from?
Yoichi was crouched over on the opposite side of the field, despairing his loss. Meguru felt an impulse to go and comfort him but his legs stayed frozen in place.
Meguru had always been fond of Yoichi from the moment he met him. The very first time he’d passed the ball to him was something he would never forget. Yoichi was the first friend he’d made, the first friend he looked forward to playing football with. And now, that same friend had been there in the world where he was alone.
Yoichi had been there. In the football that Meguru had played believing that he didn’t need anyone else.
His heart finally began to settle down as Meguru felt a warmth spread throughout his chest. This fondness... this happiness... it was all because of Yoichi.
He took a step forwards, intending to voice his choice of player before Aoshi and Jyubei when a sudden chill ran through the air. Rin made his move, silencing any objections with his presence alone.
“I’m going to choose.” He spat, pushing his bangs back.
Meguru swallowed. He was going to pick Yoichi right? If he didn’t, how long would Meguru have to wait before seeing him again? He bit at his lip at the thought, realising he hated the idea of being separated from his friend any longer.
“Come, Isagi Yoichi.” Rin’s words weren’t a request, but an order as he glared down at Yoichi’s wide eyes.
Meguru felt relief rush over him, unable to stop the happy grin that spread across his face. He would get to play with Yoichi again, they would be a team again.
He couldn’t wait.
*****
After getting another lecture from Ego and being informed of what their next task would be like, the five boys were free to do as they pleased. After washing up, Meguru crashed face first into the bed he’d claimed. He yawned, just about ready to fall asleep right then and there.
The sound of someone else entering the sleeping quarters stopped him though. Meguru glanced to the door seeing Yoichi there, he stepped into the room while towelling at his wet hair.
“The others still bathing?” Meguru wondered aloud, Yoichi nodded. He threw a night shirt over his head before taking a seat on the bed that was parallel to Meguru’s.
Yoichi was always so tense on the football field, his eyes being lit with a constant determination. It was quite the contrast to the current soft expression he wore. He let out a yawn, frowning afterwards.
“Tired?” Meguru asked, amused by how unguarded Yoichi currently was. Maybe it was because only the two of them were in the room?
“Yeah, I haven’t really had a chance to relax at all. It’s just been one match after the other.” Yoichi mumbled. “Though, I guess that’s the point of Blue Lock.”
“Well, we have some time now at least before the third selection begins. Better savour it.”
“Yeah... I can’t wait to get back out on the field either though.”
“Hahah, same here.” Meguru laughed. They both had a monster within them after all, of course neither would be able to rest for long. A smile stayed on Meguru’s face as he studied Yoichi’s features. The boy really did look worn out.
“Sorry though Bachira, I said I’d steal you back but then I went and lost.” Yoichi pouted, brows furrowing. “I feel lame now.”
“Don’t sweat it, I didn’t want to lose to you either y’know?”
“That last play of yours was really something by the way, you even managed to catch Rin off guard with it.” Yoichi said, a fond smile suddenly appearing on his lips.
Meguru paused at the unexpected praise, the emotional rollercoaster he’d experienced during the match abruptly resurfacing. The entire reason he’d attempted that play was because Meguru believed Yoichi had gone off to somewhere he couldn’t reach.
To a league where Meguru was no longer needed.
Meguru dropped his gaze, long bangs obscuring his face as he mumbled a question.
“Isagi, do you enjoy playing football with me?”
“Huh? Where’d that come from, of course I do.” Yoichi replied straight away, tossing the towel that had been around his shoulders off to the side. Meguru could feel Yoichi’s gaze on him but he didn’t look up to meet it.
That despair he’d felt during their match was taking hold again. That emptiness of feeling unwanted and alone. He’d overcome it in the end, Meguru knew now that he wasn’t alone anymore, that Yoichi was right there and yet... He still felt like he needed further confirmation.
“Would you... really have picked me if you won?”
Meguru’s voice was quiet, uncertain. Seishirou could have just said it to him as a taunt but the thought was still stuck in his mind. The idea that Yoichi was going to choose Rin over him made his stomach twist. He didn’t want to believe it.
“Bachira. From the moment you were taken from me, my goal had been to get you back.”
The sheer seriousness in Yoichi’s voice made Meguru glance up. Their eyes met, that same determination that Yoichi had on the field was glowing in his gaze, it made Meguru’s heart skip a beat. This is how much Yoichi had wanted him back... how upset he’d been about it.
“Hmm, so you’re the jealous type then Isagi? I should’ve known.” Meguru teased, smile having returned to his face. He realised he had been stupid to even doubt Yoichi’s motives in the first place.
“Huh? Uh, not really.” Yoichi fumbled at the unexpected comment. “It did annoy me though... seeing your perfect passes being sent to someone else.” He added with a pout, cheeks dusting pink.
“Aw that’s cute!” Meguru grinned, leaning across the gap between their beds to playfully ruffle Yoichi’s hair. The boy’s face grew redder and he promptly swatted Meguru’s hand away.
“Shut up!”
Meguru laughed as he fell back and laid across his own bed, it was a genuine, carefree laugh. He felt as if the dread he’d had weighing over him during the match had finally lifted completely. Once he settled down again he stared up at the ceiling.
He really was glad he’d met Yoichi.
Meguru felt his own face warm at the thought, heart softly beating away in his chest. It was that same warm feeling he’d felt on the field.
“Ahh man, this is bad. I think I might’ve fallen in love with you Isagi.”
The silence that settled over the room was deafening. Yoichi clearly had no idea how to react to the words. Meguru let them sink in for a moment before springing upright again, grinning widely at the boy across from him.
“Kidding~” Meguru said, sticking his tongue out cheekily. However he wasn’t expecting to see that a blush had appeared across Yoichi’s cheeks. He was still frozen in place, blinking at Meguru’s sudden change in tone.
“W-well, that’s good then.” Yoichi fumbled, obviously flustered by Meguru’s words. “We don’t... have time for stuff like that here.”
“Ah, that’s true.” Meguru replied, reality crashing into him. He wasn’t expecting such a rational response but Yoichi was right. What was Meguru doing talking all carefree about love when he was currently in a life or death battle for his dream.
It wasn’t just Meguru either, everyone in Blue Lock had the same goal.
To win.
Then why was it that he suddenly felt an overwhelming longing? He gazed at Yoichi, whose still damp bangs stuck to his face and curled slightly at the ends. He caught Meguru staring and the two of them quickly averted their gazes.
Meguru really had been kidding about the confession. That’s what he had thought at least. If it was just a joke though, why did his chest ache like he’d hoped Yoichi had said something different?
And... why was Yoichi suddenly unable to meet his gaze?
Thankfully, Jyubei stepped into the room just as the awkward atmosphere was starting to set in. He struck a dramatic pose, long hair being wrapped up in a towel that sat atop his head.
“Fear not, my stylish self has returned to make up for the lack of it in this room.” Jyubei announced, striking another pose.
“Our saviour.” Meguru replied casually, letting himself lean backwards on his hands. He stole a glance at Yoichi, any sign of his previous surprise being long gone. He looked to be deep in thought, the concentration in his eyes indicating he was probably back to thinking about football.
That’s right, for Yoichi football is what came first. Meguru’s heart only seemed to sink further as that fact became clear to him. Yoichi may have broken his way into the world where Meguru was alone... but was Meguru even present in Yoichi’s world?
Crap... he really was in love with Yoichi wasn’t he?
*****