Chapter Text
After their win against U-20, the Blue Lock team is aware of their rising fame in the Japan sports map. Apparently, their play is entertaining and exciting enough to attract general public attention. The celebration interview they had on the side of the field is the first sign of fame they notice.
Isagi Yoichi, the egoist who stayed on the field to score a goal in the nick of time, is the player reporters ask when they are done interviewing Oliver Aiku, the captain of U-20. Isagi was shy at first, not knowing how to act in front of a camera, a live broadcast at that. Igaguri dragged him to the spot where reporters and journalists gathered with their mics, lights, and cameras. Oh, God... the cameras. They have those big cameras that Isagi only saw professional crews use for TV shows.
Well, it makes sense because they just performed in a big stadium with national-level players. But still...
Chigiri and Bachira are already near the area, and they encourage Isagi to stand in front of the blue-white backdrop, he will be the center of attention, his face broadcasted on television and broadcast stations across the country.
"Just relax. Answer their questions with a brief, but firm attitude." Reo has said to him before he was pushed under the spotlight.
Relax. Brief and firm.
Thanks to the Mikagi heir, Isagi can get through the interview without any problem (apart from his last comment about leading the World Cup, which is something that came from the adrenaline rush he still had).
"One more, do you have a message you want to say?"
"Oh? Uh..." Isagi never really thought about this question being asked. Should he thank their sponsor when he doesn't know who their sponsor is? Should he give a warning message for the soccer world to be prepared for them?
"I..." says Isagi, intelligently. "I want to say thank you to my teammates. They did amazing in tonight's game. U-20 team, they are a formidable opponent, putting up a great fight. We will come back with more amazing matches. And we will win. Again."
From the sidelines, his friends are hollering to hype his words. But, it does the opposite to Isagi who now are beet red from embarrassment.
"Thank you for your time, Isagi-san! Congratulations on the win!"
He then thanked the reporters and went back to his friends, grabbing Bachira by the collar who wanted to climb the backdrop.
"I want to do a superhero landing entrance when they ask for an interview!"
Itoshi Rin, who watched the whole thing from the sidelines, couldn't care less about any interviews or praises that were thrown at him. Anri was telling him about the TV crew asking for an interview with him, and all he did was dismiss the request because he was tired. He's not in the right mind to get asked multiple, unnecessary questions about the game. They all saw and recorded the game, right? They can just review it from there.
"Oi, Rin."
Ah, the source of his bad mood.
"Say it clearly if you don't want to." Itoshi Sae standing there, somehow he got into Blue Lock area.
"What do you want, you shitty brother? Everything is not enough for you, huh? Fuck off." Rin stood up from his bench and stormed out of the arena to the locker room. Anri and Sae can only watch him go.
Anri is the first one to comment on it. "Rin-kun... must be so tired after the match."
"Like a child throwing a tantrum," Sae corrects.
Anri sighs. She feels sad that Rin can't be joyous even after performing his best tonight. He wasn't even with the team when they greeted and thanked the audience.
Sae turns to Anri. "Say, you're Blue Lock's Manager, right?"
Anri blinks. "Yes, I'm the facility manager, I'm also responsible for these kids' administrative work."
"Perfect. I need to ask for a favor."
Anri blinks. Again. The Itoshi Sae asks her for a favor?
Itoshi Rin is at home, doing his morning routine when Sae suddenly opens his bedroom door. Ego told them they were granted a 2-week off from Blue Lock training. Rin naturally went back to his home but wasn't aware that his brother also decided to visit and stay at their house for a while.
Whatever concentration Rin is able to build this morning, crumbles down after seeing the face of his brother.
"At least knock on the door first before you enter someone's room."
"It's not like you have anything going on."
"I'm stretching, you asshat. What the fuck do you need?"
Sae walks to Rin's yoga spot in front of the window and shoves a piece of paper in front of his face. He grabs the paper roughly after glaring at his brother. How rude to stick a paper suddenly to other people's faces...
He reads the content briefly. The more he reads it, the more confused he is. The letter is from RAiON, one of the most famous Japanese clothing brands in the sports category. He might once or twice saw people on the street using it. Sae also might have their dress shoes in his collection.
...would like to discuss a contract with us regarding our next project.
"What is this?"
"It's an invitation to be the model for their newest collection. Apparently, they saw you play and think you're also fitting for their image."
"What do you mean 'also'?"
"Look at who the letter refers to, dumbass."
Rin doesn't have the time to get mad because he sees that the letter is actually for both of them.
To,
Sae Itoshi and Rin Itoshi.
Rin can only stare at the paper. Sae sighs.
"Come downstairs. We can talk about it over breakfast."
"Nii-chan..." Rin almost feels touched by the notion of them doing normal family activities.
Before Sae can properly close the door, though, he says something.
"Your posture for that pose was horrendous, by the way."
Sae almost missed the pillow Rin launched in his direction.
"They want us to model for their clothes?"
"That's what I've said."
In their dining room, the Itoshi brothers are eating breakfast while talking about the offer and possible contract. RAiON got in contact with Sae's manager and he immediately passed the news to Sae.
"But, I'm not a model?" Rin wants to say it like it's a fact, but he just sounds confused. This whole thing is still confusing to him. Like, why him?
"So am I, but here we are." Sae counters, while biting his last spoonful of scrambled egg.
"Wait, why are you not against this?!"
"I'm not saying I like it, my manager said it will do good for my image here."
"Shitty brother. So, you do have a motive."
Rin puts aside the paper and takes an angry bite of his breakfast.
"It could also be an interesting experience with you."
Rin chokes on his spinach.
"Oi. What are you doing? Eat properly."
Rin drinks the water to clear up and reset his esophagus. "Don't say those kinds of things out of nowhere!"
"Whatever. So, are you in or not?"
Rin seems to be quiet for a while, thinking of all the possibilities. He had never done this kind of gig before. Even for a normal high school student, he hasn't done that many high school activities (due to lack of close friends). Soccer has been the only familiar thing he has known.
"I don't know if I ca-"
"Are you afraid?"
A vein popped visibly on Rin's neck.
"Who are you calling a coward, shitty brother? Fine, I'll come to your little photoshoot, interview, or whatever that is!"
The older Itoshi watched as his little brother stomped toward the sink to wash the dishes, and went to the living room to watch the morning news.
Sae can just imagine his manager jumping with joy when he told him the news.