Chapter Text
When the only thing in the face of “impossible” is one, “impossible” quickly becomes “possible.” One fragile dream, one fleeting sense of desire, one foolish player convincing themselves that what they seek is out of reach. Such things are easily overcome with a single push, just one spark being all that is necessary to send the hearts of many into a frenzy. In the face of magic, a single obstacle, no matter how impenetrable, is reduced to child’s play.
The real problem starts when “impossible” is made of eleven. Although, it may be more accurate to say that number is nine instead. Nine players who do not exist in the fantastical garden of raw, unburdened talent that Alexis Ness shares with Micheal Kaiser. Nine bodies that flail across the field with their egos burning, turning rational thought into unpredictable chaos. Ness may not share the same sentiments of logic above all that Bastard München’s coach holds, however, even he can recognize the detriment that comes with following emotion-fueled plays over tried and true systems.
And to him, there is no system more sound than the empire of Kaiser. Bastard München is merely a stepping stone in his great ascent, one that Ness has the utmost pride and pleasure to be a part of. That is why this club revolves around Kaiser and his goals, which turn the impossible into real, grounded possibilities. There is simply no denying this illustrious ability of his, hence his Emperor’s place amongst the New Generation World XI.
Which perfectly explains Ness’ current frustration and confusion towards a particular pair of Blue Lock players: Yoichi Isagi and Rensuke Kunigami. His disdain for them both is unparalleled, albeit distinct between the two. Where Ness despises Isagi for the final goal in the first game of the Neo Egoist’s League– which he considers to be a blatant attempt to usurp Kaiser’s role in the team– he despises Kunigami equally so for being the one to spearhead this revolution. He is the one who attempted that pathetic right-footed shot at the very beginning of the match in the first place, likely having put the idea into all of those sniveling Blue Lock companions of his that Bastard München is a team they can just play around with and test to their heart’s content, rather than the well-oiled machine it truly is. A machine that they are actively gunking up.
This is why, when Ness makes the mistake of wandering into the gym of the German Stratum rather than the dormitory he intended to find (seriously, is this place a maze?) and spots the ginger doing planks, he decides now is a perfect opportunity to reeducate this dull-minded barbarian. The Bastard München vs. FC Barcha game is still a fresh wound, having ended just the other day, which means Ness has no problem letting some of his lingering frustrations out in what he considers a valuable learning experience.
“Oh, my~” He calls out, sauntering across the room towards the other, who does not break formation. “Still training this late into the evening? I suppose you would need all the training you can get, given your poor performance yesterday.”
During his short trek, Ness only received a flash of a glance towards him, the larger boy’s eyes remaining fixed sternly on some indiscernible spot in front of him. Ness attempts to follow his gaze only once, finding nothing before returning to pinning the other down with his gaze. He holds his hands behind his back in a casual, daresay playful manner, a stark contrast to the slow and predatory walk he performs. He starts at Kunigami’s shoulder, then gets behind him, circling around as he continues to speak.
“You shouldn’t let that single point get to your head, you know. This team belongs to Kaiser and Kaiser alone. You can train until you drop dead, but that won’t change a thing. Why don’t you just accept that, hm?”
Ness stops in front of Kunigami, turning to him on one heel, his other foot tapping lightly against the side of the first one. He cocks his head, a smile pulled at his lips in a tight V-shape. Kunigami does not look up one bit, oblivious to the half-closed, expectant eyes peering down at him.
“Dog come to bark on his master’s behalf?” The other huffs out, not even bothering to form a complete sentence in between his soft pants. Ness feels his eyelids twitch.
Perhaps a creature as dull as him cannot understand something if it is not on his level. Yes, that has to be it. In that case, Ness will try a simpler incantation. He leans down, bowing at the waist in order to get closer to Kunigami’s point of view.
“Just reminding you that you’ve got on a leash, too.”
“Is that so?” The brute replies, clearly dismissing the answer before he’s even heard it.
Ness sits up straight once more now, traveling back to the side of Kunigami that he had begun at. There is sweat dripping from the orange-haired boy, yet his stance does not falter, his limbs stiff as a board. It’s high time someone changes that.
“All of Bastard München does,” He hints, a taste of what’s to come. “I saw your moves during that game, you know. Do you really think you’ll be earning any favor by copying your master?”
Kunigami’s overall frame remains solid, yet there is a crack of vulnerability nonetheless, his fists curling tighter than they had been before.
“Not my master,” He grits out.
Without warning, Ness plants his foot into Kunigami’s side, his sole fitting neatly into the space where Kunigami’s rib cage meets the smaller, less protected end of his torso. Finally, the stockier boy wobbles, a harsh grunt escaping him as he turns his head to glare at Ness. All he does is smile in return.
“For you to insist that means you clearly have no place on this team.”
Focusing power into his legs, Ness pushes, guiding the burly body beneath him into a state of disarray. He feels Kunigami’s muscles tense in an effort to prevent what’s to come, but unfortunately, Ness has the power of leverage on his side thanks to his superior position. Just like that, his dastardly spell is cast, flipping over his fellow teammate with ease and forcing him onto his back.
Moving quickly, he meets the other where he lays, placing his foot onto his chest in an act that harkens back to heroes of old. He has slain the monster, and here he stands victorious, using its corpse as a podium. Only, Kunigami is very much alive, and quite cross at that. Large, calloused hands grip either side of the leg Ness has on top of him, his fingers digging into the magician’s socks and skin. There’s a fury on the other’s face that delights him, his lips pulled back in a snarl and his eyes pinpricks that attempt to pierce him. Ness braces himself for whatever act of violence Kunigami will perform as revenge, his arms held low and at his sides in case he has to catch himself.
But then, the strangest thing happens.
As if suddenly put into a trance, Kunigami releases him, his hands held up limply before dropping entirely. His arms and legs are now splayed out across the floor, his once narrow eyes now dreary and empty. They slowly trail upwards, rolling back just enough for him to look past Ness, who still looms above him. There’s a despondent, almost defeated look in his expression, a stark contrast to the fit of rage he was promising only moments before.
Without realizing it, Ness finds himself growing curious. His eyes once more attempt to follow where Kunigami is looking, finding nothing. They flicker back to him.
Silence hangs over the gym. Then, like a wind-up doll slowly being brought back to life, Kunigami’s eyes slide back towards Ness. His lips press shut, his mouth held in what he would almost consider a pout.
“... Well?”
Ness jolts. He doesn’t quite understand why. Was he truly startled by a single word? Or is it that he has been startled by this boy’s strange demeanor? He opens his mouth to respond, though the words are lost on him. All he can focus on is the tone of voice Kunigami used and the look of acceptance written on his face. His eyes, they’re…
He removes his foot like it’s been burnt. Kunigami pushes himself into an upright sitting position now, though Ness barely acknowledges such a thing, turning away swiftly and bringing a hand to his mouth. For a moment there, it felt like he was entranced by Kunigami’s eyes– no, not his eyes specifically, but the look of pain they held within.
Was Ness’ spell of intimidation too effective? He can’t imagine someone as aggressive and muscular as Kunigami rolling over so easily, yet here it has happened, all because of him. Though, he can’t help but feel Kunigami’s reaction was not entirely of his making.
Perhaps there is more to him than meets the eye. Either way, Ness will require time in order to recoup since his current line of attack did not produce the intended results.
Without another word, he flees the scene, eager to return to his dorm and stand by Kaiser’s side once more. He will have time to think things over once he is safe behind the castle walls of his savior’s empire.