Chapter Text
Prologue, Letter from the JFU:
Eight days before Blue Lock:
My four friends and I gathered around Tsumugi’s coffee table. Hana, Reina, Tsumugi and Haruto crowded around me.
Every Friday, we hang out at each other's houses and take turns reading interesting articles from sports magazines out loud for each other. These meetups happen at Tsumugi’s house, since she lives on top of a convenience store run by her family, and because it’s closer to school.
Today, I decided it was finally time to tell my friends about my surprise mail. I silently took out the piece of paper and showed them..
“I’ve got something I'd like to share with the class!”
“A letter?” Haruto raised his eyebrow unimpressed.
“Oh wow congratulations!” I mocked, setting the paper down “It is a letter!”
“Is it at least a love letter?” The other twin, Reina took a closer look at the letter.
“Nope! It’s from the Japanese Football Union! I think I’ll go to see what all this is about!”
My friends raised their heads in stunned silence to stare at me then back at the letter, before jumping up from their seats.
“SO LIKE–” Haruto got cut off by his sister
“YOU’RE ACTUALLY GOING???” Reina shook me back and forth by my shoulders.
“The JFU is a BIG DEAL!” Hana stared at the letter in her hand. Tsumugi looked like she was about to pass out.
“YOU FIVE QUIET DOWN!” There was a banging coming from underneath the floor: Tsumugi’s mom with a broom.
“Yes ma’am!” We yelled simultaneously.
After the awkward silence, I finally spoke up:
“This Blue Lock thing seems interesting, and I have a good feeling about this…”
“If you say so…” Hana sighed, “Just make sure it’s what you want!”
She hit me in the back of the head then gave me a thumbs up.
“I’ll be sure to do that, ouch.”
. . .
Chapter 1, Welcome if you’re willing to stay:
The next day I hopped on my bike and made my way to the place. The ride there wasn’t very eventful, as soon as I got there I secured my bike to a bike stand (?) thingy and walked into the building.
When I walked in, I was directed to a room where some people were just standing around. I admit I may have been a little late, considering that only a few minutes after I walked in the lights flicked off and a voice boomed out the speakers:
“Welcome, my medical prodigies. You should feel proud, each one of you has been hand-picked to take part in the Blue Lock program. Congratulations. My name is Jinpachi Ego, and I was hired to ensure Japan’s future victory at the World Cup.”
Okay, medical what-now?
A tall man walked in. The guy wore a professional black suit and gave off a weird sinister vibe.
“You might be wondering what you’re doing here, and it’s simple. As we all know, our country sucks at soccer. It’s no secret! Therefore, in order to outdo all the rest, the Japanese Football Union has put the Blue Lock Project in motion. Blue Lock will be the birth of a new revolutionary striker.”
Well isn’t that a lot to fathom? Ten minutes ago I thought I was about to get kidnaped by the JFU, now this deranged guy wants every one in this room to drop what they’re doing and support the American Dream: Japanese edition. O cara quer transformar a gente em CLT. (The guy wants to turn us into CLT employees*) The man went on:
*CLT Employee: Full-time employee/ Formal employee
“One of three-hundred players will stand above all as Japan’s hero in the next World Cup. Which is why, I ask you carefully selected promises in the medical field to join my cause.”
The man pointed to us, the audience, as he spoke like he was doing some motivational speech… then continued talking:
“All of this will happen here, in this facility.” The man directed our attention to a big screen behind him. Then he started interacting with holograms that appeared as he spoke, “If you choose to participate, starting tomorrow, you will be living in this building alongside the players, ensuring they receive the necessary medical treatments to survive the trials and specialized training imagined for their development, helping to carefully craft the world’s one and only perfect striker. During this time you won’t be able to go home, and will have to focus solely on your jobs as the nurses. You will be paid depending on how many players you assist during your time in the project, and are allowed to quit at any time. We will also provide study time and materials for you so you don’t miss out on school work”
Ego continued:
“And, I think ‘I was an intern at the JFU!’ would look great on a resume in the future, even if you don’t plan on pursuing medicine. Meanwhile, the experience could also be very valuable and not only that, you can also be part of the heroes who helped Japan rise up. Except for the weak-willed rest, however. They will just have wasted their time. The type of people that tend to give up an opportunity the moment they discover the workload, I mean. So if you’re only here to complain then lock off and go home.”
Well I was hooked. Considering my history of missing opportunities because of hesitation, this was hitting home. My silence wasn’t uncomfortable now, it was determined. Guess the motivational speech worked, although I’m not sure how “motivational” that last part really was...
He still went on:
“I require capable hands to help me with this experiment, and only capable hands. Which is why I want the rest of you all to think like how I want the players to think. Show how useful your talent can be to me, to the players and to Japan. Show me your desire to make Japan number 1.”
Ego displayed a smile that could only belong to an overstimulated schizophrenic.
“Well if none of you have anything to say, make your way back home and rest well. If you’re still interested, be here at 8:35 a.m. sharp. You will be living in the Blue Lock Facility from tomorrow on if you decide to show.”
The lights in the room started to light back up, and a door opened up in the background of the stage. The man disappeared into the doors and left us alone to go home.