Archive of Our Own

Alexis had dreamed of that day his entire life. He had gone over everything he would say and do so many times, for so many hours, that even his own family had started calling him crazy.

The one thing no one could ever take away from him. Someone to prove just how real magic was.

He had Kaiser, sure. But Kaiser didn’t have a soulmate.

He did.

His parents didn’t have one. Neither did his siblings. And they were all perfectly satisfied with that, with nothing to focus on but science.

Alexis could never be like that. His magic would never be wrong, and that was what made everything worse.

Because it was there. On him.

And Alexis felt like he was going to wither away.

Of course Yoichi would be in the locker room at that hour. That was the whole reason Alexis had gone there in the first place. How could an idiot who passed out at the end of a match ever surpass his emperor? There was no world where that would happen.

And he was going to make sure to tell Isagi exactly that.

But when he got there, it wasn’t the Japanese player he saw.

It was his mark.

His magic.

His… soulmate.

Between his shoulder blades, just like Alexis’s.

A lotus flower that always glowed like a freshly inked tattoo. And it was on him of all people.

That’s what made him freeze. His teeth slammed together so hard that even Yoichi turned to see what had happened.

But it didn’t matter cause Alexis was already running.

Panic clawing through him.

The taste of blood flooded his mouth. He must have bitten his tongue without even noticing. His breathing came out loud and uneven, and he barely managed to shut his bedroom door before collapsing to his knees.

Air wouldn’t come.

Alexis dragged in a breath, but it caught halfway, like something was crushing his chest from the inside.

No.

No, no, no.

His fingers trembled so badly he had to brace his hands against the floor, but it didn’t help. The room felt too small, the walls too close and still no air.

He needed to breathe.

Why couldn’t he breathe?

The metallic taste came back stronger, and only then did he realize he was clenching his teeth again. A choked sound slipped out of him, his whole body feeling like it was splitting apart under the pressure.

It’s him.

Why is it him?

His vision wavered, darkening at the edges. For a second, he thought he might pass out. And almost wished for it.

His magic never got it wrong.

His hand flew to his back, like he could feel the mark through the fabric. His fingers scraped over his shirt, searching.

“No…” He barely recognized his own voice.

He tried to count his breathing.

One. Two.

It didn’t work.

Now the air came too fast, each breath more desperate than the last. His head spun, his body both light and heavy at once.

He couldn’t think.

Everything hurt.

It took several clumsy movements to pull off his shirt and crawl toward the nearby mirror.

His fingers hesitated as he tried to reach the mark, needing proof it was still there.

It always had been.

It always would be.

A fixed point. Unchanging.

Alexis reached for it, fingertips barely brushing the carved petals. Warm. Familiar.

His breath faltered again, but this time it was different.

Slower. Less frantic.

“No.” It didn’t sound like denial anymore.

It didn’t matter.

It would never matter who stood on the other side.

Because it was his.

The one thing that had always been.

Alexis pressed his fingers harder against his back, like he could anchor himself there. Like it would make sense if he just held on tightly enough.

Air came back.

Still unsteady.

But it was there.

And so was Yoichi.

The silence felt suffocating. Alexis let his body fall to the side, bracing himself against the bed, his lungs were still working too fast, like they hadn’t realized yet that they could stop.

Kaiser.

The name hit him like a shock. His eyes squeezed shut.

No.

Not now.

He couldn’t look at him.

Couldn’t talk to him.

Couldn’t—

He got up in a single motion, quickly pulling on the shirt he’d left on the floor. The sudden movement made the world tilt, but he ignored it.

Staying there would be worse.

The hallways in Blue Lock felt too long. Too loud.

Voices. Laughter. Footsteps.

Every sound made his body tense in anticipation.

So Alexis turned away.

Another path. Another corridor. Anywhere else.

By the time he realized it, he was already pushing open the door in front of him.

A field.

Cold and clean, like it hadn’t seen a match in years.

Alexis took a deep breath. Quiet.

But not empty.

Of course.

The one person fighting for first place on the list of people he least wanted to see.

They both froze.

The ball at Yoichi’s feet rolled to a stop as he turned. No one else around. No training noise. No voices.

No Kaiser.

Just them.

Isagi frowned, like he was searching for the usual reaction, Alexis would’ve said anger.

It’s what he tried to reach for, too.

Nothing came.

Alexis was the first to look away. His hand moved to his waist, scratching absently, almost a reflex before he forced it back down to his side.

For a split second, his expression cracked before snapping back into place.

Too late.

Isagi had already seen it.

“You…” Isagi still seemed unsure of what to do.

“I didn’t come here to talk to you.” The words came out late, just as Yoichi tilted his head slightly.

“I didn’t ask.” Alexis blinked.

That wasn’t an attack. He wasn’t used to answering something that didn’t feel like a provocation.

The air grew heavy again.

There was no hostility.

There was nothing.

And he didn’t know what to do with that.

“You’re acting weird,” Yoichi said, sounding oddly satisfied with the observation.

“I’m the same as always.” A lie. Maybe the biggest one he’d ever told.

“Worse than usual.” Alexis pressed his lips together, probably still red.

He needed to leave, there was no reason to stay.

And yet…

He didn’t move.

Isagi looked away, thinking. Planning.

“Are you okay?”

Something cracked. Alexis stopped, suddenly feeling completely exposed.

A question he never expected from Yoichi Isagi.

A question he had always expected from his soulmate.

“None of your business.” It came out weak. He tried to grab onto his usual tone, but there was nothing there, just… emptiness.

“Okay.” Isagi shrugged, not offended. He didn’t push, either.

Which somehow made it worse.

Alexis swallowed.

“You’re not gonna…” He cut himself off, irritated. “Whatever.”

Yoichi raised an eyebrow immediately, stepping a little closer.

“Not gonna what?” Alexis hesitated, attacked? Provoke?

That was usually his role.

Act normal?

“…Nothing.”

Silence again.

But…

It wasn’t uncomfortable.

Just new.

And he had no idea what to do with that either.

So he simply sat down.

Probably a terrible spot. He knew enough to realize the chances of taking a ball straight to the face there were high.

And somehow, he knew Isagi wouldn’t do that.

Isagi just… went back.

Like Alexis wasn’t there, back to training.

Just like normal.

And for a moment, Alexis let himself believe that maybe this was normal too.

He watched quietly before speaking, almost hesitant.

“You’re late. Half a second.” His voice barely came out; Isagi probably didn’t even hear it.

But he frowned anyway, turning back in confusion.

“Late?” His eyes widened slightly before he swallowed. Demonic senses.

“Your analysis is fast,” Alexis said slowly. Talking about something he understood felt safer. “Your body just doesn’t keep up.”

Isagi’s face twisted, and Alexis looked away.

He probably thought it was just another insult.

“I know.” Yoichi said.

Alexis spoke quickly this time, his nails scraped lightly against the ground, searching for something solid.

“It’s not physical. Your mind is right. You’re just getting there too late.”

“I already said I know that. I need to decide faster.”

“Not decide. Trust faster.”

Tips.

He was giving tips.

To an enemy.

To his soulmate.

The field didn’t feel silent anymore, he could practically hear Yoichi’s mind working.

His foot nudged the ball absentmindedly, like he wanted to test it right there.

“That… makes sense.” Yoichi murmured, satisfied, before flicking the ball up into a few juggles. “Thanks, Ness.”

Formal.

Distant.

“Yoichi.” He even pointed to himself like an idiot. “Alexis.”

The name slipped out before Alexis could stop it.

Silence again.

His body shifted uncomfortably, like he only realized what he’d done after the fact.

“Okay,” Isagi replied simply, without correction.

Was that… permission?

Even people close to him didn’t call him that, but there was always the cultural barrier to hide behind.

He could pretend.

Pretend this was normal.

A ball rolled gently into his leg, and Alexis startled.

“Wanna try?” Isagi asked, a bit awkwardly.

This wouldn’t work.

Not now.

Alexis stood slowly, shaking his head.

“Not today.” But there was something he could do. “Move.”

Yoichi didn’t even respond, he just started running.

The ball lifted in one smooth motion, effortless.

One angle.

The ball spun fast before dropping perfectly into Isagi’s path. Exactly where it needed to be, and he kicked it almost on instinct, probably not even expecting Ness to make a real pass.

Goal.

The net moved first.

But it didn’t matter.

Alexis had already turned away, walking off before he could see Yoichi’s reaction.

The hallways were still too long.

The echo of the kick wouldn’t leave his head.

Not Isagi's.

The pass.

Alexis slowed his steps without noticing.

It worked.

There was no adjustment, no one setting the rhythm.

And still...

It worked.

It felt like magic.

He glanced to the side instinctively, looking for someone he knew wouldn’t be there.

Someone who hadn’t been there for a while now.

His heart was beating so fast he could’ve conducted a damn orchestra.

His breathing felt like he’d been underwater for hours and had only just come up for air.

“What… what am I supposed to do with this? Shitty Yoichi.” His own voice sounded strange, like it belonged to someone else.

He knew he’d never be able to pretend everything was normal.

He forced himself to keep looking forward.

Not now.

The field was already far behind when he stumbled into another training room.

Again, by someone he not expected.

Ranze Kurona.

Short movements. Clean passes against the wall. Constant motion.

Alexis paused for a second, watching.

Simple. Clean. Functional.

He stepped inside before he could think.

“Need some help?”

And there he was, Alexis Ness offering help to Blue Lock rivals like it was nothing.

Kurona looked at him, blinking once.

“Yes, yes.”

No surprise. No resistance.

Alexis stepped in fully. The first ball came fast.

A test?

His body responded before his mind could catch up, one clean touch, adjusting the angle at the last second. Just enough to send it back to Kurona’s foot, perfectly timed for the next pass.

Kurona didn’t stop. Just picked up the rhythm.

And Alexis matched him.

Faster.

Sharper.

More precise.

Adjusting on contact. Always on contact.

The ball never lagged. Never overshot.

And Kurona followed him perfectly.

Why is this working?

The thought hit hard.

Alexis tightened his jaw slightly, correcting the next touch.

Wrong.

This wasn’t supposed to work like this.

“Faster?” Kurona was already moving before Alexis even answered.

The pace increased.

More precision. More reading. More movement.

Alexis felt his body keep up without effort.

Wrong.

The pass came tighter this time, slicing between two cones before landing on the outside of Kurona’s foot.

Clean.

Wrong.

Kurona spun, returning it instantly.

Alexis was already there.

Always there.

Wrong.

His stomach twisted, but his body didn’t fail.

Another pass. Another return.

Wrong.

“You’re good!” Kurona said with a grin.

Alexis got distracted for a second, almost lost the ball, fixing it at the last moment.

“I know.”

And still, Kurona smiled like that was enough.

“It’s easy to play with you.” he added lightly. “Isagi needs more, more.”

Alexis frowned slightly at the comparison. Isagi and Kurona, like him and Kaiser.

No.

Not like that.

So he said nothing.

Because it wasn’t easy.

None of this was easy.

Every touch came with thoughts he couldn’t shut off.

He wasn’t playing with Kaiser anymore.

And no matter how much he tried, he couldn’t catch up to him.

Blue Lock is destroying the only relationship he had.

And now here he was.

Training with one of them.

Alexis pressed his foot down on the ball, holding it still for a second too long.

The rhythm broke.

Kurona stopped too, tilting his head slightly. No complaints.

“Tired?”

Alexis shook his head quickly.

Still lost.

Isagi.

Kaiser.

And now Kurona.

“You’re a striker too, right? That’s the logic of Blue Lock, right?” Kurona nodded quickly. “Then why support Yoichi? You’re supposed to score your own goals and all that.”

“It’s my way of playing, playing.” Alexis hesitated.

“Want to try something new?”

No pressure. No doubt.

And for some reason, Alexis felt something almost… comfortable around him.

He lifted the ball with an easy touch.

A minimal adjustment. A nearly invisible angle.

The ball cut through space smoothly, spinning just enough to avoid any deflection before landing perfectly in front of Kurona.

Not a step too early.

Not a step too late.

Reached effortlessly.

Finished in one touch.

“Good,” Alexis said simply, looking away.

It didn’t feel like enough.

Didn’t even feel real.

“Again, again!”

He hesitated.

Stop.

Stop before it starts making sense.

“Okay.”

And he kept going.

Like it was normal.

Like it had always been.

“You… close with Yoichi?” Alexis asked after a moment.

Kurona paused, thinking.

“I think we’re friends, yes, yes.”

Silence.

Waiting.

Nothing more came.

“What was he like? Before coming here.”

Before someone constantly pushed him to his limits.

“The same, same.” Kurona nodded. “But better now.”

Alexis considered that for a moment.

Kurona was clearly one of the younger ones, and had a strange way of speaking, though Alexis wasn’t about to comment on that.

He’d seen worse habits in this place.

“You always train alone?”

A quick nod.

Made sense.

“Tomorrow we’re going to the projection room to watch a movie. After lunch, lunch.” Kurona added casually. “You can come. If you want.”

“A movie? During training time?” Alexis raised an eyebrow. “I thought your bowl-cut coach was stricter than that.”

Kurona just smiled.

“Not official, official.”

Alexis looked at the ball.

Then at the exit.

Wrong.

“I’ll think about it…”

And still, Kurona smiled like it was already decided.

“If you want, I can fix your hair for you.”

“What?”

Kurona pointed to the top of his own head.

Alexis flinched slightly, pulling a few strands forward.

The pink was so faded it almost glowed under the artificial lights.

How had he not noticed?

“Don’t worry, I’m good at it.” Added. “I do Kaiser’s.”

The explanation came out instinctively.

But Kurona just stared at him like that was impressive.

“We have Chigirin in Blue Lock,” he said instead. “The redhead from earlier, earlier.”

The sprinter.

“He used to do amazing braids, braids.” A small pause. “Too bad he’s not with us anymore…”

Alexis just stared at him for a moment, like he was supposed to do something he hadn’t figured out yet.

“I… can try for you. Someday.”

Kurona lit up.

Alexis felt like he was looking at a kid.

He smiled back without meaning to.

Somehow, what should’ve annoyed him felt… natural.

“Oh. Free training.”

Kurona turned quickly.

The white-haired goalkeeper.

Gagamaru.

“Now we have a keeper, keeper!”

Alexis clicked his tongue, considering leaving.

But Kurona kept looking at him with those bright eyes.

Three Blue Lock players in one day.

God, he’d really fallen.

With Gagamaru there, things got harder. He was good, honestly better than Bastard’s official keeper.

A rare kind of talent.

Good that he was on his side for now.

He’d definitely get a good offer once the league ended.

“Wow, didn’t think the emperor’s little dog could leave his side for more than a few seconds.”

Alexis froze.

The guy with glasses.

He was enjoying this.

But...

That was the line.

Alexis kicked the ball one last time and turned away, stretching slightly as he did.

“I’m late.”

And he left.

Late to wallow in his own misery, probably.

“Ness, come by more often. You’re fun, fun.”

His eyes widened before he looked back at Kurona, offering a small smile.

Without stopping himself, he nodded.

Then closed the door behind him.

It was late already.

They had probably finished serving dinner in the cafeteria.

Alexis went straight back to his room.

By the time he reached the bathroom, half his clothes were already scattered across the floor.

He didn’t know how long he stood there, staring at his own reflection before turning away and sinking into the bathtub.

Nothing against Blue Lock’s locker rooms.

But public showers were awful.

Alexis stared at his hands.

Yoichi Isagi.

His soulmate.

His.

Alexis had always been a romantic. A dreamer.

He used to think, day and night, about what kind of flowers his other half would like.

Yoichi would never accept anything from him.

He imagined shared dreams, endless gifts.

Yoichi would never accept anything from him.

So many dates it would become overwhelming.

Yoichi would never accept anything from him.

What…

What was he supposed to do?

Alexis slid down until he was completely submerged.

Kaiser made the impossible feel real.

For once, Alexis wished he could do the same.

When he came back up, the water had already gone cold.

The pajamas they provided were soft, though he still missed his own clothes.

He dropped onto the bed without much thought, his body finally giving in to the exhaustion he’d been ignoring all day.

He closed his eyes.

For a moment, the field came back to him.

The pass.

Yoichi.

The thought dissolved before it could fully form.

And for the first time in a long while—

He fell asleep before finding an answer.

The next day passed without problems.

He was grateful Kaiser preferred training alone.

It meant he didn’t have to look at him.

The cafeteria was crowded that day.

Usually, Alexis ignored it.

Today, it felt suffocating.

His gaze landed a few people ahead in line before he could stop himself.

Kurona.

The cyan-haired boy.

And him.

Yoichi was clearly joking about something, judging by the way he moved, swaying from side to side.

It wasn’t anything special.

And still…

It was hard to look away.

Annoying.

Alexis grabbed a cold bottle of water just to distract himself.

His biggest refusal would always be those Japanese drinks, too colorful, too bright.

When he looked back, it got worse.

His eyes moved on their own.

The way Yoichi leaned when he talked.

The way his fingers held the tray without thinking.

The slight frown when he focused on something completely trivial.

Ordinary.

So…

Ugh.

Alexis clenched his jaw.

It didn’t make sense.

He had seen dozens of players, better ones, more interesting ones.

So why...

“Are you going to move?”

Alexis blinked, snapping back to his own tray like he’d been pulled out of something important.

The line behind him stared in confusion.

His ears burned as he hurried forward to find a table.

His gaze drifted again.

Just for a second.

Long enough to notice Yoichi laughing and walking backwards.

Toward him.

Alexis could’ve said something.

But he stayed still.

Just set his tray aside and let the other bump into him.

Instead of turning around like a normal person, Yoichi just stood there and tilted his head all the way back to look up at him.

Alexis could feel his face burning.

“Oh. Sorry.” The voice was too close.

He stepped back immediately.

“No problem.”

Oh, for fuck’s sake.

If there was one thing he definitely had right now, it was a problem.

Blinking a little too slowly, he walked past him and sat at the first empty table he found.

God, why was this so hard?

Apparently, Isagi didn’t understand the concept of choosing to sit alone.

Because a tray was placed right next to his.

Alexis froze for a second.

Of course.

“Kurona said you’re coming with us after lunch.”

Alexis stuffed his mouth with food just to stop himself from answering, only nodding slightly.

He chewed longer than necessary.

Buying time.

Two more trays landed on the table.

He swallowed with difficulty.

“Don’t you guys have other tables? Blue Lock.” His tone slipped back into something familiar, sharp, teasing, fake smile perfectly in place.

That, he knew.

That was automatic.

“It’s just that you looked so sad and lonely,” the cyan-haired boy said, mirroring his smile. “And we like doing charity.”

Alexis narrowed his eyes slightly.

Mocking him?

They stared at each other for a few seconds.

No one blinked.

“Creepy, creepy.”

Neither of them really won.

“God, those smiles of yours give me chills,” Isagi muttered, opening one of those colorful cans.

Alexis caught a glimpse of a lightning symbol and a smiling strawberry.

He looked away quickly.

“I don’t know what you mean, Yoichi.”

“That’s normal, Isagi.”

Alexis could feel eyes burning into his back.

Bastard.

Watching.

The food felt heavy in his stomach.

“The things I would do for something sweet” Yoichi complained, dropping his head onto the table and pushing his tray away.

Alexis blinked.

That was…

Childish.

And yet…

Almost honest?

“I miss it too, too,” Kurona added, looking down. “Chocolate.”

They weren’t forcing anything.

They were just…

Talking.

Was it really that simple?

He swallowed.

“I could… try to get something.”

The words slipped out before he could stop them.

Why?

What was he trying to do?

“Unfortunately, we already tried. Ego is a tyrant.”

“Seriously, when I first got here, I had to eat natto for weeks,” Yoichi said, staring ahead like he was reliving trauma.

Alexis frowned slightly.

He didn’t know what natto was.

But judging by that expression, it wasn’t good.

“I’m not from Blue Lock,” Alexis said more firmly this time. “I’m here as a guest. They won’t deny me anything.”

A small smile.

Then he glanced at Kurona, giving a quick wink.

“It doesn’t have to be official.”

The trays slowly emptied.

The noise of the cafeteria faded into the background.

He had never liked groups.

For a long time, it had just been him and Kaiser.

Especially not groups he hadn’t chosen.

“Shall we?”

And still...

There he was.

Standing up with them.

Too late to back out now without making it weird.

Yoichi stretched, arms raised above his head.

The tips of Alexis’s ears burned again.

He quickly looked down.

Tilting his head slightly, he watched the scene ahead.

Kurona and Yoichi were trying, and failing to hide.

Like a terrible spy movie.

“This isn’t going to work,” someone whispered beside him.

Hiori.

He had learned that after lunch.

“Has it ever?” Alexis found himself replying. “If they’re this bad, I doubt today’s the first attempt.”

“They try,” Hiori said. “Succeeding is a different story.”

“Quick, quick,” Kurona whispered.

Alexis grimaced.

It looked even more ridiculous with him and Hiori just walking normally behind them.

“I don’t think I should…” Hiori frowned at him.

“They’re literally waiting for you.”

Alexis looked again.

Kurona had turned toward him, glancing around before waving him over.

“Idiots.”

“A little.”

“Careless.”

“Very.”

He crossed his arms, mind spinning.

Hiori stepped inside gracefully.

Alexis glanced up one last time...

Then followed.

The moment Alexis stepped into the room, his jaw dropped slightly.

Grim and Theo, both of them looking just as surprised to see him there.

There was also the hot-headed blond and the bald one.

Alexis wondered why they were even trying to avoid cameras when he could clearly see one in the room.

With a quiet sigh, he sat down on one of the floor cushions, not too close, but not completely apart either.

“Ness, good you’re here. Tell the Japanese we’re not watching any of their weird movies.”

“No one even invited you, idiot! Don’t start trying to pick the movie.”

The blond looked ready to jump someone.

Alexis pulled his knees up and rested his face against them.

Maybe if he didn’t look at any of them, this would be over faster.

He ignored whoever was lightly tapping his back.

Even if something in his head whispered who it probably was.

“Our movies are clearly better!”

“Better how?”

“Story.”

“Boring.”

“You haven’t even watched them.”

“I don’t need to. It’ll be slow and gray just like you!”

Alexis squeezed his eyes shut slightly.

Too much noise.

“Our movies are functional,” Grim added. “At least they’re dramatic enough.”

“Dramatic?” Yoichi sounded genuinely offended. “You spend two hours staring at a gray screen in silence.”

Alexis let out a quiet breath through his nose.

“It’s not about the gray screen.”

Silence.

For a second.

Too late, he realized he had spoken.

Slowly, he lifted his head just enough to look at them.

They were all staring at him.

“So what is it about?” Yoichi asked, tilting his head.

Not mocking.

And Alexis hated that.

“It’s about…” He paused, annoyed with himself. “What doesn’t need to be said.” A short breath. “Not everything has to be explained.”

“That’s just confusing,” the blond shot back immediately.

“No!” Alexis answered faster than he meant to. “It’s trusting that you’ll understand.”

Silence again.

Alexis immediately hid his face again.

Idiot.

“Then pick one,” Kurona said.

Alexis blinked.

“What?”

“Say what you want, and we’ll pick one of ours that you’ll like.”

“If it’s that good, you choose,” Hiori added with a shrug.

“I... no.”

“It’ll be faster.”

Alexis met those cyan eyes again, the same desperate need to escape that argument.

He looked at the screen.

Then the floor.

Thinking.

And then, without meaning to Yoichi.

Still watching him.

Waiting.

“Something short.”

“A miracle,” someone muttered.

“And no explosions.”

“The bare minimum,” Erik whispered, promptly ignored.

“And something that doesn’t keep explaining itself.”

The bald one hummed thoughtfully.

“I think this one.”

He held up a disc.

A red cat on the cover.

Weird.

Probably horror.

House.

“God, that looks terrible.”

“Looks good,” Alexis said with a small nod.

Some didn’t look convinced.

But no one wanted to keep arguing.

The screen flickered.

Kurona rushed to turn off the lights.

And then, it started.

“What is this?” Yoichi asked, genuinely confused.

Alexis didn’t answer right away.

Eyes fixed on the screen.

“It’s good.”

“It doesn’t look good.”

A small flicker of amusement tugged at him as he watched them exchange confused looks.

“You don’t get it yet.”

“Yet?”

Alexis crossed his arms, leaning forward slightly.

“It’s about…” a small pause “unreality.”

“And belonging,” Hiori added beside him, not taking his eyes off the screen.

Alexis didn’t look at him.

But he noticed.

“Exactly.”

“How someone reacts when they lose control of their own reality.”

“What?” Yoichi sounded more lost by the second.

Alexis bit the inside of his cheek to keep from laughing.

He wanted to see how far this would go.

“And how absurdity becomes inevitable,” Alexis continued, more confident now.

“A response to emptiness,” Hiori added in the same tone.

“That’s just a flying cat!” Yoichi protested.

“Exactly.” They answered at the same time.

The blond shushed them aggressively, though Alexis doubted he understood anything either.

“This makes no sense.” Yoichi muttered.

“It does,” Alexis replied instantly.

“It doesn’t.”

“You’re just not paying attention.”

“I am paying attention!”

“Then you’re interpreting it wrong.” Hiori said calmly.

“THERE’S NOTHING TO INTERPRET!”

A smile started to slip out before Alexis could stop it.

Yoichi was almost...

Cute.

“It’s conceptual.” Alexis said.

“Very.” Hiori added.

“I think you two are just messing with us.” Yoichi concluded.

“I liked it.” Kurona said from the other side, not taking his eyes off the screen.

Alexis nodded immediately.

“See?”

“Okay, then what’s the concept?” Yoichi turned fully toward him, eyebrow raised so high it almost disappeared into his hairline.

“It’s…” Alexis hesitated, trying to think of anything. “Not linear.”

“And it shouldn’t be.” Hiori added.

“That explains nothing!”

“It explains enough.”

“The rest you feel.” Hiori finished.

Alexis could feel his smile growing wider, watching Yoichi’s incredulous expression.

“That’s a lie.”

“Prove it.”

“I DON’T KNOW WHAT I’M SUPPOSED TO PROVE!”

“You would if you understood.”

Someone hissed at them to be quiet.

Yoichi stayed grumpy until the end of the movie.

And Alexis couldn’t stop glancing at him from the corner of his eye.

It was so stupid.

He had fun.

A quiet sound slipped out of him.

He blinked.

Maybe he could pretend it wasn’t him.

“You laughed?” Yoichi turned immediately.

Of course.

“No.” Too fast.

“You did.”

“You’re hearing things.”

“I heard it clearly!”

“Impossible.”

“You’re literally smiling right now.” Alexis immediately dropped his expression.

Too late.

“He is.” Hiori added flatly.

Alexis turned his head slowly toward him.

Hiori wasn’t even looking.

But the corner of his mouth...

“Traitor,” Alexis muttered under his breath.

“I’m just observing.”

“You’re bad at it.”

Hiori shrugged.

Alexis hid his smile against his knees.

The screen went dark.

For a moment, no one said anything.

Then the room filled with noise again. Complaints, opinions, overlapping voices.

“I didn’t get it.”

Yoichi’s voice cut through everything.

“I know.” Alexis answered after a pause, still staring at the dark screen.

“No, like… nothing.” A quiet amused sound came from Hiori.

Alexis ignored it.

“It was good,” Kurona said simply.

“I’ll take your word for it,” Yoichi replied dryly.

“You don’t have to understand everything,” Alexis said quietly, more to himself than to him.

“But I wanted to.”

Alexis hesitated before turning his head slightly.

Yoichi was still staring forward.

Thinking.

Almost frustrated.

“Then watch it again.”

“Hell no.”

That almost made him laugh again.

He settled for a small smile.

People started getting up, still arguing about meaningless things.

Alexis placed his hands on the floor and stood slowly.

“Should’ve picked the explosions,” Yoichi muttered beside him.

“You just didn’t get it.”

“You didn’t either.”

That was true.

And he still liked it.

Yoichi turned to him.

Alexis couldn’t help it, his usual teasing smile slipped into place.

“That’s kind of annoying.”

“I know.”

“You do that on purpose.”

He shrugged.

Yoichi let out a small sound, almost a laugh.

“Thanks for the movie.”

Alexis blinked, surprised. Not expecting that.

“You hated it.”

“I did.”

“Then why…”

“It’s fun not having to fight with you, Ness.”

His gaze dropped for a second, then lifted again.

“Alexis.”

Yoichi didn’t respond, just nodded again.

Somehow, he felt like he’d have to repeat it a few more times before it would be enough.

But right now, he wasn’t in a rush.

He didn’t usually spend his time like that.

He had less than an hour to get ready for team training.

To get ready for...

Kaiser.

He walked back to his room at a slow pace.

At least he was lucky Kaiser wanted privacy and had requested separate rooms for both of them.

The others had to share.

The door clicked shut quietly behind him, and Alexis leaned against it for a few seconds.

The room was the same as always. Almost untouched, clean.

Only the clothes from earlier scattered on the floor, which he picked up quickly.

He sat at the edge of the bed, still not changing.

His gaze dropped automatically to his hands.

Shaking.

He rubbed his fingers together absentmindedly.

A word surfaced in his mind without effort.

Sweet.

He opened the drawer beside the bed, grabbing the tablet provided.

Barely used since he arrived.

He quickly opened a conversation with the Blue Lock staff woman, some kind of secretary? She seemed like more than that.

—Desserts. Anything.

He paused. Deleted it. Jaw tightening.

—Desserts. A variety. I want to try Japanese sweets.

Better. More acceptable.

His finger hovered for a moment before sending.

He let the device fall beside him, drawing in a slow breath.

His gaze wandered around the room, searching for anything.

It stopped at the mirror.

He stood up before his mind could catch up.

His reflection showed the same look as always.

But not quite.

Alexis tilted his head slightly.

His hair already looked completely out of shape, the light brown covering most of it.
The pink barely showed anymore.

He brought a hand up to the top, lightly pulling a few strands between his fingers.

When was the last time?

He let the strands fall slowly, his gaze instinctively shifting to the side.

Looking for someone who wasn’t there yet.

Ridiculous.

He looked back at his reflection before returning to the tablet.

—Hair dye too. Magenta.

Did he need to be that specific? Didn’t matter. He sent it anyway and went back to bed in silence, lying down while thinking about everything and nothing at the same time.

He closed his eyes for just a few seconds.

Maybe a few minutes.

When he opened them again, it was sudden.

He got up immediately, looking at the nearest clock.

Fuck.

He had never gotten ready that fast before. It would be the first training he’d be late to.

He ran as fast as he could, bumping into someone else who was also late, not even registering who it was.

Already out of breath before it even started.

Just a cold glance from Noa, enough to make him shrink on instinct.

Kaiser looked at him once.

Just once.

And looked away.

“Late.” Noel Noa’s voice made him flinch, and he just nodded, unable to look up. “Don’t let it happen again.”

“It won’t.”

“Pairs. Pass, adjust, finish. Quick.” The ball was already coming before Alexis had fully positioned himself.

He reacted on instinct.

The touch came out heavy, slipping a few centimeters past the ideal.

No player would notice.

But of course Kaiser noticed immediately.

Alexis corrected it on the second touch, quick and forced.

The pass connected, Kaiser finished.

Goal.

“Again.”

Alexis already knew.

The ball came back stronger, faster. This time he positioned himself better, anticipating to secure clean control. A minimal adjustment and a perfect connection.

Goal.

“Again.”

The pace increased, precision, rhythm, execution. He was used to this. And somehow his body wasn’t…

Aligned.

Not enough.

Kaiser had to adjust his next step, one more than necessary. Small, but it shouldn’t have happened.

Goal.

“What was that?” Alexis swallowed.

“It won’t happen again.”

“Again.” Kaiser let out an irritated breath and they continued.

Again.

Again.

Again.

Again.

“You’re distracted.” He didn’t know how to answer, there was no way to answer.

“I’m sorry, Kaiser.”

“To who?” His eyes widened slightly, that was a big leap.

“No one, I’m just out of rhythm.”

This time Kaiser returned the ball to him. And he didn’t even have to think.

Perfect this time, no delay, no adjustment needed. Exactly as it should be.

Goal.

“See? Nothing changed.” Kaiser looked at him for another second, the lack of trust clear in his eyes.

“I heard you were with the Blue Lock guys earlier.” Failure. Delay. Again.

“I… I wasn’t the only one, Grim and-”

“I didn’t ask for excuses. Don’t let it interfere.” He nodded quickly, his hand clenched tight.

“Again.”

Kaiser made the impossible real.

But for some reason, he couldn’t pretend he wasn’t noticing someone else in his field of vision.

He would play for Kaiser. That was never in question and never would be.

He would make that rose the most beautiful in the world.

Goal.

“Small-sided game. 7v7.” Noel Noa’s voice cut across the field, everyone stopping instantly.

Teams were formed quickly.

Even if he didn’t understand why Noa kept putting Isagi and Kaiser on the same team, it would never work.

Alexis stretched quickly, feeling the consequences of skipping that step hit his body.

His eyes moved rapidly across the field.

The ball came into play and everyone started moving immediately. A flawless rhythm.

The ball seemed to pass through everyone before landing perfectly at his feet.

Four eyes closing in from the right. Birkenstock through the center.

Kaiser advancing.

The decision was simple. It always had been.

The ball disappeared from in front of him with a single movement, his body turning as he slipped past the irritated blond.

A flash of blue in his peripheral vision, darker than he was used to.

He hesitated.

Wrong.

A pass to Kaiser.

Goal. Magical. As always.

Functional, but not good.

And from the look he received back, his emperor had clearly noticed.

But Alexis was already running again before he could even think about it.

The game was getting boring.

Until Isagi touched the ball.

He’s weak on his right, just block it. There’s no space for anyone else besides Kaiser.

Is there?

But there always had been. When he thought about following someone, it was never just Kaiser that came to mind. There was someone who would give everything.

And somehow that someone ended up being Isagi.

The net sank, and he could only watch as the Japanese player celebrated, jumping with Kurona.

He could feel the stare burning into him.

Fuck, fuck, fuck.

He had to fix this before the next match or they’d be doomed.

Again. Again. Again. Again. Again. Again. Again. Again. Again.

The whistle came sharp.

“Enough.” Noa’s voice cut through the field effortlessly. It wasn’t enough. But he would make it enough.

The game stopped almost immediately, heavy breathing and slowing movement.

Alexis let out a slow breath, his body still in rhythm.

From afar he saw Hiori calling him toward the locker room.

“Ness.” His body went cold as Kaiser passed by without slowing. “Don’t be late tomorrow.”

“I won’t.” It sounded like a vow.

Alexis watched him for a second before moving again, his steps slower this time, avoiding thinking about anything.

The locker room was already full when he entered.

Terrible smell, voices too loud.

He quickly noticed he was the only one from Bastard there. It made sense. It was better to wait for your roommate to finish showering than to join… whatever this was.

Which made even less sense for him to be there, since he didn’t even have a roommate to wait for.

“Hey, Ness!”

He turned, seeing Kurona waving casually between the lockers.

He approached silently, starting to remove his uniform before stepping into the first available shower.

Why was he here?

For a second his eyes betrayed him, searching for Isagi. But he froze immediately, his face burning.

Alexis made sure to use as much soap and as many of the Blue Lock amenities as possible. A small challenge for no real reason.

But as soon as he stepped out, he felt…

Small.

The sound hit him immediately.

Fast, overlapping words.

Japanese.

His brain tried to follow and failed, he could barely pick up a few scattered words, let alone anything concrete. His hand reached his ear out of reflex.

Empty. No earbuds. No translation.

Alexis let out a quiet breath through his nose, irritated, out of place.

“…Isagi.”

The name cut through the noise, clear and familiar. Alexis looked up automatically.

Isagi was a few lockers ahead, talking to someone, fast and far too animated. Alexis didn’t understand a single word.

And still…

He wanted to.

His gaze stayed there. He could’ve left already and grabbed his earbuds, but instead he kept watching, trying to follow through gestures and expressions.

Lightly gripping the towel between his fingers, he turned away.

Ridiculous.

Kurona appeared beside him, short and direct, saying something quickly.

Alexis just shook his head, pointing to his ear before replying in English.

“I can’t understand.” Kurona tilted his head to the side in confusion, so Alexis simply showed his ears without the earbuds.

He heard a few more words from him, accompanied by a small frown.

“I can translate if you want.” The voice came from behind him, in perfect English. Alexis turned.

The guy with glasses again, the one who scored in the match against Manshine.

“…No need.” He blinked. “But I… might learn.”

The sentence slipped out almost unintentionally.

The other frowned at him.

“Japanese?” Alexis shrugged.

“It can’t be that hard.” A lie, but it didn’t matter.

His gaze slipped again.

Forward.

To him.

He got dressed quickly, but didn’t put his earbuds back on. He just left them in his pocket and walked out of the locker room with long strides, offering only a brief wave goodbye.

When he returned to his room, he stopped at the door.

Placed neatly on his bed was a medium-sized basket, filled with all kinds of colorful packaging. The Japanese standard.

Sweets.

In a separate bag beside it were three boxes, each a different shade of pink.

He honestly hadn’t even known there were three different shades of magenta. Next to those three was a single different one, sky blue.

He hid that one at the back of the closet.

Focusing on the basket of sweets, he made a face.

He couldn’t understand anything written on them, but he opened one that looked like a small cake. Soft. Pink.

Too sweet. He could just leave it at that, he’d already done enough.

But his eyes drifted back to the door, still open.

He dropped the wrapper back a little harder than necessary. Even the sound of his own footsteps felt too loud.

Shaking his head, he walked out again, only pulling the door lightly closed behind him.

The hallway was more crowded than he expected, people passing in every direction.

Fuck.

He hadn’t thought about this part. He didn’t even know exactly where they were.

Or how to...

A flash of blue right in front of him.

Luck?

“Hey!”

The call came out before he could think, several people turning, but he waved directly at Hiori, who approached him in silence. Ness quickly put his earbuds back in, clumsily.

“…Something?” The audio only kicked in at the end of the sentence, making him click his teeth in irritation as he crossed his arms defensively.

“I got the sweets you guys wanted.” He nodded toward his room.

That wasn’t an invitation.

Hiori tilted his head slightly.

“And?”

“And…” He froze. This was ridiculous. “My room is bigger.”

“You’re inviting us?” Alexis looked away.

“If you want.” Pause. “Doesn’t matter.” It definitely mattered.

Hiori smiled, not mirroring his usual one. It looked genuine.

“I’ll tell the others. I think they’ll like it more than I will.”

He turned before Alexis could respond.

“Wait-” Too late. He let out a sharp breath, not realizing he’d been holding it. “…Great.”

He ran a hand over his face quickly. It was done. No going back now.

He stood in the hallway for a few more seconds, not quite sure what to do.

Then he turned, heading back to his room a little too fast.

He sat on the bed, not knowing what to expect.

He looked at the basket again, picking up another sweet and pretending to understand what was written before tossing it back.

He ran a hand through his hair and stopped mid-motion.

The dye. Right.

He grabbed one of the boxes and opened it, inspecting it briefly. He wrinkled his nose at the smell before snapping the lid shut.

They weren’t taking long. He looked at the door again.

Nothing.

Before he realized it, he was pacing around the room.

His gaze fell back to the bed and he sat down.

Then stood up again.

Crossed his arms. Uncrossed them.

His fingers tapped lightly against his arm for a few seconds before he brought both hands to his face, pressing his eyes shut for a moment.

Why did this feel worse than training?

A stupid invitation…

A sound in the hallway, very close, made him freeze. Voices he had learned to recognize.

His heart jumped sharply.

“Already?”

He looked around once more. Everything organized. Everything in place.

He adjusted the basket unnecessarily. It even had a stupid ribbon.

Maybe he should take more advantage of Blue Lock’s hospitality.

When the knocking started, it was almost too late, he opened the door so quickly he just looked like an idiot.

Hiori appeared first, hand still raised, blocking the doorway as if making sure the others wouldn’t rush in.

Behind him, Kurona walked in without ceremony.

And right after, like he already owned the place was Isagi.

“Okay.” It was his first reaction. Direct. Unfiltered.

“Yeah, this is completely unfair.” Alexis blinked. “What do you mean you get a room all to yourself?”

He pointed at him, face full of genuine indignation.

“I told you. I’m a guest.”

“I wanna be a guest too.”

“For that, you’d have to be good.” The usual teasing came out, bitter on his tongue.

“Hey!” Even complaining, he didn’t sound offended.

Kurona was already on the floor before the argument even ended.

The basket was dropped onto his lap like a gift.

“Sweets, sweets.” He hummed happily as Alexis carefully closed the door behind him.

Hiori and Isagi looked around the room with analytical eyes, and for a moment Alexis was grateful he was organized.

“Nice space.”

He didn’t answer, still standing there, unsure what to do.

“You’re just going to stand there?” Isagi was already on the bed, like it belonged to him.

Too natural.

It blanked his mind.

Bed.

Yoichi.

Soulmate.

Bed.

Yoichi, his soulmate, on his bed.

Why is he on my bed?

Why is he comfortable?

Since when is this...

Alexis took a step forward without realizing.

“Get off.” His voice came out louder than it should have. Uncontrolled.

Isagi just blinked.

“No.”

“Get off.” Stronger.

“No.”

Silence fell quickly. The others just watched.

I invited him.

Why does this keep happening like this?

He looked away first.

“Ugh, fine. Do whatever you want.” The words came out dry. He hoped no one could see his ears heating up.

He turned away before anyone could say anything else, heading straight for the desk.

The dye.

Right. Perfect. He opened one of the boxes quickly, still not looking at anyone.

“I need to touch this up. Don’t mess anything.”

Kurona laughed quietly in the background.

He started preparing everything in automatic movements. He had done it so many times it came as naturally as football.

“Do you always react like that when someone sits on your bed?” Of course it would be Hiori commenting. He was probably a disguised sadist.

Alexis didn’t turn around.

“Only when they weren’t invited.”

“You literally invited us.” He heard Isagi, still unable to turn and look at him.

“I’ve already regretted it enough.”

Kurona laughed softly on the floor.

“Cold, cold.”

Hiori leaned against the wall, arms crossed.

“You’re lying.”

Alexis squeezed the dye tube slightly, not answering.

Easier that way.

He put on the glove with surgical precision and ran a hand through his hair.

Focus.

“You do this yourself?”

“Always.”

“Don’t you have enough money to pay a hairdresser?” He turned with his usual smile, meeting those cyan eyes.

“I have enough, being a professional player and all.” Hiori seemed to accept that with a small smile.

“Touché.”

Isagi raised an eyebrow, resting his face on his hand.

“So it’s just stubbornness?”

“No one’s going to do it better than me.”

“That sounds like rich people nonsense,” Hiori added, that same sly smile returning.

“When we play against Ubers, you’ll see what real rich-people nonsense looks like.”

“To me, weird is choosing to give yourself more work,” Isagi commented, opening a package with small dark squares.

“Weird is not knowing how to take care of your own hair.”

“Fight, fight!”

“I can take care of my hair.” Isagi huffed, tilting his head back.

Alexis glanced quickly.

Analyzing.

“It doesn’t look like it.” It’s beautiful. Alexis would like to know if it’s soft.

“Hey!”

“I pay someone to take care of mine sometimes,” Hiori cut in casually. “But this…” he gestured toward Alexis’s hair, “this isn’t normal maintenance.”

He turned back to the mirror, chin lifting slightly.

“Of course it isn’t.”

“Still think it’s excessive.” Isagi made a face.

“I’m not taking opinions from someone who can’t interpret a movie.”

“Don’t start that again!” Before Alexis could say anything, Isagi stepped closer—shoving one of the sweets into his mouth without asking.

Hm… that was actually more acceptable. Nuts.

But he didn’t need to know that, so Alexis just frowned in irritation and pushed him away.

Kurona looked up from the basket.

“I can help!”

“No.” Too fast. “I prefer doing it myself.”

“Okay, okay.”

No insistence.

And they stayed there. Talking. Laughing. Forcing him to try different kinds of Japanese sweets.

Not all of them were bad, but now he felt obligated to make them try one of his own pies someday.

Alexis continued, strand by strand.

That background noise…

Wasn’t bad.

Time passed almost without him noticing, the dye nearly staying longer than it should.

He stood up with a sigh and threw a towel over his shoulder.

“The TV remote is on the dresser. My tablet’s there too.” He narrowed his eyes slightly in their direction. “Don’t break anything.”

“If we do, we’ve got our rich friend to pay,” Isagi smiled at him.

“Rich, rich.”

“I’m not your friend.”

“Then if we break it, we’ve got our millionaire friend Reo to pay.”

“Reo wouldn’t even buy you a snack after everything you said to him and Nagi in the match,” Hiori pointed out.

“Come on, things said on the field don’t count, right Ness?” He raised an eyebrow, waiting. “You say bad things on the field too!”

“And I meant every single one.” Alexis shrugged before heading fully into the bathroom.

He could still hear the sounds on the other side of the door, but it was quiet enough for him to think.

He placed a hand against the wall, head lowered for a moment, watching the pink-tinted water stain everything with a slight grimace.

But it gave him enough time to organize his thoughts. To breathe.

He almost walked out wearing only pants and a towel over his shoulders, shirtless bodies were the most normal thing in a team.

But just the possibility of having to talk to Isagi about the mark on his body was enough to make him stop.

Better avoid it.

When he stepped out, the room felt different.

The lights dimmer, the sound of the TV filling the space.

Kurona and Hiori were on the floor, watching some random show.

And Isagi...

Still on his bed.

With the tablet.

“I didn’t think you’d pick that one. There’s nothing there.” He sat at the edge of the bed, drying his hair with one hand.

“I’m watching you.”

Alexis froze.

“What?”

“Your matches.”

God, please don’t let it be the Bastard debut match.

The tablet tilted slightly, familiar images.

Movements he didn’t even remember making consciously, but luckily from a good game. They had won by three.

“Why?”

“Because you don’t make sense.” He frowned slightly.

“It’s not supposed to.”

Isagi leaned forward, more focused now.

“The ball just disappears from your feet and ends up somewhere impossible.”

“It goes where I know someone will be,” he corrected immediately.

“So you’re predicting?” Isagi went quiet, processing.

“No.” His tone sharpened. “I just know.”

“It doesn’t seem like something repeatable. But somehow you do it.”

“It works with who it needs to work with.”

“Kaiser, obviously.” Isagi cut in. “So it’s not that the pass is perfect.” He continued, like he was taking something apart piece by piece. “It’s that he can reach it.”

Alexis tightened his grip on the towel.

“He makes it possible.” The words came out softer than he expected.

“So you play with him.”

“I play for him.” Firmer. “It’s not the same.”

Isagi tilted his head slightly.

“And if it’s not him?”

“Then it doesn’t work.” Alexis let out a quiet, humorless laugh. Like it was obvious.

Isagi looked back at the tablet.

“They look wrong.” Alexis shrugged. From the outside, they probably did. “Until they don’t.”

“That’s the thing about magic, Yoichi. It just works.”

“I want to try.” Alexis looked up.

“What?”

“Reaching it.”

A smile spread across his face.

“Try improving for about fifty years and I’ll pass to you.”

“Nah. Too long.”

Alexis tilted his head slightly, dismissing him with a hand gesture.

“Then give up.”

“No.” Immediate. “I learn faster than that.”

The smile on Alexis’s face didn’t disappear.

But it changed.

He didn’t even notice when he lay down beside him, close enough to see the game clearly on the tablet.

“You don’t play with Kaiser.”

“I already said that.”

“But you don’t play alone either.” He stayed quiet, waiting. “So there has to be a way, even if it’s not the same.”

Alexis let out a quiet breath.

“It’s not about a way.” His voice dropped. “It’s about… synchronization.”

“Then let me try to find it too.”

He blinked.

No hesitation.

A small laugh slipped out.

“You’re persistent.”

He pushed Isagi’s forehead lightly, hearing the others laugh quietly.

He didn’t even realize he had relaxed too, his hand drifting absentmindedly to his almost-dry hair.

“Looks good.”

Too close.

Before he could react, Isagi’s hand was already there, fingers brushing through a damp strand, like he was testing the texture.

Alexis froze.

What-

Why is he-

Why hasn’t he moved his hand?

His body didn’t react. Not even a centimeter.

“I didn’t think it would change that much,” Isagi murmured.

Alexis opened and closed his mouth like a broken toy.

Move.

He didn’t.

Why isn’t he moving?

His heart started beating faster.

“…Do you always invade people’s personal space like this?” His voice barely came out as a whisper.

“Only when I’m curious.”

This simplistic act of Isagi’s would kill him one day.

Deciding to act, Alexis grabbed his wrist, not firmly, just enough to move it away, letting go immediately after, lying back to create distance.

In his own bed.

He watched the dark-haired boy lie down on his side, placing the tablet between them so they could both watch.

He wasn’t a narcissist, seeing himself on a screen didn’t bring anything besides a strange feeling.

“Tch, this guy is going to get me sent off one day.” A perfectly executed Kaiser Impact played on screen, and he caught himself smiling while Isagi rolled his eyes.

Time passed faster than it should have, filled with loose conversations and small, comfortable silences.

It was good.

“I need to test this.” The decision came suddenly when a spinning ball got kicked right in the goal. The other already getting up.

“Now?”

“I need to test it.” Alexis just looked away, making a dismissive gesture.

“Good luck.”

“Will I need it?”

“Without a doubt.”

Kurona got up right after.

“I’m excited too, too.”

“I’ll go with them to make sure they don’t overdo it,” Hiori added, uncrossing his arms.

The movement was quick, muffled thanks, and the idiots inviting themselves over again for another day.

And Kurona saying they were now pink-hair brothers.

Alexis stood there for a few seconds, staring at the closed door.

Then slowly brought his hand to his hair, stopping where Isagi had touched.

“Idiot.”

He blindly reached across the bed, grabbing the tablet that had been left behind. Unlocked, frozen on the screen.

He stared at it for a few seconds before pulling it closer and typing slowly.

Yoichi Isagi.

The first videos appeared almost instantly, few matches compared to others.

Alexis tapped one.

Messy. That was his first impression.

Late decisions, sluggish movements.

He skipped forward without thinking, that didn’t even look like the Isagi who played with him.

Another match.

Better.

Faster.

Alexis frowned slightly.

It wasn’t linear growth, it looked like jumps rather than progression.

Like something clicked all at once, and he started rising again and again.

He went back a few moments.

Isagi’s goal in the U-20 match.

He leaned closer to the screen before switching to the most recent game against Manshine.

Arriving earlier.

Cleaner.

Sharper.

More… dangerous.

Something tightened slightly in Alexis’s chest.

Magic never failed.

So… why him?

His fingers froze over the screen for a second.

“You’re the one who doesn’t make sense here.” Another play, running, arriving exactly where he needed to be.

Somehow, he found himself looking forward to the next match.

To discovering Isagi’s next leap.

Alexis should have stopped watching.

But even that...

He failed.

Video after video.

Match after match.

Always the same thing?

Wrong.

At the gym, at least things were quieter.

The metallic sound of weights filled the space, repetitive, rhythmic.

Safe.

Alexis pulled the bar again in a clean motion. Here, he had control.

He planted his feet firmly, holding the movement for a second before continuing.

It didn’t make sense.

No matter how many times he watched or replayed it in his head...

Isagi just… Got better.

Too fast.

It wasn’t technique.

It wasn’t physical.

It was…

Adaptation?

Like he was always one step behind...

Until he wasn’t anymore.

Alexis dropped the bar harder than necessary, the sound echoing loudly.

Magic doesn’t fail.

So why him?

He ran a hand over his face quickly, resting his elbows on his knees. His breathing heavy for reasons beyond exhaustion.

It wasn’t just the game.

And it wasn’t just the speed.

It was the fact that maybe, he really could reach it.

Alexis closed his eyes.

The way he spoke. Looked. And how he…

Touched.

His fingers tightened unconsciously in his own hair, letting out a shaky breath.

That wasn’t it.

But it had to be.

Alexis opened his eyes.

“I don’t even know you that well,” he muttered to himself, unconvincing.

That wasn’t true anymore.

He knew enough.

More than he should.

Maybe that was the problem.

“Ness!” His brain stopped working.

No.

No.

No.

He turned his head slowly.

Of course he was there.

“Are you following me?”

“No.” He waved it off with a smile. “I was looking for you.”

Worse. Much worse.

He looked up, almost like a silent plea.

“Why?”

“I got better.”

Of course he did.

“And?”

Isagi stepped closer.

“It wasn’t perfect.”

“It’s not supposed to be.”

“But now I’ve got a new weapon!”

Alexis opened his eyes slowly.

“What?”

“Left-foot… shot.” His eyes widened instantly.

The world went quiet.

“You’re lying.”

Isagi stood there, eyes bright, smiling at him.

Why did he tell him that?

“I’m not.”

Alexis looked away first. It was always him.

“And how would you apply that?”

“That’s why I’m here. I wanted your help.”

A low, humorless laugh escaped him.

“You don’t give up.”

He shook his head.

Of course not.

Alexis ran a hand through his hair again, stopping mid-motion.

Stop thinking about that.

He looked Isagi up and down, analyzing.

Already opening his mouth to respond-

“Alexis.”

His body reacted before his mind. Instinctive. Fast.

The way it should be.

Kaiser stood at the entrance, watching. Silent.

“You disappeared.” His voice was controlled, and Alexis straightened immediately.

“I was training.”

“I can see that.” His gaze shifted to Isagi, making Alexis’s stomach sink.

“Interrupting?”

“Not really” Isagi answered first. “We were just finishing.”

We.

“I see.” Kaiser didn’t smile. “Then finish later.”

Not a request.

Alexis looked away briefly.

“Of course.”

Silence.

Heavy.

Uncomfortable.

Alexis took a step toward him, then paused.

“Later.” It came out quiet, not to Kaiser.

He didn’t look back.

“Okay.”

Alexis walked half a step behind him as always.

But this time...

It felt wrong.

“You messed up in training today.” Kaiser’s voice came sharp, without warning.

He stayed silent.

“It won’t happen again.”

“You don’t hesitate normally.”

His fingers tightened slightly, nails pressing into his skin.

“It was just an adjustment.”

“For who?”

Silence answered first.

“Because it wasn’t for me.”

Not a question.

“Who?”

“No on-”

“Ness.” His name came lower.

“Who?”

He already knew.

That made it worse.

Air started leaving his lungs.

“It doesn’t ma-”

“It does.” Kaiser stopped in front of him, blocking the way.

“We’re at the highest level, Ness. You don’t make mistakes like that.” Clinical. “So you didn’t make a mistake earlier.”

“I didn’t-” His chest tightened.

“You thought of someone.” The taste of blood filled his mouth. “That touch was for Yoichi.”

Alexis shut his eyes tightly.

“That’s not it, Kaiser.”

“And you were with him just now.”

“That doesn’t me-”

“It’s enough.”

Closer.

Faces near.

“You hesitated… because you considered him.”

That...

That was so true his body started failing, his eyes burning before he could stop it.

“I did-”

“What did it take? A little dinner?” Kaiser didn’t raise his voice.

Didn’t need to.

Then he stepped back.

Like he had enough.

“I don’t care.”

Light. Indifferent.

But not really.

“Outside the field, meet whatever clown you want.”

A shrug.

“But on the field…” a pause “I expect you to choose correctly who you serve.”

That look again.

Cold.

Then he turned and walked away.

Slowly.

He didn’t need to decide yet.

Because it was already decided.

The next day, the pass came clean as always.

Straight to Kaiser. No hesitation, no deviation.

Correct.

In the following days, it became even easier.

He didn’t look. Not once.

He knew exactly where Isagi was, and chose not to look.

It got to a point where it became automatic again.

His body responding for him.

Kaiser.

Always Kaiser.

That’s how it worked. That’s how it had always worked.

On the day before the match against Ubers, Alexis almost didn’t fail in that belief.

Almost.

“Ness.”

He froze. Didn’t turn around. Didn’t need to.

“Let’s watch a movie tonight.”

“I don’t want to.” The answer came immediately. He could feel the others staring and gritted his teeth.

“In your room. After training.” Isagi continued, completely unfazed.

He stood there like he hadn’t just said something completely absurd.

“What?”

“After training.” He frowned slightly, like he was explaining something obvious. “There’s this movie I think you’ll like.”

“And the others?” That was what came out of his mouth instead of the refusal.

And Isagi noticed.

Smiled immediately.

“Just us this time.”

“I didn’t invite you.”

“I’m coming anyway.”

Alexis didn’t even notice when he started tapping his foot against the ground.

“You’re insufferable.”

Soulmate.

Room.

Isagi.

“I know.”

“Don’t come in without knocking.” Alexis crossed his arms, looking away.

“Okay.”

Alexis froze.

How had he agreed to this?

“Wait for me there.” Isagi added, waving lightly before heading toward the locker room.

Alexis stayed there.

How was this even possible?

He didn’t go to the locker room with the others. That was a mistake he wouldn’t repeat, not when he had a perfectly functional bathtub in his own room.

He kept replaying everything until the door closed behind him.

He wasn’t invited.

The room was quiet. Organized. Like no one lived there.

He wasn’t invited.

It didn’t make sense.

He wasn’t invited, fuck.

Alexis ran a hand through his hair, walking to the desk, fixing an invisible wrinkle on the bed before dropping onto it, staring at the ceiling.

A knock on the door.

A second later.

Another knock.

“Ness?” The voice came muffled from the other side.

When he got up, he opened the door just enough.

“You’re early.”

“I didn’t set a time.” Of course he didn’t.

Alexis opened the door a little more, but didn’t move aside.

“I told you... you weren’t invited.”

Instead of a disc, Isagi held up a tablet.

“I brought a movie.”

Alexis narrowed his eyes.

“I don’t want to watch it.”

“It’s German.”

Dangerous silence.

“I thought you’d like it.”

That was low.

Alexis crossed his arms, trying to keep his expression steady.

“You thought wrong.”

“It’s one of those weird ones.”

“I don’t want to.”

“Confusing too.”

“I said I-”

“And full of parts that don’t make sense.”

“Yoichi.”

“Then we’ll watch it together.” He finally stopped, looking directly at him. “And you’re going to explain it.”

He stepped forward.

Alexis didn’t step back.

Too late.

Isagi was already throwing himself onto his bed like they were close.

Like they were...

More.

Alexis closed the door on instinct.

“Unbelievable.” His chest tightened slightly.

He had lost this from the start.

Actually... Had he ever had a chance?

Accepting it, he sat at the edge of the bed while Isagi casually messed with the tablet. He didn’t even know you could watch anything other than matches on that thing.

The movie started without ceremony.

Neither of them commented on how this happened.

Or the fact that Isagi Yoichi and Alexis Ness were sharing the same bed.

They didn’t even look at each other directly.

But they didn’t need to, they were close enough to feel it.

The movie started strange. Quiet. A dark filter covering everything.

Perfect.

“This doesn’t make sense.”

Of course.

Alexis let out a quiet breath.

“It hasn’t even been five minutes.”

“But it’s just the sea!” Isagi pointed, indignant. “Explain it.”

He had nothing. Absolutely nothing.

“It’s… symbolic.” Isagi tilted his head.

“Of what?”

Alexis crossed his arms, thinking fast.

“Disconnection.”

“Disconnection from what?”

“Existential.”

Isagi looked completely offended.

Alexis bit his lip to keep from smiling.

This was better than it should be.

A few seconds passed.

“I get it.” He didn’t.

Alexis turned his face slightly, hiding a small smile.

“This part…” he pointed “is about identity.”

The screen slowly lit up as a blonde woman put on makeup in front of a mirror.

“Why?”

“Because… the camera shifts.”

“It just moved to the side.”

“Exactly. It’s showing perspective.”

“Whose perspective?”

“The observer’s.”

“And who’s observing?”

He turned his face away.

“You ask too many questions.”

“And you don’t know how to explain.”

A quiet laugh escaped him.

“You don’t need to understand. You need a bigger brain for that.”

Isagi looked unimpressed.

Both turned back to the screen, not really watching.

“This part…” his voice dropped “is about… connection.”

Isagi paused.

“You change fast.”

“I’m just explaining everything to you.” Alexis tightened his grip on the sheet. “It’s evolution.”

“I get it.”

Maybe he did.

Maybe he didn’t.

The movie continued. Strange, meaningless, perfect.

Alexis noticed first.

Not because he wanted to, but Isagi was getting closer.

He didn’t move.

Didn’t look.

Because if he did...

It would be worse.

Isagi’s voice came softer now.

“Why is the photo so important?”

“You’d know if you were watching.”

Automatic.

“But I want you to explain.”

“No.”

“Ness.”

“It's Alexis.” He turned.

Mistake.

Too close.

Way too close.

He could see details he shouldn’t.

The focus in his eyes. The tension in his lips.

He forgot everything he was going to say.

“You froze.” Isagi leaned closer.

“You talk too much.”Alexis swallowed.

“And you keep looking away”

“Why are you-” He stopped.

Why are you so close?

Nothing came out.

Silence.

Isagi didn’t move, and either did he.

That was the problem.

His gaze dropped.

Mistakes. Too many lately.

When he looked back up it's was already too late.

Isagi had noticed.

Denser.

Closer.

The movie forgotten.

“Ness.” His voice was low now. No teasing. His heart pounded. “Are you going to keep looking away?” Alexis didn’t answer.

Didn’t trust his voice. He leaned closer without realizing.

Or pretending not to.

Too close.

Ridiculous.

He could stop.

He should stop.

He couldn’t.

His eyes dropped again, didn’t come back this time.

The world got too small.

Just them.

“Alexis.” Not a warning, just curiosity.

“Is this… symbolic too?” He blinked.

Once.

Twice.

Then exhaled sharply and grabbed Isagi by the collar.

Their lips met clumsily.

Fast and almost wrong.

But it didn’t fail.

It was perfect.

Alexis noticed first.

And pulled away first.

Slowly.

Breathing uneven.

The air felt heavier.

He blinked.

Still there.

“That was-”

“Shut up.” Automatic. Softer.

Isagi touched his own lips, like he was trying to understand.

“That wasn’t very symbolic.”

“I told you to shut up.”

He wasn’t listening.

He laughed.

Alexis pressed his eyes shut, running a hand over his face.

“Idiot.” He couldn’t stop laughing.

The movie was still playing somewhere.

Didn’t matter.

Alexis leaned his head back against the wall, trying to steady his breathing.

Heart still too fast.

He looked to the side.

Isagi was still looking at him, smiling.

A problem.

A big one.

But…

One he could solve.

Alexis exhaled slowly.

“I have a soulmate.” Isagi’s smile faded slightly.

Not gone.

Just different.

“Oh.” Simple. “I see.”

Alexis frowned.

“You see?”

“Yeah.” For the first time, Isagi looked away first. “Makes sense.” It didn’t. “That’s why you took so long.”

Alexis blinked.

“Is it Kaiser?”

“What?” He frowned.

“And the kiss…” Isagi let out a small breath. “Was a mistake.”

That...

Was not what he wanted to say.

“It wasn’t.”

“Relax.” He raised a hand. “It happens. I don’t mind.”

Something tightened in Alexis’s chest.

Lie.

“You don’t have to explain.”

Worse.

“Yoichi… you have one too.”

He saw Isagi shrink slightly.

“So you saw that.”

He nodded, trying to understand.

“You never wondered who it was?”

“It doesn’t matter to me. I tried for too long. If you check my socials, it’s just pictures of that stupid mark… pathetic, right?” He looked down. “After the U-20 match, I got noticed. If they’re not interested in me, then I can… look for something else.”

Social media…

He had never even known about Blue Lock before.

Never imagined it would be someone from outside his country.

Isagi looked up again.

“You know… I kind of knew you already.”

“What?” Alexis frowned.

“Not personally. But when I found out Noel Noa was training Bastard’s youth team, I looked you up.”

Alexis found himself reaching up, fingers touching Isagi’s chin.

“For some reason, you were the only name I remembered. So I got pretty annoyed when you turned out to be an asshole.”

“…Sorry.”

Isagi shook his head.

“I like you, Alexis. I’m glad we got to talk more.”

With an embarrassed groan, Alexis pulled away, face completely red.

He quickly pulled his pajama shirt over his head.

Then threw it across the room.

Immediately seeing his own reaction mirrored on Isagi’s face.

Before he could look more, he turned away completely.

Letting him figure it out.

Silence.

Five seconds.

Ten.

Fifteen.

God.

How long-

“You’re…” Alexis shut his eyes tightly. “It’s the same.” He turned slowly.

Just enough to confirm.

Isagi was still there.

Looking.

Not confused.

“Oh.” He seemed to reach a conclusion. “Okay.”

Alexis pressed his lips together.

“Okay?”

“Yeah.” A small pause. “So it’s you.”

Alexis let out a short, humorless laugh.

“Try not to get too excited.”

“I already said I liked you before this.” He blinked. “So it doesn’t change much.”

“It does.”

“Why?”

“I found out after the match.”

Isagi hummed.

“You must’ve freaked out, huh? I won’t lie, imagining your reaction and Kaiser’s, makes me a little happy.”

“He doesn’t know.”

His eyes lit up.

“Then I’ll tell him.”

“Don’t be stupid.”

Isagi just wrapped his arms around his shoulders.

Skin against skin.

A shiver.

“I have to say it. Our relationship can’t be subjective.”

Alexis rolled his eyes, a small smile forming.

His hands found Isagi’s waist.

“Still don’t like subtext?”

He pulled him closer.

“No. And I’m still going to play against you two.” He swung a leg over his waist. “Even if you don’t pass to me.”

Alexis tightened his arms.

“Even if it’s hard?”

“Doesn’t matter. I’ll reach it.”

“Idiot.”

Their lips met again.

One single movement.

Eyes closing.

Body finally relaxing.

That...

Was his magic.