Work Text:
Playing‧₊˚♪𝄞࿐₊˚⊹
Gabriela — Katseye
↻ ◁ || ▷ ↺
Meguru didn't know what kind of person Oikawa Tooru was.
On many occasions, he overheard her classmates gossiping about some "Miya Twins," a certain "Ushijima," and that infamous "Oikawa." They always talked about how attractive they were, their volleyball skills—so sensational that they even had fans from other schools. Bachira overheard all this.
He was not interested in volleyball magazines or volleyball news in general. The only thing he even knew about it was by reluctantly reading the occasional internet forum out of boredom. But that's it.
For the first time, he was standing face to face with those young volleyball stars, and boy, were they tall. Their height was intimidating, but they weren't on par with guys like Nagi, Gagamaru, or Aryu. That said, it didn't diminish their appeal. They certainly had a certain allure, though he couldn't quite decide if it was purely physical or if there was something in their playing style that captivated so many people.
The reason for their meeting was simple. Many of them and other young people from different sports areas were invited to a ceremony organized by the Japan Football Association (JFA) to present the new members of the Japanese under-20 team and celebrate their great feat in the friendly match between Blue Lock and the former under-20 team.
Everyone who had been selected for the match, even those who were substitutes, had to come to the gala. Even the stars of the Under-20 team, though they were scattered throughout the hall. Most of them were trying to pretend that the reminder of their bitter defeat didn't affect them.
Bachira was wearing a black and simple tuxedo that his mother had rented the day before. It was a size larger than he normally wore, but it wasn't uncomfortable. The only unbearable thing was having to stand perfectly still in line.
Anri was giving a speech to those present, while the rest of Blue Lock stood in formation behind her. Everyone was elegant, all well-dressed. Even Gagamaru. Bachira noticed he smelled different. Had he washed his hair for the occasion?
"Despite the adversities, the project has proven to be a success. And I'm pleased to introduce those who achieved the impossible, a group of persevering young people with strong motivation and a decisive goal." Anri turned around, and a couple of cameramen began to take their positions. "They are Blue Lock. Let's give them a round of applause!"
All the teenagers bowed instantly, and the sounds of camera flashes began. Bachira still wasn't used to the attention, but he felt a flutter of excitement in her stomach. Would those photos appear in a magazine? Or even better, his mother might see him on the news!
"This is the best, don't you think?" Bachira whispered, turning his head slightly to his right, where Isagi was standing.
"My hands are sweaty, and I think I'm going to cry" Isagi replied in an equally low voice.
"Didn't you say you loved compliments?" Bachira teased him.
"But I'm not used to this level, dude!"
They looked up and both noticed that the attention had shifted to a member of the Japanese Football Association, so they began whispering to each other without taking their eyes off the audience.
"When are they going to finish speaking? We've been standing still for half an hour now," said Bachira, unable to stay still any longer.
"Anri took her 20 minutes to talk about Blue Lock in general. She should have gone into detail about the overexploitation we suffer, but she probably wants to avoid a class-action lawsuit."
"It's better that she speaks than that they give the microphone to Ego."
"Shut! He can hear you and he might take you out of the starting lineup," Isagi said, hiding his laughter.
"He can't do that, I'm the best winger he has" Bachira asserted with a wide grin.
"Hey, I'm the best winger" Chigiri, who was on the other side of Isagi, interrupted.
"If you want to believe that, panther, but I didn't see you score a single goal in the game," Bachira replied, turning his gaze to the redhead.
"What are you saying? If your second-half goal attempt was blocked by the faded star of the U-20s, that's worse."
"You wanna fight, princess? A one-on-one outside, right now."
"There's no ball, you idiot!"
"Hey, if you raise your voices, we're screwed" Isagi said worriedly, trying to calm things down while maintaining a smile on his face. A smile that was already starting to hurt.
After a very long presentation, the talk ended and the adults opted for a toast to the boys. Several of them felt proud, like Isagi. Others were striking natural poses for the cameras, like Yukimiya. And there was Otoya, who had his eye on the women from the girls' basketball league.
They were given permission to enjoy the food and drinks, and everyone dispersed throughout the large hall that hosted the party. It was decorated with bright and luxurious ornaments, a giant buffet of appetizers, and, curiously, an area dedicated to the Blue Lockers. Like a small exhibition, there was a table with a couple of screens on top, looping their goals and star plays from the game.
Bachira went with Raichi, Chigiri, and Gagamaru to eat at the buffet. Isagi wanted to join them, but a group of young people surrounded him first, wanting to talk to him. They spoke formally, and their presence was dazzling. Out of politeness, Isagi couldn't ignore them and he became entangled in their conversation.
"Well, that idiot suddenly became super popular" Raichi commented, holding a piece of a delicious-looking chocolate cake. "Who's going to go and get him out of there?"
"At least he's not like Nagi," Chigiri said, pointing behind her. In a corner, the lazy, goal-scoring Nagi Seishiro, dressed in a bright and luxurious suit and tie, was surrounded by a group of boys and girls who were all nearly as tall as him.
"Speaking of Nagi, the rich kid's in the same boat," Raichi said again, turning his gaze to the center of the room, where Reo Mikage was talking with several adults, who were laughing at his jokes. They wore high-end jewelry, their hair was slicked back with gel, and they wore suits that surely cost a fortune.
"What, do you want someone to come up and ask for your autograph, Raichi?" Bachira teased him.
"I want someone to ask me for one," added the boy with two-toned hair.
"Unusual of you, Gagamaru!" Chigiri exclaimed in surprise. "I thought you weren't interested in that."
"It looks fun"
The four continued talking in turns, while enjoying the free culinary delights. Then Bachira became distracted, looking at Isagi, who was nervously smiling at the others. Every time he tried to escape the spotlight, a new group of people would approach him. Bachira chuckled, thinking about how he'd tease Isagi once he could reach them.
He became distracted, thinking about Isagi. How handsome he looked with his fringe swept to the side, styled without his usual fuzz. It must have taken ages to straighten that little rebel's hair, a mental image Bachira enjoyed.
Ah, Isagi had certainly put a lot of effort into his appearance. He looked completely different. But that smile, shy and full of happiness, was charming the same as always.
Ever since Meguru entered Blue Lock, he'd developed a massive crush on Isagi. He was the first person with whom he'd felt a true connection, someone who understood him and someone who sought him out. He realized his feelings while they were playing in the last match, where he consciously and directly affirmed in his mind that he loved him.
He cherished the idea of being his friend, but he loved even more the idea of being important in his life. The loneliness Bachira always suffered, for being different—no, for being special—was a loneliness from which he was saved thanks to Blue Lock. Isagi was the one who saw him for who he was, and yet he stayed.
Playing with him was fun, it was exciting, it was an inexplicable feeling that sprang from his heart.
Isagi turned around for a moment and met Bachira's gaze, flashing her a smile that said, 'Haha, help me'. Bachira gave him a thumbs-up with his free hand and then stuffed his mouth four pineapple desserts before setting off to save his friend.
Then, he was interrupted by a boy who was possibly younger than him. Seeing him so happy to greet him made Bachira take his time talking to him, until he remembered his main mission and said goodbye, but not before signing a t-shirt he was carrying. How did that kid manage to get that t-shirt in? Bachira found it very funny.
When he turned to look for Isagi, he was gone. Confused, the yellow-eyed boy began searching somewhat desperately for his friend. A waiter offered him a mocktail, but Bachira refused, insisting on finding the striker.
He scattered to different places until he found him in front of the Blue Lock exhibit. Bachira sighed in relief and adjusted his sleeves, playfully going to punch him on the back as a greeting.
But then, a boy approached him first.
Not only did this unexpected event deprive Bachira of the opportunity to take Isagi, but he also felt a slight unease in his presence. He couldn't quite explain it, but he felt intimidated. Perhaps because of his height, or perhaps because of the stark difference in their appearances.
Beautiful, voluminous brown hair. Eyes of the same color, with a single serious look enough to kill. Well-defined lips, a symmetrical face. Tall, very tall, and with a slender physique.
A visual appeal that would make any girl want his number, and multiple platforms the opportunity to use him as a sponsor simply because of his looks.
He wore a deep red wine suit that accentuated his figure, giving his already striking good looks an extra touch of sensuality and allure.
His presence was captivating, fascinating, charming, intriguing, alarming, handsoming...?
Meguru was running out of synonyms.
Why did that magazine-worthy face seem so familiar to Bachira? Perhaps he'd seen him in one. Could he be an idol? But what would an idol be doing at a sports gathering?
But, his height, that face, the magazines... It can't be.
Is that the famous Oikawa Tooru?
The soccer player stood still, watching intently as the taller man extended his hand and Isagi accepted it, greeting each other happily. Meguru never imagined Isagi would know a star from a different sport, but the way they greeted each other, and Isagi's visible shyness... something was off.
Isagi, trying to avoid looking at his new companion, noticed Bachira, but did nothing more than glance at him for a few seconds before turning away and ignorin him. Those mere seconds were enough to make Meguru feel uneasy.
The way Yoichi looked at him wasn't the same way he looked at Oikawa.
"What's wrong? Did the handsome setter take yar breath away? Or are ya curious about what those two are talkin' about?" a voice snapped Bachira out of his reverie, and he became alert. He jumped and moved aside, assuming an attacking stance.
"Huh?! Who do you think you are?" Bachira asked, confused by who was speaking.
"Miya, Atsumu. Does the name ring a bell, number 8?"
"Number 8?"
"I saw ya at the under-20 match. I'm not much of a soccer fan, but almost everyone in Japan knows about it, you know?" The unknown boy, holding a glass in his left hand, offered his free right. "I'm Miya Atsumu, nice to meet ya"
Bachira calmed down a little, accepting the handshake, but the person's smile seemed too alluring to dismiss as a casual expression. Miya seemed engrossed in something at the party; it was obvious from a mile away.
"Do you have any bussiness with me, Miyamiya?" Bachira asked bluntly, raising an eyebrow.
"Well, ya see, I was watching the star of the night, you know, Isagi Yoichi, to see what kind of person this so-called savior of Japanese soccer was, when I suddenly noticed I wasn't the only one."
Bachira thought he was being referred to, but his eyes widened when he heard the following.
"Oikawa has been eyeing him up for hours now, like a hunter sizing up his prey. It was only a matter of time before he started talking to him, and it seems the blue-locked boy's heart has been charmed by the prince in red."
"And you're telling me this because...?"
"You should be more careful with your expressions, pal" Atsumu warned, taking a long swig from his glass. "Surely I am not the only one who notices the giant aura of bad vibes your giving off while watching them. Tell me, is it because of the setter? Or your teammate?"
Did he mean Oikawa by 'setter'? Probably his position on the court, but he couldn't confirm it; volleyball wasn't an area he knew very well.
Wait—
And who is this Miya guy that he's asking him things with such confidence? He seemed to be enjoying what was happening, which annoyed the striker.
Bachira immediately abandoned him as he continued to insist on talking, and made way for Isagi, not caring about interrupting his conversation with the great, blissful, Casanova-playboy, perfect-looking Oikawa. Surely his best friend wouldn't mind the interruption at all.
In fact, Isagi would probably be inwardly grateful that Bachira had saved him from these countless, tiresome interactions. Perhaps he had misinterpreted Isagi's body language, and he was actually feeling uncomfortable with that talk. Of course. It was an unconscious cry for help, and the bee boy would answer the call.
Out of the corner of his eye, Isagi watched Bachira approaching, and when Bachira noticed him, he flashed a big smile from ear to ear.
"Excuse me, I'm from the monthly entertainment magazine Woman's Taste. Could you please stand so I can take your picture and ask you a couple of questions?"
A couple of men blocked Bachira's path before he could even speak to Isagi, positioning themselves with cameras and notebooks in front of them.
"Um—Sure!" Isagi said in a neutral tone. Bachira noticed his nervousness and felt helpless. These opportunities don't come around every day, but his best friend was probably already feeling intimidated by the amount of attention he was receiving.
"Oikawa Tooru is alredy a popular figure in the volleyball world despite his young age, while you, Isagi Yoichi, are a rising star whose popularity continues to grow as we speak. Did you two know each other before?"
"We've never interacted before this party, if that's what you're asking" For the first time, Meguru heard Oikawa's voice. Damn it, his voice was also atractive.
"Oikawa, did you see Blue Lock's exhibition match against Japan's U-20 team?"
"Not only did I see it, I attended with my family to watch the match live" he assured him, his gaze softening" It was a pleasant experience that I was able to enjoy in a great family and sporting atmosphere"
"And you, Isagi, have you ever seen a game of the Aoba Johsai volleyball club?"
"Aoba... Johsai?"
"My high school" Oikawa explained to Isagi, pointing to himself enthusiastically.
"Oh, I don't think so— No, never, sorry" Isagi admitted sheepishly.
The questions continued, and Bachira remained frozen in place, captivated by their answers. Oikawa was a natural in front of the cameras, possessing enviable charisma. But what bothered Bachira the most was his support for Isagi. He positioned himself too close to Isagi and treated him far too casually, considering they barely knew each other.
Bachira's spirits were decaying with every inch Oikawa cleared to get closer to Isagi. His confident words and movements made him uneasy.
For a moment, he imagined the interview was between Isagi and himself, and how much more fun that would be. The two of them had so much to say about their experience in Blue Lock, about their friendship, and the challenges they had overcome together. Why interview two people from different sports who barely knew each other? To attract a more diverse audience interested in at least one of them? Opportunistic bloodsuckers, journalists are greedy.
"Okay, that's all! Thank you so much for your participation!"
Bachira feel relieve in all his mind and then try to get to Isagi fast but-
"-So, Could you do a less organic and more dynamic pose for a quick photo? We have enough formal ones of both of you; a more fun one that shows you as teenagers being teenagers would be original."
Bachira felt his soul leave his body at that very moment. Seeing Oikawa grab Isagi's waist with one hand without warning and bring his face close to his instantly filled him with negative emotions that ruined his mood.
Sure, Bachira was super friendly with everyone, and please, Isagi had seen him naked multiple times. They were super close; they'd had more intimate contact than what Oikawa had done. But that wasn't what made him feel bad.
It was Isagi's inconsiderate and excessive blush the moment he felt Oikawa's hands on his body. His nervous smile and trembling hand as he made a peace sign for the photo.
No. It's surely a blush of embarrassment or discomfort. Yes, that must be it, obviously. That idiot Oikawa was getting too familiar, irritating Bachira to the point of disrupting all his thoughts, making him see everything that was happening with hatred.
Meguru inside screamed for Oikawa to leave Isagi alone, but he couldn't move; something was holding him back. His fists clenched, and he did everything he could to resist the impulses his inner monster urged him to act upon.
He just walked. It felt like a long, heavy walk, but it was only a few steps.
Until finally, the long-awaited opportunity arrived.
"Isagi!" Bachira jumped up, catching him in a tight hug from behind.
"Woah! Bachira!" Isagi jumped too, startled, but then burst out laughing. "What happened?"
"The others probably already finished everything at the buffet and you didn't come. Is everything alright?"
"Oh, fuck, don't tell me that!"
"They even had Kintsuba, but I don't know if they still have it," he added playfully.
"Eeeeeehhh? And you didn't save me any? Do you even call yourself my friend?" Isagi pouted and was stunned for a moment, imagining the taste of the exquisite Kintsuba they were serving.
"Finally, you came here" Oikawa said quietly, but Bachira heard him. When their eyes met, he immediately felt threatened. That serene smile of the volleyball player concealed other intentions, and Bachira sensed it.
"You're one of the Blue Lock players, Bachira, right? It's a pleasure to meet you." But Oikawa didn't extend his hands to greet him. "My name is Oikawa Tooru, a rather uninteresting guest compared to you all."
"Uh-huh," Bachira replied, ignoring with all his might the radiance emanating from Oikawa. He hugged Isagi more tightly, becoming somewhat possessive.
"Hm? Is something wrong, Bachira?"
"No, nothing," Bachira replied with a smile, a very forced one.
"Haha, you two must be really close to be showing affection like that."
"Ah, we are, Oikawa," spat the black and yellow-haired boy.
'I see' thought Tooru, organizing his thoughts about the new addition to the conversation. The taller boy considered multiple ways to provoke him, but tried the most unpredictable one, just to see what he was up against.
"Well, it seems your friend needs you, Isagi. I should talk to others too, so if you'll excuse me—"
"Oikawa, wait—!" Isagi pulled away from Bachira's embrace, and an imaginary crash resonated in the Bachira's eardrums. As if his world, his heart, were shattering into tiny pieces. He was speechless, overwhelmed by the feeling of abandonment, which intensified when he saw Isagi begging Oikawa to talk a little more.
"-Right, Bachira?"
"Uh, huh?" Isagi's sweet voice snapped Bachira out of his trance. "What?"
"If you can take a couple of pictures of us, here" Isagi pulled his phone from his pocket and placed it in Bachira's hands.
"Don't you... have enough with him already?"
"These are for the two of us, not for the media," Oikawa said playfully, moving closer to Isagi again. "Although we can take a selfie of the three of us for my social media later, please?"
"I, um, okay." Bachira didn't want to do it, but seeing Isagi so excited... He couldn't say no to that beautiful smile that captivated him, even if it wasn't his own.
Without hesitation, Meguru opened the camera app and started taking pictures. He felt depressed with each photo, and the music that filled his mind during those lonely days haunted him. He felt insecure, with a pang in his chest.
Bachira truly didn't understand where all those emotions that were churning in his stomach were coming from. It wasn't the first time Isagi had acted like this, was it?
How was Isagi acting, according to Meguru Bachira?
As if he were doomed under Oikawa's love spell.
If Isagi were acting this way with a girl, would Bachira feel just as jealous?
He didn't know.
"Whiskey!" they both said in unison as Bachira took the last photo. Oikawa playfully ruffled Isagi's hair, and Isagi blushed again at the mere touch.
All Meguru knew was—
"I'm going to give you my number and email, Isagi. Is that okay?"
"Oh my, yeah! Of course!"
That he wanted Oikawa Tooru to take his hands off of what was his, once and for all.
One way.
Or another.