Archive of Our Own

"You chose me?!"

"Do I have the time to trick you, Isagi?" Ego calmly replied.

"I know Blue Lock normally collaborates with brands to maintain its popularity. But…but why did you choose me out of everyone else?" Isagi was truly shocked.

"Because the brand sponsorship money is quite good, and I don't want you guys getting involved in any scandals before the U20 World Cup even starts."

"???"

“The brand's theme this time is weddings and love. Normally, the chosen candidates would have to pose with a female model. But I didn't want that, so I asked for a change. Surprisingly, they said that if you guys couldn't pose with a female co-star, they could use you, Isagi, for that role. Of course, there are no scenes over 18+.”

"...What are they thinking?!" Isagi was bewildered; he suddenly couldn't understand the thought processes of this world anymore.

I, a mere male, neither particularly talented nor handsome, why would they choose me to shoot an advertisement about love???? What kind of photoshoot or promotion are they planning? Looking at me standing with those guys, do they think it's romantic or something? Didn't you see how they treated me? One wanted to kill me the moment they saw me, another wanted me to kneel down. Haha…

"Isagi, you've had a tough time. This time, you were the one who contributed the most." Anri comforted the dejected blue-eyed teenager.

Actually, Anri completely agreed with the brand's idea in her head; how could their talented sons be photographed with another woman? Only Isagi was suitable. He was perfect in every aspect: talented in soccer, undeniably beautiful, with a great personality, and incredible chemistry. Just the sight of Isagi in the same frame as anyone made Anri see hints of romance flying everywhere.

"So who will be the person taking the picture with me?" Isagi reluctantly agreed.

"I don't know the details of this case yet, but it's definitely a large number in any case."

"Many?!!"

Why is my life so miserable! If I get involved with guys like Kaiser, Shidou, etc., it'll surely be a disaster.

***

When Isagi's three roommates entered the room, they heard mournful, moaning sounds coming from the giant ball of fluff on the dark-haired teenager's bed.

"What's wrong, Isagi?" Hiori asked kindly.

"What's wrong? What's wrong?" Kurona asked, also worried.

"What's making you so gloomy? It's unusual." Yukimiya wondered.

From under the blanket emerged the sobbing face of the two little sprouts, who looked at the three of them with pleading eyes.

"Help me... Ego-san played a trick on me!" He said, then curled up into a silent ball again.

The three of them blinked, confused, but still tried to comfort their friend. After a while, they finally understood the whole story.

"There are so many handsome guys with amazing charisma among us, why did they choose me instead of them?! I haven't even received a single chocolate bar for Valentine yet!!!" Isagi complained.

Huh!! Isagi has never received a love chocolate?! Are the people around him blind?! But oh well, thanks to that, now it's our turn to get a chance.

"Just consider it a side task. You have to do it so you can continue playing soccer." Hiori tried to reassure Isagi and not worry too much.

"Yeah... I know."

"Hey Isagi, do you know who your co-model will be?" Yukimiya asked.

"Well... I'm not sure either. Ego said it's not finalized yet, but the model is plural..."

The three of them stared at each other in bew astonishment, thinking only one of them would benefit, but it turned out the whole group was. Damn! Who knows who's the lucky one?! This is practically a real wedding photoshoot . No need to be secretive, just openly taking pictures. Moreover, the bride is Isagi, the dream boy, the heart of Blue Lock, the only one with influence over the guys here. It's infuriating!

"I just wish I could meet people as easy to work with as the three of you…Hic!" Isagi said sadly.

"We'd love to take a picture with Isagi too, but the opportunity is so rare."

"Good luck. Good luck." Kurona gently stroked his hair, comforting him.

***

The day after is the photoshoot begin, Isagi arrived at the makeup room early in the morning to try on his clothes and get ready. Looking at the pile of makeup on the table, he suddenly began to question his own existence. Was he going to end up with all of this smeared on his face?!

But luckily, those items weren't needed.

"Your skin is so beautiful, Isagi! Just add a little tinted lip balm and you'll be pretty! And then you can get your hair done." The makeup artist enthusiastically complimented him.

Isagi was bewildered. Why didn't she compliment him on being handsome instead of pretty?

"That's it! Perfect!"

Isagi looked at himself in the mirror, slightly surprised. At first glance, he didn't look much different, but he sensed that his aura and features seemed much more harmonious. His hair was still styled as usual, but it was neatly combed.

What's worth mentioning is his lips. Isagi tilted his head slightly, his fingers unconsciously touching his lips. He'd never paid much attention to his appearance, but today was different. It wasn't just the light lip balm that made his lips plump like ripe strawberries, but also the quiet confidence radiating from his eyes reflected in the mirror.

"I never imagined that just a small change would make me look… like this." He chuckled softly, feeling both embarrassed and surprised by himself.

"Go change your clothes. We've prepared the outfits in the changing room." the staff woman said with a slight smile, looking at the dreamy boy, which startled him.

"Yes."

Isagi darted into the changing room like a little cat to avoid embarrassment, his face flushed red from being caught red-handed doing something sneaky earlier.

"Woah! It's really beautiful!" Isagi exclaimed, admiring the design of the outfit.

Before Isagi was a stylish and elegant suit, predominantly in shades of blue and white, with a light blue checkered waistcoat underneath. A stylized blue tie, shaped like a simple bow, was paired with a matching pocket square, accented with a blue Iris flower pinned to the chest.

Blue Iris! Isagi suddenly remembered his mother often talking about the meanings of flowers, including this Iris. It represents willpower and ambition, and also symbolizes a "rainbow" bringing hope and a bright future.

So I hope today's photoshoot will be as successful as this flower.

Isagi also found himself gifted a pair of white gloves, further enhancing his elegant demeanor. He let out a soft exclamation, acknowledging the designer's attention to detail in his styling. This outfit felt as if it had been made just for him.

The blue-eyed teenager lightly touched his sleeve, lost in thought.

"Does this suit me?" He was a little nervous because a schoolboy like him rarely wore formal attire like a suit, and this one was even wedding-themed!

Isagi was genuinely afraid of disappointing anyone, so when such a heavy responsibility fell upon his shoulders, the little boy felt a bit scared. He tried to regulate his breathing and steel himself, quickly getting dressed.

When the two sprouts boy stepped out, he received quite a few "ohs" and compliments, making him blush and look incredibly adorable.

"You look great in that outfit!"

"He looks just like a little prince!"

"Who will be lucky enough to take this beauty home?!"

Isagi was extremely flustered and didn't know how to get out of this situation, but the photographer stepped in to rescue the little boy.

"Aren't you guys going to release the main character to me? Seriously, Isagi, come here."

"Yes!"

On the way through the photo studio, Isagi had a general understanding of what he needed to do after hearing the manager's explanation for the day.

"Your co-stars will arrive in batches later because I don't want the shooting location to be too crowded."

"I got it."

Isagi felt like he was playing blind box today. Right up until the last minute, he still didn't know who would be taking pictures with him.

***

While Isagi was still standing there, lost in thought, waiting for his photographer to arrive, a figure swiftly leaped onto his back.

"Isa~gi~!!! I missed you so much!" Bachira smiled brightly, as always.

Bachira was incredibly happy today to hear that he would get to take a photo with Isagi. It had been so long since the Barcha vs Munchen match, and there wasn't enough time during lunch to spend with Isagi. It was so boring! He hadn't been able to hug or get close to Isagi at all!

"Bachira! Seriously, don't scare me like that!" Isagi was startled by the sudden weight, but when he realized it was his best friend, he immediately happily let Bachira ride on his back as usual.

He had to skillfully get Bachira down, only then could Isagi truly face this golden bee. Isagi inwardly exclaimed "wow," admitting that Bachira looked incredibly handsome when dressed up!

Bachira was wearing an outfit similar to Isagi's, except instead of a jacket, he wore a gilet with a checkered pattern in two shades of yellow, perfectly suited to his cheerful, lively personality and hair. It was accessorized with a classic bow tie in the same color and a yellow daffodil. His normally messy hair was parted to one side and held in place by two gold bobby pins.

Yellow daffodils symbolize strength, optimism, and the belief that when one door closes, another opens. Isagi smiled inwardly, hoping Bachira would be as radiant as this flower.

"Bachira, you look absolutely stunning today!" Isagi said with a sweet smile, making the other person jump for joy.

"You too! Isagi looks beautiful today!"

Isagi's face flushed bright red, his eyes sparkling with panic like a teased kitten. He tried to push Bachira's hand away, but the other man clung to him like glue, refusing to let go.

"Honestly, why use the word 'beautiful'?!" Isagi pouted in displeasure.

Bachira just smiled, a smile no longer the mischievous one he usually had. In his golden-brown eyes now lay tenderness, longing, and... possessiveness. He no longer saw the room, no longer heard the whispers around him; the whole world now consisted only of Isagi.

My first friend.

The only person who made him feel he wasn't alone, besides his mother.

And now, that person was appearing before him, a beauty that even Bachira couldn't resist.

Suddenly, Bachira himself seemed to like the little flower pinned to his chest. New things are always around you. Always remember, when one door closes, others open. Isagi is that other door that fate has given him.

"Isagi is so beautiful~" His voice was warm, drawn out like a whisper into Isagi's heart.

Bachira bent down, gently cupping his flushed cheeks with both hands. The movement wasn't forceful or coercive, but carried a tender possessiveness. Each word he uttered seemed to carry a world of emotion, a long-suppressed feeling.

"...So beautiful that I just want to hide you away. Not let anyone see you."

Isagi froze, his heart pounding as if it would leap out of his chest. He didn't know how to react, nor did he dare look into those eyes. Because he knew that if he did, he wouldn't be able to escape.

"What are you talking about...! You idiot!" Isagi blushed intensely, quickly pushing Bachira's face, which was pressed close to his, away. His clumsy movement lacked any real force, only making Bachira laugh even louder.

"I'm serious." Bachira raised an eyebrow, still maintaining his radiant, sun-like smile. His voice was still full of earnestness, but his eyes now gleamed with that familiar mischievousness, as if one moment he was confessing his love, the next he was ready to tease him back.

Isagi breathed a sigh of relief, secretly pleased that Bachira didn't press any further or say anything that would make his heart race. He glanced at his friend, then shook his head and smiled slightly.

"Alright. Let's get down to business." Isagi changed the subject, regaining the necessary seriousness.

He took Bachira's hand and gently pulled his to the designated position. The two quickly took their places in formation, and the stage lights in front of them gradually brightened, signaling that the moment to begin was approaching.

But Bachira, even though he was standing in the right place, still tilted his head slightly and smiled softly, as if talking to himself.

"Let's go. Isagi, the one who makes my whole world so vibrant with color."

Standing before the blinding lights and cameras pointed at him, he instinctively recoiled slightly. His eyes darted around nervously, his lips pressed tightly together in tension. He had never thought of himself as someone who was good in front of a camera, much less the type to comfortably pose in front of a lens like a professional model.

But before he could fully process his anxiety, the photographer's voice rang out clearly.

“I want you two to be as natural as possible. Bachira, you'll hug Isagi from behind, Isagi's back will rest against your chest. One arm will be draped over his shoulder and across his chest, the other around his waist. Your faces should be as close as possible, like two lovers cuddling. As for Isagi's hand, just keep it close to Bachira's hand in a way that feels natural. The important thing is to have a natural expression, okay?!”

Isagi froze instantly, his eyes wide, his head practically loading with endless instructions. What did he mean by... acting all affectionate like a lover? What did he mean by... hugging, close face, naturally? His mind reeled with that lightning-fast sequence of instructions.

The person behind him showed no embarrassment whatsoever. Bachira chuckled happily, ran up like lightning, and wrapped his arms around Isagi's body from behind. He gently rested his chin on Isagi's shoulder, his hands skillfully embracing his as instructed, and whispered softly.

"Isagi, just follow my instructions!"

Even though his back was pressed against Bachira's chest and his hands were guided into a natural position, his blue eyes still reflected a hint of confusion and helplessness.

He lowered his voice, as if giving up.

"So, I'll leave it to you, Bachira."

But even though he followed the instructions, Isagi's movements and expressions still didn't meet the photographer's standards, which made him very sad.

"Isagi, you're too stiff and awkward. Don't mind the camera, just be yourself. Take a few minutes to rest and then we'll come back."

Despite constantly telling himself to relax, Isagi was truly too embarrassed in front of the camera and with so many eyes on him. Bachira noticed the distress in his best friend's eyes, and his voice was soft but full of warmth and concern.

"It's okay."

Isagi was slightly startled. Although it was just a short sentence, Bachira's way of saying it was gentle, neither reproachful nor disappointed, like an umbrella offering shelter from the rain at the right moment. Yet Isagi couldn't hide the guilt welling up in his chest.

"But I'm wasting everyone's time!" Isagi groaned, his eyes drooping.

Bachira tilted his head, thought for a moment, then his eyes lit up as if he had just thought of something very interesting.

"Okay, just get on with the movements later, and I'll take care of Isagi's expressions," the mischievous little bee winked, his voice carrying an unusual confidence.

"Okay..."

He wasn't sure if it would work, but if it was Bachira, who always made him feel safer and more at ease, then he wanted to place that trust in him again. Isagi took a deep breath, then returned with Bachira to the center of the backdrop, stepping into position for the pose.

Immediately, Bachira pressed his cheek against Isagi's, his eyes slightly closed, a bright smile on his lips like a child hugging their favorite toy. One arm wrapped around Isagi's shoulder, the other gently intertwined across his chest, creating not only a close embrace but also a feeling of both possessiveness and tenderness.

But the highlight isn't the pose.

Just as the camera was about to take the shot, Bachira tilted his head, leaned close to Isagi's ear, and whispered something, a short sentence, but it struck a sensitive spot in the other's heart.

Isagi paused for half a second, then his reaction was like magic.

His usually tense face softened, the corners of his lips curving naturally into a sweet and gentle smile. His gaze shifted slightly to the left towards Bachira, carrying a hint of shyness, but more than anything, warmth and happiness.

The photographer was momentarily stunned, then, as if snapping back to reality, his fingers relentlessly pressed the shutter button, capturing each precious frame. The clicking sounds echoed like a torrential downpour, recording every nuance of the two teenagers' genuine movements.

"Stay as you are! That's right, excellent, Isagi!"

When the two boys left the backdrop, the main photographer had to go over to compliment them and ask how they were doing.

"Amazing! The atmosphere of the photo is exactly as I imagined! Bachira, what did you do to make Blue Lock's heart smile so sweetly?"

"It's a secret!" Bachira stuck out his tongue playfully.

Isagi stood beside him, his eyes filled with only tenderness and gentleness. He recalled the moment just now, when everything around them seemed to fade away, leaving only Bachira's low voice echoing in his ears.

"Isagi~ Do you know who I like the most?" Bachira smiled mysteriously.

"That's Isagi~"

Isagi blinked a few times as if he understood, then chuckled softly and leaned closer to answer.

"I like Bachira the most too!"

This wasn't the answer Bachira had been hoping for. Isagi's "liking" was undoubtedly still pure, simple, a genuine and special friendship between two people who had been together since the beginning of Blue Lock.

Bachira was about to chat with Isagi a little longer when someone interrupted them.

"Your job here is finished, Bachira. You should change your clothes and make room for everyone else." Anri reminded him.

"Huh~ I haven't been staying with Isagi for very long!" Bachira pouted, showing his displeasure.

"Okay. Let's meet at the cafeteria tonight." Isagi said, gently stroking the bee's head to comfort it, each movement filled with the patience of coaxing a sulking child.

***

"Isagi, guess who I am?" A melodious, playful voice rang out from behind.

Isagi's vision suddenly went dark as someone secretly came up behind him and covered it. The blue-eyed teenager chuckled softly at his friend's little prank.

"Of course, it's no one but my beautiful Chigiri!" Isagi gently removed the other's hand, turning to face them with a sweet smile.

"You're such a smooth talker!" Chigiri said, gently nudging his shoulder, but a smile of amusement played on his lips.

"You look absolutely stunning today, Chigiri! Like a prince!" Isagi exclaimed sincerely.

Chigiri wore a matching suit with Isagi, differing only in the pink checkered pattern of the vest and bow tie. A pink Anthurium flower was pinned to his lapel, accentuating his gentle yet strong appearance. The princess's long, smooth red hair was neatly tied back in a ponytail, leaving only a few strands loose at the temples, creating a tidy look without diminishing Chigiri's inherent charm.

And according to his hazy memories of flowers, the pink Anthurium symbolizes beauty, eternal love, appreciation, and admiration. Its beautiful color captivates many, along with its delicate and alluring fragrance. Just like Chigiri's appearance, it makes everyone want to look at it at least once.

Isagi had to admit that in Blue Locke, no one could compare to Chigiri's beautiful and delicate appearance in his heart.

"If I were a prince, then Isagi would be my princess, wouldn't you?" Chigiri smiled, catching Isagi's dazed gaze, captivated by his beauty, and couldn't help but chuckle softly. He gently lifted Isagi's hand, placing a tender kiss on the back of his hand, as if to awaken the mesmerized child.

"...” Isagi's face immediately turned bright red like a ripe tomato.

"You're here! Let's get into position and I'll explain the requirements," the photographer said, his voice full of excitement.

“For this photoshoot, I want it to be sweet, intimate, and full of love between the two of you. Chigiri, you will use one hand to lift Isagi's face and kiss his cheek, while the other hand is behind his neck to hold his, creating a feeling of protection and affection. Isagi will place one hand on his chest and gently hold Chigiri's other hand.”

They both nodded, giving an "OK" sign with their hands as if they understood.

"Is Isagi feeling shy?" Chigiri teased, narrowing his eyes, his gaze betraying his amusement.

"Yes…but if I get kissed by someone as beautiful as Chigiri, then I'm the one who's really benefiting." Isagi said with a bright, uninhibited smile.

Chigiri immediately turned away, his ears turning bright red upon hearing Isagi's words. Damn! How could he speak so sweetly and without any reservations!

"I must have accumulated good karma over several lifetimes to be able to kiss you publicly like this! Even if it's just a kiss on the cheek…" Chigiri thought to himself, looking at Isagi, whose eyes widened in surprise.

Thanks to his experience from the previous photoshoot with Bachira, Isagi looked much more relaxed this time. Without any hesitation, he quickly got into position with Chigiri as if they had known each other for a long time.

"I'm counting on you, Prince!" Isagi joked, his eyes sparkling with mischief.

"Trust me, Princess." Chigiri replied, a slight, confident smile playing on his lips.

The photographer was slightly surprised. The young boy, Isagi, who had been a little awkward just moments before, was now completely calm and cooperating seamlessly like a real model. He had the potential.

"Okay. Get ready. One...two...three!"

The clicking sound from the camera echoed continuously, like a rhythmic melody marking each frozen moment. Meanwhile, Isagi and Chigiri naturally changed their poses, their gazes and gestures perfectly synchronized without needing any prompting.

"Okay, you two did a great job!" the photographer said with satisfaction, his eyes still glued to the camera screen.

In the photo, Chigiri gently leans down and places a kiss on the boy's forehead. His gaze is incredibly tender, soft, and full of affection, as if he were holding a priceless treasure. Isagi lifts his head slightly, smiling brightly in return for the sweet kiss. His cheeks are flushed like peach blossoms. His eyes are gently closed, as if savoring this beautiful moment. His smile responds to the kiss with a gentle joy and happiness, as if that moment is their entire world.

Chigiri walked closer to the camera screen, his gaze settling on the series of photos he had just taken. He smiled slightly, immensely satisfied. The pictures were not only beautiful but also perfectly captured the emotions; the tenderness, trust, and love between them were all subtly interwoven.

Isagi is already adorable! Now, looking at these pictures of him smiling like this, how can my heart not melt?! And the one who makes Isagi look like that is me, Chigiri!!! Hahaha! The others can just wait to be jealous.

Suddenly, a picture flashed across Chigiri's eyes, causing him to freeze. He reached out and gently pointed at the screen.

"Could you send me this picture?" he asked softly, his voice gentle as a breeze but firm.

In the photo, Chigiri bends down so Isagi can gently kiss his bright red hair, and he is also gently lifting Isagi's hand, which is wearing a white handkerchief, to caress his slender fingers, placing a soft, respectful kiss on them.

Isagi cherishes and protects Chigiri, and vice versa. No matter how powerful and dominant the red panther may be on the field, his eyes now hold only deep respect and gentle affection for the blue-eyed youth.

The person who saved him from the depths of darkness.

You were the one who made me believe I could start over again, pursuing my football dream.

Only you, Isagi Yoichi, are my beacon of hope.

"Okay." The photographer nodded, his gaze resting on Chigiri, the pretty boy quietly gazing at the picture with a rare radiant expression. He smiled.

That's what youth is all about!

"You have to go now, right?" Isagi asked.

"Yeah, because I've already finished my individual shots and the couple photoshoot with you." Chigiri replied, with a hint of regret.

"So, let's meet at the cafeteria tonight. I've already made plans with Bachira."

"Okay." Chigiri nodded slightly, then stepped forward and gave Isagi a gentle hug as a greeting, a thank you, and a silent promise.

See you again, my sweet little one.

***

"Barou!! I can't believe you were chosen!" Isagi was genuinely surprised to see Barou appear.

"Get out of here! If I weren't forced to, I wouldn't be here!!! This is  wasting my training time!" Barou grumbled, crossing his arms in a show of reluctance.

"Huh~ Is taking pictures with me a waste of time, Your Majesty?" Isagi said, feigning annoyance.

Barou glanced at him with a look that said, "So you know about it too, huh?" which made Isagi chuckle. He was really enjoying the moment because it was rare to see his friend wearing anything other than his Blue Lock training gear.

"You look great in this hairstyle. I don't understand why you always use hair gel. Clearly, your hair looks so much better this way!" Isagi tilted his head, observing him, his eyes sparkling.

"You...are you complimenting me on being handsome?!" Barou paused slightly, as if he'd misheard.

"Of course. Barou looks incredibly handsome with your hair straight down like this. If you had kept it like that sooner, you'd have countless girls falling for yourself!"

Isagi thought of guys with gelled hair like Shidou and Karasu; he thought they'd probably look just as handsome if they let their hair down.

Barou's face flushed red; he didn't know how to react to Isagi's sincere expression. He turned slightly away, avoiding Isagi's gaze, his lips moving as if to retort, but he couldn't find the right words.

"They dressed you in red to match your newly dyed highlights, didn't they?"

Isagi only just noticed. Barou was wearing a red vest with a subtle, repeating checkered pattern. It seemed each person would be paired with a different bow tie or necktie; Barou had the same type of bow tie as Bachira, only in different colors.

Bachira is the only one not wearing a vest, right? Perhaps the stylist intentionally chose this combination to highlight his inherent playful, childlike nature.

And on his chest was a vibrant red hibiscus, a striking accent, a flower symbolizing passion and burning desire, and also associated with love. Sounds very fitting for Barou, doesn't it?

"Hurry up and take the picture! I want to go back and practice!" Unable to bear Isagi's scrutinizing gaze, Barou could only angrily order his little blue-eyed boy back to their task.

"Barou is so fierce! But because you look so handsome today, I won't blame you," Isagi replied slyly, his voice soft and soothing. That seemingly innocent remark struck a chord with the other person.

"You…" Barou froze, his face flushing. He tilted his head to avoid Isagi's gaze, but his ears were bright red.

"Come here, kids, listen to my instructions!" the photographer called out.

"Yes," Isagi obediently replied, then scurried off like a rabbit. Meanwhile, Barou remained with his hands in his pockets, leisurely walking behind his.

"You two will do that later..." He started a series of requests.

Barou felt a headache coming on after hearing all that. What's all this shyness, warmth, and longing?? Why would a strong man like him have to take pictures of such cheesy romance!!!

Suddenly, he wants to go on strike right here!

"Are you okay? You look so tense," Isagi said, tilting his head to observe him, his voice full of concern.

"...Yes." Barou replied curtly.

"Come on in for the photo, kids!"

But for someone like Barou, who constantly shouts "kill Isagi" and "hunt Isagi," asking him to show any gentleness is an impossible task.

"Barou, why does your expression look like you want to devour Isagi alive? It should be warm and gentle, like Isagi is the person you cherish most!" The photographer sighed helplessly.

Isagi's expression was exactly what he wanted, but Barou's was the opposite.

"Why don't you two try... getting to know each other?"

Isagi gave a wry smile, watching Barou about to transform into a beast beside him. And it was true, ever since Barou tried to express his feelings for him, the little sprout would definitely say he was a fake. He lightly scratched his cheek, trying to find a way to communicate smoothly so they could get through the ordeal.

"Barou..."

"Huh!!" The grimacing face immediately turned to look.

"...or try imagining me as something or someone important to you. Who knows, it might work!" Isagi suggested.

"Tch. I already know this. It'll work next time!!"

Barou knew that progress was being slowed down because of him, so he couldn't vent his anger on others. Besides… the person next to him was Isagi, someone who was both annoying and… he couldn't bring himself to scold, especially when he was trying to help him like this.

The two of them turned around.

Barou assumed the required pose, his eyes fixed on Isagi. This time, the red glow wasn't as fierce as before, but it couldn't be called gentle either. More accurately, it resembled a lion trying to disguise itself as a house cat, a clumsy attempt, yet one that was still overwhelmingly imposing.

Isagi, who was being stared at, could still sense a hint of resentment, and he tried not to laugh.

But upon seeing the photos he had just taken, the photographer let out a heavy sigh.

"Barou, warm, gentle… do you know what those two words mean?" The photographer folded his arms, looking at the scene before him, half wanting to laugh, half wanting to tear his hair out.

"I know!" Barou replied immediately, his voice defiant.

"Then bring it out immediately!"

It's easy to say, but hard to do. The atmosphere during the photoshoot became incredibly tense. The usually friendly photographer transformed into a stern, menacing "demon."

"No. Your expression isn't 'warm and gentle' like I want. I need an expression that says, 'Isagi is your only treasure in this world. Understand?'"

Barou frowned as if he were about to explode with anger. Even Snuffy had been subjected to his rebellious outburst, so how could the person in front of him possibly get away with it?!

"Just think about you guys being half-hearted football players, you definitely wouldn't accept that, right? So this photoshoot is the same; I need you to be serious and professional, just like your football career. So take some really good photos for me!!!" The photographer's voice was cold and firm, as if he wouldn't allow any imperfection to slip through his lens.

"A...a... let me talk to him for a bit!" Isagi quickly intervened to smooth things over.

"Barou, let's give it one more try. Just... imagine I'm the World Cup trophy, or someone incredibly important to you, for example."

"I know," Barou frowned slightly. It had been a long time since anything had bothered him besides Isagi.

Isagi tried to lead Barou to follow his own rhythm.

"Hey, touch me. Like a gentle caress on the cheek!"

Barou may talk big, but in reality… he's incredibly shy.

He extended his hand, clad in a white glove like a teenager's, and gently touched the boy's earlobe. This unexpected action startled Isagi, his cheeks flushed, and his eyes widened in embarrassment as he looked directly into his.

This made Barou chuckle, his eyes now fixed solely on the blue-eyed youth. Normally, the person before him would be an incredibly powerful opponent, the demon king of Blue Lock. But now, the boy was docilely within his grasp, a rare sight that Barou wanted to cherish forever.

Isagi was like a pampered kitten, shy in his owner's indifferent arms. Barou, at this moment, no longer showed any trace of ferocity, but simply wanted to protect and shelter the little one before him.

The first person to make him taste defeat.

The person he wanted to defeat more than ever.

And I want his recognition.

The two were still lost in their own thoughts when the photographer's shout interrupted them.

"Excellent! You've got exactly the expression I wanted. Wouldn't it have been better if you had done this perfectly from the start, Barou."

"Don't talk nonsense."

Barou didn't even bother to look at the result; after taking the picture, he dashed out of the place like a flash, leaving Isagi no chance to say goodbye.

"Barou, he runs really fast…" Isagi said with a hint of sadness.

The little boy toddled over to look at the photo. Isagi's eyes widened in surprise, his mouth agape, "WTF-!!!!"

"That... that look in Barou's eyes?!"

What exactly did he imagine what to be just now? Isagi was incredibly curious. But never mind, even in the next life, Barou would never tell him. Haha…

***

"Kunigami! I can't believe it's you!" Isagi was extremely surprised.

Kunigami merely gave Isagi a cold, indifferent glance without saying anything.

"Hurry up. It's a waste of time practicing and doing these pointless things."

The teenager chuckled awkwardly, scratching his cheek, unsure how to continue. But he seemed to have heard that phrase somewhere before, hadn't he?

"...But you look really handsome today. It's rare to see Kunigami wearing anything other than your training clothes." The little boy smiled brightly and sincerely.

Today he wore a suit with an orange waistcoat underneath featuring simple yet elegant white pinstripes. He also wore a delicate double-petaled poppy flower pinned to his lapel, just like everyone else.

Isagi suddenly gasped in admiration; he had to admit that the flowers pinned to each person's shirt had perfectly suited their image. He wondered if the brand had researched this themselves or asked Ego-san for information. But Ego-san probably didn't know anything about flowers, Isagi nodded in agreement.

Let me remember.

Ah! This flower is considered a symbol of deep, passionate, and intense love. Furthermore, the poppy can also be seen as a symbol of courage, especially when it is associated with war.

"A true hero deserves a hero's flower," he smiled.

Seeing Isagi's expression made Kunigami blush slightly and feel uneasy. Although his personality had become somewhat stiff and less sociable since returning from the Wildcard, Isagi still cared for him as before; the young man was still as gentle and considerate towards everyone else.

"Hurry up and focus. I want to leave early."

Isagi pouted at the situation. He looked resentful; he wondered how he would manage to be so affectionate during the photoshoot.

Hmph!

Yoichi angry.

"Come on, everyone, let's take a picture!" the photographer called out.

After five minutes of brief explanation of the context and the pose to be created, the two were in position.

Isagi blinked his round blue eyes at Kunigami, who remained cold and expressionless, and sighed. Luckily, this time he wasn't facing any deep emotional scenes or lingering feelings; otherwise, he didn't know if he'd even be able to succeed.

"I'll start." he said, receiving only a brief nod in response from his orange-haired friend.

The shy, blue-eyed teenager wrapped one arm around his friend's neck. He tilted his head slightly, resting his cheek, now tinged with a soft pink, on his friend's shoulder, his other hand also placed beside him.

When the other person wrapped their arms tightly around the teenager, Isagi was slightly startled by the sudden warmth surrounding him, and he felt a little nostalgic… It had been a long time since he had been this intimate with his 'hero', Isagi smiled softly to himself.

"That's a good pose! Remember to show your expression!"

As the camera clicked repeatedly, Isagi smiled gently and lost himself in thought.

"I wonder if Kunigami is smiling or if he's putting on that cold expression again?"

"The photos of the two of you are all fine." the photographer said, satisfied after checking the pictures.

"So, I can leave now, right?" Kunigami asked.

"Yes. You can leave now."

As soon as he received the answer, Kunigami instantly disappeared from the photo shoot area. Watching his friend leave so quickly made Isagi a little sad.

"Does Kunigami hate me that much? He left as soon as we finished taking the picture. Does he really dislike being in the same place as me?" the kitten grumbled.

On the other side, the emotions were completely the opposite. Kunigami appeared to be strolling leisurely, but if you looked closely, his pace was slightly faster than usual. A faint blush appeared on his otherwise cold face, hidden by his strong arm, as his thoughts were now in turmoil. It had been a long time since he had been so close to Isagi. Since returning from Wildcard, he had tried to ignore and reject the boy's attention. He thought he didn't deserve such kindness until he proved himself worthy to him.

But just now, Isagi's body had been in contact with his, his small body nestled comfortably in his arms, leaning against him with peace of mind. In just a few short minutes, it had filled him with immense happiness.

Isagi, the beautiful, sparkling sapphire, shone brightly in his life.

After proving everything, I will definitely be able to stand by your side with my head held high.

Turn back over here. Isagi walked over dejectedly to check the results. The photographer looked at the little boy, who had been cheerful just moments before, now looking gloomy, and wondered why.

"Why do you look so sad, little one?"

"It's just that I think Kunigami doesn't like me..." Isagi pouted.

The person opposite looked bewildered, blinking in utter disbelief.

"That guy from earlier?" The child nodded in agreement.

"It seems you misunderstood. The way he looked at you just now was incredibly gentle and warm, as if he were cherishing a precious treasure."

"Huh?!"

Knowing the boy wouldn't believe him, he showed him the camera. In the entire photo, Kunigami wasn't cold at all; he was incredibly gentle, just like the Kunigami from before, the one who always cared for his friends, the one who shared his steak with him.

"I… I really hope to become close friends again, Kunigami."

***

"Reo! You really look great in formal outfits like suits. You exude a sophisticated and elegant vibe!" Isagi sincerely complimented his partner the moment he saw him.

The teenager's eyes darted all over Reo, making him feel both proud and satisfied at being complimented by his crush. After all, he'd worn outfits like this countless times before. Although this was his first time wearing a wedding suit, and even modeling for one, he had no regrets, especially since his partner was Isagi!

"Reo..." Isagi suddenly felt a little awkward because the young master in front of him didn't respond to his words, but only closed his eyes with a happy smile as if he had just achieved something great.

"Ah, I hope we cooperate smoothly," Reo snapped back to reality, realizing he'd been lost in thought without paying attention to the little one. He stepped closer, took the boy's hands, and offered his assistance.

Isagi nodded happily. Thankfully, he'd encountered two cold, murderous gods who wouldn't even speak to him properly, making him feel terribly lonely. Reo was truly an angel!

"Seeing how confident Reo is, I bet you got these modeling jobs under his belt, right?" Isagi smiled sweetly.

"Hmm. Hmm. Don't worry, Isagi, these things won't be a problem for me,." Reo asserted confidently. After all, as the young master of the Mikage family, he was used to having cameras and everyone's eyes focused on him.

That's what he thinks, but his actions are completely different. Especially when he has to take a picture facing Isagi, the boy he secretly loves.

"Cut!! Reo, why do you keep closing your eyes, blushing, and turning away?!" The photographer yelled, clearly displeased.

Reo retreated to a corner, lost in his own thoughts. He couldn't believe how his cool promise had fallen apart. How was he going to face his crush now? Help!

Isagi looked at the scene before him and chuckled, admitting it was the boldest pose ever. The two of them were practically eye-to-eye, and you could even say they were kissing. But it was thanks to this that Isagi could observe the purple-haired teenager at such close range for the first time. To be honest, he had momentarily fallen under the spell of those purple eyes.

"Reo!"

“Isagi… I’m sorry for taking up so much of your time. I’m such a failure.” Reo sadly looked up at the little boy who had just sat down beside him.

"What are you talking about! You only messed up a few minutes of the shot. Besides, it's really difficult, especially when they make you strike that pose. You're really at a disadvantage... you have to take pictures with a normal person like me." Isagi comforted him.

But when he  thought Reo would agree and lift his spirits, but unexpectedly, the focus of his attention was quite strange.

"Who said you're normal? Who said I was at a disadvantage?! I clearly used up almost all my luck just to get a photo with you! The bolder the pose, the better! It's not Isagi's fault, it's all my fault!"

Isagi's eyes widened in confusion. "I was trying to comfort you, why are you reacting so strangely, Reo? What do you mean, 'the more bolder, the better'?"

"Reo's spirits seem pretty good... Let's go back and finish the shoot then."

Reo nodded obediently and took his friend's hand, following along. Isagi felt as if the current situation was like he was leading a chick.

"Have you two found any inspiration yet?" the photographer asked.

"Don't worry, everything will be fine."

"I believe you, Isagi." The photographer looked at the well-behaved little boy and trusted him.

"Reo, why are you just standing there like a statue? Hurry up, come here so I can lie on top of you!" Isagi yelled, reminding the person who was still standing motionless and refusing to come in.

Isagi is lying on me! Isagi is inviting me! Reo, his mind still wandering, walked over, only to find Isagi lying on his lap, his big round eyes staring intently, his little lips pouting. Damn, he's so cute!

"Come back, Reo."

"Yes... Yes."

"If you're too shy, just follow my rhythm," Isagi suggested.

"Okay."

Just as the countdown to the start of the photoshoot ended, Isagi gently reached out and touched Reo's cheek, making him flinch slightly. A soft whisper was uttered, audible only to Reo.

"Look into my eyes, Reo."

Isagi's words seemed to possess a magical power, compelling the young master to obey. He bowed slightly, his hair falling gently on Isagi's forehead, seemingly drawing the little one in to touch it. This startled Reo a little, but then he smiled, gazing into his captivating, deep blue eyes.

To be honest, at that very moment, he was completely captivated by him. His sparkling sapphire eyes gazed directly into his violet eyes, and for a brief instant, he felt as if he had been pulled straight down into the deep ocean. A chasm where no living creature should exist, only silence and solitude that would leave one feeling utterly cold and despairing.

However, Reo didn't sense any of the meaning of those words. On the contrary, he felt as if he were enveloped by a gentle, warm feeling, exclusive and unique to Isagi.

He was like a precious gem buried beneath layers of tranquil ocean, silently sleeping in the darkness. And Reo, who always roamed in search of the rarest treasures, accidentally discovered his.

At that moment, the greed that had been carefully concealed deep within his heart suddenly awakened. Not violently, not noisily, but smoldering, persistent, and impossible to extinguish.

Reo felt as if he wanted to engrave himself into those eyes, not wanting him to look at anyone but him. He didn't want anyone else to enjoy the light that Isagi radiated.

He wanted to keep that gem all to himself, holding it tightly at the bottom of the deep ocean, a place only he could reach.

Right now, Isagi's attention is solely focused on Reo; his eyes are completely filled with his image, and only his.

Let this moment last forever. No, let his eyes always hold my image.

Then, Reo gently lifted that small face, bringing the two closer and closer, until their lips were only a hair's breadth away from touching, so close that Isagi could feel the other's breath, a gentle tickling sensation on his skin.

"Reo!! You're really going all out!!!" Isagi silently screamed in his heart, but maintained a professional demeanor without showing it.

"Wow, that kid with the purple hair suddenly got the expression in his eyes pretty right!" A thought flashed through his mind while his hand continued pressing the shutter button non-stop.

Just as Reo was determined to plant a light kiss on those lovely lips, the photographer's loud shout of "Cut!" ruined his plan.

Isagi and Reo sat up, looked at each other, their faces flushed, and turned away in different directions.

"Oh my god!! I almost kissed him just now!!" Reo was so embarrassed.

"Almost…we kissed!! That was dangerous!!" Isagi tried to calm himself down.

The photographer found it amusing that the two kids, who had seemed so charming just moments before, now looked so innocent and bewildered.

"Would you like to see the photos? You two took some really beautiful pictures."

Without saying a word, they both got up and went to the computer to look at the pictures. Needless to say, after seeing them, their faces turned even redder.

"Don't be shy! This is a dedication to art!" The photographer had to pat the two of them on the shoulder to ease the awkwardness.

"That's right. You take really good photos, Reo." After giving himself a thousand excuses, Isagi finally returned to normal.

"It wouldn't be this beautiful without you," Reo said with a gentle smile.

Isagi's eyes crinkled with happiness upon hearing the praise, like a cat after being complimented by its owner. Reo just wanted to pat his head and cuddle him.

Before leaving as instructed by the staff, Reo gave the small flower he had pinned to Isagi, which surprised the kitten.

"Is this...a gift from you to me?"

"YES."

"Isagi, do you know what that means?"

"I'm so sorry, I completely forgot... I'm really sorry." Isagi suddenly felt a little guilty.

"It's alright. This is my sincere gesture." After saying that, Reo left.

The Antirrhinum flower symbolizes courage, determination, and the path to perfect harmony. It also signifies love and hope, representing deep and sincere emotions in love, like Reo's. It represents trust and faith in someone, and hope for the best in a person's love.

Reo silently recalled the memory in his mind, then unconsciously chuckled softly. Isagi, that's the message I sent you, that's my heartfelt feeling.

The light led him astray.

***

After working hard with five people, Isagi was now enjoying his short break. He took small sips of water, sighed, and recalled the answer he had given to the staff member earlier.

"There are still 3 more people to take pictures with…!!!" Isagi felt like he was about to collapse. They really are exploiting talent without leaving any room for error.

What's with this love-themed photo of you alone with a bunch of other guys?!! It makes me feel like a real player. But this player hasn't even had a proper relationship in his life. Ha ha..

While muttering frantically to himself, he suddenly felt a heavy weight pressing down on him, specifically on his shoulders and head.

“Isagi…”

I knew it right away, it's Nagi the lazy bear, of course.

"Oh, Nagi! Don't be so lazy the moment you arrive. Get up, don't lean on me anymore." Isagi lightly slapped the hand that was clasped in a hug in front of him.

"I miss Isagi so much!" Nagi said, nuzzling the baby's soft hair.

"Don't mess with my hair, silly Nagi... Besides, I missed you too." Isagi turned to face the teenager, smiling sweetly as he cupped Nagi's face in his hands while the latter willingly leaned down slightly to let the teenager reach his face.

It had been a long time since they had been this close since the Manchester match against Munchen due to their vastly different schedules.

"You look so beautiful today, Isagi." As soon as Nagi finished speaking, he hugged the young man tightly, feeling the warmth in his embrace.

"Honestly, you're just like a koala!" Isagi giggled at these hugging gestures.

"Now stand up straight. You're going to wrinkle your clothes!"

It was only then that Isagi had a chance to observe his partner's suit. His waistcoat was gray with a rather unusual but still patterned design. Perhaps because of his carefree and easygoing demeanor, Nagi was given special permission to wear a tie or bow tie, and even had his top button unbuttoned. His jacket was draped over his arm.

Short, silver hair, lightly layered, with a long side-swept fringe covering almost half of the face, the soft, slightly messy strands create a natural look.

Now Isagi has a small task he's set for himself: to pay attention to the flowers pinned to their chests. He wants to see how the brand perceives them as individuals.

Let's see. Let's see.

It's an oleander! Isagi was delighted to recognize the flower. It really is like Nagi! It symbolizes a contradictory, inconsistent, and mysterious personality. He remembered his mother saying that oleander flowers look beautiful at first glance, but they are extremely poisonous, and Nagi is the same; he appears lazy and calm, but when he's in flow on the field, his aura is terrifying, almost like death itself.

Isagi nodded silently, leaving Nagi completely bewildered. He couldn't understand what the person in front of him was thinking. Was there something on his face?

"What are you thinking about? Do you want to share it with me?" Nagi poked the curious little one's cheek.

"...” Isagi blinked his innocent, round eyes at him. 'Dream,' he said!

"Let's focus on going." Isagi changed the subject, grabbed Nagi's hand, Nagi was confused, and pulled him towards where everyone else was gathered.

The photographer, seeing the main couple approaching, cooperated by giving instructions. However, only Isagi was truly paying attention, while Nagi's mind wandered far away. After listening, the little sprout turned to try and find common ground, but all he saw was Nagi with his eyes half-closed, looking as if a single push would send him collapsing.

“...?”

What the hell?! It's only been a few short minutes, how can you get sleepy so quickly?!

"Nagi, were you listening to anything just now?" Isagi asked helplessly.

"Um...Yes..." he nodded, his eyes hazy.

Isagi just hoped it was true. Hzzz, hurry up and finish this, he has already missed a valuable day of practice!

Isagi briefly explained the poses they needed for the photoshoot, and Nagi continued nodding like a little chick pecking at grain.

Can I trust him?

This time, wanting to create the effect of Nagi's outerwear flying, they installed a giant fan that blew air at the two of them.

"Hold my hand, Isagi." Nagi had somehow positioned himself behind the young man, one hand already enveloping his small hand.

Thump.

""Why does he keep showing up so unexpectedly?"" Isagi was genuinely startled; luckily, he was wearing handkerchiefs, otherwise he would have meowed like a cat.

"Okay, okay, you two move closer. Nagi, just lean down a little closer to Isagi's hair."

Nagi gently cupped the other small hand and bent down, but unfortunately, he could only see a partial profile of the child in front of him. However, he could still make out the boy's softly curved eyelashes, pursed lips, and slightly flushed cheeks.

Isagi is so cute.

"Start!"

The familiar sound of the camera clicking echoed continuously. Isagi quickly got into character as well.

He gently lifted his hands, which Nagi was holding, and took half a step forward as if spinning in a slow dance. A strong gust of wind arose, causing Nagi's coat to flutter behind his like a white silk ribbon.

"That's right! Keep it like that!" the photographer shouted.

Isagi tilted his head slightly, a gentle smile on his face, but his eyes shone brightly. His blue eyes reflected the studio lights, looking as if a sparkling ocean lay within them.

Nagi remained standing right behind them.

Too close.

One of his hands remained firmly grasped by Isagi's, while the other gently lifted as if leading him into a dance. From the camera's perspective, the two appeared to be walking in perfect unison.

But from Nagi's perspective… he could clearly feel the warmth emanating from the person in front of him.

The wind from the large fan blew a few strands of Isagi's black hair back, gently touching his chin.

It's itchy.

“…Isagi.” Nagi blinked slightly.

"Hm?" Isagi maintained his smile in front of the camera, only responding softly.

"You smell wonderful!"

"—Nagi!" Isagi almost turned around immediately, but remembered they were still taking pictures, so he could only grit his teeth and whisper, "Don't talk while we're taking pictures!"

"But it's true," Nagi said lazily. "It smells nice."

Isagi's cheeks flushed a little more.

Click. Click. Click.

The photographer on the other side was almost ecstatic.

"Excellent! Isagi, keep that expression! Nagi, bend down a little more!"

Nagi heard that and actually bent down. The distance between him and Isagi suddenly became so close that they were almost touching. Isagi felt Nagi's light breath on his hair, and his heart involuntarily beat a little faster.

Thump.

Nagi tilted his head slightly.

Then…a very light kiss fell on his black hair.

The flash went off.

Isagi froze for a second.

“…Nagi.”

"YES?"

"This doesn't seem to be required?!"

"But the photographer seemed to like it." And I liked it too.

Indeed, from the other side of the studio, the person holding the camera almost shouted. Isagi sighed softly, but finally burst into laughter, his voice tinged with a hint of annoyance.

"...You really like to do things your own way."

Nagi lazily rested his chin near his hair, his voice so low only Isagi could hear it.

"Even so, Isagi still smiled brightly."

Isagi paused for a moment. How could this lazy guy possibly have the energy to argue today? Almost unable to bear the gentle, attentive gaze, the other person's "done" made Isagi overjoyed. Like a cat nimbly escaping Nagi's embrace, he darted straight to the computer.

"Isagi is so timid," Nagi muttered, touching his cheek and looking at the small figure. Actually, if Nagi knew that his best friend, Reo, had almost successfully kissed his crush just now, then all those childish antics would have been insignificant.

Actually, Isagi didn't really mind those kisses on the cheek; he'd already had hugs and kisses earlier. It's just that he was still a little shy.

"Well, I guess my part's done, right? Bye, Isagi. I'm going to bed now." Nagi said decisively, not wanting to waste any time, and dashed his massive body towards the door.

I hope that when we meet again, you will still be shining just as brightly, guiding me on this path.

You showed me how much fun football can be.

You showed me his burning desire to score goals.

My motivation.

"Bye...bye," Isagi hadn't even finished saying his goodbye properly before the other person vanished without a trace.

"That was quick."

***

From a distance, Isagi recognized Rin. He excitedly ran over to greet his, only to be met with a cold stare.

“...” The two of them, four eyes staring at each other, only Isagi was confused, while Rin, despite his outwardly emotionless face, was thinking something completely different from his outward expression.

Why is he so adorable today...?

"Ah...Rin, it's been a long time since we last met, hasn't it?" Isagi tried to start the conversation.

Rin, who was already taller than the little boy, didn't even bother to bend down, merely giving a condescending glance.

"The last two matches were too lackluster."

"...Ah!" Is he talking about my recent match? Isagi asked, bewildered.

Seeing Rin's confused expression, he clicked his tongue and turned away, leaving only one sentence behind.

"Get rid of this nonsense quickly so I can go back to practice."

As expected, Rin truly hated anything unrelated to football.

"You seem to be in a hurry?" Isagi wondered.

"There's no rush, it's just that I don't like wasting time. If I weren't forced, I would never do this."

Rin's face turned completely dark when Ego announced this.

"No refusal allowed," Ego said dismissively.

"Why? I'm here to be number one, not to participate in these silly photoshoots."

"Since you signed the agreement to join Blue Lock, you have no right to refuse the contract I offer. Agree or you're out of football." Ego slurped his noodles, speaking coldly.

The memories faded, but Rin's anger didn't subside at all.

Isagi blinked his innocent, round eyes. Why was Rin so annoyed? Was it so difficult to spare a little time to take photos with him? Didn't he spend almost a whole day shooting his own photoshoot?

"Rin, you will look ugly if you keep frowning all the time!" Isagi said sulkily.

“...”

He's handsome, yet he always wears that grumpy face.

While the boy stood there dumbfounded by his words, Isagi secretly observed the other person's clothing and appearance.

Wow! Rin's hair is swept to one side, and the vest underneath is a soft mint color, perfectly complementing his eyes. This time, Rin even brought along a prop: a bouquet of white lilies.

White lily? As far as he remembered, this flower symbolized purity, nobility, and innocence. In other words…it suited Rin because, aside from soccer, the kid was really quite naive about everything, wasn't he? Isagi thought to himself.

"What are you staring at again, Isagi?!" Rin felt embarrassed by the intense stare.

"Look at how naive you are."

"…What?"

"Hehe. Let's quickly take some pictures and get this over with."

Looking at the photos of his posing this time, Isagi couldn't help but inwardly marvel at how easy it was for a professional like himself to pull off these shots.

Looking at the person next to him, who showed no expression, he walked straight to the photo spot.

"That's so cold!"

"Okay, you two get into position."

Isagi quickly finished the movement, looked up, and gave a silly grin. Rin stared at the face that was smiling innocently at him and… froze.

It was then that he realized Isagi's slender legs were resting completely on one of his thighs, swinging playfully back and forth.

Rin frozen.

Then, like a seductive, nimble cat, the teenager swiftly surrounded Rin, gently placing one hand under his chin while the other wrapped around his shoulder. It looked as if, in just a moment, he would become the one manipulating and controlling his with his sweet, innocent expression.

The distance is too close.

The small face was close to his, and Rin could feel the gentle breath beside him.

"Keep it as is! Excellent!" the photographer exclaimed excitedly.

"...Move aside a little," Rin whispered.

"No, we're taking pictures," Isagi replied softly, still maintaining his sweet, innocent smile. "Just cooperate."

“…”

Rin squeezed his hand gently.

In the frame, they resemble a couple with contrasting personalities. One is someone who, despite their cold demeanor, is still willing to gaze upon the other, while the other offers a gentle, forgiving look.

Click.

The sound of a camera clicking rang out.

Isagi moved a little closer. "You're too tense."

"...Go away."

"Is Rin-chan shy?"

"No."

"Then look at me!"

Rin was silent for a few seconds. Then he turned around.

Their eyes met, and those blue eyes lit up, sparkling with a hint of light, as if Rin were gazing at the dark sea reflecting the starry night sky, and he was the one occupying that entire scene right now.

Click.

As Isagi moved closer, a bouquet of white lilies flew into his face, leaving him stunned.

"Take the bouquet and sit still, Isagi."

"Oh, okay." Then he hugged Rin, leaned on his shoulder, and smiled sweetly at the camera.

The photographer exclaimed, "That's beautiful!"

After achieving satisfactory results, Rin quickly disappeared without a trace.

"Hzzz! Why can't some people enjoy a moment of relaxation?"

But after seeing the photo, Isagi had to admit, he was indeed quite seductive just now. After this incident, he'd learned a great skill!

***

"This is the last person to arrive. Hopefully, it will end smoothly," the staff member informed Isagi.

"Almost done…ugh, I'm so tired." Isagi rubbed his shoulders, feeling sore all over after a continuous photoshoot.

But then he stopped.

Wait a minute… up until now, all the people photographed with him have been members of Blue Lock. Surely a foreign brand wouldn't fail to invite a foreign player…

A bad feeling welled up in Isagi's heart.

It's probably not the person I'm thinking of, right?

Suddenly, an arm wrapped around his waist, pulling him sharply backward. Before Isagi could react, he fell neatly into the other person's arms in surprise. He was about to look up to see who it was when a familiar voice rang out, instantly recognizing who it was.

"Little Yoichi is waiting for me so obediently, isn't he?!" Kaiser smiled contentedly, enjoying his current position. He could easily admire the small, annoyed face looking up at him.

“Kaiser! Let go! What are you doing hugging me so tightly?! Are we that close?!” Isagi struggled like a fish out of water, trying to break free, but it was completely useless.

Kaiser remained in the same position, even leaning closer, enjoying the sight of Isagi's face turning red with anger.

"Not close? I think we're very close."

"No! Get out of here!"

No matter how much Isagi struggled, Kaiser wouldn't let go, even deliberately tightening his grip. The two nearly came to blows before a nearby staff member quickly intervened:

"Whatever you two do, please be gentle! It would be a real hassle if the outfit and makeup were ruined!"

“…”

The two people who were grabbing each other by the collar and shirt froze instantly.

Isagi was so embarrassed he wanted to dig a hole and hide, while Kaiser just laughed, completely unconcerned, and even looked at Isagi with a mischievous glint in his eyes.

A moment later, everyone in the room saw the two main characters of the upcoming photoshoot standing 1 meter apart. If Kaiser moved closer, Isagi would immediately move further away, and so the two of them kept playing silly games around, making everyone laugh.

"What are you doing, Kaiser?! Stand still!"

"I just like being close to you, Yoichi."

Without that interrupting voice, who knows when this vicious cycle would ever end.

"Isagi, you need some more accessories to wear. Come here!" The staff woman waved him over.

Isagi felt as if his life had been saved, and immediately turned around and ran over. He skipped a few steps, his face beaming with relief.

But when Isagi saw what the staff  was holding, he froze. His eyes widened, and he tremblingly pointed at it.

"...do I really have to wear it?"

"That's right." The staff woman smiled brightly.

“...”

Isagi kept looking up and down, still unable to believe he had to wear this.

That white veil!

Only brides wear this, everybody knows. He may be pretending to be just friends or close brothers in the photos, but once he put this on, his role was definitely clear! Moreover, this time the other partner with him in the photo is Kaiser!

Isagi felt his soul leave his body.

While he was still stunned, a familiar voice rang out from behind him.

"Yoichi, what took you so long?"

Isagi didn't dare go back.

“…”

"Oh, look?" Kaiser walked over, then stopped when he saw what the staff was holding.

A slow smile spread across his face.

"Ah..."

Isagi sensed imminent danger.

"Give me that, and I'll help Yoichi put it on nicely," Kaiser said, his tone suspiciously polite.

The staff laughed and, without a doubt, handed it to him.

"I'm counting on you."

"Wait—!" Isagi didn't even have time to object.

Kaiser was standing right in front of him.

"Come here, my bride."

"DON'T CALL ME THAT!!!"

Isagi tried to step back, but Kaiser was quicker, blocking his escape route. He even used that annoyingly soft-spoken tone.

"Yoichi, you wouldn't want to ruin someone else's work, would you? Besides, this is a collaborative project with Blue Lock." Kaiser said softly, but Isagi knew perfectly well that he was secretly chuckling to himself.

Consider it bad luck.

Isagi obediently gritted his teeth and stood still as Kaiser approached to place the white veil on his hair. Kaiser even meticulously adjusted it, from the angle and drape to every tiny fold of fabric.

Wow! That serious look on a man's face when he's working is so charming!

Only then did Isagi have time to admire Kaiser in this outfit. The blue vest, quite similar to his hair, was tailored to fit his body perfectly, accentuating his tall, straight figure. And the flowers… Well, indeed, nothing but blue roses; whenever Kaiser was mentioned, Isagi would always remember this distinctive feature.

From the moment he met Kaiser, Isagi became curious about the meaning of this flower, which symbolizes eternal love, fidelity, unattainable mysteries, longing, harmony… and even rebirth.

Hey! It's not because I am attracted to him, but if I  want to win, I should understand my enemy. Isagi told himself. But then again, a flower that is both beautiful and distant. Just like the person in front of him.

"So, I'm handsome, aren't I, Yoichi? You haven't taken your eyes off me for a single second." Kaiser said, pleased with his result, only to find Isagi staring blankly at him, which brought out his playful nature.

"!!!"

"Pfft! Don't talk nonsense!" Isagi immediately jumped a whole arm's length away from Kaiser like a cat wary of an enemy.

Kaiser just smiled as usual, but there seemed to be a subtle, almost imperceptible tenderness in his eyes.

"Come here and get ready!" the staff member called out loudly.

"Yes," Isagi replied obediently.

Suddenly, a hand wearing a white handkerchief reached out in front of him.

"Would I have the honor of escorting my bride?!" Kaiser said, his other hand behind his back, looking as elegant as a true gentleman.

Isagi blushed at being treated that way, but since Kaiser had approached, he didn't make things difficult for him. The blue-eyed teenager smiled sweetly, placed his hand in Isagi's, and the two walked together to the photo booth.

The two walked side-by-side to the shooting area, under the amused gaze of the crew.

After the two were briefed on what they needed to do, they felt quite relaxed because Kaiser, being a famous professional player, was very familiar with these things, and Isagi had already practiced with others before, so she was no longer afraid of the cameras.

"Get into position, both of you."

"Yoichi, come here." Kaiser held out his hands, casually calling him over.

"Can you carry me, Emperor-chan?!" Isagi teased deliberately.

"How will we know if we don't try?" No sooner had Kaiser finished speaking than he bent down and swiftly lifted Isagi up, startling the little boy who was still clinging tightly to Kaiser's neck, bewildered and confused.

“...”

"Do you think I can?"

"Kaiser! You should let me know beforehand about anything you're doing!"

"I'll let you know next time, don't worry," Kaiser said casually.

"Okay." Wait a minute, is there going to be a next time?

This time, the photos even included a confetti cannon effect – a custom-designed one shaped like blue rose petals. It looked just like a real wedding, only without an audience.

"Okay, get ready..."

Kaiser held Isagi in a very secure princess-style embrace, so Isagi had no fear of falling; he was only afraid that Kaiser might suddenly decide to drop him.

"I'm counting on you, Kaiser-niichan."

"Assured."

As the fireworks went off, Isagi turned towards the camera, smiling brightly. He put one arm around Kaiser's shoulder, leaning slightly back, his coat billowing in the wind, creating a graceful curve in mid-air. His veil also rose with his raised arm amidst the falling petals. Isagi's smile was radiant, unlike the one he wore on the field, but one that held a gentle tenderness whenever he was with someone he cared about.

Kaiser couldn't help but laugh at Isagi's expression, a mixture of helplessness and boundless indulgence.

Click.

A flood of thoughts ran through everyone in the studio as they watched this scene.

"This couple... doesn't even need to act."

"Whether there's an affair or not, you can guess for yourself…hehe!"

"My couple is so real!!!"

"This pose is good, let's move on to the second one," the photographer exclaimed.

"Let me down," Isagi said, wrapping his arms around Kaiser's neck.

"Or maybe Yoichi should just sit still like that and I'll carry you back to my room," Kaiser said with a mischievous grin.

Bump.

"Don't have a tantrum in broad daylight," Isagi said, patting Kaiser lightly on the head, feeling helpless.

"Not at all. I'm just attracted by your cuteness."

“...”

Stop talking. I'm scared now.

That being said, Kaiser gently put Isagi down and went to coordinate with the studio staff. When they met again, both Isagi and Kaiser had applied more lipstick.

"Start."

This time, Isagi took the lead. He immediately pulled up Kaiser's tie, forcing Kaiser's head to tilt upwards, his lips parted, his eyes half-closed as if waiting for what the person above him would do next, like a pet craving its owner's attention.

Isagi's other hand wasn't idle either; it gently lifted Kaiser's chin, pulling his face closer. He flashed a mischievous smile, leaning down while his fingers playfully traced across Kaiser's lips, smudging the lipstick at the corners. At this moment, Isagi looked like he was toying with his defenseless prey, Kaiser.

The distance between them was now just a very thin line, almost touching lips, creating the feeling that a kiss was about to happen, both tense and tender.

"Tch. Tch. This pair is so wild." The photographer couldn't help but repeatedly praise them. He had to admit this pair had the best effect.

"Done!"

No sooner had he finished speaking than Isagi let go, jumping back a few steps. All that was in the little boy's mind was Kaiser's flawless face; he covered his face and screamed silently in his heart. Although he had seen him several times before, this was the first time he had seen him so close and so peacefully.

Kaiser looked at the results and was so pleased that his eyes crinkled with satisfaction. Taking a photo with Isagi was definitely worth it, because given their current relationship, it would be difficult to get a decent picture of them together.

Yoichi.

You're the first person who made me want to be more lovable.

Hopefully, we can laugh and joke together comfortably in the future.

"Yoichi, what are you standing there for! Aren't you going to change your clothes and go home...or do you want another quickie with me?" Kaiser reverted to his carefree demeanor.

"Shut up!"

End

Side story

1.
On the day the brand launched the product, the collaborative photos were also released. Isagi happily lay in bed looking at the finished product. He had been told by Anri beforehand that this collaboration was very successful.

"The photos are unbelievably beautiful!!" Hiori clicked his tongue, though his tone was slightly reluctant.

"Isagi is so beautiful. So beautiful." Kurona nodded repeatedly.

"I didn't expect you to have such a talent for modeling," Yukimiya said, his hand still scrolling through the photos, his eyes still showing a hint of surprise.

"Not at all, everyone on the team has been so supportive," Isagi said shyly, scratching his cheek as his three roommates kept praising him.

"Yeah, but you're photogenic too," Hiori said bluntly.

"Hehe."

"It's lunchtime, let's go to the cafeteria. While we're at it, let's see the reaction of your 'groomsmen'." Hiori stood up, smirking.

Isagi paused.

"...That sounds terrifying."

But contrary to what Isagi thought, their emotions were actually very strange; a gloomy aura surrounded each of them.

"What's wrong?"

"Who knows."

“Isagi!! Why didn’t anyone tell me that you took pictures with other people besides me?!” Bachira almost screamed, tears welling up in his eyes.

Isagi frozen.

"…Huh?"

"You guys... don't know?" Isagi looked around.

In response, he received extremely unsettling stares. Isagi looked on in bewilderment. He was utterly confused.

"Wait." Isagi swallowed. "Bachira doesn't know, I can understand. Surely the three of you from the Manshine team noticed each other's disappearance?"

"We don't always train together, so when one of us is missing, we don't really notice," Chigiri explained dejectedly.

"...It's both logical and heartbreaking."

"Wait...didn't any of you meet in the dressing room or makeup area?!" Yukimiya found it strange and frowned.

"That's right. That's right."

"Not at all. We can't even sense the presence of anyone else!" Reo shook his head.

"...This isn't normal," Hiori muttered.

"But Ego told me about the photoshoot from the beginning," Isagi said, genuinely confused.

"EH…"

As for Kaiser, although he was a little annoyed that he wasn't the only one taking the photos, he was still very pleased that he was the only one who got to be photographed with Isagi in two poses, a clear advantage over the others.

2.
"Can I borrow your phone for a moment, Isagi?" Bachira asked.

"Okay." Isagi didn't think much of it and handed it to the other person.

"Hey, Bachira..." Isagi was about to say something, but seeing his friend standing there looking confused, he couldn't understand.

"What's wrong?"

Bachira tremblingly held up his phone, the screen displaying a photo of him, Kaiser, and Reo from the recent trip.

Everyone around was also left speechless when they saw it.

"You...why did you leave this picture here?!"

"Yeah, it's beautiful. I really like it, so I'm using it as my wallpaper," Isagi replied innocently, still not understanding the situation.

"Hic..."

"Why didn't you use picture which has me?" Bachira asked sadly.

"Me too?" Chigiri chimed in.

Isagi blinked, completely bewildered as to why everything was so tense.

"...Well, when I took the photos with those two, I felt a great connection, so now I like the pictures."

Silent.

One second.

Two seconds.

Already-

"You mean you don't get along with us?" Chigiri raised an eyebrow.

"Not!"

"Then why not include our photos?" Bachira bowed his head, his voice filled with sadness.

"Well..." Isagi didn't know how to explain.

After that incident, Isagi immediately changed his wallpaper. However, the news also reached the other two main characters, and they were just as surprised.