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The whistle marked halftime for the French National Team.
The sharp sound spread across the pitch like a line cutting through the rhythm of training, forcing everyone to stop, to breathe, to become aware again of the weight in their bodies.
Loki was the first to release the ball. He didn’t look particularly tired, nor out of breath.
Just.. as always.
A few meters away, Hugo placed his hands on his hips, inhaling in a controlled manner.
His breathing was stable, measured. As if even exhaustion had to obey a logical structure within him.
The coach called Loki over with a gesture. It wasn’t urgent, just formality.
The French prodigy walked toward him without rushing. Vivian followed him with his eyes, still controlling his breathing.
He wasn’t watching in an obvious way, not the way someone would normally watch their partner.
But rather like someone analyzing a key piece within a system.
Yet his gaze didn’t move away for even a second.
The conversation between them was short.
Too short to be anything important.
Julian’s only response was a slight nod accompanied by a small smile.
Then the coach stood up and clapped his hands loudly.
“Listen up, everyone!”
All eyes lifted, the entire team gathering without needing to be told twice.
Hugo stepped forward, positioning himself within the group, but his attention was already ahead.
As if his mind had detected something before it was even said.
The coach smiled proudly before speaking.
“Loki has been selected as a mentor to represent France in the Neo Egoist League; Project Blue Lock, located in Japan. Let’s give a big round of applause to our teammate, please.”
The applause came immediately, almost coordinated.
Loki kept his hands behind his back, posture straight.
Just like the first day he stepped into the French National Team.
Vivian also clapped, but his eyes did not follow the gesture.
They kept their eyes fixed on their boyfriend.
Analyzing the situation, fitting variables together, calculating what outcome they would produce.
Japan.
Blue Lock.
Distance.
Time.
𝘚𝘦𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯.
“Beep.” That sound slipped out of his lips.
Someone next to him glanced over.
Hugo didn’t notice it, or simply didn’t care.
The coach kept speaking, congratulating them, explaining the honor, the impact, the responsibility.
After the shock of the announcement, the break resumed and the group slowly dispersed.
He exhaled and walked straight toward Julian without hesitation, stopping in front of him.
“When are you leaving?” he asked, without even greeting him.
Julian raised an eyebrow, a smile forming on his face.
“What? Not even a «congratulations,» Vivian?” he teased, his usual arrogant tone slipping in.
Hugo went quiet, his eyebrows lifting slightly.
“.. Congratulations.” He paused for a few seconds before continuing. “Sorry..” He stepped closer, placing a small kiss on the other’s cheek.
“It’s a significant achievement in your career as a footballer and French prodigy.” he added, in his usual neutral tone. “I’m proud of you.”
Loki smiled a little wider, but softer at the same time.
“Thanks, Vivi.”
“.. You’re going to Japan again?” he asked, this time not holding back. “When are you leaving?”
“Soon, probably in a few days. After the victory against the Japanese National Team, Blue Lock exploded and the project is going to keep moving forward.”
Hugo nodded, processing the information.
“Duration?”
“As long as the League lasts.”
«As long as the League lasts.»
That was a variable with indefinite duration.
It was known as an open variable, a type of reactive condition that is usually unstable, because it is allowed to respond in any possible way depending on different situations.
Hugo lowered his gaze for a second, not to the ground specifically.
To a nonexistent point.
Open variables are dangerous.
Anything could happen, even the impossible.
It’s fun on the pitch, because you can manipulate that variable at will.
But this wasn’t about football.
This was about his relationship with Julian.
He couldn’t allow anything bad to happen.
The distance between Japan and France was at least 15,000 km.
After thinking for a while, his gaze returned to Loki.
“I want to go with you.” It didn’t sound like a plea, it sounded like a conclusion.
It would be safer if he went with him. He could help manage those open variables in any situation involving danger.
Loki shook his head gently, letting out a small laugh.
“Hugo, you can’t..” he said, not harshly, just realistically. “The team can’t be without a midfielder like you.”
Vivian didn’t answer immediately, because the answer was correct.
It was irrefutable.
His fingers tightened slightly.
“I know. But it’s not efficient.”
“Don’t be so dramatic.. It’s not the first time I’ve been to Japan.”
His gaze stayed fixed on him, unmoving on the surface.
But there was something else underneath.
Something that didn’t quite fit.
“The conditions aren’t the same.”
Loki tilted his head slightly, watching him.
He understood.
Not the words.
But what was underneath them.
“I’ll be fine.” he said, softer this time.
Hugo lowered his gaze for a second.
That nonexistent point again.
As if he were trying to sort it into something logical.
“That.. isn’t verifiable.” he murmured, frowning. After a moment, he looked back at him. “Then I need a stable communication system. With defined frequency and consistent schedules.”
Loki smiled faintly, not mockingly.
“Are you organizing my day?”
“I’m reducing the margin of error.”
Another small laugh from the striker, as he stepped slightly closer to Vivian.
Enough for the space between them to stop being neutral.
“At night, when everything’s done, I’ll make sure to talk to you.”
Hugo didn’t respond immediately. He processed the information again.
The night was always classified as the time with the lowest interference and the highest stability.
That made it the most likely condition for success.
Vivian nodded.
“Acceptable. You must report delays.”
Loki looked at him for a second longer.
As if he were memorizing something.
Or confirming something he already knew.
“I will.” He brushed one hand across his partner’s cheek.
Hugo reacted to the touch, leaning his face even closer into that hand.
“I love you.” he whispered.
“I love you too.” Julian replied.
The final day arrived without warning.
Or perhaps it didn’t.
But Hugo hadn’t registered it, because his mind had been avoiding calculating that moment.
The airport was noise in its purest form—constant movement, people coming and going without stopping.
Hugo only observed it briefly.
Just enough to understand the environment.
Nothing more.
The two players were sitting at the front of the boarding line, waiting for Julian’s flight to be called.
It was 10 PM. Night had already fallen in Paris, and in Japan, it was barely 5 AM.
There was a 7-hour difference.
Julian had to arrive at 8 in the morning without fail to present himself as a mentor.
The striker had several suitcases by his side.
He wore a long windbreaker that reached his knees and multiple layers underneath, yet still felt a slight chill—the nights in France were cold.
Hugo kept his hands on his own legs the entire time, tense, waiting for time to pass.
“International flight..” he finally said. “Involves multiple variables outside of control.”
It wasn’t necessary to say it, but he did anyway.
Because he needed to organize something inside his mind.
Julian nodded slightly, sliding one of his hands toward Hugo’s.
“I’ll be fine.”
“You will be. Airplanes are the transportation method with the lowest accident rate.”
“Hugo, I’ll be fine. Don’t be so dramatic.” he laughed softly.
Vivian didn’t withdraw his hand, but he didn’t tighten it either.
He left it there, still, as if he was still deciding what to do with the contact.
“Probabilities don’t eliminate risk.” he replied quietly. His thumb moved slightly, brushing minimally against Julian’s fingers.
The airport noise kept flowing around them.
Distant announcements, rolling suitcases, overlapping conversations.
Nothing stopped.
And it wouldn’t be any different for Julian’s flight to Japan.
“When you arrive, you need to adjust to the schedule as soon as possible. Sleep in short intervals if necessary, eat something light before reporting.”
Julian glanced at him from the side, his smile still there.
“Anything else, doctor?” he said, resting his head on his partner’s shoulder.
“You must notify me when you land. And before you sleep.”
Julian let out a small laugh through his nose, still not letting go of his hands.
“I’ll text you, I won’t forget.”
“No.” The answer was immediate, almost automatic. “.. It’s not.. the same. I need to verify your condition properly.”
Julian intertwined his fingers more firmly with his.
“Then I’ll call you.”
Vivian nodded.
“At night.”
“At night it is.” Julian repeated.
The announcement of Loki’s flight broke the moment.
Vivian didn’t move immediately.
As if his body needed an extra second to process and.. accept it.
Then he slowly let go of his hand, directing his gaze to the floor.
“You have to go..”
“Yes.” He stood up and picked up each of his suitcases.
Hugo also stood, ending up in front of him.
“Do you really have to leave..?”
“Japan requires my presence.” The redhead frowned slightly.
And this time—
He didn’t hold it back.
He leaned forward quickly and hugged him.
His face rested on his boyfriend’s shoulder, clinging to him.
“This isn’t efficient..” he murmured.
“But it is for the Blue Lock players, Hugo.” He returned the hug, rubbing his back. “.. Are you crying?”
“.. No.” He pulled away cleanly, though his nose and the corners of his eyes were clearly red. “It’s a physiological reaction. A response of the body to—”
He couldn’t finish his sentence.
Julian’s lips finally met Vivian’s.
Hugo held his partner tightly, returning the kiss with force.
“I’m going to miss you, Vivi.” he murmured, pulling away just slightly, but keeping his forehead pressed against the other’s. “I’ll be back soon.”
“Call me when you land.”
They hugged once more, but this time harder, as if afraid to let go.
Their hands lingered a moment longer on each other’s clothes.
“I will. I won’t forget.” he said slowly, before finally stepping back.
Then he turned.
He walked toward the boarding line without looking back.
Hugo didn’t follow.
He didn’t move.
He didn’t do anything.
He couldn’t.
He just stayed there.
Standing.
Watching.
Until he could no longer see him.
The cabin was silent, but not completely.
Just enough for everything to feel distant.
Loki had only just woken up from a short nap.
When he opened his eyes, he instinctively stretched his neck.
𝘚𝘩𝘪𝘵.. 𝘮𝘺 𝘯𝘦𝘤𝘬 𝘩𝘶𝘳𝘵𝘴. 𝘐 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘨𝘰𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘢𝘴𝘬 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘱𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘸𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘢𝘷𝘰𝘪𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘧 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘣𝘭𝘦𝘮. 𝘉𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘥𝘴, 𝘸𝘩𝘺 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘐 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘢𝘴𝘬 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘪𝘵? 𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘨𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘪𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘮𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘩𝘦𝘴𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯, 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺’𝘳𝘦 𝘥𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘢 𝘴𝘶𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳 𝘰𝘧 𝘍𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘩 𝘧𝘰𝘰𝘵𝘣𝘢𝘭𝘭. 𝘐’𝘮 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘢 «𝘯𝘰𝘣𝘰𝘥𝘺», 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘩𝘶𝘳𝘵𝘴 𝘵𝘰𝘰 𝘮𝘶𝘤𝘩. 𝘍𝘶𝘤𝘬, 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘭 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘱𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘸? 𝘚𝘵𝘶𝘱𝘪𝘥 𝘧𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘢𝘯𝘵, 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘪𝘴 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘧𝘢𝘶𝘭𝘵. 𝘐𝘧 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘏𝘶𝘨𝘰—
Hugo.
He lowered the hand that had been gently rubbing his sore neck, his gaze dropping.
He rested his head against the seat, staring at the ceiling for a few moments before turning his eyes toward the window.
It was dark.
Paris was no longer there.
And Japan—
still wasn’t there yet.
He exhaled slowly.
𝘐 𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘰𝘯 𝘉𝘭𝘶𝘦 𝘓𝘰𝘤𝘬.
He closed his eyes, but not to sleep.
“.. This isn’t efficient.” A faint smile slipped out. “Hugo..” he murmured under his breath.
He took out his phone. No signal, for obvious reasons.
Still, he unlocked it.
The screen lit up his face faintly.
He looked at his last text messages with his partner, thinking about writing to him, even though he knew the messages wouldn’t go through.
But it didn’t make sense.
Not yet.
He placed the phone on his lap and closed his eyes again.
The weight of the trip felt different now.
Not because of Japan.
Not because of Blue Lock.
But because of what he had left behind.
He exhaled longer through his nose.
He shifted slightly in his seat, trying to rest.
But his hand moved on its own, searching for something.
Then stopped.
And only then did he notice the emptiness.
He opened his eyes.
Looked at his hand.
And let out a small laugh.
Barely audible.
The apartment was silent, not the comfortable silence it usually had.
It was incomplete.
Vivian closed the door behind him without making a sound.
He stood there for a few seconds without moving, observing the space.
Nothing had changed.
He sighed and walked to the kitchen, opened the fridge, then closed it again.
There was no point in eating yet.
He wasn’t hungry.
Or maybe that wasn’t it.
It was something else.
He looked at the clock.
He calculated the time difference between Japan and France.
In France, it was currently 4:00 PM.
“Beep.. beep.” He counted on his fingers, helping himself.
There, it was 11:00 PM.
He sat on the couch.
His blank book lay in front of him.
He opened it.
But his mind projected nothing; he didn’t need to organize his thoughts.
He closed it abruptly.
He took his phone and set it down.
Then he picked it up again and placed it on the table in a perfectly aligned way.
He waited.
He didn’t know exactly what for.
But he was waiting.
The phone vibrated.
One second.
Short.
Vivian picked it up immediately, visibly rushed.
The screen lit up; there was an incoming call from Julian.
He answered without hesitation.
“You arrived.” Not a question, a verification.
From the other side, a small silence.
Then—
“Yes.” Loki’s voice sounded different, lower and more tired than usual.
There was slight interference in the background.
“Did you eat?”
“Something.”
“Insufficient. You must maintain your performance.”
It didn’t sound harsh.
It sounded—
necessary.
From the other side, a faint exhale.
Almost a tired laugh.
“I will, Hugo.”
Silence.
But not uncomfortable.
Just full of things they didn’t know how to say.
Hugo rested his elbow on the table.
Holding the phone closer.
As if that changed anything.
“How was your first day? How was it?”
“It was fine, I suppose. The participants are less mediocre than before, there were a total of 14 people who wanted me as their coach.” He sighed, then continued. “Among them is Sae’s brother, the others aren’t that brilliant or interesting to me, but I have to admit they move well.”
“No issues so far? Have you felt well in Blue Lock?”
“The facilities are fantastic, I have to admit. I also have to admit I’m not very interested in training them.” He laughed a little. “Except for one of them, he’s also French. A 15-year-old brat.”
“Has he caused you any problems?”
“I won’t stress over brats, I’m not anyone’s babysitter. But he’s a different case… He makes erratic movements, improvises, and somehow ends up benefiting his next plays in a singular or collective way. He has talent even at 15 years old, but his behavior is difficult to manage.”
“I understand. So your workload increased.”
“Yes.”
“.. You should sleep.”
But he didn’t end the call.
He did nothing to terminate it.
“I know.” Loki replied.
But he didn’t hang up either.
Time kept passing.
On that line.
Suspended.
“I love you.” Vivian murmured.
On the other end, a small silence.
Warmer.
“I love you too.”
The call ended afterward.
Without a clear closure.
Without a formal goodbye.
Simply when there were no necessary words left.
The apartment returned to silence.
But it was no longer the same.
It was still incomplete, but it no longer felt as empty.
Hugo left the phone on the table.
This time slightly misaligned.
And he didn’t fix it.
The days began to organize themselves around a single thing.
The night.
Vivian adjusted everything else accordingly.
His training, meals, and rest.
Everything could move except that one moment of the day when he could talk to the love of his life.
He calculated the exact time difference between France and Japan.
He mentally noted every variation.
If the call arrived at 4:14PM, he waited for 4:14PM the next day.
If it varied, he recalibrated.
There was always a pattern.
There had to be.
The calls became long.
Not because of Loki.
But because of Hugo.
«“Did you eat?”
“Did you sleep enough?”
“How was training?”
“Is Charles still deviating from instructions?”
“I love you.”»
The scene always repeated itself.
He was sitting.
Phone on the table.
Aligned.
Screen facing up.
4:14PM
Nothing.
4:15PM
Nothing.
4:16PM
“Beep.”
He checked the connection.
The signal was stable.
4:18PM
He picked up the phone and dialed Julian’s number.
It rang several times.
And no one answered.
He hung up and waited exactly five seconds.
He called again.
Nothing.
“Beep.. beep..”
He stood up and walked a little.
From the table to the door.
From the door to the table.
He called again.
Nothing.
The system was failing.
There was no prior warning.
No pattern.
No explanation.
“Zoom.” He muttered a little loudly.
His mind began filling in the empty space.
Delay.
Problem.
Accident.
Interruption.
He called again.
Nothing.
He stopped in the middle of the room.
This wasn’t efficient.
The phone finally vibrated.
Hugo answered immediately.
“What happened?” He spoke faster than usual.
On the other end—
A faint breath.
Tired.
“Training.” Loki’s voice came out lower than usual.
Hugo didn’t speak.
He waited for him to continue.
“Charles..” He added. “Was doing whatever he wanted and I had to stay.”
The pieces fit.
Late, but they fit.
Charles was an unstable variable.
Too unpredictable, requiring constant supervision.
“I understand.” Hugo replied.
“You called..” Loki said.
“Yes.”
“Three times.”
Vivian went silent, not knowing how to respond.
“.. I thought something happened to you.”
On the other end, a small tired exhale.
“I’m fine. I’ll let you know next time.”
Hugo nodded, even though Loki couldn’t see him.
“Did you eat?”
“After.”
“Do it now.”
“Yes.”
The conversation continued as always.
Questions.
Answers.
“I love you.” Vivian murmured at the end.
“I love you much more.” Julian hesitated before continuing. “I miss you, things haven't been quite the same.” He admitted. “It’s only been a couple of days and I miss you.”
Hugo didn’t respond, his chin barely trembling.
He missed him too, he missed him too much, even more intensely.
He couldn’t get Loki out of his mind.
“I miss you too..” He murmured.
Julian let out a quiet laugh.
“I have to shower, I’ll eat something and sleep. I love you, Vivi.”
“I love you too, Julian.”
But when the call ended, Hugo didn’t put the phone down immediately.
He held it for one more second.
Because even with his voice still in his memory, the emptiness was still there.