Chapter Text
After successfully becoming the last man standing in Blue Lock, Isagi finally earned his striker position. 10 years later, after losing the World Cup and getting separated from his teammates. His life had changed completely.
At Isagi’s room,
The shelves were crowded with trophies, medals and photographs from his football career. The screen flickered with a Germany vs France match. Isagi was sipping his tea while watching the match on the screen. His life felt boring since all of his teammates got split into different paths after getting locked off from Blue Lock. He felt that he was the luckiest person in the world. Isagi was unsure if he can keep up with his upcoming Japan vs Spain match.
He heard a voice outside his door.
“Yocchan, dinner is ready.” Lyo called out while knocking on the door.
“Okay, mom, I’m coming.” Isagi got up when down to his living room.
---
“Yocchan, we’re so proud of you for Yocchan. Enjoy your mom’s celebratory pork cutlet.” Issei smiled as he pushed the plate closer toward Isagi.
“Yes, eat it up and rest well for these days!” Lyo exclaimed, scooping another serving of rice into his bowl before he could protest.
Isagi smiled as he munched on the pork cutlet. “Thanks mom and dad!”
“So Yocchan, what are you planning to do this week?” Issei asked.
Isagi looked up from his meal. “I was invited to watch France vs Argentina by my coach. I also plan to take a walk and explore many places.”
“Sounds good. You’ve been training nonstop,” Lyo nodded. “A little break will help clear your mind.”
Isagi nodded slowly, though his eyes drifted toward the muted television in the living room where Spain’s match highlights flashed across the screen.
“You’re thinking too much again,” Issei chuckled.
“Huh?”
“You always make that face whenever you’re overanalysing.”
Lyo smiled softly and adjusted the crease on Isagi’s sleeve. “You don’t have to carry everything alone, Yocchan. We will always be there for you.”
“We will support you no matter what.” Issei placed his hand on Isagi’s shoulder.
Isagi let out a small laugh. “Thanks mom and dad!”
---
The next day,
Isagi sat near the entrance with one knee raised, fingers tightening the laces of his sneakers. His sling bag rested beside him.
“Mom, I’m heading out first,” he called.
Lyo peeked out from the kitchen, wiping her hands on her apron. “Did you remember to bring everything this time, Yocchan?”
“Yeah, mom,” Isagi answered quickly as he stood.
He slipped his shoes on and reached for the door.
“Umm, Yocchan.” Lyo held up a black wallet between her fingers. “You forgot your wallet.”
Isagi froze. “…Oh my bad.”
“Mhm.” She smiled.
He laughed awkwardly before taking it from her. “Thanks, mom.”
Lyo brushed a bit of lint off his jacket sleeve. “You’ve been absentminded lately.”
Isagi adjusted the strap on his shoulder and stepped onto the pavement. Lyo remained at the doorway, waving both hands like she always did.
“Have fun there, Yocchan!”
Isagi glanced back and smiled. “See you later, mom!”
The door slowly slid shut behind him.
---
Isagi walked along the street, people brushing past him in steady waves of morning movement. He loosened his collar. Without thinking much, he turned toward the nearby shopping centre. So he walked through the shopping centre, adjusting his sling bag. The cool air from the ceiling vents finally replaced the sticky humidity outside and he exhaled in relief. He was about to head toward the grocery section when he heard…
“HELLO! MY VIEWERS! WE ARE LIVE!”
A loud voice echoed across the atrium. Isagi paused. He slowly turned his head toward the sound. Shidou stood in the middle of the open walkway, one arm stretched up holding a phone on a selfie stick, the other pointing at passing shoppers like he was on a stage. He wore sunglasses indoors.
“…Why is he here,” Isagi muttered under his breath.
Shidou suddenly spun toward a group of girls passing by.
“HEY! BEAUTIFUL LADIES! SAY HI TO THE STREAM!”
The girls blinked and shouted. Then, many girls immediately crowded around him.
“Is that Shidou Ryusei?!”
“No way, it’s actually him!”
“Can we be on your vlog?!”
Shidou leaned into the camera. “SEE? THIS IS WHAT A REAL EXPLOSION LOOKS LIKE!”
Isagi slowly walked closer. "Seriously, you're causing a scene here.”
Shidou turned slightly, still filming. “Oh? Perfect timing!”
“I’m not part of your vlog.”
“You are now.” Shidou grabbed Isagi by his neck, pointing the camera to time. “Today we have a new guest to join us, Isagi!”
---
At the the mansion,
A maroon-haired boy stood under the hot shower, steam curling against the bathroom mirror. A dark green-haired boy pushed a broom across the floor of his brother’s bedroom. Then, a notification lit up on the phone abandoned on the table. He glanced toward the bathroom door before reaching for it. The live opened after he clicked on the notification. Loud laughter burst from the speakers, followed by Shidou throwing an arm around Isagi’s shoulders while the camera shook wildly.
“Isagi, c’mon, smile for the viewers!”
Isagi forced a laugh. His eyes flicked away from the camera for half a second before he tried to pull back but Shidou only dragged him closer.
The broom handle creaked sharply in his hand.“…Isagi.”
On the screen, Shidou kept talking over him, shoving the phone closer to Isagi’s face. Isagi’s smile thinned further and his fingers curled against his sleeve.
His jaw clenched. “Tch…that pest…”
---
At the shopping mall,
Once the livestream ended, the second security started shouting. The screen cut to black.Outside the building, the atmosphere changed almost instantly. At first, it was only yelling. Then, came the pounding footsteps. Metal barricades screeched against the pavement as people pushed past them.
“Isagi-kun!”
“Shidou!”
“LOOK OVER HERE! IT’S THEM!”
Isagi’s stomach dropped. “…You’ve got to be kidding me. Why are they so many people here?”
Shidou clicked his tongue as several people rushed toward them with phones already recording. One girl shoved past staff just to get closer. Another tried grabbing Isagi’s thigh.
“F/ck…RUN!!!” Shidou instructed.
Both of them started to bolt. The city lights blurred past them as they sprinted across crowded sidewalks. Fans chased after them recklessly, ignoring security yelling for them to stop. Someone nearly got hit crossing the street. Another person tripped but immediately got back up. The sound of dozens of footsteps behind them refused to disappear.
Isagi looked over his shoulder once and regretted it instantly.“They’re still following us?! ARE THEY INSANE?”
“They love us, don’t they?”
“Hey, this is not funny!”
“Fine, we will find the hiding spot…”
Shidou pulled him around a corner just before another crowd appeared from the opposite direction.
“Oh ho, they won’t give up on us hehe”
“How are they everywhere?!”
A phone flashlight swept across the alley near them.
“Over there!”Shidou grabbed Isagi’s arm and shoved him toward a small clothing store tucked between buildings.
Inside, the bright lights and soft music felt painfully out of place compared to the chaos outside.
Shidou scanned the store quickly before tossing random items into Isagi’s arms.
“Disguise time, sprout boi!”
“This isn’t a movie—”
“Put the sh/t on.”
“What sh/t?”
A fluffy pink Hello Kitty cap landed on Isagi’s head.
“…Absolutely not.”
“You’re already recognisable. Might as well commit.”
Before Isagi could argue further, Shidou shoved oversized sunglasses onto his face too.
Meanwhile, Shidou grabbed a black cat-ear headband from a nearby accessory shelf and placed it on his own head without hesitation. Isagi stared at him.
“You look utterly ridiculous.”
“Hey, at least, we’re vibing man.”
Outside the store, voices echoed past the windows.
“Check inside!”
“I saw them run here!”
Both of them immediately crouched lower behind the clothing racks. The footsteps outside slowed and faded.
Isagi finally exhaled, pulling the Hello Kitty cap lower over his face.“…That was bad.”
Shidou leaned back against the shelf. “Well, we are safe. What can I say!”
Through the front glass, more people could still be seen searching nearby streets with their phones out.
Isagi looked away. “…I hate this part of being popular.”
Shidou glanced at him for a second before smirking again.“Then, let’s go somewhere they won’t expect.”
Isagi frowned. “Where?”
Shidou pointed outside. “The funfair.”
“…What?”
“Think about it. Loud music, crowds, lights everywhere. Perfect hiding spot for us to create an explosion!”
“That is literally the worst possible place for two famous people like us!”
“Exactly,” Shidou said proudly. “Nobody expects b/tches to hide in the dumbest location possible.”
The silence stretched for a few seconds. Shidou stood up immediately.
“Decision time, Isagi.”
“Why is my life like this…
Shidou grinned, cat ears tilted sideways. “C’mon. We’re going to the funfair.”
“Fine…” Isagi followed Shidou.
---
At the funfair,
The roller coaster cart clicked slowly upward, the tracks rattling beneath them as the city lights grew smaller below. Isagi sat frozen in his seat. Beside him, Shidou looked like he had just achieved enlightenment.
“ISAGI,” he said with sparkling eyes, “THIS IS GONNA BE AN EXPLOSION.”
“I want to get off.”
“Nu uh, you can’t.”
“I’m serious, Shidou!”
“So am I.”
The safety bar locked tighter. Isagi’s soul left his body slightly. Meanwhile, Shidou had already turned the livestream back on.
“GOOD AFTERNOON, VIEWERS! TODAY WE TEST THE LIMITS OF HUMAN EVOLUTION!”
“WHY ARE YOU STREAMING THIS IN THE ROLLER COASTER RIDE?!”
The cart continued climbing higher and higher. Isagi made the mistake of looking down.
“What the…”
The entire funfair looked microscopic beneath them. The wind whipped against their faces while distant screams echoed from somewhere below. Shidou grinned wider.
“FEEL THAT, ISAGI? HAHAHA!”
“FEEL WHAT?! I FEEL FEAR, B/TCH?!”
“THE EXPLOSION OF CHOAS!”
“That’s not even real!”
The cart suddenly stopped at the very top. For one horrifying second, Isagi stared ahead blankly.
“Umm…Shidou.”
“Yes?”
“If I die, I’m haunting you.”
“Okay, shitty crybaby.”
Then the roller coaster dropped.
“AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!” Isagi’s scream echoed through the entire park instantly.
Beside him, Shidou threw both hands into the air like a man ascending into another dimension.
“WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!”
The cart twisted violently around a sharp turn. Isagi grabbed the safety bar with enough force to destroy metal.
“WHY DOES IT TURN LIKE THAT?! AHHHHHHHH!”
“THAT’S THE EXPLOSION, BABY!”
“I’M GOING TO EXPLODE INTO ASHES!”
The coaster launched into another loop. Isagi’s vision ascended briefly.
“SHIDOUUUUUUU!”
“HAHAHAHAHAHA!”
“WHY ARE YOU ENJOYING THIS?!”
“THIS IS WHAT IT MEANS TO BE ALIVE!”
“THIS IS WHAT IT MEANS TO NEED THERAPY!”
Another sharp drop sent Isagi screaming again while Shidou laughed so hard he could barely breathe. By the time the ride finally slowed down, Isagi looked spiritually defeated. The cart rolled back into the station. Shidou hopped out immediately, hair messy, cat ears crooked, looking completely energized.
“THAT WAS AMAZING!”
Isagi remained seated.
“ISAGI!” Shidou grabbed his shoulders excitedly. “Your panic voice was explosive!”
“…I’m never speaking to you again.”
Isagi stayed seated in the roller coaster cart for another ten seconds, staring blankly into space while people exited around him.
Shidou was still overflowing with energy.
“ISAGI!” he yelled dramatically, “I CAN’T BELIEVE! YOU SURVIVED THE EXPLOSION!”
“I can still hear my heartbeat in my ears…”
“That means you’re alive!”
“That means I almost died!”
Shidou burst into laughter before grabbing Isagi’s wrist again and pulling him out of the cart.
The moment Isagi stood up, his legs nearly gave out.
“WHOA—”
Shidou caught him immediately.
“Oho? Roller coaster destroy your explosion?”
“Shut up…”
Despite himself, a small laugh slipped out.
Shidou blinked. “…Huh?”
Isagi covered part of his face with his sleeve, shoulders shaking slightly.
“I hate this,” he laughed breathlessly. “This entire roller coaster is insane…”
For a second, Shidou just stared at him. Then, his grin slowly widened.
“There it is.”
“What?”
“That face.”
Isagi frowned slightly. “What face?”
“The one where you stop thinking so hard.”
Isagi rolled his eyes but another laugh escaped him anyway.
“You sound weirdly wise for someone wearing cat ears.”
“I am wise.”
“You tried throwing a basketball through solid steel earlier.”
“And it almost worked.”
“That’s not helping your case.”
Shidou laughed loudly again, throwing an arm around Isagi’s shoulders as they walked into the funfair.
“Isagi,” Shidou announced dramatically to the stream, “tell the people how explosive this funfair is.”
Isagi sighed.“…It’s kinda fun.”
“…Repeat that,” Shidou whispered dramatically.
“I said it’s kinda fu—”
“HE ADMITTED IT!”
“DON’T MAKE IT A BIG DEAL!”
Shidou started running laps around the walkway screaming,
“ISAGI IS HAVING FUN! THIS IS A HISTORIC MOMENT!”
“SHIDOU STOP RUNNING!”
People turned to stare as Shidou sprinted past food stalls like an escaped zoo animal.
One little kid pointed at him. “Mom, why is that man barking?”
“I don’t know, sweetie.” The woman replied in shocked.
Eventually, Isagi caught up and smacked the back of Shidou’s head.
“You’re embarrassing, b/tch.”
“But you’re smiling, Isagi.” Shidou grinned triumphantly.
The two stopped near a shooting game booth next. Rows of tiny prizes lined the shelves while bright lights blinked overhead. Shidou pointed dramatically.
“Isagi.”
“What now?”
“I need the giant dragon plushie.”
“…Why.”
“Because it looks explosive.”
“That word has lost all meaning.”
Still, Isagi paid for the game before Shidou could even ask.
Shidou blinked. “…You’re playing for me?”
“Don’t make it weird.”
“Ohoho~ Isagi cares.”
“I can still walk away.”
“You won’t.”
“…Annoyingly confident.”
Isagi picked up the toy rifle and aimed carefully.
The loud funfair music echoed around them while Shidou leaned against the booth watching him quietly for once. Then, every target dropped cleanly. The booth worker stared.
“…Sir, are you secretly military trained?”
“No,” Isagi answered.
Shidou looked genuinely emotional when the giant dragon plushie got handed over.
“ISAGI…”
“Don’t start crying, horny devil.”
Shidou hugged it dramatically and dodged away. For the first time that night, Isagi laughed properly. The tight pressure sitting in his chest for the past few years had loosened without him even noticing. Shidou suddenly stretched both arms upward dramatically.
“HEY!”
“What now?”
“I’m hungry again.”
“…You literally ate twenty minutes ago.”
“Explosive metabolism.”
“That’s not a thing.”
Shidou ignored him and dragged him toward another food stall anyway. The livestream continued capturing everything like Shidou aggressively stealing fries off Isagi’s tray. Isagi trying to stop him. Both of them arguing over whether mayonnaise belonged on takoyaki and Shidou nearly choking because he laughed while drinking soda. At some point, the livestream viewers had stopped treating the stream like celebrity content. Now, it just looked like two idiots hanging out. Later, Shidou and Isagi ended up sitting near the ferris wheel entrance, drinks resting beside them.
Isagi leaned back against the bench slightly. “…Today was weird.”
“Weirdly explosive.”
“You physically cannot stop saying that word, huh?”
“Nope.”
A short laugh escaped Isagi again.
Then, Shidou suddenly reached into his jacket pocket. “Oho. Right.”
“What?”
Shidou pulled out a folded pink envelope covered in tiny stickers.
Isagi stared at it.“…Why does it look like a middle school confession letter?”
“Because it is a confession letter.”
“…What.”
Shidou shoved the envelope directly into Isagi’s hands. “If you ever meet Sae again, give that to him.”
Isagi looked down at the envelope. Then, back at Shidou.
“…You’re serious.”
“Deadly serious.”
“You could just text him.”
“Where’s the romance in that?”
“There shouldn’t be romance!”
Shidou dramatically placed a hand over his chest.
“Oh Isagi, You wounded me.”
Isagi looked at the envelope again suspiciously.
“…Did you spray cologne on this?”
“Maybe.”
“Why is the paper sparkling?”
“Presentation matters.”
“…I’m not delivering this.”
“You absolutely are.”
“I’m burning it.”
Shidou gasped loudly like he’d just been betrayed by humanity itself.
“YOU WOULDN’T.”
“I would.”
“B/tch!”
“…Anyway, good luck with Spain. Kick their a// for me!”
Isagi blinked. Shidou scratched the back of his neck awkwardly.
“Don’t overthink everything so much.”
“…Easy for you to say.”
Shidou smirked. “You’ll win, baby.”
Isagi looked at him quietly. “You sound pretty confident.”
“Because you’re annoying b/tch.”
“What kind of reason is that?”
“You’re the type who keeps moving forward even when things suck.”
The neon lights reflected faintly in Shidou’s eyes.“People like that are hard to beat.”
For once, Isagi didn’t immediately respond. Instead, he looked down at the ridiculous pink envelope still sitting in his hands and laughed softly under his breath.
“Looks like I have to go! See you, Isagi! Muah!” Shidou waved at Isagi.
Isagi waved back at Shidou.