Chapter Text
"Seriously?..."
Isagi's voice trembles as he looks at his parents.
"But- are you sure?" He repeats with a shaky voice.
"Of course." His mother, Iyo, gently takes his hands in hers. "You've worked so hard, son, and today your efforts are paying off"
Her voice is soft, as always. Something that has always effectively calmed Isagi since he was little.
He holds back his tears, lowering his head and looking at his mother's hands as he listens to her say those words.
"You've been given a scholarship to the school you wanted to go so much, son, be proud of your achievement." His father, Issei, joins the conversation, leaning in and placing a hand on his shoulder, giving him a soft, supportive squeeze. "You're going to Blue Lock."
Isagi lifts his head and smiles, laughing subtly.
"Yeah."
Silence reigns for a few seconds before Isagi breaks it.
"Even though it's far away, I'll have to wake up early and take the train." He complains.
"Oh- about that." Iyo says.
"You'll be staying with your uncle Jinpachi!" She says with a smile. "You haven't seen him in a while."
Isagi startles for a few seconds. "Uncle Ego?" He repeats.
"Yes, we mentioned it to Uncle Ego and he agreed and you know what's best? He works there." His mother says happily. "He's a P.E. teacher."
Isagi swallows hard, his uncle wasn't the most sociable or friendly person. On the contrary, he was a direct and... weird person in Isagi's words. But that doesn't take away the affection he has for him, despite his unfriendly personality he has always shown his affection for Isagi in his own way.
"Really, you'll go a week before classes start, so you can settle in with him at his house." Issei speaks, moving his hand away and settling next to his wife.
"Oh god... my Yoo-chan has grown up so much that he's already leaving..." His mother says nostalgically, separating her hands and placing one on his cheek while the other rests on her lap.
"Oh, come on- I'm just going to high school.." Isagi says, furrowing his eyebrows with a soft blush of embarrassment on his cheeks.
"He grows up so fast... I still remember when he was a crybaby" His father repeats, leaning against the sofa.
"Oh come on!" Isagi squeals, embarrassed. "Stop."
His parents laugh. "Go get ready, honey. For anything, we're here." His mother says, smiling at him while his father gives a thumbs up and places his hand on Iyo's shoulder.
The blush of embarrassment fades and Isagi sighs, looking away. "Yeah.." Isagi murmurs.
The weeks passed quickly for Isagi's liking, who couldn't think of anything else but entering that prestigious school, full of prodigies and promises in every student.
Isagi was going down the stairs with a suitcase in his hands and his backpack on.
His lobster and rabbit keychains bumped against each other subtly as he walked, after going down several steps he could see his uncle Jinpachi, talking to his mother.
Iyo had a cup of tea in her hands while his dad was talking to Ego.
"Yes, thank you for taking care of him Jinpachi." Issei says, with a smile.
"The kid has talent, going to Blue Lock will do him good and will forge his skills, both physical and intellectual."
From the years he spent without seeing his uncle he can assure nothing has changed. His voice is still the same, firm, unfiltered and completely direct. Speaking as if he were analyzing everything around him.
"Oh! Yoo-chan!" Isagi crosses his gaze with his mother's, who smiles at him and leaves her cup of coffee on the table, standing up.
"Hi mom, dad, Uncle Jinpachi." Isagi says, going down the stairs completely and entering the living room where they were talking seconds before his interruption.
Instantly his mother approaches, fixing a few strands of his hair. "Oh, my baby... you're already leaving." His mother hugs him.
Isagi laughs nervously and leaves his suitcase next to his feet, returning the hug.
"I'll see you again on vacation, it's okay mom."
"We know..." His mother murmurs. A few seconds pass and she steps back.
"Brat." His uncle's voice calls his attention, turning to look at him. "Are you ready?"
"Yes." Isagi answers, grabbing his suitcase again and walking towards his uncle.
After a brief chat, Isagi was already in front of his house.
"Remember to take care of yourself... don't forget to eat and brush your teeth before bed!" His mother says while his father ruffles his hair.
"Yes, yes!" Isagi squeals, laughing. His uncle watches all of that while leaning against his car, waiting for Isagi.
A few minutes pass and Isagi finishes his talk with his parents, approaching his uncle. Ego opens the door for him and Isagi turns around and raises his hand, saying goodbye. "Bye!" He says.
His parents do the same, saying goodbye to their son as he gets into the car, leaving his suitcase at his feet and his backpack. Leaning against the seat.
Isagi doesn't deny it, he is nervous, he is anxious and he will surely miss his home being away from it for so long.
His uncle closes the door and he goes around the car, opening the driver's door and sitting down.
The road to his uncle's house is silent except for the noises of cars passing and the soft breeze accompanied by the orangish landscape made by the sunset.
"Isagi."
Isagi startles subtly and looks at him.
"Yes?.."
"Blue Lock is not easy."
"I know."
"You understand it, but you haven't lived it. Blue Lock is pure competition, there is no place for the weak without ambition, without commitment and without a thought-out future. Scholarship students are not well received, people get in through their effort and dedication of days and nights studying for the entrance exam. Scholarship students are rare in the institution, you almost never hear about them because there are rarely any but it's not like they are extinct."
"..." Isagi lowers his gaze. "Really? They sound like idiots"
"Really. Maybe they'll be jerks at first, but in an institution where demonstrated talent, effort and dedication is everything, 'luck' is not welcomed. If you are a scholarship student then you are all that and they will want to see it for themselves."
Isagi's hands tremble unexpectedly, clinging to each other. Just imagining the competitive environment makes him nauseous but at the same time it excites him.
He wants to prove himself capable, he wants to stand out, to surpass, to shut those talents up just for the fun of it. It's not that he's someone competitive with those around him, it's just that he hates being underestimated.
"Then I'll shut their mouths. I'll work hard."