3.4. Putting On A Show (Part 2)

"Looks like Bastard Munchen will not be substituting the Mercenary, at least for the time being!"

"They must be confident, Tereasa! Let's see how far their confidence takes them against a powerful Barcha squad!"

Y/N settled back into his chair, every so often poking Noa in the side as he pleaded wide-eyed at the taller man. He couldn't help though but watch Kaiser as they restarted the game. The man had a small grin curling at the edge of his lips, sprinting forwards after a short pass right to Ness.

Barcha was on them in an instant. A defender ran right for Ness, calling for teammates to double press. Y/N frowned, watching as Ness managed to dribble his way right through the centre of them. His ankles bent in a way even Y/N's couldn't, twisting to carry the ball comfortably.

At the same time, Kaiser was making his way upfield. Everyone else seemed focused on him, and his movements. Isagi especially was hunched over, knees on elbows as he stared hard at Kaiser. But Y/N just found his movements plain boring. It was like he was a robot - just following a predetermined path. Trivially easy to read.

The rest of the team was already up ahead. Gesner ran from the left side of the field to the right, making noise as he drew defenders after him. Grim ran from the right to the left, calling for a pass. And Ness didn't pass to either of them.

Instead, the ball went to Kaiser. Without even looking behind him, Kaiser stuck out a hand, perfectly blocking Bachira from getting anywhere near the ball as it came down from a high arc. He faked a shot. A defender flew past.

Then a trap... and a shot. Clean, but borin-

Y/N froze.

When had Kaiser shot?!

Sure, he hadn't been paying too much attention, but he'd completely missed Kaiser's shot. The ball was already in the back of the goal, thumping to the floor. How... how fast was that?!

Backtracking in his head, Y/N hesitated. Did I just miss it? I have to pay more attention next time... Or was he just too fast? What was that...?

"W-whaaaat?!"

"Did you see that?"

"I didn't! We have to replay that?!"

"Michael Kaiser, showing his stuff! What an insane goal!"

Next to him, Noa sighed. Y/N glanced over. Noa didn't look surprised, speaking to Y/N without taking his eyes off the game. "That right footed shot... it focuses all of the power in his body into that one swing. In terms of speed, it is the fastest shot in the world."

Then he turned. Stared at Y/N.

"Do you know why Kaiser came to Bluelock?"

"No..." Y/N mumbled.

"I believe he talked to you already. You copied his Kaiser Impact, that right footed shot. Even though it was poorly done, with some training you could be able to use that weapon."

From the world's greatest striker, it was so much more impactful to Y/N. His eyes widened. "I could do that?"

"Not only that." Noa added. "You're ambidextrous. Therefore, you may be able to do a left-footed Kaiser Impact, which could possibly be the strongest single weapon in the world."

"Are you offering to teach me?"

"No. Not until you become more rational."

"That's not gonna happen."

"Then I won't teach you."

Y/N sulked. "I'll just get someone else..."

"You think anyone else knows how to teach you?"

Y/N didn't have a reply to that. So instead, he pouted, turning away from Noa and crossing his arms over his chest. What a terrible coach. The casters' voice raised suddenly as he did so. Y/N glanced upwards at the ceiling.

"It looks like our first Star Change is happening!"

"Lavinho is entering the field! Remember viewers, he has three minutes max on the field, and will have to leave right after!"

Down the field, where the Barcha substitutes were sitting, Lavinho threw off his coat with a flourish, and stood up. He grinned crazily, prancing over to Noa as the Bastard coach also rose to his feet.

"Noa as well?!"

"We're getting into a battle between the masters now!"

"Suddenly, we're about to watch one of the best battles in the world! What a sudden development!"

Y/N gazed after Noa as the man headed onto the field. He spoke first with Lavinho, then Kunigami. Lastly, he headed to Kaiser. The two men exchanged a few words, Kaiser's blue eyes flickering momentarily to Y/N. All of the words were inaudible to Y/N from the distance, but the casters told him all he needed to know.

"Kunigami, Gesner, and Grim are being substituted out! In place of them, Isagi Yoichi, Noel Noa, and Y/N L/N!"

"This is crazy! We get to see the two heroes of the U-20 game, working together against Barcha alongside the best player in the world!"

If they said anything more after, Y/N didn't catch it. If there were any protests from Yukimiya, Y/N didn't care. And if Kaiser glanced over to him, a smirk curling onto his lips as he welcomed Y/N to the field, Y/N didn't notice. He was too busy focusing on the glow in his chest, the rush of adrenaline surging through his veins, the feeling of each breath as it rushed past his lips.

Playing with Julian had been fun. But playing on the big stage, without any interference, just for himself? It was bound to be better. After all, he was free now.

A hand clamped down onto his shoulder. Y/N hopped about a metre into the air with surprise, twisting to see a serious Noel Noa. "Huh?"

"You're only going on for as long as I am." Noa stated. "This time is to be used as a test, to pit you against Kaiser. And it is also for you to show me that you can be rational. If you can't, then don't expect me to choose you for another game."

Y/N sighed. I guess I did say I could... But rational sucks. He nodded anyway. Getting as much game time as possible was a bigger priority - and besides, he could still score while being 'rational'. "Yes, sir."

🥕🥕🥕

"Let's go!"

The game restarted. Y/N shot off down the side of the field immediately, keeping his gaze firmly focused on the ball the entire time. It was in Lavinho's possession, who had just barrelled straight down the middle to go head to head with Noa.

It was incredible to watch. Eyes flickering from side to side, he noted each and every movement, soaking in the different moves they did and adding them unconsciously to his own arsenal. Lavinho was moving so fast the ball was a blur, legs swapping, feet tilting, and the ball constantly on the move as he moved in the centre.

Y/N loved it. Lavinho was so impressive with everything he did, so free, so joyful as he spun and flicked. More like a dance than a dribble.

As much as Y/N hated to admit, Noa was just as impressive, following each of Lavinho's moves with perfect precision. He was a robot, instantly shooting across to block Lavinho's path. Instant motions that spent no extra time. Hella boring though... does he even like soccer if he's playing like that?

Still though, they were both easily the best players Y/N had seen, maybe excluding Julian. I wanna play them. I wanna see how good they are for myself...

That would have to come another day. From the side, Isagi dove towards them. Y/N groaned to himself, slapping his own head. That should've been me to go forwards.

Lavinho's eyes narrowed, and he grinned. Effortlessly, he flicked the ball up and over Isagi's head. One hand moving Isagi into the ball's path, he darted around the Japanese boy with startling agility. Noa could've easily barged right past Isagi, probably breaking his shoulder and arm in the process, but he chose not to.

Using players as walls to block better ones... hmm... Y/N thought. Why haven't I done that before?

From there, Lavinho was on a tear. He left Noa and Isagi behind, speeding down the field. Y/N doubled back, sprinting down the field to catch him as the man dribbled straight through his entire team. Y/N didn't want to defend - no, he just wanted the ball for himself.

The midfielder hit the ground hard, midway through a tackle. Lavinho's speed didn't slow as he flowed past the defenders, not breaking a step. Y/N's eyes widened, watching each defender trip over their own ankles and fall to the ground in Lavinho's wake. What is that?!

He only reached Lavinho when the man was just in front of the goal. Y/N shot in like a rocket, extending one leg to snatch the ball away.

"Whoa, hey there!" Y/N's foot met nothing but air. Lavinho grinned, a little surprised but still fully in control. "Where did you come from? Crazy speed!"

"Crazy dribbling!" Y/N answered cheerfully. He tracked Lavinho, darting left, darting right, stalling him while his team rose to their feet and tried to get back. The man was good, though, the ball flitting around so fast it was difficult to track.

"Boo!" Y/N glanced upwards, surprised by Lavinho's jumpscare. In that singular moment, there was a whoosh of air, and the ball had disappeared.

He was moving again before he'd even fully registered it, trying to put himself in Lavinho's way again. But the man easily expected it, dancing around Y/N, and towards the goalie. "I thought you were unreadable, huh? Not on defence?"

"Defence sucks." Y/N complained. "I can't do what I want."

Lavinho did the same move. He dribbled right past the goalie, causing him to stagger forwards into Y/N. Y/N caught him, stopping him hitting the ground. He met Lavinho's eyes with his own awed ones. "Holy..."

"I'm the one... free... butterfly..."

Lavinho did a fancy twirl while singing, the ball right on the goal line. Then he spun, facing the rest of the players, and crossed his legs in a dignified bow. Y/N just stood there, not bothering to try with the ball literally inches away from the goal.

Lavinho's heel clipped the ball, sending it into the goal.

The casters exploded with noise. Barcha players sped over, slamming into Lavinho as they all burst out into joyful laughter.

"Lavi!!"

"Golazo!!!"

"W-whoa!!!!"

Y/N grinned with them. He's amazing... the freedom to do all that by himself... the sheer amount of options he has? If I could take those for myself... imagine the possibilities. Lavi has so much fun playing soccer, just like me!

Wait.

Then he frowned. Looked back at his team.

Out of all of the defenders that faced Lavinho the Dancer, he had been the only one to remain standing upright.