23 The Second Trial of the Selection

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Although you are both in Blue Lock, opportunities for face-to-face conversation are rare.

Speaking with Hyoma Chigiri like this after so long makes you feel as if you’ve returned to your childhood, back to the days when you would cling to him and call him "Big Brother Chigiri." Flushed with excitement from watching the intense match, your cheeks are still tinged with a faint pink.

Chigiri’s dejected expression softens, his beautiful eyes fixed intently upon you.

Of course, this scene is far from pleasant in the eyes of the other Sentinels.

"You're in the way. Move."

A slightly raspy voice sounds beside you.

A tall, dark shadow looms closer, forcing its way right between you and Chigiri.

The movement isn't violent, but you still instinctively retreat a step to maintain social distance.

...Who is this? There was so much room on the side!

"Hey, there’s plenty of space on the side!"

Chigiri voices exactly what you are thinking. Annoyed, he reaches out to grab your forearm, creating a defensive barrier to prevent this guy from getting his way.

"............"

Rin, who had just gotten into a fight with Shidou after the match, stands right in front of you both, his face expressionless.

You look up and realize for the first time just how tall Rin actually is.

You hadn't really noticed it before; when you were close to him previously, it was during mental stability sessions while sitting down, and at most, you thought Nagi Seishiro was quite large. But now that he is this close, your bodies almost brushing against each other, the height difference is suddenly stark. You have the illusion of being completely enveloped and surrounded by Rin Itoshi.

Rin looks down from above at the small cowlick on the crown of your head. Then, you look up, your slightly puzzled expression colliding with his teal eyes.

"You..."

You start to ask why he had to push through when he wasn't being blocked, but you choke on your words the moment you see his face.

"Your face?"

There were no injuries on his face before you left the pitch. In this short time, however, his lip and cheek are marked with grazes, as if he had been rubbed against a rough surface, with fine beads of blood welling up.

Did he fall?

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It’s not like someone could have held him down and dragged his face against the ground...

You guess at a scenario that seems unlikely, yet is entirely possible within the confines of Blue Lock.

This is the second time now. You pause in confusion, and your other hand naturally reaches into your pocket for a tissue.

"Let me wipe that off for you." You add a reminder, "Go to the infirmary to get that treated soon."

"...Yeah."

Rin Itoshi, who is nearly a head taller than you, tilts his head slightly. Clasping the tissue you gave him, he looks as obedient as a large dog.

The irritation he felt at seeing you take the initiative to chat with Chigiri vanishes instantly. Relieved, Rin repeatedly tells himself that you two have known each other since childhood, so chatting is perfectly normal.

Besides... you clearly care about him too; your attitude toward him seems much warmer than it is toward Sae.

Rin’s mood lightens further. His gaze travels from the hand that offered the tissue to you.

It seems he has never observed you from this close before.

So, your height only reaches his chin. If he were to hug you, you would rest perfectly against his chest...

That cowlick is so cute, and your hair looks like it would be soft to touch.

So that’s the curve of your ear...

Your eyes are as clear and beautiful as glass, and if he leaned down just a little, he could kiss you...

Rin’s fingers twitch at his sides.

He wants to hug you.

The pent-up emotions make his chest feel heavy. Rin’s lips move, but he says nothing else.

Chigiri has witnessed the entire shift in Rin’s expression, and he knows exactly what’s going on in that Sentinel’s head.

A vein pops out on Chigiri's forehead. He reaches out an arm to pull you away from the creep, his wary eyes locked on Rin. "...You aren't imagining anything weird in that head of yours, are you?"

"...What did you say?"

Rin knits his brows, turning toward Chigiri with a fierce glare.

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Reacting so strongly—he’s incredibly suspicious.

Chigiri opens his mouth to strike back.

"—Stop!"

You don't know why Chigiri suddenly snapped, and you're surprised that Rin was so easily provoked. You close your eyes and pull Chigiri, forcing them to separate.

"Doesn't Itoshi-kun have another match this afternoon? Chigiri-kun, you've worked hard too. Both of you, go back and get some rest."

Rin’s hostility fades significantly, and his face returns to that of a cool guy. "Yeah."

"............"

Chigiri: *Who is he trying to impress?*

"My friends are waiting for me to eat, so I'll be going now."

You had only intended to chat with Chigiri for a moment; you hadn't expected to be held up for this long.

The other Guides are still waiting for you to have lunch. After saying goodbye to the two of them, you hurry away.

Chigiri and Rin exchange a look, then walk away in silence.

*

Six hours later, the afternoon match is about to begin.

Team A versus Team C. The core players for each team are Rin and Shidou, and Yukimiya and Nagi, respectively.

Reo Mikage is also in the lineup for Team C. You notice his expression is heavy, and he isn't interacting much with Nagi.

A whistle blows. The second match of the third selection has begun.