27. The Eve-Após virar guia, todos os sentinéis de elite querem me emparelhar(Estrela no Abismo)

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Compatibility: 83.

You hold the report, your senses numbed by the numbers.

Among the few Sentinels you have tested, the values have all started at 80. Is the "75-point soulmate threshold" mentioned in textbooks even real? Does this mean you are destined for a multi-Sentinel system? Is that even legal?

You fall into deep contemplation.

Itoshi Rin, who has been busy with you all afternoon, leans in. His eyes scan the final result with lightning speed, his expression calm. "Ready to head back."

"Right." You hand him the report. "I'm going to the restroom."

Once he is certain you have left, the first thing Rin does is pull out his phone to snap a photo.

After capturing the entire report in his gallery, he examines it closely.

Compatibility 83, higher than the soulmate threshold of 75. He stares for a long time at the fine print at the bottom: "Entered into the system, registration recommended."

He knew it. The instinctual attraction never lies.

No, wait—there is also that guy.

He suddenly remembers that your compatibility with Itoshi Sae is seemingly 86...

His mood plummets, and he crumples the report in his hand until it is wrinkled.

He never expected even a Guide to be like this... He grits his teeth, his expression twisting into something fierce.

Destroying Itoshi Sae's dreams—that has been the reason he played soccer for as long as he can remember.

This time will be no different.

"Itoshi Rin?"

Emerging from the restroom, you notice his grim expression and ask with concern, "Are you feeling unwell after the guidance?"

"No." Rin lowers his head, looking somewhat dejected. "Let's get in the car."

You can't fathom what is going through the mind of this adolescent high schooler. Is he unhappy with the results? Or did someone upset him again?

With the match approaching, you try your best to lift his spirits. "Well... if you need my help again, just let me know."

"...Yeah."

It is already dark by the time you return to Blue Lock.

Ego Jinpachi first arranges for you to have dinner, then you and Rin go to his office.

Ego takes the excessively wrinkled report from Rin, checks the results, and pulls another document from his drawer.

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"Just as I expected."

He spreads the papers out on the desk. Both reports list you and Itoshi Rin as the subjects; one shows 81, and the other, the one from just a moment ago, is 83.

...Wait.

You are filled with questions.

"Hold on." You and Rin speak at the same time.

"When was this 81 measured?" You have no recollection of it.

"Why is there an unauthorized person here?" Rin glances sideways at Isagi Yoichi, who has been standing to the side since entering.

Ego Jinpachi remains expressionless, his eyes fixed ahead. "I have my own methods. In any case, pay it no mind."

"As for Isagi Yoichi—as Rin's best partner in training, I believe both of you need to know this."

Isagi greets you quietly and walks over to join the discussion.

And so, you find yourself sandwiched between two Sentinels, directly facing Ego Jinpachi.

"Sentinel-Guide compatibility shouldn't change. Surely the equipment isn't malfunctioning..."

Isagi looks at the two reports, then glances up and meets Ego's fanatical gaze.

Rin is wondering the same thing.

"It is, but that is only in most cases."

Ego leans over the desk, drawing closer to you, his dark eyes seeming to threaten to swallow you whole.

"The stronger the Sentinel, the higher the compatibility, and the value can increase even further through physical guidance—"

"You are indeed a 'Dark Guide,' the kind that appears only once in a thousand years."

"............" This is you, confused but deeply shocked.

"............" This is Isagi, who understood and is deeply shocked.

"......Ha?" This is Rin, who understood and refuses to accept it.

Only Ego Jinpachi is fired up.

"A Dark Guide? The legendary Guide capable of matching with any Sentinel?" Isagi's eyes sparkle as he looks at you as if you were a figure from myth. "So, they actually exist?"

Eh...? Am I really that incredible? Is this for real?

You listen, feeling dazed.

Rin makes a clicking sound with his tongue, his expression sour. "So why tell us now? Whether she's a Dark Guide or not doesn't change the fact that she provides me with guidance."

"After the U-20 match, this will be impossible to hide." Ego Jinpachi sits back in his chair, folding his hands under his chin. "Regardless of whether you win or lose, I want you two to become her practice subjects before she fully matures."

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As soon as he finishes, the two Sentinels beside you both flush red.

No... it feels like this strange conversation has happened in this office before...

Rin's earlobes turn bright red, his expression twisted, his tone volatile. "...There's no need for two Sentinels! Isagi Yoichi hasn't even had his compatibility tested!"

Isagi doesn't care. "I believe I am capable of the task."

Rin: "?"

You: "............"

"No, this still feels too surreal for me." You interrupt. "If only you have discovered this so far, Mr. Ego, why can't we keep it a secret... What would happen if it were made public?"

"Because of Michael Kaiser." Ego Jinpachi stares at you. "The Germans aren't so easy to deal with. Do you think he'll just give up on an 88 compatibility?"

Rin's fists tighten. "...What kind of nonsense is that? There's an 88?"

*I'll kill that German bastard.*

Ego continues, "You will be on the Guide bench during the U-20 match, and the cameras will capture everything. The roster is public. Even an average person would find it strange for one person to provide guidance to two Sentinels. While it doesn't violate regulations, a follow-up investigation would be inevitable."

"And the consequence of it going public is..." Ego sighs. "I am not trying to intimidate you. You would become the most high-profile figure in the Sentinel-Guide world, the world's number one Guide, while facing the fanaticism of all the Sentinels whose futures were ruined by not finding their soulmates."

...Is it really going to be like that?

You open your mouth, wanting to say that Ego himself, as a Sentinel, has not fallen into such emotions, and you don't believe he has lost his desire for soccer.

"That is why I have been training you during this time, though the window is too short. For now, we will arrange for Itoshi Rin and Isagi Yoichi—provided, of course, that Blue Lock wins. I hope you will consider signing our formal contract."

"If we lose..." Ego looks at Rin and Isagi, turning up the pressure, "we'll talk about it then."

Being told something like this on the eve of a match—who could possibly sleep?

You toss and turn in bed, sending a message to Ego to ask if your cousin Anri knows about this.