Thirty-four, get out!

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A patterned tissue appeared before Rin Itoshi’s eyes.

This had happened several times before—he was always in such a sorry state. Despite being ferocious as a beast on the pitch, his long, beautiful eyelashes would tremble with unease the moment he stood before you.

“Tha…”

Sweat and abrasions were clearly visible on Rin’s face. As he began to thank you, a bit of saliva—left over from when he had lost control and let his tongue loll out during the match—slipped from his chin and landed on your wrist.

“…………”

Both of you froze for a moment. Before you could react, Rin snatched the tissue and began to scrub at it violently.

“…Sorry.”

The teenager’s fair face flushed a deep crimson. After confirming your wrist was clean, he realized he had used too much force, leaving red marks on the skin he was gripping.

He lowered his head, clenching the tissue in his right hand, and slowly loosened his grip on your left hand.

You didn’t really mind; a little saliva was easy enough to wipe away. It was Rin Itoshi’s mental state after his rampage that was truly concerning.

By the end of the match, the aura of the demon behind him had been almost palpable, yet now he was so quiet and subdued.

You decided to perform a mental adjustment for him. The match was over, after all, and this wouldn’t count as a violation of the rules.

Perhaps your time studying as a Guide had sharpened your perception of Sentinels; you sensed Rin slipping into an inexplicable gloom.

Though, you still couldn't quite grasp why...

It was likely that his conversation with Sae Itoshi after the match had also affected his state of mind.

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You turned over the wrist he had been loosely holding, took his warm left hand in both of yours, and closed your eyes, beginning to probe his mental pathways without a word of protest.

Rin Itoshi almost instinctively tried to pull his hand away. After a two-second struggle against your resistance, he gave up, his gaze shifting upward to your expression as you focused intently on guiding him.

You were pouring your heart and soul into soothing him.

Rin thought back to the look of disbelief on Sae Itoshi’s face earlier.

…Ha.

Just thinking about it made his tyrannical emotions surge uncontrollably, a secret pleasure blossoming within his heart.

The two mental energies intertwined; the pathways were indeed fragile after his breakdown.

You guided and soothed him slowly, wondering if there might be something wrong with his inner landscape.

Given that neither Chigiri nor Mr. Ego had reacted much on the field, perhaps it wasn’t anything too serious?

Once this was over, you would definitely have to go back and check the materials, or perhaps ask Starlight.

One must always keep learning, after all…

The locker room was gradually filling up. The Blue Lock Sentinels were walking in, one by one, glowing with the joy of victory.

Having been on the pitch, those who were out of the loop had now heard the news that you were a Dark Guide. Seeing you there, they quickly crowded around.

The overwhelming aura of so many excited Sentinels was intense. You opened your eyes and stopped the guidance. Rin Itoshi let out a "tsk," his expression darkening even further as he looked at the oblivious Sentinels.

"Lower-eyelash, so you were secretly finding her for an adjustment here."

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Nagi’s expression was innocent, but his words made Rin’s face flare up with heat.

"Hey, hey, can a Dark Guide really adjust anyone? I’m so curious~"

Bachira’s tone was almost like he was pouting. He quickly pressed close to you, nudging Rin Itoshi aside.

You wanted to say something but held back, watching as Rin Itoshi’s anger doubled.

"Since Ego Jinpachi said so, it must be true..."

Yukimiya unscrewed his water bottle and picked up a towel to wipe away his sweat.

"You guys, spread out a bit… let’s wait until Mr. Ego gets back to ask."

Hiori Yo’s tone was helpless, and his beautiful eyes showed an apologetic look as he glanced at you.

You looked at the curious, excited Sentinels casting their gazes toward you and suddenly felt a sense of foreboding.

Although Guides had ways to warn Sentinels, you hadn’t practiced them much; besides, there was more than one of them in the room now.

You tensed up instinctively. In this state of high concentration, the soaring mental energy of the Sentinels became distorted and daunting.