It was time for the first selection where the five teams in each section would compete against each other in a small league. The top two teams with the highest points would advance to the second selection.
The teams competing against each other for the first round had been announced and they had twenty four hours to prepare for the match before they could face each other.
You were currently in the midst of a training session with Barou Shouei who was the only member of Team X to request a session.
You had tested him with the course that specialised in stealing the ball from the opponent and so far, he had sailed through level one but as soon as he was up against the holographic player in level two, he struggled to take the ball away from it.
He seemed to be coming up with a strategy to steal the ball but it became a distraction as the hologram managed to run past him and send the ball into the goal.
A large X hovered in front of the goalpost and Barou made a sound of annoyance.
"Let's go over it again."
You checked the time to see he had ten minutes left and you nodded before restarting the program.
You couldn't help but watch, impressed by the way he handled the ball as he managed to steal the ball in time and score a goal.
Barou grabbed a towel to wipe the sweat from his forehead before he walked over to you, accepting the bottle of water you offered him.
"You did really well, Barou. Compared to the other boys who have taken part in the training, you've done the best as your the only one to have reached level two." You informed him.
"Of course. Like a king, I'm the best out of all these losers." His words along with the aura surrounding him showed off his arrogance and you raised a brow in amusement.
"Well, King Barou...Keep up the good work and I'll hopefully be able to see you in a few days for your next training session. Until then, don't get yourself kicked out."
Barou couldn't help but like the sound of you addressing him as a king but kept that to himself, his eyes shifting to the side as he moved his attention elsewhere.
"Like I will get myself kicked out."
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"This is exhausting." You were slumped on one of the tables of the cafeteria, your tray pushed to side as you had finished eating.
"You're complaining? That's a surprise."
You lifted your head to send a playful glare at Bachira who stuck his tongue out at you.
"I have to use my brain more than my body which also can be tiring." You huffed, swatting his hand away as he started to poke your head to annoy you more.
It had gone into a week at Blue Lock and you had gotten closer to a few of the boys, Bachira being one of them.
"How's team Z handling the first selection?"
"It was a disaster during the first match. Everyone didn't want to cooperate as a team and tried to score a goal for themselves. Isagi teamed up with Kunigami around the end of the match but we still didn't win." He told.
With the rules that were set out, you could understand why things turned out that way.
"Kuon has come up with a plan so we can work together as a team now. We're going to test it out in the next match." He informed you and you smiled, happy to see his team try to make up for their mistakes.
You glanced over to the time to see it was already 9pm and sat up, lifting your arms up to stretch before you let out a satisfied sigh.
"I'm heading to bed. I've got to wake early for the next set of training sessions." You informed him.
You saw him pout and raised a brow, speaking up to ask which grabbed his attention.
"It's going to be so long until I get to try that training session with you." He complained and you recalled the list of boys who were still waiting for their turn.
"Well, your session will be tomorrow in the afternoon. I only have one player from Team Y who wants to train with me and then you will be next." You informed and his eyes lit up, making you feel warm.
"Really?" He seemed to have gained a new found energy and leaped up out of his seat as he stared at you with joy.
You nodded and despite being on the other side of the table, Bachira's height and long arms managed to take a hold of you and bring you towards him for a hug.
You were surprised by his sudden want of affection and struggled to decided what you wanted to do.
"Uh."
In your years of being a genius with tech, it took a hug to make you feel dumb as your mind didn't know what to do.
It was too late to come up with a solution to your problem as Bachira moved back and smiled brightly in your direction before he bid you goodbye, leaving you to yourself in the cafeteria.
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"Niko Ikki?"
You stared down at the profile of the boy who would be training first thing in the morning before settling your eyes onto him as he stood in front of you.
He nodded, confirming it was him and you placed down the clipboard before grabbing your tablet.
"We'll start on level one and see how you do. Try to score a goal against two defenders." You instructed.
The machines came to life and Niko was in awe, despite not showing it on his face but his focus moved onto the two holograms as they appeared, standing in front and blocking his path.
A ball rolled over and stopped in front of him and your voice had him looking back at you.
"Ready to go?"
He nodded and you began the program, watching as Niko placed his foot on the ball and looked ahead, trying to think of a way to get past.
He didn't move for a minute as the gears began to move inside his mind to come up with a strategy but once he gained an idea, he kicked the ball in a certain way to make the ball curve as it moved forward.
Now, all he had to do was run towards the ball and-
A large 'X' appeared in front of him as the defender managed to steal the ball and he let out a huff of disbelief.
"Nice idea but you need the speed to match it." You pointed out.
He nodded, more prepared to take on the defenders once again as you started the program again.
Niko forced his feet to move faster than he ever had and this time round, he succeeded to get past the defenders. He went all out to score the goal but due to the way he angled his foot, it ended up smacking the bar which caused the ball to bounce away from the goal.
Another 'X' sign told him of his failure and he remained quiet, wiping his sweat with his shirt.
You could see the storm emitting from his mind and could tell he was slightly frustrated with his play but, this was the whole point of the training.
To show where you stand and to improve from it.
"Ready to go again?"
"Yeah."
It was the first time he spoke up since your session started and it was soft, not the type of voice you expected from the tall yet lean boy.
But, what were you expecting in the first place?
This was your first time meeting him and you didn't really have any impression of him.
You discarded your silly train of thoughts and started the program once again to allow Niko to make another attempt at succeeding.
By the end of the session, Niko was seated on the floor, slightly out of breath as the large 'X' sign hung over him again.
"Times up."
You took a seat next to the boy and revealed the screen of your tablet as you went over his mistakes.
The close proximity between you had Niko feeling slightly flustered and it distracted him from hearing what you were saying.
"Niko?"
He flinched in the tiniest way possible but you caught it, tilting your head to show your confusion.
"Did you hear what I said?"
He couldn't lie and shook his head which in turn earned him a sigh.
You stood up and moved over to the desk that was stationed in the corner of the room. A document was created through the printer and you returned to his side, crouching down to his level to hand it to him.
"These are the details of what mistakes you made. Go over them and improve before you come back for the next session. Okay?"
"Okay."
Niko wasn't one to be timid but your presence was one that he found quite intimidating.
Was intimidating the right word?
It wasn't as if he was scared of you or anything.
It was just...the way your eyes held so much confidence as you gazed at him was something he wished to hold within his own pair of eyes.
His lack of confidence to take control of the pitch and instead allow others to shine in his team is what he regrets the most. He was hoping through this program, he could change as a person and act the same as you.
Maybe, it was admiration.
Was that why he felt his cheeks grow warm? Act flustered when your close? Unable to speak in your presence?
The true answer hit him and he froze for a second.
"Niko?"
You had placed a hand on his shoulder to shake him out of his daze and he recoiled from your touch, moving to stand up.
You couldn't voice your concern, watching helplessly as the boy walked out of the room as if he was in a rush and because his back was turned towards you, it had you missing the way his face resembled a tomato.