Chereads / Blue Lock - Conqueror! / Chapter 19 - Chapter 19 : Love for Football

Chapter 19 - Chapter 19 : Love for Football

He quickly spotted Isagi's finished plate, and the focus of the celebration seemed to shift for Bachira. He felt a little tug of curiosity.

He wanted to get up and go find Isagi, maybe chat with him about the game, maybe talk about what was next for them. But before he could make a move, he looked back at his plate.

The steak, cooked perfectly, sat invitingly in front of him, and his stomach growled in protest. The temptation to devour his meal was strong.

'Maybe... just one more bite?'

He thought, but the thought of checking on Isagi lingered.

However, as the noise of the celebration continued around him, Bachira made a decision. He grinned and took a big bite of his steak, savoring it fully.

"I'll find him later. This steak is too good to pass up!"

But even as he indulged in the rich flavors, a small part of him still wondered where Isagi and Chigiri had gone off to. Maybe they needed a moment alone.

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The Video Room

Isagi sat in the dimly lit room, his eyes glued to the screen as his first goal against Team Y replayed over and over. The camera zoomed in on his powerful shot, the precision of his movement, and the sheer force that propelled the ball into the net. Even now, watching it again, Isagi couldn't help but feel a rush of satisfaction.

The goal had been pure instinct, a testament to his growing confidence. The power was there, the technique honed to near perfection—but it wasn't just the physical prowess that he was proud of. It was the realization of how far he had come.

Isagi had always been skilled, but today was different. He wasn't just playing to fit into a mold—he was breaking it. The mentality that had kept him stagnant in his past life was slowly but surely fading away.

His mind drifted as the goal replayed one last time, fading into the background.

'I can't just keep playing the way I always did. Not in this world. Not with these players.'

He leaned back in the chair, staring up at the ceiling.

'The Ego… it's all about adapting. But it's not just about skill anymore, is it? It's about believing in myself more than I ever have before.'

The more Isagi thought about it, the more he realized how much he needed to evolve. His playmaking habits had been ingrained in him for years, and breaking free of those old patterns was no easy task. He knew his talent was undeniable, but to truly thrive in Blue Lock and beyond, he would have to adopt a new mindset—one that didn't rely solely on the team, but on his own ego-driven pursuit of perfection.

'But that's the hardest part…'

Isagi thought, feeling the weight of it all.

'I can't just flip a switch and be someone else. I've lived through so much in my past life. I can't simply throw away everything I've known, especially when it's gotten me this far.'

The struggle was real. Changing yourself, especially after living so long as someone else—someone with years of habits, thoughts, and perspectives—wasn't something that could be done overnight.

'I spent 32 years in my last life… can I really change all of that in a few months?'

Despite the doubts, Isagi felt something stirring deep inside him. The fire that had first ignited when he entered Blue Lock still burned brightly. He wasn't just playing for the sake of playing anymore—he was on a journey of self-discovery. He wanted to push beyond what he thought was possible. He wanted to challenge himself and defy the logic that said it was too late to change.

'And I will. I'll do it. I'll adapt, even if it's hard. I'm not just going to be Isagi. I'm going to be something more.'

The thought of facing players like Rin, Barou, Shidou, Sae, and Noel Noa was thrilling. They were the embodiment of pure egoism—players who believed they were the best and nothing else mattered.

'If I can keep up with them, if I can learn to think like them… I'll be unstoppable.'

Isagi's gaze shifted back to the screen, where his goal had ended, and the replay faded to black. He stood up slowly, a determined smile curling on his lips.

'It's time to change. I'll face my ego and theirs head-on. I won't just be the best—I'll become the player who shapes the future of this game.'

Isagi watched his footage one more time, each play in his mind coming together like a puzzle. He couldn't deny it—this had been his best match yet. The power in his shots, the precision in his assists, and the overall fluidity of his game. But as the screen flickered with clips of his past matches, Isagi knew there was still room to grow. He wanted more.

Chigiri's voice broke through his thoughts.

"Watching your play?"

Isagi glanced up to see Chigiri entering the room. The door clicked behind him, and Chigiri stood for a moment, a bit unsure. Isagi offered him a spot beside him. He had a purpose here, more than just reviewing his own performance. He had to guide Chigiri, too.

"Yeah, I like this room. I can point out the flaws and know what I need to improve"

Isagi said, smiling lightly as he made space for Chigiri to sit next to him.

"So, are you not going to run at all?"

Chigiri blinked, surprised by the bluntness.

"Huh? Do you know me?"

He asked, slightly taken aback.

Isagi wasn't fazed.

"Yeah, I've seen the footage of your match. Your pace is remarkable, but that injury really did a number on you, huh?"

He said it so casually, almost like he wasn't even making a big deal out of it.

The honesty in Isagi's voice cut through the air, and Chigiri hesitated before nodding.

"Yeah, but..."

His voice trailed off as he turned his attention to the footage of Isagi. It wasn't just about the injury anymore; it was about the fear that still lingered in his mind.

"Was that the reason you didn't push me to tell you guys my weapon?"

Chigiri stared at him. He didn't expect anyone to be so upfront about his own insecurities.

"Yeah... It's not easy when you know you can't push yourself to the limit"

Isagi replied.

"I know what it feels like to hold back, to play safe, even when you know you have more to give. It's the worst feeling—playing with hesitation, wondering if the next step will break you."

He pulled up the moment when Niko scored a goal against him. It was a fraction of a second. If he had hesitated or been less confident in his approach, he would've collided with Niko, which might have cost him the chance to block the shot. But instead, he committed fully and was just barely a second too late.

"Wait, if you knew about my speed, then why did you put me on defense?"

Chigiri asked, genuinely curious.

"Wouldn't I be better for a winger position?"

Isagi leaned back a bit, his eyes still on the screen.

"Would you have played giving your best?"

He asked, cutting right to the heart of the matter.

Chigiri's mind went blank for a second. He knew he wasn't at his peak, not in the same way he used to be before the injury.

'Would I have really given it my all if I played on the wing?'

He wasn't sure. His fear of his body failing him again made him second guess everything. He came to Blue Lock to prove he could be the best, but the ghosts of his past injuries loomed large.

Isagi kept staring at him, unblinking, as though he was waiting for Chigiri to answer, to make the decision himself. The silence lingered, but it was clear Isagi wasn't pushing for an answer just yet.

"I know"

Isagi said softly, shifting the footage to highlight some of the incredible goals from other players—Nagi's technical brilliance, Barou's raw power, and the underdog spirit of Naruhaya's persistence.

"Football is too amazing to give up on, Chigiri. You know what it's like, right? Once you've tasted the feeling of giving everything on the field, of putting in the work and seeing it pay off—it's addictive. For players, it's deeper than just watching. It's living it, feeling it in your bones. The moment you score, the rush you get from it, that's what makes this game worth everything."

The images flickered on the screen, showing the moments when others had surpassed their limits. They were all different, with different approaches, but they had one thing in common: they weren't holding back. Isagi's voice was low, but full of meaning.

"Do you have those moments, Chigiri? When you give it everything and feel like you're flying? Those moments stay with you. They're unforgettable."

Chigiri felt the weight of Isagi's words. He had those moments, too—before the injury. He remembered the joy of being faster than anyone else on the field, the freedom he felt when he was unstoppable. But fear had crept in. That fear still held him back.

Isagi kept changing the footage, letting Chigiri see the range of players' experiences.

"You're not just about your pace, Chigiri. You're more than that. You've got the skills, the drive. You can't let the past hold you back. If you want to reach your full potential, you have to break through that wall."

Just as Isagi finished speaking, he stood up, his hands on his hips.

"I've said my piece. Now, it's up to you."

His eyes met Chigiri's for a moment longer before he turned toward the door.

"I think I'll go for that massage now. Let me know when you're ready to give it your all."

As he looked at the footage one last time, he knew what he had to do. Isagi was right: football was too amazing to let fear control him.

He was going to break through.

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