Chapter Text
𝙋𝙧𝙤𝙡𝙤𝙜𝙪𝙚 ⟡ 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝘿𝙖𝙧𝙠 𝙏𝙧𝙞𝙖𝙙
𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘢𝘳𝘬 𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘢𝘥 𝘪𝘴 𝘢 𝘱𝘴𝘺𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘰𝘨𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘰𝘳𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘺, 𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘴𝘵 𝘱𝘶𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘺 𝘋𝘦𝘭𝘳𝘰𝘺 𝘓. 𝘗𝘢𝘶𝘭𝘩𝘶𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘒𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘯 𝘔. 𝘞𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘢𝘮𝘴 𝘪𝘯 2002, 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘤𝘳𝘪𝘣𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘦𝘦 𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘺 𝘰𝘧𝘧𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘯𝘰𝘯-𝘱𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘰𝘨𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘭 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘵𝘺𝘱𝘦𝘴: 𝘔𝘢𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘢𝘷𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘴𝘮, 𝘴𝘶𝘣-𝘤𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘭 𝘯𝘢𝘳𝘤𝘪𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘴𝘮, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘶𝘣-𝘤𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘭 𝘱𝘴𝘺𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘱𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘺. 𝘌𝘢𝘤𝘩 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘴𝘦 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘵𝘺𝘱𝘦𝘴 𝘪𝘴 𝘤𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘥 𝘥𝘢𝘳𝘬 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘩 𝘪𝘴 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘯 𝘮𝘢𝘭𝘦𝘷𝘰𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘲𝘶𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘦𝘴.
—
I can’t wait to get you all alone, all alone
Once I’m in there ain’t no letting go, letting go
Watch me turn your mind into my own ⋆˚꩜｡
—
Isagi’s tie felt a little too tight in front of the entire boardroom of UEFA club team directors. So many important people, all who would be deciding the future of his career.
After the NEL, the Blue Lock Project had officially ended. Even with the success of BLTV, the budget had run rather dry, and Ego was satisfied with the outcomes of his top 5 players.
The official salary rankings had finalized, thus it was time for the top Blue Lockers to choose what teams they wanted to commit to.
However, after the smashing success of the Blue Lock Project, the vultures of Champions League teams wanted more.
Enter the newest pet project of the soccer world: Blue Lock: Project V.
The top 5 Blue Lock strikers from the NEL were set to be placed in a ritzy Parisian hotel with the players from Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munchen, FC Barcelona, Juventus FC, and Manchester United.
The Blue Lockers had only played with one of the five teams for the duration of the NEL, therefore they might not be sure they want to commit to that team without experimenting with other teams.
Think of it like shuffling the card deck. New experiments, new teams, new evolutions.
Isagi was already anxious out of his mind because this was practically the biggest decision of his life. UEFA players rarely get traded and so this team was where he’d likely end up with for the rest of his career. He’d already proven himself as the number 1 hot commodity, it was just a matter of where he’d sign.
The directors of each team were congregated around a large imposing table in UEFA Headquarters. He could practically feel the ravenous gazes on him, Blue Lock’s blue ribbon prized calf, fresh for the slaughter.
His curiosity was certainly piqued as the big wigs explained Project V to him.
5 players x 5 teams to circulate x 1 week per team to experiment.
5 weeks of upscale cocktail parties, warm evenings on the pitch, hotel breakfasts, and whispers in the lobby.
It was obvious that this was going to be a bloodbath. He took a moment to gauge his fellow Blue Lockers’ reactions. A cocktail of excitement and apprehension was swirling in everyone. Rin, Bachira, Kunigami, and even the unabashed Shidou were on their best behavior.
“So, do we have a deal? Sign here if you’re up for the challenge. Unless you’d rather turn down your salaries…”
The director of Manchester United tapped on a pile of documents on the mahogany table.
“For the duration of your stay, you’ll be staying at Le Bristol in Paris, kindly hosted by PSG. All expenses are paid for. There’s a gym, spa, sauna, and amenities provided. There will be weekly team dinners and mixers to get to know your potential teammates. Of course you'll have practices, games, and skirmishes throughout the week with your team," explained the chairman.
The Blue Lockers stole a few glances at each other in consideration before lining up to sign.
A few low chuckles rumbled through the room as they watched the eager strikers swarm to sign their agreement.
“Welcome to the revival, gentlemen.”
⟡
The large door to the Bayern München conference room creaked open, making the director look up from some documents he was skimming. He smiled a little too widely.
“Michael Kaiser, welcome in. I have a special task for you.”
Kaiser quirked an eyebrow in intrigue. He knew the dirty money grubbing bastards in the upper echelon of Bundesliga, and the amount of opportunities for foul play and mischief in Project V were certainly endless. He wondered what potentially career-ending task he’d be put up to this time.
“We’re very aware of what you've done with Ness over the last few years. He served you so well. You’re a scholar of psychology aren't you? You-ahem- utilized him perfectly.”
“Get to the point old man,” Kaiser huffed. He didn’t need to be told. He could already tell where this was going. The director frowned at his crudeness.
He turned extremely serious. “Someone with Yoichi Isagi’s talent can only be found once in a century, you see. We need to secure him for Bayern at all costs. This is not a matter of winning, it’s a matter of wealth. Our investors, money, their bets, they’re all on the line.”
There it was. The real plot.
The director’s voice dropped an octave. Like he was telling a secret even though there was no one around. “You can expect a bonus for your efforts. Be sure to do anything at ALL costs to get him on our side.”
Kaiser’s lips twitched. “Anything?”
The director’s hardened gaze was suffocating. “As you see fit.”
He felt like a kid being told he was going to Disney World for the first time.
Kaiser’s pupils dilated in elation. Of course he was the perfect person for the job. It’s true, he was a genius in philosophy. He preyed on Ness’ trustworthiness and loneliness and made him fall in love. The sex was alright. He had a thing for small bottoms, and an even bigger fetish to evolving soccer. Ness served his purpose, but his irritation and disinterest in him had long taken over. Isagi was his new muse. He respected him as a player far more than he ever did for Ness. His capabilities were insane.
Breaking Isagi was what he had wanted most during his time in the NEL. He would do anything to see that face crying on the pitch or crying on his cock— It didn’t matter.
His obsession with Isagi had driven him near insanity and now he was given official jurisdiction to mess with him as much as he saw fit? A dream come true. Even though he was gonna be paid a hefty hush money bonus to do it, Kaiser would happily do it for no money at all
The director could see the ecstatic, almost manic expression on Kaiser’s features. A vein was practically popping out of his forehead.
“At your service, old bastard.”
“Tch, crazy fucking bitch,” he mumbled, returning to his work as Kaiser exited the board room.
There were two days until Project V commenced and Kaiser knew these would be the longest 48 hours of his life.
⟡
A country over, Hugo Décrypte was called in to have practically the same conversation as Kaiser did.
One thing was certain to the director of PSG, and that was that Germany was plotting something with Isagi.
He was extremely vigilant during the initial board meeting. Of course everyone had their eyes on Blue Lock’s lucky ace, but he was especially cautious of Germany’s finger in the Yoichi pie from his time with Bayern in the NEL. That might give them a leg up on decision day if Isagi decides to retreat back to what was comfortable for him. He was hyper-aware of the way the director was eyeing the striker, the notes he was making in his memo pad from across the table, the way he shifted in his chair.
PSG’s director knew what was at stake for Bayern. Of course, because they had the exact same knife held to their throat. Investors, shareholders, bigwigs with pitiful addictions to sports betting. The threat to their organizations was real. It was a cutthroat market for these hot commodities.
If PSG really wanted to claim the ace for themselves, they would have to do their fair share of plotting as well regardless if Germany already had something up their sleeve. Thus comes the question of who to employ to pull the strings.
They’re not putting Loki up to the task because if Bayern suspected their number one striker was also doing some manipulating persuading, Germany would double down. (Frankly, Loki also just doesn’t have it in him.)
Luckily, they do have someone who does.
Hugo had a philosophy that France was confident would make their team superior, but didn’t align with the ruthless egotism that Blue Lock drilled into Isagi. Coming to the truth would not only break Isagi, but also change his entire playstyle making both himself and his team stronger. It was up to Hugo to do some behind the scenes string-pulling. Those dark and unwavering eyes could hypnotize even the most guarded of minds. It was over for Yoichi Isagi before it even began.
“You will do this if you know what’s best for your career,” PSG’s director warned. Hugo knew damn well it was suicide if he didn't.
Like Kaiser, the salary boost wasn’t the only incentive for him to enjoy the little game he was about to play. Hugo wanted to know what the big deal with Isagi was.
Everyone was so obsessed with him. Everyone talked about Yoichi like he was some sort of mystical creature or fairytale. There’s no way a half-baked nobody could become a legend in so short of a time, he needed to evaluate him with his own two eyes.
“Of course,” Hugo stated plainly.
The director smiled. He knew the robot would be on board without hesitation. He was obedient, he liked that about him.
"Good."
⟡
And so commenced Blue Lock: Project V.
The boys "oohed" and "ahhed" at the luxury of it all. A grand facade greeted them, framed by topiaries and dramatic lighting that illuminated the grandiose architecture of the Parisian hotel. The view of Eiffel Tower was mesmerizing, and the proximity to the soccer practice field wasn't far. It was perfect. The gym was outfitted with modern equipment, the sauna was quiet, and the pool was very private.
The schedule wasn't as strict as Blue Lock's, but it certainly wasn't a vacation.
Morning practice with their teams, lunch and break, an afternoon game against another club, individual training, team dinner, and check-in with the director. They were even scheduled for cocktail mixers and team bonding activities around the city. Every Sunday there would be a draw for the team arrangement for the next week, and the 35 days were wrapped up with the big decision signing day.
Exciting but tiring, especially from the stress. Isagi couldn't wait to get started.
That night was their first cocktail party with all the execs in the lounge. They would be drawing starting teams and doing some casual socializing with their potential future teammates. He only hoped the sociopathic hostility would be left on the pitch.
The lounge was intimate. Dim lighting, velvet couches, bubbling champagne flutes paraded around on silver platters, and pleasant chatter settling in the atmosphere with a soothing hum. It was certainly perfect for the black tie attire that didn't suit Isagi whatsoever. He used an obscene amount of gel to stop his sprout from sticking up which made him look somewhat more professional. But he stifled a laugh seeing Shidou in a perfectly pressed suit. If anyone was out of place, it was him.
Taking a sip of liquid courage to give his introverted personality the strength to socialize, Isagi felt a chill run down his spine at an all-too familiar taunt.
"Ahhh, Yoichi, we meet again~"
Isagi whipped around, eye twitching in irritation as his gaze landed on Michael Kaiser. He did admit he left off on a surprisingly positive note with the German during the NEL, so maybe these next five weeks would be more bearable. Hey, he didn't even know if he would end up playing alongside Kaiser again after these five weeks. He potentially wouldn't have to put up with his nonsense ever again.
"Kaiser," Isagi responded curtly.
He took the opportunity to give him a once-over. He admittedly did clean up very nicely. He looked very handsome in a black tie suit. He had a great physique, and Isagi's height completely dwarfed his in comparison.
"No need to act so formally! We're old rivals after all, right Yocchan? Hopefully you didn't miss me too much after the NEL." He ruffled Yoichi's hair, huffing through his nose with a smirk at how his sprout stood up. It was so Yoichi. How cute.
Yoichi's eyes narrowed. What was he playing at? He shoved his muscular arm off.
"Hands off weirdo," he said with a scowl, reaching up to smooth his mussed hair. He frowned when he still felt his sprout sticking up no matter how many times he smoothed his palm over it. He had worked rather hard to keep it slicked.
Michael chuckled, throwing his hands up in mock defense. "My mistake. I can't help myself, truly. You're just too cute, Yocchan."
Isagi's face flushed in embarrassment. "Whatever," he pouted and averted his gaze with a huff, "and don't call me Yocchan!"
God, since when did that bastard Kaiser fluster him?! Maybe he had too much to drink.
He went to the bathroom to freshen himself up and hopefully fix his hair situation. Kaiser was always fucking something up for him. What a waste of a pretty face.
A spoon clinking against a half-empty glass commanded the party's attention, drawing eyes to the large projector at the end of the room. It was time for the draw.
WEEK 1 RESULTS
MANCHESTER UNITED - ITOSHI RIN
JAVEUS FC - BACHIRA MEGURU
FC BARCELONA - SHIDOU RYUUSEI
PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN - KUNIGAMI RENSUKE
BAYERN MÜNCHEN - ISAGI YOICHI
The director of PSG cursed under his breath. Bayern got him first. There was a higher likelihood of Yoichi making his verdict early and sticking with them now. Kaiser grinned like a hyena. It was time to get to work. He couldn't resist messing with his cute little Yoichi, but he really did need Yoichi on his side. No matter, he was an apex predator in control. His time would come.
Practice started the next day, it was time.
⟡
It was a beautiful morning on the pitch. Isagi had slept like a baby in the plush king size hotel bed, and he was more than ready to link back up with a team he had evolved so much with. Not even Ness' standoffishness put him down when the golden morning sun was casting such a beautiful glow on the Eiffel Tower and surrounding buildings. Oblivious to the spectators watching on, Isagi failed to notice a certain Frenchman scoping him out.
...
There the legend was. He finally witnessed Isagi for the first time in person. He had seen plenty of videos of course. He was all anyone would ever talk about.
He was good in the highlight reels, sure, but seeing him in person was like magic. The concentration on his face, the calculated movements his feet made, it was like a miracle waiting to happen.
It was then that lust hit him like a brick.
That’s it.
Little petite Yoichi, bone structure like a baby bird, so delicate and cute. Standing at only 5’9, he was easily the smallest player out of anyone there (aside from Charles of course). His big watery eyes were so cute when he was focused. He knew they would look so good unfocused and glazed over from pleasure. Don’t even get him started on those mochi cheeks that he just wanted to squeeze. He was so cute munching on his protein bar on the bench, he looked like a chubby chipmunk while eating.
So fragile, so delicate, so easy to break and mold to his liking.
The seed was planted in Hugo’s mind. He understood the behaviors he saw at the NEL now. Rin’s neuroticism, Kaiser’s possessiveness, Bachira’s clinginess. He wanted, NEEDED a piece for himself.
Hugo’s face was impassive. He never showed a trace of emotion. His dark alien eyes were unwavering, but behind them swirled a dangerous concoction of determination and obsession. A sick thrill exploded to life in Hugo’s chest.
Isagi would be his.
It wasn’t Bayern München vs Paris Saint-Germain anymore, it was Hugo vs Kaiser, a primal battle for their fated mate.