Chapter Text
The High End Blue Lock Institute has been shut down earlier than intended this summer due to infrastructural damage, the principal, Ego Jinpachi, claims. The Blue Lock Institute, known as one of the most successful private schools around Japan, has been shut down on June 13th due to infrastructural damages around the pipelines caused by the heavy thunderstorms that have been rolling over Japan, according to the official statement of the headmaster.
However, anonymous sources claim that this is a cover-up of something bigger. This conclusion is supported by the numerous parents who have reached out to their child's peculiar and uncharacteristic behaviour since the day of their return home, which is also supported by one of the schools sponsors, the Mikage Corporation, who claimed their child had been acting different after returning to his home. Further details are not available to the public right now. The principal categorically rejected all those claims. Yet few parents have started to question the actual safety of the facility— if they couldn't promise nor provide any explanation what happened to their children. In an interview, the principal allayed the concerns of the audience regarding the safety of his school, emphasising that the unusual, yet nurmerous behavioural patterns exhibited were not in any way connected to the events that had transpired at his educational facility, since it only involved infrastructural damage.
In addition, he conveys his condolences for the abrupt closure of Blue Lock Institute, assuring that it will reopen at the beginning of autumn and continue to shape future successors. The majority of parents have been placated; however, a minority are still protesting and opting to withdraw their children from the Institute.
When asked if this incident would declare the end of Blue Lock's reputation, Ego replied confidently, "Blue Lock doesn't thrive because of what's outside the walls, but what starts to form within. Not everyone has the potential to withstand the program, so it might as well be good riddance." His statement was met both with outrage and understanding. It is important to note that interviews with the students were not permitted. The Institute will reopen on September 20th with new programs and information, including the conclusion of its shut down.“
Isagi Yoichi placed down the cup he had been holding while watching the news.
It was no surprise that the press, news outlets and internet forums widely reported on what had happened in Blue Lock. This was the very same institute he had called home the previous year, before being forced to return home early due to the aforementioned incidents. Ego ordered a large assembly in the audience room on 31 May, directly after the night of the heaviest thunderstorm that year. His principal, Ego Jinpachi, had already declared the same reason about a pipeline damage to the students in that big assembly. He explained and demanded that everyone needs to pack their things, since they had to leave the school for their own safety, so that the starting of renovations work could begin and wouldn't affect their studies.
Isagi never saw one time a construction worker or company, but he simply shrugged it off.
He gladly took the extended break: having just broken up with his messed up ex the night before took tons of his energy. And if he was being honest, he didn't need his ex around right now, who would probably just try to weasel his way back into Isagi's life. He was shameless like that.
Thinking back what he just saw in the news, made him remember something: Reo Mikage. He had been indeed acting unusual. They weren't friends or anything, but Isagi knew Nagi Seishiro, so it wasn't surprising that he knew Reo as well. The purple haired boy bad been sitting next to a bored Nagi during the assembly, gnawing at his fingertips, skittish and jumpy. His gaze went up and down, flinching when Nagi asked him about something. A lot of students shot him a weird look, that he either didn't notice or didn't care. As little as Isagi knew Reo, he acknowledged it wasn't normal, but then again, who was he to make that judgement when he didn't even know him that well? Nevertheless if it was true what the news said, then even his parents reached out because of his behaviour— he really needed stop thinking about Mikage. It was probably nothing. As well as not one of his problems.
Seriously, he had bigger fishes — like facing Kira eventually again — to deal with.
Sighing, he opened his phone, seeing various messages from his best friend, Meguru Bachira. A guy, who kind of resembled a bumblebee with his two hair colors and bright eyes.
Bachira spammed him with texts regarding the news, claiming how famous they were now and whatnot. Isagi let out a soft chuckle, replying before checking the calendar. September 10th. Ten days and he'd go back to Blue Lock—
“We don't know much about your school, but we saw the news, Yocchan,“ his mother started, when she caught him on the couch engrossed in his phone. “We understand that... if you don't feel comfortable, we can resign you too. We talked with Meguru's mother as well, but she and Meguru decided to let hm stay there.“ His father in the back nodded, but Yoichi quickly shook his head. “The headmaster assured us, that it was just a pipeline damage due to the storms. Nothing serious! Can't leave my friends alone," he grinned and his mother's eyes softened— he found so good friends in Blue Lock, she'd be probably be heartbroken too, if he suddenly stopped being around them or even losing his careful maintained friendsship. Especially his best friend, Bachira. A young man full of spirit, that brightenend their house whenever he visited her Yocchan. Speaking of— “I'm meeting Chigiri, Bachira and Kunigami!“ Isagi yelled as he put on his shoes.
His mother was about to ask if he wanted to stay for lunch, but the door had already been shut and she sighed, shaking her head with a smile.
“Did you see the news?“ Chigiri asked when they all sat down at a cafe close to their homes. The Cafe 'Coftea Time!' was rather popular for its strong and various sorts of tea, while also displaying lots of cakes and other delicious desserts and its location. The atmosphere was quite pleasant, and the place was close to the shore. If you listened carefully, you might be able to hear the sound of waves crashing and seagulls screaming in the distance.
“Mikage's parents keep posting statements and complaints against Ego. They even say, he doesn't talk anymore at home,“ he said, after placing his order, whereas Kunigami was frowning. Chigiri seemed restless as he approached this topic, gnawing at his lip. Right, he had been somehow friends with Mikage, unlike Isagi, who always got glares from the younger man.
“We're famous!“ Bachira chimed in, ignoring the aforementioned incidents.
Despite the earlier heavy mood, the four couldn't help but chuckle at his words. “Yeah,“ Kunigami agreed after a short moment of silence with Chigiri. His eyebrows were furrowed as he stared onto his plate as if it offended him somehow, but his friends knew he was just deep in thought, “No one had contacted him over this summer— the only updates are from his parents. I heard, that even Nagi couldn't reach him. But even then, that didn't seem surprising. Didn't they have some fallout after you played and befriended Nagi during that soccer practice?“ Isagi listened to their words, feeling some kind of pity for the young heir, which was quickly followed by guilt.
He gulped, looking off to the side to ignore the stares. It had been true: during a football game in April, one of the first times in the month where the sun was shining brightly, he and Nagi somehow clicked on the field and had a blast— Isagi didn't want nor did he feel like, that he was responsible for the change in Mikage's behavior. It was Nagi, who decided to befriend and drop Mikage in the process. He never asked for Nagi's attention.
“Not even Nagi...?“ His voice was small, still avoiding their gazes. He knew— hoped— they didn't think it was weird how Mikage acted strange after his new found friendship, but when he finally gazed back, he saw nothing of sort. No blaming, no resentment, none of it. He let out a breath that almost felt like it was choking him. How could anyone even conclude that correlation... right?/p>
“Nope.“ Chigiri sweeped his red hair out of his eyes, nonchalant as ever. Either he hadn't realized Isagi's internal conflict or he didn't want to make a big deal out of it— the latter was thankful in both cases. "Do you think he'll come back to Blue Lock?" But as a collective silence laid over them like a blanket, the four knew it was very unlikely.
“Whatever. We're returning there anyway, we will just have to see. I even heard, that Itoshi Sae's little brother will come as a first year to the Institute.“
Itoshi Sae was a prodigy. He was formally invited to Blue lock to finish his education— something that never happened that the Institute reached out for someone first— but the prodigy denied and went to Spain, becoming a football star within few years. He hadn't been back to Japan since that - according to the public- but he was famous nonetheless.
“I'm so excited for the new first years. Finally, we are second years! Only two years more to graduate,“ Bachira exclaimed, grinning from ear to ear as he kept invading Isagi's personal space by leaning against his arm, shoulder— something the blue haired boy was used to, anyway.
“Maybe we'll find out more about the mystery of events,“ Chigiri mumbled, but Kunigami sent him a confused look. “The headmaster told us, it was just an infrastructural thing. Don't tell me you believe in this conspiracy that the media keeps creating?“ The ginger had a teasing smile on his face and his friend elbowed him for that. Bachira and Isagi chuckle at their bickering like a married couple, going as far to even exchange knowing grins. Between the nice atmosphere and reunion between the friends, none could have guessed the horros awaiting to be discovered.
.
The bus towards Blue Lock always drove off a location in the City and collected all students from the surrounding area. Then it followed the bumpy path into the woods, before arriving in front of the school building. Despite the three months of not attending, the school didn't look different. There were still the towers with their sharp spires reaching up into the sky, as well as the intricate window ornamentation and the clock high up on the tower. The grounds were vast, but after a while, it was easy to get around. Also, there were no longer even any traces of the pipeline construction work, though Isagi couldn't confirm there ever had been any. Bachira and Isagi stepped out of the bus, that had transported them from their home until the Institute. The familiar, tall building awoke a sense of relief, yet resembled a sense of belonging they hadn't experienced ever since June. The familiar quiet of nature, the surrounding forest behind the school building, the singing of birds, the fountain from the schoolyard... It was a sight, that always managed to bring Isagi peace and quiet, even if it was just for a short moment, where he basked in the nature.
Isagi's peace was disturbed as soon as he retrieved his luggage from the bus. "Please don't freak out or anything like,“ his best friend suddenly said with an all too serious tone for his liking, ”but Kira is walking directly towards you. I have never seen him smile that brightly.” Bachira's eyes repeatedly shifted towards Isagi, whose countenance immediately fell at the mention of his former partner.
Isagi's eyebrows pulled together as he did not turn around, instead facing his best friend, who understood the message with a broad smile. The value of non-verbal communication is a well appreciated trait in their friendship. Kira Ryousuke. His ex. A manipulator, an asshole, a gaslighter all in one. Right before the incident in the school, Isagi had broken up with him after he accused him of being unfaithful. Because he shared a dorm with Bachira and refused to move in with him and change with Kira's roommate. Isagi didn't understand back then, at first he blamed himself, shutting Bachira out, trying everything in his power to satisfy Kira. But in the end, Bachira made him come back to his senses— even if it involved a tiny bit of violence. Isagi was thankful for it, though.
The following break due to the incident, was like a gift from fate. Perhaps even an encouragement that he had done the right thing.
“Isagi, it's been a while, since I last saw you!“ Kira, however, didn't get the message or shared Isagi's sentiment— the headache was already forming. “Bachira, let's go—” Isagi grabbed Bachira's arm and pulled him quickly away from Kira towards the entrance. From the corner of his eye, he saw his best friend stretching out his tongue to the white haired guy, who watched him caught off guard disappear, not really understanding—well, he probably did understand and was shameless enough to not care— and gaping after his once boyfriend.
“Shameless.“ Chigiri Hyoma commented before he — followed by Kunigami Rensuke– sent a pitying grin towards Isagi, who only shook his head. “Don't even start...“ His jaw clenched, while his fists tightened around the handle of his bag. The sunlight, that earlier warmed Isagi's hopes, peace and feelings, felt now dull and cold. The path towards the big oak doors felt narrow and somehow, Isagi had the feeling as if something coiled around his lungs and made it harder to breathe. Not in the way of a panic attack, but something tighter. Like a threat. He swallowed the lump in his throat right as Bachira put a hand on his shoulder, trying to discern his mood, yet it didn't work as Isagi avoided his gaze as soon as he realized. He coul only managed a pitiful attempt of a smile and quickly closed the distance between them and Chigiri and Kunigami.
Had Kira no shame? Did he seriously think Isagi would be happy to see him? Then again, why was it so suffocating to see him? It wasn't like that last time. They weren't together for long and yet he acted so weird... he could only pray that this scenario would be an one time thing. The blue haired boy seriously wasn't in the mood to interact— more like deal— with Kira's attitude, like ever.
Shaking his head, he took a deep breath then followed his friends to the assembly hall. Ego Jinpachi stood at the end of the hall in front of a podium, his usual nonchalant expression planted on his face as he waited for his students to take a seat. “Welcome home, you rough lump of dismonds.“ Ego let his gaze wander around the assembly hall, glasses sitting high on his nose bridge.
“The unfortunate events this June have been clared up. The renovations finished and will not hinder your future or studies at the Blue Lock Insitute. We assure everyone, that the safety from those tubes have been restored and another incident like this will never occur again. However, we did cancel the welcoming events for the new students, as we are lacking behind in time.“
A few disagreements and complaints echoed through the hall.
“If you're disatisfied with something as small as that, you can get out. Blue Lock is a facility for talent, work and success—not whatever child play you imagine.“
After a long, awkward silence, their headmaster started his actual speech: “Blue Lock is delighted to welcome you and is committed to guiding, instructing and nurturing you to become the best version of yourself. Be prepared for opportunities to arise, but be ready to make personal sacrifices if you wish to seize them. Success is not a matter of chance. It is a skill that requires honing. Embrace its potential now or risk being locked off.“
Locked off. A concept, that wasn't surprising for this Institute: meaning you'll get kicked out of school. You slack off? Locked off. You fail? Locked off. Not good enough? Locked off. It will always be a fight for survival, no matter how you wish it would be a good experience for you and your friends, but in the end, in this school the egoism wins. After all graduates went on to lead sports teams, political movements, and major institutions. Every student started with the potential for greatness, but along the way you had to prove you possessed it even if the first step into the battle had been done.
Isagi and his friends only understood this philosophy months after being into the lessons, despite Ego Jinpachi teaching it almost at the very start of the year. A mandatory ”philosophy” course, which wasn't directly related to philosophy, but created a new point of view and approach of achieving things.
Isagi remembered the first time he spoke about it: true greatness stemmed from the world's greatest egoists. If you wanted to succeed, you needed to focus only on the path ahead of you and only then would you be able to achieve the greatness you're thriving for.
Meanwhile, a young boy with green hair observed his new principal presenting the school's principles. After his brother's refusal to attend, his parents were delighted when he received the enrolment acceptance letter and immediately took action to sign him in. This may have been one of the only occasions on which they cared.
His eyes, accentuated by long eyelashes, swept around the room once more. The room had high ceilings, a chandelier, and candles on the sides. There were chairs and people chattering after he finished his speech, but the new first year did not feel any excitement. This school was a minor stepping stone on his path to achieving his ultimate goal of outperforming his brother and becoming the best in his field, as he had promised. He dismissed the memories of that exact promise as quickly as they came, swiftly pushing them to a place in his mind that was inaccessible to both his conscious mind and his self-esteem. However, this was not a significant challenge, as it ultimately served as the ultimate motivation for his actions. But Rin Itoshi did notice something weird in Ego Jinpachi's speech.
With his intellect and ability to survey his surroundings, it was no surprise, but no one else seemed to caught on. As much as he was aware of, at least.
Little did Ego know, that his slipup would be the butterfly swinging its wings to an upcoming tornado.