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IF DISAPPOINTMENT WAS A PERSON,

it would be Y/N because it was pretty obvious from the way her friends were looking at her. "So you just acted like nothing happened?" Kiyoko asked and Y/N slowly nodded as she was sitting on her knees in front of Kiyoki, Nishinoya and Asahi. 

"I feel so bad for him" Nishinoya cried and hugged Asahi "He must be feeling so bad"

Y/N listened to her friends' concerned words, her heart sinking with each passing moment. She couldn't deny that disappointment had settled in her own chest as well. The weight of her actions weighed heavily on her mind.

"I know," Y/N whispered, her voice laced with regret. "I didn't mean to hurt him, I was just so flustered in that situation, I didn't want to talk about the kiss. I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO!!!" Y/N's voice trembled with frustration and confusion. The room fell silent as her friends watched her, understanding the turmoil she was experiencing.

Kiyoko reached out and gently squeezed Y/N's hand, offering a comforting gesture. "It's understandable, Y/N. Sometimes, we find ourselves caught off guard and unsure of how to respond. But it's important to address these feelings and have an open conversation with Sae."

Nishinoya wiped away a tear "You are so mean" 

Asahi nodded, his expression full of compassion "Yes!"

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN YES?!" Y/N shouted making Asahi flinch and stammer "N- No I just... Do you like him?"

"He changed the subject." Y/N, Nishinoya and Kiyoko thought.

Y/N sighed and curled up in a blanket, "I do... I like him and he probably feels the same but I don't know how to talk about it!! I didn't even open his messages after that night. And we have a schedule for tomorrow. I have no idea how to face him!!" 

"Where are you going?"

"Well... actually you know about the Blue Lock project right?" 

"YEAH! Everyone's talking about it! I wish there was something like that for volleyball. I would've been the last man standing!!" Nishinoya proudly stated. 

"Well... all those greedy oldies want to shut down the project and for that there will be a match between blue lock players and our under-20 national team. If the blue lock players lose, the project shuts down and if they win... they might just secure a place in the national team."

"Wait really?! I didn't hear about it!" 

"Yeah of course you didn't hear because this information hasn't been made public yet. I am pretty sure once Sae completely agrees to play they'll pull a marketing scheme and attract the attention of the other players. You know just like how they did with my little sister?"

"Oh yeah... the swimming competition. That channel gained the highest viewer rate in a year and the stadium was also completely booked out." Kiyoko informed and Y/N gave her a nod "Exactly. Well, let's see what happens." 

"Yeah... but are you going to talk to him tomorrow?" Asahi asked. 

"Umm... I'll try to..."

---

The car ride to JFU was dead silent. Both Y/N and Sae didn't speak a single word unless it was related to work and that was only making her more nervous. As they arrived at the training facility, Y/N took a deep breath, attempting to calm her racing heart. She knew that avoiding the topic wouldn't resolve anything, but the fear of rejection and the weight of their unspoken emotions made it difficult for her to find the right words.

As they entered the facility, Y/N noticed the bustling activity around them and one of staff members led the way to the meeting room where they were supposed to meet the JFU president and the U-20 team's football coach. 

"This is the room," The female staff said and gave a low bow to the two and walked away. Y/N was about to knock on the door but unlike her polite behaviour, Sae just barged in making Y/N panic "Sae! You can't just barge in like that!" She scolded and followed behind him. 

The president and the coach both came forward to greet Sae. "Oh! Why, if it isn't Itoshi Sae! I'm glad you managed to join us!" The president said. 

"Nice to meet you, Mr. Genius!" The coach said and put forward hi hand for a handshake but both of their greetings were completely disregarded by Sae as he looked them unamused expressions and then turned back to Y//N "Who's this fatso and bobcut duo?" He asked, almost making her burst out in laughter but she controlled herself because one of them being disrespectful was enough... there was no need for both of them to show the same treatment. 

"They're the president and the U-20 coach" She informed. 

"Well... that speeds things up. Hey, you old geezers. I checked the videos of all those Japan U-20 players or whatever... They're all shit. Especially the forwards. They're a big sinking pile of insect turd." Sae said making the two men freeze with disbelief. 

"Sae... stop, I wanna laugh so bad," Y/N thought to herself.

"I agreed to join the team because I heard I'd get to play against the blue lock guys, but... If this is the kind of school team-level trash you're gonna throw me in... I'm backing out."

The coach was angry at the words that Sae sprouted out "Are you perhaps... insulting my team?" But the president was quick to handle the situation "Now, now, now! You have to the adult here, Houichi"

"So, you don't like the forwards, Itoshi Sae? Then how about you nominate someone else you want? It can even be someone over the age! Even Minamino! Douan! Nakajima!" 

"...Anyone? really?" Sae questioned. 

"Yep, Yep! As long as they're japanese! Even Ramos! Kazu!"

"Then, there's a forward in blue lock. Who I want to play with."

---

"Sae, I want to ask something..." Y/N said as the two were sitting in the car, on their way to Blue Lock to see the person Sae wanted to play with. He looked up from his phone "What is it?" He asked and his tone made her feel uneasy... it was different from what she was used to... it reminded her of the time when she first became his manager. 

She was going to ask about that night but seeing him paying almost zero attention and sounding so different made her hesitant. "Oh- well... nothing..." she mumbled and looked out of the window as they stayed quiet for the rest of their journey. 

She assumed that it was now going to stay like this between them but upon reaching the blue lock building, she didn't had to worry about being awkward with Sae the whole time because as they were on their way to were Shidou Ryusei, Y/N bumped into one of her friends from high school.

"Nichihara...?" Y/N muttered as she stopped on her track after meeting eyes with the girl who in turn was also shocked "L/N!! What are you doing here?!" 

Anri and Sae both stopped and Y/N switched her attention to them, she knew that it was Sae who wanted to meet Shidou and since there was some awkward air between them, it would be better to be apart for some time. "Um, Aria... would you mind if I just spend some time with Nichihara while he meets Shidou?"

"Yeah, no problem. I'll give you a call when we are done." She smiled and both of them continued walking away. 

"You are a part of this project too?!" Y/N asked as she held Nichihara's hands to which the other female chuckled and nodded. "Yes, I am," She replied with a mix of surprise and excitement. "I can't believe we bumped into each other here. It's been so long since high school!" 

"So, how did you end up here?" Y/N asked, curious about Nichihara's involvement in the Blue Lock project.

Nichihara took a deep breath before answering. "Well, I got this letter and boom! I was here" She explained and Y/N nodded at the tiny information she just got but looking at Nichihara it looked like that was all she had to say about her journey to Blue Lock. 

"I made many friends and enemies here!" She said with excitement making Y/N chuckle "Why are you so happy about making enemies?" 

"Well! You know enemies are great too! They make you stronger and bam! You become better."

Y/N couldn't help but smile at Nichihara's enthusiasm and optimistic perspective. She admired her friend's ability to find the silver lining even in challenging situations.

"You're right," Y/N agreed. "Adversity can push us to grow and improve ourselves. It's all about how we choose to respond to it."

Nichihara nodded, a glimmer of determination in her eyes. "Exactly! That's why I'm here, pushing myself to the limits, ready to take on any challenge that comes my way. I want to become the best version of myself."

Y/N couldn't help but feel inspired by Nichihara's words. In the midst of her own uncertainties and struggles, hearing her friend's positive outlook reminded her of the strength she had within herself.

"I'm glad we ran into each other here," Y/N said sincerely.

Nichihara beamed and aggressively tapped Y/N's shoulder "Why are you by the way?" 

"Oh, I am Sae's manager, he wanted to meet a player here that would be joining him in the U-20 team." 

"Itoshi Sae's here?! Where?" Nichihara asked looking around, making Y/N sigh "He was with us, you might've not noticed him." 

"Yeah right! I was so focused on you!!! Come here give me a hug!!!" Nichihara mentioned and engulfed Y/N in a tight hug. "Come I'll show you my friends!! They all must be in the canteen right now!!

Y/N laughed and followed Nichihara to the canteen, feeling grateful for the unexpected encounter. But as they entered the canteen the sight wasn't what they were expecting. "Umm... I guess it's the guys' turn now. I swear all the girls were here just 5 minutes ago!!!" Nichihara explained. 

Y/N looked around the canteen, noticing that there were mostly male players from Blue Lock occupying the tables. They were engaged in lively discussions, some of them eating their meals while others were engrossed in strategizing or reviewing game footage on their devices. The atmosphere was intense, filled with a mix of determination and ambition.

Nichihara scanned the room "Well I befriended some of the guys too, wanna meet them?" She asked with the brightest smile ever that it was almost impossible for her to refuse. "Sure, I'd love to meet them," Y/N replied, returning Nichihara's smile.

"ALRIGHT, GUYS LISTEN UP! THIS IS MISS L/N!! MY DEAR FRIEND FROM HIGH SCHOOL!!" Nichihara announced and Y/N's smile dropped internally as she cursed Nichihara for creating such an embarrassing situation. She expected to meet one or two people... not all of them! 

She looked at Nichihara with expressions that clearly said 'What the fuck' but Nichihara was too engrossed in introducing her that it almost made it impossible to stop it. "She is a volleyball star! The best player I know!! She has rocked every match!! No one stands a chance in front of her!! She is the best!!! And she is now Itoshi Sae's manager! Isn't that so cool?!!?" 

Y/N's flushed with embarrassment as she stood there, the centre of attention among the Blue Lock players. The intensity of their gazes made her feel even more self-conscious. She tried her best to maintain a composed demeanour, but deep down, she wanted to disappear into thin air.

"Ni- Nice to meet you all..." She managed to say and the players couldn't help but feel pity for Y/N because they were well aware of Nichihara's personality so all of them decided to greet her as well instead of leaving her hanging and letting her feel more embarrassed. 

They were a diverse group, each with their unique personalities and playing styles. As Y/N interacted with them, she couldn't help but feel a sense of camaraderie and passion emanating from the players. It was evident that they were all driven by a shared goal of becoming the best.

Y/N engaged in conversations with the players, discussing their experiences, training methods, and their thoughts on the upcoming match against the U-20 national team. Despite her initial discomfort, she gradually felt more at ease, but their time together soon came to an end when she got a call from Anri and had to leave. 

"Don't goooo" Nichihara cried. "When will I meet you againnnn. Join blue lock, and become a football player!!!" 

Y/N chuckled at Nichihara's enthusiasm and waved her goodbye. "I'll definitely keep that in mind," she replied, playfully. "It was great seeing you again, Nichihara. Let's catch up soon, okay?"

"Okay... Bye... I love you..."

"Yeah yeah, I love you too. Just quickly become the best and get out of here, ok?"

"Do you doubt it?"

Y/N laughed and shook her head sideways "Absolutely not."

I hope you enjoyed it <333 hehe, also I am pretty sure you know that this book is a part of 5 book series so there will be many incidents that would be overlapping with eachother in other books 👀 and you can only figure them out if you read all of them!! 😤😤

So read the others as well when I add it ok?! 🔫🔫 I have posted them but all of them won't be getting updates rn, it's for you to add them in your reading lists and library!