Chapter 1 – The Gemini of Rikkai
Regional Trials – National Tournament Preliminaries
Rikkai University High School vs. Changping Academy
Boom!
A long pass soared from midfield, cutting through the wind like a blade.
The crowd held its breath as the ball flew toward open space just outside the penalty box. There were no defenders in sight—
Wait—!
A blur of movement appeared like an afterimage.
"He's there again! That speed—unbelievable!"
The voice of the commentator cracked with excitement from the packed commentator's booth.
"Yūshin Zeya!"
A streak of blue darted through the opening. His timing was flawless.
His twin brother, Yūshin Seiichi, had once again delivered a perfect long ball to him, their connection as precise as if telepathic.
Zeya caught it on his thigh, his movement smooth and natural.
The defender rushed in to intercept—
But Zeya wasn't fazed.
Fake-out. One step. Gone.
"Unbelievable! He just shook off the defender!"
Zeya burst forward into space and, with a quick twist, launched a clean, low shot to the far post.
Boom!
GOAL!
"That's five-nil! What a masterclass from the Yūshin twins!"
A red wave of Rikkai supporters in the stands erupted.
"Victory belongs to Rikkai!"
"Always win, Rikkai!"
"The invincible Gemini!"
Even for a regional match, the stadium was packed to capacity. Flags waved, chants roared, drums echoed—a chaotic, beautiful noise.
The world's most beloved sport had once again shown its magic.
Boom!
Seiichi stole the ball again in midfield. His instincts were frightening. He was everywhere—cutting off passing lanes, intercepting cleanly, commanding the tempo.
"A steal from Yūshin Seiichi! Again!"
Without wasting a second, he sent another slicing through pass forward—
Zeya received it in stride.
"This is insane! That defender doesn't stand a chance!"
Zeya charged ahead. It was one-on-one with the keeper now.
The goalkeeper rushed forward, trying to close the angle.
Zeya gently flicked the ball with the inside of his right foot.
A subtle chip.
Swish—
It floated past the keeper, nestled in the net.
6–0.
A demolition.
The referee's whistle blew moments later. The game was over.
The players from Changping Academy collapsed to the ground, exhausted, defeated. Their faces were slick with sweat, eyes filled with helplessness.
"Damn it…!"
"We were this close to Nationals…"
"Why are they even playing in high school? Weren't they already picked for the national youth team?"
Clap!
Seiichi and Zeya exchanged a quick high-five as they walked off the field together, calm as ever.
Both wore the Rikkai crimson kits, soaked in sweat but still shining under the stadium lights. Their matching light blue hair stood out—Seiichi's tied into a small whip-like ponytail, Zeya's cut sharp and neat. Their pale blue eyes mirrored each other, and their features, refined and symmetrical, only amplified their presence.
They weren't just brothers.
They were the Gemini of Rikkai.
"Great work, Seiichi! Zeya!"
—shouted Sakata Kaixing, the Rikkai team captain, jogging up to them.
Seiichi turned back with a grin, hands on his hips.
"Just a regular day, Sakata-senpai."
"There's a reporter who wants an exclusive interview—hey, don't walk off!"
The twins kept heading toward the locker room without looking back.
"Captain Sakata, do us a favor—handle it like always, would you?" Seiichi waved lazily.
…
Outside the locker room, reporters swarmed the exhausted captain.
"Captain Sakata! We heard the Yūshin twins were recruited into Japan's U-20 team—why are they still playing in the high school tournament?"
"Is it true elite academies from Germany, Spain, and Brazil are trying to sign them?"
"Uh…" Sakata's expression twisted as cold sweat beaded on his forehead. He had done interview after interview since their national semifinal run last year, but not a single one had been about him.
"Also, someone really needs to wash their mic…"
…
Inside the locker room—now empty—
Seiichi ducked as a pair of socks flew at his face.
"Are you insane, Zeya?!"
Zeya, unfazed, sat on the bench as he changed his shirt.
"Didn't you say Blue Lock was supposed to start by now? Where's our invite?"
Seiichi muttered, rubbing his temple.
"I don't know… timeline-wise, it should've kicked off already."
Zeya stood, eyes sharp.
"Germany's Bastard München has sent multiple scouts. If you're not going, I won't either."
Seiichi rolled his eyes.
"As if. I've had calls from Brazil and Spain too. You think I'm hanging around here for fun?"
Zeya slung his backpack over his shoulder, voice low but determined.
"Another month in this talentless football desert? No thanks. I'm going to the top, no matter what."
Seiichi watched him leave, then gave him a one-finger salute behind his back.
His expression softened as his thoughts drifted.
In their past life, they'd grown up together in the Dragon Country. Two nobodies with big dreams.
They played street football, park football, any football they could. They lived for it.
But talent wasn't enough where they came from. The environment stifled growth. Opportunities were rare. Recognition was nonexistent.
And then… one night of disappointment, one too many drinks, one accident—
They woke up here.
A world where football was everything.
"Blue Lock…" Seiichi whispered to himself.
He tied his laces, then took a deep breath and stood.
In this life, their bodies were different. Stronger. Faster. Smarter. All the potential they once had—now multiplied.
In their first year, they led Rikkai to the national Top 4. Zeya had taken the Golden Boot. Scouts were flooding their inboxes—but they turned everyone down.
Because Seiichi remembered.
He had watched Blue Lock in his past life. He knew exactly what kind of opportunity it would be. The pressure, the system—it would force them to break their limits.
Zeya hadn't seen the anime—but he trusted Seiichi's judgment blindly.
And that was enough.
Clack.
Seiichi hoisted his gear bag and stepped into the hallway.
His pace quickened.
Eyes forward. Mind clear.
"In this life… we made a promise."
"We'll reach the top of the world—together."