Blue Lock - Conqueror!

She didn't dare meet his gaze, afraid of what she might see in those sharp eyes of his. But Isagi was well aware of her faltering composure. A smirk tugged at the corner of his lips as he watched her through half-lidded eyes, a mischievous glint flickering to life.

"So,"

He began, his voice smooth, with a deliberately casual drawl that carried a teasing edge,

"you always get this close to people when you're working, or am I just lucky?"

Anri froze mid-motion, her fingers brushing against his arm as she fumbled with the strap. The warmth of her cheeks deepened to a near-burning sensation.

"I… uh…"

She stammered, unsure how to respond, but Isagi wasn't about to let her off the hook.

"You know"

He continued, his tone dipping just slightly into a husky register,

"if you keep staring like that, I might start to think you're enjoying yourself."

Her head shot up at that, her wide eyes finally meeting his amused gaze. His smirk had grown, his expression somewhere between playful and utterly confident. The sheer audacity of his words sent her heart into overdrive, and she quickly looked away, focusing on the straps as if they held the secrets to her survival.

"Just hold still"

She snapped, her voice a little higher than she intended, betraying her embarrassment. Her hands moved faster, fumbling to finish the task as quickly as possible.

"Whatever you say, Anri,"

He murmured, the amusement in his voice unmistakable.

Though Isagi wasn't stopping, his voice becoming more teasing with each passing word, there was a shift in his tone—something deeper, more intent. He hadn't really noticed it before, but now, with Anri so close, her nervous energy practically crackling in the air between them, she had his full attention. Her delicate features were flushed, her brows drawn together in determined concentration, and there was something oddly endearing about the way she tried so hard to appear professional while clearly struggling with the proximity.

For the first time, Isagi found himself curious—no, interested. Her vulnerability, mixed with her fierce attempts to mask it, intrigued him more than he expected. And maybe that curiosity was why he felt the urge to push things a little further, just to see how she'd react.

As she leaned closer to adjust the last strap, her face mere inches from his, Isagi tilted his head slightly, angling himself just enough to get a better look at her.

"You're really focused, huh?"

He murmured, his voice low and smooth.

"Is it the job, or is it me?"

Anri froze for a second, her hands pausing as she processed the question. She didn't respond, but the way her lips parted, as if she wanted to speak but couldn't, was all the confirmation he needed.

He let out a soft chuckle, the sound warm and teasing.

"Don't get me wrong, I'm flattered. But if you keep leaning in like that, you're going to make me think this is more than just work for you."

Her face turned an even deeper shade of red, and she pulled back slightly, glaring at him with a mix of frustration and embarrassment.

"Could you… not?"

She said, her voice trembling just enough to betray her flustered state.

"Not what?"

He asked innocently, the smirk still playing on his lips.

"Talk? Breathe? Or notice how you're looking at me like I'm some kind of… specimen?"

She groaned softly under her breath, tightening the strap with more force than necessary.

"I'm trying to do my job, Isagi"

She snapped, though the quiver in her voice softened the edge of her words.

"And I'm trying to make conversation,"

He replied smoothly. His gaze lingered on her for a beat longer, taking in the way her lashes fluttered as she avoided his eyes and the way her lips pressed together in clear frustration.

"But if I'm being honest, you're way more interesting up close than I thought."

Her hands faltered again, her breath hitching at the unexpected compliment. She glanced up, her wide eyes meeting his for just a moment before darting away again.

"I-I don't know what you mean"

She mumbled, clearly struggling to regain her composure.

"Oh, I think you do"

He said, his tone softening just enough to sound genuine, though the playful glint in his eyes remained.

"You're fun to mess with, but now I'm starting to think you're more than just someone who's good at strapping me down."

Anri's jaw dropped, her eyes snapping back to his as she processed the double meaning in his words.

"You're impossible"

She muttered, flustered beyond belief.

Isagi only grinned, leaning his head back against the capsule and letting his eyes drift closed.

"Maybe. But you don't seem to mind."

Anri didn't wait for any more words from Isagi. Without hesitation—and perhaps a bit more force than necessary—she slammed the capsule shut, the hiss of the seal cutting off any chance for him to speak further. The sudden silence was a welcome reprieve, though her heart still hammered in her chest, the tension from their exchange lingering in the air like static.

As she stood there, gripping her tablet a little too tightly, she let out a slow, measured breath.

'Professionalism. Stay professional.'

The mantra repeated in her mind, warring with the faint but undeniable flutter of excitement she felt every time Isagi turned his teasing words toward her. She would never admit it out loud, but there was a thrill in the way he looked at her, the way his voice seemed to sink into her skin, leaving her flustered and breathless.

But she was here to do her job, and that had to take priority.

Still, her thoughts betrayed her as she replayed the moment when his face had been so close to hers. She could almost feel the warmth of his breath against her skin again, and her gaze dropped momentarily to the capsule, where his smirk had been just moments before. There was something about him—his confidence, his playful nature—that made resisting him so much harder than it should have been. And when their proximity had closed the distance, she'd felt it: the faint, magnetic pull toward his lips.

She shook her head, forcing the thought away.

'Focus.'

With a steadying breath, Anri activated the capsule's systems. Lights flickered to life, and soft beeping sounds filled the room as the scanners began to hum. She glanced down at her tablet, the screen lighting up with real-time data as the capsule worked to inspect Isagi's body. Her stylus hovered over the screen, ready to note down observations, but her eyes kept flickering to the image of him displayed on the monitor—a detailed scan of his physique.

His body was every bit as impressive as it looked in person, the toned musculature and strong bone structure highlighted in the scan's glowing outlines. She swallowed hard, pushing away the distracting thoughts that threatened to creep in.

'Professionalism.' 

This was just work. She tapped her stylus against the tablet, her movements sharp and deliberate as she jotted down notes.

Inside the capsule, Isagi seemed perfectly at ease, his body relaxed as if he hadn't just turned her world upside down with his teasing. She could see his faint smirk through the transparent casing, and it made her grip the tablet tighter.

'How is he still smirking?' 

She thought with a mix of irritation and amusement.

"Vitals stable," she murmured to herself, noting the data as it scrolled across the screen.

"No abnormalities in muscle function."

She focused on the numbers, the charts, the facts—anything to keep her mind off the man inside the capsule. But even as she worked, her thoughts betrayed her, replaying the way he had looked at her, his teasing words echoing in her mind.

'You're way more interesting up close than I thought.'

She felt a blush creeping back up her neck and quickly shook her head again.

"Get a grip, Anri"

She whispered, her tone scolding. But deep down, there was a part of her that couldn't help but enjoy the way Isagi made her feel—unsteady, unsure, alive.

But even as she worked, the image of him—both in the capsule and in her mind—remained impossibly vivid, pulling her thoughts in directions she desperately tried to resist.

Anri's gaze drifted to the monitor connected to the capsule, its screen aglow with Isagi's detailed scan report. Her breath hitched as she processed the data, her mind struggling to reconcile what she was seeing.

She glanced back at Isagi, still reclined in the capsule, his relaxed posture and self-assured demeanor only amplifying the striking image of him. His physique was undoubtedly impressive—lean and chiseled, the kind of body you'd expect on a high-fashion model rather than an elite athlete. His frame was the epitome of eye-catching perfection, a balance of aesthetic allure and graceful form.

But the report told a different story—one that left Anri stunned.

The capsule's readings detailed a body designed not just for appearance but for performance at an otherworldly level. His muscles, flexibility, and endurance all exceeded normal human limits. Even his bone density and structural integrity were optimized for peak physical activity, ensuring maximum efficiency and balance.

She blinked at the data, her mind racing to make sense of it. Isagi's outward appearance, though undeniably captivating, gave no indication of the sheer athletic power it concealed. Yet here it was, in black and white: a body engineered—almost impossibly—for football.

Her eyes widened, a mixture of astonishment and disbelief flashing across her face. The more she read, the more her thoughts raced.

'This… this isn't normal' 

She thought, her heartbeat quickening.

Sure, there were plenty of people with impressive physiques, but this? This was something else entirely. His body wasn't just in pristine condition—it was practically superhuman. The harmonious balance of strength, agility, and stamina described in the report seemed unreal, as though he were designed in a lab to embody the perfect athlete.

She glanced at Isagi again, her eyes lingering on his tranquil expression. His face carried a boyish charm that contrasted with the extraordinary details revealed by the scan. Her lips curved into a faint, incredulous smile.

'How can someone like him exist?'

The capsule emitted a soft chime, signaling the scan's completion. Anri straightened, taking a deep breath to steady herself before moving to unlock the capsule door.

"You can come out now. It's done"

She said, her voice carrying a hint of warmth as she observed how content Isagi appeared inside the capsule.

Isagi's eyes fluttered open, the faint glow of the capsule's interior reflecting in his sharp gaze. For a moment, their eyes met, and Anri couldn't help but smile. The image of him basking in comfort, his relaxed features almost playful, softened the whirlwind of thoughts in her mind.

Isagi's grin turned mischievous. His sharp eyes gleamed with amusement, locking onto Anri, who still held the tablet tightly against her chest like a shield.

"You know," he began, his tone light but edged with teasing confidence, "if I didn't know better, I'd think you were staring at me for reasons other than work."

Anri blinked, her mind scrambling to keep up as the words hit her like a jolt. The faint blush that had begun to fade roared back to life, painting her cheeks a vivid red.

"W-What?"

She stammered, gripping the tablet tighter as if it could somehow anchor her to professionalism.

Isagi leaned in slightly, his smirk widening as if he could see right through her.

"Oh, don't play innocent now. You were definitely staring. I mean, I get it—it's not every day you meet someone this…"

He paused for dramatic effect, gesturing vaguely at himself,

"…complete package."

Her jaw dropped, and for a moment, she was too flustered to form a coherent response. The audacity!

"You—! I was not staring!"

She finally managed, though the quiver in her voice betrayed her embarrassment. She turned her head sharply, trying to focus on anything other than the infuriatingly smug man standing before her.

Isagi chuckled, the sound warm and undeniably pleased with itself.

"Sure, sure. But you should really work on your poker face, Anri. It's kind of adorable how bad you are at hiding it."

Her eyes snapped back to him, wide with a mixture of frustration and mortification. She couldn't believe it. The peaceful, almost serene figure that had been resting inside the capsule just moments ago had transformed into… this. A handsome devil. That was the only way to describe him.

As the tension in the room settled, Isagi's grin softened, though the glint in his eyes remained. For someone so composed on the field, he found himself unexpectedly intrigued by the flustered woman before him. Anri's reactions were endearing, her mix of professionalism and vulnerability tugging at something he hadn't felt in a long time.

He crossed his arms, leaning casually against the edge of the capsule.

"You know"

He began, his tone lighter now but still carrying an undercurrent of playful confidence,

"We make a pretty good team. Maybe I should keep you on standby—just in case I need someone to strap me down again."

Anri froze mid-step, her back partially turned as she busied herself with adjusting her tablet. She didn't respond immediately, but the telltale redness creeping up her neck spoke volumes.

"I'm just saying"

He continued, pushing off the capsule and stepping closer,

"someone as detail-oriented as you is hard to come by. It's not every day I meet someone who can keep up with me."

She turned slightly, her expression a mixture of confusion and suspicion.

"What are you getting at, Isagi?"

He shrugged, feigning nonchalance.

"Nothing major. Just thought it might be useful to have your contact info, you know, for… professional reasons."

Anri's eyes widened slightly, and she clutched her tablet tighter, her mind racing. She knew exactly where this was going, and the thought sent her heart into a frenzy. Her gaze darted to him, his expression calm yet undeniably confident, before quickly looking away.

"That's… not necessary,"

She stammered, her voice quieter than she intended.

"You can contact the lab if you need anything."

Isagi tilted his head, his smile growing.

"True, but wouldn't it be faster if I just reached out to you directly? I mean, if you're okay with it, of course."

The subtlety of his approach caught her off guard. While his words were casual, his eyes held an intensity that made it clear he wasn't just asking for convenience. She hesitated, her fingers tapping nervously against the edge of her tablet.

Her mind screamed at her to stay professional, but a small, rebellious part of her whispered that it wouldn't hurt. Just a number. Nothing more. Right?

After a moment's pause, Anri gave a small sigh and glanced at him out of the corner of her eye.

"Fine," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

"But only for professional purposes."

She quickly jotted down her number on a small slip of paper, her hands trembling slightly as she handed it to him.

Isagi accepted it with a smile that was equal parts charming and mischievous.

"Thanks, Anri. I promise to keep it strictly professional… unless you decide otherwise."

Her eyes widened at his comment, and she snatched the tablet to her chest as if it could shield her from the rising heat in her cheeks.

"Just—get dressed, okay?" she said, her voice tinged with embarrassment as she turned on her heel and marched toward the door.

Isagi chuckled softly, his gaze following her as she exited the room, her face glowing redder than he'd ever seen.

As the door closed behind her, he glanced at the paper in his hand, his grin widening.

"Gotcha," he murmured to himself, folding the slip neatly and tucking it into his pocket.

On the other side of the door, Anri leaned against the wall, taking deep breaths to calm her racing heart. She couldn't believe she'd just done that. Her cheeks still burned, and her mind replayed his teasing words over and over.

"Professionalism"

She whispered to herself, the mantra feeling increasingly futile. But despite her best efforts, she couldn't stop the small, excited flutter that lingered in her chest.

As Anri leaned against the wall, the cool surface against her back did little to quell the warmth spreading through her chest. She took a deep breath, willing herself to focus, but the memory of Isagi's playful smirk and his confident, yet oddly endearing, demeanor refused to leave her mind.

She had never felt like this before.

Over the years, she had been approached countless times—admired for her beauty, her intelligence, her grace. Yet none of those advances had stirred her heart. Her focus had always been on football, on pushing her team to greater heights and dreaming of winning the World Cup for Japan. Romance had always seemed secondary, even irrelevant.

But now, for the first time, she felt… excited.

It wasn't just Isagi's looks, though his striking features and athletic physique were undeniably appealing. It was the way he carried himself—calm, confident, and teasing without being overbearing. There was a maturity in him, despite the fact that he was two years younger than her. He exuded a natural charm that felt effortless, and the way he could make her heart race with just a few words left her both flustered and intrigued.

She let out a shaky sigh, her fingers brushing against her lips as if she could still feel the lingering weight of his words.

"He's something else," she muttered to herself, shaking her head with a faint, self-conscious smile.

Meanwhile, inside the medical department, Isagi was slipping into his training gear, though his focus was far from the task at hand. His mind kept wandering back to Anri—her flustered expression, the way her lips quivered when she tried to maintain her composure, and the faint blush that colored her cheeks when she handed him her number.

At first, his teasing had been nothing more than a way to pass the time, a playful distraction in the middle of a routine checkup. But now… it was different.

He felt a strange warmth in his chest, something unfamiliar and exciting. Anri wasn't just another face in the crowd. There was something about her—her dedication, her quiet strength, the way she balanced professionalism with an unexpected vulnerability—that drew him in.

"Damn," he muttered under his breath, running a hand through his hair as he glanced at the neatly folded slip of paper in his pocket. A grin tugged at the corner of his lips.

"She really got under my skin, huh?"

Shaking his head, Isagi left the medical department, the memory of Anri's shy smile still fresh in his mind.

When he reached the training grounds, the crisp air and familiar hum of activity helped him refocus. He dropped his bag onto the sidelines and began his warm-up, determined to clear his mind.

Yet even as he moved through his drills, the image of Anri lingered, her flustered face a constant distraction.

'Focus, Isagi,' he told himself, shaking his head. But a small, amused smile crept onto his lips as he powered through his sprints, his determination renewed.

Because now, he had more than just football driving him forward.

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The atmosphere buzzed with anticipation as the next stage of their intense journey began. The 29 players had spent the night pondering their choices, and now, teams were forming, alliances shifting, and rivalries reigniting.

In the center of the field, Isagi Yoichi stood next to Shidou Ryusei. The contrast between them was striking—Isagi exuded a calm yet focused energy, while Shidou's wild grin and restless stance hinted at his boundless, chaotic enthusiasm. Both were eager to see who their teammates would be, and soon enough, the heavy doors swung open, signaling their arrival.

The first to enter was Hiori Yo, his calm demeanor and precise movements unmistakable. Isagi recognized him immediately, a faint smile tugging at his lips. Hiori's intelligence and technical skill made him a valuable addition, and Isagi was confident in his potential.

Next came Nanase Nijiro, his quiet determination evident in his purposeful strides. He nodded toward Isagi, who returned the gesture. Nanase was dependable—a solid player who would bring balance to the team.

Finally, Naruhaya Asahi walked in, his steps lighter, almost eager. Isagi's smile widened at the sight of the familiar face. Naruhaya had come a long way since their last encounter, and it was clear he carried a newfound resolve.

As Naruhaya approached, he waved enthusiastically.

"Isagi!"

"So, you survived, huh?"

Isagi greeted him with a warm smile, his voice tinged with pride.

"I sure did,"

Naruhaya replied, grinning. His gratitude toward Isagi was evident in the way his gaze softened for a moment.

The camaraderie was quickly interrupted by Shidou, who had been observing the trio with a toothy grin.

"So, you must be the interns, huh?"

He said, his tone dripping with mischief.

Hiori raised an eyebrow but didn't respond, while Nanase glanced between Shidou and Isagi, unsure of how to react. Naruhaya and Shidou already knew each other but didn't interact much.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the field, the doors to Team B's area opened with an imposing clang. First to step out were two towering figures, their sheer size making an immediate impression. Isagi's eyes narrowed as he studied their builds and movements—power and aggression radiated from them.

Behind them came Chigiri Hyoma, his striking red hair catching the sunlight. His speed and agility were unparalleled, and his presence immediately elevated the threat level of Rin and Nagi's team.

Rin Itoshi stood near the sidelines, his sharp gaze fixed on the new arrivals, analyzing every detail with clinical precision. Nagi Seishiro, in contrast, yawned lazily, Though he was more pumped than ever, He was going to face Isagi and to fulfill his promise to Reo, He had to be the best, and beating the best was the fastest way to accomplish that.

As the two teams stood on their respective halves, the tension in the air was palpable. Isagi exchanged a glance with Shidou, who cracked his knuckles and grinned like a predator eyeing its prey.

"This is going to be fun,"

Shidou said, his voice low but brimming with excitement.

Isagi smirked, his gaze shifting to Rin on the far side of the field.

"Yeah. Let's give them a quick death."

The intercom buzzed sharply, signaling the start of the match. The tension on the field was electric, each player hyper-focused on the challenge ahead. The rules were simple: the first team to score five goals would emerge victorious.

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[A/N]: Hey Guys, I know it's been a while since I dropped a Chapter here but it was because of my new platform which you guys are aware of already.

I had set it up and now, On my Pa7r30n, We have more than 100 members and 15 Paid members as well, I thank you all for that and wish for this community to grow further.

To read the latest Chapter- Chapter 54 - .................... Go to my Pa7r30n.

The Chapters here will still have a slow pace because of the other platform.

Hope you guys enjoy the story.