Chapter Text
"I... can do this. I... am the best at this. And I... am the greatest to ever exist. C-c-c'mon, c-c-c'mon!"
The mirror imaged you, saying these words to yourself. It was encouraging. Seeing your face smiling, mouthing these words to yourself. Especially in a moment like this. Simply minutes away from meeting the Blue Lock teams that you will work with as their manager.
You remember the day your uncle had asked you to fill the position as a permanent job. What began as a simple phone call, soon turned into an offer that seemed way out of your age group. He calmly explained the details of the job: writing reports of the players and continuously updating their profiles, creating meal and workout plans for the players, and generally handling paperwork and making sure the players would be alright. Seemed about right. Though, it all sounded unusual. You've never had a job before, and getting one this important at your age seemed unusual. But he had already convinced the heads of the JFU and Blue Lock project, so it seemed rude to not give it a chance. I mean, it couldn't be too bad, right? You've been hit with a lot of things from your uncle. Spontaneous soccer play as a kid. Being taken last minute to soccer games of varying kinds. Knowing every single team around the world and their star forwards. Maybe it wouldn't be too bad.
And a plus, your work uniform looked so good!
Sleek, indigo pants that had a boxy look. A crisp, white blouse matched with a Blue Lock jacket. Match this with a comfortable pair of heels and some light makeup, and you were perfect for the role. It was hard to think you looked so independent and mature. You hadn't really felt this way in a long time. Hell, maybe not even at all. Your nerves quelled a little at your examination of yourself in the mirror. If you didn't know any better, you'd say Anri definitely had a say in the way the uniforms were designed. What with them being so clean and crisp. Alas, that was an answer you'd never know. You were about to keep checking yourself out, when someone stopped you in your tracks. Making you freeze.
"Hey, knock that off. You look dumb." A familiar voice called out. You turned back to see your uncle, his lean figure against the frame of the door to your bedroom. Arms crossed and dead eyed stare straight into your own. You scoffed, furrowing your eyebrows in annoyance.
"Ever heard of faking it until you make it? I'm not too confident about this position you've put me in, unc." You huffed, walking over to him.
"You shouldn't be. These diamonds in the rough are simply that. Gems covered in rock that are waiting to be cracked open, brushed off and polished. What was once a dirty, unnoticable rock soon turns into into a shining beacon of excellency. A caterpillar to butterfly. A-"
"Yeah, I'm gonna stop you right there. Let's just go, please." You sighed, ushering him out the door. And as you suspected, the older man didn't budge. Rather, he peered down at you with leering eyes. One hand planting firm on your shoulder.
"What is it you fear?" He asked, standing firm, "I don't understand why you are so worried. If you believe they're gonna do something dumb, you know how to defend yourself. Dealing with a bunch of teenagers shouldn't be a problem, now. Should it?" He questioned. His tone on the outside made him sound condescending in his questioning. Though, you knew deep down that he was actually a little worried if you were feeling alright. He just had a hard time of showing it. Typical of your uncle. You smiled at him. Your fist coming out for a light, fake punch on his arm.
"I'm fine, unc. Let's... let's go do this. I'm ready!"
The ride to the Blue Lock stadium was an interesting one. You peered out the window, amazed at the sight of the stadium before you. It's scale rivalling some major business centres you've seen in big cities. It was in the shape of a pentagon, perfect for a soccer training institution. What you could only assume to be a stadium in the middle with a large, open field for playing. Megalophobia didn't sound so wrong right about now... just how many guys did they have in this place? A question that will soon be answered upon entering the facility. Which you did, making your way to your uncle's office.
"This is my office. Yours and Anri's are on my left and right. There is where you'll be filing most of the paperwork and completing most of the work." He stoically explained, flopping down on his rolling chair and straightening out his glasses. "Do not disturb me unless it is necessary. I mean it, (Y/N), I refuse to put up with your shenanigans here at a place of business." He affirms, crossing his arms. You scoff at him, rolling your eyes and smiling devilshly.
"What? You're being crazy! Unc, what if I need something really badly? What if I needed a-"
"Snack? I keep instant noodles with me."
"... Okay. What about some-"
"Spare clothes are stored in boxes in the closets."
"Huh. Alright, here's a hard one: what about-"
"Pads and tampons are always in Anri's office. And I keep some here, too. It isn't disturbing to me, you're my niece. Just take what you need and do. Your. Work."
You were stunned, surprised at how firm your uncle was on doing your job properly. And how touched he was at thinking these things through beforehand. The pads and tampons thing was a little weird. Jinpachi Ego wasn't not a weird person, though. You nodded your head slightly, completely impressed by how well he knew you.
"Thanks, unc. You know me... too damn well. Well, I'm going to go meet my time now and do my job that you so care about. Tell me, what team am I overseeing first?" You asked, bouncing on the heels of your feet in excitement.
Ego spins around to his desk and picks up a mysterious object, spinning around again to give it to you. It was a simple tablet, sleek and marked with the Blue Lock logo. You turned it on and clicked on the team selection. Scrolling through the various teams and players there were in the facility.
"This tablet is now your lifeline. You're gonna do a lot of research on these players with this. It's the first day, which will give you an understanding of their training and eating habits. Not only that, but a handle on their personalities. Trust me, you are going to be dealing with egoist's left and right who are selfish and vain. Only thinking for themselves. That is the normal mentality here at Blue Lock. But I know you. You're not gonna take their shit lying down. So, I think you'd be a perfect fit for a particular team I want you to keep an eye on." He explained, scrolling through the lists of players. You gave him a confused expression, then a hopeful smile.
"Oh? What'd ya have in mind? Team A?"
"Hm... no. Team Z."
Your heels clicked against the stainless flooring of the facility. Carrying yourself with grace and excitement. Sure, maybe working with the last team and worst players here wasn't what you initially thought was going to happen, but this is fine! In fact, more than fine. It was a perfect start and will have you get the hang of being a manager and stuff. Maybe this was exactly what you need. Honestly, you have no clue what these guys would be like. The more you think about it, the more you wonder what the personalities would be like. Your uncle calls them all 'egoists' with a passion for the sport. You can't deny that simple fact itself. If you managed to put aside your teachings of Japanese soccer, than you're already there. But these players were considered the worst of the bunch. So... there was a chance they may not all be the same.
Whatever they throw at you, you've got this! Dealing with a couple of dumb, teenage boys? In the bag!
The doors slide open to the sleeping quarters of the team Z players. You steal a deep breath moments before, putting on your game face before taking your first step inside. Grinning from ear to ear before throwing your arms out in a 'look at me' gesture. Dramatically introducing yourself physically before verbally.
"Hel-lo, Team Z!~" You chirped. Your eyes darted around the room, taking in the unique faces around you.There seemed to be an array of different boys that peered up in confusion at you.
“Umm…” A boy spoke up, with dark hair and a prominent cow lick on his hair. With big, blue eyes. “Who are… you?” He asked.
”Oh, well, you see I’m the person that’s going to change your lives forever.” You dramatically announce, flicking your hair back. “I-I’m your new manager. Not- like- Jesus or anything.” You clarified, changing the tone of the room.
”Trust me, nobody thought you were Jesus.” mumbled a redhead from the back, glaring at you with piercing eyes. He almost looked like a girl with his long, fiery locks. Almost shining under the lights of the room.
You scoffed at his words, mildly offended. You tried to looked un- offended, though.
”You’re gonna think I’m a god when I’m done with you, Red!” You called back at the rude boy. Only for him to toss you a confused glare.
”My name is Ego (Y/N) and I’m here to look over you, take notes on your skills, prepare a workout and meal plan for you- and essentially hover over you 24/7 while you're here. Any questions? Trust me, I'm going to be one of your favourite people in this Squid Game- esque, soccer arena of non- death death." You ask cheerily, placing a bright smile on your face.
There was a complete silence. Dead. The boys just stared at you like you were a lunatic, throwing your arms out in an attempt to showcase your welcoming presence. A little theatrical for an intense, soccer training facility. There was one who looked up at you, smiling as equally as you did. Giggling at your antics. He had short, dark hair with yellow tips. He had an innocent look to him. A mischievous smile on his face. Another with orange, spiked hair who crossed his arms across your chest. Another with mismatched white and dark hair and wide, blank eyes. One with blond hair and a scowl. One with a simple buzzcut. Just the ones who stood out to you.
"So... they're letting girls in here?" Asked one of the members, a boy with shaggy, brown hair and shut eyes.
"You're pretty cute. Are you single?"
"Ugh, I don't understand why we need a manager. And a stupid looking one at that..."
Oh, god... this was going to be painful.