"Really?" Riko's face lit up with surprise.
"Yes, really really. If you make me say it a third time, I might take it back." Ryōsuke said teasingly.
"I..." The girl felt dizzy, as if she were floating in a dream.
She hadn't known him long, and today's confession had been impulsive. After the day's events, she had simply thought, 'if I don't take initiative, someone might steal Ryōsuke away', and decided to take her chance.
Riko tentatively reached out and held his hand.
Feeling the warmth of his palm, she finally knew this wasn't a dream.
"Shall we walk some more?" Ryōsuke asked.
"Yes!" Riko nodded eagerly, her smile returning.
Every moment with him was pure joy.
They walked hand in hand, chatting casually, while she shared endless sports stories — a stark contrast to her usual serious self.
They found themselves at a park and settled on a bench.
"Um, um, was I just rambling about boring things?!" Riko blurted out, suddenly aware she'd been speaking without filter.
"Not at all, it was interesting." Ryōsuke said with a smile.
She gazed at his face, caught in a daze, then realized she'd been staring too long. Her cheeks flushed red and she quickly looked away — but then it hit her: they were actually in a real relationship now.
If I don't look at him, who will!
With that thought, Riko turned back to face him.
"Ryōsuke, will the Blue Lock Project... really end other players' careers?" She asked softly.
She couldn't imagine the pressure he was under. This project gambled with professional careers. If possible, she wanted to help shoulder his burden.
"I'm not sure. Jinpachi Ego isn't the type to joke around. If he's really in charge, it's probably true. He's someone who will use any means necessary."
Ryōsuke shook his head.
"But things might turn out differently. The final decision isn't Jinpachi's, and other Football Association officials might not fully support this. Still, everyone in Blue Lock will fight with everything they have for that last spot. I want to prove his ideology wrong, so I must keep winning."
"Alright then! Let's pinky promise — remember our last one? You must win until the end in Blue Lock!" Riko held out her hand, her delicate pinky finger slightly curled. "I'll add another stake too—I'll definitely lead the Seirin basketball team to the league matches, and you have to come watch!"
"Yes, it's a promise!" Ryōsuke hooked his pinky with hers, nodding with a smile.
"You are really amazing." Riko lifted her head to gaze at the brilliant starry sky, then carefully leaned over to rest her head on his shoulder. His broad shoulders gave her an extra sense of security.
Just then, Ryōsuke's phone vibrated with a text message.
| Uncle Aida |
| If my precious Riko isn't home within an hour, I'll kill you tomorrow 💀 💀 |
Even through the screen, he could feel that man's murderous aura.
Soon after, another text from Kagetora came through.
| Uncle Aida |
| But, if you make my precious Riko unhappy, I won't just kill you, I'll use your head as a basketball 🏀 |
Looking at his messages, Ryōsuke smiled and quickly replied:
"I understand, Uncle. I'll bring Riko home soon!"
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Two hours later, after their walk together, Ryōsuke escorted Riko home.
"Dad, I'm home!" She opened the door with a bright smile, practically bouncing as she walked.
"Welcome back. Why do you look so happy?"
"Nothing much, but Dad, why are you wearing shoes? Are you going out? What's that knife in your hand for?"
"Haha, it's nothing."
"Hmm." Riko didn't press further, instead rushing to her room and closing the door, eager to have a long phone conversation with Ryōsuke.
"Well, at least he kept his head." Kagetora said with a smile, shaking his head.
❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖
The next morning, Ryōsuke got up early to prepare for his return to Blue Lock.
When he opened the door, he found Riko standing there, her hand raised to knock.
"Riko, good morning. Why are you here? Don't you have class today?" He asked, knowing she was always a model student.
"I took a half-day off—I already previewed this morning's lessons last week. You're going back today, so we came to see you off!"
She smiled, gesturing to where her father waited in his car by the road.
"I prepared some things you'll need, and I made you a lunch box! You haven't had breakfast yet, right? I brought some homemade snacks too!"
"Wow, thank you so much, but... Mr. Ego probably won't let us bring these in, right?"
Blue Lock had strict management — they only allowed absolutely necessary items.
"Dad said it's fine, he's taken care of it. You can bring everything."
"Uncle took care of it?"
Ryōsuke turned puzzled toward the car window, where Kagetora glared back with murderous intent.
❖❖❖
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