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The fluorescent lights of Blue Lock facility cast an eerie blue glow across the training grounds as the clock inched towards midnight. Inside, the usual competitive tension had been transformed into an electric anticipation coursing through all of them. Many of them were huddled in groups in their rooms, or in the main viewing centre. On each screen displayed the countdown to new years.
The countdown to midnight seemed to echo through the facility even quicker when Otoya Eita paced frantically in his room, his footsteps matching the rapid beating of his heart.
He has realized something truly devastating: this would be his first New Year without a kiss.
"This can't be happening!" Otoya dramatically flopped onto his bed, hands covering his face as he let out a muffled groan of despair. "Every year since middle school, I've always had someone to kiss! It's tradition! It's my thing!"
Karasu, who had been quietly watching his friend's meltdown from his bed, with mild amusement, raised an eyebrow at the display. "Is it really that big of a deal? It's just another midnight, ya know."
The two hadn't known each other before Blue Lock, but their connection was deeply rooted in something unexplainable. Though they were almost opposites in personality and playing style, they were intertwined, perfectly complementary like a lock and key.
Through countless late nights in Team V, they had shared whispers and secrets that went beyond mere football strategy. Each conversation, each shared moment of vulnerability, had built a foundation of trust that seemed unshakeable. They had celebrated together when passing the first selection.
Now, as they just started the second selection, it was mere minutes before the new year.
"Of course it is!" Otoya sat up abruptly, his once perfectly styled hair now a mess, eyes wide with genuine panic. "It's bad luck to not have a New Year's kiss! What if it affects my playing? What if I can't score anymore? What if I lose my ninja abilities? What if my feet forget how to move and suddenly break? What if-"
Karasu cut off his spiral with a long-suffering sigh, one he'd perfected over months of dealing with Otoya's dramatics. "Yer being ridiculous. Ya skills aren't tied to yer kissing history, nor are yer so-called ninja abilities."
The countdown outside grew louder as midnight approached, the excited voices of their teammates filtering through the walls. Otoya's anxiety only continued to increase with each passing second; however, suddenly, he had what he thought was an absolutely brilliant idea. He turned to Karasu with sparkling eyes, a mischievous grin spreading across his face.
"Hey... we're best friends, right? Like, the very best of friends?"
Karasu's eyes narrowed suspiciously, "...Yes? Though I'm starting to reconsider that statement."
"And best friends help each other out, right? Through thick and thin, good times and bad?"
"Otoya, what are ya-"
"Kiss me at midnight!" Otoya blurted out, causing Karasu to choke on air and nearly fall off his bed. "It's perfect! It doesn't have to mean anything…it's just two bros helping each other out! Think of it as team bonding!"
Karasu stared at him in disbelief, his usually composed face completely shattered. But as the countdown reached its final seconds and Otoya's puppy-dog eyes grew more intense, he found himself wavering. After all, what were best friends for? And maybe it would finally shut Otoya up about his "tradition."
"10... 9... 8..." The final seconds of the countdown had begun.
"Please?" Otoya whispered dramatically, clasping his hands together and scrambling over to Karasu. "I'll owe you one forever!"
"7... 6... 5..."
Karasu sighed in defeat, already knowing he'd regret this decision. "Fine. But just this once."
"4... 3... 2... 1..."
As cheers erupted throughout the facility and fireworks illuminated the night sky outside the blue lock facility, two best friends shared what was possibly the most awkward New Year's kiss in history. It lasted barely a second before they jumped apart like they'd been electrocuted, both red-faced and suddenly finding the walls and floor incredibly interesting.
"We never speak of this again," Karasu muttered, running a hand through his hair in embarrassment. "Ever."
"Agreed," Otoya nodded quickly, though he couldn't help but grin. "But hey, at least I'm not cursed for the year! My winning streak lives on!"
Karasu threw a pillow at his head with perfect aim, but he was smiling too, albeit reluctantly. Sometimes friendship meant doing ridiculous things, even if it meant sharing an awkward New Year's kiss with your best friend in a football facility.
"Hey Karasu..." The whispered words drifted through the darkness of their shared dorm room. The digital clock on the wall cast a soft red glow, reading 1:47 AM. They had an early morning training session ahead, and staying awake was probably their worst decision of the day, but Otoya couldn't shake the thought that had been nagging at him.
"What is it?" Karasu's voice was muffled against his pillow, heavy with exhaustion. His dark hair splayed across the white pillowcase, barely visible in the dim light filtering through the door..
"Am I a good kisser?" The question hung in the air of late-night silence.
There was a moment of stillness before Karasu moved with surprising speed for someone who'd been nearly asleep. In one quick motion, he grabbed his pillow and shoved Otoya, sending him tumbling off the edge of the bed with a satisfying thud.
"Hey! I was just asking!" Otoya protested from his new position on the floor, gathering his scattered blanket and dignity. "You didn't need to shove me!" His whispered shout echoed in their room, surprisingly not waking their teammate. .
Karasu's quiet laughter filled the room, a sound that made Otoya's heart skip. "Yeah, yer okay, I guess," he finally answered, his accent thicker with sleepiness. "Now shut up and go to sleep before I make ya run extra laps tomorrow."
Otoya crawled back into his own bed, a smile on his lips as he settled under the covers. He nodded, even though Karasu had already turned away, facing the wall. The light escaping from the hallway cast soft shadows across their room, and Otoya could hear Karasu's breathing already evening out into sleep.
Yeah, this year was definitely going to be good , he thought, touching his lips briefly before closing his eyes. The memory of their earlier kiss still lingered, making his smile widen in the darkness. Even if he was just "okay" at it, he had plenty of time to practice - not that he'd tell Karasu that, well not yet.