"This world is very big, Rin."
Tendou had even changed how he addressed him, imperceptibly closing the distance between them. He believed that no one could refuse a warm-hearted man like himself.
"The things that guy Itoshi Sae experienced in those four years in Europe are not something you can imagine."
Rin lowered his head, silent. He suddenly remembered the words his older brother had said to him.
"Only a guy who hasn't seen the world-class level would say something like that."
It seemed he had never truly understood his older brother, Itoshi Sae, and didn't know how he was doing over there. It was only because of the achievements he had made that he had naturally taken pride in being Sae's younger brother. The media reports were all positive, praising his older brother's talent and gifts, taking pride in him joining Real Madrid's youth academy. A classic case of reporting the good and not the bad.
Playing in Europe... was not as glamorous as it seemed on the surface. To the people there, you were, after all, an outsider.
"Because he has seen the true level of the world, he knows that he can't become the world's number one. And even you... you can't become the world's number one either."
"But if you have his help, you can avoid many detours and have a chance to become the world's number one."
"That guy... has never forgotten his promise with you."
Tendou's voice was very soft, but in Rin's mind, it was as if a bomb had been detonated. As Rin listened, his eyes began to tremble. He was wavering.
"Stop kidding! If that's really the case, why didn't he properly talk to me..."
Rin's words stopped halfway. That night, because he had been too excited, it seemed he hadn't properly communicated with his older brother.
"Didn't we agree to fight together?"
"Yeah, so I'll be the midfielder, and you'll be the striker, and we'll become the world's number one..."
"I am the younger brother of the world's number one striker."
It seemed that was what he had said at the time, and he had even said that his brother, who had switched to midfield, was lame. Rin still remembered that after he had said this, his older brother's expression had changed.
"Damn it!" Rin cursed inwardly, not knowing if he was cursing himself or Sae. He covered his forehead in pain, finding it difficult to accept for a moment.
"If that's the case, why did he say such harsh things to me!"
"It's disgusting. What do you mean, replacing your brother? Don't use me as a reason for you to play football."
"To me, you're just an annoying and troublesome little brother now."
And... and...
Rin didn't want to recall anymore. Because he had already realized that he had truly wronged his older brother.
"Have you figured it out? He has never forgotten his promise with you. He just wanted to change your naive way of thinking, to make you play football for yourself, not for others."
At this point, Rin couldn't hold back any longer and started to cry on the spot, his shoulders heaving.
Seeing this, Tendou immediately opened his "power plant" to search. Sure enough, the camera was on him and Rin. Looking at Rin in front of the camera, crying like a child, Tendou silently gave himself a thumbs-up in his heart.
This is more than just an actor! Director, screenwriter... I might as well be one of those too!
...
In the real world.
In his live stream room, Fanshi let out a cry, "Finally!"
"Finally, finally someone has said it clearly."
"Every time I see the plot about the two Itoshi brothers, I always feel a sense of frustration that's hard to put into words."
"Ah, this is really satisfying."
A mouthpiece. The role Tendou played this time was the audience's mouthpiece. Not just in anime, but when watching movies, TV dramas, and even variety shows, the audience would often encounter plots that they just had to complain about. The most classic example is that Kimi ni Todoke. There were too many times the audience wanted to rush into the screen and make them just say it clearly.
And a mouthpiece like Tendou could always win the audience's favor.
"But this has introduced a new character."
"Bunny Iglesias!"
"From what Tendou is saying, this person should be from Barça's youth academy, and also a genius, who even beat Sae-ge into switching to midfield. Only 19 years old. I wonder if he's another New Generation World XI member, or just a youth academy prospect."
'As expected of my Barça! So many geniuses!'
'Praise La Masia!'
'Hehe, an acting academy. What are you so proud of?'
'Oh? You're not convinced? Well, after all, even in the anime world, Real Madrid is being thrashed by Barça. It's understandable that you can't eat your food.'
'The tantrum-throwing Merengues are so cute.'
It's like this. In the 2024-2025 season, Real Madrid was thrashed four times by Barça. The Merengues at this time were already on the verge of a heart attack from being repeatedly humiliated. Fanshi had no intention of getting involved in the war between these two groups of fans. Besides, the team he supported was Manchester United. No matter how bad Real Madrid was, they were still a championship-contending team. And Man U? They had almost fallen into the relegation zone! How could he have the face to participate in their championship talk?
...
Blue Lock world.
After crying for a while, Rin finally raised his head. He looked at Tendou and asked, "Why did you tell me all this?"
"Because I also have a younger brother."
After saying that, before Rin could speak, Tendou continued.
"But he has already passed away."
Rin's mouth opened wide, his eyes flickering. Compared to him, his own little squabble with his brother seemed a bit insignificant.
He said apologetically, "I'm sorry. I didn't know."
"It's fine."
"Speaking of which, I'm quite similar to you. You play football because of your older brother, and I play because of my younger brother."
"The reason I told you all this is just because I hope you guys don't resent each other because of some misunderstanding. As brothers, you have this life, but not the next."
Tendou patted Rin's shoulder with a heavy heart.
"Find a chance to talk it out with Sae. And also, don't play football for strange reasons anymore. Why not ask your own heart, why do you play football?"
Hearing this, Rin indeed fell into thought. But this was a question he was destined not to be able to answer in a short time.
"Don't rush. You're still very young and have a lot of time to find the answer. Let's go. Time to eat."
"Hai!"
Rin nodded obediently. For some reason, when he looked at Tendou's figure now, he suddenly felt that he was very majestic, emitting a gentle white light like an angel. Even though the other was the same age as him, he had the illusion that he was his own younger brother. He quickly shook his head to clear his thoughts.
Before, he had only known that Tendou was very strong. Now he had discovered that he was really a good person. He quickly followed, heading to the cafeteria with Tendou, and even took the initiative to ask, "Our opponent in the next match is that Crow, right?"
"Yeah. Are you interested in him?"
"No. I was just thinking... if we're teammates, should we cooperate?"
Fanshi was stunned and complained, "How does it feel like Itoshi Rin has been tamed too? First, it was Chigiri and Isagi, and now even Rin has fallen?"
"This is the number one succubus of Blue Lock!!!"
...
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