Blue lock: Legacy

Chapter 79: Invincible

LOKI

I would say Anri Charlie and I were two of the best young soccer players in the world. We were both prodigies in our respective countries, France and Japan, and had been scouted by some of the biggest clubs in the world. I played for P-X-G, while Charlie played for Royale.

We were in South Korea, competing in an international tournament, until Charlie knocked my team out of the preseason tour. We then decided to grab a bite to eat. We found ourselves at a small burger joint, and we were both amazed by the delicious taste of the burgers.

"Wow, these burgers in South Korea are amazing!" I exclaimed, taking a bite of his burger.

"Yes, they're delicious. I've been to this burger joint a few times now. It's one of my favourites in South Korea," Charlie replied, taking a bite of his burger.

As we ate, I couldn't help but ask about Charlie's relationship with the K-pop idol Yuna. I had heard that the two of them were close friends, and I was curious to know more, as I saw it with my two own eyes talking to one another before.

"So, how did you meet Yuna? I've heard you two are close," I asked.

"It's a long story," Charlie replied with a smile. "We met at a charity event and hit it off. We've been friends ever since."

I was impressed. I had always been somewhat interested in those kind of things, and I couldn't believe that Charlie had become friends with one of the biggest upcoming idols in the industry.

"Wow, that's cool. We should go watch one of her concerts while we're here in South Korea," I suggested.

"That would be great! I'll see if I can get us some tickets for their upcoming concert," Charlie replied.

Just as we finished our burgers, a young boy with his parents approached us nervously.

The parents asked if their son could take a picture with the two of us, and we both agreed with a smile. We fist-bumped with the kid and took the photo, which made the kid's day.

The parents were so grateful they told us it was their son's dream to meet two of the most talented soccer players in the world.

Once the parents and their son were gone, Charlie and I sat back down and continued to finish their burgers, but the conversation turned to how much of an impact we make on the younger generation's lives.

We both knew that being a professional soccer player comes with a big responsibility, and we were humbled by the thought that we could inspire young children to pursue their dreams, no matter how big or small.

As we ate, I heard that Charlie had been called up for the U-20 Japan squad and congratulated him, even though I thought that Charlie should be in the first squad.

"Thanks, Julian," Charlie said, a hint of disappointment in his voice. "But I wish I could play with the first squad instead."

I understood Charlie's frustration, but I reminded him that we were still young and had plenty of time to make the first squad.

He then asked me how it felt to be playing with the best striker in the world, Noel Noa.

"It's an honour," I said. "Playing with players like him is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Learning from them and seeing how they approach the game is amazing. I have nothing but respect for a player like him."

"Do you reckon you could take him on a 1v1?" He asked me

I shrugged my shoulders. I was confident in my abilities and could take on anyone, but Noel Noa is a good player.

"Who knows?"

Charlie nodded, then expressed his concerns about the Japanese squad, saying he didn't think they had what it takes to win anything.

"I know it's tough," I said. "But every player, no matter how bad they are, has the potential to become an amazing player. You shouldn't think that way of others or disrespect players who aren't as good as you because they work just as hard to be like you."

Charlie considered my words and realised I was right. He apologised for his previous statement and promised to approach the game with more respect for his teammates and always strive to be a better player.

"You're right, Julian," Charlie said. "I'll work hard and keep a positive attitude, and maybe one day, we'll play together on the international stage."

The two of us finished our burgers, feeling motivated and inspired to keep working hard and strive to be our best. We knew that anything was possible if we put our minds to it.

Between Charlie and me, this wasn't some kind of heated rivalry; it was more of a friendly rivalry in which we respected one another.

Charlie couldn't help but comment on my extraordinary bond with my team.

He said he wished he could have that with his team, but his coach, Leonardo Luna, had a terrible personality.

"I know, my team is very welcoming," I said with a smile. "I feel like we're all a family."

Charlie was intrigued. He asked me how he managed to have such a strong bond with his teammates, and I was confused, not understanding what he meant.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"How do you have so much ego on the pitch?" Charlie said, looking at Julian with a puzzled expression.

I softly laughed, realising that Anri had misunderstood him. "While, of course, I do have an ego on the pitch," I said. "I have confidence, too."

Charlie was confused, too, with what I was saying.

And here at this moment between the two of us, I knew he already had more potential than I had; if I taught him something that I mastered, which I will, I knew he would become. . .

Invincible.