6 Attempting a Home Invasion (?)

The Blue Prison Project proceeded steadily, and the second round of selections concluded successfully.

At this critical juncture, however, the president of the Football Association suddenly had second thoughts. He had always regarded the project as a waste of money and time and now decided to disband the entire Blue Prison.

Lately, another matter involving a guide had been troubling him as well. He had hoped to secure the retention of Sae Itoshi here, even to have him join the national team, by virtue of an 86% compatibility rating. But then, the European Sentinel Management Headquarters suddenly sent a certificate plainly stating: Caesar’s compatibility rating was 88%.

It was absurd.

He rubbed his eyes repeatedly, doubting his own vision. The other side wouldn’t falsify documents, as all procedures and paperwork were in order. But how had they obtained the blood sample for testing?

Only when the head of the Football Association’s Sentinel Management Division nervously came to confess did the president learn the truth.

Foolish subordinates! Cunning Germans!

He unleashed a torrent of scolding upon his staff.

Though he didn’t know how many samples had been divided and tested, it turned out they had indeed stumbled upon an astonishingly high compatibility rating—one that left him momentarily perplexed, before sinking into deeper worry.

Handling international guide-sentinel relations was complicated, especially with such a close compatibility—almost inseparable. Both management offices sought to claim the guide for their own.

At that moment, he finally understood why you had shown no reaction upon meeting Sae Itoshi. The ultimate chosen guide was, in fact, a German sentinel.

His blood pressure rose further as he saw the visit notification simultaneously sent by the European headquarters.

Kokoro Shihachi sat calmly at the negotiation table.

He understood the predicament those managing the sentinels faced—although the German side in Europe had not made an official announcement, it was well-known among sentinels that Caesar, one of the Eleven Talents of the New Generation, had found a guide with a compatibility rating of 88.

Soon, Sae Itoshi would lose his default binding with you, and the German football prodigy would rise.

Of course, that was impossible.

The Football Association fretted anxiously, but only Kokoro understood that the dark guide was not subject to the laws governing guide-sentinel attraction.

That was his leverage.

The Association could not forbid the European sentinels’ visit. The best they could do was hope for a miracle and agreed to Kokoro’s wager.

If you remained in Blue Prison, he could guarantee that Caesar would not be able to take you away. Moreover, three weeks later, Blue Prison would face Japan’s U20 team; if Blue Prison won, the U20’s position would be replaced, and the project would proceed.

Otherwise, it would be disbanded.

*

Half a month passed swiftly, and Sae Itoshi indeed did not come to disturb you again.

He was given his usual weekly counseling sessions, but aside from that, you had no external assignments and found yourself rather relaxed between studies.

During this time, your mental strength improved slightly, gradually approaching the green zone—the region of good condition.

Just as you expected this week’s counseling with Sae Itoshi to proceed as usual, you received a notice that you were to be stationed at Blue Prison for regular mental counseling. Even your cousin Anri messaged to say she would come to pick you up the next day.

How strange... hadn’t they said no more counseling sessions would be assigned to others?

After some thought, you decided to contact Sae Itoshi.

You sent a message asking about the situation but received no reply.

On your way to the counseling location, you stopped at a large convenience store and sat by the window, continuing to wait for his response. Yet still, no word came.

Sae Itoshi rarely took this long to reply. You dialed his number, only to hear a busy tone. After waiting five minutes and trying again, it remained the same.

What was going on... was the session canceled today?

You decided to wait another ten minutes.

The city had only recently slipped into autumn, and a faint chill swept through the crowd. The convenience store windows were slightly fogged. You gazed absentmindedly at the passing people, their varied attire blending into deep, muted hues on the glass, until a faint hint of yellow and blue appeared.

The bright colors drew nearer.

Startled back to awareness, you realized it was a reflection on the glass, and the owner of those colors had just sat down beside you.

You turned to look.

A distinctly European face—a foreign youth, or perhaps a young man; foreign ages were hard to guess. His strikingly long hair graduated from pale gold to peacock blue, and his crewneck sweater revealed a blue rose and thorn tattoo along his neck. His cobalt blue eyes were clear and beautiful, with slightly upturned corners shaded a hint of red.

Those eyes fixed on you with intense curiosity.