star(-K)

⸻

After Izuku Midoriya left U.A. and began fighting villains more intensely, life changed for everyone. The girls of Class 1-A sympathized with Ochako Uraraka: the boy she cared about was now risking himself for everyone, sparing no effort. But no one noticed how deeply another girl’s heart ached—the one who stayed in the shadows, silently suffering.

The plan to bring Izuku back was simple in words, but in reality, it was extremely complicated. Despite this, the students of Class 1-A were ready for any challenge. The blonde girl stood at the entrance of the dorm with a few others, waiting for the rest of their classmates. She tried to warm her hands, rubbing them, but the cold wouldn’t go away. Her nerves were getting the better of her; she didn’t even understand why she was so worried. Could it be that the feelings she had hidden for so long now wanted to burst out, making her follow him, bring him back, and never let him go?

Katsumi Bakugo sat, clenching her hands, until someone’s hands covered hers:

„Sis…“ Katsuki said, carefully warming her hands. „Please, smile. I can’t stand to see you like this; it hurts me.“

„Katsuki… what if it doesn’t work? I’m afraid for him…“ — her voice trembled.

„Don’t worry. It will work. I’ll bring back…“ — he paused for a moment, choosing his words carefully. „…our friend.“

Gradually, the others began to gather, forming a circle, but no one disturbed the Bakugo siblings. Everyone understood that they had to face this trial together, only as a pair.

„You worry so much about him…“ Katsuki spoke again. „Why?“

The girl lifted her frightened eyes and looked at her brother.

„It’s just… I… I…“ — she tried to put her thoughts into words, but they wouldn’t come out.

„Oh…“ — he understood everything without words. A single glance into his twin’s eyes was enough.

He hugged her tightly.

„IT’S TIME!“ Iida’s voice cut through the silence.

The girl jerked away. Katsuki was about to ask what was wrong, but she interrupted him:

„You go ahead, I’ll catch up later.“ — The blonde looked at her questioningly. „I know what I’m doing. Go!“

Katsumi dashed in the opposite direction—she needed Hatsume, and no one else’s help would do.

The conversation with Deku had failed, and they had to fight. Katsumi was still absent. In the end, Katsuki and Izuku found themselves away from the rest of the class, on the rooftop of a tall building. The area was fenced with a low barrier. Bakugo tried shouting to his friend, but Midoriya didn’t listen. “Maybe if she were here, it would be easier…” thought Katsuki.

The boy stood at the edge, his back to the blonde, staring down at the concrete below. He couldn’t hold back any longer and finally shouted:

„You’re needed not only by the class!“ Bakugo began, not hiding his emotions. „You’re needed by me! You’re needed by the people who trust you! You’re needed by Katsumi! You’re important to my sister!“

The words hit him. Izuku’s heart seemed to skip a beat. The mention of Katsumi made his soul ache with pain and concern.

“She’s worried about me…” the thought flashed through his exhausted mind.

“One more step—and it will work,” Katsuki thought.

At that moment, a huge advertising screen lit up in pink with a hint of purple. A hologram appeared. Katsumi.

„Izuku.“

Midoriya looked up. In front of him was a giant hologram, almost like a living person. The girl he thought about every day was there, shining with beauty, even as a projection. Katsuki was just as stunned—this was his dear sister.

„You look so lonely…“ — Izuku removed his mask and hood.

„I can fix that,“ — she said, pointing at him. „Come back. I need you. Don’t leave me.“

A soft pink glow emanated from her, as beautiful as she was. The hero dropped to his knees, unable to hold back tears from exhaustion. Katsuki ran up to him:

„Let’s go, let’s go home. We won’t make her wait.“

Izuku felt like he was dreaming. His friend and tormentor had apologized to him. The girl he loved had returned his feelings.

The room was drowned in darkness. The only source of light was the bedside night lamp. The girl sat leaning against the headboard, a blanket draped over her legs. A towel rested on her shoulders, and her frosty-chestnut hair fell over it. Hazel eyes slid across the lines of the book. The clock on the table showed 8:27 p.m. The room felt cozy, and the faint sound.

The boy opened the door slightly, stepping inside carefully and unhurriedly, as if afraid she might change her mind and kick him out. After closing the door behind him, he walked to the middle of the room and stopped. The girl looked at him.

“Sit,” she pointed at the bed. “So, what brings you here?”

Even though she offered him the bed, the blond chose to settle on the floor, leaning his back against it.

“I still can’t get yesterday out of my head…” he ran a hand through his hair.

“You mean the conflict between you and Izuku?” the girl set the book on the dresser. Bakugo only nodded.

“You two needed to talk, but instead you let your emotions out through a fight. That’s more than words,” the brunette sighed.

“No idea what that means, but I kind of get the point,” Katsuki glanced at her. “Great. I can’t comfort anyone, but at least you understand what I’m trying to say.”

The blond smirked slightly, and the girl mirrored it. But—

“Since when do you call Deku by his name?” Bakugo looked up at her.

“Since we got close…” His eyes widened as if he was trying to figure out in what way “close.”

“Oh— don’t get the wrong idea. I meant friendly close,” she waved her hands quickly.

“Perfect.”

“What?”

The blond stood up, moved closer to her, and stopped. In one swift motion, he pulled the blanket aside. The girl gasped—she clearly didn’t expect to appear before him in a white tank top and black boxers. He didn’t care; he simply lay down between her legs, resting his head on her chest. She realized there was no point arguing and pulled the blanket back over both herself and Bakugo.

After lying like that for about seven minutes, the boy said quietly:

“Call me Katsuki…”

The girl gently ran her fingers through his hair.

“All right, Katsu—” she didn’t finish; he cut her off.

“I like you.”

Her face lit up bright red. She wanted to reply, but the soft sound of his breathing seemed to say: tomorrow.

Everything — tomorrow.

⸻

The girl woke up to a loud melody. A bright light hit her eyes. Eventually, her vision adjusted, and she looked around — the room was huge and filled with people. The melody stopped, and the silence was quickly broken by the chatter of the crowd. The brunette pushed off the blanket and sat up on the bed, her feet dangling down. She looked at herself and saw she was wearing a green tracksuit like everyone else. On the jacket — the number “247”.

Suddenly, the metal doors opened with a screech, and seven people in pink suits and masks entered the dormitory. Six had circles on their masks, and one had a square in the center. Was that their leader? People began crowding in the middle of the hall.

— I would like to welcome you all from the bottom of my heart, — the one with the square began. — Over the next six days, you will participate in a series of games. Those who win all six games will receive a large cash prize.

Silence filled the room, until:

— Excuse me, — many turned toward the voice, including 247. It was Player 120 who broke the silence. — We were told this was just a game. You really expect us to believe you after you kidnapped us?

All eyes turned to the guards.

— Apologies, we were forced to take those measures in order to protect our confidentiality, — the Square calmly responded.

She wondered why his voice sounded so strange…

A woman’s voice rose in protest, supported by a man, and then others joined in. 247 didn’t care about them. She looked around the room. Her eyes drifted to the drawings on the walls. Somewhere in the background, she heard a guy talking about sneakers. She glanced over. Purple hair. Looked kinda cool.

Then some girl started complaining that her uniform was too big. The masked man calmly answered all the questions, still apologizing.

— I’m sorry, that’s not possible, — he replied to the girl who asked for a new uniform. — To ensure the smooth running of the games, you must wear this attire.

— What about my phone? — another guy interrupted, stepping forward. — Why did you take my phone and wallet? Please, give them back.

— Your belongings are in a safe place. They will be returned to you after the games end, — the Square replied with the same calm voice.

“How can he stay so calm… I’d lose it,” thought 247. She drifted off again and missed what those two were saying. Then she heard:

— Player 333 — Lee Myung Gi, — a guy appeared on the screen playing ddakji and getting slapped. — Age: 30. Owner of the YouTube channel “MG Coin.” Debt: 1.8 billion won.

Other players started appearing on the screen.

“Oh God, please don’t say my name,” thought 247. Her hands began to tremble.

A few names later:

— Player 247 — Cho Hyo Rin. 17 years old. Debt: 78 million won.

That was it. The girl froze. People nearby turned to look at her, many with pity in their eyes — likely because of her young age.

But one gaze stood out too much. A man, around fifty? She wasn’t sure. He looked surprised, but quickly turned away when he realized Hyo Rin was staring back.

She nervously fiddled with the sleeve of her jacket, and all she wanted was to disappear. A soldier began speaking roughly, saying they had all agreed to this voluntarily.

The lights dimmed, casting the room in an orange hue. A sharp sound echoed as a giant piggy bank began descending from the ceiling.

— You are now seeing the piggy bank that will collect your prize money.

Everyone looked up.

— There will be a total of six games. After each game, more money will be added to the piggy bank.

People stayed quiet until:

— Tell us, how much is the prize?

— The total prize money is 45.6 billion won.

— Forty-five billion… that’s a lot, — Hyo Rin muttered.

Others started whispering about the amount of money too.

Then the masked man said that the players would have an advantage: after each game, they would be given the chance to vote on whether to continue or end the games.

— If the majority decides to stop the games, they will end, and you will be allowed to leave with the prize money earned up to that point.

Whispers spread through the crowd again. Hyo Rin was already thinking — maybe she could win just enough, like 90 million, and leave.

— So that means… — the girl looked toward where the voice came from. It was that strange man who had been watching her earlier.— So we can actually get some money even if we decide to leave after the first game?

The masked soldier looked at him and replied just as calmly:

— That’s correct.

Voices started rising again in the dormitory. Hyo Rin noticed the man’s face twist in confusion. He turned and looked up. The girl followed his gaze — he was staring at the camera mounted on the ceiling. Then more voices joined in, along with a wave of commotion. The man turned again and caught her watching him. She quickly turned away, pretending to focus on the argument between a woman and a man — who, as it turned out later, were mother and son.

A couple of soldiers left the room and soon returned carrying papers and small folding tables.

— If you wish to participate in the games, please sign the consent form.

Players began forming seven lines, each signing the form one by one.

— If you wish to decline, please notify us now. You will be given the chance to leave.

Hyo Rin’s turn came. She took the paper and began reading the terms. Then she looked up at the soldier in front of her. He simply nodded, but she didn’t rush to sign. She looked around and noticed the man with the number “456.” He was reading carefully, but seemed to sense her gaze and looked back at her. Cho quickly turned away and reluctantly signed her name, stepping aside and heading to her bed.

After some time, they were led into another room. A voice over the speaker instructed them to approach the booth for a photo, and then to follow the staff. As others were being photographed before her, she glanced around at the strange staircases and the beautiful design of the place. Hyo Rin didn’t notice it was her turn until someone gently nudged her from behind — it was the elderly woman who had argued with her son. She gave a sweet smile and gestured that it was the girl’s turn.

The brunette apologized for the delay and stepped up to the table. A smiley face appeared on the tablet, and a voice said, “Please smile.” The girl quickly smiled and stepped aside, following the others. The speaker kept repeating the instruction for everyone to be photographed and to follow staff directions.

As she climbed the stairs, she overheard two men arguing — or just talking too loudly — on the staircase beside hers. It was again the man with number “456” and a heavyset man.

When they reached the designated gates, the players stopped. A moment later, the gates swung open, revealing a spacious outdoor area. As she stepped out, she noticed the open sky and the fresh air — it felt better than ever. The female voice spoke again from the speaker, asking players to pause for a moment. Cho Hyo Rin looked ahead and spotted a giant doll. The gates slammed shut behind them, making many of the players jump.

The voice from the speaker announced again:

— The first game is called “Red Light, Green Light.”

Some players whispered, others said it was a childhood game, and some commented that it sounded easy. The teenager stood near the starting line, where the game would begin. Hyo Rin tried to calm down — something was bothering her, her heart was pounding wildly.

Then a man suddenly ran out in front of them and shouted:

— Attention!..

Cho looked toward the source of the voice.

“That man again,” she thought.

⸻

The match against the Japan U-20 team was scheduled to begin in an hour, but the atmosphere in the lobby was both tense and tense. The Blue Lock players were allowed to meet their families, a move that Ego hadn't approved of, but had been persuaded. Yoichi stood next to his parents, Yoh and Issei Isagi.

"Yoichi, I'm so proud of you!" his mother said. "Playing on this court is already a success!"

"Yeah, that happens," he smiled back, but his eyes were constantly looking for someone.

"What's wrong?" Issei asked, following his son's gaze.

"Oh, nothing... it's just..." Yoichi hesitated.

He was clearly looking for someone, but he was looking in the wrong direction. And he was looking more and more upset with each passing minute. And then - "boo!"

Yoichi winced and turned around abruptly. There she was.

Long dark hair fell gracefully over her shoulders and back, on her head were black glasses, a leather jacket over a white blouse.

"Damn, she's beautiful..." flashed through his mind. He stared at her, unable to move.

"Ichi, aren't you happy to see me?" she smirked. A stupid nickname she gave him.

Yoichi blinked, as if waking up from a trance, and quickly took a step forward.

"Wait, what are you doing here?" there was surprise in his voice, and then something soft, almost gentle. He wanted to see her, but he didn't expect to see her.

"What, I can't come?" she raised an eyebrow, smiling. "I'm actually your childhood friend. And yes, in case you forgot, I promised to be there for the big moment.

Yoichi looked away for a second, feeling a warmth in his chest. He didn't know how to explain what he was feeling. Joy, excitement, slight fear - all mixed up.

"I just... didn't think you'd come," he squeezed out. "It's such a regime here, the Ego is always on the limit..."

"Your Ego won't stop me," she laughed. "Besides, your parents warned me in advance."

Yoichi looked at his parents, and his mother winked at him, and his father nodded slightly, hiding a smile.

"Traitors," he whispered and shook his head, but a smile spread across his face that he couldn't hide.

"Are you ready?" she asked, lowering her tone slightly. "This isn't just a match. This is a chance to show who you are."

Yoichi took a deep breath. She always spoke directly, always knew how to support. He looked at her - faith was visible in her eyes. Not just him as a player. Him as a person.

“I’m always ready with you,” he replied, and suddenly he couldn’t believe he’d said it out loud.

Her cheeks turned slightly pink, and she turned away so he wouldn’t notice.

“Go, the best in the world,” she said, trying not to show her emotions. “I’ll be in the stands. Screaming louder than anyone. I promise.”

Yoichi nodded. He looked at her again, as if he was memorizing this moment. And, turning around, he walked toward the locker room. But now, with a straight back, with determination in every step.

Because now he knew for sure: he wasn’t playing just to win. He was playing for her.

The stands filled with noise, as if a storm was about to break over the field. With each passing second, the tension in the air thickened, as if before a thunderstorm. In the center of the arena was a stage for those who were going to rewrite the football history of Japan.

Yoichi stood in the hallway before entering the field. Behind him was the team, in front of him were the lights, the shouts, the anticipation. He felt his heart beating faster and faster, but his head was clear. The line of focus shifted. There, in the stands, was she. And as long as her eyes were watching him, he had no right to lose.

"Yoichi," Bachira appeared next to him, with his usual wide smile. "You seem different today. Calm... but as if there was a fire inside you."

"Yeah," Isagi answered shortly, unable to explain what kind of fire it was inside. It's not just motivation. It's a goal.

"It seems that love works better than training," Bachira winked and laughed.

Yoichi didn't answer, but a shadow of a smile appeared at the corners of his lips.

"The Japan U-20 team..." Rin Itoshi spoke, coming a little closer. — Today we will show that we are better than those who came before us.

— We will become the future, — Aoi added.

And so they come out. One after another, under the bright spotlight. The crowd explodes with delighted cries. The commentators shout into microphones, the cameras follow every step. This is their moment.

⸻

She sat next to Yoichi's parents. Her eyes were fixed on the field, on every move of number eight. Her heart was pounding, as if she were having a match herself.

— He is focused, — Isagi's mother whispered.

— Yeah. And very stubborn, — she chuckled. — But when he believes in himself, it is a terrible force.

The mother nodded.

— You know, I always hoped that there would be someone next to him who would understand this.

— I will try, — she answered, looking towards the field. — I promise.

⸻

"The match is about to begin!" the announcer's voice rang out. "Blue Lock versus Japan U-20! The fate of Japanese football is being decided right now!"

Whistle.

First pass.

If someone had told Michael that ten earth years in a cage would end and in nine years he would be walking with his seven-year-old daughter, he would not have believed it. But the archangel who had lived through it all would have believed it. Jack had brought his brothers back, Adam had become close to Dean and Sam, Lucifer had gotten a second chance, but Jack had not given his grandfather a second chance.

And yet, on the way to the supermarket, in the winter weather, when there was a whole bunch of snow, it was pleasant to walk. Florence slipped in places, and sometimes fell, but just as quickly got up to go on. Watching his daughter, he wondered what the future held for her. Would she take on his burden as a warrior? Would she take his place - like Jack took his grandfather's place?

He was worried about her. He was surprised that she was born a Nephilim and not an ordinary person. And yet Jack had given her childhood by not letting her grow up right away, so that she could enjoy what he himself had never had.

Michael walked forward, not even noticing that Florence had fallen behind a little, until a snowball flew at his back. He turned around at her ringing laughter.

"Take that!" she exclaimed joyfully, already swinging a second snowball. But she missed - her father dodged with a deliberately theatrical slant.

"Oh, you're attacking an archangel? Boldly," Michael grinned. "I'll have to defend myself."

He squeezed the snow in his palm - and it immediately became as dense as ice. One precise throw - and the snowball hit her stomach. Florence snorted and giggled in surprise.

"Hey! So unfair!" She grabbed another snowball and rushed to attack. — I thought you'd be boring! But you know how to have fun!

— I'm… learning, — he admitted, letting her hit him in the side. — With you, it's different. I didn't know it was possible.

— Were you sad when I was born? — she asked suddenly, looking up at him seriously.

He dropped to one knee and looked into her eyes.

— No. I was broken. But then you laughed — for the first time. And I realized that not all was lost. Even for me.

Florence hugged him around the neck, burying her nose in the collar of his jacket.

— Then let's never get lost, okay?

— I promise, — Michael whispered. — Not in this or any other universe.

He picked her up in his arms. She laughed, letting go of the last of the snow. Her short blond hair peeked out from under the hat with earflaps that always made him laugh.

If he could only keep one memory, he would choose this trip to the store. This winter. This laughter. This small hand in his.

How good that little Flo insisted on walking.

⸻