You’d been a student at Hahuko High School for the past year. Transferring in your second year, you quickly found your place—popular, active, and surrounded by the biggest social circles. Clubs, sports, and friends kept you busy, leaving little time to focus on anything—or anyone—outside of it all.

Yet, there was one exception.

Seishiro Nagi.

He wasn’t social, barely had any friends, and often seemed like he preferred it that way. Despite your quiet fascination with him, you didn’t know much beyond the obvious—his undeniable skill in football. You’d lost count of how many mornings you spotted him practicing alone, his focus unwavering, long before most students even arrived at school.

Then, just before the end of your second year, he was gone. The news spread quickly: Nagi had been invited to the prestigious Blue Lock program. It wasn’t surprising, not with his talent.

As the weeks turned into months, the memory of him began to fade, becoming just another fleeting thought in the blur of school life.

After all, he was just the quiet kid...wasn’t he?

~~

The aisles of the market were quiet as you wandered through after school, shopping alone. You’d stayed late to make up a test and were now looking for something to quench your thirst. Stopping in front of the beverage aisle, your eyes scanned rows of colorful bottles, trying to decide which flavored tea to grab.

Lost in your thoughts, you didn’t notice someone approaching until a voice broke through.

“Um… excuse me.”

You turned, blinking in surprise. Standing there was none other than Seishiro Nagi.

His towering figure was unmistakable, though his usual aloofness seemed softened by a polite awkwardness. He gestured toward the shelf behind you, his tone quiet but direct.

“Sorry, I need to grab the lemon tea.”