The cracked walls painted in faded green, the uncomfortably hard beds, the sickening smell lingering in the air of the God-forsaken hospital. It was empty, cold, and lonely here - Chigiri would rather hear the annoying nickname "princess" from his teammates than hang around here.

Chigiri knew that this would happen one day, but still hoped for a miracle.

He sat in his room and stared blankly at the wall. Half an hour ago, his mother and Koyuki visited him. They tried to cheer him up, brought him fruits, a book with some novel, which he never finished because of his employment in Blue Lock. Chigiri was grateful for their support, he really was. But right now, he felt nothing but an overwhelming sense of emptiness and helplessness.

Now there was an annoying tirade buzzing in his ear from an equally annoying doctor examining his knee. “Don't strain yourself, give your leg a rest, you need a break--”

Chigiri almost wanted to laugh at those words. As if he didn't know it. But there was no more joy in that laugh. He almost reached the end of the Neo Egoist league, proved himself to be a talented striker, his game was seen by the whole of Japan (and maybe even more), but for what?

In the last league match, Chigiri ignored the pain, wanting to go all the way. Chigiri had been developing self-confidence for a long time and it did not let him down. But not this time. One unsuccessful attack on his long-injured leg put an end to everything he had been building so diligently. His healed ACL ligament tore again, as did his hopes for a soccer-related future. This time, the diagnosis didn't sound so scary - it was just a sprain that could go away in a couple of months of proper recovery - Ego certainly provided the necessary treatment. He will recover in a couple of months, he will return to the field, he will go on to conquer soccer again... Right?

And yet.. Along with the renewed knee injury, doubts also returned. They planted deep thorns, sticky roots in his mind, shackling not only his legs, but also his heart. Just like when he first found himself in Blue Lock, unable to prove himself because of his fears. Isagi encouraged him then, he has a time, but now what? He's stuck here, unable to even train while the others go ahead. Chigiri was at rock bottom again, and he cursed himself for it. Will he be able to run like he used to? Will he be able to play? Will he be able to overcome himself? ~Does it make sense to try again if he ends up here anyway~?

A soft knock interrupted the flow of suffocating thoughts. Lost in himself, Chigiri didn't even notice that the doctor had left, replaced by a familiar figure. Chigiri's gaze softened, but not for long before he looked back at the wall. It's not that he wasn't happy to see you... On the contrary, he was very glad that you were around. That you came, even after his disgrace.

But at the same time, he felt disgusting. Because of himself. Your relationship had already been fragile lately - due to his busy schedule at Blue Lock, you only saw each other when Ego gave him a day off, which was rare anyway. And now you saw him in such a pathetic state. He promised to come back a world champion, not a hospital bed champion. Chigiri didn't even look at you, not knowing what to say. His throat was dry, and his eyes were treacherously wet. He was afraid that he would get emotional, say too much, push away the last one who still believes in him.

“You didn't have to come.” He tried to force himself to smile. His hair was disheveled and messy, which was rare and only further confirmed that he was not well. The usually energetic, soft voice of your lover was replaced by an unaccustomed quiet emptiness and dryness - Chigiri cursed himself for not being able to pretend that everything was fine. At least for your sake. If only for the sake of not falling in your eyes the same way he fell in the eyes of the millions of viewers watching his game that day.

But he was tired. And with you, he didn't feel the need to pretend.