Chapter Text
As a young boy from Kagoshima, Chigiri Hyoma started his career in figure skating, following his older sister's steps at the age of 4. He became a gold medalist in more competitions than one can count, a bright future was waiting for him. From the age of 7, Hyoma started going to the elite Manshine Figure Skating Academy in Tokyo where his talent flourished. Even with Chigiri Koyuki having to retire early due to multiple career ending injuries, Chigiri Hyoma persevered and continued for her. Until one faithful competition, with one foot already on the Olympic ice, Chigiri Hyoma left figure skating unprompted and turned to ice hockey at the age of 16. He moved to a northern town near Akita where he joined Seido Bastards, a Seido Academy’s Ice Hockey Club. This is not a well known school, with a history of winning nationals once decades ago and a doping scandal following the win, but Chigiri and his team fought their way into the high school nationals only to lose in the first round. As a hockey player, Chigiri utilized his skills from the figure skating past and despite the learning curve of joining the sport later than everyone, the key to his play was speed and his extraordinary agility. Next year, the team captain, a well known player in the Japan U18 team, Kunigami Rensuke has left the team to join a discreet project named Blue Lock. More about him in next week's episode. Without their strong powered player, Seido Bastards did not reach the nationals. After a lackluster season, Chigiri has joined Meiji University in Tokyo and has been part of the university’s team as a top scoring forward for the last two years.
Him and other players of this generation are the new hope for Japanese hockey. For the first time in more than 30 years Japan’s men’s hockey team has a chance to qualify for next year's Olympics. The IIHF World Championship begins just in 3 months and if Japan wins, they will be two steps closer to the Olympic seeding. The Japan international hockey federation will soon announce the players, but I am more than sure we will see this name on the list.
“Turn it off please,” An annoyed voice came from the kitchen, scaring the man in the living room who was currently watching the sports channel on the large TV. “Jeff is just talking crap, nothing is secure yet.”
“Jesus Christ, Chigiri, why are you here?!” A man with shoulder length purple hair jumped off the couch. “You have your own place!”
“Yeah,” a young man with long pink hair put into the messy bun, wearing university branded dark blue athleisure wear, shrugged while holding an open bag of potato chips. “But I was out of snacks and I know you just came back from Canada. I love these chips you always bring home.”
“What a leach,” the man muted the TV, put the remote on the coffee table and sighed.
A young man was 21 year old Mikage Reo, olympic figure skating gold medalist and Chigiri’s best friend of 14 years. This has been a near weekly occurrence ever since Chigiri moved back to Tokyo. Reo and his boyfriend of 6 years Nagi Seishiro, another renowned figure skater from Manshine Academy, are training and living in the city of Montréal for most of the year, so Chigiri gets a free range of the place once he gets bored of his very fancy single bed university dorm which looks more like a regular loft apartment with an in-unit bathroom included.
“Also I just finished another promo shoot, it’s so annoying, I forgot how much I hated doing these,” Chigiri jumped onto the 3 seater couch in the middle of the room, laying down.
“Get used to it, Mr. Future of Japanese hockey,” Reo laughed, patting Chigiri’s legs before pushing them up the back seat cushion to make himself some space and sat back down. “U20 has never been this successful, you better do well being the pretty face for the camera when it comes to senior hockey now.”
“How do you deal with it?” Chigiri sighed dramatically.
“That’s part of the play, you idiot,” Reo reached for the remote. “At least you have Jeff to follow you around. I still can’t believe he just switched sports like that. I thought we meant something to him.”
“Get into ski jumping and he’ll follow you right back,” Chigiri laughed, with his mouth full of imported chips. “Or better yet, go into football, he’ll worship you for that.”
“Nah, I’m good,” Reo switched the channel, turning on some daytime drama. “I have a shoot day tomorrow, then I’m flying back.”
“You came back just for that?” Chigiri asked, confused.
“No, I had to meet up with a few people from the federation. Koyuki said hi, by the way.”
“Oh, cool, that reminds me I should get my brother in law something, his birthday was recently,” Chigiri threw his legs over Reo and sat back up. “Do you mind if I?”
“Yeah, I have a recent PR package delivery in the second bedroom, pick what you want.” Reo smiled and shook his head. “You’re a horrible leach.”
“I’m resourceful!" Chigiri smiled innocently. “It’s not like you two will use everything.”
“Ah, that’s right, but my point stands,” Reo pulled out his phone to see a text from Nagi. “Speaking of the future of Japanese hockey, have you talked with Kunigami recently? I mean with the national team being announced and all-”
“No,” Chigiri interrupted Reo while looking down at the floor.
Chigiri and Kunigami began dating early into the season of their second year of high school. It was going well until after competing in the nationals, Kunigami was recruited into the Blue Lock project and had to relocate to Melbourne. At first the two tried to keep their relationship going despite being in separate continents, but not long into the third year Kunigami stopped replying to his or anyone’s text or calls, it was like he became a different person. After the project ended, Kunigami moved around and is currently playing in Boston. The two did play together in Japan U20 two years ago, but during the whole championship Kunigami would not even look at Chigiri. Even on ice, the two were unable to match up, despite Chigiri putting in the effort and not getting anything back. With pain in his heart he took it as the ending of what was once a beautiful partnership both on and off ice.
“How about others?” Reo asked again. “Seido guys?”
“Not really, Isagi texts sometimes, but other than that we kind of just split up with some leaving hockey and others moving abroad or just playing locally. The group chat is not active at all.” Chigiri stood up and walked towards the second bedroom door across the room. “So much of the team spirit Isagi loved to yell about.”
“Where is he now?” Reo asked while not moving up from the couch.
“Somewhere in the states,” Chigiri yelled back. “I remember he got a full ride and everything, lucky bastard.”
“Says the guy in Meiji with the insanely huge scholarship,” Reo giggled.
“Yeah, but it’s not abroad! Ah, this looks perfect!" Chigiri shuffled around and came back holding a box.
“What did you find?” Reo asked, focused on his phone now with drama still playing in the background.
“A rolex,” Chigiri said without much thought. “He loves this shade of green.”
********
“Hey, Chigiri!” A groupmate of his stopped Chigiri who was going on a run around the campus before on ice practice. “Any news from the federation?”
“Sorry, I’m going to figure out at the same time everyone else will,” Chigiri smiled politely, trying to not show how that’s the only question he’s being asked for what feels like forever.
Chigiri used this moment to take a sip of water, said goodbye to the students and ran off. To be fair, he is also getting anxious. The training camp is about to begin in a few weeks time, but there’s no information. It could be his first proper adult championship if he gets picked, but with so many young players better than him the chance is pretty low, despite all the praising Jeff is doing.
And then there’s another elephant in the room, Kunigami. He didn’t get to play in the last U20 due to a lower body injury, but that was a while back, and despite telling everyone that he has moved on Chigiri keeps tabs on Kunigami, checking his elite prospects page every day, so he knows he’s been back on ice. That cyborg, some things just don't change.
“Great practice, you guys,” the head coach of Meiji called out after grueling hours on the ice. “We are playing Toyo University tomorrow, be ready at 5 pm. Everyone’s dismissed. Chigiri, come to my office before you leave.”
“Yes, coach,” Chigiri skated to pick up the last few pucks his teammates left behind.
“What was that about?” The teammate asked once Chigiri stepped into the dressing room.
“Did you get in trouble? Can you get in trouble?” Another one asked.
“Why so negative, you guys, maybe it’s something good,” the captain of the team called out, gaining an eye roll from Chigiri.
“When has the coach called someone in for something good?” another teammate asked again.
“Fair point,” the captain pondered.
“Can you all just shut up,” Chigiri grunted as he struggled to pack up his skates. “It’s most likely nothing serious, he probably has feedback for tomorrow.”
“Right,” Captain is aware of more than he’s letting others know.
“Besides,” Chigiri zipped up his bag and put it over his shoulder. “We have Toyo turfs to deal with tomorrow, can’t wait!”
—
“You are not playing tomorrow,” Coach calmly said as soon as Chigri sat down in front of him.
“What? Why not? It’s a very important match!” Chigiri couldn’t understand it.
“I am aware, we all are,” the coach sighed. “But these are direct orders from the federation, we were told to keep an eye out for you for injury prevention.”
“Since when?” Chigiri pinched the bridge of his nose. “What’s going on?”
“Two weeks ago we received the notice from the head of JIHF with the question about your condition, we were told to keep it down due to how secretive the upcoming team list is right now. I have sent everything they asked for and today they sent in another notice about an upcoming press conference here in Tokyo. The team invitees will be released tomorrow afternoon. The press conference will be happening later in the evening and they are asking you to speak there as one of the team representative players.”
“So I am being picked,” There was too much information for Chigiri to understand.
“Yes, I’d think it’s pretty obvious by now,” the coach laughed a little.
“But why me at the conference?” You could see twigs turning in Chigiri's brain, it’s been a very long day already.
“Because it’s you, Chigiri,” the coach was confused as to why Chigiri was confused. “It’s your first senior championship outside university league, you are still a well known face of youth hockey and as far as I know, other players either don’t know if they have been picked or have no way to come back to Japan yet. In the morning, you will have a meeting with the captain, coaches and other people from the federation. The meeting will start at 10, here’s the address and afterwards you will be informed about everything. I will also forward you the email they have sent me today, but if you have any questions, please ask.”
“But I have a midterm at 10,” Chigiri slouched as he took the paper with the address written on it.
“Are you kidding me right now?”
********
It was seven in the morning, Chigiri sat on the bench near the Japan Sport Olympic Square with a cup of iced black coffee in one hand and a cup of regular latte on the bench next to him. It was way too cold for ice coffee, but Chigiri is no weakling. The meeting is in three hours, but luckily for him, the Japanese skating federation is located in the same area, thus his older sister agreed to meet him before work. It meant that Chigiri had to wake up especially early after already getting home late from practice while not being an early bird whatsoever.
“Hi there!” Koyuki waved enthusiastically as she skipped towards the bench. Definitely a morning bird. “Sorry for keeping you waiting.”
“No worries,” Chigiri got here like 4 minutes ago. “Here.”
“Thanks,” Koyuki took the coffee. “You are the best, Hyoma! So, why are we here?”
“Well,” Chigiri didn’t know how or where to even begin. “The national team will be announced today.”
“Yeah, I heard,” Koyuki smiled. “It’s some kind of a top secret, but I’ve heard some rumours.”
“Like what?” Chigiri took a sip of his coffee and he could feel the cold liquid going down his throat.
“A very familiar last name on the roster,” Koyuki gave Chigiri a knowing look. “Thought it was still unconfirmed, until you texted me last night.”
“Ugh,” Chigiri put his head onto his knees. “Do you perhaps know anything else?”
“You are barking up the wrong federation tree, Hyoma. I’m close with Anri, but she’s not saying anything. The girl has been so overworked recently,” Koyuki patted her younger brother on his back. “It is odd how they are moving about it, but considering the stakes this season, a lot of planning and last minute changes are probably still happening. The coach is a very strange man, I know that much. I remember working very late into the night two weeks back and being the last one to leave our office building only to see the hockey building lighting up like a christmas tree.”
“Still, very annoying,” Chigiri straightened up and took another big sip of his coffee. “Because of the conference I can’t even play in today's match! Also I had to skip a midterm due to the meeting."
“I think the press conference shown on NHK is a proper excuse for both of these,” Koyuki laughed. “It’s cold. Do you still have time? Wanna visit my office? I don’t think you have been there since you moved back from Akita.”
“No, I have brought you lunch a few times,” Chigiri side-eyed his sister who was a little jittery from the coffee.
“Ah, right!”
********
Earlier today a full list of players that will be playing for Team Japan in the upcoming IIHF men’s Division A Group I World Championship happening in Ottawa, Canada in two months time have been released. Right now the Japan Ice Hockey Federation president Mizuno Akihisa together with the new head coach Ego Jinpachi, the captain of the team, legendary Kawabuchi Asako and the first time player on the national roster, 20 year old Chigiri Hyoma are about to start the press conference. Reporter Jeff is there and will bring us the newest information right from the source after a short ad break so stay tuned for tha-
*beep*
“Ugh,” a large man with bright orange hair turned off the TV, which was the only source of light in the room.
The grey room looked a little like a jail cell with only essentials like a small bed with gray covers, tiny built-in closet, an empty desk and some heavy weights scattered around. The man was Kunigami Rensuke, the face of Ego Jinpachi’s Blue Lock project from three years back. Some would call him a victim, but that would be if anyone from his past would be able to get anywhere near him and see the damage.
Kunigami grabbed his bag with practice hockey gear and shut the door behind him with enough strength to wake up the whole building. There’s still time before he gets to fly across the world to join his team.
———————
Full roster of Japan’s national team in IIHF men’s Division A Group I World Championship:
Goaltenders:
1. Gigamaru Gin (88)
2. Gen Fukaku (20)
3. Iemon Okuhito (76)
Forwards:
1. Kawabuchi Asako (29) C
2. Otoya Eita (33)
3. Kunigami Rensuke (50)
4. Chigiri Hyoma (44)
5. Shuto Sendo (18)
6. Isagi Yoichi (11) A
7. Barou Shoei (13)
8. Meguru Bachira (8)
9. Itoshi Rin (10)
10. Okawa Hibiki (49)
11. Shido Ryusei (99)
12. Kira Ryosuke (35)
13. Kuon Wataru (97)
14. Yukimiya Kenyu (15)
Defenders:
1. Oliver Aiku (2) A
2. Raichi Jingo (22)
3. Niko Ikki (25)
4. Aryu Jyubei (3)
5. Ranze Kurona (96)
6. Itoshi Sae (1)
7. Kazuma Nio (5)
8. Teppei Neru (4)
Head Coach: Ego Jinpachi
Coach assistant: Teieri Anri