[What happens to a soccer player who fails out of Blue Lock completely? Some are scooped up by international soccer clubs. But others are brought to a secret facility run by the fat cats that funded the project in the first place, hoping to recoup their investments in less than wholesome ways.
Yukimiya is one of those, particularly as in his current condition, he's not much use for soccer. He had a degenerative eye disorder before arriving at Blue Lock, and the strain of training and games had made his eyesight worse, particularly at the periphery. He's wasted potential in the highest degree. But he's pretty, so very pretty. He'd been asked to model once or twice when younger, before declaring soccer his true life's goal.
The boys for sale are kept in small cells, still dressed in soccer kits, so those buying them could marvel at having genuine article Blue Lock players. Sitting on the floor of his, Yukki glares straight ahead. He wouldn't be able to see those coming to gawk at him, otherwise.]
[ Truthfully, Endo's never cared all that much about Blue Lock.
For a while there, he used the popularity of the sport to gather bets and make a profit — for himself, and for a bored old man who backed anything that Endo told him to. That old man kept the money flowing as long as Endo was capable of paying him back dividends, which Endo of course was, and so they had a good thing going for a while. But the old man eventually grew bored and moved on to other illegal betting venues, and Endo himself lost interest in keeping his side venture going while his other "businesses" were doing so well, so he ultimately stopped following the sport — and caring about it at all.
Until, that is, the old man contacted him again and told him about this highly illegal auction and its new bounty of Blue Lock players. Endo's technically here on his behalf, but his eyes start to wander for himself instead. He's big on recruiting for Noroshi in an entirely different manner, but this wouldn't be about that. He has enough members in his gang. This is entirely selfish: there's something to be said about holding someone's freedom entirely in his hands, like a hummingbird enclosed in his fist. Someone he doesn't have to release, unlike everything else he's ever wanted to keep close.
He texts the old man pictures and notes, while keeping tabs for himself, until he gets to a particular cell — where he takes one look, stops, and then pockets his phone entirely.
The old man can wait. ]
Hey.
[ He speaks quietly, a small smile playing upon his lips while he surveys the guy on the floor. Endo decides to squat in front of him to get a good look. ]
[It's not really the oddest thing someone's asked of him today; more than once, someone's wanted to know if he's a virgin. But still, this is a demand for him to make himself more vulnerable, and he's still trying to pretend he has enough agency to keep his dignity about him.
It's not that he doesn't realize what sort of situation he's in. He's fully aware he's fucked.
Heh. You're not really in a position to refuse are ya?
[ Endo leans forward, grabbing the bars even though that puts him in striking reach. He has no idea if this guy is one of the bad-tempered, violent soccer players, or if he's polite and would never hurt a fly, but he tempts him all the same. ]
Or are you curious to see what happens if you do? Hmm, what'll happen if I call someone over...
[Is there such a thing as a polite soccer player? At least, one who made it anywhere within Blue Lock?
...maybe. Yukimiya lets out a heavy sigh, taking the glasses off and staring at the blur of dark and light that Endo becomes, his eyes a rather striking shade of brown, almost orange in the harsh fluorescent light of the cell.]
I'm not going to be much use to anyone unless I'm wearing them.
[ Someone helpless, vulnerable, all alone in the dark — or maybe Endo just wants someone who'll do what they're told without much fanfare. Because, if he's really gonna take a slave home for himself, he'll have a lot on his plate, training him to be loyal, dependent, and entirely his own. He doesn't deal in half-measures, and it'll be a hell of a lot easier to go all-in if he isn't working around attitude from the get-go.
Not that he minds a little motivation in the form of threats. He just doesn't want full defiance for the particular purpose he has in mind. ]
Give them to me.
[ He slips one hand between the bars, then opens it, palm up. ]
[It really is an effective way to kneecap Yukimiya, and to rub into his face exactly how vulnerable he is right now. But this time, he doesn't talk back, only hesitating a moment before placing the glasses...well, first in the air above Endo's hand, and then there's a little sort of flailing about. His eyesight is really bad.
He had hoped to make it big in time to earn the money to save it.]
[ In doing this, Endo gets a sense of just how well he can see without them; it also pushes the boundaries of obedience a little further, testing to see how much he can get away with so soon. Once the glasses are in his possession, Endo could easily smash them, or steal them, or hand them off to someone else. But he does none of these things; he simply holds them off to the side.
Only now is he actually a little interested. Only now does he allow himself to really look at this unfortunate former soccer player. ]
I bet a lot of the guys who come through here tell you you're pretty. But none of 'em stick around. They take a good look at you and move on. Am I right?
Mm. Or they say it to the staff, like we're at an animal shelter and I wouldn't understand their words. 'Oh, this one's cute.' But you're right, I don't seem to have garnered any serious interest.
[Until now? Until now. Which is worse, being chosen or being overlooked? Yukimiya truly isn't certain yet.]
Some of the others sold pretty much the moment they hit the floor.
[ Endo clicks his tongue in a way that could be chiding, though it's up in the air as to whether it's directed at Yukimiya or the people who've been dismissing him. He pauses a moment, and then: ]
Wanna know why?
[ He makes an idle circle with Yukimiya's glasses, even though the guy probably can't track the movement. ]
[Soccer players are, usually, good with time pressure. But without information, Yukimiya's working blind. Erm, blinder than usual. Still, there's something to be said for someone noticing him, taking the time to talk to him.]
I don't share trade secrets until there's a contract in place.
[ Not that slaves get contracts, but he gets the idea. ]
Choose now, or choose never.
[ With a shrug: ]
It's up to you.
[ And whether he wants to risk getting bought by another, far more ugly and lecherous guy. Go for it, if so! Clearly Endo is entirely generous and not at all unhinged — he's giving him a choice and everything! ]
...that's a lie, and manages to be kind and cruel all at once. Yukimiya is aware he's being toyed with. But the other options on the table are all shitty as well. So, he takes a deep breath.]
[ Begging without being told! Oh, Endo's going to have fun with him. He can already tell.
With that, he gets to his feet, an excited energy in his movements. ]
You got it!
[ Then he leaves without another word. And doesn't come back for hours, and not just because he's being a dick. There are a lot of hoops to jump through, plus he's still making the rounds for the old man. But Endo makes it very clear that no one else is to go near Yukimiya in the meanwhile.
After finalizing the sale on the old man's new toy and arranging transport with a member of Noroshi, Endo finally returns and, ignoring whatever expression may or may not be on Yukimiya's face, asks: ]
Leash or chains?
[ More choices! More generosity! Or maybe Endo's just curious... ]
[Well, this escalated quickly. But in the hours after Endo decided to purchase Yukimiya, he's had a little time to think. He's decided he's going to try to exist with as much dignity as possible, even if he's technically going to be a slave. When offered choices, he'll take the route that allows him to retain what pride he still has. He won't allow himself to be broken, to be destroyed by this situation.
Of course they're necessary! How do ya think I'll look if I waltz out here with a slave walking freely? How do you think you'll look?
[ Like a slave up for grabs. Not claimed in any serious way.
Anyway, Endo approves of his choice, because that was his preference too. It gives him an extra edge of control — nothing like a nice tug to remind a pet of his place. He waves to an attendant waiting off to the side, who brings him said leash and accompanying collar, both of which are very simple and plain. Endo's tastes are more lavish, which means that Yukimiya will be decorated accordingly when the time comes.
The attendant then opens the cell. Endo steps inside before Yukimiya can step out first. ]
No backsies. Remember that.
[ He puts the collar around his neck, attaches the leash, and then pats him on the cheek. ]
[As he stands, his posture is very straight, and when the collar is placed on him, he makes sure his chin doesn't dip against it. He's still clinging to that ideal of dignity, trying to pretend he's not being humiliated quite intentionally.
The pat on the cheek draws a frown from him, though, the show of softness reading to him as a lie.]
[ Endo gives him another nice grin and then he leads him out of the cell. ]
I like causing a stir.
[ It's the truth! Though he tends to be a little methodical about it. No need to go too crazy, especially in a place like this. Endo is not the biggest fish in this pond.
There are a lot of ways that he could be nasty about leading Yukimiya along — jerk him to and fro, make him walk on all fours, have him hold the leash in his mouth. But Endo's all about the long game; he's building up to something, which means biding his time and slowly worming his way into Yukimiya's acceptance. Which doesn't seem like it'll be too hard — he did give up his glasses pretty easily.
Instead, he simply walks a couple steps ahead and has Yukimiya walk behind him. Endo holds the leash casually, as though he might drop it due to carelessness. ]
[He is absolutely not expecting the leash to be dropped. His new...master...is clearly good at maintaining tension emotionally, even if he's not demonstrating a physical tension here.]
I was a decent student. Did a little modeling, too. But soccer was my passion.
[It's an awkward question to try to answer. What else is he actually good for? He could hardly name anything.]
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As discussed
Yukimiya is one of those, particularly as in his current condition, he's not much use for soccer. He had a degenerative eye disorder before arriving at Blue Lock, and the strain of training and games had made his eyesight worse, particularly at the periphery. He's wasted potential in the highest degree. But he's pretty, so very pretty. He'd been asked to model once or twice when younger, before declaring soccer his true life's goal.
The boys for sale are kept in small cells, still dressed in soccer kits, so those buying them could marvel at having genuine article Blue Lock players. Sitting on the floor of his, Yukki glares straight ahead. He wouldn't be able to see those coming to gawk at him, otherwise.]
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For a while there, he used the popularity of the sport to gather bets and make a profit — for himself, and for a bored old man who backed anything that Endo told him to. That old man kept the money flowing as long as Endo was capable of paying him back dividends, which Endo of course was, and so they had a good thing going for a while. But the old man eventually grew bored and moved on to other illegal betting venues, and Endo himself lost interest in keeping his side venture going while his other "businesses" were doing so well, so he ultimately stopped following the sport — and caring about it at all.
Until, that is, the old man contacted him again and told him about this highly illegal auction and its new bounty of Blue Lock players. Endo's technically here on his behalf, but his eyes start to wander for himself instead. He's big on recruiting for Noroshi in an entirely different manner, but this wouldn't be about that. He has enough members in his gang. This is entirely selfish: there's something to be said about holding someone's freedom entirely in his hands, like a hummingbird enclosed in his fist. Someone he doesn't have to release, unlike everything else he's ever wanted to keep close.
He texts the old man pictures and notes, while keeping tabs for himself, until he gets to a particular cell — where he takes one look, stops, and then pockets his phone entirely.
The old man can wait. ]
Hey.
[ He speaks quietly, a small smile playing upon his lips while he surveys the guy on the floor. Endo decides to squat in front of him to get a good look. ]
Take off your glasses.
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[It's not really the oddest thing someone's asked of him today; more than once, someone's wanted to know if he's a virgin. But still, this is a demand for him to make himself more vulnerable, and he's still trying to pretend he has enough agency to keep his dignity about him.
It's not that he doesn't realize what sort of situation he's in. He's fully aware he's fucked.
But he doesn't want to give in, not just yet.]
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[ Endo leans forward, grabbing the bars even though that puts him in striking reach. He has no idea if this guy is one of the bad-tempered, violent soccer players, or if he's polite and would never hurt a fly, but he tempts him all the same. ]
Or are you curious to see what happens if you do? Hmm, what'll happen if I call someone over...
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...maybe. Yukimiya lets out a heavy sigh, taking the glasses off and staring at the blur of dark and light that Endo becomes, his eyes a rather striking shade of brown, almost orange in the harsh fluorescent light of the cell.]
I'm not going to be much use to anyone unless I'm wearing them.
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[ Someone helpless, vulnerable, all alone in the dark — or maybe Endo just wants someone who'll do what they're told without much fanfare. Because, if he's really gonna take a slave home for himself, he'll have a lot on his plate, training him to be loyal, dependent, and entirely his own. He doesn't deal in half-measures, and it'll be a hell of a lot easier to go all-in if he isn't working around attitude from the get-go.
Not that he minds a little motivation in the form of threats. He just doesn't want full defiance for the particular purpose he has in mind. ]
Give them to me.
[ He slips one hand between the bars, then opens it, palm up. ]
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He had hoped to make it big in time to earn the money to save it.]
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Only now is he actually a little interested. Only now does he allow himself to really look at this unfortunate former soccer player. ]
I bet a lot of the guys who come through here tell you you're pretty. But none of 'em stick around. They take a good look at you and move on. Am I right?
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[Until now? Until now. Which is worse, being chosen or being overlooked? Yukimiya truly isn't certain yet.]
Some of the others sold pretty much the moment they hit the floor.
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Wanna know why?
[ He makes an idle circle with Yukimiya's glasses, even though the guy probably can't track the movement. ]
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[Not that he wants to view himself as a product, but it's true, isn't it?]
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Man, that's one way to put it! I was just gonna call you boring.
[ He reaches between the bars again and tosses the glasses into his lap. ]
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My deepest apologizes for failing to be sufficiently entertaining while locked in a cage. Might I suggest a songbird, instead?
[He actually manages to make that sound like a polite suggestion. The sarcasm isn't in his tone at all.]
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[ He grins brightly now that it'll have the appropriate effect. ]
I bet you sing just fine.
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I haven't figured out if you looking at me is a good thing.
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[ He's going to leave the decision in Yukimiya's hands, for his own amusement. With a little time pressure, to kick things up a notch. ]
But I'll buy ya, if you choose right now.
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[Soccer players are, usually, good with time pressure. But without information, Yukimiya's working blind. Erm, blinder than usual. Still, there's something to be said for someone noticing him, taking the time to talk to him.]
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[ Not that slaves get contracts, but he gets the idea. ]
Choose now, or choose never.
[ With a shrug: ]
It's up to you.
[ And whether he wants to risk getting bought by another, far more ugly and lecherous guy. Go for it, if so! Clearly Endo is entirely generous and not at all unhinged — he's giving him a choice and everything! ]
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...that's a lie, and manages to be kind and cruel all at once. Yukimiya is aware he's being toyed with. But the other options on the table are all shitty as well. So, he takes a deep breath.]
Please. Please get me out of here.
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With that, he gets to his feet, an excited energy in his movements. ]
You got it!
[ Then he leaves without another word. And doesn't come back for hours, and not just because he's being a dick. There are a lot of hoops to jump through, plus he's still making the rounds for the old man. But Endo makes it very clear that no one else is to go near Yukimiya in the meanwhile.
After finalizing the sale on the old man's new toy and arranging transport with a member of Noroshi, Endo finally returns and, ignoring whatever expression may or may not be on Yukimiya's face, asks: ]
Leash or chains?
[ More choices! More generosity! Or maybe Endo's just curious... ]
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Someday, he'll be free again. Someday.]
Leash, if restraints are truly necessary.
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[ Like a slave up for grabs. Not claimed in any serious way.
Anyway, Endo approves of his choice, because that was his preference too. It gives him an extra edge of control — nothing like a nice tug to remind a pet of his place. He waves to an attendant waiting off to the side, who brings him said leash and accompanying collar, both of which are very simple and plain. Endo's tastes are more lavish, which means that Yukimiya will be decorated accordingly when the time comes.
The attendant then opens the cell. Endo steps inside before Yukimiya can step out first. ]
No backsies. Remember that.
[ He puts the collar around his neck, attaches the leash, and then pats him on the cheek. ]
Good boy.
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The pat on the cheek draws a frown from him, though, the show of softness reading to him as a lie.]
You're certainly enjoying the spectacle.
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I like causing a stir.
[ It's the truth! Though he tends to be a little methodical about it. No need to go too crazy, especially in a place like this. Endo is not the biggest fish in this pond.
There are a lot of ways that he could be nasty about leading Yukimiya along — jerk him to and fro, make him walk on all fours, have him hold the leash in his mouth. But Endo's all about the long game; he's building up to something, which means biding his time and slowly worming his way into Yukimiya's acceptance. Which doesn't seem like it'll be too hard — he did give up his glasses pretty easily.
Instead, he simply walks a couple steps ahead and has Yukimiya walk behind him. Endo holds the leash casually, as though he might drop it due to carelessness. ]
So what else can you do? Other than play soccer.
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I was a decent student. Did a little modeling, too. But soccer was my passion.
[It's an awkward question to try to answer. What else is he actually good for? He could hardly name anything.]
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