[ 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.]
[ Endo hums like he's considering this deeply. Really, it doesn't matter all that much. Sure, being adept in another area might make him more useful, but Endo didn't buy him expecting that he'd come preloaded with skills beyond being able to kick a ball around. ]
What about your family? Parents? Anyone gonna come beatin' down my door?
[ Now this is an important question. There was a file on him, which Endo read before purchase, but what is presented in his product description and what is actually the truth can vary widely.
He doesn't look back as he asks, still cheerfully moving along, the leash held precariously. ]
Legally, my parents signed over custody of me to the Blue Lock project. But they're still alive and well. I don't know what they can or will do next.
[He's not confident in them trying to get him back, though. Other mouths to feed at home. In some ways, him disappearing into the project solved problems for them that no one voiced aloud.]
They're not particularly notable. You don't need to concern yourself with them, surely.
[Is there anything quite as ridiculous as being told to hold your own leash? And yet, Yukimiya reacts simply with a startled laugh.
The thought does occur to him, to try to strangle Endo with the leash. To unclip it from the collar and run. To raise an awful fuss. It's what many of the other Blue Lock players would probably do.
Yukimiya, instead, watches Endo, and stands there holding the leash.]
[ Oh, he'll look into them. But that'll come later.
For now, Endo gives him a little approving grin, feeling as though he picked himself a good one. Everything that's to follow will be a lot easier with a guy who more or less does what he's told. He doesn't have to be eager to please, but Endo isn't looking for a slave who has a strong desire to fight. This is for something different entirely.
He walks over to the car to speak to the driver, giving him specific instructions, then motions Yukimiya over, after which he unclips the leash — but leaves the collar. ]
[Yukimiya climbs into the car, folding his hands in his lap once he's in his seat. He has questions, but this hardly feels like the time to be asking them. He has thoughts, but they're buzzing in a swarm rather than getting into a nice orderly line. On the surface, he might even seem calm about what's happening to him.
[ Endo gets in beside him. He takes a good look at Yukimiya, noting that he seems eerily calm and looking for any tells that he's putting on an act. Ultimately, though, it doesn't matter much; regardless of what's going on inside Yukimiya's head, his real purpose is going to start here, in the darkened privacy of the back seat.
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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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What about your family? Parents? Anyone gonna come beatin' down my door?
[ Now this is an important question. There was a file on him, which Endo read before purchase, but what is presented in his product description and what is actually the truth can vary widely.
He doesn't look back as he asks, still cheerfully moving along, the leash held precariously. ]
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[He's not confident in them trying to get him back, though. Other mouths to feed at home. In some ways, him disappearing into the project solved problems for them that no one voiced aloud.]
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[ There's a pause for a contemplative moment before Endo transitions to a cheerful tone as he adds: ]
I'll just have to look into them, then!
[ They step outside the building, where a nondescript car is waiting. ]
This is me. Here, hold this.
[ He tosses the end of the leash at him. ]
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[Is there anything quite as ridiculous as being told to hold your own leash? And yet, Yukimiya reacts simply with a startled laugh.
The thought does occur to him, to try to strangle Endo with the leash. To unclip it from the collar and run. To raise an awful fuss. It's what many of the other Blue Lock players would probably do.
Yukimiya, instead, watches Endo, and stands there holding the leash.]
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For now, Endo gives him a little approving grin, feeling as though he picked himself a good one. Everything that's to follow will be a lot easier with a guy who more or less does what he's told. He doesn't have to be eager to please, but Endo isn't looking for a slave who has a strong desire to fight. This is for something different entirely.
He walks over to the car to speak to the driver, giving him specific instructions, then motions Yukimiya over, after which he unclips the leash — but leaves the collar. ]
Go ahead and get in.
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Or in shock.]
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Endo says: ]
Hold my hand.
[ And upturns his own on the seat between them. ]
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