Chapter 124

**"Night Snow"** (ナイトスノウ, *Naito Sunō*?) is the 124th chapter of the Blue Lock manga series

## Overview

Years after Rin joins Sae in football, they become an unstoppable duo that garners the fear and respect of other teams. While Sae is a bit candid with Rin, Rin dutifully follows the path his older brother laid out in front of him.

After another win, they go out for popsicles with Rin winning another prize. Sae comments on him wasting his luck again and then asks his brother what he thinks about when playing football. Rin replies by saying he just thinks about scoring and being apart of the most critical moments. Sae questions his thinking but Rin explains further. Sae tells Rin he relys too much on his instincts and Rin says thats okay because he has his brother. Sae reiterates that he is leaving to play for the Real Mardrid youth club tomorrow and Rin says he already knows. He says he will just find someone to replace Sae and Sae kicks him saying he could never be replaced with Rin agreeing. Rin says while Sae is gone he will focus on becoming the best in Japan and will join Sae on the world stage. Once again the two brothers agree to become the best in the world.

The next day, Sae leaves and Rin begins thinking about reaching the world stage like his brother. Flash forward four years and Rin is in a game refusing to pass the ball while driving it down the field. He comments in his head how much different things are without his brother and he wonders what he lacks. Rin finally passes the ball, resolving to control the field and make his team the best in Japan. He then scores a goal and his team wins the game.

Hours after the game Rin is still at the field while his last teammates finally depart. Rin stays to practice his shots outside the penalty zone when a voice calls out and calls his shot shoddy. Rin knew the voice as none other than his brother Sae but when he turned around he saw his brother fatigued and depressed. The brothers properly greet each other but then Sae explains the world is big and he has changed his dream from being the best striker to being the best midfielder. Rin is confused and upset by Sae's words stating he doesn't want his dream to change; he was suppose to be the younger brother of the best in the world. He doesn't like how Sae is now and says he doesn't want to see him like this. Sae surprised by Rin's words says he just doesn't understand the true meaning of playing on the world stage. Sae proposes a 1v1 game and if Rin wins, they will share the same dream again; but if Sae wins their dream ends forever.

## Summary

Sae Itoshi is defending against the opposition as he passes the ball to Rin Itoshi and with ease Rin scores the ball effectively scaring the opposition with their powerful teamwork. Sae approaches Rin and tells him his shot was bit shoddy and Rin promises to be more mindful next time. Sae also asks Rin to pick up the speed a little and Rin agrees saying he will try. As the game continues, Rin thinks to himself, that playing with his brother is fun. When he is with his brother he feels invincible and together with his brother he will become the best in world. Just then, Rin scores another effortless goal from a pass from Sae.

   After their game, Sae and Rin are eating popsicles on the edge of the coast and Rin wins another game prize. Sae notes him wasting his luck again and Rin throws the stick away, trying to get rid of the evidence. Just then, Sae asks Rin what he thinks about when he plays football. Rin replies he doesn't think of much, he is just thinking about scoring and being where things are most "critical". Sae questions his use of the word critical and Rin clarifies he means where the opposition would be most panicked and fall apart. Sae notes that Rin relies too much on his instincts but Rin rebuttals that it's alright because he has his brother to back him up and he notes other players feel like they are lacking. Sae asks Rin what will he do when Sae is gone and Rin replies he doesn't know really; he says he will just have to find someone else. Sae kicks him, saying nobody could replace him and Rin agrees with his his arrogant brother while making fun of him. Sae announces he is going to Spain tomorrow to play on Real Madrid Youth, something Rin already knew. Rin says Sae is going to be the best striker in the world so it was pretty obvious this would happen. Sae says he is going ahead but Rin better catch up to him on the world stage. Rin says right now he is focusing on becoming the best in Japan so he can get scouted like his brother. Sae and Rin both promise again to become the best in the world.

The next day, Sae leaves on a plane and Rin and their parents are waving goodbye. Rin and Sae have one last goodbye and he is off. Rin in his head is thinking that he will definitely catch up because he is somebody who also wants to fight on the world stage. Four years later in a game, Rin is being marked by multiple defenders and his coach and teammates are complaining that he needs to pass the ball. Rin refusing to pass, thinks to himself that playing without his brother is more cramped and restricted than he expected. While Rin continues driving the ball down the field and his coach and teammates continue to complain about his selfish playstyle, Rin thinks what is he lacking and what can he do to get closer to his brother. Rin finally passes the ball thinking he will control the restrictiveness of the field and take his team and make it the best in Japan. Rin scores a perfect goal and his team wins the match.

   Night time hits and Rin is still at the field with his teammates finally calling it a day. Rin continues scoring, practicing his shots from outside the penalty zone and he notes one of his shots was not quite what he wanted and then notices its snowing. Just then, somebody calls his shot a bit shoddy and Rin turns around excited to hear his brothers voice but sees him with a drained and depressed face. Rin welcomes him back and Sae says thanks. Rin notes how it has been four years but how Sae is a bit early; Sae agrees but says he came back ahead of schedule. Rin says he has been keeping up with his brother all these years and just seeing him play for the Real Madrid Youth and actually score in a game is amazing; Rin also asks if Sae lost weight. Sae says maybe he did but more importantly the world is huge and there are players who are far better than him. Rin questions his brothers words and Sae proclaims he has changed his dream from becoming the world's best striker to becoming the world's best midfielder. Rin is completely perplexed by his brother's statement saying whats the point of being the best at anything if it's not a striker because that's what Sae is. Sae states Rin only thinks that because he has not experienced the world and Rin disagrees saying he can't just change his mind like that. They were suppose to become the best in the world with Rin second but Sae says all they are doing is switching who becomes the best striker in the world with Sae being the best midfielder in the world. Rin proclaims he doesn't want that, he wants to be the younger brother of the world's best striker. Rin asks did Sae come back just to say those pathetic things to him; Rin says he didn't want to see his big brother like this and that he is not the same brother who he shared a dream with. Sae taken aback by Rin's words calls him lukewarm. Sae states it seems that Rin does not fully comprehend what it means to play professional football and that the field is a battlezone. Sae says if Rin can beat him in a 1v1 then he will change his mind and reshare the same dream with his brother, but if he loses that dream will end forever.

## Chapter Notes

* Sae and Rin were an unstoppable duo when they were younger.
* Sae announces that he is leaving to play for the Real Madrid Youth team even though Rin already knew
* Sae and Rin once again vow to become the best in the world before Sae leaves
* Once Sae is gone Rin focuses on becoming the best in Japan by trying to be like his brother and making his team the best in Japan.
* Rin already had a selfish play style before Blue Lock
* Sae returns to Japan early surprising Rin and announcing the change of his dream
* Rin becomes upset at the announcement and Sae challenges him to a 1v1 game.

## Characters in Order of Appearance

1. Sae Itoshi
2. Rin Itoshi