𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗲𝗲

When you woke up on the third day of Blue Lock, you made a note to be thankful you were still breathing. A feat in itself.

Sitting up, you noticed the Team Z room was deserted. You thought you saw a tumbleweed roll by in the corner. For the first time since you've been stuck here, your ears could pick up on the faint hum of the hefty air conditioner. Maybe Ego decided to take budget cuts with their lives, you wouldn't put it past him.

With a final yawn, you walked to the cafeteria, where you could hear excessive chatter and yelling from inside.

Aw, turns out they're still here after all. You must have just managed to sleep through the screaming that goes on in the team room in the morning because everyone was already chowing down their breakfasts.

Once you got your own tray, you sat next to Isagi who was talking to Kunigami across from him. You'd have to explain last night, or else he'll think you're some freak, but it was probably too late to prevent that.

"Isagi."

Both he and Kunigami paused their conversation to look at you, "Oh! Hey, Kazuma. You finally woke up?" Isagi smiled politely as he faced you.

"Yeah...I was pretty knocked out," you cleared your throat and swallowed your pride, "By the way, sorry for last night. I, uh, must have been delirious from the exhaustion or something." You painted a smile on your face, begging him to believe your bullshit, or at least pretend he did.

He nodded, "It's all good. Hey-" looking up toward Kunigami, he smiled again, there was an unmistakably mischievous glint in his eyes, "Kunigami, want to practice with us before the match?"

Okay, he didn't ask if you even want to go, but whatever.

The ginger swallowed his food, "Yeah, sure. We'll need all the practice we can get."

You raised an eyebrow, "Alright."

After you all changed into your uniforms and you spent ten minutes in a bathroom stall breathing for dear life, you met Isagi and Kunigami on the practice field.

You picked up a ball and held it on your hip, like a sassy soccer-mom in an ugly tracksuit, "What exercises do you guys want to run?"

Kunigami waved his hand toward you dismissively, "Y'know, you never shared your weapon with the team. What is it?"

Queue the Jeopardy music.

Now, how do you answer this question? a) Say your weapon, and possibly reveal who you are on the slim chance they follow women's football or b) Make some mediocre shit up.

Option C. A mix of both.

"Oh." A momentary pause, "I'm good at long-range precision and one-on-one," you managed to state confidently. It was the muddled down truth, it'll work.

Kunigami and Isagi brightened at your response. Was this 'practice' ploy to figure out your weapon? Was that why the latter dismissed last night so quickly? "Sweet! Kunigami, get into your ideal shooting position. Kazuma, you stand three quarters down the field on the opposite side. I'll defend." Isagi had already started walked toward the goal as he commanded you two.

And, so, you did. Over and over. Isagi changed the situation a few times to fit different scenarios, he was surprisingly good at coming up with drills.

Members from Team Z filtered onto the field as they finished their meals, and soon enough, Isagi had the entire team running up and down the grass. You had to say, the teamwork dynamic pf the group drastically improved from yesterday. Especially by applying Kuon's new strategy, maybe he was good for something other than clapping.

For the billionth time, you were heaving like someone just held your head underwater for an hour.

You felt someone clap and hand on your back, hard. How your ribs did not disintegrate right then and there, was a miracle.

You coughed violently until you finally had the ability to inhale. When you looked up to identify the culprit, your eyes were met with a sight that could only make you wish you had bleach in your proximity to pour into your eyes. 

Igarashi.

He was grinning as fat beads of sweat trailed down his face and he held his fists on his hips. He opened his mouth to say something, but when he caught sight of the downright deadly glare you were searing into him, his entire face dropped. You would have enjoyed it if it was for the burning feeling of rage bubbling in your stomach.

He screamed and everyone stopped what they were doing to check out the commotion. The monk sprinted for the exit like a chicken with its head cut off.

Before you could follow after him to give him a piece of your mind, Chigiri was already behind you, restraining your arms.

"Let me have him!"

"No! We all want to, but no!"

Team Y walked onto the field with all their theatrics. Kuon seemed to be most concerned with their number 9, who was apparently the top scorer in the Kumamoto Prefecture. He just looked like Nendo in comic sans with that bleached mohawk.

The game started with Team Z's new hyper-offensive strategy in play. Bachira and Kunigami's cycles went through only to be neutralized by Number 7 on Team Y. He got the ball to Number 9 which resulted in their goal.

A few more people's weapons were tried to be put on display, but the first half ended without another goal from either side.

Isagi seemed to be having trouble with their Number 7. You could practically feel the way his frustration was building up, that squabble was probably the most interesting point of the match. So far you were mostly sitting back to observe the players and helping out when necessary.

You figured you'd spend the first selection gathering your information on the fifth stratum and use that to challenge everyone in the second round, a pretty nifty plan if you do say so yourself.

The second half commenced and it was Gagamaru's time to shine. Isagi passed you the ball and you knew Gagamaru would be coming down the field from the right side. If you remember his asset correctly, it was his spring-like body, so...

A pass right in front of him will force him to use it.

Right...there.

You got the ball across the field where you wanted it, in position to have Gagamaru push it forward into the goal with his head.

But, he hit the post and your team got a corner kick. It's something, I guess.

Isagi was able to block Number 7 from receiving Bachira's kick, and pass it to Gagamaru, who got it into the goal, finally!

Isagi seemed to be on the brim of the explosion with his own frustration with Number 7, so you decided to give him a push before the final restart of the game.

You stood next to him and peered in his direction from the corner of your eye, "You and that mophead have insanely similar playing styles...use that to your advantage this time."

The bell rung right as you set back into position and the final minute commenced.

Team Y switched tactics, desperate for a goal to break the tie for their win. Every player on their team rushed offense and Number 7 and 9 got in front of the goal...right about to pass for the goal, and Isagi intercepted it and the ball got to Bachira who started back toward Team Y's net.

Isagi got in the right position in front of the goal for Bachira to get it to him for the final goal of the game.

Screams rang throughout the field and a smirk broke out across your face. You deserved a little pat on the back for that one. Mental note: brag to Ego about how good you're doing at your job.

You ran behind the closed person to you, who happened to be Bachira, and jumped up on his back while you cheered along with your team.

You weren't so sure why the win meant so much to you.

Team Z decided to hold a celebratory party for the victorious match. Isagi and Gagamaru redeemed the points they gained from goals for steaks to share.

You all sat in your pajamas around the table filled with food. Everyone was staring intently at the meat before they charged for it all at once like wild animals. You managed to get a piece for yourself and you sat back next to Chigiri while you held the fork in front of your face. It looked so good, you'd been eating the same goddamn meal for days on end.

"Are you going to keep staring or eat it?" the redhead questioned from beside you.

"I just... I never thought steak would be such a privilege," you whispered back in awe.

Chigiri clasped your hand holding the fork with his own and shoved the utensil into your face.

"Argh!"

"That's what you get for being dramatic."

Bachira must have seen that and taken to reenacting it with Isagi, as he shoved meat into Isagi's mouth while the latter almost choked and tears collected in the corners of his eyes.

You swallowed the meat that Chigiri robbed you of savoring and shot him a sidelong glare. Picking up a plate of some random food from the table, you saw Bachira shuffle closer to you in your peripheral. When you looked up at him, you saw his intense gaze and the fork stabbed with steak he was aiming at you.

"No! Leave me alone!" You shot up and ran toward the other side of the room while he chased you, giggling.

Chigiri stared at the food you carelessly discarded and sighed.

____________________

my brain refuses to process that nagi is 4 inches taller than me. YOURE TELLING ME THIS MAN IS 6'3? i have never witnessed a person radiate stronger 5'7 energy.