𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝗶𝘅

"Woohoo."

Game-time against the twins. This was not going to be fun, your back hurt like a bitch. Probably from crumpling over on the field yesterday, possibly even early on-set spinal arthritis, or just carrying team Z (in spirit). Who knows?

Kick-off started with the unsightly pair having the ball. No-brows seemed to talk to Mustache-brows only to receive facial responses, seemingly not much of a talker. They were able to weave around Igarashi, obviously, to where you, Chigiri, and Isagi stood.

"Chigiri?" No Eyebrows started, "Isn't your football career already over with that knee of yours?" he taunted.

You couldn't help the offended expression that planted itself on your face. They insult Chigiri, your ol' buddy, ol' pal. You two were both optically confusing specimens to the gender binary, there was a solidarity between you, if you will. Although, you weren't even sure what they were talking about with his knee.

You slid on the ground and kicked the ball out from under Mustache-brows over to Isagi. He passed to Igarashi...for some reason, and the monk sent the ball up in the air.

Seemingly miraculously, Kuon leaped into the air and hit the ball into the net with his forehead. Everyone burst into cheers, but you spent a long second staring at the goalkeeper. He was totally prepared to block that, it was completely in his range too. It was like he waited until the moment he wouldn't be able to reach it to jump. Maybe he just sucked.

After the restart, Bachira and Kunigami stole the ball and got it to Kuon, which resulted in another goal by him.

Wow.

That's it.

Team W was being awfully dramatic about their lost goals. It was fucking annoying, really. They had all their bewildered expressions and confused screams, and yet the goalkeeper still reacted too late.

Mustache-brows fouled Naruhaya in a fit of rage, leaving the free-kick to Bachira. He utilized Kuon yet again to jump up and knock the ball into the goal.

What the fuck? You'd never seen Kuon play this well, this prominently. Not even in practice.

The locker room after the first half was filled with shouts of admiration for Kuon, which he took graciously. You keep your eyes on him the entire time, did Ego allow steroids in this place? Doubt. Maybe Cyanide.

At the restart, Kuon convinced Raichi to pass him the ball, which he lethargically handled. One of the twins stole it from behind him, driving the ball straight into the net.

Those drugs sure don't last long. Shit quality, 0/10.

The ball, back in Team Z's possession, got stolen in a fumbled pass...by Kuon. Unsurprisingly, Team W scored another goal.

"Kuon, the hell is your problem?" you said from beside him, "You were great earlier." No one starts making utterly fatal mistakes after five minutes in the locker room, especially when they managed to score three goals in the first half.

"Ah, nerves? Sorry." he laughed nervously between pants of breath.

"Okay, I guess. Just get your head back in the game."

"You can count on me!"

You nodded slowly, "Prove it, then."

Back in play, Team W read your tactics perfectly. It didn't make sense. The triangular positioning Kunigami, Isagi, and Bachira were playing was not something they could flawlessly predict without seeing it first.

No Eyebrows passed the ball over everyone, at a height Kuon could surely reach.

He missed.

How? He had all his jumps' timing perfect in the first half. Ripping out all of the hair follicles from your scalp was starting to look particularly appealing.

Mustache Brows received the ball with a kick into. the. goal. His team went feral, their cheers and screams were drowned out into the background by Team Z's huddle.

Kuon sat crouched on the ground in front of the rest of the group. It was weird, eerie almost.

"Kuon, have you betrayed us?" Isagi asked from in front of him. It made sense, in fact, you felt kind of slow for not piecing it together until now. He must have some sort of sly deal with the other team. It'd explain all the whiffed goal-keeping and his own lazy defending.

"That's right!" The twins interjected. They annoyingly continued to explain that Kuon leaked all of your team's information in exchange for goals.

You and the rest of your team stood frozen in shock. You couldn't even begin to label the entirety of the flurry of emotions you were experiencing. Mildly-shocked? Deceived? Double-crossed? Hungry?

Wow. You clicked your tongue, "That's such a pussy move, Kuon."

"Damn straight! What Girly said!" Raichi yelled, "I'm gonna kill you, asshole!" He grabbed Kuon by the collar of his shirt and cocked his arm back for a swing-

A yellow card. Yeesh.

Understandably, your team was in utter disarray, shouting and cursing. Kuon walked over to Team W and declared the game a 10 versus 12. You sighed, this was such bullshit.

They ended up scoring another goal, leaving the match at 3-4 in their favor. You grit your teeth and tried to ignore the frustration you felt simmering in your chest. This had gone on for way too long. [Name] savior arc?

You got the ball at the restart and looked over at Chigiri, all while everything was going to shit, he looked out of it. Upset. He usually kept an apathetic sort of look on his face, but maybe all the fuckery was getting to him too.

He broke off in a sprint toward the goal. You felt your lips curl into a smirk, he'd snapped. Finally. He'd so resistant to use his weapon, speed like that- this had to be it. You sent the ball out in front of him toward the goal, where he surpassed Kuon to reach it, and sent it into the net.

The timer sounded and you jumped in the air, even though it was only a tie, it felt pretty damn good. Especially just to be done with that long-ass game.

"Chigiri! You bastard!" You ran up behind him and slapped a supporting hand on his back, "I cannot believe you didn't tell me you could run like that!"

"Why would I have to tell you?"

"What?" You frowned, "I thought we had something, man. You look like a girl, I look like a g-"

He cut you off and rolled his eyes, "Shut the fuck up, Kazuma."

You didn't fail to notice the small smile on his face.

You had waited for all the boys to filter out of the locker room to use the showers, so when you found them all crouched behind a wall after you were done, naturally, you questioned their sanity. Maybe they were losing it too. Blue Lock could be rebranded as a psych ward, it has a nice ring to it.

"Wha-"

"Shhhh!" They all cut you off with. You followed their gazes with your own into the cafeteria. Sitting at one of the tables, was Kuon. Minus 5 points for appeal already. The fact the sight also included three players from another team sitting across from him, did not add points to the equation either.

Wait. You recognized two of those guys, the ones you ate dinner with last night. If the asshole was trying to scheme with them, that means you'll play them. Plus ten points for potential. That seemed like such a win, you almost forgot to process to Kuon was again trying to deal with the opponent.

Does the fucker ever give it a rest?

They declined Kuon's pathetic proposal and Nagi hopped on Reo's back once they got up from their chairs. Your jaw dropped, Nagi had to at least have a solid two inches on his friend. You'll have to give Reo props next time you talk to him.

Kuon tried helplessly to try and gain back their interests, but Nagi quickly shut him down by questioning if his effort would ever be worth it.

That's where it all went downhill.

Isagi stepped out in front of them, in suit, the rest of the team followed behind. "Don't you dare mock football!" He yelled.

Oh god. You clamped your hand over your mouth to keep from bursting out in laughter. It was not the time. Everyone was, somehow, dead serious. You wouldn't know how, that was fucking embarrassing.

This whole debacle was painfully overdramatic, you just walked away. Too much men for too long.

You meandered your way toward Ego's office. You were sure it'd make his day to see you, the light of his life. You opened the door.

"Get the fuck out, [Name]. I don't want to see your annoying face at the moment, I'm busy."

Ah, each word was truly filled with such sickly sweet adoration. What would he ever do without you?

"I don't want to see you either. Where's Anri?" You asked from the doorframe, "I need to talk to a woman before I lose it."

"Staffroom. Leave."

You slammed the door shut behind you. Humming along until you found the sign that read the fated 'Staff Room,' you stepped in to find Anri sitting at the table with her left hand splayed out on the surface, with a bottle of nail polish in the other.

She looked up when she heard the door creak open, "[Name]!! Hi! What are you doing here?" She smiled brightly and beckoned you to sit down with her.

"I just wanted to talk to you, or something. Life is hard out there."

A laugh escaped her, "Ah, I can only imagine!" She exhaled softly, "Well, I just finished up my nails."

You smiled lightly, "Looks nice, Anri."

"Thank you, thank you. But, since you're here and I don't feel like going back to running around this place for Ego, let me paint yours!"

Would the guys notice if you suddenly had polish on your nails? Probably. Would they care? Probably. Would they really care? Probably not. But, she looked so excited and borderline desperate, with a sigh, you stuck your hands out on the table.

You could just scrape it off later.

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anri > you 🤷‍♀️