"Ryan, why are you eating this late?
You know eating at night makes you gain weight.
You need to control your diet."
Chigiri walked into the cafeteria
only to find Ryan sitting alone, happily cutting into a thick steak.
"Oh, Chigiri.
Want a piece?"
Ryan speared a slice of steak and held it up right in front of Chigiri's mouth.
The aroma hit him instantly.
Chigiri visibly swallowed.
"Y-You idiot… I didn't come here to eat."
"Come on, you're already here.
Leaving without eating something would be a waste."
"That's not a reason at all…
But fine. Since you insist, I'll reluctantly have one bite."
He took the steak into his mouth
And his eyes lit up instantly.
Ryan laughed.
"How is it? Good, right?"
"…It's acceptable."
Chigiri tried to speak while chewing, pretending to be indifferent.
Ryan shoveled another piece of steak into his own mouth.
"See? We're at the age where we're supposed to grow.
Eat more, build strength."
He wiped his mouth with a napkin.
"So? Why did you come looking for me this late?
We've got a match tomorrow.
Shouldn't you be practicing 'early to bed, early to rise'? Hmm, Chigiri?"
"You're the last person qualified to say that.
But… yeah. I did come because I wanted to talk."
Ryan froze dramatically.
"No way…
Chigiri, have you finally bared your fangs?
You couldn't resist anymore?
Are you trying to assassinate me here
to replace me as the world's number one beautiful man?!
I won't let you!"
Chigiri stared at him, expressionless.
"How thick is your skin?
How can you proclaim yourself 'world's number one beauty' with a straight face?"
Ryan flipped his hair smugly.
"Is it really so strange?
No, what we should be questioning is
whether that title deserves me."
Chigiri sighed deeply.
He no longer had the energy to argue with this freak.
"…Anyway. I'm not exactly panicking anymore, but whenever I think about facing world-class players tomorrow, it's normal to feel a little uneasy."
Ryan stepped closer, lifting his chin proudly.
"So you came to me seeking comfort?
Very well.
Come into my arms~
Let me soothe you."
Chigiri recoiled.
"Can you act normal for once?
I just wanted to talk.
After chatting with you…
I do feel less anxious."
Ryan grinned, satisfied.
"Good.
Because if you screw up tomorrow, I'll absolutely grill you for it."
He raised his fist.
Chigiri raised his own.
"And if you don't crush those world stars under your feet tomorrow, I'll be disappointed."
Their fists bumped
a quiet promise between teammates.
Returning to the Dorm
"You two where were you?
Hurry up and sleep.
We've got a battle tomorrow."
Kunigami yawned, scolding them.
Ryan slowly leaned toward Chigiri with an exaggeratedly shy blush.
"It's nothing~
Chigiri-kun and I just went on a little date.
That's all~"
Chigiri wordlessly slid one step away from him.
"I went to find him because he hadn't returned yet."
Ryan gasped theatrically, covering his face, voice trembling.
"So all those sweet words you whispered earlier…
You didn't mean any of them?
You liar!
You heartbreaker!
I I won't talk to you anymore!"
Like a drama heroine, he ran to his bed and curled under the blanket.
Kunigami and Chigiri exchanged a long, exhausted look.
Both rubbed their temples.
The Next Morning - On the Field
Ryan and his four teammates stood together, staring at the five global superstars across from them.
A massive, tank-like Black forward sneered first.
"You're even scrawnier than I expected."
The bearded striker beside him chuckled.
"Told you.
Japanese guys don't grow muscle.
If I win the bet, pay me ten thousand."
They were speaking in English
some of the Blue Lock players couldn't understand.
"They're mocking us, I think."
"English… I don't get it."
"Same here."
But one person did understand.
Aryu's face tightened with offense.
"They dare…
They dare look down on us."
Kunigami blinked.
"Huh? Aryu, you speak English?"
"No.
I only understand it.
Because stylish foreign languages suit me."
Across the field, the superstars continued chatting.
The massive Black striker pointed at the bearded man.
"You're just gonna blow the prize money on women again, aren't you?"
"Shut up. That's none of your business."
The freckled rainbow-haired kid chimed in cheerfully:
"I want to visit Harajuku!"
The Blue Lock players fell silent.
A storm was coming.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
If you're interested, you can read advanced chapters:
pat reon .com / Samorash
~> Bonus Chapter every 300PS!!