"The Cafeteria"

Isagi after a short break.

Went to the next station.

The Jumping Test.

Wataru Kuon was already there stretching.

Kuon's presence always stood out to him.

He had a tall, lean frame and dark brown hair that fell to his chin.

His red eyes, though rare.

Carried an intensity that made Isagi pause whenever they locked gazes.

And even with that fierce look.

Kuon wore an almost perpetual smile.

Isagi approached, his muscles still burning from the treadmill.

"Ready?"

Kuon asked.

Flashing his usual smile.

Isagi nodded.

They both took their positions.

And without another word, leaped into the air.

The test was simple.

Jump as high as you can.

The result was the number on a digital display.

Isagi landed lightly, eyes flicking to the screen.

63 cm.

His jump was decent—solid.

Kuon, who had already landed.

Stared at the screen with a knowing look.

68 cm.

Isagi's eyes widened in surprise.

"Woah...! That's high!"

He thought.

Kuon had some serious power behind those legs of his.

Kuon caught his gaze and raised an eyebrow.

"Huh? Isagi, you feeling ill today?"

Isagi blinked.

Snapping back to the present.

"No, I'm alright,"

Shaking his head with a small laugh.

Before either of them could continue.

A loud sound rang throughout the training facility.

Ding, Dong, Ding, Dong.

The unmistakable chime signaled that mealtime had arrived.

Blue Lock's daily schedule was precise.

Down to the minute.

Time for training was crucial.

But so was fueling their bodies for the next round.

"Guess that's our cue,"

Kuon said with a wry smile.

As he turned to head toward the Cafeteria.

Isagi followed.

…

The cafeteria was an architectural marvel.

Far larger than any dining hall Isagi had ever seen.

Its pentagon-shaped center stood out immediately.

A futuristic, self-service food counter.

That resembled a giant vending machine.

Yet it dispensed actual, steaming hot meals.

Surrounding it were large, square-shaped pillars.

That seemed to hold the expansive ceiling high above.

Creating an open, breathable space.

Rows upon rows of rectangular tables filled the hall.

Yet the space was so vast that it never felt cramped.

Even with the overwhelming number of players.

The room buzzed with conversation and laughter.

Yet despite the noise.

Navigating the space was surprisingly easy.

Isagi made his way to the center counter.

Where he grabbed a tray from the neatly arranged stack.

Holding the tray firmly with both hands.

He elbowed the touch-sensitive square button on the wall of the vending-like counter.

A soft whir followed.

And the familiar aroma of rice and miso soup greeted him.

"Rice… and miso soup again,"

Isagi muttered to himself.

It was no secret that meal quality in Blue Lock was tied to rank.

The higher your rank, the better your food.

For someone as low as 299.

The meals were functional, nothing more.

Then he carried his tray toward Team Z's table.

He spotted Kira in route.

Who had just received his meal as well.

"What did you get this time?"

Isagi asked.

Falling in step with him.

"Tonkatsu,"

Kira replied.

Lifting his tray slightly to show off the golden-brown breaded pork cutlet.

Accompanied by a side of shredded cabbage and miso soup.

Isagi glanced at his own tray.

Then back at Kira's.

"Rice and miso soup again. The usual."

Kira smiled sympathetically.

"That's not too bad, Isagi. At least it's consistent."

Isagi nodded.

He wasn't particularly bothered.

As the two approached their table.

Another sight caught their attention.

Across the table sat Gin Gagamaru.

The tall, lanky player was hard to miss with his imposing height.

Long black hair tied into a bun, streaked with silver.

And the distinctive three scars on his ear.

Gagamaru's rank.

296.

Was only slightly better than Isagi's.

Yet on his tray was a modest plate of gyoza alongside his miso soup.

The shocking part wasn't the meal itself.

It was how Gagamaru was eating it.

Instead of using the provided chopsticks.

Gagamaru casually picked up the gyoza with his bare hands.

Shoving the dumplings into his mouth with zero hesitation.

Isagi stopped mid-step.

His tray wobbling slightly.

"What's up with that dude not using chopsticks?!"

Kira stared too.

His brow furrowing in equal confusion.

After a moment, he shrugged.

Offering a wild theory.

"Maybe it's one of those religious things…"

Kira suggested.

"Religious?"

Isagi blinked.

"Yeah. Or maybe he was raised by bears or something,"

Kira continued.

Then out of nowhere.

Asahi Naruhaya appeared.

Darting between the tables with surprising speed.

Before anyone could react.

He snatched the gyoza right out of Gagamaru's hands.

"Thanks for the gyoza~!"

Naruhaya called out.

In a playful tone as he bolted away.

The gyoza now in his possession.

Gagamaru, clearly taken aback.

Froze for a moment.

Before his expression shifted into one of pure annoyance.

"Hey, midget... give it back!"

Gagamaru shouted.

Pushing through the crowd to chase after Naruhaya.

But Naruhaya, already wiping his lips with his finger.

As he glanced back over his shoulder, grinned cheekily.

"My bad, I already ate it!"

He called back.

His tone mocking.

The sight of a very tall and very pissed-off Gagamaru.

Chasing after the much smaller Naruhaya was almost comical.

But before Isagi could even process it.

Kira shouted at him from across the table.

"Isagi! Hide them!" Kira yelled.

His eyes wide with panic.

As he clutched his tray tighter.

Isagi glanced at his own meal.

With a shrug, he turned to Kira and muttered.

"Nah, I doubt he'd want my food anyway. Don't know about you though."

Kira scowled, his shoulders dropping in resignation.

As he realized he wasn't getting any help.

The chase continued with Gagamaru swearing and Naruhaya laughing like a maniac.

Isagi just leaned back in his chair.

Watching the spectacle unfold.

He wasn't about to get involved.

But he couldn't help but chuckle at the absurdity of it all.

…

Rest Time.

The shared room was dark.

And the soft snores of Team Z members filled the air.

Isagi lay on his mat.

Staring up at the dark ceiling.

No matter how much he tried.

Sleep wouldn't come.

With a quiet sigh.

He pushed himself up.

Careful not to disturb anyone.

"If I'm awake, I might as well do something useful."

Isagi thought.

He tiptoed across the room.

Slipping on his training shoes.

The cool air greeted him as he slid open the door.

Then closing it behind him.

With the softest click.

It was eerily quiet.

The kind of stillness that came alive late at night.

His destination wasn't far.

Team Z's Indoor training facility.

Was just across the hall way.

But as he made his way there.

The data he had gathered.

About his whole team.

Flashed through his mind.