Tastes Like Home | Blue Lock x Reader

Thirteen

If there is one thing Yoichi prides himself on, it is his keen observation. On the field, it enables him to predict his opponent's next move, dominate the game, and intimidate even those who dare underestimate him. Off the field, it lets him see through his childhood friend's cheerful facade, realizing she is not as okay as she pretends to be.

He had no doubt in his suspicions as he watched the (h/c)-haired girl—whom he adored more than words could capture—pour tea for him and his friends that morning. Her laughter, bright and effortless, flowed with the ease of a well-rehearsed performance, each word part of her delicate hostess act. Yet, no matter how joyful her voice seemed, her puffy undereyes and misty gaze told a different story, betraying her carefully made facade.

A quick glance over to the rest of his friends told him they, too, noticed this... Well, except maybe Meguru who was too busy chattering away.

"... I'm always told it's all in my head, and maybe it is." Meguru shrugged as he continued to talk about his Monster friend. "But who are they to judge if it works for me, huh?"

"You're right," (Y/n) replied, smiling to herself as she kept her eyes fixed on her task. "I'd even say they must be jealous of you... Because even when you're objectively alone, it doesn't completely feel like it."

"Yet there should be a limit to how much you indulge yourself in such matters," Hyoma added. "Delusion can also be a bad thing."

"Mhm, I agree." (Y/n) nodded.

"But you don't leave the guy that obviously doesn't give a crap about you," Seishiro muttered.

(Y/n)'s head snapped towards his direction, eyeing his unfazed figure that was busy attending to his rice and natto.

"Hold on—"

"Imagine willingly putting your future children suffer from their parents' terrible relationship because you couldn't leave now," he continued. "Anyway, I don't like this." He held up his chopsticks dipped in sticky natto sauce.

"Nagi." Reo got up and forcibly pulled the white-haired teenager to his feet through the back of his hood. "We'll go find something else to eat, sorry about that (L/n)."

Reo gave her an apologetic bow before hastily escorting the—clearly upset— Seishiro out of the room, leaving the rest of the group to process the one-sided interaction.

On the one hand, Yoichi seemed to be dumbfounded by the clear fact that (Y/n) did, in fact, have a partner this entire time; a terrible one, that is. How could such a sweet girl like her even end up with some jerk? Did she really not have any better options?

On the other hand, everyone else was just more confused about Seishiro's response for it was very out-of-character of him. How did he—a usually nonchalant person—show just the slightest bit of chalant?

"Um, did Nagi just utter full sentences other than 'Reo carry me' and 'Too tiring, don't wanna'?"

"Bachira, shush," Rensuke glared at him. "For Nagi to react in such a way must mean it matters a lot to him."

"Did something happen, (L/n)?" Hyoma asked, however, the girl was too busy staring at the door the duo had just exited from.

She remained silent, finally deciding to follow them, slamming the door shut with surprising force.

Yoichi had already followed her out before anyone else, especially Meguru, could chime in.

"I told you guys we should have just gone to another football training camp."

"Bachira."

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(Y/n) entered the kitchen, the warm aroma of coffee filling the air.