SILENT WIND |°་༘♡| blue lock

01. A MENTAL INSTITUTION IN MAKING

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✾_________ "DID YOU actually think this through?" was all Kiomi could croak out in her disbelief. As Kiomi's face paled at the thought of the ridiculous project, Anri's eyes sparkled with excitement, eager to share every detail about it.

"Of course I did. In the end, this is the only way to give Japan even a hope of succeeding!" exclaimed the overjoyed woman.

"I am not talking about the results," Kiomi shook her head, the clink of her chopsticks against the plate echoing her disbelief as she abandoned her dinner and moved to the couch beside Anri. "I am talking about the whole 'locking 300 teenage boys in one place' part."

If Anri was second-guessing her choices for even a second, she didn't let it show.

"Of course we planned it all. I wouldn't let myself get involved if we didn't."

Kiomi's doubts lingered, not satisfied with the answer even a little bit. She knew her sister's passion for football rivaled her own fervor for medicine, but passion alone couldn't justify such an audacious plan.

"What about the budget? That whole project would require building a new facility, wouldn't it? Plus all the supplies and food, as well as clothes and places to sleep. What about their education? It's 300 boys, Anri."

Anri's smile didn't falter, not even a little bit. "Don't worry about it. It has all been taken care of."

But Kiomi couldn't understand how her sister remained so nonchalant about everything. They were talking about millions, if not billions, here. With her limited knowledge of the JFU's top dogs, she was certain they wouldn't fund a project that seemed dreamt up by either an overly passionate five-year-old or a sadistic psychopath who has no grasp of social realities.

"Okay, let's say that it all works out perfectly as you believe it will, which I highly doubt. Who's to say that the players won't kill each other over the top spot?" Kiomi persisted, her concern evident, but Anri remained resolute.

"We are taking in football players, not monsters." Anri's reassurance did little to sway Kiomi's skepticism.

"Exactly! They are teenage boys full of energy, and you want to induce the highest ego in them. You're just adding fuel to the fire. What else does that spell except for disaster?" Kiomi's frustration grew palpable.

"I know you'll find a way to answer all my questions, whether I like the answer or not. But I am still curious about one more thing," Anri glanced up from her paperwork to look at her sister, her expression serious. "is this even legal?"

For a moment, the room was filled with silence. Kiomi dared to hope she had stumped her sister.

But as always, Anri had an answer ready. "Of course it is. I've prepared detailed consensual contracts for the parents outlining every aspect of our program they need to know. As long as they sign it, everything is legal."

Kiomi stared at Anri, her expression unreadable, which only seemed to amuse her sister. Anri's soft giggles soon escalated into full-blown laughter, clutching her stomach to hold the papers steady. "That's what you're worried about?" she managed to ask between laughs, raising an eyebrow with a wide smile.

"Of course I am!" Kiomi retorted, feeling her ears grow warm. She picked up a nearby pillow, ready to throw it at her sister if she didn't stop laughing.

Seeing the weapon in Kiomi's hand, Anri took deep breaths to compose herself, though an occasional giggle still escaped her mouth.

"After all, you're planning to build a facility that could double as a prison afterward. Which parent would agree to send their kid to a place like that?"