𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐎𝐟 𝐀𝐜𝐞𝐬 || 𝘉𝘭𝘶𝘦 𝘓𝘰𝘤𝘬

CHAPTER 1

The buzz of the cafeteria was always the same. Laughter, chatter, and the occasional clatter of trays filled the air. It was comforting in its familiarity, like white noise that made the world feel normal. You sat at your usual table with Yoichi Isagi on your left and Meguru Bachira on your right, a trio that had been inseparable since elementary school.

Isagi was unwrapping his sandwich, eyes focused on it as if he were strategizing the best way to eat it, while Bachira was doing his best impression of a ravenous wolf, wolfing down his lunch with little regard for table manners.

"You know," you said, leaning back in your chair, "one day you're going to choke, Bachira."

Bachira grinned, his cheeks stuffed with food. "Nah, I've mastered the art of speed eating! Gotta train all aspects, y'know? Quick feet, quick mouth."

Isagi chuckled beside you, shaking his head. "Yeah, but the last time you 'trained,' the lunch lady had to save you."

"That was just a fluke," Bachira replied, waving his hand dismissively before taking another giant bite of his food. "Besides, what doesn't kill me makes me stronger!"

You couldn't help but laugh. Lunches with these two were always a light-hearted break from the stress of school and training. It had been this way for as long as you could remember—just the three of you, like little peas in a pod. Football was your shared passion, but this? This was the heart of it all, the moments where you could just be yourselves.

"I still can't believe you guys are trying out for Blue Lock next week," you said, picking at your own food. "Are you nervous?"

Isagi hesitated for a moment, eyes flickering with a hint of anxiety before he shrugged it off. "A little. But it's a chance to be the best striker in Japan. I have to go for it."

Bachira beamed, his golden eyes bright with excitement. "Nervous? Nah! It's going to be fun! A bunch of crazy football players all in one place—what could go wrong?"

You raised an eyebrow. "Everything?"

He laughed again, that wild, carefree sound that made everything feel like it was going to be alright, no matter how crazy the situation got. "Relax, we'll make it through. The three of us can do anything."

There was something about the way Bachira said it, his confidence infectious, that made you believe him. Maybe it was because you'd been through so much together—ups and downs, wins and losses—but with them, it felt like you could conquer anything.

The three of you continued talking about Blue Lock, football, and classes, completely lost in your own little world.

Then the ground trembled.

At first, it was subtle—just a small shake, like when a heavy truck passes by. You glanced around, noticing a few students look up from their food in confusion.

But then it happened again. Harder. This time, the tables and chairs rattled, and the noise of conversation died as everyone in the cafeteria froze.

"Is this... an earthquake?" Isagi muttered, his eyes wide.

The ground lurched beneath you, and suddenly, the tremor became violent. Plates and trays slid off tables, smashing against the floor. The building groaned as the windows shook in their frames. Screams and shouts filled the air as students scrambled to get under the tables or make their way to the exits.

Your hands gripped the edge of the table as you braced yourself, heart pounding in your chest. You barely had time to react before the floor shifted again, harder this time. You, Isagi, and Bachira were thrown off your chairs, collapsing to the ground as the world seemed to tilt around you.

"Stay down!" Isagi shouted, his voice barely audible over the roar of the earthquake.

You could hear Bachira laughing nervously, trying to make light of the situation, but even he sounded scared. Your head spun as the cafeteria around you became a blur of falling objects, shaking walls, and terrified students. Then, just as quickly as it started, the shaking stopped.

The silence that followed was deafening.

You blinked, disoriented, your head throbbing as you lay on the cold cafeteria floor. The first thing you noticed was the stillness. You were still gripping the edge of the table, your fingers aching from how tightly you had held on. Slowly, you opened your eyes and forced yourself to sit up.

Everything was... wrong.

The cafeteria was empty. Completely empty. The dozens of students who had been running and screaming moments ago were gone. The mess of food, trays, and shattered plates was still there, but not a single person remained.

You looked to your left, where Isagi and Bachira were slowly coming to as well, their faces pale with confusion. Bachira sat up first, rubbing his head. "Ow... what the hell just happened?"

"I... I don't know," you murmured, glancing around. "Where is everyone?"

Isagi was already on his feet, his eyes darting around the cafeteria, his hands clenched into fists. "Did everyone evacuate? But... where are the sounds? Where did they go?"

The three of you exchanged bewildered glances. The noise of the earthquake was gone. No distant shouts. No sounds of footsteps or running. The air felt thick, heavy with a silence that wasn't natural.

"Guys..." you whispered, standing up and brushing off your uniform. "Something's really wrong."

Bachira nodded, his usual carefree grin replaced with a nervous frown. "Yeah, this... this feels weird."

You walked toward the window, your heart pounding as you peered outside. What you saw made your blood run cold.

The streets were empty. The buildings, the roads, everything was as it had been before—but now, there wasn't a single person in sight. Not even cars or the usual hustle and bustle of Tokyo. It was like the entire city had vanished, leaving behind only you, Isagi, and Bachira.

"What the hell is going on?" Isagi muttered under his breath, coming to stand beside you. His face was pale, his eyes wide with disbelief.

Bachira, standing behind you, took a step forward and placed a hand on your shoulder, his grip tight. "Looks like we've got a mystery on our hands..."

To be continued...