Chapter Text
“I missed this so much!” Isagi sighed, as he bit into the crispy pork cutlet. “Mom, I’ve been dying to eat this!”
Iyo clapped happily, as Isagi dug into his meal. From what they’ve heard from him, Blue Lock seemed to be keeping their son on a strict diet, and Iyo wanted to coo and feed her Yoichi as much as possible, before he was going to leave them again.
“Eat as much as you want, Yoichi!” She said happily, as she took one piece of cutlet from her plate and placed it into his. “Just don’t let your coach find out!”
Isagi shook his head and put the slice of meat back into his mother’s plate. She deserved to eat more, especially since she was the one who cooked it. Iyo smiled at the warm gesture.
“Your mother made this just to celebrate your victory, player Isagi Yoichi!” Issei smiled cheerfully, as Isagi let out a wistful groan at the juicy meat.
“Pork cutlet after a victory is really the best!” Isagi closed his eyes and slowly savoured the rare taste of oil on his tongue. He’s really missed this.
“I saw you trending on Twitter! No matter your salary or your popularity right now, it’s really amazing,” Issei beamed, taking a bite of his pork. Iyo chastised him quietly, and he smiled bashfully.
“Sorry, I shouldn’t bring this up when you’re resting, should I?” Issei laughed awkwardly, as he scratched the back of his neck. Isagi shook his head, a huge grin on his face.
“No no, it’s okay,” Isagi smiled, as he handed his bowl to his mom, silently asking for a refill. “I really wanted to be the very best, so I’m super happy! I’ve finally reached my goal!”
Issei knew that he had a stupid grin on his face as Iyo let out a joyful giggle, handing the bowl of steaming rice back to Isagi. He had never been happier for his son, who was currently stuffing his face with rice.
Issei stretched out a hand towards Isagi, who narrowed his eyes. There was something suspicious going on.
“Thank you for the hard work, my finest clown,” Issei rumbled, as Isagi almost spat out the miso soup in his mouth.
“Gah! Stop this! Don’t make fun of your own son!” Isagi exclaimed, waving his hands frantically in front of his face, as Issei’s eyes darkened, similar to Isagi’s on the field.
“My supreme clown,” Issei repeated, but he couldn’t stop the giggle that was threatening to break out of his chest, “Thanks for your fucking hard work.”
Isagi squealed as Issei let out a loud laugh. Iyo chuckled. “Yo-chan, maybe you should swear less on the field! You might give the children watching a bad habit otherwise!”
Isagi tried to defend himself, but he couldn’t stop the smile pulling at his lips either. “Stop it! Kaiser is the one who swears a lot, not me! I promise!”
His parents laughed as he flailed his hands around, trying to explain Kaiser’s crudeness. It was comforting and domestic, something that Isagi had missed from being stuck in Blue Lock. After all, who was going to make pork cutlet for him? Kaiser?
The sound of crunchy deep-fried batter and the clinking of chopsticks of bowls, along with laughter filled the house. Isagi’s heart felt warm, and he knew that his face was probably pink from happiness.
“I want to fucking destroy Kaiser!” Issei growled, as Iyo let out an amused laugh. There wasn’t any happiness anymore. Isagi wanted to crawl into a hole and die.
“Yo-chan, maybe you need to see an anger management class...?” Iyo teased, while Isagi shook his head quickly.
“I-I promise I’ll think before I speak!” Isagi squeaked, while his parents both laughed at his dishevelled state. “Really, I won’t see Kaiser anymore, I’ll be better!”
Issei stood up to get another bowl of soup. “Ah, so it’s only Kaiser who makes you swear? He’s not a good influence, is he?”
Isagi nodded quickly in agreement, while Iyo let out an amused breath. The family settled into a calmer rhythm, of familiar banter and asking how Blue Lock was for Isagi, finally letting go of the previous subject.
Dinner went smoothly afterwards, from Iyo’s concern about his life in Blue Lock and how he was, to what he experienced when he was playing football. Issei watched happily as Isagi talked animatedly about how Reo was a chameleon, or something? (Mikage Reo! From Mikage Corp!)
Isagi stood up as his mother started to collect the dishes to wash, and she ushered him to go sit with his father in the living room, where he was watching the replay of the PxG versus Bastard Munchen match that was playing on the news.
“Hey, Yoichi, you’re on the news!” Issei pointed at the title, which read ‘Japan’s football potential skyrockets! International clubs are reaching out to local players!’
Isagi awkwardly scratched his neck as he sat down next to his father. “It feels really weird to see myself on tv…”
Issei patted him on the back as Isagi leaned backwards onto the sofa. It was strange to see himself running across the field on the screen, but his eyes still traced the movements between him and Kaiser.
He kind of understood why people were saying that the two would be unstoppable if only they teamed up. Every movement between them were smooth and elegant, their thoughts running on the same tempo and their rhythm complimenting each other like a fiery duet, trying to outplay each other.
Issei watched in interest at his son as his eyes darted with the ball on the screen, following the player’s movements precisely. It was interesting to see him go from relaxed to immediately focused onto the game.
“Yoichi,” Issei started, distracting Isagi from his trance, “You’ve really changed! Maybe you’re even more mature than me now?”
Isagi giggled, shaking his head. “No way! I still have a long way to go.”
Issei patted his son on the head gently. Although Isagi scowled and shook his hand off, there was a grin on his face.
The two watched the match on the screen as the sound of water and dishes clanking across each other resonated around the room. Only when the commercials started, did Issei say something.
“I’m guessing you won’t be able to find a girlfriend any time soon,” Issei sighed, as a pink flush washed across Isagi’s face. “You’ll have to catch up when you leave Blue Lock!”
Isagi stuttered a little. It wasn’t really something that he was bothered with, not when he was so focused on football. To be honest, it wasn’t a priority at all.
Isagi played with his fingers awkwardly, unsure of what to say. Iyo tsked at him, having finished washing the dishes.
“They say you and Kaiser have really good chemistry,” Issei teased, as Isagi let out a flustered shriek. “Maybe you’ll bring back a boy?”
“No way, no way!” Isagi shouted, eyes wide in embarrassment. Iyo hit Issei lightly at his teasing, but she couldn’t help but also let a smile stretch across her face. It was funny to see their son so flustered, as he flailed around, spewing out reasons why he would never date anyone, not a guy, no less.
“You’re going to make him not want to marry anyone at this point!” Iyo chastised, while Issei laughed.
Isagi grumbled angrily, finally calming down. Whenever someone brought up him and Kaiser, it always made him furious; why can’t anyone understand that they hate each other?
Although he was a player to be respected, and essentially his ideal, he never really considered even becoming friends with him. His eyes zeroed onto the blonde player on the screen now, a familiar blue rose peeking over his jersey as he received a pass from Ness.
Isagi shook his head, trying to remove the infuriating man from his head now. He really didn’t need to have Kaiser in his mind again when he was supposed to be resting.
Issei watched Isagi from the corner of his eye as he battled with his thoughts about Kaiser.
‘What an interesting reaction’, Issei thought.