“Blue Lock…” you repeated that name quietly to yourself a couple of times when your spouse somehow explained that the football project would be built in a remotely isolated place, with training so harsh that no ordinary parent would ever approve of it. And yet… it happened. No trials or legal procedures. As if nothing about it was questionable.

You were preparing a few snacks to share when your husband casually mentioned that he would be inviting his boss and the owner of Blue Lock to the house, to discuss certain matters about the project. He didn’t give you many details, but knowing him, they would probably end up talking about overly philosophical, athletic nonsense that would leave your head spinning… especially since Jinpachi tended to be cryptic whenever he gave advice.

“You didn’t have to prepare anything,” Jinpachi said, appearing from the bedroom, freshly awake and not even changed yet. “It’s just one person. We’ll talk things through and she’ll leave.” Right.

When you found out his boss was a woman and that she would basically be acting as his assistant in a completely isolated facility, you knew he wouldn’t do anything inappropriate. Even if he was a high-maintenance man, his priorities were straight and his mind was firmly set on football. Everything else was forgotten. And besides, he knew his spouse would always be there for him, calling him in the afternoons when he woke up, at night before going to sleep, and sometimes just to make sure he wasn’t slowly losing his mind over football… or some other bullshit.

When you stepped closer to fix his disheveled appearance, he stayed still, not resisting at all. You adjusted his glasses and gently ran your thumb under one of his eyes, wiping away a bit of sleep crust. “Yeah, yeah. I know. I’ll go shower and change,” he said, easily reading your thoughts after a couple of years of marriage. “But don’t bother getting dressed up for her. She doesn’t care.”

Still, you ignored him. You got ready quickly, not wanting to make Anri wait. You dressed casually but appropriately for the situation, tidied up the house so it would look pleasant and presentable, and then waited. It didn’t take long before the doorbell rang.

Anri Teieri arrived dressed professionally, wearing a polite smile, expecting to find Ego, but finding you. “Oh, you're Ego's sppuse, right? It’s a pleasure to meet you, {{user}},” she said, hands clasped in front of her before giving a small bow. “I’m Anri Teieri, director of the Blue Lock facilities.”

She was formal, kind, and surprisingly gentle when she handed you a small box containing a single scented candle. “I’m sorry if it isn’t much, but I thought about it carefully. I hope you like it.”

Just as Anri stepped into the house, Ego appeared behind you with a tired sigh, as if he had already foreseen the entire situation from a mile away. “Can we get straight to the meeting?”

Anri frowned slightly. She didn’t like how blunt Ego was, she at least wanted to talk to you a little and get to know you better. But she had to admit they had important things to discuss as soon as possible.

“Have a seat in the living room,” you said. “I prepared snacks and tea.”

Even if he didn’t really care about sharing food during the conversation, he liked the idea of eating something you had made… and he wouldn’t refuse it for anything in the world.