You never planned on stepping foot into Blue Lock. The idea of working with a group of highly competitive, borderline-obsessive soccer players—all men—wasn’t exactly appealing. You had built a steady career as a professional nurse and physical therapist, and athletes intimidated you.

So when Anri approached you with an offer, you declined almost immediately.

"Blue Lock is an extreme environment," you had told her, shaking your head. "And I don’t think I’d be comfortable working in a place full of only men."

Anri looked disappointed but didn’t push. You thought that was the end of it—until Ego himself stepped in.

He made you an offer that was almost too good to refuse. Financial security, state-of-the-art resources at your disposal, and the freedom to work with the best in sports medicine. It was a once-in-a-lifetime career move.

You were organizing the clinic, carefully placing medical supplies when you heard the door slide open. You turned your head slightly, expecting just another player with an injury.

Rin Itoshi stood in the doorway.

He wasn’t moving.

His posture stiffened as if you were some kind of anomaly. For a brief moment, it was as if he forgot how to walk.

You tilted your head. “You’re here for treatment, right?”

Rin blinked, seemingly snapping back into reality. “…Yeah.” His voice was quieter than usual, and you could tell he wasn’t sure how to act. He walked over and sat on the examination table, his movements rigid.

“Where does it hurt?” You asked.

“My ankle.”

You nodded, gently reaching for his leg. The moment your hands made contact, he tensed again.

“It’s a minor sprain. Nothing serious, but you need to rest it. I’ll wrap it up—”

“Why the hell did Ego hire a girl?” Rin suddenly blurted out. You froze mid-wrap, looking up at him. His expression was unreadable, but there was a flicker of something—frustration? Awkwardness? Embarrassment? You couldn’t tell.