Olive Branch - Part 13
Pairings. Isagi Yoichi x reader
Featuring. Isagi Yoichi, Bachira Meguru, Isagi Yoichi's parents, OCs & reader insert
Tags. fluff, crack, angst, unrequited love, estranged friendship, pining, burnt house, forced proximity, marriage & simp behaviour
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How can a house be so damn perfect?
You sighed as the warm water massaged your back soothingly.
Isagi's guest bathroom wasn't big, but not too small either. There was a circular bath tub pushed into the far corner, right below the window.
A small racket endoused with towels was poised next to the shower that was in the opposite side of the room.
Almost deploringly, you stepped out of the shower, drying yourself off and pushing your hair in a wrapped towel.
"Uh... Isagi?" You asked loudly.
A faint nose echoed back, then you heard the guest bed room door opening.
A knock on the door.
While covering your body with a towel, you opened the door on a sliver.
A hand stuck out, holding some sweater pants and a t-shirt.
"Uh... here." Isagi's voice came out muffled, likely because he'd turned his head to the other side.
"Thank you." You took the clothes from him and closed the door.
Your hands carded through the material. It was soft, and it smelled like cedarwood.
After properly dressing yourself, you returned downstairs, the warm humid air of the bathroom a stark juxtaposition to the cool, breezy atmosphere of the living room.
You sneezed. Huh. Seemed like the flu hadn't left you quite yet.
"Isagi?" You walked towards the couch where Isagi was sitting, clad in comfort wear, too. A loose-fitting black t-shirt coupled with grey sweatpants.
He seemed to be watching something, probably something football-related.
Curiously, you eyed the screen.
Ah, this was from the previous World Cup. Your eyebrows raised though, when a familiar figure came on screen.
Your fiancé.
He had played well last year, his team even coming in first. Though, the victory was a hard won one, Japan had only lost to one point in the last few minutes of the game.
Noticing your presence, Isagi quickly whipped his head around.
"Y/n! How are you fe--feeling..." Isagi's eyes widened, then he abruptly turned away. The tips of his ears were red.
You shrugged, settling down on the opposite side of the couch. You didn't quite know how much space was appropriate between the two of you.
Isagi chanced a look at you, before opening his mouth and closing it again.
"I think I still feel a bit under the weather." You answered his question. "But I think it'll go away after a good night's rest."
"Ah, I, uh, see. That's... that's good!" Isagi responded, fiddling with his fingers.
"Mhm." You sank into the couch. It was unfairly heavenly. "There still needs to be done a lot for the match. I can't afford to be MIA for long."
Isagi slowly nodded, pursing his lips. "I heard something happened with the, uh, sponsors?"
You sighed. "Yeah, the opposite team managed to snatch them away. But we haven't found any replacements yet."
Isagi bit his lip, his eyes flicking to the floor and his hands.
"What if... I could perhaps uh... help you?"
Blinking in surprise, you glanced at him sideways. His cheeks were ruddy.
When your silence persisted too long, Isagi hastily spoke, "I uh... know a few people, and Reo, too. I think he would be definitely in. But I don't know if it'll be enough... and uh, if it'll be convenient, of course." Isagi licked his lips.
"Or maybe I could advertise the match? I guess being Japan's Poster Boy does have its perks..." Isagi trailed off, eyes questioningly looking at you.
"I... really?" You sat upright, your eyes widened.
A small smile flitted on Isagi's lips. "Yeah! I mean uh, of course." He coughed.
"You've been handling everything on your own, and uh... not that you're not capable! Because you are! Very capable and competent."
Isagi inhaled some air. "And you probably won't need my help, but uh... if you allow me, I'd like to help shoulder your... burdens? Ah, no, not that they're burdens," He hastily waved his hands, "It's your job, after all. A gopd job. Excellent."
He let out a strained laugh. "Just uh... I have a network that you can use? If you want, of course!"
Then, Isagi clamped his mouth shut, firmly boring holes into the ground with his eyes. You could only look at him, your mind blank.
He was wringing his hands, the corners of his lips awkwardly pushing upwards before falling flat again. His eyes were staring fixatedly on the floor.
Something tugged within you.
"If you..." You began unsurely, "if you're sincere, I... I would appreciate it."
Isagi's eyes widened. "You... you're sure?"
You gave a small nod, lips quirking up in an uncertain smile.
A bright spark lit up in Isagi's eyes, his lips stretched wide in a big smile. "Okay. Yes. I'll contact them tomorrow. And maybe Reo knows some tricks to garner people?"
Inclining your head in agreement, you affirmed, "I frequently have done business with Reo and I've seen him work his magic during those business gatherings. I think he'll definitely have some tricks on his sleeve."
Isagi's eyebrows rose in interest. "Reo?"
"Ah, uh. Yeah." You rubbed your neck. "He has a lot of international influence, especially since he's become of age and inherited a part of Mikage's Corporation. He's mostly active in football-related matters."
"So you... have met up with him over the years?" Isagi said, his voice neutral.
"At business gatherings, yeah. And Nagi. But he just tagged along."
"Ah, okay." Isagi gave a small smile. "I'm sure that Reo uh, can help you, too."
"Mhm." You mumbled absently, eyes straying towards the screen. "The finale of last year?"
"Oh! Just you know... scouting out the competition."
You tilted your head to the right. "Wouldn't the data be a little outdated, though?"
Isagi shrugged. "Yeah, but there isn't anything else available from that team as a whole. Besides," Isagi fiddled with the remote, "watching this again would be good for finding out the gaps in our plays."
Ah, always up for improvement.
"You know, that pass over there was a few metres off to the left." You offhandedly commented when the video clip played.
Surprised, Isagi looked at you askance.
"Oh, uh!" You chuckled awkwardly. "I had some spare time left last year, so I made some notes."
"Really?" Isagi looked at you in awe. "From which teams?"
You pursed your lips in thought. "England, France. Germany, Japan. Basically, the hot shots," you summarised.
"Oh, wow." Isagi sunk back into the couch. "Could I maybe... see them?"
You quirked up your eyebrows. "Are you sure? I mean, they're not really good or anyt--"
"If they're anything like the notes you had during the U-20s, then I'm hundred percent sure they're great." Isagi said confidently.
A rush of warmth spread over your face. "Ah... those were just some scrabbles. Nothing serious."
"They were!" Isagi countered, a fire to his eyes that made your chest burn hotly.
"I mean... uh, they were really insightful," Isagi coughed, lowering his volume. "They took several unforeseen factors into account that really helped boost the team overall dynamics."
"I... okay." A grin blossomed on your lips. "Then I'll get them. They should be on my laptop."
You went upstairs in search of your laptop, a giddy feeling bubbling up in your chest.
It had been a while since you had felt this way again. The sensation was archaic, but it nevertheless left you dizzy and breathless, as if you'd taken a dopamine shot.
Briefly, you were back in the moment portrayed in Bachira's picture: The Blue Lock Stadium after Japan's siege of the U-20 World Cup and the tedious afterparty. The moment such feelings had nestled in you, unfurling quietly but steadily in your chest.
That had been something. Just the quiet before the storm. Before everything went downhills.
But it hadn't been really quiet.
Being with Isagi was a lot of things: intense, extreme, fulfilling.
Being with Isagi felt like being alive.
And previously, when you had first come across that nostalgic picture, you'd thought that you could cope, lead a life without Isagi in it.
But it wasn't quite living. You weren't quite alive.
It was living life with a hole in your chest. It was having a memory without feelings.
And maybe, just maybe, your happiness had only been momentarily these years because Isagi hadn't been at your side.
And maybe, when you had pleaded for your fiancé to return to you all those weeks ago on that fateful night, when your home had burnt down, it had been Isagi who had answered your prayer, Isagi who had extended an olive branch to you.
Isagi, who had returned to you.
You plopped onto the couch, laptop nestled on your lap.
Curiously, Isagi eyed the screen. His eyes squinting, trying to read the tiny font.
"Come closer," You beckoned him with your hand, excitement thrilling your voice. "I haven't had the chance yet to show this to anyone."
Isagi did as you said, hesitatently scooting into your personal space, until his body heat warmed up the bare air between you two.
"Here, this one is Japan." You pointed at the screen, the diagrams and excel sheets giving a clear view of the gathered data.
"Can I...?" Isagi motioned at the laptop. You gave an affirmative noise. Isagi carefully took the laptop from you, hands brushing just slightly against the material of your sweat pants.
Goosebumps rose up along your arms, the place that Isagi's fingers had touched alight with something that was akin to a fire razing your skin. You shivered.
Am I cold? You frowned, rubbing your arms.
Though you weren't given much time to contemplate this; Isagi made a surprised noise.
"Are those... stats of all the players?" His eyes were brimming feverishly, his thrilled voice just enough to kick you out of your stupor.
"Yeah. But I think they're up for some fine tuning. After all, it has been a whole year." You mused.
"Wow..." Isagi's mouth was ajar, his eyes glued to the screen. "This is... amazing! It's so... so accurate and detailed!" He turned to you, eyes blazing with such a ferocious intensity that you felt sucked into his orbit.
"Strengths: stamina, relentless pursuit, guarding." Isagi mumbled aloud. "Additional assets: stalking horse defence and physique. Oh wow, this is Raichi!"
A smile spread over your lips. "Yeah, he's a pretty formidable player."
Isagi hummed, scrolling further down, mumbling the statistics. "Oh wait, this is me!"
You froze up, your chest feeling heavy.
What would Isagi think of your notes of him?
You had quite a lot of data on him after all, what with being a Director of Administration during the U-20s.
But especially because you'd been personally instructed by Ego to keep an eye on him, lest he'd raze himself into the ground.
"Weapons: high metavision, positioning, dribbling with enabled metavision, direct shot, lefty shot, feint shot, two gun volley..." Isagi trailed off, his eyes rapidly going over the list.
Meanwhile, you felt like sinking through the couch. Having all these notes on these players really made you feel like a stalker, even though it had been merely to occupy your spare time.
"Suggested roles." Isagi said, a hint of intrigue in his voice. "Playmaker, strategic brain of the team, scoring machine, and..." Isagi's eyes widened. "Decoy?"
He turned sideways to you, a questioning look in his eyes.
"Yeah, uh..." Your cheeks flushed. "You're like... an S-tier threat. Everyone is just so... drawn to you."
"Oh?" Isagi tilted his head sideways, his sprout dangling loosely from his fringe.
"Yeah, uh..." You coughed, throat hoarse. Your eyes briefly flicked towards his. "I mean, during the U-20 World Cup you were constantly being regarded with high vigilance."
"Huh." Isagi nodded, crossing his arms.
"I figured that you could use that to create a blind spot. Because you shine brightly on the field, naturally, there's also a dark shadow trailing after you."
Isagi blinked. "I... shine on the field?"
You were positively a tomato now. "Yes?" You squeaked out.
"Everyone's wary of you because of the insane tricks you pull off. You can use that to your advantage to take the attention off of your teammates and let them build up the attack. Of course, the other team will catch up and think you've switched tactics, but then..."
"I get the ball and score." Isagi finished your sentence.
"Yeah, exactly!" You enthused.
"Wow... I... wow." Isagi stammered, silently handing your your laptop back.
You chewed your lip, wondering if you might have gone just a little too far.
Isagi shifted his position, now facing you, his knee lightly brushing against your upper leg.
"I won't lie. This... this proved there are so many new possibilities." Isagi said seriously. His eyes had taken on that intense look of his, jagged at the edges but dulling in the middle where he was lost in that fascinating mind of his.
Sometimes, you really did wonder what went on in that big brain of his.
"Can I have a copy of this?"
Your eyebrows shot in your eyebrows. "So you think it's... fine?"
"Fine?" Isagi echoed, incredulously. "This is amazing! Ingenious! This... we could win the World Cup!"
We? A warmth enveloped your chest. Your eyes flicked to the space between you.
It had shrunk.
Ah, maybe you should make some more additional notes. Even off the field, people were naturally drawn to Isagi, and you were no exception to that.
"I... okay." You said breathlessly. "Are you sure they're alright, though? I can still make some modifications and add some new data."
"Oh!" Isagi's eyes beamed. "I think Ego has some files on that. It should be in the Blue Lock facility."
"It's still exists?" You asked, eyes wide.
"Oh, yeah." Isagi affirmed. "But it's become more of an exhibition now. Though everyone of Blue Lock still has clearance to all the rooms and the files."
"Wow." You sat back, thoroughly impressed. "So... you can just waltz in and take what you want?"
"Yep." Isagi confirmed. "The appliances are still so modern that there's a part of Blue Lock that's specifically reserved for team meetings and gatherings. That's why all the data of Japan's football team is also saved there."
"Yeah, nothing can really top Blue Lock." You mused, voice quiet in reverence.
Isagi looked at you curiously. "What do you mean?"
You shrugged. "They don't call Japan Land of the Rising Sun for nothing. Back where I've been for the past few years, they still used more traditional systems."
"Was it..." Isagi swallowed. "Was it good? There?"
"I... yeah. They treated me nicely, and uh... the house was also... good. Yeah."
Isagi stayed silent for a moment. His eyes fixed on the patch of couch that seperated the two of you.
He opened his mouth to say something, but he was interrupted by the ringing of your phone.
"Oh, uh. I'll get this."
Isagi nodded, eyes lingering for a moment on your face. "Yeah, uh. Please, go ahead." He cleared his throat.
You gave him a grateful bow of your head, before you walked towards the hallway.
"Hello?" You spoke in the phone as soon as you picked up.
"Heya bestie!" Miyu's voice chirped.
"Miyu." You greeted.
"How's it going? Is Isagi treating you well?"
Well, was an understatement. "Ah, yeah. His house is enormous, and he's been very po-- wait a second. How do you know I'm at Isagi's?"
Silence.
"I had a sense that you would stay late that day, what with for boss we have." You could practically hear Miyu's scowl from three planets away.
"So I ringed up Isagi. You haven't looked well for weeks, girl."
You sighed. "Yeah, you're right. Thank you for looking out for me. I passed out in front of the JFU building."
"You should really take better care of yourself." Miyu sighed. "Are you feeling better now?"
You shrugged. "I still have a little bit of a fever, but for the rest, I'm fine. I should be good to work tomorrow."
"WHAT?!"
You flinched. "Woah, uh. Did I say something wrong?"
"Uh, yeah?" Miyu retorted. "You haven't even properly recuperated after weeks of insane torture--"
"Unprioritised work-personal life balance."
"--and now you're thinking about diving back in? Where is that Isagi, huh? Don't tell me he's letting you go back to work!"
"Hey, I'm fine." You protested. "Besides, I can look after myself."
A snicker. "Yeah, yeah, and you don't think Isagi's handsome."
"Wah-- what?" Your face exploded.
"Anyway, I informed your boss and I basically demanded a week of paid leave."
You guffawed. "A week?! Do you have any idea what needs to be done within a month?!"
"Yeah," Miyu answered. "That's why that grouchy money grubbing asshole only gave you a day."
Your shoulders relaxed. "Ah, okay. One day isn't so bad, right?"
"It's not even enough. You should get more." Miyu sniffed. "Anyhow, how is it going there? You said his house was big?"
"Yeah." You gushed. "His guest bedroom alone was gigantic. And all of the decoration is just top-notch."
"Ah, taking notes?" Miyu teased.
"Definitely." You agreed without a thought. "He said he would send me a link to where he had purchased those stools."
Miyu murmured something intelligibly.
"Huh, what's that?"
"Ah, nothing, nothing. Please continue."
"Well, I just think it's really spacious. But it's also like... really cosy, you know?" You gasped. "Oh wait! Isagi offered to help us networking. And Reo's probably in, too."
"Oh, really?! That's amazing!" Miyu exclaimed. "See, I told you he would help!"
You scoffed. "Yeah, yeah. Always butting your nose in other people's business, huh? I know you were the one who tipped off my hotel to Bachira!"
"Huh? What do you mean?"
"Uh... when I firstly stayed with Bachira, he somehow knew where my hotel was at."
"Girl. I didn't tell them."
Your eyebrows rose. "Wait, what?"
"I'm feeling extremely offended now, I would never dare betray my bestie like that."
"But... Bachira told me..." You trailed off.
"Bachira is a big, fat liar!"
"I... but. How?"
"Maybe that's something you could ask Isagi?" Miyu suggested.
"Ah, maybe. But why wouldn't they just... tell me?"
"Boys." Miyu stated. "Especially that Isagi of yours. He's always shrouded by mystery."
Mystery indeed. For the second time that evening, you found yourself wondering, just what was going on in his head.
"Well, that's enough for today." Miyu concluded. "Go get your beauty sleep, and don't worry your pretty head about the match, okay? Everything will work out in the end."
"Uh... yeah. Of course." You said, still stumped from the bomb dropped on you. "Thanks. Bye, Miyu."
Miyu bid you a cheery goodbye before she hung up. But her words lingered around for longer.
For some reason, you couldn't help but think that there was more that met the eye.
And the puzzle pieces revolved all around Isagi.
© theresatzu
Do not copy my works, use it in AI or ChatGPT, or for other nefarious means.
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