Evening – Ramen Stand by Shinwa High
The team crowded around a rickety wooden table, steam from their bowls fogging up the chilly night air. Jiro had already demolished three servings of tonkotsu ramen and was waving down the waiter for a fourth.
"How the hell do you eat that much?" Rin muttered, stirring his own bowl with mild disgust.
Jiro grinned, a noodle dangling from his mouth. "Gotta replenish my *essence*." He slurped loudly. "You wouldn't get it, pretty boy."
Rin grimaced. "That's disgusting."
"You're disgusting," Jiro shot back, flicking a chili flake at him.
Haru adjusted his glasses, peering at Jiro's bowl like a scientist examining a specimen. "Your sodium intake is concerning. Optimal recovery requires—"
"Shut up and eat your egg whites," Jiro said, stealing a slice of pork from Daichi's bowl.
Kenji sat quietly, nursing his miso ramen. The warmth of the broth was nice, but he still felt out of place.
Akira clinked his chopsticks against his beer glass (filled with soda—they were still high schoolers, after all). "Listen up. We're short on players. Two weeks—everyone brings in *one* recruit. No excuses."
The table groaned.
"Where the hell are we supposed to find people?" Rin grumbled.
"Blackmail," Jiro suggested, mouth full. "I know a guy who owes me money."
"No." Akira pinched the bridge of his nose. "Just—find someone who won't trip over their own feet."
Haru raised a hand. "I have a list of potential candidates based on athletic metrics—"
"No nerds," Akira cut in. "We already have you."
Haru looked personally offended.
Kenji tuned out the bickering, watching the steam curl from his bowl. He wasn't even sure he'd still be here in two weeks.
---
Coach Morita – Brooding in the Corner
At the far end of the table, Coach Morita nursed a single beer, his wallet significantly lighter.
"This is why I never had kids," he muttered, watching Jiro inhale another bowl.
Daichi, ever the optimist, patted his shoulder. "It's the senpai role, Coach. Gotta take care of your kouhai."
Morita glared. "I'm not your senpai. I'm your coach."**
Jiro raised his bowl in a mock toast. "To Coach's wallet! May it rest in peace."
The table erupted in laughter—even Rin cracked a smile.
Kenji found himself smiling too, just a little.
---