Chapter Text
Isagi had been called to Anri’s office for his mandatory nightly medical assessment. His teammates Bachira, Rin, Aryu and Tokimitsu had already finished theirs earlier, and they were already so enraptured by the idea of a good night’s rest.
Well, except for Bachira and Rin.
Bachira currently had a ton of energy, and was constantly bothering the others. Isagi knew Bachira was simply being how he was when he got small, which wasn’t too different from when he wasn't. He knew he had a lot of excess energy and needed to get it out.
Rin on the other hand was so frustrated with Bachira’s behaviour that he stormed out, possibly to finish his meditation routine. Isagi could empathize with him a little bit. As much as he loved Bachira and didn’t mind him being small, Isagi wouldn’t lie about him being a little frustrated with him at times.
But he didn’t need to worry. He had an idea.
“Isagi-kun? You’re here for your checkup?” Anri asked gently as Isagi approached her office.
“Uh, yeah.” he nodded, feeling a bit nervous about his idea for Bachira.
He went through the usual medical scans and checkup in no time. Anri was pleased with his condition and smiled.
“Well, you did good! You’re free to go, Isagi-kun.” she said cheerfully.
Isagi stuttered. “U-Uh, actually… I have something to ask, Anri-san.”
Anri blinked in surprise and nodded. “What’s the matter?”
Isagi smiled a bit and rubbed the back of his neck. “Say, uh… would you happen to have any books in the Blue Lock facility? Like, a novel or manga or something?”
Anri’s concerned expression morphed into a smile. “Oh, I see. This is for those English lessons Ego-san put for the teams, right?”
“Uh… Something like that?” Isagi chuckled. “More so for reading and understanding.” It wasn’t a lie. He did plan on reading something.
“Well, I don’t have a lot but Ego-san did give me a variety of examples.” She stood up and walked over to the large shelf behind her, pulling out a stack of books from a box on the top shelf.
“Ah! Here it is!” Anri smiled with bright eyes and brought it over to Isagi. He peered into the box as she set it on the floor. He saw a few books stacked neatly inside on their spines. He bent down to inspect them, and Anri soon followed.
“What exactly are you looking for?” She asked curiously as she sifted through the box.
Isagi blinked in surprise. He hadn't thought about the genre of the book he was getting. He just needed an engaging story.
“Oh! Uh, something interesting.” He answered, then shook his head and elaborated. “Actually, something fictional. A simple story.”
“Well, I have some novels here, though they’re quite long,” Anri muttered as she pulled the books out to inspect them. “I have some self-help books here too, though I guess you aren’t looking for that.”
Both of them looked through the box until Isagi spotted something that caught his eye.
“Oh, wait! What about this one?”
He stuck his hand down the bottom of the box and fished out a colorful picture book written in Japanese.
Anri raised an eyebrow. “‘The Very Hungry Caterpillar?’”
“Yes!” Isagi’s eyes lit up. “This is perfect!.”
“Uh… but you wanted them in English,” Anri said, confused. “This is the only book in the pile that’s written in Japanese. Maybe Ego-san put it there by mistake.”
“Oh!” Isagi chuckled nervously. “Uh, I’ll take these then too!”
He grabbed another book, though a lot thicker, that was titled “5 minute bedtime stories” in English.
“This will do as well!”
Anri smiled and clapped her hands together. “Excellent! That’s all you’re looking for?”
“Yes, Anri-san. Thank you so much!” Isagi returned her smile and stood up with the books clutched carefully to his chest.
Anri carefully put the box of books back on the shelf. As Isagi was turning to leave the room, she said “I hope you enjoy reading them!”
Isagi smiled and padded down the hallway back to his shared sleeping quarters.
I hope they will too.