So at the last half hour before check in opens, the remaining 2 GF seats were taken. Number of booked pax according to the flight status page hasn't changed, so maybe it's a GS with an unassigned seat? 1A remained blocked.
I ended up SDCing into open PZ to the earlier IAD-FRA flight on a Polaris-ized plane so all's well that ends well I guess.
Still, this whole ordeal stressed me out more than it should have--I agree with @
chavala, it's not worth it...
After NRT-ORD in a week, I'm steering clear from these 772s.