Chapter Text
Rin didn’t know what he did. What happened to his nii-chan? What happened to their dream?
This all must’ve been a mistake, his brother loves him. He just has to get better and then Sae will share their dream again. Rin rubbed his fingers across his hairline.
Right. He just has to improve. He just needs to practice again.
Sweat ran down his neck, his chest rapidly moving up and down. A scowl ghosted over his lips as sweat glued his hair to his face. Rin has been training nonstop since he’s arrived to bluelock, prepping for the upcoming U-20 match. As the greenette made the journey to the showers, his legs pulsed in ache while he caught his breath from running sprints all day. He shoved the door open and paused.
Based off how quiet it is in the locker room, Rin could tell that the pink tipped (yikes) menace was, oddly, not there. Even though Shidou’s presence was annoying and irritating, the teen had grown accustomed to it, “if you want to survive bluelock you need to adapt!” and all. Rin decided to take the rare occasion of peace as a gift. He set down the distractingly white towel next to the shower, rolled his shoulders, and stepped in.
The knob was twisted to the highest heat. ‘The only way it should be.’ People who take cold or even lukewarm showers are menaces. The warm water encompassed his entire body, soothing his throbbing muscles. Rin’s thoughts wandered as the droplets pelted against his skin, suddenly feeling less comforting and instead icy and sharp against his skin.
‘You make me want to puke.’
‘Get out of my face. I don’t need you in my life anymore.’
‘Don’t ever use me as an excuse to play soccer again.’
‘You’re nothing but a good-for-nothing little brother.’
Ouch.
Rin looked down to see that he subconsciously started scratching his arms, with faint marks beading with blood getting ready to seep out. Sighing, he twisted the knob off, stepped out of the shower, shuddered at the cold air, and got hurriedly dressed.
On the way out, he caught quick, uncomfortable eye contact with Bachira. ‘Pathetic’
Rin stared at the ceiling,
memorizing every bump and shadow on it. He could probably count all of them if he focused on it, but his mind refused to stick to one thing. Even though his room was higher quality due to him being top rank, he felt indescribably confined between the bland white walls. No matter how hard he tried to distract himself, the memories of Sae kept coming back. The disappointment radiating off of him, the hatred in his eyes, the way his mouth moved as he spat out words like they weren’t venom to him.
As much as Rin tries to deny it, Sae is his weakness. He doesn’t know what to do, but he does know one thing. He cannot allow himself to be weak, not like this. Opting to ignore the sweat drenching his shirt and the quick rise and fall of his chest, the tall teen stood up on shaking legs and walked to the cafeteria. If he was going to be awake, he might at least be productive, but he needed food first.
I try, and fail, to suppress the shiver that overcomes me as I step into the freezing hallway. Bluelock’s facility somehow never fails to be cold at all times. My hair is still wet and unbearably clinging to my face and neck. My footsteps make a slight scraping sound that echoed in the dead silence of the hall.
The cafeteria was dimly lit, with large shiny tables and a few machines for food. The blue light coming from the electronics was gratingly bright compared to the dark facility. I hurriedly bite down on my lip to prevent me from sighing, since it is an ‘unattractive habit.’ With a few taps on the screen, a muffin came out from the odd machine. Sadly, there was no ochazuke.
Turning around, I found that all the wide tables were empty. Except one.
Just by seeing the purple hair, I could tell it was Mikage Reo. I don’t have anything against him, he’s not obnoxious and can play football competently, however he seems to love eye contact. His deep purple eyes stared into mine, seemingly dissecting me and tearing through all of my secrets. ‘Creepy’ When he gestures for me to come over, I use all my self restraint as to not let my lips twitch downwards while I walk over and slide into the seat in front of his. Yikes.
Reo, the rich, always composed, Reo looked a mess. His usually neat, short hair was dis-mannered while his under eyes were an outstanding shade of grey.
“What are you doing up so late?”, Reo rasped out.
“Couldn’t sleep, what about you?”
“Something’s..bothering me.” I thought back to everything he knew about Reo. Money, composure, leadership, and…I usually don’t humor conversations with people, but something about him feels different than everyone else. Right. And that sloth person.
“Is it something to do with that marshmallow guy?”
“Nagi?”
“Is that his name? Yeah.” He wasn’t worth my energy to even think about finding his name.
“I guess, he just. Is..difficult.”
“How so?”
“He called me a hassle. A waste of time.” ‘Hits a little too close to home.’
“Some people..just don’t know to..properly express stuff. I’m sure he didn’t mean it.” Rubbing my fingers against my hairline, I hold my breath, hoping I didn’t say the wrong thing.
“You’re right. When you finish eating, would ya wanna train together?” Exhale. That doesn’t sound like a bad idea. I could always work on my 1 on 1 skills, I need to get better. If I get better he’ll come back, he’ll stop being mad at me. I nod.
I never thought that the notoriously sassy and bratty Rin Itoshi would give me the time of day and actually hold conversation with me, especially not agree to training together. Watching him stuff his face like a squirrel while muffin crumbs clung to his puffed out cheeks changed something in how I saw him. Right now, he wasn’t bluelock’s ruthless number one, he was just a regular teenager.
When I first saw him tonight, his eyes only showed vulnerability and hurt. So, we talked, and, curiously, even though he isn’t good at it, he tried to comfort me. I smile. Maybe tonight wouldn’t be so bad.
Currently, he was tearing the field apart in expertise, playing against me. Rin is undeniably good at football. ‘no wonder he’s number one’. It doesn’t matter. I’ll learn from him and keep up with him, then become the best with Nagi and win the world cup. Right now though? I can hardly keep up with my breath, steadying it and nodding to him, i call out,
“Goodnight, Rin. It was nice learning from and talking to you.” His face lit up in surprise.
“Yeah..you too…Reo. Goodnight.” Just like that, it was over.
Rin learned a few new strategies playing with Reo. Oddly, he feels a longing for more recognition. He closes his eyes, tonight, not hearing the whispering of how useless he is.