Chapter Text
—Rin, where you going? —Sae’s voice stopped Rin dead in his tracks, his soccer ball tucked under his arm and his hand already on the doorknob. Sae was sprawled in the living room, a book open on his lap, his eyes watching Rin with curiosity.
Rin felt his cheeks heat up and looked down, scuffing the floor with the toe of his sneaker.
—Uh… to a park nearby, with… a friend I made —he mumbled, his voice quieter than he’d meant.
Sae raised an eyebrow, but before he could say anything, their mom appeared from the kitchen, drying her hands and beaming with a warm smile.
—You made a friend, Rin? Is that why you’ve been so lively lately? —she said, walking over and placing a hand on his shoulder—. I’m so glad you’re having fun. Go play, but be careful, okay?
Rin blinked, his face getting even redder, and nodded quickly, a nervous knot twisting in his stomach.
—O-okay —he said, half-stammering, before turning to Sae and his mom—. I… I’m going now. —He gave a small wave and bolted out the door.
Mrs. Itoshi watched the door with a big smile, then turned to Sae.
—I’m so happy Rin made a friend, don’t you think, Sae? —she asked
Sae made a sound, a short “hmph,” nodding without looking up from his book. But when his mom went back to the kitchen, he lifted his head and stared at the door Rin had slipped through moments ago. One eyebrow arched, and a puzzled look crossed his face. Rin, making friends and being excited to see them, okay… that was new.
[⭒]
—Nanase is weird— Rin thought, scrunching his nose like he was solving a puzzle, but not weird in a bad way, weird like… fun.
These last few days had been different because of him. Nanase was always running beside him, shouting things like “Rin-san, look at that puppy, it’s so cute!” or “Rin-san, teach me soccer again!” or “Rin-san, come with me!” He had so much energy that sometimes Rin couldn’t keep up, but… it wasn’t annoying, not like other kids who talked too much.
—I like playing with him— Rin thought, kicking a pebble on the path. In a way, being with Nanase was relaxing. Though sometimes, when Nanase grabbed his hand to drag him somewhere, Rin felt a tug in his chest, like his heart wanted to jump. That made him feel strange.
Like the time Nanase had hugged him after a race, and his body had felt so warm beside Rin’s. Rin hadn’t wanted to let go, though he didn’t know why, he recalled, blushing a little. But every time he saw Nanase smile, he felt a soft warmth in his chest, and deep down, he thought he’d like to see that smile forever.
—Spending time with Nanase makes me happy— he admitted to himself, a small smile forming on his face.
—Rin-san
—Rin-san
—Rin-san?
“Rin-san!” —a voice snapped him out of his thoughts, and Rin blinked, confused. Suddenly, bright eyes were right in front of him, watching him with curiosity and… way too close.
Nanase was leaning toward him, a huge smile on his face and his faint blackberry scent wrapping around him. Rin took a step back, his face turning red —You scared me! —he blurted, his heart racing like he’d run a thousand races. He didn’t know why, but being so close to those eyes made him nervous, and that strange tug in his chest was back.
Nanase laughed, still not stepping back, still smiling.
—I was calling you a bunch of times, Rin-san! What were you thinking about? —he asked, tilting his head.
Rin looked away, clutching his soccer ball to his chest.
—N… nothing —he mumbled, though his blush gave him away. The tug in his chest was there again, a bit stronger, and he couldn’t help sneaking a glance at Nanase. Those eyes are so bright, he thought, but he couldn’t stop looking at them.
—Did you run a lot, Rin-san? Your face is all red! —Nanase said with a giggle that made his blackberry scent grow a little stronger.
Rin opened his mouth to answer, but an “Ah, I-” was all he managed because suddenly Nanase grabbed his hand with enthusiasm, and his heart skipped.
—Let’s get ice cream first to cool you off! —Nanase said, pulling him toward a nearby shop without letting go of his hand. His blackberry scent enveloped him, and because of that, for a second, Rin forgot how to walk straight.
His face was still burning, and though he wanted to say something, he could only follow Nanase.
[⭒]
A little while later, they were both sitting on a wooden bench. Rin was eating a lemon popsicle, while Nanase had a cookie ice cream with colorful sprinkles.
—This ice cream is amazing, Rin-san!
—Why do you pick weird flavors? —Rin asked —Lemon’s better.
Nanase laughed and stuck out his tongue
—It’s not weird! Plus, it tastes good. Wanna try? —he said, holding his ice cream toward Rin.
Rin blushed and leaned back a bit —N-no, thanks! —he stammered, his face burning.
Nanase laughed harder and scooted closer, giving him a gentle nudge.
—You’re so shy, Rin-san! But that’s okay, more ice cream for me —He licked his cone with enthusiasm, and Rin glanced at him out of the corner of his eye.
«Okay, Nanase Nijiro is definitely kinda weird, but it’s nice hanging out with him»