Chapter Text
It’s been a while since Sae’s birthday.
Only a day after had the paparazzi begun posting pictures of them all over the internet, with ridiculous titles like, Japan’s Soccer Prodigy seen out in public with rogue Blue Lock competitor?!, Recent rumors regarding the famous midfielder, Itoshi Sae, having a boyfriend, and Has U-20’s prior filler player caught Itoshi Sae’s attention?.
Sae has never cared much for rumors about him. It‘s only natural that paparazzi comes with his career as a soccer player, especially being Japan’s National Treasure, or whatever name had been slapped on his head.
He doesn’t understand to this day why he had randomly been declared some prodigy. While he once had desired to be the best forward in the world, like many young boys do, his attention shifted when Rin had kicked the ball that day.
Already, his baby brother had surpassed him. Oddly, Sae couldn’t have been more proud. He shifted his focus toward being a midfielder—a position best suited for assisting Rin.
He no longer scored goals himself, instead passing to Rin to let him score in hopes of nurturing a strong ego. Rin was smart, and he should have caught on that Sae wished to support him instead.
However, he never did.
That became evident when his little brother revealed how truly weak his pathetic ego was.
In his chair, Sae’s face twists a bit at the memory.
We were going to be the best together, nii-chan. You’re supposed to be the number one forward, and I’m going to be the second best, right behind you!
Disgusting.
Lukewarm.
A number two doesn’t exist on the field.
If you can’t be the best in your role, you might as well quit.
Sae’s thoughts drift a bit. If Rin was the older one and had gone for the path of becoming the world’s best forward, would he have become Japan’s National Treasure instead? Would he have been all over newspapers?
Sae imagines he wouldn’t have been as attached to Rin as Rin was to him as a kid, and still is, though he can see himself realizing his more limited potential in the forward position and shifting to midfielder from the start.
Would Rin appreciate the assistance from his would-be baby brother? Maybe he wouldn’t have gone through an edgy emo phase like he is right now, wishing to have a good influence over Sae.
At the thought, he snorts softly. High schoolers these days.
Then, he sighs, rubbing the bridge of his nose. Why is he even thinking of this nonsense right now?
Sae glances at the clock on the wall of his penthouse, which reads 19:32. Er—5:32 PM. So it’s just a little bit past midnight for those in Japan.
He thinks back to his birthday, when that ridiculous little demon had stayed up until midnight to wish him happy birthday. So much effort into doing something so mundane, though he would be lying if he said it didn’t make him a little bit pleased.
Especially the activities he spent with Ryusei on the day of his birthday. And the night of it, too.
Sae’s gaze darkens a bit, recalling the feel of Ryusei’s ass beneath his hands. A wonderful, perfect, dare he say, ratio of fat and muscle. A true striker’s ass.
A striker worthy of his passes.
Then, his ears flush for a moment, and he clears his throat, even though it’s only him in his penthouse.
He shouldn’t be thinking of such things. Not when he ought to be doing some planning instead.
Recently, he quite literally just carried his entire team against one of France’s national teams, so he certainly deserves a week long break, at the very least.
He begins texting his manager, silently praying that the incompetent fool will be a bit more insistent to the coach on his behalf before he tosses his phone aside with a sigh and stands up to stretch.
It’s been a good, lazy afternoon. However, as his gaze swivels around the room and lands on a magazine, his brain gets to work, a schedule easily forming in his head for an upcoming day.
A special day for a delusional demon.
Sae’s phone buzzes on his mattress. Based on the singular notification, his manager is calm and relieved, meaning that the coach approved the request for a break.
A small smile tugs at his lips.
It’s time to repay a favor.