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Itoshi Rin rarely showed any outward emotions in almost any aspect of his life, not since his brother destroyed his dreams to pieces. It was easier to shut everything down and let nothing break his facade, knowing anything else might make him deviate from his true goal of being the best striker in the world, surpassing Itoshi Sae and his worthless promises.
So it came as a surprise when he arrived at Blue Lock, his mind set on being number one and ignoring the insignificant pests that dared to even try to beat him, the nuisance in the form of Isagi Yoichi managed to steal parts of his cold exterior. It wasn’t to say that Rin learned to not be a loner nor to appreciate other people that are inferior to him, but he grew to tolerate Isagi’s existence around him.
And, oh, how Isagi Yoichi orbits around him like the damn moon that refuses to move away from the earth.
Even now, after Rin boldly declared Isagi as his rival after getting utterly humiliated by his brother on the field, and even after they got separated to different foreign football clubs for the new phase in the Blue Lock project, his mind wouldn’t stray far away from the blue-eyed boy. He softly berated Isagi when the ranking was first announced, with Rin having the highest value and Isagi having half of his. When Isagi evolved during his match with Manshine, Rin felt irritation at seeing just how far this league could bring out the worst in Isagi (he would never acknowledge the tiny pinprick of satisfaction at knowing that, finally, he had a worthy opponent to go up against). Moreover, he wanted to berate Isagi for being so reckless and not knowing his own limits. Watching him pass out on the field for overexerting himself made Rin itch from annoyance. His restlessness could be chalked up to being angry at Isagi or being worried for him.
He couldn’t tell anymore. Not when it comes to Isagi Yoichi.
“I can honestly say that it’s thanks to Blue Lock that my life has changed so much.”
Isagi’s familiar voice, sounding tinier coming from the monitor, floated around the room Rin was vacating, legs folded as he closed his eyes. It was later than the mandatory curfew Ego set on the facility, but Rin never cared about those, and Ego never gave him any trouble if he knew about it. He stayed up late to monitor the game between Manshine City vs Bastard Munchen. All the emotions that ran through him seeing all his fellow teammates evolving at a pace that even he can acknowledge to be impressive are making him uncomfortable, to say the least. It was easier to live when everyone around Rin constantly disappointed him and his expectations. Sadly, this was a place where boundaries and limits were being put to a test, and all expectations were made to be run over and destroyed.
Even after wrapping up his assessment of the match, something made Rin stay. It was probably due to seeing the notification that Isagi is being interviewed regarding the match and also about himself, the nuisance already establishing his spot as the fan-favorite, labeled as the player who will change football.
“I see, thank you.” The reporter’s voice snapped Rin back into place, making him lean back to get a better look at Isagi’s face. “Regarding the offer from Bastard Munchen, here are some comments that a bastard’s scout gave after the match.”
Tilting his head to one side, Rin had to admit that he was somewhat curious to know what the professionals thought of Isagi.
“‘We would like to pair him with Noa. A new type of versatile midfielder who’s skilled in both offense and defense.’” Rin felt rather than see Isagi’s expression drop the second midfielder was mentioned. It was still a touchy subject for even him to broach upon. “Can you please tell me how you feel about these comments?”
These people are so fucking nosy, Rin thought to himself, suddenly feeling angry at the reporter and everyone else for making remarks about Isagi being a midfielder. It bothered him in a way that he couldn’t understand, and that bothered him even more.
Isagi was still quiet, humming softly as his face turned contemplative. After a few more seconds of silence, he spoke up. “I’m glad that a club like Bastard Munchen thinks so highly of me as a midfielder.”
Oh. Rin understands where his anger came from. The lukewarm bastard was praised as a midfielder, not a striker. And, out of everything else Rin had been through during this phase, somehow this bothered him the most. He had already lost his brother and his dreams to the position of midfielder. He couldn’t bear the thought of losing the only other person he bothered to acknowledge and care about to the same thing. Again.
Isagi, hold your fucking ground. Don’t you dare be content with being a midfielder. Prove to me you’re not some half-baked insignificant player.
“However,” Isagi continued, and Rin held his breath. “I want to survive in this world as a striker. Even if I do act as a creative outlet in the midfield, I want to do so as a striker.”
Something in Rin’s chest loosened.
“I want to win by scoring goals.” Isagi’s eyes held that same burning passion that Rin looked forward to seeing in every match. “Call it egotistical, but this is something I will not yield to anyone.”
The conversation afterward was tuned out as Rin stood up to turn the monitor off. He felt unmoored and conflicted, knowing he wouldn't be able to sleep unless he confronts Isagi, and Rin knew exactly where to look for him.
No matter how confident and sure Isagi felt every time he was being interviewed, having to speak in front of a crowd and being interviewed about, well, just about anything wasn’t Isagi’s forte. He didn’t know why, but after doing them, it was as if someone sucked the soul out of him, and he had to recharge and do something else to occupy his mind.
That’s how he found himself walking towards the training field in the German stratum.
Everything was quiet after the curfew. Isagi loved his friends dearly, they kept him sane throughout their intense training, but sometimes, all Isagi wanted was a moment of solitude. Nothing but the sound of his footsteps, the slight breeze that came from the air conditioner, and, if he got lucky, the sound of crickets and actual wind blowing through the field whenever Ego deemed it necessary to open the ceiling. Air circulation purposes, he once told Isagi. He was just glad because the view of the sky was calming to him.
For about half an hour, Isagi practiced some of the plays he did in the match, knowing that he needed to be able to make those parts of his body and evolve from that point. It was a joy, to link his brain and his body. It made the incessant noises in his head quiet. An escape from the constant anxiety that seemed to plague him no matter where he went.
While Isagi was about to pick up the ball and rest for a few minutes, he heard footsteps right outside the field. He frowned, knowing that most of his Bastard teammates love to hit the hay early.
If it’s someone from the other team, how the hell are they not in trouble for trespassing?
Isagi shouldn’t be surprised when Itoshi Rin strode towards him, expression blank save for the slight furrow between his brows. Of course it’s Rin. He was one of the only other players in Blue Lock that Ego seemed to loosen some of the rules for.
Despite the late hour, Rin looked good. Better than he did the last time they had a confrontation, that’s for sure. His usual side-swept bangs were less meticulous, falling on his forehead haphazardly as if the boy had just woken up. Rin’s eyes told a different story. They seemed to stare at Isagi with an intensity that would make anyone else wither, but Isagi held fast. Even Rin’s body looked better, somehow seeming more muscular yet still maintaining the slender build that Isagi always admired, long legs making his walks graceful and powerful–
Why the hell am I so caught up with Rin’s physique?
“Hey, wannabe hero.”
Ah, some things never change. Isagi was glad for it because it snapped him out of his embarrassing assessment of Rin’s body to focus on his face.
“Rin.” Isagi greeted the other man, standing up. “How are you even here? And how did you know I’m here instead of, you know, sleeping?”
Rin shrugged, the casual gesture so out of place for him. “You were insomniac during the second selection when you were stressed and had a lot on your mind. I’m just assuming after you pass out, your mind won't let you rest.”
The observation astounded Isagi. He always knew that they were, at the very least, connected because of their shared dreams and passion, but right now Rin seemed to be more in tune with his thoughts. Isagi didn’t know if it was due to the training with PXG or if it was simply because Rin became a different person around him.
“What?” Rin asked quietly, noticing that Isagi was silent for a few seconds. He needed to get out of his head.
“Nothing, really, I was just thinking…” Isagi trailed off.
“About?”
“I don’t know. Just that you’re different somehow.”
Rin scoffed, his serene face morphed back into his usual frown. “Nothing about me changed, dumbass.”
“I know you think so, but it’s easier for me to notice the small changes.” Isagi smiled, and it made Rin frown even more.
“Don’t think I didn’t watch your interview earlier. They put you on the spot about being a midfielder.” The tone in Rin’s voice wasn’t pleasant, as if he disliked the idea of Isagi as a midfielder. Ah, no wonder why Rin came to find him.
“Come on, sit down first.” Isagi gestured at the bleachers, sitting down and patting the seat next to him. Rin hesitated at first, then plopped himself down with an earth-shattering sigh. This boy can be so dramatic sometimes. People misjudged how theatrical Itoshi Rin could be.
Looking up at the night sky, Isagi spoke up. “Were you so worried about me not aiming to be a striker anymore, Rin? Because if I recall, I told that reporter that I wasn’t going to settle on being a midfielder. You know I won’t.”
“I watched that too, I just…” Rin ran his fingers through his hair, tousling them even more. The sight endeared Isagi, and he wondered just what made the space between them so… comfortable. They were on the worst terms before parting ways, but now, outside the field, Isagi found that being in the company of Itoshi Rin was much more bearable than anyone else. He liked the solitude that Rin seemed to be able to grant him.
“You weren’t sure about it, and you want to ask me directly, is that it?”
“Yeah.” Silence. “Ever since Sae decided to give up on our dreams, I almost believed that life had no more purpose. The only thing left in me was vengeance and spite. I lived with that fire inside me, letting it be the only thing keeping me going forward. And then you came in.” Rin glanced sideways at Isagi, who was content staring at Rin’s face as he poured his heart out. “I never thought that anyone would be worthy of my attention until you outplayed me. Even then, I still refuse to acknowledge you.”
“You can say that I’m a pain in the ass.” Isagi cut in after seeing the embarrassed look on Rin’s face.
“Mmmh, you could say that. I mean, you really were. It was like your sole purpose was to distract me by not leaving my side. I couldn’t fathom why you still put up with me then, but soon I realized that there was no point in pushing you away. I just learned to ignore you.”
“Until your brother acknowledged me.”
Rin’s mouth twisted into a bitter smile. “At that point, I was so angry at him and you for robbing my moment of glory. It was supposed to be mine. I didn’t realize that I was disappointed in myself for chasing after a meaningless goal.” His head dropped, and Isagi had to fight the urge not to touch him. “Since then, I changed what I wanted. Instead of just crushing that useless brother of mine, I’ll aim for what he previously wanted. I’ll crush anyone who thinks they can surpass me. That’s what I’m here for.”
The quiet that came after such a confession was serene, as if the weight that had been choking on Rin was lifted. Isagi was glad.
“So your plan is to be the world’s best striker, even surpassing Noel Noa, but you’re adamant about keeping me as your rival? That’s bold, Rin. I will get better and claim the title instead.”
Rin chuckled, the sound making Isagi’s heart thump louder. “You can try.” He mirrored the word Isagi sent his way when Rin finally acknowledged Isagi as his rival.
As Rin looked up and stared at Isagi, he wondered if there truly was a change in the other boy, or if it was Isagi, or maybe it was both of them. All he knew was that his hand instinctively reached out to smooth the space between Rin’s eyebrows, marveling at how complacent Rin was even though he hated skinship. Isagi’s fingers kept moving, tracing Rin’s eyebrows, and his cheekbones, and then pushing his hair out of his forehead. With his hair out of the way, Rin’s eyes were unobstructed, giving Isagi a clear view of the gorgeous teal shade, usually full of ice and venom but at this moment, held nothing but confusion and, perhaps, contentment.
“You should keep your hair out of your face more,” Isagi spoke softly, not wanting to ruin the moment that held them in a trance.
“I’d look like Sae if I did.” Rin’s voice didn’t hold any contempt, only resignation.
“You don’t look that similar to me.”
“Well, you can say that because you had to stare at my face all the time.”
“Of course I do, and I can tell you that you’re way more striking.” The words were out before Isagi could think about the consequences.
Embarrassed, Isagi retracted his hand, but slender fingers wrapped around his wrist, stopping them mid-motion. “Don’t say shit like that.” Rin’s voice was low, and it did something to Isagi’s brain. It was probably on its way to a meltdown.
“Why? I was just telling the truth.”
“That implies you like seeing my face. You’ll get distracted the next time we play against each other.”
“No, I won’t.” The grip on Isagi’s wrist loosened, and he thought Rin would let go, but instead, they ended up tangling their fingers together. Rin’s hand was cold, a stark contrast to Isagi’s burning skin. It made him shiver.
“You better not, Yoichi. I want you up there when we finally get to the final stage. No one else could be a more worthy opponent for me.”
He didn’t know what was nagging at his brain, or what pushed him to do what he was about to do, but slowly, maintaining eye contact, Isagi brought their hands towards his mouth, and kissed the back of Rin’s hand. Oh, the current of emotions that swam through Rin’s eyes was a sight to behold, and Isagi wanted to devour him whole.
Oh.
He wanted to kiss Rin.
The thought sent him reeling, and he tugged at his hand. Rin let go, his glassy eyes focused once more.
“You’re right, we can’t let anything distract us.” Not even whatever was about to happen between us was left unsaid, but it lingered in the air just the same.
“I’m doing just fine. You’re the one flustered, Yoichi.” There he goes again, calling Isagi by his first name. He fought off the blush rising on his cheeks.
“God, you’re annoying, Rin. And please get out now. I don’t want you to get into any problems. I mean, are you even allowed to be here?”
Rin fished out a card from his pocket, revealing a black card. One that allowed him to visit any stratum. Damned the perks being given to him. He smiled the tiniest bit, just the corners lifted upwards, but it was full of warmth that Isagi didn’t know Rin was capable of. Until now.
“Being the best has its perks, Yoichi.”