Work Text:
Michael Kaiser believes that Valentine’s Day is for fools.
The hearts, the stupid combination of reds and pinks that seemed to be everywhere , and the stench of lovesick drunks in the air were all reasons that contributed to his strong feelings towards the holiday.
It wasn’t like he couldn’t get a date . One would have to be an idiot to think that. The large pile of fan letters, chocolate, and other gifts that seemed to stack up higher during this particular time of the year was proof enough. But he didn’t care for such tacky things. The stupid gifts didn’t mean anything to him, and like hell would he go out with someone just because they sent him a gift.
Besides, his diet didn’t even allow him to have any chocolate.
“Michael.” Ness’s voice rings in his ears, and he turns his head to look down at his best friend. His arm was outreached, hand wrapped around Kaiser’s water bottle as he waited for him to take him. Kaiser does, not bothering to thank Ness.
Kaiser would like to make it clear, that for the record, he didn’t not appreciate Ness.. He’d argue that Ness was probably the only person on the field who fully understood Kaiser and his ideals. Which was exactly why he didn’t have to outright express his gratitude towards Ness. Because he knew that Ness would understand; that he has always and will forever have Kaiser’s appreciation.
“So,” Ness whistles, clasping his hands from behind his back. The Bastard Munchen team had just finished with their practice match, and to the misfortune of everyone, Kaiser and Isagi were placed on opposite teams. (Though Ness isn’t all too sure if them being on the same team would be any better.) The whole match was practically them just trying to steal the ball from each other, everyone else merely third wheeling.
“Valentine’s Day is coming up.” The midfielder barely bites back a smile when he sees Kaiser roll his eyes. He’d always been loyal to Kaiser, and would continue to do so as he followed his dreams. But he couldn’t help but push at some of Kaiser’s buttons. The blond would react in such dramatic ways it was impossible not to have some fun with it.
“Stupid Ness, don’t bother me with such idiotic conversations.” Kaiser groans, dropping the bottle into his gym bag and walking away. Ness follows him with the same puppy dog expression he always wore around Kaiser, not yet ready to let the conversation drop.
“I know, I just thought that with Isagi-”
“What about Yoichi?”
Ness has always been good at reading people, be it football or their thought process itself. Having that said, it shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone that Ness so quickly picked up on Kaiser’s crush liking towards Isagi. And, while Ness doesn’t completely understand why Kaiser would waste time on someone who’s seemingly so small and insignificant, he bites his tongue. It wasn’t like he could talk to Kaiser, he was a man who did only what he pleased, and fuck anyone who disagreed or got in his way.
Besides, Ness and Isagi started to form a mutual and silent alliance between each other. (Sometimes they would nod to each other as they passed the halls!)
“Alexis, don’t tell me you think that I like him.” Kaiser is rummaging through his bag, fishing out his clothes and seemingly trying to find something. Ness knows well enough that it was Kaiser’s way of trying to deflect a conversation, however he still attempts to pry further.
“Well, you two are friends-” The words cause Kaiser to pause his actions, slowly turning his head to look at his counterpart as if he were crazy. As expected.
“Me and Yoichi are not friends.” He scoffs, the disgust on his face not faltering for a second.
“Right, you both just go out of your way to talk or insult each other because you’re not friends .” Ness snorts, going through his own bag and grabbing his towel as well as the body wash he’d brought from Germany himself. The Blue lock body wash was absolutely vile, and he’d probably have to be chained down and waterboarded before he used it.
Kaiser was still staring at Ness as if he had three heads, wondering whether or not he was being serious.
“Alexis, I’m serious.” Purple doe eyes stare at Kaiser’s blue ones, the same puppy dog-like stare he’s come to grow used to looking at him.
“I’m not friends with Yoichi, and I certainly don’t like him.”
Ness blinks once. Then again. He finally sighs, and Kaiser could have sworn that Ness looked a little alleviated. He’d be lying if he said that the look didn’t concern him at least a little.
“Well, that’s a relief.” Ness mutters, just loud enough for Kaiser to hear. He’s not looking at the blond, but can see how curiosity and confusion twist and take form within him.
“Why the fuck would that be?” Kaiser’s getting defensive, and it only makes Ness all the more entertained.
“Just heard rumors about him and someone else.” He shuts up before the nonchalant tone in his voice falters, and his act is given up. Ness knows that Isagi isn’t talking nor flirting with anyone. Or at least, as far as Isagi was aware. Ness wasn’t too sure if he’d been aware of the fanclub he was sporting.
Panic settles within Kaiser.
Yoichi– his Yoichi – is interested in someone else? Who does he think he is? As if a scrub like him could even dare to lose focus on Michael fucking Kaiser.
Kaiser’s fingers curve and ball into fists, grip so tight his knuckles were quickly coloring themselves white. He feels sick , and the bitter taste that was currently creeping up his throat wasn’t helping at all.
It wasn’t until a moment later when Kaiser sees the smallest indication of a smirk on Ness’s face does he come back to reality and comes to realization. He opens his mouth to speak, but Ness is already leaving to take a shower, leaving Kaiser on his own.
His mind is rampant, not a coherent thought in his brain. He doesn’t know what to feel– how to feel . Because not only did he just get played by Ness, but he realized something terrible. Something incredibly fucking terrible.
He likes Isagi Yoichi.
✁
Kaiser can’t be alone with his thoughts.
After the realization of his feelings towards Isagi, the thought quickly plagued his mind, becoming all and anything he could think about. He tried to prove himself wrong — that this was Ness’s fault, and that he manipulated him into thinking this terrible thought. The blond even went as far as to search it up.
‘Signs you might like someone’
“This is ridiculous,” Kaiser thinks, scrolling through his phone to find the numbered list. A part of the emperor knew that he should be above this, though alas here he was.
Your thoughts return to them regularly
Kaiser rolls his eyes. That was way too vague. Of course he thought about Isagi — that was his rival! The player he would reduce to 0. He had to think about Isagi. About his play style, his tactics, his physique, his eyes as they seemed to change in emotion as he thought. Isagi was so expressive, it was damn near admirable-
“Fuck,” Kaiser mutters, scrolling down to the next bullet point because that was only one thing , and surely one reason couldn’t be a measure of how much he likes Isagi.
You feel safe with them
Kaiser sighs. Okay, that one wasn’t accurate. Not at all. In fact, he probably felt more at guard when he was with Isagi. Making sure his appearance was pristine, that he always smiled and didn’t have anything on him that he could make fun of or point out in a weird manner. But that was normal for them.
He sits in radio silence momentarily, sitting in the idea that maybe he doesn’t like Isagi.
‘Okay, tie breaker ,’ Kaiser imagines that he probably looks like a girl in middle school who just experienced having her first crush.
Life feels more exciting
Kaiser feels his heart stop as he reads the words. Because his life has definitely gotten a whole lot more enjoyable since Isagi has made an appearance. Because Isagi fired back at him, and didn’t cower in fear like hundreds of others did. He didn’t have a crush on Isagi, dammit.
Kaiser turns off his phone before the nightmare he seemed to be living became even more real. His eyes are shut, fingers massaging his temples because this seemingly small and miniscule thing had made his world feel as if it was starting to crumble.
To cool off, Kaiser leaves his room, walking out to get a glass of water. Maybe he was overexaggerating, and that this was some sort of trance he’ll soon snap out of.
“Isagi~” Both the voice and words have Kaiser coming to a halting stop. He’s hidden behind the wall of the cafeteria entrance, and he wonders when he has ever done this for anyone.
Kaiser identifies the voice as Isagi’s friend in Barcha. He can’t exactly remember his name, but he knows that they’re sickeningly close. His mind flashes back to his earlier conversation with Ness.
Kaiser’s stomach lurches.
The two friends continue to talk, rambling on about whatever nonsense — Kaiser could really care less. He was about to return to his room because this situation was getting boring, but bumblebee asked Isagi something that made his ears perk.
“Have you ever been asked out for Valentine’s Day?”
Kaiser almost vomits at the question. He doesn’t understand the point of the holiday. Was it not just a glorified day to love someone you already should? Perhaps he was a grouch. A bitter man who hates all things fun. But he knew that Valentine’s Day was often just an excuse for men to do the bare minimum and get tons of praise for it.
“Ah-” Isagi’s voice snaps Kaiser out of his train of thoughts. He quite literally can hear him get flustered from his voice alone— and fucking damnit because Kaiser finds it endearing .
“I’ve never been asked out or have received anything.”
Kaiser’s brows raise in surprise, smiling to himself because he knows that if Isagi ever knew that he heard that he would probably kill Kaiser and then himself too .
Kaiser continues to think to himself as Isagi and his friend continue to talk, his friend getting sad for Isagi. Their voices become distant as they exit through the other door, and Kaiser’s eyes brighten with an idea.
He walks back towards his room, forgetting about his original reason for coming out in the first place. His mind was set on something — something that would fuck with Isagi’s mind just the way Kaiser loved to, and would also give Kaiser a final answer to his dilemma.
And, for the first time in a while, he was unsure what result he wanted out of it.
✁
Isagi expected Valentine's Day to go on as any other day would.
Sure, he heard other people talk of it, though it didn't give an impression that there would be anything major happening. He, for one, knew that he’d retreat to his room the minute practice was over.
Isagi hadn’t expected the plethora of decorations within the Blue Lock halls.
The red and pink was definitely not something he was used to seeing in a facility where the most color he’d perceived was a mundane blue. It was cliche , and slightly reminded him of his highschool.
Isagi doesn’t let the new, slightly odd, changes of his setting disturb his routine, however. He does his usual morning routine (with the minimal skin care provided by Blue lock,
no thanks to Ego
), his warmups, drills, lunch with his friends, and everything afterwards. Nothing seemed to be out of the ordinary. Everyone who hadn’t already coupled up beforehand,
nagireo
, didn’t exactly bring up the matter, their own bitter feelings towards the holiday restricting them from it.
Isagi does notice that Kaiser is nowhere to be seen.
There have been a few days where Kaiser had come to practice extremely late . Isagi could recall the small arguments he and Noa would get into because of it. Kaiser claims that it takes hours to look as good as he does , and Noa would only give him a judgemental glance and send him off.
But he’s never exactly missed practice.
Isagi would be a fool to think that Kaiser took practice as a joke. He’s witnessed him working out in the late hours of night, where not even Ego was up doing god knows what. He had a perfectly curated workout routine, as to not fuck up any of his specs and still keep his ‘perfect’ outward look.
Which made it all the weirder why he’d not show up at all. Noa hadn’t said or asked anyone about it, and even Ness, who followed Kaiser around meticulously, showed up.
Though maybe the striker was over thinking things. It was Valentine’s Day afterall, and if there was anyone who did have plans it would be Kaiser. Isagi wasn’t all too sure who the emperor would even go out with, though that was a whole other tunnel of thoughts that Isagi wasn’t too sure he’d like to venture down.
He’d probably take them to some expensive restaurant, Isagi thinks, rolling his eyes at the mere idea of it. Kaiser would probably order something over the top because that was the type of asshole behavior he reeked of.
Isagi wonders if he’d be just as much of a dick to his girlfriend or boyfriend or who the fuck ever as he was to everyone else. Would he banter and make their lives just that much harder as he did with Isagi? What would his type even be?
The grip on his chopsticks tightened as he went further down the spiral of thoughts. It wasn’t that he was jealous or anything of the sort (He’d sooner kill himself than admit that he was jealous of Kaiser). Though, the thought that the blond was somewhere being happy did, in a sense, piss him off.
Why was he thinking about this anyways?
“Something wrong, Isagi?” Asks Hiori, taking a pause from his conversation with Kurona. Isagi’s conscious returns back to the dining hall, where he was eating lunch with his friends. He grew close to Hiori, Kurona, and Yukimiya as the neo egoist league progressed, ignoring the initial problems he had with Yukimiya.
Bachira definitely held some resentment to Isagi and Kurona’s close bond, despite Isagi’s constant reassurance that yes Bachira, you will always be my best friend .
He gives an apologetic smile for not paying attention, letting go of his chopsticks once he realizes his food was finished. Hiori and Kurona stare at each other, blink once, and shrug, continuing on with their previous conversation. They’ve grown to ignore Isagi’s peculiar moments, knowing that it was likely just him ‘leveling up’ or whatever other bullshit names these stupid egoists called it.
✁
It’s nearing the end of the day when Isagi gets out of the shower, putting away his dirty clothes in the laundry hamper. (He’s not exactly sure who is the one doing all this laundry, though he wasn’t about to complain).
He’s grown to like taking showers later into the night. It was easier to not have to be around too many people, pestering him and making weird insults that have become concerningly normal to him.
However, he found himself taking a shower a lot later than he usually did on that particular night. His individual workouts had run longer than intended, working himself further towards exhaustion to increase his stamina. Though, he didn’t expect it to go until it was nearly midnight. He hasn’t even eaten yet!
His roommates were already fast asleep when Isagi tip-toed out, leaving to go eat something before he knocked out for the night. Something about the silence was eerie. It made the striker feel as if he weren’t meant to be there, or that he was breaking a rule. He also had this overwhelming feeling that someone was watching him, though he brushed it off as Ego watching through the security cameras.
He scrolls through his phone to try and find the perfect video to watch while eating. It was only until the Neo Egoist League that Ego finally let the Blue Lockers have access to their phones again. When they announced it initially, it came off as them doing a nice gesture. Though, Isagi was 90% sure they got them back either because of a legal issue or because both Anri and Ego knew they were in too deep to call for help. Besides, they wanted them to interact with some of the fans to get more publicity.
Even so, Isagi refuses to use or look at any social media. He’s never been much of a fan, anyways, often only following any football related news that had transpired. However, after one particular day where Hiori showed him some of the most horrendous things people were posting about him, the boy made it a point to avoid any Blue Lock related fan content for a long, long time. There were even people who were shipping him with Kaiser ! (Barf! Can’t people see that they both hated each other?!).
He lands on a ‘Top Ten Best Football Goals in History!’ video and clicks on it, a small smile on his face as he watches with contentment. He’s watched videos with the same concept at least a hundred times over, however that doesn’t stop him from rewatching.
“Wow, even your taste in entertainment is stupid.”
Isagi jolts at the voice, eyes flickering upwards to see who had come to bother him at such a late hour of the night. His surprised face turns into a scowl, brows furrowing in a way that only the other party would find ‘cute’.
“And here I thought I’d be able to go one day without looking at your stupid face.” Isagi huffed sarcastically, looking down at his food. Kaiser rolls his eyes, and Isagi expects him to banter back, however Kaiser stays silent. Isagi looks back up at him in curiosity because Kaiser always has something to say.
But the blond looks lost in his own mind, an unreadable expression on his face that even makes Isagi worried. The striker is about to open his mouth to ask what’s wrong with him (Not in the way that seemed caring. He’d never show care towards Kaiser so upfront), however Kaiser acts first.
Isagi isn’t sure how to react, how Kaiser expects him to react . Even he is silent for what seems like the first time since he was born, and Isagi doesn’t know if he is dreaming or had maybe accidentally gotten transported into another universe.
Kaiser’s hand is still extended out towards him, growing restless the longer the silence continues. Eventually Isagi raises a brow, Opening his mouth to muster up a question that summarizes the dozens of incoherent thoughts in his mind.
“A Valentine’s Day Gift?”
Kaiser scoffs, a smirk dancing on his lips. He drops the bag on the table in front of him, fishing his phone out of the pocket of his hoodie.
“That’s where you’re wrong, silly Yoichi.” He turns the device to allow the screen to face Isagi, who was still lost and unsure of what was happening. The time was displayed in large bold numbers at the top.
‘00:01’
“Here’s your Not -Valentines Day gift.”
Isagi blinks. Then once more. His mind falls blank as he tries to process Kaiser’s words, however he seems to be falling short.
“Have you gone insane? Is this some elaborate plan for you to fuck with my head?”
Kaiser’s smile grows, and Isagi wants to curse himself for giving the self proclaimed emperor the chance to enjoy this interaction.
“That’s not how you say thank you~”
Isagi gives a frustrated sigh, and Kaiser basks in his emotions. He’s still standing, and Isagi guesses that he’ll remain like that for the duration of this interaction. Because if Kaiser does sit down, that would mean that the pair weren’t just speaking and throwing insults, but that they were actually having a conversation .
Isagi grabs the gift bag off the table. The bag was a shimmering royal blue, the handles golden ribbons instead of the usual rope-like ones Isagi only ever knew. There was gold tissue paper that came out of it, and the striker wonders if Kaiser made the appearance of the gift look so enthralling to say fuck you in his own twisted way.
He looks up at Kaiser and glances with him, silently asking if he could open it. The blond doesn’t say nor do anything in response, and Isagi takes his lack of a reply as a yes.
He carefully takes out the tissue paper, wary of anything that might be of harm. He knew that Kaiser probably didn’t put anything inside that would harm him, however the threat level wasn’t exactly at 0.
What would Kaiser even get Isagi, anyways? It wasn’t as if the two were close enough to give each other things or to even know what the other liked. (They did, however, know what the other hated and despised, and used that against them for their leisure).
Isagi had already made up his mind that it would be some sort of gag gift right before he finally took a peek inside. Maybe it wouldn’t be anything at all, and when he looked up in confusion Kaiser would throw a pie at his face.
He supposes that Kaiser has always been a clown.
Because of his complete lack of trust in Kaiser, Isagi is utterly taken aback when he sees the arrangement of gifts.
There’s around five items inside, all a deep shade of blue that sort of reminded him of his own eye color. There was a box of what Isagi guessed to be chocolate, a bottle of body wash, some other fancy looking food that Isagi had never seen before nor knew the name of, a bottle of cologne that he just knew was expensive, and a-
Isagi’s brows crinkle, and he looks up at Kaiser to try and make sense of what was going on. But Kaiser’s smile has dimmed down, and he nearly looks anxious .
He takes the final item out of the bag to examine it, and there is a certain light that flashes in his eyes as he does so.
It was a rose . A standing rose with rich, royal blue petals that layered themselves atop each other so perfect.
A rose with a stem littered in prickly thorns that would cause anyone to bleed.
A rose that was completely encased within a glass dome.
An enchanted, blue rose .
Isagi’s mind buffers, eyes fixated on the illumination coming from the rose. He opens his mouth to say something, however quickly closes it when no words come out. Is this meant to be some joke? But it looks so beautiful -
“Is my Yoichi speechless? Does he like my gift that much?”
All the sweet thoughts he had just moments before fly out the window, and Isagi scoffs and rolls his eyes. Kaiser hums in amusement, as he normally did. However, his face, which had usually had an underlying deceiving look, appeared to be ever so genuine.
Am I seeing things?
“So this is what you’ve been doing all day?” He inquired, still inspecting the rose in his hands with what could only be described as stars in his eyes.
“Well of course,” he chirped, shooting his hands out from his pockets to make his usual expressive hand gestures. “I couldn’t let my favorite scrub not get an award from moi~”
Isagi’s eyes twitch, and he places the enchanted rose on the table in fear that he may break it out of pressure from balling his fists. Sure, he hated Kaiser’s guts, but he wasn’t an asshole-
Kaiser slams his palms onto the table, and Isagi has to stop himself physically from flinching. He leans down to be on eye level with Isagi, who even at this angle can’t see any imperfections with his eyeliner. Was Kaiser just perfect at everything he did?
“So,” the smell of his breath hits Isagi, and he can smell the toothpaste that Kaiser used. “Where’s my gift, Yoichi?”
Everything feels far too intimate than he’d like, but not even that gets Isagi to look away or pull away. Instead, the egoist narrows his eyes, leaning in closer to the point that there was less than an inch between the two of them before their noses touch.
Kaiser’s gaze drops and comes back up from Isagi’s lips so quickly Isagi didn’t notice.
“Like you need more gifts. Why don’t you just pick one from the mountain of gifts your fans give you?” He hisses, voice laced with sarcasm.
Kaiser places a finger below Isagi’s chin, tilting his face upwards slightly. Isagi freezes, memories of his initial interaction with Kaiser flashing in his mind.
It was nearly a carbon copy of that exact moment. The same Kaiser with the same cocky smile, examining his face with an untelling expression. Isagi wonders what thoughts must be going through the blond’s mind. What else could he possibly be thinking about Isagi that he hasn’t thought of already?
“Stupid clown, only your gift would be a proper bother for me.”
Isagi’s eyes widen until they’re the size of saucers. The dialogue reverberates in his mind ten times over, all else in his head emptied out. There is no way any of this is real , he thinks, heart beating in his ears.
Kaiser flashes a smirk, and lets go of Isagi’s chin, backing away from the table and turning his back towards the other.
“Well, I suppose I’ve always been the more thoughtful one between the two of us.” He sighs, feigning disappointment. Isagi bites the inside of his cheek, wondering how Kaiser could so quickly act as if they both weren’t listening to each other’s breathing patterns just a second ago.
He turns his head to give Isagi a side glance, electrifying blue eyes staring down at him.
“Enjoy your gift, Yoichi.”
✁
Bachira and Chigiri haven’t known Isagi prior to Blue Lock, but surely he hasn’t always acted like a mad man.
They were some of his closest friends, a bond forming between them due to their close proximity during the early days of Blue Lock. They did consider Kunigami a part of the circle, however due to… recent events, he was currently not available to go out with the other three.
“So, what happened again?” Chigiri asked, grazing his hand over certain objects that caught his eyes. The trio was currently out of the facility, instead at the mall to help Isagi look for a gift. Thanks to his begging, pleading, and his favorableness between Ego and Noa, the boy was able to get a day off.
“That stupid asshole got me presents.” Isagi spits out, eyes frantically scanning floor to ceiling of the current store they were in. What could he possibly get Kaiser that the man didn’t already have? Kaiser knew expensive designers and clothing brands, nothing could possibly wow him.
Chigiri and Bachira shoot a glance at each other, silently asking each other whether or not Isagi was being serious.
“So, you’re getting him a gift back because…?”
“Because he said that he was more thoughtful than me,” Isagi gags, reminiscing certain moments from the interaction of the night before. “I can’t just let him win.”
Bachira walks up to Isagi with a pep in his step, wrapping an arm around his best friend’s shoulders. The other doesn't flinch, however, used to Bachira’s antics.
“Are you sure you’re not saying that because you actually like him~?” He asks, and Isagi’s face goes bright red. The striker sputters out incoherent protests, and Bachira giggles at the mannerism.
“Just kidding! You’re so fun to mess with Isagi~” He buzzes, ruffling Isagi’s hair a bit before disconnecting. Isagi pouts, the light shade of pink never leaving his cheeks completely.
The trio spend the rest of the day walking in and out of a plethora of stores, attempts at trying to find anything that Kaiser may find the least bit amusing proving to be an impossible task. It takes two trips to the food court, one trip to an arcade, Chigiri winning a plushie from a claw machine after many attempts, and Bachira getting them kicked out of a store before they finally find something.
It’s nearing sunset when they decide to enter the last shop in a desperate attempt to find something, anything . Isagi doesn’t even remember the name of the store. Nothing mattered anymore. Not when he lost all concept of time and felt like collapsing at any minute. Stupid public areas with their stupidly loud people.
His blue eyes catch a glimpse of a keychain, and a sinister smile makes way onto his face. His hands graze the object, his mind creating a mental image on how Kaiser would react.
“Guys, I found it.” Chigiri and Bachira come up from behind him, furrowing their brows at the item Isagi was holding. Surely he couldn’t be serious.
“Are you sure you’re feeling well, Isagi?”
“I knew the Germany stratum had some crazy people in it but this might be next level.”
Isagi scoffs, clutches the keychain in his palm, and walks to go check out his item. He wasn’t blind — he knew that gift, in comparison to Kaiser’s, was awful. Though, in a mental battle, it all made perfect sense.
Besides, all was fair game when it came to Kaiser and Isagi.
✁
It’s late at night when Kaiser hears a knock at his door.
He wonders who in their right mind would bother him at such an ungodly hour of the night. The German is already in his pajamas, hair tied back into a bun and his blue light glasses resting on his nose. It’s quite a vulnerable look for him, to tell the truth.
Kaiser assumes it’s Ness, because who else would willingly come to talk to him? The Blue Lockers were either scared of him or hated him, and his teammates knew he was damn near unapproachable.
What he doesn’t expect is for Isagi to be standing on the other side of the door, panting lightly with pink tinted cheeks.
Kaiser’s heart beat picks up ever so slightly, and he wants to stab it and tell it to shut up because he sees Yoichi everyday .
Both of them are quiet at first, as Michael expected Isagi to say something first because he was the one who came to his room. Though, when he didn’t, Kaiser opened his mouth to break the silence.
“Sneaking out to meet me in my room? Bold are we, Yoichi?” He jokes, taking off his lenses. He folds his arms over his chest and leans against the door frame.
Isagi’s eye twitches, but he doesn’t say anything about it, something else clearly plaguing his mind. Kaiser quirks a brow, and contemplates whether or not he should ask if he’s alright, when Isagi outreach his hand, catching Kaiser surprised. There’s a small black box that fits in his hand, a blue ribbon around it to decorate the simplicity.
The corners of Kaisers mouth lift upward, finally piecing together why Isagi was here, however not saying it out loud so he could back in his embarrassment longer.
“Here’s your not- gift.” He mutters, nudging the box closer to kaiser. The blond takes it, and Isagi quickly retracts his hand, stuffing it in his pocket. He speeds off, leaving Kaiser to open it by himself.
He practically throws the cap of the box to the other side of the room, excited to see what Yoichi bought him. He noticed that he wasn’t at practice all day, which left Kaiser in a sour mood.
Kaiser takes a mental pause when he finally sees just what exactly Isagi had bought for him. He stands exactly like that, frozen, for a minute or two before he erupts into a fit of soft laughter.
It was a court-like jester keychain, stylized to look exaggerated and stupid. There were small bells on the hat, clanking with every harsh movement.
Once he calms down, Kaiser walks up to his practice bag. The one that he throws to the side the moment practice is over. He fits the keychain onto one of the zipper holes, admires it for a second more before pulling out his phone and snapping a photo of it. He sends the photo to Yoichi, attaching a corny text that was sure to make Isagi stay up bantering with him for hours.
And, while he doesn't realize it, Kaiser is smiling. Not the usual conceited and deceit filled smirks that would rile Isagi up. No, it was a genuine smile.
A smile that showed that he wanted to continue to talk to Isagi, no matter the capacity. A smile that meant that he actually enjoyed spending time with him.
And Kaiser decides that maybe,
just maybe
, liking Yoichi wasn't so much of a bad thing.