Chapter Text
A match had just ended. Isagi was sitting on a bench, head ducked as he regained his breath. His team won, with him scoring the last goal. The feeling of being your teams’ last point, causing the overall win…it was addicting. Isagi loved every single bit of it, and hell— he would absolutely do it again. But Isagi didn’t do it alone. He did get some assistance from Rin.. more than he’d like to admit, he couldn’t have scored that last goal without him.
Pushing his thoughts aside, Isagi decided to call it a day. He was tired, so it would be obvious to get some rest for the next day. Who knows what team they’d be playing next… Isagi grabs his bag, packing his stuff up to leave. He lets one strap fall over his shoulder as he stands up, but his attention immediately gets caught by something else— no, someone else.
Ah, Rin. Him…why was he still here? Whatever. None of Isagi’s concern. But…. it could be good to thank him. Even if he keeps up that annoying cold façade. The one only Isagi sees through. Interacting with your teammates is something, but Rin was different. So closed-off and blunt…it was like talking to a brick wall. Even so, why not try? Showing hospitality once in a while could be good, even to your rival.
Without a second thought, Isagi decided to approach Rin.
Taking long strides, he stopped right beside him. It’d be impossible to not notice someone right next to you, so of course Rin glanced at Isagi. As Isagi’s eyes met Rin’s, there was no sign of emotion. Just that same, bored look that said ‘What? Make it quick’.
Letting out a smile, Isagi knew Rin was waiting for him to say something. With anyone else, he’d probably scowl or simply leave. Isagi knew Rin treated him differently, but he couldn’t tell why. Though, it’s not like Rin was kind to him. He never let his guard down, it was impossible to see any change in his facial expression. If anything, he seemed cold, distant…like a person who wanted nothing to do with anyone.
But no doubt about it, Isagi saw Rin’s kindness deep within him— a part of himself Rin refuses to acknowledge.
“Hey. I wanted to thank you for helping me score the last goal.”
Isagi didn’t even think about what he said, it just slipped out of his mouth, like it was an automatic response. Rin took a moment to respond.
“Don’t bother. I wasn’t helping you, I did what we needed to win.”
Just like that, Rin brings his attention back to his bag, continuing to pack up his things. Isagi was unfazed by Rin’s cold response. It was almost the same exact thing he’d say after every game. It was becoming very predictable.
Isagi let out a small sigh as he said his next words. “Yeah, yeah… whatever you say, man.”
He was tempted to roll his eyes, yet knew better than to do that. He didn’t want Rin to glare at him like he’d burn a hole through his head if he did. Isagi wanted to say something else, but wasn’t sure of what to say. That was, until, Rin accidentally dropped his water bottle. He took that as a perfect opportunity to speak to Rin.
Isagi bent down and picked it up before rising back to his feet. “You dropped something.” A smile tugged at his lips as he handed Rin his water bottle back.
“…” Rin narrowed his eyes briefly, like he was silently judging him. He snatched the bottle out of Isagi’s hands.
“I can pick up stuff myself, y’know.”
Isagi almost huffed at Rin’s annoyed tone. What, he can’t do something as simple as handing him his water bottle without him getting pissed off? Seriously??
“I was simply trying to be nice, y’know,” Isagi added emphasis to that last word. “no need to get all feisty about it.”
“Well, don’t. There’s no point.” Rin replied dismissively as he continued packing his things.
At this point Isagi wasn't even bothered by the small glare and annoyed tone in Rin's voice. He had heard it so many times before. There was a moment of silence before Isagi spoke up again.
"You really don't like it when people are kind to you, huh?"
He asked, not in a judging or bitter tone, more so out of genuine curiosity. It was hard not to ask, his cold personality was just so....unique, to say the least.
Rin gave Isagi a side-eye. “It’s meaningless. I don’t know what people expect of me when they act all nice, then get pissed when I don’t thank them. It’s stupid.”
“Wow…” Isagi was at a loss for words. Sure, he knew how Rin was, but didn't realize he was THAT cold. He thought he was just acting like it. Never in his life did he think Rin saw kindness as such a bad thing. A part of him wanted to just give up and stop trying.
"You really are hopeless..."
He murmured, his tone of voice disappointed, though there was sympathy mixed in as well— hidden underneath the surface.
Rin raised a brow. If he ever smiled in his life, he’d be laughing bitterly right now.
“Hope? I think you’re hopeless for having hope in me in the first place.”
Isagi's eyes widened slightly in surprise at Rin's words. Was he always this negative??
He let out a sigh, not sure what to say. Honestly, he didn't know why he even cared in the first place. They were nothing more than rivals after all.. but a small part of him wanted to try. A small, desperate part of him wanted to try and break through that cold façade of Rin's. Another moment of uncomfortable silence passed before Isagi spoke once more.
"For someone so smart, you're so damn oblivious."
Isagi had an irritated expression on his face, like he wanted to say a whole bunch of stuff, but couldn't figure out how to say it. He was just.. frustrated. Frustrated by the fact that Rin didn't acknowledge nor accept kindness from others.
At this point, Rin didn’t even care. "Whatever you say, lukewarm...” Rin paid no attention to Isagi, not even sparing a glance as he took his bag and turned around.
Isagi gritted his teeth, getting even more frustrated. It took all of his might not to punch Rin in the face right then and there. But he had to stay calm. He had to keep his cool. Getting so upset wouldn't do anything, though it was much easier said than done.
"And that right there is why nobody wants to get close to you. You're a goddamn jerk."
"I prefer it that way."
Rin replied simply, walking away as if nothing happened. Only thing left was Isagi and his thoughts. Isagi watched as Rin walked away, almost wanting to yell out insults at him just so he could come back. But knowing Rin, he'd probably just ignore them and continue walking away, not even giving Isagi a glance.
Isagi let out a sigh and let his shoulders slump as he watched Rin walk out of sight. Damn, talking with that guy was exhausting. It was always a headache after one small conversation with him.
Yet, why....why does Isagi still try?
It's simple, really.
Isagi knows Rin is more than that.
He's not just a jerk.
Isagi let out another frustrated sigh as he recalled his small interaction with Rin. The way he talked, the way he responded, his tone.. it was like he just didn't care at all, about anything. And it frustrated the hell out of Isagi. He knew, however, that there was more to Rin than being a cold jerk. Deep down, he knew there was something else. He just couldn't quite figure out what.
Therefore, Isagi would try. He wouldn’t stop until he knocked down all of Rin’s walls. Yeah. A small grin formed on his face as he thought about it.
‘I’ll keep trying,’ Isagi thought to himself.
‘I won’t give up.’