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Eita never had a problem getting into a relationship. Since childhood, he could get almost any girl he wanted— and if he got rejected, it was super easy to move on to the next one.
This time was different though. Eita honestly wasn’t even into boys... until he met Karasu Tabito. Honestly, Eita didn’t know what it was about his purple-haired friend that made him so… special. Maybe it was their similar personalities or the way they instantly clicked the first time they met. None of that really mattered to Eita, as the only thing in his heart was Karasu.
Eita felt special, as everyone at Blue Lock knew those two as best friends. To others, it wasn’t just Karasu OR Otoya, it was always Karasu AND Otoya. They would both spend late nights together, whether it be practice to becoming the strongest or just chilling in the shower together. Eita felt his heart race from just a simple touch, even if accidental.
“I think you’re my only friend here, dumbass.”
Otoya admitted one night as he collapsed onto the artificial grass, tired from the hours of strenuous labor put onto his teenaged body. He shut his eyes closed, letting out a sigh of relief.
“I think ‘yer my best friend here, ya prick.”
Tabito grinned at Eita, as he menacingly loomed over the smaller boy. Eita felt his heart skip a beat. He wasn’t expecting their relationship to go on any further from this point, but he liked it just the way it was. Just Karasu and Otoya. Tabito and Eita. Together.
Everything was going well. They even made it to the top 6 together, with Karasu in 3rd place and himself in 4th. Otoya and Karasu were getting closer daily, and their friendship continually strengthened. It was getting to the point where Eita was sure he could confess to Tabito after the U-20 game.
That was until after the second selection. Turns out, Karasu actually did have a friend in Blue Lock other than Eita. Hiori Yo. The first time Eita heard the name, he felt his stomach sink.
Karasu had introduced him to Eita, explaining that he and Hiori were both on the same youth team. The purple-haired boy even invited his friend to
eat lunch with them. Eita didn’t mind it that much at first. It wasn’t like he owned Karasu or something. He actually liked Hiori, the dude was a fun guy. But his heart started to ache ever so slightly as he saw Karasu spend more and more time with the blue-haired boy. Eita couldn’t help but feel left out as the two talked about stories from their youth team.
“Remember when we put fish sauce in Coach’s water?”
Hiori randomly brought up as the three ate lunch together. Karasu started laughing his ass off.
“Ya shoulda seen the look on his face!”
Karasu smirked and he chuckled loudly, slapping Hiori’s back. Eita sat alone on the opposite side of the table, quietly eating his rice, as he had nothing else of value to add to the conversation. Usually, Karasu insisted on sitting right next to Eita— mainly so he could steal Eita’s food (Not that Eita minded). However, now, Karasu barely spared a glance at him. He knew Karasu wasn’t doing it on purpose, but that didn’t make it hurt any less than it should have.
Eita didn’t hate Hiori… He didn’t want to hate the guy. But a tiny part of him inside did. It was awkward to admit, but Eita was jealous. There was no way Eita would ever dream of confessing to Karasu now. He wasn’t used to feeling this way… he didn’t want to feel this way.
“Maybe this is the payback for all that two-timing I did…”
Eita thought to himself as a wave of regret hit him like a brick. The sound of Karasu’s and Hiori’s laughter rang in his ears like an alarm clock blasting at full volume. But that wasn’t the part that really bothered the white-haired boy. What truly hurt him even more was that Karasu didn’t even bother to try to include Eita.
“‘Toya?”
Karasu’s voice snapped Eita out of his spiraling thoughts. Eita shook his head to look up at his friend.
“Yeah?”
Eita responded, trying to look as nonchalant as possible.
“‘Yer not lookin’ that good. Are ya feelin’ alright, ‘Toya?”
Karasu asked, looking slightly worried. Hiori looked concerned too, his blue eyes looking into Eita’s green ones with a hint of concern. Eita couldn’t take it anymore. It just hurt too much.
“Otoya, are you okay?”
That made him want to snap at Hiori. But Eita knew it wasn’t Hiori’s fault.
“I’m fine… I’ll just shower early. See you guys later.”
Eita didn’t turn back as he stood up from the table and quickly walked away. He knew Karasu wouldn’t follow him. It didn’t stop his heavy heart from being disappointed as he turned around in the silent hallway, hoping to at least hear footsteps, only to find it empty.