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Meguru circled her foot slowly through the water, watching the ripples fan out in lazy rings. Her other leg was bent at the knee, her foot planted firmly on the soft grass with her elbow resting atop the knee, her fingers curled beneath her chin. The pose was thoughtful—interested, even—though she felt none of that.
Instead, Meguru was feeling quite lonely tonight. Out of curiosity, she brought her gaze up, her eyes falling on the other side of town. Her eyes shone as the festival lights blurred to life, flickering once or twice before blaring into, seemingly, full brightness. Large banners fluttered in the distance as loud, cheerful music filled the girl’s ears, causing the corners of her lips to twitch, nearly dropping to a frown.
Meguru buried her head in her arms, lifting her leg up from the lake’s pleasant company and bringing her knees to her chest.
She didn’t let her tears fall—no matter how much it stung her eyes, no matter how much they made her eyes red and irritated due to lack of release, and no matter how much she wanted so desperately to cry.
Festivals were supposed to be fun—joyful—she didn’t have to ruin it with her near-tears and dejected feelings. And yet, she couldn’t find a reason to blame herself.
This always happened to Meguru, despite having everything she wanted.
She has an amazing soccer career ahead of her thanks to Blue Lock, she has great friends who she talks to nearly every day, she has a supportive mother who loves her for who she is, and she has a lovely girlfriend who she wouldn’t trade for the world.
She thought all her problems would be solved once she finally got herself some friends and even a lover. But that wasn’t true—not even close. Not when her heart still felt hollow and empty with crickets and cobwebs covering the inside as though she was destined to feel like this—to feel so lonely.
“You’re not at the festival,” a familiar voice from behind her notes, and the mere sound made Meguru’s heart beat just slightly faster. “I already bought you a ticket.”
“I know,” Meguru lifts her head up from the comfort of her arms and turns to look at the figure behind her, a forced smile making its way to her lips.
Rin scoffed, stuffing the two festival tickets in the pockets of her leather jacket. “Stop that, wipe that smile off.”
In an instant, Meguru does so. The corners of her lips fall into a frown that seemed too uncanny for Rin’s liking, but she’d rather have the girl frown than hide behind a smile that wasn’t genuine.
Rin sits down next to her, their shoulders bumping for a moment as the girl settles in her spot. With a soft sigh and a quick aversion of her eyes, Rin wraps an arm around Meguru’s shoulders and brings her closer.
Meguru immediately nuzzles her cheek against the leather of her girlfriend’s jacket before turning her head and burying her face in the crook of Rin’s neck.
“Whatever you’re thinking in that small head of yours,” Rin says quietly, “just ignore it. The feeling will pass like it always does. Just distract yourself in the meantime.”
Meguru hums. She already knew that, but she liked the audible reminder, especially since she knew it would take her much longer to get over the lonely feeling without the presence of her girlfriend.
So, she does just that. She wanted to lighten the air, just a little—just enough to breathe again.
She tilts her head slightly, tapping the jacket’s material. “This is a stupid jacket.”
“Is that your way of distracting yourself?” Rin couldn’t help but let a corner of her lip lift in a slightly amused smile.
Meguru ignores her words, continuing to tap on the jacket. “It’s a sixty-dollar jacket from the Blue Lock website. There’s no way you actually paid for this.”
“And who are you to tell me what to do with my money?” Rin raises a brow, flicking Meguru’s forehead. The other girl yelps, rubbing at the sore spot in a poor attempt at healing it.
“Hey—”
“And plus,” Rin kicked in again, tilting Meguru’s face towards her, seeing the adorable pout on her lips. Her gaze moved from her lips to her eyes, noticing the red irritation from earlier. The sight pulls at Rin’s heartstrings unpleasantly. She continued to cradle Meguru’s head in her hands, her thumb rubbing the girl’s cheek tenderly. “You like to steal it, anyway. You can’t be talking.”
Meguru’s pout remains. “I steal all of your clothes.”
“I know you do,” Rin hummed. “And you look ridiculous in them.”
Before the girl could protest any more, Rin’s other hand holds the back of Meguru’s nape, pulling her forward by an inch before their lips meet in a soft, gentle kiss.
Meguru smiles in the kiss, a muffled giggle escaping her lips as she tilts her head and presses against her girlfriend some more.
The kiss didn’t last long—not this time, not when Meguru was still vulnerable and needed emotional comfort. The two separated after a moment, their eyes locked in fondness and adoration.
“You know this feeling won’t go away, right?” Meguru said after a while. “I’ll always have moments like this, and it usually isn’t very pretty.”
Rin knew what she signed up for when she reciprocated Meguru’s feelings two years ago after the U-20 game. “I know. I don’t expect loneliness to be pretty, Bobcut, but I’ll always be here to guide you through your emotions, if that’s what you’re worried about.”
“Really?” Meguru asks softly, looking through her lashes before pressing her forehead against Rin’s.
Rin let her.
“Yeah,” she imitated the volume of Meguru’s voice, bringing her hand up to caress her girlfriend’s cheek. “Really.”