Chapter Text
His cleats dug into the turf, eyes drawn to the ground.
There was something about that day. Not just Kaiser’s marvellous score. Or how loud the audience's cheers and stomps were, that it would blend with his own deafening heartbeat.
No, it was neither of those. It was the thrill of adrenaline, the trigger of his flee-or-fight mechanism every time he was near the other’s striker.
Those sharp eyes that would pierce straight through his soul. The ease that came with the striker’s, almost scary, movements… It shook him. It was something about the mystery of Rin that intrigued him.
“Oi, Ness— Konzentrier dich!”
The man snapped out of his thoughts. The memory was so vivid and fresh that it had practically burnt onto his eyes.
Ness shook his head and looked up. Right, focus. He was practicing with Kaiser right now.
Yet, still distracted, he took the ball. Moving it as if it was a third sense. Those teal eyes… Ness blinked.
“Wooaah—“
THUD! Ness literally bumped into the goal post, head first.
“Ness!” Kaiser groaned loudly.
The magenta-eyed man flopped onto the ground, eyes fluttering. The dazed look he had was almost amusing.
(hours later)
The Japanese boy replayed the match over and over in his head whilst he rolled a ball under his foot. He was in the training grounds, at night. The light seemed to focus on him— and him only. Like he was still playing.
it all seems to weigh in at once. Pressure. Even when he’s behind closed doors. To be the best, remain first— one slip and.. he could fall further behind Sae.
He couldn’t spiral like that. Focus.
He took a breath in, closing his eyes. The rush of adrenaline familiar as he felt himself on the vast field again. People cheering, heart pounding, breath heavy. His lungs were burning but he still pushed through…
He tensed up. A quiet whirr, the sounds of the doors sliding open.
The footsteps that followed after was not a familiar sound. Rin turned his head over his shoulder, looking through his bangs in annoyance.
There stood in between the doors as an unexpected visitor.. A particular German man, with ashy brown hair that faded into a magenta colour at the ends. Sigh… Rin could already feel the headache coming.
“You’re interesting.” The other said. No greeting, just straight to the point. His name was Ness, Rin recalled. The loyal ‘dog’ that followed Kaiser around. Rin ticked at that name.
He replied, averting his gaze. “So?”
Ness smiled as a response.
Why wasn’t the boy with his owner? At this point, he’d be a distraction. That wasn’t good. He needed to focus. Needed to find out why he lost.
“Your goals were amazing, efficient. Not as amazing as Kaiser’s.” Ness mumbled the last sentence. “But it lacks something. Flair, beauty!”
That made Rin pause. Beauty? His goals?
“Don’t you want your goals to mean something?” Ness added with genuine curiosity. Rin finally met Ness’s gaze, his eyes sharp.
“They mean winning.” The Japanese boy muttered. Cold, precise, and slightly irritated.
“Hmf.” Ness thinks of another question. “Do you feel anything when you score?”
“The satisfaction of the ball going in.” the latter shrugged.
Ness stared at Rin with a deadpanned expression.
Rin finally decided he was done with the conversation, “If you aren’t here to train, leave.” he said, positioning himself in front of the goal.
“Oh, I do have a reason to be here!” Ness replied.
Ness needed to see it for himself. Watch how Rin shot. What his drive was. The curve, the speed, the timing… How Rin sucked in his breath before shooting all his might into the ball, then grunting at the impact.
Even the most talented goalkeeper would trip trying to defend that.
Ness’s eyes lit up. It was perfect, literally textbook perfect. But Rin prepared for another kick. No celebration. It wasn’t a performance for him.
Kaiser would’ve raised his arms and Ness would be the first to cheer.
It should’ve pissed him off but it was intriguing. Imagine how much more magical it would be if Rin put his whole heart into it.
“Boring..” The German boy whispered under his breath, but just loud enough for the other to hear.
“This isn’t an act.” Rin replied.
“Show me something better!”
“I’m not listening to you.” Rin grunted, letting out an exasperated sigh.
Kick. And then another. Ness watched every single one. What unsettled him wasn’t Rin’s skill, but the feeling of it.
Or rather, the lack of.
There was no joy, no hunger, no desperation— just execution. Just a statement to prove he’s good. As if the goal was inevitable as soon as the idea was formulated.
The magenta-eyed man tilted his head, eyes unfocused. Surely there was something underneath that cold surface that he could draw out.
And almost subconsciously, his fingers twitched. He’s imagining a pass he could make with a better angle or position, a different trajectory.
Would Rin take it?
Would he change the approach of his goal? What style would he go for? Would—
Ness stops.
He’s not even analysing Rin anymore or being curious. He’s basically fantasising about fixing him. His face turns red.
Rin turns around.
“Are you still here—?”
No one’s there.