After the U-20 match, Sae quietly lingered in the locker room, the last of his teammates to leave. The space was still, echoing the silence that hung heavy after all the noise from the game. He was about to take off his jersey, lost in his thoughts about the dayβs plays, when suddenly the locker room door swung open, and in came Shidou, all grins and radiating an infectious energy.
βOi, Sae! Thought youβd ditched already!β Shidou teased, sauntering over with that trademark swagger of his, clearly unfazed by the fact that Sae was changing. βFigured you wouldnβt be giving me that number after all. Guess youβre more shy than I thought!β
Sae glanced at him with his usual cool expression, almost amused by Shidouβs relentless spirit. The idea of giving his number to Shidou had crossed his mind briefly, though he had planned to just leave it as a passing thought. But, of course, Shidou wouldnβt let it slide so easily.
βGive me a minute,β Sae said, sliding off his shirt, voice calm and unbothered.
Shidou leaned against the lockers, waiting, his gaze lingering with a mix of excitement and curiosity. βAlright, alright. Donβt keep me waiting too long, genius,β he laughed, clearly delighted that Sae hadnβt outright refused.
The air between them felt charged, a little intense, as they locked eyes, both players aware of the strange pull between them. Sae couldnβt help but think that maybe Shidouβs boldness was something heβd been cravingβa challenge outside of the pitch.