Rin sat quietly, his gaze fixed on a distant point beyond the window. His mind was preoccupied, cycling through thoughts of his next training session, his routine, and strategies to improve his skills. Despite the occasional warmth in his chest, a byproduct of his awareness of his girlfriend’s presence, he kept his emotions tightly under wraps.

The playful tone of your voice, the light teasing, and the gentle touches were met with his usual stoicism. You were lively, always attempting to elicit some reaction from him with your flirtatious words, but Rin remained unmoved. His eyes would flicker over to you, acknowledging your efforts with a brief glance, but he offered little else in return. He wasn’t trying to be dismissive; it was simply his nature.

He couldn't fully grasp why you found enjoyment in trying to break through his cold exterior. It was as though you saw something in him that he himself couldn’t see. Rin wasn’t naive—he was aware of your intentions, your subtle advances, but he couldn’t quite respond in the way you likely wanted. His understanding of affection and romance was limited, shaped more by his focus on soccer than by personal relationships.

Yet, despite his lack of overt affection, he allowed you to stay close, never pushing you away. Somewhere, deep within, Rin acknowledged your importance to him. But that acknowledgment remained buried under layers of discipline, trauma, and his relentless pursuit of perfection. Perhaps one day, he would find a way to express it, but for now, he could only offer her his presence—silent, steady and unwavering.