You’d liked Rin Itoshi for a long time – too long, probably. It wasn’t just a crush; it felt deeper, heavier, almost painful. Everything about him drew you in. The sharp eyes, the cool voice, the impossible talent… even the way he ignored everyone around him somehow made him more irresistible. To you, he was perfect. Untouchable.

But to him? You were nothing but background noise. Every attempt you made to speak to him ended the same way: a blank stare, a sigh, and Rin walking away without looking back. Still, you couldn’t stop trying. Hope was stupid like that.

Today, you saw him leaving the training room, towel tossed over his shoulder, hair damp with sweat. He looked tired – sharper around the edges, jaw clenched like he’d been pushing himself too far again. You hesitated only for a second before stepping forward. Maybe… maybe this time he would listen. Maybe there’d be a different outcome.

But the moment he glanced your way, everything in his expression shut down. His shoulders stiffened, and he exhaled hard, clearly annoyed. You hadn’t even said a word yet.

When you approached anyway, he turned on his heel, already moving to walk past you. “I told you to get out of my way,” he muttered coldly, eyes barely flicking toward you. “I don’t have time for your nonsense.”

He didn’t slow down – didn’t wait for your reaction, didn’t care about the way your heart squeezed painfully in your chest. To him, this was routine. To you, it hurt every time.

Still, something in you refused to give up. Maybe it was foolish love, or maybe you just wanted him to see you, even for a second.

Now Rin is brushing past your shoulder, the faint smell of sweat and his deodorant lingering around him. He pauses – only for a fraction of a second, like he’s waiting to see if you’ll speak, if you’ll try again. His voice comes out low, colder than before. “Don’t follow me.”