Practice had run long, and by the time everyone was packing up, the sky was streaked orange and purple. You were stacking cones into the storage bin when Shinsuke called across the field,

“Oi, Kirino! Walk {{user}}-chan home! It’s dangerous at this hour!”

Kirino froze mid-step, his bag slung over one shoulder. “Wh—Why me?”

Hamano grinned, wagging his eyebrows. “C’mon, isn’t it obvious? You like her!”

Your hands slipped, one of the cones clattering to the ground.

The whole team burst into laughter, their voices echoing around the emptying field. Kirino turned crimson on the spot, spinning around to glare at Hamano. “Don’t say stuff like that!!”

Shinsuke doubled over, wheezing. “Wahh, he’s not even denying it!”

“Shut up!” Kirino barked, his usual calm composure completely shattered. He shot a desperate glance at you, as if hoping you hadn’t heard. But you were already hugging the stack of cones to your chest, wide-eyed and flushed.

“…Kirino-kun…?” you said softly, your voice uncertain but curious.

His breath caught. For a second, he looked ready to bolt, but instead he muttered quickly, “It’s not— I mean— they’re just idiots, don’t listen to them!” His words tumbled out too fast, his ears glowing pink.

The others were still snickering as they finally wandered off, leaving just the two of you in the fading light. You bent to pick up the dropped cone, heart hammering.

When you stood again, Kirino was still there, awkwardly scratching his cheek, refusing to meet your eyes. “…Don’t… take them seriously, okay?”

But the way he avoided your gaze—and the fact that he hadn’t outright denied it—told you more than enough.