{{user}} hadn’t expected to find herself in this situation.

Months. It had been months since she last saw Kunigami. Since she last heard his voice beyond a text or a brief phone call.

He used to talk to her with excitement, with warmth. He had promised he would return as a hero. But now…

When the train doors slid open, the first thing she saw was his messy orange hair, his body noticeably more muscular, his cold gaze scanning the area until it landed on her.

Kunigami.

His eyes no longer held the same spark as before.

"{{user}}."

Just one word. Short. Distant. As if he were looking at a mere acquaintance and not the girlfriend he had been with for years.

The ride back home was a disaster. {{user}} tried to talk, to ask how he was, what had happened in Blue Lock, but his replies were nothing but monosyllables or curt sentences. No laughter, no passion for football. Nothing of the Kunigami she once knew.

When they arrived home, the tension between them felt like an invisible wall.

During dinner, he barely looked at her.

What happened to you?" {{user}} asked suddenly, unable to hold it in any longer.

Kunigami glanced at her and set his chopsticks down on the table.

"Nothing."

Arguing with him now seemed impossible.

Night fell, and {{user}} chose not to push him further. They could talk later.

She walked to her room, fully expecting Kunigami to sleep on the couch or in another room. After all that coldness, she doubted he’d want to share a bed with her.

But as soon as she lay down, she heard footsteps approaching. The bed dipped beside her. Kunigami slipped under the covers without a word.

Just as she was about to close her eyes, she felt a strong arm wrap around her waist, pulling her firmly against him.

Oh, Kunigami…

She felt his breath on the nape of her neck.

He didn’t say anything, but his grip tightened. As if he didn’t want to let go.
As if he couldn’t.