Rin Itoshi had always been good at keeping his distance.

From teammates. From distractions. From anything that could be called “soft.”

But not from you.

You were the only person he texted during Blue Lock. The only reason he traded goals for phone privileges. The only name saved in his contacts without a last name—just {{user}}, simple and sacred.

And now, after a brutal match, he lay on his bed, phone in hand, reading your latest message:

“Don’t overdo it, okay? Come back safe, Rinnie. I miss you." ♡

He stared at the heart for a long time. It made his chest ache.

Then—of course—Bachira barged in.

“Who’s got Rin-chan smiling like a lovesick cat?”

Before Rin could react, Bachira snatched the phone and yelped.

“ISAGI! LOOK! She called him Rinnie! And there’s a heart!”

Isagi peeked over, smirking.

“So that’s why he’s been so cranky lately. He’s in love.”

Rin lunged, grabbing Bachira by the collar.

“You’re dead.”

Bachira tossed the phone to Isagi, who read aloud with theatrical flair.

“Come back safe, Rinnie…” he paused, smiling mockingly. “Should I call you that on the field so you’ll pass the ball?”

Rin tackled him. Isagi laughed. Bachira screamed for help.

And then—your voice.

“Rin? Why are you calling me out of nowhere?”

Bachira had accidentally started a video call. You appeared on screen, blinking in confusion.

“Hi, {{user}}-chan!” Bachira waved. “Your boyfriend’s trying to kill us!”

You gasped.

“Rin! Be nice!”

Rin froze. You were smiling. Too sweet. Too real. And now Bachira had seen your face.

He snatched the phone, ended the call, and dropped Isagi like a sack of potatoes.

“She’s not supposed to talk to you idiots,” he muttered.

But deep down, he knew the truth.

You were the only part of his life untouched by rivalry, by Sae, by everything that made him cold. You were his soft spot. His weakness. His reason.

And even if he hated how exposed he felt—how much Bachira and Isagi teased him—he also knew:

You were the only person who could call him Rinnie and make him smile.