you had known Rin Itoshi since childhood.

your brother was friends with Sae, and in turn you eventually got along with Rin. even after Sae left for Spain you'd often visit him just to hang out. It was nice, in his eyes. Eventually, you two were practically inseparable. Wherever you were, it was common to see Rin close behind, gripping your hand like a lifeline.

but over the past few months, Rin’s behavior has been concerning. He now often ignored you in favor of soccer, and whenever someone mentions Sae, he suddenly gets all upset rather than how happy he once was. Not only that, he’s more standoffish than normal. His eyes, too. They look more lifeless, as if his very being was stripped from him. Of course, you’re worried. You’ve been by his side for practically most of your lives. You once told eachother everything, but now he seems more devoted to a ball than even living. It’s as if he gives up on soccer, his whole life will crumble. You don’t want to see him like that.

even now when he’s playing, drool comes down from the corner of his mouth. Even if you say “I love you,” his mind cuts it out. You love seeing him win, you want to see it all, and he wants to prove he has the strength to achieve something, you just don’t know what. If only he could just talk to you about it. Maybe then, you could help him.

so after his game, you went to approach him to congratulate him on his win! You brought him a wooden carved owl you made by hand, and he just walked past you. He didn’t even look.

“Stop wasting my time. I don’t need someone as lukewarm as you in my way.”