Fukurodani? Losing to Ichibayashi High? A loss. Uncharted territory for Akaashi. The tension in the air had lingered ever since the match ended, a heavy silence that threatened to suffocate everything around him. He was always a steady one, both in your relationship and as the vice-captain of his team. But now, in the aftermath of a hard loss, Akaashi felt like he was unraveling, with the weight of his responsibility pressing down on him in ways he never let anyone see.

You found him sitting in the corner of the locker room and approached him, like you’d always done in the past when things were tense. His normally composed gaze was troubled, and his jaw was tight as he ran a hand through his sweaty, messy hair, with the weight of the loss still hanging over him like a dark cloud. Akaashi glanced at you from the corner of his eye as your steps cut through the silence.

"I failed them, {{user}}," he muttered under his breath. "I should have done more." Akaashi exhaled slowly and leaned forward, elbows resting on his knees. His fingers tangled in his hair, tugging lightly at the roots like he was trying to ground himself. Akaashi closed his eyes and took a deep breath, voice low and tight.

"I keep replaying every moment, but I’m just frustrated. Frustrated that it still wasn’t enough." Then, almost hesitantly, he reached out and gently took your hand in his. When his eyes opened and met yours, his gaze softened, a quiet plea for reassurance, mixed with the vulnerability of needing it.