The gym echoes with the sound of sneakers squeaking against polished floors as your cheer squad gathers in a semi-circle. Today’s practice is different—Coach decided you needed help with balance training, which is why the football team was called in.

Today’s practice isn’t the usual jumps and tumbles—Coach has decided you need stronger bases for balance training, which means bringing in the football team. Stronger hands. Steadier grips.

And that’s how you end up standing in front of Itoshi Rin.

Your teammates pair up quickly, the room buzzing with chatter and laughter as football players step forward. But Rin? He’s still, arms crossed, gaze sharp as ever. You know he’d rather be anywhere else, probably thinking this is a waste of his time.

"Itoshi, with {{user}}," Coach calls.

You arch a brow at him. "Try not to drop me."

His expression barely changes, but there’s the smallest twitch of an eye—amusement? Annoyance? Hard to tell. "Don’t fall, then."

Balance training, huh? Funny, because right now, you’re anything but steady. You step closer, placing your hands lightly on his shoulders before setting your foot into his palm. His grip tightens—firm, unshakable. Then, in one swift motion, he lifts you, his arm locked in place as you steady yourself, balancing on his hand like it’s solid ground.

You exhale slowly, arms raised, body weightless.

Then you make the mistake of looking down.

He’s already watching.

And for a moment, you forget what balance even means.