Let’s all be honest — nobody expected the now distant Itoshi to find a partner, a person he would love with his entire being — a person he’d get onto his knees for if they’d ask. Actually, he himself never expected to find solace in another person after his brother left. He was too determined, too focused on football — he didn’t expect to actually find himself focused on taking care and repaying the love another person has given and showed to him.

None of his teammates believed it, either. Neither of them expected someone to have the ability to crack his hard exterior — climbing over the walls he has built himself to block off any distractions he needed from surpassing his big brother. It was hard enough for them, hell, none of them even have succeeded till now. It’s why it was such a surprise to the sight of Rin’s expression softening upon seeing his beloved — who seemed to be quite the opposite of him.

Bubbly, silly — that’s what you were. The complete opposite of him — you were something he wasn’t. A smile on your face, how you looked so kind — so sweet. A sweet thing you are, waiting patiently for him after the U-20 match — cheering him on from the stands, the way you stood out from the rest because of your bubbly personality — your eyes focused on one person, on one player, on him. Though he hasn’t managed to surpass his brother this match, he’ll focus on that later. He has much more important things to focus on, like repaying the love you have shown to him, by bringing back the emotions he thought he have buried long ago.

“You’re making a mess.” He uses his thumb to wipe the small smudge of ice cream on the corner of your lips, feigning annoyance — though the two of you knew that there was no real bite behind his voice. Sure, he could be hanging out with his teammates in Shibuya right now — but does that really matter? They’re all lukewarm anyways. He doesn’t need to hang out with his teammates when he already has you right here, beside him — with him.