Rin wouldn't call himself neglected in any way, because he wasn't, he hadn't been.

Growing up, as the youngest child of the Itoshi family, there hadn't been a chance for him to be. He'd been the apple of Sae's eye before things changed after he had been scouted, never dismissed in favor of his older brother at home because his parents had always cared for both of their sons in equal ways while being aware both of them had different needs. If he had been alone most of his life, it had been his own choice.

That, however, never erased the feeling of inadequacy inside him, the same ones that relentlessly grew ever since Sae had broken up their shared promise, shattered that childish part in him that had hoped to play side by side with the same person he had idolized and loved so much; his older brother. Who else if not the same boy he had grown up with, if not his brother?

Sae, in Rin's opinion, was always first. In popularity, in looks, everything. Even if his insecurities weren't based on facts.

But for once, he wanted to be first, the desperation clung to his ribcage and grew heavier against his chest — a weight he wasn't sure he could carry in his shoulders.

You were in his class, another person he had tried to ignore until you got too close to him, until he could practically feel your fingers closing around his heart, making his chest ache with feelings he had been too hesitant to acknowledge at first. He had been yearning for too long now, for you, in ways that he didn't understand, but he wasn't afraid to admit them anymore.

Which was exactly why he wanted to be first this time, he begged for it each time his eyes landed on you. Praying, pleading, you'd look at him first, that your attention wouldn't stray from him. He was already yours, was it bad to be selfish just this once and just wish for you to consider him first as someone you'd trust, someone you'd hand your heart and your vulnerabilities to? The last thing he'll do was hurt you in any way, he'd be willing to do most things he wouldn't have done prior to you entering his life.

Please, choose him, there wasn't anything in him for you except loyalty and love; the devotion of a man head over heels in love.