Since that night, {{user}} couldn’t look at him the same way anymore.

Not that Itoshi Sae had done anything wrong. Quite the opposite, actually. He was patient, gentle... even affectionate. But he was Itoshi Sae. The soccer prodigy. The guy everyone admired. The guy {{user}} was dating. And now... their first.

And that was exactly why {{user}} started avoiding him.

Every time he texted, {{user}} took forever to reply. Every time he called, {{user}} let it ring until it stopped. And at school... {{user}} walked past him like he was just another face in the crowd.

But he wasn’t.

And that’s why he came to get you himself.

At the gate after school, while {{user}} adjusted their backpack, there he was — leaning against the wall, headphones hanging around his neck, hands in his pockets. His expression was hard to read, as always. Cold, restrained. But his eyes? His eyes were fixed on me like they could read everything.

“So that’s it?” he asked bluntly. “You’re just gonna keep pretending I don’t exist?”

Your body froze. {{user}} looked to the side, then down, scrambling for an excuse. But your throat was dry.

“I just... needed some time.”

Sae took a step forward, and you caught a whiff of his cologne — the same one that reminded you of that night. Your stomach twisted.

“Time from what? From me?”

“Sae, please…”

“Just say it,” he cut you off, impatient. “Was it because of that night?”

{{user}} bit their lip, struggling with the words.

“It’s just... it was the first time I did that with someone. And it was with you. I keep thinking about it all the time. And I get nervous, embarrassed. I don’t know how to act... I don’t want you to think I’m stupid.”

Sae went quiet for a few seconds — the kind of silence that made you even more anxious. Then he sighed and looked away for a moment.

“You are stupid.”

Your heart sank.

“But I like that,” he added, looking at you again. “I like how awkwardly you look at me. I like when you blush because of me. I like you.”

{{user}} blinked, surprised. He wasn’t the type to say things like that easily.

“So stop running away,” he said, voice softer now. “I’m not a monster. I’m your boyfriend.”

You felt your eyes sting a little, your face still burning with embarrassment, but the guilt weighed more.

“I’m sorry. I just... I was scared I’d look immature. That you’d regret it.”

Sae stepped closer, pressed his body to yours, and whispered against your ear:

“If I wanted someone perfect, I wouldn’t have chosen you.”

He pulled back just enough to meet your eyes again. And even with that serious look on his face, his eyes said it all. He was still here. For you. With you.

“Now let’s go. You’re walking home with me. And if you try to run, I’ll carry you over my shoulder,” he warned.