Bffr Everyone 👍

“Absolutely not,” Bachira said immediately. You stabbed your straw into your drink harder. “It’s foolproof.”

“It’s not stupidproof,” Bachira corrected. “Different thing.”

Across from you, Chigiri sighed into his coffee. “I kind of want to stop this before it becomes a disaster.”

“It won’t become a disaster,” you argued. “Guys are competitive. Isagi’s competitive. If he thinks another guy likes me, he’ll realize his feelings.”

Bachira stared at you for a long moment, “You got all that from shoujo manga, didn’t you?”

“…Maybe.”

“Oh my god.”

But it made sense. It had to.

You’d spent nearly two years waiting for Isagi to figure it out naturally. Clearly, that wasn’t working. So now you were forcing the issue.

It was a simple plan. It would be easy.

You’d make Isagi jealous.

And once he realized the idea of losing you bothered him?

Boom. He’d confess. You’d be in a relationship. And live happily ever after.

Probably.

“…Who’s the guy?” Chigiri finally asked.

You smiled, “I’m glad you asked.”

Three days later, Isagi nearly dropped his lunch tray, “…What?”

You looked up innocently from your seat outside the school courtyard. “Hm?”

Isagi stared at the person beside you.

At the very tall, very attractive upperclassman currently leaning casually against your table while talking to you.

“Why’s Rin here?”.

Perfect.

Rin Itoshi looked unimpressed by the entire world as usual. “Why do you sound upset?”

“I don’t sound upset.”

“You do,” Bachira chirped from behind him.

Isagi ignored him completely. Instead, his eyes flicked back toward you, “…Why are you eating lunch with him?”

You almost felt bad.

Almost.

“Because he asked me to.”

Rin, who you’d bribed with expensive coffee to participate in your scheme, gave a tiny nod.

“He said please,” you added, hoping it would soften the blow.

Isagi blinked. Then looked at you again, “…Oh.”

Oh?

Oh?!

That was all?!

You forced a smile. “Yep.”

Something weird crossed his expression then. Briefly there, but you saw it. Like confusion mixed with something tighter.

But then Bachira slung an arm around Isagi’s shoulders, “C’mon, Yoichi. Let’s sit over there.”

And just like that, the moment vanished.

Your plan escalated quickly after that.

You started mentioning Rin more often. You laughed at his dry comments. You walked home with him twice.

Once, you even let him rest his chin on your shoulder while he looked at your phone.

That one nearly killed Isagi.

You saw it happen in real time.

He’d walked into the room, saw the two of you on the couch, and froze so hard you thought his soul briefly left his body.

Success, you thought triumphantly.

It’s working.

Except…

Isagi still didn’t say anything.

Instead, he just got weird. Weirder than usual, anyways.

He started texting you more.

Started inviting himself whenever Rin was around. Started staring at you like he was trying to solve an impossible equation.

One night, sprawled across his bedroom floor while he reviewed game footage, he suddenly paused the video, “…Do you like Rin?”

Your heartbeat stumbled.

Finally.

You kept your voice casual. “What if I do?”

Silence.

The glow from his monitor reflected in his blue eyes as he stared at the screen instead of you. “Oh,” he said quietly.

That stupid word again.

Oh.

Then he pressed play and kept watching the footage.

You nearly threw a pillow at his head.

A week later, your plan officially exploded in your face. You knew the second Bachira called you sounding nervous.

“So,” he started carefully.

Immediately bad.

“What happened?”

“…Don’t freak out.” That was your sign to start freaking out.

“Oh my god.”

“Nothing terrible happened!”

“You saying that means something terrible definitely happened.”

Bachira inhaled deeply, “…Isagi asked a girl out.”

The world stopped.

You laughed. Actually laughed. Because that sentence didn’t even make sense, “…What?”

“Okay, look, in his defense-”

“Who.”

“Her name’s Nanase from his study group-”

“His study group?!” The one you were meant to be in too but had been blowing off because ‘Rin wants to hang out!’ and you really just went home early.

Bachira winced audibly over the phone.

Apparently, after weeks of watching you with Rin, Isagi had come to a conclusion.

A devastatingly stupid conclusion.

He thought you were genuinely in love with Rin.

Which meant…he needed to do the same. Find someone to like.

You sat frozen on your bed while Bachira kept talking in the background.

Something about Isagi trying to “put himself out there.”

Something about him asking for dating advice.

Something about how this was “technically your fault.”

You barely heard him.

Because all you could think about was how you did this.

You actually did it.

You’d tried so hard to make Isagi realize he liked you that you accidentally convinced him to like someone else instead.

By the time Bachira hung up, your room felt unbearably quiet.

And for the first time in years, you ignored Isagi’s goodnight text.

The next few weeks were miserable. Terribly miserable.

You avoided Isagi whenever possible. Which was difficult, because he noticed immediately.

At first, he texted more. Then he called. Then he started showing up at your job, outside your classes, at your house with convenience store snacks because “you forgot dinner again, didn’t you?”

Like he always did. Like nothing had changed.

Except everything had.

You hated how normal he acted.

Hated how he still smiled at you like you were just the girl he was friends with.

Hated how he talked about Nanase with awkward uncertainty, like he was trying to convince himself this was the right thing.

Most of all, you hated yourself for being jealous over a relationship that barely even started yet.

One rainy evening, Isagi cornered you outside the train station, “You’re avoiding me.”

Rain tapped softly against the station roof while people hurried past with umbrellas.

You kept your eyes forward. “I’ve been busy.”

“You haven’t answered my texts in three days.”

“Sorry.”

“What’s up with you?” Something sharp slipped into his voice then. Which was a little shocking, Isagi was usually gentle with you.

Which meant he was genuinely upset.

“…Did I do something wrong?”

The question nearly shattered you.

Because the worst part was that he didn’t.  He was just being Isagi.

Oblivious, earnest, kind Isagi.

You laughed weakly. “No.”

“You’re lying.”

“Yoichi-”

“No, seriously, what happened?” His voice cracked slightly. “You were fine and then suddenly you won’t even look at me.”

Your chest hurt.You couldn’t do this. Not while he was dating someone else. Not while he still looked at you like you mattered the most.

“You should go call Nanase,” you said quietly.

The second the words left your mouth, Isagi’s expression changed.

At first it was confusion. Then realization.

“…Oh.”

You nearly screamed, “Stop saying oh! Oh my god!”

Several people turned to stare. You didn’t care.

Isagi blinked at you, startled by your outburst, but you had opened the flood gates and now you couldn’t stop the words from coming out, “You can’t keep saying ‘oh’ every time something important happens!” you snapped. “You’re so- god, you’re impossible!”

“I…what did I even do?!”

“You started dating another girl!”

“I went on one date!”

“That’s not the point!”

“Then what is the point?!”

The rain grew louder around you.

Your vision blurred embarrassingly fast. You were tired. So tired.

“I like - liked -  you,” you whispered.

Silence.

“I liked you for so long, and you never noticed, and I thought maybe if I made you jealous then maybe you’d finally realize it, but instead you just-” your voice broke. “You picked someone else.”

Isagi stared at you. Completely motionless. The station noise faded into background static around the two of you, “…You liked me?” You laughed bitterly. “See? This is exactly what I mean.”

“No, wait-”

“I’m serious, Yoichi. I slept at your house every week!”

“I thought you just liked being there!”

“I wore your clothes!”

“You said they were comfortable!”

“I literally kissed you once!”

“You were crying!”

“Oh my god!”

“You said it was emotional support!”

You covered your face with your hands.

Somewhere beside you, Isagi made a strangled noise, “…Wait.”

Slowly, you looked up.

His face was red. Completely red, “That wasn’t friend stuff?!” he exclaimed.

You stared at him in disbelief, “Who the hell kisses their friends?!” “I DON’T KNOW!”

A nearby businessman physically turned around to watch the argument. Neither of you cared.

Isagi looked genuinely horrified now. Like puzzle pieces were violently slamming together inside his brain all at once.

“The lunches-”

“Yes.”

“The sleepovers-”

“Yes!”

“The handholding during movies-”

“Yes, Yoichi!”

His mouth opened. Then closed. Then opened again. Then suddenly he grabbed his head, “Oh my god.”

There it was again. You would have almost laughed hysterically if this moment wasn’t so mortifying for the both of you.

“I’m actually an idiot,” he muttered.

“Finally, we agree on something.”

“No, seriously, I thought you just…” He looked at you helplessly. “I thought you were comfortable with me.”

“I was comfortable with you because I was in love with you!”

His entire face went blank, “…Oh.”

This time, the word sounded different.

Not clueless. Not confused. Just overwhelmed.

Rainwater dripped from the edge of the station roof while Isagi stared at you like he was seeing you clearly for the first time, “You really like me?” he asked quietly.

Your throat tightened, “Yeah.”

“For how long?”

“…Do you actually want the embarrassing answer?”

“Yes.”

You sighed, terribly embarrassed because how could he have not realized? “Since second year.”

His eyes widened, “That long?!”

“Don’t make me regret confessing to you.”

“No, I just-” He stopped suddenly. “Wait.”

Your stomach dropped, “What?”

“…I think I’m gonna break up with Nanase.” You blinked, “You think?”

“I mean-we only went on one date but I literally spent the entire time talking about you, and we’re not really dating dating yet and… she deserves better.”

Despite everything, a laugh burst out of you.

Isagi looked relieved immediately, like hearing you laugh fixed something inside him.

Then he smiled too. A soft, crooked smile. The smile you’d loved for so long.

“You really are stupid,” you muttered.

“I know.”

“And oblivious.”

“Yeah.”

“And kind of the worst.” You smiled despite yourself.

Then Isagi stepped closer carefully. Tentatively, like he was afraid you’d disappear, “…Can I try something?” he asked quietly. Your heart nearly stopped, “…Okay.”

He hesitated for exactly half a second before leaning down and kissing you.

Properly this time.

With his warm hands, rain-soaked sleeves. The faint taste of canned coffee lingered on your lips.

And when he pulled back, he looked almost offended, “…Wait.”

You blinked. “Oh god. What now?”

“You kissed me like this before and I still thought we were friends?”

You burst into laughter so hard your stomach hurt.

And standing there beneath the station lights, with rain pouring around you and Isagi staring at you like he’d finally solved the world’s hardest puzzle…

You thought maybe some love stories just needed a little stupidity first.

⁀❦ ©airybcby , m.list

“Absolutely not,” Bachira said immediately. You stabbed your straw into your drink harder. “It’s foolproof.”

“It’s not stupidproof,” Bachira corrected. “Different thing.”

Across from you, Chigiri sighed into his coffee. “I kind of want to stop this before it becomes a disaster.”

“It won’t become a disaster,” you argued. “Guys are competitive. Isagi’s competitive. If he thinks another guy likes me, he’ll realize his feelings.”

Bachira stared at you for a long moment, “You got all that from shoujo manga, didn’t you?”

“…Maybe.”

“Oh my god.”

But it made sense. It had to.

You’d spent nearly two years waiting for Isagi to figure it out naturally. Clearly, that wasn’t working. So now you were forcing the issue.

It was a simple plan. It would be easy.

You’d make Isagi jealous.

And once he realized the idea of losing you bothered him?

Boom. He’d confess. You’d be in a relationship. And live happily ever after.

Probably.

“…Who’s the guy?” Chigiri finally asked.

You smiled, “I’m glad you asked.”

Three days later, Isagi nearly dropped his lunch tray, “…What?”

You looked up innocently from your seat outside the school courtyard. “Hm?”

Isagi stared at the person beside you.

At the very tall, very attractive upperclassman currently leaning casually against your table while talking to you.

“Why’s Rin here?”.

Perfect.

Rin Itoshi looked unimpressed by the entire world as usual. “Why do you sound upset?”

“I don’t sound upset.”

“You do,” Bachira chirped from behind him.

Isagi ignored him completely. Instead, his eyes flicked back toward you, “…Why are you eating lunch with him?”

You almost felt bad.

Almost.

“Because he asked me to.”

Rin, who you’d bribed with expensive coffee to participate in your scheme, gave a tiny nod.

“He said please,” you added, hoping it would soften the blow.

Isagi blinked. Then looked at you again, “…Oh.”

Oh?

Oh?!

That was all?!

You forced a smile. “Yep.”

Something weird crossed his expression then. Briefly there, but you saw it. Like confusion mixed with something tighter.

But then Bachira slung an arm around Isagi’s shoulders, “C’mon, Yoichi. Let’s sit over there.”

And just like that, the moment vanished.

Your plan escalated quickly after that.

You started mentioning Rin more often. You laughed at his dry comments. You walked home with him twice.

Once, you even let him rest his chin on your shoulder while he looked at your phone.

That one nearly killed Isagi.

You saw it happen in real time.

He’d walked into the room, saw the two of you on the couch, and froze so hard you thought his soul briefly left his body.

Success, you thought triumphantly.

It’s working.

Except…

Isagi still didn’t say anything.

Instead, he just got weird. Weirder than usual, anyways.

He started texting you more.

Started inviting himself whenever Rin was around. Started staring at you like he was trying to solve an impossible equation.

One night, sprawled across his bedroom floor while he reviewed game footage, he suddenly paused the video, “…Do you like Rin?”

Your heartbeat stumbled.

Finally.

You kept your voice casual. “What if I do?”

Silence.

The glow from his monitor reflected in his blue eyes as he stared at the screen instead of you. “Oh,” he said quietly.

That stupid word again.

Oh.

Then he pressed play and kept watching the footage.

You nearly threw a pillow at his head.

A week later, your plan officially exploded in your face. You knew the second Bachira called you sounding nervous.

“So,” he started carefully.

Immediately bad.

“What happened?”

“…Don’t freak out.” That was your sign to start freaking out.

“Oh my god.”

“Nothing terrible happened!”

“You saying that means something terrible definitely happened.”

Bachira inhaled deeply, “…Isagi asked a girl out.”

The world stopped.

You laughed. Actually laughed. Because that sentence didn’t even make sense, “…What?”

“Okay, look, in his defense-”

“Who.”

“Her name’s Nanase from his study group-”

“His study group?!” The one you were meant to be in too but had been blowing off because ‘Rin wants to hang out!’ and you really just went home early.

Bachira winced audibly over the phone.

Apparently, after weeks of watching you with Rin, Isagi had come to a conclusion.

A devastatingly stupid conclusion.

He thought you were genuinely in love with Rin.

Which meant…he needed to do the same. Find someone to like.

You sat frozen on your bed while Bachira kept talking in the background.

Something about Isagi trying to “put himself out there.”

Something about him asking for dating advice.

Something about how this was “technically your fault.”

You barely heard him.

Because all you could think about was how you did this.

You actually did it.

You’d tried so hard to make Isagi realize he liked you that you accidentally convinced him to like someone else instead.

By the time Bachira hung up, your room felt unbearably quiet.

And for the first time in years, you ignored Isagi’s goodnight text.

The next few weeks were miserable. Terribly miserable.

You avoided Isagi whenever possible. Which was difficult, because he noticed immediately.

At first, he texted more. Then he called. Then he started showing up at your job, outside your classes, at your house with convenience store snacks because “you forgot dinner again, didn’t you?”

Like he always did. Like nothing had changed.

Except everything had.

You hated how normal he acted.

Hated how he still smiled at you like you were just the girl he was friends with.

Hated how he talked about Nanase with awkward uncertainty, like he was trying to convince himself this was the right thing.

Most of all, you hated yourself for being jealous over a relationship that barely even started yet.

One rainy evening, Isagi cornered you outside the train station, “You’re avoiding me.”

Rain tapped softly against the station roof while people hurried past with umbrellas.

You kept your eyes forward. “I’ve been busy.”

“You haven’t answered my texts in three days.”

“Sorry.”

“What’s up with you?” Something sharp slipped into his voice then. Which was a little shocking, Isagi was usually gentle with you.

Which meant he was genuinely upset.

“…Did I do something wrong?”

The question nearly shattered you.

Because the worst part was that he didn’t.  He was just being Isagi.

Oblivious, earnest, kind Isagi.

You laughed weakly. “No.”

“You’re lying.”

“Yoichi-”

“No, seriously, what happened?” His voice cracked slightly. “You were fine and then suddenly you won’t even look at me.”

Your chest hurt.You couldn’t do this. Not while he was dating someone else. Not while he still looked at you like you mattered the most.

“You should go call Nanase,” you said quietly.

The second the words left your mouth, Isagi’s expression changed.

At first it was confusion. Then realization.

“…Oh.”

You nearly screamed, “Stop saying oh! Oh my god!”

Several people turned to stare. You didn’t care.

Isagi blinked at you, startled by your outburst, but you had opened the flood gates and now you couldn’t stop the words from coming out, “You can’t keep saying ‘oh’ every time something important happens!” you snapped. “You’re so- god, you’re impossible!”

“I…what did I even do?!”

“You started dating another girl!”

“I went on one date!”

“That’s not the point!”

“Then what is the point?!”

The rain grew louder around you.

Your vision blurred embarrassingly fast. You were tired. So tired.

“I like - liked -  you,” you whispered.

Silence.

“I liked you for so long, and you never noticed, and I thought maybe if I made you jealous then maybe you’d finally realize it, but instead you just-” your voice broke. “You picked someone else.”

Isagi stared at you. Completely motionless. The station noise faded into background static around the two of you, “…You liked me?” You laughed bitterly. “See? This is exactly what I mean.”

“No, wait-”

“I’m serious, Yoichi. I slept at your house every week!”

“I thought you just liked being there!”

“I wore your clothes!”

“You said they were comfortable!”

“I literally kissed you once!”

“You were crying!”

“Oh my god!”

“You said it was emotional support!”

You covered your face with your hands.

Somewhere beside you, Isagi made a strangled noise, “…Wait.”

Slowly, you looked up.

His face was red. Completely red, “That wasn’t friend stuff?!” he exclaimed.

You stared at him in disbelief, “Who the hell kisses their friends?!” “I DON’T KNOW!”

A nearby businessman physically turned around to watch the argument. Neither of you cared.

Isagi looked genuinely horrified now. Like puzzle pieces were violently slamming together inside his brain all at once.

“The lunches-”

“Yes.”

“The sleepovers-”

“Yes!”

“The handholding during movies-”

“Yes, Yoichi!”

His mouth opened. Then closed. Then opened again. Then suddenly he grabbed his head, “Oh my god.”

There it was again. You would have almost laughed hysterically if this moment wasn’t so mortifying for the both of you.

“I’m actually an idiot,” he muttered.

“Finally, we agree on something.”

“No, seriously, I thought you just…” He looked at you helplessly. “I thought you were comfortable with me.”

“I was comfortable with you because I was in love with you!”

His entire face went blank, “…Oh.”

This time, the word sounded different.

Not clueless. Not confused. Just overwhelmed.

Rainwater dripped from the edge of the station roof while Isagi stared at you like he was seeing you clearly for the first time, “You really like me?” he asked quietly.

Your throat tightened, “Yeah.”

“For how long?”

“…Do you actually want the embarrassing answer?”

“Yes.”

You sighed, terribly embarrassed because how could he have not realized? “Since second year.”

His eyes widened, “That long?!”

“Don’t make me regret confessing to you.”

“No, I just-” He stopped suddenly. “Wait.”

Your stomach dropped, “What?”

“…I think I’m gonna break up with Nanase.” You blinked, “You think?”

“I mean-we only went on one date but I literally spent the entire time talking about you, and we’re not really dating dating yet and… she deserves better.”

Despite everything, a laugh burst out of you.

Isagi looked relieved immediately, like hearing you laugh fixed something inside him.

Then he smiled too. A soft, crooked smile. The smile you’d loved for so long.

“You really are stupid,” you muttered.

“I know.”

“And oblivious.”

“Yeah.”

“And kind of the worst.” You smiled despite yourself.

Then Isagi stepped closer carefully. Tentatively, like he was afraid you’d disappear, “…Can I try something?” he asked quietly. Your heart nearly stopped, “…Okay.”

He hesitated for exactly half a second before leaning down and kissing you.

Properly this time.

With his warm hands, rain-soaked sleeves. The faint taste of canned coffee lingered on your lips.

And when he pulled back, he looked almost offended, “…Wait.”

You blinked. “Oh god. What now?”

“You kissed me like this before and I still thought we were friends?”

You burst into laughter so hard your stomach hurt.

And standing there beneath the station lights, with rain pouring around you and Isagi staring at you like he’d finally solved the world’s hardest puzzle…

You thought maybe some love stories just needed a little stupidity first.

⁀❦ ©airybcby , m.list

Everyone turns.

And there you are, standing awkwardly near the entrance with a small bag in your hand, looking around like you accidentally entered a military base instead of a football facility.

You smile politely. "Um... excuse me?"

Bachira's jaw drops, Isagi chokes on air, Reo shakes Nagi's arm hard enough to wake him up.

Nagi squints, "...That's her."

Karasu whispers, "No fucking way."

Otoya immediately slaps Hiori's chest. "BRO THAT'S ACTUALLY HER."

Tokimitsu is already sweating. "SHE EXISTS—"

Gagamaru stares at you like a curious forest animal.

Yukimiya adjusts his glasses."...Rin pulled THAT?"

Chigiri mutters, "This is insane."

Meanwhile Bachira suddenly SCREAMS.

"RINNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN—"

Rin turns, sees you and his soul leaves his body. Actually leaves because his eyes widen so much it looks painful.

"What are you doing here?"

You beam immediately, "I wanted to surprise you."

Rin blushes and everyone in Blue Lock collectively explodes.

"HE'S BLUSHING! LOOK AT HIS FACE." "HE LOOKS SICK.""RIN ITOSHI IS MALFUNCTIONING."

Rin looks ready to collapse into another dimension.

"You came HERE?"

You blink innocently. "...Is that bad?"

"NO," ten people yell together.

Bachira appears beside you instantly like an excited golden retriever. "HI!! I'M BACHIRA!!"

You smile brightly. "Oh! Hi!"

Bachira dramatically points at Rin. "He talks about you in his head."

Rin immediately looks irritated, "I have literally never done that."

"Your face says otherwise."

"Die."

Then Isagi walks over, trying to appear normal but fails immediately.

"Hi. I'm Isagi."

"Oh! Rin talks about you."

The ENTIRE room goes silent and everyone slowly turns toward Rin.

Rin mutters, "...I'm killing myself."

Isagi looks emotional.

"He talks about me?!"

"He insults you." You laugh softly, "It still counts though."

Rin grabs your wrist immediately.

"We're leaving."

But it's too late because the sharks has smelled blood.

Reo appears in front of you dramatically.

"I'm Reo. Nice to meet you. And he's Nagi."

Nagi raises one lazy hand from behind him, then stares at you for three whole seconds. "...You really exist."

You laugh awkwardly, "I hope so?"

"No, because Rin acting romantic sounded fake."

A vein pops up in Rin's forehead.

"Seriously?!"

Then—Barou approaches, like a final boss, looking like he's about to judge your soul.

"Tch."

You stare at him, he stares back.

"You're smaller than I expected."

Rin glares immediately, "What does that even mean?"

Barou ignores him and just nods once. "At least you don't look annoying."

You gasp dramatically, "Thank you?"

Bachira whispers loudly, "THAT WAS A COMPLIMENT."

Then Gagamaru walks up. "Hi."

You look up, and up, and up. "...Hi?"

"I heard you like cats."

"...I do?"

He nods seriously.

"I also enjoy head pats."

The entire room loses it.

"GAGAMARU NO.! YOU CAN'T JUST ASK THAT."

You chuckle softly, "Do you want me to pat your head? But you're to tall for me to reach."

Rin immediately grabs your hand. "OH HELL NO!"

Meanwhile—Karasu is observing this entire thing like a scientist. "This is unbelievable. Rin looks house-trained."

Aryu suddenly takes your hands dramatically.

"Your aesthetic is absolutely glamorous."

"Thank you?"

"And your hair health? Magnificent."

"Thank you??"

"Your aura says 'cute but emotionally dangerous.'"

Rin smacks Aryu's hand away. "Stop touching my girlfriend."

Everyone gasps at Rin's possessive but then Chigiri pushes Rin aside.

"Sorry about them," he says calmly. "They've been waiting all day."

"I can tell." You smile.

"They discussed interrogation tactics."

"WHAT?!" Rin snaps.

"We were curious." Hiori shrugs. "I analyzed your compatibility already."

You blink.

"You and Rin have matching horoscopes."

Rin looks exhausted.

"What does that even mean?"

Hiori shrugs, "No idea. It sounded intelligent."

Tokimitsu approaches next, visibly sweating and panicking.

"H-HI—I'M SORRY—I DON'T KNOW WHY I'M NERVOUS—"

You smile gently, "It's okay."

He nearly combusts.

"OH GOD SHE'S NICE."

And then, the door bursts open and Shidou walks in.

Sees you and everyone and stops.

"...Why are you all standing around like NPCs?" Then his eyes land on you again. "Oho~"

Rin immediately moves slightly in front of you, protective instantly.

Shidou grins wider. "So THIS is the girlfriend."

You smile politely and immediately point at him.

"I hate you."

The entire room goes SILENT.

Shidou blinks. "...HUH?"

You cross your arms. "You kicked Rin in the face once."

Rin freezes.

Everyone freezes.

You continue calmly, "So I've decided you're my enemy."

Dead silence.

Then everyone starts screaming..."OH MY GOD." "SHE PICKED A SIDE." "RIN LOOK AT HER." "HE'S GONNA PROPOSE."

Rin's ears become violently red, "Can everyone shut the fuck up."

Shidou looks genuinely emotional. "That's actually kinda hot."

You glare harder, Shidou grins like a psychopath. "Awww, Rin-chan~ your girl's scary."

"Good."

Everyone turns toward Rin.

Because he said that WAY too proudly and now his ears are red again.

Shidou suddenly leans closer to you dramatically.

"So if Rin-chan and I fought to the death, who would you save?"

"Rin."

"No hesitation?!"

"He'd probably win too."

The room EXPLODES AGAIN.

Rin genuinely looks like he might ascend spiritually.

Barou scoffs. "Tch. Simp."

Isagi points immediately. "YOU FOLLOWED HIM TO SEE HER TOO."

Barou immediately looks insulted. "SHUT UP."

Then suddenly, Nagi appears beside you. Silently, like a ghost.

"...Can I test something?"

You blink."What?"

Without warning, Nagi gently drops his head onto your shoulder.

The room gasps.

Rin immediately tries to push him off you.

"GET OFF HER."

Nagi sighs peacefully, not moving at all. "Warm. I get it now."

Reo grabs Nagi now and pulls him off you."DON'T STEAL RIN'S GIRLFRIEND."

"She smells nice."

"THAT'S NOT THE POINT."

You're laughing so hard now you can barely breathe.

Even Rin is struggling not to smile.

And somehow against all odds, you fit in immediately like you've always been there.

You're laughing with Bachira, listening to Hiori's nonsense theories, watching Reo and Nagi argue over snacks, telling Tokimitsu to relax, complimenting Chigiri's hair.

Even Barou tolerates you sitting near him without threatening murder. Rin watches all of it quietly from the side and everyone notices.

Because Rin Itoshi, the coldest person in Blue Lock, is staring at you like you hung the moon.

Isagi elbows Bachira. "...He's doomed."

Bachira wipes fake tears. "Our emo boy grew up."

Rin hears them. "Shut the hell up." He says and immediately grabs your hand. "We're leaving."

You let him drag you away while everyone screams behind you.

"BRING HER AGAIN." "SHE'S COOL." "I STILL WANT A COMPATIBILITY READING." "ASK HER IF RIN LIKES CUDDLING." "DOES HE MEOW BACK AT HIS CAT."

Rin nearly trips from rage.

You look up at him, laughing.

"Your friends are funny."

"They're not my friends."

From behind everyone scream "YES WE ARE!"

Rin screams back, "I HATE ALL OF YOU."

And somehow, for the first time in Blue Lock history—Rin Itoshi walks off the field holding someone's hand while smiling, very slightly.

Sae sits at the dining table like a mafia boss, when Rin enters, half asleep.

"Sit."

"No."

"Who is she?"

Rin stops for a while, then continues walking again.

"No one."

"You're always smiling at your phone."

"You're hallucinating."

"You called someone an idiot lovingly."

Rin turns sharply.

"You were listening?"

"You were loud."

"I whispered."

"You're radiating weakness."

"It's none of your business."

"It is if some parasite is trying to ruin your life."

Rin looks offended enough to stab him.

"Shut up."

"Name."

"No."

"Show me her picture."

"No."

"Give me her social media then."

"No."

"Alright then, what's her blood type?"

"Die."

Rin walks off and Sae rubs his temples.

Fine, if Rin won't cooperate—

He'll just investigate.

➽──────────────❥

The private investigator returns three weeks later.

Sae sits across from him.

"Well?"

The investigator hands over a folder.

"She's clean."

Sae frowns.

"What do you mean clean?"

"I mean normal. University student. Good grades. No scandals. No criminal history. Volunteers sometimes. Buys coffee too often. Once yelled at a guy for making fun of beggar."

Sae blinks.

"That's it?"

"She also seems genuinely in love with your brother. You brother seems to love her a lot too."

Silence.

Sae dislikes that answer most of all.

So he just decides to meet you himself and texts you, he got your number from the investigator—

I'm Rin's brother. We need to talk. Don't tell Rin. Meet me (cafe name) at 5.

You stare at the message.

Then laugh.

But you decide to go anyway.

➽──────────────❥

The café is elegant, expensive and annoyingly quiet. There is no one else besides Sae, so it means he has reserved the whole cafe.

Sae is already sitting on a table when you arrive, dressed in VERY expensive clothes which screams money.

He looks you up and down.

Then freezes slightly.

Because you look... sweet, soft and completely harmless.

And just to prove that, you smile politely.

"Hi."

That somehow makes him trust you less.

"Sit."

"You really are brothers," you mutter.

"What?"

"Nothing."

You sit across from him.

Sae folds his hands.

"I'll be direct."

"I expected nothing else."

"What are your intentions with Rin?"

You blink.

"...Excuse me?"

"If you're dating him for money, status, attention—say it now."

You stare but he continues coldly anyway.

"I'm richer than him. More famous too. If that's what you want, I can provide it."

You smile.

Sweetly, dangerously.

Sae notices that too late.

You slowly pick up the iced drink in front of you.

"Interesting offer, really." You say and pour the entire thing over his head.

Every staff on the cafe gasps.

And Sae?

He just sits there dripping in stunned silence, ice cube sliding down his shoulder.

You stand.

"I hate you."

His eye twitches.

"But I'll still keep this secret from Rin because it would hurt him if he knows."

Sae stares.

For the first time, Sae looks genuinely speechless.

You continue, voice sharp.

"You've hurt him enough already."

You grab your bag and point a finger at him.

"Stop hurting my boyfriend..." You smile sweetly. "Or I'll kill you."

Then you walk out.

The café staff applaud internally.

➽──────────────❥

For several days after that, Sae does nothing but just watches Rin as usual.

Rin seems happier lately.

Still rude, but less tense.

Disgusting.

And every time Sae considers interfering again—

He remembers your smile while assaulting him with citrus.

So he just tells himself: If Rin gets hurt, I'll destroy her life.

Which, for Sae, counts as emotional growth.

But then one evening, Sae returns home earlier than expected.

Thinking Rin is asleep, he unlocks the apartment quietly and walks in.

And stops dead.

Because there you are.

On HIS couch.

And Rin?

Rin is asleep with his head on your lap.

One arm around your waist, mouth slightly open, drooling. You are gently stroking his hair while using a tissue to wipe his chin.

Sae's whole soul leaves his body.

"What th—"

You look up and raise your index finger to your lips.

Sae freezes in disbelief.

Then to make him feel worse, you slowly point to the glass of orange juice on the table. Then to him.

The threat is clear.

Try me.

Sae's jaw clenches but you just smile sweetly.

"Don't wake my boyfriend up."

Rin shifts in his sleep and mumbles, "...stay..." then tightenes his grip around your waist.

Sae nearly explodes.

"That idiot is on my couch."

You whisper back, "No. He’s on my lap."

Silence.

Sae feels violence in his bloodstream. But you totally ignore him and resume petting Rin's hair.

"He had training today. He was tired."

"Then put him in his room."

"He chose my lap."

Sae glares at his sleeping brother who's now nuzzling deeper into your stomach.

So you just lean down and kissed Rin's cheek softly, making him smile in his sleep.

Sae sees red.

You look back at Sae.

"Door's that way."

"This is my apartment."

"And yet you're the third wheel."

His eye twitches so hard that it becomes visible.

But you just smile and point to the orange juice again.

Sae inhales, exhales, turnes around and leaves the apartment.

The door shuts loudly behind him.You grin in victory.

Then look down at Rin.

Rin opens one eye immediately.

You gasp softly.

"You were awake?!"

Rin smirks and wraps both arms around your waist.

"Since he said what the—"

"You little devil." You pinch his cheek. "You used me to annoy Sae."

"Mm." He buries his face against you. "Worth it."

You laugh quietly.

"You're evil."

"Learned from Sae."

Then he looks up at you, sleepy and beautiful and unfair.

"Stay the night."

You soften instantly.

"All right."

From outside the apartment door, Sae hears everything.

He stands there in silence and then mutters to himself:

A vast countryside stretches endlessly, painted in gold by the dipping afternoon sun. Tall grass sways like waves under the wind, shimmering as if each blade is touched by light itself. In the distance, gentle hills roll into the horizon, blending into a sky brushed with soft pastels.

A small wooden cabin sits quietly nearby, almost like it belongs to a fairytale—.surrounded by wildflowers that dance in colors you can't even name.

And somewhere— faint but unmistakable—you hear the distant sound of waves.

"Rin..." your voice trembles, barely above a whisper. "This... this is beautiful."

You turn to him, eyes wide, still trying to take it all in.

He looks away almost immediately, shoving his hands into his pockets as if the view isn't the most breathtaking thing in the world.

Or maybe... as if your reaction is.

"I always see you liking things like this on Instagram," he mutters, his voice quieter now. "Countryside. Sea. Mountains."

His gaze flickers back to you, softer than before.

"So... I found a place with all three."

For a moment, you can't say anything. Your chest feels too full. Because Rin— who rarely ever says more than necessary— has somehow said everything.

He steps closer, his arm sliding around your waist with quiet familiarity. Then, gently, he presses a kiss to your forehead.

"Happy birthday," he whispers.

Your eyes flutter shut for just a second, letting the moment sink in.

And when you open them again, everything feels warmer.

You don't even realize when your fingers find his. Or when he intertwines them with his so naturally, like it's the most obvious thing in the world.

Together, you walk through the tall grass, the soft rustling surrounding you like a melody meant only for the two of you. The wind plays with your hair, brushing strands across your face and Rin quietly tucks them back without a word.

Every touch lingers.

Every step feels lighter.

Eventually, you reach a small rise overlooking the ocean.

And when you see it— your breath catches again.

The sea stretches endlessly, reflecting the sky that's now melting into shades of pink, orange, and gold. The waves roll gently as if they're whispering secrets to the shore. The entire world looks like it's been painted just for this moment.

"Rin, look!" you gasp, turning to him with shining eyes. "It's so beautiful!"

But he doesn't turn.

Doesn't even glance at the ocean.

Because he's already looking at something else.

At you.

At your eyes— holding the quiet reflection of the sky, shimmering with wonder.

At your smile— soft, radiant, brighter than the fading horizon.

At your hair— caught in the wind, dancing freely like it belongs to this place.

At your laughter— light, unguarded, echoing into the open air... something so precious he never wants it to fade.

So he just stands there.

Memorizing.

Because to him... this is it.

This is what happiness looks like.

But you don't let the moment stay still for too long.

Because suddenly— you want to dance.

"We can't miss this," you say, turning toward him with a grin as you tug gently on his hand.

Rin blinks.

"I don't dance."

"I know," you whisper stepping closer, your fingers slides up to rest against his shoulders. "But it's what the birthday girl wants."

He exhales softly, rolling his eyes in that familiar way—But he doesn't pull away.

Instead, his hands find your waist again, steadying you, letting you guide him.

The two of you begin to sway under the evening sky, movements clumsy and uneven. You step on his foot once— twice—and he clicks his tongue in mild annoyance.

But then you laugh.

And just like that... he forgets to be annoyed.Your laughter spills between you, warm and uncontrollable, blending with the sound of the wind and the distant waves.

It's messy.

It's imperfect.

And yet—It feels like the most perfect thing in the world.

Because it's with him.

"I love this," you murmur softly, resting your head against his chest. His heartbeat is steady beneath your ear, grounding you. "But... you didn't have to do something this big, you know."

Rin's hand moves slowly along your back, tracing quiet, absent patterns.

"I wanted to."

You tilt your head up, searching his face.

"Really?"

His gaze meets yours— those familiar half-lidded eyes, calm but impossibly deep.

"Yes," he says simply. "Because you never ask for anything."

There's a pause and then his fingers tighten slightly against you.

"So I wanted to give you everything."

Your breath catches.

And without thinking, you wrap your arms around him tighter, holding him like he might disappear if you don't.

"You already do, Rin," you whisper. "You gave me you."

Your voice softens, more vulnerable now.

"And that's all I'll ever need."

For a moment, he says nothing.

But his silence isn't empty.

It's full.

Full of things he doesn't know how to say— things he's never been taught how to express.

So instead—He leans down and kisses you.

Slowly.

Gently.

Like he's afraid you might break.

Like he's trying to tell you everything he's never been able to put into words.

You smile against his lips, breathless, your fingers curling into his shirt.

"I really am lucky..." you whisper between soft kisses, pressing closer to him.

Rin rests his forehead against yours, his voice barely audible.

"So am I."

And he means it.

Because for someone who spent his whole life being compared, overlooked, misunderstood—

Being loved by you...

Feels like finally, finally—

the screen flickered to life, and for a second, your brain simply stopped functioning.

sae was standing in a bathroom that looks like it's made of diamonds. but more importantly, he was already stripped down for the shower he was trying to take. he was completely shirtless, his hair slightly messy and damp around the edges, looking less like a 'prodigy' and more like a very tired but beautiful nineteen-year-old.

"it's the silver dial on the left," you said, trying to project a voice that said "i‘m a very serious person who‘s definitely not looking at your collarbones".

"no, the other left, sae. honestly, how do you navigate a soccer pitch if you can't find a temperature control?"

"the pitch doesn't have six different settings for ‘scalding’ and ‘mildly unpleasant,’" he murmured.

he has propped the phone up on a marble ledge, and the angle was... unhelpful. or maybe it was too helpful. either way, you were currently getting a high-definition view of the way the light catches the damp, sharp lines of his torso. 

he looked like he was sculpted by someone who had a personal vendetta against mediocre-looking people. it was a lot of visual information for 2:18 a.m. it’s a safety hazard.

"i have people to pass to on a pitch," he said, his fingers grazing the gold hardware of the shower wall with a slow, bored precision. "i don't have anyone here."

the air in your bedroom suddenly felt a little too thin. you watched the screen, the graininess of the facetime call doing nothing to hide the fact that he looked like a high-fashion model who just happened to be a professional athlete and also a massive pain in your neck.

he tilted the phone. his eyes were dark, now focused on the image of you on his screen.

"why are you really calling, sae?" you asked softly. "you’re the smartest person i know. you solved the ‘six knobs’ mystery about four minutes ago. i saw you turn the water on. i heard the spray."

sae didn't look away. he leaned his bare shoulder against the cool stone wall of the bathroom, looking entirely too comfortable in his own skin. in the background, sitting on the vanity, you saw it.

a small, chipped plastic lucky cat you bought him for five hundred yen at a festival four years ago. it looked ridiculous next to his three-thousand-dollar watch.

"the silence in this room is inefficient," he said, his voice losing that sharp, bored edge and becoming something lower, something that vibrates in your chest. "everyone in this city speaks to me like i’m a product they’re trying to sell. you’re the only person who sounds like they actually want to hang up on me."

"i do want to hang up on you," you said, though your thumb is nowhere near the red button. "my sleep schedule is currently being held hostage."

"then do it," he challenged. his eyes dropped to your lips for a fraction of a second, a move so fast you almost thought you imagined it. "hang up. go back to your boring, peaceful sleep. see if you can actually do it."

he knew you won't. he knew that as long as he was standing there, staring at you like you were the only goal worth scoring, you were stuck.

"you're a prick, sae itoshi."

"and you're still on the line," he countered, a ghost of a smile finally touching his lips. "tell me about your day. tell me something mundane. i want to hear a voice that doesn't sound like a press release."

⭑

shanghai looked like a circuit board made of neon and ambition. you, on the other hand, were currently sitting on your bedroom floor in tokyo, surrounded by a half-eaten bag of shrimp chips and a history textbook that was rapidly losing the battle for your attention.

your phone vibrated. it was a facetime call from sae.

when you answered, he wasn't in a locker room or a gym. he was standing in a boutique on nanjing road that looked like it belonged in a museum. he was wearing a black turtleneck and a long coat, looking like a high-fashion villain who just stepped out of a cold-press coffee ad.

"i need an opinion," sae said, skipping the greeting entirely. "and try to make it a useful one. my patience for mediocrity is at an all-time low today."

"nice to see you too, sae. i’m doing great, thanks for asking." you leaned your head against your bed frame, trying to ignore the way the shop’s warm lighting made his eyes look like polished emeralds. "what's the crisis? did you find a thread count you didn't like?"

"i’m buying a gift," he said, stepping toward a glass display case. "for a woman."

the shrimp chip in your mouth suddenly tasted like cardboard. "a gift. for a woman. in shanghai? did the lukewarm actress from the commercial finally break through your defenses?"

"she’s irrelevant," he muttered, though he didn't deny the 'woman' part. he pointed the camera at two bracelets. one was a heavy, diamond-encrusted cuff that looked like it weighed more than your pride. 

the other was a delicate, silver chain with a tiny, understated pendant shaped like a spark. "which one? the cuff is 'impressive,' but the chain is... less of a sensory burden."

"it depends," you said, your voice sounding a little flatter than you intended. "is she the type who likes to show off? or is she the type who actually has a personality?"

"she's a nuisance," sae said, his gaze fixed on the jewelry. "she complains about everything. her taste is questionable at best."

your heart did a weird, jerky movement against your ribs. "sounds like a catch. buy her the diamonds. everyone likes diamonds."

"the diamonds are loud," sae countered, his brow furrowing in that way it does when he was over-analyzing a play on the pitch. "they don't suit her. she’s more of an... inefficient silver type. she likes things that look like they have a story, even if the story is just that she's sentimental."

"then why are you asking me?" you snapped, the jealousy finally bubbling up into a sharp, bitter heat. "if you know her so well, just pick one. i’m sure she’ll love whatever sae itoshi deigns to give her. she'll probably frame the receipt."

"you're being difficult," he noted, bringing the camera back to his face. he looked at you through the screen with an intensity that made your breath hitch. "is it the history homework, or are you just annoyed that i'm spending my time in a jewelry store instead of talking to you?"

"i’m not annoyed. i’m a consultant. i’m consulting."

"good. then consult on the silver one. i’m getting it engraved."

you gripped your phone a little tighter, the plastic casing digging into your palm. "engraved? sae, isn't that a bit... high-effort? for someone who finds existence itself a burden, you're being remarkably sentimental for this mystery woman."

"it’s not sentimental. it’s a permanent label," he said, his voice flat as he leaned against the glass counter. he looked at the retail assistant and pointed to the silver chain. "sentimental implies emotion. this is just a statement of fact."

"right. and what 'fact' are you recording for eternity? her blood type? her coordinates? or just a ranking of how much less lukewarm she is than the rest of the planet?"

sae eyed you through the lens. "you’re being prickly. your tone is inefficiently aggressive today, n/n."

"maybe i’m just tired of being your personal shopping assistant while you’re halfway across the world buying jewelry for someone who probably doesn't even know how to reset her own router," you answered. "go ahead. get her the silver. get it engraved. i’m hanging up so i can go back to my 'lukewarm' history of the edo period."

"i didn't say you could leave," he said, his voice dropping an octave. it was the tone he used when he was about to dominate a midfield, it's quiet, absolute, and impossibly stubborn. "and she knows how to reset a router. she just pretends she doesn't so she has an excuse to call me."

the air in your room felt like it was being sucked out of a vacuum. "oh. so she’s smart and manipulative. congratulations, sae. you’ve found your match. i hope you both have a very efficient life together."

"she's a nuisance," he repeated. "she spends half her time telling me i’m a prick and the other half looking at me like i’m the only thing in the room worth noticing. it’s inconsistent. it’s distracting."

"then why are you buying her jewelry?" you demanded, your heart doing a frantic, messy rhythm against your ribs. "if she’s such a headache, why bother?"

sae shifted the phone, and for a second, the camera caught his reflection in the shop’s mirror. he looked expensive, untouchable and deeply, deeply annoyed. "because if i don't give her something to keep her hands busy, she’ll keep biting her nails when she’s stressed. and because i don't want her wearing anything that i didn't choose."

"you’re a control freak," you whispered, the bitterness in your throat tasting like salt.

"and you’re still talking to me," he countered. "pick the engraving font. the serif is too pretentious. the sans-serif is too modern. choose one that looks like it belongs on someone who argues too much."

"choose it yourself," you said, reaching for the red end-call button. "i have a history exam to fail."

⭑

well.

the history exam was a blur of ink and exhaustion and by the time you dragged yourself up the stairs to your room, the sun was already dipping below the tokyo skyline, turning everything a bruised, hazy purple.

you push your door open and stopped dead.

sae was there. 

your mother, who has a long-standing "sae can do no wrong" policy, had let him in with a spare key. 

he was leaning against the side of your bed, surrounded by your discarded textbooks and a half-empty bag of those shrimp chips he claims to hate.

"sae?" you whispered, your heart skipping a beat, then two, then three.

"you’re late," he said, not even opening his eyes. "the exam ended forty-two minutes ago. did you get lost, or did your sense of direction finally give up on you?"

"what are you- you were in shanghai. you were buying jewelry for-"

"i was buying it for you," he interrupted, his voice steadying as he reached into his pocket. he held it like it was made of glass. "i've been buying things for you for three years, n/n. books i thought you’d like. postcards i never sent. this was just the first time i was brave enough to actually bring the box with me."

he stood up, and for a second, you were just two people standing in the middle of a messy bedroom. he took your hand, his palm was warm, and his fingers were shaking just a tiny bit. he slid the silver chain onto your wrist, and even in the dim light, the engraving screamed at you.

01:04:22.

"the first call," you whispered, the butterflies in your stomach turning into a full-blown riot.

"the only call," sae corrected, his hand sliding up your arm to cup your face. his thumb brushed over your cheekbone with a tenderness that made your breath hitch. "i spent sixty-four minutes and twenty-two seconds listening to you talk about nothing, and when i hung up, i realized i'd never be able to live a 'normal' life again. because a life without your voice in my ear wasn't efficient, it was empty."

"sae," you breathed, your eyes filling with tears.

"i went to spain to be the best," he whispered, leaning down until his forehead was resting against yours. you could feel the heat radiating off him, smell the cologne and the travel and the home on his skin. "but the higher i climbed, the colder it got. i realized that being at the top doesn't matter if the only person i want to show the view to is ten thousand kilometers away."

he closed his eyes, his breath ghosting over your lips. "i didn't buy this to make you jealous. i bought it because i'm tired of being a genius. i just want to be the person you talk to for an hour about nothing. i just want to be yours."

the silence in the room was heavy, vibrating with the weight of everything he’d just admitted. your heart was thudding so hard against your ribs you were sure he could feel it.

"you're a prick, sae itoshi," you whispered, reaching up to wrap your arms around his neck.

"i know," he murmured, his arms winding around your waist, pulling you so close there wasn't even a millimeter of distance left. 

"but the heart of the prick was always yours."

and as he finally kissed you, it didn't feel like a "win" or a "consultation." it felt like the last piece of a puzzle finally clicking into place.

⟡

the first time sero hanta ever decides to show up early, he’s stuck waiting at a theatre with an angry bakugo at his side.

not to say the fiery blond isn’t usually angry. but this time said anger comes with heat: he’s grinding straw between his molars so hard plastic cracks between his teeth. his feet tap like it’ll make time go by sooner. it doesn’t.

“i’m gonna kill that damn shitty hair.”

“we’re the ones who’re thirty minutes early.”

“shut the fuck up.”

dumb dog sero hanta does as he’s told. katsuki stews a little longer, neck rash red, phone clicking locked & unlocked till he decides he’s had enough—or till the anger reaches his bladder. “‘m going to the bathroom, watch my shit.”

katsuki doesn’t bother waiting for a reply. his hands shove in his pockets as he makes his way to the bathroom, phone tucked firm between sero’s palms. sero hanta knows better than to hold it with anything less than an iron grip. but then it buzzes—& almost cartoonishly, the phone hops & skips before settling between his fingers

sero sees the notification before he can pretend otherwise.

mine🫀: mina and i are otw

mine🫀 : hope we’ll make it. this girl can NOT drive.

sero muffles a snort. the text holds truth, mina cannot, in fact drive. he recalls the time she picked him up to go to the beach and—wait.

is that text from y/n?

he’s quick to take a picture, send it to the ‘inBESTigators 🕵️🔍’ GC. before he can even close his phone & resume playing saint, kiri’s response comes in.

ripped riot 🔥: could be a typo

ripped riot 🔥: like ‘mine’ could be short for miner

pikachu ⚡️[replying to ripped riot 🔥] : are we deadass

sero’s about to type a response of his own before the familiar heavy steps of steve maddens sag at his ears. katsuki’s back, jaw tight & angrier than ever.

further investigation will have to wait.

BAKUSQUAD CASE FILES — CASE STUDY #3.

observed by — denki kaminari

‘when the fuck did bakugo get funny?’

⟡

autumn break means thanksgiving shopping & black friday sales that make twelve dollar products drop to eleven ninety-nine. denki’s shopping for snacks, kiri needs energy drinks & you’re here for produce. katsuki is here because you all need his membership to get into costco.

something isn’t right.

& denki’s not talking about how the price of cheetos have somehow gone up. he’s talking about the fact that katsuki stands firm behind you, hands in pockets as you show him fruit. that’s fine—bakugo’s always been able to tell which apples are good & which aren’t.

but no apple evaluation requires katsuki to lean in that close.

and denki’s pretty sure there’s nothing funny about granny smiths either.

so why the fuck are you giggling ?

kaminari’s eyes flit to katsuki’s. if he was any other classmate, he’d say katsuki was bored. lips tight, eyes neutral, jaw slack. but denki’s no other classmate. he recognizes that twitch in his brow. the bob in his jugular.

katsuki is pleased. at least, denki thinks—no, swears he is. but just to be safe, he chooses to call in an actual katsuki expert. kirishima’s fatass is trying yet another free sample. for the sake of peace, denki chooses not to comment & instead goes straight to business.

“yo, kiri—i’m not seeing stuff, right? is bakugo not smirking and making y/n laugh??”

kirishima, in true fatass fashion, responds with a mouth filled with mini tacos. “I down’t see ‘t”

“bro. chew.”

“I don’t see it,” kiri gulps. “don’t you think we should respect their privacy?”

“we’re at a costco??”

but kaminari drops it. if the katsuki expert himself says there’s nothing, there’s obviously nothing.

right ?

BAKUSQUAD CASE FILES — CASE STUDY #4.

observed by — literally everyone

‘katsuki and y/n are definitely dating. oh, and kiri’s getting kicked from the group chat.’

⟡

mina ashido is not playing around.

the rest of the gang isn’t either. kaminari’s flipping through a scrapbook titled ‘PHOTOGRAPHICAL EVIDENCE.’ sero’s screenshotting group chat messages that sound too fond to not be affectionate. kirishima’s got his laptop open, looking over ‘evidence spreadsheets’ he swears aren’t empty.

but they are. and mina, rivaled only by sherlock himself, notices.

“kirishima, cell B-4. what’s written in there ?”

“I—uh, cell? what do you—“

“aha—” mina shuts her book. she’s towering over eijiro now, hands on her hips & glare so sharp it melts kiri like—well, acid.

“you’re not really doing anything.”

sero lifts a brow. kaminari gives the stink-eye.

“matter of fact…” mina continues, “you haven’t done anything. compiling evidence. listening in on on their convos. you haven’t done anything we’ve asked you to.”

“yeah,” sero quips. his phone’s in his lap now. “matter of fact, you always had some excuse about why you couldn’t.”

“matter of fact,” denki joins, “you’re always trying to deny evidence. talking about us ‘being delusional’.”

oh, kirishima’s in trouble now. blood in his jugular. tar in his throat. “I—“

mina can’t make up what happens next.

The door opens. It’s katsuki—not surprising—they’re literally all seated in a circle on the mat in his dorm. plans to hang out & just chill today—the usual. kiri is bakugo’s roommate. getting in isn’t a fuss.

but you’re right beside bakugo.

and your finger’s in his belt loop.

mina blinks. you haven’t noticed them yet. you look all calm and pretty, lashes low, eyes glued to your phone screen. your finger’s looped around the belt-hole like you’ve done it a thousand times before, and—

is that katsuki’s hoodie?

“what the fuck are you losers doing here?”

kiri’s already scrambling to defend the situation—something about she & the others showing up an hour early, he didn’t know, don’t blast us all—but mina’s not listening. she’s wondering if the refractive index of light is so strong it somehow made it look like katsuki gave your hand a light squeeze before tapping your hand off his jeans.

you’re still quiet behind him. hair all cute, jam-pink cheeks, fawn freckled & doe-eyed. kiri and katsuki are going back and forth. sero’s joined in. kaminari’s farted because he thinks no one will notice.

“y/n, is that bakugo’s hoodie?”

you can hear a pin drop. and another fart from kaminari.

“no, it’s—“

“it’s mine.” katsuki steps forward, hands in pockets & posture lazy like he didn’t say something scandalous. “got a problem, pinkie pie?”

“i could never.”

katsuki hums. he tugs you gently by the palm, door clicking shut behind him with the kick of his shin. he trudges toward the group, right hand in his pocket, left in yours—and he murmurs a quiet sit in your ear before doing a once-over.

“what’s all this?”

“evidence.”

“homework.”

“not evidence.”

tongue click. “evidence of ?”

“the refractive index of light.”

“you and y/n dating.”

“not you and y/n dating.”

“uh-huh,” katsuki picks up a photograph. he recognizes the scene: you’re tucked in his side, showing him something on your phone while he leans too close to be considered casual. you’re giggling here. cute.

he pockets it. “you guys are a bunch of fuckin’ idiots. and you—“ he turns to kirishima,

“no, no bro listen,” kirishima’s palm rests on his neck, an apologetic glance in your direction before he answers, “I did try to get them to leave you guys alone. they wouldn’t listen!”

“aha! so you were a traitor!”

bakugo glares. mina shrinks.

a muffled giggle pierces the silence. then a snort. & now you’re full on laughing—

“oh my god,” you sniffle, “you guys know we were literally gonna tell you, right?”

“tell us when?” sero speaks up, long moved away from kaminari. “it seems kiri here already knew about it.”

bakugo grunts. “why do you idiots think you’re here?”

oh.

bakugo takes a seat beside you. sero’s avoiding eye contact. kaminari’s avoiding the cheetos. mina bites her lip. you’re leaning over katsuki’s thigh now, photo evidence flip-book in your hands. you’re pointing out familiar photos while laughing & shaking your head, and bakugo’s looking back with a gaze so soft that mina doesn’t know how she didn’t see it sooner.

“i think we owe you two an apology.”

katsuki’s got his fingers twisting your knuckle. “y’think?”

sero, mina, and denki all look towards each other.

“we’re sorry.”

“for what?”

“for stalking you guys.”

“and not trusting that you’d tell us.”

“and being idiots.”

katsuki hums, satisfied. but he’s not done yet. he leans back on his palms before gently poking your hip. “should we forgive ‘em?”

“maybe. if they can send some of these photos.”

bakugo nods, turns to mina. “you heard the missus.”

“girl, take the whole book. like—seriously. omg.”

you hug it towards your chest, and mina can tell bakugo’s fighting a smile.

“right. and since you guys know now, you can all leave.”

the three protest. kiri interrupts. “i think it’s for the best. it’s been a long day.”

“that includes you, shitty hair.”

“huh—what?! this is my room too!”

“don’t care,” katsuki tugs you up with him, grip gentle, palm flat against your back as he steers you towards his bed.

“and didn’t ask,” he glances over his shoulder, “all of you, out.”