@matchlatt ⋆. 𐙚 ˚

The sun was already beginning to set, casting a warm, golden hue over the Bakugo’s household.

The lights inside were soft and cozy, the living room half littered with tiny action figures, crayon drawings taped proudly on the wall, and a small, fluffy tabby cat curled up on top of the backrest of the couch, tail flickering with mild disinterest

The front door creaked open and in stepped Pro Hero Dynamight, still in partial gear, his gauntlets off and the collar of his hero suit unzipped enough to reveal a bit of sweat-slicked skin and tension across his muscles.

Katsuki Bakugo let out a low grunt as he shut the door behind him, the exhaustion of the day still clinging to his body like the grime from battle.

But then-

“Tch.”

His nose twitched.

“Smells like curry,” he muttered, voice softer now, almost…fond.

He dropped his bag by the entrance and toed off his boots, the sound of sizzling in the kitchen pulling a small, crooked smirk on his face. He moved through the house with ease, pausing only to ruffle the cat’s head in passing.

“Oi, fuzzball,” he mumbled to the cat. “You better not be climbin’ the curtains again.”

The cat meowed lazily, entirely unbothered.

In the kitchen, you stood barefoot in pajama pants and an oversized tee, humming quietly while stirring the curry pot. Katsuki leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, watching you with a blank look.

“How long have you been home?” he asked in a rough voice around the edges,

You turned with a smile that made something in his chest ease immediately. “Just an hour ago. How was work?”

“Annoying,” he muttered. “Dumbass villain tried to rob a candy store. A candy store.”

You snorted and turned off the stove. “That poor candy shop owner,” you teased. “Imagine getting screamed at by Dynamight over some stolen lollipops.”

“Damn right,” he smirked, walking over and wrapping his arms around your waist from behind. He buried his face into the crook of your neck, breathing you in. “Smelled this shit halfway down the block.”

He paused. “Miss you,” he said in a quieter tone.

Your hand came up to run through his messy, ash-blond hair. “You always say that when you’re hungry.”

“Both kinds,” he muttered against your skin, lips brushing lightly over your shoulder.

Just as things were about to turn a little steamier–

“MOM!”

Katsuki groaned and pulled away, already scowling.

The tiny stampede of footsteps echoed down the hallway before your five-year-old burst into the kitchen like a one-man army. Tousled blond hair that matched his father’s, wide crimson eyes full of fire, and the same scowl permanently etched into his chubby face.

“Mama! Guess what happened at school today!” he shouted, grabbing your hand and pulling you toward the living room with more strength than a toddler should have.

“Slow down, sweetheart,” you laughed, shooting Katsuki an apologetic look as you followed. “What happened?”

“I punched Daichi ‘cause he said cats are stupid!”

“Oi—what?!” Katsuki stomped in. “What the hell kinda dumbass logic is that?! You can’t just go punchin’ kids, brat!”

“He started it!” the boy huffed, arms crossed, looking so much like his father you could barely keep a straight face. “He said ‘only girls like cats’ and that boys should like dogs!”

“That's stupid,” you said calmly, kneeling down to ruffle your son’s hair. “But next time, use your words, not your fists.”

“He did use his words, right before he decked the other kid,” Katsuki grumbled, arms folded, glaring at the tiny version of himself.

“’Cause words are slow,” your son shot back.

“You little—!”

The cat chose this moment to leap up onto the arm of the couch and meow loudly, effectively ending the argument. Your son turned and gently picked her up, his tiny face softening instantly.

“Mama, look! Neko-chan missed me.”

Katsuki muttered under his breath, “I bet she was hoping’ for peace and quiet.”

You watched with a fond smile as your son began talking to you about everything he did at school, from painting to snack time to how he could totally climb the jungle gym without help now. All the while, Katsuki stood off to the side, getting progressively more annoyed that his wife was being hogged.

At one point, he leaned in toward you, trying to slide an arm around your waist.

Your son slapped his hand away. “No! I’m telling Mama something important.”

Katsuki gritted his teeth. “She’s my damn wife, you little shit.”

“She’s my Mama!”

“She was mine first-”

“Go shower, Dynamight,” you said calmly, not looking up from the story your son was weaving. “Dinner’s almost ready.”

“Tch. Fine.” Katsuki turned to leave, growling low, “It’s like talking’ to a wall.”

“Love you too, babe.”

He paused and looked over his shoulder. You caught the faint pink dusting his ears before he disappeared down the hall.

-

Later that evening, the house was quieter.

Your son had finally settled in his room, already snoring softly with the cat curled up by his feet. His little lamp glowed with a soft orange hue, illuminating the scribbled drawings of you, Katsuki, and him all holding hands under a wonky sun.

In the master bedroom, you were curled up against the headboard, book in hand, glasses perched on your nose. The door to the bathroom creaked open, and Katsuki stepped out, a towel draped around his shoulders, steam rolling off his skin.

He ran a hand through his damp hair and padded barefoot over to the bed, crawling in beside you in just a pair of low-slung sweatpants. The scent of your shampoo from earlier was still on his skin.

“Kid asleep?”

“Out cold,” you said, flipping a page. “I think he wore himself out arguing with you.”

“Good.”

He reached over and gently tugged the book from your hands, closing it with one hand and tossing it to the nightstand.

“Hey—”

“You had your moment. Now it’s mine.”

You didn’t protest when he pulled you into his arms, burying his face in your neck again, this time with a little sigh that told you exactly how much he’d needed this.

“Don’t say it,” you murmured with a smile.

“Say what?”

“That you missed me.”

“I wasn’t gonna say it,” he grumbled. “I was just gonna touch you a little.”

You giggled and tilted your head back so you could look at him. “Touch me, huh?”

He leaned in and kissed you, soft and slow. None of the fire and explosions the world knew him for. Just warmth. Home. Familiarity.

“You’re the only fuckin’ thing that makes the noise go quiet, y’know?” he said lowly, thumb stroking your cheek.

You reached up and brushed his damp bangs from his forehead. “And you’re the only one who puts up with our mini you throwing tantrums.”

“He gets the yelling from you.”

“Tch.”

There was a moment of silence. His hand slipped beneath your shirt, resting on the curve of your waist, nothing lewd, just comfort. You both lay there, the sound of your son’s faint snores carrying through the baby monitor and the occasional thump of the cat exploring the hallway.

“Still think we’re doing’ okay?” you asked quietly.

Katsuki’s voice was firm. “No one’s got what we’ve got.”

You nodded.

The cat slipped into your room then, hopping up at the foot of the bed and curling into a warm little ball. Katsuki looked down at her and muttered, “Traitor.”

You laughed, rolling into him. “Face it. Everyone loves me the most.”

He narrowed his eyes.

“You’re lucky I love you even when you say dumb shit like that.”

You kissed his jaw and whispered, “Love you too, Kats.”

And for the first time that day, Katsuki Bakugo truly relaxed—wrapped up in his two favorite people, a sassy cat, and the one place that felt like peace.

IZUKU MIDORIYA

KATSUKI BAKUGO

SHOTO TODOROKI

EIJIRO KIRISHIMA

HITOSHI SHINSO

TAMAKI AMAJIKI

The common room of Class 1-A was filled with energy, as it often was after a long day of classes. The girls had claimed one corner of the room, lounging on the couches and chatting away as they were talking about boys and their types.

“I think Kirishima is cute,” Mina mused, swinging her legs over the couch armrest. “He’s got that golden retriever personality, you know?”

“He’s definitely charming,” Hagakure giggled.

Ochacco tilted her head. “What about you y/n? Any crushes?”

y/n, the kind-hearted sweetheart of the class, smiled softly. “I don’t really know.. I guess I like someone strong but caring deep down.”

Asui blinked. “Ribbit. That’s a pretty broad answer.”

Before y/n could elaborate, the boy’s voices echoed from the other side of the living room. They were being their usual loud selves, Kirishima, Kaminari, Tokoyami, and of course, Bakugo.

Kirishima heard the girl’s conversation before suddenly turned to Bakugo with a sly grin. “Hey, Bakugo, what’s your type?”

The room fell silent. Everyone knew Bakugo was not the type to entertain such conversations, which is exactly who Kirishima had asked, just to get a rise out of him.

“Oi! What kinda dumbass question is that!?” Bakugo’s voice immediately exploded through the air.

Kaminari snickered. “C’mon, man, we’re just curious.”

“Tch. As if I’d waste my time thinking about crap like that,” Bakugo scoffed, folding his arms, His face had taken on the slightest tinge of red, but he masked it with an aggressive scowl.

From the girls’ corner, y/n giggled. She wasn’t even trying to hide it. Bakugo’s annoyed reactions was just too funny.

That did not go unnoticed. Bakugo’s crimson eyes snapped to her, narrowing suspiciously.

“The hell are you laughing at?” he growled.

y/n shocked her head, still smiling. “Nothing, nothing!”

But the damage had already been done. Mina and Kirishima immediately locked eyes with each other, their expressions screaming, suspicious.

-

Later that night, Mina and Kirishima crouched behind the corner of the hallway, whispering excitedly.

“Okay, tell me you saw that,” Mina said. “y/n laughed at Bakugo’s reaction. That’s weird.”

Kirishima grinned. “And Bakugo actually reacted to her. That’s even weirder.”

They had been low-key theorizing about Bakugo and y/n for weeks. Sure, they never interacted much in public, but there was something off about how Bakugo didn’t seem to direct his usual rage at y/n. And that giggle? That was their confirmation.

So, when they saw y/n quietly slipping out of her dorm room and tiptoeing toward Bakugo’s, they had to investigate.

“Okay, let’s wait a few minutes, then bam! We barge in,” Mina whispered.

Kirishima nodded. “If we die, it was an honor.”

Mina smirked. “We’re heroes in training, we’ll be fine.”

-

The Class 1-A dorms had settled into a quiet hum for the night. Most of the students were relaxing in their rooms, some playing games, other studying, and a few, like Mina and Kirishima, engaging in questionable activities.

y/n on the other hand, had other plans.

She tiptoed down the hallway, hand gripping the hem of her hoodie as she scanned the area. The last thing she needed was for someone to see her sneaking in his room. Though, knowing her luck, someone — Mina and Kirishima most likely was already watching.

Reaching Bakugo’s door, she raised a delicate fist and knocked twice. No answer. Not unusual.

Rolling her eyes with a soft smile, she carefully turned the knob, it was never locked for her. The door creaked open just enough for her to slip inside before closing it behind her.

The moment she entered, the atmosphere shifted.

Katsuki Bakugo lay sprawled across his bed, one arm lazily tucked behind his head while the other draped over his stomach. His ash-blond hair was messier than usual, and his uniform jacket was discarded on his desk chair, leaving him in his black t-shirt and black sweats.

At the sound of the door shutting, his crimson eyes lazily flickered open.

“You took forever,” he grumbled.

Y/N let out a breathy laugh, walking over to his bed. “You didn’t even answer the door.”

“Didn’t feel like moving.”

She shook her head fondly before settling onto the bed beside him. The second she did, Bakugo wasted no time. With a low grunt, he shifted closer, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her down onto the mattress with him.

“You’re clingy tonight,” Y/N mused, her fingers instinctively threading through his messy hair.

He only grumbled, nuzzling into the warmth of her shoulder. “Tch. Shut up.”

She giggled, the vibration of her laughter making him hum in satisfaction. They stayed like that for a while. Bakugo was completely relaxed, his breathing steady, his grip firm but comforting. This was a side of him no one else saw.

During school hours, he acted as if she barely existed. But in moments like these, when it was just the two of them, he couldn’t keep his hands off her.

“You laughed at me today,” he muttered suddenly, voice muffled against her hoodie.

Y/N blinked, then smiled. “Because you were funny.”

He huffed, pulling her even closer. “Dumbass.”

She rolled her eyes playfully but made no move to push him away. She liked this side of him, this soft, vulnerable, needy side. And no matter how gruff he tried to sound, she could hear the underlying plea in his voice when he mumbled.

“Shut up and stay here.”

Y/N hummed, running her fingers soothingly along his scalp. “I wasn’t going anywhere.”

It was peaceful. Too peaceful.

-

Outside the door, Mina and Kirishima crouched low, exchanging glances at each other with excitement.

“Okay,” Mina whispered. “This confirms it.”

Kirishima nodded. “They have to be dating.”

“Or at least something.” Mina’s grin widened. “Now, we need proof.”

The two waited a few more moments, letting the suspense build. Then

BAM!

The door slammed open.

“OH. MY. GOD,” Mina screeched, her phone already raised.

Click! Click!

Kirishima doubled over in wheezing laughter. “DUDE! YOU’RE SO CLINGY!”

Bakugo shot up immediately, his entire face exploding into a furious shade of red.

“YOU DAMN EXTRAS!!!”

Mina howled with laughter, waving her phone like a trophy. “I GOT PICTURES! THIS IS GOLD!”

“DELETE THEM, YOU PINK HAIRED GREMLIN!” Bakugo roared, lunging off the bed.

Mina screamed, scrambling out of the room at lightning speed, Kirishima hot on her heels.

“RUN, RUN, RUN!” Kirishima yelled between bouts of laughter.

Bakugo exploded after them, quite literally, his hands sparking as he chased them down the hall. The dorms erupted into chaos, doors creaked open as confused classmates peered out, blinking at the spectacle of Bakugo launching himself after Mina and Kirishima, his furious shouts echoing through the building.

y/n, who walked out of the room, covered her mouth as she burst into laughter.

YOICHI ISAGI

MEGURU BACHIRA

NAGI SEISHIRO

REO MIKAGE

RIN ITOSHI

SAE ITOSHI

YOICHI ISAGI

MEGURU BACHIRA

SEISHIRO NAGI

REO MIKAGE

RIN ITOSHI

SAE ITOSHI

YOICHI ISAGI

MEGURU BACHIRA

SEISHIRO NAGI

REO MIKAGE

RIN ITOSHI

SAE ITOSHI

YOICHI ISAGI

MEGURU BACHIRA

SEISHIRO NAGI

REO MIKAGE

RIN ITOSHI

SAE ITOSHI

The airport was busy. People pushed past each other in a rush to get somewhere important, somewhere new. The sound of rolling suitcases and people chattering blended into the overhead announcements about departing flights. Amidst it all, y/n stood still, gripping the strap of her bag tightly as she stared at the man before her.

Sae Itoshi.

His teal eyes, always so sharp yet hard to read, flickered with a hint of impatience as he adjusted the strap of his duffle bag over his shoulder. He looked the same as he always did, calm, cold, detached. Sae had never been the one for long goodbyes, and y/n knew this wasn’t going to be any different.

This was it. He was leaving for Spain again.

And y/n, she wasn’t going with him.

She spent years at his side, caught in the orbit of his brilliance, watching as he turned his childhood dream into reality. She had been there before the world knew his name, back when it was just the two of them on a sunny afternoon, him kicking a soccer ball on the empty field and her sitting nearby, pretending not to stare

She had loved him then. She had loved him through everything.

And now, she had to let him go.

Seven Years Ago

y/n met Sae Itoshi when they were ten.

She wasn’t sure if ‘met’ was the right word. More like, she had been sitting on the steps of the local park when a soccer ball smacked into the side of her leg. It didn’t hurt much but she had still flinched, glaring at whoever had been responsible.

That was the first time she saw him.

A boy with red hair and teal eyes, standing a few feet away, looking entirely unimpressed.

“You should move,” he said bluntly. “You’re in the way.”

She had almost thrown the ball at him right then and there. Instead, she picked it up, examining it with no interest before tossing it back as he caught it.

And then, because she was stubborn, she crossed her arms and said, “This park doesn’t belong to you, you know.”

He didn’t respond. Just gave her a look that she couldn’t quite make up before turning away and continuing to practice.

That was their first interaction.

It wasn’t their last.

Somehow, y/n kept finding herself at that same park, watching as he trained with an intensity that didn’t match his age. She learned his name through people whispering his name between other kids–Sae Itoshi. A prodigy. A genius. Someone destined for greatness.

And yet, for all his skill, he was always alone.

y/n didn’t know why she started talking to him. Maybe it was because she admired his dedication. Maybe it was because, despite how cold he looked, she could see that he was just a lonely boy beneath it.

Or maybe it was because, from the very beginning, she had been drawn to him in a way she couldn’t explain.

Four Years Ago

Sae Itoshi was leaving for Spain.

The news shouldn’t have shocked her, but it did.

She had always known this was his dream, the very thing he worked toward all his life. He had never wavered, never hesitated. And now, at thirteen, he was being offered the chance to train overseas with some of the best.

It was everything he had ever wanted.

But as y/n sat beside him on the empty soccer field, staring up at the night sky, she couldn’t help but feel something sink in her chest.

“You don’t sound excited,” she said softly.

Sae exhaled through his nose, his fingers twirling a blade of grass between them. “I am.”

It wasn’t a lie. But it wasn’t the full truth, either.

y/n watched him for a moment before shifting closer, hugging her knees to her chest. “Are you scared?”

He scoffed. “No.”

She hummed in response, letting the silence stretch between them. Then she asked, “Will you miss me?”

Sae didn’t answer right away. His gaze remained fixed ahead, as if searching for something in the distance. Eventually, he murmured, “Dunno.”

That was all she got.

And she tried. God, she tried to be okay with it.

Because love was never fair.

Because what she felt for him, this quiet ache, this devotion, this foolish hope was nothing more than unrequited love.

A YEAR AGO

He came back.

Not permanently, just for a short visit. But it had been enough to reignite something dangerous in y/n’s chest.

Because even after all that time, even after months of silence and unreturned messages, the moment she saw him again, she realized nothing had changed.

She still loved him.

And it still didn’t matter.

Sae Itoshi wasn’t cruel. He didn’t toy with emotions or give false hope. If anything, he was too blunt for his own good. He had never once led her on, never once pretended to feel something he didn’t.

But that didn’t make it hurt any less.

Because no matter how much she wanted him to, Sae would never look at her the way she looked at him.

-

y/n tightened her grip on her bag, forcing herself to take a deep breath.

“You should go,” Sae spoke up.

She swallowed past the lump in her throat. “Right.”

This was it. The moment where she was supposed to say something, anything that would make him stay.

But she wouldn’t. Because love wasn’t about forcing someone to want you.

So instead, she smiled. A real, genuine smile, even if it hurts. “Take care of yourself, Sae.”

He looked at her then, really looked at her, and for a split second, something unfamiliar flickered in his eyes.

But it was gone before she could name it.

“You too,” he murmured.

And just like that, he turned and walked away.

y/n watched him go, her heart aching in a way that felt almost unbearable.

But as she stood there, amidst the bustling airport, something inside her shifted.

Because for the first time in years, she realized she was free.

She had loved Sae Itoshi with everything she had. But love wasn’t supposed to be a cage.

The first semester of high school had barely begun when a new student transferred into the school from the United States.

y/n, full of warmth and energy, had barely stepped onto campus before she found herself drawn to the Babysitter’s Club. The moment she heard about it, she signed up without hesitation.

Her love for children was evident from the start. The little ones in the daycare adored her instantly, drawn to her gentle voice and kind smile.

Kotaro Kashima was the first to cling to her, silently reaching for her hand whenever she was near.

Taka Kamitani, on the other hand, was more outspoken, always demanding her attention and grinning whenever she praised him.

Kirin, the energetic girl, constantly wanted to play with her, while Takuma and Kazuma, the cutest twins, one always energetic and one always shy.

Even baby Midori, the youngest of them all, cooed happily whenever y/n held her.

Ryuuichi Kashima, the responsible and kind-hearted member of the club, welcomed her warmly. “It’s nice to have another person here to help out,” he said, smiling.

Usaida, the lazy caretaker, merely waved from his spot on the couch. “Great, another person to do my job for me,” he mumbled, grinning playfully.

y/n had already made herself at home in the Babysitter’s Club when she finally met the last member—Hayato Kamitani.

That afternoon, the door to the Babysitter’s Club room slid open, revealing a tall boy with short black hair, his baseball bag slung over his shoulder.

His posture was relaxed, his expression as uninterested as ever, but when his sharp eyes landed on the unfamiliar girl sitting among the children, they lingered for a second longer than usual.

The room was lively with the sounds of laughter and chatter. Y/N sat cross-legged on the floor, carefully stacking colorful wooden blocks with Kotaro, who watched with quiet fascination, his tiny hands reaching out to place another block. Just beside them, Takuma and Kazuma were racing toy cars across the floor, the younger twin mimicking his brother’s words with a slight delay.

“Kazuma, we’re going super fast!” Takuma declared, pushing his car forward dramatically.

“super fast…” Kazuma echoed hesitantly, gripping his car tightly as he followed Takuma’s lead.

Meanwhile, Kirin was bouncing excitedly beside y/n, tugging at her sleeve. “y/n, y/n! After this, let’s play house! You can be the mom, and I’ll be the big sister!”

Taka, not wanting to be left out, crossed his arms. “No way, y/n should be my partner in cops and robbers!”

“Cops and robbers!” Takuma echoed softly, nodding in agreement with his brother.

Midori, the youngest of the group, sat quietly in Y/N’s lap, happily chewing on a plush rabbit while observing the lively conversation around her.

y/n let out a soft laugh, glancing between the children. “One at a time, guys! We can play all the games, I promise.”

Just as she reassured them, the sound of the sliding door caught her attention. Looking up, she found herself staring at the boy who had just entered. His gaze met hers, and for a moment, the noise in the room seemed to fade.

“Oh, you’re that new transfer student,” Kamitani remarked, raising an eyebrow.

y/n blinked at him before offering a bright smile. “Yeah, that’s me! And you must be Kamitani, right? I’ve heard about you from your brother.”

At her words, Taka, who had been standing beside her, smirked. “She’s my favorite now, Nii-chan.”

Kamitani let out a sigh, stepping further into the room and ruffling his younger brother’s hair roughly. “Figures.”

Kotaro, who had been quietly observing, tugged on Y/N’s sleeve, his big eyes peering up at her. “Y/N,” he mumbled softly, as if confirming her name.

Y/N chuckled, gently patting Kotaro’s head. “That’s right, Kotaro.”

Kamitani merely huffed, his expression neutral. But as he watched Y/N interact so effortlessly with the kids—especially his little brother—he couldn’t help but feel something unfamiliar settle in his chest. He wasn’t sure what it was, but as he caught the genuine warmth in her smile, he had a feeling this new transfer student was going to be sticking around for a while.

Over the next few weeks, Y/N became a regular presence in the Babysitter’s Club, always doting on the children and making them laugh.

Kamitani, while not overly expressive, found himself watching her more than he realized. He liked how patient she was, even when they were causing chaos, and he respected how easily she could handle Taka’s stubbornness.

What he didn’t expect, however, was his brother’s boldness one particular afternoon.

The kids were playing while y/n, Ryuuichi, and Kamitani were seated on the floor, chatting about school. Taka, who had been quiet for some time, suddenly stood up and pointed at his older brother.

“Hey, y/n,” Taka announced loudly, “you should date my brother!”

The room went silent.

y/n’s eyes widened as she processed what he had just said. Ryuuichi choked on air, eyes darting between them, while Kamitani sat frozen, his usual uninterested mask cracking as his ears turned red.

Kamitani quickly smacked his younger brother on the head—not too hard, but enough to make Taka yelp. “Shut up, brat.”

Taka pouted, rubbing his head. “What? You like her, don’t you?”

Kamitani scowled. “That’s not—” He stopped himself, suddenly feeling self-conscious. y/n was still sitting beside him, and he could feel her gaze on him.

y/n, who had recovered from the initial shock, giggled. “That’s sweet of you, Taka.” She then looked at Kamitani, her expression amused. “I guess you’re popular even with your brother.”

“Tch. Annoying,” Kamitani muttered, but he didn’t deny anything.

From that day on, Ryuuichi and the others started paying closer attention, picking up on how Kamitani’s eyes lingered on y/n a little longer than usual, or how he always made sure she wasn’t overwhelmed with the kids.

They all knew he wasn’t the type to openly express feelings, but something was definitely there.

And then came Valentine’s Day.

That morning, Kamitani was met with a crowd of girls in front of his classroom.

“Hayato-kun! I made these chocolates for you!”

“Please accept mine, too!”

“I put a lot of effort into this—”

Kamitani barely glanced at them, hands stuffed in his pockets. “I don’t like chocolate,” he muttered flatly before walking past them, leaving the girls visibly deflated.

His classmates, however, weren’t about to let it go.

“Damn, Kamitani, you’re cold.”

“You just rejected all of them in one sentence.”

“Brutal.”

Kamitani ignored them. Valentine’s Day had never meant much to him anyway. That is, until a certain someone showed up.

During lunch, y/n entered his classroom, carrying a small bag in her hands. Kamitani blinked when she stopped in front of his desk, smiling at him.

“Happy Valentine’s,” she said, holding out the bag. “I made some chocolates for the kids too, but I wanted to give yours separately.”

Kamitani stared at the bag for a moment before taking it. “…Thanks.” Unlike earlier, he didn’t reject it. His classmates, who had witnessed the scene, immediately erupted into chaos.

“Wait, he accepted it?!”

“He just told all the other girls no, but he took hers?!”

“Kamiiii-taniii~”

Kamitani scowled at them. “Shut up.”

That afternoon, after school, he found himself standing outside the Babysitter’s Club room, gripping a small paper bag. He exhaled sharply before stepping inside.

As expected, y/n was there, playing with Midori while the others chattered. She turned when he entered, smiling as usual. “Hey, Kamitani—”

Before she could finish, he shoved the bag into her hands.

She blinked, looking down at the neatly wrapped chocolates and a small bouquet of flowers. “Oh… is this for me?”

Kamitani clicked his tongue, looking away. “Obviously.”

The room fell into silence. Then—

“NO WAY.”

The kids and Ryuuichi gawked, while even Usaida sat up in shock. Taka, who had been watching closely, grinned widely. “See! I told you he likes her!”

Kamitani groaned. “Taka, I swear—”

y/n giggled, shaking her head before stepping closer to Kamitani. She held the flowers carefully before leaning up and pressing a soft kiss to his cheek.

Kamitani’s entire face turned red.

The room exploded.

Ryuuichi was speechless, Usaida was laughing, and the kids were either screaming or giggling.

Kamitani, still processing what had just happened, groaned into his hands. “I hate all of you.”

y/n only smiled, hugging the flowers to her chest. “Thanks, Kamitani. I really like them.”

Rin Itoshi had always been a quiet boy, but with y/n, he was different.

They had known each other since they were kids, growing up side by side in the same neighborhood. Their houses were only a few blocks apart, and it was rare to see one without the other.

While other boys their age were loud, rough, and reckless, Rin was always a little different, more reserved, more thoughtful. And with y/n, he was soft in ways he wasn’t with anyone else.

She was the only one he willingly shared his snacks with, the only one he’d slow his pace for when they walked home together, the only one who could make him laugh when he was in a bad mood. Rin didn’t talk much, but with y/n, silence was comfortable.

Even as kids, he would always wait for her after school, standing near the school gates with his hands stuffed into his pockets, kicking at small rocks while pretending he wasn’t looking for her.

The moment she appeared, he’d turn away, acting indifferent.

“You don’t have to wait for me every day, you know,” y/n had told him once, adjusting the straps of her backpack as they started their walk home.

Rin shrugged. “I know.”

She smiled, nudging him playfully. “Then why do you?”

He didn’t answer right away, staring at the sidewalk ahead. But after a moment, he muttered under his breath, “Dunno. Just do.”

She giggled, linking her arm with his. “Well, I like it. So thanks, Rin.”

He didn’t reply, but she noticed the slight curve of his lips.

y/n was his best friend. His safe place.

And she was always there, sitting by the sidelines as he and Sae played soccer.

From the moment she first saw them on the field, she was mesmerized. The way they moved, the way they worked together, it was something special. Even as kids, it was clear that Sae and Rin were different from the other boys

She watched every game, every practice, never missing a moment.

“You always watch us,” Rin once said, glancing at her while wiping sweat from his brow. His dark hair was sticking to his forehead, his breathing still heavy from running.

She grinned, hugging her knees to her chest as she sat on the grass. “Of course. You guys are cool.”

He blinked at her, lips parting slightly as if her words caught him off guard. Then, just as quickly, he looked away, cheeks slightly pink. “Tch. Whatever.”

But the next time he scored a goal, he turned his head just enough to see her reaction. And when she cheered for him, his heart did something strange.

Something he didn’t quite understand yet.

-

Years passed, and their bond never wavered. Then, at fourteen, something changed.

One late afternoon, they sat together in the park after one of Rin’s games. He had been acting strange all day, his fingers twitching, his jaw clenched like he was debating something.

“Rin, are you okay?” y/n asked, nudging his arm.

He exhaled sharply, staring at the ground. Then, with a deep breath, he finally spoke. “I don’t know how to say this properly, but… I like you, y/n.”

Silence.

y/n stared at him, processing his words. His ears were red, his hands gripping his shorts tightly, looking ready to run if she laughed at him.

A soft giggle left her lips. “You took long enough, Rin.”

His head snapped up. “Huh?”

She reached for his hand, lacing their fingers together. “I like you too, dummy.”

Rin didn’t say anything, but his grip on her hand tightened, and for the first time that day, he let out a breath of relief.

From that moment on, everything felt even more perfect.

Rin wasn’t the most affectionate boyfriend, but he showed his love in quiet ways. He would walk her home, pull her close when it was cold, and let her steal his hoodie without complaint. He listened when she rambled about her day, even when he was exhausted from practice.

She was his person.

But then Sae left for Spain.

And Rin started to change.

At first, it wasn’t too bad. He was still Rin, just a little more distant, a little more tired.

“Sorry, practice ran late,” he would say, pressing a quick, fleeting kiss to her forehead before heading home.

It wasn’t like before, when he’d linger, when he’d walk her to her door just to spend a few more minutes with her. But she told herself it was fine. He was working hard, and she was proud of him.

He still loved her. Right?

But then Sae returned.

And something in Rin shattered.

The warmth he once carried, so subtle, so carefully reserved just for her, faded, replaced by something colder. Something distant. Something that made her feel like she was standing on the other side of a glass wall, reaching for someone who no longer saw her.

“Rin, is something wrong?” she asked one evening, watching as he stared blankly at his phone, fingers clenched tightly around it.

“No.” His response was short, clipped.

She hesitated, watching him closely. He wasn’t just tired, he was drowning in something she couldn’t reach.

“You can talk to me, you know?” she pressed gently, reaching for his hand.

For a second, he let her hold it. But he didn’t squeeze back.

“I’m fine, y/n.”

But he wasn’t. And she knew it.

She wanted to believe it was just a phase. That he was just stressed. That this wasn’t the beginning of the end.

But days turned into weeks, and their time together grew less and less.

Rin stopped waiting for her after school.

He stopped texting her goodnight.

He barely even looked at her the way he used to, the way that made her feel like she was the only thing that mattered.

She tried. She tried so damn hard.

“Do you want to hang out this weekend?” she asked one evening, trying to keep her voice casual.

“Can’t. Training.”

Her fingers curled into the fabric of her sweater. “Okay… what about after?”

“Too tired.”

She swallowed the lump in her throat, heart sinking deeper into her chest.

Her voice was quieter this time, fragile. “Rin… do you even want this anymore?”

For the first time in weeks, he looked at her.

And it was in that moment that she realized, she had already lost him.

Because he didn’t answer.

Because the Rin she loved, the Rin who loved her, was already gone.

Silence stretched between them, thick and suffocating.

A part of her wished he would fight, that he would tell her she was wrong, that he still wanted her.

But he didn’t.

And that silence told her everything.

The next day, she stopped waiting for him.

And Rin never came looking.

And that, more than anything, broke her heart.

-

A year passed.

y/n had done her best to move on, but when she saw the news, Blue Lock vs. Japan U-20 Team, she felt her heart clench.

Rin.

She hadn’t seen him since… since they fell apart.

Maybe this was closure.

So she bought a ticket. Not because she still held onto hope, but because she wanted to see him play one last time.

The stadium was massive, filled with roaring fans. She found her seat near the middle, eyes scanning the field until she saw him.

Rin Itoshi.

He looked different. Sharper. Colder. His hair was longer, his expression unreadable as he stood on the field, waiting for the whistle to blow.

The match started.

And y/n watched as Rin played like a man possessed.

His movements were precise, calculated, every step, every pass, every shot filled with a raw, unrelenting hunger.

But it was different from before.

There was no joy in the way he played. Only rage.

And then, he looked up.

For the briefest moment, his sharp teal eyes locked onto hers.

y/n felt her breath hitch.

There was something there. A flicker of recognition. A brief hesitation.

But then, just as quickly as he noticed her, he looked away, throwing himself back into the game as if nothing had happened.

y/n exhaled, her fingers gripping the fabric of her jeans.

This was it. The closure she needed.

By the time the final whistle blew, she had already made up her mind.

She stood up, taking one last look at him.

“Goodbye, Rin,” she whispered.

Then, she turned and walked away.

And on the field, Rin Itoshi searched for her again.