The whole three years of elementary school went by swiftly, and before you knew it, you were moving on to middle school. Your parents had decided to send you to the same middle school as Sae, who was already attending that school as he was older than you. It was an exciting transition, and you eagerly anticipated sharing this new phase of your academic journey with Sae.
However, Yumiko's presence continued to be a constant in your life, following you to the new school as well. Her ability to seamlessly integrate into your environment, despite her friendly demeanor, raised suspicions about how much she knew about your life.
And, as always, the system continued its occasional teasing and challenges, keeping you on your toes even in this new school environment. It seemed like your adventures, whether ordinary or extraordinary, were far from over.
"So Sae, you will be going to Spain right..?" You asked as the both of you walked together to pick rin up from the elementary.
"Yeah in about two weeks" he replied not looking at you at all, he just kept going forward.
"That's exciting," you replied, trying to sound cheerful even though a hint of sadness crept into your voice. "How long will you be in Spain, Sae?"
Sae sighed, his expression growing more serious. "It's going to be a while, Y/n. Probably a few years."
The realization hit you like a ton of bricks. A few years felt like an eternity at your age. The prospect of being separated from one of your closest friends for such a long time was difficult to accept.
You forced a smile, masking your mixed emotions. "That's amazing, Sae. Playing for the youth team is a big opportunity. I'm really happy for you."
While you genuinely felt proud and excited for Sae, a part of you couldn't help but wish things were different. The impending separation weighed on your heart, but you didn't want to burden him with your feelings. Instead, you focused on being supportive of his dreams, even if it meant enduring a few years apart.
The walk to pick up Rin was filled with a heavy silence, the unspoken thoughts and emotions lingering in the air. Both you and Sae remained lost in your own contemplation, each step bringing you closer to the moment when you'd have to say goodbye.
As you reached the elementary school to pick up Rin, you were greeted by the familiar sight of children playing and laughing. Rin, despite being only 11 years old, carried himself with a certain maturity that set him apart from his peers. His dark green hair made him easy to spot in the crowd, and when he noticed you and Sae approaching, his face lit up with a friendly smile.
"Hey, Y/n-chan! Sae-nii!" Rin called out as he jogged over to meet you both.
Despite the bittersweet emotions of the impending farewell, Rin's youthful enthusiasm and the warmth of his greeting brought a touch of brightness to the moment. You greeted him with a friendly smile and a nod, cherishing the time spent with your younger friend.
As you, Sae, and Rin began the walk back home together, there was an unspoken tension between you and Sae. It wasn't that you were angry or upset with each other, but the impending separation weighed on your minds. Rin, like the dumb dumb child he is, was blissfully unaware of the two's sulking, and carried on with his happy go lucky demeanor.
Rin chatted away about his day at school, sharing stories about his friends, teachers, and the latest happenings in his elementary school life. His energy was infectious, and you couldn't help but smile at his excitement.
Sae occasionally joined in the conversation, adding a comment here and there. However, his mind was clearly preoccupied with his upcoming journey to Spain, and you could sense that he was wrestling with his own emotions.
You, too, were lost in your thoughts. While part of you was genuinely happy for Sae's opportunity to play for the youth team in Spain, another part couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness at the thought of him leaving. You and Sae had grown closer over the years, and the idea of not having him around was unsettling.
You couldn't help but shake your head as you watched Sae and Rin, the Itoshi brothers, practically live on the soccer field for the past few days. It semed like their idea of quality bonding time was kicking a ball around endlessly. You knew friendship was important, but this was like a soccer overdose.
"I swear, if I played that much soccer, my legs would go on strike and stage a protest," you muttered to yourself with a playful eye-roll.
Every time you passed by the field, it was as if they had morphed into soccer-obsessed machines. Sae's footwork had reached a point where even the grass seemed impressed, and Rin's dark green hair had turned into a permanent grass stain camouflage.
You couldn't resist teasing them as you approached the field once again. "Hey, guys! Need a soccer ball to sleep with at this rate?"
Sae paused mid-dribble, looking at you with a mix of exhaustion and determination. "Nah, Y/n, we're good. Just building up our leg muscles for the big leagues."
Rin, on the other hand, grinned like a mischievous imp. "Yeah, Y/n onee-chan, we're training for the Soccer World Cup... of our dreams!"
You couldn't help but burst into laughter at their dedication, which, honestly, bordered on soccer madness. "Well, you better invite me to the victory party when you make it big!"
As you continued to watch them chase that soccer dream, you couldn't deny that their enthusiasm was contagious, even if it was wrapped in a layer of absurdity. Soccer, it seemed, had taken over their lives, and you were just along for the hilarious ride.
As the sun began to set, casting warm hues across the sky and the nearby beach, you, Sae, and Rin found yourselves perched on a seaside wall, indulging in ice cream cones. With each delicious bite, you playfully sang a familiar nursery rhyme, "Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall, Humpty Dumpty had a great fall." Your choice of song puzzled both brothers as they exchanged confused glances.
"Why are you singing nursery rhymes?" Sae inquired, his curiosity getting the better of him.
You chuckled, a mischievous twinkle in your eye. "Why not? Sometimes it's fun to be a little random."
Little did you know that the whimsical choice of song would carry a poignant foreshadowing, hinting at future events yet to come, events that would change your lives in unexpected ways.
As you enjoyed your ice cream by the beach, Rin suddenly piped up with excitement, holding up the wooden stick from his ice cream cone triumphantly.
"Oh, I won!" Rin declared proudly, showing off the stick that had "won" written on it.
Sae, never one to miss a chance for teasing, smirked at his brother's enthusiasm. "Way to waste your luck, Rin," he teased, shaking his head in mock disapproval.
Rin's response was a nonchalant shrug and a cheeky grin. "Distraction of evidence," he quipped before casually tossing the stick aside.
The scene felt oddly familiar, like a déjà vu, a moment suspended in time that you had experienced before.
"Rin what do you think of soccer?" Sae asked Rin, rin seems to think about it before answering.
Both of them talked and their conversation didn't include you. This was one of those times where you felt like a side character.. which you are. But it still hurt you know?
'A canon event it is..'
Sae's question caught you off guard, and you responded with a puzzled expression. "But you?"
"Huh?" you asked, trying to make sense of the question.
Sae's patience seemed to wear thin as he repeated, "I said, what about you, Y/n?"
Your confusion remained evident as you replied honestly, "I still don't get it."
Clearly frustrated, Sae flicked your forehead hard, causing you to wince in pain. "Ow," you whined, rubbing your forehead.
"Stupid, don't zone out and listen," he scolded, his irritation clear in his voice. It seemed like he expected you to be more attentive, especially when he was trying to engage in a conversation.
"What are you gonna be in future?" He asked again. Sae's question about your future plans hung in the air for a moment, and you decided to have a bit of fun with your response. You flashed a mischievous smirk and confidently replied, "Your wife," accompanied by a playful wink.
The unexpected answer seemed to catch Sae off guard, and his face turned a shade of red as he stammered, "Wh-what? That's stupid..." He muttered, clearly flustered by your teasing response.
Meanwhile, Rin, the younger Itoshi, couldn't help but pout in jealousy, adding a touch of rivalry to the playful exchange.
The playful banter continued, and you couldn't resist teasing Sae a little more. "Oh, come on, Sae. I'd make a great wife, wouldn't I?" you teased, leaning in closer to him with a sly grin.
Sae's embarrassment only seemed to intensify as he struggled to find a response. He cleared his throat and mumbled, "That's... not the point." His attempts to maintain composure were clearly failing.
Rin, not one to be left out of the competition, crossed his arms and pouted. "Y/n onee-chan," he began, a hint of jealousy evident in his tone, "I thought I was your favorite."
You couldn't help but chuckle at Rin's adorable display of jealousy. "You're both my favorites," you assured him, ruffling his hair affectionately. "No need to be jealous, Rin."
Your words seemed to have an unexpected effect. Sae, who had been trying to maintain his composure, suddenly looked a bit flustered. He muttered, "Favorites, huh?"
Rin, noticing the shift in Sae's mood, gave his older brother a sly grin. "See, Sae, Y/n onee-chan likes me more!" he teased, poking Sae's side.
Sae's competitive spirit was clearly stirred as he retorted, "Oh, is that so? Well, I'll just have to work harder to win her over."
The playful banter continued, and you couldn't help but enjoy the attention from both of them. It seemed like your innocent remark had ignited a friendly rivalry between the Itoshi brothers, each vying for the title of your favorite.
Under the cover of night, with the gentle sway of the waves in the background, you and Sae found a quiet spot to share a moment away from the world.
"Promise me you'll become the best striker," you said, extending your pinky finger toward him, a small smile playing on your lips.
"Pinky promise? What are you, 5?" he teased, a playful glint in his eyes. Despite the teasing, he interlocked his pinky with yours, sealing the promise with a gesture that held a special kind of significance.
With the promise secured, you reached into your pocket and retrieved a small Kuromi good luck charm. You held it out to him, your gaze earnest. However, Sae's initial reaction was one of resistance.
"It's girly, plus I don't need luck," he stated, a touch of stubbornness in his voice.
You shook your head, determined to make him see. "It's not just any charm, Sae. It actually suits you. Kuromi is just like you, she hides her feelings just like you do. Plus, she's got that bratty personality, just like you," you explained, hoping he'd understand the sentiment behind the gift.
Sae examined the Kuromi good luck charm you had given him, and after a moment of contemplation, he smiled faintly. "You really think I'm like this Kuromi, huh?"
You nodded with a grin. "Yeah, I do. Plus, a little extra luck never hurt anyone, right?"
Sae chuckled and pocketed the charm. "I'll take it as a token of your faith in me."
The two of you continued talking late into the night, sharing stories and dreams. It felt good to have this moment with Sae, a chance to bond and strengthen your friendship before he embarked on his journey to Spain.
As the night grew darker, the conversation between you and Sae took a more intimate turn. You found yourselves sharing secrets, fears, and dreams, creating a deep connection between you.
Suddenly, in a moment of unexpected closeness, Sae leaned in and gently pressed his lips to yours. It was a soft, lingering kiss, filled with emotions that had been building between you both. Your heart skipped a beat in surprise.
When he pulled away, you stared at him, your eyes wide with surprise and your cheeks flushed. Sae looked at you with a mix of vulnerability and determination.
Your heart raced in your chest as you tried to process what had just happened. It had been an unexpected and tender moment that left you feeling a whirlwind of emotions.
"Sae..." you began, your voice trembling with uncertainty. You couldn't deny the fluttering sensation in your stomach, the warmth that had spread from your lips to your cheeks.
Before you could continue, Rin appeared out of nowhere, a mischievous grin on his face. "Sae, Mom's looking for you!" he announced, clearly reveling in the opportunity to interrupt your conversation.
Sae's eyes widened, and he shot Rin an exasperated look. "Seriously, Rin? Can't you see we're having a moment here?"
Rin shrugged casually. "Well, Mom didn't seem to care about your 'moment' when she sent me to find you. She said dinner's ready."
You stifled a giggle, enjoying the playful banter between the Itoshi brothers. It seemed that even in the midst of such a heartfelt conversation, their sibling dynamic couldn't be suppressed.
Sae flashed you a teasing smirk, his expression a mix of amusement and mischief. "Well, looks like I've got to go," he said with an exaggerated sigh. "Duty calls, you know."
You couldn't help but roll your eyes at his playful antics. "Yeah, yeah, go eat dinner, Mr. Responsible," you replied, trying to sound nonchalant despite the fluttering in your chest.
With one final wink, Sae turned and headed back to the house, leaving you alone with your racing heart and a whirlwind of thoughts. That unexpected kiss had left you in a daze, and as you watched Sae's retreating figure, you couldn't help but wonder what it all meant.
As the night settled in around you, you found yourself lost in a sea of emotions and questions, uncertain of where this new development might lead.
The day had come for Sae's departure to Spain. You, Rin, and Sae's parents had gathered at the airport to bid him farewell. It was a bittersweet moment, a mixture of pride for Sae's exciting journey and sadness at the temporary parting.
You stood by Sae, your heart heavy with emotions you couldn't fully express. Rin clung to your side, his eyes filled with a mixture of admiration for his older brother.
Sae's parents exchanged words with their son, tears glistening in their eyes. Mrs. Itoshi held back her sobs as she gave Sae a tight embrace. "Take care of yourself, Sae," she said, her voice quivering. "And remember to eat well."
Mr. Itoshi patted his son's shoulder, his usual stern expression softening. "Make us proud, but don't forget where you come from."
Sae nodded. He turned to you, a genuine smile on his face. "Y/n," he began, "take care of Rin for me, okay?"
You nodded, struggling to find words as your throat tightened with emotion. "I will. You better come back soon."
"Nii chan, have a safe trip" rin spoke With a final round of hugs and heartfelt goodbyes, Sae turned to head towards the security checkpoint. You, Rin, and his parents watched as he disappeared into the crowd.
As you stood there, the realization that Sae was truly gone for now began to sink in. Rin, surprisingly, didn't shed any tears, but there was a melancholic look in his eyes. Mrs. Itoshi wiped away a tear, and Mr. Itoshi placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.
You took Rin's hand and gave it a gentle squeeze, offering him a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, Rin. He'll be become the best striker and will be back before you know it."