>_<
egotistical.
chapter 004 ━━━━ itoshi
BEFORE RIN COULD RESPOND to the group chat, someone swiftly grabbed his phone. as he prepared to shoot a glare, he froze upon realizing one of the stern facilitators was staring at him.
with a gulp, Rin reluctantly let his phone be confiscated, acknowledging that he was indeed in detention and forced to share the desk with the Noa girl again.
the facilitator, with a stern expression etched on their face, began to explain, "in detention, we encourage positive interactions. you'll need to get along well, work together, and learn from one another."
Rin couldn't believe his luck. forced into conversation, he bluntly stated, "this is all her fault. she got me into detention, and i'm a model student. it's my first time in this place."
(Name), not one to let the opportunity pass, responded, "well, well, Rin. looks like your perfect streak just got a little... detained."
Rin, unamused, shot back, "whatever, lukewarm. you're the reason i'm stuck here."
"please, i think i've been accused of worse. you being here? definitely not my fault."
"accused of worse, yet still lukewarm. classic."
the facilitator, attempting to mediate, sighed in disbelief at the energy radiating from the pair. the task of fostering positive interactions seemed to be slipping further away.
as the argument escalated, the (hair color)-headed girl continued to hold her ground, her confidence seemingly unshaken.
"Rin, sweetheart, you might want to consider this detention as an opportunity to learn from someone as extraordinary as me." she remarked, a smirk playing on her lips.
he scoffed, "extraordinary? the only thing extraordinary about you is your talent for making detention unbearable."
she laughed, unfazed by the jab. "sweetheart, you clearly lack the appreciation for the finer things in life. detention is just another stage for me to shine."
Rin rolled his eyes, muttering under his breath, "shining as brightly as a burnt-out lightbulb."
while the banter persisted, the facilitator, growing increasingly exasperated, attempted to intervene. "alright, enough of this. detention is not the place for heated arguments. you both need to find a way to collaborate and make the most of your time here."
Rin and (Name) exchanged a final glare before reluctantly turning their attention to the task at hand. the facilitator, hoping to steer the conversation towards something more constructive, suggested.
"why don't you work on a joint assignment together? it might help in fostering teamwork and understanding."
Rin grumbled under his breath, but (Name), always full of herself, seized the opportunity to showcase her perceived brilliance.
"sure, i'll carry us through this. after all, i've never met a problem i couldn't solve." she declared with a confidence that bordered on arrogance.
the boy shot her a skeptical glance, muttering, "except for the problem of not being insufferable."
...
the dim glow of streetlights cast long shadows as (Name) walked home, the night sky painted with hues of indigo.
the city hummed with a gentle nightlife, and as she passed by a vending machine, the soft hum of its refrigeration unit beckoned her to indulge in a can of soda.
with a satisfying hiss, she popped open the tab, taking a refreshing sip.
as she strolled along the quiet sidewalk, a figure caught her eye. a guy with reddish-brown hair and piercing teal eyes stood ahead.
it took her a moment, but recognition dawned upon her – Sae Itoshi.
unable to resist the opportunity to add some flair to the encounter, (Name) approached with a smirk. "well, well, if it isn't the serious and brooding Sae Itoshi. you look almost as serious as my last math test."
Sae glanced at her with his trademark impassive expression. "cut to the chase. why did you stop playing football?" he asked bluntly.
caught off guard, (Name) paused for a moment. Sae's directness was as sharp as ever. she took a sip of her soda before responding, "why should you care? just thought i'd add some excitement to your dull life."
Sae raised an eyebrow, unmoved by her attempts at banter. "football isn't about excitement. it's about dedication and skill. you had both. why quit?"
she met Sae's questioning gaze, her tone becoming more serious. "look, it's not about dedication and skill. i've got those in spades. it's just... it's not fun anymore,"
"playing with a bunch of mediocre players on the women's football team at school, it's like they can't even keep up with my passes. their passes aren't up to my expectations. i want to shine, to push myself, but my team is just... ass." she explained, frustration and disappointment evident in her voice.
Sae listened, his expression remaining stoic. "so, you quit because your team wasn't up to your standards?" he summarized.
(Name) nodded, "exactly. i want to be surrounded by people who can match my level, and challenge me to become even better. it's not about running away; it's about finding the right playing field."
he remained silent for a moment, contemplating her words. "fair enough," he finally said. "but don't think quitting is the solution. if you're that good, elevate your team. be a leader. don't abandon them."
(Name) looked at him, surprised by his unexpected advice. "you're more talkative than i thought."
Sae's gaze remained focused. "i'm pragmatic. quitting is rarely the answer. if you're dissatisfied, change the game."
as (Name) absorbed his words, she couldn't help but feel a twinge of contemplation. Sae's bluntness might be exactly what she needed to hear.
the redhead looked at (Name) with a rare hint of something resembling sincerity. "you want a challenge, right? fine. let's play. i recently faced opponents in my school, and they were no better,"
"you were the only one worth my time. the only one i'd willingly compete with again and again." he explained, his tone cutting through the night air with a sense of determination.
the (hair color)-headed girl couldn't help but be intrigued by the proposition. Sae Itoshi, the stoic and serious guy, suggesting a football match? it was an unexpected turn of events.
"you think you can keep up with me?" she challenged, a playful smirk forming on her lips.
the teal-eyed boy met her gaze with confidence. "i know i can. i don't make promises i can't keep."
end of chapter: 004
⚽️ ━━ EGOTISTICAL , @ YYANQING ,
01 / 31 / 24