Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Artist is threading_fate on twitter!!! Please go check them out adn give their original post of the art a LOT of love like please please please please

Also like, it was either they draw art for a scene I was writing in a WIP or something from this fic and honestly they delivered HARDDD with this one like MY GOD I AM JAW DROP. They also gave me a large tarpulin version of this irl when we met up for the first time. They're crazy but that's why they're my muse fr fr

Chapter Text

Everything was going incredibly well for Isagi. The NEL had just wrapped up a few days ago and Ego allowed them a week or so outside the Blue Lock facility. It was apparently for a mental and physical break before they were thrown back to train for the U20 World Cup. This meant that they had around a week or so of freedom to do as they wish outside the four walls of Blue Lock. This also meant that Isagi finally had more time to spend with Rin outside their usual matches and as the boyfriends they actually were. Isagi loved Rin as a rival, especially since he constantly pushed him to get better and evolve as a player on the field. But even he wanted to spend quality time with him outside of soccer. 

So, as Isagi sat here with Rin right beside him inside a café with their order just in front of him, Isagi was having the best day of his life.

Keyword: Everything was going well, until it wasn’t.

“What the fuck is that roach doing with my brother?” Rin hissed into Isagi’s ear as he practically leaned over Isagi.

Immediately, Isagi envisioned Shidou bothering an indifferent Sae as they walked into the same café they were in at the moment. After all, only one person earned the title of roach from Rin and it was Shidou ever since the U20 match. Other nicknames that Rin liked to use were freak and insect, so Isagi really didn’t have that high expectations. 

“Maybe Shidou finally whittled down Sae’s walls?” Isagi paused and sighed, tugging Rin closer, “Come on. We shouldn't let them ruin our-”

“It's not Shidou.” Rin snapped, but his hands were gentle and calm when they pried Isagi’s grip from his jacket. He reached over and tilted Isagi’s head by gripping his jaw, aligning his sight with Rin’s, “It's that shitty Blue Rose of yours.”

Isagi’s focus and attention to the current topic sharpened exponentially. He remembered that the rest of the Bastard München regulars were set to leave Japan and fly back two days after NEL ended. So really, Isagi wasn't supposed to be seeing Kaiser of all people still in Japan, much less hanging out with Sae. His face twitched at the sight of Kaiser, remembering their irritating rivalry and slight allyship at the end, before it all crumbled back down to resentment when Isagi won. This meant that whether Isagi liked it or not, if Kaiser saw him here, then everything would be ruined immediately. If anything, Isagi already felt his mood worsen just at the sight of Kaiser. 

Even when both Kaiser and Sae wore hats, glasses and masks to hide their identity, Isagi could recognize that horribly blonde hair anywhere. That and he trusted Rin when he said the person beside him was Sae because if anyone could recognize Itoshi Sae, even disguised as he was, it would be Rin.

“He's not mine.” Isagi corrected Rin all the while he glared at Kaiser. They might have worked together for that last goal against PXG, but there was something universally irritating about Kaiser to Isagi. It only got worse off the field when Isagi didn’t have a goal to focus on and set his emotions aside for. He scoffed, crossed his arms, and leaned against Rin’s chest, “What’s he even doing here? He’s supposed to be on a flight to Germany by now. Can he even understand Japanese?” 

“What's he doing with my brother.” Rin hissed out once more, his chin rested on the top of Isagi’s head as he glared at the backs of the pair. From Isagi’s point of view, it seemed the two were conversing and the moment it was their turn, Sae took over all the talking. Still, it was odd to see the two acting so... Normal when they were two of the most eccentric people in the field. 

That and Rin had a point. Since when the fuck were Kaiser and Sae close?

“They weren't close before?” Isagi still sought to ask as he tilted his head to look at Rin. He was vaguely aware of the tension between Rin and Sae, but never pried any further than that. Still, Rin seemed to always be updated on Sae’s status anyway. “I thought they would’ve at least known each other because…“

“They’re part of the New Generation of Heroes?” Rin rolled his eyes at the title. Isagi snorted and fought back the smile that threatened to spread across his face as well. “Nii-chan doesn’t socialize like that outside of soccer.”

“But here he is.” Isagi shrugged and turned back to watch as Sae said something to Kaiser that made him laugh. He scrunched his face at the sight. Were those two speaking English to each other? If that was so, Isagi was half glad that Ego forced them to learn the language between NEL matches because there wouldn’t always be translator buds outside Blue Lock. That and those same lessons also helped Rin and Isagi spend more time together. “They seem… close?”

“They do.” Rin wrapped his arms around Isagi’s waist as he begrudgingly agreed. It was clear that he hated the fact that he hadn’t been aware of this development. It wasn’t like Isagi could even blame him, either. He couldn’t think of any time when Kaiser and Sae both had the time or liberty to interact. Isagi merely patted Rin’s arm in silent consolation. “Shut up, Yoichi.”

“I didn’t say anything.”

“I know what you were thinking.” Isagi stifled his snort and bit his lip to stop the smile. If Rin ever saw that, he’d get all sulky and pouty again and their day was already ruined, no need to ruin it further. 

“Well… I don’t really want to stay here anymore.” Isagi sighed and his gaze turned towards their half finished food. He actually liked the café, the atmosphere and the food were all top tier. “Should we leave?”

Rin grunted and stayed quiet, his gaze firmly pinned on his brother and Kaiser as they picked a table in the far corner. No doubt, they were both trying to keep a low profile, something that both Isagi and Rin had thought of when they went to the café themselves and sequestered their activities to the corner as well. The same fucking corner that Kaiser and Sae were in.

Isagi thanked whatever higher being there was that not only was he wearing a mask (even if it was pulled down) and fake glasses, but Rin was practically shielding him with the way he encompassed Isagi in his hold. That and Rin was also similarly wearing glasses, as the only recognizable feature he had were his lashes. 

“Rin?”

“If that shitty bastard has any intentions with my brother…“ Rin muttered under his breath and Isagi wondered if he should just throw away any plans he had for the day just to humor Rin. There was no stopping him when he got like this and Isagi had just learned to go with the flow. Plus, Rin was always cuter when he got all protective and jealous — whether the target was Isagi or Sae didn’t matter. 

“If you’re that bothered by it, we could hijack their hang-out.” Isagi suggested because of two things. One, he loved Rin and would do anything for him. Two, he equally hated Kaiser and wanted to annoy the older teen in any way possible, and something told him that this was his best chance to do so. It was a win-win for Isagi, his initial plans aside. 

“You sit next to Sae.” Was the only response he got and Isagi could hardly argue. Had he been forced to sit beside Kaiser, he wouldn’t have pushed through with the idea anyway. 

“Yeah, alright.”

Rin hummed and reached for his drink. Isagi snorted and opened his mouth to comment before he shut it when Rin pressed a soft and quick kiss. Isagi tasted the words he wanted to say and he grinned up at Rin who refused to meet his eyes. Isagi huffed and leaned up and pressed his own kiss against Rin’s cheek in return.

(I’ll make it up to you later, Rin had said through the kiss. Isagi returned it with, You don’t have to.)

Isagi stood up and grabbed his own drink as well. He held out a hand for Rin who scoffed but took it anyway. Isagi grinned and grabbed the cap he had brought initially, and watched as Rin followed his train of thought immediately and tugged his hood over his head and pressed the glasses closer to his face. Isagi shot Rin one last smile and tugged the mask back up before he led them both towards the table.

Isagi saw the exact moment that Sae and Kaiser tensed when they approached. He wondered if the two expected fans, and Isagi felt giddy at the thought of screwing with them both. He felt Rin tug at the back of his shirt, and Isagi snorted and moved closer to Sae. He noted how Kaiser narrowed his eyes immediately, more so when Rin also moved closer to him. 

Without saying much, Isagi slid into the booth seat right next to Sae and set his drink down. Rin followed right across from him and they both effectively trapped Kaiser and Sae inside the booths, much to their indignation and clear shock. It was clear that neither Sae nor Kaiser had ever been confronted with this kind of forwardness before. 

Expectedly, it was Sae who spoke to them first even when Kaiser clearly wanted to say something if the way his face looked was any indication. Clearly, the two didn’t recognize them yet and thought they were idiotic fans or even rude customers.

“We were here first.” Sae scoffed, glaring at Isagi. At this point, he had lowered his mask and took the glasses off but kept the hat on. It was also like that Isagi could see just how similar Sae and Rin were, at least in terms of their facial structure. While Rin and Sae both had teal eyes, he noticed Sae had a tinge of green in them and his lashes are shorter than Rin’s. 

Isagi blinked when he felt a kick to his feet and he glanced at Rin who merely leaned back and crossed his arms. Isagi rolled his eyes at the display and finally responded as he pulled down his mask, “Really? Cause pretty sure Rin and I were here first.”

Sae’s eyes widened slightly in recognition and that was the only warning Isagi got before a hand reached out and grabbed his shirt. He turned his shit eating grin towards the scowling Kaiser.

“Get out.” Kaiser hissed with narrowed eyes. Isagi scoffed and pried Kaiser’s hands from his collar and sat back, “Yoichi-”

“We were here first.” Isagi switched to English this time, just for the benefit of Kaiser’s sanity. He had considered just plainly speaking in Japanese and watch Kaiser struggle to understand him but that would be for another time. “So, you’re being rude.”

“What are you even doing here, Isagi?” Sae sighed and one look from him silenced Kaiser’s further protests. Isagi shrugged and took a sip from his drink.

“That’s my question for you two.” Isagi flipped it over, knowing all too well that Rin hadn’t told Sae anything yet. Even if this had been their planned anniversary date after getting together since the second selection, their schedules were hectic enough that Rin couldn’t break the news to his brother. That and the only time he actually had the time to do so, Sae had made him relapse so bad that Isagi had to drag him away to the city to forget all about it. 

“Sae asked first.” Kaiser butt in with his usual cocky smirk that got both Sae and Isagi sighing.

“We were here first.” Rin spoke up this time, the snap of him closing his glasses and shoving them into his hoodie pockets sharp. Though, not as sharp as his glare directed at Kaiser. 

“Kaiser asked me out.” Sae cut in before a fight between Kaiser and Rin could break out. Isagi hummed at both the action and answer, then he raised an eyebrow at Kaiser who looked at Sae with wide eyes. While Rin and Kaiser were both busy gaping at Sae’s words, Isagi bit the bullet.

“Oh, so like a date?” He turned to Sae with a knowing smile, casually throwing the question into the air. From the corner of his gaze, he noted the way Kaiser’s face bloomed into a blush and mentally tallied a score. He got a point over Kaiser this time.

“Yoichi, you-!”

“Isagi!”

Both Rin and Kaiser hissed out simultaneously and Isagi merely took a sip from his drink and then turned back to Sae again. It seemed like Rin had gone back to calling him by his last name, probably to not be too obvious to Sae. Still, that won't deter Isagi in the slightest.

“Was it his idea or yours to come here, then?” He continued as if Kaiser’s embarassed spluttering and Rin’s irritated grumbling were but a backdrop to his conversation with Sae. He paused and thought about the question a little more, “Actually, scratch that. Kaiser knows shit about Japan but that’s just sad. He let you pick after asking you out?”

Sae blinked slowly, as if processing the turn of events. Either that or he just couldn’t believe what was coming out of Isagi’s mouth. Which was fair, Isagi had no idea what the hell he was saying either, just that it made Kaiser flush an even deeper red and Rin turned his glare to Kaiser. 

“I like the café.“ Sae answered simply and he should’ve guessed. Rin picked the café this time as they agreed for their anniversary itinerary. Rin picked their food destinations and Isagi picked everything else. After all, the last time Isagi picked a food related date place it ended a whole disaster that had them both leaving early. Of course the café was something Sae liked which meant Rin liked as well (even with their tension, Rin still held on to a few things that they both enjoyed).

“Right.” Isagi scrutinized Kaiser, “Then, what about after?”

“After what?” Kaiser spoke through gritted teeth and wow, that was the fastest he got annoyed by Isagi. Which was saying a lot considering what happened during the entirety of NEL. Maybe the reality sunk in that Isagi was better at him in these matters. “Nevermind, don’t answer that, Yoichi. Leave us alone, will you?”

“After I found out you’re finally shit at something outside of soccer?” Isagi laughed, relishing in the way Kaiser’s entire mood soured. Finally, the turns have tabled. “No.”

“What are you planning, Isagi.” Rin huffed from the side. He had finally given a rest to glaring at Kaiser to narrow his eyes suspiciously at Isagi. The question didn’t even sound like one, it sounded like a statement. Rin knew what Isagi was doing. 

“If you’re both not doing anything after this.” Isagi ignored Rin’s statement much to the amusement of everyone but Rin, and turned to Sae, “Have your coffee or whatever you ordered to go. There’s an arcade nearby we could go to.”

“Who the fuck gave you-”

“Sure.” Sae cut Kaiser off immediately and Isagi grinned. Sure, he and Rin might’ve hijacked whatever date Sae and Kaiser initially had but that was just revenge for ruining their anniversary date. Then again, it would be a waste for them to just throw away their itinerary just to watch Kaiser and Sae fumble each other. 

“Isagi.” Rin reached over and yoinked him from the table, gripping the back of his collar. He paused and looked coolly over the table, “We’ll get your drinks.”

Isagi waved as he slowly got dragged away by Rin. They stopped near the cashier and Isagi blinked when Rin actually shoved Sae’s receipt towards him and faced towards the counter. He paused and folded the receipt neatly in his hands as he looked at Rin.

“Are you mad?” Isagi reached up and tugged at the edge of Rin’s hoodie. It wasn't even because of the name change that brought out the question. Rin huffed and grabbed his hand, intertwining them and stepping close so it was out of view.

“You’re really going to use our itinerary for their date, Yoichi?” Rin scoffed, eyes scanning the entire room. There he was again, using Isagi’s first name now that they were alone. It was painfully endearing. Their horrible disguises were long forgotten but Isagi could barely care when he finally got to see Rin’s face in it’s entirety. 

He drew circles on the back of Rin’s palm with his thumb as he pouted, “I thought it would be a waste… but if you don’t like it then we can go somewhere else.”

“No, today’s already…“ He trailed off and Isagi wondered if Rin also thought their date was already going downhill. Deep down, it disappointed Isagi even when he was enjoying himself annoying Kaiser. They already barely had time to celebrate any milestone together or even go on a proper date, with Blue Lock and everything. That and the next time their month-sary would roll up, they’d be busy with the World Cup and training. 

Even if neither of them showed it, they cared about the date and celebrating it. After all, they timed it to perfectly be the exact time they both fell for each other (when Isagi outplayed Rin in the second selection and Rin chose him).

“Ruined?” Isagi finished for Rin quietly and he tightened his grip on Rin’s hand. He wondered if he messed up somewhere along the line. Maybe he shouldn’t have suggested to interrupt Kaiser and Sae and instead just left the café for their own date. 

“No.” Isagi blinked up at Rin as he turned away, his ears a tinge red. He smiled at the sight, finding it endearing coming from the normally stoic looking one between them both. “It’s not ruined… yet.”

“Then…?” Isagi prompted the other, moving just a little closer. He glanced to the side and waited for the crowd to thicken and block Sae and Kaiser’s view before he pressed a kiss to Rin’s cheek. “If you don’t like anything, just tell me.”

Rin looked back down at Isagi. He paused and then stole another kiss from Isagi’s lips. He pulled away when the crowd thinned back and he moved away to grab Sae and Kaiser’s order. Isagi blinked at Rin and laughed, not realizing the order was there when they had their moment. He shook his head and accompanied Rin back to their new table.

“Get up.” Rin held their drinks hostage and Sae merely grunted and rolled his eyes as he stood. Kaiser followed a few seconds after, hesitating, as he looked between Sae and Rin. Rin wordlessly handed over Sae’s coffee but kept Kaiser’s order in his hand.

“I’ll lead us to the arcade!” Isagi beamed and rather than grab Rin, he grabbed Sae and dragged him out the café first. As he passed Rin, he winked and watched as Rin huffed — the closest thing he could get to a laugh. 

“I can walk, Isagi.” Sae tugged his arm back and Isagi let go easily. He wasn’t going to keep clinging to Sae, he was the wrong Itoshi brother anyway. They walked side by side with Rin and Kaiser lagging behind. Isagi hoped that Rin would use this moment to maybe get off some steam on Kaiser for even daring to go near Sae. He only had so many moments to distract Sae for Rin. “I didn’t know you and Rin were close.”

Isagi’s steps stuttered for a moment before he turned to Sae, “Huh?”

“It’s just you and Rin, correct?” Sae raised an eyebrow in return and Isagi wondered if he accidentally just set up a way for both Itoshi brothers to deliver their shovel talk. Then, he kicked himself when he remembered Sae doesn’t even know that they were together. Unless- “If that’s so, then you’re doing a better job than Michael.”

“… Huh?” 

Isagi was confused. Did Sae know they were together or was something completely different running through his genius brain right now? He couldn’t exactly tell and this was one of the few times Isagi wished his metavision worked for social cues. What exactly was Sae even insinuating right now?

“You’re a good pick and you push Rin to be better.” Sae shrugged and kept walking and talking as if he wasn’t slowly frying Isagi’s brain into overclocked mode. Forget the Manshine City match, Isagi felt like after this whole thing was over he’d faint with the amount of energy he’s putting into understanding one Itoshi Sae. 

Thanks?

“You’re really different from Rin.” Isagi muttered back before he did a double take. He snapped his mouth shut and in a panic, kept looking forward. He couldn’t believe he mismatched his thoughts and words like that! 

“Is that so?” From the corner of Isagi’s eyes, he could see the way Sae raised an eyebrow at him.

He hadn’t meant to say it out loud, thank you very much! Isagi just so happened to realize that he could barely read Sae as opposed to being able to understand Rin without even looking at him half the time. It was something he was able to do both on and off the field when it came to Rin. The understanding was natural — flowing into his mind like fresh water. He only got even better at it when he and Rin got much closer. It had honestly made Isagi jumpy if people noticed their sudden closeness, more so when Barou literally called them soulmates. On the other hand, Sae was incredibly foreign to Isagi. He had a base understanding of Sae’s type of play and his understanding of the field. Yet, he just really, really couldn't grasp who Itoshi Sae was aside from the type of person Rin would sometimes talk about. Call him biased but Isagi really could not get a read on Sae at all!

“Yeah...” Isagi trailed off as he stared into the horizon and hoped they got to the arcade faster. What was taking Rin so long anyway? It shouldn't be that hard to scare off or piss off Kaiser. 

“If you want to take it further with Rin, I won't mind.” Sae added after a moment of silence and right when they were a few steps away from the arcade. Isagi spluttered and flailed around, his face turned an embarassing shade of red as he faced Sae.

“What!?” His voice cracked as he replayed the words over and over in his brain. Take what further!!!! Itoshi Sae, he and Rin were not in the right age or mind to start planning a wedding!!! “That- what- what do you think this-?”

Isagi couldn't even finish his question as he gaped at Sae wordlessly. Sae merely blinked at him and raised an eyebrow, almost as if questioning what was there to ask.

“Rin can take a while for things to sink in. He's emotionally constipated like that.” Sae continued and Isagi choked on air. What was going on? What the hell was Sae even telling him right now? “So, asking him out on a friendly outing wouldn't necessarily tell him how you feel.”

Isagi had to refrain from straight up fainting right then and there. He closed his eyes and buried his whole face in the palms of his hands and groaned. There was no way that Sae actually thought this was a friendly outing or some precursor to Isagi confessing to Rin. At the very least, Isagi was saved from Rin mauling him for revealing the truth to Sae before Rin got the chance to do it himself. At this point, he honestly didn't know whether to laugh or cry. 

The silver lining here was at least Sae could assume Isagi’s flustered flailing was because he guessed right and he was just embarassed for being revealed. Honestly, it was Isagi’s fault for assuming Sae meant marriage when he didn't even know Isai and Rin were together in the first place. 

“What the hell did you to him, shitty older brother.” Rin grumbled as he grabbed Isagi’s arm and dragged him away from Sae. Isagi mentally thanked Rin because he didn't know how much of his sanity he'd keep if he spent more time with Sae. He internally sent a small prayer for Kaiser because it takes a special kind of stupid to fall for that. 

“Nothing.” Sae turned towards Kaiser and pressed his lips into a thin line. “What did you do to him?”

“Nothing.” Rin mocked Sae right back before he dragged Isagi into the arcade. Once they were away from Kaiser and Sae, Isagi relaxed before he shoved his face into Rin’s chest.

“I regret talking to your brother.” Isagi whined into the front of Rin’s hoodie. Rin patted his back uselessly and Isagi wrapped his arms around Rin. This wasn't fair. “He's so… Nevermind.”

“Don't hold back.” Rin mused plainly and Isagi pulled away to glare at him. He paused when he was met with the slightest quirk of Rin’s lips that was the closest thing he could get to a smile. Isagi blinked and without another word, he leaned in and pecked Rin’s lips and smiled. 

“Stop laughing at my misery.”

“I have to deal with him for the rest of my life.” Rin wrapped his arms around Isagi’s waist and pulled him close. He deepened the kiss and Isagi melted into it, slipping his eyes closed. He loved moments like this with Rin. When the entire world faded to black and it was just the two of them. When they were stripped bare of everything and all that remained was Rin and Yoichi. Then, Rin pulled back, smirked at Isagi and ruined the entire moment by opening his mouth and commenting, “You can deal with him for a little while.”

“Absolutely not.” Isagi tugged at Rin’s hoodie strings as he huffed. “I love you and would do anything for you but talking to him might send me to an early grave.” 

“What did he even say to you?” Rin rolled his eyes and turned away, no doubt searching for Kaiser and Sae in the maze of arcade games.

“Something about asking you out to a friendly outing is a shit confession.” Isagi shrugged and he watched, in real time, as the most amount of emotions he's ever seen on Rin’s face made an appearance. Indignation, irritation, disgust and then pure glee before it slipped back to his usual stoicism. Though, Isagi could pinpoint the smallest bit of amusement left behind. 

“Hah, he thinks he's ahead?” Rin muttered and glared into the air. Isagi opened his mouth to refute the statement because this wasn't a competition, Rin, only to snap it back shut when Rin turned and looked back at him. There, in his beautiful teal eyes, was the fire of competition and rivalry. The kind of fire that only two people were ever allowed to stoke in Rin: Isagi and Sae. That same fire was something Isagi fell for and fought against in equal measure. “We’ll show them, Yoichi.”

“Alright.” He probably sounded stupid and airy and not at all paying attention but he didn't care. He loved when Rin got fired up. He loved it even more if he was the reason Rin got fired up. But, this wasn't the soccer field — this was an arcade and they were on a date. 

“You've already earned a point against Kaiser for having a better date itinerary than he did.” Rin muttered absentmindedly and Isagi resisted the urge to cup his face in his hands and squeeze. Oh, he can already see and imagine the gears in Rin’s mind working and slaving away. They truly were in sync if they thought the same thing and turned this entire thing into a game. “Alright.”

Isagi blinked when Rin peeled him off and grabbed his wrist, rather than his hand, and led him towards the claw machines that Kaiser and Sae were awkwardly standing in front of. Isagi raised an eyebrow at them.

“Have you two never been to an arcade before?” Isagi looked between them and the games. 

“I don't have time for silly arcade games when I’m training to be the best.” Kaiser sneered down at him but his eyes constantly clicked between one of the crane games and Sae. Isagi stifled his smirk because it wasn't his turn to rise to Kaiser’s bait. “Is that why you're still not good enough, clown? Because you dedicate your time to this?” 

Isagi’s eyes twitched and it was only Rin’s warning squeeze on his wrist that stopped him from jumping Kaiser right then and there and proving that no, this wasn't a waste of time considering he could brag about his skills to his boyfriend. 

“Then let's make a game out of it.” Isagi challenged instead because like hell he was going to let Kaiser have the last word. Rin rolled his eyes at that but pointed to a claw machine that had silly looking plushies. 

“Pick one, Isagi.” Rin dragged him along as he positioned himself in front of the machine. Isagi chuckled and easily pointed out a small dark green, almost black, cat plush. It had the usual triangle mouth and the widest and roundest teal eyes. If Rin recognized what Isagi was going for with the plush, he hadn't made any more to acknowledge it. “Lukewarm...”

Nevermind, he acknowledged it immediately. Isagi just rolled his eyes and leaned against the game, watching Rin’s initial tries only end with the plush getting closer and closer to the hole. Then, at his fifth try, Rin got the plush and shoved it into Isagi’s hands. Isagi beamed and was about to suggest it was his turn to get the black bunny with blue eyes for Rin when Sae butted in. 

“So tepid.” He muttered under his breath and inserted a few coins to the surprise of literally everyone. Even Rin blinked at Sae as if he hadn't yet computed that his brother had insulted him because the sight of Sae losing to a claw machine was weirder than any insult thrown his way. Isagi slowly tugged Rin away as he watched with rapt attention the way Sae manuevered the claw once more and-

“Pft-” Isagi turned away, refraining from burying his whole face into Rin’s side to stifle his laughter. Sae was going for the stupidest looking yellow dog plush that was pushed against the very corner. It even had bright blue eyes and if Isagi were to make a comparison- “Pfff-” 

“What the fuck is wrong with you, Yoichi?” Kaiser hissed and it would've been intimidating if his face was covered in a slight blush and his hair wasn't sticking out everywhere like some angry cat. 

“Allergies.” Isagi sniffed to prove his point while he hugged the small plush in his arms. Rin merely pinched his cheek much to his chagrin while Kaiser scoffed at the display and turned his attention back to Sae. 

Rin won this round, especially since Sae got the dog plush by his sixth try. That and Isagi wanted to deduct a point further because Sae did it the wrong way. He was supposed to get a cute plush that Kaiser would think of as him. Instead, he got the horrible caricature of Kaiser instead. 

“Am I really the tepid one?” Rin muttered as Isagi let out a loud laugh to cover up the comment. He took Sae’s place and winked at Rin. 

“I'm going to get this in four tries then!” He announced and began to play. By the ninth try, with the cute bunny only halfway through the entire machine, Isagi pressed his face against the glass in defeat. Maybe he had used up a lot of his luck during the entirety of the NEL because that was bullshit. 

“What was that?” Kaiser taunted as he tucked the dog plush under his arm. He was smirking while Sae snorted at his side, shaking his head at the antics between them both as if he and Rin hadn't had some kind of silent rivalry during their turn. “Four tries? Or was it fourteen? Didn't think you forgot how to count.” 

“You-!” Isagi cut himself off when Rin pressed against his back, his hands enveloping Isagi’s own over the controls. “Rin?!”

“I'll teach you.” Rin muttered and Isagi flushed. His face heated up completely and he faced the glass of the machine and hoped that it wouldn’t reflect anything. The claw moved along with Isagi’s movements as they were guided by Rin. He tried to focus on the movements of the claw and how Rin directed the controls but his brain immediately turned to mush when he felt Rin lean forward and his head positioned right next to Isagi’s. He held his breath and-

“Finally.” Kaiser’s voice snapped Isagi right out of his stupor and he flailed for a second in Rin’s arms. Rin scoffed and grabbed the plush, turning it over in his hands before he squeezed it a bit.

“Hmm, a more decent choice.” Rin muttered and he turned away. Only Isagi saw the way his ears turned red at the tips and he grinned victoriously. 

“Whatever, my turn.” Kaiser stomped past them and shoved his stupid looking dog towards Sae to hold. Sae wordlessly accepted it alongside Kaiser’s seemingly forgotten coffee before he stepped back to the side. Isagi snorted and watched as Sae handed Kaiser a few coins and instructed him how to insert them before the German began. 

It was quiet as Kaiser’s tries were slowly racking up. It looked like he was aiming for an equally stupid looking and horribly pink colored chicken. It’s round body made it a tad harder to grab and hold onto by the claw. Which meant that Kaiser had an even harder time trying to win it for Sae. By the eleventh try, Isagi dragged Rin towards a nearby shop for some cold drinks. When they got back, drinks in hand, Kaiser had reached his twentieth try and was leaning against the glass window with his head pressed against it. Sae was standing at the side and watching with the most unimpressed look on his face.

“Sae, you didn’t help?” Isagi called out, head tilted to the side. He was pretty sure Rin had done what he did both as a way to signal to Sae what to do when things went south. Either Sae was too dense to realize that or he just didn’t really give a fuck. 

“He didn’t want it.” Sae shrugged and disposed of what was clearly an empty cup of Kaiser’s coffee. Isagi blinked at that and sighed, nudging Rin.

“Rin.” Isagi tilted his head at Kaiser’s still clearly suffering form, “Help him out. We won’t be able to play the other games at this point.”

Rin sighed and handed his plush and drink to Isagi to hold. Isagi watched as Rin approached Kaiser and wondered how bad this would hit Kaiser’s ego when someone stepped in and cut Rin off. Both Isagi and Rin blinked when Sae scowled and shoved the stupid dog plush to Rin and approached Kaiser himself. 

Oh, Isagi internally mused with glee, someone knows how to be jealous too.

“What-” Rin grunted when Isagi elbowed his stomach harshly as he pointed at Sae and Kaiser bickering under their breaths. 

“Look!” Isagi beamed at Rin, almost giddy at his observation. At first, he had assumed that maybe Sae was humoring Kaiser and it was just some sad one-sided romance from Kaiser’s end. Now, it seemed something more than just some one-sided crush. It was either that or Sae was just territorial when it came to things like this. “They’re bonding.”

“I am going to blame you if we both have to sit with those two for family dinners from now on, Yoichi.” Rin hissed as he leaned down but his gaze was pinned on those two as Sae seemed fed up and grabbed Kaiser’s hand and navigated the controls forcibly. This resulted in them screwing up that turn and Sae sighed and inserted another coin. 

“What? Are you saying Shidou is better?” Isagi paused and scrunched his face. Maybe Shidou could be a bit better than Kaiser but whatever. At least with Kaiser, Isagi could benefit from his suffering from time to time. 

“Fuck no. I’ll break up with you if you set those two up.” Rin poked Isagi’s cheek harshly. In response, he stuck out his tongue childishly. It wasn’t like Rin actually meant those words and they both knew it deep down. That didn’t stop Rin from pinching both of Isagi’s cheeks and causing him to whine. 

“That’s not fair!” Isagi pouted as his words were garbled because of Rin pinching his cheeks. His hands were full and if he ever tried to kick Rin, they’d both go crashing to the floor. “I can’t fight you!”

“Well-” 

“Finally!” Rin and Isagi blinked and turned to see Kaiser holding up the stupid looking chicken in the air with a triumphant smirk. Sae stared at him with an almost fond smile — at least, as much of a smile as an Itoshi could muster. 

Then, Kaiser turned and the look was wiped away to make way for his usual indifference. Kaiser presented the plush with a wide grin, not at all affected by the indifference. Isagi wondered if Sae was just projecting his earlier words about Rin and he actually was talking about himself. What even was that? Rin might’ve been bad at words but at least he made up for it with a few of his actions and the fact that Isagi understood his facial expressions. He wasn’t quite sure Kaiser could fully grasp Sae’s face just yet so it just looked sad.

“There, it looks like you.” Kaiser smirked and Isagi wanted to bash his head against the nearest wall. Nevermind, they were both two peas in a pod. How can they turn something romantic into… that? What was this? A date?

“You’re blind.” Sae scoffed but he grabbed the plush anyway. He tucked it under his arm and gestured for the dog plush. Rin silently handed it over with a frown and both Rin and Isagi were once more an audience to a complete and utter train wreck. Sae tossed the plush towards Kaiser and pointed out, “It has your face.”

“Hah, now you’re the blind one between us.” Kaiser tossed his rat tail to the side but he still gripped the plush close. Isagi swore they’re meant to be just by that display alone, holy shit. Not even he and Rin were that bad and they were rivals. 

“Alright, there’s still more games to play and more prizes to win.” Isagi called out before they lost the plot again. There were some games that Isagi had wanted to try out with Rin while they were here. 

Isagi shouldn’t have ever gotten any high expectations for the rest of the day. Especially when it ended with Rin and Sae having a competition of who could earn the most tickets and Kaiser and Isagi ended up arguing over their respective luck when it came to some of the roulette games. The good side to all of it was that they (read: Rin and Sae) amassed enough tickets to be able to get something of substance from the prize counter.

“You’re an idiot.” Rin muttered as he shoved a dark red lobster plush into Isagi’s chest. It was huge, almost the same size as his entire torso and Isagi loved it. He hugged it immediately and beamed at Rin, eyes hopefully sparkling to show how much he wanted to devour the plush whole.

“Thank you, Rin!” Isagi buried his face into the plush and breathed in the scent. He peeked out of the plush just in time to see something disappear into Kaiser’s bag as he teased Sae relentlessly at the side. He raised an eyebrow but his attention snapped back to his watch when he realized the time. “Ah, this isn't good.”

“What?” Rin stood by his side, hands in his pockets and the bunny plush under his arm. 

“We should hurry to our next destination! It should be a great time for it too.” Isagi suggested and this time, he dragged Rin along with him. Their next destination was something Isagi had wanted to do with Rin at least once and while the weather wasn't exactly what he had in mind, it would have to do for now. 

This meant that all four of them ended up in a park nearby with two rented bicycles, one for each pair. Isagi was busy stuffing the plushies they won in the basket that came with their bicycle when he heard Kaiser scoff. 

“I don't see the point.” He huffed and looked at the bicycle like it personally offended him. Isagi rolled his eyes and handed the handle bars to Rin who easily mounted the bike. 

“It's just for fun. One roundabout around the park or whatever.” Isagi shrugged and sat on the backseat that was provided for them. He grinned at Sae and Kaiser as Rin began pedaling. “Of course, you don't have to do it!”

It was quiet for a moment as Rin steered them further and further away from Kaiser and Sae to the point that Isagi was comfortable enough to turn around. He held onto the back of Rin’s hoodie and pressed his cheek against his back. They both enjoyed the quiet for a while with Rin slowing down to the point they were just cruising through. 

“You did that on purpose.” Rin muttered from the front, eyes glanced backwards before they were pinned back to the front. 

“Maybe they needed time alone.” Isagi shrugged and pressed even closer. “I'm just a bit disappointed that we don't have much time left until dinner.”

“We have two more places to go.” Rin reminded him and Isagi was a bit touched Rin actually remembered their itinerary. While Rin contributed by suggesting their food options with optimal times to ensure they had a seat instead of waiting in line, Isagi mostly planned around everything else. From the start of where they'd meet up and everything in between, Isagi was in charge of it. To think that Rin actually listened to him rant about it made his chest warm and tingly. 

“Yeah but then we'd miss the fireworks by the boardwalk with ice cream.” Isagi sighed and closed his eyes. It was the picturesque ending for their anniversary date. At least, long before Kaiser and Sae got added into the equation. “We can do the movie and aquarium tomorrow since we spent most of our time in the arcade. Those two were just fillers anyway, in case we had more time to spare.”

“We can ditch those two after dinner.” Rin suggested and Isagi hummed in consideration.

“We're in too deep, Rin.”

“Not really.” Isagi chuckled at Rin’s callous speech and easy dismissal. He hummed and rested his cheek against Rin’s back and matched their breathing. Everything was peaceful and calm enough that Isagi could easily look back to their experiences and what he had observed about Kaiser and Sae. 

They were both two peas in a pod. Geniuses in their own right, top players of their respective countries and highly competitive with the need to destroy anyone in their path. That was in soccer terms, at least. When it came to interpersonal relationships, Kaiser definitely had a point above Sae. He wasn’t going to be too lenient since Kaiser could’ve easily gotten advice from Ness and from what Isagi knew, Sae was a whole loner. Even when they were similar in many aspects, Isagi knew that the major difference lied between their current standing. Kaiser was a world class striker — Sae was just a world class midfielder.

Rin had previously confided in Isagi about his motivations, a result from an intial argument they had before they returned to Blue Lock. It had allowed Isagi a deeper understanding of Rin and get closer to him but it had also given him a glimpse of his relationship with Sae. If Isagi were honest and in Sae’s shoes, he would’ve never given Kaiser the time of day. Perhaps the envy and the irritation would’ve won out, having to deal with the fact that Kaiser had become the very thing he failed to do. 

He’d end up needlessly comparing them every single time they’d be together. It wouldn’t even be a kind of motivational driver like being with Rin was. Where Rin was his rival and they were on the same playing field, Sae and Kaiser were on different fields and Sae seemed to have long discarded his striker dreams. 

Isagi also truly hoped that if the two ever ended up being a midfielder and striker duo later on, it wouldn’t be the same as Kaiser and Ness were. He was especially aware that Sae and Kaiser had quite the opposite temperaments. Not in the same way Isagi and Rin were — or perhaps they were the same in that regard.

“You’re thinking too loud. Shut the fuck up, Yoichi.” Rin grumbled, his back moving with his words and Isagi laughed. He buried his face against Rin’s back.

“I think we should just see this to the end.” Isagi mused and he blinked when Rin stopped the bike. He leaned to the side and Isagi made a sound of confusion. Had he said something wrong?

“Alright.” Rin turned around properly and pinched Isagi’s cheek. “Switch with me.”

“Are you sure?” Isagi hopped off anyway and held onto the bike so Rin could dismount properly. He got on the bike and waited for Rin to get on the back. He hummed when he felt Rin’s arms around his waist and the other’s head pressed against his shoulder. He smiled and leaned back against Rin. “Rin?”

“I don’t give a shit what they say, this was supposed to be our day.” Rin muttered into his shoulder and Isagi laughed as he started pedaling back. It seemed like both Kaiser and Sae hadn’t followed along the path like they had. “We’re ending it as our day, whether they’re there or not.”

“Alright.” It would be a cold day in hell before Isagi ever went against Rin when it came to their relationship. Anything else on the field was free game for Isagi to butt heads against Rin about but when it came to things like this — it was all ‘yes’ from Isagi. 

“If you’re this complacent on the field-”

“Absolutely not.”

Isagi smiled at the feeling of Rin’s breath against the skin of his neck. It was ticklish but Isagi kept them steady on the bike as he brought them back. He missed being touchy with Rin like this, especially since they had originally been on a date. Now that he had Rin’s permission, he relished in every moment. 

It wasn’t long before they reached their original starting point and Isagi laughed when he saw Kaiser and Sae standing off to the side with the bicycle they rented nowhere to be seen. He skidded to a stop next to them and beamed.

“You guys stopped early?” He saw how Sae’s eyes were immediately pinned on Rin who was still using him like an overgrown teddy bear. Even kaiser was looking at him like he was an incredibly hard puzzle to solve. “Hello?”

“We almost crashed into a tree.” Sae answered first since Kaiser seemed content with gaping at Isagi. 

“How-”

“None of your business, Yoichi.” Kaiser sneered and turned sharply. He walked off first which left Sae with Isagi and Rin. 

“It was his fault.” Was the only answer Isagi got and he shrugged in return.

“Let me return our bicycle and we can head over for dinner.” Isagi suggested as he nudged Rin with his elbow. It hadn’t taken long to return the bicycle ad meet up with Kaiser and Sae back at the front of the park. 

“Well, Yoichi.” Kaiser drawled out, seemingly bored as he crossed his arms over his chest and looked down at him. Isagi rolled his eyes at the attitude. “Where to next, little tour guide.”

Rather than rise to the bait, Isagi turned and scanned the streets, “The place should be near here…“

He jolted when a hand grabbed his wrist and pulled him back before he could disappear into the crowd. He glanced back to see Rin scoffing at him with a roll of his eyes.

“Slow down, lukewarm.” Rin’s lips tugged at the corners and he easily intertwined their hands together. Isagi chuckled and squeezed Rin’s hand back. “You’re going to get lost and you went the wrong way, anyway.”

Isagi allowed Rin to lead them towards the restuarant. He knew where it was best, anyway. He ignored the burning stares that both Sae and Kaiser were shooting them from behind his back. The sun was setting and it bathed the skies with wonderful colors. It would be remiss on Isagi’s part to just let the view to waste just because Kaiser and Sae were being babies about a little PDA. Honestly, you’d think those two were younger than Rin and Isagi.

“You made a reservation, right?” Rin looked back at Isagi when they reached the restaurant. They stood before the entrance and Rin had spoken to the waiter before he asked the question. 

“Yeah, just make it a table for four instead of two.” Isagi added as he nodded at the waiter. There was a flurry of movement and then they were finally seated. Both Rin and Isagi sat side by side with Kaiser and Sae just across from them respectively. The menus were placed on the table and Isagi took one to peruse when Rin snatched it from Isagi’s hands.

“I’ll order for you.” Rin opened the menu and Isagi gaped at his audacity. Isagi opened his mouth to argue when the menu across from them slapped closed and then hit the table, catching both their attention at once.

“Oi, we’re still here.” Kaiser’s smile was strained and Isagi snorted with a raised eyebrow.

“Yeah, so you can make your own order?” It was interesting just how quick and just how many emotions seemed to flicker through Kaiser’s face before they settled on one. Incredulity.

“You two…“ Sae frowned as he looked between them both. Rin gripped Isagi’s hand under the table, tight and shaking, as if he as anticipating something. Isagi squeezed back.

“We’d like to order!” Isagi trusted that maybe Sae would recognize the restaurant and save both him and Kaiser during the order. He beamed at the duo’s incredulous looks shot towards him while Rin easily took over and gave the waiter their order. 

Even though they were caught of guard, Sae still managed to order for himself and Kaiser and they were once again bathed in silence. Isagi hummed and absentmindedly played with the cat plush while he held Rin’s hand as his form of support. He knew that the only reason Sae didn't know their relationship when Isagi had long since met Rin’s parents during their break was because of their tense relationship. However, much further than that was Rin’s need for Sae’s validation. 

"You two have gotten more insufferable somehow.” Kaiser scoffed from across them, arms crossed over his chest as he glared at them. Then, he grunted and turned that glare to Sae. 

“I see there was a new development.” Isagi wondered if perhaps he had overestimated Sae’s intelligence outside of soccer. He glanced at Rin to try and project his incredulity at Sae’s words. He was already getting second hand embarassment. 

“New development.” Kaiser drawled out mockingly, his gaze switching between Isagi and Rin with a kind of sharpness that he also had on the field. It seemed that at least Kaiser's intelligence carried over off the field unlike Sae. 

“What are you talking about?” It was Rin that responded and it was paired with a squeeze to Isagi’s hand. Isagi hummed and stayed back, at least verballly, in the conversation. Rin wanted to have control over whatever Sae would learn that night so Isagi let him take the stage. 

“If you were going to use us as a buffer for your first date, at least have some decency to not be so obvious about it after you confess.” Kaiser pointed out with a smirk and Isagi regretted his earlier thoughts. Maybe Kaiser was also an idiot with interpersonal relationships. He shouldn;t have had too high expectations for Michael ‘whatever he has going on with Ness’ Kaiser. 

“You’re both fucking idiots.” It seemed Rin also reached his limit for dealing with bullshit of the day. For once, Isagi wasn’t the one who filled the meter. Rather, it was both Kaiser and Sae and he’s ready to see the fallout of it. 

“Rin-

Their food arrived and Isagi glanced at Rin who looked ready to maul both Kaiser and Sae right then and there.

“First date my ass, we’ve been together for months. You two are the idiots that used our date as a buffer.” Rin held their intertwined hands up and then he reached for the chopsticks to begin eating. Isagi stifled his laughter by shoving food into his mouth as he stared at Kaiser and Sae’s dumbfounded faces. 

“What-”

“When the fuck did that happen?” Kaiser snapped, his food forgotten as he looked between the both of them. Isagi rolled his eyes and slowed down his food intake or else he’d choke on them trying not to laugh. “You two hated each other’s guts on the field.”

“You think I’d let him off easy just because he’s my boyfriend? That’s lukewarm.” Rin raised an eyebrow and the easy way he referred to Isagi as his boyfriend clearly threw both Kaiser and Sae off. Isagi beamed and leaned forward, his grin bordering into something similar to when he was on the field and facing a particularly interesting challenge. 

“As if I’ll let something like that hold me back from being number one.” Instead, their relationship only pushed them further and further to their limits, always challenging each other to get better and better. It might’ve come off as them hating each other’s guts and being pure rivals to anyone else but that just benefitted them more, especially when Rin wasn’t particularly fond of announcing everything to the ‘lukewarm idiots’, as he claimed them to be.

“You’re both crazy.” Kaiser commented before he glanced at Sae. Isagi tilted his head at the older Itoshi, suddenly feeling a little too seen at this moment. 

“Since when?” Sae’s tone was steady and his gaze at Isagi was cold. 

“Right after the match against the World Five.” It probably meant nothing to Kaiser who merely frowned at the words but Sae had seen Blue Lock’s clips and understood at least some of it. 

He watched as recognition lit up in Sae’s eyes and then it shuttered back to indifference when he glanced at Rin. He probably realized that they had already been firmly together during the U20 match and yet Sae never realized. That and Rin never told him. 

“It hasn’t changed.” Sae leaned back and began to eat, much to Kaiser and Rin’s confusion. Isagi blinked and tilted his head at Sae. He merely raised an eyebrow and scoffed, “Don’t be an idiot. You’re smarter than that. After all, you had actually gone ahead and taken my advice.”

Isagi had never once spoken to Sae before this whole date thing, words exchanged on the pitch notwithstanding. Then, the implications hit Isagi like a bullet train. Sae had long since accepted Isagi, had even advised him on how to get Rin to “see sense” even when they were already together. It was a nice sentiment, though.

“Right, right.” Isagi snorted and that earned a glance from both Kaiser and Rin. While Kaiser leaned close to Sae to ask what that was about with a low voice, Rin leaned in and rested his head on Isagi’s shoulder. Isagi huffed at the silent question and shook his head, “Later.” 

Rin rolled his eyes and continued to eat. The silence was only broken by Kaiser, once more.

“If you’ve been together for so long, what the fuck was this date?” Kaiser glared at the two, “Actually, why the fuck didn’t you leave us alone.”

“It was funny.” Isagi shrugged and Rin merely glared at Kaiser, most likely reminding him of whatever words they shared on the way to the arcade. 

“We’ll go our own way after this.” Sae sighed and fished for his wallet. 

“Might as well finish it.” Isagi sighed as he repeated the same sentiment he shared to Rin. Plus, it was a nice ending to a first date to have fireworks and ice cream. “There’s going to be fireworks at the boardwalk after we finish. We can split there?”

There was a flash of surprise in Sae’s eyes before they smoothed over and he just looked impressed, “How well did you plan this?”

“It’s our anniversary, I wouldn’t just hold back.” Isagi scoffed as if the idea was insulting. That and the last time they went on an unplanned date, it ended in a disaster. So, Isagi had much rather they planned an itinerary this time. 

“Hah! An anniversary, too?” Kaiser sneered as he pushed his empty plate forward. Isagi narrowed his eyes at Kaiser, as if daring him to judge when he quite literally let Sae pick where to go for their first date. “Did you really have to butt in to our business?”

“Yes.” Both Rin and Isagi answer simultaneously and this both earned an exasperated look and an irritated scowl from the pair across from them, Kaiser and Sae respectively. 

“Fine, we’ll walk with you and we’ll separate once we get ice cream.” Sae sighed and handed Rin his card, to which Rin merely squinted at it and offered his card to the waiter. Both Rin and Sae got into a staring match over this. When Kaiser met Isagi’s gaze, he just rolled his eyes and tilted his head at Sae. For once, since he’s met Kaiser, he finally found some form of common ground.

They were both, unfortunately, in love with an emotionally constipated Itoshi who had egos bigger than their bodies could physically contain. 

“Alright.” Isagi stood up before an argument could break out and snatched Rin’s card after the bill was paid. He grabbed Rin and urged Kaiser and Sae to follow as well. “If we stay too long then we’ll miss the fireworks.”

“You’re so irritatingly good at this for someone who never got Valentine’s presents.” Kaiser mused and Isagi glared right back. He regretted sharing that small tidbit during an interview for everyone to see but whatever. The past was in the past and he’ll find some way to one up Kaiser later. “Did you have everything planned out?”

“What if I did?” Even off the field, Isagi preferred to be organized and strategic with his outings. Though, there were a few things he had left to chance and luck. “I can’t take all the credit. Rin picked where we ate.”

“You have shit taste otherwise, idiot.” Rin commented on the side and Isagi wondered whose side Rin was actually on. 

“It’s not my fault I didn’t know you didn’t like sour stuff.” Isagi huffed and walked just a bit faster to avoid the rest of the conversation. Though, it wasn’t like it mattered since they soon reached the boardwalk.

Isagi easily found the ice cream stall and dragged Rin over, fishing out the card he kept and used it to pay for both of their sweets before he handed it back to its original owner. Just behind them, Kaiser and Sae spoke to each other in hushed tones — most likely trying to help Kaiser pick and understand a flavor. 

Isagi hummed and glanced at the dark sky that blanketed over them, a few smattering of stars already scattered across the dark expanse. He didn’t give Kaiser or Sae any warning of their departure as he tugged Rin away. The last he saw of the pair was their slight argument in front of the cashier before the crowds covered them up and it was just Isagi and Rin. Just like he had always intended it to be.

He smiled up at Rin, drowning deep into his eyes, as they walked amongst the crowd and disappeared into it. Kaiser and Sae were both older than them both, they’ll survive being alone for the rest of the night. Isagi was done playing chaperone, which he honestly hadn’t expected to happen during the date — or perhaps it was better to call it a double date. 

“It’s getting late.” Isagi noted into their comfortable silence, breaking the peace between them as he stared into the sky. It was just a few minutes before the fireworks were set to light up the sky. “I already told my mom I’ll be staying the night.”

“Movies?” Rin’s voice was soft, softer than it ever was the entire day. Perhaps he was finally relaxed now that they were away from Sae. Or maybe, the entire day had finally sunk in to him and he appreciated the gesture that the date was supposed to be. Either way, Isagi leaned against Rin’s side.

“Why not.” Isagi would later regret it but that was for future Isagi to worry about. Present Isagi was far too busy relishing in his company with Rin to care. 

“Just don’t scream.” Was the immediate comment and Isagi wondered if he could push Rin over the railings right then and there. 

“You’re just built different.” Isagi sighed and buried his face into Rin’s side. Rin patted his head, the gesture both comforting and mocking — which wholly explained their entire relationship. A beautiful back and forth between them that was both romantic and riveting. 

“They’re not even that scary.” A pause, then, “You’re going to miss the fireworks at this point.”

“Don’t care.” 

“Idiot.” Rin tugged at his hair, pulling lightly at small strands as if in reprimand.

“I’m your idiot.” Isagi wrapped his arms around Rin’s waist and pulled them closer. He spared a peek at the dark sky and counted down the seconds. “Forever.”

Rin’s response was drowned out by the explosion of sound and color that brightened up the night sky. It was beautiful and loud and bright. A lot of things that many people wouldn’t attribute to Rin but Isagi digressed.

Rin was all those things and he didn’t need to shout his love for Isagi to the world. A simple whisper, unheard by anyone but Isagi, was enough. Rin had always been enough as he was, his flaws and all. Isagi wouldn't ever change anything about him — about them — if he even had the chance. Whatever was between them happened with no regrets — both good and bad.

Isagi wondered if Kaiser could say the same for Sae. 

Chapter Text

"What is it this time?” Itoshi Sae scrunched his nose as he held the door to his hotel room open.

There were very few things that Kaiser was uncertain about. One of the biggest things was whether Sae would say yes to going on a date with him this time or not. There were many rejections before, but Kaiser never let them get to his head or bother him. While he wasn’t certain of the outcome this time, he had always bragged about achieving the impossible. If the impossible was getting Sae to go out with him, he’ll reach it even if it meant facing hundreds of rejections.

So, he hid all those uncertainties in a guise of confidence by leaning against the door frame to Sae’s hotel room and smirking down at him, “Go out with me.”

It was callous and straightforward and some might even consider rude but Kaiser had long since thrown propriety outside after Sae’s fifth rejection. He wasn’t exactly expecting a lot this time either but nothing stopped Kaiser from doing something, not even the results. 

“Alright.” Sae rolled his eyes and Kaiser opened his mouth for his usual retort of ‘who else would you go out with’ when the answer actually processed in his mind. He clicked his mouth shut and he stared at Sae in silent shock. All the other did was raise his eyebrow in anticipation, “Well?”

Distantly, Kaiser remembered how much Ness badgered him to actually plan out his dates properly every time he tried asking Sae out. Kaiser always shrugged it off and promised to do so, only to never actually do it. After all, he would only be far more disappointed when he finally planned a good date only to be rejected. It was much better to anticipate rejection and not bother to plan anything out. 

It seemed that all came to bite him in the ass right at this moment. 

“You had nothing planned.” It wasn’t even a question or clarification, just pure fact. It was as if Sae was stating the weather was sunny and it really was.

“Yes.” Sae’s eyes widened slightly, and even Kaiser was taken aback by his own honesty. There was just something so disarming about Sae that had Kaiser lowering his walls. That or he was just horribly “whipped” as Ness would comment. 

“Right.” Sae opened the door wider, and Kaiser blinked at the wordless invitation. He snapped out of his shock when Sae clicked his tongue and stepped aside, “Get inside, idiot.”

He stepped inside because it was far better to process things like this in the comfort of a hotel room than the hallway where literally anyone could stumble upon them. He shook his head and silently watched as Sae busied himself around his room. For the briefest moment, Kaiser debated about teasing the midfielder when-

“We’re going to a café.“ Sae tossed a hat at him and Kaiser caught it expertly.

“How cliché.” Kaiser played with the hat before he shoved it on his head after one look from Sae. He rolled his eyes as Sae continued their preparations. 

“Do you have any better ideas?”

“Not really.”

“Then we’re going to the café.“ 

Kaiser found that he’d become a little too complacent now that he’d relaxed into the fact that Sae finally said yes and was now planning their date. Their date, Kaiser hadn’t exactly thought this far. He had wanted Sae to say yes for the longest time, after all he kept asking. Yet, with every rejection that came after the first one — Kaiser was so sure that was some far-fetched dream. Now that it had become a reality, his brain was flashing ‘abort’ over and over.

“Are you still with me?” Sae snapped a finger in front of Kaiser’s face and it was enough to snap him out of his internal panic. “Let’s go.”

“You’re making it seem like you’re the one that asked me out.” Kaiser drawled out but he moved and opened the door for Sae, flashing him a smirk as he passed. 

“You’re making it easy to do so.” Sae naturally shot back and Kaiser grinned.

He’d always liked a challenge, it was the primary reason he even dared to step foot into Japan anyway. Life would’ve been far too easy and comfortable for Kaiser’s liking if nothing challenged or put up a fight for him. Though, Isagi’s latest stunt in the NEL irked Kaiser beyond measure, there was something about the challenge that Sae posed that was attractive. Like a moth to a flame, Kaiser followed but unlike a moth, he wouldn’t be bothered if he was burned. 

Kaiser was unsure just how far the café actually was, so he turned to the silent, brooding Sae at his side and turned up his charm, “Why did you agree this time?”

He internally winced the second the words left his lips. That was far too vulnerable and personal than he had liked but from the way Sae glanced at him with a slight quirk of his lips, Kaiser thought that maybe it was a little worth it.

“Was I not supposed to?” It wasn’t an answer and Kaiser rolled his eyes at it. How predictable of Itoshi Sae. 

“I’m asking you why you changed your mind.” Kaiser prodded further, curious about the actual answer. After all, he had asked Sae multiple times before, all led to the same cold ‘no’. Somehow, this time was different and he wanted to know why. 

“Maybe I didn’t want your face to constantly show up and bother me again.” Sae pushed open the door to the café and Kaiser blinked at the interior. It had a homey aesthetic and the smell of their coffee and baked goods were delicious. Sae tugged his sleeve over to the counter, “Or maybe something about you piqued my interest.”

“Why are you so full of uncertainties, Sae?” Kaiser squinted at the menu items, struggling with the foreign alphabet that spelled out the products. “Ugh.”

“I’ll order for you.” Sae nudged him slightly as they lined up. Kaiser huffed at the way Sae practically took control of the whole date. At this point, it really felt like Sae had asked him on a date, rather than the other way around. “Michael, what did you feel when you played that last match.”

Kaiser tensed at the sudden use of his first name from Sae who always enjoyed distancing himself from people to the point he never called anyone by their name. Before this, Kaiser was more than sure that Sae had only ever called him an idiot or tepid or whatever nickname he had in his arsenal. 

“What?” Caught off guard, Kaiser barely had time to actually process and think about the question posed to him. 

“That last match against PXG. What did you feel?” Sae repeated and Kaiser bemoaned the fact that he didn’t repeat his name. Perhaps he should aim for Sae to say his name again for the rest of the date. It sounded so good when it came from him. 

“Why do you want to know?” Kaiser smirked and leaned down, pressing their faces closer as he lowered his voice, “Were you watching for me?”

“Keep dreaming.” Sae scoffed but he didn’t pull away and Kaiser counted that as a win. “Answer the question.”

Kaiser debated whether he should tell the truth or just pull a random answer out of his ass like he’d normally do for interviews. Yet, the way Sae’s eyes were dissecting him made Kaiser pause and actually consider the question properly. For the briefest moment, they locked eyes and Kaiser spoke before he even thought about it properly.

“I had fun.” 

He wished he hadn’t, truly. For all that he hated and despised Isagi’s guts for standing in his way, stealing his spotlight and having the audacity to win against him, there was one thing he allowed himself to admit. It was the fact that playing with Isagi Yoichi was fucking enjoyable. For every opponent and teammate Kaiser had gone against before, he only destroyed them completely and beautifully. With Isagi, adrenaline had pumped into his veins and he actually enjoyed chasing after and alongside someone who he could admit (not out loud at least) was able to play catch up well. 

“That’s what I thought.” Sae huffed and stepped forward, breaking their staring match. Kaiser blinked and chased after Sae. He held himself back while Sae ordered for them both, and the conversation only continued once they were seated.

“What does that mean?” Kaiser grunted with a frown, slightly glaring at Sae. 

“You didn’t have your normally relaxed face and stance during the match.” Sae pointed out and Kaiser blinked. How long and much had Sae watched his matches to be able to tell the difference? Everyone typically claimed that Kaiser was focused and determined in his matches but Sae seemed to think otherwise. “You were desperate.”

“Was that what made you say yes now?” Kaiser felt himself smile ruefully. He had shed everything about himself — his humanity — in that match. Kaiser would say that he was at his worst at that moment. 

“A bit, yes.” Sae mused and leaned forward, “The way you played… I like it.”

Kaiser gaped at the other and he hated the way his face flushed slightly as he scoffed, “You’re crazy.”

“I’ll admit you weren’t that interesting before, Michael.” Sae shrugged and turned away to stare out the window. Kaiser hummed and his chest felt warm at the way Sae called out his name. “But I’ll give you a chance now.”

“A chance.” Kaiser would move mountains for that chance to stick. After all, Itoshi Sae’s beautiful destruction of those that played against him was exactly what made Kaiser interested in him. So, he couldn’t exactly blame Sae for also being interested in him for something soccer related. Perhaps they were similar in this regard. 

“Don’t waste it.” Sae’s gaze was drawn to the side when he noticed two figures approach them. Kaiser tensed slightly and narrowed his eyes at their approach. They were both disguised well enough that random fans shouldn’t be able to recognize them at a glance. 

Kaiser clenched his hands under the table when one of them shoved themselves into the booth right next to Sae and the other one took the seat beside him. Kaiser gaped at their audacity and he wanted to snap at them to leave. Then, he remembered that if they couldn’t understand English, he’d just look crazy. So, he shot Sae a look that pushed the other to speak.

He wasn’t quite so sure what Sae said but with the way he glared at the person beside him and his tone of voice, Kaiser could tell that it was probably rude. When they were met with silence, Kaiser felt his patience thin up until the person pulled down his mask and he felt his irritation multiply ten fold.

Speak of the fucking devil and they shall apppear because what the fuck was Isagi Yoichi doing across from him. 

Kaiser moved, not caring about whatever context Isagi gave Sae, and grabbed Isagi’s collar in his hand. He wasn’t about to have this idiot ruining his date with Sae after how many failed attempts he had at asking the other out. Sae had told him he had one chance — Isagi was not ruining that chance. 

“Get out.” He snapped and he knew Isagi understood him. The fucker took English lessons in the middle of NEL. “Yoichi-”

“We were here first.” Kaiser was sure that if given the chance, Isagi could’ve easily spoken in Japanese anyway. Maybe that was enough to stop him from full on throwing Isagi out of the café. “So, you’re being rude.”

Kaiser felt his face twitch at the words. Maybe he preferred when he didn’t understand Isagi because everything he said only made him ten times more irritating. Kaiser opened his mouth to protest but was silenced by Sae’s look.

“What are you even doing here, Isagi?” 

Kaiser wished Sae was a little meaner. Maybe that would drive Isagi and his little friend Rin away. He didn’t care if Rin was Sae’s younger brother because they were both being annoyances. 

“That’s my question for you two.”

Isagi just proved him right over and over again.

If Isagi was going to be a little shit about, then Kaiser was too, “Sae asked first.” 

“We were here first.” Kaiser finally turned his attention to Itoshi junior only to get a heated glare. Kaiser rolled his eyes at the sight and merely smirked back.

“Kaiser asked me out.” Kaiser’s smirk was completely wiped from his face at Sae’s words. He gaped at the other across from him, his heart beating a tad faster than usual. He had expected a lie from Sae or an easy deflection but it was just plain truth from him.

“Oh, so like a date?” Kaiser felt his face heat up at the callous way that Isagi spoke. Was he always this annoying? Honestly.

“Yoichi, you-!”

Kaiser hated how he and Rin spoke simultaneously but was it worth that much effort for Isagi to shut his big mouth. He didn’t even have a chance to call this a date with how fast Sae was moving. Now, Isagi seemed to have stolen that from him too. 

“Was it his idea or yours to com here, then?” Kaiser spluttered at the implication. Since when the fuck was metavision something Isagi used off field? Or was it that Isagi was just that good at reading people? “Actually, scratch that. Kaiser knows shit about Japan but that’s just sad. He let you pick after asking you out?”

Kaiser wanted to know where Isagi got his fucking audacity because he wanted some of it to reach over and punch the other in the face. Did this nobody, useless clown ever stop talking? Even on the field he wouldn’t shut up about his theories and observations. Nobody told him that he brought that particular trait with him off the field either. Still, the observation was far too real and Kaiser felt himself go redder at it. Isagi didn’t have to say it like that.

“I like the café.“ Kaiser internally thanked whatever god was out there that Sae was on his side. He didn’t have any counter to Isagi’s words because they were true. Though, he did wonder how exactly Isagi knew that Sae even picked this place. 

“Right.” Kaiser didn’t like the way Isagi looked at him. “Then, what about after?”

“After what?” It was only Sae’s presence that stopped Kaiser from straight up lunging at Isagi. He admitted he liked the café and it wouldn’t do good to get them kicked out on their first date. Still, how the hell did Isagi know too much about matters like this? “Nevermind, don’t answer that, Yoichi. Leave us alone, will you?”

Of course, Isagi couldn’t exactly just play nice and shut up, could he? 

“After I found out you’re finally shit at something outside of soccer? No.”

Kaiser felt his blood pressure rise like never before. Not even Rin’s question would smooth this over. Clearly, Isagi was doing this to spite Kaiser for some reason. Either that or he was just completely and utterly a little shit both in and out of the field. Which just meant Kaiser had to deal with him being like this either way. 

“If you’re both not doing anything after this. Have your coffee or whatever you ordered to go. There’s an arcade nearby we could go to.”

“Who the fuck gave you-”

“Sure.”

Kaiser shot Sae a wounded look at how quick the other was to agree to whatever convoluted plot Isagi had. It was because of this, Kaiser missed the way Rin grabbed Isagi off the chair and disappeared back into the crowd. Once he did notice, he tracked their movements until they disappeared and Kaiser turned to Sae.

“Let’s ditch them.” He felt no remorse at the suggestion and he hoped that Sae was still on his side to actually consider it seriously.

“I would love to if you didn’t let Rin grab our receipt.” Sae gave him a pointed stare and Kaiser blinked down at his empty hand. He huffed when he realized that little brat actually sneaked the receipt from his hands. “I paid for those so we’re getting them.”

“Fine.” Kaiser slumped in his seat, finger tapping his upper arm as he glared over where Isagi and Rin disappeared. He couldn’t see them through the crowd but Rin was insanely tall on his own so his head peeked out a bit. He let the silence linger a little longer before he bit out, just a little hurt, “Why didn't you tell them to fuck off? That brother of yours probably would’ve listened.”

“Rin never leaves the house with a friend.” When Kaiser looked at Sae, he was narrowing his eyes at the direction both Rin and Isagi had disappeared off into. For the briefest moment, Kaiser wondered what was the point of the sudden subject change when it hit him. 

Itoshi Sae was, apparently, still an older brother.

“First time for everything.” Kaiser leaned across the table with a smirk, “You said yes to me.”

“That’s different.” Sae brushed it off immediately and Kaiser gaped at the other. He scoffed and leaned back, hiding the fact it actually hurt a little. It didn’t matter, Sae had said yes and there was no backing out now. 

“So, you’re going to use our date,” Kaiser hated how he emphasized the word, taking it straight from Isagi’s own lips, “as a way to what? Keep an eye on your brother? Shovel talk Yoichi?”

“He’s not that bad of a choice.” Kaiser’s face and entire body wanted to disagree with Sae on the principle of the fact that it was Isagi. But if he thought about it a little more, he would agree that Isagi was a pretty safe choice for a first boyfriend. He clearly never had experience before (as evidenced by his lack of Valentine’s chocolates) and he acted normal off the field. He couldn’t be a good judge on their compatability but considering Rin had been obsessively pressed with overcoming and destroying Isagi, there had to be some groundwork there. 

“There are better choices.” Kaiser argued, just for the principle of the fact. The only time he’ll ever go about complimenting Isagi would  be when he dies. To any normal person, it would’ve been quite extreme to consider that but Kaiser wasn't about to either contribute to Isagi’s ego or sacrifice and lower his own. 

Sae shot him a look and Kaiser wasn’t quite well versed yet with the other’s not-expressions to understand what it really meant. Though, Kaiser would admit that maybe, for some odd reason, Isagi would make a good boyfriend. Not for Kaiser, definitely, but he seemed to understand what was going on and found it in himself to stick his nose where it didn’t belong. Maybe Kaiser should try and ruin things for Isagi back, that should show him not to use their date as some weird buffer for his first date.

“Rin looks happy with him.” Was all Sae said and Kaiser’s nose twitched at the almost fondness that crossed Sae’s face. It was almost cute — how much Sae seemed to actually care about his little brother. Kaiser had seen his fair share of older brothers (Ness had both an older brother and sister) despite not having one or being one himself. This side of Sae was new but he couldn’t find it in himself to hate it. “Though, Isagi should be clearer with his intentions.”

“Huh?” Kaiser squinted at Sae. Kaiser had pegged the other to be a protective older brother, so the fact that Sae seemed to egg Isagi on was a little odd. Then again, Sae seemed to have a weird fixation on Isagi. Something about him saving Japanese soccer while Kaiser called bullshit on it. 

“He should be a little more like you.” This time, Sae turned away from Rin and Isagi’s direction to look at Kaiser. He found himself a little taken aback by the blunt words and he opened and closed his mouth before he settled on a raised eyebrow. Honestly, only Sae could ever make him speechless in the craziest ways. “If he wants to be with my brother, he should be forward about it. Rin obviously likes him but he can’t say that.”

“You think your brother won’t have the balls to confess?” Kaiser snorted, taking the observation as a joke. Between them both, Kaiser would admit that Isagi was far more forward. He had declared he’d win the World Cup and take Noa’s place to his face and on live television. For him, confessing probably shouldn’t be too hard. Kaiser hadn't known Rin at all but from the looks of it, he was also the type to be upfront about his thoughts and feelings — the same way Sae was.

“We don’t particularly make it easy for people to like us.” Sae tapped a finger against the table, his words flowing far too easily from his own lips for a usually indifferent person. Kaiser hadn’t expected they’d talk about feelings this early into the date, he hadn’t even learned Sae’s favorite food. “We’ve only had each other for the longest time and even then it was hard to- what I’m trying to say is, Rin won’t even try.”

Kaiser blinked slowly at Sae and leaned back against the chair. Sae had every chance, every right, to only make that kind of observation for Rin. He didn’t have to lump himself with his brother but he did. The back of Kaiser’s mind itched to analyze and dig into Sae’s mind and how it worked. Clearly, Sae thought he was hard to love and maybe he was — with his indifferent looks and almost cold words. Maybe this was his way of warning Kaiser or challenging him. 

Whatever it was didn't matter to Kaiser, not when he always achieved the impossible.

“Yoichi can be stupid.” Kaiser spoke bluntly instead because Sae didn’t need comfort. Even if he defaulted to insulting Isagi, whatever it was to keep the conversation going and to not scare Sae away. Because, if Sae was unlovable then Kaiser was worse. He was something else entirely and he wondered if Sae was just humoring him over all this. Kaiser decided to just take this situation, this opportunity, and run with it. “Tell him what to do or those two will never get anywhere.”

“Did someone tell you to ask me out?” Sae shot back and Kaiser refused to admit that he fell for Sae’s playstyle first and then fell in love with the challenge he brought with him. 

“You think I listen to anyone?” Kaiser raised an eyebrow and if Sae thought he could try and control him then this whole thing wouldn't work. Though, he hoped Sae wouldn’t be too complacent. After all, if he wanted a loyal lap dog, he would’ve just settled for Ness.

“Not particularly.” Kaiser’s chest did a thing when the corners of Sae’s lips lifted up ever so slightly in an almost impercebtible smile. Before he could comment on it or goad Sae to smile or do anything really, both Isagi and Rin made themselves annoyances again and he huffed at their demands.

He barely had time to comment that Sae was on a date with him and not Isagi before the two disappeared out the café without another word. 

“He just stole my date.” Kaiser was sure his face twitched as he spoke but he smoothed it over as he glared at Rin who still kept his drink in hand. “Well? Aren’t you going to go after him?”

“I should be asking you that.” Rin glared at him and Kaiser couldn’t help but compare the brother’s eyes. Sae always looked at things coldly and indifferently, barely any effort put into his gaze. Rin, on the other hand, clearly had opinions about things and people and it showed in his eyes. “Are you not going to go after your date?”

The way Rin spat out the word made Kaiser raise an eyebrow in return. They were already on the streets and Kaiser glanced ahead of them to see Sae and Isagi conversing as well. He hoped that Sae actually took his advice and decided to hit Isagi in the face with the blunt truth as he usually did.

“Rich words coming from someone in denial.” Kaiser drawled out and he watched in real time as Rin’s entire expression shuttered down and turned blank. It was fascinating to see how fast the other shut him out. More fascinating when Kaiser compared how Rin reacted to him versus how he interacted with Isagi just moments ago. “What? Nothing to say?”

“No. Not to someone who clearly can’t say what he wants.” Kaiser resisted the urge to deck the brat’s face right then and there. The nerve to say that to him when even Sae clearly said that Rin wasn’t the type to chase after what he wanted emotionally. 

He stayed silent in response to that, scowling at the front when he saw Isagi started flailing around with Sae. Clearly, someone was having a far more interesting conversation compared to him. All he had was an emotionally constipated and clearly overprotective younger brother that had destructive tendencies. Maybe he knocked a few of his brain cells out of his head during that last match. He should probably knock them right back.

“If you’re not going to be serious about this. Get lost.” He glanced at Rin who was also avoiding his gaze and staring at Isagi’s back. He didn’t even have the balls to look at his brother, much less confess to his stupid crush. Maybe he should’ve shut up and let both Isagi and Rin dance around each other like idiots. “If you’re just going to play around and hurt him, get fucking lost.”

“Or what?” Kaiser sneered, tilting his head to the side as he glared at Rin. Neither of them knew each other that well and only had a total of one interaction with each other before this one and it was during a game. So, they didn’t particularly get to know each other — more so when Rin kept his attention and eyes on Isagi more than him. 

“I’m going to fucking kill you.” Rin growled back, finally turning and meeting Kaiser's glare with his own. 

The audacity of this brat to not just threaten him but to even insinuate that he wasn’t serious about Sae. What did he think Kaiser was? The kind of person that had enough time to think about playing around with feelings and people? Kaiser had better things to do — particularly, train to be the best striker — and his fascination and attraction to Sae was serious. If it wasn’t then Kaiser wouldn’t even put this much effort and time into trying to win Sae’s affection over. One ‘no’ would’ve been enough to deter him had Sae not been someone he genuinely wanted to be with. 

Kaiser blamed Isagi for this kind of view Rin had on him. Who else would’ve “warned” Rin about Kaiser less than stellar qualities? Here Kaiser was, refraining from bad mouthing Isagi and even helping him out, and all he got in return was his future brother-in-law’s perspective of him as a playboy. 

“I am serious about this.” Kaiser snapped back and his hand twitched with the urge to grab Rin’s collar. That probably wouldn’t have made his reputation much better but like it mattered anymore. Rin would listen to Isagi, his idiot crush, before he’d ever consider Kaiser’s words at all. “You don’t know shit.”

“If you were, your date wouldn’t be that sad.” Kaiser stopped for the briefest moment, almost a milisecond of a hesitation. 

Kaiser wasn't sure if this was Rin’s shit English skills or he was reading too much into it, but he wasn’t quite sure if Rin meant his date planning skills were subpar and depressing or Sae was actually disappointed. Kaiser would admit that he didn’t have much time or opportunity to really get to know Sae and had hoped that one of his previous attempts would’ve been more fruitful. Now, his lack of understanding reared it’s ugly head and he couldn’t even understand or tell the differences or nuances of Sae’s microexpressions and not-expressions. 

All he could tell from them was indifference, slight amusement, and interest. Anything beyond or other than that was lost to Kaiser — even with his extensive knowledge and interest in psychology. He was sure it took getting closer to and knowing Sae more to understand him and his expressions. 

"I was sure that he would say no.” Kaiser spoke through gritted teeth. If he hated anything more than losing, it was admitting that he did lose. It made the loss more real and solidified, even in his mind. “So, I hadn’t exactly thought that far. Especially since he insisted on going out right at this moment.”

“Then, you should’ve thought better.” Rin sniffed and walked just a tad faster and Kaiser stared after him dumbfounded. He shook his head and chased after Rin, his face twisted into an ugly scowl as he grabbed Rin’s arm and tugged him back, “What?

“Who are you to comment on my date?” Kaiser hissed and he tightened his grip around Rin’s arm. Such an annoying brat, he wondered how exactly Sae could handle or deal with him. Familial love aside, how did Isagi handle him?

“He’s my brother.” Rin hissed back but his eyes flicked between Kaiser and Sae. It was as if he didn’t want anyone to hear the words and Kaiser almost latched onto it as a retort when something hit him. How dare Rin judge his tastes when he clearly didn’t date anyone until now. What was his frame of reference? Kaiser didn’t peg Rin as the romantic movie enjoyer.

“Yeah, and?” Kaiser taunted back, raising his eyebrows in challenge. “You're just his brother. You don’t know shit about dating.”

“I might not.” The words were strangled and Kaiser wondered if Rin also struggled with admitting he was wrong. “But I know my fucking brother. You’re not impressing him at all, so you’re just going to do this in halves, get the fuck out and leave him alone. You have a dog already, don’t you?”

Kaiser reeled back, struck, at the blatant fact that Rin said Sae was not having fun. He faltered for a moment and that moment was enough for Rin to shrug him off and march towards Sae and Isagi who stopped at the front of the arcade entrance. Isagi was red faced and waving his hands around while Sae looked on with an almost amused look. 

What the fuck.

Rin’s words echoed back at him — that Sae was neither happy nor impressed with Kaiser — and he couldn’t help but glare at Isagi. What were they even talking about that Sae looked far happier with him that with Kaiser? Sae knew that Rin liked Isagi, why was he going for that idiot?

But no one said anything about Isagi liking Rin back.

It should’ve been the natural progression of Rin liking Isagi and the fact they were together at the moment showed that Isagi might’ve liked him back. Then again, Isagi was close to the entirety of Blue Lock — that charismatic and friendly fuckface. Maybe he was just being nice with Rin, being his friend and he actually liked Sae. Clearly, they both had the chemistry for it a while ago and Sae was also equally interested in Isagi. 

Kaiser swallowed and his throat hurt. 

Maybe Isagi showed up and insisted they joined them because he liked Sae. Maybe Sae liked him back — after all, he was far too quick to accept Isagi’s offer as opposed to the many months that he rejected Kaiser over and over again. He even asked about Kaiser playing with Isagi at the start of their date.

“Are you done?” Kaiser jolted and his gaze snapped to meet Sae’s own. Once more, he couldn’t decipher what exactly were hidden in those green pools and he hated Rin just a little more for bringing it to his attention. 

“Where are those two?” Kaiser asked instead, looking into the arcade and hoping they decided to fuck off for good and leave Sae and him alone. He didn’t ask to feel things today. 

“What did Rin say to you?” Sae wasn’t looking at him again, instead he stared off after Rin and Isagi. Kaiser ignored the bitter taste on his tongue and put on a familiar smirk.

“What? Jealous?” He ignored how the question felt more directed at himself than Sae. He didn’t care all too much that Kaiser had been left behind with Rin. Then again, he could’ve easily used that chance to shovel talk Isagi but what if he was actually interested in him? What if he had taken the chance to get to know Isagi more since he was so interested?

Kaiser refused to lose to Isagi again.

“Let’s just go in.” Sae sighed and glanced back with a raised eyebrow. Kaiser rolled his eyes and followed Sae inside the neon lights monstrocity that blasted music that grated on his ears. Already, Kaiser knew he hated it in here. He never really had the chance or the free time to visit arcades and was glad he never wasted his time for it. He looked around in silence before his attention was caught on the crane games with plushies. 

He gravitated towards them, unknowingly leading Sae along as he scanned the different toys inside. The very first thing that caught his eye was the ugliest and most atrociously pink chicken with it’s feet sticking up. His face twitched before he smothered the smile that threatened to take over his face.

“You know, if those idiots won’t come back, we can ditch.” Kaiser suggested once more, hoping that maybe Sae would just accept.

“They already put the effort to drag us here.” Sae sighed and observed the crane game by his side. Kaiser's fingers twitched and he clenched them into fists. Right. He’d agree to Isagi easy but he can’t seem to stop rejecting Kaiser. 

“Fine.” Kaiser huffed and they descended into awkward and tense silence. He knew he was the cause of the awkwardness but he couldn’t find it in himself to care at this point. 

Which was great since Isagi and Rin arrived back just in time for Kaiser to fall back into banter to ignore the way his chest tightened the more he stayed beside Sae. He honestly found this entire ordeal stupid and a waste of time but if they really were going to keep going then he wanted the stupid chicken. Not for any specific reason aside from it looked stupid and it's roundness reminded him of a soccer ball (and Sae).

“Then let’s make a game out of it.” Kaiser rolled his eyes at the childishness of it all. He was competitive on the field but he really had better things to do than watch Isagi fail. To his slight shock, Rin seemed to be more forward this time. Not only did he volunteer first but he asked Isagi to pick.

“What the…?” Kaiser muttered under his breath as he looked between the two. Was Rin expecting Isagi to pick some plush that was placed awkwardly for a challenge? Was there something else to the request? 

He knew Rin had a crush but Sae said the brat was a coward — this was not cowardice. 

Once Rin won, he immediately shoved the plush towards Isagi as if he had won it particularly for him. Kaiser stared at the two as if he couldn’t believe his eyes. Isagi even beamed at Rin and he was sure he saw Rin’s ears turn a slight pink even as he looked away. 

Then Sae moved in to play and Kaiser felt like he was the only one with a working brain between them four at this point. What was going on with everyone? They were breathing the same air were they? Was this just a Japanese thing then? Did they get weirdly competitive over every little thing?

Then, Kaiser actually paid attention to what Sae was going after and his face flushed a deep red. Okay, that was it, this was his last straw. What the fuck was Sae thinking?

“What the fuck is wrong with you, Yoichi?” He snapped because he only knew how to lash out and not process his own emotions. Did Sae really want to keep that… that ugly dog?

When Isagi pulled some cute move, Kaiser held in his scoff in disgust until he saw Rin pinch Isagi’s cheek and he really scoffed. Isagi truly was an oblivious idiot if he didn’t know how much Rin paid attention to him. He rolled his eyes and watched as Sae finally won the plush and Kaiser huffed in amusement. He ignored Isagi’s small declaration just to stare at the stupid dog plush in Sae’s arms. He didn’t pull some big gesture like Rin did by giving the plush to him but he didn’t care. This just meant Kaiser could keep the plush he got.

Kaiser taunted Isagi, hoping the other would just give up when he clicked his mouth shut as Rin pushed closer to him. The two were pressed close and Isagi was clearly flustered as Rin practically guided him like a child. Just looking at them, Kaiser felt utterly… delighted.

So, Isagi did like Rin back. 

As evidenced by the way he seemed way too flustere at their proximity, he was down bad. Maybe even worse than Rin was. What a bunch of idiots, Kaiser mused internally. It was disgusting but it served Kaiser more that he just let it slide. He watched as Rin finally claimed their price and rather than presenting it to Isagi, he kept it to himself. He blinked and observed the two plush toys they got and the connection clicked.

Those idiots got toys that reminded them of each other.

How fucking cringe. 

“Whatever, my turn.” Kaiser ignored the twist in his gut when he realized that Sae didn’t get the plush for him like Rin and Isagi had. Honestly, who was on the date here between them four? 

Kaiser found out that exact moment that maybe people don’t actually get really good at things on the first try. He struggled through the motions of the crane game and the more frustrated he got, the more he messed up until he had reached the double digits in trials.

“Let me-”

“No.” 

He refused to admit defeat. He was going to conquer this stupid crane game and he was going to get the equally stupid chicken plush if it’s the end of the world. After a few more tries, Kaiser felt his soul leave his body as he leaned against the glass window. He was a failure. He couldn’t even get a single plush. He was going to move on with this date without anything to show for it. What a fucking-

“Let me.” Kaiser blinked when he saw Sae in the reflection of the glass. Rather than standing at the side like before, he had clearly copied Rin’s earlier stance even if he was tehnically shorter than Kaiser. 

“I already told you I don’t need it.” Kaiser hissed under his breath, eyes flicking to Isagi and Rin at the side. He wasn’t like Isagi who was an idiot who folded too easily when it came to Rin. Sae scoffed and grabbed at the controls roughly, losing that trial on purpose much to Kaiser’s chagrin.

“We’re going to stay here forever if you keep doing that.” Sae scoffed and Kaiser tensed when his arms circled around him to reach for the controls. “I’m getting sick of this place.”

“Then you can leave with your brat brother and Yoichi-”

“Shut up, Michael.” And shut up he did.

He pressed his lips into a thin line as he looked down at the hands that covered his own. It wasn’t perfect, not in the way that Rin’s had covered Isagi’s hand completely over the controls. Yet, Kaiser liked it. He liked the warmth of Sae’s palm over his hand, gripping them steadily and with purpose. It was as if he knew exactly what he was doing. 

Kaiser ignored the flutter in his chest and the urge to lean back to absorb more of that heat into his body. He wasn’t touch starved, thank you, but there was something special in Sae’s touch. Something that made Kaiser feel calm and comforted and-

His gaze snapped up when the chicken plush finally dropped down the chute and he grinned in triumph, “Finally!”

He laughed and grabed the chicken before he presented it to Sae with a triumphant smirk. If Sae was going to pull a Rin on him all of a sudden, then he’ll pull an Isagi. Sure, he wanted the plush, but if it made him act more like the supposed date he was then he’d sacrifice it. 

“There, it looks like you.” Which it really did. It was why he wanted to keep it in the first place. He had planned to keep it on his bed and stare at it’s ugly deadpan face that matched Sae’s exact one and he’d laugh. 

“You’re blind.” Sae’s expression and words did not match his actions as he actually accepted the plush from his hands. He counted that as a small victory even if it was a loss on his end. Then, Sae tossed the dumb dog at his face and added, “It has your face.”

Bullshit, Kaiser wanted to say because there was no way that this was how Sae saw him. The dog had a sad face and big round blue eyes and maybe, maybe, Kaiser would admit that the color of it’s fur matched his blonde hair but that meant processing the fact that Sae had picked a plush that reminded him of Kaiser and he didn’t have the mental or emotional capacity to deal with that at the moment. So —- “Hah, now you’re the blind one between us.”

They played more games (read: Sae and Rin played all the games while Kaiser and Isagi watched) before they ended up at the counter to pick a final prize. Kaiser glanced at Rin and wondered how the fuck the other knew what to get Isagi to get him to smile that wide when Sae bumped shoulders with him and presented two keychains looped together. 

It was a blue rose with a crystal stem and a soccer ball. 

"This-” Kaiser stopped himself before his voice could crack.

“It symbolizes the impossible, right?” Sae was looking at his neck, where the rose tattoo was imprinted into his skin forever. He gingerly placed the keychain in Kaiser’s awaiting hands, “It… you’re impossible.”

Kaiser watched Sae fumble for a bit and then give up. He slipped the keychain into his bag for safekeeping and rolled his eyes at Sae. 

“You're impossible.” He shot back instead. 

He couldn’t believe that he actually enjoyed that entire experience and wasn’t all too annoyed at Isagi and Rin’s presence. His good mood carried over up until Isagi shoved a bicycle in his hands and and he glared at it like it single handedly ruined his entire life. 

“I don’t see the point.” He immediately handed it over to Sae who easily took it and shoved their plushies into the basket. Kaiser rolled his eyes at Isagi's words and glared at their backs as Rin, the coward, pedaled away before Kaiser can criticize the idea more.

“We might as well try.” Sae sighed and moved to hand the bicycle back. Kaiser merely stared down at it with derision and hate. The mere sight of it was an insult to his very being and while he appreciated that Sae decided to give Kaiser the reigns but it was wasted at this moment.

Kaiser didn’t know how to ride a bike.

“It’s a waste of my time.” Kaiser had already admitted way too many things in this date. Things that he much preferred to stay unknown and close to his chest. So, he turned away and scoffed, scanning the treeline of the park. 

He stumbled when a hand grabbed the back of his shirt and tugged him back harshly. He whipped his head around and glared at Sae who merely raised an eyebrow in return, “We are going biking, Michael.”

"What the fuck-” Kaiser muttered and straightened himself to poke Sae in the chest, “Then you go biking on your own.”

“Is this still a date?” Kaiser opened his mouth and was struck speechless. What the fuck. That wasn’t fair. Sae couldn’t just pull that on him when he didn’t even plan the entirety of this. If he had a choice, they’d have gone on a walk or watched a movie. Something intimate and less physical because what was the point of running around when they already did that in soccer?

"I- yes- just-” Kaiser stuttered for a bit as he glared more and more at the increasingly smug looking Sae. He clicked his mouth shut and scowled at Sae, just to send the point across that he wasn’t amused at all. Kaiser grabbed the bike from Sae’s hands and hesitated for a moment, “This was your idea, get on.”

“Don’t drop me.” Sae mused as he easily mounted the back seat. Kaiser rolled his eyes and got on the bike, his hands gripping the handles and he frowned down at the basket. He had seen Rin take off with Isagi and it didn’t seem that hard. He was a genius, Germany’s favored prodigy, he could ride a bike. 

The tree they almost crashed into thought otherwise. 

“If you were that mad- Michael?” Sae stopped himself mid sentence when Kaiser just laid there on the ground. It wasn’t even the pain or any injury — his ego had taken the biggest hit and he refused to stand up and try again. “Don’t tell me you’re actually hurt. We are not going to a hospital for our date.”

“I’m not.” Kaiser scoffed. Honestly, Sae acted like he hadn’t twisted the handles right on time that they merely ended up tipping over the side rather than actually hitting the tree. He sat up and dragged his legs closer to his chest, hands shoved into his hair as he glared at the fallen bike.

“You should have told me.” Sae moved and he was crouched down beside Kaiser. He refused to meet or even look at Sae after that horrifying display. How the hell had Rin made it seem effortless when he took off. Isagi had even moved around a lot while he pedaled the bike as opposed to Sae who remained perfectly still. Kaiser should’ve gotten it right the first time. “I would’ve been fine doing the pedaling.”

“Whatever. I told you this was a waste of our time.” Kaiser stood up and patted himself down, ignoring Sae’s offered hand and turning away. This was a disaster of a date ever since he knocked on that hotel door. Maybe he shouldn’t have taken Ness’s advice and straight up left Japan with the rest of Bastard München. 

“Hold on.” Sae grabbed his arm and Kaiser felt the date was ruined enough — he didn’t have to ruin it more by snapping at Sae and pulling away sharply. So, he stayed still even as Sae tugged him back. He didn’t even move until he heard a sigh from behind him and Sae finally stood in front of him with the most unimpressed face ever.

“Sae-”

“Shut up.” Sae’s grip on his arm loosened until he was left holding Kaiser’s hands in his own. He stiffened when Sae’s attention was taken completely by his hands. His thumbs brushed along the back of his hand before he lifted it up to their eye level. “You’re so reckless. Trying to ride a bicycle when you don’t know how. Look, you’re hurt.”

“It’s nothing.” It really was. Kaiser hadn’t even felt the stinging pain of the small cuts on his hand. He blamed it on his high pain tolerance though he wondered when Sae had paid enough attention to him to notice them in the first place. 

“Keep going like that and you’ll self-destruct.” Sae rolled his eyes and Kaiser scoffed at the thought. There was no such thing as destruction for Michael Kaiser — he will continue to achieve the impossible and break through his own limits. The moment he let himself be destroyed, he’ll have regressed back to his rotten roots. “You and Rin are alike. You should honestly take care of yourselves better.”

“Comparing me to your brother, now are we?” Kaiser wondered if that was a better sign than a comparison with Isagi. He wasn’t quite sure what he’d do if he had to face that kind of idea from Sae of all people. “What if I don’t want to look after myself?”

“Then I’ll do it for you.” Kaiser’s breath stuttered and a deep flush too over his entire face as he finally looked at Sae. He knew the other teen was blunt but not this blunt. Does that count as a confession? “Rin’s lucky he has Isagi. You… I guess I’ll just have to take care of you now that Rin’s out of my hands.”

Not even the mention of Isagi could tamper down the genuine glee that burst through Kaiser’s chest. He could hear his own heart pounding and he hoped that Sae didn’t — it would be awkward and embarassing that those few words were enough for him to turn into mush. Yet, there was something different in the way that Sae said he’d take care of Kaiser.

It was special. It was for him.

“Let’s return the bike, we can’t do anything about that.” Sae still didn’t let go of his hand and Kaiser wondered if he had to be the one to let go first. He refused to do so. For a moment, they stood there in silence and held each other’s hands for what felt like years even if they were mere seconds. Then, Sae’s lips twitched upwards into a small smile as he continued, “I’ll teach you how to ride a bicycle some other time, when it's just us.”

Kaiser opened his mouth to quip if that was a promise for another date when the words died on his lips. Sae brought his hand closer to his face and kissed the inside of his wrist, the warm and soft lips brushing against his sensitive skin. Kaiser swallowed and ignored the beating of his chest as he realized that Sae kissed the hand that was marked with his tattoo. The dark ink looked beautiful in contrast to Sae’s face and Kaiser wanted to cup his cheek and pull him closer-

“Let’s hurry.” Sae let their hands drop but he didn’t let go of Kaiser. The entire time they returned the bicycle, they never once let go of each other’s hand. 

They stood off to the side, watching as the sun set in comfortable silence. Kaiser inched closer to Sae, their loosely intertwined hands disguised between their bags and plushies as they waited for the other pair to come pedaling back from whatever excursion they went on. 

“This would make for a good place to confess.” Kaiser admitted off-handedly. It was pretty, extremely so. A beautiful park with trees and a few fallen leaves plus the sunset as a backdrop.

“Is this some kind of precursor to something?” Sae glanced at him but squeezed his hand. 

“What you said a while ago was far too romantic for someone like you.” Kaiser smirked as he turned to look at Sae, both teasing and sincere. He hadn’t expected that kind of thing from Sae. 

“Do you want me to take it back?” Sae challenged back and there was that fire that Kaiser liked. The challenge, the easy way they pushed and pulled against each other. 

“Absolutely not.” Kaiser had not suffered multiple internal breakdowns and multiple hits to his poor ego just to have Sae retract what he said. He’ll cherish those words until he reached Germany and then he’ll pester Sae to repeat them over video call so he had a copy of it. “This time, you plan our date.”

“Yeah.” Sae huffed and looked away, the tips of his ears flushing slightly and Kaiser reveled at the sight. 

It was only the sight of Isagi skidding to a stop right in front of them while Rin practically clung to him like an overgrown sloth that snapped both Kaiser and Sae out of their soft atmosphere. Kaiser stared at them and hoped that Sae’s hand in his was enough to stop him from lunging straight at them. 

What bullshit. Isagi actually went and done it, the absolute asshole. Whatever Sae told him worked far too well because what was this disgustingly sweet display? Kaiser never pegged Rin as the touchy type but it seemed like he was sorely mistaken with how tight he was hugging Isagi close. It was disgusting. It was sweet.

Kaiser was jealous.

“We almost crashed into a tree.” Kaiser’s face twitched and he tighted his grip on Sae’s hand in warning.

“How-”

“None of your business, Yoichi.” If Sae was going to be stubborn and actually tell them the truth, Kaiser refused to be there to hear it. Sae loosened his hold on Kaiser but his pinky lingered, wrapped around Kaiser’s own before it slipped away almost reluctantly when Kaiser kept walking off. 

If Sae wanted to keep holding his hand, he can stop being a smartass about things. 

It seemed that Sae had caught up to him while Isagi and Rin, the disgusting lovebirds, dropped off their bicycle. 

“So your advice worked.” Kaiser huffed and looked away. Sae chuckled and reached over, his pinky intertwining with Kaiser’s own as well. 

“I hadn’t expected him to do it now.” Kaiser rolled his eyes dramatically before squeezing Sae’s pinky and letting go to cross his arms over his chest. 

“Well, Yoichi,” they were finally grouped back together and Kaiser was just about done with this entire thing, “where to next, little tour guide.”

It seemed like the universe had it out for Kaiser or something because he was now an unwilling audience to Isagi and Rin's bullshit. He turned to Sae because he refused to suffer alone and whispered, "Do you see this shit?”

Since when the hell was Itoshi Rin this touchy and smooth with Isagi?

“I have eyes, Michael.” And they were clearly narrowed at the way Isagi and Rin interacted. Kaiser couldn’t even blame him, especially since Sae had admitted that Rin didn’t know shit about romance and needed Isagi to open up first. So, what the hell was this? 

“What is this development?” Kaiser muttered under his breath as he followed behind Rin and Isagi to their next destination. He watched the easy way Rin intertwined their hands together. It was disgusting. 

Why couldn’t he do that with Sae?

He glanced to the side, at his supposed date, and licked his lips. He wondered if the other would let it happen as easily as Isagi had. After all, he and Rin were the same in that they chased after their crush and that same crush apparently decided to confess. Well, Kaiser wanted to achieve the impossible so there was no use hesitating now.

With the sight of the setting sun, Kaiser reached out and held Sae’s hand. 

Sae squeezed his hand and didn’t let go.

Not even the seating arrangements and the fact that Kaiser was forced to see Isagi and Rin be completely and wholly cringe across from him would deter him from his happiness. Especially when Sae kept holding his hand underneath the table. Not even Rin and Isagi being more insufferable could damper his spirits but he really needed those two to know. 

He was all smug about it until Sae kicked him under the table. He turned his glare to his date, his boyfriend, his… whatever they were now. Sae still kept holding his hand, even as he continued the conversation.

“I see there was a new development.” Wow, where was Sae’s famous bluntness? This was the most underhanded way Sae had spoken since Kaiser had met him. Then, Rin went ahead and became a smartass about everything and deflected with another question.

“If you were going to use us as a buffer for your first date, at least have some decency to not be so obvious about it after you confess.” Honestly, even Kaiser and Sae were more subtle about it and this was supposed to be their date. 

“First date my ass, we’ve been together for months. You two are the idiots that used our date as a buffer.” Kaiser was half glad he hadn’t touched the food that arrive d at all because he would’ve choked at the sight. Where the hell was Sae’s shy little brother? Was Sae lying this whole time? Or was he projecting and it was him that was shy? What the fuck. 

Months. What fucking months. I saw you two more than I saw my own father’s fucking ugly mug and there was no fucking relationship.

“When the fuck did that happen? You two hated each other's guts on the field!” Kaiser would bring any willing eye witness for this. The two fought like cats and dogs, more than he and Isagi had. 

“You think I’d let him off easy just because he’s my boyfriend? That’s lukewarm.” Kaiser's jaw dropped because there was no faking that easy admittance.

“As if I’ll let something like that hold me back from being number one.” Kaiser turned his incredulity to Isagi next. What the fuck, these two were really made for each other. What the fuck. 

“You’re both crazy.” He turned to Sae for some back up, that he wasn’t alone in seeing these two psychopaths. No wonder the date felt way too much like a planned date than a fucking friend outing. 

When Sae and Isagi had their weird vague conversation, Kaiser drowned it out and focused instead on the warm hand that encased his own. It seemed like Isagi won again, somehow. Not only was he months ahead of Kaiser in this kind of department but he and Rin had the ideal relationship Kaiser had wanted. A relationship where there was still challenge and rivalry and a fight. 

“What are you two talking about?” Kaiser whispered once Sae seemed to be finished with Isagi. 

“Nothing important.” 

“If you’ve been together for so long, what the fuck was this date?” He turned his ire and annoyancce to the other two, “Actually, why the fuck didn’t you leave us alone.”

“It was funny.” Kaiser wished, so badly, to lunge across the table and show Isagi something real hilarious. That smug little fucker. 

“We’ll go our own way after this." Thank whatever god was out there that Sae still had a functioning brain. Kaiser wasn't sure he wanted to butt into whatever lover’s bullshit Isagi and Rin had going on. Months? Honestly, who would’ve guessed?

“Might as well finish it. There’s going to be fireworks at the boardwalk after we finish. We can split there?”

Kaiser was a bit impressed at how well planned the date was but he was also equally pissed. Though, Sae seemed far more impressed, “How well did you plan this?”

“It’s our anniversary, I wouldn’t just hold back.” Kaiser was a fucking fool. He was a fool and he was in love. Someone needed to take him out right now before he drowned in his own bitterness.

“Hah! An anniversary, too? Did you really have to butt in to our business?” Way to go, Isagi fucking Yoichi. You did a wonderful job at proving you won, again. Kaiser couldn’t believe he was being one-upped by the idiot across from him. It was embarassing.

“Yes.” 

One day, Kaiser will get his revenge. He’ll just settle for a petty little comment that would get Isagi frowning but later, he’ll find some way to get back at Isagi. One way or another, he’ll win again and again and again. Even if it’s impossible. 

For now, he’ll first win against Sae about ice cream flavors.

“Vanilla is just plain milk.” Kaiser’s face twitched as he glared at Sae, judging his choice of ice cream flavor. How could such an interesting person have the most basic tastes. 

“That’s rich coming from bubblegum ice cream.” Sae shot back, eyes narrowed as they moved forward in the line. Kaiser’s jaw dropped at the dig against his clearly superior taste. Clearly, Sae knew nothing about what was good or not and needed his guidance. Was this how Rin felt when he said Isagi had shit taste? 

“There’s nothing wrong with bubblegum ice cream.” Kaiser was a bit irked that he resorted to such childish arguments with Sae. 

“Whatever.” Sae stepped forward and Kaiser hissed at him when he started to speak in Japanese to order. He understood nothing except for bubblegum and- strawberry?

He blinked when Sae grabbed his wrist and dragged him the opposite direction from Rin and Isagi. Then, an ice cream cup was shoved into his hands. It was fucking strawberry.

“I’ll be a judge whether bubblegum is good or not.” Sae merely scoffed as an explanation for their swapped flavors. Kaiser raised an eyebrow at the other because what he had wasn’t vanilla ice cream. Sae's gaze flicked between the cup and Kaiser before he looked away, “I know you don’t like the taste of anything milk related so strawberry should be fine. Plain ice cream tastes better, anyway.”

By the time the implication actually processed in Kaiser’s brain, Sae was already walking away. An incredulous smile made it’s way on his face as he realized that Sae actually paid attention to his interviews. This was a pretty old interview too, one of the few he participated in when he first emerged as the New Generation Eleven Striker. It was just a flippant comment he had made at the time which made the fact that Sae remembered it all the more surprising and interesting. 

“Right. Then, why strawberry?” Kaiser caught up to Sae and looked down at him with a smirk.

“Because it’s the next best flavor.” Sae rolled his eyes and Kaiser scoffed. He looked down at his ice cream and scooped a small portion for a taste. He blinked at the surprisingly fruity flavor, not even giving away the fact it was mixed with milk. He knew that every ice cream was made with it but he always chose the stronger flavors that drowned out the milk taste. 

He had expected strawberry to be the kind of flavor that wasn’t strong enough. It seemed like it subverted his expectations. He blinked down at the soft pink color and he looked up at the much darker color that painted Sae’s hair. A smirk unconsciously pulled at his lips. 

The ice cream reminded him of someone.

“How is it?” Kaiser asked, because he was curious about Sae’s opinion on the blue bubblegum ice cream he had clearly taken two bites out of. 

“The date or the ice cream?” Sae glanced at him from the corner of his eyes, stopping by the railings that overlooked the splashing waves. Kaiser stopped at his side, looking down at Sae with his lips pressed into a thin line.

The ice cream.

“The date.” Kaiser spoke instead.

Sae’s gaze were pinned on him for the longest moment. Teal green and electric blue clashed for a moment before Sae looked away first, focused on the dark sky. Kaiser already missed Sae’s attention on him.

“Isagi was a good planner.” Kaiser’s jaw twitched at the mention of the idiot striker. Right, what had Kaiser expected? Honestly, even from the start of the date, Sae kept mentioning the nuisance. So, Kaiser jerked when Sae grabbed his hand and intertwined their fingers once more. 

He opened his mouth and snapped it back close when Sae pressed a finger against them. His gaze was focused on the sky once more. Kaiser was starting to get annoyed and as he was about to say something more, colors and sounds exploded from behind him. 

Kaiser glanced behind him to see the fireworks show. It was beautiful, painting the dark sky with colors and sound. It was loud and eye catching and attention grabbing to the point that Kaiser jolted out of his daze when he felt a body step closer to him. He turned back to see Sae was now chest to chest with him and he had the most intense look on his face — far more intense than Kaiser ever saw him with. 

“I enjoyed the date more because you were there, Michael.” Sae admitted and Kaiser tightened his grip on Sae’s hand. He refused to speak, not when he was sure he’d end up embarrassing himself at this moment. “Let’s do this again, I’ll plan next time.”

“Is that a challenge?” Kaiser raised an eyebrow, clinging to any semblance of stability amidst his pounding heart and slowly reddening face. Such forward and borderline romantic words coming from Itoshi Sae of all people was enough to fluster Kaiser. This wasn’t fair, he was supposed to be the one to flirt and fluster Sae, not the other way around.

“Stop trying to make things a challenge just so you can save face.” Sae rolled his eyes and Kaiser gaped at the other. Then, miraculously, a small smile was directed at Kaiser and he cherished the sight completely and utterly. 

“You’ll just have to get used to it if you’re planning to stay with me longer.” Kaiser leaned down and smirked, crowding more into Sae’s space. Not that there was much space left to crowd into when Sae had gotten closer to him in the first place.

Sae huffed and reached up to cup Kaiser’s cheek, “Maybe I’ll learn to tolerate it.”

A soft thrill and spark ran through Kaiser’s nerves that set them alight. So, they were being serious about this now. He chuckled and leaned into Sae’s touch and looked down at him. 

“Another date would be nice, preferably in Germany.” Kaiser mused and he watched as Sae’s lips twitched and his smile widened. Kaiser really, really wanted to kiss them. 

So, he did. 

He kissed Itoshi Sae under the night sky as another set of fireworks served as the backdrop of their very action. He pressed even closer when Sae reciprocated easily, tilting his head to the side to deepen the kiss. He even guided Kaiser's face with his hand while Kaiser pressed his own free hand against Sae’s neck. Kaiser could taste the sharp flavor of the bubblegum ice cream on Sae’s lips and tongue and he wondered if Sae could taste the strawberry on his. Their ice creams long forgotten and the sky alight with color — the two entered their own little world. 

It was only broken by Sae pulling away and pressing his palm against Kaiser’s lips. Then, he leaned close and whispered, “I love you, Michael. For quite a while now.”

Kaiser blinked and he barked out a laugh, only muffled by the hand that gripped his cheeks hard in order to stifle it. He snorted and tugged at Sae’s wrist to pull it down, “Are you sure you were talking about your brother a while ago?”

“That’s the last time I'm saying that.”

“I was teasing you, Sae.”

“You had your chance, Michael.”

“Sae…“ Kaiser grabbed Sae by his waist, dragging him back and hugging him close. He pressed his face along Sae’s neck and smirked, “For how long, again?”

“Not anymore, apparently.” Was Sae’s dry response and Kaiser laughed. 

“Do you want me to say it back?” The three words don’t come easy to Kaiser, not when he’s never had the liberty to hear it said to him nor say it to anyone else. Still, he was sure love was what he was feeling for Sae. The warm and fluffy feeling in his chest wasn’t present when he interacted with anyone else. He also hadn’t gotten interested in anything else as much as he did for both soccer and Sae. 

“Will you?” Sae breathed out and Kaiser felt a little disappointed in himself. 

Rather than disappoint Sae, too, Kaiser did what he always did best. He acted and kissed Sae once more. He hoped the action was enough to convey everything he couldn’t put into words — not yet. Sae kissed back, one of their hands intertwined together while the other held on to each other’s face like letting go meant losing the forever.

The night ended with Kaiser dropping Sae off back to his hotel room, the very door where everything started. 

Kaiser walked off with the stupid round chicken plush and a new fascination over strawberry ice cream. Maybe he’ll consider mixing strawberry and bubblegum again. The taste was quite interesting.

(Behind the hotel door, Sae stared at the stupid dog plush and threw it on his bed. He easily followed it as he dropped onto the sheets face first. He didn’t really like indulging himself with sweets too much but maybe he’ll do it again. Bubblegum and strawberry made a delicious match.)