Chapter Text
The First Time
Itoshi Rin was not the type of guy to make friends and get close to others. He had his eyes set on destroying his older brother in football, and that’s it. So when Bachira Meguru decided to start practicing with Rin every night during the second selection, Rin didn’t really pay him any attention. Then came one night where their usual 1-on-1 was more heated than usual.
Bachira’s dribbling was inspired and brilliant, but Rin was always one step ahead. Meguru was pushing forward towards the goal with unbelievably quick scissor steps, trying to fake Rin out. Rin watched closely before lunging forward to steal the ball, then Meguru quickly nutmegged the moment Rin stepped forward. Meguru smirked as he rushed past the taller boy and beelined for the goal.
Rin gave a displeased tch before sprinting after the half-blonde. To Meguru’s surprise, Rin was on him in an instant and before he could trap the ball to do a rainbow flick, he felt a strong hand push his shoulder, making him lose his balance and tip over. Before Meguru could even get up, Rin quickly pushed forward and launched a nearly midfield shot straight into his goal.
Meguru laughed in delight. “You’re the best Rin-chan! Love ya egoist!”
Rin furrowed his brow at the comment. “Sure looks like you’re having fun, bob-cut,” he responded plainly.
“Football is the best! Dribbling makes me feel so free,” Meguru smiled.
“Your dribbling looks like you’re having fun, but to me it looks like you’re just afraid of fighting alone. You’re looking for someone with your soccer,” Rin said bluntly.
The smile on Meguru’s face disappeared in an instant. How could he have known that?
“A lukewarm ego like that won’t make my heart dance,” Rin said almost tauntingly before turning to walk away.
Meguru’s heart fluttered at that statement. “Well maybe you’re just who I’ve been looking for. I’ll make your heart dance, Rin-chan. Just you wait,” he smirked before laying back down on the fake grass.
Rin just scoffed and made his way off the field, but he couldn’t stop thinking of how casually Meguru told Rin that he loved him. I suppose he’s the type to tell all his friends that he loves them , Rin thought then stopped in his tracks, but since when were we friends?
~~~
The Second Time
After the second selection was over and Blue Lock was preparing for the U-20 match, Meguru started spending more time with Isagi and Chigiri again now that they were finally reunited. He still occasionally joined Rin at night for some 1-on-1’s, but spent the majority of his time practicing with Isagi to create strategies for their upcoming match.
Rin wasn’t jealous per say, but he definitely noticed Meguru’s absence. He no longer had someone hanging off his back or talking all throughout his meals. Not that he needed someone to do any of those things, but he had quickly grown accustomed to all of Meguru’s eccentricities and was now feeling the quietness of his normal solitude.
Rin pushed all those feelings aside and trained harder than ever before. He would finally be facing his good-for-nothing brother and absolutely needed to beat him this time.
So for the next week, Rin emptied his head of everything except football and pushed his body to its absolute limit.
-
The U-20 match finally came and everyone was buzzing in the locker room before the game started. The energy in the room was a mix of nerves and excitement, with everyone preparing themselves differently. Most people were just chatting away to verbalize their emotions, but like Rin, some others were by themselves stretching or reviewing film.
Rin sat in the corner of the locker room with his eyes closed, imagining every possible outcome of the game. He was so deep in thought that he didn’t even hear Anri giving everyone a 5 minute warning to finish getting ready and line up in the hall.
The day he had been looking forward to for so long was finally here, and he couldn’t wait to hand his piece of shit brother an embarrassing loss. Failure was not an option.
A soft finger poked the furrow between his brows and his eyes flew open in an instant. He quickly swatted the hand away.
“Don’t touch me, trash,” he said before registering who even touched him. A familiar laugh rang through his ears and he looked up to see none other than Bachira Meguru standing before him.
“Rin-chan, you’re going to get wrinkles by the time you’re 20 if you keep scowling like that,” Meguru laughed softly.
“Shut it, bob-cut. I’m just meditating,” he responded tersely.
“If by meditating you mean plotting someone’s murder, then sure. Seriously, you look like you’re about to kill someone,” Meguru half-joked.
“Yeah, Itoshi Sae,” Rin nearly spat.
“Ah, nothing like a good family rivalry,” Meguru said teasingly.
“It’s not a rivalry. I hate him, so I’m going to destroy him, that’s all,” Rin clenched his fists.
Meguru didn’t want to press on the matter so he took Rin’s hands in his own and rubbed comforting circles into the younger boy’s palms. To his surprise, Rin let the muscles in his hands relax and didn’t pull away. Meguru gave him a soft smile.
“Well, whatever happens today, just remember that I love you!” he beamed before pulling Rin to stand up.
Rin scoffed and flicked Meguru on the forehead lightly. “That was the world’s shittiest pep talk. Let’s go, bob-cut. We have a game to win,” he said before walking past him.
Meguru saw the tips of Rin’s ears turn slightly pink and laughed happily. “Let’s go kick some Itoshi Sae ass!”
And only because no one was left in the locker room, Rin gave Meguru a small smile.