Crossing courts | Rin Itoshi

IX

The next day brought with it a rigorous four-hour volleyball practice, the sound of volleyballs meeting palms and sneakers squeaking against the gym floor echoed throughout the practice.

Y/n, stationed at the net, unleashed powerful spikes with precision, aiming for that sweet spot that would catch the opposing team off guard. Kumi, positioned strategically, set the ball with swift accuracy, orchestrating the plays to perfection.

As the four-hour session unfolded, Y/n and Kumi embraced the intensity of the practice, their dedication shining through every serve and spike.

"I'm so tired" Kumi whines as she rolls around on the dirty floor.

"Come one, let's clean up and head home" Y/n commands.

After cleaning up, Y/n and Kumi walked home together, their steps echoing the shared fatigue and satisfaction of a practice well-executed.

The conversation between them buzzed with post-practice reflections and plans for improvement, the camaraderie forged on the court extending to their journey home.

Upon reaching her house, Y/n wasted no time and headed straight for the shower. The hot water cascading over her was a welcome relief, washing away the exertion of the rigorous practice.

Freshly showered and with the post-practice fatigue eased, Y/n made her way to the kitchen, only to realize the absence of ingredients for a meal. Determined to rectify the situation, she decided it was time for a quick grocery run.

As she strolled toward the local grocery shop, the route took her past the small soccer court near her house. To her surprise, she spotted a familiar figure diligently practicing even at this hour, it was Rin.

Intrigued, Y/n paused for a moment, observing Rin's precise movements and the focused expression on his face.

Y/n approached the soccer court, the rhythmic thud of the ball against the ground came to a sudden halt. Rin, noticing her presence, turned to face her with a quizzical expression. Before he could say anything, Y/n, her tone cold and composed, posed a question.

"Why are you practicing at this hour?" she inquired, a hint of irritation lacing her words. A subtle cough punctuated her question, emphasizing the unexpected interruption.

Rin, taken aback by the unanticipated encounter, paused for a moment before responding. "I wanted to work on some drills. Why do you care?" he replied, the exchange carrying a tension that lingered in the quiet surroundings of the soccer court.

Y/n, her demeanor unwavering, reiterated with a hint of insistence, "It's late. You should go home, Rin."

Rin, momentarily surprised by the sternness in her tone, raised an eyebrow but shook his head in refusal. "I need to practice. I have a match coming up," he explained, his commitment to his soccer endeavors evident in his response.

Y/n, not easily swayed, crossed her arms and maintained her firm stance. "You won't do any better if you're exhausted. Go home and rest. There's such a thing as overdoing it" she remarked.

As Y/n turned to leave, intending to continue her errands, Rin, acting on an impulse, reached out and gently grabbed her wrist. The unexpected touch made Y/n pause, turning to face him with a hint of surprise.

"Where are you going at this hour?" Rin asked, his tone carrying a mix of curiosity and a touch of concern.

Y/n, feeling the unexpected contact, replied with a composed yet firm expression. "Grocery shopping. Unlike some people, I prioritize getting enough rest," she remarked, the subtle tension underlying her words.

As the tension lingered on the soccer court, Y/n, breaking the silence, softened her tone and asked, "Have you eaten dinner, Rin?"

Rin, momentarily caught off guard by the shift in the conversation, shook his head. "Not yet, I was planning to grab something after practice," he replied, his gaze meeting Y/n's.

"Why don't you come over for dinner? I can make something quick, and you won't have to worry about grabbing food after practice."

Rin, surprised by the gesture, hesitated for a moment before nodding in agreement. "Sure" he said, the tension gradually easing from his features.

"Great," Y/n smiled, "but I have to run some errands first. If you don't mind tagging along"

As the Y/n picked up some ingredients for tonight's dinner, Rin offers to carry the grocery bags as a thank you.

Arriving at Y/n's house after their errands, Rin was greeted by a warm and inviting atmosphere.

As they entered, a friendly golden retriever bounded towards them, her tail wagging with infectious enthusiasm.

Y/n chuckled, "Meet Layla, she's pretty friendly."

Rin, who had a soft spot for animals, couldn't help but smile as he crouched down to pet Layla.

"Make yourself at home, Rin," Y/n invited, leading the way to the kitchen where ingredients for dinner awaited.

"Feel free to make yourself comfortable., you can take a shower if you want," Y/n suggested, offering Rin a set of clothes that belonged to her brother. "These should fit."

Rin, appreciating the offer, accepted the clothes and headed to the bathroom for a shower. Meanwhile, Y/n busied herself in the kitchen, preparing tonkatsu—the comforting aroma of frying cutlets wafting through the air.

As Rin returned, refreshed from the shower and wearing the borrowed clothes, he found Y/n in the midst of culinary endeavors.

"Is there anything I can do to help?" Rin inquired, observing Y/n's focused efforts in the kitchen.

Y/n, appreciating the offer, smiled and nodded. "Sure, you can help by setting the table. Plates and utensils are in that cabinet over there," she pointed.

As Y/n and Rin sat down to enjoy the tonkatsu dinner they had prepared together, Y/n couldn't help but ask, "So, what do you think? Is it good?"

Rin, taking a bite, nodded appreciatively. "Yeah it's really good. thanks for inviting me."

As Y/n and Rin enjoyed their meal, Layla padded over to them with an eager expression. Y/n chuckled, "Looks like Layla wants some attention too."

The canine companion, sensing the shared warmth at the dinner table, turned his gaze towards Rin with a hopeful look. Y/n teased, "Seems like she's expecting you to share some of that tonkatsu with her, she's a bit of a foodie."

Rin, amused by Layla's antics, couldn't resist breaking off a small piece of tonkatsu and offering it to the eager golden retriever.

As Rin playfully fed Layla, Y/n couldn't help but admire the scene before her—the warmth of the shared meal, the laughter, and the unexpected camaraderie.

The simple act of Rin feeding her dog took on a romantic undertone, and in that moment, Y/n found herself staring, a realization gradually dawning upon her.

As she observed Rin's interactions with Layla, a subtle warmth crept into her cheeks, and the realization crystallized—she had developed a crush on Rin.