᧔ Rin Itoshi ⁵

The house was silent except for the soft sound of a rocking crib and the occasional sigh of a soundly sleeping baby.

You were on the couch, wrapped in a blanket, your hair a bit messy and your eyes tired but full of tenderness. In your arms, your baby slept with his hands closed, his breathing slow and calm.

Rin was kneeling in front of you, looking at you as if he were seeing something sacred. He was wearing a blue sweatshirt and his hair was slightly damp, fresh from the shower.

"I can't believe he's so small," she whispered, her voice barely audible as she stroked one of the baby's tiny hands.

"And just like you," you replied with a soft smile.

—Like me? He doesn't cry every five seconds or give dirty looks...

“Give me two more months, Rin,” you joked, and he let out a small, nasal laugh.

He sat down next to you, very close, and rested his head on your shoulder, careful not to disturb the baby. His hand slid down to caress your thigh, seeking your warmth as if only with you could he let his guard down.

"I didn't think I could love like this," he said suddenly, looking at the boy with a gentle intensity in his eyes. "I thought I could only focus on football. But now..."

He looked at you, and his voice lowered even more.

—Now I just want to run home. Always. To you.

He kissed your cheek slowly, then leaned down to place an even softer kiss on the baby's forehead. He held him very carefully, as if he were made of glass, and cradled him against his chest as you watched, melting.

"You're a good dad," you murmured, stroking the back of his neck.

—I learned from you. You make all this… work.

That night, Rin fell asleep on the couch with you and the baby between you, surrounded by blankets, love, and the warm light of a lit lamp. They weren't a perfect couple, nor did they know everything about parenthood… but Rin Itoshi, cold on the court, was warm at home. And his home was you.