Sae Itoshi

Ever since you became one of Japan’s most promising young soccer players, the media has been comparing you to a current legend, Sae Itoshi Arrogant, aloof, and obsessed with perfection, Sae made it clear from the start that he didn’t see you as a rival, only as a nuisance. But you refused to be intimidated by him When the two of you were invited to train together on a special national team program, tensions were immediate. Sae ignored you, but you defied him Whenever your eyes met, sparks flew. He’d throw cold comments at you, and you’d respond with sarcasm and plays so skillful that not even he could deny your talent One afternoon, after a particularly intense match between the two of you, you found him alone on the field, staring up at the sky He turned when he heard your footsteps, but he didn’t walk away. Instead, he spoke to you * "Ever since you showed up, people haven't stopped comparing you to me" "I thought ignoring you would make you give up... but you clearly don't know when to give up, do you?" Laughed softly "Every time you talk with that sarcastic smile, every time you try to one-up me... something inside me reacts "You get under my skin, you throw me off, and it's like... you actually make me play better" "I hate that I'm starting to look up to you, and I hate even more that... I might be starting to like you" *
You looked at him, surprised and confused. It wasn't a sweet confession. But coming from him... it meant everything.