Chapter Text
Kira Hiroto couldn’t stand him. There’s always a limit to everything, but that guy’s endless cheek crossed it in ways words couldn’t quite describe.
He’d kept it together during the Football Frontier International because professionalism had to come first - at least as much as he could manage - but now there was nothing stopping him from settling the score.
How dare that boy call himself a god in front of him, the God Striker ? His “there are many gods in Olympus” line was absolute bullshit.
There could be only one divinity on the playing field, and that was definitely him.
But since the other clearly didn’t get it, he had no choice but to challenge him outright.
— To see who really deserves to be called a ‘god’? — the golden-haired boy repeated just to confirm that he understood the argument well.
Honestly, he wasn’t even sure where that sudden rivalry had come from, but he could sense that deep down, this might actually be fun.
His lips curved into a sly smile, ready to overcome every obstacle.
— I accept.
Hiroto smirked in return.
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— So? What does the challenge consist of?
— What do you mean ‘what does it consist of’? — he expressed his indignation. — It’ll be a soccer challenge, obviously! First to five goals wins. And then, I can finally be acclaimed in full right as the God Strik…
— Hmm, nah, it doesn’t convince me. Why don’t we try something different? — Terumi interrupted him. — Hiroto-kun, do you know who Aphrodite is?
The gray-haired boy gave him a weird look - not just because his speech had been cut off, but because he wasn’t sure where this was going. Still, he answered.
— Of course I know. She’s the goddess of beauty and love, right?
— Exactly! And my nickname is…?
— …. — Kira didn’t like where the conversation was heading. A bad feeling overwhelmed his body, giving him chills down his spine. — Aphrodi…
A mischievous smile tugged at Terumi’s lips. He had something in mind, and it couldn’t be anything good.
His whole attitude was typical of someone who always gets what he wants. Some might call him capricious, but it was pure ambition.
— So here’s my suggestion:… a date.
— A date? — a confused smirk formed on Hiroto’s face. What the hell did that have to do with proving anything? He just prayed it wasn’t going to get too weird.
— Yup! If I can make you blush three times during the date - as the god of love that I am - I win. But if you can make it to the end instead, it’s your win. Deal? — the other boy explained. His eyes sparkling with emotion.
— Well, I don’t know how appropriate this is for… — he tried to wriggle out of that apparently problematic situation, but was interrupted once more.
— What’s wrong? Are you perhaps afraid of losing?
That was a fairly obvious and basic provocation, but did you think someone as proud as Kira Hiroto wouldn’t take it seriously?
— Eh? Of course not! I’m ready for anything, especially to win! You’d better get ready, because tomorrow I’ll come pick you up at your house at 10 a.m.! — he warned him, furious, and walked away at a fast but firm pace. He had taken it personally.
— Okay, but you don’t even know where I live… — and those words got lost in the wind.
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The next day, as agreed, the silver-haired boy stood in front of the blonde's house. As usual, he was dressed sharply - style was definitely not something he lacked. He’d rather die than wear something plain.
— I see you managed to find me. Good thing we exchanged phone numbers — Terumi said as he closed the gate behind him. It wasn’t meant to be rude, but Hiroto took it as a direct jab.
— Ha‑ha, very funny. Come on, let’s go — he retorted sarcastically.
Terumi raised an eyebrow, surprised, but decided to drop it.
— Aren’t you going to take my hand?
Hiroto almost choked on air.
— Why would I do that? — his confusion was genuine.
— Because it’s a date .
Kira shot him a look that said ‘’are you serious?’’ but then reconsidered. In the end, there wasn’t really anything wrong with it.
— Fine. But this won’t be enough to make me blush — he said, taking his hand while very carefully avoiding his ruby eyes.
— I never thought something so basic could make you blush, don’t worry.
Basic?! Walking hand-in-hand in public was basic? While he was struggling just to stay composed?!
That boy was a monster. How scary.
— So? Where are you taking me? — the other asked, casual as ever.
— I was thinking about… the aquarium — he replied with some embarrassment.
He could pretend to be indifferent all he wanted, but it was a fact that he cared about the opinion of the person at his side. The fear that the other might not like his proposal was nibbling at his stomach in a slow but steady way.
As a child, he had the bad habit of seeking others' approval just to get a little attention. Over time, he'd changed - become a bit of a cynic - but it seemed the roots were still intact. At least for a select few.
— Sounds nice. And after the aquarium, ice cream! — Terumi said and gave him a more-than-charming smile.
Hiroto felt a wave of relief wash over him at those words. That smile, though - it brought a warm, pleasant feeling that crept into the darkest corners of his being and snuck its way right into his heart.
He didn’t know exactly what it was, but it resembled a pleasant warmth. He could even get used to it.
— You’re all red. That’s one point for me, you’ve got two left — Terumi noted without changing expression.
— What?! — Hiroto instinctively raised a hand to his cheek.
It was hot.
How was that even possible? Just one smile had done this to him? And the guy knew what he was doing.
That boy was a devil.
And he was an idiot for letting his guard down.
He clenched his fists, filled with anger, frustration... and shame.
— Aw, now you’re just adorable — Terumi added, and it surely didn’t help at all.
— Shut your mouth! This is nothing. You’ll see that I’ll make it until the end — he renewed his determination and took his hand in a somewhat rough manner, almost starting to drag him towards their destination.
Afuro thought he looked cute like that too.
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The aquarium was impressive. It wasn’t the first time for either of them, and yet when they stepped inside, they were stunned by the colorful scenery that unfolded before them. The sheer variety of fish - species they couldn’t even name - was astounding. Watching them dance in unison made it feel like a fairytale.
Their visit was calm and enjoyable. They paused to watch the fish, took some pictures, and allowed themselves a brief moment of childlike wonder. Hiroto, at times, tried to pull his hand away from Terumi’s, embarrassed to be seen like that in public, but always failed. The blonde was relentless - it was a date, after all.
— Look, Hiroto‑kun, that one looks like you — he smiled and pointed to a lionfish with white and black stripes, which were actually so light as to seem gray.
— Let me guess: because it seems so cocky? Or because it matches my hair color? Or maybe it’s the fin arrangement that resembles my magnificent hairstyle? — Hiroto asked, relatively calm. He had gotten used to Terumi’s “teasing.”
— Well, that too. But I was talking about its grumpy expression.
Hiroto sighed with resignation. In normal circumstances, he would’ve protested, but when his gaze met Terumi’s - devoid of any malice - he just couldn’t get angry.
— But now that you mention your hair... I want to try something — he added, stepping closer with a slow but confident stride.
A mental alarm went off in Hiroto’s head, but he didn’t back away. He watched as Terumi approached, stopping just five centimeters from his face. Those gemstone-like sparkling eyes seemed to pierce his soul, and with that mischievous smile and the barely-there distance, he imagined the worst.
He didn’t know how to feel about it.
Suddenly, he felt something rest on his head - Afuro’s gentle hand stroking his curly hair.
— May I know what you are doing? — he asked, completely confused.
— I just wanted to see what it felt like. That’s all.
“That’s all, he says,” Hiroto thought, disturbed by how everything seemed to be “that’s all” for him.
— So? How is it? — even he didn’t know why he asked. Something about that graceful, tender touch made him act weirdly.
— Very soft. Just like I imagined.
And somehow, that answer was deeply satisfying.
— Oh, and you’re blushing again. Only one chance left.
— Eh?!
He turned to catch his reflection in one of the fish tanks, and yep - it was true: the blush was back.
No, no, this guy was the devil.
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They decided to wrap up the date with the famous ice cream Terumi had suggested. More than a cliché, it was a classic. You couldn’t go wrong with ice cream.
— Didn’t know you had such... exotic tastes — Hiroto commented, eyeing Terumi’s pomegranate, mango, and lemon combo. The colors were vibrant, but honestly, he couldn’t imagine those flavors blending well.
— My tastes aren’t exotic, yours are just too plain and boring. I was shocked when you said you only wanted chocolate and vanilla.
He always had a comeback ready, Hiroto thought. But in the depths of his heart, he admitted he liked it more that way. It was electrifying to find someone who knew how to keep up with him. Otherwise, it wouldn’t be fun.
— Listen, why did you want this whole ‘rendez-vous’? There were a thousand other ways we could’ve challenged each other, but you chose this — he asked at a certain point, no longer able to ignore the doubt that tickled his mind. Terumi had described it as the most logical thing in the world, but to Hiroto it still didn’t make sense. He was sure there was something else behind.
— You’re asking why?... Hmm... — Terumi brought a hand to his chin, looking up thoughtfully. His golden hair danced in the wind, and for some reason, Hiroto couldn’t take his eyes off his figure.
Ah, there it was again - the pleasant and confusing feeling. Hiroto wasn’t able to decipher it; maybe he should just ask Tatsuya, once he got home. He was more knowledgeable about this kind of stuff anyway.
— Because I like you, I guess — Terumi said in that soft voice, pulling Hiroto out of his thoughts. The boy blinked several times in a row, unsure if he’d heard right.
— Excuse me, what ? — his voice betrayed his shock. But what it didn’t betray... was the quiet hope that those words were true.
The blonde didn’t answer; he just chuckled, amused. Then he leaned forward and wiped the small remains of chocolate from the corner of Hiroto’s mouth.
The boy with pink eyes felt his heart pounding wildly in his chest.
— I won — declared the god of love, and Hiroto didn’t even feel the need to confirm it; he knew full well that he was right.
He had fallen for it through and through, and there was nothing more to add.
— How sneaky of you, lying just to win — he said, like it didn’t concern him.
Like he hadn’t just had his feelings played with.
— I didn’t lie to anyone — Terumi replied with a proud smile. Then he stood, approached him, and planted a kiss - light as a feather - on Hiroto’s right cheek. — If you want a rematch, I’m always up for it.
And for the first time in his life... Hiroto was glad he’d lost.