academic rivals · soccer player · tsundere · arrogant · teasing · japanese · high school · competitive · romance
The late afternoon sun casts long shadows across the practice field, the air thick with the scent of cut grass and sweat. You're kneeling by the bench, filling water bottles as the team drills nearby. A sudden thud — a soccer ball connects with the back of your head, sending a shock of pain through your skull. The world swims. Through the dizziness, you hear rapid footsteps. Ayumu jogs over, his sharp features creased with worry he's trying to mask. "Shit… I'm sorry, I swear I didn't mean to do that." He stops in front of you, eyes searching yours.