𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞 - 𝐟𝐥𝐮𝐟𝐟

"you know, sweetheart, if you stare at me any longer, i might start thinking you're in love with me."

you barely spared him a glance, focusing on checking off your clipboard. "i'm staring because you're late. again."

aiku grinned, leaning against the goalpost with his usual lazy confidence. his blue-green eyes flickered with amusement, watching you instead of warming up like he was supposed to.

"technically, i'm fashionably late," he corrected. "there's a difference."

"yeah," you said dryly, marking his name with an exaggerated tick on the attendance sheet.

aiku let out a low whistle, pushing off the post. "damn, you're extra strict today. what's got you so tense, sweetheart?"

you ignored him, flipping to the next page on your clipboard. "practice started five minutes ago, aiku. get moving."

he smirked but didn't argue, jogging onto the field with an easy grace that made it frustratingly obvious why he got away with everything.

kunigami jogged past, giving you a knowing look. "he's never gonna stop messing with you, you know."

you sighed. "trust me, i know."

but the worst part?

you didn't really mind.

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by the time practice ended, the sun was already sinking below the horizon, streaking the sky with soft oranges and pinks.

most of the team had already cleared out, but you stayed behind, finishing up some notes.

aiku was still there too, of course.

"still working, huh?" his voice was lazy, but his presence was anything but.

you didn't look up. "unlike some people, i take my job seriously."

he hummed, stepping closer. "you take everything seriously."

"and you don't take anything seriously," you shot back.

aiku chuckled, unbothered. "balance, sweetheart. that's what makes us a good team."

you rolled your eyes but didn't argue. that was the problem with aiku—he always made too much sense, even when he was being infuriating.

a few moments of silence passed as you finished your notes. the field was quiet now, only the occasional breeze rustling through the empty stands.

then, out of nowhere—

"you know," aiku started, voice softer than usual, "you're my favorite person."

you blinked, caught off guard. "what?"

aiku laughed, the sound low and warm, but his eyes were serious when he repeated,

"you're my favorite person. no one else even comes close."

your heart stopped.

aiku's usual smirk was nowhere to be found. instead, he was looking at you like he meant it.

like this wasn't some joke, wasn't some passing flirtation.

your throat felt dry.

"aiku..." you started, but you weren't even sure what to say.

his smile softened, and suddenly, you hated how easy this was for him—how he could just say something like that and completely ruin you.

"relax," he murmured, tilting his head. aiku's lips curled slightly, but this time, there was no teasing behind it.

"you always act like i'm just messing with you," he said. "but when are you gonna realize i'm dead serious?" your heart skipped a beat.

this wasn't just some passing flirtation. this wasn't casual. and that terrified you. damn him

"aiku, i..." you hesitated, gripping your clipboard tighter. "i don't know if i can do this."

he didn't look surprised. if anything, he looked patient.

"then don't," he said simply. "not yet, anyway."

you frowned. "what do you mean?"

aiku leaned in just slightly, his blue-green eyes searching yours. "i mean, i can wait."

your breath caught.

"you're not used to being the one getting chased, huh?" he mused.

you swallowed. "not by someone like you."

aiku let out a low chuckle, stepping back just enough to give you space—but not too much.

"that's fine," he said, smirking just slightly now. "just don't run too far, alright?"

and with that, he turned, walking away like he hadn't just completely unraveled you.

leaving you standing there, heart still racing.

damn him.

oopsie its a bit short!

𝐬𝐞𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐧𝐞𝐱𝐭 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠