CHAPTER ONE;
itoshi rin

"Mom, I'm off to deliver my cookies!" you called out from the front yard, carefully placing the neatly stacked boxes of cookies in your bike's basket.

Your mom peeked from the door, holding a spatula, "Be careful! And remember to be home by lunch." she reminded.

You smiled, giving her a quick nod before hopping onto your bike. Balancing it with one foot, you secured the strap of your helmet under your chin and pushed off down the street.

Delivering the orders one by one went smoothly. Normally, you'd take the train for these deliveries, but since this batch of customers lived close to your neighborhood, biking seemed much more convenient.

"Okay, last one," you muttered to yourself, parking your bike beside a tall, iron gate. The house in front of you was massive, the kind only the rich could afford. You wondered why someone from such an upscale household would order your "average" cookies.

"Itoshi Rie..." you mumbled, the surname caught your attention, and your finger hovered over the doorbell longer than necessary.

As soon as your hand left the buzzer, the gate swung open, and standing there was the last person you wanted to see.

"My mom's not home," Itoshi Rin said flatly, holding out the payment.

You barely managed to mask your irritation, "That's fine, no worries," you replied, though your tone betrayed your words.

Turning on your heel, you grabbed your bike and tried to ignore the weight of Rin's gaze still lingering on you. Memories of why you disliked him so much bubbled to the surface. Memories that dated back to your first year.

"Oh my gosh! Y/n, we have to go watch the football team! They're playing Kaibara High!" Amari squealed, practically shaking you by the shoulders. You placed a hand over hers, trying to calm her down.

"Hold on, let me clean this up first," you said, moving to put away the baking utensils in the sink. You made a mental note to wash them later.

It was common knowledge that Iekami Academy's football team was one of the best in Tokyo Prefecture. Most of their players were scholarship students, talented and hardworking.

Standing in front of the field, you found yourself unexpectedly drawn in. Sports had never been your thing, but there was something captivating about watching someone excel at what they loved.

"Did he just score from that distance?" a student beside you muttered in disbelief.

All eyes were fixed on one person, a boy with dark green hair and sharp teal eyes that scanned the field like a hawk. After landing yet another goal, his teammates rushed over to celebrate, only for him to brush them off. Instead, he wiped his face with a towel and quietly drank from his water bottle.

"Amari, who is that?" you asked, unable to hide your curiosity.

Amari giggled and lightly smacked your shoulder, "That's Itoshi Rin, from Class 6."

Kaibara High's players looked exhausted, and moments later, the final whistle confirmed their defeat. The crowd buzzed with excitement, yet Itoshi Rin barely reacted, walking off the field like it was just another day.

With the battle coming to an end, the crowd of students dissipated with only one person in their minds, Itoshi Rin.

As Amari tugged you back toward your building, you couldn't help but glance over your shoulder one more time, sneaking a glance at him. You quickly looked forward, trying to push away the nagging feeling of wanting to know more about him.

Even after several days, you couldn't shake the feeling. The more you heard about Rin, the worse it got. Rumors spread about girls planning to confess to him.

He was the type of person that every girl would admit they've had a crush on at some point.

And unfortunately, you have succumbed to his charms.

Well, what else could you have done? You were a sucker for pretty boys.

You tried to ignore it. Yet, somehow, you always found ways to cross paths with him, conveniently bumping into him in the hallways, or lingering near the football club's room longer than necessary.

"Woah, L/n. Free cookies again?" Watanabe Ryomei, a schoolmate of yours from middle school, smiled gratefully at you as you handed him a plate of freshly baked cookies.

"Yeah," you hummed, subtly rising on your toes to peek past his shoulder. The room seemed empty.

"Looking for someone?" Watanabe asked, shoving a cookie into his mouth, "These are amazing by the way."

"Thanks, Watanabe," you said a little too quickly, "And no, I'm not looking for anyone." Liar.

"I see," he nodded, "Do you want to stay here? The room's pretty cold." he offered and gestured inside, a gust of cool air escaped the doorway. Given how hot it had been lately, and the cooking club's air-conditioning has yet to be repaired, you couldn't refuse.

"Sure," you said, stepping inside.

The room was empty, save for the framed medals and team photos lining the walls. You sat on the couch, quietly scanning each picture when familiar voices drifted from the hallway.

"I'm beat. Rin, you should take it easy on us!"

"Not my fault you can't keep up."

"Jeez, have some compassion!"

The door flared open, revealing sweaty teenage boys in their football uniforms covered in dirt and pieces of grass.

"L/n!" Yamada Kousei waves his hand at you, then his eyes fell on the plate of cookies that rested on the long wooden table near the entrance. "Your awesome cookies!" he smiled widely. "Guys, eat up! Rin, you want some?"

"No, I'm good," Rin muttered, grabbing his things from his locker without sparing you a glance.

You pursed your lips, standing abruptly. "I think I have to go, nice seeing you guys."

"Aww, okay," Yamada pouted, "Heading home?"

"Yeah, see you," you said quickly, rushing to the door.

Once outside, you pressed a hand to your chest, feeling your heart racing. You had planned to confess today...but maybe it was better to wait.

"Maybe next time," you whispered to yourself before leaving.

Unbeknownst to you, back inside the clubroom, your visit stirred curiosity.

"Watanabe, you like L/n or something?" Yamada teased.

"What?! No!" Watanabe spluttered.

"Then why was she here?"

"She was just giving me cookies!"

"Yeah, but she could've just handed them over. Why was she staying inside?"

Rin, overhearing the commotion, shook his head and rolled his eyes.