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KAISER CAN'T STOP.
There's something about it. Isagi Yoichi has been weaseling his way under Kaiser's skin since the day they met, yet Kaiser has never been able to return the favor. Isagi is irritating, and bothersome, and the only threat he hasn't been able to destroy.
He can't get him off his mind.
Sure, Kaiser knows there's something in how Isagi is kind to everyone but him; can't get riled up by anyone but Kaiser. But it's not the same. Kaiser is just the next big bad villain in the lineup of shitty strikers Isagi has had to beat so far.
Maybe that's it. It's the only way to truly get under Yoichi's skin. The only way to really affect him.
Or maybe it's just easy. Isagi definitely doesn't make it any hard on him. It barely takes any effort. A singular compliment and Isagi goes red. Stepping a little too close and Isagi starts missing shots. He's begun limiting himself during practice scrimmages, now. It's nearly too easy to win, and he doesn't want to bore himself. It's practically cheating at this point.
Or maybe it's the way Isagi reacts. It's a deeper flush than the usual exertion of playing soccer. The red spreads across his cheekbones easily, coloring the tips of his ear. He always parts his mouth in confusion for a moment, as if about to speak, but never does. He'll blink a few times before furrowing his brow in anger, stepping away, and glaring, or scowling, or on one memorable occasion, biting his lip to keep from doing either since Noa was near.
He'll roll his eyes in indifference, but Kaiser can tell when it sticks in his mind: When his shots aren't as powerful, or hitting just a few centimeters to the left. Not enough for most to notice, but not up to Isagi's usual standards.
Or maybe it's a combination of the three. He likes knowing he can affect Isagi so much so easily.
♚ ♚ ♚
The whistle blows, signaling the end to Kaiser's practice three-on-three. The losing side heads over to Noa for notes and Kaiser makes his way over to the next field, finishing off his water bottle in the process.
One of the Bluelockers presses Isagi, in his own three-on-three, and the two fight for control of the ball until one of them sends it hurtling out of bounds, just a few feet away from Kaiser.
'Out. Blue team,' the speakers announce.
The other team groans. Kaiser takes it upon himself to reset the ball on the white line, straightening up just in time for Isagi to take his place. Before Isagi has the chance to say a word, Kaiser leans down, grabbing the neckline of Isagi's jersey to keep him in place. "Dammit, Kaiser, don't even start with-"
"Why wouldn't I? You're cute when you're mad," is all he says, but he lets his breath ghost against Isagi's ear long enough for Ali to tell him off for giving free advice mid-game. "The way you bite your lip when you're pissed drives me insane." What the fuck- Why did he say that?
Ali's voice must have shaken him out of it because Isagi shoves his hand away and turns back around quickly, lining up to take the shot without another word. He can see the red creeping down his neck anyways.
Kaiser himself feels a little shaken. He doesn't know why he said that last part. He was thinking of something else to say, something to really send it home, and that's what he blurted out. It was stupid.
He turns away, walking to the water fountain to refill his water bottle. He doesn't need to look back to know Isagi fumbled the shot. As long as it works.
