𝓡𝓲𝓷 𝓲𝓽𝓸𝓼𝓱𝓲 𝓫𝓸𝓽𝓽𝓸𝓶 𝔁 𝓮𝓿𝓮𝓻𝔂𝓸𝓷𝓮 𝓸𝓷𝓮𝓼𝓱𝓸𝓽 𝓼𝓽𝓸𝓻𝔂

46. Rin Itoshi angst chaper 1-7

This is a little story with multiple chapters in it.
There is no ship (yet? Idk)

Tw: depression

Chapter 1

Rin Itoshi hadn't been seen at school for almost three weeks. Normally, no one paid much attention to him. Despite his incredible skills on the soccer field, he wasn't nearly as popular as Yoichi Isagi, his rival. Even his brother, Sae, basked in fame, effortlessly drawing attention wherever he went. People liked to talk about Rin, but never in a good way. Lies spread like wildfire about how he was rude, distant, and impossible to approach. Even though some knew better, the rumors stuck, making Rin an outsider.

For a while, Rin endured it all in silence. The nasty rumors, the sideways glances, and the whispers that trailed him down the hall. It wasn't new. But, lately, it had grown worse, each cruel word cutting deeper than the last. His isolation became suffocating, and no matter how much he tried to push it down, it weighed heavily on his mind. Still, he kept going to school, pushing himself through the darkness gnawing at him. Until, one day, he didn't show up.

At first, everyone assumed Rin was sick. But as days turned into weeks, concern spread. Even the teachers began to ask questions. Yoichi Isagi, though he and Rin had a complicated relationship, couldn't shake the growing anxiety he felt. Rin was always so strong, but this-vanishing without a word-was out of character.

Sae Itoshi, Rin's brother, had his usual cool demeanor. He acted as if nothing was wrong, brushing off anyone who asked about Rin. "He'll come back when he's ready," he'd say. But deep down, even Sae knew this wasn't normal.

Reo Mikage, Rin's closest friend, was the first to voice his concerns openly. By the end of the second week, he couldn't take it anymore. He announced during lunch that he was going to Rin's house to check on him. Isagi wanted to go with him, but Reo shook his head. "You know how Rin feels about you," he said softly. "I'll go alone."

The walk to Rin's house was shorter than it seemed. Reo's heart pounded with each step as he imagined what could be happening behind those closed doors. Had Rin been hurt? Was he okay? Was he...?

Reo shook his head, dismissing the worst of his thoughts. He's fine. He's just hiding out... Still, the pit in his stomach grew as he stood in front of Rin's door.

He hesitated for a moment, his hand hovering over the door, before finally knocking. "Rin? It's me, Reo! Please open the door. Everyone's worried about you!"

For a long moment, nothing happened. Reo's heart sank, and he was about to leave when he heard the soft shuffle of footsteps behind the door. Slowly, it creaked open, revealing Rin.

Reo froze. He had never seen Rin like this. His friend looked like a ghost of himself. Dark circles hung under Rin's eyes, which were bloodshot and puffy, as if he hadn't slept-or stopped crying-in days. His normally strong frame looked thinner, almost fragile, like he hadn't eaten properly. Rin stared at him, silent, like he didn't know how to react.

"Rin..." Reo whispered, his voice shaking. He stepped forward. "What happened to you?"

Rin turned away, his voice barely audible. "You shouldn't have come here."

Reo refused to leave. He closed the door behind him and followed Rin into the dimly lit apartment. Clothes were scattered on the floor, half-empty water bottles littered the table, and the curtains were drawn tightly, blocking out any sunlight. It was suffocating.

"Rin, talk to me," Reo urged. "What's going on? Everyone's worried about you. Isagi, the team, even the teachers... You've been gone for almost three weeks."

Rin sat down on the couch, burying his face in his hands. "It doesn't matter. None of them actually care. They just want to know what's wrong with me. They're probably already making up rumors."