𝐍𝐎𝐓 𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐓𝐇 𝐈𝐓 ➛ ryusae

chpt 24 ➛ sae

2 days.

Sae's suitcase was open on the floor, half-packed, clothes stacked neatly inside. He worked methodically, folding and arranging each item with precision. Three weeks in Spain. He knew exactly what he needed—jerseys, training gear, casual wear, the essentials. But still, his hands hovered over a few extra shirts, an additional pair of sneakers, and even a formal outfit. Just in case.

Just in case they asked him to stay longer.

It wasn't something he had voiced out loud. It wasn't something he even wanted to admit to himself. But the feeling was there, lingering beneath the surface like a shadow he refused to acknowledge.

Behind him, Shidou was sprawled on his bed, head hanging upside down over the edge, his hair brushing against the floor. He was on his phone, scrolling with little care, his legs bent like he was making himself at home.

Useless.

Sae glanced at him from the corner of his eye, unimpressed. "You said you'd help."

Shidou didn't even bother looking up from his phone. "I am helping."

Sae raised an eyebrow. "By doing what, exactly?"

"Providing moral support."

"You're lying there like a dead fish."

"A sexy dead fish," Shidou corrected, smirking without missing a beat.

Sae grabbed the nearest rolled-up shirt and launched it at him. It hit Shidou square in the face before sliding onto the floor.

Shidou gasped dramatically, clutching his heart like he'd just been mortally wounded. "Wow. Violence. And here I thought this was a loving relationship."

Sae exhaled sharply, turning back to his suitcase. He was trying to focus, trying to go through his mental checklist, but it was getting increasingly difficult when Shidou was sprawled across his bed like he owned it—loud, lazy, and far too good looking for Sae to ignore.

Shidou finally sat up properly, elbows resting on his knees, watching Sae with that familiar, insufferable smirk. "Y'know, you should be nice to me. You're not gonna see me for 3 weeks."

Sae didn't even glance up. "That's what you get for the other night."

Shidou let out a low whistle, his grin stretching wide like a cat that just caught a canary. "Damn. You're getting bold, Sae-chan."

Sae shut his suitcase a little harder than necessary.

Shidou leaned in, voice dripping with amusement. "Speaking of," he drawled, "you think the others heard?"

Sae exhaled through his nose, rubbing his temple. "I know Rin heard."

Shidou let out a bark of laughter, throwing his head back. "I fucking knew it. Man, I thought I was just imagining things, but he's been giving you the nastiest looks. Like, straight-up 'I hope you die in a ditch' kinda looks."

Sae scoffed. "He already looks at me like that."

"Yeah, but this was worse." Shidou tilted his head, as if savoring the memory. "Like, 'you defiled my family bloodline' kinda worse."

Sae sighed, rubbing his face. "He was the only person I prayed didn't hear anything."

Shidou grinned, shaking his head. "Nah, prayers didn't work, babe. I caught him giving you the 'I know what you did' eyes at breakfast. Either that, or he was thinking about murdering me."

"Probably both," Sae muttered.

Shidou's smirk sharpened, something playful curling at the edges of his lips. "Worth it, though." His voice dipped lower, deliberate and teasing. "Didn't hear you complaining."