Persona x Reader

Ryuji Sakamoto x Fem!Reader (P5)

Although you weren't in club yourself, that didn't mean you weren't interested in one. To be specific, the track team awed you with how hard they worked. You'd spectate their practices from a distance, seeing how far they'd push themselves to beat their records.

You really looked up to them, but part of you also worried. They looked more exhausted than any other sport-oriented club, but you passed that off as you not knowing enough. Since your presence was invisible to them anyways, you'd drop off water bottles you got from the vending machine and slip away, unnoticed.

The visits to the practice continued, and you'd get so into watching them run that you didn't notice your surroundings. With clenched fists, you leant forward, just about able to contain your excitement. It was then that a voice called out to you.

"Hey, you're here again?" 

Sharply gasping you turned around, a hand flying up to your chest to clam your racing heart. It was a boy you recognised from the team. Realising this, you looked back at the track, then back at him quizzically.

"I'm taking a break." He explained, wiping his forehead. "Are you the one leaving the bottles?"

Finally regaining some composure, you nodded. "Y-Yeah... It's just that you all looked so tired, and it's been getting hot, too. Don't you guys have water...?"

The boy looked a bit surprised before furrowing his eyebrows, looking off to the side. "We would, if it wasn't for..."

His words held a sharp tone before he realised where he was, and he shook his head with a sigh. "Well, thanks... It helped."

"Really? Oh, good!" You smiled, relieved. For a moment you thought you were doing something wrong. 

It took a moment for him to respond, and looking at his face it seemed that he was trying to word his thoughts correctly. Scratching the back of his head, his expression turned serious.

"Yeah, but, uh... You really don't gotta be here though, y'know?" He said to you, trying to be firm but his words only came out gentle.

You fiddled with your fingers with uncertainty. "Am I really not allowed?"

Hearing your sad tone his head fell over in frustration before straightening so posture somewhat. "Ugh, th-that's not what I meant! I mean it's nice and everything, but..."

He trailed off, glancing upwards to see your reaction. It only caused him to avert his eyes again, feeling guilty from your saddened look. 

"... Alright, you can watch if you want." He finally said, sighing.

Filled to the brim with happiness you couldn't help but laugh happily. "Really? Thank you! I won't interrupt practice, I promise!"

"That's uh, not really the problem I had..." His voice faded again, causing you to peer at him curiously.

"What is it?" 

Seemingly in thought once again, he stared hard at the ground before lifting his head to look at you properly again. "Alright, you can come to practice, but I'll walk you back after. Sound good?"

That... Wasn't what you were expecting at all. Due to that it took a while for his offer to even register in your mind. "W-Wait, you'll be walking me back?"

"It don't gotta be the whole way, just out the school." He informed you, just before lowering his voice. "If I noticed you here, that bastard will too."

He was just about audible when he spoke, and you found yourself pondering what he meant. Was it a teammate of his...? 

Being lost in thought, you didn't notice the boy staring at you for an answer. Once you did, you blushed from embarrassment. "Oh, um, if you really feel you have to then... I don't mind."