Persona x Reader

Kou Ichijo x Athletic!Fem!Reader (P4)

"Hey, you definitely cheated!" Kou complained after a heated one-on-one match. 

"What?! Show me the bruises then." You shot back, reaching a hand out. 

Kou jumped, backing away. "At least leave me with my dignity!"

You laughed. "What a baby." 

The gym door slid open, revealing Daisuke. "What, you guys still here?"

"Had a score to settle." You explained. "And settle it we did." 

Kou huffed. "I call for a rematch!" 

As you simply laughed, Daisuke shook his head. 

"You two... Remember you gotta clean up before you leave." He chided.

Eyes wide now, Kou put his hand to his face. "Ugh, crap. You go ahead, Daisuke."

"Sure? Don't want to be an ass." 

"Yeah, I've got help, remember?" Kou jabbed a thumb in your direction.

You frowned, but conceded. "Fine..." 

The gym door slid shut again, and the gym felt eerily quiet now. You did as you said, and put the basketball back in its place. Kou had a mop and bucket ready when you returned, and was cleaning away the marks of shoes against the court. 

You watched as you sat on a nearby bench, elbows on your knees. "I think you missed a spot, to the left there."

He paused in his mopping, shooting you a look that seemed to convey 'really?'

Feigning ignorance was a failed effort, and you ended up laughing. "Sorry, sorry! ... I actually meant the right."

Kou shook his head, but a small smile was on his face as well. "You're seriously the worst, you know that?"

"Did I beat you in that, too?"

Without any second thoughts, he thrust the mop head in your direction. A surprised shriek left you first, then laughter as you blocked your face from droplets. 

It seems Kou couldn't keep up his annoyed facade, and he laughed along too. "You had that coming."

"Sheesh, what a bad loser." You joked.

"Hey, I'm still holding the mop." He answered, and you mockingly raised your hands in surrender. 

Eventually he finished, and after you both locked and left the gym, the sky was an orange hue. Leftover rays of sun made the pavement glow as you walked. There was a comfortable silence.

"... Hey, thanks for waiting on me again." Kou spoke up. "I know it gets kinda crazy during school hours." 

"It's alright. I'm always open to more practice time!" You said, flexing your arm jokingly. 

He chuckled. "You sure are committed."

"Hm? Aren't you, too?" You asked. "You always stay late after all. Plus, I'm sure a lot of the team looks up to you." 

Kou kept his gaze on you for a moment, but didn't say anything in reply. After a few beats, he nodded. "Yeah, I guess so."

You were curious by his delayed answer, and perhaps knowing that, he quickly continued. 

"Just, you know. Wouldn't be much of a gentleman if I didn't give thanks, would I?" 

"... Gentleman?" 

"Hey!" He shot back, and you laughed once again. He couldn't stay mad. 

For a while longer you chatted about trivial things, classmates, exams, and of course basketball. You mostly played with the older town team, and it was fun! But it wasn't the high risk, adrenaline rush of a match you craved for.