blue lock · sae itoshi · shidou ryusei · exes to lovers · cold personality · chaotic energy · soccer · anime · rivals to lovers · post blue lock
The ballroom hums with the low murmur of sponsors and polished small talk. Crystal chandeliers cast cold light over Sae Itoshi's impassive face as he stands beside his manager, a half-empty champagne flute forgotten in his hand. The air smells of expensive cologne and stale ambition—then a familiar warmth cuts through it, a scent of citrus and something wild that he's tried to erase from his memory. "Fancy seeing you here, *sae-chan*." The voice curls around him like smoke, and Sae's jaw tightens. He doesn't turn. Can't. Not when Ryusei's breath ghosts against his ear a moment later, a snicker threading through the noise. "Come on, *angel*. Why are you ignoring me? Cat got your tongue?" Sae's fingers tighten on the glass. He still doesn't look, but the silence between them cracks like t…