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♯ ❝ THAT'S NOT FAIR. ❞
CHAPTER TWO･ﾟ' ੈ 🤖 ⨳˚ :*
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THE ALLEY WAS EMPTY, THE STREETLIGHTS CASTING FAINT GREEN POOLS OF LIGHT ONTO THE PAVEMENT. The sound of traffic, muffled and distant, barely made it through the high-rise buildings around them. Kenji was standing next to his motorbike, his posture slumped slightly, but not enough to give away how bad his shoulder hurt. The pain wasn't sharp-it was more of a constant ache, a dull reminder of the battle he'd just fought.

His jacket was slightly askew, the fabric pulling at his arm as he shifted his weight, trying to stretch out the sore muscles. He grimaced and tried to ignore it, pressing a hand to his shoulder in an attempt to ease the tension, but it wasn't working. His face twisted slightly in discomfort.

He wasn't sure how long he'd been standing there, lost in the haze of his thoughts, but the silence was broken by a voice-one that cut through the stillness of the night like a blade. "You know," Her voice now unaltered by the robotic effect of the helm she previously wore, it had an edge to it, sharp and pointed, like a slap across his face. "The shoulder thing could've been avoided if you had actually listened to me back there."

He stiffened, feeling the words land squarely in his chest like a punch. His jaw tightened, but he didn't look at her right away. He kept his eyes forward, even though he could practically feel her glaring from the shadows of the alley. Then, slowly he turned his head, the light catching the edge of his profile as his eyes flicked toward her.

       There she was. Standing in the shadows of the alley, her arms crossed tightly over her chest. Her stance was defensive, but not in the way she used to stand. There was no playful challenge in her eyes.

He didn't know what to feel, although maybe it was a mix of everything. A knot tightened in his chest, but it wasn't just from the pain in his shoulder. He hadn't seen her in three years-not like this. And now here she was, standing right in front of him, looking at him like he was the last person she wanted to see.

Kenji's lips twisted into a thin, humorless half smirk, though the annoyance was clear in his eyes. The knot in his chest tightened as he eyed her, a dry chuckle leaving his lips. "Oh, now you're playing the 'I told you so' card? That's cute." He shot back, his smirk teetering on sarcasm.

He turned back to his bike, feigning indifference, but glancing sidelong at (Y/N) through the strands of hair that fell into his eyes.

(Y/N) stepped closer, the soft scuff of her shoes against the pavement. Her gaze lingered on him for a second too long, and he knew what she was doing-studying the way his shoulders were hunched, the way he'd been pretending like he wasn't in pain.

She wasn't fooled for one second. "You looked great, by the way. Really showcased your ability of getting beat up." The edge in her voice didn't soften as she arched an eyebrow, her tone dripping with sarcasm.

His lips curled into a half smirk, but it was thin and sharp, like he was trying to mask the irritation eating at him from the inside. "You think I care about your opinion right now?"

His voice was casual, though the tightness in his chest betrayed the conflict brewing underneath. "Wasn't asking for your advice, you know. So save the heroic talk for someone who actually cares."

Her eyes narrowed his way, moving closer to the male's strained form as if it didn't gnaw at her heart seeing her childhood best friend hurt. "I'm not here to give you a lecture," She sighed through her nose,  a sound that told him just how much restraint she was exerting to keep from doing exactly that, "But you don't have to do this alone."

The sounds of distant traffic faded into the background as they both stood there, breathing heavily, their expressions hardened by years of unspoken resentment. Kenji's fist clenched against the handlebars of his bike now, and he turned away, but not before catching a glimpse of the hurt flickering across (Y/N)'s face-a ghost of the girl he once knew, now marred by their history.

"Look, Ken," (Y/N) said, her voice quieter now but still holding an edge. "You need to understand that this isn't just about you anymore. Everyone is counting on you, your dad, and I..." The words hung there, the weight of unuttered apologies feeling heavier than any kaiju fight.

He tensed up when he heard her mention his father, a subtle frown taking over his features, but shook his head to clear his thoughts. He shifted his weight again, trying to ease the aching tension in his shoulder, but it was futile. Although he felt more hurt at hearing her words trail off from what he knew she wanted to say.

In that moment, he felt a twinge of regret flare within him, the hurt reflected in her eyes hinting at the legacy they were both trying to navigate. Yet, no matter how boldly he placed his frustrations on the table, he couldn't escape the truth that he felt simultaneously tethered to and distant from her.

The harshness in her words caught him off guard, and he fought back the stab of guilt that threatened to surface. Instead, he allowed the jagged edges of anger to slice through him, deflecting the hurt away. "So, we're just going to ignore the fact that you too left Neronga out there?"

The girl frowned at his words now, conflicted as she knew he was right and that she should have handled the situation back there. (Y/N) stepped even closer, each deliberate movement resonating like a drumbeat of shared frustrations. Her expression softened, almost pleading. "I'm just saying it doesn't have to be like this. I'm not fooling myself into thinking we'll fix everything tonight-"

Her attempt at reassurance only infuriated him, compelling him to put up walls against his emotions. "Right, because it's so easy to just move past it."

"You're still acting like a child," She spoke now her gaze darkening now, eyeing him with both worry and irritation at his stubbornness. "You can't act like nothing else matters forever."

Kenji rolled his eyes, desperately trying to shake off the way her words burrowed beneath his skin. "Do I look like I need you telling me this?" He quipped, his voice falsely light, yet the gravity behind it weighed him down.

(Y/N)'s posture faltered for just a moment, the strength behind her exterior wavering when she met his gaze with something softer, almost pleading. It was the unspoken reminder of her own tumultuous past, the mirror reflecting the pieces of him she never wanted to face again-but she quickly masked it with a forced scoff. "Do I look like I want to be here?"

For a moment, they stood still, the silence stretching taut between them, their breaths mingling in the cool night air. He struggled to maintain his facade, this whole interaction reminding the male that there had once been more than this petty conflict.

"Oh, really?" He scoffed, leaning back against his bike. "You don't want to be here? Then why didn't you just run away like you always do?" He kept his voice light, but there was a hint of bitterness in his words.

He glanced away for a moment, avoiding (Y/N)'s piercing gaze. He fidgeted with the keys in his pocket, a clear sign of his inner turmoil. His shoulders were still tense, his jaw tight with restrained anger. Her presence alone managed to bring him undone.

She stiffened at his words, the weight of those simple words striking a nerve. She knew that he was hurting, but that didn't make her feel any better. She drew in a shuddering breath, her hand clenching into a tight fist. Her mind raced with thoughts she knew she needed to voice, yet the words stuck in her throat.

She swallowed hard, forcing herself to maintain her carefully practiced facade of irritation. Her eyes narrowed at him, the sting behind them evident despite her attempts to keep it hidden. The tension between them was so thick it seemed to have a physical presence. The two old friends, now turned distant strangers, stood in the dimly lit alleyway, and the silence between them was deafening.

He couldn't meet her gaze, the frustration he was feeling was slowly shifting into an all-too-familiar feeling of guilt. He had tried to mask it, but he felt it gnawing away at him. He knew the pain he was causing them both. His eyes darted away from hers, landing on the city's distant lights. "You can't say anything because you know I'm right."

"And then what?" (Y/N) shot back now, her voice rising. "We just keep pretending like the past years never happened? Like you didn't leave too?"

His jaw tensed at her words, the sting of her anger adding another layer of guilt to his already raw emotions. He forced himself to keep his voice steady, even as his heart beat a little faster. "You left first," He reminded her, his words like razor-sharp knives. "I was just following your lead."

She took a step back, and the streetlights caught the gloss in her eyes. "That's not fair," She whispered her voice catching slightly, "And you know it."

Her words held an unspoken depth, layers of grief and loss that only they could understand. Kenji's gaze hardened as realization sunk in. He had touched a nerve, his careless words cutting deep into her heart. He swallowed hard, torn between wanting to apologize and the need to hold onto his own anger.

As the silence hung between them, a thick veil of tension still hovered in the air, he shifted, his expression guarded and his shoulders set stiffly. The tension in the air was palpable, a tangible force that seemed to echo through the empty alley.

"It's been three years, and some things haven't changed at all," He muttered under his breath, his voice betraying a trace of sourness, a subtle edge of resentment. She shifted on her feet, a subconscious gesture that she used to do whenever she was anxious.

As if to mirror her discomfort, she crossed her arms protectively across her chest, her fingers curling into her skin. (Y/N) looked at the male through her eyelashes, a sigh escaped her lips. "Like your attitude, you mean?" She told him her voice laced with a hint of sharp sarcasm, as she deadpanned at him, unamused.
     
He looked from her her as his gaze lingered from her to focus on something else, an exhale leaving his lips, eyebrows creasing into a frown. "It's always been me, (Y/N). Always."

Her lips pursed into a thin line, shaking her head as she refused to accept his words as she understood what he was feeling at the moment, but she couldn't help him if he didn't open up. "You're wrong," She whispered now as she took a shaky breath, though her voice was almost lost in the silence. "But I can't work with you... not if you are not willing to open up."

Kenji looked down at the girl in front of him, his stomach turning, but before he could say anything else, (Y/N) turned on her heel. She didn't look back, just walking away, her steps fading into the night, and the silence stretched back over him like a heavy blanket.

He stood there, his mind racing. The guilt clawed at him, but he couldn't face it. Instead, he groaned, rubbing a hand over his face in frustration. "What the hell am I doing?" He muttered to himself, sinking into the weight of everything he had tried to ignore for so long.

A voice was now projected into his helmet as he put it on, ready to get out of the alleyway, looking over to the now empty area in front of him thoughtfully, "Ken," Mina began to speak, her tone soft but laced with an undertone of concern that felt almost maternal. "Pushing (Y/N) away won't mend what's broken between you. Are you really going to let that end like this?"

He sighed, shaking his head as if to dismiss her comment although he knew she was right, but her words cut deeper than he wanted to admit. "I don't want to fix things that don't need fixing," He muttered though his voice lacked conviction.

Mina's response came quickly, her voice firm yet gentle, as if she were shepherding him back to the path he needed to take. "That's not what you believe, we both know that."

His helmet fell silent, and he stood there for a moment, lost in thought. He could feel Mina's words resonating within him, a gentle nudge from an his second mother figure who knew him too well. He didn't want to admit it, but deep down, he knew she was right. Everything he was trying to run away from would soon consume him or be to late to fix if he didn't do something.

His gaze drifted back to the spot where (Y/N) had vanished into the night. He felt a pang of regret, a sense of regret for what he could have said if he had taken the time to talk things through instead of pushing her away like she did first.

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       THE NEXT WEEK ARRIVED AND (Y/N) FOUND HERSELF DREADING WHAT WOULD COME as this would be her the day of her performance at the baseball stadium, and the nerves were just starting to kick in. As if that other night hadn't gone horribly and now she had to see him again. Then again, she didn't even have to talk to him, just get the job done and make sure everyone had a good time.

She glanced at herself in the mirror, her reflection staring back at her. The traditional Japanese kimono felt foreign against her body. The silk material draped across her frame, the rich blue hue of the fabric was embroidered with cranes, the symbol of grace and longevity, all the while her bracelet adorned her wrist as always.

She ran her hand down the length of the kimono, feeling the fabric beneath her fingertips. Her hair was styled in a traditional updo, secured with a decorative comb of a cherry blossom flower. Around her neck hung a simple diamond necklace, a piece of jewelry borrowed from her mother's old things, and her bracelet.

The pop star had arrived at Tokyo Dome early before the game started to prepare, the air filled with a mix of anticipation and unease. The place buzzed with activity as the preparations for the game were in full swing, with various staff running to and from, each fulfilling their respective roles to ensure everything went smoothly.

Soon enough the stadium was bustling with activity and a rhythmic hum in the air. The scent of freshly cut grass, the vibrant hues of team jerseys dotting the sea of spectators, and the echoes of applause and cheers from the crowd was a symphony of sensory stimulation. The large stadium was brimming with life, excited fans ready to witness the game.

(Y/N) stood in the shadows of one of the sheds of the stadium, knowing to wait for her queue to perform while watching as the sports commentator introduced the baseball players, indicating that the game would soon start, although her heart clenched when they announced the name of a certain baseballer. "...Rightfielder Ken Sato!"

The name hit her like a sudden gust of wind. She felt her heart skip a beat and her breath hitch in her throat, remembering their not so desirable first meeting after so long. The girl bit her bottom lip as she watched him come from the the Giants players' tunnel, before he made his way back inside the dugout, where the players would wait on her performance before the game would begin.

She felt a twinge in her chest, an ache she didn't want to acknowledge. Kenji hadn't changed. At least not in the ways that mattered. He still carried himself with that same cocky confidence, the same aura of someone who seemed untouchable. And yet, his presence, the way he moved so effortlessly, so assured, made her feel small and raw.

The crowd erupted with applause, the enthusiasm constructing a sonic wave sweeping across the stadium. She reminded herself that she only had to do her job, that today wasn't about personal struggles or unresolved tensions despite how frustrating it all seemed at the moment.

She barely noticed the music starting to play over the stadium speakers, signaling the final moments before the anthem began, the moment she had dreaded for weeks was now here. Although it wasn't performing but rather seeing Kenji again, only that with the things said the other night, that didn't really matter anymore.

But she hated that it did because she wanted her friend back, she didn't want their past bond like with her parents, she didn't want to lose anyone else but maybe that was the problem, she should just admit that things couldn't be as they were. She owed this to Mr. Sato though, she promised she'd make it work.

Kenji's gaze swept across the field, but when it landed on her, everything seemed to slow down. His eyes narrowed slightly, and for a brief moment, it seemed like the entire world held its breath. She could feel the weight of his stare-sharp. His expression was unreadable, but she could sense the conflict in his gaze, the flicker of something beneath the surface.

She straightened her posture, her nerves escalating as her moment to step into the spotlight approached. She couldn't afford to be distracted now. Not by him. Behind the stage, she could feel the pulse of excitement in the air-the murmur of anticipation mixing with the anxiety that clawed at her insides.

(Y/N)'s heart skipped a beat as she quickly looked away, focusing on the ground, trying to push down the whirlwind of emotions threatening to take over. It was just like it used to be. That silent communication they'd always had, the way their eyes could say everything when words failed. But now it only reminded her of the things they'd both lost.

Taking a deep breath, she straightened herself, pushing all the feelings back down where they belonged. The crowd was still cheering, the energy in the stadium building, and she couldn't allow herself to be consumed by what was swirling in her chest.

"You ready for this?" A stage manager's voice broke her thoughts, the hand that rested on her shoulder giving it a reassuring squeeze. She nodded with a weak smile on her lips, knowing how the world would not pause for her inner turmoil. The performance was an obligation, a commitment not just to the fans but to herself-to the girl who used to greet the stage with confidence untainted by the scars of her past.

The announcer's voice boomed through the stadium as he prepared to turn the focus onto her, and she found herself holding her breath, torn between the impending need to perform and the conflicting emotions tugging at her heartstrings. Then, in that moment as she stood under the backdrop of the world, she felt Kenji's gaze isolating her amidst the wave of muffled cheers.

And then the anthem drew to a close, and with a flourish, she finished with a deep inhale, the final note lingering in the air before being swallowed by applause. But the cheers felt distant, mingling with the rush of blood in her ears, drowned out by the reality of their rupture.

She soon spoke a few words towards the audience, sending a small smile to those who shouted her name, before greeting them goodbye and marking the beginning of the game once she stepped off the sandlot where she was showered with praise from her team and Asuna, who seemed to have just made it here, taking their seats up close to the field.

The game began soon after, but all (Y/N) could do was watch from the sidelines, her eyes unknowingly drifting to Kenji as stepped back into the field, his posture confident as he offered a smile in the way of a kid who handed him his bat. He was in his element now, the game taking his focus, the crowd cheering as he made his way to first base.

Her eyes gazed over in worry though as she took note of how his shoulder seemed to be bothering him still, to which brought a frown to her features as she wondered if he should go through with swinging right now.

Kenji stood at home plate, his bat gripped tightly in his hands as he focused on the pitcher on the mound in front of him. He rolled his sore shoulder and lightly tugged at his sleeve before getting into position, only to narrow his eyes into a scowl at the opposing catcher's comment, "Oh, Kenny. It's a shame about that shoulder." The male began to provoke him now, feigning fake concern, "Ooh! It just breaks my heart!"

His jaw clenched as he tightened his hold against the hilt of his bat, growling in response to the opponent's taunts, focusing on the ball ahead only to miss his shot. "Come on. Seriously?"

Seeing her childhood best friend miss his first strike made (Y/N) recoil in her seat as Asuna watched intrigued, enjoying a bag of popcorn. "I thought you said he was the best player?" The keyboardist eyed her friend, reminding her of the praises she had once directed towards the athlete.

The girl on the other hand watched intently as Kenji seemed visibly frustrated, his jaw tight with concentration. Her heart ached for him, and t she couldn't bring herself to not feel sorry for him. Asuna speaks up now with some words of advice to her clearly worried friend. "You know, if you keep staring at him like that, people are going to start talking."

The (E/C) girl blinked, her gaze shifting to her friend dumbfoundedly. Asuna had a playful, almost teasing grin on her face, but there was a sharpness in her eyes that suggested she knew exactly what was going on inside her friend's mind.

"I'm not staring," She remarked quickly, forcing a small smile to conceal her true feelings. "I just... his shoulder looks bad, don't you think?" She mumbled her words as her eyes flickered from the scene in front of them and back to her friend.

As she shifted in her seat, her fingers nervously fiddled with the hem of her kimono, her eyes glued to Kenji on the field. She noticed the way her heart raced whenever she thought about him, and the weight of her unresolved feelings felt heavy in the pit of her stomach. Asuna leaned in closer, a knowing look in her eyes, and said softly, "It's fine if you're worried about him. It's obvious you two have... unfinished business."

A flush crept up her cheeks, and she quickly flicked her gaze away from Asuna, unsure how to respond. The words hung in the air, stirring a whirlwind of emotions within her as she tried to mask the unease with a weak smile.
 
        "I don't know, Asuna," She shrugged out now, a resigned expression on her face, "He made it clear he wants nothing to do with me."

She turned her attention back to the game, trying to hide the flood of emotions that had suddenly overwhelmed her. She hated how easily he could still do this to her-make her feel like a mess inside, even after all this time.

He swung his bat again, missing another pitch, and the crowd groaned in collective disappointment. His frustration was palpable, and she couldn't help but feel the familiar tug of sympathy. "Come on, Ken," She muttered quietly to herself, her fingers gripping the edge of the seat.

Asuna glanced at her again, now noticing the subtle change in the girl's expression. She didn't press further, but her eyes lingered on her friend for a moment longer. She could see Kenji was important to her, even when they weren't in the best terms for some time now.

Kenji rubbed his shoulder with a glower creasing his facial features, as the opponent commented on, the Sato male felt his rage bubbling up again. He shot a glare toward the catcher, his anger flaring.

From her seat, she caught Kenji adjusting his grip on the bat and changing positions, his brows furrowed in determination as he got ready to swing with his right arm. (Y/N)'s eyes widened in recognition as he wasn't using his dominant hand any more, now at the edge of her seat as she watched in anticipation.

He didn't flinch despite the obvious strain on his shoulder; each swing was a testament to his stubbornness, a silent declaration that he was not about to let anyone see him falter. The tension in his muscles rippled under the bright stadium lights, and for a moment, her eyes flickered to his demeanor-the way he radiated both frustration and resilience.

As the pitcher released the ball, time seemed to stretch, every heartbeat resonating like a drumroll in the silence between their unspoken words. He focused all his energy, every ounce of strength he could muster, into that one pivotal moment.

He swung hard, the bat making a sharp crack as it connected with the ball, sending it soaring high into the night sky. It was as if the entire world paused, caught in the ecstasy of that moment-a moment when all of his frustrations seemed to transform into something beautiful. The crowd erupted in cheers, their voices a swirling cacophony of excitement.

"And it's a grand slam!" The announcer's voice boomed through the stadium, electrifying the air with excitement. "Yes!" The girl shouted although her voice barely able to be heard above the cheers but full of unrestrained happiness.

From her seat, her arms raised instinctively in celebration along with the crowd that stood up and Asuna, who seemed to be enjoying the way her friend's past ongoing tension just seemed to dissipate. (Y/N) watched eagerly as he ran the field, and bit her bottom lip to stop the big grin on her lips.

       Turning down to look at the sat down girl, Asuna tilted her head down to meet her gaze with a shrug, "He's pretty good," She smirked a little towards her friend.

      "He's the best."

But suddenly, a cacophony of screams shattered the electric atmosphere. A jolt of fear shot through her as she turned her head, her heart racing. Her eyes widened in alarm when she caught sight of twisted pieces of a helicopter tumbling from the sky, clattering against the shimmering force field that protected the dome.

The sight made her stomach twist in panic. Something terrible had happened. The helicopter plummeted to the ground just a few meters away from the stadium, crashing down in a fiery explosion that rocked the entire arena.

A loud boom resonated around them, and the ground trembled beneath her feet. The chaos unfolded like a nightmare; a gasp escaped her lips, breathless and shocked as her wide eyes darted to Kenji, who still stood frozen in the field, uncertainty playing across his features.

They both instinctively looked up, their hearts dropping in unison as they recognized the creature looming in the sky. "Gigantron," Kenji breathed, the name barely escaping his lips as they stared at the monstrous Kaiju, fearsome and imposing against the backdrop of the night.

( ᴬᵁᵀᴴᴼᴿˢ ᴺᴼᵀᴱ ) 🦋
𝘿𝘼𝙄𝙇𝙔𝘽𝙐𝙂𝙂𝙇𝙀𝙕 ━
❪ ✏️ ❫ 𝚆𝙾𝚁𝙳𝚂 : 𝟺𝟽𝟾𝟺

this was going to be such a short chapter but... i umm i like to yap so i hope you guys liked it, i know there's a lot of unresolved tension between these two so i'm hoping to build up to their relationship as the chapters go on because they'll be spending more time with each other because of emi but omgggg we are finally in kenji territory so YAYY🥲