Disclaimer: Not mine.
Author's Notes: Whistle! needs more love. Story is AU-ish because it takes place after the last episode. Part 1/5.
i.
Mizuno is fifteen when he first realises he has feelings for Kojima.
It started with the funny things that happen to him when she is around; his heart pounds a little harder when she smiles and his throat closes up when she talks to him.
He looks across the soccer field from the game and sees her giving him a thumbs-up; the adrenaline kicked in and he ran until his legs burned after the ball that will decide the outcome of the match.
The score is 0-0, Sakura Jyousui had been stuck in a stalemate for the most of the second half with less than two minutes remaining on the clock.
This match will be their final game of junior high school and he will win it.
For her.
Sho reached the ball first and crossed it to him. As soon as the ball landed on his feet, Mizuno ran like he'd never run before. In the midst of all the cheering, he could only hear one; hers.
"GO Mizuno!"
The blood roared in his ears and he stepped pass one defender, then dribbled through the legs of another one. The third and final defender initiated a sliding tackle but Mizuno sees it from a mile away; he jumps to avoid the studs and quickly gaining control of the ball the moment he lands on his feet.
The goalkeeper; a huge, hulking figure, stands between him and the goal like a brick wall. Mizuno took his one touch on the ball and kicked it with all his might.
The keeper dives and extended his hands to stop the ball, but it curled away at the last minute and hit the net with a sharp swish.
Peet!
The shrill sound of the whistle signalled the end of the match but it was drowned out by the cheers of the crowd. His team mates rushed to congratulate him and in an instant, Mizuno is surrounded by everyone he knows; the coach, Oya-san, and even Sho's brother. But he doesn't care for them.
He navigates his way to find Kojima; he wants to tell her with his own words that he won it for her.
"Mizuno!" Her voice stood out from everybody else and Mizuno shoved and pushed through the crowd almost desperately to get to her.
Suddenly he found himself facing the source of the voice and his throat closed up again. He feels her arms envelop him in a tight hug and when they pulled apart, her cheeks were tinged red.
"I…", he swallowed nervously before trying to spit out the words that were forming in his head. Unfortunately, his brain chose that moment to shut down on him.
Mizuno notices that Kojima is looking at him strangely and he is pretty sure it's because his mouth is hanging half open.
"Did you hit your head?" she asked with an amused expression.
He shook his head rapidly and started again, "I…"
Kojima crossed her arms around her chest and looked at him patiently. "Yes?"
"I…won," Mizuno says weakly. He berated himself for being a coward.
Blinking at his statement, she flashed him a brilliant grin and hugged him again, "Ah. You did."
"What are you love-birds doing?" Shige announced loudly when he sees the two of them hugging well away from the crowd. Mizuno frowned at the interruption. Kojima releases him abruptly and chased after the laughing Shige.
She finally catches up with Shige and raps his head with her knuckles and says with an offended frown, "Idiot! Stop making silly comments."
Even though Mizuno knows it's not true, his stomach sinks a little when he notices the way she reacted when Shige suggested that they were a couple.
Is it that embarrassing to be with me?
Suddenly, he didn't feel much like celebrating anymore.