3 months | in which Sae's manager is replaced with someone else for 3 months
itoshi sae x reader . ch2 . art credits to owner
The team celebration was held at one of the city's most exclusive restaurants, a place large enough to accommodate the entire team while still maintaining the sense of privacy expected for professional athletes. The venue had been reserved for the evening, allowing the players, staff members, and managers to relax without worrying about the attention of the outside world.
For most people there, it was a familiar environment but for Y/N, it was the complete opposite.
She stood near the edge of the room, holding a glass of water while watching her surroundings. Everywhere she looked, there were people who seemed to have known each other for years. They laughed about old matches, teased each other about training sessions, and casually brought up memories she had no connection to.
Meanwhile, she was the new person standing in the middle of a group that already had its own rhythm.
Sae, unsurprisingly, had adjusted perfectly.
He was surrounded by his teammates and coach, participating in conversations when necessary and listening when he had no interest in speaking. Even though he was not the most social person, everyone around him understood his personality well enough to include him.
She, however, was still trying to figure out where she belonged. She attempted to join a few conversations, but every time she stepped in, she felt as though she was interrupting something that had already existed long before she arrived.
"This is painful," she muttered quietly to herself.
A waiter passed by with a tray of drinks, offering one to her. She politely declined before looking around the room again.
"I want to go home."
Her eyes moved toward Sae. For a brief moment, she considered walking over to him. After all, he was the only person here she actually knew.
But the sight of him standing with his teammates made her stop. He looked comfortable, and she didn't want to become the manager who constantly followed him around like a lost child.
So instead, she walked toward an empty table and sat down. The moment she pulled out her phone, she knew she had given up. Trying to force herself into conversations with strangers was somehow more exhausting than managing Sae.
At least with Sae, she knew what she was dealing with.
"You look like someone who is regretting every decision that brought her here."
Y/N immediately looked up.
Standing beside her was a man she had never seen before.
He had dark brown hair, sharp black eyes, and a confident smile that suggested he had never struggled with approaching anyone in his life. Unlike Sae's usual formal appearance, he wore a white suit that somehow matched his personality perfectly.
"I haven't seen you before," he said, taking the empty seat beside her before extending his hand. "Blake."
Y/N hesitated for a second before shaking his hand. "Y/N."
His eyes moved slightly in curiosity. "Y/N...?"
"Sae's manager."
The surprise on his face was immediate. "Sae's manager? Wasn't that Girolain?"
"Originally, yes." She explained. "But he got injured recently. He's recovering in the hospital, so I'm temporarily taking over until he returns."
Blake nodded, leaning back against the chair. "That explains why I haven't seen you before."
She gave a small smile. "And you are?"
"The striker of the team."
Her expression brightened slightly. "Oh, that's great."
The excitement lasted only a second before she looked away. Then her thoughts immediately changed.
Why is he sitting here?
What does he want?
She turned back toward him, trying to understand the situation. "So... shouldn't you be with everyone else?"
Blake laughed softly. "Why would I be with them when I can be here?"
She blinked. Then came the answer she should have expected.
"You're exactly my type."
She stared at him but before she could respond, another voice interrupted.
"Blake, you bastard! Why are you flirting with every woman you see?"
Blake immediately sighed. "Aria."
The girl approached them with an expression that suggested this was not the first time she had dealt with this problem.
"And why do you always make it awkward?"
Y/N turned her attention toward her. And for a moment, she forgot what she was going to say. The woman standing before her was stunning.
She had a natural confidence that made her stand out without even trying, and the way she carried herself reminded her of someone who had complete control over any situation.
Blake immediately pointed toward her. "Ah, Y/N, this is Aria. She's my manager."
Before he could continue, Aria hit him lightly on the head. "Stop introducing me like I'm the reason for your problems."
Blake rubbed his head. "Violence against players should not be allowed."
"Neither should your personality."
He ignored her and looked back at Y/N. "See you later." Then, with a small wink, he walked away.
She watched him leave. "...Is he always like that?"
Aria sighed as she sat beside her. "Unfortunately."
She looked genuinely apologetic. "I'm sorry. He doesn't know when to stop."
Y/N immediately nodded. "Yeah. I noticed."
The two of them laughed. Then Aria turned slightly toward her. "So you're Sae's manager?"
The question alone made Y/N's expression change. She slowly placed her forehead against the table. "I don't know how much longer I can survive."
Aria immediately understood. "That bad?"
"He is impossible."
She lifted her head. "He ignores everything. He forgets schedules. He acts like basic communication is a personal attack."
Aria placed a hand over her heart dramatically. "My condolences."
"Thank you."
"The world is cruel."
"Very cruel."
The two of them continued their dramatic performance until they eventually started laughing. And somehow, that small moment was enough. For the first time that evening, she no longer felt like an outsider.
A few minutes later, two more female staff members joined them after being introduced by Aria. Soon, the conversation shifted from awkward introductions to stories about working with the players.
Mostly complaints.
"They are talented, but sometimes I wonder if talent removes common sense."
"I swear football players have the same brain."
"Except Sae." Y/N looked at them.
"What about Sae?"
Everyone became quiet for a second. Then Aria sighed. "He's a different category."
That was enough to make all of them laugh.
By the time Sae finished speaking with his teammates, he noticed that Y/N was no longer sitting alone. His eyes moved toward the table where she was sitting. She was laughing and that sight surprised him slightly.
When he first saw her standing alone earlier, he had assumed she would struggle throughout the evening. She knew no one here, and this team had already formed its own group long before she arrived.
But somehow, she had managed to find her place.
Good.
At least he wouldn't have to deal with her complaining about being bored for the entire ride home.
"You got yourself a pretty manager."
Sae turned slightly.
Blake was standing beside him, following his gaze toward Y/N.
"Can I get her number?"
"No."
The answer came instantly.
Blake looked at him. "Wow. That was fast."
Sae looked away. "If you want it, ask her yourself."
"You're not even going to help your friends?"
"We're teammates. Not friends."
Blake smiled. "Cold as always."
Sae ignored him and walked away.
The party ended much later than expected. By the time they entered the car, both of them were exhausted. Or at least, Sae was. Y/N, somehow, had discovered a second source of energy.
"The other managers were really nice," she said, looking out the window. "I thought it would be awkward, but they actually understood what I was going through."
Sae remained silent.
"And Aria is amazing. I don't know how she handles Blake."
Still silent.
"Honestly, I think I got lucky."
Sae finally opened his eyes. "Can you stop?"
She turned toward him. "Stop what?"
"Talking."
Her expression immediately dropped. "You're mean."
"I know."
She looked away from him and then the car become quiet. A few minutes later, Sae glanced toward her. Her head rested against the window, completely unaware of the world around her.
For once, she wasn't arguing, complaining and she wasn't telling him what he was doing wrong.
Sae looked away. "Make sure you don't get too comfortable around the others."
No response.
He frowned slightly. "Y/N."
Still nothing.
Only then did he realize she was asleep. He stared at her for a moment. "...Seriously?"
A small sigh escaped him. He reached over and carefully moved a strand of hair away from her face. "You're annoying even when you're asleep."
The words were quiet, almost absent-minded.
Then his eyes drifted toward the dress she was wearing, lingering for a second too long before he looked away with a faint crease between his brows. The silence in the car suddenly felt heavier, more aware of itself, as if he had only just realized how close she was sitting beside him.
After a moment, he removed his suit jacket and placed it over her lap, his fingers brushing the edge of her thigh for the briefest instant before he pulled back.
The driver noticed through the rearview mirror but wisely said nothing.
For someone who claimed not to care, Sae was becoming increasingly difficult to read.
a/n - I have been loving the revamping process lmao. It makes me realize how much my writing has changed haha
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