Hero - Kise Ryouta x Reader

Roughly based on episode one of KnB Season 3, taking place between Kise and Haizaki’s confrontation near the end and the start of their actual game. Sorry, but the fanfic can’t be fully canon or else it wouldn’t work.
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“Ryouta-kun, you’re going up against him next, huh?”

“Yeah, it’s been a while since I’ve played my old ‘buddy’, Haizaki Shougo.”

“...”

“Hey, don’t worry.” Kise reassured, ruffling your hair. “It’ll be fine - he’s just a milestone for me to pass in order to advance in the Winter Cup.”

“I can’t help it though. I heard that he’s really dangerous. I don’t want you to get hurt.” You said, eyebrows furrowed in worry. “Please be careful.”

“You too.”

“Eh?” Kise just gave you a quick hug and a peck on the forehead without saying anything more. He left the spectators’ stand to rejoin his teammates as you pondered upon his weird actions. Normally he was more affectionate and hyperactive than gentle.

Deciding that you should take a breather for a little bit, you exited the stadium and sat down on the stairs. It was cold, but you needed the fresh air. You weren’t upset or anything - you just needed to calm your nerves.

Kise was going to play Haizaki Shougo in about fifteen minutes and you were honestly worried about his wellbeing. Haizaki probably played dirty, but hopefully he wouldn’t be as bad as the notorious Kirisaki Daichi basketball team. You were so immersed in your thoughts that you didn’t notice a tall, shady man approaching you.

It was only until his shadow eclipsed you, that you looked up and gasped in shock at who you’d seen. “H-haizaki Shougo.” You thought that he would’ve been inside the building with his teammates to prepare for the game coming up.

“Hm, so this girl knows my name.” Taking a closer look at you, he smirked. You didn’t like the way his predatory eyes made you feel. “Now that I’m takin’ a closer look at you, you’re pretty hot.”

You flinched back when you felt his breath on your face and quickly stood up to back away. “I-if you’ll excuse me…” You wanted to leave, but he grabbed your wrist.

“You seem real familiar too, now that I think about it.” Haizaki commented, scrutinizing your features closer. He shrugged and said, “Well, whatever. Doesn’t change the fact that you’re an attractive babe. So, you gonna gimme your number? I didn’t get the digits of a blonde babe before, but you’ll do just fine as well.”

You didn’t answer and whimpered when his grasp tightened on your wrist. Someone please help me. Normally you were a rather brave individual, but you’ve never seen someone who made your blood run so cold. You were honestly afraid and were on the verge of tears.

It was a surprise when you were pulled away from Hazaki and into a warm chest. The embrace was familiar and protective, and you felt a lot better now.

“What do you want with my girlfriend, Shougo-kun?” Kise asked, eyes glinting dangerously.

“Oh, so that’s where I’d seen her before. You’re always hangin’ out with Ryouta.” Haizaki’s grin widened. “Shall I take this girlfriend away from you too?”

Kise frowned and said, “No. I don’t care about how you stole my ex-girlfriend at Teiko, but this one’s special. I’m not letting anyone take (Name)-cchi away from me.”

“Heh, I guess we’ll just play it out.” Haizaki said, pushing past you and Kise roughly and entering the Winter Cup’s building.

Kise ignored Haizaki and grabbed your shoulders. “He didn’t hurt you, right?”

“I’m fine.”

Not fully believing you, he still checked your body for injuries and his eyes darkened at the bruises on your wrist where the brute had been holding onto prior to Kise’s arrival. “That bastard.”

“No, it’s really not that bad. Thank you for saving me. You were very heroic.” You said as you gave him a kiss on the cheek as a reward.

Kise smiled and replied, “Well, I’ve got to make it up to you. I’d already promised Kagamicchi to kick his ass, but I’ll do it twice as much for you. ...no, quadruple times! Wait, that’s not enough times!”

“Ryou-”

“I know! I’ll do it by your favorite number!”

“Listen-”

“No! What if your favorite number isn’t high enough?! Or, what if it was less than one or zero or even a negative?! Wah, why is this so hard?!”

You sighed and looked at him fondly while he was still freaking out on deciding a multiple of a number to defeat Hazaki Shougo by. He was trying too hard to look cool and so it was failing on him. Smiling, you decided that while Kise Ryouta was a loser most of the time, he also was your hero, through and through.