𝒃𝒆𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒆 𝒊 𝒎𝒆𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖 - 𝘵𝘦𝘵𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘰 𝘬𝘶𝘳𝘰𝘰

11: blackberry and lilac

K.A.: I attend Fukurōdani. I'm a little surprised you don't remember from that practice game a few weeks ago. You're Rini Yamazaki from Nekoma, aren't you?

Rini mentally facepalmed. She knew his name was familiar. He was the setter of Fukurōdani's volleyball team.

R.Y.: How do you know I was even at that game?

K.A.: I don't usually play that well unless there's someone in the audience I'm trying to impress.

Rini almost threw her phone into the air. This was definitely flirting. She had to take a second to recompose herself before deciding on a good response.

R.Y.: You don't really seem like the type to try and impress others.

K.A: I'm not, usually.

Rini suddenly felt extremely foolish, blushing down at her phone the way she was. He was so forward but not in a way that made him sound desperate. She had been impressed with his performance in the game, she'd taken dozens of notes on his form and confidence and the team dynamic of Fukurōdani. His ability to enforce the team so well while still fading into the background was incredible to her.

R.Y.: I was very impressed. Is that what you were hoping to hear?

K.A.: Very good.

R.Y.: But how do you know my name?

K.A.: It's as easy as asking around, you're well known around your school. Now, how good are you at following directions?

R.Y.: That depends very much on what exactly you mean by that.

K.A.: There's a coffee place called Blackberry Shoppe hidden on the little avenue leading North from Ko Park. Do you think you could find it?

R.Y.: What's my incentive to find this particular coffee shop?

K.A.: I'll be there tomorrow at 3PM, I have something I'd like to give you.

With her insatiable curiosity, there was no way she could say no to that. So the next day at 2:30, she arrived at Ko Park. She'd left with some extra time, just in case it took her longer than her GPS predicted to find the coffee shop.

Apparently her precaution was unwarranted because she ended up walking into the coffee shop at only 2:44.

Akaashi was already seated at a table in the corner, reading. He looked at home, as if he visited this place often. He wasn't wearing a mask now. Rini felt herself grow nervous when she realized just how handsome he was. Maybe even the most handsome guy she'd ever seen. She approached the table and he stood as soon as he saw her.

"I'm glad you made it." He said.

"Me too," Rini smiled and sat down in the chair across from his. She resisted the urge to mention how she'd been dying of curiosity of just what he wanted to give her, considering it was sort of impolite.

"These are for you, the reason I wanted you to meet me here."

Is he some sort of mind-reader or something?

"Oh my gosh," Rini breathed in utter shock as Akaashi offered her a small bouquet of purple lilac. She accepted the flowers and blinked, trying to figure out an appropriate response. "Thank you, they're just beautiful."

"There is a card attached but I'd be too embarrassed if you read it now, so do that when you get home later." Akaashi's cheeks teased a tinge of blush, making Rini smile.

"This is so different from what I was expecting." She found herself admitting.

"How do you mean?" Akaashi chuckled, leaning forward slightly with his elbows on the table and his hands folded against his chin.

Rini's earlobes warmed at the sound of his laughter. "I don't really know how to explain it, you just seem very different now than you did yesterday."

"I hope that's a good thing," Akaashi said. "I don't mean to give an unreliable first impression, I've been told I come across as too cold."

"No, it is a good thing. Not that your being cold is bad either, I mean...A lot of girls find the strong, silent type very attractive."

"Are you one of them?" The corner of his lip quirked slightly.

Her entire face flushed now. "Maybe," She said quietly.

"Do you find me attractive?" He dipped his head so he could meet her eyes, even as she shrunk lower into her chair as if to hide her bashfulness.

"Yes," She finally met his gaze, still keeping her nose down turned to keep from having to look at him directly. He had such an odd affect on her...as if he was trying to sweep her off her feet. She didn't know how she felt about that idea. Admittedly, she didn't hate it.

"You're very cute." He suddenly commented, chuckling again. "Is it alright if I buy your coffee?"

"Sure," Rini tried to shake herself together, realizing this was the second time she'd met this guy and there was no good reason she should let him turn her into a blushing mess. "Are you doing this all on purpose?" She asked.

"Doing what?"

"Making me nervous." Rini fidgeted in her seat but tried to bravely keep eye contact with him. It was hard even considering how entrancing his irises were. The blue of his eyes held the perfect tinge of green, a color that seemed too good to be true.

"That wouldn't be very nice of me, would it?"

"It sure wouldn't but you still seem to be enjoying it."

Akaashi chuckled again. "What sort of coffee would you like?" He asked as he stood up, seemingly changing the subject.

"Hmm...why don't you choose for me?" Rini leaned forward in her seat, looking up at him.

Akaashi nodded and headed towards the counter to order.

The date, if that's what it really was, only lasted about twenty minutes after their coffee was ready for them. Akaashi apologized profusely for cutting it short, but said he had to get to practice.

In a way, Rini didn't mind too much. She had been feeling a bit overwhelmed by all the butterflies...not only that but now that she was sitting alone at the table, she could see what the note on the bouquet said.

Yamazaki,
I hope I don't come off too strongly. I'll admit I'm shy so I'm not usually one to approach people I'm attracted to. That being said, I want to get to know you, with intentions to win your heart. You don't have to mention this note in the future, so don't feel obligated. Lets let our relationship begin naturally, whether as accountancies or something more. If this confession makes you feel uncomfortable or pressured, I sincerely apologize.
Respectfully,
A.K

Damn, this guy sure could write a love note.

♡

author's note

fun fact !! it's my 20th birthday today :p
i don't think any of you want to know how long this was sitting in my drafts :') thankfully i finally figured out how i wanted to conclude the chapter. akaashi has me giggling and kicking my feet, ngl. please let me know your thoughts on how it's progressing !! thanks again for reading, you're all such beautiful and lovely people.