None of the Above (KuroKen)

None of the Above

If there was one thing Kenma certainly despised as a teen, it was multiple-question answers. None of the answers were usually his own and there was never the option to pick: none of the above.

It was like he was being forced to make a decision and he was certainly one that didn't enjoy that method of coercion at all.

"Kenma-kun, do you want to go to the arcade with me? You like games right?" the young woman asks, grinning as she leans over Kenma's desk.

On instinct he recoils from his previous position and presses himself against the backrest of his chair.

His hands were still hovering over the keyboard as he thinks over his options. He wants to say 'yes' because he likes games, but he also wants to say 'no' because he's certainly not feeling up to arcades that are usually packed with people and defintely not with someone other than Kuroo. Kuroo was a man of good faith and patience, that four hours into a game wouldn't utter the words: 'You've been playing that for hours.... I'm bored....'

He thinks about it for a moment, realizing once more, none of the above would be a suitable option to pick, yet not one available at the moment.

So, he shakes his head and forces a polite smile to appear on his features, "No, thank you. I'm busy right now," he answers as lightly as he could muster before turning his attention back to the screen in front of him.

Somewhere whilst he's running the debugging-script, she leaves him in peace.

It's a bit disappointing.

He'd like to go. But there're always so many people there. Sometimes you have to wait in line and, worse than that, she'd probably expect to hold hands while they do.

He takes a sip of his energy drink, awkwardly swallowing when a yawn unexpectedly creeps up on him.

Late nights and early starts were a usual routine, but no longer could he catch a catnap before volleyball practice like he used to.

Used to. It's been six years now.

Six years out of school, working for a gaming company as if he was born to do it. He didn't miss school, at all. The noise, the parties, the tests, the dress codes, the pressure, the people. The closest thing to missing anything, was his old team though. One by one they all drifted apart after college, each of them finding their own space.

But, he still had Kuroo.

They'd bought a place together right out of college, an efficient apartment that works for them both, each with their own room and bathroom - a luxury in this town. It was closer to Kenma's work than Kuroo, but the latter insisted it was a good incentive to keep him fit, as he's taken to jogging to work.

The ex-Nekoma Captain always reveled in the freedom of his work as a Physiotherapist. The financial freedom that came hand-in-hand with his contract with the Japanese Volleyball League appointment. It usually meant up to three months away from home every year whilst the League was touring, but otherwise, it was a stable gig with freedom.

The best part, coming home each day to Kuroo already there...

Kenma rubs his eyes a bit and sighs. A bachelor flat indeed.

He stretches out and takes another sip of his drink before continuing his work. He didn't want to be late today. He wanted to get home before Kuroo today. He wanted to surprise him a little. It was their planned movie night, after all.

It was just before four that he finally could sit back and save his work. He grabs his backpack and slings it over his shoulders before walking out.