Going back home was akin to experiencing jet lag despite living in the same country. The moment Yukimi stepped inside the comforts of her house, she immediately dashed to her room, grateful that the house was empty for the day (her mother had a shift that lasted till ten at night, something that she once cursed). Turning on the air conditioner, the medium-haired girl took off her jacket and instantly plopped on her made bed, enjoying the lowest temperature her air conditioner can blow since summer was still at its peak outside, judging from the children around their neighborhood (she passed by a yard with an inflatable pool set up on it and some sporting stands of lemonade).
She swore she slept throughout the day like a log ー no one to wake her from the fruity scent of her covers and her dreams of gold eyes and handsome half-smiles.
The whole week after the training camp was pretty uneventful in Yukimi's part.
All she did was settle on her low coffee table, open her school bag, and continued answering the summer homework that seemed to pile up when she checked them. Each subject's homework packet consisted of spreadsheets that needed to be solved (judging from the red and orange, Yukimi figured they were from Calculus, Physics, and Chemistry), readings that should be noted for upcoming back-to-school tests (the rest of the courses in Science and Social Studies ー her teachers show no mercy at all), and reports and writing projects for her literary subjects. The only time she got out of her room was to take a bath or to get her meals because once Yukimi was motivated to finish something ー be it her schoolwork or reading books, she couldn't stop. As she finished her summer homework, Yukimi opened her laptop to make an impromptu report about the volleyball club and how they were faring ー listing all of the content in her notebook revolving around the two training camps.
Running on caffeine and sugar was a normal occurrence to the medium-haired girl as the summer days pass by. Right when she finally reviewed her answers (which are thoroughly checked so many times that her eyes burned the answers in her brain), it was the final day of the week after the summer training camp and Yukimi was itching to read a book. It proved to be harder than she thought as she stood in front of her bookshelf, arms crossed over her chest and eyes narrowed at the array of already read books.
(The books on her shelf can be counted quite easily due to the number of times she kept rereading novels ー in short, Yukimi was bored out of her mind at the lack of flavor in her owned books.)
Deciding that she should go outside her house once in a while, Yukimi searched for an outfit to wear, her destination in mind is the nearest bookstore which usually took her one train ride. Entering the bathroom down the hallway with her picked clothes (a habit she carried from middle school where she would change in the bathroom instead of her room), she washed her face before changing into her choice of clothes. While brushing her hair from tangles and letting it rest past her shoulders in loose curls, the caramel-eyed girl took in her appearance ー an oversized maroon short-sleeved button-down with its front tucked inside a loose pair of black high-waist shorts.
While tidying up her tote bag with her essentials, Yukimi hovered a few minutes on her phone, pursing her lips in contemplation. She was feeling the embarrassment bubbling in her stomach, telling her mind that what she will about to do will go both ways. Yukimi already hogged all of his attention in the training camp, mainly the reason why she chose to talk to other people on the last day, so requesting this from him made her think that she might be getting a little too clingy for her liking. In the end, with a shake of her head, the medium-haired girl put on her white socks as she pushed that thought back in the crevices of her brain.
Her phone dinged with an incoming message.
Yukimi turned her head to the gadget sitting on her bed while pulling the tote bag on her shoulder. It could be from anyone, was what she thought as she turned her phone on, since she had promised Kiyoko and Daichi that they will be talking to each other more often through messages.
Her eyes widened as she registered that it wasn't just from anyone.
From: Tetsu
Subject: This is quite random but I'd do it in a heartbeat if it's you.
08/05 11:13
Hana, let's go out for the day.
We wouldn't want to have you cooped up all day in your room, am I right? We can do all the things you want (this isn't like what you're thinking, if I'm correct with what you're thinking right now, you and your dirty mind, Hana). So, get dressed and take all the time in looking pretty (but I'm sure that you already look good effortlessly).
Don't rush, okay? Tell me if you're done getting ready. By the way, what are you wearing?
Yours ;),
Tetsurou~
The effect of this boy with the golden specks in his eyes is absolutely seraphic.
Yukimi always found herself upon the moon with a thumping heartbeat that could be heard through any part of space every time Kuroo does something that can be considered as minuscule to others because as far as she knows, it may be little things but it will always ignite the same pink warmth she felt around the messy-haired boy. So with a smile lighting up her face, Yukimi typed a reply saying that she was already planning on going out and that his message is great timing, adding that they should meet at the station. In turn, she received a hastily typed message from Kuroo saying that he will be ready in time at all so that she wouldn't have to spare her time in waiting.
After saying goodbye to her father's picture and locking the front door, the caramel-eyed girl took her time in getting to the station, slowing her pace down so that she could reach their destination right when Kuroo arrives. She palmed down her phone, quickly writing a message to her mom to let her know that she will be out for the entire day and that she may be home later than normal. Of course, intentionally leaving out that she's going out with Kuroo because that would make her mother riot (positively, what else?) so Yukimi wrote 'going out with a friend for the day' instead of the boy's name. It would be for the better to avoid further questioning from the older woman ー she doesn't want a repeat of the Romio topic.
There it is ー the station. Overflowing with people of various generations, there wasn't any sign of the messy-haired boy she spontaneously invited to a date (more like it was Kuroo but she was already dressed so she decided the date was established on equal manner). Yukimi completely understands so she took out her phone to scroll through her social media until she heard a familiar voice calling her name.
True enough, there's Kuroo Tetsurou.
The whispers follow after him. Partly the reason why Yukimi knew it was instantly him. The group of girls beside her (probably first-years from the looks of it) talked about a tall boy with messy hair and who else would it be? Even Yukimi couldn't deny that Kuroo is the definition of the word 'handsome', from the way he carried himself with an air of confidence that will be too hard to pull off if you're not him to the way he was practically sculpted ー his face, body, and mind saying it all. There wasn't any hint of prettiness when it comes to the volleyball club's captain ー everything about it is just ruggedly boyishness that sets him apart from the rest of the boys Yukimi knows. Heck, her previous crush (redacted, for an obvious reason) is a pretty boy and that's saying something of her tastes in people.
Clad in a tucked-in black and red short-sleeved button-down opened at the bottom to show the black shirt he has underneath, Kuroo sauntered towards her with his hands inside the pockets of his black slacks. He outdid himself when he asked what clothes Yukimi was wearing and picking out an outfit that had the same color scheme as hers. The medium-haired girl felt her face grow tremendously warm, reaching to the tips of her ears, as Kuroo reached a hand to take her tote bag from her shoulder and doing the job in carrying it with the most blinding smile Yukimi received in the day.
"Hey," Kuroo greeted, finding himself drawn to Yukimi's presence as soon as he met up with her.
His heart was making all sorts of beats that made his head hazy because no matter how many times Kuroo sees the dark-haired girl in a single day (in his mind when they went home after the training camp because it was summer vacation), she is only becoming more beautiful than she already is and he was liking every second he stares at her. So, like a butterfly attracted to a blossom's nectar, Kuroo dipped his head to capture Yukimi's lips with his own, his heart tingling at the small hum of contentment coming from the medium-haired girl. He could feel the tiniest flutter of her eyelashes against his cheeks and the brushes of her palms on his chest, making Kuroo nudge forward a bit to pull Yukimi closer to him with his arms wrapping around her securely. When they pulled away, a sliver of space wedging between them yet maintaining the proximity, Kuroo took the time in staring into her caramel irises with half-lidded eyes, his chest becoming warm.
"It's only been a week," Kuroo murmured with a tiny blush creeping on his face, his tone soft yet hesitant, almost as if he was unsure of what he would be saying next. He doesn't want to sound that clingy but he also wants to let her know what he feels. So punctuating it with a squeeze of her waist, Kuroo whispered against her lips, shivers running down his spine as he registered that Yukimi once again applied her flavored lip-balm, "But I miss you, Hana."
Yukimi smiled up at him. "I miss you, too, Tetsu." She then felt people looking at their direction, making her bury her face in Kuroo's chest. "I think we have an audience."
Kuroo indifferently glanced at the other people discreetly giving them gossiping stares before softly smiling at the shy mess that his 'girlfriend' turned to. "I don't mind, though, let them watch." When Yukimi lifted her head from his chest with furrowed brows and a cute pout, Kuroo couldn't help but laugh at how adorably grumpy she looked. "I'm just kidding." Ducking a little bit, he brushed their noses together with a silly smile on his lips before his voice dropped in a more serious timbre. "I'm kidding ... but I can't blame them when you're so beautiful looking like that."
"Stop it," Yukimi laughed. "Have you seen yourself?"
A flutter of a kiss then brushed on their lips, with the two of them smiling through the contact.
It ached Yukimi's heart that Kuroo could look at her with eyes filled with adoration. Before she knew it, there was a surge of the same adoration overcoming her, dedicated to the boy in front of her ー making her stand on her toes to kiss him on the lips again. What made her swoon though was the glazed look Kuroo returned ー his eyes were closed at the soft kiss but when he opened them, there was a glimmer of wonder sparkling and swirling through his golden irises as his eyes widened. Yukimi couldn't help but lightly pinch the boy's cheek before grinning and lightly pulling him to the awaiting trains.
"Come on, we have a whole day ahead of us."
With just that sentence, Kuroo was grinning like a fool as he followed the exuberant girl, entwining their fingers together.
"The only reason why I decided to go out is to pick some books to read through the summer," Yukimi sheepishly admitted with a coy smile, peering up at Kuroo as they entered the shopping district near their neighborhood (it was more like near their side of Tokyo because they couldn't even deny that there was a lack of places to go to in their area). "My bookshelves need some addition because I've got to say, it's lacking some flavor lately."
Kuroo hummed, a sign that he was listening to what Yukimi was saying, his hand placed firmly on the girl's waist while his other one gripped the strap of her tote bag hanging on his shoulder. Looking down at her after eyeing a store displaying some minimalistic jewelry, the messy-haired boy replied, "You already finished the books we bought on our first date?"
The girl nodded, her eyes meeting Kuroo's gaze. "Yeah," she answered with a little laugh, her heart becoming warm at the mention of their first date. It almost feels like forever since they went out that day. "If I tend to like the plot or if it starts as something promising, I might breeze through it even though I read slower than the others out there."
"I don't exactly read that much but I can tell that you really like them," Kuroo noted, his smile still playing on his lips as he lightly pulled Yukimi to his side as they passed by a good number of people. "So what were they about?" His tone gained a little tilt as his face mirrored the wide smile Yukimi gave him. "I'm all ears, you know?"
"The first book I read was pretty interesting," Yukimi then delved into a lengthy explanation about traveling through parallel universes and warping time that somehow fit together in a solid plot, her hands aiding her in making her monologues more expressive, which Kuroo liked on her because her eyes looked happy. "I'm not a fan of science-fiction but there's always something about the application of quantum physics that sets me into one of my reading modes. Of course, there's also the impending possibility that the multiverse exists, I mean, who wouldn't get excited over that?!"
"If it exists," Kuroo started, his head tilted up to the sky with a small grin before looking at her with a cheeky smile. "I have a strong feeling that we'll still be together in all of them. Better, there could be an alternate universe where the roles are reversed ー me being the club's manager and you being the hotshot volleyball captain. That seems interesting enough to me. Now, you in the girls' volleyball uniform is something I'd like to see someday!"
"I swear to God, you have a way with words ー it's scary because it's doing some wonders to me," the medium-haired girl murmured under her breath, her cheeks flushed at Kuroo's last statement. He had been imagining her in the girls' volleyball uniform? It would take years for her to wear an ensemble of a dry-fit jersey, not to mention she couldn't do sports to save her life, so it was a great surprise that her supposed boyfriend shared these thoughts about her. Not taking how malfunctioned her brain turned into after staring at Kuroo for a few seconds, Yukimi looked away to plant her gaze at the stonework they were walking on, glad that she let her hair down for the day.
"Hmmm?" Kuroo's voice once again gained that teasing tilt, making the girl beside him tense slightly. "What exactly are those wonders and where do you particularly feel them, Hana? Do tell me, for research purposes only, of course."
"Unbelievable."
The messy-haired boy's chuckle rang through the air as he continued teasing the caramel-eyed girl. He refrained from making comments that could hurt Yukimi, knowing that the capabilities of his sharp tongue were sometimes uncharted waters even to him (he could even insult some of his kindest friends, one of them being Kai, without him knowing it). The two of them walked down one of the many streets of the shopping district until the boutiques and fashion department transitioned to eateries and cafes, making Kuroo remember that it was nearing lunchtime and the people in this area of the shopping district is slowly becoming crowded. "Hey," he voiced out to Yukimi, earning a hum in return. "Why don't we eat lunch? Since there seems be more people going inside the restaurants at this hour."
Yukimi looked around the people already flocking specific restaurants and felt that they should also take a seat on one of them so that they can have a secure lunch. Turning to Kuroo, she told him with a nod, "I think that's a great idea."
"So what are you thinking of eating right now?" the dark-haired boy asked her whilst slightly pulling her to his side, her shoulder pressing on his chest because people have been bumping into them a lot, his soft gaze on her transferring on the people passing by with a slightly narrowed look. He didn't miss that disgusting smirks and lingering eyes of a group of boys (most likely the same age as them) as they passed by Yukimi ー and it was enough making his blood boil. Of course, he was proud to have the most beautiful girl being his girlfriend and he was all for other people admiring her (because he was doing the same thing before everything brewed a fantastic series of events) but Kuroo doesn't like the way some men exhibit their behavior when it comes to seeing the girl for the first time.
Feeling Kuroo slightly pressing against her side, Yukimi was ready to blow a fuse at how close they became, her heart pattering wildly inside her chest. It took every bit of her not to stutter as she opened her mouth to answer the boy's question, "I think a yakiniku restaurant will be nice since I already miss the grilled meat during the training camp."
"Yakiniku it is, then," Kuroo agreed, running a hand through his hair, messing it up even more, as he looked around the restaurants lining their side of the shopping district. Sure enough, there was a yakiniku restaurant a few feet from them and it looked like people are starting to head there as well. "Hana, there's one over there." Kuroo pointed to where the eatery was situated, gaining the attention of Yukimi, who was thoughtfully eyeing a little kid laughing with his family. Noticing the wistful air surrounding the girl, Kuroo kissed her temple to bring her back from thinking things too much. Once he received the usual glimmer in her eyes as she looked up at him, the gold-eyed boy asked her, "Let's go?"
A nod was the only thing Kuroo needed as he gently pulled her to where the yakiniku restaurant was. As they were entering the sliding doors, the messy-haired boy made sure to let Yukimi enter first, his eyes never leaving her awed figure. There was something amiss though and Kuroo couldn't help but feel that there seemed to be a switch turning itself on inside the girl's mind. It was like there was an invisible wall pulling up between them and it was not settling right to Kuroo because it felt familiar. A series of events flashed inside his mind, all of them centering on the aloof yet kind personality Yukimi exhibited during their stay in Nekoma ー her trying her best to fit in and giving up at the next minute, offering smiles to her classmates and excusing herself at the fastest way possible, and isolating herself every lunch or vacant hour. He tried shaking them off but he had a feeling that their good time right now might have something looming soon.
He sure hoped nothing will happen to Yukimi.
For an eatery full of grills, the whole restaurant was circulating with cold air from the many air conditioners stationed around the ground floor. It was something that the two of them appreciated after roaming around under the summer heat. Now, Kuroo and Yukimi settled themselves in a booth meant for four people, with a long couch stuck against the wall and facing two comfortable chairs across the grill, the messy-haired boy making himself comfortable beside Yukimi on the long couch.
"This is more convenient than me sitting across you," was what he told Yukimi, which was partly true because he instantly took the job in cooking the food and feeding the caramel-eyed girl beside him (even though they haven't ordered yet). Of course, he can also wrap his arm around her shoulders or waist casually without looking like the awkward person that he is when it comes to his girlfriend ー that's a plus.
"Whoa, they have everything in here," Yukimi noted as she opened the menu and flipped through it page by page. A smile made its way to her lips when she felt Kuroo's arm settling on her waist, the small smile growing into a grin when the messy-haired boy planted his chin on her shoulder, his eyes lazily trailing over the many dished and combos the menu offered. Absentmindedly, Yukimi rose a hand and ran it through Kuroo's hair, hearing a low hum right beside her ear and feeling the boy's lips lifting on the side of her neck. "What do you think, Tetsurou? Should we order the unlimited meat, vegetables, and iced-tea? Oh, it has free ramen with it, too. That's a pretty convenient combo."
"I'm down for that," Kuroo replied before brushing his lips on Yukimi's jaw and pointing at the dessert section of the menu, his eyes lighting up at a specific brand of ice-cream offered by the restaurant. "Hey, we should order some ice cream. I'm thinking of buying some Yukimi Daifuku after this."
"I have a feeling you'd order that," the medium-haired girl murmured with red cheeks. "They have different kanji, you know? My name and this brand, that is."
"They still sound the same," Kuroo told her with a laugh, kissing her once again on the cheek before straightening himself on his seat. "Cookie dough for you, right?" The fact that he discovered this one time during one of their walks home with the volleyball team is still surprising because he always saw Yukimi eating some fruit-flavored treats here and there (mostly during their breaks or spontaneous visits to the convenience store). So when she took out a small tub of cookie dough while casually answering Yaku's question about the impending exams, Kuroo noted that it really was her favorite flavor of ice cream.
The number of things he still didn't know about the caramel-eyed girl sitting beside him is appalling.
All of the things he knew about her were all products of sheer observation in the past two years. Never once did he interact with her during their first and second years in high school, except for when they were partnered or grouped for a presentation (the famous line 'I'll do what I can to help' sprung out, only to have Yukimi shoulder all of the parts because she was that reliable of a student with her reputation) ー he never knew what Yukimi likes, except for the things coming out of the surface, like her love for reading, cats, Arts, and studying. But one thing he was sure of ー he knew how she cursed (quietly) whenever things might not go her way (be it an unsolved problem or miscalculation in the club's funding), how she held back her smile whenever something good came up in the things she read, or how her eyes sparkled a sweet caramel when she could talk about her dream college.
After they listed the food they ordered to one of the waiters, Yukimi leaned forward to place her chin on one hand as she stared around the restaurant. "This place is kind of nice. I've only been here once, I think, but that was after we moved here."
"Really?" Kuroo inquired, his entire attention on the girl thoughtfully taking in the décor. "The coach sometimes bring us here every time we failed to make it to the nationals if he has money left to treat us, that is. It's sad, I know, but there's a sense of satisfaction stuffing your face down while crying," he trailed off as he eyed the glass of water in front of him, "like a promise that while getting the nutrition that we need, we'll get there someday stronger than we already are." Kuroo flashed a smirk at Yukimi, a knowing glint appearing in his eyes. "I think you're a witness to Nekoma's breakthrough." Then, his face became serious as he pursed his lips, "We'll make the 'Battle of the Trash Heap' happen this time, I'm already claiming it."
"I know you're going to make it happen, Tetsurou," Yukimi told him with a smile. "Call it a manager's intuition."
"Ever since you came to the club, we're getting this feeling that you're the team's lucky charm," the messy-haired boy voiced out, his body slightly facing her in their long seat. "We managed to get a set out of one of the powerhouse schools in Tokyo during the previous tourney. It's not that I'm saying that we were lacking something before you came but when you said yes to our invitation, it feels like you're a part of the team before you even said hello."
"Now I'm convinced that you want something because of these compliments." Yukimi's eyes narrowed jokingly. "Tell me, is it a kiss? Or a watermelon soda? You don't have to ruffle up my feathers to get what you want, Tetsurou."
Kuroo laughed heartily. "I'm telling the truth! Ask Kenma and the others because we all think the same. Even the coaches."
Her eyes were wide after hearing those words. It was probably the first time Yukimi ever heard of it. To be honest, it felt nice ー to know that you belong. All of it, all her years going to school, were spent wishing that people would welcome her with more than the usual smiles and introductions as if they were expecting her to adapt to their ways and be friends in an instant (something she took to heart, covering herself in a cocoon of faux smiles and laughter ー a lot of her classmates like it apparently). Call them detachment issues but it was really the anxiety bubbling in her stomach, always acting up right when she entered a new environment. She completely pitied herself every time someone approaches her without any ulterior motive because she would try so hard to meet up to their expectations and it would always backfire to her in the end.
She was determined to live out her last year in high school behind her books and hidden knacks, graduate with the grades that she was proud she earned ー but that was until Kuroo hugged her on her birthday and letting her cry out her bottled-up thoughts. If not for Kuroo inviting her to be the club's manager, Yukimi was sure she could picture herself in her bubble with robotic actions.
It all comes back to Kuroo.
"I'm really glad to be a part of the club," she whispered in a soft-spoken voice that pinched Kuroo's heart.
Soft smiles blossomed on both of their faces, coloring the air a warm pink and crinkling the corners of their eyes.
"I'm glad I get to spend year three with you."
The rest of their lunch was enjoyable in its own way. Kuroo kept cooking the raw meat on the grill and making sure that Yukimi had her fill, piling up the cooked meat and vegetables neatly on her plate. Since all she does is wait for the food, the medium-haired girl took it upon herself to feed Kuroo while he was busy tending to the meat, carefully pinching a good portion of rice and meat between her chopsticks. Of course, since they ordered the unlimited bundle, Kuroo took advantage of it and kept asking for more refills when he knew that Yukimi didn't eat breakfast (he's saying something when he didn't even eat his breakfast, sleeping in on a summer day being his reason). On the other hand, Yukimi was worried if they couldn't finish it because there was additional payment if there are leftovers but she found herself breathing a sigh of relief when Kuroo finished every single piece of meat she couldn't stomach anymore.
In the end, they left the restaurant with the aftertaste of mochi and cookie dough on their tongues and interlocked hands swinging between each other.
The two of them were browsing a music store after having lunch. It just so happened that Kuroo and Yukimi share a distinct connection when it comes to music, though the latter remembered that the messy-haired boy preferred a different genre than her usual alternative and indie. Just like what Kuroo did for her in their previous date, Yukimi watched Kuroo's eyes sparkle a distinct golden hue as he took in the music store with utmost interest. Giving the boy his space, the medium-haired girl ran a hand through her hair as she made her way to the vinyl section.
There seems to be a promising collection of classics in front of Yukimi and she contemplated on buying one or two for her mother on her birthday since the older woman mentioned that she was looking for some vinyl to liven up their home. After a few minutes of searching for some artists that she knew produced amazing music, Yukimi looked at the side to where Kuroo was.
Surrounded by guitars of many variations, the caramel-eyed girl was mesmerized at how contented Kuroo appeared to be while running a finger along the frets of an acoustic guitar, his other hand snug inside the pocket of his slacks. With a tilted head, his gaze was thoughtful and he seemed to be in a longing trance ー even a hint of liveliness coloring his golden irises. Yukimi was still looking at him from across the store as if they were strangers and not an official couple because she was afraid that the soft look on Kuroo's face might never see the light of day if she strode beside him unexpectedly. She wanted to engrave that version of the messy-haired boy in her soul because this was different than the spark Kuroo held when it comes to volleyball.
Then, caramel connected with gold as Kuroo perked up and met Yukimi's gaze. Meters separated them and it was akin to a scene from a coming of age movie, the entirety of the surrounding vanished in an instant. The dark-haired girl's eyes widened and yet the boy's half-lidded look never strayed from her, with the latter's lips parting in wonder. It took Yukimi a few moments to compose herself to leave the vinyl section and make her way to where Kuroo was casually standing.
"Are you planning on buying that guitar?" Yukimi asked when Kuroo took his hand from his pocket to wrap an arm around the girl's waist, giving her a lingering kiss on the cheek.
Kuroo hummed, glancing at the black guitar he was just eyeing a while ago. "I'll have to save up if I'm sure about it. I was just admiring though. I wasn't thinking of buying it any time soon."
With the news of Kuroo knowing how to play a guitar ringing inside her head, Yukimi already knew what she would give the boy on his birthday. She would have to start saving if she wanted Kuroo to smile that breathtaking grin.
"Kazahana?"
Right now, Yukimi let herself be immersed in her sole purpose of going to the shopping district ー buying books.
The couple was now inside one of the many bookstores in the shopping districts, though this is dedicated to new arrivals and stationery. As soon as they entered the paper-scented store, Kuroo watched Yukimi making a beeline to the fiction section of the book aisles. The only thing he could do is shake his head with a smile as he followed his girlfriend (he kept referring her as his girlfriend in his mind ー he just couldn't help it) with his hands inside the pockets of his slacks. As the pile of books on Yukimi's arms increased that Kuroo had to rush for a small cart, the one person the girl didn't expect to bump into stood in the same aisle like her, watching her struggle to steady the books on her arms.
"Kagami-san? Well, hello, there." With a forced smile to hide that she was having a hard time, Yukimi greeted the brown-haired boy, who was dressed quite nicely (the boy's fashion sense is something, that much she can say about it). "Fancy bumping into you in this bookstore."
"Yeah," Romio mumbled as he eyed the books threatening to topple on the floor, a bead of sweat running down his forehead. As if waking up from a daze, he closed his distance with the dark-haired girl, the only things running through his mind was to help the girl steady herself. "Let me help you with that, Kazahaー"
"No need."
Kuroo took the books from Yukimi's arms and carefully arranged them in the small cart beside the pastel highlighters, post-its, and pens he wanted to give the girl, keeping in mind that the caramel-eyed girl has a knack for caring for her books, with his gaze never leaving the gawking boy standing a few feet from them. He only wanted to get a cart from the entrance of the store, search and pick out some cute stationery that would suit Yukimi, and right when he returned to Yukimi's side, there seems to be a thorn lodging itself from out of nowhere, souring his mood in a record. It almost feels like Taketora's words of wolves never leaving Yukimi's area became true as he witnessed Romio fidget in his perch.
"Ah, thank you, Tetsurou." Bless Yukimi for thanking him at that exact moment, was what Kuroo thought, because he was sure his face looked like one of his blocking faces or one of his expressions every time he saw Daishou Suguru. Plus, her smile also helped in calming his nerves down and Kuroo swore he just witnessed what Elysium looked like from Yukimi's smile. "It's rare to see you in this part of the shopping district, Kagami-san." Kuroo had to suppress his laughter at what Yukimi said.
"Oh," Romio fumbled for his words. "I just thought that I had to pick up some books that the others recommended me." By others, he meant his friends. Romio's gaze then transferred on the array of books displayed on the shelves, his hands itching to take a random book and make a dash to the cashier. "I see that you also thought of the same thing."
"Yeah," Yukimi answered with an easygoing smile, one shoulder rising in a shrug. "Summer vacation can do that to a person." She then wrapped her arm around Kuroo's, her hand soothingly placed on his bicep, something that Kuroo never knew he needed based on his wide eyes and parted lips. The reason why she did that was to let the messy-haired boy know that whatever doubts he had in his mind weren't true. She doesn't want Kuroo to be left out in a catching-up conversation that was unexpected (one that she wanted to end). Yukimi then hummed under her breath as she eyed the many books in front of them before taking a novel that she read a couple of weeks. "Here, I recommend this if you like some contemporary plots. It's not cliché as some novels out there but I promise you that it's really good."
The brown-haired boy gawked between Yukimi's kind smile and outstretched hand holding the said book. "TーThank you," Romio murmured under his breath. His eyes then read the title and recognition lit up his face. "I saw this on a post last time and I was planning on reading it, too." Flicking his attention back on Yukimi, he smiled the smile she once felt extremely charmed with. "Thank you for this, Kazahana."
Nothing but a mended friendship.
"You're welcome, Kagami-san," Yukimi replied, slightly bowing when the said boy excused himself now that he has a good number of books he felt like reading. In the end, there was a sense of fulfillment inside her as she watched the brown-haired boy turn around to pay for his books. She kind of felt proud of herself that she managed to talk to him without sounding awkward at all, unlike those many attempts at a conversation after his rejection. However, there was an ominous aura drifting from the person beside her, making her chuckle when she heard the slight grumbling. "Alright, Tetsurou," Yukimi looked up at Kuroo with a smile but her eyebrows furrowed at the boy's scrunched up face, "Hey, are you alright?"
Kuroo glanced at her before quickly turning his attention to the books inside their cart. "Yeah." He tried smiling to ease the furrow on her brows but it appeared as though he was flashing the same forced smile he would give to the girls confessing to him.
No matter how he looked like it, he can't help but think that maybe Yukimi never reciprocated the way he showed his feelings ー it looked like the girl was still so out of reach for him. From the way she looked at that Kagami boy with that crinkled smile he loves so much, there wasn't anything that he could do but watch from the sidelines as he mulled over that he couldn't nullify the three years Yukimi has been in love with the Kagami boy.
"I'm yours, Tetsurou."
But the way Yukimi looked at him with the softest yet glowing linger of love, there wasn't anything he could do but stare at how alluring and radiant she is. For sure, Kuroo didn't mind that they were in a public place where some of the schoolmates might see them, he didn't mind when he captured Yukimi's lips with his, pouring all the warmth and affection in a single mind-numbing kiss as his eyebrows furrowed. He never paid any attention to their surroundings as he pulled away, his eyes half-lidded as he gazed on Yukimi's stunned expression, his voice shaking as he breathed the words he never knew would erase all the doubts in his mindー
"You're finally mine." A crooked grin and pressed foreheads. "God, Hana, I'm yours as well."
I WAS SUPPOSED TO POST THIS YESTERDAY BUT SEEING AS I COULDN'T GET AHOLD OF MY LAPTOP BC THE HOUSE WAS FILLED WITH VISITORS SINCE IT WAS MY BIRTHDAY, I HAD TO DELAY A LITTLE.
I HOPE YOU HAVE A GOOD DAY (BC I DEF AM, KNOWING THAT YACHI AND I SHARE THE SAME BIRTHDAY). ILY, STAY SAFE, AND GET ALL THE REST YOU CAN GET.
🧡🧡🧡