Shrimpy

“Something bothering you, Mob?” He sat down next to him.

“Master, you and Serizawa are friends, right?” He looked down now, still picking at his fingers.

“Uh… What? Yea, we’re friends, why do you ask?” Reigen responded in a nervous manner.

“Well, do you two hang out?”

Reigen raised an eyebrow, and nodded his head. He muttered a ‘yeah’, praying Mob wasn’t getting to what he thought he was.

“Me and Teru do too, but lately it’s been sort of… Awkward?” He looked at Reigen.

His expression dropped for a second. He stared at Mob, slightly squinting his eyes. Laughing, he put a hand on Mob’s shoulder. “Ah, why didn’t you start with that!” His laugh turned into an awkward one as it died down. “Awkward, how?”

“Well the last time me and Teru hung out was at a coffee shop. It was fine until the waiter assumed we were on a date.”

“I mean it does sound like a date.” Dimple pointed out.

Mob furrowed his eyebrows and looked back and forth at Reigen and Dimple. Meanwhile Dimple and Reigen exchanged a look.

“Listen, Mob, if both of you didn’t mean or want it to be a date it wouldn’t have been awkward after that. Normal friends would’ve just laughed it off.” Reigen said in the nicest way possible.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Mob said. He sounded genuinely confused, but he got the gist of it.

“You just confused the kid more.” Dimple looked at reigen while extending his arms out towards Mob, as if mob was a figure at display that Dimple was presenting.

Mobs phone then rang, it was Teru. He answered and greeted him. The whole time, Reigen and Dimple eavesdropped, and when Mob got off the phone they looked away not so nonchalantly...

“I gotta go now, master. See you tomorrow! Bye, Dimple!” Mob said, jumping off the couch.

“Is he really that stupid?” Dimple asked, watching Mob shut the door behind him.

Reigen only shrugged in response.

“Mob!” A boy with blonde hair called out.

Upon hearing his name, Mob turned towards the direction of the voice. “Teru!” He responded with a smile.

The two boys walked down the street, this time they were headed to a dumpling restaurant . Things were not awkward at all, not at first. Mob and Teruki mingled normally, like two guy friends. It was once they got to the restaurant that things got uncomfortable.

They sat down at a table and ordered. Mob looked around the restaurant; he was starting to get conscious of his surroundings and who he was sitting infront of. He shook his head and buried himself into the menu. He was too busy with his own feelings to notice Teruki was looking to start a conversation.

“So what are you gonna order?” He finally said.

“Uhm… I’m not sure.” Mob said, now actually browsing through the menu.

“I’m feeling some shrimp dumplings today.” Teru said as he put down the menu, still glancing at the other options.

An awkward silence followed. Teru gave up trying to make conversation and instead waited for the waiter to salvage him from this embarrassment. of course, that didn’t help.

After several instances of the waiter rushing by, the girl finally stopped at their table. “Pardon the wait, what can I get started for you boys?”

“I’ll take the shrimp dumplings, and uh… What exactly are your boba flavors?” He thought to complain about their vagueness on the menu, but it wouldn’t have helped the awkwardness of their situation.

“We have taro, mango, jasmine, and matcha milk tea.” She explained with a smile. “Oh, and of course we have our valentine’s day special!”

“Valentine’s day special… Sure why not.” He shrugged foolishly. He was completely naive of the situation this would put him in later on.

The waitress moved on to Mob and took his order.

“Would you like anything to drink with that?”

He shook his head and mumbled, “just water, please.”

The waitress nodded and swiftly put away her notepad in her apron before walking away.

Now without any menus getting in the way, Teru and Mob could see eye to eye; though Mob couldn’t hold eye contact for long. Teru once again striked up a small conversation, and while this did help with the awkwardness of the situation it did not last long before the drink arrived.

“Here’s that drink for y’all, happy Valentine’s day!” The waiter said completely casual about the abomination she was handing to these teenage platonic boy friends.

Teru stared at the drink for a few seconds. There he was being extra again for no reason at all, and now it has backfired. To be fair, what did he expect from a Valentine’s day drink?

Mob too looked a bit puzzled at the over the top drink, but the two straws on opposites ends of the drink was the cherry on top (ignoring the two cherries that were actually on top of the whipped cream adorning the drink). This looked more like a milkshake than a boba milk tea.

Teru finally found the words to make a joke out of this situation. “Valentine’s day is a week away… Did they really have to be so extra?” He added a dry laugh at the end of his sentence then shut his mouth by stuffing it with boba pearls before he made anything worse.

Moving past this ‘it’s fate’ situation, the waiter stopped by with their food and ran off to another table before Mob could even mention that she had forgotten his water. He sighed.

Poor innocent Mob truly believed he could get through the entire meal without a single source of hydration, and unlucky him he had picked some dumplings with a medium spice level. It wasn’t insane, but just enough to make you need a drink of water in between dumplings; and of course, the only drink available was the Valentine’s day boba milk tea. Mob stared at it with intensity after Teru set it down. The two cherries on the whipped cream floating over the milk tea took the shape of two bright red eyes. The two straws became claws to a sweet monster. Mob shook his head and grabbed the drink anyway. He carefully placed his lips on one of the straws and gulped down a few boba pearls.

Teru stopped right as he was about to put a dumpling in his mouth. “I believe that was my straw…” Then he quickly shut himself up by stuffing the dumpling in his mouth. 

Mob froze midway through slurp. Without a blink he set the drink down and slid it close to Teru’s plate. Teru’s eyes followed Mob’s movements and when mob pulled his hand back to this side of the table, their eyes met.

“I mean, it’s whatever I don’t care!” Teru quickly regretted his previous words.

Mob only nodded in response, clearly embarrassed.

Teru watched as Mob’s cheeks remained indubitably hot. He slammed his chopsticks on the table and finally said, “Is this about the last time we hung out?… Last date we had?”

Date, that’s what he called it. “Huh…??!” Mob jumped back a little.

“If you’re alright with that, of course.” He avoided eye contact.

“Uh… Yes, I’m… Okay with that.” Mob put his head down and stared directly at his fidgeting hands.

Outside the restaurant window Reigen was squatting with his hands against the window sill, an interesting sight. Dimple was floating by his side.

“Come on Mob lift your head up! Have some courage!” Reigen groaned with a frantic hand on his face.

“This is boring. When are they gonna kiss!” Dimple complained.

The rest of the date went on normally, no awkardness. It was finally back to how Mob and Teru were before, except they had subtly accepted their feelings. There was no change in their relationship but a quiet agreement.

“Wait are they leaving already?” Reigen pressed his forehead against the glass. Before he could even stand up from his questionable position, the door of the restaurant opened and from it came Mob and Teru.

“Oh. Hello, master.” Mob waved innocently then walked past him, arm intertwined with Teru’s.

Reigen followed with his eyes as they continued walking along the sidewalk together, jaw dropped. “I’m so proud of you, Mob.” A tear formed in his left eye which he wiped with his index finger as he whispered praises to Mob.

Fukunaga, meanwhile, looked around, still anxious your boyfriend was looking for him. Fukunaga could admit your boyfriend was an asshole, but he knew he could never win a fight against him.

Fukunaga didn’t have a crush on you—sure you were a pretty girl from his Chemistry class but he didn’t bother with that stuff. He was very observant, so he noticed that halfway into the year a boy of taller stature would wait for you after class and walk with you in the hallways. He assumed that was your boyfriend, but said boy had stopped waiting for you after class. They say it’s the little stuff that matters, no?

After clearing the coast and being sure your boyfriend wasn’t around, he sat down next to you.

“Are you okay?” He asked, his brows furrowed with genuine concern.

You hadn’t planned on crying that night, but that question seemed to be the well of all tears. You weren’t okay. Your boyfriend had been an asshole for the past month, but with it being prom night and all, you were hoping he would leave his act for this one night. Instead he stood you up and made you look stupid waiting for him while he was messing around with his friends and other girls.

Fukunaga pulled a handkerchief out his pocket and carefully dabbed it on your cheeks and near your eyes to dry the teardrops.“Don’t cry, you’ll ruin your makeup.”

You sniffle, trying to push back the tears. He was right, you didn’t wanna have mascara smeared all over your cheeks at the beginning of prom.

“It must’ve taken hours. You look beautiful.” His calm voice reassured you he wasn’t lying. He continued drying your tears, his handkerchief turning a faint color of your foundation.

“Thank you.” You say, sniffing again.

Then his words hit you. You’re ruining your makeup over a boy who would’ve probably never even glanced at you had Fukunaga not ruined his clothes.

Your tears must’ve stopped then.

“You finally see it?” The hand holding the handkerchief stopped in the middle of dabbing. “He’s not worth your tears.” He brought the handkerchief back to his pocket.

“What would you know?” You looked away and tried convincing yourself he was wrong.

“I know I would never treat you that way.” Now standing in front of you, Fukunaga held his hand out to you.

You stared back, dumbfounded; you must’ve looked miserable then, and yet there stood a boy in front of you encouraging you to get over your shitty boyfriend.

“Let me put my heels back on.” You said, looking for them with your hands, your eyes were too busy still looking at him.

Once you strapped your heels on, you took his hand and as he pulled you off the floor he unintentionally pulled you closer to him. He pat your head carefully as to not ruin your hair and assured you the night was not ruined yet.

“Did you not come with any of your friends?” He asked while you two walked back into the room full of people. “Or at least planned to meet with them?”

“Yea, but I think I’d rather stay with you.” She muttered. “Did you? I mean surely you didn’t come alone, right?”

He shrugged. “They’re probably somewhere around. I don’t mind staying with you, that’s if you’d like to be my company.”

You nodded with a sweet smile on your face.

As the night went on you were warming up to Fukunaga. You had gotten drinks together and even sang and danced along to some songs on the dancefloor.

That’s precisely what you were doing when a slow song came on. You wrapped your arms around Fukunaga’s neck, completely forgetting about your boyfriend. Though he was hesitant at first, he put his hands on your waist. He looked at you with his big cat-like eyes. It was hard to resist them, so you didn’t. You kissed him, like you’d been wanting to do the whole night. It was a soft kiss. You slowly inched your lips closer to his, and he didn’t move away. Neither of you pulled away either, not for a few seconds at least, and when you did—because he wasn’t going to—you lingered close to him for some time, admiring the moment.

As you two danced and held each other you felt something tug at the bottom of your dress. It was him, your boyfriend was stepping on your dress. He looked up after noticing he was stepping on something; his face was full of disgust.

“So this is the loser you left me for?”

You ignored him, nothing else mattered.

Fukunaga was about to say something when he interrupted again.

“Answer me.” He said, too drunk to even yell or intimidate.

He got angrier when you ignored him again, and seeing as you wouldn’t answer to words, he grabbed your arm.

Once again, Fukunaga was gonna tell him off, but you stopped him.

“Take a hint, we’re over.” You said loudly and jerked your arm out of his grip.

“Whatever, you’re not worth it anyway.” He walked away.

After that you and Fukunaga chose to go somewhere else. Outside the ballroom the hallways were empty. It seems everyone was inside, enjoying prom as one does.

Fukunaga was clearly upset. “I can’t believe he’d treat you that way.”

You nodded along. You didn’t really care anymore. As you now were officially single, you wanted nothing else but to keep kissing Fukunaga. It had been so long since someone properly kissed you. You dragged him to a smaller area where rarely anyone would pass by and you stood against the wall. He stayed silent. Seeing as he wasn’t taking the hint you grabbed his tie and lightly tugged so he’d come closer. This he understood. He caressed the side of your face carefully, then he finally kissed you. He was trying to be respectful, his hands were awkward, but you guided his other hand towards your waist.

After a small make out session, you two went back in the ballroom and met up with his friends. He introduced you to his volleyball teammates and the one with funny looking hair convinced you to go to their next volleyball game.

You laughed and danced with them happier than ever. As you danced with one of his friends of smaller stature, you eyed Fukunaga. Hand in hand with a tree with grey hair, Fukunaga looked back at you. With a spin, you switched partners, leaving the tall and smaller boy attempting to coordinate into dance. You caught Fukunaga's hands right as you stopped spinning, almost stumbling.

After various months of getting away with leaving work early, Itto was finally left with a warning. Afraid of the consequences, he begun leaving work at the time he was supposed to: 15 minutes later than usual. Traffic caught up to him on the drive to the gym, making him later than he already was. But this also meant he’d be seeing that beauty that was always on the punching bag for longer.

Itto started his workout as usual, today was arms day. Coincidentally, it was also arms day for Varesa, so once she finished her warm up she walked over to the same section in the gym where Itto was. He had just finished his tricep curls when he saw her pink pigtails swing in front of him, his expression immediately turning into a goofy smile as he watched her walk past.

Varesa had pretty long pink hair that fell around her white bull horns. She was a bit on the bigger side, but Itto didn’t mind at all; there was more to love. She wore a black crew neck when she arrived at the gym, but would take it off when she started working out. Under the crewneck she wore a long beige tank top paired with a sports bra. Her pink shorts radiated through the beige. Even if she wasn’t wearing colorful and attention-bringing clothes, Itto would have noticed her. Her horns were not something Itto would brush away, in fact, they were the reason he first noticed her. He’d dream of talking to her and bonding over their horns. Even if he did not admit it, Itto was envious of her horns, the way the curled before going up was fascinating; he was still really proud of his red horns though.

Seeing as no one else was around, Varesa walked up to Itto. “Hey, could you spot me? i’m trying to a hit a PR.” She explained to the startled man.

“I—uh…—yea I can do that…” Itto muttered, stumbling on his words as he tried not to stumble on his feet.

She cheered out a yay and begun walking to the spot at the benches she had reserved. The weights were already loaded in, so Varesa only had to climb on the bench and lay under the bar. Itto positioned himself behind her so he could spot her, her horns dangerously close to his pants.

Varesa didn’t need a spotter. She could’ve done it all by herself; she was stronger than she looked.

“Oh, thank you so much!!” She said after getting up from the bench.

“Ah, it was no trouble.” He bowed his head. A silence filled the air, and Itto yelled at himself to speak up again. “You didn’t even need my help.” Something in him actually made him speak again, usually he’d let the awkwardness take over and let the conversation end. “You’re pretty strong for a lady.” He added.

“For a lady, huh? I bet I could beat you in a match!” She meant a wrestling match, but Itto was not aware of that.

He looked back at her clueless. While he sat there dumbfounded, Varesa took notice of his horns. She analyzed them and compared them to the size of hers. “Are my horns too big for a lady as well? Compared to yours I mean.” She joked, but really she just wanted to bring up the topic.

Itto immediately flushed a vibrant red color; he’d been hoping for this moment for god knows how long. “I didn’t say that! And well your horns are perfect.” He shut his mouth after the words slipped out.

“Oh gosh, you’re as red as your horns!” She seemed genuinely concerned. “Oh, thank you.” She said, acknowledging the compliment and turning a light shade of pink as well. “Would you like to go down the street to that empanada place?—If you’re not busy after you’re done here.” She suggested, her voice was lower than her usual loud tone.

Without giving it a thought he yelled out a “yea sure!”

A/N: employed Itto so ooc ik i’m sorry 💔

I also know like nothing about Varesa so im just going off what I think she’d be like lol. wrote this when her release was announced. still know nothing abt her. no im not changing anything ❤️❤️

While staring endlessly at the pantry filled with only ingredients, it suddenly occurred to you that a new frozen yogurt place had opened. You and your boyfriend were in desperate need of new hang out spots, and what’s better than going on an ice cream date?

You ran back upstairs and quickly got ready, hoping your boyfriend was not busy practicing by the time you got to his place.

“Hello,” you replied nicely when his mom opened the door. “Is Shoyo home?”

She nodded and let you in while screaming for him to come down.

You sat down in their living room, waiting for Shoyo. He finally came down looking like he’d just woken up. When he saw you, his eyes lit up and he was suddenly fully awake.

“Y/n!!!” He exclaimed, running to hug you.

“Shoyo, I was wondering if you’d like to go to that new froyo place if you don’t have anything planned for today.”

“Froyo…” He repeated, “oh! Like ice cream?” He seemed even more excited than before.

You hummed a ‘mhm.’

That was all it took for him to jump off you and run back to his room. Realizing he’d left you without warning, he came running back and informed you he was going to get ready, then ran back to his room.

While you waited for him, again, his little sister walked in the room holding a stuffed animal. You played with her until Shoyo came back.

You hugged his sister goodbye and thanked his mother on the way out. You left his house holding hands, both equally excited about getting frozen yogurt. The summer sun radiating heat that was burning your shoulders made his ginger hair shine. The walk there was filled with senseless talking, occasional skipping, and swinging arms.

Arriving there took a little longer than expected as you’d taken a wrong turn and gotten a little lost, but it was no big deal. Shoyo held the door open for you, following behind you after you’d walked in. Upon entering the store, the cool breeze of the AC felt nostalgic after walking outside in the hot summer weather. The smell of fruit was fresh in the air, and you could almost feel the cold taste of frozen yogurt in your mouth.

You and Shoyo got in line and scanned the flavors and toppings on the menu while you waited for your turn. Hinata seemed to have his eyes set on the orange flavor and white chocolate chips; that’s what he ordered. You’d ordered as well and when the cashier said the price Shoyo confidently stepped up, telling you he’d pay. He digged in his pockets for his wallet, but to his surprise he had left it home.

“I swore I had it before I left!” He begun freaking out.

You laughed and took out your own wallet to pay, letting him calm down on his own and saving him from further being embarrassed by having to ask you to pay.

By the time he had calm down, you had already handed him his cup and were dragging him to a table. He insisted you two sat outside, but he needed the AC; his face was hot and red from embarrassment.

His mood changed almost instantly after he tasted the froyo. His reaction encouraged you to try some yourself, and it did not disappoint. He complained it was too cold inside to properly enjoy the froyo, and it would taste better if you two sat outside. You couldn’t argue with that so you went outside and sat at a two seat table by a tree, providing you with some shade at least.

Shoyo took another spoonful of his froyo. He leaned in to kiss you, mouth still full. You let him and swapped his saliva along with some froyo. The orange flavor was clear in your tongues and a white chocolate chip had sneaked into your mouth, melting as you french kissed. You pulled away before you forgot you were in public. He innocently smiled and took another spoonful, this time from your cup; he wanted to taste yours.

The text read: Hey babe, I can’t make it to your place. I’ll meet you there.

Oh, whatever. It’s fine, right?

The time you were supposed to leave comes around, and, Instead of riding in the passenger seat of your boyfriend’s, you grab your car keys and head out the door. Purse in the passenger seat, you start driving away.

Upon arriving at the hotel, you find yourself awed by how tall the building is. Impatient to see what the inside looks like, you jump out of your car and start looking for your boyfriend. He likely wasn’t waiting for you in the parking lot, so you decided to go outside by the entrance. No signs of your boyfriend. Hoping to find him somewhere inside, you go past security and finally inside the actual ballroom. Still, he’s nowhere to be found. You send him a text saying you’ll be waiting for him by the entrance of the ballroom. Delivered. He’ll read it at some point.

After a few minutes of looking stupid and waiting for him, you start losing hope. Then a boy, who you hoped was your boyfriend, started approaching you. As he got closer you noticed it was just some boy in your Chemistry class.

“Fukunaga?” You squinted your eyes.

“Yes, ma’am.” He responded in that silly voice of his. He moved his eyes back and forth as if scanning the area for something. “Where is your boyfriend?”

“Huh?” You nearly burst into tears at the mention of him.

“Well I assumed you’d be with your boyfriend at prom, no?”

“I think he stood me up.”

“Probably, you’ve been waiting here for a while.” He looked around the room for your boyfriend, like you had been doing for the past however many minutes. “Sorry.”

You shrugged your shoulders as to say ‘whatever’, but the tears forming in your eyes said otherwise.

“Oh, there he is.” Fukunaga pointed his finger at a guy that looked completely out of it.

“What a gentleman.” You saw the look on his face. His excuses were something you couldn’t bear to hear at that moment.

“I could ‘spill’ my punch on him if you’d like.” Fukunaga suggested, taking a sip out of said drink.

A single nod was all it took for Fukunaga to throw his drink all over your boyfriend. He threw the plastic cup at him as well, while he was at it.

Before you could even register what had happened, Fukunaga grabbed your hand and dragged you along the crowd of people.

“He’s gonna kick my ass, run, run!!!”

Two boys walked out of the room laughing. When they saw you one of them started apologizing.

“I’m so sorry, are you okay?” He spoke with genuine concern. He must’ve seen you react to the door opening.

“Oh, no, i’m fine.” You answered immediately, shaking your head as you did so.

“Ah, good. I’m Sugawara. Uhh.. Do you need anything?” The smile that was on his face while he spoke was seemingly distracting.

The guy behind him had just gone back in the club room. Judging by the background noise he’d gone back to talk to his friend.

“I’m y/n. And I do need something, yes! I’m writing a report on the boys volleyball club for journalism.”

“I’m only the vice captain, but i’d be more than happy the help you. You’re more than welcome to come to practice if you want. Our manager Kyoko is really nice as well, i’m sure she wouldn’t mind giving you any information.”

“I was about to ask that ahah.. That’s awesome thanks! Any chance you could tell me when practice is..?” Your fingers rubbed the edge of the pen in nervousness.

“I was just about to go there right now, let’s walk together, no?” A small rise of excitement was noticeable in his voice. He closed the door behind him and began walking, gesturing you to come along with him.

Without any objections, you followed behind him to the gym. Upon entering the gym, you could feel eyes on you. You looked around and found a short guy looking at you. Another short boy was looking too, and you could hear him ask a taller guy if they were getting a new manager.

One of the girls in the gym walked up to you. Before she could ask any questions, Sugawara explained why you were there. She nodded her head and told you if you needed any information she could help, or better yet ask the other manager, Kyoko, since she was more knowledgeable regarding volleyball.

Throughout practice you wrote things you thought seemed important in your notebook and went ahead and asked Kyoko each of the player’s names and grade levels, as well as herself and Yachi, the other manager. She was extremely nice to your surprise. By the time practice was over, it was already dark outside. Sugawara watched you as you walked out the gym. He could only watch as he was too caught up conversing with Daichi to try and say something to you before you left.

The next day you went to the gym after school for practice. Yachi informed you that the boys would be having a practice match against each other for most of practice. She offered to give you the notes and stats she’d have after the match. You took her offer and would be looking through her notes afterwards. Before the match started she gave you a quick review on what each call meant, you took note of that as well.

Once the match started, you noted each of the players position and what they were doing on the court. Unknowingly, you may have took more notes on Sugawara than the other players… Observing his every move carefully, since you had an excuse to. The way his fingers slid off the ball when he set it, and how his shirt lifted a little when he raised his arms to set the ball. Every so often following the ball or looking at the blockers and how the hitters hit past them.

After the match ended, Yachi handed you her clipboard so you could copy some of the information there into your notebook. While you wrote in your notebook, you looked up for a second and your eyes met with Sugawara. He was taking off his practice jersey (whatever they’re called…), his shirt coming up with it. Your mouth slightly opened as you watched him . When he fully removed the jersey he fixed his shirt and pulled it back down. He’d noticed you were looking at him and he looked back, you quickly looked away in response, feeling your face get red at the interaction.

Yachi, who had been waiting for her clipboard, watched the whole thing unfold and giggled to herself.

For the rest of practice you tried to avoid eye contact with Sugawara, but still stealing a few glances at him every now and then. He probably noticed because at the end of practice, he went up to talk to you before you left again.

“Y/n! How’s the report coming along?”

His voice took you by surprise. You thought he was surely gonna ask you about the staring, but when he mentioned the report you were relieved. “Well I’ve barely started on it, still gathering information and stuff.” You responded trying your best to avoid his eyes.

“Ah, right. Makes sense.” He nodded his head, mentally cursing himself for asking the obvious. “So, uh, how long you gonna watch us practice?” He said the first thing that came to mind, anything to keep a conversation going.

“Want me gone already?” You joked.

“Huh? No, no, no that’s not what I meant, I’m sorry—” He freaked out a little when you said that.

“No worries, and to answer your question: I’ll probably have everything I need by tomorrow.” The way he responded sounded genuine so you just brushed it off and responded his question.

“Tomorrow…” He muttered, it was barely audible. He won’t see you after the weekend then, he thought.

You saw him mouth a word, but couldn’t quite make out what it was. “I’ll see you tomorrow then…?” You didn’t know what else to say since he wasn’t saying anything either.

“Yea, see ya tomorrow…!” He said with an awkward laugh.

You walked out the gym, leaving him standing there, dumbfounded.

“Tomorrow? But I’ve barely talked to her—”

During lunch time you found yourself in the journalism room, writing your report instead of eating. Coincidentally, Sugawara was walking past that room. When he saw you inside, he stopped and walked back to confirm it was you. When he confirmed it, he walked back again so he wasn’t in your shield of vision. He questioned whether he should go in there or not, if he even could. He wanted to talk to you, maybe even help you write. That’s right. He could ask if you need any help! Without giving it a second thought, Sugawara walked inside the room.

“Do you mind?” He pulled out the chair beside her.

“Oh, no, go ahead.” Seeing him and hearing his voice made you smile.

He smiled as well. “Do you need any help? I could answer any questions you have.” He sat down in the chair and watched your eyes waiting for a response. And when you’d answer he would look at your lips move.

“Yes, actually—” You began asking some questions, and even showed him some of the writing you’d done.

He listened attentively to your questions and answered each one. He read each word in your report, amazed by how well you had displayed their teamwork and abilities.

“It’s still missing some stuff; that’s why i’m going to practice today.” You said while reading over the document again.

“Really? It’s amazing as it is now.”

“You think so?” You turned to look at him. The look in his eyes told you he really did think so.

“I think we should go out after practice.” He kept his eyes on you as he spoke.

“Huh?!” Your eyes widened at his words. Trying to comprehend if he’d really said that, you questioned him. “Say what now…?”

“We should go out. Together. After practice.” He said each word firmly, but you could still hear the nervousness in his voice. “What do you say?” He pulled his phone out and held it out in front of you. His screen was opened to the contacts app, he was asking for your number.

You typed your number on his phone and saved it as a contact. “I guess I’ll wait for you after practice then.”

“Can’t wait.” He rested his chin in his hand as he spoke, and his eyes stared directly at yours, mesmerized. He truly couldn’t wait.

“Suga.” I responded. “What’s up?” My lips curled into a smile when my eyes met his.

“Get your lazy ass up and come eat lunch with me.” His tone was demanding, and a playful grin crept up onto his face.

“Couldn’t be nicer about it, huh?” My eyebrows knitted into a frown, but my smile remained.

“Nah.” He always liked joking around like that. His body jerked off the door frame he was leaning on, and I watched him, with a hand supporting my chin, walk over to the desk I was sitting at. “So you’re just not gonna eat lunch? Isn’t coach Ukai always telling us to eat to get stronger and repair our muscles or whatever? C’mon, Daichi! You weren’t planning on sleeping all lunch, were ya?” He put a hand on my desk and the other on his hip, cocking it out.

I shook my head at his sassiness. After a few seconds of thinking it over, even if there wasn’t much to think of, I’d never say no to Sugawara, I stood up from my chair and playfully flicked his wrist, returning the sassy attitude.“Sure, I’ll get something from the vending machine.” He followed behind me when I started walking out of the classroom.

We walked all the way downstairs and finally arrived at a vending machine. I examined the glass for anything that looked, at least, half edible, and when my eyes landed on the prize, I grabbed a few coins from my pocket and inserted them into the machine. Sugawara imitated the beeping sounds the machine made when I typed the number of the chips I was getting. I squinted my eyes and eyed him as he did so, judging him silently, as if I wasn’t actually smiling at his gesture.

“You’re not getting anything?”

He shook his head. “Nah, already ate.” Despite that, he still stole a few of my chips. We sat at a nearby bench chatting away the little lunch time we had. I stuffed my hand in the bag of chips, looking for the last chip, but Sugawara had ate it before I could. He looked the other way like he wasn’t guilty. The bag of chips crumbled into a ball in my hands, and I threw it in the trash can next to the vending machine.

“Oh hey, is that Michimiya over there?” Sugawara gestured with his head at a group of girls in the distance. Among them, there was indeed Michimiya.

“I guess so.” I squinted my eyes to try and get a better look at the girl like that would make my vision clearer. I didn’t bother to move from the bench.

“You’re not gonna say hi to her?” He asked. His arms were crossed, and he looked at me with a raised eyebrow.

I shook my head, i’d rather stay sitting here with him. “Why?”

He shrugged. “Always had the impression you two had something going on.” He was implying a relationship. I’m not sure where he got that from.

I shook my head again. “We’re just friends, I thought you of all people would know that.” I chuckled. It was surprising to see Sugawara assume something like that.

“Eh, why do you say that?” He titled his head to look at me. His hair fell to one side of his face, and I reached my hand over to fix it. His eyes stared right into mine, and suddenly I got that familiar feeling of déjà vu.

It felt like I was back in my old club room in middle school. I remember everything so vividly like it was just yesterday and not three years ago.

Ikejiri and I were close back then. It was disappointing to find out we were going to different high schools, but life goes on, no? It may have seemed like neither of us cared all that much. I mean, of course, we cared, I did. I had been playing with Ikejiri for the past 3 years, it was hard to go our separate ways. Our last match together wasn't regrettable, not in that sense. I tried my best, we tried our best to make it to the next round. I did everything I could to play one more game with Ikejiri. That night, in the club room we were the last ones there. We were talking about whatever you'd expect a middle schooler to be talking about, and changing while doing so. I'd say it's ironic to be having a conversation about girls when you can't take your eyes off the shirtless guy in front of you.

“What about you, Daichi, saw any pretty girls today?” He asked after he’d finish talking about a girl he saw in the bleachers.

I huffed. “I’m not interested in that stuff.” Except I was, but the one I was interested in was right in front of me.

“I suppose that’s fair.” He tilted his head with a shrug after he got his shirt over his head. His hair was messed up. I reached my hand over and fixed his hair.

The only thing I regret was not being honest with him when I did have the chance to play volleyball with him, or rather be honest with myself. It’s hard to come to terms with yourself, but it’s even harder doing so years later. If only I had freed my feelings then, maybe I wouldn’t be looking for him in other men.

“Daichi. Earth to Daichi?” That familiar raspy voice spoke, and I was back in that bench again. Sugawara was holding on to my wrist, and our hands laid close by his legs. His head was still tilted, but his hair was no longer messed up; I must’ve fixed it before blanking out into my own thoughts.

My eyes widened when his voice called out my name.

“Ah, there you are.” He said.

“Sorry, I just zoned out.”

The whole day you saw Yamaguchi ‘coincidentally’ looking your way in class. During lunch, Yamaguchi approached you. He kept eyeing you while talking to Tsukishima, Hinata, and Kageyama. Hinata looked overly excited. Now that you think about it, Hinata had whispered something to Yamaguchi before he started walking towards you. The other two boys didn’t seem to care much.

“Hey, Yamaguchi! What’s up?” You greeted him with a smile.

“Heyy….” His voice was softer than usual but still filled with enthusiasm like it usually was when he talked to you at lunch.

And his endearing voice would make you remember again.

At the end of school, as you were packing up your stuff he walked over to your desk. He was extremely nervous and looked like he wanted to say something.

“Do you need something?” You finally said seeing as Yamaguchi was struggling to speak.

“Uh.. Well, I was wondering if you’d like to uh …walk home together?” His voice was shaky.

You raised an eyebrow at the question, doesn’t he usually have volleyball?

Seeing the confusion in your face, Yamaguchi spoke up again. “We don’t have practice today.”

Walking home? He always walked home with Tsukishima. You couldn’t miss this chance, so of course you accepted. You three walked home in silence, was it always this quiet when they walked home together? Whatever.

After a long painfully awkward walk, Tsukishima went his own way to his house. You and Yamaguchi lived in the same direction, leaving you alone together for a few more minutes. He stole a few glances at you as you two walked. You pretended not to notice, but it was hard not to.

“Y/n.” He said, his voice low enough to be a whisper.

You raised your head and looked at him.

“You’re so nice to me, why?”

He was met with silence. You couldn’t tell him the real reason. Not only would it crush his heart, but your dreams too.

He wanted the answer to be anything but that. Hell, he would’ve been fine with you telling him directly it was because of Tsukishima, but silence? Oh lord, anything but silence.

He nodded his head. His eyes watered. You stopped to get a better look at him. He stopped right in front of you.

“Yamaguchi…” But before you could say anything else, he chimed in.

“Would you like to hang out sometime?” He knew he didn’t have a chance, but it didn’t hurt to shoot his shot. He shut his eyes preparing for a rejection.

Fortunately for him, you found this all extremely cute. Why have a cold jerk when you can have his cute loser best friend?

“I’d love to.”

Upon hearing those words he slowly opened one eye, then the other.

“Really?” His fingers picked at each other. “But don’t you like Tsukishima?”

“Forget him, going out with you sounds amazing.”

His mouth which was slightly open in shock immediately brightened into a goofy smile.