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Your friend group sat in the library. You were hand in hand with Natsuo, your free hand grabbing the fabric of his jacket as you laughed at a remark that Kouji passed onto Megumi. Making fun of how her shoes never matched her clothes. 

“Don’t deny the truth!” Koushi laughed, ruffling her hair.

“Listen, just because I’m wearing a white shirt doesn’t mean that black boots don’t match! I’m gonna get Daichi to run you over with his car if you all keep acting up!”

“Homicide I hear?” Daichi pulled a chair out beside you, joining in on the laughter.

“You, me, death at-” Koushi used his finger to tap his phone on the table, “12:01 am. I have a discussion board due at midnight.” He winked at his best friend.

“If I’m going to kill you, why does your homework matter?” Daichi began to pull his books and placed them onto the table. 

“Taki Sensei will kill Y/N and I over and over in our graves for not turning in our faux lesson plans, duh.”

Leaning forward you placed your hand on the table and laughed with Sugawara. 

“He’s absolutely bizarre. I feel like I’ll drop before I can get a passing grade!” You were pulled back to your boyfriend’s side and he stifled a laugh. “If you work hard you’ll get the grades to pass.” You met Natsuo’s eyes before he gave a half smile to Sugawara behind you. The smile on your face slightly dropped as you sank back in your chair.

-

Sugawara walked on the ledge of bricks beside you. Lifting his arms on either side to balance, he teetered from side to side. You slid your hands in your jacket pockets and laughed as he hung one foot off of the drop. 

“Did you finish everything last night?” Sugawara asked, raising his foot back on the ledge he continued to place one foot in front of the other.

“Couldn’t. Natsuo wanted me to help him with his project.” 

“Isn’t this like the fifth time he’s done that this semester?” Koushi stopped placing his hands on his hips, eyes glued to the ground.

“It’s not like I don’t want to help him. He’s my boyfriend after all.”

“I’m just saying he needs to be prioritizing your schoolwork as well. He knows that the university’s teaching program is one of the best in the prefecture. You have to set yourself up for senior year now.”

You stopped in your tracks to take a glance at your friend.

“Are you saying that I don’t work hard, Koushi?” You took a small step towards him. Your eyes reached his.

“You know I’m not saying that. I just don’t think he’s respecting your time as a student. You have things to do too.” He tilted his head slightly as if to emphasize his point. 

“I think you’re just jealous that I can sweet talk the professors.” 

“I don’t need to because I’m on good terms with the department head and I turn in all of the assignments early.” Koushi placed a hand on the brick and hopped down onto the sidewalk. Placings his thumbs under the straps of his backpack, he looked down at you with a frown.

“I’m just trying to look out for my friend and you’re being defensive for no reason. Just like Naoto isn’t a perfect person, neither am I. I just think you need to look for the best possible path for you without anyone holding you back, ‘kay?”

You furrowed your eyebrows, pulling your scarf around your neck slightly tighter. You were beyond irritated. Koushi kept trying to blame the mishaps of this semester on Naoto, when in all reality it was adjusting to a new academic environment.

You rolled your eyes and continued on your path to class. Koushi jogged to match your pace, slinging an arm over your shoulder, he made your chest slightly dip forward. The contact made you even more annoyed. Thrashing your shoulder back, his arm returned to his side. The leaves from the trees crunched under your shoes as the two of you fulfilled the silent walk to your shared class.

-

“Babe, I know you have plans tonight, but I really want you to stay.” You sat snug, pressed against Naoto’s bare chest. He uses his hand to brush your hair behind your ear.

“But I promised Kouji and Koushi that I’d make it. Tonight’s Megumi’s birthday. You’ve known that for months, Nao.” You wrapped your arms around his torso, his body heat drawing you nearly on top of him. His large hand rested on your back, keeping you on the small dorm mattress.

“I know, sweetheart, but we’re having such a good night, don’t you wanna go for it one more time. You know that Oda is going back to his family’s place tonight.” He placed a small kiss on your lips.

“I know, but I don’t see why I can’t just come back over when her party is over.”

There was a stillness in the air before your boyfriend replied. “I’m just already so comfy next to you.” He nuzzled his face into your neck, easing you back into him.

“Fine.” You muttered.

Don’t you notice how I get quiet when there’s no one else around?

Me and you and awkward silence

You, Semi, and Shirabu have been a trio since sophomore year of college. The three of you were unfortunate enough to have a horrible anthropology professor that permanently bonded you all the way to senior year.

The three of you walked through campus laughing at a post that someone from the boy’s highschool uploaded. 

“Dunno how, but it looks like Tendo ended up in Osaka.” Shirabu laughed holding his phone in front of you and Semi.

“Seems like an interesting guy.” 

“Always is. I gotta head to the west side of campus today so I’ll catch you later.” Shirabu waved before walking away. 

The two of you walked in silence as you approached the front gates of campus.

“Tomorrow?” 

Tomorrow.”

The two of you went your separate ways.

Don’t you dare look at me that way

I don’t need reminders of how you don’t feel the same

“You know you’re not really too good at this. You should stick to the whole singing thing, Semi.” You laugh holding your face in your hands. Semi was probably about to break the rhythm game he was playing with how hard he was hitting it and how poorly he was missing.

“Shut up. I can beat the high score.”

“Maybe your own.” You hold your beer up to toast the gray haired man. 

“Shut up.” He muttered. His eyes were trained on the screen. 

“I’ll play the same song after you and if I win, I heard that you’re buying the next round.”

“Yeah, you’d like that wouldn’t you, ya alcoholic.” He held his hand on the final note of the song, returning his gaze to you. 

You stood up from your stool, slightly wobbling as you made your way beside him.

“Hold.” You smiled, shoving the beer into his grasp. Your eyes met his, squinting with determination. For you it was a childish staring contest. For him, it was everything.

He smiled, leaning his head forward. 

After about 5 seconds your body shifted in front of the game, starting it back up. Unfortunately for Semi, you were missing the notes without a beat.

About half a minute in, you turned from the game and grinned. Smiling ear to ear.

“Told you I was gonna get that drink.”

Oh the burning pain

Listening to you harp on ‘bout some new soul mate

he’s so perfect blah blah blah 

“Did you hear that Yamada from psych confessed to Y/N in the courtyard today?” Shirabu asked. 

Semi was laying down on Shirabu’s bed, reading his copy of this week’s volume of the shonen jump. He tilted the book forward slightly, raising an eyebrow at him. 

“What else is new? People confess to her all the time.” He straightened the book.

Shirabu placed his hands behind his head, propping his feet up on the desk, releasing a small chuckle. “This time she said yes.”

Without thinking his hands crumpled the sides of the thick magazine.

“Woah there.” Shirabu swung his legs down leaning towards him. “Don’t act all upset because you didn’t act quick enough in the swarm of competition. Plus if you ruin that copy, you better have a thousand yen in your pocket.”

He quickly closed the magazine and tossed it off to him.

“I’ll see you in class.”

“I’m sure I will.” He laughed, watching his friend basically sprint out of the room.

-

Luckily, you had a routine that couldn’t be broken no matter what. Semi slowed his pace as he entered the coffee located next to Miyagi station. Catching his breath at the door, he slowly entered to see you at your usual seat, typing away at your laptop. 

Siding into the seat in front of you, he forced a playful smile.

“I heard a rumor today that you’re officially off the market.” He used the tips of his fingers to close your laptop.

Immediately you felt your face start to burn.

“I am.” You smoothed your hair down with your hand, looking away.

“When did you start liking Yamada?” He asked, placing his chin in his hand.

“Well… um… We’ve studied together sometime in the library. He seems like he’s pretty funny and a pretty decent guy. And he’s pretty handsome too.”

“Oh yeah? Why didn’t you tell me and Shirabu about him? I thought we were always in the loop?” Semi was concerned only for a moment that his questioning was sounding condescending, but your eyes immediately lit up.

Semi gave you the green light.

“Well you two have been busy with the work in your majors and sometimes when we can’t have our group study, he was always free. There was this one time…” 

Semi listened to you talk about your new boyfriend for about twenty minutes before he faked a phone call and returned to the dorms. 

Oh how I wish you’ll wake up one day

“You've been together for a year already and he won’t take you on dates anymore. When was the last one?” Shirabu asked you.

The two of you were sitting in an empty lecture hall, passing back and forth crumpled paper.

“It’s busy this semester. Midterms and all.” You threw the ball towards your friend. 

“You said he hasn’t taken you out since the beginning of summer break.”

He threw it back. 

You sighed, crumbling the paper again, hoping it’ll keep its shape. “We had a misunderstanding. You know this.”

Throw.

“Yeah he doesn’t want you to be friends with us anymore.”

Throw.

“Well I defended you too and we’re still friends.”

Throw.

“In empty classrooms when he’s not on campus-“

“Hey, sorry I’m late.” Semi entered the room, placing his guitar case by the front door. 

“Band’s been practicing pretty late recently.” He took a seat across from you.

“Any particular reason?” You ask.

“Actually, yeah.” He took a piece of paper from his coat pocket and unfolded it in front of you.

“Our first gig.” he said proudly.

“No way!” You nearly shouted, your eyes quickly skimmed the page.

“We’re there.” You smiled.

“We?” The boys said in unison.

“He can’t tell me not to be friends with you guys. If it’s gonna work out he’s gonna have to accept it.” You said defiantly. 

-

“I said you can’t be friends with them! How am I supposed to be with you if I can’t even trust you?”

“They’re my best friends! What’s the difference between being with them rather than being with two girls all the time?”

“Two girls wouldn’t want you!”

“Sexuality is a spectrum!” You countered.

“I knew you’ve been sneaking around me.” He pointed a finger at you from across the room amidst his pacing. 

“I’m not sneaking around! I’m spending time with my friends!”

“Friends that want to nail you!”

“Untrue! They tried so hard to be your friend-“

“Yeah the punk one tried a little too damn hard-“

“What’s that supposed to mean?!”

“Are you stupid?” He quit pacing, cocking his head at you.

“Apparently.” You crossed your arms.

“Go to his show by yourself if he’s so important to you, but if you do, don’t come back.”

Run to me confess your love, at least just let me say

That when I talk to you

Oh, Cupid walks right through and shoots an arrow through my heart

And yes I sound like a loon

But don’t you feel it too

Confess I loved you from the start

You stood in the crowd next to Shirabu in awe. From the first note that came out of Semi’s mouth his eyes never left yours. 

As the instrumental progressed you looked to your friend and he nodded back towards you sympathetically.

What’s a boy to do?

Staring in my bed, staring into the blue

It was dipping into the cold months of winter. The four of you sat in the library studying for finals. Hours of silence with small talk here and there. 

Semi anxiously glanced at his phone, waiting for the clock to strike midnight. 

“Hey. King Gnu just dropped a new song.” He whispered to you, passing a wired earbud.

“Just now?”

“Just now.”

Yamada sleepily looked up at the two of you, finally finishing up his notes. You gently nodded your head listening to the music, Semi did the same, but he never looked away from you.

“Babe.” He quickly shut his notebook.

“It’s getting kinda late. I think we should head out.”

You pulled the earbud out of your ear. “Aw, really? I was just getting in the zone!” 

“Please?” He smiled.

“Okay.”

Unrequited, terrifying

Love is driving me a bit insane

“What do you mean he doesn’t want you to hang out with us?!” Semi’s voice faltered. Shirabu and Semi sat on the floor of your dorm room, staring up at you.

“I don’t know. He just says for us to move forward together I need to be willing to put distance between you guys…”

“So you’re cutting us off?” Semi rose to his feet, standing toe to toe with you.

“For some dude?”

“Obviously, not.”

“So are you going to break up then?”

“No, I-”

“We’re supposed to be your best friends! We’ve been attached at the hip everyday for the last two years and now you’re letting me go?” He frowned at you. Shirabu remained silent.

“That’s not what’s happening!” 

“Then what is?” He stared at you blankly. 

A moment passed.

“Exactly.” He pulled his backpack over his shoulder. 

“I’ll see you after spring break , Kenji.” He left the dorm without turning back.

Have to get his off my chest,

I’m telling you today

He sang the chorus, pulling the mic to his lips. 

Going into the summer, Semi slowly came around you and shirabu again for the secret hangouts, at arm's length. You never understood why, but now it’s all coming together…

“Where’s Yamada?” Shirabu yelled over the music.

“He broke up with me before I came here.” You yelled, not taking your eyes off of Semi.

It was all coming together.

I know I’ve loved you from the start

Hanging on the last note, the crowd erupted into cheers. 

“Thank you everyone!” He laughed into the mic. “Thank you to everyone who came out to support our first gig! I wrote this song with a special someone in mind.” He talked to the audience with ease, finally taking in the front of him. 

“I think we can call it a hopeless confession, but now that I’ve got that out of the way we have a couple more songs to play for you!”

The crowd cheered again. 

He played the opening chords to next song before you turned to Shirabu, pulling the sleeve to his jacket to bring him down to your height.

“I don’t get it!”

“Don’t act like that I know you do!”

It was all coming together quickly. All of his quirks that you thought were just him were making sense. He knew all of your orders without having to tell him. He always brought a jacket when the weather would be slightly too chilly when you thought you didn’t need one, which seemed like always. He always needed to study harder even though he was at the top of the dean’s list because you always needed a body double before a test. So many things…

“I didn’t realize!”

“You’re both kind of stupid!”

“What?!”

“You’re stupid!” He yelled right in your ear. You slapped him.

“What!? It was fun watching and waiting!”

“You knew?”

“So did you!”

The two of you continued to bicker til the set drew to the close. Semi started making his thank yous to the crowd once again. You quickly moved to the side of the stage where they’d exit from the second the last chord played. 

The crowd clapped and whistled as him and his band exited the stage. You hadn’t even realized a line of other girls.

Before he could even raise a hand to greet them, you grabbed the hem of his shirt and dragged him to the back of the venue followed by protests from his new proclaimed fan girls.

Semi’s brazen confidence from being on stage seemed to falter with each step. You kept grip of his shirt without looking at him.

“So what did you think of the set list?” He wondered aloud. You finally turned your body to look at him. Your face was unreadable.

“I think it was pretty nice to be up on a real stage for once. The bright lights made it feel pretty real despite this place being so small.” 

Nothing. But now your eyebrows were furrowed. 

“I really think you-” it happened so slowly yet so quickly, placing both of your hands on each side of his face, tucking his sweaty hair behind his ear, you pulled him forward for a kiss.

His body couldn’t even begin to react before you pulled away. Your fingertips gently caressing his cheeks.

“Where’s Yamada?”

“We broke up. I think he saw what I couldn’t all this time…”

“Wait, actually?” His hands rose to grasp yours. His eyes had a small sparkle.

“Wait a second, you just kissed me?” He mumbled. The next band’s song began to play. You nodded earnestly.

“Can we have a second take on that?” He shouted over the music. His hands slid down your arms to slither around your waist. 

The bottom floor of the library at your university was reserved for pure silence. It slowly became integrated into your schedule to come to the library around midnight to however long you felt obligated to stay. Your roommate at your dorm liked to fall asleep around 9pm so you’d feel guilty if you fiddled around in your bedroom. 

You sat at a booth by the stair entrance every evening where you could prop your feet up and still get a good view of all the other students and professors working around you. The routine was always to do assignments, study for exams and quizzes, and then watch a show or movie on some streaming platform if you weren’t feeling too tired. 

A month into your freshman year of college, you have it marked as your own personal sanctuary. 

Tonight you began to slowly nod off into your laptop. It was just one of those nights where your legs didn’t want to carry you back to the dorm until the last possible moment. 

The clutter of notebooks smacked the hardwood table of the booth ahead of you. You and many other students snap your heads up to see a boy dressed in sweats, disheveled black hair, scrambling to pick up his belongings. People let out minuscule groans of annoyance at the commotion, but quickly returned their attention back to themselves. 

He quickly glanced up at you as you were directly in his line of vision as the expression of worry and embarrassment sprinkled across his tired face. He tried to look natural as he quickly slammed himself into his seat trying to look like he’d been there all that time. 

You sent him a sleepy smile of understanding before you propped your chin up on your palm before gluing your eyes back to your show, slightly more awake than before. You’ve never seen him on the bottom floor this whole first month of classes, but this was the first night of many to come.

——

The next evening you found yourself in your usual seat. The boy with messy hair was there at the booth in front of you already. This time looking much more lively, accompanied by two redbull cans. He had a pair of headphones in and was softly switching his eyes between his laptop to his notebook for his notes. 

As you sat down, he caught you in his peripheral. He quickly made eye contact with you before dipping his head in a small greeting with the corner of his mouth pulling in a slight smirk. He returned his eyes back to his paper and you opened your textbook to begin your own night of studying. 

——-

Through the week you begin to notice the boy with unruly hair, consistently wearing sweats, had made the booth in front of you his regular seat. The two of you exchanged small smiles if your eyes ever caught each other as the days went by. By now it was ingrained in both of your minds that you’ll be seeing each other for the remainder of the semester. 

Tonight you sat in the booth alone with your notes scattered everywhere. You had already been in the library about two hours before he arrived. It was now nearing 3am and you were slightly snoring on top of your laptop. You’ve been fading in and out of sleep for the last hour or so whilst trying to finish the packet of homework that your chemistry professor had assigned over the weekend.

You stir to the sensation of something cold pressing to your arm. You groggily look up to see the boy from the neighboring booth pressing an ice cold Red Bull to your arm.

He offers a small smile before whispering in a low voice . “Whatever you're working on seems important tonight. Looks like you need to stay up. Don’t worry about paying me back, it’s on the house!”

You couldn’t help but roll your eyes and the black haired boy before accepting the drink into your hands.

“You can’t go around acting like you own the vending machine.”

He ignored your statement. “The caffeine in it will give you about 3-4 hours more if you need it.” He towered over your notes before he quickly widened his eyes. 

“You’re in CHEM 1070?!” he accidentally raised his voice too loud, to have everyone in the nearby vicinity shoot him a glare. 

He narrowed his eyes at the students that surrounded the two of you before sliding himself into the seat across from you, repeating himself in a hushed whisper. “I mean, you’re in CHEM 1070? Me too!” You rub the sleep from your eyes to notice the most excited look on his face. You couldn’t think who in their right mind would be this excited about sharing a chemistry class with a random student at 3am. You may be a chemistry major, but it isn’t the most thrilling thing to talk about when you wake up from a nap. 

“Yeah? I have Ibe as my professor. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, his 11am class.”

The stranger places his hands on the desk before leaning forwards. “Oh yeah? Me too? I really love this class! I can help you if you need it! I’m a chemistry major!”

It makes more sense. Especially now that you know it’s just not a random guy overly excited for a subject that they don’t understand. You couldn’t help but grin at his enthusiasm, lulling you out of your sleepiness. 

“I’m actually a chem major as well! Have you started on the packet? It’s due on Monday but I’m just not sure how to balance these formulas. Same with the sequences of reaction towards the back of it.”

He had a sly smile resting on his face. “Let me get my bag and we can start working on it.” He paused to extend his hand.

“Kuroo Tetsurou”

You grabbed his hand to shake it. 

“L/N F/N”

——-

You come to find out that not only did Kuroo have academic scholarships for your university, but also sports. He was a starter on the college men's volleyball team as a first year. The reason why he found out about the campus library was because it was the only place around that was open 24 hours that wasn’t the dorm lobby. He would shower and show up after practice to study. 

“It’s so goddamn bright” You grab Kuroo by the shirt and place him in front of you as you exit the building, using his tall figure to block out the sun. He hunched over to let out a rather harsh laugh causing you to freeze. The students around you stared out at his outburst. You quickly tugged on his shirt for him to stand up.

“What? Can I not find it amusing that you used me as your shield?”

“No, Kuroo, not with that laugh.” You flicked his arm before tugging his shirt sleeve to follow you to grab an early lunch. 

It had been roughly three weeks since you two had become acquainted on the bottom floor of the library and the two of you had already created a routine on the days you had shared class. Grab food as soon as possible after class. If you two had the time, hang out at each other’s dorms. Kuroo went to practice on Tuesdays and Fridays. Later in the evening, sit at you two’s declared booth on the bottom floor of the library. You had even begun attending his games every Saturday evening. Home or away.On the days you two didn’t have class, you two found a reason to hang out. Your two roommates knew from the get go, that you two together were inseparable.  

The two of you sat at a table in the dining hall that sat between your two dorm halls. You looked at Kuroo as he talked about how he missed his friends from high school. He was talking about his childhood friend Kenma and how he was coming to visit the campus soon in hopes that he could attend the university soon. A small smile rested on your lips the entire time. You never felt bored around Kuroo, everything about him was just interesting.

“Y/NNNNNN” Kuroo whined, grasping you from your thoughts.

“Huh?” You meet his eyes, your focus now completely on him. 

“We should go shopping in Shibuya today!” 

You place your chopsticks on the table and support your chin on your palm. “I’m interested! I’m not from Tokyo, I’m from Nagoya, so I’ve never had the opportunity!” Enthusiasm laced your voice. Kuroo couldn’t help but smile.

“Let’s go!”

-------

“Wow! All of these shops are so cool!” 

After roughly two hours of train rides from the outskirts of Tokyo, the two of you had made it to Shibuya. It was Monday afternoon so the streets weren’t as crowded as they normally would be and it was still the time of day where kids were barely getting out of school.

“Kuroo, we should go in here!” You quickly grab his hand and duck into the store. What drew you to it was the fact that it was nearly five stories and had cute clothes on display at the front of the store. Plus loads of sales bargains. Kuroo’s face grew slightly red as he walked behind you. 

You didn’t realize that you were still holding onto him until you released your hand to shift through shirts to find your size. Truthfully, you didn’t think anything of it, but Kuroo couldn’t figure out why there was the slightest sinking feeling in his chest when you had let go.

You held the shirt against your chest. “Whaddya think?” You asked, glancing down. Kuroo gave you a thumbs up. 

“Kuroo, I’ve got an idea!” 

He stared at you with an expression that said go on.

“15 minutes. You go find a fit for me and I do the same. Then we can go take some cute pictures around Tokyo!”

“I like where you’re going with this, but may I ask, why 15 minutes?” 

“Gives it a sense of competition, doesn’t it? Anyways!” You check your phone for the time. “15 minutes start… Now!” 

----

You turn to admire yourself in the mirror outside the dressing room. “I’ve got to say Kuroo, you could change your major to design and would actually excel in it.” He walks up behind you and presses his hands on your shoulders peering at your reflection with a sheepish grin. He chose for you to wear a form fitting pleated dark burgundy skirt, accompanied with a black long sleeve shirt and a pair of black velvet boots that had a slight heel on them.

“Just another thing for me to be good at, isn’t it?” You elbow him softly in the stomach, staring at him in the mirror. He met your eyes and quickly bent over to pick up the outfit you selected before dipping into the changing room.

You leaned against the wall scrolling through Twitter.

“Well?” Kuroo asked, walking out of the dressing room with his hands out.

You slid your phone into your pocket and crossed your arms, glancing up and down at him smirking. He was wearing black torn skinny jeans, with a floral short sleeve button up in shades of black, burgundy, maroon. You didn’t grab any shoes for him but his black Converse sufficed.

“I have to say that I did a good job!”

“Wow, Y/N! You can’t even tell me that I look good?” He let out a light laugh, a look of anticipation graced his features. 

“You look really good, Kuroo!” You grabbed his wrist pulling him to look at the mirror with you. In a second you whipped your phone out of your pocket and nudged him to pose for a picture. Kuroo slung an arm over your shoulder and pulled you towards his chest and placed a genuine smile on his lips. He rested his head atop yours. 

“Looks like we both did a good job, let’s go explore the rest of Tokyo!”

Kuroo led you around many different wards of the city. Trying street food, looking into small shops and trying your best to be each other’s personal photographers with candids and posing. The whole day was only filled with smiles and laughter. So this is the adventure that college would bring you two. As the day dipped into night you two silently prayed that the next four years would be like that for yourselves.

Kuroo paused on the sidewalk to glance at his watch. He quickly grabbed your hand and broke into a sprint. “Kuroo! Why’re you running!?”

“We’re about to miss the last train to the college! I lost track of time!” His voice was lost in the wind. He came to a sudden halt causing you to slam into his back, but he held his ground supporting you. He quickly slid his phone over the card reader and passed for the gate. You fumbled with your phone and did the same. Hand and hand you two sprinted into the last train car.

Kuroo grabbed the hand rail on the ceiling of the train as it began to move. Your other hand quickly moved to his bicep to brace yourself. You both sighed before looking at each other with a shit eating grin.

You and Kuroo shuffle to an empty seat. You quietly yawn and place your head on his shoulder, your eyes fluttering shut. Your arm lazily linked around his, all the fatigue from the day hitting you at once. Kuroo smiled to himself as you quickly fell asleep without a word. Fifteen stops until you’re back on campus.

The grin rested on his face as he used his left hand to scroll through the pictures the two of you had taken that day. Your little photoshoot idea in one of the alleys of Harajuku. Propping your phone up against the bricks of neighboring shops and buildings as you and Kuroo striked ridiculous poses. He stopped at one picture. It was an off guard of you staring up at him, holding his hands, the both of you smiling wide in the midst of laughter. The bright streetlights made your features glow.

His chest grew warm as he added it to his favorites. He locked his phone and slid it into his pocket before resting his head on top of yours. He glanced ahead of him to see an elderly woman grinning at him.

“You two are such a beautiful couple! Matching outfits and everything!” she chuckled quietly. Blush automatically covered Kuroo’s cheeks as he tried to withhold his composure. 

“No ma’am. We’re just friends- the outfits were just a coincidence.” He tumbled over his words.

The old woman clicked her tongue and shook her head, laughing quietly. The train came to a halt and she rose from her seat, dipping her head in a gentle bow before exiting. He sighed and rested his head atop yours once again. He placed his hand on top of yours and waited until you arrived at your destination.

-----

“Tetsuro!” Your voice pierced his ears as he answered his phone.

“Y/N? What’s up? I’m heading to the library right now. Do you want me to stop by the convenience store to buy your favorite again?” He changed the direction he was walking assuming he was correct.

“No! I was thinking screw studying tonight. I wanna do something fun before winter break starts. Like… I don’t know… Go with me to get my nose pierced!” Kuroo turned back on his heel, changing directions yet again, but this time to your dorm. You could hear his smile through the  phone. 

“Let’s go!”

At this point in the semester, everyone who has crossed you and Kuroo’s path knows that the two of you spend every waking moment together. You’ve become well acquainted with his roommate Yaku, as he has with yours. Despite her monotonous tones and being unbelievably uptight, she actually really enjoys his company when he visits your dorm room. You’ve gone home with him on the weekends sometimes and finally managed to meet Kenma. Despite his quiet demeanor, he’s quite fond of you. You knew that it made Kuroo rather joyous to have you and Kenma become close, though he’d never admit it to your face. His father and grandparents absolutely adored you and they were always happy to see your face when you’d come to visit. 

“Tetsu, is now a good time to tell you that I’m afraid of needles?” You turned to him, stifling a small laugh in the piercers chair.

“Ain’t that some shit.” he chuckled. He studied your face as nerves consumed you. His hand extended to give your cheek a slight pinch of reassurance. 

The piercer grabbed your nose gently with the clamp. “It’s okay if you want to hold your boyfriend’s hand if you want to. You froze in place, mainly because there’s nowhere else for you to go. You felt your face get hot. “It’s not like that, we-”

You were quickly caught off guard by Kuroo's hands clasping over yours. He made eye contact with the piercer.

“Thank you, sir.”

 He returned his gaze to you to offer a soft smile, outside of his normal sly one.

“Breathe, dummy.”

You nodded, trying your best not to feel flustered, you stared forward.

“Ready? One. Two. Three.”

---- 

You and Kuroo stood outside of your dorm room, both yawning as it dipped into the late hours of the night. You turned around to be face to face with him. He reached up and gently tapped your nose with his finger.

“I’ve got to say… You look really cute with that piercing, Y/N.” His voice was soft. He placed his hand on the wall behind you glancing down to your figure. You felt his breath softly fan your face as his eyes studied your features. His dark eyes bore into yours as he leans closer. Heat quickly consumed your face as you pressed yourself further against the wall. 

“I-I uh- thank you Tetsuro.” You stuttered.

“Of course!” He leans up to place his arms behind his head, just to yawn again. As if being that close didn’t phase him. 

“I’ll see you this weekend for movie night since Riko is going home, right? Then you go home for break the next morning, right ?”

You nod vigorously.

“See you.”

Kuroo walked down the hallway without turning back while you leaned against the wall wondering what the weird pang in your chest was. 

------

You and Kuroo curled up next to each other underneath the blankets of your small twin-sized mattress. After tonight's study session on the bottom floor, the two of you headed to your dorm and began your movie night. The laptop balanced on your legs. You tried to enjoy the film, but Kuroo was aggressively tapping away at his keyboard. 

“Tetsu, we can’t have a movie night if your nose is going to be buried in your phone! You know that-“

“HA” 

You jump in your seat as Kuroo thrusts his phone in your face.

“You said that your final grade in chem was a 96! Well mine is 98!” Kuroo’s chest swelled with pride as you took his phone from him in disbelief. 

“You little shit! I can’t bel-“

“Believe it, Y/N-chan! I’m the better chem major of the duo.”

He held a fist to his chest and looked off into the corner of your dorm room as if he were living in a movie. You rolled your eyes before hitting his chest. 

“It’s okay Tetsu! I’ll get you next semester!” You sunk back in your seat with a confident smirk resting on your lips.

You two sat in your own pride watching the movie until your eyes began to droop. You feel a light weight on your shoulder and turn to see Kuroo dead asleep. Cute snores coming out every other breath. You couldn’t help but smile. You reached to close your laptop before carefully reaching down on the floor below you.

You return to your spot to feel your eyes begin to close. Not before long you drift off to sleep. 

——

You wake up to something warm wrapped around your body. Your eyes groggily open to be face to face with Kuroo. His eyes crinkle slightly as his eyes catch yours. Your head jerked back in surprise, but his hand was ready to catch you from throwing yourself from the small bed.

Your eyes quickly scanned his face confusedly. Why wasn’t he uncomfortable? Was he just as surprised when he woke up with his arms around you? Was he-

Your thoughts were interrupted by Kuroo stroking a thumb over your cheek. 

“G’morning, Y/N-chan .” His voice was raspy, but his features were softened compared to any other time you’d see him. 

“Good morning, Tetsuro.” You mumble, not breaking away from his gaze. His hand stopped to rest on your cheek, before his eyes fluttered shut. He slowly began to move closer until the tips of your nose touched. 

You jolt up in your bed immediately, refusing to look at him. 

“I’m sorry, I just thought-“ he mumbled in the smallest voice. You ignored him. 

“What time is it?” You scrambled through the sheets looking for your phone, refusing to make eye contact with him. You felt his soft gaze follow your movements. 

“Shit! My train for home leaves in an hour.” You quickly slide yourself off the bed, plopping to the floor. You hurry to get your suitcases together that you’d already packed. The sound of feet landing on the ground next you makes you jump slightly. You nervously fidgeted with your things before a hand clasped your wrists.

“Do you want me to carry these to the station for you, L/N?” His words came out with caution. You flinch at the sound of your surname. Not looking into his direction you nod. He gathers your things in his hands and walks out your room without glancing back. 

Not a word was spoken at the train station. You played with your hands as you tail Kuroo along the streets of the university. His eyes did not shift anywhere but straight ahead. 

Upon arriving he places your bags at your feet. He meets your eyes with a blank, emotionless stare. 

“I’ll see you after break.” With the simple words pouring monotonously from his mouth he turns around with a hand raised. You reach for his shirt as he turns away, but he’s already gone with a swift stride. 

“Tokyo to Nagoya! Now boarding!” 

You sign before picking up your bags and making your way onto the train. Staring at the window, the only thought in your head is why didn’t you kiss him back?

——-

As the spring semester started, you and Kuroo acted as if nothing had occurred before you left, if anything the two of you were closer than before. Casually holding hands as you walked to classes, at the library, to the dorms, but never a word being said by either of it.  

“Tetsuro! Come help me carry this box up the stairs! It’s too heavy!” 

“Make Kenma help you! He’s already down there!” 

It was now the fall semester of your second year of college and you, Kuroo, and Kenma were moving into your apartment. The three of you managed to get a discounted rent on a 3 bedroom on the edge of campus, you all quickly signed the lease right before spring rolled around. 

Kenma grabbed the box from your arms and turned to face up the stairs with a heavy sigh. You chuckled and returned to your car to retrieve smaller boxes. 

A pair of arms snaked around your waist. You smiled and sank into him.

“Tetsuro, you can’t just come behind me like that.”

“Sorry about that.” Kuroo placed a gentle kiss on your temple and took the remaining boxes from your hands. He gave you a quick wink and began walking up the stairs. 

“Tetsu! Those go to my room!”

“I know!” He called over his shoulder.

You reach up to close the trunk of the car before dusting your hands off your shorts. With hands on your hips you stare up to see Kenma glaring down at you from the balcony. You offer a slight wave and a gentle smile just to have him roll his eyes and return inside. 

Your body sank into itself as your features sank. You made your way upstairs to join your two roommates. 

——-

“I’m home.” Kenma appears through the front door to see you and Kuroo holding each other on the couch while watching TV. His face immediately distorted into a look of resentment. 

“Why do you always look like that when the three of us are in the same room, Kenma?” You lifted your head from Kuroo’s chest curiously. He closes the door behind him while muttering, “Why do you two act like that when you’re not even dating, it’s annoying. Just get together already.”

You felt Kuroo stiffen under you before the words poured out of your mouth, “We don’t like each other like that, Kenma. We’re just good friends. Right, Tetsuro?” You slightly dig your elbow into his stomach, awaiting an answer. He quickly straightens up in his spot, leaning away from you.

“Right.” He paused looking to his side. “We’re good friends.” He scratched the back of his head quickly before standing from the couch. 

“I’m going to bed, goodnight.”

You glance down at your watch, calling after him. “Tetsu, it’s only 8pm, why are-“

“Goodnight.”

His bedroom door abruptly closed before you threw your head against the couch. You groaned into your hands as Kenma squinted his eyes at you. 

“For someone whose major is incredibly difficult, and is on the dean’s list, you’re incredibly stupid, aren’t you?”

Your hands slid off your face to reveal a glare. “Who the hell are you calling stupid, Kozu-“

Kenma was already fiddling with his phone, not even looking in your direction. “Kuroo loves you. It’s kind of obvious. He does everything for you and never leaves your side. And you kind of just string him along by letting him sleep with you at night and letting him kiss you. He’s not saying anything so you won’t leave him. If you’re going to keep acting this way you ought to leave him alone.”