#ennokono

Sorry for the long wait. I hope you enjoy this little something :)

“C'mon!Just talk to him!” Noya insists, elbowing Chikara's ribs a littletoo hard in his inebriation. “Not like he's a complete stranger oranything.”

Butthat's what makes this harder. They haven't seen each other in years.Not since the last Tokyo training camp in Chikara's second year ofhigh school. Konoha-san has always been Chikara's type, even backthen, but the last couple of years have been kind to him. His smileis still the same, confident without being arrogant, but his featureshave become a little more square, a little more adult, and it'smaking Chikara nervous.

Suddenly,Konoha-san turns his head, and they make eye contact. A shiver runsdown Chikara's spine when recognition flashes across Konoha-san'sface. He says something to the person he'd been talking to and makeshis way across the bar.

“Ennoshita-kun,right?” he asks, and Chikara is about ready to disintegrate. Thisis going to be one hell of a night.

Ennoshita doesn’tunderstand his mark. A fox curled around a sleeping rabbit. What does that mean?

He’s spent all his lifetrying to figure out and at the ripe age of 17 he still hasn’t found an answer.

Some soulmates havealready found their partners. Hinata and Kageyama, two first years, found outthey’re soulmates while switching into their jerseys- safe to say they werevery energetic if not confused as well. Made for an interesting practice.

Usually Enno tunes thesethoughts out when he’s in the middle of something, “something” being warmupsfor practice match against Fukurodani, but today it’s especially hard.

“Ennoshita, are you okay?”Suga throws the volleyball up and hits it towards him. Ennoshita receives itand the third year catches it.

“I’m fine, just a littledistracted.”

Suga places the ballagainst his hip, giving him a curious look. Ennoshita tries not to stare at hismark, two crows sitting on a branch, the very same mark on Daichi’s wrist.

I hope I find my soulmate.

Suga notices his glanceand gives him a kind smile. “Don’t worry, your soulmate is out there. It maytake you a few years but it will be worth all the waiting.”

Ennoshita sighs. “I knowyou’re right, but it just-” he trails off when he hears the door open. One ofFukurodani’s regular players rushes in, dropping his bag off on the bench.

“Konoha-san, you’re late,”Akaashi says, setting the ball for Bokuto.

Konoha makes theuniversal “shut up” sign except their coach notices him anyway.

“Konoha, next time you’relate you’ll run laps,” the coach grumbles, going back to talking with themanagers.

“Thanks, Akaashi,” Konohacomplains. Akaashi shrugs and sets another ball. “Don’t be late for practice.”

Ennoshita doesn’t knowwhy but he smiles at the scene. He forgets Suga is still by his side.

Suga clears his throat. “Oneof Fukurodani’s wing spikers.”

“I remember from theweekend training camp,” Enno replies, watching Konoha talk to his team’slibero.

“A third year.”

“Really?”

“Pretty cute, huh?”

“Yeah-wait!”

Suga laughs. “You’ve beenstaring at him ever since he came in.”

Ennoshita looks away. “Doesn’tmatter if it’s cute or not unless he’s my soulmate,” he murmurs.

“Ah, let me have my fun,Enno.”

“Enno?” he repeats.

Suga ignores hisquestion, instead wrapping his arm around Ennoshita’s shoulders. “It’s okay tohave a crush.”

Ennoshita huffs, causingthe setter to laugh again.

“Yo Konoha, you’re noteven wearing your jersey yet,” the libero, Komi he thinks, says loudly. Konohashushes him while the coach shakes his head, exasperated.

“Thanks,” hesarcastically says.

Enno picks up anotherball when he looks back at the wing spiker. He chokes, immediately dropping hisball. Konoha has taken off his shirt and now searches for his jersey. Thoseback muscles look so nice. He shakes his head. Not now.

“Ennoshita-san, are youokay?” Hinata asks. Kageyama and Noya glance over.

“I’m fine!” He almost guaranteeshe hears Suga laughing.

“You don’t look great,”Narita says in a concerned voice. “Are you sick?”

“Is he turning red?”Yamaguchi asks Tsukishima. “For sure.”

“Shut up!” Ennoshitahisses. Any louder and Konoha or his teammates might hear them.

He sneaks a peak back atKonoha and turns red. Konoha turned slightly, showing his hip bone. Is that-?

“What’s everyone staringat?” Daichi interrupts, walking over. Oh no.

Noya follows Enno’seyesight and smirks. “Is our Enno-”

“When did that become athing?”

“Staring at a half-naked-”

Partially to save himfrom more embarrassment, Ennoshita quickly says, “That wing spiker might havemy mark.”

Everyone stays silent fora few seconds before erupting in noise.

“Gwahhh! Ennoshita-sanmight have met his soulmate, that’s so exciting!” Hinata exclaims.

“Congratulations,Ennoshita-senpai!” Yachi kindly says.

Tanaka throws an arm aroundEnnoshita. “Woo, go get him Tiger!”

“Guys!” Enno nearlyyells. “Don’t be so loud!”

Coach Ukai walks over. “Doyou guys realize the game is about to begin?” he asks. “Aren’t you payingattention?”

“A Fukurodani playermight have Ennoshita’s mark,” Kinoshita tells him.

Coach Ukai hums,scratching his neck. “In order for no one is distracted during the game, wantto ask him now?” his coach says to him. “I know how teenagers get.”

Ennoshita nods and whenCoach Ukai walks away, he blinks. “What am I thinking? I can’t just go up tohim and say-hey pull up your shirt!”

Suga sighs and pushesEnnoshita forward. “Come on,” he sighs, pulling him across the court.

Enno makes a sound ofsurprise at Suga’s tugging. “Suga, what are you-”

Suga leads him over tothe wingspiker in question. He curiously glances at them. “May I help you?”

“Konoha, is that right?” hissenpai asks.

He nods. “Who are you?”

“I’m Suga and this is myadorable kouhai Ennoshita,” Suga quickly says before Ennoshita opens his mouth.“Can you do us a favor and show us your soulmate mark?”

Konoha smiles. “Sure?” Helifts up his jersey, showing his left hipbone. “A fox and rabbit. People havetold me I’m the fox, which I’m-” Konoha stares at Ennoshita for a second,slightly tilting his head. “Are you okay?”

Ennoshita turns evenredder, if that’s possible. Suga nudges him. He glances to the side and liftshis shirt, showing his right hip and the matching mark.

Konoha widens his eyes. “You’remy soulmate!”

“You’re welcome,” Sugasing-songs as he walks back to their side.

“I’m Konoha Akinori,” hegrins. “I’m a third year.”

“Ennoshita Chikara. I’m asecond year.” Is this really happening?

The referee blows the whistleand both coaches call their respective students.

“I’m taking you out fordinner after the game,” Konoha insists. “Can I hug you?”

“Yes.” I actually found my soulmate.

Konoha hugs him tightly,whispering in his ear, “You’re really cute when blushing.” Konoha lets him go,smirking as he leaves.

“I am not!” Ennoshitayells but his statement loses his effect by his wide grin.

A college student wantingcoffee how rare is that?

Ennoshita blearily entersthe café, mentally planning his day out. He has a test at the end of this week,right after his group presentation for literature, should do some editing forhis latest film so he can submit it to the university festival in time…

“Would you like to order,sir?” Ennoshita blinks, realizing he’s arrived at the cashier.

“You’re really out of ittoday,” Suga laughs. “Stay up late again?”

Ennoshita nods. “Finishedsome homework at 3 am and really need some coffee to make it through my nextclass.”

Suga clicks his tonguedisapprovingly. Even in college he’s still the caring senpai. “You also need abetter sleeping schedule.”

“I know, I know.”Ennoshita rubs his eyes.

“In the meantime, I’llget our newest barista to make you-” Suga pauses, examining Ennoshita’s face.“A caramel latte?”

“Right again,” Ennoshitasmiles. Suga has a knack for guessing people’s orders, at least when they’reclose.

Suga hums. “I expectednothing less.” He rings up Enno’s order. “Konoha, one caramel latte. Put somepretty art on the top too!” Whispering, Suga tells him, “He’s great at latteart. Just watch.”

A dirty blond puts a lidon one drink and hands it off to another barista- Nekoma’s former setter Kenma,interesting to see him here- and turns to Suga. “Is this your friend fromschool?”

Suga smiles. “My adorablekouhai Ennoshita Chikara.”

“I’m not adorable,”Ennoshita mutters under his breath. Suga pays him no heed. “This is KonohaAkinori.”

Konoha grins as he picksup a cup and writes Ennoshita’s name on it. “It’s nice to meet you. Maybe wecan talk after work sometime?”

Kenma calls over Konohaand he leaves (far too soon in Enno’s opinion).

“He already asked you ona date,” Suga chuckles. “He’s very forward.”

“That’s not a date!”Ennoshita insists. “We just met.”

“I’m teasing,” Sugareplies. “Although tell that to your blushing face.”

Enno grumbles as he handsover the money.

“Ennoshita-kun,” Konohacalls. “Your order is ready!”

Suga winks at Ennoshita.“Kun,” he whispers.

Ennoshita opens his mouthto respond when Konoha hops over the counter. “Here you go.” Konoha slides himthe cup, no lid on to reveal the latte art: a bunny with long ears.

Ennoshita examines thecream. “Why a rabbit?”

Konoha shrugs, leaningagainst the counter. “You look like a cute little rabbit.”

“I’m not cute!”

Konoha smirks. “Keeptelling yourself that.” He pushes a lid on top of the drink. “Enjoy, your day.”

Ennoshita grabs thebeverage with a shake of his head. As he exits, the only sounds are machineswhirling and Konoha and Suga’s laughter. Muttering under his breath, he popsoff the lid and stares at the bunny. Slowly he smiles.

~

He continues his daily routineof visiting the café sometime during the day. Usually Konoha serves his drinkswith art and pickup lines. One of his favorites is “I lost my number, can Ihave yours?” Enno simply grabbed his drink and quickly leaves, trying not tolaugh at the cheesiness.

A test completed andgroup presentation finally over with,he decides to treat himself to the amazing cake pops at the café (Aone is agreat baker).

Futakuchi is behind thecounter with Kenma wiping tables. Ennoshita tries to hide is disappointment.

“Hey bunny, miss me?”Konoha walks up to him, unwrapping his scarf.

Ennoshita replies withoutskipping a beat. “What would ever give you that idea?”

Konoha chuckles andremoves his jacket, quickly heading behind the counter and into the break room.A moment later he returns donning his apron and nametag. “Ready to order?”

Ennoshita orders hismuch-wanted cake pops and another caramel latte. He never used to be such alatte fan but ever since Konoha started working, he’s warmed up to them. Plus,his cute latte art always puts a smile on his face.

“Do you like pick-uplines?” Konoha says as he places brightly decorated cake pops into a paperbags.

“I haven’t thought aboutit, why?”

“You never answer mine,”Konoha replies, handing him the bag.

Ennoshita blinks. “You’readmitting they’re pick-up lines?”

“Yep~” Konoha smiles andplaces the warm cup in Ennoshita’s hand. With the cap off, a beautiful heartfloats on the beverage’s surface.

“Guess I’ll have to findmy own pick-up line to one-up yours, huh?” Ennoshita leaves the café with abright grin lighting up his face.