Breaking Through - A Kuroo Tetsurou Fanfiction

Chapter 14

Kuroo's POV

"Something came up at work. Missing school later, I'll text you for dinner later." A message from Kageyama at four in the morning. I can't help but feel worried about her. I knew I said I would be fine with her job, but what sort of job had her up until four in the morning? Maybe even later? Kenma walked out of his house and met up with me.

"Maybe she works the night shift in a bar?" He tried to come up with possibilities. "That can't be right. It doesn't explain her initial need to have a facade." I sighed loudly, defeated. In any case, we're all bound to know sooner or later. It doesn't matter to me because I'll love her anyway. I was meeting her for a date tomorrow, so we're all good.

"Kuroo!" Yamamoto called out to me during volleyball practice, "Have you heard from Kageyama-chan? Our teacher covered a relatively huge topic for mathematics today and I was told to pass her this set of notes. I figured you could bring them over to her."

He handed me a stack of paper and thanked me before running off. It should be me thanking him for providing me an opportunity, right? I slotted the pile in my bag and carried on with practice as usual.

-JW-

Afternoon practice ended and I checked my phone for notifications from her. "I don't think I can make it back for dinner. A lot is going on today. I might be back home at around eight in the evening. I'll make it up on Saturday, kay? <3" Her text message indicated.

This was the latest her work has ever called for her. I noticed she had been missing some classes the past week, but she only took half days off most of the time.

"Aww, but I miss you already." I gave a reply. Was work getting busier? Don't her parents care about her school? What sort of job was so important that she could afford to miss it? I sighed, worrying over something I've decided myself when I fell for her. I have to trust her; it wasn't easy for me to get through to her. I don't want to pressure her until I lose her.

"Guess I'm stuck with you for dinner, Kenma," I slid my phone into my pocket and walked out with the new blonde head. "Why do you make me sound so bad? Amber ditched you?" He was still fixated on his game console.

"Yea, work again. By now, I think I've crossed out all possible occupations - from administration to maid cafes and part-time nurse. I just can't pinpoint one," the both of us continued walking down the street. "You know... it's a wild guess, but what if she works at that paintball place she brought us to last time?" Kenma wrinkled his nose and looked at me before turning back to his game.

"Well, that would make sense why she's so good at it. But, why is it so demanding on her? She literally texted me at four in the morning, and missing school, it doesn't really add up." I continued to ponder. Alas, I decided to drop the topic and both of us went home to have dinner with our families.

-JW-

I was on my bed, looking through my phone. It's now fifteen minutes before eight. Is she on her way back home? At that moment, my phone lit up and I got a text from her.

"Me too, I'm sorry." There's really... nothing to be sorry about, dumb Amber.

I chose this for myself, and I'm seeing it through to the end. I smiled and decided to drop by her place. Maybe grab a drink or some onigiris from the convenience store on the way. Perhaps she hasn't eaten dinner. I flipped my blanket off and made my way out. Oh, I almost forgot the notes Yamamoto told me to pass to her.

I arrived at her apartment, leaning on the railing, waiting for her to appear. I was holding onto the bag of drinks and food I got on the way here when I spotted a motorcycle pull up on the side of the street.

Two figures sat on it and their helmets opaque black. The one driving was clearly a guy, dressed in all black and wearing a pair of gloves. The one seated behind had a smaller frame, wearing a full black suit. I caught my breath when she removed her helmet.

"Amber..." I watched as she swung her legs over the bike and fixed her silky raven hair. The guy removed his helmet, revealing a chiseled face. His hair was short, an autumn brown color. A long scar ran across his nose, but it seemed like he was still in his early twenties.

Work... involved someone like him? My grip tightened around the railing, my heart rate increasing. He looked dangerous; why would she hang around with guys like him? My mind bubbled with questions... or was it jealousy?

I felt myself relax after seeing their interaction. Amber was collecting her bag from him, maintaining a straight face the whole time. The guy was lively, trying to get her to talk, it seemed like. Before they parted, he did pat her head a couple of times, but she lightly brushed his arm away. The guy laughed and gave up trying to tease her before hopping back on his bike and driving away.

I guess there's nothing to worry about. When she climbed to the top of the stairs and spotted me, a giant smile appeared on her face, completely different from her expression when she was downstairs. "Kuroo, I mean, Tetsurou! What're you doing here?" she flashed her gorgeous smile.

I opened up my arms and she came snuggling against me. "Officially, here to pass you some class notes. Unofficially, here to spend time with my girlfriend," I tapped her nose and she blushed. She unlocked her door and invited me in.

"Make yourself at home, okay? I'm going to change first," she said as she shrugged off her black coat and walked into her bathroom. Your guess is off too, Kenma. No way working at the paintball arena required her to wear a full suit to work. "Sure. Have you eaten dinner? I got you some onigiris from the convenience store on the way here, " I asked as I settled down around her small table.

"Eh? That's awesome. I'm starving, actually. I wanted to cook myself some ramen but you really came to my aid!" Her voice echoed through the bathroom door. She came out wearing a simple white tee shirt and blue shorts.

She tossed her work clothes into the laundry basket and sat down beside me. "Thank you for the food. And thank you for being here," she cutely looked at me before chomping down on the rice balls.

-JW-

I'm glad to see she's doing well. I thought work had tired her out, especially since she'd gotten such little sleep yesterday night. "Who was that dropping you off just now? A colleague?" I asked as I opened a can of grape juice for her.

She took the can in her hands and replied, "Yep. I'm not really close to him, but he said I did well for the job, so he offered a drive back. He's way more senior than me, which was why I couldn't deny his kind proposal."

"He looks like he's been through a lot. I could see the scar across his nose from up here; it must be a deep wound. Does your job have more guys like him?" I leaned my chin on my palm, watching her nibble on her food again. Her eyes seemed to stare off into space and she stopped chewing after I said that sentence.

"Mm... he's... indeed been through a lot, which was why I couldn't refuse his offer. Everyone at work has been through and will go through a lot more, so I guess you can say my work is filled with guys like him. Females too!" 

She neatly folded up the onigiri's packaging, stood up and threw them in the rubbish can. "Does it make a difference if you tell me what your work is now and later? You're already telling me snippets of it. Why can't you tell me straight off the bat?" I asked.

"I was wondering the same too. But, I think it's best if I don't tell you for now. It's... safer for you, and I believe it'll be easier to accept when everything is over," she gave me a wry smile. I couldn't get mad at her, not after giving me that smile.

It won't make a difference anyway, I answered myself. I will still like that way about her. I sighed and scooted closer to her, pulling her into an embrace. "Tetsurou?" She squeaked.

"You make me weak for things I don't even know yet. And I'm weird for loving you for that," I hugged her tighter. Somehow, at the moment, I had a premonition.

That I will lose my grasp on her and she'll go somewhere far away. Her body was petite to me, fragile even. But I know she was strong and required little protection. Yet, I want to be by her side and support her in any way I can. For now, I think it'll just be like this.