Forty Winks | K. Shirabu

┗ 𝘌𝘐𝘎𝘏𝘛𝘌𝘌𝘕𝘛𝘏 𝘞𝘐𝘕𝘒

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𝘌𝘐𝘎𝘏𝘛𝘌𝘌𝘕𝘛𝘏 𝘞𝘐𝘕𝘒:
- you are not mine.

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The man was immersed in his phone, his maroon hair lighter under the luminesce, and his almond gems accompanied with his pointed eyebrows made him come across as ballistic. He was of medium stature. In their entirety, all of his features were almost the contrast of his personality.

"Shunki-senpai!"

He was very carefree- the type to easily speak what was in his mind. That nature of his was evident in the way he raised his head, waved his hand, and grinned at the two individuals approaching him. He wasn't laid back in any way; there was tension in his posture, Yui perceived. She presumed it was because approximately 2 years had already passed since the last time they exchanged a word.

She couldn't blame him; who'd be relaxed to see a nonchalant person, void of any proof to see that he was happy to see him, walking towards him? Yui nudged Shirabu's elbow, in which he nodded instinctively to the older male as a result of the gesture. "Hi, Shunki-senpai."

Shunki scratched the back of his head, looking anywhere else as he inserted a comment out of his emotion. He laughed clumsily, "Hi, Yui, Kenjirou!"

This is awkward.

"That's why I'm here." Yui raised her hand in a thumbs up, perfectly composed when they settled themselves in front of the male. In admittance, she was never a fan of the male's habit of being too absorbed in girls- especially when they were back in middle school. She almost chuckled at the memory of him fumbling over his words when she had seen him trying to hit on someone from the stands. When he became comfortable, however, he was more open to touches; he'd be fine with slinging an arm around her shoulder and even boldly held her hand in front of the team.

But, she was more than grateful. If it weren't for him, she'd never meet the one she dreamed of.

"Congratulations on winning."

"Thank you," Yui smiled; all while reminiscing the familiar colors of their volleyball team back then. "How have you been?"

"I think I have it easier than the two of you." Shunk laughed, "My team decided to watch the match earlier, so I thought I'd say hi."

"You went to Wakutani Minami, right?" Shirabu questioned, earning him a glance from both. The female sent him a wink; as if to say, you're doing good and the receiver resisted the urge to sneer at her for treating him like an apprentice.

"Yeah. We were assigned in Niiyama High Gym."

"Oh, that team," Yui raised her pointer finger, facing the setter as she added information from her memory, "Wakutani beat Niiyama Tech the other day, Kenjirou. Their receives are really solid, too."

"Coming from Shiratorizawa High's manager, that's a lot." He beamed, failing to notice Shirabu sighing because he knew that information already. She was blabbing about it with the assistant coach the other day. "I never thought you'd be joining a boy's volleyball club, Yui."

The female grimaced internally, laughing nervously as she looked away. Subconsciously, Shirabu did the same and gazed in the other direction. Telling the reason to another individual was fine, but with the presence of the subject himself was a complete no.

"Kenjirou would be crying if I left him."

"I'd be delighted."

It was Shunki's turn to chuckle weakly at the scornful glare from the female, fixed on none other than the setter himself; who doesn't seem to be bothered by it one bit.

"Keep your fighting to a minimum. I don't want to hear that you'd broken up the next time we talk."

To say that all of them reached an uncomfortable silence was enough answer for the 3rd-year.

"Oh, oh. Seriously?"

Yui nodded, lending him a smile to assure the flustered male that it was fine.

"Yes. Like- that was uh, the start of our first year, wasn't it?"

"Yeah."

Shunki's startlement and perplex upon the news was clearly written all across his face. For an instance, he gave the female a look; mentally sending his thoughts saying- we did not just go through all that trouble just for you to break up.

The manager averted her gaze for a moment, knowing full well by that look that he couldn't accept the predicaments he's gone through for them to be together to go to absolute waste.

Pressing both palms together, she mouthed a sorry. Shirabu raised a brow, not understanding what it was supposed to be for.

"I can't believe it." He sighed, "Since all's well between the two of you right now, I guess it's fine."

"Nothing's well."

"Shut up."

For like the nth time that day, Shunki felt a wave of exhaustion, "...Will it be fine?"

"Anyway- senpai, we're glad to see you're doing okay, but," The female trailed off; mind going to their coach that was often deemed as a demon in disguise of a human. "We'd be dead if we don't return soon."

It was diminutive, but she saw Shirabu freeze for a second at sharing the thought.

"You didn't ask for permission?" He stated, words becoming heavier.

"Does Saito-san count?"

The setter placed an exasperated finger to her forehead and flicked it, earning a wince from the female. She could tell from the heaviness that came from his words that death might not be more of a metaphor as soon as they come back anymore.

"No problem! I don't want to take too much of your time. Your coach looks scary too." Shunki ushered the both of them to go inside the infrastructure, "Go on ahead. Congrats again, Yui, Kenjirou."

"Thanks, Shunki-senpai!"

"We'll be going," The female planned to wave as Shirabu bid his farewell, but she was unfortunately dragged in a haste by her wrist. Sparing the 3rd year a glance, Shirabu nodded courteously before making his way through the people, "Take care, senpai."

The female might have allowed herself to be lead along. She noticed that the people and players coming out of the hallway were becoming fewer; so the awarding ceremony was definitely about to start.

Releasing his grip on hers, they both mentally released their relief upon seeing Goshiki walking out of the restroom they passed by.

"Shirabu-san, Otsuka-chan." The male called out, skimming through the diminished trouble of their visage, "Where did you come from?"

"Met with someone," Yui approached the taller male.

"Are we late?"

"No. Coach said to gather up after 5 minutes."

"And?"

Goshiki looked at the clock hanging on the side of the corridor before looking back at them with a catatonic face.

"He said that 4 minutes ago."

She flinched.

"That doesn't make a difference, Tsutomu! Let's go!"