**HIATUS** 𝐅𝐞𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐃𝐢𝐞 [𝕂𝕦𝕣𝕠𝕠 𝕩 𝕄𝕒𝕝𝕖 𝕆ℂ]

╭⋟²𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐀 𝐖𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐏𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞⋞╯

Just a mere few weeks into the school year and Matsushita had already befriended the other second and first years. Well, all except Kenma. He was very closed off and only seemed like he enjoyed talking to Kuroo. There was another first year, Yamamoto Taketora, who attempted to nudge Kenma out of his shell, but so far was failing.

Matsushita was no more extraordinary than the next player. His advantages in the sport were his reflexes and ability to think on his feet. He almost never had a plan. He simply waited for an action to react to.

It wasn't a very foolproof strategy, but he struggled with keeping a plan in mind when he stepped on the court.

Currently, Nekoma was hosting a practice match against Fukurodani.

The match had just finished and the two teams were winding down with some harmless conversation.

One boy, in particular, caught Matsushita's eye. He had dark roots and silver-tipped hair that was spiked up. He was talking to Kuroo with a wide grin on his face, whilst Kuroo towered over him with his arms crossed, listening to the Fukurodani student. Matsushita walked over since he was nosy, standing next to Kuroo.

"Who's that?" The student asked. Kuroo furrowed his brow but quickly noticed Matsushita.

"Oh, this is Matsushita Shinjiro, he's new," Kuroo explained. "Matsushita's, this is Bokuto Kōtarō."

"Hi~" Matsushita replied, waving. Matsushita hand pinned his hair back, so his forehead was visible, a drop of sweat rolling down his face. Immaculate timing, if anything. Bokuto grinned.

"You're a blocker right?" Bokuto asked as if he didn't just play against Matsushita three times.

"Mhm."

"Cool! You should block for me sometime!" Bokuto suggested. Kuroo sighed.

"Seriously, bro?" Kuroo muttered in a playful voice.

"Sure thing," Matsushita replied in a flirtatious tone. Bokuto raised a brow and smirked.

"I like him," he declared. Kuroo chuckled.

"Just like that?" He asked. Matsushita elbowed Kuroo gently, pouting a bit.

"Aw~you like me too~" Matsushita claimed. Kuroo shook his head, smiling. Matsushita's grin widened as he jumped onto Kuroo's back, the latter surprised by the action, but quickly catching Matsushita's legs. "See? You even caught me~" Matsushita pointed out.

"Should I drop you?" He offered. Matsushita patted his shoulder.

"Yes, I would like to get down, despite how comfortable your back is," Matsushita admitted. Kuroo unhooked his arms, allowing Matsushita to slide back down to the floor. Bokuto gaped.

"I bet I can carry you!" He said, turning competitive. Kuroo leaned forward.

"Do you?" He taunted. Bokuto glared.

"I'll have you know I'm plenty strong, you overgrown cat with bedhead!" Kuroo grinned.

"You're one to talk owl boy!" Kuroo countered.

"Bokuto-san," another said. A younger male with dark hair and a blank expression was walking towards them. The two second years broke apart.

"First year?" Kuroo asked. The boy bowed his head, his olive tresses rippling.

"I'm Akaashi Keiji," he introduced himself. Bokuto's proud look disappeared.

"Wait, I thought you're name was Akashi," Bokuto spluttered. Akaashi looked up at Bokuto.