Spring Leaves

Chapter 16

Kenma hated the fact that he was constantly panicking around Akaashi.

Just receiving a text from said boy who updated him on the progress of their bet made his heart skip a beat and he disliked it. Not the fact that Akaashi was trying to be kinder to himself, he loved that, but the gay panic that came with the notification. He'd never been this fidgety or panicky around Kuroo but he also understood that they were two different people and he would, therefore, react differently around both. Even so, it bothered him to the point where he tried distancing himself away from Akaashi for some time which didn't work at all. He did that with everybody he cared about at some point, didn't he?

Simple answer: yes. He didn't like people getting too close anyways but there were some people he wanted to let in like Kuroo and Akaashi. Maybe some of his fellow first-year and second-year teammates and Bokuto too but he wasn't too sure yet. He would probably find out as more time passed.

For now, though, he was stuck in the present which meant he was stuck in this constant gay panic around Akaashi who was more oblivious than Kuroo and Bokuto combined which said a lot about how bad Akaashi was with feelings. However, it worked in his favor so he wasn't going to start complaining.

"Pudding? Are you listening? Kuroo asked. Kenma suddenly stopped writing since Kuroo was explaining some science concept to him while they were together at Bokuto's house just like always; it had become their usual hangout spot during weekends. This time, they agreed on meeting during the afternoon of October's last Sunday.

"Yeah."

"Can you repeat what I just said then?"

Kenma's silence was enough of an answer for Kuroo who patted his head.

"It's fine. We can go over it again."

"Sorry, Kuro."

"Again, it's fine. Has anything been bothering you?"

"A little."

"Wanna talk about it?"

"No."

"Alright," Kuroo replied. He wasn't going to push Kenma to tell him but that didn't mean he wasn't curious (and maybe going to go detective mode again because he had a feeling it had something to do with Akaashi).

"Bokuto-san, did you understand that?" Akaashi asked. He was also tutoring Bokuto, however, it was on mathematics, and Bokuto was trying to twirl his pencil in his hand but was failing. Akaashi sighed and took the pencil from Bokuto's hand.

"What did ya do that for!?" Bokuto exclaimed.

"You weren't answering his question," Kuroo told him.

"Oh, my bad. Sorry Akaashi. What did you say?"

"I asked if you understood the concept and you're forgiven."

"Then no."

"Is there a way I can get you to focus better and comprehend it then?"

"I don't know. School's boring and I don't really see the point in having to learn this. Literally, did the administration really think I was gonna become a mathematician? When am I gonna use this in 'the real world'?"

Kenma briefly gave Bokuto a high-five, "Bokuto makes a point."

"I have an idea."

"Do tell," Akaashi said. He couldn't think of anything that could help Bokuto learn and remember.

"For every question you get correct, Kenma will set to you once," Kuroo replied, a cat-like grin on his face. It was clearly a joke but Bokuto didn't take the hint.