Haikyuu imagines

New Side- Kuroo

You and Kuroo Tetsurō do not get along.

It's not loud, dramatic hatred-no shouting matches or slammed doors. It's quieter than that. Sharper. The kind of mutual dislike built from years of sarcasm, eye-rolls, and him knowing exactly which buttons to press and pressing them with a grin.

So when you get assigned to supervise the gym together after practice, you're already irritated.

"Relax," Kuroo says, leaning against the wall like this is all deeply entertaining. "It's just us. Try not to combust."

You don't answer. You just grab the clipboard and sit on the bleachers, posture stiff, eyes fixed anywhere but him.

He notices.

At first, he thinks you're just in a mood. You usually are around him. But as minutes pass, the usual comebacks never come. No snide remarks. No glares. You don't even react when he mutters something under his breath.

That's when he realizes something's wrong.

You're staring at the floor like it might swallow you whole.

"You gonna insult me or is today Opposite Day?" he asks lightly.

Nothing.

Kuroo straightens. The grin fades.

"...Hey."

Still nothing.

He exhales, slower this time, and walks over. Not teasing. Not hovering. Just... closer.

"You okay?"

That gets a reaction. Your jaw tightens. You shake your head once, sharply, like you're trying to physically shake the question away.

"I said don't ask," you mutter.

That's when he sees it.

Your hands are shaking.

Kuroo swears quietly under his breath and sits beside you-not too close, but close enough to matter.

"Alright," he says, voice lower than you've ever heard it. "Then I won't ask."

You don't look at him. But you don't move away either.

Minutes pass in silence. The gym feels too big. Too empty.

Then, quietly, you say, "I don't know how to be normal today."

Kuroo blinks.

That wasn't sarcasm. That wasn't aimed at him. That was... honest.

He swallows. "You don't have to be."

You let out a breath that sounds dangerously close to a sob.

"I'm tired," you admit. "Of pretending I'm fine. Of being the loud one. The tough one." Your voice cracks despite your effort. "I don't even know why I'm telling you this."

He looks at you then. Really looks.

Your eyes are red. Your shoulders are tense like you're bracing for impact.

And suddenly, the version of you he's built in his head-the sharp-tongued rival, the unshakeable opponent-falls apart.

Kuroo feels something twist painfully in his chest.

"You don't have to justify it," he says gently. "Bad days don't need permission."

You laugh weakly. "You're really bad at being a jerk today."

"Yeah," he admits. "I'm full of surprises."

He hesitates, then does something that shocks both of you.

He offers you his water bottle.

You stare at it like it might explode.

"...Thanks."

Your fingers brush when you take it. Neither of you comment on it.

"I didn't think you cared," you say after a moment. Not accusing. Just... confused.

Kuroo exhales. "I didn't think you'd let me."

That makes your chest ache.

You glance at him, finally. "We're still enemies, right?"

He smirks-small, soft. "Debatable."

You scoff. "Figures."

But the silence that follows is comfortable.

When the lights finally shut off and you stand to leave, Kuroo pauses at the door.

"Hey," he says. "If you ever need someone who won't sugarcoat things-but won't disappear either..."

You meet his gaze.

"I know," you say quietly. "And... same."

For the first time, you walk past him without tension.

And Kuroo watches you go, realizing something unsettling and undeniable:

He doesn't want to be your enemy anymore.

And you don't look like you want him to be, either.