WHAT LOVERS DO ❨ kuroo tetsuro ❩

eight. wingmen

Screeching shoes and slamming of volleyballs— such noises echoed in the background as a few practice matches were being held. To be honest, Kimura Rin was still hesitating on whether she should watch some of the practice matches being held at Shinzen High when Kuroo offered it. After a couple of hours contemplating and cooking, Rin decided to go.

She felt lost and a bit dizzy due to all of the players being everywhere, balls going here and there, but she was welcomed by Coach Nekomata who was definitely grinning after seeing her.

"I thought you wouldn't come, Kuroo said he wasn't sure if you'd be here either and apologized," Coach said, smiling warmly at Rin as he would to his own grandchildren. "It's nice to see you supporting the boys. It would be nice if you chose to be a manager, too."

"Sorry for being late, coach. As a matter of fact, I was thinking whether I had a right to watch or not, since I wasn't a manager at all. Thank you for giving me permission to watch the boys," Rin said, offering a polite smile to the old coach.

She was then led to a bench beside the court where the boys were playing, and she set down the big bag she was carrying— the coach was rather curious as to what the girl brought.

"You can just watch with me today, and do tell me some suggestions. I need feedback about the boys' performances." The coach said, sitting down. "That looks heavy." He added, pertaining to the bag she was carrying.

"Oh... I cooked something for Kuroo and the team. I thought they could use a bit of protein and encouragement." She replied, nervously smiling. "If they can't have it, it's alright."

"Thoughtful of you. Kuroo's lucky to have such a supporting girlfriend-"

"We aren't dating, coach," Rin immediately replied, chuckling nervously which made the coach laugh.

His laughter did earn the attention of some of the players and managers around, now most of them were aware that someone came. The players from the other schools murmured, talking about Nekoma being lucky to have Rin whose name they weren't aware of, or them speculating what her relationship to the coach was if they were speaking so comfortably to each other. Was she his grandchild? She was wearing something casual instead of a PE uniform unlike the managers.

When Kuroo took notice of Rin, he grinned and gave a little wave to which Rin waved back to.

"Ah, youngsters. But it is obvious that you like each other. You act like lovers do, child. I'm actually quite thankful that he has someone as supportive as you." Coach Nekomata stated, painting Rin's cheeks a nice shade of pink. He laughed at her reaction, now sure that the two were not dating but were secretly into each other. "It's okay to like a close friend. Some relationships which started from friendships last very long."

"I don't know if I like him enough for it to be called love, coach." She admitted, but he smiled at her.

"But you do admit that you like the boy," he mentioned, "I think that much is enough. You can work it out from there. It is obvious that he is devoted to you as you are to him. Which friend cooks his favorite food and brings it to his whole team, and to a different school at that? You could've spent your time resting instead."

"Thank you for your wise words, coach. I think that enlightened me," Rin admitted, her eyes now planted on Kuroo who had a faint smile on his lips as he blocked the ball. He let out a cheer as he gained them a point, chuckling as the other team was annoyed at his provocations. "I think Kuroo's provocations on court helps riling the other team up, messing up their game."

"Ha, I think so, too." The coach replied, chuckling.

"If the other blockers can keep up more with Kuroo, they'll have a stronger defense upfront," Rin added, trying to drift the conversation back to volleyball to avoid talking more about Kuroo.

"We're actually working on that as well. We have a tall kid who has potential for that. I'll introduce him later. He's very... lively."

"Aw, you didn't have to!" Kuroo exclaimed, loud enough for most of the surrounding crowd to hear, his eyes sparkling as he hugged Rin.

Most of the players around, even those from a different school, spared a glance at Kuroo— they were surprised to see that he was hugging Rin, but some who were there knew of her existence, just not her relations to the male.

"It's okay. I cooked it for you guys. Do well," Rin replied, patting his back and then letting go.

Before Kuroo could give his reply, both of them flinched when they heard a loud voice from behind.

"Hey, Kuroo! Who's she? Your girlfriend? She's pretty!" The very lively and enthusiastic voice of Bokuto Kōtarō echoed, earning them more attention.

"I'm sorry for his loudness," Akaashi quickly apologized for his captain, letting out a sigh when Bokuto simply laughed ever so loudly.

"Oh, hey, Bokuto, Akaashi. This is Kimura Rin, a close friend of mine. Rin here cooked Nekoma our lunch. So lovely of her to do so," Kuroo replied, grinning as he proudly wrapped an arm around Rin's shoulders. He did not notice the slight blush on her cheeks, he introduced her so proudly to his friends from Fukurodani.

"A close friend? Man, I thought you guys were dating. It looks like it from afar," Bokuto replied, "Is there any man who's greater than Kuroo here? If you're not dating him, can I have your num-"

"Sorry about him, I'm Akaashi Keiji, setter for Fukurodani. Pleased to meet you." Akaashi cut his captain off, offering a handshake which Rin accepted.

"Kimura Rin. Pleased to meet you, Akaashi." She replied, giving a polite smile.

"Stop hitting on Rin, she likes guys who she knows and knows her pretty well." Kuroo added, narrowing his eyes at Bokuto who pouted.

"I was just joking," Bokuto replied, "Sure you guys aren't a thing?"

"Yet." Kenma, who appeared from behind Rin, answered. The two from Nekoma whipped their heads to the setter, surprised at his statement.

Bokuto and Akaashi looked at each other knowingly, and nodded. Both Rin and Kuroo had reddened faces, which said a lot about them.

"Apparently," Akaashi added, smiling a bit.

"Don't say that, you're making Rin uncomfortable," Kuroo nervously chuckled, but his eyes revealed it to his friends that he himself was hurt by his own words.

When Rin excused herself to help Coach Nekomata with some stuff, the four boys huddled together and sighed.

"You like her," Bokuto pointed out, a grin cracking on his lips. Rolling his eyes and shrugging, Kuroo sighed.

"I do." He admitted, to which Bokuto laughed loudly at. Akaashi could only hush Bokuto, reminding him that Rin was still inside the very same gym they were in.

"He's liked her for a while now. Since his first year. He told me when I was in my third year of junior high," Kenma added. "He's smitten. But she doesn't seem to notice. I did drop a huge hint, though."

"I think it's about time you did, if Kuroo did like her since his first year," Akaashi agreed, nodding. "It won't progress if he won't say anything about it."

"Do you think I have a chance?" Kuroo asked, nervously scratching his cheek.

"Yeah! Absolutely. You do."

"Looks like it."

"I talked to her about it before. I think she needs a little push but you do have a chance, I think."