When We Met | Kuroo Tetsuro

chapter two

I decided..

Not to risk it. Play it safe while I'm still just new. 

"Sorry, I can't." I said kindly as he visibly seems to deflate, with Tanaka sympathetically rubbing his back in consolation. It's not that I didn't want to. He's a dream. Literally. But, I can't actually risk saying that on my first day already. People might suspect things.  

A movement in my peripheral startles me slightly. A head of yellow hair and another tall head of black blue-ish hair and glasses appear in front of me. 

"Are you here to apply for the manager position?" Kiyoko asked excitedly, Yachi darting her eyes between us and smiling, grinning to herself. 

I nodded, relief settling into my bones seeing some familiar girls. "Yes, I am."

Kiyoko looks at Yachi and they both nod to themselves. "Well, sign this paper to join the club, and you'll be set!" Yachi eagerly says. 

I took the pen from her outstretched hand and clumsily signed my name on the sheet of paper, while the rest of the team stood by the side, holding in their breaths.

When I handed back the pen with a subtle smile, the group erupted in cheers. 3 managers, and a rowdy team of boys.

_____________________________________________________

It was seemingly more calm and collected the following days, with an addition of a new manager (who secretly knows all their tricks.)

Even though I wanted to change things so badly and tell them to improve on their weak areas I witnessed, their faults, mistakes, and flaws are what made them qualify for nationals. I kept that in mind.

I kept quiet, even when Nishinoya botched a save and whined about it the rest of the day, when Tsukishima is still so painfully lazy in his blocking, when Hinata keeps on getting the timings wrong. 

The training camp would approach soon anyway, I just have to keep this together to see them improve. 

Hopefully.

________________________________________________________

Hours pass and I find myself in the company of the rest of the first years, walking back to our places. 

Now, that's another problem though, I frantically thought to myself as I coolly kept the pace of the conversation with them.

I don't have a place.

I thought of multiple plans, maybe ask to say over at Yachi's because my mom is 'out of town' and the keys are with her, so I can't really go in my house. Or, maybe ask to stay with Hinata to get to know him more. Or, or, or.... What now?

I prayed to every deity and my single God out there to help me, and help was brought upon me. Begrudgingly.

It was Yachi that surprisingly offered her place. Bless her heart.

"Hey, L/n, I heard that your place is near mine. I can tutor you if you need it." She muttered sheepishly. 

Thank the Lord indeed, because I was not passing the quiz the following morning.

I nodded vigorously with a firm smile. "Thank you so much, Yachi-san!" 

She smiled back at me, albeit more subtle and concealed as the boys continued bickering in front of us.

"... Is that all I'm saying is that Stingy-shima could totally put his all into his blocking! I'm jealous of your height, y'know." Hinata grumbled as he pouted and crossed his arms over his chest.

The blonde in question rolled his eyes at the childish behavior the older (but shorter )orange haired male displayed. "You just didn't follow mother's orders and drink enough milk, I suppose. Or maybe all that crouching made you stoop so low and halted your growing process." 

He shrugged with one shoulder. "Either one of the two."

Hinata fumed whilst Yamaguchi snickered at his side. 

After a bit, the group started to dissipate, heading back to their homes, the only people left being Yachi, Hinata and I. We had small talks as Hinata waved goodbye and started to bike the path to his home.

The next hour passed in a blur.

I remember arriving at Yachi's house, settling down in her room, my shoes resting comfortably in their genkan, but then I blacked out on the mattress on her floor. Huh. 

______________________________________

When I awoke, I was expecting to be back in my room, preferably. But, I was still in her room and the sun was already rising slowly over the low mounts of the curtain Yachi has drawn overnight. 

I get my phone from my jeans pocket to check the time and yawn. We still have at least 3 hours before school starts. Nevertheless, I try to tidy as much as possible to avoid embarrassment in front of her mom. 

I fold the blanket neatly, smoothing over any wrinkles I formed while in a deep coma overnight. I comb my hands through my hair to straighten and fix it as best as I could, but no luck. I'll just have to ask Yachi when she wakes up. Sorry Yachi. 

In the meantime, I scroll on my phone's gallery. It's hard to believe, that this same phone took pictures of things from my world, and now I'm in an anime world. My gaze flickered over and over to the pictures of my pets, of my apartment, of my real life friends.

I feel a hollowness start to develop in the pit of my stomach. But before it could fester, grow and die inside me, I turn off my phone and hug myself.

I guess it'll be like this for however long, then, because there's no definite date to when this ends.