A game of hearts {Kuroo}

3.

The days after their late-night library encounter left Y/N feeling slightly unsettled. She had never expected Kuroo Tetsurō to be more than just the cocky volleyball captain she had seen on the court, yet their interaction showed a different side of him. His offer to help her rewrite her notes, and his genuine interest in her studies, had left her curious. Maybe he wasn't just the star athlete everyone knew him to be.

One afternoon, as Y/N was sitting in her usual spot near the biology department, she received a text from an unknown number.

"Hey, it's Kuroo. Want to grab coffee? We can actually talk without worrying about spilling stuff on your notes this time :)"

Y/N stared at her phone for a moment, surprised. She had completely forgotten that she had given Kuroo her number after their library session, just in case he had more questions about her notes. She hesitated, her finger hovering over the screen. She wasn't sure if she should go. Her week was already packed with assignments and studying, but something inside her nudged her to take the offer.

After a brief moment, she texted back, "Sure. Where?"

---

The coffee shop was tucked away off-campus, quieter than most places students frequented. The small wooden tables, soft lighting, and the scent of freshly brewed coffee made it the perfect spot to study or unwind. Y/N arrived first, scanning the room before choosing a table near the window. She ordered a simple black coffee and started to thumb through a few pages of her textbook, using the wait time to study.

A few minutes later, the door chimed as Kuroo entered. He spotted her immediately, his tall frame making him stand out, and waved. He made his way over with a casual smile, looking effortlessly put together in his hoodie and jeans.

"Sorry if I'm late," Kuroo said, sitting down across from her. "Practice ran a bit long."

Y/N looked up from her book and shook her head. "You're fine. I got here early anyway."

Kuroo ordered his drink—a caramel macchiato with extra whipped cream, which made Y/n raise an eyebrow—and leaned back in his chair as he took in the sight of her studying.

"So, you're really always like this, huh? Nose buried in a book," Kuroo teased, a smirk tugging at his lips.

Y/N closed her book and glanced at him. "Some people actually have to study to pass their classes, you know."

He chuckled, unbothered by her jab. "Hey, I study too! You'd be surprised how much time I spend on academics."

Y/N raised an eyebrow. "Balancing volleyball and ascience major? That's... actually impressive."

Kuroo's smirk softened slightly, his gaze becoming more thoughtful. "It's not easy, honestly. Between practice, matches, and keeping my grades up, it feels like I'm juggling a hundred things at once. Sometimes I wonder if I'll drop the ball."

Y/N was taken aback by his sudden honesty. She hadn't expected him to open up like that so quickly. Most people, especially athletes, didn't talk about their struggles balancing academics and sports. They usually acted as if they had everything under control.

"I can imagine," she said, stirring her coffee. "I've never been into sports, but I know how hard it is to manage time when you have a lot going on. Between my classes, labs, and trying to fit in some sort of social life, it feels like I'm constantly running out of hours in the day."

Kuroo nodded, sipping his drink thoughtfully. "I'm actually impressed you still manage to get it all done. I mean, molecular biology isn't exactly light work."

Y/N shrugged. "I just try to stay focused. I transferred here for the research opportunities, and I don't want to waste that chance."

He studied her for a moment, his dark eyes sharper than usual, as if he were trying to figure something out. "You're really dedicated. That's cool. I wish I could focus like that."

Y/N tilted her head. "What do you mean? You're the captain of a team. That takes focus too."

Kuroo sighed, running a hand through his already messy hair. "Yeah, but... it's different. Volleyball's a big part of my life, but it's not everything. Sometimes, I feel like it distracts me from my studies. I know I need to keep my grades up if I want to graduate and actually have a career outside of volleyball, but there's always that pressure to give everything to the team."

Y/N frowned slightly, intrigued by his dilemma. It wasn't something she had ever considered before—what it must be like to have your life divided between two demanding passions. "Have you ever thought about giving one of them up?"

Kuroo paused for a second, looking almost conflicted. "I've thought about it... but volleyball is more than just a sport for me. It's something I've put my heart into for so long that I can't imagine life without it. But then again, I don't want to end up with no backup plan if things don't work out in the pro leagues."

Y/N nodded, understanding a little more now. "That sounds... tough. But I think you're smart enough to figure it out. It's not about giving up one thing for another. It's about finding a way to make them both work."

Kuroo leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table as he met her gaze. "And how do you manage all the pressure? You seem like you've got everything together."

Y/N's lips twitched into a small, sardonic smile. "I don't. I'm constantly stressed. Sometimes I feel like I'm running on autopilot just trying to keep up. But I guess... I just remind myself why I'm here. I transferred because I wanted more for myself. If I let stress get in the way, then what was the point of coming here in the first place?"

Kuroo looked at her with a kind of admiration shehadn't expected. "You're really something, Morine. Most people just complainabout the pressure, but you seem to thrive in it."

Y/N felt a slight warmth in her chest at his compliment, but she quickly shrugged it off. "I don't know if I'd say that. I'm just trying to make the most of my time here."

The conversation drifted into more casual topics after that, with Kuroo teasing her about her serious nature while she mocked his overly sweet coffee choice. But as the minutes passed, something shifted between them. The playful banter was still there, but there was also a newfound respect. They had both opened up, even if just a little, about their personal struggles. It wasn't much, but it was enough to establish a connection that went beyond surface-level small talk.

As they finished their drinks, Kuroo leaned back and stretched. "This was fun. We should do it again sometime. Maybe without all the heavy talk next time."

Y/N chuckled softly. "Yeah, maybe. Though I wouldn't mind hearing more about how you balance everything. It's kind of interesting."

Kuroo grinned, standing up. "Deal. And maybe I'll even teach you a bit about volleyball while we're at it."

Y/N rolled her eyes but couldn't help the small smile that tugged at her lips. "I'm not making any promises."

As they left the coffee shop, walking side by side down the street, Y/N felt something strange. For the first time in a long time, she felt like she was beginning to break out of her shell, just a little. And Kuroo, with his easygoing confidence and surprising depth, had been the one to help her take that step.