A game of hearts {Kuroo}

4.

A few days after their coffee shop conversation, Y/N was once again knee-deep in her biology coursework. She sat at her usual spot in the library, the familiar scent of old books and fresh coffee from the nearby café surrounding her. The deadlines for her assignments were looming closer, and she felt the pressure beginning to weigh her down.

Suddenly, her phone buzzed. She glanced at the screen to see a message from Kuroo.

"Studying again? Come on, you've gotta take a break at some point. Meet me in the quad in 10 minutes?"

Y/N sighed, feeling torn. She had so much work to do, but at the same time, Kuroo had been surprisingly good company lately. He had a way of lightening the mood and helping her relax, even if just for a little while. She closed her book with a soft thud and replied with a simple, "Fine. 10 minutes."

---

When Y/N arrived at the quad, she found Kuroo sitting on a bench under one of the large oak trees, casually flipping through his phone. As soon as he saw her approach, he flashed his usual grin.

"I knew you'd come," he said, standing up and stretching. "Even you can't resist the need for fresh air."

Y/N crossed her arms, giving him a mock glare. "I'm only here because I'm too stressed to think straight."

Kuroo chuckled, walking beside her as they strolled across the grassy field. "That's why I'm here to help you de-stress."

Y/N raised an eyebrow. "And how exactly do you plan to do that?"

He stopped walking and turned to face her, a glint of mischief in his eyes. "Let's make a deal."

Y/N frowned. "A deal?"

Kuroo nodded, leaning against the nearest tree, his arms crossed in a casual yet confident pose. "You've been stressed about your workload, right? And I can tell you're not exactly comfortable in social situations."

Y/N's frown deepened. She hadn't expected him to be that perceptive, though she shouldn't have been surprised. Kuroo had a knack for reading people, a skill that made him such a great volleyball captain.

"And what's your point?" she asked, trying not to sound too defensive.

Kuroo smirked. "I'll help you get out of your shell a bit—introduce you to new people, get you to try new things. You know, balance out all that studying with some fun. In return, you help me with my studies. We both know you're a lot more disciplined than I am when it comes to academics."

Y/N stared at him, processing his proposal. "So, you want to be my... social coach?"

Kuroo laughed, shaking his head. "Not a coach. More like... a guide. Think of it as an exchange. You help me stay on top of my studies, and I'll help you enjoy university life a little more. Fair?"

Y/N's instinct was to say no. She wasn't the type to make deals like this, especially with someone like Kuroo, who was so different from her. But at the same time, she couldn't deny that her social life—or lack thereof—had been weighing on her. University was supposed to be about new experiences, right? And maybe, just maybe, Kuroo could help her step out of her comfort zone.

After a moment of silence, she sighed. "Okay, deal."

Kuroo's grin widened. "I knew you'd see reason."

---

The next few days marked the beginning of their "arrangement." They met regularly in the library to study together, and as promised, Kuroo helped Y/N with some of her trickier courses, especially those that overlapped with his own science major. To her surprise, Kuroo was actually a pretty decent study partner. While he wasn't as focused as she was, he had a sharp mind and a way of explaining things that made even the more complex subjects easier to understand.

Y/N found herself growing more comfortable around him, and their study sessions often turned into casual conversations about life, their futures, and even their high school experiences. It became clear that, beneath his cocky exterior, Kuroo was someone who took his responsibilities seriously. He was driven not just by his love for volleyball but also by a desire to make something of himself outside of the sport.

In return, Kuroo made good on his promise to introduce Y/N to new experiences. One afternoon, after a particularly grueling study session, he dragged her to a nearby café that served the best pastries in town. Another time, he convinced her to join him for a game of pool at a local bar, where he introduced her to a few of his friends from the volleyball team.

At first, Y/N had been nervous, her usual shyness making her feel out of place around Kuroo's extroverted group of friends. But Kuroo was always there, offering a reassuring smile or cracking a joke to ease the tension. Slowly, she began to feel more at ease. She even found herself enjoying these little outings, despite her initial reluctance.

---

One evening, after another round of studying, they sat together outside the library, the evening sky painted with hues of orange and pink as the sun set behind the campus buildings.

"You know," Kuroo began, leaning back on the bench and looking up at the sky, "I think our deal is working out pretty well."

Y/N glanced at him, a small smile tugging at her lips. "I guess it is. I've never been this social before."

Kuroo grinned, turning his gaze toward her. "You're not so bad at it once you relax a little. You're actually pretty fun to be around."

Y/N felt a faint blush creep up her cheeks at the compliment, but she quickly brushed it off. "Well, you're not as hopeless at studying as I thought you'd be."

Kuroo laughed, shaking his head. "Wow, I'll take that as a compliment, I guess."

For a moment, they sat in comfortable silence, watching the sky darken as the stars began to twinkle above them. Y/N found herself feeling oddly content. It was strange—just a few weeks ago, she hadn't even known Kuroo beyond his reputation as the volleyball captain. Now, he had become someone she could call a friend.

She glanced over at him, his face illuminated by the soft glow of the streetlights, and felt a small sense of gratitude. Kuroo had brought something new into her life, a sense of balance that she hadn't realized she needed. And for the first time in a long time, Y/N felt like she wasn't just surviving university, but actually living it.

"Thanks, Kuroo," she said quietly, almost surprising herself with the sudden burst of honesty.

Kuroo looked at her, a bit confused. "For what?"

"For... helping me get out of my shell a bit. I didn't realize how much I needed it."

Kuroo's grin softened into a genuine smile. "You're welcome. But don't give me all the credit. You're the one putting in the effort."

Y/N shrugged, feeling a little awkward under his gaze. "Still... it means a lot."

Kuroo chuckled softly and looked back up at the sky. "Well, just don't forget our deal. You've still got to help me pass my finals."

Y/N laughed. "Don't worry, I won't let you fail."