A game of hearts {Kuroo}

12.

After the intense conversation with Kuroo, Y/N felt a sense of relief, but that didn't stop her thoughts from spiraling in the days that followed. She still couldn't fully comprehend the whirlwind of emotions she had experienced ever since Kuroo entered her life. Sure, they had agreed to figure things out together, but how was she supposed to navigate the overwhelming feelings of uncertainty and excitement that came with being close to him?

One evening, as she sat at her desk pretending to study, she couldn't shake the growing tension in her chest. The textbooks in front of her blurred as she kept replaying Kuroo's words in her mind. "I like you for who you are." She felt both comforted and anxious. He seemed so sure of his feelings, but what about her?

It wasn't long before Y/N decided she needed to talk to someone—someone who wasn't Kuroo. She grabbed her phone and texted her best friend, *Aya*, who had been her confidant since she transferred to the university.

*Y/N*: "Hey, can we talk?"

It didn't take long for Aya to reply.

*Aya*: "Sure! Want to come over? I just made cookies 🍪."

Y/N smiled at the text, grateful for Aya's warmth. She quickly packed up her things and made her way to her best friend's dorm.

---

Aya's room was warm and inviting, filled with plants and fairy lights that made it feel cozy. The scent of freshly baked cookies filled the air as Aya greeted Y/N with a hug.

"Hey, you look like you've been overthinking again," Aya said, narrowing her eyes playfully as she handed Y/N a plate of cookies.

Y/N sighed and flopped onto Aya's bed. "You have no idea."

"Well, I'm all ears," Aya said, sitting next to her. "What's going on? Is it about Kuroo?"

Y/N didn't answer right away, taking a bite of the cookie as she gathered her thoughts. "Yeah, it's about Kuroo. Things have been... complicated."

Aya raised an eyebrow. "Complicated? I thought things were going well between you two. Didn't you guys have some kind of confession or something?"

Y/N nodded, feeling her stomach twist just thinking about it. "We did. He told me how he feels, and I think... I think I feel the same, but I don't know. I've been distancing myself because I'm scared of messing things up. It's all happening so fast, and I'm not sure how to handle it."

Aya listened carefully, nodding along. "Well, it's not unusual to feel scared, especially when it's something new and exciting. But what exactly are you scared of? That you'll mess things up? Or that it's too good to be true?"

Y/N thought for a moment, chewing on her bottom lip. "I think it's a little of both. I've never been in a relationship like this before. He's so confident and sure of what he wants, and I'm... not. I'm not even sure I know how to be in a relationship without overthinking everything."

Aya leaned back against the headboard, looking thoughtful. "I get it. But Y/N, you've always been like this when it comes to new things. Remember when you first transferred here? You were so anxious about fitting in, and look at you now—you've made friends, you've built a life here. This is just another new thing, and it's okay to be unsure. But Kuroo likes you for a reason, and I don't think he's expecting you to have it all figured out."

Y/N sighed, running her fingers through her hair. "I know, but it's hard not to feel like I'm not good enough for him. He's the volleyball captain, everyone loves him, and I'm just... me. A nerdy biology major who's more comfortable in a lab than at a party."

Aya reached over and squeezed Y/N's hand. "First of all, you're amazing. Don't ever think you're 'just' anything. And second, relationships aren't about being perfect. They're about growing together. Kuroo seems like the type of guy who wants to help you grow, not drag you into something you're not ready for."

Y/N smiled weakly, appreciating her friend's support. "I guess you're right. He's been patient with me so far. I just don't want to disappoint him."

"You won't," Aya said firmly. "But you have to talk to him. If you're feeling this unsure, tell him. You guys already had one serious conversation—what's stopping you from having another one? It's better to be open about your doubts than to keep them bottled up."

Y/N nodded, her friend's advice starting to sink in. Aya was right—communication had been the key to getting this far with Kuroo, and if she wanted things to continue, she needed to be honest with him about how she felt, even if it meant being vulnerable.

"I'll talk to him," Y/N said after a pause. "I don't want to keep hiding from my feelings. But I'm still figuring out how to navigate all of this."

Aya grinned and gave her a playful nudge. "That's the spirit! And hey, you've got me if you ever need to talk things out. We'll get through this together."

Y/N laughed, feeling a bit lighter. "Thanks, Ay. You always know what to say."

"Of course I do," Aya said with a wink. "Now, finish that cookie, and let's watch something to get your mind off of things."

---

Meanwhile, on the other side of campus, Kuroo sat in his dorm room, scrolling through his phone and rereading his conversation with Y/N from a few days ago. He could tell she was still feeling uncertain, and though their talk had helped a little, he knew there were things left unsaid.

He tossed his phone aside and lay back on his bed, staring at the ceiling. He couldn't shake the feeling that Y/N was holding back, and it bothered him. She was thoughtful and methodical—qualities he admired—but he wanted her to feel secure in their budding relationship.

The sound of a knock at his door interrupted his thoughts. He sat up and called out, "Come in."

The door opened to reveal Kenma, who walked in without saying much, as was his style. He tossed Kuroo a bottle of water and plopped down on the beanbag in the corner.

"Still thinking about her?" Kenma asked casually, looking up from his phone.

Kuroo sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Yeah. She's been distant, and I get that she's overthinking things, but I don't know how to make her feel more comfortable."

Kenma glanced up from his screen. "Have you told her that?"

Kuroo frowned. "Not directly. I don't want to pressure her."

Kenma shrugged. "Maybe she needs to hear it. She's probably overthinking everything because she's unsure where she stands with you."

Kuroo leaned back against his pillows, considering Kenma's words. "Yeah, maybe. I guess I should talk to her again, but I don't want to come off as pushy."

Kenma gave a slight nod. "Just be honest. You're good at that."

Kuroo chuckled. "Yeah, I'll try."

---

Later that night, after spending some time with Aya, Y/N returned to her dorm feeling a bit more grounded. She still had doubts, but Aya's words had given her the clarity she needed—she couldn't keep overthinking her relationship with Kuroo. She needed to talk to him, to be open about her fears and uncertainties, just like Aya had said.

She grabbed her phone, her fingers hovering over Kuroo's name in her contacts. Taking a deep breath, she sent a quick text.

*Y/N*: "Hey, are you free to talk tomorrow?"

It didn't take long for Kuroo to reply.

*Kuroo*: "Yeah, of course. Want to grab coffee?"

Y/N smiled, her heart feeling lighter than it had in days.

*Y/N*: "Sounds perfect. Let's meet after my class."

As she set her phone aside, Y/N felt a small sense of relief wash over her. Tomorrow, she would talk to Kuroo, and this time, she would be honest about her feelings. No more hiding, no more running away. It was time to face her doubts head-on.