A game of hearts {Kuroo}

21.

As the final semester came to an end, the once-thrilling rhythm of campus life began to slow, replaced by the looming reality of graduation. For most students, this was a time to celebrate, but for Kuroo and Y/N, the future felt heavy with uncertainty.

Kuroo sat in his dorm room, staring at the contract from a professional volleyball team, a dream come true. He had spent years working toward this moment, and now, he had a real shot at going pro. The only catch was that the team was based out of town, and there'd be frequent travel across the country for matches.

He ran a hand through his hair, letting out a frustrated sigh. The excitement of his achievement was overshadowed by one thought: what would happen with Y/N?

Across campus, Y/N sat in the library, textbooks open but her mind elsewhere. Her academic advisor had suggested she apply for a prestigious research program abroad—a chance to work in one of the best laboratories in her field. It was the kind of opportunity she'd always dreamed of, but now, the thought of leaving Kuroo behind weighed heavily on her.

---

That evening, Y/N and Kuroo met up at their usual spot: a small, cozy café near the edge of campus. It had become their go-to place for important conversations, a sanctuary from the stress of school and the world beyond.

They ordered their drinks, neither saying much as they sat across from each other. Kuroo fidgeted with his cup, glancing at Y/N, who was staring at the foam in her coffee, lost in thought.

"So," Kuroo finally broke the silence, "I got the contract."

Y/N looked up, forcing a smile. "That's amazing, Kuroo. I knew you would get it."

"Yeah, it's... a big deal," he said, though his voice lacked the enthusiasm she expected. "I'll be traveling a lot, playing in different cities. It's everything I've worked for."

Y/N nodded, but the weight of his words pressed down on her. "I'm really proud of you."

He gave a small smile, but his gaze turned serious. "What about you? Have you heard back from your advisor?"

Y/N hesitated. "They want me to apply for a research program abroad. It's a year-long project."

Kuroo's expression faltered. "A year? Abroad?"

"Yeah," she said softly. "It's a huge opportunity, but... I don't know."

Kuroo leaned back in his chair, the reality of the situation sinking in. Both of their futures were pulling them in different directions. Long-distance. The words hung in the air, unspoken but heavy.

---

After a long pause, Kuroo finally spoke, his voice laced with uncertainty. "Do you think we can make this work? I mean, with me traveling all the time and you... possibly being halfway around the world?"

Y/N's chest tightened. She hadn't wanted to confront this, but now that it was out in the open, it felt impossible to avoid. "I don't know, Kuroo. It'll be hard."

He sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "I know. I've been thinking about it a lot, and it's killing me. I don't want to lose you."

"You won't," she said quickly, though she wasn't sure if she was trying to convince herself or him. "But... it'll be different. We won't see each other as much."

Kuroo leaned forward, his elbows resting on the table. "I hate the idea of us being apart, but I also don't want to hold you back. This is your dream, Y/N."

"And this is yours," she replied, meeting his eyes. "I don't want to hold you back either."

For a moment, they sat in silence, the weight of their futures pressing down on them. Y/N felt the familiar knot of anxiety tightening in her stomach. How could they make this work when everything seemed to be pulling them apart?

---

The next few days passed in a blur of uncertainty. Both Kuroo and Y/N were preoccupied, trying to focus on their respective futures while avoiding the growing tension between them. They hadn't talked about the long-distance question since their conversation at the café, but it lingered in the background like a storm cloud on the horizon.

Y/N found herself overthinking every possible outcome. What if they tried long-distance and it didn't work? What if they grew apart? What if one of them decided it was easier to let go?

Meanwhile, Kuroo was grappling with his own fears. He had always been confident, the guy who faced challenges head-on without hesitation. But this—this was different. The thought of not having Y/N by his side, of being away from her for months at a time, made him feel vulnerable in a way he wasn't used to.

One evening, after a particularly stressful day of practice and meetings about his contract, Kuroo found himself standing outside Y/N's dorm. He hadn't planned on coming over, but he couldn't shake the feeling that they needed to talk.

He knocked softly, and after a few moments, Y/N opened the door. Her expression softened when she saw him, and she stepped aside to let him in.

"I wasn't expecting you," she said quietly, closing the door behind him.

"I couldn't stop thinking about everything," Kuroo admitted, running a hand through his hair. "I hate that we're in this position, Y/N. I hate that our dreams are pulling us apart."

Y/N sat on the edge of her bed, staring down at her hands. "I've been thinking about it too. And I don't have an answer. I want to be with you, but I also don't want to give up on this opportunity."

Kuroo crossed the room and knelt in front of her, taking her hands in his. "We've come so far, and I don't want to lose what we have. But I don't want either of us to give up our dreams just to stay together."

Y/N felt tears prick at the corners of her eyes. She had always been practical, focused on her future and her studies. But now, the thought of being without Kuroo made her question everything. Was it selfish to want both—her career and him?

"I'm scared, Kuroo," she whispered. "I don't want us to fall apart."

He squeezed her hands gently. "I'm scared too. But I think... I think we have to try. We can't let fear make the decision for us."

Y/N looked up at him, seeing the determination in his eyes. She knew he was right. If they didn't try, they would always wonder what could have been. But it didn't make the prospect of long-distance any less daunting.

"We'll figure it out," Kuroo said softly. "Even if it's hard. We'll find a way."

Y/N nodded, leaning into him as he wrapped his arms around her. They stayed like that for a while, holding onto each other as if they could hold back the uncertainty of the future.

They didn't have all the answers, but they had each other. And for now, that was enough.