Kuroo x reader (HAIKYU FANFIC)

03

After settling into our semi-shared room with the other managers, me and Kiyoko are called into the gym to get karasuno ready for their first game. I notice Asahi being stiff as hell in his stretches, so I begin to hold him in the stretches with Noya while he has a ghost-like expression.

"Stop resisting- let your body feel the burn!"

I laugh at Noya who's shoving down on Asahi's back, me holding his legs so he's opening his hips up. "H-he's not wrong- you're way too stiff.." I can barely get my words out through me and Noyas joint laughing.

"Y/n, can you show yamaguchi the stretches you were doing yesterday? I think they might help him,"

I listen to Suga and begin doing my own stretches for some of our team to watch. I start with just spreading both my legs and leaning forward until my chest is against the floor. I hold the position for 20 seconds and then pull back up. "Now your turn,"

-

After what felt like forever, Hinata and Kageyama arrived and helped us to finally win a set against one of the teams. I knew they were strong, despite that I hadn't really been paying attention to the opponents, as my mind was constantly and uncontrollably switching through different types of food that I would love to be eating right now.

Soon enough the first round of practise games had come to an end so that everyone could grab some food and relax. To me, even though I was excited to be here, I knew that the time would soon end and then I'd be back at school. Wow, how depressing. Why can't I be more positive?

'I should probably go find something to eat after their next set. I doubt I'll be able to get out of dinner, so I might as-well look for a way to have something low calorie.'

"Kaori, do you know what we are having for dinner tonight? I have a sensitive stomach so I'd like to prepare something for myself separately if that's alright,"

The manager turns to me with her dark-reddish hair, smiling at me. "Oh of course girl! We are preparing the meals anyway, so feel free to adjust your own however you like."

"Great, thanks."

Feeling more at-ease now, I quickly refill my teams water bottles just in time to catch their last set with Nekoma. I take a seat on my specific chair which Tadeshi had requested since he knows about my Anaemia, and find myself captivated by Nekoma's captain. The way he moves is so consistent and confident, you can tell he has amazing stability and power.

His eyes ghost over to me as he does a setter-dump, although I think he's subbing in for the official setter right now, and my heart momentarily falls along with the ball. I know my eyes must be wide right now, with the amount of blood I can feel pumping through my veins.

Stop staring.. stop it.. y/n, stop staring. Right now. Oh god he definitely thinks I'm weird after this. I force my eyes away from his, the stare piercing into me intensely.

"Oh man! We lost again," Hinata shouts, diving into some sort of punishment drills yet again.

"Come on guys, let's get this done with and keep playing!" Daichi gives words of encouragement. I wish I had that much energy, I'd work out so much. Speaking of, it's about time I go do it.

I double check that no one needs me right now, and hide away in 'my room' locking the door. It was more of a shared dorm layout, with each manager having a door to their room but all of them leading into a shared common room for only us as its in a separate area of the camp from the boys.

I check the time, 5:35pm. This should take me about half an hour, if I'm quick. Just get it over with, and then you can go eat.

27 minutes later and I'm finished, my ribs bulging painfully against my chest. I take a few deep breaths and stand up, doing so way too fast resulting in my legs giving out and me almost head planting the floor. I let myself rest for a moment, taking small sips out of my water bottle.

Within a few minutes i make it into the gym where everyone has almost finished cleaning. I head over to Kiyoko and ask what to put away and she guides me to the metal poles. "I'll grab the other one— so just take and I'll be back in a moment,"

I nod at her and use my remaining arm strength to both push the pole forward and hold it up so that it doesn't fall onto the ground. Most of the others are walking past me and heading towards the exit. Seeing this I realise I really should be hurrying up.

where does this go..? Whatever, I'll just leave it in the storage cupboard somewhere.

"Oh hey— you can bring that here I'll put it away,"
I jump a little at the voice and immediately bring my gaze up to Nekoma's captain and another boy who has two-toned hair. I really need to learn their names.

"Thanks, Kiyoko's going to bring the last one soon." My voice comes out more weaker than I expected, so while in my own little world of embarrassment I feel my legs give out from me as a rush of dizziness takes over.

"A-ah.."

I try to sit myself up as quickly as I can so I can get out of there and stop embarrassing myself infront of this man, but a warm hand pushes down on my shoulder to keep me in place.

"Are you okay? Are you hurt anywhere?" I glance up at the captain for the hundredth time today, feeling my cheeks heat up and my chest tighten.
I cough, breathing a few times before nodding. "Y-yeah. Sorry, I lost my balance because of how heavy the pole is..I'm not hurt,"

"Here, have this. You look malnourished.." his eyes filled with worry look into my own e/c ones as he pulls what I'm guessing is a protein bar out of his pocket. I can tell he didn't mean his comment in a rude way, but I can't help as take it negatively.

"I'm fine, honestly. Just...my arms aren't very strong hah." I rub my eyes and allow him to pull me into my feet. I notice the way he picks me up with ease, and a weird warm feeling erupts in my stomach. He must be really strong, I'm heavy as hell.

"Then let me help you to the kitchen atleast,"

I furrow my eyebrows slightly at his persistence. "It's okay. Just-" before I can finish my sentence the man has placed his broad arms around my shoulders, holding me tightly against his chest. "You're the manager of Karasuno, y/n right? I'm kuroo."

I notice the way he deflects from my reluctance, so I sigh and let him guide me. "Yeah..and your Nekoma's captain aren't you? I'd um.. really appreciate it if you didn't tell anyone about what just happened. It's so silly and embarrassing that my arms gave out like that. I'd never hear the end of it.." I fake a laugh, smiling as innocently as I can up at him. 'Don't say anything. Please. Don't say anything.'

I catch the way his eyes linger on my form, not laughing along with me meaning he clearly sees right through my lies. He stays quiet for longer than I like, my heart rate thumping against my chest once again.

When we arrive at the entrance of the cafeteria he retracts his hold on me, the lingering touch of his warmth staining me like hot ink.

"Alright.."

-
fin
01.10.24