Project Crimson » Haikyuu!! AU «

One

Author's Note:

Yes, it starts off a little slow. But I promise we'll get down to business right after!

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- Year 2075, June -

Kazehaya Natsuhi, 21, freshly graduated from the ACE Academy (people usually just call it Double A, which is easier to say) and single. She doesn't mind being single but apparently, as soon as she turned 20, it was her mother's main concern. 

Honestly, she doesn't get why her mother was so worried. Her parents didn't get married until their 30s. They still managed to have two kids plus, Koutarou. 

As she scanned the menu, her eyes constantly darted to her bag, wondering if her phone would ring any minute now. It was her day off but it wasn't uncommon for a case to come in over the weekend. 

"Kazehaya-san?"

"Hmm?" she turned to the person sitting opposite her. This brunette young man --- her date.

"Are you ready to order?"

"Oh, umm.. Yeah!" She gave him a smile. He seemed like a nice guy. She just feels sorry he's going on a blind date with someone completely uninterested in making this work. How her mother managed to set this up, she has no idea. 

He returned her smile and waved over the waitress. 

They finished ordering. Natsuhi was still distracted. She felt that today was too quiet. The air was too calm, as if concealing secrets. It rained heavily last night but, it has been a perfect sunny day since morning. But, there's a taste of an incoming storm in the wind. 

Something was about to happen, she can feel it. 

"Kazehaya-san, are you feeling alright?"

Natsuhi broke out of her trance, trying to refocus her mind on the person in front of her. "Umm, yes. I'm fine."

"Ah, I see. You seem a little distracted. I hope this date isn't too boring for you. I know our mothers set this up but, I am really interested in getting to know you." 

"Ah, sorry. It's my first date in a while so I honestly don't really know what to say or do." 

"It's my first date in a long time too. I thought being at this cafe would make me feel calmer but I guess not," he admitted. He scratched his cheek, trying to hide his sheepish smile. Oh, he doesn't look too bad. Plus, he's honest enough to admit he's nervous.

"Do you go to this cafe often?"

"Yes, I started going here when I entered university. I used to work part time here too so it gives me a cozy feeling." 

"Oh, that's nice! I never got the chance to have a part time job when I was at the academy. But I always thought working at a cafe would be fun!" 

Mostly because students were busy getting their asses kicked by the trainers and students at Double A were handpicked so everyone selected to enter were on scholarships. 

"The academy. As in, ACE Academy?"

Ah, crap. Her mother told her not to mention the academy or her job. Based on previous dates, they tend to not be interested anymore as soon as she mentions them. 

"Uh, yeah. Graduated just recently."

"Then, does that mean you're on the ACE Task Force?" He looked surprised. Natsuhi could tell there won't be a second date. She would like that. But, her mother won't.