A game of hearts {Kuroo}

25.

Y/N stood outside the university café, her heart pounding in her chest. It had been weeks since she and Kuroo had decided to take a break, and now they were about to meet for the first time since then. She had replayed this moment countless times in her mind, wondering what she would say, how it would go, and whether they could find a way to bridge the gap that had grown between them.

She adjusted her bag nervously and glanced at her phone, seeing a message from Kuroo: "I'm almost there. Can't wait to see you."

His words, though simple, brought a wave of relief. They had agreed to meet and talk about everything—about the break, their futures, and whether they could make things work. But despite the nerves, Y/N felt a small flicker of hope. Over the past few weeks, she had taken the time to reflect, to really think about what she wanted. She had accepted the research program abroad, embracing the idea of stepping out of her comfort zone. And now, she was ready to confront her feelings for Kuroo head-on.

As she took a deep breath, she saw him walking toward her. Kuroo looked much the same as always—tall, confident, with his usual laid-back swagger—but there was something softer in his expression as he approached her. He smiled, and that familiar warmth spread through her.

"Hey," he said, his voice gentle but tentative.

"Hey," Y/N replied, trying to keep her voice steady. She gestured to a table by the window. "Should we sit?"

Kuroo nodded, and they both made their way inside, taking seats opposite each other. For a moment, neither of them spoke, the silence stretching between them like an invisible barrier. Y/N tapped her fingers on the edge of her cup, unsure of how to start. But, as usual, Kuroo broke the tension with his casual ease.

"So," he said, leaning back in his chair, "I guess we should talk about the elephant in the room."

Y/N let out a small laugh, the tension breaking a little. "Yeah, I guess we should."

Kuroo studied her for a moment, his gaze serious. "I've been doing a lot of thinking since... well, since we decided to take a break."

"Me too," Y/N said softly. "It's been hard, but I think it was the right thing. I needed time to figure things out, about myself and what I want for my future."

He nodded, his expression thoughtful. "Same here. I think we were both so focused on where we were heading individually that we didn't take the time to really talk about what that meant for us, as a couple."

Y/N looked down at her hands, her thoughts racing. He was right. They had both been caught up in their own ambitions and fears, not realizing how it was affecting their relationship. "I realized something during this break," she said, her voice quiet but firm. "I've spent so much of my life afraid of stepping outside of my comfort zone, afraid of taking risks. And I don't want to live like that anymore."

Kuroo raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "What do you mean?"

Y/N met his gaze, her heart pounding. "I accepted the research program abroad. I'm going to take the opportunity."

A slow smile spread across Kuroo's face, and there was no hesitation in his voice when he said, "That's amazing, Y/N. I'm really proud of you."

Y/N blinked, caught off guard by his immediate support. "You are?"

"Of course I am," Kuroo replied, his eyes warm. "I've always admired how dedicated you are to your studies, but I know how much stepping out of your comfort zone means to you. This is a big deal, and you deserve it."

Her chest tightened with a mixture of gratitude and relief. She had been so worried that this decision would pull them further apart, but hearing Kuroo's support meant everything to her.

"What about you?" she asked, leaning forward slightly. "Have you decided about volleyball?"

Kuroo's smile faded a little, and he let out a long breath. "Yeah, I've been thinking about it a lot. I got offers from some pro teams, and I've been weighing my options."

Y/N's heart clenched, knowing how much volleyball meant to him but also recognizing that this was another potential challenge for them. "And?"

"And..." Kuroo hesitated, his fingers tracing the rim of his cup. "I'm going to take one of the offers. It's something I've dreamed of for a long time, and I can't pass it up."

Y/N nodded, forcing herself to stay calm. "That's amazing, Kuroo. You're going to be incredible."

"Thanks," he said, his voice soft. "But I know what this means for us. With you abroad and me playing volleyball, we're going to be apart for a while."

There it was—their biggest challenge. The long-distance future they had been dreading.

Y/N took a deep breath, steadying herself. "I know it's going to be hard. But... I think we can make it work, if we both really want it."

Kuroo reached across the table, taking her hand in his. "I do want it. I want us to work, Y/N. We've been through a lot already, and I'm not ready to give up on this."

Y/N squeezed his hand, feeling a wave of emotion wash over her. "I don't want to give up either," she said, her voice trembling slightly. "I've been so scared of what the future holds, but I know one thing for sure—I don't want to lose you."

Kuroo's expression softened, and he leaned forward, his eyes locked on hers. "Then we won't. We'll figure it out, together."

For the first time in weeks, Y/N felt a sense of peace. They were facing an uncertain future, but they were doing it together, and that was all that mattered. She smiled, feeling the weight lift from her shoulders. "Together."

---

As they walked out of the café, hand in hand, Kuroo and Y/N talked about their plans for the future. They knew that long-distance wouldn't be easy, but they were ready to take on the challenge. They had both grown in their time apart, and now, they were stronger and more determined than ever to make their relationship work.

Kuroo pulled her close as they strolled through the campus, his arm wrapped around her shoulders. "You know, I've been thinking about visiting you when I have a break in my volleyball schedule," he said with a playful grin. "I could see you in Europe and make a whole trip out of it."

Y/N laughed, leaning into him. "I'd like that. Maybe I could come to one of your matches, too."

"Deal," he said, kissing the top of her head.

As they walked under the evening sky, Y/N felt a renewed sense of hope. They had faced their fears, confronted their challenges, and now, they were ready to face the future—together.