A game of hearts {Kuroo}

26.

The day had finally arrived—Kuroo's graduation. The university campus buzzed with excitement, students and their families milling about in their caps and gowns, sharing in the joy of this monumental milestone. The air was thick with a mix of anticipation and bittersweet sentiment as everyone knew this marked both an ending and a beginning.

Y/N stood among the crowd, watching the procession of graduates as they made their way into the large auditorium. Her heart swelled with pride as she spotted Kuroo, tall and composed, walking with his fellow graduates. He wore his signature smirk, his cap tilted slightly to one side as if even this formal occasion couldn't dull his playful edge. But there was something else in his demeanor today—an unmistakable sense of accomplishment.

Y/N had spent the morning rehearsing what she might say to him after the ceremony, her emotions swirling between pride, joy, and a tinge of sadness. She knew this day symbolized the beginning of a new chapter in both of their lives, one that would take them down different paths—at least for a while.

As the ceremony began, Y/N found herself reflecting on the journey they had been on together. From their first awkward meeting in the library to the deep bond they had formed over months of late-night study sessions, volleyball practices, and shared vulnerability, they had come so far. And now, standing at the precipice of their separate futures, she couldn't help but feel the weight of the change that was coming.

The speeches from the faculty blurred together as Y/N's mind wandered, her gaze drifting back to Kuroo. He sat in the front row, occasionally chatting with his friends or glancing around the room. But there were moments when his expression softened, his eyes searching the crowd as if looking for her.

Finally, the moment came. One by one, the graduates' names were called, and they ascended the stage to receive their diplomas. Y/N's heart raced as Kuroo's name echoed through the hall.

"Tetsurō Kuroo, Bachelor of Science in Sports Science."

The audience erupted in applause as Kuroo confidently strode across the stage, shaking hands with the dean before accepting his diploma. Y/N's smile widened, her chest filled with pride. She clapped louder than anyone, cheering him on with all the emotion she had kept bottled up.

Kuroo, ever perceptive, spotted her in the crowd. His eyes met hers, and for a brief moment, the world seemed to fade away. He gave her a subtle nod and the barest hint of a smile, one that spoke volumes about what this moment meant—for him, for them.

---

After the ceremony, the graduates spilled out onto the university lawn, reuniting with their families and friends. Y/N stood off to the side, giving Kuroo space to celebrate with his teammates and loved ones. She watched as they congratulated him, his friends clapping him on the back and joking around as usual. But she could see that, even in the midst of the celebrations, Kuroo was scanning the crowd, searching for her.

And then, their eyes met again. This time, Kuroo didn't hesitate. He made his way through the crowd, his black cap in hand, and walked straight toward her. The grin on his face was bright and genuine, and Y/N's heart skipped a beat.

"Hey," he said, stopping in front of her. "Did you see? I didn't trip when I went up there."

Y/N laughed, shaking her head. "No, you didn't. You were perfect up there."

Kuroo's grin softened into something more tender, and he reached out to pull her into a hug. "I'm glad you came."

"I wouldn't have missed it for the world," she whispered against his chest, holding him tightly. The familiar warmth of his embrace made her feel both comforted and bittersweet, knowing that soon, they'd be facing the uncertainty of their separate paths.

When they finally pulled apart, Kuroo glanced at the diploma in his hand, a small smirk playing on his lips. "Well, I guess I'm officially done with university."

Y/N smiled, but there was a hint of sadness in her eyes. "Yeah... you did it, Kuroo."

He looked at her closely, noticing the emotion behind her words. He knew what she was thinking—they both did. This moment was one they had been anticipating for weeks now, ever since they'd reconciled and agreed to take on the challenge of long-distance. It was one thing to make plans and promises, but now that the moment was here, the reality of it felt heavier than they'd expected.

"I know what you're thinking," Kuroo said softly, reaching for her hand. "But this doesn't change anything. We'll figure it out, remember?"

Y/N nodded, swallowing the lump in her throat. "I know. I'm just... I'm going to miss you."

Kuroo gave her hand a reassuring squeeze, his eyes filled with warmth. "I'm going to miss you too. But we've got this. It's not like I'm disappearing forever. We'll call, visit when we can. And when the time is right, we'll figure out how to be together again, for real."

She knew he was right. They had already made the decision to support each other no matter what. But it didn't make the prospect of being apart any less daunting.

"Come on," Kuroo said, pulling her closer. "Let's take a walk. I want to enjoy this moment with you."

---

They strolled through the campus together, hand in hand, taking in the familiar sights one last time before everything changed. The sun was starting to set, casting a warm golden glow over the buildings and walkways they had come to know so well.

"I remember when we first met here," Y/N said with a smile. "In the library... I was so annoyed with you."

Kuroo laughed. "I remember. You were ready to kill me over a spilled coffee."

"Can you blame me? You almost ruined my notes!" she teased, nudging him playfully.

He smirked, looking down at her. "Hey, if it wasn't for that coffee, we wouldn't be here now, would we?"

Y/N thought about it for a moment and smiled. "No, I guess we wouldn't."

They walked in comfortable silence for a while, both of them reflecting on how far they had come. Eventually, they found a quiet spot near the volleyball courts, where Kuroo had spent countless hours practicing and leading his team. He stopped and turned to face her, his expression serious now.

"This isn't goodbye, you know," he said, his voice low but steady. "It's just... a pause. A small detour."

Y/N looked up at him, her heart aching and hopeful all at once. "I know. But it's still hard."

Kuroo reached out and cupped her face in his hands, his eyes filled with the same intensity she had seen on the volleyball court so many times before. "Y/N, I love you. No amount of distance or time apart is going to change that."

Tears welled in her eyes, but she blinked them away, smiling up at him. "I love you too, Kuroo."

And in that moment, standing together in the fading light of the day, they made a silent promise—to each other and to the future they would one day share, no matter how far apart their paths would take them.