Haikyu one shots

Beyond the Game" Bokuto

Koutarou Bokuto was known for his vibrant personality, bursting with energy and enthusiasm. Whether it was during volleyball practice, where he'd launch himself at the net with a wild grin, or just hanging out with friends, his presence was unmistakable. But amidst his loud laughter and boisterous antics, there was someone who often brought a calm, cool contrast to his life—Rina Yoshida.

Rina was the quiet type, preferring to observe rather than engage in the loud chaos that often surrounded Bokuto. She was thoughtful, often lost in her books or sketching in her notebook, her creativity shining through in every detail. While Bokuto thrived in the spotlight, Rina preferred the shadows, where she could express herself without the pressure of attention.

Despite their differences, or perhaps because of them, they had developed an unexpected friendship. Bokuto would often seek her out after practice, his energy a bright light that illuminated her quieter world.

A Typical Day

One afternoon after practice, Bokuto rushed into the café where Rina often spent her time sketching. "Rina!" he shouted, his voice carrying over the quiet chatter of patrons. "Guess what! We totally crushed it today! I scored like, a million points!"

Rina looked up from her drawing, her pencil pausing mid-stroke. "That's great, Bokuto," she replied, a small smile appearing on her lips. "But can you keep it down? Some of us are trying to focus."

Bokuto pouted, but he couldn't help the grin that broke through. "Sorry! But you should have seen me! I was like a hawk soaring through the air! Just swoosh, swoosh!"

Rina chuckled, shaking her head. "You're impossible, you know that?"

"Impossible? Or amazing?" Bokuto flashed her his trademark smile, and she felt her heart skip a beat. There was something contagious about his energy, a lightness that made her feel both exhilarated and slightly exasperated.

"Maybe a little of both," she conceded, returning to her drawing.

As Rina sketched, Bokuto settled into the seat across from her, his curiosity piqued. "What are you working on?" he asked, leaning over the table to get a better look.

"It's just a concept for a character I'm designing," she replied, turning the sketchbook slightly so he could see.

Bokuto's eyes widened as he took in the details. "Wow, this is really cool! You should show it to the team! They'd love it!"

Rina flushed slightly at the suggestion. "I don't know... I don't think they'd be interested in my drawings."

"Of course they would!" Bokuto insisted, his voice rising again. "You have to believe in yourself! Just like I believe in my spikes!"

Rina couldn't help but laugh. "You and your spikes..."

Finding Balance

As the weeks passed, their friendship deepened. Bokuto's presence began to draw Rina out of her shell, encouraging her to share more of her art and her ideas. In return, Rina helped ground Bokuto when his energy threatened to overwhelm him, providing a sense of calm that he didn't realize he needed.

One day, after a particularly exhausting practice, Bokuto plopped down beside Rina at the café, his hair still damp with sweat. "I'm beat," he admitted, leaning back in his chair. "But I can't stop thinking about how we're going to crush the next match!"

Rina smiled, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "You always think about the next match. What about taking a break every now and then?"

Bokuto waved a hand dismissively. "But what if I miss something amazing? Like scoring the winning point!"

"Or missing out on spending time with your friends?" she suggested, raising an eyebrow.

Bokuto paused, considering her words. "Okay, you have a point there," he admitted. "But I can't help it! I just want to be the best!"

"Just remember to enjoy the journey, too," Rina said gently, her gaze softening. "It's not just about the destination."

Bokuto smiled at her, and for a moment, something unspoken passed between them. Rina quickly looked down at her sketchbook, pretending to focus on her drawing again, while Bokuto felt his heart race.

The Turning Point

Their friendship continued to flourish, but Bokuto couldn't shake the feeling that he wanted something more. He found himself stealing glances at Rina when she was absorbed in her art, admiring the way she bit her lip in concentration or the gentle curve of her smile when she was pleased with her work. It was different from the way he felt about anyone else.

One afternoon, as they walked through the park after practice, Bokuto finally decided to say something. "Rina," he started, his voice a bit more serious than usual. "I've been thinking..."

"About volleyball?" she asked, teasingly nudging him with her shoulder.

"No, not about volleyball," he replied, though his heart raced at the prospect of what he was about to say. "About us."

Rina turned to him, her expression curious. "What do you mean?"

Bokuto took a deep breath, gathering his thoughts. "I just... I really enjoy spending time with you. You make me feel... different. You know?"

"Different how?" she pressed, tilting her head slightly.

"Like... I can be myself. Like I can be loud and silly and you still think I'm okay," he confessed, rubbing the back of his neck. "But I also like that you keep me grounded. You balance me out."

Rina blinked, her heart racing as she processed his words. "Koutarou, I—"

Before she could finish, Bokuto plowed ahead. "And I think maybe I like you. Like, more than friends."

The confession hung in the air between them, a mixture of anticipation and uncertainty. Rina's cheeks flushed a deep shade of pink as she processed what he had said.

"I... I like you too," she finally admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.

Bokuto's eyes widened in surprise, a grin breaking across his face. "Really?!"

Rina nodded, feeling a mix of relief and excitement. "Yeah, I just didn't know if you felt the same way. I thought you saw me as just a friend."

"Of course not!" Bokuto exclaimed, his excitement spilling over. "You're amazing, Rina! You're creative and smart and you make me want to be a better person!"

Taking the Next Step

As they stood in the park, surrounded by the gentle rustle of leaves and the warm glow of the setting sun, Bokuto took a step closer to Rina. "So, what does this mean for us?"

Rina smiled, her heart racing. "I think it means we can be more than friends. We can figure this out together."

Bokuto beamed, his infectious energy lighting up the space around them. "Together sounds perfect!"

He reached for her hand, intertwining his fingers with hers, and Rina felt a rush of warmth wash over her. In that moment, everything felt right. They were two opposites who had found a beautiful balance in each other, ready to embark on a new chapter of their relationship.

As they walked hand in hand through the park, laughter filling the air, Rina couldn't help but feel grateful for their unique bond. Bokuto may have been the golden retriever bursting with energy, but he had also helped her discover the beauty in stepping out of her comfort zone.

And as for Bokuto, he knew that with Rina by his side, he could face anything the future had in store.