More Than a Lie (T.Kuroo)

Chapter 6: The Ex Encounter

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The sun hung high in the sky, casting a warm glow over the backyard as the family reunion continued. Laughter echoed through the air, mingling with the sound of a frisbee being tossed back and forth among the younger cousins. You and Kuroo were deeply engrossed in a game of cornhole, the friendly competition drawing a small audience from his family.

“Alright, prepare to be amazed by my unparalleled skills!” Kuroo declared, striking a pose as he prepared to throw the beanbag. You rolled your eyes, suppressing a laugh, but you couldn’t help feeling a surge of affection for his playful confidence.

“Yeah, let’s see that ‘unparalleled’ skill,” you challenged, crossing your arms. “I bet I can beat you without even trying.”

“Is that a challenge?” Kuroo smirked, tossing the beanbag with a dramatic flair. It landed squarely on the board, but you noticed that his aim was a little off.

“Nice try, but you’ll have to do better than that,” you replied, stepping up to take your turn.

As you aimed, you heard the unmistakable sound of a car pulling into the driveway, the crunch of gravel breaking through the cheerful atmosphere. You stole a glance over your shoulder, just in time to see a familiar figure stepping out of the vehicle. Your heart dropped.

“Oh no,” you whispered, your stomach tightening.

Kuroo followed your gaze, his expression shifting to one of surprise and annoyance. “Is that…?”

“Yeah, it’s her,” you muttered, watching as Kuroo’s ex, Akane, approached with a confident stride, her laughter ringing out as she greeted Kuroo’s family.

“Great,” Kuroo said, his voice low. “Just what we need.”

You could see her scanning the yard, her eyes landing on Kuroo. She strode over, her smile bright and welcoming, but you sensed an underlying tension. “Kuroo! It’s been ages! I didn’t know you were coming back!”

“Yeah, well, here I am,” he replied, trying to keep his tone casual, but you could feel the defensiveness creeping in.

“Who’s this?” Akane asked, her gaze shifting to you with a hint of curiosity, then skepticism. “I don’t think I’ve met her before.”

Kuroo glanced at you, and you could feel the pressure of the moment hanging in the air. This was your cue to act. You stepped forward, summoning your bravado. “Hi! I’m [Name], Kuroo’s girlfriend. Nice to meet you.”

She raised an eyebrow, a smile playing on her lips that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Oh, is that so? You two look… cozy.”

Kuroo’s jaw tightened slightly, and you sensed his protective instincts kicking in. “Yeah, we are. We’ve been together for a little while now,” he said, leaning slightly closer to you, as if to reinforce your connection.

“Oh really? That’s great,” Akane replied, her tone a little too sweet. “You must be quite the distraction from his busy life.”

You felt a flicker of irritation rise within you. “Kuroo’s been a lot of fun. We’ve been enjoying our time together,” you said, forcing a bright smile as you wrapped your arm around his waist.

“Fun, huh?” Akane said, her gaze scrutinizing. “What kind of fun?”

Kuroo stepped forward, cutting off her probing questions. “You know, the usual. Games, adventures, and trying to keep up with my amazing cooking skills,” he replied, a hint of bravado in his voice as he gestured to the grill where his dad was flipping burgers.

Akane’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Ah, yes. I remember your cooking skills… or lack thereof.”

Kuroo chuckled, but the laugh sounded strained. “I’ve improved since then, thanks,” he shot back, an edge to his voice that hinted at his irritation.

You could feel the tension building, and you instinctively leaned into Kuroo, seeking comfort in his presence. His hand slid around your shoulder, pulling you closer, and you could sense the slight shift in his demeanor as he tightened his grip, claiming you as his own.

“So, what have you been up to, Akane?” you asked, trying to redirect the conversation and keep things light.

“Oh, just traveling and working. You know how it is,” she replied, her voice dripping with a casualness that felt forced. “I actually just got back from a trip abroad.”

“Sounds exciting,” you said, feigning enthusiasm as you tried to gauge her motives. “Did you enjoy it?”

“Very much,” she said, her smile not reaching her eyes. “But I’m really just here to catch up with old friends, especially Kuroo.”

Kuroo’s expression darkened slightly, and you could see the tension radiating off him. “I’m really enjoying catching up with my family right now,” he said, his voice firm, yet laced with an undercurrent of protectiveness.

Akane’s smile faltered for just a moment, and you seized the opportunity to steer the conversation away from the awkwardness. “Well, if you’re free later, we’re planning on playing some games in the backyard. You’re welcome to join if you want,” you offered, trying to keep things friendly.

“Oh, that sounds fun!” she said, her voice brightening again. “But I think I’ll stick to chatting with Kuroo for now. It’s nice to see him again after all this time.”

Kuroo glanced down at you, his eyes filled with uncertainty and a hint of frustration. You could feel the tension crackling in the air, and it made you realize just how much you wanted to defend this newfound bond you shared.

“Well, we’ll be around,” you said, forcing a smile as you pulled Kuroo closer. “Right, Kuroo?”

“Right,” he replied, his tone firm as he nodded, his eyes locking onto yours, a silent agreement passing between you.

As Akane resumed her small talk, you felt the protectiveness emanating from Kuroo, as if he were bracing himself against an invisible threat. You kept your arm around him, and he reciprocated, holding you close as you two shared discreet glances, gauging the situation.

With every passing moment, the tension between you and Akane intensified, but rather than feeling threatened, you found yourself growing more confident in your role. You were Kuroo’s girlfriend, and you were determined to prove it.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Kuroo’s sister bounded over, breaking through the uncomfortable air like a ray of sunshine. “Hey! Who wants to play charades? It’ll be fun!”

You seized the opportunity. “That sounds perfect!” you exclaimed, smiling brightly. “Let’s go!”

Kuroo looked down at you, his expression softening. “Thanks for the backup back there,” he murmured quietly, leaning in slightly so only you could hear.

“Anytime,” you whispered back, your heart racing at the closeness.

As you moved toward the backyard, you could feel Akane’s gaze lingering on you, but you pushed it aside. Right now, it was about Kuroo and the connection you were building together.

With the sounds of laughter surrounding you, you took a deep breath, grateful for the warmth of his arm around you and the way he instinctively leaned into you. Whatever challenges lay ahead, you were ready to face them together.

And perhaps, through all the twists and turns, you’d emerge even stronger.