More Than a Lie (T.Kuroo)

Chapter 7: Playing the Part

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The afternoon sun hung lazily in the sky, casting a golden hue over the backyard as laughter and cheerful shouts filled the air. You and Kuroo found yourselves on the edge of the chaos, seated on a picnic blanket with a cooler full of drinks and snacks at your side. The family had gathered for a game of charades, and you both took a moment to catch your breath before diving back into the fray.

“Can you believe Akane?” you said, rolling your eyes as you poured yourself a can of soda. “She just had to show up and stir the pot.”

Kuroo sighed, running a hand through his tousled hair, clearly still irritated. “Yeah, she really knows how to make an entrance,” he muttered, before turning his gaze back to you. “But I have to admit, you handled that better than I expected.”

“Thanks! Just doing my part as your devoted girlfriend,” you teased, giving him a playful nudge. “If I’m going to convince your family of our undying love, I have to pull my weight!”

He chuckled, shaking his head. “Well, you’re doing great. I think they actually believe us now.”

You leaned back on your elbows, enjoying the way the grass felt under your hands. “It’s a little ridiculous, isn’t it? Pretending to be a couple while trying not to let them see how absurd this whole thing is.”

Kuroo turned to you, his expression softening. “But it’s kind of fun, too. I mean, who else gets to pull off fake dating with their best friend at a family reunion?”

You laughed, the sound bubbling up from somewhere deep inside you. “True! I never thought I’d find myself in this situation, but I’m kind of enjoying it.”

“Me too,” he admitted, his gaze lingering on you as if he were truly seeing you for the first time. “And it’s nice to have someone who knows me. Someone who isn’t going to make it weird.”

“Just wait until your mom starts asking about wedding plans,” you said, smirking as you took a sip of your drink.

Kuroo rolled his eyes, but you could see a hint of a smile playing on his lips. “I’ll cross that bridge when we get there.”

Just then, his sister bounded over, her eyes sparkling with excitement. “Okay, who’s ready to lose at charades?” she announced, beckoning you both to join the fray.

“Let’s do this!” you said, jumping to your feet. Kuroo followed, his hand brushing against yours as you both moved toward the group.

The game was a whirlwind of laughter and exaggerated gestures, with Kuroo and you teaming up against his parents and siblings. You quickly fell into a rhythm, feeding off each other’s energy as you acted out movie titles, animals, and even a few inside jokes from your past.

At one point, Kuroo mimicked a dolphin, splashing his arms dramatically as you doubled over in laughter. “You’re such a dork!” you gasped between fits of giggles, clutching your stomach as you struggled to breathe.

“Hey, it’s all part of the performance!” he shot back, grinning as he leaned closer, his shoulder brushing against yours.

As the game continued, the playful nudges and little touches became more natural. You found yourself leaning into him more, the distance between you slowly evaporating as the playful atmosphere enveloped you. He would reach over to steal a handful of popcorn or casually drape his arm around your shoulders, and each gesture sent an unexpected thrill racing through you.

“Alright, your turn!” Kuroo called out, gesturing for you to take the spotlight. He flashed you an encouraging smile that made your heart race. “I believe in you!”

With the eyes of his family on you, you swallowed hard but couldn’t resist the urge to show off a little. You took a deep breath, scanning the crowd for inspiration before launching into an exaggerated impression of a famous movie scene, flailing your arms and dramatically pretending to cry. Laughter erupted from the group, and you reveled in the moment, feeling free and light-hearted.

Kuroo watched you with an amused expression, shaking his head in mock disbelief. “Who knew you had such talent?” he teased.

“You haven’t seen anything yet!” you challenged, striking a pose that made him chuckle.

When it was Kuroo’s turn to act, you could hardly contain your excitement. He confidently stepped forward, his eyes glinting mischievously as he began to imitate a character from a popular action movie. The way he threw himself into the performance was utterly captivating. The entire family erupted into laughter as he fell into an exaggerated battle stance, pretending to wield an imaginary sword.

As the game progressed, it felt as if you were in your own little world, the cheers and laughter of Kuroo’s family fading into the background. The two of you locked eyes, and for a moment, the playful banter faded into something deeper. You could see the spark in his gaze, the warmth that radiated between you, and it sent your heart racing.

When the game finally wrapped up, Kuroo pulled you to the side, his expression serious yet playful. “You were incredible out there,” he said, his voice low and sincere.

You smiled back, your cheeks warming. “Thanks! I couldn’t have done it without my secret weapon.” You gestured to him dramatically.

“Yeah, well, it takes two to make a good team,” he replied, leaning closer. “And I’m glad you’re by my side for this.”

As the sun began to set, casting a warm glow over the yard, you felt a comfortable silence settle between you. You were both riding the high of the games, your laughter still echoing in your ears. Without thinking, you reached for his hand, intertwining your fingers.

Kuroo glanced down, surprise flickering in his eyes before he squeezed your hand gently. “You know, this is actually turning out to be a pretty good weekend.”

You nodded, your heart swelling at the connection growing between you. “Yeah, it really is. I never imagined I’d enjoy pretending to be your girlfriend this much.”

Kuroo grinned, his eyes sparkling with mischief. “Who knows? Maybe it could become real.”

Your breath caught in your throat at the suggestion. The weight of his words lingered in the air, and you couldn’t help but wonder if he was hinting at something more. But just as the moment deepened, his sister called for you both, breaking the spell and pulling you back into the lively atmosphere of the reunion.

“Come on, you two! We need you for the next round!” she shouted, waving her arms in excitement.

With a shared glance that held a promise of more, you and Kuroo exchanged smiles before letting go of each other’s hands and rejoining the chaos, laughter spilling from your lips once more. As you played the part of a couple, you couldn’t shake the feeling that perhaps this was more than just an act—it might just be the start of something real.