Crushing It (Not Exactly) | K.Bokuto x reader |

Chapter 1: The Crush Revelation

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The gym was quiet, the echoes of sneakers squeaking against polished floors fading as practice wrapped up for the day. Most of the team had already headed for the showers, leaving only a handful of players lingering on the court, including Akaashi, who was casually stretching near the bleachers. (Y/N) hesitated, glancing around the gym to make sure no one else was close enough to hear.

Taking a deep breath, they turned to Akaashi and spoke in a voice barely above a whisper. “Akaashi… there’s something I’ve been meaning to tell you.”

Akaashi straightened, casting them a curious but gentle look, his usual calm demeanor making it easier to talk. “What is it?” he asked, voice low and reassuring.

(Y/N) felt heat rise to their cheeks, fingers nervously twisting the hem of their shirt. “Well… it’s just that I— I think I might have… a crush. On someone. Someone on the team, actually.”

Akaashi’s eyebrows rose slightly, a hint of surprise slipping through his usually composed expression. But before he could say anything, the sound of approaching footsteps interrupted the moment, and both turned just in time to see none other than Kotaro Bokuto bounding back into the gym, his face lit up with his usual enthusiasm.

“Hey! What are you guys talking about?” he called, jogging up to them with an infectious grin, his eyes darting between (Y/N) and Akaashi. “Why do you look so serious?”

(Y/N) froze, every possible excuse vanishing from their mind as Bokuto closed in. But, unfortunately for them, Bokuto had caught sight of their blushing cheeks and slight fidgeting—and immediately zeroed in.

“Wait a minute…” His eyes widened with a sudden spark of realization, as though he’d uncovered the juiciest secret in the world. “Did I hear something about a crush?” He gasped, leaning in closer with an expression that was equal parts thrilled and shocked. “(Y/N), you totally have a crush on someone, don’t you?!”

Before (Y/N) could even attempt to respond, Bokuto let out a triumphant laugh and threw an arm around their shoulders, pulling them in close as if they’d just shared the most exciting news in the world.

“Oh, this is amazing! Why didn’t you tell me sooner?” he exclaimed, practically bouncing on his feet. “I’m your guy! I can totally help you with this! I’m gonna be the best wingman you could ever ask for!”

Akaashi raised an eyebrow, but there was an amused glint in his eyes as he looked at (Y/N), who was now flushed, speechless, and pinned under Bokuto’s enthusiastic gaze. They managed a nervous laugh, trying to find words to explain, to tell him that he had it all wrong. But looking into his bright, expectant eyes, the words caught in their throat.

“Uh… um, thanks, Bokuto, but you really don’t have to…” they began, though even they knew it was pointless. Bokuto was already too invested.

“Nope! No arguments!” Bokuto insisted, pumping a fist in the air as he beamed down at them with unwavering determination. “Whoever this person is, they won’t stand a chance once I’m done helping you out. Trust me, I know my team, and I can tell you exactly what’ll win them over!”

(Y/N) could only stare, face still burning with embarrassment as they tried to imagine how they’d manage to keep up this charade without slipping. The truth was, Bokuto was the one they liked—the one they’d been thinking about every time they sat through practice, hoping for a chance to talk with him, to see his big, heart-stopping grin up close. But now, somehow, he’d come to the conclusion that it was someone else on the team they had feelings for, and he seemed positively thrilled about being their "wingman."

“Bokuto, are you sure you’re okay with… I mean…” they stammered, not quite sure how to voice their hesitation.

“Of course I’m okay with it!” he replied instantly, giving them a light-hearted punch to the shoulder. “You think I’d pass up the chance to help a friend with something as important as this? No way!” He turned to Akaashi, who was watching with mild amusement, and pointed a thumb at (Y/N) as if to say, Can you believe they thought I wouldn’t help?

Akaashi held back a smirk, but (Y/N) could see a flicker of sympathy in his gaze. He knew, somehow, that Bokuto was wildly missing the point. But instead of stepping in, Akaashi just gave a small shrug, as though he, too, was curious to see how this would play out.

Meanwhile, Bokuto began to pace, brow furrowing as he pondered out loud. “Okay, let’s see… Who on the team would be a good match? I mean, I guess Konoha’s not a bad choice… he’s got that cool, mysterious vibe, right? Or maybe Yukie—wait, no, no, that’s probably not your type…” His face lit up as he considered each player, snapping his fingers as if he’d just had the best idea of his life.

(Y/N) cringed inwardly as he went down the list of teammates, each suggestion more wrong than the last. Their heart sank further with each name he rattled off, none of which came remotely close to the truth.

He finally stopped, turning to them with a grin that was so earnest, so excited, that (Y/N) couldn’t help but let out a soft, almost resigned laugh.

“So!” he said, clapping his hands together. “Tomorrow, we’ll do a little tour of the team. I’ll introduce you to everyone one by one, and you can get a feel for who’s right for you.” He nodded, clearly proud of his plan. “Trust me, by the end of it, you’ll know exactly who your special someone is!”

“Uh, yeah… Sure, that sounds… great,” (Y/N) replied weakly, unable to think of any other response. They could feel Akaashi’s amused stare, his knowing smile just barely concealed as he stood by, watching the scene unfold.

“You’re in good hands,” Bokuto assured them, giving a dramatic thumbs-up before he finally stepped back, apparently satisfied with the game plan. “Alright! Get ready, because this is gonna be awesome! I’ll see you here tomorrow, bright and early!”

With a final, triumphant grin, he gave them one last encouraging pat on the shoulder and jogged off, practically vibrating with excitement at the prospect of matchmaking.

As his footsteps echoed down the hall, Akaashi finally let out a soft chuckle. He turned to (Y/N) with a look that was both sympathetic and deeply amused. “You’re really going to let him do this?”

(Y/N) sighed, rubbing the back of their neck as they tried to process what had just happened. “I… I didn’t know what to say. He looked so excited, and… well, you know how Bokuto is. He’d probably feel terrible if I told him he’d completely missed the point.”

Akaashi nodded, crossing his arms as he gave them a half-smile. “True. But he’s… probably not going to catch on anytime soon, you realize that, right?”

(Y/N) let out a reluctant laugh, already feeling a strange mix of dread and affection for what the next few days would bring. “Yeah… yeah, I figured. I guess I’ll just have to go along with it. Maybe he’ll realize eventually.”

Akaashi chuckled softly. “Good luck. You’ll need it.”

(Y/N) could only shake their head as they glanced toward the door where Bokuto had disappeared. Their heart ached slightly as they imagined all the ways this “mission” could go wrong. But deep down, a small part of them felt a flicker of hope—hope that maybe, in helping them “find their crush,” Bokuto would somehow figure out who it really was.

And with that thought lingering, they turned toward the doors, a tiny smile tugging at their lips as they mentally prepared themselves for the chaos that was sure to follow.