Everything has changed | t.kuroo & h.yachi

Chapter 11: Late night conversations

As she reached for her choice, the sound of footsteps interrupted her thoughts. She turned, slightly startled, to see Kuroo standing there, leaning casually against the wall with that same teasing grin on his face. The Nekoma captain seemed perfectly at ease, even after the intensity of practice, his usual playful demeanor never fading.

"Evening, Yachi," Kuroo greeted, his tone light but with a hint of curiosity in his eyes. "Late-night drink?"

Yachi blinked, a little surprised at the timing, but nodded. "Yeah. It's been a long day."

Kuroo pushed himself off the wall and took a few steps toward the vending machine, his eyes scanning the options. "I know what you mean. After we spent that time making breakfast this morning, we were running drills non-stop, and I'm pretty sure my legs are going to fall off." He chuckled, but Yachi could see the flicker of real exhaustion behind his words.

"I'm sure the team appreciates all your effort," Yachi said, her voice a little lighter now. It was strange, but her nervousness seemed to ease in his company, despite his teasing.

Kuroo raised an eyebrow and flashed her a grin. "Oh, I'm sure they do. They wouldn't be half as good without me," he teased. "But hey, it's not all about the hard work. You've got to have fun with it too. Volleyball's a game, after all."

Yachi smiled faintly, her eyes drifting to the drink options. "That's... a good way to look at it." she murmured, though she wasn't sure she had fully grasped it yet.

Kuroo leaned against the machine and looked at her, a mischievous gleam in his eyes. "I mean, if you're not having fun, what's the point, right?" He gave a small laugh. "But you probably know that more than anyone. Managing a team isn't easy-especially with a bunch of loud, rowdy guys like Karasuno." His voice dropped slightly, becoming more sincere. "You've got a tough job, Yachi. Keeping things running smoothly. It's not easy to keep the balance."

Yachi's gaze softened, surprised at the unexpected understanding. She wasn't used to hearing that kind of acknowledgment, especially from someone like Kuroo, who always seemed so carefree. "Thanks," she said, quietly, her fingers brushing over the cool metal of the machine as she focused on her choice.

"You know," Kuroo began again, breaking the silence, "I've always loved volleyball. It's... the one thing that's never really made me doubt myself." His tone softened slightly, a rare glimpse of seriousness cutting through his usual playfulness. "Not that I'm perfect or anything, but when I'm on the court, I know what I'm doing. I know my place." He glanced at her, his grin returning. "But then again, I'm pretty confident in most things."

Yachi smiled faintly, her gaze turning thoughtful. "It's nice, isn't it?" she said quietly. "To feel like you know exactly what you're doing."

Kuroo nodded, the easy confidence returning to his voice. "Yeah. But everyone has their moments of doubt. Don't think I'm always this sure of myself. It takes a lot of work to get here. And even then..." He shrugged. "Sometimes I still wonder if I'm doing things the right way."

Yachi paused for a moment, the words hanging in the air between them. She wasn't sure where it came from, but something in Kuroo's rare moment of honesty resonated with her. Her own struggles, her own doubts, suddenly felt a little less isolating.

"I guess..." Yachi started, her voice quiet but steady, "Even when you're not sure, it doesn't mean you're not doing it right." She met his gaze, her usual shyness replaced by a new sense of clarity. "Sometimes, just trying is enough. It's about what you keep doing, even when you're not sure of the outcome. And I've seen how much you are trying, Kuroo. How much you want to do things right. That counts for something, doesn't it?"

Yachi realized the weight of her words only a moment too late, and her eyes widened slightly. A flush of heat crept up her neck. She hadn't meant to sound so confident, especially with Kuroo standing so close.

Kuroo's smile faltered for a second, replaced by a look of surprise. He seemed taken aback, but there was something warm in his eyes as he considered her words.

Yachi looked down at the drink options again, her fingers absentmindedly tracing the buttons. She could still feel the weight of Kuroo's words, but she didn't want to linger on it. Instead, she shifted the conversation to something lighter.

"So, w-what's your favorite drink after practice?" she asked, her voice a little more hesistant now.

Kuroo leaned in, peering over her shoulder at the vending machine. "Hmm," he said, tapping his chin theatrically, "I'm a sucker for a good sports drink, but on a night like this, I'd go for something cold and refreshing. Like this." He tapped the button for a can of iced tea, the label vibrant and colorful. "I think it's important to treat yourself, don't you?"

Yachi couldn't help but laugh, the sound soft and warm. "That's... a good point. I usually just grab whatever's closest."

"See, that's the problem," Kuroo said, grinning mischievously as he stepped closer. "You're not giving yourself the full experience. You've gotta take a moment to enjoy it." With a quick motion, he pressed the button for another drink and handed it to her before she could say anything. "On me."

Yachi blinked in surprise, taking the can he offered her. "Kuroo, you don't have to do that."

He shrugged, his playful grin widening. "Consider it a thank-you for putting up with me and my team."

She chuckled softly, her smile genuine as she met his eyes. "Then, Thank you Kuroo." Her voice was quieter now, the gratitude she felt more than just polite. It was a rare moment for her, where someone's kindness had made her feel seen, in a way that wasn't about expectations or obligations.

They stood there for a moment, both sipping their drinks, the comfortable conversation between them stretching longer than either had expected.

For Yachi, it was the first real chance she'd had to just be without feeling like she was on edge. Kuroo's presence was a strange kind of soothing, the light teasing, the occasional flashes of sincerity-all of it made her feel more grounded than she had in a long time.

With a final grin, Kuroo straightened, finishing his drink. "Alright, I'll let you get some sleep before you have to manage those wild guys tomorrow. But remember-if you need a break or cooking partner, you know where to find me."

Yachi watched as he turned and walked back toward the hallway, his carefree steps taking him away. She felt a little lighter, a little more at ease. The tension in her shoulders seemed to fade as she finished her drink, standing there for just a moment longer before heading back to her room.

It wasn't often she felt so comfortable with someone outside of her team. But for tonight, she'd take it.