Everything has changed

Chapter 24: Him

Yachi stood outside the sleek, modern building of the Japanese Volleyball Association, her heart racing in her chest. She had arrived early, taking in the large glass windows and the clean, professional design of the exterior.

Yachi took a deep breath, adjusting the strap of her bag once more as she glanced at her reflection in the glass doors. She had carefully chosen her outfit for the day, wanting to strike the right balance between professional and approachable.

The sun was bright, casting a soft glow on the city as she adjusted her bag strap. This would be her first professional meeting, and she could barely contain her nervous energy.

She glanced at her watch. Her meeting with her new supervisor was scheduled for 10 a.m. sharp, so she took a deep breath and stepped into the building. The lobby was just as impressive as the outside, with tall ceilings, polished floors, and a minimalist aesthetic. She approached the front desk where a receptionist greeted her.

"Good morning," Yachi said, offering a polite smile. "I'm Yachi, I'm from graphic design company name."

The receptionist smiled warmly. "Of course. Please follow me."

Yachi nodded, thanked her, and followed her to the elevator. The receptionist pressed the button for the third floor and the doors slid shut. Her mind raced with questions about her new workplace and what her supervisor would be like.

When the elevator doors opened, Yachi stepped out and followed the woman down the corridor toward a conference room. As she reached the door, she felt a slight hesitation in her step, unsure if she was ready for the next phase of her career. She took another deep breath before knocking lightly.

"Come in," a voice called from inside.

Yachi pushed the door open and stepped into the room. It was spacious, with a large glass table in the center, surrounded by modern chairs. The walls were lined with clean, neutral tones, and there were sleek designs displayed on one of the screens. Behind the desk sat a man, his back to her, casually reviewing something on his tablet.

"Good morning," Yachi greeted, her voice slightly shakier than she intended. "I'm Yachi Hitoka. It's nice to meet you."

The man turned around, and Yachi froze.

His dark hair was messy in a purposeful way, and his sharp eyes glinted with amusement. His smirk was unmistakable.

"Kuroo?" Yachi said, her voice barely a whisper as the realization hit her.

Kuroo Tetsurou, the very same Kuroo who had been so kind-and so mischievous-during her time with the volleyball teams. The thought of him being her supervisor hadn't even crossed her mind. She had no idea that he would be the one overseeing the project she had just begun.

It had been years since they had last seen each other-since that final game- and now, fate had brought them together again in such an unexpected way. The connection they had shared in those brief moments after the match felt so far away now, like a memory caught in the rush of time. And yet, seeing Kuroo again, in this new context, dressed in a suit, brought everything rushing back. The easy confidence in his smile, the way he seemed to always be thinking several steps ahead, even the playful teasing that had once made her nervous-it was all still there.

"Well, well," Kuroo said, his smirk widening. "I see you remember me. I wasn't sure if you would. It's been a while."

As he spoke, Kuroo's mind was racing, though his expression remained relaxed. Seeing Yachi again, standing there before him, brought a flood of memories he hadn't expected to surface so quickly. It had been years since they'd crossed paths, and back then, things had been so different.