Everything has changed | t.kuroo & h.yachi

Chapter 30: Kuroo Tetsurou

It was a Friday evening, and Yachi found herself seated at a small table in a cozy, dimly lit restaurant. She had been looking forward to this dinner all week. After a busy work schedule and a whirlwind of tasks, there was nothing more refreshing than catching up with her university friends. It was an opportunity to talk about anything other than work or volleyball, to just enjoy each other's company without the pressure of deadlines or expectations.

The laughter from their table filled the air, light and free. Her friends, Miho and Kana, were two of the few people who could make her forget the endless flow of emails and meetings. Miho, with her ever-present curiosity and infectious enthusiasm, had a way of drawing Yachi into conversations that veered into unexpected territory-like how she had recently taken up birdwatching on weekends. Kana, on the other hand, was an avid traveler, always sharing stories about the places she had been and the people she had met.

"So, how's that hiking trip you mentioned last time?" Miho asked, her eyes sparkling as she leaned forward, excited to hear about Kana's latest adventure. "You went to the mountains, right?"

Kana grinned, her face lighting up with the memory. "Yes! It was amazing. The views were breathtaking. I almost didn't want to come back down. I met some incredible people along the way too. One of them even gave me some tips on how to photograph landscapes better. I didn't think I'd be into it, but now I'm obsessed."

Miho laughed, nodding in agreement. "I would love to get into that! You should come with me next time. Maybe we could find a peaceful spot to watch the sunset or something."

Yachi smiled softly, enjoying the ease of their conversation. It was nice to be away from her hectic routine, surrounded by friends who never failed to make her feel at ease. Their talks about hiking, photography, and exploring the world outside their daily lives grounded her, reminding her that there were other things to look forward to. Things that were just for fun.

As the conversation shifted to other adventures and potential weekend plans, Miho leaned in a little closer, an amused glint in her eye. "So, speaking of 'other things'... are you seeing anyone yet, Yachi?" she asked with a teasing grin. "You always seem so busy with work. No time for a little romance, huh?"

Yachi flushed at the question. It wasn't that she hadn't thought about it, but romance had been... complicated lately. She had always been a little shy when it came to relationships, and with everything going on in her life right now, it wasn't exactly the easiest time to dive into something new.

"N-no," Yachi stammered, nervously pushing her food around her plate. "Not really."

Kana leaned in slightly, a curious glint in her eye. "But... there's someone you're interested in, right? Come on, spill it!"

Yachi could feel her cheeks turn pink. She hadn't exactly been hiding it, but she certainly hadn't talked about it openly either. There was something about Kuroo that made her feel... unsure of how to approach things. He was confident, charming, and at times, a little too easy to talk to. Yet, there was also something about him that felt... different. Like he was out of her league in a way she couldn't quite explain.

"I don't know," she mumbled, feeling the heat rise in her face. "It's just... complicated."

Kana raised an eyebrow but didn't press the subject further. "Alright, alright. We won't push. But if you ever need advice, you know where to find us!"

They changed the subject quickly after that, laughing and talking about their latest adventures, work challenges, and future plans. It was a welcome distraction, but in the back of Yachi's mind, Kuroo lingered. He had been a constant presence in her life lately-through work, through shared moments, and even in the quiet conversations that had slowly started to build between them.