forever | sugawara x reader

09

My birthday came and went, eighteen turning out to be slightly less glamorous than I'd fantasized. I spent it with my parents, along with Daichi, Asahi, and (y/n). She helped my mom cook dinner while the rest of us played video games; it all felt natural, like this happened every year. My parents loved (y/n), especially my mom, fawning all over her like a child every time she came over, which was often now.

I liked having her over; she helped me with homework, made dinner with my mom, quietly watched TV with my dad, and when we'd manage to slip off to my room we'd kiss until our lips were pink and swollen. It was like a dream come true and before long I couldn't remember what life was like before (y/n).

The weather had become nearly suffocating, the sun not taking a break for days on end. Even when it seemed like rain the clouds never broke open, usually making way for the sun again before long. Summer vacation was right around the corner and I couldn't wait to enjoy it with (y/n).

-

Everyone on the team seemed drained by the heat in the gym, sweat dripping from every forehead after only a couple of laps. Coach Ukai seemed just as exhausted, leaving Daichi to direct everyone. It was slow and painful to move around, everything feeling heavy. The rush of air when the gym door opened was much welcome, along with the girl opening it. (Y/n) quietly let herself in, waving to Ukai as she walked towards him. Her eyes scanned the court and stopped at me; she smiled but didn't try to get my attention, continuing to her uncle. I regained my focus but it was a struggle not to look at (y/n) as she talked with Ukai. It surprised me that the boys didn't surround her as soon as she walked in, but I chalked it up to everyone being lethargic from the heat.

As we finished up practice I snuck a glance her way and caught her crying, angrily wiping tears away from her eyes as Ukai seemingly talked her down. I whipped my head away, knowing she would be embarrassed if anyone else noticed. I made sure no one noticed her, insisting we all take the long way to the locker room.

By the time we all changed and returned to the gym, (y/n) had thankfully stopped crying but it was clear she wasn't in any sort of good mood. She leaned against the bleachers, quietly talking to Ukai as all of us gathered around.

"Hey, (y/n)! Were you here the whole time?" Hinata yelled, jumping up to her. She gave him a forced smile, only nodding in response. Everyone wanted to talk to her but they quickly realized she wasn't her usual self and quieted down, prompting Coach Ukai to address us.

"Alright guys," he began. "Summer vacation is about one month away, which means training camp is that much sooner. I want everyone to get their permissions slips signed now instead of the day before, understand? If your parents have any questions they can call Takeda- his number's on the bottom of the sheet." The gym was quiet save for the rustling of paper; Daichi nudged into me as he passed me the sheet, but his eyes stayed focused as if nothing happened.

"Everybody have one?" Coach Ukai asked. "Alright, get outta here. No morning practice tomorrow." Everybody shouted and hollered at the relieving news, running out of the gym into the summer air, leaving only me, Daichi, and Asahi, along with (y/n) and Ukai after a few moments. She looked up at him, defiance burning behind her stare.

"You're wrong," she said, her voice angry, a tone I'd never heard before. "You think you know what's best for me but you don't. Stop trying-"

"No, you stop, (y/n). You're not talking to me like this in front of my team. We can finish this-"

"Oh, screw your team," she spat, her eyebrows knitting together. "Screw you, too. I don't care if you tell my dad anymore- just, just fuck off. Stay away from me." She shoots him daggers before she turns on her heel and stomps out of the gym the wrong way. We all exchange wide-eyed glances, Coach Ukai groaning as he walked away, leaving us alone. I'm torn between giving her space and running after her- after a few moments of silence I decide it's best to go look for her.