DISCONTINUED 「Black Coffee - Sugawara x Fem!Reader」

「Chapter Five」

After a couple days had passed, the rumours had finally died down. It was mostly thanks to the VP, but Sugawara had also put in the effort to get rid of the rumours.

Now usually, vehement denial would only cause rumours to increase, but since the denial came from such an important figure within the student body, the rumours had been stopped. Anyone who tried to bring them back up would receive a cold glare from the VP no matter how hard they searched for her presence. She was always there, always ready to shoot them down.

Not having to worry about meeting a mafia boss or dating rumours eased Sugawara's mind and allowed him to focus on the upcoming tournament.

Although, it was hard not to get distracted.

He avoided (l/n) at all costs, scared of what would happen should they meet. It was hard, but he refused to let his eyes linger on someone they weren't supposed to linger on.

The VP had made it quite clear that nothing should happen between them. However, she also emphasized that it was imperative that he remain aware of his surroundings. Just because things in school calm doesn't mean the outside world would follow. She had made sure that her number was on speed dial should an emergency happen.

"The Boss says that now that things have cooled down, it's fine. You don't have to meet him anymore. However, you are still my responsibility. You're a civilian I got involved with, and I have to own up to it, and keep you alive," she had texted him when he asked why she was still taking precautions though the rumours had died down.

The fact that she was still taking care of him from afar made Sugawara giddy.

It was ridiculous.

Why should he be excited that he was in the care of someone in a gang? Someone who could easily kill him, protecting him? And it made him happy?

He must have really gone insane.

And even though they had a game against Nekoma, instead of focusing more in practice like he should, his thoughts would sometimes wander to the VP. Especially when he stared at the nets.

As soon as he saw it, Nishinoya had the audacity to rip off the little message on the packaging, and he'd taped it to the wall inside the change room next to the poster. No matter how many times Sugawara removed it and threw it away, it always somehow found itself back on the board. He eventually stopped trying and simply ignored it whenever he was in there and his teammates would try and tease him. Except now, instead of casually denying, he had to fight with all his might to keep his blush at bay.

These new developing feelings were a bit too much for him, and he felt slightly upset having to deal with them.

He was annoyed at himself for worrying when the VP hadn't shown up to school. While everyone else was free to express their worries about the absence of the VP, he had to keep it contained. If he were to show even the slightest concern surely the rumours would start up again.

He didn't know if he should be relieved when one of the teachers revealed that she had a family emergency.

Yet concerned thoughts floated around his mind. And the way he had been playing at practice the day before made him realize that there was no chance that Ukai would even think of letting him play on court during the practice match. He had been hit in the face at least twice, his sets were inconsistent, and he was just an overall disaster.

He was hopeful he could forget about the concern he had once Nekoma had arrived, but then he had spotted her in the gym. She was dressed in shorts, a grey sweatshirt, and had some sandals on. She was talking, looking up at one of the males dressed in red. The male's messy black hair was his most eye-catching feature.