Liberty (Nishinoya x Reader)

Chapter 3

My hands were trembling as my face started to shine with sweat. I sprung up quickly, scooting the chair a few inches before turning around a bowing apologetically.

"I'm so very sorry you had to hear that! I usually don't make mistakes like that!" I knew I was overreacting, but I could help it. It was like all the confidence I built up flew out the window. I cringed as my mind began to calm down a bit. Wow, am I dramatic or what?

     "No no no no no [Name] it's okay! Don't worry so much!" Nishinoya said, pushing my shoulders upward so I'd stand up straight. I kept my head low though out of embarrassment.

     "[Name] you were amazing! It's like gwa and oooh! And wow! It's not like volleyball but it made my heart race!" Hinata confessed, using hand gestures and weird sounds.

     "I don't see why you're apologizing. You're obvious very good at what you do and you have a passion for it," Kageyama said, slightly confused and concerned even though he tried to hide it. I stood there dumbfounded.

     "Uhh..."

     "It's okay to make mistakes [Name]! I do it all the time!" Noya pointed proudly at himself with his thumb and a closed eyed smile. His blond streak swaying to the side along with the rest of he brown bangs. He was so cute.

     As much as I didn't want to, I looked away, a small smile gracing my lips. I held out my arms.

     Hinata eyes widened as he instantly hugged me to death. Nishinoya snaked his arm in between our waists and Kageyama awkwardly joined in and hugged Hinata and Noya and me like he was a tarp on a tent. They were the best.

     I told them I had to get going because I needed to do some homework so I could go to their practice tomorrow. They lit up like light bulbs and I giggled. Kageyama and Hinata went to practice to perfect their quick attack for tomorrow since I was coming, leaving me and Nishinoya alone.

"Do you wanna grab a bite to eat?" the boy asked, a hopeful smile and confident eyes painting his cute face. I nodded and we went to a nearby restaurant that was really good.

"So [Name], how long have you been playing?" Noya asked, stuffing his face as he gazed curiously.

"Around 8 or 9 years."

"Thaa younk?! Man, I didn't staht voheybahl until midhle shkool!" He stuffed his face once again and I chuckled.

"You're gonna choke," I claimed but he ignored me, "You're a good libero so don't sweat it," I say, eating my meal happily. Nishinoya seemed to study me for a second and i swallowed my food to say "What?"

"It's just, I've never seen you freak out like that. Are you sure you're okay?" Noya asked, setting down his chopsticks and empty bowl. I nodded with a reassuring smile.

"That was just...piano and violin are the only instruments I spend the majority of my time on, and the piano is the one I compete with...everything else was just for fun..." I set down my drink. "That was also the first time I played for anyone outside of a competition."

     "Wait really?"

     I nodded again. "I freaked out because I hit a wrong chord that wasn't supposed to be played. And I've never made a mistake like that in the month I memorized it."

     "Wow, that's amazing, [Name]." He grinned brightly and the other girl customers around me were staring. It made me feel a bit irritated but I ignored it. "I don't know a thing about music, but you're really talented. And, like, after looking up a couple videos I realized that you perform all by yourself, so memorizing all of that, perfecting it and then performing it all alone is some pretty crazy shit."

     I nodded. "Not just that, but you get judged on everything. From appearance to skill to the way you go on and off the stage. How long it takes you to concentrate, and your posture as well as your movements," I said, taking a sip of my drink like it was common. Noya's eyes seemed to widen in shock.

     "I can't relate though..."

     "Because it's not a sport. Volleyball is when you're up against a team with your own team. You work together in overcoming and winning to keep going to nationals. It's the same thing for me except I have no team, I'm up against other individuals who are also competing with other individuals. It's kinda like a going up against multiple teams at once," I try to explain as his face turns white.

"That's so rough!"

"Yeah, sometimes I practice until my hand can't move or my neck goes really stiff. You're constantly thinking about tempo and volume and notes and posture and everything." I smiled. "But I love doing that. Everything coming together as your hard work and the anxiety of wondering if you'll win or not. But at the end of the day you spilt your heart out for everyone to enjoy."

There was a moment of silence and I felt ready to shy away. "It's nice seeing you so talkative ya know? I've never seen you so eager," Noya observed, "You're usually so quiet and reserved I sometimes forget you have a voice." He chuckled, but I looked away. Was I really that closed off?

"Ah, I-I'll try to fix tha—"

"No no no, you don't have too! I didn't mean it, like, in a mean way!" Noya spat frantically. I giggled a bit, finishing the last bite of my food.

"Okay then. If you say so." I dig for my wallet and I sighed when realized I left it at home. "Uhm..."

"What?" He sipped his drink as he eyed me.

"I-I forgot my wallet..."

"I was gonna pay for it anyway. I am a senpai you know? And plus I invited you, so don't worry about it."

"We're in the same year..." Before I could argue, he got up and payed at the register. And my eyes wandered over his small yet very fit body. His calves, his thighs, his— no!!

I forced myself to look away as I stared out the window, failing to hold my blush in. I saw a couple pose in front a person with a Polaroid. I have one of those...

"[Name]? You ready?" Nishinoya asked. I nodded, my eyes never leaving the couple as they shook the photo and smiled brightly at the outcome.

We walked out of the restaurant calmly, but then he took my wrist and pulled me towards the person with the camera. I was surprised to say the least as the girl smiled widely at him.

"Can you take a couple of pictures please?" Nishinoya asked, taking out his wallet.

"N-Noya what're you doing?" I asked, a bit frazzled.

"You were staring at it so I'm being a gentleman," he teased. He gave the girl money and we posed for the picture. He wrapped his hand around my waist and I slowly did the same with a shy smile.

"Oh wait," I interrupted, Noya looked at me confused. I couldn't let him get his picture taken with a little sauce on his mouth can I? I can't believe the cashier was blushing at him with this.

I cupped his cheek and wiped the corner of his lips with my thumb twice just case. I smiled at him satisfied before tucking a stray hair behind his ear.

"There you go, now we're ready," I said, turning back towards the camera.

I felt his stare linger a little longer than it probably should have before he pulled me closer with his hand ,which had been on my waist the entire time. His touch sent shivers down my spine and I just KNEW I looked like a tomato upon realizing what I just did.

She took two. One for me and one for him. We gladly took them as we headed home.

_________________________________________
<3

Published January 2, 2020
Edited December 17, 2022