Entrust | KuroKen

Chapter 2

"Kenma-saaaan!"

"What is it, Lev?" Kenma replied, timidly. He was sitting at a bench under the shade of the tall trees inside Nekoma's campus, playing a game.

"Let's go together to the gym," Lev beamed.

Ugh, this guy is fucking energetic and tall.

"We don't have practice, finals are coming."

"Eh? Why?"

The screen from his PSP showed the word "DEFEAT". He sighed and faced Lev who had a confused look on his face.

"You need to study."

The taller guy gave him a frown but still nodded. "But finals will happen a month from now, isn't it too early to study?"

"Well, it's up to you. Anyway, I have to go to Kuroo-"

"Oh, Kuroo-san said he'll be staying here until six. The third years have a lot a of requirements."

"Oh..." Kenma's voice trailed off. He looked down to his PSP and muttered, "But he didn't text me."

"Don't worry, he told me to tell you."

Kenma nodded. "Okay, I better go. See you."

"Bye bye!" 

The pudding head rushed his steps towards the gate, anxious that he might stumble with a lot of people. You see, he wasn't sociable. He preferred staying at home than going to school but he had to. Kuroo was the only friend he had and maybe... his teammates.

He looked down to his feet as he walked, annoyed of his short legs.

"I have to go home faster," he murmured as he successfully passed through the gate.

"Ow!" 

He bumped into someone. The impact made him sit on the ground.

"Damn, I'm sorry! Are you alright?"

Kenma sighed. Great.

"I'm fine..."

"Here, let me help you," the voice said, extending his arm.

The blonde wasn't looking but the voice was oddly familiar to him.

Kenma was able to stand up, with the help of the guy's hand.

"Kozume?"

"Oh, Akaashi." Why did he have to talk with a lot of people today?

"I thought it was you," Akaashi chuckled a little. "I'm sorry for that."

"It's okay. What... brings you here?"

"Oh, I heard there's an ice cream parlor just in this area. I wanted a new environment," Akaashi replied.

"Oh..." was all Kenma said and he planned on leaving already because social interactions suck.

"Wanna join me?"

Oh fuck.

This was his problem for a long time. Saying no to people.

"I– I'm– okay. Do you know the way?" Kenma internally sighed in defeat. Maybe he had to unwind just a little, he thought.

Akaashi wouldn't mind a silent companion, right?

"Great." Akaashi looked around, his gunmetal blue eyes caught Kenma's attention. "It says it's around here..."

This was the first time Kenma had seen Akaashi this close. Or rather, this was the first time he actually had the will to stare since they're just opponents during matches and nothing more.

"There." Akaashi pointed to a cutely designed ice cream parlor.

Kenma slightly nodded as he followed Akaashi.

He didn't know what the hell was he doing with a stranger.

Maybe he wanted a new environment too.

Just to relax before the finals.

He convinced himself.

---

"Bokuto-san is really noisy and annoying but I like playing with him. It's like I'm at my best when I'm with him- oh sorry, did I talk too much?"

Kenma shook his head in a Kenma way.

He didn't expect Akaashi to be this talkative but he surprisingly enjoyed his stories. About volleyball and random stuffs and his Bokuto-san.

"No, it's... fine. I normally wouldn't last this long talking to a person. So I'm surprised I kept up with you, to be honest," Kenma said, shyly.

Akaashi smiled. "Really? Me either. I just don't talk that much but there are instances that I get talkative."

"Like talking about Bokuto-san."

Akaashi's eyes slightly widened. "I did that?"

Kenma nodded. "You seem fond of him. You like him?"

Okay, that was straightforward. Kenma knew it but he couldn't stop himself from asking. Might as well talk to a stranger and practice his poor social skills.

"No." Akaashi simply chuckled. "Of course not."

"Oh sorry, I misunderstood. Maybe you just look up to him that much."

"Yeah."

There was a minute of silence before Kenma's phone rang.

"Kuroo. Yeah, I'm out. I'm with a..." Kenma gave Akaashi a shy glance. "friend, I guess. Yeah, see you later. Take care."

He ended the call and faced Akaashi.

"Sorry, that was Kuroo."

"It's fine. You two are a thing, don't you?" It was Akaashi's turn to pry.

Kenma blinked a few times before saying, "Uh– can you please not tell anyone?"

"Sure sure. I thought it was obvious."

"It just... happened." Kenma fiddled with his fingers. He never talked about this to anyone. It's not like he had a close friend other than Kuroo.

"I see, you're not planning to tell your friends?"

"No. Not a good idea."

Akaashi hummed. "I understand. Some things are not that simple."

Kenma stopped fiddling his fingers. A thought came to mind.

What would happen if everyone knew about him and Kuroo?

"I think we should head out, Kozume. It's getting late and I don't want to miss the bus."

Kenma nodded and both of them parted ways just about the intersection near Kenma's house.

"Thank you for accompanying me. Take care, Kozume." Akaashi waved his hand before he turned and headed to the bus stop's direction.

Kenma sighed.

That was a lot of talk but he kind of enjoyed it. Maybe talking with an understanding stranger wasn't that bad. And it's not like Akaashi was a total stranger.

"Kenma? Why are you still out?" Kuroo gave him a confused look but still kissed him on his cheek.

"I told you I'm out, didn't I?" Kenma asked.

"Did you?"

"Oh, nevermind. I guess you're really busy. Are you staying or you'll go home?"

"I'll be staying. I've got a lot to do and I need a hand."

"Sure. Let's go inside."

A long day, yeah?

—

Yey! Kenma has a new friend (?)