Chapter Text
Tsukishima is back in the library. He's waiting for Yamaguchi since he has free time and he agreed to accompany and help him study. Hinata will probably tag along. The two got along pretty well, while him... it was just okay, he thinks.
Living a 'normal' college student life does not require him to get along with everyone. Just a couple of good people will do. So there's Yamaguchi and Hinata. There's also a senpai in one of his classes... then Kuroo-san, he had to admit. Oh, there's also Kozume-san.
On their first day, Hinata just happened to sit beside Kozume Kenma in one of his classes, and thinking that he was also a freshman, the idiot started talking to him, only to find out that he's actually a year older. All of this was told by Kozume to Yamaguchi when the former first hung out with them after a class.
Ever since then, he'd find the three hanging out together and he'd go along with them. Personally, Tsukishima likes Kozume. He doesn't bother with anyone else aside from Hinata.
Though Kozume's impression of him at first was of a rival.
He remembered smirking at the smaller man after hearing his voice and he also remembered being called a smart-ass too. That's fine. It's not like the pudding-haired guy (Yamaguchi was the first one to use this pet name) played the good guy with him or Yamaguchi. He's silent most of the time, playing games on his phone or whatever he has, talks to Hinata with his low voice, or just plainly staring at their idiot friend.
Kozume is a quiet, reserved guy, yet he still hangs out and basks in Hinata's randomness. Anyway, that's probably what he likes about Hinata and why he stays. Maybe he could say the same thing with Kuroo. Though he's pretty sure that the guy has his serious side, everyone does. Although Tsukishima only has only seen his mischievous and 'cute' side since they met.
He clears his throat at that unwelcome thought.
That thing in the park happened 4 days ago. Tsukishima meant it when he said that Kozume and Kuroo are total opposites in terms of their personality. Tsukishima was grateful though. Despite his tendency to have perverse thoughts, Kuroo Tetsurou is a genuine person.
The only thing that bothers him, is how he calls out and approaches him just about anywhere! The blonde did say "See you", but the other students were already giving them weird looks.
Well, it seems the guy is famous, for several reasons. He heard and felt the envy from the other students. Tsukishima couldn't care less, but earning other people's attention negatively is annoying - level 3. His maximum is 5.
What do they talk about? Random things, and of course, the cats, no matter where they are. Yet again, the use of the word 'cute' is excessive when cats are involved, in his opinion. He's thankful, at least, that the guy is a bit possessive of the thought that he's the only one who knows this 'cute side of Tsukishima Kei', so he tends to speak in a low voice whenever he talks about the cats. Still, Tsukishima refused to be associated with 'that' word.
He almost asked just how many times the black-haired guy can use the word 'cute' in a conversation, or rather, how many times can the guy call something or someone 'cute' in his mind.
He groaned. Now he's also using the word too much to his liking.
Tsukishima is on this train of thought when he hears that familiar voice in his head.
'Bingo!'
The blonde can only sigh, waiting for that familiar, crazy black hair to appear in front of him.
'I was about to give up looking for him since I have class in 20 minutes. Lucky!' In less than 5 seconds, the said guy took the seat at the opposite side of the table. Placing his backpack on the table, Kuroo beamed at him, showing just how happy he was to see him. Well, Tsukishima can literally hear his thoughts.
'Oh, he's wearing an oversized hoodie. Cute!'
That word again. He heaved another sigh.
"Hi, Tsukishima. So is that your first for the day?"
"Hello, Kuroo-san. It's actually the second."
"Geez, who's been making you sigh so much? Don't think too much about them." Kuroo said in a matter-of-fact tone.
"Thank you. I'm trying not to, but it can't be helped if they always appear anywhere. The library, for instance, and the park."
Realizing who he was referring to, Kuroo feigned a hurt look. "You're a precious kouhai, of course, I would want to know-" He stopped, face brightening up. 'Wait- so, our cute blonde thought of me all the time huh?' Hearing that, Tsukishima realized he shouldn't have said and now, he's dreading where this conversation may lead to.
Plus, that smirk is a little bit distracting.
"So you thought of me all the time huh?"
'Nope, not so much as "all the time", just for a bit, because you're one of the few people who can talk to me normally.' Tsukishima thought before answering, hoping to save himself. "Just sometimes, not all the time, Kuroo-san."
'Tsukishima-kun's so honest. He's an indifferent, yet an honest guy. The combination is just too adorable.' The blonde was a bit miffed to be called 'indifferent'. Not that it's not true, just the sound of it doesn't sit well in his ears, that's all. That 'adorable' part though, is definitely unacceptable.
Leaning on the table towards him, Kuroo asked, "Tsukishima-kun, why do you think of me?" That smirk still in place.
Not wanting to back down, he stared straight into the other's eyes and said, "Just thinking of your tastes with... things and everything." He faltered a bit at the end, but he hoped that will be the end of this topic-
"...things and everything?" -though it might be wishful thinking on his part. Without breaking eye contact, he answered. "Yes, they just... uhm, don't match?"
"Why, thank you, Tsukishima-kun. Don't worry, we have time to know each other." Kuroo beams and winks.
A wink. Kuroo just winked at him. Tsukishima tried so hard to hold back his laugh, that it came out as a snort. Seeing that from a big buy with that crazy rooster-hair was kind of silly.
'Or was that supposed to be flirting?' It was funny and charming at the same time, though he'll never say that out loud.
He clears his throat, composing himself. "I do have time but, don't you have a class, Kuroo-san?" That was supposed to be his win, but it obviously didn't dampen Kuroo's playful mood. That irritating and distracting smirk is still in place. Tsukishima can't look away, just because that means that he'll lose. Not him, when-
'Wait.' Just then, he came to the realization that the 'voice' is not there again. Tsukishima looks around, checking for other people near them, but there's none. He shifts on his seat, leaning a bit towards the table, he stares into Kuroo's eyes. His eyes scrutinizing, trying to hear his thoughts, but there's still none. It feels like he's gone deaf. Again.
"Uh, Tsukishima-kun, don't stare at me like that. I might get the wrong idea."
Composing himself, he asked. "Sorry, I did not catch what you said."
Probably sensing the change in his demeanor, the smirk on the black-haired man's face turned lopsided. "That I might get the wrong idea if you continue staring at me like that?"
He still can't hear it.
"Tsukishima? You're still doing it, you know."
He shook his head to take his mind off 'that' matter for now.
"Tsukki! Sorry for making you wait!" He almost jumped when someone called him. That few minutes of 'deafness' felt like hours.
'Thank God for Yamaguchi.' He ignored Kuroo's questioning look and turned to his friend. Just like he predicted, Hinata's with him. "It's fine. As I said, I have free time."
"Oh! Hi, Kuroo-senpai!" Hinata greeted.
"Hello, Kuroo-senpai." Yamaguchi added.
"Hello, Chibi-chan. You too, Yama-kun." He smiled. 'Ah~ too bad, my 'alone' time with Tsukishima-kun is over. I kinda want him to continue staring at me like he wants to kiss me, hehe.'
"I did not!" Surprised and embarrassed by what he heard, Tsukishima can't help but snap at the other man. It was too late for him to realize that it was actually Kuroo's thoughts. The three look astounded by his outburst. The air suddenly tense.
"Tsukki?" Yamaguchi asked, worried.
'Did he-? Did I say that aloud?' Kuroo looked genuinely surprised too.
'Shit.'
"I- I mean...sorry. What I meant was...that I did not wait for too long, Yamaguchi. Kuroo-san also accompanied me, so it's really fine." He can feel Kuroo's eyes on him and it's making him even more anxious.
Yamaguchi frowned at him, then at Kuroo, whose eyes were on him. 'What just happened?'
"What the hell, Tsukishima! Don't shout in the library! That surprised me!" Bless Hinata for speaking up.
"Shh. Hinata, you're shouting too." Yamaguchi turned to the other student two tables away and silently apologized.
Kuroo laughed at their tangerine-haired friend, which lightened up the mood for a bit. His expression was back to being worried though when he looked back at Tsukishima. 'I'm not sure what happened, but why do you look anxious... and scared?'
For the first time in his life, the blonde can't look at someone directly because of fear. Fear of what? A lot of things.
The other man sighed, 'What did you do this time, Tetsurou?' Fixing his bag back on his shoulder, Kuroo looked at the time and stood. "Okay, I still have a class so I- I'll get going now...Tsukki?"
Despite the worried and confused thoughts, there's a gentle smile on the older guy's face and that somehow helped him release the tension, which is probably showing on his face.
Wanting to change the atmosphere too, Tsukishima groaned and rolled his eyes, feigning irritation. "Not you too."
Kuroo laughed. The tension is all gone. 'I'm glad.' Kuroo smiled apologetically at Yamaguchi, one hand in a praying position. 'I'm not so sure what I did, so I'm sorry to leave like this.'
"See ya around, Tsukki!"
With that, the three of them were left alone. Hinata automatically took the seat that Kuroo previously occupied, all the while thinking why Tsukishima screamed and how Kuroo-san is as scary as always.
'Kuroo-senpai is still a bit scary because of his hair, but when he calls me 'Chibi-chan'... it's a bit embarrassing, I forget that he's scary at all.' Sometimes, he envies Hinata. He's simple, he doesn't have a lot of secrets.
While Yamaguchi, even though he always took the seat beside Tsukishima, took the one beside Hinata. Not directly in front of the blonde, but still enough so that he could observe his friend.
Of course, Yamaguchi knows that something happened, though he's not sure what it was. He just felt like Kuroo has something to do with it, though he thinks it's really not the older guy's fault.
Tsukishima sighs. It's been so long since he felt anxious about being found out. Here he is, wondering again how it'd feel like to be innocent of other people's thoughts and secrets. Maybe he won't be this indifferent towards others.
He apologized silently to Yamaguchi. More than any other time, he just wants to go home now and confine himself inside his room. He doesn't want to hear anything, but the songs playing on his iPod.
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"I thought you're skipping class, you idiot."
Kuroo groaned. He was just gathering his things after their last class ended, and Yaku's remark was a bitter reminder of what happened earlier.
Truth be told, he was not the type to skip class, but he kind of wanted to earlier, when he was lucky enough to find Tsukishima. Then something happened, and it felt like it was his fault, but he was not sure what he really did? So he kind of ran away.
He groaned, for God knows how many times already since he left for class.
"Hey, are you listening to me? Did something happen?"
"Yakkun, please shut up for now. I need to think."
"Wha- you bastard! I'm asking what happened so I can help, you know?!"
Kuroo glanced at his friend, considering, but dropped the thought in the end. "Nah, seriously, I'm fine."
He stood up. A group of female classmates called out to him and he waved back.
There was a light tap on his shoulder. "Nah, you're not fine. You just waved back in response? Aren't you joining them to drink some overly sweet frappe in a nearby cafe?"
They started walking out of the classroom. Kuroo heaved another sigh. "That was a one-time thing only. I'm not fond of frappes and the likes, anyway."
Yaku has been his friend since high school and he knew that the guy can give a sound advice... but not without teasing him first. That's why he considered whether he should ask or not. Just in case, he doesn't want the guy to tease Tsukki too when he sees him. Not that they'd meet anyway. Not that he'd say it's Tsukki...
"Yeah? So you'll never accept their invitation again?" Yaku continues as they walk the distance from the school grounds to the main gate. "Coz the girls have been asking me why lately, they can't spot you on your usual hangouts during your vacant times, it's getting annoying."
Kuroo was the friendly type, despite how intimidating his looks and height are. Of course he can't say no if one of his classmates asks for help, especially if it's as easy as lending his notes for a few minutes. Although that cafe part really surprised him too. "It's a one-time thing only, okay? They asked to copy my notes and I said yes. That's all!"
The smaller man frowned at him, and gave him a shove on his shoulder. "You're annoyed too?"
"Yes!" He's both annoyed and frustrated. He felt bad for lashing out like this to Yaku, but all these mixed-feelings, confusion and frustration are bubbling up inside of him. Like, yeah, probably it's really his fault, but he wants to know why. Because just when he thought he was able to close that gap, even just a little bit, it feels like he's back to square one. He can't comprehend what happened. That time, Tsukki's stare was more than welcome... was it that joke that he might 'get the wrong idea' that started it? Or did he unconsciously say that he wants to be alone with Tsukki for a little longer aloud?
He sighed, for the nth time since he left the library. Tsukki will surely laugh at him and would definitely use Kuroo's own words against him. He wants to hear Tsukki's laugh, even if it's just a snort or chuckle. 'Come on, even his nickname is so cute, why did anything have to happen anyway?'
Yaku clears his throat, breaking his thoughts. "If our boy, Kenma is here, he'd just look at you, then go back to his game." He shrugs. "That means, 'let's go about our own businesses since you're so childish.' Just saying."
Kuroo was offended at that comment. "He wouldn't."
They turn around a corner. "Whatever your issue is, it's making you childish AND pathetic. Fix it on your own. I don't care anymore."
He growled at his friend. The smaller man guffawed. "You're going crazy, Kuroo!"
Unable to control his frustration any longer, Kuroo pulls his hair with both hands, muttering incoherently.
They were about to pass by the front of a cafe, when the sliding door opened and came out the sole reason for his distress. Tsukishima Kei in the flesh, wearing his headset, looking warm with his layers of clothing and a scarf, holding a box with the cafe's logo on it.
Kuroo's heartbeat skipped. "Tsu-Tsukki?!"
Tsukishima looks surprised himself. "I- Hello again, Kuroo-san." The blonde glanced at Yaku then back at him, looking a bit hesitant, but he has this air of determination on him. "Uhm... do you have time now?"
Of course, Kuroo has all the time in the world right now. It's so easy to say "Yes", but Tsukki's extra adorable right now, with that blush on his cheeks, that he can't help but stare. The blush deepened, oh so obviously, that Kuroo just wanted to hug him, then pinch his cheeks.
"Kuroo-san...?"
The moment was broken when he felt a hard thing nudge the back of his left knee, that he almost lost his balance. "Well, see you tomorrow, KUROO-SAN." Yaku gave him a smirk and a hard slap on his back before walking away, leaving him and the blonde alone in front of the cafe.
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New Message from Yaku-san:
-Yo, Kenma! Is our Kuroo whipped?
-...not yet.
-Hahaha. If you witnessed how he acted just now, you'd probably say "definitely yes".
-He has yet to conquer Tsukishima anyway.
-Tsukishima?
-...forget I said anything.
-ψ(｀∇´)ψ
-End of CH3-