Chapter Text
Neither of them knew how their friendship started. Living near each other definitely helped. But their friendship was unbreakable, and outside of school it was rare to find them separated. Kenma was shy, to say the least. Kuroo often found it odd how quiet he was, so different from his own outgoing personality, but they melded together perfectly. Kenma loved to listen to Kuroo talk whilst staring at his little DS and nodding every once in a while to show he was listening. Kuroo didn’t mind Kenma’s quietness, either. He thought it was easier to hang out with Kenma than all those annoying kids at school who didn’t know when to shut up.
Every day after school, they would meet at the small bridge a few minutes from their houses and greet each other with a smile. Kuroo always had to run straight from school to not make Kenma wait, as Kenma’s school ended earlier and was closer to home. Kenma didn’t seem to mind waiting but it bothered Kuroo to cause Kenma trouble. So he tried to avoid it at all costs.
Unlike many kids their age, they never fought. Their personalities were so in harmony that it was rare for them to clash. Aside from occasional unimportant bickering, they had a kind and conflict free relationship.
Once Kuroo had teased Kenma about his small stature, mainly to see his reaction, and been startled when the smaller boy stormed away without a word, eyes filled with hurt. It had taken weeks for their relationship to be as comfortable as it was previously, but they pulled through. Kuroo knew from then on not to make Kenma self-conscious about anything from his body to personality. Once in middle school, Kenma dyed his hair blonde for the first time and seemed a little embarrassed to reveal it to Kuroo. Kuroo told him it looked great. He never pointed out to Kenma when he waited too long before redying. He thought to himself that it seemed to be the opposite of his personality but he never told Kenma so; he didn’t want to make him feel bad about it.
It was around that time that Kuroo had convinced Kenma to start playing volleyball. It started out as just an activity in Kuroo’s backyard to pass the time and escalated to something they both looked forward to after school. Neither of them were very good at it at first, but with Kuroo’s athleticism and Kenma’s intellect, they soon found themselves wanting to play on a team. Kenma didn’t seem quite as interested in it, but never objected when Kuroo wanted to play it, and that in Kuroo’s mind was the same thing as him liking it.
Towards the end of middle school, their parents started talking to them about our futures. They both knew they wanted to play volleyball together in highschool, and when they talked together one night they decided to go to Nekoma together. Kenma actually flashed a small smile at the prospect of school together and Kuroo nearly spat out the drink he was sipping on. Their parents were happy to hear that they were being decisive about their futures and easily agreed to their school choices.
That summer went by so quickly, and with each day closer to highschool, Kuroo grew increasingly excited. Kenma seemed on edge the last few weeks of summer, but Kuroo never let it bother him too much, knowing that it was probably just Kenma’s way of showing excitement, too.
The first day of school Kuroo met Kenma in front of his house, his heart pulsing fast in excitement. Kenma stepped out the front door, looking slightly pale and apprehensive, but nodded his head to Kuroo in greeting. The taller boy grinned at their matching uniforms and they fell into pace next to each other, walking quickly. They stepped onto the subway and they both looked at each other for a second before Kenma’s eyes slid down to his feet. He stuck his hand in his pocket and looked alarmed for a second before his expression smoothed over and he stared ahead blankly.
“What’s wrong?” Kuroo asked, worried.
Kenma shook his head, “I forgot my phone.”
Kuroo nodded and his eyes wandered around the subway, seeing several kids wearing their uniform. The people he would be going to school with for the remainder of school. Some of them stared at walls while others seemed to eyeing the other students as Kuroo was. One kid in particular, a chubby tall boy, seemed to be peering at Kenma with a smile. A nasty smile. Kuroo glanced down at Kenma and he looked uncomfortable, desperate to not meet the other boy’s gaze. Kuroo looked back up to the stranger and at eye contact with Kuroo, the kid’s leering stopped and was redirected at the ground, his cheeks heating slightly.
Kuroo thought nothing of it. He should have, though. If only Kuroo knew about what was happening back then, he could have stopped what was to come.