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Before his first year, Lev had never considered his looks before.
He looked how he looked, that's how it always was. He never considered anything that might make him attractive or unattractive.
Until he met Yaku Morisuke.
After that, it seemed like he was always looking at a mirror.
When brushing his teeth in the morning, he would analyze his face like he was planning on making a police sketch on it.
He would analyze the greenish-blue of his eyes, the way his nose slanted on his face, and the curve of his jawline.
Thinking objectively, Lev thinks he looks pretty alright. But good enough for Yaku-san?
He didn't know the answer to that.
His sister would laugh everytime she caught him looking at the mirror too long, playfully reprimanding him for being too conceited at such a young age. Telling him he had much more growing to do, and that his face was still changing.
It was quite embarrassing, having his older sister try to gently guide him through 'the changes of his body' and all that stuff.
But Alisa was one of the best sisters someone could ask for, and he appreciated how much she cared for him.
Lev gets many complaints about his personality.
His nagging father telling him that he needs to take things more seriously at breakfast, his teachers reprimanding him for not paying attention in class, and Yaku-san, complaining about a little bit of everything.
This year, Lev has taken on another habit: thinking before he speaks.
To be honest, it was kind of revolutionary.
Whenever his father starts nagging now, he nods along, and actually asks for advice on how he can change his behavior.
When his teachers get on his back about not paying attention, he apologizes. He even takes time out of his days now to study.
And whenever Yaku yells about his crappy receives, he doesn't even think about whining.
He supposes it's one of the perks of liking someone older and more responsible than you. Yaku-san is this great, wonderful, responsible being, and he doesn't want to be perceived by this magnificent person as 'whiny old Lev'.
And plus, it's actually making his life better.
His father talks to him about deeper subjects now that he's not acting like more of a child. His teachers smile when he enters the classroom, seeing the results of his hard work. And the surprised look on Yaku's face when Lev does exactly what he's told and there's nothing to criticize is priceless.
Lev thinks Yaku has started to warm up to him.
Not only is he getting better at volleyball, but as a result of his new mature habits and thinking process, he finds more people tolerate being around him.
Kenma-san let's him look over his shoulder while he's playing his game now. He can even make idle conversation with him.
Kuroo-san is impressed with his progress. He's told him straight up that he thinks of Lev as a good asset for the team now, and not just for his height.
Yaku-san regards him as pretty much an equal now. Not based on skill, but in the way he would probably address a second year.
He finds himself spending more time with Yaku outside of school. It's mostly just study-help but he'll take what he can get.
At his house, Lev notices the way Yaku acts around his sister.
He's also noticed the increase in questions about her. And it wasn't like Lev didn't expect this. Alisa was great. She was kind, caring, and mature. Perfect for someone like Yaku.
And in the end, Lev was probably more surprised Yaku asked for his help in the pursuit of her.
Despite the deep heartbreak he felt accepting the request, Lev couldn't help but smile at the fact that he and Yaku were at least close enough for this.
After Yaku and Alisa started going out, people around him could definitely say Lev changed.
Especially Yaku and Alisa.
He didn't mean to act differently towards his sister and crush, but there's certain things you can't control.
He's more withdrawn and quiet now, at least towards them. These days he tries to avoid thinking about the both of them for too long. Instead, he's been focusing on not losing the progress he made trying to gain Yaku's attention.
Alisa is definitely worried about her little brother, but everytime she asks, he gives her a smile and assures her he's fine.
Same with Yaku, surprisingly.
Whenever he asks Lev if he wants to hang out, it's always met with an excuse of studying, or some other mysterious event going on.
Whenever Yaku asks Lev to stay after to practice, he's already somehow got somebody else to practice with him.
And whenever he ask Lev about his mysterious withdrawn nature, he's always met with the same answer.
No one could really say Lev wasn't doing fine.
Whenever Alisa asks her dad's if they notice anything strange, they just reply with something about 'growing up' and 'maturing'.
Alisa is so proud of her brother, but she misses when he would come into her room and ask her to apply some light makeup before school.
She misses the puzzles that they would sometimes do together after school.
She misses her baby brother, even though he isn't really gone, just different.
And she feels terrible for being the only person in his life that doesn't want him to grow up so fast.
Yaku hadn't known Lev for long, but by the time he had to graduate, he could say with certainty that he wasn't the same person he was at the beginning of the year.
Sometimes, he thinks it's his fault.
He hasn't told anyone this, even Alisa, but on nights where he can't sleep, he'll sit up thinking about it.
Yaku assumes it's just the weirdness one of your friends starting to date one of your relatives.
Although, Yaku didn't know if he could even say that he and Lev were friends anymore.
Lev only waves when he sees him now, gives him a small smile and goes on his way.
They don't see each other in classes, and at lunch Lev is busy talking to someone else.
At practice, they don't really have time for idle chitchat.
It seems that only he and Alisa get this withdrawn version of Lev, everyone else hasn't noticed anything weird about him.
Alisa gives little spurts of information on how she feels about it, but for the most part they avoid it.
Yaku feels very responsible for ruining a great sibling relationship, and he can't help but mourn his own relationship with the giant.