Chapter Text
Kyoutani was a little disappointed when he found out that he would be put into the petting zoo of all places, but he was slowly warming up to the job. Sure, some parents didn’t appreciate his permanent scowl, claiming that he didn’t have the proper attitude, but Sugawara-san was there, all smiles and cute mole, to get them off his case. If he could personally pick, he would much rather be working with a cooler animal, maybe in the reptile room with Iwaizumi-san, that wasn’t the case though. There weren’t any dogs at the zoo, but Kyoutani was an all around animal lover so he could easily overlook that and the more time he spent with goats and llamas, the cuter they appeared to him. Not to mention, his placement was also a lot better than freezing your ass off in the Arctic zone like Yahaba was.
“Kyouken, you can go on your break now.” Sugawara-san informed him. Kyoutani wanted to tell him that he actually wasn’t a fan of the nickname, but Oikawa-san used it so often, it stuck, just like how everyone called Ushijima-san, Ushiwaka. Kyoutani realized he was standing their awkwardly when he noticed Sugawara’s eyebrows raised. “Do you need something?”
“W-where’s the concession stand?” He was told that a lot of employees spent their breaks there since you get free food, but he doesn’t go on a tour of the zoo until tomorrow, and he’s only been working here for a couple of days. Sugawara smiled, almost blinding Kyoutani and explained in detail how Kyoutani could get there. He thanked his coworker and trainer, he had a lot of respect for Sugawara, before washing his hands and leaving the petting zoo area.
The walk to the concession stand was quick, like Sugawara had said and coming up to the food stand, Kyoutani saw the huge line and wanted to turn back around, but then he remembered the second part of Sugawara’s instructions. Knock on the back door three times. Kyoutani did that, and was surprised when it opened, but instantly relaxed when he saw who opened it. “Kyoutani-kun.” Iwaizumi greeted, moving to the side and ushering Kyoutani inside, “Is this your first time here? Usually people just knock once and barge in.” Kyoutani just nodded his head, and Iwaizumi patted him on the back, “Well, I’ll introduce you. That is Yaku Morisuke, he went to Nekoma, so I don’t think you’re familiar with each other. He was their libero. Yaku, this is a new hire from my old school, Kyoutani Kentarou.”
“Nice to finally meet the famous Kyouken.” Yaku teased before going back to work, taking orders from the service window and collecting money.
“You probably remember Daichi, right?”
“Right.” Kyoutani said and Sawamura smiled, stopping his work on preparing orders.
“So, would you like something to eat?” Sawamura asked.
“Y-yes. What are the options?”
“Here,” Iwaizumi said giving Kyoutani a laminated menu with all the options available, “You can look over that, but today I’ll order for you. Let me get two special zoo dogs.” Sawamura nodded and went back to work. Kyoutani looked over the menu.
“Zoo dogs aren’t on the menu.” He mumbled more to himself than anyone else in the small cramped kitchen.
“It’s an employee only special, started by Bokuto. He calls it the everything-Bokuto-loves-and-cares-about hotdog, but we call it zoo dog for short. It’s every hotdog topping option all on one, super messy to eat, but delicious nevertheless. You’re new here, so you have to try it at least once. It’s tradition.” Iwaizumi explained, “come with me, we’ll wait out back and give these two some space to do their job. Daichi will bring it out to us.” Iwaizumi said ushering Kyoutani back out the backdoor, Kyoutani placing the menu down on a clean surface before going through the threshold.
“Have you been on tour of the zoo yet?” Iwaizumi asked.
“No, I’m supposed to go tomorrow with Sugawara-san.”
“Oh, okay. How are you getting along with Suga? Being respectful I hope.” Iwaizumi was teasing, but Kyoutani knows he was really concerned.
“I’m being respectful. I like Sugawara-san, he’s very nice, but I witnessed one of his punches so I try to stay on his good side.”
“Good, I know the petting zoo isn’t as exciting as working with the other animals, but you’re new, and since you want to become a vet, management thought this would be a great opportunity for you to start small. I know it doesn’t seem too fair, since Kuroo is studying pharmaceuticals and he’s in the animal nursery, but everyone was placed for a reason.”
“I like the petting zoo so far.”
“That’s great! You know they’re planning on expanding it, thinking of adding a small barn with cows, chicken and even horses. That way the kids can be more hands-on, catching chickens, milking cows, riding horses. If you just wait it out, you may be promoted to take care of one of those areas or even somewhere else. The best part of working with a zoo, you’re never truly stationed in one place. Take me, for example, I work in the reptile room, yeah, but that just means I mainly study reptiles so I’m able to answer questions about them when patrolling that area. I still get play time with the other animals on Sundays since the zoo is closed and they all still need to be fed.” The back door to the kitchen opened and Sawamura came out, holding two paper baskets, with two water bottles tucked between his arms and chest. Iwaizumi quickly went over to grab the items. “Thanks, Daichi.”
“No problem, I hope you like it Kyoutani-kun.” Daichi then ducked back inside to continue working. Kyoutani looked down at the hotdog, it had every condiment imaginable as well as some sautéed vegetables, crisp lettuce and…where those French fries and onion rings? How did Bokuto come up with this recipe?
“Don’t think too much and just try it.” Iwaizumi said, nudging Kyoutani in the side before taking a bite himself. Kyoutani, although still wary, took a cautious bite, making sure to keep any fallout in the basket and not onto his uniform. After chewing and swallowing, wow.
“It is good.”
“Told you! I’ll show you the employee break room, and then I got to get back to work myself.” Iwaizumi said leading the way to a building off to the side. It had restroom facilities in the front, and Iwaizumi took him around the back, entering a code, one that Kyoutani was tested on at random by Sugawara. The door unlocked and revealed the break room.
Inside was a couch with a TV, some tables and chairs to eat at, a fridge, and a coffee machine with plenty of choices. “This is where we also hold employee meetings, which we have on Sundays. You’re welcome in here whenever you’re on break.” Kyoutani sat and chatted with Iwaizumi a bit as they finished up their meals before heading back to work.
*
The next day, Kyoutani was instructed to come in a bit earlier so Sugawara could conduct his tour. He met up with Suga in front of the main office, which was connected to the admissions booth. “Hey, ready for your tour?” Kyoutani nodded. “First, let’s put our things into our lockers.” Kyoutani knew where the employee locker room was located because that was the first place he was showed when given the job. They locked their things away, and exited again. They passed by the gift shop, which was placed by the entrance and the only exit on purpose, as explained by Suga. They continued on, “The gift shop is where Kenma works, and Akaashi too, but since Akaashi’s a film major, he’s spent most of his time in the office, editing videos for the YouTube page and manning all other social media networks. The zoo is a giant circle, so there is no technical first exhibit, its up to the guest, whether to go left or right first. We’ll go to the left, since that’s where you’re most familiar.” It was true, the petting zoo was the first thing when you went on the left path. He and Suga continued on past their exhibit and Kyoutani remembered a bit from yesterday’s venture to the concession stand. They arrived at the bird’s exhibit, which looked like a giant greenhouse from the outside. “Over here is the exotic birds, where Bokuto works. When you go in, you pass through the butterfly farm first, and then continue forward and there’s birds everywhere. They’re some cockatiels flying around, and there’s Macaws, hawks, you name it. The bigger birds are actually tied down a little when on exhibit.”
“Tied down?” Kyoutani questioned.
“It’s not what you may be thinking. There’s just a tiny strap on one foot to keep them anchored on whatever they choose to perch themselves on that day. They’re on exhibit for a bit and then Bokuto or one of the vet assistants will remove them, and take them to a special area where they can fly around freely. We tie them down on exhibit to prevent accidents from happening to the guests. Come on, there’s still a lot to show.”
They passed the Africa exhibit, where you can go on safari rides, to check out the giraffes, hippos, zebras, gazelles, etc. Suga then explained how Kai Nobuyuki drove the safari jeep and relayed the information about the animals, and how the big cats, the zoo’s lions and cheetahs, had their own exhibit enclosures. They continued on to reptile room after that. Suga explained how its probably the scariest place at the zoo, according to the kids at least. The lighting was dim, and all the snakes and lizards each had their own giant enclosures. Kyoutani also got a glimpse of Iwaizumi at work, when Suga gave him a run-through, Iwaizumi was feeding a bearded dragon some mealworms. “He really enjoys his job.” Suga explained as they left the reptile room to continue on towards the Asia exhibit.
That’s where the monkeys, tigers, and elephants were. Suga pointed out where Oikawa worked, and they continued on their way. They arrived at the concession stand, and Suga explained that he gave Kyoutani a shortcut the previous day, which explains while Kyoutani only saw swans and ducks on that journey. Past the concession stand was the rainforest exhibit with lemurs, and jaguars, and then was the animal nursery. Suga let Kyoutani stop to watch some animals through the windows. Kuroo was feeding one of the tiger cubs, and Suga explained that if Kyoutani asked, he would most likely be able to help Kuroo hand-raise the jaguar cubs that were scheduled to be born in a few weeks. When they got to the Arctic zone, Kyoutani felt his stomach jump for some odd reason. “Asahi works here with the penguins and polar bears. Your friend Yahaba was placed with him, right?” Kyoutani nodded his head although it felt weird to hear someone call Yahaba his friend.
After the Arctic zone was the aquarium, and then they completed the zoo. They headed off to the petting zoo to set up for opening.
*
Yahaba had taken his tour with Asahi already and was heading to meet up with Oikawa before his shift officially began. He decided to go the long way, in order to pass the petting zoo, and he hoped he didn’t run into anyone who would ask why he’s on this side when the monkeys are only two exhibits away from the Arctic zone. As Yahaba was passing by, Kyoutani and Sugawara were beginning their set up. He stopped to watch from afar, a little surprised when he saw Kyoutani crack what could be considered a small smile. He seemed to be getting along well with his mentor, but then again, who didn’t get along with someone as pretty and captivating as Sugawara-san?
Yahaba had a slight secret, one that only his best friend Watari was in on, and even then, he didn’t know the full details. Yahaba was already well aware that coming to finish up his degree in Tokyo, would make it seem like he was trying to follow in the footsteps of Oikawa. He could deal with people making that type of assumption. The truth was, he was only finishing up his degree in Tokyo to continue being close to Kyoutani. Why? Because he loved being in pain.
When the third years graduated, and he was the new setter and captain of the volleyball club, he became the only one that Kyoutani responded to since Iwaizumi was gone. Kyoutani didn’t give Yahaba the same ounce of respect that he did Iwaizumi, but he would calm down and stop being so reckless when Yahaba yelled at him for his lack of teamwork. During that year, Yahaba became obsessed with taming the uncontrollable, double-edged sword that was Mad Dog. The best way to tame Mad Dog was to get to know Kyoutani Kentarou. That obsession, that need to get to know Kyoutani, turned into a crush that really flourished when they entered college. Kyoutani intrigued Yahaba. He was a challenge to get close to, and Yahaba loved challenges.
When he heard that Kyoutani was switching schools in efforts to study veterinary medicine, he had to switch too. In fact, when Kyoutani caught on that both he and Yahaba were being transferred, he was suspicious but extended an olive branch to him. Kyoutani’s father even gave Yahaba a ride and helped him settle into his dorm since his own parents were too busy and couldn’t get off of work. Thanks to the close relationship that he kept with Oikawa, and the close relationship Kyoutani kept with Iwaizumi, they were able to get a job here at the zoo. Kyoutani even started replying to Yahaba’s text messages more, and Yahaba figured maybe moving here was a good idea. They both were in a completely new environment, and only knew each other and their upper classman who had a friend circle of their own. Thanks to that friend circle though, they were able to meet some same-age friends like Akaashi, Kenma and Yamamoto.
Yahaba stopped watching Kyoutani from afar, and continued on his way to meet Oikawa. When he got there, Oikawa was cutting apples to set in the exhibit. “Hi Oikawa-san.”
“Yahaba-kun, come help me cut these apples.” Oikawa said patting the bench next to him, where Yahaba went to take a seat, “How are you enjoying zoo life so far?”
“It’s interesting…”
“The polar bears are more fun than you think, aren’t they?”
“I don’t do much; the focus is more on the penguin eggs.”
“It’s always exciting when we have successful births at the zoo.”
“I would have never pegged you as an animal lover.”
“I’m hurt, Yahaba. I’m great with animals!” Oikawa said, cleaning up his prep area a bit, “Come help me place these.”
“Am I allowed to?”
“Of course. Now, hurry, the lemurs won’t feed themselves.”
Oikawa led him to the exhibit, instructing him to just place the apples in random places so the lemurs could find them on their own, along with something about enrichment. Yahaba knew he would do similar things for the polar bears. Asahi explained how they sometimes froze their foods into solid blocks throw into their pools so the bears could swim and catch their own food. They did the same whenever fresh fish were available.
After setting up the apples, he helped Oikawa let the lemurs free to roam the exhibit, watching them run around in search for the food. One lemur actually found an apple, running over to hand it to Oikawa. “No, you eat it.” Oikawa stated, laughing when the lemur then began to munch away. “I helped Kuroo raise him when the zoo first opened, and we used to play around a lot.” Oikawa explained, before telling Yahaba that it was time to leave.
“So, Kuroo-san raises all the animals?”
“Most of them, but if it’s an animal in our exhibit, we get to help since we’re more knowledgeable. Have you been studying?”
“A little…”
“You should really get on that, Yahaba!”
“I know, I think I need help though. The facts aren’t sticking, and Azumane-san is going to test me at the end of the week.” Yahaba explained and Oikawa thought over his words.
“Why not ask one of our vets? Or one of your friends? I’m sure they won’t mind.”
“Maybe…”
Yahaba chatted with Oikawa for a bit more, before he had to head to his exhibit to work.
*
“You’re free to go on your break now.” Sugawara told Kyoutani. Kyoutani then thanked him, washed his hands, and left the petting zoo. He decided to take the long way to the concession stand, to look around the zoo more and catch glimpses of the animals. When he passed the bird exhibit, he saw Bokuto standing outside, a parrot resting on his shoulder. He was talking to a small crowd of people, probably informing them about the animal. He continued walking, noticing Yaku talking to Kai outside the safari ride gates. He remembered Suga telling him how all the employees got along really well, and along with the animals, it was almost like they were a huge family. He then began to wonder if he would ever fit in to that family.
When he knocked on the back door of the concession stand, he was greeted by Sawamura. “Come in.” Sawamura instructed, so Kyoutani did as he was told, looking around. Kuroo was the only one in here besides Sawamura, which explained why he saw Yaku talking to Kai. “So, what will it be today?”
“Chicken…” Kyoutani mumbled it, but Sawamura heard him loud and clear. He began to prepare some for Kyoutani.
“Have you met Kuroo?” Sawamura asked, making conversation.
“No… but I’ve heard about him.”
“Iwaizumi told me how you’re interested in becoming a veterinarian. Is that right?” Kuroo questioned, and Kyoutani felt his cheeks get a little hot.
“Y-yes.”
“If there’s ever an animal that you want to learn more about, and want to help raise, let me know. I can always use some help in the nursery.”
“That’s very kind of you Kuroo.” Sawamura said and Kyoutani just nodded.
“I’m a kind person, Daichi, how many times must I tell you that?”
Sawamura rolled his eyes, and handed Kyoutani some chicken bits, fresh from the fryer, “Anything else?”
“Water…please.”
Once Sawamura handed Kyoutani a water bottle, he thanked him and left the concession stand, heading to the break room to eat in peace. He entered the code, then entered the room, looking around for anyone. He found Yahaba sitting at the table, eating one of the zoo dogs. “Oh, hi…” Yahaba greeted when he noticed Kyoutani take a seat across from him, “Have you tried one of these? They’re surprisingly really good.”
“Yeah, yesterday.”
Yahaba peeked at Kyoutani’s food, “Chicken, of course. Is that all you ever eat?”
“Shut up.” There was no bite to the statement, and Kyoutani looked everywhere but Yahaba’s face.
“How’s work?”
“Good.”
“Is it fun?”
“Goats chew on everything. There’s been a lot of times where they’ll chew on someone’s shirt, or shorts, even hair.”
“That’s kind of funny.”
“Yeah.”
“Do you have tests?” Yahaba then asked randomly, picking at the last bit of his hotdog. He lost his appetite because he was getting nervous, sitting here alone with Kyoutani. Crushes were so bothersome at times.
“Tests?”
“Yeah, Azumane-san is going to test me on my knowledge of polar bears at the end of the week. I’m a little worried. What if I fail? Will I lose my job or be moved to another exhibit?”
“Oh, I memorized my fact sheet the first night, so I didn’t need to be tested.” Kyoutani admitted, stuffing chicken in his mouth, and trying to not blush. He always got flustered whenever questioned about anything related to animals. He knew a lot about them, and was always worried someone who judge or try to prove one of his facts wrong. It was silly, but he couldn’t help it. Yahaba also kept looking at him, and he suddenly felt like he was on exhibit.
“The first night!?”
“Yeah, and Kuroo-san offered to let me choose an animal to help him raise. I’m going to ask Yamamoto for the tiger fact sheet later. I think I’ll memorize that before asking to help raise the cubs in the nursery.”
“Is it really that easy for you to memorize animal facts?”
“They interest me… just like volleyball, so I don’t mind.”
“D-do, you think you can help me?” The question made Kyoutani finally look Yahaba in the eyes, both of their cheeks turning red immediately.
“I—sure.” The door to the break room opened, causing both boys to break eye contact and stare down at their food. Kenma entered, face stuck in one of his games along with Akaashi, who was holding onto a cup of tea.
“My break is almost over. I-I’ll see you around.” Yahaba said quickly standing up and leaving the break room, mumbling a greeting to Akaashi and Kenma on his way out.
“Akaashi? Do you know where I can get a copy of the polar bear fact sheet?” Kyoutani asked, still staring down at his half eaten chicken.
“You can stop by the gift shop after your shift. I’ll have a copy printed for you.” Kyoutani nodded his head as thanks, stuffing a few more chicken bits into his mouth before heading back to work too.