Chapter Text
"im not done yet, please kiss my neck"
"lets go for another round"
"i hate what the song is about.."
The music hummed into your ears through your headphones as you continued your walk to school. you were early, of course you were. it would be impossible not to.
Because as an all A's student, being late sounded ridiculous. Little miss perfect, as they all say.
Exams were over, the semester was almost finished too, and you just couldnt WAIT to see what score you landed this time. But.. as you approached the campus, you saw the one person you prayed to not encounter today, nor, any other day.
"sucks seeing you here, Y/N." The familiar voice snickered as they spoke. damn it, it was so obvious who it was.
Tsukishima Kei.
Your annoying, academic rival. The same guy who beats you every single exam, every single damn event.
"you think i dont feel the same?" you grumbled out, your head turning behind you to confirm that it was that brat.
Of course it was. Gosh, did the universe have to put you to in the same school?? You'd rather have your head pop off by a volleyball moving at 40 miles per hour than deal with him.
You continued your walk towards the school, swiftly turning your head straightforward, rolling your eyes as your grip on your backpack tightened at the realization he isnt going to leave you alone anytime soon.
"hey, dont be such a grumpy loser. and also, i think i already know whos gonna top this time." Tsukishima grinned. Although you couldnt see his stupid face, you could already sense the idiots expression.
Your pace quickened as you moved, not daring to glance his way as you marched your way into the building infront of you.
"will you please just shut up.." You grumbled once more, already in a bad mood from the mere thought of him being near you.
...
Wow, he actually shut up, for once.
"what are you listening to?"
..Nevermind damn it. wouldnt you like to know, weather boy.
"cologne, by beabadoobee."
You responded, a mix of fake calm and forced tolerance in your tone. You sighed audibly, pulling out your phone to try and distract yourself from the loud- mouthed sarcastic creature behind you, moving quicker to get away from the annoying thing.
but unfortunately, giraffes can run without losing their balance.
He quickly caught up, unfortunately, somehow already infront of you as he tilted his body to look your direction, flicking your forehead before smirking and speeding off.. the damn brat doesnt even need to run. how the hell??
"unlike you ill be early to class, see ya" Tsukishima stated as he walked off, and like he said, getting there before you.
you murmured silently to yourself, turning your gaze back towards your device, eyebrows furrowed out of annoyance.
"stupid Kei.. ugh."
Youre so gonna beat his ass this quarter.
"baby just leave the scent of your cologne,"
"leave the scent of your cologne"
you finally made it to the classroom, after walking for what felt like forever. still, you were early. but, unfortunately, not earlier than the one and only Tsukishima Kei, after that stupid move he pulled earlier.
you unplugged your headphones, the song turning audible for others for a quick second before you shut off the music completely.
"really? the same song? jeez, do you have any taste in music?" you heard a voice behind you, the familiarity not giving you any comfort. Yep, its that prick, with his sarcastic, dumb tone.
"yeah yeah shut up, I bet the only thing you listen to is some performative alex g songs." you muttered, sliding your phone into pocket. your eyes met his, before you decided to set your things down near your seat, and sit down.
"yeah actually, ive got better music taste than just that, better than you definitely.." Tsukishima responded, voice already filled with teasing.
"yeah sure whateverr youu sayy buddy.." you responded, resting your head on your palm.
"ohh so you dont believe me?" Tsukishima questioned.
"hm." He hummed out, staring at you a second too long, too.. intently? who knows, and who cares.
"what?" You answered.
"nothing. just.. thought of something." He responded, a little more quiet than usual.
Tsukishima set his headphones aside, walking away from your desk towards his near the classrooms window, waiting for class to actually start. other classmates of yours were arriving now, chatter finally filling up what was then, a quiet room.
Gosh.. Tsukishima was getting on your nerves, more and more, each day. He was lucky you didnt choose to ruin your reputation, nah, you would do anything but that.
that didnt matter though, not as much as your goal. your only focus right now is being the best, or at least good enough to beat that smirk off of that blondies face−and more specifically by surpassing his stupidly high scores.
just you wait, Kei.
because whether you like it or not, im passing you, damn it.
"This quarters project will be grouped by two, alright, class?"
The words snapped you out of your trance.. or slumber.
A few minutes ago, you were writing down notes as always. listening intently, eyes stuck to the presentation infront of you, like the goody two shoes you are, and then suddenly..
boom.
You fell asleep mid- lesson, snoozing, completely knocked out. You dont know why, because you've never just lost focus during classes.. You've even managed to strive at a three hour sleep schedule for a week once just to study better! gosh, no wonder you're falling behind Kei, ya cant even keep your eyes open!
But also, on the other hand, A partnered project. well great, that was definitely exactly what you needed to enjoy your life.
You werent great with partnered projects, actually, you hated them extravagantly, because you knew damn well that half of the time, you were gonna be doing all the work while they strive on you for being a honor student. In simpler terms, you thought groupings were trash.
If you could choose, you'd do it solo all the time. But nooo.. The majority votes to be able to skip working by using smarter people to pass.. Gosh, it was frustrating, Theres no way it could get possibly worse.. right??
"The pairs are chosen randomly, so do not complain if you get somebody you do not want." The teacher stated, before turning the presentations slide onto one which appeared to be the selection of everyones partner.
You searched for your name throughout every row, praying you dont get someone you despise, only to be met with an unfortunate, stupid grouping.
"Tsukishima And L/N"
The two names sat beside eachother on the screen, your eyes going wide as you re-read the sentence, flabbergasted.
Oh. my god. this is worse than a lazy person. great, just great! paired with the one person who you swear you'll throw off a moving bus one day!
Ohh.. you were so ready to scream and beg for a change. Gosh, you would rather take an idiot than his smart ass! Your mouth opened, getting ready to stand up from your seat.
but, unfortunately, before you could protest the chosen project groupings, your teacher HAD to know what you both were thinking.
"No, there is not a possibility i will change these groupings. Either you deal with it, or fail the both of you." They stated before you could, leaving your mouth agape, the look on their face making it feel like they're resisting the urge to eye the both of you.
That response felt like it was targeting you, ouch..
You slowly sat back down, a small groan leaving your lips as you rubbed your temples. This is so.. stupid. Your eyes looked around the room, before landing on him, with his stupid sly grin already there, already looking at you. Ugh, you're so gonna kill him.
Your eyebrows furrowed, turning your head back towards the teacher, as a sorry attempt to ignore the frustrating feeling of annoyance. a sigh leaving your lips as the lesson continued, tapping your pencil against the desk.
This was going to be sooo annoying.
well, atleast your getting your scores, and grades today?
Once the class had finished up, you picked up your lunch, left, and went straight for the library. You needed a break, real damn bad. Because in all the honesty you can possibly give, or portray, there was no worse fate than having to deal with a volleyball player like Kei. Hes a nuisance, a lazy genius, a dude with literally no motivation but making you scream out of rage.
gosh, it was hard to handle. really.. really hard.
There, in that library, you studied your notes and books, ate your lunch, and then, once again..
snore.
ya fell asleep. again.
You needed it, ofcourse, you always do, but usually, you handle not being able to sleep for unnatural periods of time quite well. Damn, i guess the universe is telling you to actually manage your sleep schedule properly instead of overwhelming that big brain of yours with so much.
Anyways, mid nap, you HAD to get interrupted by an annoying presence.Somebody flicked your forehead, and you already knew who.
You slowly leaned back into the chair you were sitting in, the one where you kinda.. fell face flat onto the library table, snored, drooled, and slept so good you nearly soaked your papers.
after.. what looks like you trying to not fall asleep once more, you faced, once again, Tsukishima kei, right infront of you, and AGAIN, with a dumb little grin on his face.
"Oi, didnt know you took naps.. and drooled like a baby during them." Tsukishima snickered, crossing his arms as he looked down at you.
Your eyebrows furrowed, half lid eyes still processing whats going on, squinting in confusion. You looked extremely messed up. Hair everywhere, dried drool still visible, eyes barely managing to keep itself open for your sake, and before your even fully awake, your getting pissed of because of this little roach following your every location.
"im sorry- why are you here? kinda creepy that your everywhere i go, stalker.."you murmur through your visible attempts to not fall into slumber, rubbing your eyes. gosh, why cant he leave you alone? if i didnt know any better, id think hes a creepy stalker!
"can you chill out?" Tsukishima answered, raising an eyebrow as he smirked. "I came here because I wanted quiet. But since your here, lets discuss the project." He stated, casually taking a seat across from you, his eyes landed on your droopy, tired once, a small huff escaping his lips, sounding a bit too much like a supressed laugh.
"fine.. fine." You responded, crossing your arms and leaning them on the desk as you stared back at him. "well, if we're going to talk about that, heres the thing i wanna do." Your eyes turned towards your notes, displaying it towards him."So, since we're doing a physics project, specifically about creating a diagram for it, i want you to get the materials. And, even though i hate this idea, Lets meet at your house to create it." You grumbled the last bit, obviously wanting to stop yourself.
"wow, how bold of you, Y/N, asking to head to my house?" He teased, a snicker or two leaving his lips.
"Just shut up, and do what i told ya to, Kay?" You respond, bossy, tired, and done with all of this 'groupmate' stuff."thats all im discussing. Go hang out with your friends, or something and leave me be." You requested after a sigh, ready to go back into that nap.
"Well alright, since you're being so grumpy, ill leave you be." He answers, taking his stuff and standing up to leave. "Bye, Little miss perfect." His voice is a whisper, only loud enough for your ears, just enough to upset you further. thats what you think your feeling. He walks off, pride in his grin as he puts his hands in his pockets.
That damn blonde. curse him and his big head.
and also, curse that damn teacher for making you pair up with him.
Later that day, after lunch, your next period happened to be the one you were both excited for, and fearing the most out of everything today.
its time for your scores to be given out.
You entered class, a sigh leaving your lips as you set your stuff infront of you and sat on your desk, patiently waiting for your teacher. Across from you, sitting on the other side while gazing out the window, was Tsukishima. He looked still, soft, not with that teasing attitude and annoying smirk. Honestly, you wouldnt mind him being higher than you if he was like that all the time. Just..
wait, no. scratch that thought.
Because your rival is not one to think of that way. You have to ignore him, show him you hate his guts, not compliment him inside of your thoughts just because hes cute. Nope. Ignore that thought.
It was really annoying having to deal with him anyway. You dont understand why you're thinking this, you cant. Usually, you'd be damn disappointed in yourself for giving him a "good job". Why are you acting like this now? maybe all this forced talking messed with your brain.
...
"Ignore it."
The words repeated inside your head, persistent, begging.
"But damn, id be a liar if i said he.. didnt have potential. Hes not that rude.. i guess. If he didnt act so prideful and showed some humility maybe id tolerate him a tad bit more." you thought.
"Ignore it."
now, it echoed louder.
"Maybe hes a bit cute. Or maybe im being tricked by something, gosh. But.. he knows not to go too far, i guess? kinda.." you thought again.
Ignore-
Suddenly, your thoughts got interrupted by the sound of your class greeting your teacher, making you realize how long you've been zoning out.
while thinking about him, too?
no. nope. cant be happening.
You would never, right? thats not like you at all!
..At this point, ignore. it. for real.
...
"Alright, everyone, so as you know, you are all getting your exam scores today. i believe that you all will be very happy.. since this semester, you all passed, congrats." The teacher explained, a small smile in their usually stern expression.
well thats new.
Your eyebrow raised. "Happy? about my score? Nope. Not unlesss... I beat Kei this semester. thats the only thing that'll fix my mood, prolly, maybe? gosh- i dont know anything today." Your thoughts whispered, making you sigh.
Before you knew it, the papers were already being handed out.
"Alright, first of all, Tsukishima." The teacher called out, making their way to his desk with papers in their hand. Once they handed his out to him, He grinned, glancing your direction. Not you were looking at him first to notice, anyway.
Name after name, it was finally your turn, since being at the complete opposite side of Kei meant being last. You held back crying, and cheering in anticipation, eyes stuck on the last paper.
"And, finally, L/N." The teacher sighed audibly, knowing that look on your face all too well. Theyre praying you dont go absolutely ballistic, nor crazily happy about your score.
...
Holy hell.
98/100, A+
You prayed hard that it was higher, prayed SO damn hard, and for the love of God, may it be the highest in the class. You held back screams as you re-read the score over and over again, a smile on your face.
..im winning this.
finally.
"Since you've all gotten your papers, I think it would be fine if i announced The top 3. Congrats to these people." The teacher spoke once more, eyes darting between you and Kei like they knew what would happen.
That sentence made your heart pound Hard, horrified, eyes wide as you gulped down nervously.
"Third.. R/N. You did well." They spoke again, the class erupting with claps and cheers. Meanwhile, Kei and I were glancing at eachother, nervous, competitive, And so damn ready to take the first place spot.
"Second.."
A pause.
A long, infuriating pause.
The teacher glance at the two of us, giving me time to think.
And you did think, so damn hard. "What will i do when i fail? do I tease if I dont? do i say 'until next time' if not?" Thoughts flooded your head, worry pounding in your chest, the taste of competition with someone bitter on your tongue, as you fidgeted with your hands.
And finally, they spoke.
"Tsukishima Kei, You've earned second place." The teacher stated, a small, barely visible smirk on their face. they knew what was going on. A fire in both of our chests, a fire to compete, to strive for the winner's chair.
His eyes widened, glanced at me, his mouth agape.
you didnt know how to react, nor how he'd react. "Would he cry? Would he be upset? that would make me so giddy and happy, id jump down a balcony through a damn trampoline." your mind whispered.
Wait, would it? would it make you happy?
Gosh, if it werent for those thoughts.
Before you could think too hard about these things, you heard your name called out.
"And, finally first, highest scored, Y/N L/N. You've done great." They spoke, again, making all the upset, worried feeling in your chest go away in one, relaxing exhale. Tsukishimas eyes landed on yours, wide, still processing, and then..
He smirked. Like, actually smirked even after losing to you, a small huff leaving his nose. The world around you both stopped, somehow giving you an opportunity to hear him mumble, even through the classes cheers and claps.
"until next time, y/n."
Gosh, you could hear him snickering. 'until next time'?? You didnt know how to feel. proud? was that even a compliment?? should you feel humbled or something?
Or maybe you did feel something, you just couldnt name it, couldnt you?
You turned your head back to the front, ignoring the new pounding in your chest. no, it wasnt competitive, it felt weird. odd. different. The kind of different that made you feel odd.
you just won against Kei, be proud.
thats what you wanted. dont earn feelings you dont understand.
...
sigh.
Later that day, after school, while making you way out the campus you saw him in the halls, headphones on, scrolling on his phone with his usual unfazed expression.
And for some reason, you walked faster, to catch up to him this time. Unusual, right? usally you'd avoid his ass.
You pretended it was accidental, you didnt notice him there. why were you doing this anyway? damn it, it was all too confusing. Stop. Thinking. So much. Gosh, you keep doing that today.
Quietly, you made him aware of your presence, a cough escaping your lips as you glanced away from his direction. You looked out the window, gaze gentle as you pretended to not take interest to talking to him.
"Ahem-" You started, your grip on your backpack gentle. "Uh, good job, i guess.. good luck next time- not more luck than me though." You tried to be nice, you dont get why you were, you just.. did. It felt odd, respecting him. Gosh, why are you switching up so much today?
His eyes glanced your way, acknowledging your arrival to the free space beside him as he walked, an eyebrow raising. "Well, good job to you, but.. your still dumber than me, midget." He teased. There it is. that energy that pissed you damn off my feet.
"what- hey?? im trying to be nice ya damn giraffe??" You argued back, head turning his way just to see a stupid smirk on his face once more, a snicker leaving his lips as he stared back at you.
"Yeah sure, acting like you didnt just mutter 'not luckier than me thoughh!!' like you were cursing my ass." He responded in a mocking tone, chuckling. but his eyes stayed weirdly focused on you, more than usual.
You didnt respond to that one, he caught you red handed anyway.
"uhm, well- anyways. about the project, ill.. meet ya tomorrow, after school, library. we'll plan when to go to your house then." You mumbled, eyebrows furrowed as you squinted your eyes, staring at him with a warning glare that said 'dont say any stupid tease shit.'
"mhm, yeah ill see ya then, number one." Tsukishima responded. Number one? thats new. usually its some stupid 'shorter than him' joke.
"Is this your way of coping after losing against me?" You responded, unfazed, groaning as you looked away.
"Nope." He smirked, scheming something already. "Oh, Fun fact, giraffes can move faster than midgets run, Y/N.."
You turned his way once more, knowing damn well hes up to no good.
"See ya, Y/N, gotta go." He grinned to himself, running off as you walked silently, making you roll your eyes.
He walked out of sight, making you sigh. its fine, you didnt want him there anyway. You swore you didnt want him close, never did.
right?
Later, at night, you layed in bed, cheek pressed against your pillow as you stare at the floor, thinking, real hard. About how you felt, about the things you were thinking earlier, about the stupid need you had to compliment Tsukishima Kei. You werent usually like that, so why? why waste your time on making an enemy proud?
Gosh, how about you waste your thoughts on something else, Y/N. Something worth thinking about.
Dont worry about a man like him. Dont think about his dumb face, dont compliment him just because "you feel like it". thats not you, you're not like that.
Or, maybe, you werent like that. Not until now, but who knows, who cares.
...
Once again, you put on your headphones, drifting away to your long awaited, extremely needed, sleep. You have to ignore whatever.. sick stuff your imagining, Y/N. Its not worth it, just focus on your damn academics.
"You're in my head.."
♪
"You're in my head.."