Work Text:
🐱 Nekoma Volleyball Club Official 🐱
Yamamoto: listen. i need an official vote before i lose my mind.
Yamamoto: does cereal count as soup?
Yaku: It’s almost midnight.
Yaku: No.
Lev: wait wait think about it though !!
Lev: what if you microwave the milk first so it’s warm?
Yaku: Still no. Go to sleep, Lev.
Yamamoto: you can’t just say no without proof yaku-san !!
Fukunaga: proof: bowl
Kai: The bowl thing doesn't count. A bowl can hold rice too, and no one calls rice soup.
Yamamoto: look at that, kai-san joined the chat and made my brain hurt even worse
Kuroo: Honestly cereal is only soup if you use a totally useless, huge definition of soup.
Kenma: that’s just a lot of big words to hide that you secretly agree with yamamoto.
Kuroo: I literally called the definition useless, Kenma.
Kenma: whatever you say, soup boy.
Lev: YES !! so cereal is soup !!
Yaku: Literally nobody said that.
Lev: i’m telling my sister i’m having crunchy breakfast soup tomorrow 🥣✨
Yamamoto: don't you dare say that out loud again
Fukunaga: milk gazpacho
Yamamoto: FUKUNAGA PLEASE STOP IM BEGGING U 😭
Yaku: I am muting this chat for the next eight hours.
Lev: wait yaku-san don't leave yet look at this !!
Lev: i found a weird link on the volleyball forums 💀
Lev: [Link: MatchRadar_AI]
Lev: it scans your text history and tells you your exact compatibility score
Yaku: It’s a scam link, Lev. You’re gonna get a virus.
Lev: no it actually works !! i scanned our direct messages 😭
Lev: [Image attached: 0.1% Compatibility — Highly Toxic. Warning: One of you sends way too many dumb texts. The other only responds with threats of violence.]
Yaku: Wow.
Yaku: The app is actually perfect.
Yaku: Delete my number, Lev.
Yamamoto: WAIT A SEC
Yamamoto: can you scan people who aren't in the group ??
Yamamoto: because i have the number of the girl from the family mart down the street
Yamamoto: the one who gave me three extra napkins with my pork bun yesterday
Kuroo: Taketora, please don't do this to yourself. Save your remaining dignity.
Yamamoto: i am doing it anyway !!! you cannot stop my romantic destiny !!!
Yamamoto: [Typing...]
Yamamoto: [Image attached: 3.4% Compatibility — Purely Transactional. Warning: The target was just doing her job. Please leave her alone.]
Yamamoto: BRO THE AI IS ROASTING MY ENTIRE LIFE IM CRYING FOR REAL 😭😭😭
Fukunaga: [Image attached: A single wet paper towel left abandoned on the gym floor]
Fukunaga: rip in pieces
Kuroo: LMAOOOOOO you got absolutely destroyed by a computer program, i am actually losing it 🫵😂
Yamamoto: SHUT UP KUROO U DONT HAVE REAL RIZZ EITHER
Yamamoto: you only text people about blocking practice and chemistry facts
Lev: oh !! kuroo-san try it with kenma-san !!
Lev: you guys have like ten years of texts on your phones !!!
Kuroo: Nah, these automated apps are total garbage. It's completely fake.
Yaku: Why are you dodging it, Kuroo?
Yaku: Is the captain actually scared of a math app? 🐔
Kuroo: excuse me ?? who are you calling a chicken ??
Kuroo: fine, watch this. it’s gonna be a flat zero percent anyway.
Kuroo: @Kenma wake up and send the code the app just texted you
Kenma: why are you tagging me. i’m in the middle of a boss fight.
Kuroo: just give me the numbers so I can prove the app is broken and yaku shuts up
Kenma: 7741
Kenma: do not text me again tonight.
Kuroo: bet. loading the texts now.
Kuroo: [Typing...]
Kuroo: wait what the hell
Yamamoto: YOOOOO WHY DID THE CHAT BACKGROUND JUST CHANGE COLOR ??
Lev: TELL ME YOU SEE THE BRIGHT PINK ACCENTS TOO 💥💥💥
Kuroo: [Image attached: A screen completely covered in huge digital hearts and bold pink text. 98.7% Compatibility — SOULMATES. Warning: Total linguistic dependency detected. You guys are inseparable. Outlier status.]
Kuroo: ...
Kuroo: yeah, the server is completely broken. obviously.
Yaku: 98.7% ?!?!?!??
Yaku: Kuroo, that isn't a score, that’s basically a marriage license LMAO.
Yamamoto: WHAT THE HELL ?????? 🤯
Yamamoto: THAT IS HIGHER THAN ANYONE ELSE ALIVE
Fukunaga: 👀🍿
Lev: KUROOKEN IS OFFICIAL OVER THE INTERNET !!!
Kuroo: everyone chill, it’s just a glitch because we’ve lived next door to each other since we were kids
Kuroo: right @Kenma ?
Kuroo: it’s just a standard bug lol
Kenma: [Read 12:15 AM]
Yamamoto: NO HE DID NOT LMAOOOOO 💀💀💀
Yamamoto: HE LOOKED AT THE 98.7% AND IMMEDIATELY GHOSTED YOU
Lev: kuroo-san just got rejected by an app algorithm 😭😭😭
Kuroo: he didn’t ghost me, his phone probably just died while he was gaming, shut up
Yaku: It says 'Read', you idiot.
Yaku: He saw the data, decided he wanted out of this reality, and closed the window.
Fukunaga: [Image attached: A wet cat staring blankly out a window into the dark]
Fukunaga: rough night.
Kuroo: FUKUNAGA I SWEAR TO GOD NOT YOU TOO
Yamamoto: so like... when are we buying the wedding suits, captain?
Yamamoto: am i the best man or what?
Lev: I VOLUNTEER TO BRING THE RINGS 💍🏃♂️💨
Yaku: Lev, you don't even know where your feet are half the time. You’d drop the rings down a drain.
Yaku: Give the job to Kai. He’s the only one with actual calm energy.
Inuoka: double congratulations kuroo-san !!! 🥳🎉🔥
Kuroo: INUOKA STOP THERE IS NO WEDDING
Kuroo: @Kenma bro log back in and tell them they’re being stupid
Kuroo: kenma please.
Kenma: [Read 12:22 AM]
Yamamoto: THE SECOND READ RECEIPT IS UNMATCHED DISRESPECT 😭😭😭😭
Lev: kuroo-san is definitely staring at the ceiling crying right now
Kuroo: I am literally staring at my wall and I am completely fine.
Kuroo: I’m turning off my wifi. Goodbye.
💬 Private Message: Kuroo ➡️ Kenma 💬
Kuroo: kenma
Kuroo: come on, are you really gonna leave me hanging like that in front of the team?
Kenma: [Read 12:28 AM]
Kuroo: ok this is getting ridiculous 💀
Kuroo: it’s just a stupid app lev found on some random corner of the internet
Kuroo: you know how he is
Kenma: i’m not doing anything.
Kuroo: you ignored me twice in the group chat and now taketora won't stop texting me wedding registry memes
Kenma: then just mute the chat, kuroo.
Kuroo: why are you acting like this is my fault though ??
Kuroo: i didn’t make the app flash pink hearts lol
Kenma: i’m not blaming you.
Kuroo: you’re using periods and short sentences. you only do that when you’re mad or trying to make me leave your room.
Kuroo: did i actually do something wrong?
Kenma: no.
Kuroo: then just post a quick 'lol fake' in the group so they shut up
Kenma: because maybe it isn't fake.
Kuroo: ...
Kuroo: wait, what?
Kenma: ignore it.
Kenma: go to sleep, kuroo.
Kuroo: kenma hold on a second
Kuroo: what do you mean by 'maybe it isn't fake' ???
Kuroo: [Typing...]
Kuroo: kenma ???
Kenma: [Read 12:35 AM]
Kuroo: hey
Kuroo: are you actually asleep?
Kuroo: because my brain is running a million miles an hour right now
Kuroo: what did you mean by that?
Kuroo: kenma i’m losing my mind here
Kuroo: do you actually think about us... like that?
Kuroo: whatever, nevermind
Kuroo: i’ll just ask you at morning practice
🐱 Nekoma Volleyball Club Official 12 Hours Later 🐱
Lev: is it just me or is the gym freezing today 🥶
Yamamoto: it’s not the weather lev
Yamamoto: it’s the aura
Yamamoto: the vibe is completely bricked
Yaku: They haven't said a single word to each other since morning stretch.
Yaku: Kuroo didn't even do his annoying 'we are the blood' speech today.
Yaku: He just stood there staring at the clipboard for ten minutes without moving.
Fukunaga: [Image attached: Two stray cats sitting on opposite sides of a wall staring into space]
Fukunaga: breakdown.
Inuoka: i tried to toss a ball to kenma-san earlier and kuroo-san ran across the court to catch it for him but neither of them even made eye contact 😭
Inuoka: did the app actually break their friendship ???
Kai: Let’s give them some space, everyone. They probably just need to talk it out.
Yamamoto: NO WAY KAI-SAN
Yamamoto: the captain looks like he’s mourning a loss and kenma is setting the ball so hard my hands are burning
Yamamoto: ONE SHITTY LINK TOTALLY DESTROYED OUR TEAM DRILLS
Lev: @Kuroo @Kenma guys i’m so sorry please don’t be mad 😭
Lev: i’ll delete the link from my phone history i swear !!!
Kuroo: Nobody is mad, Lev.
Kuroo: Focus on your blocking footwork.
Yaku: Kuroo, you are literally typing that from the bench while staring directly at the back of Kenma’s head.
Yaku: Walk over there and fix it, you absolute coward.
Kenma: i’m packing up.
Yamamoto: KENMA WAIT THERE’S STILL TWENTY MINUTES OF PRACTICE LEFT 😭
Kenma: my stomach hurts. i’m leaving.
Lev: HE’S WALKING OUT THE DOOR 🏃♂️💨
Lev: kuroo-san what are you doing go after him !!!
Kuroo: [Read 4:25 PM]
Yaku: And there goes his clipboard onto the floor.
Yaku: He’s sprinting so fast he almost tripped over the ball cart lmao.
The loud slam of the gym doors cut through the quiet afternoon air as Kuroo burst outside. He instantly caught sight of the familiar oversized black hoodie and bleach-blonde hair halfway down the hill. Kenma was walking fast, hands shoved deep into his pockets with his big headphones clamped over his ears.
"Kenma! Wait up!"
Kenma didn’t slow down. Kuroo closed the distance in a few huge strides and gently grabbed the top strap of Kenma’s backpack to stop him. Kenma finally sighed, halting and pulling one side of his headphones down around his neck.
"What, Kuroo? I told Yaku my stomach hurts."
"Your stomach is fine," Kuroo said, panting a little as he tried to catch his breath. "You're running away. You haven't looked at me once all day, you ignored every single toss, and now you’re cutting out early."
Kenma looked down at the asphalt, kicking a loose piece of gravel with the toe of his sneaker. "Because the whole team is being annoying about that link Lev posted. I didn't want to deal with another twenty minutes of Yamamoto making dumb wedding jokes."
"It's not just the team, Kenma. It’s what you texted last night." Kuroo stepped closer, closing the gap until their shadows crossed on the path. His voice dropped, losing its usual playful edge. "You said 'maybe it isn't fake.' What am I supposed to do with that?"
Kenma kept his face buried deep in the collar of his hoodie, his hands tightening inside his pockets. "Exactly what it sounds like."
"Kenma, look at me."
Kenma slowly lifted his head. His sharp golden eyes were narrowed against the setting sun, but they were incredibly bright. "Why do I have to spell it out? You’re the one who texts me every single night. You’re the one who waits on my porch every morning. You know my exact routine better than I do. Did you honestly think all of that was just normal childhood friend stuff?"
Kuroo blinked, completely stunned. The easy, confident smirk he always wore vanished entirely. "I... I mean, yeah. I thought I was just being a reliable captain. A good friend."
"You're an idiot," Kenma muttered, a bright pink blush creeping up his neck to the tips of his ears. "A stupid phone app figured it out before you did."
"Hold on." Kuroo’s brain finally caught up, and a massive, genuinely goofy smile broke across his face. "So... you actually like me? Like, for real?"
"Shut up, Kuroo. Don't make me say it again." Kenma yanked his hood forward over his eyes, turning around to keep walking. "I'm going home."
But this time, Kuroo didn't grab his backpack. He quickly stepped up beside him, reached down, and slid his hand into Kenma's pocket, catching his fingers and locking them firmly together. Kenma went stiff for a split second, staring down at their joined hands inside the fleece fabric, before his grip tightened around Kuroo’s palm.
"I like you too, Kenma," Kuroo said softly, his voice completely real for once. "I think I’ve known it for a really long time. I was just terrified of breaking the friendship we already had."
Kenma let out a tiny, quiet breath, his shoulders finally relaxing as they walked together. "Took you long enough."
🐱 Nekoma Volleyball Club Official 🐱
Lev: guys guys guys
Lev: did the captain catch him ??
Lev: is our team still alive ?? do we have a captain ??
Yaku: Lev, shut up.
Yamamoto: CAPTAIN GIVE US AN UPDATE IMMEDIATELY MY STRESS LEVELS ARE WAY TOO HIGH
Kuroo: [Image attached: A slightly shaky photo of Kuroo smiling widely at the camera, while Kenma stands a step behind him, using a convenience store milk carton to hide his bright red face]
Kuroo: The vibe is back, boys.
Kuroo: Also, the app wasn't broken.
Yamamoto: NO WAY
Yamamoto: NO WAYYYYYYYYYYY 🤯🤯🤯
Yamamoto: THE SOULMATE APP WAS ACTUALLY REAL
Lev: THAT MEANS I GET TO BRING THE RINGS NOW 💍🏃♂️💨
Yaku: Congrats, you pair of absolute idiots.
Yaku: Kuroo, you still owe the whole squad meat buns tomorrow morning for completely ruining today's drills.
Fukunaga: [Image attached: Two cats sitting together sharing a bowl of milk]
Fukunaga: gg.
Kenma: stop texting. we are walking.
The rest of the walk toward Kenma's house was quiet, but it wasn't the heavy, sharp silence that had frozen the gymnasium.
It was soft, slow, and comfortable, matching the easy rhythm of their sneakers against the asphalt. Above them, the Tokyo sky had bruised into a deep, burning violet and orange, casting a long, warm hue over the narrow residential streets.
When they reached the old concrete footbridge crossing the neighborhood canal, Kuroo stopped. He didn't drop his grip. Instead, he pulled lightly on Kenma’s hand, a gentle anchor that brought the smaller boy to a halt right at the center of the span. Below them, the slow-moving water caught the final rays of the sunset, reflecting a shimmering, golden light across the underside of the stone arches.
"Hey," Kuroo said softly, his voice dropping an octave as he turned to face him completely.
Kenma let his headphones slide down around his neck, the soft music fading into the background of the quiet evening. He tilted his chin up. The low, warm light hit his face perfectly, catching the gold of his eyes and making them look incredibly bright, almost translucent. The flush on his cheeks hadn't faded at all since they left the school gates, and under Kuroo’s steady, unblinking gaze, the heat flared fresh across his skin.
"What?" Kenma asked quietly, shifting his weight slightly. "The temperature is dropping."
"The sky looks pretty incredible right now," Kuroo murmured. Every trace of his usual teasing cadence, the sharp armor of his sarcasm, was entirely gone. He stepped in closer, shutting out the rest of the street until their matching track jackets brushed against each other. "But you look way better."
"Stop being cheesy," Kenma whispered, his voice cracking slightly as he pulled at the edge of his hood, trying to shield his face from view. "You're embarrassing."
"I am entirely serious."
Kuroo reached up, his large, calloused palm gently cupping the side of Kenma’s face. His thumb brushed lightly over Kenma’s cheekbone, feeling the immediate, soft heat radiating against his skin. His fingers slid back into the fine strands of Kenma's bleach-blonde hair, tilting his face up just a fraction more. "Look at me, Kenma."
Kenma bit his lower lip, a tiny hesitation catching in his chest before he finally let his gaze meet Kuroo's. He looked small wrapped up in the oversized club hoodie, his shoulders slightly tense against the evening chill, but he didn't pull away from the touch. He stayed, completely grounded by the weight of Kuroo's hand.
Kuroo leaned down with deliberate slowness, offering every opportunity for Kenma to duck his head or step back into his own space. But Kenma didn't move. He simply held his breath, his long eyelashes fluttering shut as he leaned forward to close the remaining distance himself.
The kiss was brief, soft, and slightly tentative... a total contrast to the chaotic, loud energy that usually filled their text logs at midnight. It carried the faint, sweet taste of the melon milk Kenma had finished moments before, warm and entirely real. Kuroo’s fingers tightened against Kenma’s hand inside his pocket, anchoring both of them securely in the quiet evening air.
When Kuroo slowly pulled back, Kenma’s face was completely crimson, the deep color reaching all the way to the tips of his ears. Without saying a single word to break the quiet, he immediately dropped his forehead straight against Kuroo’s chest, hiding his face entirely inside the fabric of Kuroo's jacket, away from both the brilliant sunset and Kuroo’s quiet, incredibly proud smile.
"You're a massive jerk," Kenma’s muffled voice vibrated directly against his chest.
Kuroo just laughed softly, the sound low and steady in his throat. He wrapped both arms securely around Kenma’s shoulders, pulling him tight against his chest to block out the autumn wind. "Yeah, yeah. Let's get you inside, soulmate."
🐱 Nekoma Volleyball Club Official 🐱
[6:02 PM]
Kuroo: [Image attached: A photo of the brilliant orange horizon over the canal bridge, with a tiny, messy tuft of bleach-blonde hair barely visible at the bottom of the frame]
Kuroo: 10/10 evening, boys.
Kenma: delete your account immediately.