Plot: You only saw him from afar – Oikawa Tooru. He’s just perfect. He’s so kind to his fans, so hardworking, so ambitious. So unreachable. You’re fine with that though. Seeing him around was enough for you. You count yourself lucky that you were able to talk to him one time before graduation. But when university started, he was there waiting for you, and in his hand was the letter you never intended to send.
Summary: Two little friends have always desired one thing: to end up as siblings. So when the chance presented itself after a finalized divorce, who were they to decline such an opportunity to finally bring their parents together?
Pairings: Bokuto Kōtarō x f!Reader
Word Count: 2572
Warnings: Angst. Fluff. Mentions of divorce, cheating, cussing
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters portrayed in this series. Part of the @babythotshq Dearest Daddy Collab
Tags: open (send me an ask to be added!)
February 2025
“DADDY!”
Frowns fill the faces of those who look at the small girl yelling as she works her way through the sea of people to the court. Where are her parents? Riddle the faces of those around, but she pays no mind, she’s on a mission and there’s nothing that’s going to get in her way.
She screams out again, but this time stops halfway when she sees who she’s been looking for. A large smile spreads across her lips as she starts sprinting across the wooden court.
“Daddy!” She cries out once more and this time he hears her.
His round, golden eyes find her matching ones and he immediately stops whatever conversation he’s having, dropping into a squat with his arm extended outwards, just in time to catch her as she throws herself into his arms.
She wraps her arms tightly around his neck, barely allowing him room to pull her backwards just long enough for him to place a kiss on her forehead. She quickly realizes the mistake she’s made before pushing against him, telling him that he needs to shower. With a loud, hearty laugh, he puts her feet back onto the court before ruffling her hair.
“I am so sorry, Bo.” You start to apologize, “She took off and there are so many people.”
He waves you off before looking down at his daughter, who already knows what he’s going to say. “Seiko, you know better. What do you need to tell Y/N?”
“I’m sorry Y/N.” Seiko puts on her best apologetic face, poking out her bottom lip to added effect.
You laugh, shaking your head looking at the golden eyed little girl whose hair matches her mother’s brunette hair instead of Bokuto’s wild mix of colors. “Thank you, Seiko.”
Bzzzt Bzzzt Bzzzt
You slip the phone out of your back pocket before rolling your eyes at the name on your screen before pressing the side button twice; sending the caller straight to voicemail. Bokuto cocks his head to the side, having watched the whole ordeal, but before he can question your actions your son grabs his attention.
“Uncle Bo you looked so awesome!” Your son Haruki exclaims as he eagerly jumps up to give the volleyball player a high-five.
“I did, didn’t I?” Bokuto throws his head up victoriously while you and Seiko just roll your eyes.
* *
“Careful, careful. Hold on to each other!” You call out to Haruki and Seiko as they run down the sidewalk and into a small café near the stadium. It had become somewhat of a tradition to eat there after a game or at least the games you and Haruki could attend. Seiko and Haruki are still talking a mile a minute as Bo opens the door for everyone.
Sometimes you couldn’t help but wonder if they were best friends because they were born just a few months apart and raised almost like siblings or if it had anything to do with you and Bo being best friends. You had met by complete accident; you had gone to your locker to get a textbook when you saw a boy with crazy colored spiky hair trying to open it.
When you questioned what he was doing trying to open your locker, he looked completely puzzled before stating it was his. You debated it for a few moments before he handed you the paper with his locker number and combination. You pointed out his locker was in fact the one next to yours, causing him to laugh. After that every day you were greeted with a very enthusiastic ‘hey hey hey’ and were attached at the hip. That had been 16 years ago.
The four of you pile into the same booth as always with you sitting across from Seiko and Haruki across from Bokuto. Your son absolutely adores the wing spiker and has been begging you to let him start playing volleyball too, but your husband doesn’t think he should.
Bzzzt Bzzzt Bzzzt
You quickly click the button on the right side of your phone, this time just silencing it instead of sending it to voicemail.
“Are you getting excited to see your mom, Seiko?” You ask after the waitress takes everyone’s usual orders.
She beams, “Yes! She said we can go No Very Farms!”
You look between her and Bo confusingly before he corrects her ‘No Very Farm’ to ‘Knott’s Berry Farm’ and explaining that it’s an amusement park in California. It still surprised you to this day that Bokuto ended up having a kid with an American journalist. Mostly because there was so much mystery as to why they didn’t end up together.
You’ve seen them interact on several occasions and they always seemed to get along really well. You understand that some people just don’t work together, but Bo and Jess were great. They even had an adorable how we met story, but alas they didn’t end up together.
“And Mommy said we can take lots of pictures to mail to Daddy since he’s gonna miss me.” She giggles.
Bzzzt Bzzzt Bzzzt
“Aren’t you gonna miss me?” Bo looks at his daughter who is still giggling as she shakes her head no. He places his hand on his chest and gasps before turning away from her, pretending to cry.
“I’ll miss you daddy, please don’t cry!” Seiko tries to throw her arms around his broad shoulders but her arms just aren’t long enough to wrap around his muscular form. She whispers repeatedly that she was just joking before he turns around, wrapping her into a hug.
This will be only the second time since finding out he would be a dad that he’d be apart from Seiko for more than a few days. Being a professional athlete meant that he spent a lot of time traveling, but those trips never lasted longer than five days. The first time was when she was two and he was gone for two weeks, this time she’d be gone for two months and he’d miss her fifth birthday. Jess has already promised to live stream her party and Bo had already mailed Seiko’s gift to Jess so she’ll be able to open it on her actual birthday, but it still feels like the end of the world.
Bzzzt Bzzzt Bzzzt
“You can answer that if you want.” Bo offers, “If you need to step outside, Haruki won’t mind sitting here with us.”
Haruki smiles up at you, “Yeah Mom. Your phone has been going off since we left home.”
You shoot your son a look, the ‘you shouldn’t have said that’ look which causes him to sink down in his seat. Truth be told you don’t want to answer the phone, you have nothing really to say to the person on the other end, but you didn’t want to ruin your outing with Bo and Seiko either.
“It’s fine. I can just get it later.”
Bo drops the subject as Seiko and Haruki begin talking about Seiko’s trip some more which includes promises of souvenirs, handwritten letters, and daily video chats.
You look at your phone: 6 missed calls, 3 voicemails, and 18 missed text messages. All from Nakajima Youta, your husband. As you sit there, staring at the excessive amount of notifications, your mind begins to wonder.
* *
It was an early autumn day, the kind where it wasn’t too chilly but the overbearing heat of the summer was long gone. You sat in a room, surrounded by your mother, friends and future mother-in-law as they all chatted away about how beautiful everything looks. You fiddled with your engagement ring as your mother pinned your hair up, pressing her cheek to yours as she smiled at you through the mirror.
There was a knock at the door and your mother was shocked to see it was Youta who had his hand over his eyes.
“Youta? What are you doing?”
“It’s bad luck to see the bride, but I just need her for four seconds.”
A smile twitched on your lips as you walked over to him, “What’s going on?”
He removed his hand from his eyes, but they are tightly squeezed shut as he awkwardly moved his arms around before finding your face. He stepped closer before he pressed a chaste kiss on your lips, his thumb gently stroked your cheek.
“What was that for?”
“This will sound lame, but I’m kinda nervous and I figured you were too. Thought it couldn’t hurt.”
You saw him smile before turning around so you could shut the door before he opened his eyes. Your mother and his began to talk about how sweet that exchange was. Followed by them wondering how you were remaining so calm when they had been complete messes before their wedding. Then it hit you that you were extremely calm, not once had you thought of bolting or canceling the wedding which to you was strange. You get nervous about a lot of things, you second-guessed a ton of things, and here you were with nerves of steel.
Two weeks later
“Mommy!” Seiko bounces up and down, glancing up at Bo with a huge smile on her face. Jess flew in so that she could attend a volleyball game with Seiko before heading to California. The original plan was for Bo to fly out with Seiko, but a last-minute change to the MSBY game schedule disrupted the plan.
“Hey baby girl!” She scoops the little girl up in her arms, spinning her around. She peppers her face with kisses as Seiko squeals, wrapping her arms around Jess’ neck. “Hey Bo.”
“Jess!” Bo wraps Jess and Seiko in a hug before placing a quick kiss on her temple. He grabs her bags as Seiko refuses to be put down; claiming she was too tired to walk. The family of three walk through the airport and make their way to the parking lot.
The ride back to Bo’s apartment is filled with Seiko asking her mom all about California, the same thing she’s asked her every night since she learned she was going. It doesn’t matter to Seiko that her mom has already told her the same thing, it’s different because this time her mom is sitting next to her instead of telling her through a screen.
* *
“Can we watch a movie?” Seiko asks as Bo and Jess finish cleaning up the kitchen from dinner.
“Of course.”
“YAY!” Seiko screams before running up to hug Bo and Jess then takes off to find the movie she wants to watch.
“She gets that from you.” Jess says.
“Her adorableness? I know.” Bo sticks his tongue out and Jess throws the towel in her hands at him. The kitchen fills with laughter as Seiko comes running back down the hallway, DVD case in hand.
“I want to watch this one!” Seiko holds up Coco; it was her favorite movie lately which Bo was thankful for, he was tired of watching The Lion King 2.
It wasn’t even 45 minutes into the movie and Seiko was asleep on Bo’s lap, his shirt tightly gripped in her little fist while Jess’s head is rested on his shoulder.
“Jess?” Bo whispers, not wanting to wake their daughter.
“Mm.” She hums, half asleep.
“She’s asleep. Want to tuck her in with me?”
She nods against his shoulder before sitting up, stretching the best she could; her body heavy with sleep. Bo cradles their daughter in his arms as they walk into the four-year old’s room; it’s decorated in fairy lights, purples and grays with owls everywhere. She has books on the floor, she said she had been doing research for her and Haruki’s next adventure and crayons littered her desks with drawings she had done to take to California.
Jess pulls the blanket over Seiko, pressing a kiss to her forehead before the little girl turns over to get comfortable. Bo turns off the light after making sure her nightlight is plugged in.
“You’re really good at that.” Jess says as she curls back up on the couch, Bo getting himself a glass of water.
“Turning off lights?” He laughs when she rolls her eyes.
“At being a dad.” She smiles, “I never really did thank you for how great you were with all of this.”
He just shrugs, “I couldn’t imagine having a kid with anyone else.”
A wide grin spreads across her face, “Really? No one? Not even someone with a son? A son who is best friends with Seiko. No one else? Huh.”
Blush faintly covers his cheeks as he clears his throat, “She’s married Jess. Plus, we already talked about that, remember? When we met?”
* *
October 2018
“That’s all we have time for today. A special thank you again to Bokuto Kōtarō and congratulations on the win.”
The cameraman signaled that they aren’t live anymore before the brunette let out a sigh.
“Are you okay?” Bokuto asked.
“Oh.” She started to fiddle with the microphone cord, “This was my first interview, I’m new to Japan.”
“Well you did great!” He exclaimed, holding up a hand for a high-five. The woman looked at him like he’s crazy but complied.
“Thanks. Ah, so did you.”
Bo smiled, “Jess, right?” She nodded. “I can show you around if you want.”
She shook her head, “Oh no, I couldn’t impose like that.”
Bo waved her off, “I really don’t mind. I think it’ll be fun.”
“Only if you’re sure. I have a guidebook I don’t mind using.”
Bo scrunched his face up, “Those don’t show you half of the best places.” He asked for her phone and put his number in. “Just let me know when you’re free and we’ll work it out.”
She smiled, going to speak before you ran up to Bo whose expression had changed; it was no longer just a polite look but one of adoration. His eyes appeared softer and the way his face lit would melt anyone’s heart.
“You did so great out there!” You throw your arms around him.
“Thank you.” His cheeks turned red which didn’t go unnoticed by Jess, “Y/N, this is Andrews Jess, she conducted the postgame interview.”
“Nice to meet you, I’m Nakajima Y/N.”
“It’s nice to meet you too.” Jess said, feeling a tad bit awkward and blurted out the first thing she could think of, “You two make a lovely couple.”
“Oh no. No no no.” You shook your head, “We’re best friends. I’ve known Bo here forever.”
There was a slight shift in Bo’s demeanor but a shift nevertheless when a wave of sadness washes over his expression. He almost seems to have stiffened at the word ‘friend’ and somehow his hair seemed to have deflated. Jess tried not to think too much into it, she doesn’t know him or them at all.
“Y/N! Y/N!” Hinata waved from across the court.
“Hinata!” You waved back before heading over to meet Hinata.
“Did you see my spikes!?” He jumped up and down, “They were all swoosh bam!”
Jess looked back to Bo, “This is probably way out of line, but does she know?”
Bokuto frowned as his attention went back to Jess, “Does she know what?”
“That you have feelings for her?”
“I don’t…” He stopped when he saw the same look in her eyes that he’s seen in his, “No. She just got married.”
tw: mentions of breakup, toxic coping mechanisms, drinking/alcohol, mentions of violence (he throws his phone), cursing
Word count: 2.7k
Pairing: Iwaizumi Hajime x gn!reader
Genre: angst, very very mild fluff
AN: There were no such things as happy endings.
Collab Masterlist | Playlist
*Inspired by Same Room by JP Saxe
I watched a TED Talk on our break, He had a smart person accent
He said, "Don't look through the photos", Then I looked through our photos
A haze filtered over his eyes as he stared down at his phone. In the background, sappy love songs played as he ignored the bodies in the room. His fingers itched, tapping on the app. He swiped to the side, tapping on the Hidden from View folder and revealing its haul. Thousands of photos and videos opened on his screen. He tapped on the first one he saw. His heart lurched as he remembered.
Just to spend a couple days with me
You flew halfway 'round the world for me
Iwaizumi was exhausted, feet, knees, and shoulders tired from all the patients he had visited that day. He had been running around the clinic, fetching this and that for Utsui. He slumped against the door as he entered his apartment, sighing heavily. He threw his keys into the bowl by the entrance, letting his bag fall off of his shoulders as he walked into the kitchen. As Iwaizumi turned on the tap, something caught his attention. He froze, staring at the suitcase before he shut off the sink.
“(Name)?” He called, stumbling over his feet as he flew through his apartment.
“Haji!” You squealed, popping up as the door to his bedroom was flung open.
“(Name)!” Iwaizumi stopped, his mouth drying as his heart stuttered as he was rooted in the doorway - shock filling him.
What were you doing here? The last he knew, you had finals that you had to take, projects to finish. You should still be in Tokyo!
“Wh-what are you doing here?”
You grinned at him, standing up and opening your arms to reveal the teal jersey you wore. “I finished my projects and exams early and I figured I’d come surprise you.”
Iwaizumi shook his head, a dopey grin on his face as he ran forward to embrace you, arms wrapping around your waist as he held you to him. “God I’ve missed you so much.”
“Surprise,” you tease, blowing on his ear. “I’ll be here for a few weeks. Try not to miss me too much when I leave though, yeah?”
“Oh baby, I always miss you when you aren’t around.”
Iwaizumi shook his head, the dull ache of the alcohol searing his throat. He swiped through the photos and videos from that trip.
“Oh Haji, look!” You beamed at him, sparkly pink mouse ears perched on your head as you pointed up at the castle. “I can’t believe we’re here right now!”
“I did promise to take you here one day, didn’t I?” Iwaizumi teased, warmth filling his senses.
His thumb was a blur as he swiped through the photos of you and him in front of the castle. He paused, staring at one in particular.
“One day, when I put my ring on your finger, I’ll bring you back here, okay?”
“Haji!” You gasp, giggling. “You don’t have to.”
“I want to.” He squeezed the hand on his waist as he tucked some hair behind your ear. “Gotta make you the happiest person on Earth at the happiest place on Earth.”
“Who are you and what have you done to my brute of a boyfriend?” You tease, shoving his chest slightly.
His heart skipped a beat as he pressed a kiss to your forehead. “Maybe your brute of a boyfriend didn’t realise how much he’d miss you when you weren’t around.”
You blink up at him with doe-eyes, love and devotion in your eyes only for the spell to be broken by the photographer’s approach.
“Here you go!” He grinned, showing you the camera. He had perfectly captured the heat in your cheeks as Iwaizumi whispered in your ear. The photographer swiped through to the next photo to one of Iwaizumi kissing your forehead. “You’re both such a lovely couple.”
“Thank you,” Iwaizumi replied in perfect English, smiling.
“Enjoy the rest of your day!”
Iwaizumi picked up his glass of scotch, chugging the rest of it as he stared down at his phone. His vision blurred as he proceeded to swipe through.
“What are you doing here, moping by yourself?” Iwaizumi looked up, scowling as Oikawa stood here, a hand on his hip. “And why didn’t you say hi when you got here?”
Iwaizumi rolled his eyes, shaking his head as he willed his tears away. “Maybe I didn’t want to see you, Shittykawa. Think about that?”
I strategize a path to the bathroom
So I don’t walk past you
“Is it us you don’t wanna see, or (Name)?”
Mattsun leaned against the table, tilting his glass of whiskey as his eyes fell on someone.
Iwaizumi’s throat constricted as he saw you.
You, in all your angelic beauty, stood with some of your old friends from Seijoh, chatting eagerly. He watched as your plush lips moved, noticed the crinkle of happiness in your face, the way your outfit hugged your body is such a perfect way.
“Didn’t expect to see (Name)?” Oikawa asked, voice soft. He looked over at you, sad for not only his best friend, but also for you. He’d shipped you two the most.
Iwaizumi gulped, shaking his head as he waved at a waiter, getting his glass topped off before downing that. “S’not that.”
“Then what?”
“Gotta go to the bathroom,” Iwaizumi said bluntly, slamming his glass down.
“Go to the one that way,” Mattsun advised, pointing to the left. “(Name) won’t see you if you do that.”
“Thanks,” Iwaizumi grunted.
Make us try to fake our way through
"Hey, how are you?"
Iwaizumi slipped in the direction that Mattsun had pointed in only to accidentally bump into someone’s shoulder. “Iwaizumi.”
Iwaizumi flinched, recognising the all-too familiar voice. “Sawamura? What are you doing here?”
“My partner invited me.”
“Ah.” Iwaizumi’s brow furrowed. He shook his head. “Hope you have fun then, Sawamura.”
“You too, Iwaizumi.”
Iwaizumi swiveled, making his way towards the restroom. He cursed the hall for being so dark as he bumped into another person. “I’m sor-” the words died in his mouth as familiar (e/c) eyes turned to found his.
“Haji.”
The sting of the familiar nickname caused his heart to throb, his stomach churning. “(N-Name),” he stuttered, shock evident in his features.
Weren’t you on the opposite side of the room? How did you get in front of him so quickly?
“H-how are you?”
You smile, shrugging a shoulder. “I’m doing pretty well. How are you? Are you back from California then?”
He gulped, nodding. “Yeah.” He cursed his voice for cracking. “Been back for awhile now.”
“That’s good.” You both stand there awkwardly, staring at each other. Iwaizumi’s throat constricted, words clawing up his throat.
“Listen-”
“Well, it was nice seeing you.” The words caught in his throat as you gave him a small smile. “Maybe I’ll see you around sometime. We can catch up or something.”
“Sure,” he choked out, hurt and pain flashing through his eyes.
Why not now?
Wait, was he even ready to have that conversation with you?
“Bye!”
You turn, disappearing back into the crowd to leave him staring blankly at the spot you had just been in. He blinked, shaking his head before he turned back to the direction he had just come from - the urge to use the restroom vanishing along with you.
It's hard to summarize three years
More like four years
With each step, flashbacks ravaged through his mind.
“Hey, (Name), can I talk to you?”
You look up from your lunch, startled. “Oh! Sure thing, Iwaizumi-kun.” You stand up, “I’ll be right back,” you smile at your friends before following the wing-spiker to the vending machines. “What can I do for ya?”
Iwaizumi froze, your dazzling smile freezing him in the spot. He cleared his throat, shaking his head. “Do you wanna go out sometime? Today maybe?”
“Oh!” If it was possible, you grinned brighter. “Sure, I’ve always liked you.”
“Wait, really?”
You nod happily. “Yeah! Ever since we met last year as first years.”
He blinked. “Me too.”
“You liked you since last year?” You put a hand on your hip, a teasing lilt in your voice.
Iwaizumi scowled, “I meant I liked you too. Since last year. Dumbass.”
Your giggle made his heart fluttered. “I know.” You lean up, pressing your lips to his cheek. “See you for our date later then, Iwaizumi-kun!”
He shook his head, cursing his memories.
“Aw, I love you.” His head snapped up, hearing someone’s voice echo those words in a playful, mocking tone.
“Hey.”
“Hey.”
You plopped down on the bench beside him, elbowing him. “I’m sorry about the game.”
He shrugged, pulling a hand out of his pocket to grab onto yours. “S’no big deal.”
“It is to you.” You squeezed his hand. “You were amazing out there, Hajime.”
Iwaizumi snorted, shaking his head. “If I was so amazing, why do we lose to Shiratorizawa every time?”
“Mmm, that’s not your fault though,” you pointed out. “And there’s always next tournament. You have time, I believe in you.”
He sighed, shoulders slumped. You look curiously at him. You’d never participated in sports or competitions, not really understanding what it was like to work so hard for something only to be beaten every single time.
“I love you.”
His head snapped up, brows furrowed as his jaw gaped slightly. “Wait what?”
You shrug. “I said I love you.” You squeeze his hand. “I love you, Iwaizumi Hajime and I think you’re the best spiker in the whole wide world!”
He rolled his eyes, shaken out of the spell you’d cast over him. “I love you too, dumbass.” He muttered under his breath.
“What was that?” You tease, blinking at him with those eyes that sparkled like the setting sun.
Iwaizumi cleared his throat, tugging you closer to his side as he rested his chin on your head. “I said I love you too.”
Oh, to hell with all your silver linings
And I'm tempted to distract myself, I'm trying not to
“Iwa-chan, you never call me anymore!” Oikawa’s whiny voice called Iwaizumi to flinch, his eyebrows furrowed in irritation.
“Maybe if you weren’t such an annoying little shit I wouldn’t avoid you,” Iwaizumi growled. He leaned back, throwing his head over the couch.
“You’re so mean,” Oikawa grumbled. “Is this because you broke up with (Name)? Or did they break up with you?”
“Oikawa,” Iwaizumi warned, a sharp tick in his voice. “Don’t go there.”
“Why? Isn’t it better now? You can go pursue your dreams, move to new countries and do whatever you want.”
“I said leave it alone!” Iwaizumi bellowed, hanging up the phone and hurling it away from him. He stood, pacing as anger pulsed through his body. He didn’t need a reminder of how ‘good’ life would be without you. He just wanted you. He wanted to come home to you, wanted to hold you in his arms at the end of every night.
He stalked towards the fridge, throwing it open and reaching for a beer before he paused.
Drowning his sorrows wouldn’t do anything. Wouldn’t change that you were no longer his, and he was no longer yours. With an irritated click of his tongue, he slammed the fridge door shut, leaning his forehead against the cool metal.
He needed a distraction, but not like this. He sighed, peeling one eye open to notice the gym bag peeking around the corner up at him.
Maybe it was time to start working out again.
Internally he laughed. Wasn’t that exactly what he was doing now? Drowning his sorrows with the golden ichor that drove even the most controlled of humans into chaos and sin?
His feet started moving faster and faster, needing to escape from the suffocating weight of his memories. Not now, not in this room where everyone - especially you - could see him.
He didn’t need the world to know that he wasn’t over his ex.
Everyone wants an explanation
And I don't know what to say anymore
He still remembered the first time that people had found out that you’d broken up. The wave of texts that he had gotten when he first posted a photo that didn’t feature you, but featured another girl.
“Hajime, let’s take a photo together!” She pouted, crossing her arms.
He rolled his eyes but allowed her to. She was just a friend, someone he’d met in class. They’d met up at a party and somehow he found himself posing for the photo, letting her throw her arms around his neck as she took the selfie. In his drunken state, he barely noticed the intimacy of it before he posted the photo onto his InstaFeed.
[Oikawa]: Wow, she’s looking close! Won’t (Name) be jealous ;)
[Mattsun]: damnnn, California changed ya, Iwaizumi!
[Makki]: Woof woof! Mind giving me her number?
[Oikawa]: hold on, where are all the pictures of you and (Name)??? Did something happen?
[Makki]: Wait, did you guys break up?
[Mattsun]: whoaaaa, when did this happen?
Iwaizumi shook his head, staring at his InstaFeed before tapping on the archive button and bringing up the hundreds of pictures - the ones that featured you. He stared at your face, tears welling up in his eyes.
[Oikawa]: oi, don’t ignore us
[Iwaizumi]: it’s none of your business. Now fuck off.
He shoved his phone back into his pocket, turning back to the girl as he reached for another beer. He didn’t want to think about this.
Not now.
Not when all he wanted to do was call you.
“What happened between you two?” Oikawa asked, looking down at his best friend as Iwaizumi rejoined them at the table.
“Don’t look at me like that,” Iwaizumi snarled, anger in his features.
“Haji.” Your voice came crisp and clear through his computer as he stared at your face through the screen.
“What’s wrong?” Iwaizumi frowned, hearing the slight tremor in your voice.
“I..I can’t do this anymore.”
“What?”
You swallow, finally meeting his eyes and he noticed how red and swollen they were. “I don’t wanna do this distance thing anymore. You’re doing so many great things and I just...You deserve better.”
“Wait, baby, what are you talking about?”
“Haji, I love you so much,” you force out, giving him a teary smile. “I hope you find what you’re looking for.”
“(Name), wait-”
“Goodbye.”
The beep of Zoom ended the call as Iwaizumi stared in anguish at the screen.
“She didn’t want to try anymore, I guess,” Iwaizumi shrugged. He stared at you for a moment longer.
You looked happier - sounded happier too.
He sighed, sipping from his glass just as he noticed who slipped to your side. A hand settled on your hip, causing you to start before you looked up at the person who the hand belonged to.
He could just imagine your voice - soft and doting as you leaned up to kiss Daichi’s cheek.
At least you found someone close to home, someone who would always be there for you and someone you could depend on.
Iwaizumi turned back to his table, ignoring the pitiful looks from his friends as he sought out the bottom of his glass. He never imagined how badly it would hurt - just how much the smallest glimpse and interaction of you would throw his emotions into turmoil. Another sigh left his lips.
He couldn’t do this any longer.
Couldn’t be in the same room as you.
“I’m leaving,” he announced bluntly, slamming his glass down before grabbing his coat. “I’ll see you guys later.”
In his wake, he felt the heat of your eyes on his back.
Did you still think about him like he thought of you?
Did you feel the same pain that he did when he saw you?
Did you ever think about your relationship with him?
He shook his head, swatting away the malicious thoughts that threatened to overwhelm him. He had to get away, now. There was no more ‘us’ when it came to you, and there never will be. He could only hope that the next time he saw you, he wouldn’t have to run away.
After all, it shouldn’t hurt this badly to be in the same room as you, right?
*****
AN: All I felt was *pain* writing this ahahaha. Hope you enjoyed my addition to this collab!! Please be sure to check-out the rest of the incredible writers of @babythotshq !
For the last time, he took in the sight of the volleyball gym. This is the last day he’ll ever step foot in one again. He closed his eyes and inhaled the scent of the place while reliving the memories he gained for the last three years. Training, wins, and losses – glory and bitterness, he recalls them all with no regret.
Yet, he found it best to leave the sport behind.
After having his fill, he turned around and found a girl waiting for him. At first glance, it looks like she’s going to confess. She had the look — blushing cheeks, starstruck eyes, and a letter, only it was not just one letter. She was holding one too many envelopes.
“Um. Oikawa-san?”
He smiles, his signature one when greeting his fans, “Yes?”
She hands him a brown envelope that has ‘Oikawa’ written on it. He usually knows how to react to letters given to him. He’d be ‘happy and excited’ to receive them, but something tells him that this is not a usual letter.
“It’s not from me, but uhh, can I have a photo with you?” Her voice was a pitch higher as she voiced out her request.
“Of course.”
She took out her phone with excited hands and they both posed with peace signs. Before she gives him the envelope, she hurriedly gets a pen and scribbles something on the envelope. After she hands it to him, she bows and walks away.
He usually does not bother with fan letters these days. They say the same things anyways, just written differently. Yet, he has a strong feeling that he must read this letter. For the first time in a long time, he’s thrilled to open a fan letter.
When he gets home, he plops himself on his futon and carefully opens the envelope.
Hey,
I know this is weird since we’ve never talked except for that night but hear me out. I kind of like you, not in the sense where i know everything there's to know about you but in a way where if I see you at random times of the day, you just kinda lift my mood…
Maybe it's just because I find you inspiring?
You were kind of an all around guy, super nice, with a fun personality to the boot. As much as I liked you, I envied you too. How could you make everything look so easy? As an overachiever who grew up burning her candles every damn night, you made it all look effortless and to add it all up, you didn’t even brag! How annoying you are.
What’s even more annoying is that I can see your profile on magazine spreads and ads as if seeing your handsome face in school wasn’t enough.
I hate how it seems like something you’d do, yet at the same time, something you wouldn’t. Get what I mean? I thought your passion was for Volleyball, leaving modeling just as a hobby, but you do that exceptionally well too.
Indeed you were out of reach and definitely on another level.
Yet that night when I first got to talk to you on the farewell dance, you weren’t on another level. You were just you and it made me realize that maybe I should take a page off your book, “It’s all about a leap of faith, Y/N.” you said.
A leap of faith. Such words from a guy I’ve been crushing on wasn’t something I’d expect. I always thought you played safe, stayed behind safety bars but when I saw that dangerous glint in your eyes, I realized, you never did.
You were always like that, people were just so caught up with the idea of the model/volleyball player with good grades that they never saw past that. They don’t think about the devotion and commitment you must’ve poured to be good at everything you do.
I know I won’t be seeing you again and it’s kind of sad to be honest since you kind of brighten up my day but I’ll remember you, especially those words. Probably even buy a signed poster of you someday.
Take care always,
Y/N
Oikawa’s eyes remain at the signature of the letter with surprise and amusement. Y/N? The awkward, timid girl from the dance? He reads the letter once again just to make sure he’s read it right.
He knows how popular he is, both in and out of school. He’s always approached by random people, mostly girls. Those who greet him and ask for pictures on the streets he immediately forgets. But the students, he somehow can remember their faces, especially when he sees them frequently ogling him at school. Being the captain of the volleyball team while working as a model meant having fans cheer for him on the sides. He doesn’t mind of course. He’s used to it. He knows how to smile for them, talk to them, make them like him even more.
By the time graduation was just around the corner, the faces of his fans at school were already familiar to him. So when you talked to him at the night of the dance, he had question marks looming on top of his head. Prior to that night, he had no idea who you are. He hasn’t seen you around. He just knew you were in the same year with him because it was the farewell dance for the seniors.
That whole night was tiring. If it wasn’t the girls asking him to dance, it would be students asking to take selfies and/or asking for his number. He’s used to the adoration and he loves it, revels on it even. But that night was on another level. They didn’t care about his personal space anymore. The dance was their perfect excuse to hog him.
So when he had the chance, he escaped from the place and took refuge in a restricted area. The dance took place only in the school grounds, so they had closed off certain rooms for equipment storage and preparation materials for the party. He snuck into one of the rooms. He didn’t bother turning on the lights since he did not want anyone noticing that someone might be there.
He took a seat near the windows and looked at the main grounds from that room. The bonfire was lit in the middle of the place while students frolic around, having the time of their senior year.
He’s always at the center of everything he’s involved with and it was fucking awesome. But sometimes, just sometimes, it gets a little bit too rowdy. Once in a while, It’s nice to sit out like he was doing now and watch from the sidelines as students like him have their moments like this.
The door suddenly opened, much to his dismay. Was he followed? He made sure he wasn’t. He’s a bit ticked off. Some fans really don’t know when to quit. Maybe he’s been too generous to them.
He heard someone trying to flick open the lights, but the room still remained dark.
“Huh? The lights aren’t working?” The stranger said. He stayed in his place, hoping that he wouldn’t get noticed and be left alone. Although, the chances of that happening is really slim even though he knows that only the silhouette of his back can be seen from the way he was facing the light of the bonfire.
Like he predicted, you notice him not long after. But what came out of you wasn’t what he was expecting.
“Hey! Students are not allowed here. Go back to the grounds.”
He turns around from his seat to look at you. You squint at him, trying to make out his face that was hidden by shadows. But he sees you, how you walked slowly to him so you can identify who he was and how your face contorted from strict to horrified.
That’s a first.
Even though you didn’t know it was him, you could at least be glad that it was indeed him.
As you’re closer now, he confirmed that you weren’t one of them. You didn’t follow him. You found him.
“O-Oikawa san?!”
He executes his ever pleasant smile. “Hi! Do you mind if I stay for just a few more minutes?” Surely, you can give him that. You do know him after all. “Um, well... Students shouldn’t be here.” You responded hesitantly.
He wanted to applaud you for refusing. It’s been a while since someone denied him of a request, especially a girl. Nothing he could do about it though. He’d rather just find another hiding place instead of convincing you.
He stands up and heads for the door when you suddenly block his way and wave your hands frantically. “Wait wait. Uhh. Err.” You look around as you try to search for the words to say. “Before you leave. Can I ask you something?” Your face is flushed red as you put your hands together and fiddle with your thumbs, obviously nervous about what you were going to say.
“How do you do it?”
His brows knit together in confusion.
You must have realized how vague that sounded since you spoke again. “I mean, how are you so good at everything?” The admiration in your eyes wasn’t like the one he sees from everyone else. It was one that showed respect, as if you recognize the hard work he’s put in everything he does. And for once, it felt like someone perceived him as an actual human being.
“What’s your name again?”
“I-I’m y/n l/n!.” You said a bit too loud with a shaking voice. It was funny.
You must be part of the farewell dance committee since you seemed like you were about to get something from the room for the event. You’re also wearing the school uniform, unlike everybody else who’s dolled up. What a waste. You’re kinda cute.
You’re at enough distance for his arms to reach you and pull you closer. He grabs your waist with his left hand and holds your hand with his right, getting you in a dance position. Your eyes widen. The fluster in your cheeks goes a shade deeper. Your whole body becomes rigid while your hands tremble at his touch. He can literally see your chest rise up and down from breathing too heavily. He almost wants to laugh at your reaction.
“Oikawa-san?! What’re you doing?” you whisper in a panicked voice.
He really wasn’t sure, but he felt like teasing you. “We’re still part of the farewell dance, yeah? Indulge me and I’ll indulge you.”
He starts swaying slowly. You follow clumsily with that look of uncertainty and nervousness still transparent in your whole face. He wonders what’s going on in your mind. A lot of others had desperately asked him to dance with them, which he all declined because accepting one invitation meant accepting all of the others.
But within the small confines of this dark room, he can do as he pleases without any regard to mindful eyes.
“Why aren’t you looking at me though?” You grimace at his question. “I’m not used to being this close to good-looking people.” You bluntly said, your expression is still of discomfort. You really are interesting despite the aloofness you show him.
Still, you moved with him to the faint rhythm of the music outside.
“How I do it, you ask?”
That’s when you meet his gaze, your eyes curious and attentive to the next thing he’s about to say. Your whole body loosens up, as if you forgot that he was holding you.
“It’s all about a leap of faith.” He was awaiting the look of puzzlement in your eyes. He knew how obscure his answer was.
But it didn’t come. Your eyes retained the same inquisitiveness they held before.
“How can you sound so sure about something uncertain?”
Smart girl. You clearly understood what he meant. Maybe he can give you a real answer, one that he hasn’t said in any interview for it showed a dark side of him that doesn’t sit well with his image.
“Hmmm. Between you and me, y/n, when I hit something,” he dips his head just a few inches from your ear.
“I hit it.. until it breaks.”
He felt you shiver at his words. Then he let you go and patted your head while you were frozen in place.
“Nice to meet you,” he said while exiting the dark room.
After that dance, he never saw you again. He didn’t think much of it. If he’d be honest, it’s like it never happened. There were no traces, no witnesses, only you two in the dimness of that enclosed room. The exchange you had was just as brief as well.
But your letter, it ties up with what little words were said between the two of you. The admiration is just the surface of it. Beneath that was perceptiveness, envy, and compassion. Four different things melded coherently to give a refined message of encouragement, all in the form of this letter.
He has to see you. The letter needs to be answered.
Only then he realizes that you’re both senior students who already graduated. He didn’t even see you on campus as students. How the fuck can he even find you now that he has no chance of seeing you at all?
He quickly gets the envelope to see anything that might be a clue to how he can find you.
And there it was. A number written hurriedly at the edge of the envelope with a note that said ‘call me’.
The corner of his lips shoot up. He’s a hundred percent it wasn’t your number. It couldn’t be you based on how refined you wrote that letter.
It was the girl from earlier, but he doesn’t mind. At least you’re traceable now.
—
He was able to get your number from your sister in exchange for a video greeting. Unfortunately, your sister was texting non-stop so he had to block her number after he got what he wanted.
He didn’t text you yet. First, he wanted to see the university you decided to go to. It was one piece of information he managed to extract from your sister.
He’ll take a look around first. He wanted to see what uni life is like since he’s not going to attend one. He couldn’t tell if it was a busy day or there’s this many people on a daily basis. A few minutes of walking around and he could already hear the murmurs in the background.
‘He’s so hot.’
‘Does he go here?’
‘He looks like a celebrity’
Well, it couldn’t be helped. It was him, Tooru Oikawa. Even if they don’t know who he is, his looks attract attention.
Maybe he should’ve worn his cap and facemask. Admirers will just get in the way of seeing you. Maybe he’ll just come back later.
He’s about to dip when two girls approached him. “Hi! Are you a freshman like us?”
Too late. He should’ve left sooner. When one comes, they’ll start flocking at him right after. Since he’s already caught, it wouldn’t hurt to accommodate onlookers.
“No, sorry. I’m just visiting someone.” He replied warmly. Another girl comes his way, followed by another, and another. Yep, just like he anticipated.
“You’re looking for someone too?” One girl asked, then her friend whispered something to her. It was supposed to be a whisper but it was loud enough for him to hear. “These hot men better not be looking for the same girl. I swear I’ll lose it if they are.”
He remembers the other colored envelopes your sister was holding.
Ahh. So he was not the only one, huh? The original plan was there was no plan. He just wanted to see you again and talk about the letter. But based on what he heard, he has competitors now.
That just won’t do.
He tuned out the girly muttering and looked for a way to flee from the scene.
Among the crowd he was attracting, there you stood, paralyzed in the middle of the path with your eyes expanded in horror.
Great! He found you.
He filled his lungs with air.
“Yahoooooo! Y/N!” He waved enthusiastically at your direction which caused everyone else to look at you. Instead of acknowledging him, you took a step back, turned around, and half-ran away.
You really are funny if you honestly thought you could outrun him.
“Excuse me, ladies. That’s her I came to visit.” He hears the dejected groans but pays them no mind as he makes his way to you.
With his long strides, he didn’t really have to put as much effort in chasing as you did in running away from him. He’s impressed at your dedication though. You didn’t even dare look back. That’s good for you. At least you won’t see him right behind you already.
He wouldn’t mind following you a little bit more just to see how long you can last before you turn your head back and check where he is. But he needs to be the first recipient of the letter who gets to talk to you. He has an idea to throw off anyone who could possibly be around, waiting for their own chance to go talk to you.
He picks up the pace just a little so he can close in on you. When you are within reach, he loops an arm around you which causes you to stop dead on your tracks.
“That’s not nice of you, y/n. You heard me calling you.”
You didn’t have to look at him. He knows that you know it’s him. You gulp before facing him. A terrified look spread on your face upon seeing his, verifying that it was truly him.
You looked around nervously, assessing the situation you were in. You saw something that unnerved you, but he couldn’t tell what it was. You suddenly remove his arm, only to take his hands.
You spoke with a worried expression.
“Come with me.”
You drag him haphazardly, leading him somewhere in the university. He has no idea what’s running in your head as he lets you take him away. Though, he doesn’t mind. You’re essentially the reason why he came anyways.
You reach inside one of the buildings with less people. Still on full alert, your eyes skimmed the area before going inside one of the rooms, pulling him with you. Once inside, you let go of his hand.
Without catching your breath, you yelp at him. “Why are you here?!”
He reaches for his back pocket and takes out the brown envelope. “Cause of this.” He smiles sweetly while he waves the enclosed letter at you, then puts it back to where it came from. “Your sister’s a real gem for going out of her way to give it to me,” his statement drenched with irony.
Instead of answering him, you walked three steps away and faced the wall. You softly knock your head against the wall, looking down as you mutter, “What did I do to deserve this?” Followed by another knock, “What did I do to deserve this?”
Before you can do it the third time, he moves toward you and places his back hand where your forehead is supposed to hit again. You look at him distressfully, not removing your forehead against his hand. “Why are you here?”
“I just told you why, Y/n-chan.”
You stand up straight and sigh wearily. “I mean why even bother? I’m sure you get tons of those on a regular basis.”
You were right. Among other letters, he only read yours. Even though you didn’t intend to send the letter, he thought you’d be at least glad that he went after you. Instead, you were questioning his decision of doing so. Not once in any of your limited interactions had you agreed with him.
He really just wanted to talk to you, initially at least. But you prove to be more and more entertaining that he’s about to do something totally abrupt.
He supports his weight by leaning his elbow against the wall where his hand is. He slightly tips his head to the side as his smile veers from pleasant to haughty.
“I bothered cause I want to ask you out.”
Route masterlist.
Taglist (those in bold and crossed out can’t be tagged):
Summary: Two little friends have always desired one thing: to end up as siblings. So when the chance presented itself after a finalized divorce, who were they to decline such an opportunity to finally bring their parents together?
Pairings: Bokuto Kōtarō x f!Reader
Word Count: 2577
Warnings: Angst. Fluff. Mentions of divorce, cheating, cussing
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters portrayed in this series. Part of the @babythotshq Dearest Daddy Collab
Tags: open (send me an ask to be added!)
October 2018
Jess wasn’t sure if she should take Bo up on his offer, her mind had her convinced that it was just him being friendly. He saw the way he had looked at you and yeah, he said you had just gotten married, but that doesn’t mean feelings just fade.
She had pulled up his contact several times in the two weeks since she’d gotten it. Since she wasn’t familiar with Osaka or Japan at all, there were no run-ins with him which Jess couldn’t decide if that was good or bad.
It was a rainy Friday when she finally texted him; her thoughts had caught up to her and it dawned on her that no number of miles would cure the pain in her heart.
The adult part of her understood that people are busy and Bo wasn’t ignoring her, he is a pro-athlete after all. But the other part of her, the part that isn’t so mature, chalks up the 20 minutes that passed as he didn’t really mean his offer.
Bo was finishing up in the locker room after practice, he pulled his phone out of his bag before stuffing in his practice clothes. He was on his way out when he finally glanced down and saw two notifications.
Y/N: Just wanted to remind you that I won’t be able to text until next Friday! I’ll bring back souvenirs! (4:05 pm)
He didn’t reply, it was painful to hear about your honeymoon and to be fair he didn’t really want a souvenir either; some constant reminder that you were with someone else. Not to mention all you talked about was how much Youta wanted to start a family. Yeah, he really didn’t need that reminder.
He did perk up however when he saw the second text, one from an unknown number.
Jess: Hey. It’s Jess. (3:12 pm)
Bo quickly noticed that it’d been over an hour since Jess texted him and he panicked. Should he call her or text her back? He groaned when he got to the main exit only to see it was pouring and he once again forgot an umbrella.
Bokuto: Hey! Just got out of practice, sup? (4:40 pm)
Jess smacked the palm of her hand against her forehead, instantly feeling dumb for not realizing it sooner. She stared at her screen, suddenly unsure of what to say.
Jess: I was wondering if your offer was still available? (4:44 pm)
A huge grin spread across Bokuto’s face as he read the message. It no longer mattered to him that it was raining heavily as he walked to the bus station or that he’d have to shower again when he got home.
Bokuto: ‘Course! When are you free? (4:50 pm)
Jess: Sunday? Noon? (4:51 pm)
Bokuto: See you then! (4:52 pm)
Saturday was spent texting Bo most of the day, eagerly deciding where they should go. They ended up agreeing to go to the Shinsaibashi district once Jess mentioned needing to pick up a few things for her apartment. They were both surprised when they learned they lived in neighboring complexes, just a short walk to the others.
On Sunday, Bo all but bounced his way to Jess’s apartment. He had mentioned their texts and conversations to Kuroo who was almost as excited as Bo was; Kuroo liked you, he always had, but he didn’t like seeing Bo so hung up on you and Jess gave him a way to let you go. Jess opened the door and was taken back for a moment, the last time she’d seen Bo he was post-game sweaty in a volleyball uniform, but here he was in her doorway wearing tight black jeans and a hoodie taking her breath away.
Bokuto smiled when saw Jess dressed up; when they met she had on a pantsuit, but here she looked more comfortable. She had one a maroon knee-length dress, stockings and brown boots, accompanied with a scarf; her brown hair was down and curled.
“Ready?” He reached out his hand.
“Ready!” She took his hand as she shut the door.
* *
A few hours shopping around Shinsaibashi and Bo’s hands are full with most of Jess’s bags. She swore to him that she really didn’t mind carrying them, they were hers after all, but Bo wouldn’t hear it. What kind of gentleman would he be if he didn’t help? She has a few new pieces to add to her wardrobe, a couple of picture frames for prints she wanted to hang up and a few beauty ideas.
He motioned for her to head to a café, sitting her bags in a spare chair at their table.
“You sure there’ll be room in your apartment for all this?” He teased.
Her cheeks burn red as she tried to hide her face with the menu, “I’m sorry. I could’ve gone shopping on my own. I’m sure you don’t want to waste a day off running errands.”
He waved her off, “It’s fine. This is fun. My only plans were to watch TV.”
“Oh. I guess I thought you might hang out with Y/N.” Jess smiled at the waitress as she ordered.
Bo quickly ordered what Jess had, not really paying much attention the mention of you had thrown him for a loop. “I…uhm…she’s out of town.” He cleared his throat, “Honeymoon.”
“I…I am so sorry! I shouldn’t have said anything!” Jess’s eye widened instantly feeling awful. “Wow I just keep messing up today.”
“It’s fine. Really.” He took a sip of his water, “I’m having a lot of fun.”
Jess bit her lip before she began to pick at the croissant she had ordered. Bo ate quietly too which was odd for him but he really wasn’t sure what to say.
“So?” They both spoke at the same time causing them both to laugh.
“You go first.” She offered with a small smile.
“What brought you to Japan?” Bo asked, mouth slightly full of croissant which makes her laugh for a second.
She fiddled with her napkin, her mouth dried slightly. “Can I speak freely?”
Bo cocked his head to the side, not fully understanding, “Of course.”
“I guess you could say I have a Y/N of my own.” She bit the inside of her cheek. “His name is Mark and for years he told me that when he fulfilled his goals, he’d finally be ready for a relationship. Well six years is a long time and 5300+ miles seemed far enough to start over.”
Bo nodded, part of him was glad that he met someone who understood, but the other part, the bigger part of him hated it because no one deserves to feel that way.
“Well, Mark sounds like a dick, but I am glad that it brought you here. I like you.” Bo smiled, noticing her cheeks turned bright pink.
“I like you too.” Jess smiled.
* *
It didn’t take long for Jess and Bo to become attached at the hip; after the first few hangouts they quickly learned they had a lot in common. And for the things they didn’t have in common? They just taught each other about it.
The moment she expressed interest in volleyball, Bo jumped on the opportunity to teach her; even bringing her to the gym to show her a few moves with Hinata and Kuroo. The latter spent most of the time teasing Bo by flirting with Jess, even picking her up when she assisted in a block. Kuroo lived to pick on Bo, but he was happy Bo had someone in his life to help him get move on. He even managed to snap a photo when Bo picked up her, cheering with a sparkle in her eyes when she spiked a ball.
When Bo mentioned that he had always liked plants but couldn’t seem to keep on alive, Jess jumped on the chance to help him. Her apartment was filled with various types of plants; flowers and herbs and Bo loved listening to her go on and on about them. She went out and bought pots, soil and seeds and made it a challenge to see who could grow their plant the tallest; Bo quickly accepted and then in the same breath overwatered the seeds. Jess gifted him a fake plant short after.
Mid-April 2019
“Are you sure I look okay?” Jess asked, for the fourth time since Bo picked her up. They were sitting in his car outside of Kuroo’s apartment. Just like the other three times, he assured her that she looked beautiful.
“You’ll be the best looking one there.” Bo smiled as she rolled her eyes at him. He wasn’t lying, based on what Bo heard from Kuroo it was mostly just going be you, Jess, Bo, Kuroo and Kenma.
She looked down at her outfit one more time; dark blue skinny jeans, a pale pink flowy top with a thin gray sweater. She knew she’d looked fine, this was her go-to outfit back in California, but for some reason she didn’t feel confident in it. Maybe she should’ve worn her black ankle boots instead of her chestnut brown ones.
Her thoughts are interrupted when Bo opened her door, reaching his hand for hers. She gave him a straight smile as he pulled her into a hug. Breathing in his woody scented cologne instantly relaxed her; sandalwood quickly became a scent she yearned for since meeting him.
He lifted her chin with his index finger, making eye contact with her, “You look stunning. Stop worrying so much.” He pressed a kiss to her forehead causing her to smile.
He intertwined his fingers with hers before they walked into Kuroo’s apartment. Kuroo quickly answered the door.
“HEY HEY HEY!” Bo shouted in reply to Kuroo’s “HEY HEY!”
“Hey, Kuroo.” Jess smiled and then blushed when Kuroo grabbed her free hand, kissing the back of it.
“You know you can call me Tetsu.” He winked which caused Bo to pull Jess into the apartment, muttering that Kuroo worked just fine. Bo knew Kuroo was doing it to get under his skin, he wasn’t clueless, but Jess meant the world to Bo and he wanted to protect her. Kuroo was one of his closest friends and yeah, he trusted him, but Mark was still constantly on Jess’s mind. She needed more time to heal.
You were sitting on the couch when Bo and Jess walked in. You smiled at the pair, noting that Bo was still clinging on to her hand and how he had stiffened at Kuroo’s suggestion for her to call him by his first name.
After failing to agree on where to go to enjoy the night, Kuroo suggested seeing which set of best friends knew each other better. Kuroo clearly feeling that he and Kenma would have a landslide of a victory. Kenma shrugged since Kuroo took his gaming console and hid it which Kuroo and Bokuto took as agreeing. Bokuto was game for anything to show off his competitive side and to beat Kuroo.
The only issue was who would be Bokuto’s partner. Jess awkwardly stared between everyone not wanting to step on anyone’s toes.
“Bo, you can have Jess and Y/N. You’ll need all the help you can get.” Kuroo winked at Jess.
“It’s fine, I can sit this game out.” Jess said, holding her hands up. “I’ll pick the questions to ask.”
“Oh no, it’s fine.” You smiled at her, “I don’t mind seeing what you got.”
“Are we gonna have a cat fight?” Kuroo raised an eyebrow which gained a glare from you, an elbow to the ribcage from Kenma and Bo shaking his head.
“No. I just think it’d be fun. If I play, we’d smoke ya!” You teased Kuroo, sticking out your tongue.
“What do ya, Jess? Be my partner?” Bo smiled and you couldn’t help but see the way Jess’s face flushed as she nodded before moving to sit next to him.
You watched the two of them scoot closer to each other, Bo’s hand resting gently on her thigh as if that’s the most natural thing. Bo was a touchy person, you weren’t blind to that but it made you feel…jealous?
Once upon a time, during the first year you met Bokuto, you developed a crush on the two-toned haired boy. You thought that you had been obvious about it and had dropped hints, but Bo never seemed to reciprocate it or catch on. So, you moved on, leaving the idea in your first-year classroom.
“Y/N, ask the first question!” Kuroo shouted.
“Hold on, hold on.” You scrolled on a website until you found what you were looking for. “Okay, we’ll start with Team KuroKen: What’s your best friend’s favorite food?”
“Easy peasy! Apple pie!” Kuroo smirked, knowing he was right.
“Correct!” You cheered. “Now for Team Bess.”
“Bess?” Jess scrunched up her face.
You shrugged, “All I could think of on short notice.”
“Cool name or not, we’re gonna win!” Bo wrapped his arm around Jess’s waist, pulling her tighter to him. “Jess’s favorite food is mashed potatoes.”
Jess grinned towards you, “And Bo’s is BBQ meat.”
“C’mon Y/N, give us a hard question!” Kuroo begged.
The four of them continued to answer question after question until both teams had a tied score of 20. You began to smirk to yourself when you found the perfect question. It wasn’t that you didn’t like Jess, she seemed nice enough, but Bokuto had been your best friend for years and you didn’t like the fact that someone thought that six months was long enough to act like they knew Bo.
“Here we go, perfect question.” You winked at Jess, “What was the last movie your best friend watched?”
Team KuroKen quickly answered and a confident Kuroo started gloating about how they already won.
“Bo last watched Coco!” Jess exclaimed.
“Actually, it was (your favorite movie) a few weeks ago when I was upset.” You shrugged with a smirk on your face. Jess got up, excusing herself to go to the bathroom.
“WE WON!” Kuroo shouted before teasing Bokuto that maybe he’d have better luck next time.
“Kuroo, calm down.” Kenma sighed.
“No, Y/N, it was Coco.” Bo stood up, shaking his head, “We watched it together a few nights ago.”
“Well,” you stammered, crossing your arms. “How was I supposed to know?”
“You could’ve waited until I answered.” He let out a deep breath.
“That doesn’t make her your best friend.” You all but shouted.
“I can have more than one best friend.” Bo started walking towards the bathroom to find Jess. “You do, you have Youta, right? Why can’t I have Jess?”
Kuroo let out a low, awkward whistle before Kenma shook his head, heading into the kitchen.
“Youta is my husband. Jess is just...Jess. You’ve known her less than a year.”
“But you always said you’d marry your best friend. And so what? Jess is important to me, that should be enough for you to accept her.”
He walked down the hall, knocking on the bathroom door before gently opening it. He found Jess sitting on the side of the tub, tears in her eyes. Bo kneeled in front of her, pulling her into his arms, apologizing.
“Guess I should’ve just picked the questions, huh?” She laughed and a small sob mixed with it.
Bo started to laugh, “You’re something else, you know that?”
You could not sleep even if your eyes were unbearably heavy. When you close them, your mind automatically goes back to what just happened earlier that night.
You kissed Oikawa.
Technically, he kissed you. But you allowed him to and even kissed him back.
You hugged your pillow tighter and buried your face in it to cool the warmth in your cheeks. You didn’t want to date him but you let him kiss you. And not just kiss, you were literally making out.
How will you face him the next time?
You were thankful when you heard your phone vibrate on top of the countertop next to your bed. You could use a distraction.
You immediately grabbed it to see what it was about.
Good night, y/n-chan! I really enjoyed hanging out with you today. My favorite part was after I walked you to your dorm :))
You closed your phone and put it back.
You stared at the ceiling of your room and accepted that you won’t get much or any sleep at all tonight.
—
“Nee-san!! We have practice this Saturday. COME WITH OIKAWA PLS”
You scowled after reading your cousin’s text. It hasn’t been that long since you came to his match yet he’s already asking for you to come again the weekend after that. You know your childish cousin didn’t really care much about you. He was after Oikawa and you were just the condition he set for him to come.
Oikawa hasn’t bugged you that much since that jarring night of humiliation. He still messages you every now and then but he hasn’t asked to meet again. It gave you peace of mind.
It’s not that you don’t want to see him again. You actually find yourself slightly missing his presence.
His wonderful brightness didn’t decrease one bit but you adjusted to it and felt even more magnetized by what’s behind the popular guy everyone knew.
Still, you didn’t know how you should react when you see him again. And even though it’s just for Shin’s practice, you don’t have the courage to be the first one to ask him to meet.
You’ll just apologize to your cousin and lie that Oikawa was too busy to go.
You were constructing your half-baked apology to your cousin when your phone rang.
Oikawa
Your thumb was trembling with nervousness when you pressed the green button to accept the call.
“H-hello?”
“Hi, y/n-chan!”
You could see him smiling at the other side of the line just from the cheery tone of his voice.
“When are we hanging out again, hmm?” He asked giddily.
The phrase ‘hanging out’ was your idea but it was becoming pestilent even to you. You don’t want to actually date him, but you’re certain that you’re not just hanging out, especially not after that-
“You there, y/n-chan?”
“Oh. Yeah, umm.” You couldn’t believe you were spacing out because of him even when it’s the guy himself you’re talking to. “My cousin said their practice is going to be this Saturday.”
“Ahh, right. Let’s go together?”
You panicked. “No!”
“Ehhh? I don’t see the point if you’re not going.”
“I’ll go.” You corrected yourself right away. “But I’ll meet you there instead.” That would allow you to spend time with him again without being alone with him.
“But why can’t we just go together?” He pressed on.
You forgot that this was the man who persistently waited for you for two weeks at your university gates. Once he sets his eyes on something, he is ill-determined to get it, and at the moment, that something is you and him going to your cousin’s practice at the same time.
Unable to come up with an excuse, you proceed to say the truth. “I kinda feel awkward to be alone with you.”
It took him a few seconds to respond. “Because I kissed you?”
You were already unsettled just thinking about it. To hear it directly from him made you even more embarrassed.
“Yeah.”
“Do you regret it?” His frolicsome attitude was absent from how he spoke the question.
“Err…” Your logical mind was screaming at you to say yes so he wouldn’t pull something like that again. But you knew that would be a lie. The reason why it made you restless wasn’t solely because of how inappropriate it was to be seen doing it in public.
It was mostly because you liked it. You enjoyed it. And it troubles you that you did.
You sighed as you decided to answer it honestly. “No.”
“Ehehe. Oke. Text me when and where and I’ll see you there. Bye y/n-chan!” He said delightedly then abruptly ended the call. You removed your phone from your ear and looked at the screen.
Did he really just agree to what you asked him to without complaining?
You thought you were getting used to him but he managed to hang question marks all over your head again.
You shook your head as you deleted the previous draft you were about to send to Shin. Instead, you asked for the details Oikawa mentioned in the call.
Knowing that you won’t have to suffer awkwardness from being alone with him, excitement grew in you. You’re going to see him play without his obnoxious fans.
--
Oikawa stared at their previous coach’s message. This time, the message was straightforward. He was asked to reconsider his decision of quitting volleyball, as if that would make him change his mind.
He closed his phone and walked straight inside the gymnasium you texted him.
There were less players than your previous team, but they’re still of decent numbers. One side of the net was doing blocking drills while the other was practicing their passing.
He looked around but didn’t see you there.
He took out his phone again to call you since he didn’t see the point in playing when you’re not there.
“Oikawa-san!”
He looked for the person who called him and saw your cousin jogging towards him.
“Wow!! You really came.” Shin looked at him from head to toe as if he was an apparition that materialized.
He would be pleased with the adoration if you weren’t missing in action. “Where’s y/n?”
“She said she’s on the way. She’ll be here, I swear.” He smiled at Shin, satisfied that the deal he set was still intact on your cousin’s mind.
“Okay then. How do you want to play?” He asked, curious about how the team planned to utilize him to train.
“How many sets can you play?”
“How many sets can you play?” He was unable to control the smirk that went up on his mouth. Shin instantly beamed with excitement.
“Can we do four? You’ll be joining the first two sets with the blue team and the remaining two with the white team. Is that okay?”
“Sounds fine. Where can I change?”
Shin pointed at a corner of the gym. “The lockers are over there. Feel free to use it. You can even lock it if you don’t want anyone suddenly entering.” Shin offered generously, but he just laughed it off.
He didn’t mind people walking in while he’s changing. He has played the sport since he was a child. He was always changing around other boys so it wouldn’t faze him.
Once inside the locker room, he put down his bag. He checked his phone again if there were any updates from you, but still 0 new messages.
If the first set is done and you’re not still there, he’ll leave.
He changed to his training clothes and went back to where your cousin was. Shin introduced him to the rest of the team as was not really surprised when everyone knew who he was.
As they discussed earlier, he was going to play with the blue team first. As expected, he was going to play the setter for both teams.
They let them continue their drills for a short while so he could warm up. When he told Shin that he was good to go, the practice match started. Yet, there was still no sign of you.
Oh well. One set and he’s gonna dip if you’re still not around.
The game started with him gauging everyone on his current team which included Shin. He observed how each hitter approached the ball he tossed and assessed their potential. On their ninth point, he called for a time out.
He asked the hitters how they found his sets. They were hesitant at first, but he urged them to talk. He absorbed their input and filtered out the information he needed from them with ease.
After the time out, their team gradually picked up the pace. He was able to fine tune his sets according to each hitter while studying the other team behind the net. He adjusted the toss of the ball accordingly to what he deemed would make their attacks at their best.
With the score 24-19, it amused him that he was rotated at the back for the service.
It was his first time meeting and playing with them, and they were nowhere near as good as his previous team, but it thrilled him. Maximizing each individual’s capability to solidify the team gives him a rush.
While waiting for the referee to blow the whistle, his eyes automatically drifted to the entrance and was reminded why he was playing in the first place.
Luckily, his team was at the side where the entrance was so he was able to get a full view of you as you entered the gym.
Oh boy did he get distracted. You were wearing a white fitted shirt and black cycling shorts. Your university wasn’t strict with the dress code. He noticed that anyone could wear whatever they wanted. Yet you always wore pants and baggy long sleeves, sometimes you pair it with a jacket.
To see you that much skin from you was an experience he wanted to prolong if not for the whistle that perforated his fascination. He faced the net and dribbled the ball. Once again, he looked at you and just how he wanted, you were also looking at him. He held your gaze for half a second before a smirk crept up on his face as he prepared himself to serve..
Everything felt great. From his run-up, his high toss, his point of contact with the ball, and the energy behind all those - you.
It has been a while since he played, but anyone watching the game wouldn’t be able to guess that from how the ball pierced the air and landed with blistering speed at the corner of the back court. No one was able to move a muscle. No one even reacted except for him who couldn’t contain his smile.
It was the referee’s signal that let everybody know that his serve got his team to win.
Instead of cheering the team he was in, he went to you. You were clapping with an impressed beam on your pretty face. “Wow! That was..” You looked again to where he was standing when he served the ball. “Just wow. I have no words,” you added.
“You’re late, y/n-chan.” He tried to sound sulking but he was too proud of himself and too glad you arrived at the right moment.
“Sorry. I had a laundry catastrophe I had to fix.” You apologized but your dazzled smile remained.
He was worried you’d act more aloof than you normally were because of what happened the last time you saw each other. But to his pleasant surprise, you seemed livelier than usual. You didn’t even bow when you apologized which was refreshing.
“Oikawa-san!” The number 4 in his team called out. “We need to switch courts.”
He’s a bit irked because he wanted to brag more and hear you praise him since you almost missed the first set.
“Go ahead,” you urged eagerly. “I’ll be watching intently the next games.”
“You better. I’m playing for you, y/n-chan.” He winked at you as he ran off with his current team mate. When he took one last glance at you, he felt gratified as he saw your shocked expression accompanied by the ever precious blush that settled on your cheeks.
He decided then and there that whatever team he’s in, he’s going to make them win.
--
The kiss that haunted you was immediately stomped over when you arrived at the gym.
You realized that it didn’t matter who Oikawa’s with. As long as he is playing out there in the court, regardless of who his teammates are, his excellence showed. Everyone, including you, noticed that the team where he was in was the winning team. You could see how his teammates are enjoying the game that he was indirectly leading.
What awed you more was how he talked to the players. He didn’t speak like he was superior among them even though he was. He treated everyone casually, talked to them player to player, even sharing some smiles and laughs at attacks executed well.
He was indeed mesmerizing to watch.
He said he was playing for you but you highly doubt that. Not once did he even look at you after that jump serve he pulled off when you came in..
He was doing it because it exhilarated him. You could see it even better now that you’re watching closely, unlike before where you only viewed the game from a great distance because his fans always took the nearest available space.
You never cheered for him vocally because it would just be drowned out by loud cheers. But in this court devoid of ear-splitting squeals, your throat itched to yell out his name.
But it would be weird. It’s not like he’s getting points himself. His setting makes the hitters score but it still wasn’t from him technically.
“Here!” He yelled.
Did he really call for the toss? Is he going to attack? You didn’t take your eyes off him as he jumped off a floor ready to spike, only for his body to slightly twist mid-air and raise his other arm for a set.
You’re sure everyone was as astounded as you are. Even the blockers from the opposing team were half-pissed and half-amazed at his display of dexterity in handling the ball.
Unable to help yourself, you stood from your seat. “Nice toss, Oikawa-san!”
But since no one else was there, your loud voice was heard not only by Oikawa but by everybody. The player that he tossed too got distracted as well. He was successful in spiking the ball but it didn’t travel towards the other side of the net, it was spinning towards you.
It was fast, but you were able to react. With what little time you have, you get as far away as you could from where you saw the ball was heading.
As you dodged, you came into conclusion that even if you didn’t spend most of the time studying, you still wouldn’t get into sports. You were not moving away from the ball, you were going to where it was exactly going.
Then it was too late when you realized.
You received it perfectly with your face.
The ball bounced up as you stumbled on the floor from the impact.
That’s what you get from being dumb and suddenly cheering out of nowhere when the ball is still in play.
“Are you okay?”
You looked up and saw the player that hit you. You would nod but you didn’t want to move your head because your brain felt like it jiggled from being struck.
You were going to say something but when you moved your mouth, you winced from the pain on your cheek.
The player was horrified. “I’m so sorry.” You must look like you’re in a lot of pain. You want to act that you’re fine but the throbbing in your cheek made it impossible. In fact, tears were prickling in the corner of your eyes from the pang that was gradually setting in. He crouched and peered closely at the side of your face that was hit.
“Move.” The player stilled at the sound of Oikawa’s low and dangerous command. The player scrammed on his feet to get away from there as quickly as he could.
But when Oikawa stooped down to look at you, his eyes were full of concern.
“Let’s go treat that.”
With your dizziness and trembling lips that hurt when you try to speak, you waved one to signal him ‘no.’ You didn’t want to intervene in the game. They’re already on the last set. You’ll just toughen it up until it ends.
“Hey,” he called the attention of the player just now who was fretting in place. You’re not sure if he was worried about you or worried that Oikawa would snap at him.
“Get someone to sub me out.” Oikawa was no longer the pleasant teammate he was. The order he gave was absolute and did not have any room for objections. “And get me some ice and first aid,” he added.
“Okay!” The player ran to their side of the court.
“Your lower lip is bleeding.” Even though his voice was stern, his eyes were soft.
“Can you stand?”
“Yea,” you whispered.
He held your hand to assist you in standing up. But as you got up on your feet, your vision spun.
Oikawa didn’t fail to notice how your grip on his hand tightened. Your eyes were hazy before you closed them.
He didn’t bother asking you what was wrong. You obviously got dizzy from the sudden motion.
He pulled you to his chest, making sure that it was the unstricken side that was pressed to him. He held the back of your head to steady you as he let you recover from your dizzy spell.
It wasn’t the right time but he couldn’t help feeling good when you let him hold you close without you kicking up a fuss.
When your grip loosened, he figured that you were starting to regain your balance again.
“Hi! Here’s the first aid kit and the ice as you requested. If you want, I can treat her so you can get back to the game.”
He could tell it was their manager. It irked him that he had to request for those when she should’ve gotten those as an automatic response. To make things worse, he noticed that her attention wasn’t on you. It was on him. He saw the sparkling admiration in her eyes.
He had no plans getting back to the game when you’re hurt. More so now that someone else wanted to use your condition to do their bidding.
“No. I’m taking care of her.”
“Oh. Okay.” She bowed and put down what she brought on the bench you were just sitting at, then went back to their side of the gym.
“Feel better?”
“A bit.” Your voice still wavered.
He let go of your head to grab the kit the manager gave. “Let’s go to the lockers.”
You didn’t refuse so he took it as a yes since you couldn’t speak freely.
Once inside, he pushed a bench against the lockers so you can lean on something when he attends to you. He let you sit as he crouched in front of you.
At the first touch of the ointment at your grazed lip, you took a sharp breath.
“Does it really hurt that bad?” He asked quizzically. He’s been playing for so long that he got used to getting hit. Not to mention, Iwa-chan struck him way too frequently during training.
“I’m okay,” you said with wobbly lips and watery eyes.
He should feel bad, but it was adorable how you toughen it up when it was plain as day that you were really in pain. If you were alone, you would’ve been bawling already.
When he reapplied the ointment, you winced again.
“You’re gonna hurt yourself trying not to cry, y/n-chan.”
Like a kid given permission to do so, you closed your eyes as tears trickled on your cheeks.
“Mey feshe hurts se beerd!” You half sobbed and half spoke while avoiding to move the cut he just put ointment at.
You were being such a wimp and he adored it. He raised his hand to the top of your head to pat you while his other hand stroked your knee gently to soothe.
“Aww, princess. It’s okay.”
You suddenly opened your eyes and looked at him with pink blotches on your cheeks that he wasn’t sure whether it was from your weeping or from what he said.
Shit, he slipped. He didn’t intend to say that out loud. The reason he agreed to go to today's practice separately was because he wanted you to feel at ease with him again. It took him a while to convince you to actually spend time with him, so he’s wary that he might push you too hard that you’ll withdraw from him.
He knew that he’s coming off aggressively to you, but he only kept it to a certain degree. He didn’t want to make you extremely uncomfortable. He just wanted you to get used to him.
Instead of pointing out the endearment he accidentally voiced out, you sniffled while you wiped your tears.
“Ishe pleash.” You eyed the first aid kit where the ice was on top of.
He abided your request and took it upon himself to hold the bag of ice to your cheek. He continued staring at you while you made sure that you were looking anywhere but him.
“Didn’t you play any sport?” He asked.
“No.” You moved your mouth as if you were checking if still stung, then gave a sigh of relief. The sting probably eased up. “Only during PE class,” your words no longer garbled. “I don’t think I’m cut out for any physical activity,” you added.
“Ehhh? But you received that ball so well. You knew exactly where it was going.”
You frowned at him, attempting to look mad, but he could see the humiliation winning over your face.
He laughed, the sound bouncing off the metal lockers as it was empty except from you two.
When he recovered from his amusement, you looked like a defeated puppy. “It really hurt a lot when it hit me,” you mumbled.
“I know.”
This time, you didn’t look away from him. His levity was dissolved in the tension that was permeating the room. Your eyes held his as you both didn’t say anything. Only the sounds from the court could be heard.
You held a familiar glint in your eyes, the one he saw the other night. You looked like you didn’t know what to do.
It was bad.
The small cut on your lip didn’t make it any less appealing and if you’re going to keep that ambivalent facade, he might actually give in to his urge for a repeat of that night.
He went an inch closer, probing how further you’d let him get away with. Then another inch after the other, until the rhythm of your breathing changed.
He removed the ice bag from your cheek and put it down without breaking the eye contact. He slowly traced his hand that was on your knee up until it was resting on the bare skin of your thigh just below the fabric of your shorts. It was silky smooth and he had to consciously restrain himself from getting more handsy.
Damn it. You should really say something now.
“I-” you interjected.
“Hmm?” He’d immediately get his hands off you if you asked him to.
But there you were again, aware of what’s about to happen but clueless on how to respond.
He’s had it from there. He gave you a lot of time to refuse. If you couldn’t decide for yourself, then he’d do it for you.
He lightly clutched your thigh before propping himself up to close the remaining gap between your lips.
“Nee-san!!”
“Fuck,” he cursed lowly right on your mouth that was only a breath away. He could almost taste you already.
You both turned to Shin who was standing frozen on the doorway. He made sure his glare was enough to let your cousin know that he interrupted something.
“Oh.” Shin’s face went beat red upon figuring out what he just walked into. “I’m sorry!” He bowed exaggerated exactly like how you usually do and made sure to close the door before he ran back to the court.
You covered your face with your hands but instantly took them away. “Ow,” you exclaimed.
Oikawa sighed with frustration as he raised the ice bag again and gently put it to your face. He should have accepted Shin’s offer earlier to get the lockers to himself when he wanted to.
With Shin’s intrusion, he managed to tamper his craving to touch and hold you inappropriately. He also took it as a sign that it wasn’t the best time. It probably would’ve hurt if he kissed you with that cut, even though it was only a tiny one.
After a few more minutes, you let him know it didn’t stiung as much anymore. You two went back to the court with the games already finished.
He asked you to wait a bit as he gathered the players and told them what he noticed while playing with them. When he was done, everyone thanked him and commended him, as they should.
He was about to go to the locker room to change back to his casual clothes when the guy who spiked a ball at you approached him.
“I’m so sorry,” said guy apologized, which he found annoying. You’re the one the guy hit, not him.
“Ha?”
“I didn’t mean to hit your girlfriend.” Girlfriend? That sounded nice. On second thought, the guy wasn’t so bad. And he was a forgiving man who could overlook that horrendous misplay.
“Oh, don’t worry about it,” he said graciously, not bothering to correct what the hitter assumed. He waved at him dismissively and went ahead so you wouldn’t wait too long.
When he got back to you, Shin was right beside you.
“Oikawa-san!! Let me treat you to something as thanks,” your cousin suggested.
“No need to. We have plans.”
“We do?” You reiterated, unable to grasp what he meant. He smiled amicably at you. “Yes, we do.”
“Okay. Have a good evening!” Shin said before you could even ask anything. Luckily, your cousin gets it.
“Come on,” he said as he turned around and headed outside.
“I didn’t know we had other plans,” you stated with bewilderment.
“This is the plan, y/n-chan.”
He glanced at you from his peripheral to see your reaction. “Ah,” your mouth opened as it finally sunk in your head what he was insinuating earlier.
It was too early for dinner as the sun was only beginning to set. So he decided to just take you straight home.
He thought you were going to make a big deal out of it again but you just stayed silent and walked beside him. You looked straight ahead, but he knew your mind was somewhere else. He was about to ask but you beat him to it.
“You miss it, don’t you?”
It was an abrupt and heavy question, causing him to fail taking his next step.
It was a vague question but he knew exactly what you were referring to.
You immediately noticed and stopped walking as well.
“Oh, sorry! I didn’t mean to pry or anything,” you said defensively with panic gradually settling in yours as you realized it was something he didn’t take lightly.
“Yea,” he answered before you could fully cower to your timid self.
“I do miss Volleyball,” he confessed with a poignant smile as he started walking again, slower than usual.
You went with his pace as curiosity replaced the alarmed look on your face.
Even though you haven’t followed up with another question yet, he already figured out what it would be. You’ve already asked it previously too.
Now he’s ready to answer you.
It was a sour topic but he didn’t mind being honest with you. You could see right through him anyways. It made him at ease to let you in on his internal struggle since he wouldn’t have to hide anything from you.
“But I’m not good enough to stand in the court I want to play at.” He glanced sideways to see your reaction.
If a question mark had a face, it would probably be the one you’re wearing. Maybe he was too poetic or that it was too obscure for someone only watching from afar.
“I don’t understand. You deserve to play on the best court there is.”
He never should have underestimated you. He did the first time you met and it was a mistake doing so again for your words fanned a flame in him that he thought himself put out already.
But he couldn’t let that happen.
“It’s nice you think so, y/n-chan,” he responded cheerfully before his voice dropped drastically, “but there are geniuses out there,” he paused as he was about to say something that fueled his insecurity, “and I’m not one of them.”
“What are you then?”
He gave you an over the top smile that holds no authenticity to it. “I’m just a good-looking guy who works harder than everybody else.”
Without even pausing to think, you responded right away. “Is there really a need to be a genius then?”
He knew he was a good player. He was even convinced that he was the greatest. But as he continued playing his beloved sport, he was easily overwhelmed by people who seemed like they were born to play Volleyball.
That was why he just gave it up.
With modeling, he didn’t have to try so hard.
He didn’t enjoy it as much, but it made him feel good about himself. It felt like he was perfect for it. So instead of forcing himself on Volleyball, he chose modeling.
However, you thought differently. You believed that he didn’t have to be some sort of prodigy to play on a higher level.
He felt even more conflicted.
“I’m not sure, but that’s no longer relevant since I already quit, y/n-chan.”
“Unquit then,” you said plainly.
The way you always have a quick counter got his resolve reeling. His thoughts about the issue were in knots for months but you threaded through it simply in just a matter of minutes.
“You can always go back, right? If you really wanted to, I mean.” You added, oblivious to the turmoil your upfront words were causing.
“Do you think I should play again?” he asked since that’s what seemed to be the purpose of your initial statement that brought forth the current discussion.
“I think you should do whatever makes you happy, Oikawa-san. I don’t really mind whatever that is,” you smiled at him, then winced.
“Ow,” you touch your wounded lip. It must have been stretched when you smiled at him.
“In a way, it’s good your cousin came when he did. It would’ve hurt if I kissed you, y/n-chan,” he deviated the topic back to you since his mind needed a break from the ponderous conversion you two were having.
“Why would you do that? I have a cut on my lip.” You gently dabbed the graze again, probably to feel how much it still hurts.
He grinned. You were totally unaware of the implication of your response.
“So, if you didn’t have a cut, you’d let me do it?”
You flinched, but kept your eyes straight ahead. Even though you avoided meeting his gaze, you couldn’t hide the pink tint on your cheeks as you sped up your strides.
Not like it mattered since he could easily keep up.
“Y/n-chaaaan. Answer me,” he pestered on, which worsened your blush.
“I-” you were doing some awkward motions with your hands like it was helping you figure out what you wanted to say. But soon failed when you raised them in the air in the form of a surrender as you sighed defeatedly.
“I don’t know,” you admitted frustratingly.
Too pure. You’re too fucking pure that he just found himself even more endeared to you. The inner workings of your mind were undecipherable wonders but when it comes to anything romantic, you become a transparent sheet that he could easily perceive.
“Just say we’re dating already so you can say yes freely,” he teased further to which you didn’t answer.
But your silence meant a lot because you no longer said ‘no’ either.
—
‘Jose Blanco is here.’
Oikawa has been staring at the text message for a solid hour he received from their former coach. The person who made him want to be a setter, the one who lured him deeper into Volleyball as a child, was just around for him to see.
Even though the message did not contain any details, he knew what his coach was trying to say. He could meet Blanco if he wanted to.
And he does.
Being with you made him look back on decision to quit. You opened the sealed passion he once held for Volleyball, but the willpower to go back is not yet there.
Even so, he was already constructing a reply to send. “I’d like to meet him.”
He didn’t see any harm in doing so. He might even get answers to his unresolved doubts, and if he doesn’t, he’d have the honor of a private encounter with Jose Blanco.
--
You’re falling for Oikawa, dangerously hard and fast.
What were you expecting? To be friends even when he’s made it clear that he wants to date you? Your relationship with him was never platonic in the first place. The ‘hanging out’ front didn’t do you any good either. You’ve even kissed, and would have done it the second time if Shin didn’t pop out.
You still think getting in a relationship with Oikawa would be complicated, but being around with him for weeks now, you realized that he could handle his fans when he needed to. He even told off one when you two were together.
As for his schedule, the two of you meet pretty often and he texts you a lot. All those times you’ve met were initiated by him as well. You wouldn’t have to squeeze yourself in his life since he could find the time for you.
Maybe it wasn’t as complicated as you thought.
Although you’re still not sure why he likes you, you know that he’s serious about it. He did a lot of radical things just to get your attention and be with you. That’s good enough for now. That’s good enough for you to consider dating Oikawa.
With fidgeting hands, you text him a message asking to meet up that day. You hope he’s free before your insecurity hits you and causes you to change your mind.
‘I have something to do this morning. What about tonight? :)’
You can feel your heart pounding wildly against your chest while your fingers are trembling from agitation.
Tonight, you’ll be officially dating Oikawa, the man you’ve deemed unreachable.
Your cheeks were hurting from how wide your smile was. You’re legitimately a shoujo manga heroine now, getting the man every girl wants and every guy aspires to be.
--
You decided your rendezvous point to be at the park near your dormitory. Until the late afternoon, you couldn’t decide where to meet. You didn’t want to go to a restaurant or whatever because it’d be too crowded and you might falter if a fan approaches again.
Your roommate is out, but no freaking way you’d invite him in. You’d rather take the crowded place than be alone in an enclosed space with him.
You expected yourself to be nervous, but you’re actually more excited, probably because you already know that he likes you too.
You won’t tell him just yet that you’re starting to love him. You’ll take baby steps. You’ll only let him know that you agree on dating instead of pretentiously hanging out. For now, that was enough.
When he came into view looking as good as ever, you couldn’t stop your heart from beating as twice as fast as it normally does.
He waves at you, which you return feebly since this is the first time for you to make the first move with him. The letter doesn’t count because you didn’t send it yourself.
You thank the dimness that engulfed the area for you were sure you were flushed.
“Hey, y/n-chan,” he greeted spritely but it was accompanied with a strained smile as he sat beside you.
“What’s wrong, Oikawa-san?” You immediately asked. It was not like him. He had a natural flippant attitude, but just now it sounded forced.
“Hmm? Everything’s fine,” he said as put his hands on the pockets of his jacket while settling down on his seat.
You only glared suspiciously at him. You could tell something was off.
He chuckled lightly when looked your way. “Do you have super observant powers, y/n-chan?”
Your glare of suspicion turned to a frown of confusion. “I don’t get it.”
He shook his head with a smile. “Nothing.” He leaned back on the back rest and shifted his gaze to the night sky.
“I met with the person who inspired me to be a setter.”
You lifted your head up to the same sky he was looking at while waiting for the whole story.
“He offered me some guidance and asked if I wanted to come with him to Argentina.”
Your gaze instantly returned to his with the news he gave. “Wow. That’s amazing, Oikawa-san! Are you going?”
A bittersweet smile formed on his lips as he faced you.
“Should I?”
Why was he looking at you like his answer depended on you? It didn’t matter what you thought, but you figured that he might still be conflicted since he looked like he wanted to go for it yet still reserved about it.
“If you want to. Personally, I think you’d be great if you do.”
“And you love watching me play, right?”
You nodded for it was true. He’s at his absolute best with Volleyball.
He scooted closer until you could feel his side pressed to yours. He grabbed one hand that was sitting on your lap and put it in his pockets as he intertwined it with his.
“Oikawa-san?”
“It’s cold, y/n-chan. You wouldn’t want me getting sick, would you?”
Yet his hand was the warm one, in contrast to yours which you realized was actually freezing. He gripped it tight as he returned his gaze to the moonless sky.
“I’m thinking of going pro,” he announced.
You felt so proud and happy that he was able to make that decision knowing that it wasn’t an easy one for him. The last time you saw each other, he revealed his insecurities that ran so deep it made him quit something he cherished.
So to hear that he managed to break out of it brings you joy. He wasn’t just going back to it, he’s also moving forward.
But you couldn’t smile to congratulate him, the dread of him leaving invaded the joy you felt before it even completely set in.
In the end, it was Oikawa himself who would end what you have before it even starts, and you couldn’t blame him for it. In fact, you were truly happy for him. He gets to play in a bigger stage like he wanted to, like he deserved to. He was meant to achieve greater things after all.
It was your own naivety that made you think that you were someone he could actually be with. Even if he did want to, his own brilliance wouldn’t allow him. Just when you thought he was reachable, fate offers him to take a huge step towards his ambitions, a huge step away from you, making you come face to face with the harsh reality that he’s way too exceptional for an ordinary person like you.
You couldn’t smile but you couldn’t cry too with two emotions clashing at each other with no arising winner.
“Why did you ask to meet me?”
What came out of your mouth next was the first lie you dared tell him. “I just wanted to see you.” Or maybe it was because it wasn’t a complete lie that made it sound believable even to your ears.
You expected him to tease you about it, but he’s probably too preoccupied with his own thoughts.
You leaned your head on the backrest of the bench and joined him again in his silent viewing of the night, throwing out everything you were supposed to tell him tonight, together with the crushed hopes you had.
Just like the star you fixated gaze on, he was someone you could only stare yearningly at and never have.
So you relished the moment with your hand locked onto his. You held on to him while you still could.
a/n:
I’ll be writing the last chapter after the holidays (cause im working on a Bokuto smut fic).
Y’all telling me the story was cute when I already had the ending plotted out flattered me and also amused me im so sorry :(
Thank you so much @newfriendjen for the betaread. Idk what Id do without u.
Summary: Two little friends have always desired one thing: to end up as siblings. So when the chance presented itself after a finalized divorce, who were they to decline such an opportunity to finally bring their parents together?
Pairings: Bokuto Kōtarō x f!Reader
Word Count: 4453
Warnings: Angst. Fluff. Mentions of divorce, cheating, cussing
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters portrayed in this series. Part of the @babythotshq Dearest Daddy Collab
Tags: open (send me an ask to be added!)
January 5, 2026
Jess watches her daughter through her laptop screen, the little girl has been quiet for about five minutes and she looks worried which makes her mother want to reach through the screen and comfort her.
“Seiko, baby, what’s bothering you?”
She sighs, swinging her feet back and forth. Ever since Misaki’s birthday something’s been on her mind, but she’s been too afraid to ask her dad or her mom. Usually Seiko would just say what was on her mind, ask whatever questions she had that popped into her head, but this was different, her dad and Y/N whispered when they talked and stopped when her or Haruki came into the room.
“Nothing, Mama.”
“It makes Mama sad when you’re upset.” Jess pokes out her bottom lip which gets a giggle from Seiko.
“Daddy said he made that face up!”
“Oh, he did? That sounds like Daddy.”
Seiko smiles a little, “can I ask you something, Mommy?”
Her sweet and low tone melts Jess’ heart as she gives her daughter a smile. “Of course baby girl.”
“What’s a divorce?”
Jess sucks in a quick breath, trying to decide how best to approach it while also curious as to where the subject even came up.
“Well, it’s when a mom and dad stop living together.”
“Why?”
“Sometimes it’s because they may be fighting a lot.”
“Why?”
“Because sometimes people stop getting along.”
“Oh.” Seiko starts wringing her hands again. “I heard Haruki ask Daddy about it. Does that mean they don’t love him anymore?”
“No baby. Y/N and Youta love Haruki very much, just like Mommy and Daddy love you. Divorce is a grownup thing, but it has nothing to do with Haruki.”
Her golden eyes start shining, filling with tears. “Promise, Mama? I don’t like Haruki sad.”
“I promise. Can you go get Daddy?”
Seiko bounces out of the chair, quickly returning to her usual energetic self as she runs out of the room, shouting for her dad. Jess laughs when Bo walks into the room, carrying their daughter upside down as she squeals.
“Daddy put me down!”
“If you say so.” He acts like he’s going to drop her which only makes her start to squeal louder before he finally sits her down on the floor.
“Mommy wants you. I think you’re in trouble.”
Bo looks directly at Jess with a puzzled expression before she shakes her head. Seiko giggles before running up to the laptop.
“Bye Mommy!” She leans forwards, kissing the screen. “I love you!”
“I love you too baby girl! I’ll talk to you tomorrow!” She waves as Seiko runs into her room, leaving her parents alone.
“You look radiant as ever, Jess.”
She blushes, “you, as handsome as ever Bo.”
“Seiko said I was in trouble.”
“You are. How dare you not tell me about Y/N and Youta’s divorce.” She shakes her head, quickly checking her phone after it pings, Bo catches the way she bites her lip as she smiles at whatever she’s reading.
“I didn’t know you were so invested in their marriage.”
“I’m not, but I am invested in the happiness of my baby daddy.” She smiles wide, knowing Bo doesn’t really care for that term, that it makes him feel cheap, but she can’t let a teasing moment pass them by
“I’m not happy about it.”
“Maybe not directly, but it does leave Y/N open for new ventures. New possibilities. New relationship with an old friend, perhaps?”
“Jess! The papers aren’t even signed.” It wasn’t like the thought hadn’t briefly, very briefly, crossed his mind. A chance to finally tell you how he felt, but just like back in high school, the timing was all wrong.
She repeats what he said, mocking him which makes him roll his eyes. “Well either you can tell her or I will.”
“You wouldn’t.” Bo narrows his eyes at her and she mimics the expression.
“Do you really want to test that theory?”
There’s no doubt in Bo’s mind that Jess would actually do it which slightly worries him. He knows her better than himself most days and that she only has the purest intentions when it comes to him, it was something that he saw a lot in Seiko too. Even if there was a chance for him, he knows he has to tread lightly since it’s not just you he has to worry about but also Haruki and somewhere in there Youta counts too.
“Just promise me you won’t wait forever?” She tilts her head with a soft smile on her face. It’s the same one Seiko makes when she first wakes up and Bo feels a tug on his heart. “Even the knight deserves happiness in the fairy tales.”
“I promise. Just want to make sure the timing’s right.”
* *
Mid-April – 2010
Bokuto had realized his feelings for you on a seemingly random day after the first volleyball practice of your second year. He was thrilled when he heard that a first year named Akaashi Keiji was a setter, but the first person that he wanted to tell wasn’t there: you.
He had a few crushes before this, but he could tell this time it was different. The only downside to this realization was that now he found himself nervous to be around you alone. Before it didn’t bother him to sit next to you, shoulders brushing against each other’s, but now he opted for a seat across from you and if he had to sit next to you, his face was red the whole time. Then came the struggle between telling you or not telling you, both sides had a plus and negative.
Telling you meant you had the chance to share his feelings.
Not telling you meant he could keep you as a friend.
Telling you meant you could reject his feelings.
Not telling you meant you two would only be friends.
And of course, the one person who Bo would normally go to when he needed serious advice was you, but you were the one person who couldn’t help him with this one.
**
“Yukippe!” He called out to the second-year manager at the end of practice.
“Ko-chan!” She smiled as she turned to face him. She raised an eyebrow at his demeanor, he was chewing the inside of his cheek while nervously shifting weight between his feet.
“Can I ask you something?”
“Which class?” She put a hand on her hip, a small smirk on her face.
“Huh?”
“You need notes, right?”
“Oh, no.” He shook his head, “It’s uhm…I need advice.”
Her eyes widened, grabbing his hand she dragged him over to the bleachers, patting the stop next to her for him to sit. “Advice about what?”
“Well I think I like someone…”
She cut him off, “Is it Y/N? Tell me it’s Y/N!”
He wanted to deny it, but if she guessed that easily, obviously he wasn’t good at hiding his feelings. Or it could have just been you’re the only person he really hangs out with outside of the volleyball team. But if it was obvious, had you picked up on it? Or was that a sign you didn’t like him back?
“If it’s that obvious how come she didn’t already notice?” He sighed, shoulders dropping.
“She could just be shy. You two are really close, maybe she’s just nervous. Or she could want you to make the first move, some girls like that.” Yukie shrugged.
“What if I tell her and it ruins our friendship?”
“But what if you tell her and you have a really great relationship?” She placed a comforting hand on his shoulder, “you can’t be in the game if you just stand on the sidelines, right?”
* *
The first time Bo went to confess he had practiced his small speech all night, not falling asleep until close to 2:45am. He even asked one of his sisters to iron his uniform in exchange for doing the dishes all week and made sure he left a bit earlier. If there was a pre-confession checklist, he had all the boxes checked and ready to go. It was all planned, he wanted to tell you his feelings as soon as he saw you, but he also didn’t want it to distract you from classes, you were very serious about getting into a good university. So as much as he hated to wait, he held out until the end of the day, right before practice.
He had told you to meet him at your locker after your last class and he pepped up when he got a quick glimpse of you waiting there for him. Taking one last deep breath, he continued to walk towards you until he saw something that brought him to a complete halt. You throw your arms around some guy he doesn’t recall seeing around Fukurōdani Academy, but to be fair that wasn’t saying much. He didn’t really keep up with people who weren’t in his class or on the volleyball team. He tried to hold on to the confidence he had all day, but it was shattered when you waved him over, introducing whoever the guy was as your boyfriend.
That’s how Bokuto spent all of his second year and most of his third year, watching you get into a relationship with what felt like everyone but him. He’d smile when you introduced the newest guy who confessed, whisper how sorry he was when you came to him crying when the relationship inevitably ended, help you pick up all the pieces. He became the one you could turn to who didn’t have an ulterior motive, the one who was just there for you without you even asking him to be.
Then after Bo felt he had waited long enough, that you were in a good place after the break-up, he’d get ready to confess only to have it shot down by you introducing him to the guy who managed to confess a day or so before he had the confidence to. And the cycle just continued, you got in a relationship, broke up, Bo went to confess, you already had a new guy, leaving Bokuto’s self-esteem to slowly be chipped away.
* *
February – 2012
“Bokuto-san, you should really say something to Y/N.” Akaashi said, helping the ace pick up a few stray volleyballs from their extra spiking practice.
The ace just shrugged, he had realized that it had been a while since your last break up and you hadn’t been acting like you were in a new relationship like you usually did. But for longer than he’d care to admit, he’d held on so tightly to his feelings that he wondered if he could even let them go.
“I’ll support whatever you decide, but I’d hate for you to regret not telling her years from now.” Akaashi gave Bokuto a small pat on the shoulder before he headed for the locker room.
**
March – 2012
Bokuto took a deep breath and smoothed the wrinkles on his shirt. Today was the day, he was finally going to confess his feelings for you. He had it all planned out, with Akaashi’s help of course. He had bought the small owl keychain you had said you liked last weekend when out shopping.
His heart fluttered when he heard your laugh and his pace increased even though his legs felt like they’d give out at any moment. He swallowed thickly, the heaviness of his nerves filling his chest with each step he took. The butterflies in his stomach multiplied making him feel a slight wave of nausea when he finally sees your face. You jumped up from the bench you’ve been sitting on, waving him over eagerly with a huge smile on your face. Something about this time felt right to Bo and he dug into his pocket, tightly holding on to the keychain.
“Bo!” You throw your arms around him and he let the floral scent of your perfume calm him.
“Y/N.” He cleared his throat, “I want to tell you something.”
“Can I tell you something first?” You smiled at him and gave him a small pout which he knows he can’t refuse. How could he ever say no to you?
“Of course.” What was a few more minutes?
“I got into Kyoto University!” You started to jump up and down, hugging him once again.
“Y/N, that’s awesome! I’m so proud of you!” The two of you sat down on the bench, knees slightly touched when you turned a bit to the side to face him.
“Thank you!” You let out a breath, “it might sound odd, but I’m glad to be going to university single. No distractions, I can just focus on me and my degree.”
You had started to ramble about the course catalog and the two different majors you were torn between, but Bo didn’t hear any of it. Your words repeated on a loop in his mind, breaking his confidence and maybe even a little of his heart. He wanted to get up and just go home, skip practice, he didn’t care about Nationals right now. Once again, he was too late, but for some reason this time felt more permanent.
“Bo! Bo!” You called out, “what did you want to tell me?”
When he looked up at you, you had that signature smile on your face, the one he always looked for on a bad day or the same one Akaashi would point out when he hit a slump during a game and it broke his heart.
“Nothing. Oh wait,” he stood up, pulling the keychain out of his pocket. “I just wanted to give you this.”
Your eyes widened and you squealed when the owl keychain was placed in your hand. You had briefly mentioned you liked it while the two of you walked past the small shop. To be fair you weren’t sure he had even heard you, but you weren’t surprised, Bo always came through. You pressed yourself up on your tiptoes, pressing a kiss to his cheek, thanking him over and over for the gift.
At that moment, Bokuto wasn’t sure which had hurt him more. Coming to confess to you, just to see someone had beat him to it or coming to confess just to hear you say you didn’t want a boyfriend. Each time had taken a toll on him, each time carrying the heavy weight of rejection, but this time Bo knew it would be the last time because he couldn’t take that pain anymore.
* *
January 13, 2026
“Let’s go to the swings, Hakkun!” Seiko grabs the boy and drags him across the playground.
“No. I don’t want to!” He tugs his arm away from her which causes her to stop and look at him. Haruki didn’t normally act like that, usually he just went along with whatever she wanted to do, but lately he’d been acting differently and Seiko didn’t like it.
“Fine! Play by yourself!” Seiko stomps away, crossing her arms as she goes. When she finally hops up on the swing, there’s an older girl on the one next to her.
“Don’t worry. Brothers can be moody sometimes.”
It isn’t the first time someone called them siblings, assuming they were related which usually bothered her because she didn’t think they looked anything alike. But this time, it gave her an idea that she wanted to share with him. Though it would have to wait because she was still mad at him.
* *
January 20, 2026
You and Youta have been sitting across from each at the kitchen table going over the fine details of your divorce for the last half hour. It still feels weird to you, for months the two of you could barely hold a conversation, but within the last few weeks it was as if you were back in college. As if this whole process was the same as a college debate and you both were able to effortlessly keep up the conversation. It was as if when you both accepted the end of your relationship had come, that pressure to make things work, to keep up the facade was gone and you two could breathe again.
It feels weird that 12 years of your life was now simplified into a small stack of papers, that somehow the love that you two had stumbled upon on a college campus was just gone. The same love that brought your beautiful son into the world had somehow vanished without you noticing. Maybe you had noticed, maybe you saw the way Youta’s eyes never stayed focused on you for long, how even when he was there he seemed to be somewhere else. Maybe it was something you had known when the lack of your husband’s touch had stopped bothering you and you’d wish he had stayed out all night rather than stumbling in at 3am just to end up waking you.
Your son walks by the table, going into the kitchen and grabs a snack that he knows he shouldn’t have because it’s almost time for dinner. He tries to walk by you, without a word before you reach out, stopping him.
“Ruki, it’s almost dinner. Let’s wait on the snack, okay?” You say, your tone gentle as you reach out to pull him into a hug. You were used to your son being more reserved than outgoing, he usually preferred to read or draw and always opted to be in the living room so he was around you but could still be alone. But recently you noticed that he preferred spending most of his time alone, if there wasn’t a specific reason to be around you or Youta, he holed up in his room.
“But I don’t want to.” He puts up his arms, pushing away from your embrace before he starts to open the foil package.
“Haruki, I asked you to wait for dinner.” You reach for the package, but he yanks it out of your reach.
“I don’t care!” He shouts, walking back towards his room.
“You need to apologize, Haruki. That’s not how you speak to your mother.” Youta stands up from the table, a serious expression on his face as his words come out steady and firm.
Haruki stops midway down the hall, turning his head slightly to the side and he mumbles an apology, heading back into his room before you or your husband could say anything further.
* *
February 22, 2026
“Hakkun!” Seiko throws her arms around her best friend, squeezing him a bit tighter than usual. She had been talking to her parents about what was going on between you and Youta and when she asked how she could help, they told her just to make sure he knew he was loved.
“Hey Seiko.” He gave her a small smile. You had dropped Haruki off with Bo since you had a job interview and Youta had to travel to Miyagi for a short business trip.
“My daddy said we can watch him practice if we want!” She smiles, taking his hand in hers, “you still wanna play volleyball, right?”
He shrugs, “I guess.”
“Maybe you and Saki-chan could practice together! Uncle Kaashi is gonna teach her!”
Haruki follows her to the top of the bleachers, she swears it’s the best spot to watch, but Haruki would’ve been fine on the first row. Both of them are watching the MSBY team run drills when Seiko screams before turning to Haruki.
Bo immediately starts apologizing to the team who just waved him off, telling him that it’s fine, they love Seiko and the slight distraction was the perfect chance for a small break.
Sakusa’s eye twitches as he glares towards Bokuto, “I really wish she was more like Jess.”
“Seiko is perfect the way she is.” Hinata quickly adds, giving the outside hitter a thumbs up.
“Is she?” Sakusa raises his brows before walking away, leaving both Hinata and Bokuto speechless.
“Speaking of Jess, how is she doing?” Meian jogs over to his teammates, water bottle in hand.
Atsumu cocks his head to the side, curious about his captain's seemingly sudden interest in Jess, but before he can ask, Bokuto begins to tell him that they had just talked earlier that morning and she’s been doing fine.
**
“I FORGOT TO TELL YOU ABOUT AN IDEA!” Seiko shouts before Haruki reaches over to cover her mouth with his hand.
“Seiko, inside voice.”
Her cheeks turn red and she gives Haruki her signature sorry smile before waving at her dad telling him the same.
“Sorry, I just got so excited.”
“What did you forget to tell me?”
“Remember when we were at the park and I wanted to swing?”
He just nods, he didn’t like thinking about how mean he had been and what made it worse was when he tried apologizing, Seiko just brushed it off, telling him that it was her fault not his.
“A girl called you my brother.”
“People do that a lot.” Haruki turns his head when he hears the smack of a volleyball, his attention going back to the MSBY practice. It wasn’t anything new for them to be mistaken for siblings even though they didn’t really look anything alike.
“But what if we were siblings?”
“Then one of us would have totally different parents.”
She huffs, annoyed with his attitude, but remembers what her mom said and calms down. “No, I mean what if your mom and my dad got together.”
His head snaps towards the little girl, his attention completely on her. “What?”
“My dad always smiles around your mom.”
“And my mom really likes being around your dad.” He taps his chin with his index finger, thinking. You did seem a bit sadder since he learned his parents were getting a divorce and he knows Uncle Bo makes you laugh a lot. He looks over to Seiko who has a grin on her face, “what did you have in mind?”
“I’m glad you asked.” Seiko leans towards Haruki, cupping her hand and whispering in his ear.
**
“Seiko! Haruki! Get your jackets ready, I’ll be back shortly.” Bo calls up to the two kids who are both smirking.
“Okay Daddy!”
“I’m serious. We have to meet Y/N on time.” He points at his daughter before heading into the locker room, but stops when he hears Jess’s name come up in conversation.
“What yer askin’ about Jess for?” There’s a slight amount of teasing in his curious tone.
“Just making conversation since Sakusa brought her up.” Meian’s almost boring response slightly irks the setter, but the faint blush on his cheeks aren’t lost on Atsumu.
“If yer that worried, I’m sure Bo would give ya her number.” Atsumu raises his eyebrow at his captain who seems to be a bit flustered now.
“I uhm—it’s really fine. I was just making conversation.” Meian shuts his locker a little too hard.
“You’re sure Bo would what?” Bokuto lets his presence known, a puzzled look on his face.
“Invite the team to Seiko’s birthday party, of course.” Atsumu smirks.
“Yeah, of course.” He goes to his locker, grabbing his stuff for a quick shower. It had never crossed his mind before, not that he was opposed to it, but thinking of Jess with someone else left a weird feeling in his chest.
* *
February 27, 2026
“What do you think they are talking about?” You ask Bo, both of you looking at the table next to yours. Despite popular opinion, Bo didn’t take Seiko out for fast food often, but you managed to convince him this one time wouldn’t hurt, so here you all were at McDonald’s much to Bo’s distaste.
Seiko and Haruki are sitting close to each other, hands cupped over their mouths as they whisper to each other, eyes going back and forth between their parents and each other. Both of your children had begged to sit at their own table, claiming they were discussing their next big adventure where no adults were allowed.
Bo shrugs, “probably scheming something or another. Seiko’s birthday is coming up.”
“That’s true. Can you believe they’ll be six this year?”
“Sometimes I still can’t believe I’m a dad.” He laughs.
“Anything special planned?”
He leans over, whispering in your ear, “Jess is coming in, it’s a surprise.” When he sits back up, he sees Seiko giggling before she looks down at her food, almost like she had been caught.
**
“What do you think they are talking about?” Seiko looks over at Haruki when she sees her dad lean over towards you.
“Adult stuff, probably.” Haruki takes a bite of a chicken nugget.
“Haruki, c’mon. We have to think of ways to get them together.” Seiko grabs one of his fries despite his protests.
“Maybe we should ask an adult.” He shrugs, “they’d probably have more experience with this.”
“But who?” She rests her chin on her hand, looking over at her dad who is laughing with you. Her eyes widen along with the smirk on her face, “I know the perfect person.”
* *
February 28, 2026
A yawn comes from the other end of the video call before the lamp on the nightstand flicks on, the once black screen now showing a very sleepy woman, brown hair thrown up in a messy bun.
“Sei…ko? Is everything alright?” She looks at the clock on her nightstand: 4:35am.
“Hey hey hey!” Seiko yells, waking her mother even more. “I have a favor to ask.”
At 4 in the morning? You really are Kotaro’s daughter. “Can it wait until Mommy wakes up, princess?”
Jess already knows by the small pout on her bottom lip that that is just not going to be an option. She sighs in defeat, wondering if she should just get up and get a coffee.
“It’s really important, Momma.”
“What is this favor that simply cannot wait?”
“Haruki and I need help getting Daddy and Y/N together!”
Jess fully supported the idea of Bo and you together, just a few weeks ago she too was advocating for him to tell you of his feelings. But hearing her daughter advocate for the cause left a funny feeling in her chest. She put that feeling to the side, the look on her daughter’s face as she anxiously waited for her answer was enough to take precedence and hearing about the McDonald’s table set-up she had come up with made Jess feel proud. Seiko takes so much after Bo that it’s rare Jess sees herself in her, but when she does, it’s a great feeling.
