an: thanks to @honeyed-hedonist for requesting our favourite coach, Keishin. I hate that grumpy, secretly golden retriever man so much! I hope you enjoy this <3
starring: Keishin Ukai x female reader
warnings: SFW, fluff and humour
now playing -
“What up coach! Doing anything fun with your weekend?”
Keishin turned with a scowl, fixing his latest headache of a student with a death glare. Sadly, it didn’t even make the little twerp blink. Kids today were far too confident, and their respect for elders was lacking. Not that he really wanted to be considered old, fuck no. He was still cool.
“That’s Coach Ukai... don’t make me remind you again, and yes actually. My girlfriend and I are taking a trip up to a log cabin for the weekend.”
He smiled at the thought, remembering how excitedly you had squealed when he showed you the booking on his phone. Yeah, he had done good this time. Maybe he’d be rewarded for his effort. He could only hope.
“Pfft, nah,” the boy crowed loudly. Suddenly the rest of the team were gathered around and Keishin was feeling decidedly hot in the face.
“No way do you have a girlfriend, Coach!”
“What’s her name then? Tell us.”
It was reminiscent of when he had told the guys from the first ever Karasuno team he had coached that he was dating someone and none of them believed him until he had to literally drag you into the bar. They wouldn’t accept his word and how that irked him. At least you were a good sport about it and watching Hinata topple off his barstool had been worth the moment of irritation.
After the best part of an hour, he gave up on trying to convince anyone and trudged out to his car. He could already imagine the snicker that you try to hide—unsuccessfully—when he told you about this.
“Oh, baby—come here,” you cooed, hiding your smile. “Were those boys mean to you?”
Keishin wanted to object, but truthfully, he just wanted to be comforted. Was it so objectionable that he would find someone who loved him?
He huffed churlishly before burying his nose into the crook of your neck and accepting your embrace. You were so wonderful. So funny and kind. Maybe he didn’t deserve you.
“Are you happy?”
You stiffened. Pulling him carefully but firmly from where he was hiding against your neck to look him dead in the eyes. “Don’t be stupid, Kei... you make me happier than I thought possible. I can’t believe those acne scarred little shits have got you rattled this much.”
He laughed despite himself.
“C’mon,” you enthused, grabbing his hand and leading him back outside and towards his car parked in the driveway.
“Where we going?”
You stuck out your tongue as you looked over your shoulder. “Gonna wipe the smiles off their faces. No one gets to tease my man, no one except for me.”
And that right there... that was why he loved you.
If I got plans then you got plans
Tell your hatin' ass mans that you got a girlfriend
He ugly cries the first time he holds his child. Promises of protecting this small life forever spew out of his mouth in torrents of whispers as he coddles your baby. The nurse had to rip the child out of his arms to get the baby cleaned up. He scowled at the nurse, confessing to you later on how he thinks that nurse looks shoddy as hell. You laugh it off as the special glow on your husband's face makes all that labor pain worth it.
Back home with the baby, Ukai Keishin refuses to put the child down. Be it having lunch or going to sleep, or even watching television, the child is cuddled close to his chest.
Your phone gallery is filled with sneakily taken pictures of him snoring on the sofa while your child snores on his chest. Your favorite one though is the one where your child woke up mid-sleep, looked around, crawled up over his face, and fell asleep there. Although he woke up due to the suffocation, the image you captured would forever remain as your wallpaper and lock screen.
The baby is easily a daddy’s lil one. It’s spoilt rotten by Keishin, to the point that your child wants nothing to do with the ground now. It loathes the ground and sends stink-eyed glares at its feeding chair and the walking chair. It wails like a banshee the moment you make it stand, folding its legs like paper and sending poor puppy eyes at Keishin.
This goes on to the point you have to become strict with both, father and child. And when Keishin coaxes it, the baby finally relents and starts crawling around.
He looks at his child proudly, eyes gleaming with a newfound emotion as he watches his kid wreak havoc in the entire living room. He made it. HE made something so perfect. And when he tells you this, you bonk him on the head. You made this. This was solely your project. He just lent you a sperm. Nothing else.
And the moment it takes its first baby step, Keishin is over the moon, replaying the video you took over and over again, sending it to as many people as possible, gloating about it to anyone willing to hear, and being a cringe in general.
As the child grows and starts talking and babbling a lot, Keishin starts having these little arguments with it. He asks the child about its opinion on something, and the child of course answers passionately, giving it all the teeny tiny four teeth it has in its mouth. And he nods at the kid’s ramblings, sometimes playing along and sometimes arguing with it. Either way, you know your kid will grow up with a lot of opinions and stuff to say.
The only time when he isn't with the child is when he is at work or he is smoking. The child, the little devil that he calls it, loves disturbing Keishin during his smoke time. It loves watching its dad’s eyes widen as he sees it crawling into the backyard, shuffling around to press the cigarette to the ashtray, and rapidly flailing his arms to dispel the smoke. He would be damned if his precious little angel inhaled even a speck of tobacco on his watch.
Keishin loves dropping his child at school, taking pride in his child even if it is barely passing any of its classes. He teaches it volleyball from a very young age and is pleasantly surprised when he realizes that his child just might have an inclination for the sport.
He took his child to a volleyball club practice once and the child ditched him for the team. Upset by this, he never again brought the child despite its puppy dog eyes and the boys pleading with him numerous times to bring baby-chan back. Mf didn’t even tell the kids the baby’s name.
"Oi!" He calls out.
Your headpops out of the kitchen, instinctually thinking it's you he's calling out to.
But a smile creeps up your face when you catch sight of him looking at your baby. The poor thing is trying hard to roll over, kicking it's chubby feet and hands and wiggling like a little worm.
When it succeeds in rolling over, it crawls to Keishin as fast as infantly possible.
"Hey babe!" Keishin greets you when he notices you standing by the door. "Wanna join us? Th match starts in five."
You wipe your palms on the apron, realising since you're almost done with the chores, you might as well join the father-child pair in this session of less game watching and more hooting and screaming at the players. They both always turned into a rowdy duo when the game starts.
So nodding your head, you tell him to go ahead while you get the popcorn. And when you do join them, Keishin pulls you snug beside him, one arm looping around your shoulders while the other holds the baby steady on his lap. The child is too far gone into the bright light of the television to notice your arrival.
But when the baby notices your presence, it quickly wiggles out of its daddy's hold and crawls into your lap, making itself comfortable on you.
"Hmph," Keishin scoffs, "little traitor."
You giggle at his grumpy tone. "Come on, Keishin. You know they love you the most."
He scoffs again, "No. This devil changes sides the moment anyone else is available. I'm just the last resort." He mumbles.
You lean over to press a kiss to his cheek, "Well, the last resort is always the most trusted one."
That makes him smile. He turns to you, pressing his lips to yours for a long second before whispering against your lips, "What about you? Am I your last resort too?"
You roll your eyes, this man was such a praise hoarder. "You are my only resort, Keishin." He grins at you, swooping in for another kiss.
You await his lips with bated breath and closed eyes, but what meets your lips is a sticky palm. Opening your eyes, you find your baby standing on your lap and pressing it's saliva covered palms against both of your lips.
"Nuh~" it commands and both of your eyes widen as you register your child's first proper words.
Keishin’s the kinda guy to grumble about your cat when you move in together, muttering about how he doesn’t like them and they don’t like him and this will be the same.
But your camera roll is filled with pictures of the two of them cuddling together, and you’ve definitely come across him scratching the cat’s chin and talking to it in a baby voice on more than one occasion.
The sound of your heels made a clacking sound against the pavement as you walked. It was only noon but your feet were already aching from the shoes your work demanded you wear every day.
It had been quite a few years since you walked the grounds of Karasuno high. You hadn't been here since you graduated—quite ironic seeing as your longtime boyfriend, Keiahin Ukai was working as Karasuno's volleyball coach.
It didn't take you long to find Karasuno's gym. Back in your high-school days, you would come to the gym frequently. Every day, every practice and every game, you'd come to watch Keishin. The walk to the gym was practically muscle memory.
You pushed the doors to the gym open and made your way inside, heels clacking louder against the waxed floor. You spotted Keishin sitting in a chair at the back of the gym, magazine in one hand, cigarette between his fingers on the other.
"Should you be doing that in here?"
Keishin looked up from his magazine at the sound of your voice. A subtle, boyish smile took place on his face. It reminded you of the smile he'd throw you every time you'd show up to his games or just to watch him practice.
"No. Why? You gonna rat me out again?"
You let out a light laugh as you walked closer to Keishin who took in one last puff from his cigarette. He exhaled before opening the window at the end of the gym and tossed it out, leaving the window open to air out the room before Takeda and the volleyball team came back.
"You're still hanging onto that? I was sixteen, it was years ago."
"'Course I'm still hanging onto that, it was mean. The old man bitched at me hardcore for it, almost kicked me from the team."
A smile was placed on your lips at the memory. It played in your head as you placed your hands sweetly on the area between Keishin's chest and shoulders. You gave Keishin a quick peck on his cheek, lingering a few seconds longer than you usually would.
You weren't necessarily sorry for having done it, but you hadn't really thought about how it might have affected him when you had done it.
"I didn't really think about it, I just wanted to hurt you. You had just broken up with me, then you started hanging out with Lisa. I wasn't going to let that bitch take my place smoking with you, it was a big obstruction of girl code."
Your right hand moved up from his chest to cup his cheeks lovingly. It was the best apology you could give him without saying sorry, especially considering you didn't regret your actions.
"While I'm sorry you got yelled at, I don't regret getting her kicked from the volleyball team."
"I forgot how spiteful you could be."
"It wasn't spite, she was trying to steal you! You know what, I brought you lunch, but never mind, I'm going to take it back to my car and eat it myself."
You scowl at your boyfriend as you go to withdrawal your hand from his cheek but he pulls up his hand and places it over yours to keep it there.
He wouldn't dare let you leave upset.
He couldn't let you leave angry or on a bad note. He swore he'd treat you good, with respect and love. He swore all those years ago he'd never let you both break up for a second time
"C'mon, I'm sorry. I love how spiteful you are, it's cute. We're not gonna fight over something stupid that happened nearly a decade ago."
Keishin pressed his lips firmly against yours, silencing any rebuttal you might have said to him. You could taste residue smoke on him, leaving a bitter taste in your mouth, though you didn't mind it. While you had quit smoking some time ago, you were still used to the taste of cigarettes on your boyfriend's lips.
Once he pulls away you lean back in and give him another lingering peck on the cheek. Keishin looks at the time on his watch, his lunch hour was nearly over. He didn't want you leaving just yet, but he didn't want you coming in contact with the teenage boys he coached. Specifically, the more girl-crazed students. With a groan, he breaks away from you, you and your lips.
"My lunch hours almost over."
You pulled out a sandwich from your bag, as well as chips. They were sloppily put together and placed in the same ziplock baggie, still, you placed it in Keishin's hands.
It looked like something a five-year-old rushed to put together, but Keishin looked at it like a five-course meal, prepped by the Queen of England herself.
"I was a little rushed... But I know you don't eat properly at work, choosing to smoke instead."
"You're perfect, you know that?"
He didn't care that it was rushed. He wouldn't care if it was burnt to a crisp either. You didn't have to be trophy wife material, Keishin wanted to make you his wife regardless.
"Completely perfect, I'm going to ma–"
The words get caught in his throat. He wants to marry you, he will marry you, but what if that's not what you wanted? He couldn't ruin what he already had with you over his own foolish wants.
He drops his voice down an octave, makes it lower, hotter. He tries to save what he was originally going to say.
"I'm gonna make love to you tonight. Sweet, hot love."
The words earnestly leave his lips, and he thinks it's a nice save. But you know Keishin, and you know what he was really aiming to say. It leaves you feeling giddy in your chest, the hints for a ring you subtly dropped for him, the subtle hints that went ignored were finally being noticed.
He dives his head back down to capture another kiss from your lips. Once they touch, the Karasuno volleyball team starts flooding into the gym. Keishin had to scowl at them, of course, the one day you stop by and pop in for a visit they have to come in for practice early.
"Coach, who's this?"
You hid your face in Keishins face in embarrassment at being caught. Though it wasn't as bad as the last time you were caught making out in this gum by Keishin's grandfather.
"Is she your wife?"
"Does your wife play volleyball?"
"Your wife is pretty."
"Your wife is hot."
Keishin scowls at the bombarded questions before yelling at them.
"No, you numbskulls, she's not my wife."
You shyly look up at Keishin before letting out a few choice words.
"I'm not your wife, yet."
The scowl is replaced by a light dusty pink look on his cheeks. He didn't like feeling this flustered in front of his students. Had you meant that? Did you want to marry him like he wanted to marry you?
"So she's your fiance?"
"I didn't know you had a fiance Ukai. Congratulations!"
Keishin was still feeling flustered over your words, and Takeda's confused congratulations only fueled his frustration and growing giddy feeling. Were you wanting a proposal from him?
"You boys better stop asking questions and run ten laps around the gym."
You silently laughed as your boyfriend yelled at his team, the blushy look still present. You picked up his hand and kissed his knuckles, ignoring the rolled up magazine in his other hand, which he used to point at a kid with a patch of blonde hair to focus more on running and less on you.
"I'm gonna head back to work. Eat your sandwich, okay."
Right as your about to turn around, Keishin grabs your hand to keep you there and plants another kiss on your lips.
"You wanna be my wife?"
Maybe you were a little spiteful like Keishin had said earlier, but he wasn't picking up the subtle hints you earlier lied down. If he wanted to ask you that, he needed to get down on knee with a ring first.
"Real inquires only."
You leave another peck on his cheek, it's quick and doesn't linger like earlier. It leaves him hungry, hungry wanting more. It's now that Keishin realizes all the subtle hints to him you've been making and it doesn't take long to google ring stores near me.
The first time you were in the shop he didn’t even look up from his magazine, just said in a very uninterested voice “welcome!” When the bell rung as the door opened
You raised your eyebrows and said “hello” to him but he just nodded, not wanting to say more than he needed to when he focusing so hard on his magazine.
You grabbed the few things you needed and brought them to the counter.
Closer up to the man you realize he’s not mad, angry, or uninterested, he’s exhausted.
From the bags under his eyes you can tell he’s worn out and he wasn’t reading a magazine, he was reading player stat sheets, but you didn’t know for what sport as you glanced at the papers in front of him.
He looks at the items then goes right back to his papers, left hand punching the numbers on the register without needing to see and he says the total without looking like he did the math in his head already.
He pushes the items from the counter into a bag and takes the money from your hand, giving you your change and your bag all without looking at you. If it was a talent he would exceptional.
“have a nice day” he says in the same tone as he hands the bag out to you, handles on his fingers as he flips the page with his right hand.
He didn’t look up until the door opened and the breeze blew in, blowing his papers and bringing a soft floral scent of your perfume to his nose. His eyes land on your hair as it blows behind you, the door closing with a little jingle and as he watches your back disappear he wonders who you are and if you’d be back.
The second time you’re in his shop, you glance behind the counter and frown when you don’t see him
“Welcome” his voice calls out from the back room but it’s strained like he’s holding something heavy. You hear the sound of boxes scraping “I’ll be right out” he grunts ”if you need anything just shout”
You chuckle under your breath as you walk to the back of the store to get the things on your list, a few vegetables and butter. You’re listening to what he’s doing, the sounds of more boxes and cutting plastic, then the sound of his footsteps in the aisle behind you but you don’t glance, just smirk and grab your last item.
“This all?” He asks as he flicks the page of his actual magazine this time.
“For now” you say and his eyes finally flit up to look at you when he recognizes your voice.
You smile and he stands up straight, closing his magazine and clearing his throat before giving you a flirty smile, like he’s been waiting for you.
“It’s you” he says and you raise your eyebrows “me?” You ask and he laughs
“From the other day, I mean. Do you live around here?” You chuckle “you could say that” you say as you hand him money after your things are bagged “my parents do”
“What’s your name?” He asks as he hands back change and your receipt
“Y/n y/n” you say and hold out your hand
“Ukai Keishin” he says and shakes your hand with a smile
You chuckle when he releases you “it’s nice to meet you, but I was asking for my items”
His cheeks dust pink, “oh” falling from his lips under his breath as he hands you your bag
“Thank you” you say with a smile, brushing your fingers against his.
“Come back again” he says as you push the door open and you look over at him with a smile
“I plan on it” you say with a wink
Keishin looks up every time someone walks through the door for the next day and a half.
But by the end of the second day he’s frustrated with himself and when the door jingles as someone comes in he forces himself to stay reading his magazine. Tapping the ash off his smoke as he says “welcome” in an exhausted voice.
“Have you ever read anything else?” You ask and he stands abruptly, knocking several protein bars from a display off the counter and to the ground. You chuckle and watch his cheeks turn a little pink again, a color you’re beginning to like seeing on him.
“Hey” he says with an embarrassed laugh, putting out his smoke and closing his magazine before picking up the bars from the ground
“I do ah-“ he drops a bar and bends again to grab it “I do read other things occasionally” he says and stacks the bars back up
“Oh yeah?” You ask and lean your elbows on the counter with a smile and a glint in your eye “like what?”
He smiles and matches your stance “volleyball stats” he says with a laugh and you chuckle with him
“Volleyball stats” you say with raised eyebrows and a nod “you like volleyball?”
He smirks “you can say that” he says with a shrug “I coach high school volleyball at Karasuno”
“You do?” You ask with a lilt to your voice and he nods “oh yeah. There’s more to me than this shop, you know”
You laugh “I mean, it’s a pretty nice shop”
“It is, isn’t it?” He says and then finally notices you’re not shopping “oh” he says and stands again “are you here for anything specific?”
You stand and shrug with a shy smile “I was passing by and saw you through the window, you looked easy to tease”
His cheeks hurt from how long he’s been grinning but knowing you just came in to tease him makes it widen
“Is that right?” He asks and you nod with a chuckle
“Maybe you’d let me take you out sometime” he suggests and leans back on the counter, clasping his hands together as he looks up at you “then you’d have ample time to tease me all you like”
You laugh and place a hand on your hip “I think you’d like that too much” you say and he laughs, parting his hands palm up as he he shrugs “why don’t you find out”
Teenage boys coming through the door has his grin falling and him rising to stand
“Tanaka if you leave the freezer doors open again I swear to god..”
you chuckle as his attention is turned to who you assume are his volleyball team
You take the pen and paper from the side of the register and write your number and telling him to call you on it before you slip out, leaving him to worry about his kids.
The sound of the door makes him turn and he frowns when you’re gone. His eyes flit to the counter and land in your note, a satisfied hum unconsciously leaving his mouth as his heart pounds with excitement, he folds and shoves it into his pocket before god forbid one of the boys notices it first.
Ah, yes. Your fiancé and twelve adopted children of both of you — that was also known as Karasuno's volleyball team, who tried their best to restore their lost honour as a powerhouse in Miyagi.
After your recent engagement with Ukai, you decided to resign from your position as a manager in a company in Tokyo to come back to Miyagi and take care of your family's restaurant with Ukai.
Of course, due to its condition and your parents' age, it wouldn't be easy to bring it back to its first condition. Fortunately, around half of your savings from your previous job was more than enough to make it better and at least decent.
After a few months of nailing, painting and also replacing the furniture, the restaurant was back in business. Ukai was more than happy when you were able to make it out as his mother told you that they would be happy if you ask for their help to find suitable seasonal vegetables for your restaurant.
Knowing that Ukai was also busy with his boys, you offered him a hand to take care of his farm in the early morning before opening the store and watched couples of elders, busy salary men and small families went inside to warm up their stomachs — and also heart.
"Welcome- Ah, Keishin," you looked at your fake blond fiancé with a smile as his team and coworker entered the restaurant.
"Woah! Coach, that lady called you by your first name!" A ginger-haired student called out as you let out a chuckle, telling him it was true because of your relationship with Ukai.
"This place looks pretty retro," A tall one with glasses said as he looked at you and mentioned how you wore a traditionally designed yukata instead of modern daily wear.
"Well, I want to preserve the memory of this restaurant and its taste," you smiled as Ukai began to introduce each of them to you.
Telling them to sit down and wait for the food, Ukai decided to enter the kitchen and helped you out. Smiling lightly at your concentrated expression before placing couples of dishes on three trays before bringing them out with Ukai.
Entering back to brew some green tea, Ukai held your hand gently, asking if you had your lunch beforehand. Unfortunately, you weren't able to take one because a big family came earlier so you had no time to eat.
"As I thought," he sighed softly before telling you to sit down with the others as he brought out the tea, not wanting to see you exhausted from today.
Sitting down beside two managers of Karasuno, you smiled lightly at Yachi and Shimizu. Yachi who was nervous around new people (especially a beautiful one), ended up in tears as you chuckled out, wiping down her tears with a napkin.
"Mm, (l/n), how are you close with our coach?" Sugawara asked as you showed your hand, which had a similar ring with Ukai on the ring finger. "Why, I'm his fiancée, of course," you smiled lightly as Tanaka, Hinata and Noya looked at you with bright eyes.
Smiling at their antics and numerous questions, you began to answer each of them, smiling lightly at Ukai's blushing face during embarrassing moments and also a hidden smile when it was something he was proud of. "Ah, also, I used to be a manager for the volleyball team. Though, I resigned after a year to focus on my study," you added lightly, smiling at Shimizu and Yachi gently while Tanaka and Noya began to ramble about how it'd happen too in the future.
"Mm, (l/n), do you mind telling us about your first meeting with the coach?" Yamaguchi asked as the others looked at you, feeling curious about it.
It was during your first year that the volleyball team looked for a manager and due to your absence from the club, you were willing to apply as one. The first meeting with Ukai was a bit far from nice and romantic. Ukai was someone with a tough appearance as you were the opposite, making you quite scared of him whenever he looked at you with his glare — or a simple gaze because his eyes were menacing.
Once in a while, you would accidentally meet him still practising during the night when there was no one around — other than you, of course. Not wanting to leave him alone, you would sit down against the wall and wait for him until he finished, without any word exchanged between of you. Until one day, the universe gave him the courage to speak to his beautiful manager — a first-year who always stayed by himself during the night and silence.
"Aren't you hungry? Let's eat, I know a good restaurant near here," he said as both of you stopped in front of a restaurant and entered it.
"Mom, I'm home,"
"Wait- what?" Kageyama looked at you in disbelief, followed by others as Ukai hid his face in shame, not knowing what to say.
"I never knew the owner of my favourite restaurant is your parents back then," he replied, rubbing his nape sheepishly.
"Ah, Ukai, (y/n), you finished your night practice early," your mother smiled before placing a couple of nikujaga, gyoza, miso soup, grilled fish with warm rice on your table before she went inside the house.
Thanking you for the food, Ukai couldn't help but look at your figure with nervousness. Thinking about how pretty you looked especially when you tucked a strand of hair behind your ear, giving him a peak of your nape.
"Are you okay, Ukai?" you asked gently, noticing his reddening cheeks before you placed down your chopsticks and placed your hand against his forehead. "You feel a bit hot, I suggest you stop doing night practice instead of getting sick because of overworking," you chanted as Ukai couldn't help but feel disappointed, because after all, it was the only moment where he could enjoy your attention without having anyone to ask for one.
Afterwards, Ukai called your mother to pay for the dinner, which was rejected with a small 'it's on the house' and a box of warm meals for his family, knowing his mother loved your restaurant's cookings since day one. Ukai who looked both nervous and happy with that, giving you both a bow before he went back home, couldn't wait to see you tomorrow.
It had become a routine for both of you to stay for night practice at school before having dinner at your family's restaurant before he learnt that you resigned from your position as a manager for the volleyball team. Making Ukai feel a bit sad and disappointed as he stopped doing night practice nor visiting your restaurant — basically avoiding you.
When he became a regular to replace his junior, he went to your restaurant, finding you serving the last customer for tonight before asking you to watch his upcoming match — which was accepted by you, making him feel giddy-up inside his heart before your mother noticed him and asking him to have dinner here, missing him due to his absence in the restaurant for almost a year.
During the match, Ukai was pretty eager when he saw you between the audience, sitting down with a smile when you saw his figure from the seat. He also couldn't help but smile when he looked at your casual outfit; twin braid topped with a beret with a simple white blouse, beige crop jacket and flared skirt to complement it — simple but still able to mesmerize him because it was you who wore them.
After the match finished with a win for Karasuno, he went outside earlier, trying to find a glimpse of you between the sea of people as he saw your beret before he rushed to your side, wrapping your wrist in his hand as you turned your head and smiled when saw his face.
"(y/n), be mine," he whispered gently against your ear, pressing a chaste kiss on your cheek.
Warnings: Angsty-ish (Ur husband [not Ukai] is dead in this fic... Sorry...)
Smutshot (Part 1):
"Keishin! Its about high-time you find a wife! Even you're former students are getting married now!" His mother scolded him on the other side of the phone, making him grimace. He was having a great day so far and then the hour long phone call his mother gave, put a damper on his mood...
"I'll marry someone when I want to, Ma! I have to go now, theres customers! Bye!" he quickly stammered, disconnecting the call, getting back to work
Ukai was humming to himself happily as he restocked the cold drinks in the freezers of his store. It was practically his second home; it was a lazy evening for him. The shop was relatively quiet since the after-school rush had ended. It was a rare day off from coaching his current volleyball team and Ukai tended to the store from the afternoon till late night. He let out a satisfied sigh, hands on his hips as he praised himself for being creative today, by colour coordinating all the drinks, making his clear fridges look aesthetic for anyone who entered his store.
Grabbing his broom, he began sweeping outside, music blasting through his earphones, doing a small little dance as he sweeped.
'Nothing can ruin my day~' He sang in his head, taking a puff of the cigarette tucking in the corner of his mouth. He steps his broom down, fingers hooking the cigarette between them to exhale. His ears perked when he heard the bell above his shop store ring. Raising a brow, he turned his head, making his way inside
"Hello?" He called out but Ukai heard no response... Humming in confusion, he checked each aisle, finding no one... Making him even more confused,
"I swear I heard the bell..."
As he turned the aisle, he finally caught sight of a kid standing in front of his new sales shelf. Ukai decided to renovate Sakanoshita Store, finally adding a small video game corner. If there was one thing Ukai picked up in the last few years, highschool students were suckers for video games and useless gadgets. He made extra pocket since he introduced this shelf.
He raised a brow, watching the child stare intensely as one of the latest releases on the shelf, it was the most expensive one too... This new game had released and Ukai's little shop was one of the few in this neighbourhood that had it. Of course, many kids had bombarded his shop, almost every gamecard had been sold. He only had a few boxes remaining.
"Yo..." He called out, startling the child, who clutched his backpack closer to him, staring at his feet. The older man cocked his head, observing the child. He looked around eight years old, which surprised him that someone so young would be out at this time
"Where's your mother, kid?" He asked and the boy just glared,
"Working."
Ukai crossed his arms, a little surprised at the aggressive tone from the meek boy.
"Alright then... Let me know if you need any help" He muttered, turning his back, walking towards the cash register. He was bored, lighting another cigarette, skimming through a magazine as time passed, he eyed the CCTV behind his desk, eying the screen in the corner where the kid was still standing in front of the video games...
After a few minutes passed by, the kid walked up
to Ukai, dropping random confectionary on the till, while Ukai quietly scanned them
"That's a lot of sugar..." He said, raising a brow and the boy shrugged
"I like candy." He answered, taking out crumpled notes from his cartoon themed wallet, dropping it on the till. Ukai scoffed, cashing them, handing in change. Watching the kid let out a sigh of relief, quickly walking towards the exit
"You know, I gave you a chance to come clean." Ukai called out, making the boy freeze.
"Wh-What?" He said startled and Ukai made his way towards him, standing in front of the door while his arms crossed, a stern expression on his face
"I'm giving you one more chance... Hand it over, otherwise I will have to call the cops and your parents" He lied, and the boy was startled, his bottom lip shaking as his eyes teared over, pulling his backpack in front of him. Ukai felt a little bad now, watching the child's shaky hands unzip the matching Rangers themed backpack, pulling out the video game
"I-I'm sorry! Please don't call the police or my mum!" He sobbed, his hands covering his eyes, his crying getting louder.
Ukai cursed, he just wanted to scare the kid alittle, to teach him a lesson for stealing. He knew this was the first time the kid was doing it... Afterall, he stood in front of the game stall for a good twenty minutes as Ukai watched the child contemplate his actions before bagging the game box.
"I-I'll never do it again!" He cried and Ukai sighed, crouching down on his knees, a hand on the kid's shoulder
"Okay, okay... I won't call them. I know you're a good kid, but you need to know that what you've done is not right. Stealing is really bad, and you could get into some real trouble y'know?"
The boy sniffled, his lower lip jutting out, making Ukai feel like the bad guy as he nodded...
"Ask your Otosan to buy this for you later? I can hold onto it for you, if you'd like..." Ukai suggested but the kid's eyes welled up into more tears, crying even harder, stressing Ukai out. He dragged the kid, making him sit on the stool by his register before shoving an ice lolly into his hands
"Eat this and relax, okay little guy. You're not in trouble so calm down..." He said softly, as the boy's sobbing eased into hiccups trying to control his breathing, shakingly eating the orange flavoured lolly.
"Better?" He asked but the kid shook his head, making Ukai sigh, resting his elbow on the till
"What's your name?"
"L/n A-Akio..." He stuttered and Ukai waved the video game in front of the kid
"Care to tell me why this game is so important to you?"
The boy's brows furrowed, setting the lolly down, making Ukai inwardly cringe at the melting mess on his till but he looked at the agitated expression on Akio's face
"All my friends have it, except me! Mama is always working, and she said the game is too expensive... It's not fair! I just want to fit in!"
Ukai frowned, a little annoyed
"Oye. Your mother's working hard to keep your stomach full and a roof over your head. Give her some credit, will ya? What about your father?"
Akio glared at Ukai, pure anger on his face before his clasped his hands together, looking at them with a forlorn look in his eyes...
"He's gone..." He mumbled, his bottom lip shaking. Ukai felt really bad now... He rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly, suddenly understanding the hostility this kid was seething. His parents must have had a pretty nasty divorce... It made sense now, this kid was living in a single parent household and he was probably filled with resentment
"Show me your school ID"
Akio frowned, opening his bag to take out the orange lanyard to Ukai who read his details,
"Oh? Today's your birthday? You're 9, I see..." He asked and the boy nodded,
"Yeah..."
"You ain't celebrating with friends?" He asked and Akio shook his head,
"No"
Akio jumped off the stool, picking his school bag up, bowing to Ukai
"I'm sorry for stealing. I promise I'll never do it again Oji-san. I gotta get home before Mama reaches, otherwise she'll be worried..." He muttered, taking his ID from Ukai, hands shoved in his pockets as he dejectedly walked towards the exit
"Stop." Ukai called out and Akio stopped, turning towards the older man in confusion
"Think fast"
Akio gasped when the box was chucked towards him, his hands barely catching onto the video game, looking at Ukai in confusion
"Wh-What?"
Ukai gave a nonchalant look, lighting another cigarette and he waved his hand about
"Happy Birthday. Don't ever steal again, otherwise Ill beat your ass up, got it?" He said casually, a large grin beamed on Akio's face, surprising Ukai when he dashed towards him, giving him a tight hug
"Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" He kept chanting, making Ukai embarrassed, trying to shove him off
"Oye let go off me before I get arrested!" He stammered, pushing the cheery child away
"Not many people are generous like me, I want you to promise me that you'll never steal again because I won't be there to help you when you face the consequences."
Akio nodded, hugging the game box closer to his chest
"I promise!"
He raised his pinky towards Ukai, who tried not to roll his eyes, wrapping his pinky with the boy's.
Ukai nodded, shaking his hand before ruffling the top of Akio's head.
"Good... Now, get outta here" He pointed to the door and Akio grinned, happy waving to Ukai as he dashed outside and down the road. Ukai groaned, taking his wallet out, covering the cost of the (pricey) gamecard...
"I wonder if I got conned..." He muttered but he remembered the boy's expression, seeing how terrified he was of being caught. Any experienced pick pocket would have directly dashed out of the door before Ukai could reach them from the till. But Akio was frozen on spot, shaking like a deer in headlights... This was definitely the first time he had attempted to steal...
Deep down, Ukai knew he should have been furious, he should have called up the boy's mother, but he just couldn't... So much pain swam through the child's eyes and he felt even shittier, knowing that Akio was alone on his birthday, in a damn grocery shop, trying to steal a game worth 40 bucks... It was a very last-minute decision to give him the game but Ukai remembered the smile on the boy's face, making him feel better with his decision.
~
Y/n clutched the box of cake in her hands, cursing under her breath as she unlocked her apartment door. It was a hectic day at the clinic, and she was just about to leave when the doctors requested an extra midwife's help, making her immediately rush back into the emergency theatre where an intense C-section awaited.
"Akio's gonna be so mad..." She muttered, unlocking the door
"I'm home!" She called out, quickly slipping her trainers off, walking into the foyer.
"Aki?" She called out, before hearing his cheers from the lounge, making her smile
"There's my birthday boy!" She sang, and Akio put his controller down, quickly getting up
"Mama!" He beamed, running towards her, wrapping his arms around her, head snuggling against her stomach
"Happy Birthday honey! Look at what I got" She beamed, bringing him towards the kotatsu, making him sit down
"C'mon, its cold today, let's get cosy, shall we?" She hummed, setting him between her legs as they snuggled under the heating. Her exhaustion was washed away, watching him eye the box she placed on the table in front of them, lifting the lid, making him cheer
"Strawberry cake!"
Y/n laughed, hugging him
"Your favourite! And look, I got these special candles for them"
Akio turned to her,
"Special?"
"You'll see..."
Y/n nodded, sticking in four coloured candles into the frosting, decorating around the icing that spelled out Akio's name. He watched in wonderment when she lit a match, lighting each candle and sure enough in a matter of seconds. They began sparkling making him gasp, in amazement
"Wow! It's like magic!" He laughed and she grinned, grabbing the knife, her hand curling around his as they cut the cake. She cheerily and energetically sang out loud with her son, before the blew the candles out together and he fed her a bite of cake. They gorged on dinner and the sweet sponge cake before lying down, staring at the ceiling above them
"Say Akio, did you make a birthday wish?" She asked turning her head to look at him and he nodded,
"Yeah, but I can't tell you, otherwise it won't come true!" He said and she laughed,
"Alright, I won't pry any further! I hope your wish is granted" She said and Akio kept quiet, thinking for a moment before he turned to her
"It won't be... It's impossible to come true..." He muttered and she sat up, looking at his stoic face
'Sometimes he can act so mature for his age but hes still just a baby...' She thought, feeling a little glum...
"It's almost bedtime, shall we say a little prayer for Papa?" She asked him gently and he nodded, slipping out from under the kotatsu, holding her hand.
Y/n quietly lit the incense around her husband's photo as they both quietly payed their respects. She eyed Akio... Whose eyes were tightly shut, bottom lip shaking quietly while he concentrated. She looked back at his photo, eyes softening looking at the nostalgic gentle expression he held before closing her watering eyes,
'I miss you so much...'
As the night went on, Y/n had tucked a freshly bathed Akio into bed. Her hand smoothening the hair on top of his head, giving him a gentle smile
"Hey, I'm sorry I couldn't get the video game I promised you for your birthday... I promise we'll buy it together next month, alright?" She asked and he shrugged happily
"That's okay! I got the game from Oji-san today" He said happily, and she froze,
"Akio, what do you mean?"
Akio suddenly realised his secret slip and he let out a tiny,
'Uh oh...'
Making his mother's brows furrow in annoyance...
"Explain yourself now..."
~
Ukai stretched his lower back after locking up the shop
"Can't wait to crack a fucking beer! Today was such a long ass day..." He groaned to himself, humming as he zipped his jacket up, grabbing his pack of smokes from his pockets, slipping one out before he lit it
"Fina-fucking-ly!" He cheered, taking a long drag. One thing Ukai loved, was feeling the winter air against his cheeks, when he smoked. It made him feel zen. He sighed in content, about to walk away when someone called Out to him
"Hey!"
He raised a brow, turning around, to face a very angry looking woman stalk towards him
"What's up?" He asked and she grit her teeth,
"You own this shop?" She asked and he nodded in confusion
"Hey!" He was startled when she shoved him, "What's your deal woman!?" He yelled at her and she. Glared at him, her hand tucking into her coat to pull out the game box, shoving it against his chest
"I don't know what intentions you had giving my son a 40$ video game for free but we don't need it! Don't come near my child, you pervert." She growled and Ukai put his hands up defensively
"Stop making assumptions. I'm not some pervert trying to groom your kid, lady! He yelled and the lady folded her arms
"Why would you give it to him!? He doesn't know even know you!" She argued and Ukai sighed, taking a drag of his cig
"Listen, Akio-kun looked like he really wanted the game so I gave it to him as a birthday present" He explained and she gasped, grabbing the front of his coat, making him drop his cigarette when she glared up at him.
"Why do you know his details?" She said in a threatening tone and Ukai sighed again... This lady was not good at intimidation... She was far too cute to scare him... He didn't want to rat out on the kid but he knew this situation would turn messy. Instead he pulled her hands off her, turning around to unlock the shop
"I asked to see his school ID because I was gonna contact you..."
"Excuse me?"
Ukai was irritated, flicking the lights on before she followed him into the shop, behind his desk
"Sit."
She wasn't sure why she listening to him, but she sat on the stool while he searched on his computer, he was about to click a file before turning to her
"Look... Please don't scold the kid... I already did it for you, okay...?" He said and she was confused,
"What do you mean?"
"Just watch..."
Ukai watched her quietly as she stared at the footage he played, and she put a hand to her mouth watching her son, attempt to steal the video game... She was in shock, not realising that Akio was capable of doing something like that, listening to the conversation Ukai had with her sobbing son who was caught red-handed...
"I promised him I wouldn't call you, and he learnt his lesson, alright? No need to go home and tell him off... It's no big deal" Ukai explained but Y/n shook her head, feeling the tears brim her eyes
"Yes, it is... It's a big d-deal"
Her voice cracked and she burst out in tears and Ukai felt awkward, he was reluctant, but he put his hand on her shoulder
"Hey... It's alright, he's just a kid, he just really wanted the game... All of us did stupid shit when we were young... I've set him straight..."
"But I can't just not let this slide..." She muttered before rummaging through her purse, quickly taking her card out
"Please let me pay for the game! I would return it but Akio was so excited about it and he's already opened the box, so... I can't return it anyways..." She tried pushing the money into his palm but he pulled away
"Mama is always working, and she said the game is too expensive..."
"Sorry but I gave Akio that game as a gift... I won't take money for it." He answered but Y/n was adamant.
"Please!"
Ukai shook his head,
"Nope."
Y/n furrowed her brows, glaring at him for a minute before she stood up form the stool, walking towards the fridges. Ukai watched as she pulled out two beer cans, dropping them on the till
"I want to buy these"
Ukai was confused, scanning the drinks, letting her pay
"Here"
He was confused when she handed him one, raising her can
"If you won't let me pay for the game, then atleast have a beer with me."
A grin grew on his lips, and he walked around the counter
"I can deal with that... Lemme lock the shop before some unwanted customers walk in"
Y/n nodded, following him out and he hummed, locking the shop. They sat on a nearby bench, cracking open their cans before Ukai raised his
"I like the way you think, lady" He said and Y/n just laughed, clinking her can with his
"I'd prefer if you just called me Y/n..."
"Keishin"
They quietly sipped their beer, letting the silence waft between them. Ukai wasn't sure how to start a conversation with her... He tried to think of a topic until she broke his thoughts
"I'm sorry I accused you if being a pervert..."
Silence...
Ukai chuckled, shaking his head
"I don't blame you... I would be shocked if a random stranger gave my kid a present too... You're quite a feisty little mama bear, aren't you?" He said and she flushed, fiddling with her fingers
"You have kids too?" She asked and he shook his head
"Nah... I'd be damned if some weirdo approached my students..." He answered and Y/n looked at him in curiosity
"You're a teacher?"
Ukai shrugged, sipping his drink
"Kinda... I teach volleyball to the Karasuno highschoolers. They're annoyingly ambitious kids but I respect them... What about you?" He asked and she sighed, leaning back on the bench, tucking her chin into her scarf
"I'm a midwife at the clinic nearby..."
Ukai raised a brow, looking towards her. He eyes her long lashes grazing her cheeks, her plump lips slightly pouted when she sipped her drink... Under the street lamp and the calmness, he realised that she was infact, quite attractive... Now feeling a blush creep on his cheeks
"That's amazing, I imagine it must be a hectic job"
She nodded,
"Sometimes, especially when the baby or mother is at risk... Even today, I was late for poor Akio's birthday because the umbilical cord was wrapped around a newborn's neck ... but thankfully she survived" Y/n smiled, remembering the sobbing mother who cradled her wailing baby in joy...
Ukai quietly watched her eyes as they turned into despair
"What should I do about Akio, Keishin? I can't let him get away with it, scotfree..." She said, glancing at him. Ukai began wondering how someone could leave her single... She was gorgeous... He tried not to lose concentration, humming to himself as he thought... He wasnt to going to lie... If he had done something like this, his grandfather would have beaten his ass... and he was sure if his students had attempted to steal, he would beat their ass as well... He kind of wanted to see this woman more... He let the thoughts get the better of him
"I have a solution..."
Y/n raised a brow,
"Really?" She turned towards him, leaning her side against the bench and he tried his best to keep his eyes levelled with hers and not at her breasts that were pushing together to from the most enticing cleavage...
"I need someone to help me sweep the floors and restock shelves with me. How about Akio works with me after school on the days I get off from Karasuno and you pick him up after work?" He suggested,
Y/n laughed
"He's 9 years old! I think its not legal to hire a child to work"
Ukai laughed, shaking his head
"Unfortunately, I think this is a viable solution. You want your kid to learn a valuable lesson for stealing. How about he earns that game through honest labour? We can give him a proper lecture on why, what he did was bad and how he is going to honestly make up for it."
Y/n was quiet... She would never have thought of this... She had the full intention of grounded Akio tomorrow... but this man intrigued her with his kindess... He seemed genuine but leaving her child with a stranger...? It was a struggle leaving him unattended at home too... Having a free babysitter wasn't so bad... She already saw the CCTV and Ukai was not trying to approach Akio in a deviant manner... He even tried to push him away when her son hugged him...
"Keishin, I'm really putting my trust in you. Promise me, you won't break it? He's a good kid" She said and Ukai nodded,
"I know he is, that's why I promise to steer him in the right direction. Plus he's short enough to stack the lower shelves... My back hurts from bending so much"
Y/n giggled, giving him a playful shove making him grin when she raised her pinky
"Promise?"
'Ah.. Like mother, like son...' he thought in amusement
He wrapped his pinky around hers, shaking her hand
