you and aone are in the same class at date tech high. you have an upcoming test in japanese literature, and you needed some help. being a foreigner, your japanese isn't as good as a native is, and on top of that, your traditions and culture are different, so some parts of the stories don't seem to make much sense to you.
you had always had your eyes on the tall middle blocker from the volleyball team, the one with extremely light eyebrows. you took the same train home, meaning you two must live near each other, and it always hurt your heart to see nobody sitting next to him. you could almost understand why, he was tall, his lack of eyebrows and resting face made him look mean, he was intimidating. but he seemed like a sweetie, you wanted to be his friend at least. still, you couldn't deny that you thought he was attractive.
you had watched some of his games, your friend dragged you to one because they had a thing for the captain. while their eyes were on futakuchi, your eyes were on aone. he was amazing at blocking, there was no doubt in your mind that he was the reason date tech got the nickname "iron wall". you saw how he interacted with his teammates, it was a little awkward but super cute. you wanted to know more about him.
when your teacher announced there was going to be a test, you almost panicked. you hadn't understood the material, and you were lost on how to study for it. suddenly, you realized this might be a good opportunity to get to know the tall boy in your class you had been interested in.
during your lunch break, you approached him.
"u-uh, aone-san?" you asked, timidly. he gave no verbal response, but he looked at you, immediately making you blush.
"the uh, the test that we're having in literature, i'm super confused on the material. do you understand it at all?" he nods at you, and you thank the gods he understands. if he didn't, this whole plan would be useless.
"ah, thank god. i was wondering if you'd um... like to study together?" he looks at you, almost shocked and confused, but nods his head.
"great! uh, here's my contact info, we can plan where and when we study. please contact me soon!" you say as you hand him a piece of paper. as you walk away, your friend makes eye contact with you, a knowing look on their face.
"y/n, do you like him?" they ask when you walk up to them.
"what makes you ask?" you respond, trying to act slick
"well, i've seen the way you look at him. during games, in class, on the train. i was kind of waiting for you to tell me. i'm glad you worked up the courage to talk to him. it almost looked like he was smiling at you as you walked away." they walk away after saying that, leaving you speechless, waiting for a message from him.
finally, the school day is over and you head home. you get started on your homework but your focus gets broken by a text from the man you've been waiting to hear from all day.
"hey y/n, it's aone. i just got out of practice, i was wondering if you'd like to come to my favorite study spot with me. it's a nice coffee shop that has the tastiest treats. we could go now if you're free, or just let me know when you're available and i'll see if i am too."
your heart melts immediately. he invited you to his favorite study spot. you're smiling like an idiot, unable to process the text after reading it over and over. you tell your friend about it, and they tell you to drop everything you're doing and go now. you text him back saying you're good for now and he sends you the address.
when you get there, one of your favorite songs is playing, and he's sitting at a table alone, books open already studying. you approach him softly and ask if it's okay that you sit across from him, to which he says "are you hungry?". you are, you'd been too anxious to eat when you got home, so you say yes.
"i'll pay."
you ask if he's sure, to which he just gets up and walks over to the counter. you follow, and when you get there, he motions to the menu and says "anything." you don't want to order something too expensive, so you get a black tea and a croissant.
"that's all?" he says, and you nod. the cashier tells you the order will be brought to your table once he pays, so you walk back together. it arrives, and you realize he wasn't lying when he said the shop has the tastiest treats. you almost get lost in your order until you hear him clear his throat, catching your attention. he motions to your books, and you suddenly remember why you came here in the first place. you take out your books and start studying.
every question you ask him, he answers. although he gives short answers, you see he's written more in his book. you ask if he's more comfortable writing his answers, and he nods. you then get up from your seat and move to sit next to him, surprising him. you notice his handwriting is extremely neat, almost exactly what you see in the textbooks. you compliment him sincerely, which gains you a soft smile from him and a quiet thank you, that almost goes unheard.
you stay until the shop is starting to close up, and you thank him for helping you so much. he offers to walk you home, and you accept as it's dark outside. you find out that you two live close to each other, but he walks in a different direction than you so he can stop by the shop every day and pick up something for his older sister and brother. you say that's super sweet of him, and if the sun were still up or if the street lights were brighter, you would have seen him blush. when you two reach your door, you ask him if he'd like to do the same thing tomorrow, study at the coffee shop, to which he responds with a yes. you give him a hug goodbye and tell him you'll see him the next day and enter your house. he's kept warm on his walk home by the feeling in his heart your hug and kind eyes gave him.
you meet every day at the coffee shop after his practice ends, studying and doing homework together. you continue this routine even after the exam is over. meeting at his favorite place to spend time together is something you always look forward to. you notice as the days go by that when he speaks to you, his sentences get longer, as well as his general stature getting more relaxed and comfortable the longer you spend with him. after you get the results of your exam back, you tell him excitedly that you passed when you see him that afternoon and give him a big hug as thanks for all of his help. he responds saying "it's no problem, i enjoy helping you." which makes you blush. you ask if you two can take a break from studying for the day and just spend time together. you two get something to drink and sit at your usual table and talk until the shop is closing up.
when you two get to your door after the walk home, you thank him like you have every day. he says "it's no problem, really. spending time with my favorite person at my favorite place. i always look forward to it." he leans down to kiss you on the cheek while you stare at him speechless. you're his favorite person? he's kissing you on the cheek? its all too much to take in, after he gives you the kiss he notices your surprised state and asks if you're okay.
"i'm fine, better than fine actually. you're my favorite person too aone." you say as you grab his face, pulling it down to kiss him on the cheek back. you feel how warm his face is, and when you pull back you see that his face is redder than you've ever seen it. you say goodnight and turn to go inside when he touches your arm and tells you to wait. you turn back to him and he says the words you've been waiting for him to say since your first meeting at the café.
"will you be my partner?"
