𝐂𝐇. 𝟏𝟗

⋅. ˚₊ ‧ 𐙚 ‧ ₊ ˚ ⋅

If someone were to ask me how things were going with Oikawa after being locked in a supply closet together for nearly an hour, I'd say one word:

Weird.

Not bad. Not worse. Just... weird. Like, I-know-you-said-something-genuine-and-now-I-don't-know-what-to-do-with-it weird.

We hadn't talked about the closet incident. Not once. But the vibe between us had changed. Our insults were a little softer. His flirting had a strange undercurrent of actual sincerity. And worst of all, my comebacks weren't coming out as sharp as they used to.

And the entire team noticed.

"Did you two finally make out in there or what?" Matsukawa asked bluntly the next morning.

I choked on my water. "Excuse me?!"

"I'm just saying. You've been acting all... tense. And soft. Like you're trying not to act like something happened, which means something definitely happened."

"Nothing happened."

"Uh-huh," he said, clearly not convinced.

Oikawa walked into the gym mid-conversation, stretching his arms over his head like he hadn't just arrived with the audacity of a soap opera lead.

"What's everyone talking about?"

"Oh, just how you and Y/N totally had a moment in the closet," Hanamaki said with a grin.

Oikawa glanced at me, lips twitching. "A moment, huh?"

"I'll throw a water bottle at your face," I warned.

He held up his hands. "Hey, I'm innocent. You were the one who complimented my soul, remember?"

"I did not!"

"You kind of did," he said with a stupid smile.

I turned to Coach Sadayuki and yelled, "I QUIT."

⸻

I tried to act normal. Really, I did. But pretending the tension didn't exist was harder than expected when Oikawa kept standing next to me during water breaks. Or brushing past me when there was plenty of space. Or tossing me a towel with a wink like we were in some high school romcom.

Every time I tried to make a clean exit, he blocked the way.

"I need to refill the bottles," I said, stepping to the left.

He stepped to the left.

I dodged right.

He followed.

"You are literally the worst."

"You're welcome," he said sweetly.

And of course—of course—Hanamaki was filming the entire thing.

He leaned against the bleachers, camera up, face smug.

"Say cheese, fake couple."

"We're not a couple," I snapped.

"But it's so convincing," he replied. "I mean, look at this footage. Peak enemies-to-lovers slow burn."

"Delete it."

"Make me."

"I will ruin your life."

Hanamaki grinned wider. "Can I livestream it?"

⸻

Later, during serving drills, I stood on the sidelines jotting down notes for Coach Nobuteru when Iwaizumi jogged up beside me.

"You good?" he asked.

"Why wouldn't I be?"

"You're gripping that clipboard like it insulted your ancestors."

I looked down. Oh. I was, in fact, bending the metal clip in half.

"Just trying to focus," I muttered.

He gave me a pointed look. "You sure?"

I hesitated, then sighed. "Okay. It's just... after the closet thing, Oikawa's been weird."

Iwaizumi raised a brow. "He's weird? Y/N, you've been staring at him like you're trying to solve algebra with his face."

"I am not!"

"You are."

"Well, he keeps... being nice. Sort of. Like yesterday, he asked if I was cold and offered his jacket."

Iwaizumi's eyes narrowed. "Did you take it?"

"No!"

"Good."

We paused.

....

....

....

Then—

"Okay yes. But just for five minutes!"

Iwaizumi groaned and dragged a hand down his face. "Gosh. He's winning."

"I am not letting him win."

"Too late. He's already flirting softer."

"Soft flirting is still flirting," I hissed.

"Exactly."

⸻

During a water break, Oikawa slid next to me again.

"Hey, manager-chan."

I didn't look up. "If you breathe in my direction again, I'm stabbing your knee."

He smiled like I just confessed my love. "You're glowing today."

"That's the sweat and hatred."

"You're glowing with rage," he corrected. "It's beautiful."

I threw a towel at his face.

"You know," he said, muffled by fabric, "our truce is going really well."

"THIS is you trying?!"

"I haven't even kissed your cheek once. Personal growth."

"You flirt with me less and expect a trophy?"

"I'll take a kiss instead."

"Try again and I'll staple your shoelaces together."

Hanamaki, again, filmed this entire exchange.

⸻

Hanamaki:video.mp4"this is art"

Matsukawa:WAIT IS THIS FROM TODAYthey're so in love oh my god

Y/N:delete that right nowor I swear on Coach Sadayuki's whistle I will destroy you

Oikawa:❤️❤️❤️love you too manager-chan~

Iwaizumi:i've had enoughof both of youforever

⸻

I tossed my phone across my bed and screamed into my pillow.

We weren't a couple. We weren't even friends. We were in a truce that was falling apart by the hour.

And worst of all...

The worst, most terrible part?

I didn't hate it.