𝐂𝐇. 𝟑𝟓

⋅. ˚₊ ‧ 𐙚 ‧ ₊ ˚ ⋅

Y/N's POV

The gym smelled like sweat and rubber and the faint scent of chalk, but today it felt suffocating.

Every sound was louder than usual—the squeak of sneakers, the thud of the ball, the coaches' sharp whistles—but none of it could drown out the silence between me and Oikawa.

Or rather, the distance.

I was avoiding him like the plague.

After our last... incident, I convinced myself space was what I needed.

But space wasn't kind.

It didn't make things clearer.

It just made everything feel heavier.

The team noticed. I saw it in their eyes every time we practiced. The awkward glances, the half-smiles that never quite reached their eyes, the subtle shifts in energy.

Without our usual back-and-forth—his teasing and my biting comebacks—the gym felt off, like a song missing its beat.

I kept busy: reordering water bottles, checking stats, scribbling notes on plays. Anything to keep from looking his way.

But no matter how much I tried, I felt his gaze—watching me like I was a puzzle he was desperate to solve.

And the truth? I wanted him to solve it.

I just didn't want to admit that.

⸻

Oikawa's POV

I'm not proud of it, but the past week? It's been torture.

Y/N was around, but not there.

The spark—the electric tension that made every practice feel alive—was gone.

Her sidelong glances that used to make my stomach flip were replaced by quick looks away.

The sharpness in her voice was dulled.

Even when she was within arm's reach, it was like a wall stood between us.

I tried talking. Tried joking. Tried everything but leaving her alone.

And it always ended with her walking away or snapping at me.

It was like being in a storm and watching the sun refuse to peek out.

I couldn't stand it.

But I was scared.

Scared that whatever I said or did would push her further away.

So I waited.

But that waiting? It was killing me.

⸻

Y/N's POV

During practice, Iwaizumi finally pulled me aside.

His usual calm voice held an edge I'd never heard before.

"Y/N, you have to stop this. You're killing the team. And you're killing yourself."

I looked up, meeting his steady eyes.

"I'm just... figuring things out."

He shook his head, frustration clear.

"Then figure it out with him. Not by running away."

His words hit harder than any serve.

But what did I do when I saw Oikawa waiting by the lockers after practice?

I froze.

⸻

I grabbed my bag, heart pounding.

I was almost out the door when I felt his voice behind me.

"Y/N."

I didn't turn.

"Why are you avoiding me?"

The question felt like a challenge and a plea all at once.

I turned slowly, arms crossed defensively.

"Because it's easier than dealing with... whatever this is."

His eyebrows knit together.

"Whatever this is?"

"Yes. You. Me. The whole stupid mess."

He took a step closer, the scent of his shampoo mixing with sweat and something... familiar.

"I don't want to be a mess."

"Neither do I," I admitted, voice low.

We stood inches apart.

My chest tightened.

His eyes searched mine, vulnerable and open in a way I'd never seen.

"I hate this distance," he whispered.

"Me too."

⸻

"I'm not good at this," he said suddenly, voice rough.

"Neither am I," I snapped back, frustration bubbling over.

"Then what do we do?"

"I don't know!"

"Yeah, that's what I thought," he scoffed, a bitter smile tugging at his lips.

We were both breathing hard, emotions tangled like a knot neither wanted to untie.

"I'm scared," I confessed, voice barely audible.

"Of what?"

"Of ruining what we have."

He stepped closer, brushing a strand of hair behind my ear.

"Maybe the only way to fix it... is to stop running."

Before I could respond, his hand cupped my cheek.

Time slowed.

My breath hitched.

His lips were soft and warm, tentative at first.

I felt the tension in his body melt away as our lips pressed together.

The kiss deepened, urgent but careful—like we were both afraid to break what was finally breaking down.

My hands found his waist, fingers gripping the fabric of his shirt.

The world around us disappeared.

All I could feel was him.

When we finally pulled apart, my heart was racing.

He smiled, eyes shining.

"About time."

I chuckled breathlessly.

"Yeah. About time."

We stayed close, fingers entwined as we walked out of the gym together.

For the first time in days, the tension between us was replaced with something lighter.

Something real.

And maybe... just maybe, this was the start of something new.