𝐂𝐇. 𝟒𝟐

⋅. ˚₊ ‧ 𐙚 ‧ ₊ ˚ ⋅

If someone told me a month ago I'd be on the school rooftop with Oikawa Tooru, heart pounding like a teenager in a drama, I would've launched a volleyball at their face.

And yet—

Here I was. Watching the sky go from orange to lavender. His jacket brushing mine. A silence between us that felt heavier than our usual bickering, but... not in a bad way.

In a way that meant something was coming.

I fiddled with the hem of my sleeve, stealing a side glance. He was staring out into the distance, lips pressed in thought. For once, his face was unreadable.

"You're being weird," I said.

He blinked. "Am I?"

"Yeah. No smug comments. No fake winks. No annoying flirting."

He gave a slow smile. "Would it kill you to say you miss it?"

"No. But I'm still not saying it."

He laughed softly, rubbing the back of his neck. "Well... this isn't easy for me either."

That surprised me. "What, you? Mister Confidence?"

"This isn't volleyball," he said. "This is scarier."

I blinked. My stomach did something stupid.

"Why?"

"Because... it's you."

⸻

We sat on the bench in quiet again, the air filled with late afternoon wind and the sound of far-off shouting from below. It was peaceful. Too peaceful.

And terrifying.

"I've been thinking about it," I said finally, eyes fixed on the sky. "All of this. You and me."

He turned toward me, quiet.

"I didn't expect to like any of this. I didn't want to be here, remember?" I smiled a little. "I fought my dad on it. I was so sure this team would drive me crazy. And I mean—yeah, you did."

"Rude."

"But," I continued, voice a little softer, "somewhere between organizing water bottles, yelling at you every day, and watching you care so much about this team... it got hard to hate you."

I felt him still beside me.

"I tried to brush it off. But I caught myself looking for you in the gym. Noticing when you were quiet. Worrying when you pushed too hard. Wanting to make you laugh, even if it meant throwing something at your face."

I finally turned to look at him.

"And that scared me."

He was staring like he couldn't believe what he was hearing.

"I didn't mean for this to happen," I said. "But I like you, Oikawa."

And that's when his entire face lit up.

⸻

Oikawa's POV

Do you know what it feels like when someone finally says the exact thing you've been dying to hear?

It's like... everything else goes quiet.

Like your brain stops working and your chest decides to throw a full-on festival.

She said she liked me.

She likes me.

I couldn't stop the grin from spreading across my face.

"I can't believe you finally admitted it," I whispered.

"Don't get used to it."

"Too late. It's burned into my memory forever."

She groaned and buried her face in her hands. "I hate that you're smug even during serious moments."

I gently pulled her hands down.

"I like you too," I said, softer than I ever had before. "I really, really like you."

⸻

We were both quiet again. But this time it was warm. Comfortable. Like we were finally breathing properly.

I reached out slowly, giving her time to stop me, and laced our fingers together.

She stared at our hands.

"...You're cold," she murmured.

"You're warm."

"You're annoying."

"You're stuck with me."

And then she smiled.

Not a sarcastic smirk or a victory grin.

Just a real, quiet, heart-flipping smile.

I think I actually forgot how to breathe.

⸻

Y/N's POV

He kept brushing his thumb over my hand like he didn't even realize he was doing it.

I didn't pull away.

We sat like that for a while. Talking about everything and nothing.

He told me about his nerves before games.

I told him I watched every match from behind my book when I was little.

He told me he used to wish someone would cheer for him even if he lost.

I told him I'd cheer even if he lost everything but the ball.

His eyes softened so much I had to look away.

This boy had ruined my life.

And I didn't mind.

⸻

Eventually, he asked quietly, "So... does this mean I can call you my girlfriend now?"

I turned to him, smirking. "No labels."

"Future wife?"

"No, Oikawa."

"But you're still holding my hand."

"Shut up."

He beamed.

⸻

Later That Night

Oikawa: did u dream about me

Y/N: i dreamt i was choking you

Oikawa: hot

Y/N: STOP

Oikawa: okay but also

Oikawa:

thank youY/N: for what

Oikawa: for liking me

Oikawa: for letting me in

Y/N: ...i'm glad it's you

Oikawa: i'll try not to mess it up

Y/N: you will

Oikawa: but you'll stay anyway?

Y/N: maybe

Oikawa: that's enough for me