Chapter Text
You clap at the end of the practice match.
You had done your tasks as a manger dutifully. You had recorded every success, every error. You had filled the water bottles, and made sure that all the players were doing well.
That doesn't mean your attention was always on your team.
Although that is the case when you are a manager. You do have to record some stats from the other team at the coach's discretion. However, you were focused on one player in particular.
You don't think anyone would be able to blame you if they could understand why you found it so hard to take your eyes off him.
Kiyoomi and Motoya might understand since they did believe you to some extent. You wonder if this would make them believe you more?
Because there, standing on the other side of the court is Kuroo Tetsurō.
You were a little surprised by how vividly you could remember that one life in particular. The immersive dreams you would have. You had long accepted that you would never see him again. His soul wasn't like yours.
But there he is.
He's different, but there's something about him that is so familiar. You wonder what has remained the same and what has changed.
His messy hair is shorter, but arguably in a worse state. He still has a coy attitude, playing with that little smirk of his. You will never tell anyone that your heart stutters when a serious look suddenly fills his eyes as he focuses on the game. He is an incredible player. He's dependable and a strong foundation for the team. He helps his underclassmen diligently, but still preens slightly from the praise of his upperclassmen. He shares playful banter with his libero. He seems happy, and that makes you happy.
But still there is so much that you don't know about him. So much that you want to learn about him.
You start helping clean up everything on the bench, handing players their water bottles and towels. You stack the water bottle crates, and proceed to wipe down the bench, using one of Kiyoomi's spare towels. Though he glares at you, he doesn't say anything as the Coaches give them a debrief. You grin slyly at him, and his gaze darkens, eyebrows furrowing even more. Motoya does his best to hold back a laugh, coughing into his fist. It causes Kiyoomi's glare to fall on him. You put away the soiled towel in your bag, and go off to find a mop so that you can help start wiping the floors.
You feel a presence at your back, and you turn to look, a smile automatically falling on your lips as you look up.
"Hey— I don't know what to call you," Kuroo says, looking a little nervous. It's such a contrast from his previously flirtatious smile that you can't help but laugh.
"Shouldn't we call each other by our last names? It seems a little too much to call each other by our first names so early on, Kuroo-san" you say, a playful lilt to your voice. He rolls his eyes, but a smile tugs at his lips.
"Should I call you (l/n)-sama then?" He replies, and you don't know why such a silly question fills you with so much happiness that it feels like it's bubbling out of you.
"Isn't that too much?" You say, beaming at him. "Stupid bastard cat."
He grins brightly. You reach into the pocket of your track pants, before holding out your phone to him after you unlock it. He takes it from your hands, automatically knowing what to do. He hands your phone back with a little smirk, and you roll your eyes at the contact name.
my bastard cat<3
"You forgot the stupid," you tell him, as you send him a text to let him know it's you. You turn to start walking towards the supply closet.
"I'll have you know that I am not stupid. I'm in college-prep courses," he says, as he bumps you with his elbow.
"That doesn't mean you're not stupid."
"You know what? I'm gonna save you in my phone as 'stupid.'"
"Good luck on getting a date with me then."
"It'll be with a heart. You know, make it cute."
You'll find out from the rest of Nekoma's team that you're saved in his phone as 'my light.'