akaashirabu

[akaashirabu]

serenity • akaashi keiji (Pt. 4)

The Tokyo sky was in a beautiful color of orange and the quiet girl can't help but admire it. She likes sunsets and now she just badly want to go home and draw but here she was stuck with her dumbass brother.

"Hey F/N, when I told you this morning that you should make new friends, I didn't mean make new boy friends!" her brother nags.

F/N looked at him weirdly. "Stop saying it like that, you're making it sound weird and they're not my friends."

"Well, to you they're not but by the way that one dude talks to you earlier, he certainly thinks you are friends." —— "I know how boys think so I suggest you not get closer to them." He continues to nag.

F/N rolls her eyes at his brother; acting like an overprotective brother at a time like this is unnecessary.

"Say Nii-san, you do realize we can just lie to mom about taking me around the city and go home already right?" she says, totally tired of putting up with his idiot of a brother.

"Hey don't change the subject! And no, we can't go home yet. I need to go to the game store and buy something."

F/N can't help but scowl. Of course that was his motive after all.

They arrived at the Game Store and she watched her idiot brother tremble in excitement.

"Hurry up and get it, I really want to go home now, nii-san." she groaned

"Okay okay, wait for me here." he says and rushed to get inside.

F/N was left standing outside the store, observing her surroundings. Tokyo sure is on a whole different level than Miyagi, so many people are passing by and she sighs thinking that she will probably never get use to this new scene. It's so...chaotic.

She looked back at the store to check if her brother is done when someone bumped into her, making her slightly lose her balance.

"Ah...gomen." the person says quietly and bowed his head.

F/N didn't had a chance to reply since the person's attention was already back on his PSP and was already walking away.

She didn't even saw his face, only his weird blonde hair with black roots. F/N just shrugged, at least he apologized.

The following day F/N walked up to class quietly, no one was paying attention to her arrival and she really liked it.

However, it was immediately cut off by a certain bubbly girl calling for her.

"Ohayo, F/N-chan!" she greeted.

She sighs. Too loud early in the morning.

Taking a sit next to her bubbly seatmate, F/N just gave her a nod to acknowledge her greeting. She's not really in the mood for a conversation with her to be honest.

Miichan though, seems to not get it and continues to talk to her. Something about  a theater play and how she really wanted to watch. F/N wasn't getting anything out of it though.

While Miichan continues to talk, F/N felt someone was staring at her and she was right; she took a peak at her side and locked eyes with a dude who had a long face and looks mature for a first year student. As soon as the dude realized he has been caught staring, he looked away with a flustered face.

F/N went back to looking at her notebook and pen, ignoring what just happened.

"Hey F/N-chan, are you still listening to me?" Miichan asked.

She nodded even though she hasn't been listening at all.

"Oh anyway have you decided on what club are you joining?"

"Don't think I'll be joining one." she answers.

"but you need to have one, it's actually on the school rules you know, that you have to join a club." Miichan stated.

The timid girl rested her chin on her hand, thinking of how it's a pity she need to join one. She was honestly looking forward to casually going to the library and draw everyday after school.

"I'm actually in the Acting Club, maybe you can join us!" Miichan excitedly says.

"No. Thanks." F/N immediately turned her down. Acting Club is definitely a drag. She didn't want to converse with people let alone act with them on plays or whatever.

Miichan pouted. "So what do you have in mind? Cooking? Photography?"

F/N shaked her head no.

"How about sports?"

Do I even look like someone who plays a sport?

F/N sighed. "Arts, is there an Art club?"

"Oh yeah you're good at drawing, I forgot." Miichan chuckled. "Yes, I think we have one."

F/N didn't say anything afterwards. Oh that reminds her, she had to ask her something.

"Uhh Miyazaki-san, did you perhaps told someone where I came from before transferring here?" she asks.

"Hey I told you to just call me Miichan." she pouted.

"uhh...I'm still not used to it."

Miichan grinned. "Aww it's okay. And to answer your question, nope I haven't told anyone, why?"

"Oh...it's nothing." she mumbles.

Miichan was about to pester her on why she asked but thankfully Arizugawa-sensei arrived and F/N was spared.

The lesson has already started but she was still deep in thought. If Miichan didn't told anybody about her coming from Shiratorizawa, how did owl boy and messy black hair from the volleyball team heard about it then?

F/N decided to just shrug the thought. She won't meet those two again anyway and she doesn't have the slightest intention of watching their practice or match even though owl boy invited her.

Oh how F/N regrets that thought now, because just as soon as lunch came when she was about to buy food, she heard a loud voice echoing in the hallways.

"Hey Hey hey!! If it isn't F/N-chan." she sees the owl boy from yesterday and just right beside him was messy black hair with an expressionless face.

"Bokuto-san, please lower your voice." he says to owl boy with a sigh.

F/N can't help but sigh too as she saw the stares everyone was giving her and the few murmurs about the new freshman girl being friends with the volleyball team's captain and vice captain in just her second day at Fukurodani. This is too embarassing.

...an absolute pain in the ass. Being acquainted with popular people definitely has the number 1 spot in her "must avoid at all costs" list.

F/N intended to just ignore them but it was too late since Bokuto and Akaashi already catched up beside her. The Owl captain, smiling widely at her.

She sighed again, feeling defeated. "Hai, do you need something uhhh...senpai?" She mumbles. F/N figured that since he's the captain of the team, he's definitely a year higher, definitely her senpai despite being this childish.

"Are you going to watch us practice later?" Bokuto asked with enthusiasm.

"I ahh...I don——" she was about to say but he started to speak again.

"You should definitely see us play and you'll see how awesome I am, even more awesome than the Shiratorizawa team's ace." he confidently says.

F/N fidgeted on her fingers, feeling the awkwardness of so much attention that was on them right now.

Thankfully, Akaashi noticed F/N being uncomfortable so he devised a plan to distract Bokuto-san.

"Bokuto-san, if we don't hurry the Yakisoba pan will run out." he says, still expressionless.

Bokuto-san turned into panic mode. "Oh right, Yakisoba pan! F/N-chan, I gotta go, I'll see you later at practice okay?" he says, ready to run his way to the cafeteria.

F/N heaved a sigh of relief. Thank goodness energetic senpai is gone.

"L/N-san..." her heart almost fell when she heard someone talk infront of her.

It was Akaashi. Just when she thought he had left with his captain who ran to the cafeteria but uhh he's still here.

"Let me apologize for Bokuto-san...he's like that but he's a nice person." he says.

She nodded. "It's okay...I was just a little bit...uhhh culture shocked."

Akaashi slightly smiled.

Ah so stoic faced messy black hair can smile. F/N thought.

"If you're not busy, you're still welcome to watch us today." He says.

F/N was about to make some excuse and decline but was cut off with a

"AKAAASHIII" that was Bokuto-san yelling.

Akaashi sighs. "Well then, see you later L/N-san." He says with a bow of his head, walking his way to where Bokuto went.

F/N just gave a slight nod, a sigh escaping  from her lips afterwards as she realizes that now, those two are definitely expecting her to watch them practice.

What a drag.

—

part [1] [2] [3] [4] [5]...

also posted in my wattpad account @akaashirabu.

[akaashirabu]

serenity • akaashi keiji (Pt. 3)

Loud thumps of volleyballs and shoe squeaks echoes inside the Gym where the Volleyball team is practicing.

"Hey Hey Hey!" Spiky white-grey haired captain yelled after he spiked the ball to the other side of the court. "That's how the ace kills it!"

His messy haired setter sighs, gunmetal blue eyes rolling at his show off captain.

"He seems to be in a good mood today." dirty blonde wing spiker said.

"Better than having to handle his bad mood." messy haired setter shrugged.

The team was given a 10 minute break and at the right side of the court, two first years seem to be having a little chat.

"Hey, I heard there's a transfer student  in your class?" short hair with a fringe in the center asked.

"Uh yeah, she just joined the class earlier." dude with a long face answered.

"She? You mean, it's a girl!? Is she pretty?"

Long face dude scratched the back of his head. "Well, sort of." He flusters at the thought of the said girl.

The spiky haired captain's (who happens to be passing by) ears perked upon hearing the first years' conversation.

"Oya Oya." he says with sneaky smile that catched the attention of the two.

"Oh! Bokuto-san." says the center fringed boy who was surprised at the captain's sudden appearance.

"Onaga, Anahori. Who's this girl you're talking about?" he interrogated his kouhais with a teasing smile.

"Oh uhh i-it's the transfer student who just joined class 1-4, Bokuta-san. She uhm c-came from Miyagi." Onaga says to the captain.

Hearing that the transfer student is from Miyagi just made Bokuto more interested at the said girl.

"Miyagi? From what school did she come from? Seijoh with the setter's killing serves or Karasuno with the weird quick duo?" Bokuto rambles.

"I heard her say she's from Shiratorizawa." Onaga answers, a bit concerned at how excited his captain is about the said information.

"Shiratorizawa!?!? with the ace who represented Japan for the Youth World Championship!!!" The captain yelled, making the poor kouhais startled and the other members turning their heads to look at their captain's outburst.

Onaga just nodded.

"Akaashi, you heard what Onaga said? There's a transfer student from Shiratorizawa!" the captain giddily said to his setter.

Akaashi with arms crossed on his chest just nodded at his captain and asked "And what seems to be the deal with the transfer student from Shiratorizawa, Bokuto-san?"

"Maybe she knows people from Shiratorizawa Volleyball Team and I could ask her about them." he says excitedly.

Akaashi just looked at his captain with a stoic expression.

"That's it, I'm going to find that girl and ask her stories about Shiratorizawa!"

The setter sighed, he just can't stop Bokuto-san's (overboard) friendly nature.

Meanwhile, F/N who was sitting on her claimed spot in the library suddenly sneezes. Thankfully though it didn't get any attention from other people so she turned back at her sketchbook and continued working on some previous drawings.

When classes ended earlier, she immediately went for the library whereas other students rushed to get to their respective clubs. It was her first day afterall and she isn't really sure if she's interested in joining any club.

Back in Shiratorizawa though, she joined the art club so it seems like a perfect choice to join Fukurodani's art club too.

Her attention was then caught by a beep from her phone.

It was her lazy ass brother who texted her with a "Hey, mom says I should pick you up today in school, saying something about how I should show you around the city and some shit."

"u coming?" she simply replied, even typing a text is a drag.

A reply immediately came. "Of course, I don't want her to nag at me."

Not even a second passed, another reply came. "Just wait for me at your school's entrance. I might be a little late though."

She sighed and didn't even bother to text back.

After about 30 minutes of staying at the library, F/N got up from her seat, not forgetting to give a small bow at the librarian before she leave.

Now what's left is waiting for her dumbass brother. She stood right next the gates of the school, earphones plugged on her ears, Fur Elise playing softly on her ipod.

She slowly closed her eyes, trying to relax and just focus on the music.

"Hey."

"Hey Hi."

"Excuse me."

"Hey. Hi."

F/N opens her right eye, having the feeling of someone staring at her and   hearing the muffled sound of someone calling her attention.

"Bokuto-san, it's rude to stare and she can't hear you." She heard as she took out an earphone.

She opens her left eye and there she clearly saw, standing in front of her, a dude with a spiky hair who weirdly reminds her of an owl and just behind him another dude with black messy hair whose expression oddly reminds her of when she looks at a mirror.

"Oh she can hear me now." "Hi there. I'm Bokuto and this here is Akaashi." Owl boy says.

F/N just looked at them with an expressionless face. She can't decipher why he suddenly introduced himself and his companion.

"We're from the volleyball team." He added.

That statement he added didn't help her at all. What exactly is the reason dudes from the volleyball team started talking to her?

"Bokuto-san——" Messy haired dude who's named Akaashi was cut off by Bokuto who spoke. "I haven't seen you around before, are you the transfer student from Shiratorizawa?"

F/N slightly tilts her head to the side, thinking about how this Bokuto-san knew the transfer student was from Shiratorizawa when she only said this information to one person. She sighs, there could only be one reason, bubbly girl seatmate must've talked about it to others.

Now, there's only two choices for her, ignore them and don't answer or nod and then go back to ignoring them.

She decided it's best to just do the latter.

Bokuto-san smiled as he saw the girl nod.

"Oh great. Do you perhaps know some players from your previous school's volleyball team?" he asks too excitedly.

F/N tried to rack her brains for anyone she might knew from the team but can't remember one, she had been to Shiratorizawa for only two months anyways. She shaked her head as a "No, I don't know anyone from the team."

Bokuto's shoulders slumped and he frowns.

"Sorry to bother you. Bokuto-san here is just really a curious person." Akaashi politely says.

On a second thought though, she might actually know someone from the Shiratorizawa Team.

"Actually there's this one person I knew...he's the wing spiker." she mumbles.

Bokuto's mood springs up as she heard her.

"Oh really? Is it Ushijima?"

While it's true that everyone in Shiratorizawa knows the Ushijima guy, he wasn't the one F/N had in mind.

She shakes her head No. "The one I knew is a first year."

Before Bokuto can even say another word to her, she heard her name being called and she look at the side to see her brother waiting for her, arms crossed on his chest.

"I have to go. My brother is waiting for me." she says.

Bokuto grinned. "Oh okay. Nice to meet you, F/N. Maybe you can watch us practice sometime, I'm the ace of the team you know, Akaashi is the setter."

F/N was slightly concerned at how he just  called her by her first name but ignored it anyway.

She gave a small bow to the two and walked to her brother.

Akaashi gave a small bow too and Bokuto frantically waved at the girl as he says "See you!"

As the girl left, Akaashi looked at his captain. "I think you scared her, Bokuto-san." he says.

Bokuto laughs, hands resting behind his head. "No way!"

Despite Bokuto's denial, Akaashi still thinks otherwise.

—

part [1] [2] [3] [4] ...

also posted in my wattpad account @akaashirabu.

[akaashirabu]

serenity • akaashi keiji (Pt. 2)

The following day was her official first day at Fukurodani Academy.

She wasn't a big fan of waking up early in the morning to be honest but the thought of her mother nagging at this hour is such a drag so she hurriedly got up and ready for the day.

"Good morning F/N-chan." her mother greeted as she put the plates with food on the table.

"Mmm Ohayo." she greeted quietly.

"Better eat breakfast, we wouldn't want you to be late for your first day at your new school." she reminded.

F/N nodded. She looked around and didn't saw her father, must've gone to work early.

You see, punctuality is a virtue that is taught in the family since childhood and it is the golden rule.

Que in the entrance of her lazy ass older brother.

"Ohayo." He greeted as he yawned.

Her mother sighed. "B/N, did you stayed up all night again? Don't you have classes today?"

"Ah I was studying for an exam, I only have afternoon classes for today." He answered, getting a plate for himself and sitting next to F/N.

"Good luck at your new school." he says to F/N beside him, ruffling her hair in the process.

She hummed and continued eating her breakfast quietly.

Her older brother as you can see is a freshmen at a university here in Tokyo. He had been staying in a dormitory before but since the family moved here, it was only natural for him to move back  home.

Studying huh... F/N thought. She can hardly believe that's true, when in fact she knew her brother had been up all night playing video games instead. He may be a model student in the eyes of their parents but truth is he's just a lazy ass video game junkie when out of their sight. It's not suprising that they believe his act though since he has impressive grades anyways.

"I'm off to school." she mumbles.

"Are you sure you can go to school by yourself? Your brother can go with you." her mother worriedly says.

"No. I'm fine, I already memorized the way when I went there with dad yesterday." she replied.

"Oh okay then, Itterasshai!" her mother says while her brother chuckles.

"Make some new friends!" He loves annoying the hell out of her sometimes.

She just sighed, putting on her shoes and grabbing her bag.

Just as she calculated, it was roughly a 7 minute walk from their home to Fukurodani Gakuen. That is, if she actually pick up the pace but if she's feeling a bit lazy like today, it takes her about 10 minutes top.

She wasn't late for today though, her timid nature was the sole reason of waking up early. It's easy.

Making her way to the teacher's lounge, she can feel the looks that has been given her way. She can't blame them though, it's not everyday a random student transfers in the middle of the term.

She knocked at the door, waiting for someone to notice her. Finally, a man that looked like in his thirties approached her.

"Oh are you the new student, L/N F/N?" he asks.

She nodded, greeting him a quiet "Ohayo." and showed him her transfer papers.

"Okay, let me accompany you to your classroom then. I'm Arizugawa Yuzo, I'll be your homeroom teacher." he tells her.

Again, she gave a nod and a quiet "Thank you, nice to meet you, sir."

He just gave her a smile. Seemingly understanding that the girl didn't like talking much.

Class 1-4 settled down as soon as Arizugawa-sensei came in, all eyes focused on the girl who was beside him.

"Okay class, as you can see, we have a new student and she'll be with us starting today." sensei explains and a few murmurs can be heard.

"A transfer student in the middle of the first term huh."

"She looks intimidating."

"Wonder what's the reason she's transferring when the first term is about to end though."

"LN-san, do you want to introduce yourself and say a few words to the class?" Arizugawa-sensei asked F/N.

She nodded, introducing herself infront of this many people is such a drag but might as well do it, it won't hurt anyway.

"L/N F/N, please take care of me." she says in a monotone voice.

"Okay, L/N-san you may take a seat next to Miyazaki-san. Miyazaki-san please raise your hand so L/N-san can see where you are."

A girl wearing glasses raised her hand and F/N immediately took a seat beside her, putting her bag in place too.

She looked at her new seatmate, she looks so bubbly and F/N can't help but think she may have a hard time with a seatmate who talks a lot.

"Hi, I'm Miyazaki Minami. Nice to meet you." she says with a grin.

F/N just nodded, putting out her notebook and pens.

"Oh, can I call you F/N-chan? You can call me Miichan in return." the bubbly girl asked.

She shrugged, doesn't really understand why the girl was so excited.

"You don't talk much no? but don't worry, I'll do all the talking instead." she says with a giggle.

F/N didn't say anything. She heaved a heavy sigh internally. This is gonna be a long day... She thought.

After two periods, their sensei granted them free period to study by themselves.

F/N was elated, she liked free period since she can just relax and draw. I can just study later after classes... She thought.

She took her ipod and put her earphones on, 2 Arabesques L. 66, No. 1 in E Major playing on the said device.

She grabbed her favorite sketchbook and pencil, getting back to her previous sketch of the Tokyo Tower.

It needs more shading... She thought.

F/N's thoughts was then interrupted when she felt a tap on her shoulder.

She looked at her side to see a smiling Miyazaki. F/N sighed and took out the earphone on her left ear, she didn't want to be rude.

"Wow, F/N-chan, that's so beautiful, you're really good at drawing." the girl says.

"Thanks." a mumble from F/N.

"Can you draw me next time?" Miichan asks.

F/N just nodded. She didn't really mind having to draw for another person, in fact she find it advantageous.

"Cool! Oh and if you don't mind, can I ask where you came from before transferring here?"

F/N paused from shading, seemingly in deep thought if she should continue this conversation (it was barely one) with the bubbly girl.

I guess making one acquaintance won't hurt...I'd have someone to ask about homework when I can't attend classes after all. F/N thought.

"Miyagi. Shiratorizawa Academy." F/N answered simply.

Miichan gasps in surprise. "Shiratorizawa? Isn't that a school with extremely hard entrance exams?"

F/N nodded, the entrance exam seemed  okay to her though.

"F/N-chan must be really smart then."

The emotionless girl shrugged, she didn't really see herself as someone really smart, she likes to think she's just someone who has given more time on studying.

"If you're already studying in a powerhouse school such as Shiratorizawa, why did you transfer here then?"

F/N sighed, why does this girl have a lot of questions?

"Because of my father's job, we have to move here." This has been the longest sentence F/N has said that day.

"Oh, that's unfortunate. It must've been hard to leave your friends." Miichan frowned.

F/N just shrugged. It wasn't that hard really, since she didn't have friends anyways. What's hard is saying goodbye to her quiet life in the countryside that she loved so much. And she ain't gonna lie, Shiratorizawa was a really good school.

As Miichan continued the one sided conversation with F/N, a certain boy from the volleyball team was secretly eavesdropping.

—

part [1] [2] [3] ...

also posted in my wattpad account @akaashirabu.

[akaashirabu]

serenity • akaashi keiji (Pt. 1)

A city that holds a tremendous amount of fascination and a reputation of uniqueness, modern boldness merged with tradition and order to what would be typically chaotic--it's the buzzing Tokyo metropolis.

Right in the middle of that metropolis, a timid looking girl stepped out of a car with a heavy sigh.

She didn't like it; the idea of moving here. She was so used to the quiet countryside of the Miyagi Prefecture and loved every bit of the quiet life she had. The last thing she needed was to live in a busy city like Tokyo.

"F/N...please hurry up. We're going to be late for the meeting with the Principal. Having to transfer in the middle of the term is already enough of an inconvenience for them, the least we could do is show up early." Her father says.

It wasn't my fault to begin with is what she wanna reply but she didn't say anything and just followed him.

It was just 2 weeks ago when she heard of the news. Her father was promoted at his job and he is being transferred at the head office situated in Tokyo. It only meant one thing though, their family will be moving to the city too.

She, of course, objected.

"I can stay at the school's dorm." and it was flat out rejected by his father. She knew it though, that she didn't have a say to this.

Now here they are, on a meeting with the principal of her new school, well, that is if they accept her.

"Good morning Sir, thank you for meeting us today." her father greets the principal.

"It's no problem." the principal replied with a smile.

F/N took a seat quietly, letting the adults talk.

"We saw F/N's school report card and her grades were very impressive." she heard the principal say.

"And she also has the talent and passion for arts. We are very pleased to have a student like F/N in our Academy."

Her father was more than elated by what the principal said, it's like a heavy weight was lifted from his shoulders.

"What do you say to attending our academy, F/N-san?" the principal asked.

F/N looked at him and only gave a nod that got him puzzled.

"I'm sorry, she's a bit timid and doesn't talk much." her father explains.

"Oh it's okay, I understand, I was like that too when I was in high school." He chuckles.

That was too much information, the said timid girl thought.

After that, F/N was excused as the adults continued talking. The principal said that she can go take a look around the school premises if she wanted.

But F/N wasn't interested in looking around. It was too much of a drag.

On a second note though, she did thought of one place she wanted to go to.

She walked for a bit and then finally found it.

The Library.

She went inside, gave a slight bow at the librarian, who thankfully saw her visitor's pass. She was relieved that she didn't need to explain why an outsider was paying a visit. She was also relieved by the fact that there wasn't much student in there to notice her.

Quietly making her way to what she deemed the most secluded area in the premises, she put out a pencil, sketchbook and also her ipod.

She plugged in her earphones, The Breaking of the Fellowship, a soundtrack from The Lord of the Rings, playing on it.

"Fukurodani Gakuen huh...I guess it's not that bad..." she mumbles.

—

part [1] [2] ...

also posted in my wattpad account @akaashirabu. 

[akaashirabu]

volleyballs and photographs • shirabu kenjirou (Pt. 10 - final)

May 2020

Shirabu groans. Shielding his eyes from the sunlight when she opened the window blinds.

"Ken~ji~ro~ wakey~ wakey~" she called him in a sing-song tone.

"5 minutes more..." he mumbles.

"Hey hey, it's your special day. Are you just gonna spend it slumping on your bed all day?"

"Yeah, since I didn't get enough sleep last night remember?" he looked at her and smirked.

F/N's face turned red and she threw a pillow at Shirabu. "Shut up, just get up before I kick you out there."

He chuckled. "Okay okay, help me up maybe?" reaching his hand to her and even giving her the puppy eyes.

She rolled her eyes at him. "Ugh you're lucky you're cute."

F/N held his hand to help him up but as soon as she did he pulled her and she landed on top of him.

She whined and Shirabu chuckled, hugging her.

"I said get up not pull me here with you." she says, trying to break free from his teddy bear hug.

"Come on, can't we just stay in bed for a few more minutes."

She sighed. "You know, just because it's your birthday doesn't mean you'll get everything you want."

"That's okay, I already got it earlier." he says, a grin on his face.

She groans and got up the bed. "Kenjiro!"

"Okay okay, I'm getting up." He laughs.

"Whatever, I'm going to take a bath."

"Wait! Let me join you."

She glared at him.

"What? We can save water." he states.

She sighed. "I'll pretend I didn't hear that since it's your birthday."

He laughed; he loves the expressions she makes when he teases her.

During lunch, F/N and Shirabu were on their way to the mall since she asked him to come with her.

"F/N, shopping isn't really what I envision my 25th birthday would be." he says.

"Relax, we're not here for shopping. Just follow me." She smiled.

After 5 minutes of walking, they finally came to stop in front of a restaurant. Shirabu followed her inside and when they got there he immediately gave her a look.

"Seriously?" He asked her, a scowl showing on his face.

"Otan'jōbi Omedeto!!" Shirabu's former teammates from Shiratorizawa cheered.

"What are you guys doing here?" Shirabu asked them with a straight face.

"There there Kenjiro, sweet Y/N here invited us to celebrate your birthday." Tendo says.

"That's right, Shirabu-senpai! We haven't really had a gathering like this for years. So it'll be fun." Goshiki chimes which earned him a glare from Shirabu.

"Come on, Kenjiro aren't you happy to see them?" F/N asked.

"No." he flat out answered.

"Hey, you brat!" Semi complains.

"Kenjiro! Stop being a tsundere. I know you're happy to see them. Look, even Ushijima-san who's super busy is here for you." F/N says.

Ushijima just gave an acknowledging nod at F/N and Shirabu.

Shirabu sighed. "Okay, it is...quite nice to see them." he says.

"but not Kawanishi and Goshiki." he continued.

Kawanishi groaned. "Hey, I had to skip my job just to come here, you ungrateful bastard."

"Can't believe I skipped practice just to be bullied by Shirabu-senpai again." Goshiki sighs.

All of them (with the exception of Ushijima and Shirabu) laughed.

The team catched up with each other while eating. Reminiscing the old times, laughing here and there, Goshiki being teased by his senpais most of the conversation.

"Now now, let's talk about our couple here next." Tendo says, wiggling his fingers.

"Do you guys remember when Kenjiro here would always be sneakily staring at F/N during practice?" He continued.

"Of course, he was basically gawking at her." Reon says.

F/N laughs with the others making Shirabu annoyed.

"I was not gawking...just curiously looking." Shirabu protests.

"Oh come on, you were head over heels for her." Semi stated, as a matter of fact.

Shirabu's face turned red.

"Everyone in the team knew he like her." Ushijima-san says.

Everyone laughs because Shirabu couldn't even argue with Ushijima because what he says is only the truth.

"I'm just curious, why did you even like Shirabu-senpai, L/N-san?" Goshiki asked.

"Yeah, he's so unsociable, doesn't even smile and always annoyed."

F/N laughs. "I just do." she says.

"Of course, she does." Shirabu says with pride.

"I bet the next time they invite us, it'll be their wedding." Yamagata said.

Now, it's time for F/N's face to turn red as everyone hollers, agreeing with what the former Shiratorizawa Libero said.

Shirabu just smirks and snakes his arm around her waist. "What are you thinking about?" He whispers at her ear.

She slaps him in the thigh. "Stop teasing me."

As the celebration ended, everyone said their goodbyes and greeted Shirabu again. Of course, F/N didn't forget to take out the camera to commerate their little reunion through a photo.

"Thank you for coming today guys, especially Ushijima-san." F/N says.

"Of course, anything for our sweet F/N and her salty boyfriend." Tendo-san says.

"No problem." Ushijima-san replied.

"I wish you goodluck in dealing with that brat, F/N." Semi says which earned an annoyed "Hey!" from Shirabu.

"I'll see you again soon L/N-san, it's really nice to see you and Shirabu-san together." Goshiki says and Kawanishi nodded in agreement. After all they were the witnesses to their love story that started in high school.

F/N smiled and gave Goshiki a hug while Shirabu crosses his arms, getting annoyed at the bowl cut boy. F/N ignored him and waved goodbye at his former teammates.

"So did you like my surprise?" she asks as they start to walk.

He paused to think of an answer. "Hmm I don't know."

She pouted. "Oh come on, it's so hard to gather them all together and you're telling me you did not like my surprise?"

Shirabu chuckles. "You already know I like everything you do for me."

She grins. "Well, you got a point there."

"But next time, I wish it'd be only us for my special day okay? Your whole attention on me." he says as he caressed her cheek.

"Selfish Bastard." she chuckled.

"You bet I'am because you're mine." He said and stole a kiss on her lips.

She smiled after the kiss and he did too.

They walked hand in hand, fingers intertwined and never to let go again.

—

part [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] also posted in my wattpad account @akaashirabu.

[akaashirabu]

volleyballs and photographs • shirabu kenjirou (Pt. 9)

Back to Present Day, November 2018.

"One Iced Americano for Shirabu-san." she called from the counter.

Shirabu was awakened from his trance. So that was what happened. He was being a selfish bastard. He made her cry. He didn't got the chance to apologize to her since she avoided him even when graduation came. He gave up that fast. He was a coward.

Shirabu got up and walked at the counter to grab his drink.

"Thank you. Enjoy your drink, Shirabu-san." she says with a smile.

He just nodded at her and turned his back.

He was staring at the cup in his hands. Is he going to be a coward forever? Is he letting her go again? Is he?

Shirabu turned around and walked back at the counter.

"F/N."

She was surprised when he called her, and with her first name even.

"uhm do you need something else, Shirabu-san?"

"I'm sorry..."

She tilted her head. "uhh for what?"

"5 years ago, for making you cry..." he was looking straight to her eyes.

Her eyes widen a bit, surprised by what the boy infront of her just said.

She smiles. "Shirabu-san, don't worry about it. I already forgave you a long time ago."

"No...I--Can I talk to you? I have something to say actually..."

"Oh uhm my shift ends in 10 minutes, can you wait for a bit?" she says.

He nodded and took a seat at the nearest chair, waiting for her.

10 minutes passed and F/N was at the cafe's employee room to change her clothes and get her things.

"Hey F/N-chan, who's the guy waiting for you outside?" her cousin, the owner of the coffee shop asked.

"Oh uhm just someone I knew from high school." she says.

"Ah that's why he really looks familiar. Oh wait..." she stopped to think.

F/N looks at her cousin, waiting for what she's about to say.

"Don't tell me he's that guy you liked so much in high school, the one who has a lot of photos in your cameras..."

F/N's face turned red.

"Onee-san..." she whined.

"Oh so it's really him, since you're flustered and all..." her cousin chuckled.

F/N whines again.

"You still have that one polaroid photo with him in your wallet right? So you going out with him now, after all those years?" she teased.

"Nee-san! I-it's not like that..h-he just wanted to talk."

"Think of it, maybe it's why he wanted to talk to you."

F/N flusters more at what her cousin just said.

"Ah I'm sure it's not like that...I'm off, see you tomorrow." she says.

As soon as she walked in Shirabu got up from his seat and walked towards her.

After leaving the coffee shop, both were walking on the sidewalks, an awkward atmosphere surrounding them.

Shirabu was deep in thought about how he'd confront the girl. He was so nervous, like he was in high school again.

Meanwhile, F/N can't help but think about what her cousin said, the one where she says that the reason why Shirabu wanted to talk to her is to ask her to go out with him. Will he?

"So uhm you still take photos right?" he suddenly asks.

She looked at him and smiled a bit. "Yep, I uhh actually work for a photo studio and sometimes freelances for magazine photoshoots. I work part time at the coffeeshop to help my cousin by the way." she says.

He nods.

She was hesitating on continuing the conversation but then she asked "How about you?"

"Oh me? Still in Med School. A little bit more and I'll be a doctor I guess."

She smiled. "That's great. A doctor huh...it fits Shirabu-san really well."

"Uhm thank you..." He mumbles.

They were engulf in silence again until they stopped outside a nearby convenience store.

"so uhm what is it you want to tell me?" she finally asked.

He gulped. It's now or never.

"F/N...it's been 5 years but I...I still like you." he said.

She was surprised, to be honest she didn't know what to say.

"No...I...I love you." He continued.

Maybe a little too loud because it attracted the attention of some high school kids passing by.

F/N flusters, she still didn't know what to say.

"I can't just waste this chance again...I'm asking you to be my girlfriend, F/N."

Shirabu was taken aback when he saw tears on her eyes.

He was panicking. He just made her cry again. "Wait F/N...wait I'm I'm sorry...I"

She wiped her tears away. "No it's not...it's okay...it's just that I-I love you too but——"

"Wait, don't tell me you have a boyfriend already?!?!"

F/N bursted in laughter. "No, you idiot bowl cut boy. I love you okay? but we just saw each other again and I can't just say yes to being your girlfriend right away." she explains.

Shirabu heaved a sigh of relief. "O-okay then, but for the record, I already asked and I wouldn't take no for an answer since you already said you love me."

F/N flusters as she heard the high school kids who were eavesdropping snickering and saying things like "Oh couples these days." "They are so cute."

"O-okay...stop embarassing me!"

He chuckled and patted her head. "Come on, I'll treat you some ice cream."

She nodded.

He held her hand as they walked inside the convenience store.

"Shirabu-san..." she softly called.

"Hmmm?" He looked back at her.

"I missed you."

"I missed you too." He smiled and she smiled back.

"Oh and hey call me by my first name!" he demands.

F/N chuckles. "Okay, Kenjirou."

—

part [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] also posted in my wattpad account @akaashirabu.

[akaashirabu]

volleyballs and photographs • shirabu kenjirou (Pt. 8)

"FN-chan, can you please fix the lighting?" she heard the head photographer say.

"Hai, senpai."

F/N has been busy with her internship in the photo studio and it has been very fulfilling for her. She was overwhelmed by how she got to do what she love and gain experience at the same time.

"Okay, 20 minutes break for everyone." her senpai announced.

F/N went to her table and grab her phone. For the past few weeks, Shirabu and herself have been exchanging messages.

to: shirasuuken fr: f/n "We're on a break. What are you up to? (๑•́ ₃ •̀๑)"

Back at Shiratorizawa Gakuen VB Gym, the team just finished their practice.

You can hear everyone's loud sigh as they walk towards to locker room.

"I feel like dying...Washijo kantoku's trainings are ten times harder than before." Goshiki groans.

"You've been complaining too much. I guess that's the result of you becoming our team's ace." Shirabu says to his fellow bowl cut teammate.

The said bowl cut whines. "That's not true!"

The locker room was filled with laughter and groans as the other players continue to tease Goshiki.

Shirabu on the other hand was busy changing his clothes when his phone buzzed. He immediately had a smile on his face when he saw the sender of the message.

fr: f/n ✧ to: shirasuuken "We're on a break. What are you up to? (๑•́ ₃ •̀๑)"

Shirabu's smile grew wider when he saw her cute emoji and immediately replied.

to: f/n ✧ fr: shirasuuken "Practice just ended. Trainings have been extra hard since us third years will graduate soon. I'm a bit tired but it's fine. How are you?"

Not even a minute passing, his phone buzzed again.

fr: f/n ✧ to: shirasuuken "Aww go take some rest okay? don't want the captain to get sick. (*˘︶˘*).｡.:*♡" "Oh and I'm great. We took some photos of kids today and they are so cute, I want to keep them in my pocket."

He was grinning widely. Ah, he wanted to see her right now.

"Hey who are you texting Shirabu senpai?" black haired bowl cut asked.

"Of course it's L/N, look at how much he'd been smiling..." Kawanishi stated as a matter of fact.

"Oh right, only L/N-san can make him smile like an idiot..." Goshiki snickers.

Shirabu glared at them. "Shut up."

He stomped his way out of the locker room before he gets super annoyed with the two.

to: f/n ✧ fr: shirasuuken "I'm glad you're enjoying your internship. I'm on my way home now. What time are you gonna finish? Can we hangout today?"

fr: f/n ✧ to: shirasuuken "Ah sorry we're finishing late today so I'm afraid we can't but we'll be seeing each other in school though."

to: f/n ✧ fr: shirasuuken "Oh, okay. Take care when you get home later."

Shirabu sighed. He really did want to see her today. True enough they see each other in school but they'd just greet each other in the hallways or the cafeteria since she was busy with her club too because of the yearbook. He understands her though because she needs it for her portfolio that will be a big help for her at university.

"But I miss you..." he mumbled.

He already typed it and was about to hit send but decided on deleting it in the end. He didn't want to be a bother.

A few more weeks have passed. Oh how Shirabu dreaded these past weeks. He hasn't been talking with F/N since she was so busy. She would send her short messages and that was it. He was really frustrated. He wanted to be selfish and just spend some more time with her but at the same time he didn't want to sound so clingy. Besides, what he's actually frustrated about is that he still hadn't asked her to be his girlfriend.

"Uhhh Shi-Shirabu-srnpai, someone is looking for you." a second year pinch server stutters as he asks. Poor kouhai was afraid his captain would be mad at him since he had been scowling since earlier.

"Who is it?" Shirabu answered with a groan.

The innocent kouhai shivered at his captain's answer. "Su-sumimasen...he's from the Journalism Club...s-senpai."

Shirabu's scowl was immediately gone from his face upon hearing the words Journalism Club.

But it was soon back on when he didn't saw the person he wanted to see.

The person who was there though awkwardly approached the scowling captain. "Excuse me, uhm Shirabu-san? I'm Akari Ryo from the Journalism Club. I'm here to take photos of the graduating players of the team."

Shirabu sighed and kept his composure back. He lead the photographer boy and introduced him to the team.

He took some photos and Shirabu tried to look decent in every single one of them despite being in a bad mood.

"Shirabu-san, can you please smile for this one photo?" Akari asked.

Shirabu stiffens.

*Ushijma-san, can you please smile for this one photo?*

Right, F/N was the one who took the senpais' photos before. Oh how Shirabu wish she was the one taking his photo right now.

His thoughts were interrupted by Goshiki and the other kouhais who were trying hard not to laugh loudly.

"I don't smile." he says with a straight face.

The rest of the team went silent. They were used to their captain being this serious but he was more scary when he's in a bad mood like this.

Shirabu hurriedly packed his things, nodded at the team as a sign that he's going before them.

Might as well just go back and study since he's not really in a good mood.

Meanwhile, F/N was running her way to the gyms, hoping to see the setter captain.

Looking around at the gym, she spotted his bowl cut kouhai instead.

"Goshiki!" she called.

"Oh LN-senpai what brings you here?" he asked.

"Is Shirabu still here?"

"Oh Shirabu-senpai went out already. Didn't say where he's going though."

"Ahh, I see...okay thanks Goshiki."

She gave the kid a pat on the shoulder and was on her way to find his setter captain.

"Oh and L/N-senpai, he's in a pretty bad mood since earlier!" he called out to her but the girl had already disappeared and didn't heard what he just said.

Where would he be going? She thought and went to every place she could think of inside the Shiratorizawa grounds.

He may be at the dorms? But she can't exactly go to the boys' dorms.

She also looked at the library since he might thought of studying but he wasn't there. F/N was about to give up on looking for him when she caught a glimpse of his copper bowl cut at the tree nearby the field.

"Shirabu-san!" she called.

He looked back as he heard his name being called.

She stopped right infront of him, catching her breath.

"I've been looking for you everywhere."

"Have you?" he mumbles but loud enough for her to hear.

She took a sit next to him.

"Yes and Oh I have some——" she stopped mid-sentence when she noticed that Shirabu has a frown on his face.

"Hey, is there something wrong?" she asks, worry evident in her voice.

"It's nothing..."

"Are you sure?" "I mean if there's something bothering you, you can always tell me and I——"

"No, I'm fine." he says, his voice surprising F/N.

She didn't say anything and was just silent, so is he.

"Are you...mad at me?" she asked softly.

He didn't answer.

She frowned. "Oh, so you are mad at me."

He looked at her with wide eyes. "No, it's not——"

"I don't really know what I did but I'm sorry..." she says, wiping the tears that fell on her face. She hurriedly got up and left him.

"F/N...wait I——" He called out but she was already far away from him.

Shirabu slapped his face. He didn't intend to upset her. He was just so frustrated about graduating and leaving the volleyball team, studying for college applications and not seeing her. But now he just made her cry for being a salty ass bastard.

Maybe he just wasn't fated to ask her to be his...maybe it wasn't time.

—

part [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9]... also posted in my wattpad account @akaashirabu.

[akaashirabu]

volleyballs and photographs • shirabu kenjirou (Pt. 7)

All eyes were set on Shiratorizawa VB Team's copper haired captain at practice. It has been a week since he was acting weird, it's like Shirabu was a totally new person.

"Shouldn't we be worried? He's never been in a good mood this long." Goshiki asks in a whisper.

"Nah, I can live with this new Shirabu. Remind me to thank L/N-san when we see her okay?" Kawanishi says.

"Hey, stop slacking off!" they suddenly heard the setter captain yell. The two boys sighed, guess it was too early to assume that their salty captain became, well, for a lack of better word, sweet.

Practice ended and everyone was about to go to the locker room to change when their attention was caught by a girl who walked in the gym.

F/N happily waved at their captain.

Shirabu, seeing that all the attention were on them, flushed in red. They have been spending most of their time together but it was the first time she visited him at practice again since he became captain.

He quickly approached her, his hand on his nape, clearly embarassed.

"L/N-san, uhh what brings you here?" he asks.

"Ahhh...you of course."

Shirabu felt like his face is on flames.

He hears distant snickers and looked around to see his teammates eavesdropping on their conversation. He immediately composed himself and shoots a deadly glare back at them. The boys especially Goshiki shivers at the threat and quickly ran to the locker room with the others.

"So you two together now?" Kawanishi asked, popping out of nowhere.

F/N was now flustered too.

Kawanishi didn't got an answer from the duo. Maybe because honestly, Shirabu and F/N didn't really know what to say. Sure they already admitted to liking each other but neither of the two spoke about their current standing.

Shirabu glared at Kawanishi as if saying 'I haven't asked her to be my girlfriend.'

Kawanishi shrugged, said his goodbye and a 'nice to see you' to F/N, not forgetting to pat his captain on the shoulder as he left.

"So uhm do you maybe want to uhh hangout with me? Only if you're not busy."

"Oh, ah sure! I'm not busy!" Shirabu quickly says, his voice getting a bit higher, showing excitement.

F/N chuckles and he flusters. "Go on and change, I'll wait for you here." she says and flashes a smile at him.

Not even 5 minutes passed and Shirabu came running to where she's waiting.

"Let's go." he says, grabbing her hand to pull her with him.

F/N was surprised as she realized they were holding hands, she yet again flushed at the thought as she looked at him and then he looked back at her and flashes a smile, she can't help but smile back.

As the duo left, Goshiki and Kawanishi went out of the locker room.

"so L/N-san is still not his girlfriend?" the bowl cut boy asked.

"Yeah, apparently he didn't asked her yet." his senpai answered.

At the park, Shirabu followed F/N as she was taking photos of the flowers using her digital camera. He can't help but smile; he can get used to this, him just following behind as she enjoyed doing what she loves.

Suddenly as he was lost in his thoughts about her, she sneakingly took a snap of Shirabu.

He frowned, more of a pout actually and it made her chuckle, he is cute, she thought.

"You always take photos of me when I'm caught of guard." he complains.

She laughed. "Then let's take another one, and this time, it'll be us two." she says as she rummaged through her bag, getting something.

She saw her get a polaroid camera as they sat on a nearby bench.

"Just how many cameras do you bring with you?" he asks.

"Depends but today, just two." she answers as she scooted closer to him. "Come on, smile." she says and she held up the camera in front of them.

As they waited for the photo to show, Shirabu can't help but smile, it was their first photo together.

"Aw this is cute. Let's take another one." she says.

She held up the camera again, as she pressed the button, her eyes widen when Shirabu kissed her on the cheek. It was taken in the photo.

She blushed furiously and he snickers.

"What was that for?" she pouted.

"Oh you look so cute in here. I'll keep this okay?" He dodges her question and took the polaroid photo where he kissed her.

"Y-yeah whatever..." she answers keeping the first polaroid photo.

They continued walking at the park and she took photos everywhere, of the kids playing in the playground, the birds on the trees, the sky...and of him.

"I actually got accepted for an internship in a photo studio." she says to him.

"That's great! Congratulations, L/N-san." he smiled at her but he noticed that she didn't smile back.

"Hey, what's the matter?" he asks her softly.

"Well, I'll be occupied with the internship and I heard you'll be busy with the volleyball team soon, so I guess we can't hang out like this anymore." she frowns.

Oh right. He realizes as he heard her say it.

"Don't worry, we'll make time and Oh uhm, we can always talk on the phone...if you want." he tries to cheer her up.

She smiles. "That's true...I'll make sure to give you a text or call...I love...talking to you...a lot."

"Me too..."

—

part [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] ... also posted in my wattpad account @akaashirabu.

[akaashirabu]

volleyballs and photographs • shirabu kenjirou (Pt. 6)

Shirabu and F/N were walking on their way to a convenience store and you can honestly cut the tension with a knife.

It was awkward.

F/N didn't really know why he wanted to get ice cream with her. And also she can't even think of something she could say to him to ease up the awkwardness.

"Uhh, what do you like?" he asks out of nowhere.

"Huh?"

"I mean the ice cream, what flavor do you like?"

She paused to think. "Ahh...just chocolate is fine." and she noticed they already arrived at the convenience store.

"L/N-san, you can just wait for me here. I'll go buy the ice cream and we can eat it at the nearby park afterwards. Is it okay for you?"

"Mhmm..." She mumbled and gave a nod.

As Shirabu left, F/N heaved a sigh. She didn't know why her heart is beating fast like she's nervous about something.

Meanwhile, Shirabu's heart is on a rampage. It has to be today. He had to tell it to her today. And he was nervous as heck.

Before going out the convenience store to meet her, he slapped his cheeks. Telling himself, he should not screw this up.

"L/N-san, I got them. So uhm let's go." He says and smiled at her.

She nodded, smiling back at him although she wasn't really sure why he's all smiles today. To be honest, she doesn't remember Shirabu smiling a lot...maybe he did before but it was rare.

They sat on a bench near the playground. There wasn't really that much people on the park right now since it'll be night time soon.

"Here." he handed her the ice cream.

"Thank you." she replied as he got his too and discarded the plastic bag containing it earlier.

"So uhm have you decided on what university you'll go to?" she asks, finally thinking of something to talk about with him.

"I'm thinking Tokyo University or maybe just stay here in Miyagi and attend Sendai University."

She nods. "Ah I see...I haven't really thought of where to go."

"But you're going to pursue photography right?"

"Mmmm...BA Photography or maybe Digital Arts." she says, a smile on her face.

"How about you, Shirabu-san?"

"Me? Ah, probably Medicine." he says.

Oh right, Shirabu-san is really smart afterall. She thought.

"Will you still be playing volleyball by then?" she suddenly asks.

He shrugs. "I don't know...but I thought of that too. I'd sometimes envision myself setting for other powerful players like Ushijima-san."

"Well...if ever you decide to continue playing, I'd be there to take photos for you." she smiled.

Shirabu looked at her smiling face and he felt his heart melt inside. She's beautiful. He thought.

"That would be nice..." he chuckled and she did too.

After that they were engulfed by silence again but this time there wasn't any tension and awkwardness anymore, just them sitting side by side, silently eating their ice cream.

"L/N-san..." Shirabu called her softly.

"Mmm?" she looked at him as she stopped eating her ice cream.

He didn't say anything. He was just looking at her as he moved closer.

She was getting flustered. "Ah..Shirabu...san?"

"Sssh.."

His face is only inches away from her. Her attention was then caught by his lips...is he going to kiss her?

Her heart started to beat faster and faster. She didn't know what to do so she just closed her eyes, her hand fidgeting the hem of her skirt.

Shirabu on the otherhand, can't help but feel nervous as his heart accelerated. He's going to kiss her and tell her how he feels...right?

She waited for his lips to land on hers but instead she felt it on her forehead.

He gave her a forehead kiss.

F/N's face went red like a tomato and her face is incredibly heating up. She also saw a very flustered Shirabu, his ears visibly red too.

"I ahh...L/N-san...I...like you."

Her eyes grew wide for a second and she didn't say anything.

Shirabu was getting more nervous since she wasn't saying anything at all.

Ugh Shirabu you screw it up, she doesn't like you the way you like her. He thought and was slapping himself on his mind.

But then he heard her laugh.

This is so embarassing.

She was laughing...at his confession.

Trust me, Shirabu tried so hard to hide his growing irritation that he can't even look at her...

but to his surprise she poked his cheek. "Silly Shirabu...I like you too!" she said.

"You...you do?" he asked.

She nods two times.

"Why do you think I've been sneakily taking photos of you since first year?"

"Since first year?" but they met in their second year.

It was her time to be embarassed.

"I uhhh I have been attending the volleyball team's matches even before we formally met okay!" she reasons.

He smiled. He loved it when you were flustered like this.

A phone ringing interrupted their time and she rummaged through her bag to answer the call.

"Ah hello?...oh okay...I'll meet you there...bye."

She looked at Shirabu. "It's my mom." she says.

"Oh...so uhm do you need to go already?"

She nods, a small frown on her face. "Ye, I uhm sorry..." She somehow didn't want this moment with him to end.

He gave her a smile in return. "It's okay...we can hang out again some other time. Let me walk you home." he says.

"Oh no need to, I'll be meeting her at the mall just near here."

"Oh..." he mumbled, feeling a bit defeated, he wanted to prolong their time together by walking her home.

He stiffens when he felt her kiss his cheek by surprise.

"Thank you for the ice cream, Shirabu-san. I'm looking forward to next time." She says with a bright smile and was already running away from him, waving her hand to say goodbye.

"I ahhh I'm looking foward to it too..." Shirabu whispered under his breathe while holding his cheek where she gave her a kiss; still in a trance as he stare at her disappearing figure from afar.

—

part [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] ... also posted in my wattpad account @akaashirabu.

[akaashirabu]

volleyballs and photographs • shirabu kenjirou (Pt. 5)

And then their 3rd year came, their last year in Shiratorizawa.

Gradually, they started to spend less of their time together. Shirabu became the Volleyball team's captain and F/N became the Journalism Club's head and the school newspaper's Editor-In-Chief.

At the same time, both students were doing their best studying to have good grades so they can apply for their desired university. They just didn't have the time anymore.

Not until one day...

"L/N-senpai, we have a problem! Akari-san is sick and we don't have a photographer for the volleyball team's match today." F/N's kouhai from the Journalism club says.

"How about Hina?" she asks.

"She didn't come to school today, senpai."

"Well uhm don't worry, I got this covered then." F/N smiles.

"Oh right! You use to be our club's photographer. Thanks senpai, we'll make sure to take over other club activities." He says and rushes to their club room.

F/N sighed as she held on to her camera, on her way to the stadium where the volleyball team is going to play today. She still takes photos everyday but it has been a while since the last time she took photos of the team. And to tell the truth, she had been avoiding someone from the team and to top all that he might have been avoiding her as well.

It was nostalgic to take photos of the games again. She used to watch all their matches and take photos of the team...especially his photos.

Shiratorizawa came out winning and now F/N has to take a photo of the team and a short interview; unfortunately for her it's with the captain a.k.a the one man she's avoiding right now.

She heaved a heavy sigh. I guess there's no point on making excuses.

"L/N-san!!" Goshiki called upon noticing the girl.

"Oh uhm Hi...Congrats on winning the match." she shyly greeted.

The team's attention was now on her and yes, even Shirabu's.

She then explained that she was there to take a photo of the team and instructed them on what to do.

After taking the photo, F/N was thinking very hard on how to approach Shirabu for the short interview but turns out she didn't need to think much because he was already approaching her.

"It's been a long time since you took photos of the team...I believe the last time is with Ushijima-san and the other senpais." he says.

She nods, giving out a small smile as she thought of that time.

"Oh uhm Shirabu-san, if you don't mind, I need to interview you for a bit...it's for the school newspaper."

"Uh well sure." he says.

After the short interview, there was an awkward silence between them and all F/N wanted was to get out of the situation.

"so uhm Thank you for your time, Shirabu-san."

"No problem...if you need anything else just tell me and oh uh I should go now and change...I guess I'll see you around then L/N-san."

"Yeah..see you around." she replied.

He then turned around to leave. F/N frowned, she didn't know why her heart felt so heavy. She was about to leave when she heard her name being called.

"L/N-san...wait." it was Shirabu.

She didn't say anything and waited for what he's about to say next.

"Do you have anything else to do right now or somewhere you need to go to?" he asks.

"Uhh, I don't think so...why?" she mumbles.

"Great! Let me just change and get my bag." he says, about to run to the changing rooms.

"Shirabu-san, what do you mean?" she calls out to him.

"Wait for me there, I'll be quick."

Shirabu was welcomed by his team in the changing rooms, he didn't pay them much attention and immediately got to changing from his jersey to a new shirt and stuffing his things in his bag.

"Uhh you seem to be in a hurry?" Goshiki asks.

"I need to go, tell coach it's an emergency." he says.

"Soooo, L/N is the emergency?" Kawanishi asks.

Shirabu groans. "Cover for me and I'll exempt you two for tomorrow's diving drills."

Goshiki and Kawanishi laughed.

"I'll be looking forward for tomorrow Captain." —Goshiki.

"Goodluck with L/N." —Kawanishi.

Shirabu came back running and is already wearing the team's jacket, his bag lazily hanging on his shoulder.

"Sorry for the wait." he says as he catches his breath.

"It's okay...so uhm what are we up to anyways?" she asks.

He paused; he didn't thought this far ahead and he got nothing planned.

"I uh let's go get some ice cream." he blurted out.

She looked at him weirdly. "O-okay..."

—

part [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] ... also posted in my wattpad account @akaashirabu.

[akaashirabu]

Omi-cat & masks

[akaashirabu]

volleyballs and photographs • shirabu kenjirou (Pt. 4)

Ever since then Kenjirō and F/N have been spending more time together.

Studying at the library, visiting him during practice and taking photos of the team, eating lunch together or just sitting under a tree talking about anything under the sun and browsing at the photos on her camera.

As time goes by, he realizes that he's starting to treasure all those little moments with her.

"Oh L/N-chan, you're here again."  Yamagata-san says.

"Yep, I'll be taking pictures of you senpais for the yearbook."

"Oh that's nice!" Tendou cheers.

Shirabu watches her on the sideline as she took photos of the senpais.

"Ushijma-san, can you please smile for this one photo?" she asks politely.

The others were trying their best not to laugh because they knew their ace captain seldom smiled and who knows, maybe not at all.

But to their surprise his mouth slightly curved into a small smile and everyone was taken aback. F/N immediately took a shot.

"Ohhhh I can't believe someone actually made our Wakatoshi smile." Tendou exclaims and everyone laughs including F/N while Ushijima is back at keeping a straight face.

Something melted inside Shirabu as he heard her laugh. And her happy face didn't help at all as he continues to look at her.

"Shirabu-san, you've been staring at L/N-san since earlier, she might turn into a puddle." Goshiki says and snickers.

Shirabu glared at his kouhai, irritated by him casually stating an obvious fact. "Shut up Goshiki, I'm not staring at her." He denies.

"Stop lying you brat, we all know you like her." said Semi.

Shirabu's face turn red as he glared at his teammates.

"Yeah, we all are wondering when would you actually man up and tell her you like her." Vice captain, Soekawa said.

Shirabu's irritation is visibly rising but he tried to compose himself. "I...just...leave me alone." he groans and left the others.

He stomped his way to get a water bottle and was deep in thought. He already knows and he didn't need them to remind him about it.

He knew he liked her, he just didn't know how to tell her and also, he didn't want to ruin what they already have.

"Shirabu-san, what are you doing?" He heard her call.

"Oh uh, nothing. What's up?" he asks, and at his peripheral view he saw Tendou, Goshiki, Semi and the others looking at their way, clearly urging him to tell her about it already.

Shirabu wanted to toss balls at their face for being annoying.

"I just wanted to say goodbye to you since I just finished taking photos for the yearbook." she says.

Oh, this is it. "L/N-san, do..do you have anything else to do after this?" He asked, maybe just maybe he can finally say it to her today.

"Well, I still have to edit the photos at the club room today so they can put it in the layout."

Well yeah that was it. Maybe it wasn't today.

"Oh..."

"Why? Do you need anything?" she asks with a curious look.

"Actually...I...have something to say."

"Oh what is it then?"

"Uhh I'll just tell it to you another time."

"Oh okay then, I'll be going. See you around, Shirabu-san!" and then she took off.

He sighed and heard Tendou and the others groan.

He just glared at them and went to the lockers to change.

'Shirabu Kenjirō, you are such a twat.' He thought.

—

part [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] ... also posted in my wattpad account @akaashirabu.

[akaashirabu]

volleyballs and photographs • shirabu kenjirou (Pt. 3)

A few days after during practice, Tendou and the others are gushing on something.

It seems like the team's special feature on the school newspaper is out.

"Look at this photo of me here, don't I look amazing!" Tendou says.

"L/N-san surely took some great photos for us." Goshiki exclaimed, also saying something along the lines of him being so cool and looking like the awesome future ace he is.

Shirabu caught a glimpse of his photo...Goshiki was right, she sure did took some great photos of them.

The next time he saw her was in the library, he was reading a book when she went to sit next to him.

"Hi." she whispered.

He looked at her. She still has her camera with her and it looks like she wasn't here to study at all.

He only gave her a nod, acknowledging her presence and getting back to his book.

After that she didn't say anything, just looking at her camera and pushing some buttons it seems.

Seeing an opportunity, she sneakily snapped a photo of Shirabu while reading. She smiled to herself, thinking that she succeeded without him noticing, little did she know he saw her from his peripheral view.

"What are you doing?" he asked.

"Oh uhm nothing..."

"Then, why are you here L/N-san?"

"Oh uhm...I'll let you get back to your book. See you later, Shirabu-san!" she hurriedly says and left.

He sighed. What a weird girl she is.

Ever since then, the two of them seem to always bump into each other.

Shirabu was on his way to the gym when he spotted her near the field, crouching on the ground. It seems like she was looking for something.

He lightly tapped her on the shoulder to get her attention and she immediately looked back.

"Oh Shirabu-san, what brings you here?" she asks.

"Are you looking for something?"

"Uhm yes, you see I dropped my camera's memory card somewhere here..." she explains, worry evident on her voice.

"Let me help you look for it then." He offers.

The girl beamed at him. "Thank you!!"

Not even a minute passing, he found the memory card hidden under dead leaves. "Here it is."

"Waah, thank you so much Shirabu-san." She took hold of the card and immediately put it inside her camera.

"You see this is so important because I haven't saved the photos in my laptop and I--" She explains, browsing through the photos but cut herself as she stumbles upon a stolen snap of Shirabu on the screen of the camera and hurriedly hides it from his sight.

Unfortunately for her though, Shirabu already caught a glimpse of the photo as he looked at her panicked expression.

"Can I look at them?" He asks.

"Huh? Wh-what do you mean?" she says, her face flustered.

"The pictures. Can I look at them?"

"Wha-No, it's embarassing!" Her face was now totally red like a tomato.

Shirabu can't help but snicker, he clears his throat though of course, normal Shirabu is a serious person.

"Embarassing? but isn't it me in those photos, L/N-san?" he smirked, teasing her.

"No I mean because...it's just...okay you can look at them." she sighed, there's no use to hiding them when he already saw it anyways.

He sat beside her, she handed him the camera and he took it and browsed through the photos. He saw photos of himself; the one in the library, the ones during practice and those during the match versus Karasuno and even a random photo of him in the hallways.

"I really like you." She mumbled.

He was caught off guard at what she said and looked at her to check if he heard it right.

"Huh?"

"I mean uhm I really like taking photos of you." She continued, now holding the camera on her lap.

This time it was Shirabu's turn to be flustered. He thought she was confessing and thank god, it was a right thing he didn't say anything. He didn't want her to think he's assuming things.

"Uhh, thank you but I don't really think I'm a worthy subject for your photos." he says, looking the other way, hand on his nape, feeling embarassed.

"No...I think otherwise. Sure, spikers may have all the attention of the crowd and they are great subjects for sports photography because they portray power and dominance in a photograph...but setters, you guys have that elegance in you. I don't know if it's just the body position and hands position or because setters touches the ball majority of the game but my camera lens seems to be attracted...well, by you specifically."

Shirabu didn't know what to say because she actually sounded like she meant every word she just said.

He was looking directly at her, thinking about how this girl's words stir so many emotions in his being. How her smile seem to melt his insides.

"Shirabu-san? Do you maybe want a copy of your photos?" she asked.

His trance was cut off by her sudden question. "Uhh, Yeah."

"That's great, I'll give it to you some time this week." she says, again with a bright smile.

Before Shirabu can utter a word, she was getting up from sitting on the ground. "So uhm I'll see you around Shirabu-san!" She says and was already on her way.

"Yeah, I'll see you around." he mumbles and he saw her turn around again, waving a goodbye and said "Oh and maybe we can hang out like this again."

'Again?' That was what Shirabu was left thinking as the girl rush off.

His hand is on his chest trying to calm down the fast beating of his heart, her smile still embedded on his memory.

What is she doing with him?

—

part [1] [2] [3] [4] ... also posted in my wattpad account @akaashirabu.

[akaashirabu]

volleyballs and photographs • shirabu kenjirou (Pt. 2)

Shiratorizawa Gakuen, 2012.

One day at a practice before the Miyagi Prefecture Playoffs final match, Shiratorizawa vs Karasuno.

It was the first time he saw her, a camera dangling on her neck and a shy smile on her face. She was in the same year as him but they haven't really met till that day.

"This is L/N-san, she's a second year from the Journalism Club that's in-charge of our school's newspaper. She will be taking pictures of the team for a special feature." Reon-san says.

"I'm L/N F/N, I'm looking forward to work with you. Please take care of me." She didn't really caught his attention at first and he sure did not foresee she'd be getting his attention, a lot.

"Hey, Kenjirō. Our photographer-chan seems to be taking so much photos of you." Tendou says as he approached the irrate setter.

"No, you're seeing it wrong, I'm just simply always near Ushijima-san." He answered.

Tendou snickers. "Nah, I don't think that's the case."

Shirabu quickly shrugged off his senpai's statement because it simply doesn't make sense but as he looked up from the water bottle at his hand, he caught her pointing the camera where he is, a flustered look on her face as she realized he caught her snapping a photo of him and they just made eye contact.

At the day of the Shiratorizawa vs Karasuno match, she was also there to take some pictures. Sadly though, Shiratorizawa lost the match and it was a heart breaking scene seeing the team sobbing at their defeat, it was the last year for their ace captain and the other senpais after all.

That afternoon, she didn't know where the courage came from but she felt like talking to him.

"Shirabu-san!" She called after the copper haired boy walking with his head hung low.

Hearing his name being called, he looked up to see the photographer girl.

The said girl sighed, as if she was nervous about something, well, she is. He didn't say anything.

"I just wanted to say that you did well. Eh, all of you did. I saw how determined you are during the game. It's nice to have some challenging opponents sometimes right? Don't feel sad about your loss, I believe it'll make the team stronger." She says and flashes him a smile.

Shirabu looked at her with an unreadable expression.

"I...uhm...Thank you." he whispered but enough to be heard by the smiling girl. "Oh no need to thank me though. See you at school, Shirabu-san!" she says as she hurriedly left but not forgetting to give a small bow and a wave of goodbye.

When she left, he had a small smile on his face. He can't quite grasp how a few words from a girl he just recently met can cheer him up like this.

—

part [1] [2] [3] ... also posted in my wattpad account @akaashirabu.

[akaashirabu]

volleyballs and photographs • shirabu kenjirou (Pt. 1)

Present Day, November 2018.

It's a cold monday morning, there wasn't that many students walking in the university premises today; it's understandable though since it's a week before the exams and everyone is either in the libraries, inside their dorms or at cafes to review their materials. 5th year Medical Student, Shirabu Kenjir�� is not an exemption at this. He walks at a leisurely pace to get a dose of caffeine from the coffee shop, silently wishing the place is not crowded.

Lucky for him, there wasn't much customer except for two people sitting near the counter. Everyone must've opted for take-out too. The bells on top of the door rustled as he opened the door and the aroma of caffeine welcomes Shirabu, as well as a soothing voice that greeted him a "Welcome!".

That voice...it sounded so familiar to him. And sure enough, when he walked to the counter, he saw a very familiar face to match the voice.

"Hi, what would be your order Sir? Or maybe you'd like a recommendation instead?" she says, her eyes barely showing because of her smile.

"I..." before Shirabu can even utter a word she already beat him to it.

"Wait...Shirabu-san?" she asked, surprised to see him standing before her. Shirabu on the other hand was also surprised to see her after almost 5 years and more importantly on her calling his name.

"How are you? I haven't seen you in like almost..."

"5 years..." He continued for her.

"It's been that long huh" she quietly says. "Anyways, what can I get you for today?" she asked.

Shirabu awkwardly looked between her and the menu, trying his best not to show his apparent curiosity about the said girl and how she immediately changed the topic.

"Just a cup of Iced Americano, to go." He finally answers.

"Okay I'll be on it, you can just take a seat first and it'll be ready in a minute." she smiled and immediately went on preparing his drink.

Before taking his seat on a nearby chair, he took a long glance at her. Shirabu still can't believe she finally saw her after those 5 years. He did heard from Tendou-san that she's studying at the same university but all those years he didn't even bumped into her because maybe, (1) their departments were on the opposite ends of the university premises; (2) their schedules don't align but either way it's kind of not convincing so he just concluded that she must've been avoiding him.

What really happened to them? They used to be quite close...right?

—

part [1] [2] ... also posted in my wattpad account @akaashirabu.

[akaashirabu]

Someone save Goshiki pls 🤣

[akaashirabu]

Kunimi and Shirabu’s face are priceless