Time Worth Wasting

Time worth wasting

Akaashi Keiji x reader

Fluff

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Akaashi Keji didn’t develop crushes. He’s far too busy with school and volleyball to even think about relationships. While handling Bokuto’s frequent mood swings takes up most of his time, he doesn’t get the chance to develop real feelings beyond friendship for someone at this point in his life. However, the deciding factor for the lack of romance in his youth is that Akaashi is far too realistic to believe that one could find real love at seventeen and anything less than that doesn’t interest him. So, when he first saw the girl who got his heartrate to rise with just a look, he shrugged it off, blaming your dashing smile and beautiful exterior for the unwelcome reaction. He was still a human teenage boy after all.

It had been the first training camp in Tokyo that Karasuno attended. Before their arrival, the hottest topic between some of their teammates was the fact that Karasuno did not only have a hot manager, but they were also accompanied by their co-coach’s cousin, who was no other than y/n y/l/n, current number one wing spiker in the Japanese Women’s Volleyball Youth League. He heard that you were taking frequent breaks from training with your team due to health issues and agreed to help out the Karasuno volleyball club in order to stay in shape for your eventual comeback.

Of course, Akaashi knew you. You’ve been known throughout your whole High School Volleyball Career, as you transferred from an American High School when your parents moved to Japan. The school that you went to was a local Tokyo High School, the Okamisawa. He never met you in person, but during the spring tourney in the previous year, Akaashi had seen you play. Your form and your technique were impressive. It was clear to see that you played on a whole different level than any of the girls and maybe most of the boys your age. You transformed every ball that was set to you into a lethal weapon, while elegantly scheming your way around any defense tactics the opposing team had and not allowing yours to break. He admired you, that was for sure and that day he saw you play he couldn’t help but imagine how it would be to play on your team, to guide the ball into your delicate yet dangerous hands. Usually, the setter is the one to control the game play, however in your case, it seemed as if you were the sovereign your teammates followed, as if each ball was served on a silver platter, trusting that the queen would lead her people. That was the first time that Akaashi longed to look at someone, to be close to someone. Even though your grace was intimidating, he couldn’t help but wish for more. Naturally, he didn’t think that this was qualified as a first spark that could ignite feelings he’d never felt before. When they left the gymnasium in Tokyo that day, you left an impression, but little did he know that this seemingly insignificant admiration would be the cause of something similar to a butterfly effect.

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When Karasuno finally arrived, they were received by Nekoma’s coaches and captain. They were given some time to settle in and were then shown around the gym. That was when Akaashi saw you. He knew that you were a big presence, but he was not prepared to be taken aback by your effortless yet graceful appearance once again. Trying to focus on keeping up his usual cool demeanor, he couldn’t help but steal a few glances in your direction which thankfully went unnoticed as everyone else was already staring shamelessly. He made it a point to try his best and control his behavior around you, as he was sure you didn’t need a full gym of men gawking after you that whole weekend. As all the teams’ head coaches introduced themselves to you, Akaashi couldn’t help but notice how each time Kuroo was leading you, staying by your side when he didn’t have to play. It seemed that he was not the only one to wonder as Bokuto excitedly asked Nekoma’s captain during individual practice: “How do you know THE y/n y/l/n?” Kuroo shrugged and said nonchalantly: “Oh I forget that she’s a celebrity. Her mom and my mom were best friends, and we spent most summers together when she came to Tokyo ever since we were kids.”

“No fair! I want to be that close to her, she’s so hot.”, Bokuto whinnied. Kuroo smirked and glanced at him darkly: “Never say that in front of her. She doesn’t like to be reduced to it.” Akaashi dared to voice one of his thoughts: “Isn’t it intimidating being friends with her?” Kuroo looked up and explained proudly: “y/n is the coolest. She’s not as full of yourself as people might think and she gives great advice. You get used to her being famous after a while, you realize that she’s just one of us. She can be strict sometimes but she’s always fun to be around. Even Kenma likes talking to her.”

“If I’m that fun to be around, why not invite me to spike some of your balls?”, a melodic voice coming from the gym entrance interrupted their conversation.

Instantly Kuroo started blushing furiously, realizing that he was caught in an embarrassing moment. “Hey, hey, hey! So, you decided to join the cool crew.”, Bokuto piped shamelessly. You laughed at his words, a sound of airy and soft tones escaping your lips before saying: “I’m just tired of polite conversation and people looking at me as if I had two heads. I knew that wherever Kuroo would be, was the most normal. So, could I join?”

“Let’s go then kitten. You join Akaashi and Konoha. Bokuto, Lev and I will go up against you”, Kuroo said to your which made You blush a little at the mention of your old nickname. You went up to the Fukurodani players and said with a smile: “Hope that’s okay for you.”

“Sure, that’s no problem.”, Akaashi replied trying to keep his voice as nonchalant as possible. The look Kuroo and Konoha gave him made him realize that he was trying a little too hard which made him seem out of character. He made a mental note to relax and hoped that no one would bring his forced behavior up at dinner. The first ball was served by Lev, which Konoha bumped with ease, sending it to Akaashi.

This was it, something Akaashi had written off as wishful thinking was about to happen. He suddenly thought back to the game he watched a year ago, how Okamisawa’s setter put the ball up high and close to the net. Before he registered it, his body moved as of its own free will as he watched you jump, your back arched elegantly and your arm swinging abruptly to hit the ball angling it in the opposite direction of where the three tallest people of the whole gym tried to block you. Your wicked cut shot seemed so effortless, that everyone had to take a moment and realize what just happened. “That was a very nice set. You put it up the way I like it best.”, You said smiling at Akaashi. Forgetting himself, he immediately started blushing, stuttering his thanks. Now even Bokuto and Lev stared at his unusual response, making him curse in his head. He’s never going to hear the end of this.

For the rest of the short game, the only things Akaashi said were the last names of his current teammates. They cut of the set at 15 to 11 as it was getting late, and they were told to get something to eat at the cafeteria before it closes. When they left the gym, you turned to the setter and his teammates saying: “That was a good game, thank you for letting me join. But please, just call me y/n from now on.” Bokuto’s eyes started sparkling and he kept on going about how you hit perfect balls each time even if he set it up for you. “You and Akaashi had great chemistry from the get-go, that almost made me jealous to be honest.”, he pouted which once again stole a laugh out of you. You nodded and said: “That seems to be a talent of his, synching up to new people that quickly.” Kuroo shook his head and smirked: “I don’t think so, it’s just you I guess.” Akaashi was glad that it was already dark outside, and his red cheeks were camouflaged by the lack of contrast as he said: “You kept hitting each ball flawlessly, I believe it had nothing to do with my setting.” You turned to look at him and said in a serious tone: “Don’t play yourself down like that. You’re good. Own it.”

At dinner you joined Karasuno, sitting down next to Sugawara listening to him as he was talking about how their training went. He asked you where you went during solitary practice and you explained that you played a small three-against-three match with Kuroo and the others.

On the other side of the cafeteria, Kuroo sat down in front of Bokuto, with Yaku joining him. They sat in silence for a few moments, which developed into an awkward contest between Kuroo staring and Akaashi avoiding his gaze. “Why so shy Akaashi?”, Bokuto called out clapping on his back. “Oh man, did I miss something? This half-staring contest seems way too intense.”, Yaku said nervously. Kuroo started smirking his signature half-smile and explained: “I believe someone has developed a crush.” Akaashi felt the heat rising to his face and started stuttering: “I did not, I just got flustered playing with one of the top players in Japan. Nothing else.” Bokuto put his hand up to his chin, thinking: “But you already do that on a daily basis Akaashi, and you never get flustered around me.” Now Konoha was chuckling and said: “Last time I checked, you don’t qualify as being a beautiful woman.” Bokuto seemed to take this comment as an insult, as he complained: “But I am beautiful, am I not Akaashi?” The setter sighed and said: “Yes you are Bokuto, the most beautiful.” The ace nodded solemnly at the assurance and then continued: “But I understand your admiration for y/n-san. She is impressive.” Konoha laughed out loud: “If I didn’t know for sure that Akaashi didn’t develop crushes, I would honestly have thought he might have fallen in love with her. I mean who could blame him, just look at her.” At his words, everyone within earshot turned to look in the direction where you were chatting with Ennoshita, laughing, and smiling sweetly, brushing your hair behind your ear.

They seemed to stare for a little too long when Yaku finally interrupted their daydream: “What do you mean with ‘Akaashi doesn’t develop crushes? I mean everybody does.” Konoha shook his head and said: “Akaashi rejects every girl that tries to get close to him or he simply doesn’t notice. It’s just his thing.” “You make it sound as if girls come up to me confessing on a regular basis. I just don’t have time to think about this stuff right now. Could we now please stop talking about me and my supposed feelings, I’m not some kind of entertainment.” Kuroo smirked and said: “Alright, but if you ever decide to act up on this ‘I was just flustered, not really a crush’, let me know. I might be able to help.”

“That’s never going to happen. Thanks, but no thanks.”, Akaashi said coldly.