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Salty. Sarcastic. Witty.
These are three words that can best describe Tsukishima Kei, one of Karasuno's middle blockers. Yamaguchi's best friend. Hinata and Kageyama’s rival yet teammate at the same time.
And, of course, your lover. Your partner. Your boyfriend.
When you first saw him, you couldn't help but feel enamored by him. He was tall and quite the academic achiever–how can you not notice him? And as if Cupid struck a bow to the both of you, he took notice of you too.
He never really took relationships into consideration... until he met you.
You, who matched his wit and sarcastic demeanor.
You, who also excelled in your academics and were always looked up to by many classmates and students.
He admired you for your great dedication as a student. As a partner.
Tsukki wasn’t necessarily the type to show affection to you. Sure, a few compliments and words of affection here and there but that was about it. The majority of the time, Tsukki would pick and tease you.
“Did you really just trip over air? What a klutz.”
“Dumbass, you forgot to carry the 3. It’s basic math.”
But he was like that with almost any other person, so you never really thought much about it. In fact, you exchanged his witty remarks with sarcastic quips back.
“Oh shut up, even with those glasses of yours, you couldn’t even see that there was a rock in front of me. Might wanna get them checked.”
“You’re calling me a dumbass as if you didn’t multiply 5 to your original answer in one of the questions.”
Once you’ve given your sarcastic response, he shoots another back, resulting in the both of you going back and forth with each other with your comments until someone stops you or until the other gives up. Even so, you both enjoyed it. You both really liked to tease each other; it was like a love language of yours—salty talk.
But sometimes, this kind of love language backfires when one says something a little too close to home.
How’d you know? Well, like any other experience, you had to learn it the hard way.
-
You’ve always prided yourself in being a great student–always at the top of your game and often receiving praise from your peers. At the same time, you never really minded mistakes or anything. In fact, you’d turn it into a learning experience instead of putting yourself down because of them. That had often been the case.
Often. Not always.
Because there were times when you truly felt like you had messed up and the disappointment started to grow in you.
-
Every school year, Karasuno would hold a sports festival, showcasing the talents of various sports teams. This year, you were assigned to make the promotional posters, as you were part of the event organizers.
However, the week before the sports festival was also finals week, meaning you had to multitask and submit the design on the designated deadline. Not wanting to fail in both your academics and your role as an event organizer, you had to start grinding.
But even you weren’t prone to burnout.
You didn’t realize that you had to memorize and understand a lot of information for your finals. There was so much to digest, it was too much for you. Not only that but the poster design deadline was getting near and you have yet to fully think of a proper design. You were screwed. You knew that.
You ultimately decided to take all-nighters, drinking nothing but caffeine to stay up a little later than your usual curfew. However, your eyes and brain were starting to get tired. You could barely even read your notes and the text on your laptop screen.
It was too much. Everything was too overwhelming at that point. You couldn’t help but let out a few tears, feeling disappointed in yourself.
-
As you had predicted, finals were harder than you had expected. Your thoughts were at a jumble and your heart was racing, trying to answer questions properly. You couldn’t think straight.
However, you couldn’t just rest right after finals. You still had to finish the poster design for the upcoming sports festival. The rest of the event organizers had high expectations for it. You did not want to let them down at all.
-
“Alright class, settle down! Now, as I call your name, please come up here and get your test results. So far, everyone has done well. Some had passed, some didn’t. But overall, nothing drastic.” Your teacher announced.
You fiddled with your fingers and thumbs, feeling nervous for your test results. You absolutely dreaded this day. You really wanted to just hide in the corner of the classroom and stay there for the rest of the school year.
Your thoughts were interrupted when the teacher called out for your name. You took your test paper and folded it, not wanting others to see it. Once you sat back down, you immediately checked to see your score.
One more point.
One more point and you could’ve passed.
One single fucking point. It was all it took to pass.
You stared at your paper, your thoughts starting to arise in your mind once again.
“Alright, that’s all for today, class. Please get ready for your next subject.”
-
Your eyes were fixated on one of the classroom corners. You did not want to talk to anyone at the moment. You were too tired to talk or do anything.
“Hey, what did you get in the test?”
Fuck.
That voice.
That familiar voice.
Tsukishima Kei.
You attempted to hide your score with your arm, your gaze still fixated on the classroom corner. But your partner’s reflexes were faster than yours. You didn’t have time to process that your paper was in his hand until you heard his voice again.
“Hm? Man, one more point and you could’ve passed. And you made a mistake on one of the easiest questions ever–how could you have screwed that?” Tsukishima chuckled a bit.
“I even thought you were going to get a higher score than me. Guess not.”
Ah. So he had expectations of you having a high score. A score higher than his. And yet you felt like you failed him.
You failed yourself.
Naturally, his teasing banter wouldn’t shake you the slightest. But with the current stress you were in, you couldn’t take it anymore. Instead of matching his energy, you stood up and briskly walked outside of the classroom.
You had to clear your mind.
-
That was one of the worst decisions you’ve ever made.
You went outside for the purpose of clearing your mind when all of a sudden, the event organizer president approached you. He wanted to give a few words in regards to the poster design. You had expected that he and the rest of the executive organizers would like it.
Oh how wrong you were.
“The design is quite sloppy… and the text is all over the place. I don’t mean to offend but, this can’t be our official poster design. Not when it doesn’t raise the spirits of our school teams. So please, I expect a new output by today. Thank you.”
His tone wasn’t stern or anything. It was all completely understandable.
But it was your final straw.
Once he had left, you went into the girl’s bathroom stall and started sobbing.
They didn’t understand how much effort you put into your work only for it to not meet their expectations. You felt like you let everyone down. You felt like you let yourself down. Tsukishima’s voice echoed in your mind as you sobbed. In response to his voice, you started degrading yourself.
‘Stupid. stupid. stupid. You’re so fucking stupid. You could’ve done so much better and yet you became sloppy.’
“Stupid… I’m so fucking stupid…” You hiccuped, tugging on your hair as frustration took over you.
You furrowed your eyebrows as you kept sobbing. You were so disappointed in yourself. But you couldn’t keep feeling like that forever. You still had your next class so you left the bathroom to go back to your classroom.
Little did you know, Yachi was in the stall next to you.
-
The day went by quickly. You were quick to fix your things and planned to go straight home to start finalizing the edits of the poster and submit a much better design. Unfortunately, you didn’t get to do your usual goodbyes with Tsukishima as you were in a rush. Meanwhile, Tsukishima was warming up with the rest of his team when Yachi came up to him.
“Tsukishima-san, have you checked up on L/N-san lately?” Yachi asked the tall player.
“Why do you ask?” Tsukishima tilted his head, his eyebrows furrowing. “Did something happen?”
Almost every member of the team was aware of you and Tsukishima being a couple as you have been to multiple matches and practices of theirs. You always cheered for Tsukishima on the sidelines and gave your utmost support to every player. So it wasn’t unusual that his teammates would ask Tsukishima a thing or two about you.
“Well… during lunchtime, I was in the girl’s bathroom when I suddenly heard crying. At first, I didn’t think much of it until I heard the girl’s voice. It sounded like L/N-san’s.” Yachi informed Tsukishima of what happened.
“Eh? Are you sure that was Y/N?” Tsukishima stood up, alert. What happened to you?
“Yeah! I’ve talked to L/N-san enough to know what her voice sounds like. Speaking of which,” Yachi approached Tsukishima a bit closer, trying to whisper what she had to say next.
“I heard her say that she was stupid and I could hear her frustration. Tsukishima-san, I’m worried about her-” It wasn’t long before Tsukishima stood up and asked Coach Ukai and Takeda-sensei if he could leave for a bit as he had to attend to something really quick.
He had to be there for you.
-
Many people knew Tsukishima to be quite the sarcastic and uncaring type. Even when it comes to Yamaguchi, he still puts up an uncaring facade and keeps his cool.
But when it comes to you, he felt the need to protect you.
Sure, you could also be sarcastic and witty at times too but that wasn’t always the case. He knew that you would also put up a front and act tough, oftentimes hiding what you truly felt. When he made that small comment earlier about your score, he expected the same energy to come from you. However, imagine his perplexed face when he sees you stand up and walk out the classroom quite fast.
Tsukishima wasn’t an idiot. He knew something was wrong. But if there was something wrong, you would’ve told him, right?
That’s what he thought too.
-
Just as you were about to leave the school campus, you heard your name being loudly called from afar by a familiar voice.
No... What did he want from you? What was Tsukishima going to say to you this time?
You decided to turn your heel and face your partner.
“Hmm? What is it?” You hummed, asking Tsukishima. “Please make it quick, Tsukki. I’ve something to attend to.”
He took a quick look at your tired form, your lips forming a slight frown, your eyes drooping, and your posture slightly slouched. He couldn't help but feel bad for you.
“Are you okay, my dear?”
That was the first time Tsukishima called you “my dear” in public. He was usually so private about it.
You were shocked.
“W-why do you ask? A-and, did you just call me… my dear?” You stuttered, still in utter shock from his words. He never really called you that in public and, even if he did, it was a very rare occasion.
“Yachi… Yachi told me that you were crying in the bathroom. She was in the stall next to you.”
You froze.
Dammit! You didn’t check to see who was in the bathroom with you… and out of all people, it just had to be Yachi.
Your body expression was more alert than earlier. Immediately, you tried to brush it off.
“O-oh? That wasn’t me, I-I went to get some snacks in the vending mac-”
“Don’t lie to me, Y/N.”
You gulped at that.
‘Stupid and a liar? How low can you fucking go?’
You fixated your gaze down on the ground. “I-I’m okay, Kei… it’s nothing really!” You tried to tell him, looking up.
“Yachi told me how frustrated you sounded while you were crying. How can you tell me that it’s nothing?” Tsukishima came closer to you. “Tell me what happened, Y/N. Please.”
His voice was firm. He wanted to know what made you cry like that.
“...” You stayed silent, your gaze turned back to the ground.
By the time he heard you hiccuping, he immediately went to give you a hug.
“ hic K-Kei… I’m s-so sorry… hic ”
Your knees gave out, your bag slipping out of your shoulder. He felt your tears in his shoulder sleeve.
“ sigh , Let me take you to a bench. Hold on.”
-
“Now tell me, what happened? Tsukishima took you to a nearby bench in the school campus.
You stayed silent at first, fidgeting with your fingers while looking into the ground.
“I-It’s just… u-uhm…” You started, trying to gather your thoughts. He never looked away from you.
“I… I didn’t want to disappoint you, Kei… I didn’t want to disappoint anyone…” you meekly said.
“I-I wanted to pass… really, I did. B-but… I’ve been so tired lately… I had to m-multitask both my studies and the school event… I didn’t want to l-let anyone down… but…” you could feel tears coming out of your eyes once again.
“But you didn’t disappoint me at all?” Tsukishima looked at you, his eyebrows furrowing slightly. He was confused.
“Y-you said that… you expected me to have a point higher than yours… b-but I ended up not doing well… I’m s-sorry I screwed up, K-Kei…” your body was shaking as you put a hand on your mouth.
Oh.
Tsukishima’s words suddenly replayed in his head. Was that why you cried? Because of something he said?
“Y/N, I had no idea that what I had said made you sad. I was just teasing you like I usually would…” Tsukishima held you close. Man, was he affectionate towards you right now. He could care less if someone saw you both, for all his attention was on you.
“I… I didn’t mean to strike a chord. I didn’t think that it really mattered that much. I’m sorry, Y/N.” He looked at you with apologetic eyes. He truly didn’t mean to make you sad.
“I-I should be s-” You were cut off by him shushing you.
“No. You shouldn’t be sorry for expressing what you truly felt. It’s okay to let out your frustrations and vent once in a while… but…” Tsukishima took your hand.
“If the cause of your sorrow was me, please tell me next time. I promise I won’t get mad or say anything that could offend you further…” Tsukishima looked at you deeply. He may not show it much but he truly cares for you. So it broke his heart seeing you sad.
It broke his heart even more, knowing that the reason behind your sadness was him.
“W-well… it wasn’t just you that… kind of made me sad…” You confessed, looking down. “I was also assigned the poster design for the upcoming sports festival… however… because of finals…” You took a deep breath
“Th-the executive president… of the event organizers didn’t like it… so they gave me a second chance… and I have until today to pass it…”
Tsukishima furrowed his eyebrows at that.
“Alright, can you wait for me? I’ll help you later.” Tsukishima offered to help you with the poster design as an apology for making you cry earlier.
“Y-you needn’t-!”
“I insist, Y/N. Please let me do this for you.” Tsukishima looked at you with persistent eyes.
“...” You sighed, not being able to fight back. “Alright… but be quick please?”
“Of course.” Tsukishima gave you a small smile.
-
Tsukishima ran back to the gym to continue his practice. As they had a small break, he went up to Yachi.
“Yachi-san, you know how to design right? Could you help me later?”
-
Practice went by faster than Tsukishima had expected. You were waiting on the bench when both Tsukishima and Yachi approached you.
“Alright, I brought Yachi with me too. Let’s go.” Tsukishima took your hand and the three of you went to your house to finalize the poster design.
“What is this poster for, Y/N?” Yachi asked in curiosity.
“It’s for the upcoming sports festival. I take it that Takeda-sensei informed you both about it, right?” You asked the two, to which they both nodded their heads.
“Alright, we have no time to spare! Let’s walk faster!” Yachi exclaimed as the three of you briskly walked to your house.
-
“Ohh… I think what you can do is put the text on top and the rest of the description down below to give more emphasis on the picture!” Yachi advised you as she took a look at the current poster design.
“Maybe you can also add a bit more color to the pictures? Just so it doesn’t look dull.” Tsukishima suggested.
“Alright… I’ll maybe change the font too… maybe that’s where I went sloppy.” You quickly started editing and added more details to make the poster really pop out.
After 30 minutes of working on the picture, you were done!
“What do you guys think?” You showed the poster design to Yachi and Tsukishima.
“It looks great! I think this is enough to excite the students!” Yachi smiled at you.
“It looks really great, Y/N.” Tsukishima gave a small smile.
“Alright, thank you both! I’ll just send this to the president.” You said, turning back to your laptop to send the finalized design to the president.
“I should also go! My mom is probably waiting for me at home. Thank you for having me and I’m glad to have helped!” Yachi nodded, leaving your house.
“Are you going to go home yet, Kei?” You turned to look at your partner.
“No, not yet.” Tsukishima shook his head.
“Eh? But it’s so late already! Won’t your mom and brother be looking for you?” You asked, a little surprised that he wanted to stay.
“I already told them that I’ll be staying at yours for a while because you needed help. You needn’t worry.” Tsukishima sat on your bed.
“Oh… I see.” You stood up, finally finished with sending the poster design. You went to your bed to sit next to Tsukishima.
“Thank you for helping me out, Kei. I truly appreciate it.” You turned to him and gave him a small smile.
“It’s no problem. And, again, I’m… I’m sorry for making you cry earlier.” Tsukishima looked at you with a slightly serious face.
“Really, it’s okay now, Kei. I’m fine now.” You looked at him warmly.
It was rare for Tsukishima to show this amount of care towards you. He means well all the time, however it never stopped him from being sarcastic and witty. But when it comes to serious situations like these, he’s willing to drop the salty act and offer sweet apologies instead.
-
It was break time the next day at school. You were about to leave to get some snacks when your teacher called for you.
“Hi, L/N-san! I just wanted to show you your test paper. I rechecked some of the papers just in case there were some errors and, sure enough, I accidentally marked one of the answers wrong on yours. So, you get an additional one point!” The teacher handed you your test paper.
One more point. You'd gotten it.
You had finally passed.
“A-ah! Thank you so much, Sensei!” You bowed and returned your paper to the teacher.
-
You were walking towards the vending machine to get some snacks, when you were approached by the executive president for the event organizers.
“L/N-san! I just wanted to say thank you for improving the design! It looks much better now. We’ll get to printing soon enough. Thank you once again!” He thanked you before leaving to go to his classroom.
“Ah, you’re welcome!” You slightly shouted as he was a few meters away from you.
“So, things ended up getting better?” You heard a familiar voice.
“Kei! Yes! I ended up passing my test because there was an error with the test results, and the executive committee ended up liking the final poster design!” You exclaimed, your eyes sparkling with joy.
“Good for you, Y/N.” Tsukishima gave you a small smile. “That still doesn’t change the fact that you forgot to carry the 5 in one of the test questions.”
“Hey!” You pouted, your eyebrows furrowed.
Ah yes, he was back to his salty demeanor. But at least you know now that in contrast to his salty talk, he knew how to give sweet apologies.