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Even when they were kids, Tsukishima and Yamaguchi would compete.
It was always study, then practice, study, then practice...
They were academic rivals from the start but also very good friends.
Though, Tsukishima would always take the lead in the end. He was always a few points better than Yamaguchi. And that pissed him off.
Tsukishima loved to compete with Yamaguchi. He loved to see his irritated face.
Tsuki knew that one way of spending time with Yamaguchi was to join every class he attended and then annoy him.
And that worked. In a way..
Mr. Vanilla understood his feelings. He knew he couldn't change the way he feels about his best friend.
On the other hand, Yamaguchi found every excuse in the book to justify his platonic love for Tsukishima.
It was the last semester of their 3rd year.
Yamaguchi couldn't let Tsukishima beat him again. He needed extra points.
The dark-haired boy did everything a normal person should when they want to have the most points.
He joined extra classes and school activities.
One of them was acting classes.
Because of the end of the school year, their teacher organized a school play.
Yamaguchi was the main lead.
‘Okay, what could be so hard about this? I mean, I only need to kiss someone, right?’ Yamaguchi thought. That would be his first kiss.
He was really nervous, but at the same time, he was excited. What if it were a pretty girl? Or even a pretty boy? He wouldn't mind really.
But the horror that continues.
As he was rehearsing his lines in the gym he saw a tall particular boy with glasses.
‘Tsuki. What's he doing here? Bet he's here just to provoke me..’
Yamaguchi was snapped out of his thoughts by a light tap on the shoulder.
“Oh hi there, nerd. What are you doing here? Still think you could beat me?” Said the blonde.
“Oh my, Tsuki, why are you here?! At this point, you're practically following me around!” Yamaguchi exclaimed
“What? You're the only one allowed to get extra points? Get back from your delusions, nobody wanna follow a nerd like you.” Though Yamaguchi was right, this was Tsuki’s way to spend time with Yamaguchi.
“Okay, I get it, I'm a nerd, but then what are you? Aren't you the goody? Yeah, that's right. So shut it.”
“So what's your role? I got that I'm supposed to kiss the main lead. You didn't have your first kiss yet, isn't that right, Yams?” Tsuki asked teasingly
“What..?”
“I said I have to-”
“No, I know what you said, ” Yamaguchi exhaled, “but.. I'm the main lead.”
“Oh” the realization hit the air quickly.
Now, Tsukishima was really excited for the play. He always dreamed of kissing Yamaguchi, well not only kissing but it isn't the time for more fantasies.
The blush rapidly sprinkled across their faces. Both noticed but didn't dare to say anything.
The next few days went almost the same. The only thing that changed was the growing tension between them.
It seemed like they were the only ones who didn't notice. The rumors first began about them dating, and then they escalated quickly.
“Hey, Yams. Wanna grab a drink and head to the library?”
“Why would we?”
“Oh, don't be like that. To study of course! What did you think? That someone like me would make out with you, oh be for real.”
He definitely would.
But he couldn't just confess that, could he?
“Of course not! Don't be weird”
As they are studying, Tsukishima notices that Yams is struggling with an equation.
He leaned closer. Too close.
Yams could literally feel his breath. ‘What is he doing?’ he thought.
“So you multiply the two with the..” Tsukishima carefully explained to him the equation.
But then he registered that they were just inches apart. He could just lean in and their lips would brush together.
He quickly leaned back in his seat, staring blankly at the paper on the table. ‘Great, now it's awkward.’
“Uh.. Hey, I think I'll go home.” Yamaguchi told him
“Why?!” Tsuki questioned him
“I don't feel really well”
“Oh okay then, I'll walk you home”
“But I can walk myself”
On that response, Tsukishima just giggled
Yes, he did end up walking him home, yes Yamaguchi has a fever and yes Tsukishima lent him his hoodie.
Yamaguchi was too tired. He just flopped on the bed and fell asleep. It wasn't too hard to fall asleep because Tsuki's scent was enveloping him. His cologne smelled really nice.
The next few days Yamaguchi didn't come to school. He didn't answer his phone. He was just tired. Too tired to even get up from the bed.
The fever really got him. He couldn't stop thinking of Tsuki. And yes of course he blamed the fever for it.
But was it really the cause?
Meanwhile, Tsukishima is worried. Yamaguchi was never like this. He would always pick up his phone and answer the messages he sent. But this time it was different. He didn't even see them.
“Hey, are you better?”
“Heyyy??”
“Hello, you didn't come to school???”
“With whom am I supposed to practice kissing if you're not here..”
“I'm joking” (he wasn't)
“Uhm, Yams?”
“You didn't come to school for a few days, are you alright?”
“Hey, please answer.”
“I'm getting worried, Yams”
“Yamaguchi.”
“I'm coming.”
*the messages*
On the way to Yamaguchi’s place, Tsukishima stumbled across a store.
He went in and bought Yamaguchi’s favorite candies and soup.
The door to his house was locked, but the blonde found a spare key under a vase. He slowly unlocked the door and went into Yamaguchi’s room.
This wasn't the first time he was at his place. But this felt different.
In Yamaguchi's room he saw him sprawled in his bed covered by thick blankets and a few tissues scattered around his room.
He wasn't quite awake, but he still saw Tsukishima.
“Tsuki?” He called
“Yes, Yams, do you need anything?”
“How are you here?” He asked confused, “I swear I locked the door”
“You did but I found the spare key you left”
“But isn't it class time and I still don't get why..”
“Well it is but I skipped. Oh gosh, you don't know how worried I was. You didn't pick up your phone for days..” Tsukishima said in one breath.
If he kept talking maybe he would even confess how much he loves him and how he couldn't live if something happened to him.
“Gomen, Tsuki” Yamaguchi sighed more like a sob.
“Oh don't worry, I'm happy that you're fine.. I mean you're not really but, uhh.. I bought your favorite candy! Oh and soup I'll go make it.”
“You didn't have to, I could've if I wanted to”
“I know but still I bet you haven't eaten in days. Just rest, I'll handle everything.”
Tsukishima stayed by his side till he fell asleep. Then he kept glaring at his flushed skin and beautiful freckles.
It was late. He probably should head home.
Now he's in his room, lying in his warm bed with the window open and cold air swinging in.
He can't forget Yamaguchi's beautiful face. He had fallen asleep and probably dreamt about him.
Yamaguchi finally returned to school. Tsukishima was excited to see him. They went for lunch. Talked about volleyball. But they couldn't bring the play.
Every time they had a rehearsal they only hugged. The teacher wasn't having it. She said she would kick them out of the play if they don't get serious.
They tried. Really tried, but when Tsuki leans in Yamaguchi backs away and then it becomes awkward.
He was confused. Did Tsukishima want to kiss him? Nah, it was only for the play. But still, he always leaned in first.
“Hey, Yamaguchi. We need to talk. About the kiss” Tsukishima told him
“Oh. Okay.” Yamaguchi scoffed
“So I know you don't want to kiss but it's only for the play so please cooperate.”
“I know but..”
“Yes, Yamaguchi, I know it's your first kiss but still. If you don't get your shit together I'll leave the play and the teacher will be mad. She'll probably punish you or even kick you out of the play. Or, assign someone else to kiss you. Maybe it's better if someone else..” Tsukishima got cut off
“Shut it! I don't want to talk about this. And I don't want anyone else to kiss me!” Yamaguchi stormed off
‘What the hell was that?’ the blonde thought ‘Did he really mean that? Wait, the way he said it.. Does this mean he wants to kiss me?’ he sighed ‘What does this dude want?’
“Hey. I'm sorry about earlier. I just got mad. Sorry.” Yamaguchi hit the send button
‘What? Now he's apologizing..’
“It's okay. Just don't storm off the next time.”
Yamaguchi giggled “I won't! So you accept my apology?”
“On one condition. You get strawberry shortcake with me.”
“Can't you get it alone?”
“Yes, I can but I don't want to. So you're coming with me!”
“Okay.”
“Folded under zero pressure btw”
“Shut it, Tsuki!”
On their date, well not officially because neither of them dared to ask, they talked about practice and how Kageyama is always grumpy.
“Oh, you got some cake on your face” Tsukishima exclaimed ”I'll get it for you”
His fingers brushed Yamaguchi's mouth and stayed there for a few seconds, admiring his soft lips.
“Thank you..” Yams stuttered
“Hah, no problem.”
At the rehearsal, Tsukishima kissed his cheek. He knew he couldn't kiss him on the lips without his permission so he improvised.
Yamaguchi was shocked. He almost ran away. His face was flushed and a pink blush covered his face. Then he saw the stare the teacher was giving him so he manned up and continued his line.
When Yamaguchi went to the bathroom to wash up, he was stopped by his bullies. They cursed at him and almost beat him up until Tsukishima showed up.
“Oh, no! Mr. Vanilla is here! What are we going to do?” One of the bullies said sarcastically
“He's probably here to protect his little boyfriend!” Another one followed
Tsukishima walked up to them and then slapped one of the bullies. His cheek almost instantly got red.
“Why are you still here? Waiting for your turn?” He asked
Then the bullies ran off
“Lame” blondie scoffed and walked away leaving Yamaguchi alone in the restroom.
‘What, did they just call us boyfriends?’ they both thought at the same time.
Tsukishima blushed only at the thought of dating Yamaguchi, he could only dream about that. Or..
The next two weeks were a blur of flashcards, late-night scripts, and the smell of strawberry shortcake.
They stopped arguing about who was better at math and started arguing about who was more nervous for the opening night.
Every time they practiced the kiss scene, they got closer, but the air always felt like it was about to catch fire before they actually touched.
The weeks leading up to the play were a total blur of nerves and stolen glances.
Every time they rehearsed, the air felt like it was vibrating. But now, there is no more practicing.
The heavy red curtains finally creaked open. The auditorium was packed, a sea of shadowed faces, but to Yamaguchi, the only person who existed was the tall blonde standing across the stage under the harsh, white spotlight.
Yamaguchi delivered his lines with a shaky confidence, his heart drumming against his ribs like a trapped bird. Then came the final act.
Tsukishima stepped forward. As he reached out to grab Yamaguchi’s waist, his touch wasn't the hesitant, clinical tap from rehearsals. It was firm. Grounded.
"You're shaking, nerd," Tsukishima murmured, low enough that only Yamaguchi could hear over the dramatic background music.
"Shut up, Tsuki," Yamaguchi whispered back, his breath hitching as Tsukishima’s other hand came up to cup his jaw.
The audience went dead silent. You could hear a pin drop.
Tsukishima didn’t back away this time. He leaned in, his glasses catching the stage light, his eyes dark and focused entirely on Yamaguchi’s mouth.
The tension was so thick it felt like the people in the front row were holding their breath with them.
When their lips finally met, it wasn't a stage kiss. It wasn't a polite brush of skin. It was desperate and fueled by months of studying and competitive bickering.
Tsukishima tilted his head, deepening the kiss, his thumb tracing the line of Yamaguchi's freckled cheekbone.
A collective gasp rippled through the crowd. Somewhere in the back, a few people started cheering, but Yamaguchi didn't hear them.
All he could smell was Tsukishima’s cologne, that same scent from the hoodie and all he could feel was the heat radiating between them.
Tsukishima pulled back just an inch, his lips glistening, a smirk finally playing on his face despite his own flushed skin.
"Ten points to me," he whispered, his voice ragged.
Yamaguchi reached up, grabbing Tsuki’s tie to pull him back down.
"In your dreams. That was definitely my point."
The curtain fell, but neither of them moved.
Behind the school, Tsukishima and Yamaguchi were sitting in the grass.
“Nerd, we did it.” Tsuki called out for him
“Hahah” an awkward laugh asked Yamaguchi's mouth “Whoa, we really did..”
"Tsuki..." Yamaguchi breathed, his face a deep crimson. "The play is over. We can... We can stop competing now.”
But Tsukishima didn't move. He leaned his forehead against Yamaguchi’s, closing his eyes.
The arrogance was gone. The smirk was gone. He just looked... tired of pretending.
"I don't want to stop," Tsukishima whispered, his voice cracking just a little.
Yamaguchi froze. "What?"
"I’m so tired of the competition, Tadashi."
Hearing his first name made Yamaguchi’s heart skip a beat. Tsukishima’s grip tightened on his shirt, his fingers trembling slightly.
"I didn't join those classes for the points," Tsukishima confessed, his words coming out in a soft, shaky rush.
"I don't care about being better than you. I just wanted an excuse to be near you. Every time I teased you, every time I annoyed you... it was just because I didn't know how to tell you that I can't stand being in a room where you aren't looking at me.”
"When you were sick, I couldn't breathe. I was sitting in class staring at your empty chair and I realized that being 'better' than you means absolutely nothing if you aren't there to challenge me."
He took a deep breath, his thumb gently brushing over Yamaguchi’s freckles.
"I love you. Not like a friend, and definitely not like a rival. I love you so much it actually scares me."
Yamaguchi felt tears prickling his eyes. "Tsuki... you’re being so sappy right now."
Tsukishima let out a soft, wet laugh, pulling Yamaguchi into a proper hug, burying his face in the crook of his neck.
"I know. It’s disgusting. But if it means I get to keep you, I’ll be as pathetic as you want."
He pulled back, giving Yamaguchi a look so full of pure devotion it made the Mr. Vanilla nicknames feel like a distant memory.
"So," Tsukishima murmured, leaning in for a much slower, much sweeter kiss. "Do I finally win? Or are you going to make me work for it?”
“You, idiot! What do you think?” Yamaguchi asked, “Of course I like you too. Damn that, I love you, Sapshima!”