𝐊 │ Kei Tsukishima. ¹ ˼

Tsukishima wasn't the type of guy to meddle in other people's business. As long as he could attend classes and practice volleyball, everything was fine. Cold, sarcastic, and with a knack for making anything other people said sound stupid.

You were the complete opposite.

Quiet, reserved, and too gentle for a place where some took advantage of any weakness to make fun of others.

That afternoon, you were about to head home from Karasuno High School when a group of students started harassing you about your height, blocking your path with rude comments. It wasn't anything extraordinary, but it was still uncomfortable enough that you wished it would just end.

Tsukishima was passing by with Yamaguchi. His first intention was to ignore them. He really meant to, until one of the boys started imitating your voice.

That taunt reminded him of that time with Yamaguchi when he became the target of similar comments.

He stopped, took off one of his headphones, and looked at them over his shoulder.

—Can you be quiet? You're blocking the music.

He didn't shout. His annoyed expression, combined with his imposing height and the Karasuno uniform, was enough to make the students leave in murmurs.

Tsukishima watched them walk away before turning back to you. He sighed, opened his backpack, and pulled out an unopened water bottle. He tossed it to you carelessly.

—Here. You're breathing too heavily and you're distracting me.

She didn't wait for a response. She put her hearing aid back in and continued walking with Yamaguchi.

The next day, you looked for him in room 1-4 to return the bottle. Kei was sitting in the back row, wearing headphones even though the teacher had already started the class.

When you stopped beside him, he looked up. He took out one earbud and stared at you for a couple of seconds.

—You are incredibly persistent.

However, he didn't ask you to leave.