kuroo tetsuro.

The cafeteria was as noisy as ever. Conversations overlapped, trays clattered, and hundreds of students murmured constantly. It was exactly the kind of environment you avoided whenever possible.

As usual, you chose the most secluded table in the room. Not because sitting with others was forbidden, but because no one did. Over time, that corner had become your spot. You ate in silence, leafing through a book or simply gazing out the window while the rest of the school seemed to exist in a completely different world.

It was no secret that you were reserved. You barely spoke in class, never raised your hand, and when the bell rang, you disappeared into the crowd before anyone could start a conversation.

You only knew Kuroo Tetsurō by sight. It was hard not to. Captain of the volleyball team, quite popular, and with an almost irritating ease in talking to anyone. You had never exchanged a single word.

That's why, when someone placed a tray in front of you and took the chair opposite without asking permission, it took you a few seconds to look up.

—Do you mind if I sit here?

The question came when he was already settled in, resting an elbow on the table as if that seat had always been his.

He waited a few seconds for you to answer. Receiving nothing more than a confused look, he smiled slightly.

—Perfect. I'll take that as a "do whatever you want."

Silence settled between them once more. Surprisingly, he didn't seem to be in any hurry to fill it with conversation.

After a while, as she opened her juice, she spoke again with complete naturalness.

—You always eat here alone.

It didn't sound like criticism or pity. It was a simple observation.

—I thought it would be more interesting to find out why than to keep asking myself that question from the other end of the dining room.