Part Two of the Pretty Setter Series
Fandom: Haikyuu!!

It was an ordinary day at the Fukurodani Academy. School had ended, and you were packing your books to go home. A boy in the same year as you poked his head into your classroom.

"(L/n)-san? Are you in here?"

He had curly raven black hair and navy blue eyes. He wore an emotionless expression.

"Akaashi-san!" You looked up and waved to him with a smile.

You were one of Akaashi Keiji's closest friends. He would come to you if he had problems with anything, and would occasionally rant to you about life. And you, being the good friend you were, listened.

Akaashi was a quiet second-year of your school, the Fukurodani Academy. He constantly had a poker face on, even though you suggested that he smile more. He wasn't popular, and he only had a small group of friends. He was also in the school volleyball team as a setter and the vice-captain.

He had once suggested that you become one of the managers for the volleyball team, and you considered it, but still wasn't sure. Even though you two were close, you still respected each other and never made nicknames for each other. It was kind of strange: you two still upholded the formality.

Everything seemed perfectly fine with your relationship. But there was a tiny problem. You were a little in love with him. Well, maybe not just a little.

But you couldn't tell him. You didn't want to hurt your relationship with him. You wanted to, but you couldn't. He only saw you as a friend.

You couldn't tell anyone else either. Your friends would just tease you whenever he came near you, and if you told Bokuto, the third-year ace on Fukurodani's volleyball team, he would just spread it to the whole school because of his loud personality.

It wasn't his fault, really. It was just how he was, and no one could change that. As Bokuto was one of Akaashi's close friends, it was only natural that he would tell Akaashi anyways.

You couldn't let out your feelings to anyone. Those feelings had to stay locked up deep down in your heart, where no one would ever find out. Even if you did tell someone, no one knew much about Akaashi anyways, so they couldn't help you much.

"(L/n)-san?"

His voice snapped you out of your thoughts. Akaashi was right in front of you and was staring right into your (e/c) eyes. You jumped back, surprised.

"You were spacing out." He chuckled. "Is something wrong?"

"Sorry." You smiled and shook your head. "I'm fine."

"Are you sure?"

Your only problems were him. The only reason why you felt frustrated and upset were him. He was always on your mind. But ironically, he made you happy as well. You couldn't tell him, no matter what circumstance. You were never able to tell him what was really wrong, because it was him.

So you put on a mask. A mask to cover those emotions, to hide those feelings. The mask was a smile.

Normally, a smile would be a symbol of happiness. But for you, it had become a symbol of hiding your unrequited feelings. You had used that mask so often that it was so natural to hide your true feelings from other people.

That seemingly always happy (y/n) wasn't really who you were.

"Yep!" You answered instantly.

You just had to fall for him, didn't you?

******

You were in your room doing your homework like a good girl. Your parents informed you that they would be back late because of work. You tapped your foot, pondering the question set before you.

Suddenly, the doorbell rang. The noise interrupted your intense focus, and you dropped your pencil. You got out of your chair and went to get the door.

You put your hand on the cool metal handle and pulled the door open. Akaashi was standing in the doorway. He was looking down at his feet.

"Akaashi-san?"

"Good evening, (l/n)-san," he replied.

"What can I do for you?" You asked.

"My parents are on a trip, so they aren't home."

When he looked up, you could see that his eyes were glossy with tears.

Your eyes widened. "Akaashi-san, what's wrong?"

You pulled him into your house and shut the door behind you. It pained you to see him like this, even though you've never seen him like this in your entire life.

You brought him over to your room, and you two sat down on your bed.

His voice cracked. "It's Bokuto-san."

"Did you guys have a fight?"

Akaashi shook his head. "I realized I'm not going to see him after the rest of this semester."

After saying that, a single tear ran down his left eye.

You held his hand and sat in silence with him for a while. You had to admit, you were slightly jealous, but you felt bad that he had to go through this.

"I'm sorry for showing you this side of me. I shouldn't have come," he mumbled, fiddling with his fingers.

"No, I'm glad you came," you replied.

"That's good."

You nodded, and there was another moment of silence again.

"(L/n)-san?" He looked at you.

You turned to him. "Yes?"

"Are you really alright?"

"What do you mean by that?" You ask, hoping that the dreaded question wouldn't come.

"Well, every time you look sad, I try to see if you're okay, but all you say is, 'I'm fine.' You never talk to me if you have problems. Are you hiding something from me? Am I not a good enough friend for you?" he questioned.

You couldn't tell him. Not him. Your eyes widened and you gripped his hand tighter. "Akaashi-san, I--" You took a deep breath and chose your words carefully. "Please don't say that. You're good enough for me. I'm really fine, though. I'm not dealing with anything bad at the moment."

"Oh."

Without thinking, you wrapped him in a tight hug. He rested his chin on your shoulder. His embrace felt warm and nice, and you wanted to stay in that position forever.

"Please don't think of yourself lowly. Please."

He pulled away from the hug.

"Do you feel better?" You asked.

He nodded. You got up from your seat on your bed.

"I'll walk you home," you offered.

"No, you don't have to. I can go myself," Akaashi replied.

"It's okay, my parents will be home late," you insisted.

"Well, if you insist."

You stepped out of the house, taking your key with you. Akaashi followed you out. You two walked side by side, not saying a word.

Akaashi looked up into the dark sky, which was dotted with many tiny stars. The moon cast its light upon them, seeming to follow along to where they were heading.

"The stars are beautiful tonight," Akaashi murmured.

You bit back the urge to say, "Just like you." So you simply nodded and smiled in response.

******

You were walking to school, and you saw a familiar black-haired figure a few meters in front of you.

"Akaashi-san!" You called, waving.

He waved back, then waited for you to catch up.

"Please don't mention what happened last night to anyone," he mumbled.

"Don't worry, I won't," you replied.

"That's good."

It felt as if your feelings were the thorns of roses trying to prick and make their way out of your heart. They seemed to pierce whatever was in their way, especially that disguise you wore. They were trying to tear it down, they were trying to make you confess what you felt towards Akaashi. Despite the emotional pain you felt, you still hid your feelings.

"(L/n)-san?" Akaashi waved a hand in front of your face. You hadn't realized you stopped walking.

"Hm?"

"You're spacing out again. Is something wrong?" he asked.

And there you went again. It became easier and easier for you to use that mask again and again. That masked smile.

"Nope!" You giggled. "I'm fine."

~~~~~~

(L/n) - Last name
(E/c) - Eye color