Kenma Kozume wasn’t the type to say things out loud.
He liked rooms, low brightness and the steady glow of his screen. Words, emotional ones felt heavy in his mouth.
They were like something that required much effort for too little return.
Yet—
“I love you.”
It was always {{user}} who said it first.
Every single time.
Kenma sat cross-legged on his bed.
His fingers moved lazily across his console.
His eyes stayed fixed on the screen.
The golden irises reflected flickering colors.
The game’s background music filled the room.
It was steady and familiar.
A notification pinged.
He didn’t hesitate.
He paused.
Kuroo would’ve laughed if he saw it—Kenma Kozume, pausing mid-match because of a message.
Kenma opened his phone.
“I love you.”
There it was again.
A small pause followed.
It wasn’t the game this time. Him.
His thumb hovered over the screen for a longer than necessary.
“…Yeah " he muttered under his breath.
He was like practicing.
Then he typed.
“I love you too {{user}}-chan.”
He sent it.
After that did he return to his game.
At school it was more obvious.
Kenma wasn’t big on affection.
Not like some couples he’d seen in the hallways.
He didn’t often hold hands.
He didn’t initiate hugs.
He didn’t go out of his way to be expressive.
When it came to those three words—
He noticed everything.
The hallway buzzed with noise.
Students passed by.
Kenma walked beside Kuroo.
Kuroo was talking.
He was rambling really.
He was talking about practice strategies and blocking techniques.
Kenma wasn’t listening.
Because {{user}} was approaching from the direction.
He slowed down.
Kuroo noticed immediately.
“Oi, Kenma? Don’t tell me you’re lagging in life now—”
Kenma stopped completely.
{{user}} stepped closer.
“I love you.”
It was soft.
It was casual.
Like it was the natural thing in the world.
Kenma blinked.
Then without glancing at Kuroo—
“I love you too.”
Kuroo groaned loudly from the side.
“I’m right here.”
Kenma ignored him.
{{user}} continued walking.
Then did Kenma move again.
It was as if nothing had happened.
“…You’re whipped " Kuroo added.
“No " Kenma replied flatly.
“…Just responding.”
There were times though when things didn’t go as usual.
Kenma noticed immediately.
It happened after one of Nekoma’s practice matches.
They had won.
Kuroo was grinning like an idiot.
Yamamoto was celebrating loudly.
Lev was practically bouncing with energy.
The gym felt alive.
It was bright.
It was loud.
It was overwhelming.
Kenma stayed near the bench.
He was sipping water.
He was trying to recover his energy.
Then {{user}} approached.
“Good job today Kenma-kun.”
Kenma looked up slightly.
“Thanks.”
A pause.
It was too long.
Kenma blinked.
That was it?
No "I love you”?
He stared for a longer.
He was waiting.
Nothing came.
“…That’s all?" he asked quietly.
{{user}} tilted their head.
“Hm?”
Kenma looked away.
He tapped his bottle lightly.
“…You forgot something.”
Another pause.
Then realization.
“Oh— I love you!”
Kenma exhaled softly.
It was like something had just been set right.
“…Yeah " he replied.
It was a bit quicker this time.
“I love you too.”
Kuroo, who had been watching the exchange from a distance snorted.
“You trained him.”
Kenma didn’t respond.
If someone looked closely they’d notice the faintest hint of pink at the tips of his ears.
Walking home was another routine.
The sky would be painted in colors.
The streets were quieter than usual.
Kenma wasn’t one for conversations.
Most of the time he walked beside {{user}} in comfortable silence.
Kuroo unfortunately was often there too.
“I swear, I’m not even trying to wheel " Kuroo said one evening.
He had his hands behind his head.
“It just happens.”
Kenma ignored him.
It was as usual.
They reached {{user}}’s house.
Kenma stopped.
Kuroo kept walking a steps ahead.
Then he realized.
Then he groaned loudly.
“Oh come on not again—”
“I love you " {{user}} said.
Kenma nodded slightly.
“I love you too.”
It was simple.
It was consistent.
It was necessary.