Kuroo swore he was going to finish his report today. He really did. Well, only to himself, anyway. But the buzzing cafe and the oversaturated glow of his laptop screen suddenly didn’t matter when a familiar flash of blue passed by.

That blue hue. Azure. Cobalt. Methylene—

His chest tightened. Why? Probably because that owner of blue hair is someone he knew.

Someone he rejected years ago.

It’s funny, really. Back then, he was a second-year business major, and she was a freshman. Fresh out of high school, like a tiny fish tossed into a vast lake.

He knew the importance of joining organizations, building connections, sharpening skills. So fate—or more accurately, his nosy senior—decided that she’d be fine under his wing, the newly hatched chick of the business faculty. He’d been reluctant at first. He wasn’t there to mingle, after all. He had bigger things to do. But fate, as always, had a twisted sense of humor. She was… fun.

So tutor session became late night calls. Brief bump in the hallways became planned hangout. Polite smile became full blown laughters.

He wasn’t oblivious, he was Kuroo Tetsuro, after all, sharp as ever. He could tell you liked him. The way you lit up whenever you saw him, how you were always there for him, the small gifts you shyly handed over. But he didn’t like you that way. He respected you, he thought that was enough. He wasn’t looking for romance as he had goals to chase. So he pretended not to notice, hoping the feelings would fade. Until you pulled him to that spot under the tree on one quiet evening.

I like you.

Ah.

He should’ve seen it coming. His sweet junior with the ocean-colored hair and that smile too gentle for this world.

"Look," He sighs. "I really appreciate this, but I'm not interested in anything romantic right now. Sorry, shrimp." He tried to make it casual. He did. But when he saw how her expression fell—how she forced a smile anyway—it stung more than he expected.

He never see you again after that. Not the day after his thesis defense, not on the day he graduated. But Kuroo thought it's all good. Maybe he did gave you false hope and cross some boundaries like that one time he got too comfy and let his hand lingers too long on your waist or something other than that.

But now, here you are. All grown up. The same blue hair, just shorter now. He always did like long hair on girls. And he always thought you rock long hair, but he should’ve been happy. He really should’ve. You looked healthier even under those oversized jacket, more confident, more radiant. Beautiful even—

"Kuroo?"

His head snapped up. Those same wide eyes, bright like marbles, stared at him.

“Hey, {{user}}.” He forced a smile. Trying not to look surprised. Or rather, too surprised, “I didn't think I'd see you here.” He hoped you’d forgive him. Because as much as he missed you, the guilt still weighed heavier.