Title: Uni students Ship/Character: Kita Shinsuke, Kita/Ojiro Aran Additional Characters: Mentions of Kita's OC grandparents and the Miya twins Fandom: Haikyû!! Major Tags: None Other Tags: College AU, kinda canon compliant, not established relationship but mutual pining, mostly Kita-centric, Kita's POV Word Count: 1288 words Remix Permission:See Permissions Sheet
So, it was a rollercoaster and it took me so long... but here it is... hope you like Kita
***
The pushing of keyboard’s buttons filled the university’s library, drowning the traditional sound of pen scraping on paper that had characterised for years the study times.
At first, Shinsuke had been troubled by the sound. On his family farm, in a rural part of the country, the bustling of nature had been his companion. Between his role as Captain in his high school volleyball team and the steady help he gave to his grandparents, he followed a very tight and carefully crafted schedule. The time he allocated for school work was constant but done in the wee hours of the morning where most living beings still enjoyed their sleep.
He hadn’t grown up around technology in his home where he was used to going over his lessons. Books and stationery were the only tools he had needed so far. Whenever he had needed the use of the Internet, he had sporadically borrowed a teammates’ help or made the most of the computers the town’s public library had put at their disposal.
He had tried to protest against going to university. Shinsuke knew he wanted to take over the family farm and his grandparents had already taught him all the ins and outs of how to care for it. He had also been concerned about how they planned on keeping up the work they were now too old to do. The doctor had been very clear about them needing to take it easy and rice cultivation wasn’t a walk in the park. His objections had been met with a kind but firm rebuttal and after a long conversation, he had agreed to go study agriculture and new techniques for a few years if in exchange they accepted help. And so, Shinsuke had packed two suitcases and left for the big city.
It was wild to think that he was merely two hours away from home but the landscape already looked so much different. The contrast never failed to leave him in awe despite his frequent volleyball away games. He had also been to Tokyo enough times to realise that the Kansai region was just child’s play when compared to it which was probably why he had not even considered applying to any program there.
He had had to adapt. His biggest hurdle being, surprisingly and not at the same time, the noise. More precisely, a noisy work environment. He had instantly crossed the dorms off for study times despite the perfectly functional desk that was provided and had wasted no time getting acquainted with the university’s library. He had been pleasantly surprised by the facilities and the long opening hours that perfectly slid in his schedule’s blank slots.
The huge library was relatively empty, allowing him to find a secluded, quiet table for him to use until his study time was over for the day. Tonight, however, the library was significantly more full and he had had a harder time finding an empty spot. He hadn’t wasted time mulling over the reason behind it however. And as time passed and the remaining seats were getting filled, he was starting to consider it. An admittedly badly executed attempt at being discreet around him clued him in. Finals were close, and a lot of the students had started to actually study for them. Cramming is what they called it.
It wasn’t his first time hearing about it, but it definitely was his first time witnessing it. He had heard his teammates complaining multiple times because of it. He himself, never crammed for exams. He just didn’t have the luxury for that before. Now, far from his other obligations, he found himself willing to try it. Of course it wouldn’t be a proper cramming session since, so far, he had been diligently and consistently rereading his lectures and making comprehensive flashcards for them every day. Pushed by the competitive environment, he tried to ignore the noise and to concentrate on furthering his knowledge in topics that his professors had only brushed over. It certainly couldn’t hurt to be more prepared and detailed in his exams. He also started on the outline of a presentation that was due soon but couldn’t work on properly since it had to be made with Powerpoint.
Aran had promised he would lend him his laptop the next afternoon while he was busy with volleyball practice so it couldn’t hurt to prepare right now even though he had already planned to spend some time in the morning to do it. He might just start on the next book he had on his reading assignment instead. That could work out.
“Kita-san?”
It was barely a whisper, and should have been lost in the sounds of keyboards, steps and concealed conversations. It wasn’t.
Shinsuke looked up and smiled.
“Aran. I already told you to use my given name.”
His ears darkened a shade.
“Sorry. I’ll try to remember it. I’m not used to it.”
“It’s alright. I’m not trying to scold you, you’re not in trouble. I just thought we were close enough for that.”
“You- Oh, yes. I suppose we’ve been friends for three years already.”
He hummed in response, a mystical smile on his lips.
“So, Shinsuke. I wasn’t expecting to see you here. I mean, this late.”
He was embarrassed. How cute.
“Yes, I know it’s unusual. But I fear that I won’t be able to find a seat in this cramming period so I’m working on what I had on tomorrow’s schedule.”
“I see. That’s smart of you. Not that it surprises me! And uh I think it’s only going to get worse. Finals week especially.”
“Thank you for the advice. Are you cramming yourself?”
He looked down at the books he was carrying.
“Oh yes. I try to study a bit every night but between classes, practice and working out and well, trying to keep some time to myself so I don’t go crazy, I don’t have much time left for anything, really..”
Shinsuke nodded.
“I understand. It must be hard on you. And now exams are upon us.”
Aran sighed.
“That, they are. How do I have less classes than in high school but more trouble keeping up? Now I can’t even blame it on the twins too.”
He couldn’t help but let out a muted chuckle.
“I know. They were this loud presence in our lives and now it’s all so quiet.”
“Peaceful, you mean.”
“Sure.”
“What?”
“What is it?”
“You said ‘sure’ in a different tone.”
“Did I?”
“I’m very familiar with your tones. There’s something you’re not saying.”
“Familiar enough to call me by my given name?”
“Please, don’t try to change the subject.”
His smile widened as Aran’s face darkened.
“It’s okay, Aran. I know you’ve missed them too. Don’t worry, my lips are sealed.”
Truly adorable.
“Uh, well. Good. That’s good. I have to uh go now.”
He pointed in the way he knew the exit was.
“Are you coming? It’s almost 10pm. And I- uh.. I’m pretty sure it’s past your bedtime?”
“Are you asking me or telling me?”
Maybe he shouldn’t tease him that much. Or flirt, as Atsumu had put it. But he had long realised that very few things delighted him in this world as much as seeing his dark-skin take on an even darker shade, the faintest of red hue tainting it like a filter on those photo editor softwares.
“You know what? Doesn’t matter. I was just.. wondering if you were done for the night so we can walk to the dorms together.”
“Of course.”
He was only halfway through sketching his slides for the presentation but he had already finished all of his taks today so it wasn’t technically a lie, right?
FILL : TEAM GRANDSTAND, T
Ship/Character: Kita Shinsuke, Kita/Ojiro Aran
Additional Characters: Mentions of Kita's OC grandparents and the Miya twins
Fandom: Haikyû!!
Major Tags: None
Other Tags: College AU, kinda canon compliant, not established relationship but mutual pining, mostly Kita-centric, Kita's POV
Word Count: 1288 words
Remix Permission: See Permissions Sheet
So, it was a rollercoaster and it took me so long... but here it is... hope you like Kita
***
The pushing of keyboard’s buttons filled the university’s library, drowning the traditional sound of pen scraping on paper that had characterised for years the study times.
At first, Shinsuke had been troubled by the sound. On his family farm, in a rural part of the country, the bustling of nature had been his companion. Between his role as Captain in his high school volleyball team and the steady help he gave to his grandparents, he followed a very tight and carefully crafted schedule. The time he allocated for school work was constant but done in the wee hours of the morning where most living beings still enjoyed their sleep.
He hadn’t grown up around technology in his home where he was used to going over his lessons. Books and stationery were the only tools he had needed so far. Whenever he had needed the use of the Internet, he had sporadically borrowed a teammates’ help or made the most of the computers the town’s public library had put at their disposal.
He had tried to protest against going to university. Shinsuke knew he wanted to take over the family farm and his grandparents had already taught him all the ins and outs of how to care for it. He had also been concerned about how they planned on keeping up the work they were now too old to do. The doctor had been very clear about them needing to take it easy and rice cultivation wasn’t a walk in the park. His objections had been met with a kind but firm rebuttal and after a long conversation, he had agreed to go study agriculture and new techniques for a few years if in exchange they accepted help. And so, Shinsuke had packed two suitcases and left for the big city.
It was wild to think that he was merely two hours away from home but the landscape already looked so much different. The contrast never failed to leave him in awe despite his frequent volleyball away games. He had also been to Tokyo enough times to realise that the Kansai region was just child’s play when compared to it which was probably why he had not even considered applying to any program there.
He had had to adapt. His biggest hurdle being, surprisingly and not at the same time, the noise. More precisely, a noisy work environment. He had instantly crossed the dorms off for study times despite the perfectly functional desk that was provided and had wasted no time getting acquainted with the university’s library. He had been pleasantly surprised by the facilities and the long opening hours that perfectly slid in his schedule’s blank slots.
The huge library was relatively empty, allowing him to find a secluded, quiet table for him to use until his study time was over for the day. Tonight, however, the library was significantly more full and he had had a harder time finding an empty spot. He hadn’t wasted time mulling over the reason behind it however. And as time passed and the remaining seats were getting filled, he was starting to consider it. An admittedly badly executed attempt at being discreet around him clued him in. Finals were close, and a lot of the students had started to actually study for them. Cramming is what they called it.
It wasn’t his first time hearing about it, but it definitely was his first time witnessing it. He had heard his teammates complaining multiple times because of it. He himself, never crammed for exams. He just didn’t have the luxury for that before. Now, far from his other obligations, he found himself willing to try it. Of course it wouldn’t be a proper cramming session since, so far, he had been diligently and consistently rereading his lectures and making comprehensive flashcards for them every day. Pushed by the competitive environment, he tried to ignore the noise and to concentrate on furthering his knowledge in topics that his professors had only brushed over. It certainly couldn’t hurt to be more prepared and detailed in his exams. He also started on the outline of a presentation that was due soon but couldn’t work on properly since it had to be made with Powerpoint.
Aran had promised he would lend him his laptop the next afternoon while he was busy with volleyball practice so it couldn’t hurt to prepare right now even though he had already planned to spend some time in the morning to do it. He might just start on the next book he had on his reading assignment instead. That could work out.
“Kita-san?”
It was barely a whisper, and should have been lost in the sounds of keyboards, steps and concealed conversations. It wasn’t.
Shinsuke looked up and smiled.
“Aran. I already told you to use my given name.”
His ears darkened a shade.
“Sorry. I’ll try to remember it. I’m not used to it.”
“It’s alright. I’m not trying to scold you, you’re not in trouble. I just thought we were close enough for that.”
“You- Oh, yes. I suppose we’ve been friends for three years already.”
He hummed in response, a mystical smile on his lips.
“So, Shinsuke. I wasn’t expecting to see you here. I mean, this late.”
He was embarrassed. How cute.
“Yes, I know it’s unusual. But I fear that I won’t be able to find a seat in this cramming period so I’m working on what I had on tomorrow’s schedule.”
“I see. That’s smart of you. Not that it surprises me! And uh I think it’s only going to get worse. Finals week especially.”
“Thank you for the advice. Are you cramming yourself?”
He looked down at the books he was carrying.
“Oh yes. I try to study a bit every night but between classes, practice and working out and well, trying to keep some time to myself so I don’t go crazy, I don’t have much time left for anything, really..”
Shinsuke nodded.
“I understand. It must be hard on you. And now exams are upon us.”
Aran sighed.
“That, they are. How do I have less classes than in high school but more trouble keeping up? Now I can’t even blame it on the twins too.”
He couldn’t help but let out a muted chuckle.
“I know. They were this loud presence in our lives and now it’s all so quiet.”
“Peaceful, you mean.”
“Sure.”
“What?”
“What is it?”
“You said ‘sure’ in a different tone.”
“Did I?”
“I’m very familiar with your tones. There’s something you’re not saying.”
“Familiar enough to call me by my given name?”
“Please, don’t try to change the subject.”
His smile widened as Aran’s face darkened.
“It’s okay, Aran. I know you’ve missed them too. Don’t worry, my lips are sealed.”
Truly adorable.
“Uh, well. Good. That’s good. I have to uh go now.”
He pointed in the way he knew the exit was.
“Are you coming? It’s almost 10pm. And I- uh.. I’m pretty sure it’s past your bedtime?”
“Are you asking me or telling me?”
Maybe he shouldn’t tease him that much. Or flirt, as Atsumu had put it. But he had long realised that very few things delighted him in this world as much as seeing his dark-skin take on an even darker shade, the faintest of red hue tainting it like a filter on those photo editor softwares.
“You know what? Doesn’t matter. I was just.. wondering if you were done for the night so we can walk to the dorms together.”
“Of course.”
He was only halfway through sketching his slides for the presentation but he had already finished all of his taks today so it wasn’t technically a lie, right?