Ever wondered why coffee smelled intoxicating? The indescribable yet intoxicating scent that makes one sigh at such a bliss works wonders. The taste is sweet to the tongue and warms up one's soul, but it leaves a bitter aftertaste. Yet all the same, coffee is loved and for Mitsuru Shirai, there was nothing more heavenly than coffee. She had just finished a cup of coffee when the rain stopped. Nothing more than a paper cup in her hand, she patiently dumps it to the closest trash bin (while of course, making sure that it was the right one). 

Her white locks were tied up behind her head while her bangs covered her right eye. Her eyelashes bat slowly under the shade of her umbrella, and her minty orbs gleam from the light like polished gemstones. It was pouring just a little while ago, and tiny raindrops dripped and splashed into the puddles that had formed. The sun peaked behind the massive, cotton-like clouds that occupied most of the sky; and in between those piles of fluff, a luminous light from heaven touched the earth.

Mitsuru squinted at the bright light for a moment as she puts down her raven-black umbrella. However, she took a moment to take a deep breath and inhale the fresh aroma of earth. It was refreshing and took away all the stress laid on her shoulders. After a moment, she shakes off the rain water before closing it and putting the covering on. Carefully placing her umbrella into her bag, the girl afterwards turns up the music that boomed in her headphones. 

Before she could enjoy walking through an empty walkway, other students like herself suddenly started bustling out along the courtyard and out the school gate. Mitsuru was nothing but a single unit in a society of students.

Her apathetic blue eyes scan the best possible way of getting out of the courtyard, while hoping to keep off touching other people, especially the fact that there was a lot of tall guys around. She's had a lot of instances where she gets pushed around because of the hustling and bustling of the people, like a poor ball in a soccer field. Although she was average height, it was just barely. Her face was half covered with her mask, it concealed her flustered expression and it turned into annoyance as she was abruptly forced forward.

Turning her head around, she glares daggers at the boisterous cluster of boys behind her. Meeting her icy blue eyes instantly made them take a step away from her as if she was a carrier of bad omen while mustering a fearful, "we're sorry!" from their lips. Misturu whips her head around and leaves them speechless with drops of sweat forming on their foreheads.

Dodging one bump after the other, Mitsuru Shirai struggled to get out of the cluster of people she was forced into. The trench coat she wore worked something like an antennae of an insect or like the whispers of a feline. The slightest press signaled her brain that someone was touching her, and she would move in such a way she would clear that disturbance. Then suddenly, an opening appeared before her like the Dead Sea but an arm wraps around her neck before she could even step forward. 

Swiftly she pulls the arm off like it was a slug, only to find out that it belonged to her stalker. Dressed in the university's varsity uniform, the tall, skinny giant grinned deviously at her. 

It made Mitsuru scowl.

"Why so serious, Shirai-chan?" Tetsurou Kuroo asks, wrapping his arm around her shoulders.

He's holding me! Was the first thought that flew into the girl's horrified mind. But the sight of the skinny yet muscular lump of meat on her shoulder finally sank in. It made Mitsuru's eyes widen.

The girl stiffened at his touch. She wanted to get away, and quick. But she didn't like using her hands to touch people. They all seemed. . . icky for her. It wasn't anything like having an OCD. But the thought of touching another human being made her feel uncomfortable. However, the part where someone just suddenly feels close and comfortable around her was alien-like.

Unfortunately, the giant with her failed to see that. All he could do was roar his boisterous laughter and flash his smirk. The smirk that she can't get out of her head like a haunting trauma. If only she could slap some sense into him.

The only reply Mitsuru could give him was a disgusted glance that baffled the boy. She veers away from him, and scurries away into the crowd where he couldn't reach her. No way would she let Tetsurou Kuroo into her life. Never again if she could help it. Like a mouse, Mitsuru disappears without saying a word, disappointing the giant.

"She can't even greet me." Tetsurou pouts, making his companions laugh in amusement. "To think we even knew each other back during our elementary days."

"Don't worry too much about it," said Kotaro Bokuto, wide-eyed, hyperactive friend of Tetsurou's. He grinned mockingly at him as he playfully wraps his arm around his neck. "You just keep it steady, and she'll stop ignoring you in no time!"

"Kuroo-san," another voice pops in. "Though Bokuto is optimistic about your advances, I think it's impossible for her to get comfortable with you."

Keiji Akaashi's expression on his face was completely opposite to Kotaro's: hopeless. He could cheer for Tetsurou like how a good friend would, but there was no point in encouraging nonsense that disturbed someone from the opposite sex. He was similarly dressed like the rest of them with the university's varsity jacket that made them all look uniform. 

"Or maybe she's just scared of your creepy face," Tetsurou's best friend, Kenma Kozume remarks nonchalantly. He didn't even bother giving his friend some sympathy to hold onto.

Such a cold friend.

"You've been persistently stalking her for the past three days. It's a surprise she hasn't called the cops on you for stalking. Or maybe for just being a plain creep," he adds bluntly.

Kenma sighs exasperatedly.

"I've been nice to all of you and I only get the owl's pat on the back?" Tetsurou asks, but there was no hint of discouragement in his voice.

"Don't tell me you'll try again tomorrow," Keiji remarked.

"Why shouldn't I?" The spiky haired boy flashes a confident smirk at his friend as he crosses his arms. The shortie deadpanned at Tetsurou--he knew what that cheeky bastard's smirk meant. He looked like a king who was about to claim victory, and Kenma couldn't help but pity Mitsuru for having a nutcase be a pain in her side. Tetsurou doesn't take any offense of any of Kenma's harsh remarks or Keiji's discouraging words. He simply laughs it off while walking through the gates of their university with his friends close behind him.

* * * * * * * *

". . . no. . . nope. Not this one either," Mitsuru's voice mutters under her mask. Slender fingers flip the pages one after the other, while they create parallel lines as Mitsuru's eyes scan the pages. Book after book, her hands don't seem to get tired. Piles of hardbound and softbound tomes grew on the table she stayed at. But still, the white-haired couldn't find whatever she was looking for.

Her eyebrows seemed to pull themselves together into a frown; her eyes squinting at each of the book titles. The fingers that once flipped those flimsy pages held the girl's chin as she pondered. Thoughts flew through her head like a bullet train, while she wondered where that book she usually had for reference went.

One may wonder, "Why is she at the library? Can't she find whatever she needs in the internet?" Perhaps, she can find it. But sometimes, not everything can be found in the internet. The book she found in particular was one of those things she wouldn't easily find in the internet. Being in the library though meant that the books are publicly shared and it was possible that someone may have borrowed it from the archives of millions of books.

It made the girl sigh as she was returning each of the books to their respective places. The silence Mitsuru indulged herself in was satisfying. But the tranquility of no one or nothing disturbing was abruptly interrupted by a buzzing vibration from her pocket. She scrambles for it, wondering who the devil it was to disturb her. The already disappointed look on her face was suddenly wiped off--turned into annoyance. Instinctively her fingers moved to answer the caller, but a thought saved her from the trouble.

What if you pretend you didn't hear it?

The answer to that was satisfying: simply dump the flat-screen device into the bag where she won't feel the vibrating plus turning off whatever sound it could emit. Yes, simply ignore the damn call and continue whatever you were doing.

And Mitsuru did just that--

"Aren't you going to answer that?" A voice shocked her.

--Or not.

"I also have that book you were looking for," said Tetsurou, waving the book she was looking for: The Philosophies of Edgar Poe. "If you could ask for it, I'll give it to you."

The girl's cool mint eyes flashed an irritated frown. Behind her mask, her lips open to shoo the boy away, but she shuts her lips tight instead. Mitsuru wondered how the boy knew she was there. She was as quiet as can be. There was no way he could have known. Besides, the girl was at the fire side of the library, how could he just find her there by coincidence? Suddenly she gasps. Maybe he heard her muttering? That wasn't possible, because even if he did. . . how could he have known that it was her? The thought troubled her.

Unconsciously the girl lowered her mask with her thumb, which she nibbled on afterwards. It was her habit when she thinks and feels stressed at the same time. But it was a mistake she should have not done.

Because Tetsurou's face was suddenly close to hers, and he was grinning that smirk she could remember back then. "You sure have gotten cute through the years, Shirai-chan!"

Her rouge lips were slightly open with surprise. A nose ring was hooked around her nostril; actually, two. And the way her white fringe hid away her right eye made her all the more mysterious. But the mix of embarrassment and frustration boiling in the girl's usual calm face paralleled with the laugh Tetsurou fought to keep in.

"J-Just give me the book already, Kuroo!" She stammered. Mitsuru places her mask back on, and she hoped that no one else saw.

Smiling a little more warmly, the boy hands it over, and the girl didn't even give him the chance to tease her a little bit more. Her hands had the speed of a bullet train. The book was in her hands before the boy even knew it.

". . . okay, so I'm a little late. . . would I finish. . . no. It's not possible at this rate," the girl muttered to herself as though Tetsurou wasn't with her at all.

But the boy could only laugh.

"Neh, Shirai-chan, what are you muttering to yourself about?" He asks, now actually curious.

Mitsuru glares at him again.

"Do you mind leaving now, Kuroo?" She asks bluntly. "I talk to no one and that includes you."

"Mitsuru Shirai," the boy announces dramatically as though he was an actor in a play. "How can you be so serious when you smiled a lot during our elementary days?"

The girl sighs exasperatedly.

"Don't bother bringing up the past, Kuroo," the girl reluctantly replied. "Well, I have to leave now. I'd appreciate it if you just leave me alone. And pretend that you don't know me, because I'll be doing just that."

Without saying another word, Mitsuru takes her things and hurries away, leaving Tetsurou quiet with his thoughts. His hand rubs the back of his head. He needed a better strategy or else things won't change.

This is going to be harder that I thought.

Meanwhile, the white-haired girl couldn't believe her luck. No one was supposed to know she frequented the library. How did Tetsurou know? His level of persistence suddenly seemed to have jumped more than a normal guy would have. It irritated the girl as much as the vibration of her phone annoyed her.

Mitsuru rummages through her bag to pick up her phone. Then seeing who the caller was, she lets out a sharp sigh. "Hello? Murakami-san? I'm almost ready for the next issue."

* * * * * * * *

The smell of grilled chicken permeated the air. It smelled delicious, especially when mixed with the right spices. Everything was about the spices added and the way it was grilled. The skewered insides of chicken were cooked over hot coals, while cooks made sure they were prepared well for the hungry students. And then when they were ready, they were served to the students who ordered them.

Warm colored lights lit the restaurant, which places a sense of serenity to the scenario. There were a lot of university students taking their time to enjoy the night. Many were friends from different universities. They were taking the time to catch up. Tables were crowded with six friends or more. They ate and drank together. Their laughter was what filled the restaurant. Among them, Tetsurou snickered at his friends who dared each other in chugging down drinks. Some were already red and woozy, but they kept chugging down drinks anyway. The next day was a Saturday after all, so there no classes to worry about. 

Drink the night away and be merry!

Chugging down a drink, Tetsurou let out a loud satisfying sigh. Though to Kenma, it seemed more like a half-laugh. He was uncomfortable with the many new faces at the table. The loud-mouthed owl though didn't seem to be fazed at all. He was practically busy laughing and drinking with them already. The blond though wouldn't even take a sip of liquor.

"Drink up, Kenma!" Tetsurou cries out, laughing. "You're missing out on the fun!"

"I don't see how drinking is fun," Kenma bluntly replied. He just turns back to his games, hoping to ease his anxious nerves.

His friend laughs, but he decides to let Kenma have his fun. He wasn't good with people anyway, but the drinking session would just be as good as a warm up for their friendship. After all, they were all from the same university and volleyball team. Rapport is important after all. If Kenma gets used to them well enough, then the team he and Tetsurou managed to build will be reborn. Plus, Tetsurou and the older volleyball members somehow became good friends while Kenma was still a third-year at Nekoma High.

Fortunately, the older volleyball players were friendly. When they found out that Kotaro and Tetsurou were joining their team, they were more than thrilled as though they were suddenly in the presence of celebrities. Although, most of the team consisted of star players during their middle school and high school. But the two managed to stand out as the fearsome duo. The excitement only heightened when two renowned setters joined the university volleyball team.

The seniors with Tetsurou and Kenma knew this, and they hoped to strengthen their team with their help. One pours a glass of sake and offers it to Kenma who shied away almost immediately.

"I don't drink, *senpai," Kenma replied, trying his best to speak it loudly. He shouldn't whisper his answers after all.

"Well, I won't force you," said the older student, chuckling. He was Shigeru Ueno, a third year. He was the only one in the group with pink hair, making him stand out. "But you have to join one of our drinking sessions one of these days. Unless you want to wait until when you're officially legal."

He and the others laugh. 

Turning to Tetsurou, he flashes a grin, and his kouhai does the same. "Neh, Kuroo-*kun, how's Shirai-san?"

"Still cold as ever." Tetsurou shrugged. "I met her at the library yesterday, and we finally had a conversation that didn't involve only me talking."

"No way! That's actual progress!" Another student cried with a pout on his face. "Are we still on the twenty thousand yen thing?"

"Of course, Kikuchi-kun!" Said Shigeru , smacking his junior's shoulder. "Don't go backing out when Kuroo-kun made progress!"

Kenma's eyes instantly sparked with curiosity.

"Twenty thousand yen? For what?" He asks, raising his eyebrows at Tetsurou.

"Ah, last April, the second years first years made a deal that I befriend Shirai-chan and get her to be my girlfriend. If I get to do that successfully, I get to have a hundred yen from the seniors and my fellow second years. Not everyone is here today, but twenty agreed with the deal. Shirai-chan is an irregular around here, I think? Since she comes to classes, but only specific ones. Then there would suddenly be a long period of absences," Tetsurou explained.

The shortie frowns at him.

"I didn't hear about this."

"Sorry, sorry!" The tall boy replied with a nervous chuckle. "I forgot to tell you about it. Well, at least you know now."

"It's fine," his friend replied, exhaling sharply. "But why Shirai-san? What's so special about her?"

"Nothing really," said the second year from before, and Reo Kikuchi was his name. He scratches his head in thought; finding a way to explain the girl the best he can to the freshman. When he's got it, he explains it as though he's unsure. "She's just really aloof. She doesn't talk to anyone at all, unless she wants to be spoken to. More like, if she needs something and if someone needs someone. Anything leading to a conversation, she'd avoid. Plus, she's always covering half her face with a mask. I've never seen her without a mask."

The other third years and second years nod in agreement. But when they saw the victorious look on Tetsurou's face, their eyes widened to hear his story. Even Kenma was curious.

"I saw her face!" Tetsurou announces victoriously. 

"What?!" Everyone yells in surprise.

"How the hell did you do it?!" Another second year asks.

"Did she have a nasty scar on her face?" Another guy asks.

"Was her face deformed?" A third year asks.

"No way! I think she's probably cute!" A delinquent second year asks. "Placing a mask to cover her half her face, but she furthers it on with her fringe! Maybe she's some part of underground organization! AH! Gives me chills!"

"Idiot! What's with the organization part?" Scoffed another. "Well? How does she look like?"

Before Tetsurou Kuroo would answer, the sudden tap of rain rang through his ears. It pounded on the roof above them, and the drizzle washed against the windows outside. But the customers inside the restaurant remained unfazed, and they continued their merrymaking. Hopefully before they it's too late through the evening, the rain would stop. Particularly, Tetsurou and his friends didn't think of bringing their umbrellas. Though, it was the rainy season already, and they should have prepared for the whether. But the rains of June were only just beginning.

Just like the lie that would break hearts.

"It's a secret!"

~~~

Number of words: 3261

*chan (ちゃん) is a diminutive suffix; it expresses that the speaker finds a person endearing. Thus, using chan with a superior's name would be condescending and rude. In general, chan is used for babies, young children, and teenage girls. Chan may be used for younger boys, but the name dies off unless you are his sister. It may also be used towards cute animals, lovers, close friends or any woman with youthful spirit.

*senpai (先輩, せんぱい) is used to address or refer to one's senior colleagues in a school, company, sports club, or other group. So at school, the students in higher grades than oneself are senpai. Students of the same or lower grade are not senpai, nor are teachers.

*kun (君 in Kanji , くん in Hiragana) is used by persons of senior status in addressing or referring to those of junior status, or by anyone when addressing or referring to male children or male teenagers. It can also be used by females when addressing a male that they are emotionally attached to or have known for a long period of time. Although kun is generally used for boys, that isn't a hard rule. For example, in business settings, young female employees may also be addressed as kun by older males of senior status.

Hello, loves! Yes, I have finally posted a book that does not involve action and the supernatural. This book is pure drama and romance, which was something I haven't tried in a long time. This is my. . second attempt? Well, anyway, I hope you liked this first chapter and that you're more than intrigued to read the next chapters, which I hope won't disappoint. This is also something new to me, which is revealing the cause of the drama right off the bat, but that's what's going to make things exciting.

Thank you guys so much for reading! Please comment your thoughts on the chapter, because I really want to know what you guys think! Like in every fanfic I write, I dedicate the chapter to one of the owners of comments that I find most heartwarming :)

Warmer Than Black is the first of the Haikyuu! FFs I'll be writing. The following are what's coming (not necessarily by the order I've written them):

- What She Said That Summer (Bokuto Kotaro)

- Voice of a Distant Star (Tsukishima Kei)

- Strange Forte (Oikawa Toru)

- When Flowers Die (Kageyama Tobio)

- Sleeping With Butterflies (Kenma Kozume)

- The Sun Rises (Sugawara Koushi)

- Soar (Hinata Shoyo)

- Little Wonders (Akaashi Keiji)

I've also been preparing myself for a series of KnB and Free! FFs. But I don't think I'll be listing down their names here. Just wait and see when I update :)

Thank you guys once again!

- R