Chapter Text
The first day of school always felt heavier for you than most.
Not because of the weight of books in your bag, or the stiff new uniform clinging a little too snug around your middle, but because of the weight in your chest, anxiety that whispered they’ll notice, they’ll laugh, you don’t belong here.
Fukurodani Academy was supposed to be a fresh start. A bigger school, new classmates, a chance to disappear into the shuffle. Still, as you stepped into the classroom, your gaze flickered nervously from group to group, already clustered together, chatting as though they’d known one another for years.
You ducked your head, clutching your bag strap tighter, and found a desk near the middle. The chatter swelled as more students entered, the air filled with laughter and the squeak of shoes against polished floors.
The teacher finally arrived, a stack of papers in hand, silencing the room. He began reading the seating assignments from the list.
“Y/N L/N, you’ll be seated here,” he said, motioning to the desk you had chosen. You exhaled in relief; at least you wouldn’t have to move.
“And beside you… Akaashi Keiji.”
Your eyes darted up just as a boy with messy, dark hair and an expression that seemed carefully neutral stepped forward. His uniform was perfectly worn, his movements unhurried as he slid into the seat next to yours.
He glanced your way once, meeting your startled gaze with calm, steady eyes. Not judging. Not curious. Just… polite. He gave a small nod in greeting before turning back to his desk.
That was it. No smile, no awkward joke just a nod. And somehow, it was enough to make your shoulders loosen.
The morning dragged on with introductions and syllabi. You doodled in the corner of your notebook, trying not to fidget when the uniform pinched at your waist. Your ears caught whispers from behind you girls giggling, the words “cute”and “Akaashi” tossed around like petals.
Of course. Your new seatmate wasn’t just quiet and composed he was admired. That made sense. He had that look about him: serious, reliable, the kind of boy people trusted.
You, on the other hand, felt like you stuck out in all the wrong ways.
During the break, you pulled out a plain rice ball you had packed for yourself. Nothing fancy just quick, easy comfort food. You tried to eat quietly, hoping no one would notice.
But of course, someone did.
“Already eating, L/N?” a girl behind you whispered loudly to her friend, just enough for you to hear. “Didn’t they eat breakfast?”
A bubble of laughter followed. Your throat tightened. You stared harder at your desk, willing yourself invisible.
Akaashi didn’t react. Or maybe he hadn’t heard. You told yourself not to care, though your appetite dulled instantly.
By the time afternoon classes rolled around, your nerves felt rubbed raw. You scribbled notes mechanically, barely processing the teacher’s words.
Beside you, Akaashi’s pen clicked softly. Once, twice. You glanced at him from the corner of your eye he wasn’t restless. He was watching the board intently, fingers fiddling absently with the pen’s clip. A nervous tick? The realization made something twist in your chest. Even someone as composed as him had little cracks in his calm exterior.
When the final bell rang, you were the first to start packing your things, eager to escape before the hallways filled. But in your rush, a notebook slipped from your desk and tumbled to the floor.
You reached for it only to freeze when another hand reached at the same time.
Akaashi.
He picked it up smoothly and handed it to you. “Here.” His tone was quiet, but not cold.
“Th-thank you.” You mumbled, hugging the notebook to your chest.
He nodded once, then returned to his own bag. That was it. No further comment. Yet something about the small gesture the way he hadn’t hesitated to help lingered as you walked home.
That night, you sat at your desk, homework spread before you but untouched. Your mind kept circling back to the classroom, to the way whispers had stung, to the way Akaashi’s calm eyes had seemed unbothered by your presence.
It wasn’t much. Just a nod, a returned notebook. But it was more than you’d expected from your first day.
Maybe sitting beside him wouldn’t be so terrible after all.