#UPDATE: THANK YOU FOR ALL THE NOTES OH MY GOSH T_T

[stellar-haikyuu]

orange ☆ ennoshita chikara x reader

synopsis: reader is karasuno's second-year manager. during one of their morning trips to a tokyo training camp, something heart-fluttering with ennoshita happens. based on the song "orange" by spyair. details: fluff, ~1.4k words, gn! reader. i referred to characters based on how the reader would probably address them! takes place sometime during the season 2 tokyo training camp arc. warnings: none!

“I will spread my wings and take off straight ahead, Up to those beautiful orange morning skies. There’s only a second left, give me just one more, I beg — Every moment is precious to me like nothing else. I know…”

Although you normally hated waking up at the ungodly hours of the morning, you still buzzed with excitement as you stood in front of the rented school bus. 

You’ve lost count of how many training camps Karasuno has attended now, but each time, you see the team reach new heights. Playing against Tokyo powerhouses truly pushed the team further.

“Are all the members here?” Shimizu asks, walking up to your right. You do a quick headcount, scanning the endearing mix of sleepy and excited boys. “Yes, all twelve are present.” 

Shimizu nods and turns back to Hitoka, who is frantically running through a checklist. You chuckle at her diligence.

“It’s alright, Hitoka-chan,” you reassure the nervous first-year manager. 

“B-but, senpai! It’s- I can’t- the first aid kit,” Hitoka stammers, clutching her clipboard. You look over the checklist Hitoka held and see that the first aid bag is the only item left uncrossed.

Hitoka spins her head around to inspect each bag pile in the driveway. Some of the boys who notice the first-year’s conundrum ask her what’s wrong. 

You’re about to help Hitoka with her search, but that’s when you notice where the first aid bag is.

“Um, Hitoka-chan?” You can’t hide the giggle from your voice. Shimizu locks eyes with you, wearing an amused expression.

“Yes?!” Hitoka whips around immediately.

“You might want to look at the bag on your shoulder.”

Hitoka blinks for a moment before she looks down. She promptly falls to her knees, burying her face in her hands. This takes the entire team by surprise, causing even the sleepy members to startle. 

“It was with me this whole time! I can’t believe this- I’m so sorry! I should be more careful and aware, I caused you guys to worry for no reason and, and-” 

“Take it easy, Hitoka-chan.” You pat her back. “And just in case it did end up missing, there are always nearby convenience stores and pharmacies for supply runs.”

Hitoka quietly wails in frustration, then shoots her head up with determination shining in her eyes. “Okay! I promise to be more observant!” 

You and Shimizu exchange another look, sharing a soft laugh. “I’m sure you’ll be fine,” the third-year says warmly. “Now let’s help sensei and coach load all the bags.”

“Alright, everyone. Last chance for a bathroom break,” you announce to the team, barely suppressing your laughter as you see a few of them visibly consider if they need to go.

After helping Takeda-sensei ensure that nothing was left behind in the parking lot, you realize that you’re the last student to board the bus.

As you step on, you scan the seats. Hitoka and Shimizu are paired up front. Right, it’s their turn to sit together today.

You check the line of single window seats, but all of them are occupied, leaving you confused.

Wait, they always leave one empty for one of the managers…

You find it a little odd that Tanaka and Nishinoya are occupying the single seats in front, totally knocked out. But, whatever, you can take the back seat-

“Would you like to sit beside me?”

Startled, you turn to see Ennoshita looking up at you with a sleepy smile.

“Huh?” you blink.

He pats the empty seat beside him. “No one’s sitting here. Plus, you’ll be right behind Shimizu-senpai and Yachi-san.”

Hitoka looks up at the mention of her name. “Oh! Senpai, I’m so sorry! I didn’t realize you didn’t have a seat left.”

You ruffle her hair gently. “It’s okay, Hitoka-chan. Don’t worry about it.”

Shimizu turns to them and puts a hand on Hitoka’s shoulder. “Yes, she’ll be fine next to Ennoshita.” Her gaze lingers on you for a moment. A subtle but knowing expression crosses her face before she turns away. 

What did that mean?

You sit beside Ennoshita, feeling a flutter in your stomach. You’re used to his presence, but being this close feels different.

“Uh, thanks,” you murmur. 

“No problem, I think the guys forgot that you normally sit there. They’re just sleepy-” The end of his sentence morphs into a yawn and he immediately apologizes.

“So are you,” you laugh. “Get a good sleep.”

“I will. You too.”

You both lean back into your seats as the bus starts to move. As the rumble beneath your feet turns steady, a comfortable silence settles between you. 

You glance out the window, admiring the first rays of sunlight painting the horizon. The orange reminds you of the fleeting beauty of moments like this.

Your eyes follow the trail of light, which falls on Ennoshita’s peaceful face. The sight makes warmth bloom in your chest and spread to the rest of your body. 

Before you know it, your eyes flutter closed.

“Shh, shh, be quiet, they’ll wake up.” 

A series of whispers break through your hazy consciousness, but you keep your eyes closed, wanting to go back to sleep as soon as possible. 

You’re confused when you realize that the bus isn’t moving and you can hear the birds chirping outside.

Maybe it’s a rest stop, your mind supplies. No one’s shaking you awake, even if you can hear footsteps padding up and down. There’s nothing to worry about, so— hang on.

You’re leaning far to your right, slumped against something warm, and there’s a light pressure on top of your head.

Before you have a chance to process everything, you hear a gasp, followed by a shushing sound. 

“Take a picture, quick.” 

“Idiot, my phone makes a loud sound.”

“What if we take one from the front and cover the speaker?” 

“Hm. That’s actually pretty smart.”

“Boys, what are you-”

To their credit, you only hear a quiet, muffled camera shutter sound. Then, you feel the weight next to you shift slightly.

“We’re not saving you if Ennoshita finds out and decides to murder you two.” 

Ennoshita?

“But they’re so cuuuute. I don’t care if I die at his hands for taking this picture.” 

“Dumbass, he’ll make you do extra tutor sessions because you got them in it. Now move dude, I need to pee.”

“Ugh. Don’t snitch on us.”

Suddenly, it clicks. You’re leaning on Ennoshita and he’s leaning on you too. You don’t know how to respond. Well, not that you have to—you’re busy pretending to be asleep, after all. 

“Tanaka, Nishinoya, enough. Don’t wake them up.”

“Yes, Captain.”

Things eventually die down after a few minutes, and you hear the hiss of the bus door closing. 

You suppose you don’t have to worry about going back to sleep, taking comfort in the warmth of the person next to you. 

You find yourself wishing for this moment to last forever.

A gentle hand on your shoulder wakes you.

“We’re here,” Shimizu says, coming into focus as you blink repetitively. There’s a grin on the senior’s face. Another look that seems to mean something.

“Oh…thanks.” You groan a little, rubbing the sleep out of your eyes. Although you’re unwilling to detach from your source of warmth, you need to stretch and get up.

Wait…why is it warm?

You freeze. Ennoshita’s still leaning on your side and…one of his hands is holding on to your arm. 

Oh my god oh my god oh my god oh my god-

“Ennoshita?” You tap his arm gently. “Hey, we’re in Tokyo.”

“Hmm?”

“We’re here already.” Your face heats up; your teammates sneak glances at the both of you as they pass by the aisle.

Ennoshita inhales to take a deep breath, but right when he’s about to exhale, his body stiffens and he sits upright. 

“Oh my, uh, sorry, I didn’t mean- did that make you uncomfortable?” Ennoshita rushes out an apology, flustered. “I didn’t know-”

“Don’t worry about it!” You chuckle nervously. Really, don’t worry about it.

“I slept way too well,” he rubs the back of his neck. It’s adorable how flushed he’s gotten.

“Well, if it means you’re well-rested, I wouldn’t mind if it happened again,” you say quickly, not realizing how bold the words sound until they’re already out.

Ennoshita’s eyes widen in response.

You feel a little sorry for Takeda-sensei who is still making his way off the bus. He awkwardly whistles to himself, trying his hardest not to eavesdrop.

“Um. Well…that’s if you want to,” you avoid making eye contact with him.

You end up looking out the window behind Ennoshita. The pale yellow of the morning sun feels bittersweet, a reminder that the moment has already slipped away.

But, you’re reminded that every day, the sun rises and falls.

“I’ll take you up on that offer, then.”

masterlist

karasuno fic event: stellar's stationery (ongoing)

[lala-pipo]

1. hey hahaha i saw your latest post, how after you posted a fanfic it's all cricket noises! welllll here i am one of those crickets, I guess! I wonder if tumblr shows how many visits your blog had in a day, because I visit your blog daily to check if you updated Dorm Life... hahahah quite literally, every morning after I wake up, it's one of the first things that I check, because I know it could set my mood for the day >.< not to put pressure on you ofc, just to show I'm looking forward for it!

2. hahaha maybe i should come up with an anon name or something at the end of my messages, cos this one turned out to be long... but anyways! So far, I am loving the first chapter! I read it twice already hahaha the first time I was just so excited at having new jogtae content to read, so the second time I was absorbing every little details huhuhu I love your writing style, you are one of my favorite writers! I'm not just saying it, it's the truth! Your writings makes me feel things and 3. I love how you portray the characters, direct the plot, it's just beautiful! I am looking forward for the next chapters! I don't know if you were planning to update it weekly or bi-weekly or even monthly, so that's why I visit your blog everyday to check if you've updated it! Hahaha I also checked you on AO3 to see maybe if you forgot to update it here and only updated it there... oh gosh I sound like such an intense fan... hahaha thank you so so so so much for writing these stories...  4. Last part of my fan message, I promise omg... so I'm just so so looking forward to where the story will lead us, because damn it's only been chapter 1 and SO So sO maNY things already happened, and I was like... we have 14 chapteRS to GO? Like, where will you bring us? angst? jealousy? fluff? some more intense makeout session? some feelings? I am looking forward for where the story takes me, and honestly, I can't thank you enough for writing these stories... hehehe 5. Ohh! and and one last thing, this one is out of curiosity though! Are you Japanese? or maybe you know Japanese? hehehe I was reading the origin of your blog name! Anyways, I hope you stay safe during this pandemic, ... and even if there are only cricket noises, at least this one cricket spoke to you! and would like to say that I appreciate all the effort you made to make such beaUTIFul stories! Thank you! - cricket anon ;D

  _______________________________________________ Dear cricket nony, ^^ I hope you don’t mind if I answer your long message in one post (while answering this I realized you sent two more *le gasp*). Thanks so much for sending me an ask (or several for that matter). It made my day.  (´｡• ᵕ •｡`) ♡

My post wasn’t directed at anything/anyone specific but just a general observation I’ve made over the past few months (years -). I remember so many people sending me messages and asks in the past about when I finally continue/finish (w)help and when I did, barely anyone read it, and that seems to be a reoccurring theme and I’m not quite sure what I should take from that, you know. ^^” But I shouldn’t whine, there are more important matters in this world. I’m glad you enjoyed the first chapter of this very self-indulgent fic. I’m sorry that you went through the hassle of checking for updates every day. I should have given a specific time frame in the first chapter and not use the vague word ‘regular’. That’s on me, I’m sorry. T_T I intend on posting a new chapter either every two weeks or three weeks, and don’t worry, I will post a link on this blog when I update. 6v6 As I’ve said in the notes of the first chapter I’ve started working on this in 2016 while I was bored and lonely in my small dorm room on the other side of the world *sways back and forth* and tbh I just wanted to write some JongTae smut ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ (not even gonna lie here and pretend that I had some deep, philosophical life questions in mind when I started writing this). That Dorm Life turned into an actual story only happened this year when I tried to thread everything together and not make it into a 170k smut fest. Therefore the first 6 chapters are rather quick paced and there is a lot going on while the other 9 chapters (15 is the epilogue and doesn’t really have plot) are slower paced. So I hope you will also enjoy the other chapters of this little story. ^^ “Like, where will you bring us? angst? jealousy? fluff? some more intense makeout session? some feelings?” Dear cricket nony, I will bring you to all of these things to varying degrees. ^^ I know people don’t like it when pairings are mentioned in the main pairing tag when they aren’t the end goal or just side!pairings (*raises hand* I’m one of those people 😂) that’s why I only mentioned 2min and JongKey in the additional tags, but they will play a crucial role throughout the fic. ^^ So, anyway - I really hope that you will enjoy the rest of the fic as well. I’m still tweaking some of the chapters because there are some things I’m not happy with yet, but yeah - please look forward to the rest OTL.  As for your last question - I’m not Japanese. But the dormitory that inspired this story was in fact located in Japan. I studied there for a year during my Master’s  in Japanese studies. I chose the pen name ‘lala pipo’ because I read the book with the same title in 2010 and liked the narration of it (fun fact: I’m currently re-reading it again because I couldn’t remember why I liked it so much ^^). I posted my first two? SHINee stories still under my original livejournal username, but I didn’t want to spam my private account with fanfics - so I created a new one just for fics and just liked how lala pipo sounded. It’s also easy to remember I think. ^^ Once again, thanks so much for your very sweet messages, cricket nony. You are always welcome to cricket some more. ♡ ～('▽^人) I hope you will also stay safe during this time. I wish you the loveliest of days! Thank you!  (っ˘з(˘⌣˘ ) ♡