All Kageyama wanted to do was to go home, read the recently-published final book to his favorite book series of all time in four hours, then cry over the possible character deaths and the fact that his life was going to be over.

But he must've been way too distracted as he was walking towards the library exit, the brand-new library book cradled in his hand, because he somehow walked straight into a… bright-haired, tiny, crazy person, who stood right in front of the door, blocking his way.

"!" Kageyama barely noticed, until he look down to see that he had collided with a head of messy orange hair, apparently. He took a step back in mild surprise and annoyance, and got a clearer look at this mystery person. He was maybe Kageyama's age, but much shorter than him, rather petite. He seemed like he had stumbled right out of bed, because his hair was rumpled and sticking up in tufts, and he was only wearing a winter coat over his pajamas and boots. His rosy cheeks and smile worsened Kageyama's cross mood even more. People should dress appropriately when leaving the house! Kageyama thought irritably.

"Excuse me, but move over. I need to get through." Kageyama said rudely. Damn it I need to read this book just leave!

"Hello!" The teen greeted him excitedly, entirely ignoring his previous comment. What the hell, I don't even know this guy! Why is he even talking to me? Is he going to try to sell me Girl Scout cookies or something?

"I'm not going to buy whatever you're—" Kageyama began, but was abruptly cut off when the boy pointed at his book and gasped, his eyes growing wide.

"That's—ohmygod—thefinalbook!"He flailed his arms around wildly in excitement, and hopped up and down like a caffeinated bunny, a happy and overly-sunny grin lighting up his face. "I finally see it before me! I've been waiting for sooooo long!" How is someone this peppy?!

In his periphery, Kageyama could see the librarian at the counter glaring in their direction. "Yeah, what about it? What do you want?" Kageyama asked, pointedly whispering. His tone was a fraction of a degree softer. Well, he is in the same fandom as me. His excitement is understandable.

"I came here hoping someone would lend it to me, and noticed you borrowing it just now-the waitlist for it has more than a hundred people on it ALREADY! And only one book is being circulated right now. How did you get it first?! It came out yesterday!" The orange-haired boy blurted out quite loudly, completely oblivious to the librarian's scowl.

"I placed a hold on it. Seven months ago." Kageyama answered with a hint of pride to his voice. He was extremely proud of himself for coming up with that idea.

"Seven?! Wowww!" The teen exclaimed in amazement, bouncing up and down on his toes, his hair flopping up and down.

"Keep your voice down! And what makes you think I'll lend it to you?" Kageyama frowned at him, and hugged the book tighter to his chest protectively. He thinks he can just cut the waitlist and do whatever he wants? Yeah, right.

"Well, it's due in two weeks, so surely you'd finish it by then." The boy replied brightly.

"You think you can tell me what to do? I don't even know you." Kageyama whispered harshly. The boy looked genuinely surprised.

"I thought a big fan would be able to finish it in a few days, at most. But I guess not." The boy waggled his eyebrows with a mischievous smile.

What the hell? "I'll have you know, random stranger, that I've read all the other books four times, read every single author interview, read the guidebooks and extra short stories, and could probably quote every single character. A few days? Ha, I could finish this book by tomorrow." This stranger I met a minute ago is criticizing my dedication and loyalty to this fandom?! Kageyama was pissed. Any shred of compassion he had for this fellow fan disappeared.

"Tomorrow, then! Here, call me when you can meet me here. Don't worry, I'll return it for you." The boy whipped out a pen and wrinkled piece of paper from his coat pocket, scribbled down some of his information, and thrust it into Kageyama's hands. Did he just completely ignore me again? This person has no tact! No tact whatsoever! Kageyama had a compelling urge to crumple up the paper into a ball, and he was shaking in anger as he glared at the boy. But, for some reason, as he scrutinized his face, he was weirdly entranced. Say something…! Hm, his nose is tinged pink from the cold. His eyes also look adorably sleepy, and…

"Ah, I have to go back! Have some work to do." The boy suddenly said, his spirits slightly dampened. "Oh, right! What's your name?"

"K-kageyama." Kageyama tried to shake himself out of his daze. What are you doing, dumbly staring at his face?

"Cool, see ya, Kageyama!" With a tiny wave, the boy dashed out of the door hurriedly, his too-large coat-sleeves flapping.

Kageyama, still hugging his book close to his chest, just stared after him, dumbstruck, his eye twitching. It had been just a normal day, with him and his book at the peaceful library, but a stranger, full of this eccentricity and energy, had suddenly exploded into his life… Kageyama wasn't sure what to think of him. Sure, he was annoying, but he couldn't shake off the strange sensation he felt when he was captivated by his sorta-cute face…

Wait a second… he totally just goaded me into reading the whole book in one day, didn't he? This thought suddenly came to Kageyama as he mentally replayed their conversation.

Never mind what I was thinking before… HE'S JUST FRICKIN ANNOYING! Kageyama angrily stuffed the note into his pocket and stormed off, somehow accidentally setting off the library detectors.

"BEEP. BEEP. BEEP."

UGHHHHH

~Ch 1 End~

(tumblr and story on ao3 here)