Bokuto Koutarou

It's Valentine's Day. Bokuto arrives at the MSBY Black Jackals gym with his usual energy, but something is bothering him. Since this morning, he hasn't received a message from Kuroo. Not one. And that's strange, because usually, Kuroo always sends him something silly in the morning, a joke, a photo, anything to make him smile.

His teammates, especially Atsumu, don't miss an opportunity to tease him about his "darling" who might have forgotten him. Bokuto tries to put on a brave face, but his "depressed mode" threatens to activate at any moment.

What he doesn't know is that Kuroo is preparing something special. Something huge. And that this Valentine's Day will be far more memorable than any before.

Scene 1: Lunch break

Bokuto sits at the club cafeteria table, staring at his phone. Hinata and Atsumu are with him.

Hinata: "Bokuto-san, you should eat. Your rice is getting cold."

Bokuto: (without looking up) "I can't eat. My heart is too heavy."

Atsumu: "Your heart is heavy because you haven't eaten, idiot."

Bokuto: "NO! It's because Kuroo didn't write to me!"

Atsumu: "Did you check your battery? Maybe you have no signal?"

Bokuto: (checking) "No, everything works."

Atsumu: "Then maybe he's just busy?"

Bokuto: "BUSY DOING WHAT THAT'S MORE IMPORTANT THAN ME?!"

Hinata: (gently) "Maybe he's preparing a surprise..."

Bokuto: (eyes lighting up) "A surprise?! You think?!"

Hinata: "It's possible, right?"

Bokuto: "YEAH! KUROO IS CAPABLE OF GIANT SURPRISES!"

Atsumu: "Or maybe he forgot about you."

Bokuto: (collapsing) "MIYA!!"

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Scene 2: The unexpected call

Suddenly, Bokuto's phone buzzes. He jumps.

Bokuto: "KUROO!!"

He looks at the screen. His face freezes.

Atsumu: "It's not him?"

Bokuto: (small voice) "It's Akaashi..."

Hinata: "Answer! It's important too!"

Bokuto picks up, looking disappointed.

Bokuto: "Akaashi... What? Yes, I'm fine... No, I'm not depressed... Why do you say that?... You can hear me crying? But I'm not crying!"

Atsumu: (whispering to Hinata) "He's crying."

Hinata: (whispering) "I know."

Bokuto: "What?! KUROO CALLED YOU?! What did he say?!... He said that?!... Oh... Okay... Thanks, Akaashi! You're the best!"

He hangs up, a mysterious smile on his lips.

Hinata: "So?"

Bokuto: "I can't say. It's a secret."

Atsumu: "SINCE WHEN DO YOU KEEP SECRETS?!"

Bokuto: "Since now! It's a surprise!"

He stands up, suddenly full of energy.

Bokuto: "I'M LEAVING! I HAVE SOMETHING TO DO!"

Hinata: "But afternoon practice?!"

Bokuto: (already running) "I'LL BE BACK SOON! PROMISE!"

Atsumu and Hinata exchange glances.

Atsumu: "It's Kuroo. It's definitely Kuroo."

Hinata: "Obviously."

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Scene 3: Return to the gym

Two hours later, Bokuto returns to the gym, out of breath but beaming. His teammates are in the middle of exercises.

Atsumu: "So? Did you find your Kuroo?"

Bokuto: (blushing) "I... I didn't find Kuroo. But I found something."

Hinata: "What?"

Bokuto: (showing a small box) "This."

The box is simple, with a black and gold ribbon. Bokuto opens it with surprisingly delicate movements.

Everyone: "WOOOOOW!"

Inside, owl-shaped chocolates, perfectly formed, each with a little detail: a brighter eye, a tuft of feathers.

Bokuto: "There's a note too."

He reads aloud:

Bokuto: "'To my favorite owl. Happy Valentine's Day. Sorry about this morning, I was preparing this. These chocolates, I made them myself. They're not perfect, like you. But that's why I love you. Your Kuroo.'"

Silence in the gym.

Hinata: (eyes watery) "That's so beautiful..."

Atsumu: (blushing) "It's disgustingly romantic."

Bokuto: (openly crying) "KUROO MADE ME CHOCOLATE! OWL-SHAPED! HE LOVES ME!"

Atsumu: "Were we in doubt?"

Bokuto: "NO BUT IT'S EVEN BETTER NOW!"

He grabs his phone, calls Kuroo on video.

Kuroo: (appearing) "So? Did you find it?"

Bokuto: "KUROO!!! THEY'RE PERFECT! THE OWLS! YOU MADE OWLS!"

Kuroo: (blushing) "I spent three days making them. I ruined the first batch."

Bokuto: "I LOVE THEM! I LOVE YOU!"

Kuroo: (blushing more) "In front of your teammates?"

Bokuto: "I DON'T CARE! EVERYONE MUST KNOW THAT TETSURO KUROO IS THE BEST BOYFRIEND IN THE WORLD!"

Atsumu: (behind) "We know, Bokuto-san. We know."

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Scene 4: Bokuto's inner thoughts (evening)

Bokuto, lying in bed, looks at the chocolates on his nightstand. He's already eaten two owls.

Bokuto: (thoughts) "All my life, I've been different. Too loud, too changeable, too much. People didn't understand my modes, my depressions, my bursts of joy."

He smiles looking at a chocolate.

Bokuto: (thoughts) "And then there was Kuroo. The first one who understood me without me having to explain. The first one who knew how to get me out of my depressions with just a stupid joke."

He takes another chocolate.

Bokuto: (thoughts) "Now he's in Tokyo, and I'm in Osaka. But he takes three days to make owl-shaped chocolates. Because it's my nickname. Because he knows I love that."

He closes his eyes.

Bokuto: (thoughts) "Thank you, Kuroo. Thank you for being you. Thank you for loving me as I am."

His phone buzzes. Message from Kuroo.

Kuroo: "You didn't eat too many chocolates? Gotta save some for tomorrow."

Bokuto: "TOO LATE. I ATE THREE."

Kuroo: "THREE?! That's a lot."

Bokuto: "THEY WERE TOO GOOD. It's your fault."

Kuroo: "My fault if I'm a good baker?"

Bokuto: "YES. YOU SHOULD BE LESS GOOD."

Kuroo: "Then next time, I'll ruin them on purpose."

Bokuto: "NO! I WANT PERFECT ONES!"

Kuroo: "Make up your mind."

Bokuto: "I WANT YOUR CHOCOLATES, PERFECT OR RUINED, I DON'T CARE, I WANT EVERYTHING THAT COMES FROM YOU."

Kuroo: "..."

Kuroo: "Too cute. Sleep well, my owl."

Bokuto: "You too. See you tomorrow."

Kuroo: "See you tomorrow."

Bokuto puts down his phone, a huge smile on his face.

Bokuto: (thoughts) "Best Valentine's Day of my life."