Strings (Ryuunosuke Tanaka x Reader)

Chapter One: Gray

He looked up to me and I shoved my hand behind my back. I would ask him about this eventually but now wasn't the time.

"My name is (L/N) (F/N) but you can call me (Y/N). I'm a second year and I'm going to be with you guys for two weeks as a practice player. I'll help with drills and techniques but I'm not actually on the team." I gave the team a small wave and smile.

They introduced themselves in order then started looking to each other in a bit of confusion. The delinquent looking boy was still looking at me curiously. I tried to avoid his eyes and looked to the sides. A few whispers were thrown around about me until someone decided to voice them.

"Woah.... A girl on our team! Cool!" A small boy with a bleached strip of hair in the front called out. I think his name was Nishinoya.

He was hit in the shoulder by a taller boy with silver hair and a beauty mark under his eye who I remembered as Sugawara. I chuckled a little at the dynamic in this team and figured that maybe being around this team might not be so bad.

Coach yelled out orders for the team to practice and told me that I could wander and help out whoever seemed a little off since Takeda-sensei trusted me. I had different plans in mind. I walked up to the boy from earlier who introduced himself as Tanaka Ryunosuke and tapped his shoulder.

"We need to talk." I stated.

He nodded and led me to the side where he turned and faced me. He lifted his left hand and pointed at the string that was seemingly unnoticeable to everyone else.

"What does this string mean?" He softly asked out of everyone's earshot.

I stood a little surprised since he seemed like the type that was always loud. I guess he could also be soft.

He snapped me out of my daze "It's not red for soulmates, not blue for rivals, it's gray."

"Yeah I see that." I responded a little harshly. "Sorry, I just don't really talk to people. Anyways, I always thought I never had either since you get them by age ten and I'm sixteen."

"Me too but what does gray mean? I'm still a little confused about the color. I mean we're obviously meant to be connected since there's a string, but for what? I'm not complaining or anything since it's a beautiful girl but what is the reasoning?" He looked a little lost in thought and was staring at the floor.

I was glad he didn't look at me because I felt a heat rise to my face at the blatant compliment. Once the heat had settled I started thinking.

"I think we should leave it and figure it out in time. If the universe wants to connect us in some way by this string then it'll come in due time." I started walking away because my head was turning trying to figure this out.

I left him in the sides and walked towards a small yet energetic boy with orange hair. He was struggling to receive balls that were hit in his direction.

"Hinata right? I can give you some pointers if you want." I crouched just a little bit.

He nodded and I helped him out enough for him to not get smacked dead in the face by the ball anymore.

Practice ended quicker than I expected and I took a walk to where I lived with my adoptive parents.I unlocked the door and opened the door to the apartment we lived in where my parents were watching TV in the living room.

"Hi dad, hi other dad." I waved to my dads and sat on a comfortable chair against the wall.

My dad, Aki, had short jet black hair and eyes to match rarely asked but he noticed that I was late so it was expected. My other dad, Tatsuo, was the complete opposite with bright and blond hair and dark red eyes.

"Hey kid, how was school? You came home later than usual." Dad Aki rarely asked about my day but he noticed I was late so it should be expected.

"Yeah why are you so late? Is there a guy I don't know about? You know you're supposed to always tell me (Y/N)." Dad Tatsuo loved knowing what was happening with my life and I loved talking to him about it.

"Basically, I might've accidentally gotten myself involved with the Karasuno volleyball team as a practice player and helper." I responded to them.

"That's great, you get to be around more girls your age." Dad Aki picked up a cup and sipped on his drink.

"Men's volleyball team," I added to explain.

Dad Aki spat out and almost choked on his drink and started coughing as dad Tatsuo laughed and patted his back. Once dad Aki was able to speak, he didn't waste a second.

"So you're surrounded by guys before and after school on most days? Alright just remember to be safe and use-"

I cut off dad Aki, "NOTHING OF THAT TYPE WILL BE HAPPENING!"

Dad Tatsuo laughed even harder and started wiping tears from his eyes. He finally calmed down and spoke, "If that's it then I approve."

"There's another issue. I met a boy-" I was cut off and dad Aki started speaking

"As I said, make sure you use a-"

"NOTHING IS GOING TO HAPPEN DAD!" I yelled out with a small laugh that he'd even think of the idea.

He backed off and nodded mouthing the words okay, okay. Dad Tatsuo started snickering again and I shook my head at my dork parents.

"As I was saying, I met this boy that I won't be doing anything you think I will with. The problem is that we have a string connection." I looked down but was able to see dad Tatsuo look wide eyed and lean closer to me.

"The problem depends on the color! Is it red or blue!?" Dad Tatsuo almost jumped out in excitement at me finally finding a string connection.

"Neither, it's gray." I spoke in a quiet voice and looked up.

My dads looked at each other and back at me.

"You'll figure out what that means in time, it's a new finding." Dad Tatsuo spoke up and gave me a smile.

"Thanks dads, I'm going to do my homework." I walked to my room and took out my bag.

All through my homework and the rest of my day I couldn't get Tanaka and the gray string out of my head. What does that even signal to? Why the delinquent one of all people? I just hoped I'd get answers before the year ended.

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A/N: Tanaka is criminally underrated and needs more love! Hope you enjoy what's to come of this soulmate AU! Updates every Sunday.