No Touching Here, Kuroo

This novel will be published on August 28, with a 10,000-word update dropping that day~ ▎Pairing: Kuroo Shimizu Toge, a first-year student at Nekoma Private High School in Tokyo. Male. Once a highly acclaimed junior men’s singles figure skater, he suddenly vanished from the rink one day, with no trace of him left behind. When he reappeared, he was the cool, aloof, all-around-talented manager of the boys’ volleyball club, known as a “beauty” with a severe case of cleanliness mania. A “glacier” too beautiful to approach. Shimizu Toge has a secret. He suffers from severe [fear of touch] and [skin hunger]. Touching other people makes him break out in a rash, and in severe cases, even feel nauseated. He’ll avoid anyone who gets even a little too close. He is stingy with hugs, handshakes, and even allowing others near him. In truth, he longs more than anything for normal touch, embraces, and communication. Until one night, Shimizu Toge dreamed he had become a cat someone adopted. A pair of hands kneaded and squeezed him. No matter how much he tried to push them away, they wouldn’t stop, until he was trembling all over. The pleasure and the memories lingered, leaving him yearning for the warmth of those hands. Shimizu Toge had always assumed it was just a case of dreaming about what he thought about all day. Then, during a practice match, a volleyball suddenly came flying at him from the court. He couldn’t dodge in time and was about to be hit. When a pair of large hands suddenly grabbed him and pulled him into someone’s arms. Before a scolding could leave his lips, the corners of his eyes had turned red, and an uncontrollable, quiet gasp escaped him. Only afterward did he realize those hands had exactly the same warmth as the ones in his dream. Kuroo Tetsuro had grabbed Shimizu Toge on reflex. A beat later, remembering how much Toge hated being touched casually, he laughed awkwardly, apologized, and started to let go. Then he looked down and saw Toge gently holding his arm. The “ice-cold beauty” who always kept everyone at a distance had red-rimmed eyes, pressed lips, and bright eyes brimming with tears and longing. “Please… touch me a little more.” In the almost deathly silence, the certain spiky-haired high school boy heard the sound of fireworks going off in his heart. ▎A cool-faced, adorable, androgynous long-haired figure-skating beauty bottom × a warm, shameless, carnivorous, scheming office-worker top with a rooster-comb haircut ▎Notes before reading: Major note: This is a [romance-focused story]. Romance makes up 90%+ of the plot. This is not a sports competition story! The romance is the main focus, and the love story is the whole point! If this isn’t for you, please make a quick exit before the chapters go behind a paywall! 1. Lots of out-of-character moments and headcanons. Romance is the focus, with little volleyball or figure skating. 2. Everyday slice-of-life, slow pacing, drawn-out plot, and a silly sweet romance. Please be gentle~ 3. No writing advice, please. I’m not a research fanatic, so don’t nitpick the details. 4. The cover uses a template purchased from an artist. The character design is not exclusive. Plot decided on February 18, 2024. Blurb finalized on March 20, 2024, and screenshotted. Theme: Treat feelings seriously.