i just really really really really really love this…. because for the longest time i always felt like kuroo was the shyer one and i had a lowkey headcanon that he had selective mutism but i just thought i was projecting onto him bc he just didn’t seem the type but i was right my instincts rang true… i can spot one of us from a mile away…
kenma says kuroo “had it worse” than himself, and we think “wtf but kenma was Like That” but… kuroo literally cannot talk to kenma when they first meet. he struggles to introduce himself, which he barely accomplishes before trailing off, unable to finish talking. and he’s likely speaking very very quiet here, too (considering how kenma later comments that he is able to raise his voice, shown below). all of the following panels, the ‘montage’ of them hanging out, are all in silence. kenma speaks, kuroo doesn’t. even when asked a question, kuroo responds by bringing up his volleyball and answering in a nonverbal manner.
he only starts speaking to kenma when they’re playing volleyball - in an environment where kuroo feels familiar, safe, and relaxed. his social anxiety is eased enough to start talking to kenma, even raising his voice.
(^ which also supports the point i made earlier about kuroo talking softly)
volleyball is clearly a source of comfort and familiarity for kuroo. then here it implies that kuroo only really spoke to others (new people) when it was about volleyball:
“he started to be able to talk about all things not related to volleyball”
aka….. he was able to become verbal with others about things other than his special interest!
and more evidence:
“…..i don’t do well in new places…”
when kenma suggests kuroo tries looking for a new volleyball team, kuroo goes silent. he doesn’t do well in new places. re: he has crazy anxiety in new places and meeting new people. which is why he invites kenma to the volleyball thing - he already knows and is comfortable with kenma. anyone with social anxiety can understand the pure terror of going someplace new by yourself. he deliberately asks kenma to go with him because he’s too nervous otherwise! kenma is his support here.
and even though kuroo (obviously) becomes verbal and overcomes a good portion of his social anxiety, he still has many residuals of mutism! the biggest example is in the beginning of this very chapter:
kenma directly says that kuroo’s talking a lot. meaning more than usual. meaning he doesn’t talk a lot to begin with! even though he’s “verbal” and is able to effectively communicate with strangers, he still doesn’t talk a lot in general.
and i dont feel like gathering more screencaps rn cuz it’s late, but! it’s also evident in the way he acts around different people. around people he’s closer with he’s more relaxed, goofy, and open with his expressions. in larger groups (or around unfamiliar people), that “cool” personality that the fandom loves to enhance and sexualize is more apparent. it’s him being more closed off: his affect is reduced, he masks himself a teensy bit more, he talks a bit less (i.e. makes more short, snarky remarks rather than engage in long conversation).
but yea. my instincts were right and kuroo had/has selective mutism.