Fortuitous
Chapter One
Happy Birthday
Inhale, exhale.
Inhale, exhale.
Inhale, exhale.
Everything is going to be alright. It's okay, I'm sure I can do this. How hard can it be? I just need to ring the bell, ask for Kageyama, take him away from his home, and bring him back after I get the text from Yachi. It's easy, right?
OF COURSE NOT!
First, I'm not even friends with Kageyama. Yes, he and I are in the same grade and we somehow are also in the same class, but I'm quite sure I never had any conversations with him. The two of us have what they call 'the height barrier'. I'm a small and short girl with only 143 cm to back me up while he's probably around forty centimeters away from me; having conversation with him will break my neck.
Second, what in the world am I supposed to do when he asked me how I ended up in his place? Will he believe me if I say I am lost and miraculously find his family's nameplate? Yeah, sure. As if there's only one family with the name sign Kageyama in Miyagi.
Third, I need him to be away from his home. Why? It's because my dear friend Yachi asked me so. Apparently, the volleyball club wanted to surprise Kageyama in his house and they need someone to distract him. Guess who's the lucky someone is.
The longer I wait, the harder it became. What if he didn't recognize me? What if he thought I was a stalker? Is he going to be disgusted at me? What if—
You know what? Listing all these things won't do me anything. It's getting late. If only I didn't nod at Yachi and Hinata… Ugh, both of their excitement clouded my judgement that time.
Preparing both my mental and my point finger, I pushed the bell.
One second passed.
Two seconds passed.
Three seconds passed.
Well, that's it. Maybe it's destiny. Maybe I'm not the right one to do this task. It wasn't my fault nobody answered the bell, I should inform Yachi that no one replied and then—
"Oh? Hello there." It was a female's voice. When I looked up to see the person who opened the door and shattered my final hope, I saw a grown up woman smiling politely at me. If I have to guess, I think she's Kageyama's mother. "You must be Kageyama's friend."
"Huh?" I blinked, before snapping from my thoughts, "I mean- yes! My name is Aonuma Arisu." I politely bow at her, "Yachi and Hinata told me they already informed you about the surprise."
The woman in front of me smile. "Yes, they did."
Thank goodness. I was skeptical when they told me Kageyama's mother already knew about the plan.
"Don't you want to come in first? It must be freezing out there."
"Huh?" Wait a minute, come in? What- Haven't she knew the plan? I was supposed to bring Kageyama out of his house…
Before I could question her, she began to talk again. "Come in," She gestured for me to follow her, the door opened slightly wider. "I insist."
"But I thought Yachi and Hinata asked me to—" My voice trailed off seeing Kageyama's mother thrilled face. What's with everyone and their excitement lately?
"Just rest a bit in here, okay?" Kageyama's mother had the same tone as my mother when she uttered her final decision. "I always wanted to have a daughter and I always bought many cute utilities. It's too bad this household only had one middle aged woman and two man." The woman pouted, explaining her dismay.
"Oh..." I know where this is going. A mother who wants a daughter but she's only surrounded by her husband and her son. In short, she wants someone to play dollhouse with her. Guess who that lucky someone is? I feel my luck is in the middle of vacation, considering it never shows its existence lately. "Um… Okay, but I have to tell Yachi that I'm going to stay here for a little bit."
"Really? Oh, thank you so much!" Her eyes twinkled in enthusiasm, "I know that you're a kind girl!" She patted my shoulder. Now I'm one hundred percent positive that Kageyama got his personality from his father. Considering his mother's personality, the famous saying about 'the opposite attracts' must true. I bet their love story is cute.
"Yes. And it's quite cold out there, so I guess taking some rest isn't bad." I agreed, giving her a smile. When you're talking with an easygoing person, it's easy to be friendly.
Except Kageyama's mother is a little bit too friendly.
As I went inside, her mother has led me upstairs room. I didn't get it at first, I went through their living room already, why is she bringing me upstairs?
Realization hits me when she stopped her steps on a particular door. She knocked few times before starting to open her mouth, "Tobio! Open the door!"
The color drained from my face, "Wait!" I half shouted, halting her movements.
Oh, no. This isn't a joke anymore. What am I going to do? My presence right here, in this house itself is already an anomaly and now she wants me to spend time with her son in his room while she's brewing tea and preparing some snacks?
I just made two grave mistakes in a week. If I thought getting Kageyama away from his home is difficult, then where is the level 'sitting on the couch in his house and trying to make a decent conversation' stands?
Is it the right time to panic? Can I just run away? It's still 3 o'clock in the evening, usually I'm still laying on my bed and lazing around, playing with my phone. But now? I'm putting myself in a situation where I want to dig a hole and hide inside of it. If this ever goes wrong, I'm going to live the rest of my high school life in Karasuno High being talked about this.
But it's too late. Running is not an option anymore. Damn it, Yachi and Hinata didn't tell me it would be this difficult!
I wasn't mentally prepared. And moreover, I didn't expect the sound of heavy footsteps frantically getting closer and a voice that sounds awfully familiar to Kageyama Tobio, saying, "I'm coming!"
You know what? To hell with it.
As the sound of footsteps growing louder each seconds, I inhaled a deep breath. This is it, I'm going to roll with whatever he's going to say.
"What did you need, moth-" I heard his voice was halted, when the door opened, his eyes darting away from his mother's figure towards me.
"Hey…." I gave a slight, awkward smile as I raised my right arm to greet him. He looked at me, eyebrows knitted together before he looks towards his mother again.
His face tilted towards me once more before he pointed at me, "How-"
"She's your classmate, isn't she?" Kageyama's mother clarified, smiling sweetly as she swayed away her son's confusion. Inwardly, I feel grateful towards Kageyama mother's quick judgement. I wouldn't know how to answer him. "She's a guest, I'm going to the kitchen really quick to prepare some snacks so assist her for a bit."
Kageyama was about to question her, but decided not to do so after seeing his mother's face, which is the same expression my mom uses when she was very… Demanding.
When his mother went downstairs, Kageyama looked at me once more before opening his door wider, inviting me in. "Come in."
Oh no, I've never went inside a boy's room in my whole life! Except my dad's room, which is also my mom's room so that doesn't count… Wait a minute, that's not the point-
My thoughts were stopped with a hand waving in front of my face, Kageyama arching an eyebrow at my distracted state. I yelped in comprehensions, "S-Sorry!"
Great, Arisu, you just made a very strange impression to your classmate. Way to go.
"So, are you going to come inside?"
I nodded, bracing myself as I decided to just go along with whatever is happening right now. I didn't sign up for this, forsake! Right now, all that matter is surviving.
"You can sit here," He gestured towards the empty space of his room. I followed him and did as he was told.
I looked around his room. It was quite neat and minimalist, very boyish. As expected, a boy's room gives off a different vibe. I also saw a volleyball on the corner of the room, he must really like volley…
Ah, that's right. I brought a gift for him today. Remembering this, I say, "Kageyama-san, here!" I handed him a paper bag.
"Huh?" Confusion was written all over his face, asking for justifications.
Seeing him looked so baffled, I also came out puzzled by his clueless expressions. Eyebrows furrowed, I clarified to myself. "Isn't today your birthday?"
He frowned, I frowned. Wait, did I get the date wrong? It was a second of uncomfortable silence as I asked to myself.
Then I inwardly smacked myself in recognition, Of course it isn't! I'VE MET HIS MOTHER FOR GOODNESS SAKE!
I cleared my throat to break to silence, "I mean," I began to correct myself, "Happy birthday, here's your present." I offered the paper bag once more.
Slowly, as if still uncertain, he accepted the gift. "Uh… Thanks."
It was back to awkward silence for few moments. I was getting itchy to go back home, the only thing stopping me was the Yachi and Hinata in my mind. As I was starting to fight with my own mind, I heard Kageyama started to speak.
"Um," He began, "I've been meaning to ask you this but… How do you know my address?"
Straight to the point.
"Err…" I stuttered, "So actually, I was planning to go to a park around this household, but I got lost and I accidentally found a house with a family nameplate 'KAGEYAMA' written on it. Then I decided I should brace myself to press the bell hoping it was your house because I have no idea how to get back?" The last sentence turns out more like a question, rather than a statement.
He diverted his gaze towards the paper bag, before shoving it in front of me. "Then… This…?"
"T-That was something I coincidentally brought with me…. Hahaha…" I laughed nervously, cold sweats started to trail all over my skin as I struggled to keep my compose.
Will he believe me? My thoughts screamed.
"But… About my birthday-"
I abruptly stood up, "I-I want to go to the park!" I half-shouted out of reflex and anxiety. Crap! This is bad, I forgot all the reasons I've prepared and decided to answer with the most unbelievable answer available!
Kageyama looked at me in distrust, obviously still not buying my reason. Goddamn it, whatever! I grabbed his arm as I pulled towards the door. Instinctively, I ran outside while still holding his hand, my thoughts were all jumbled and all I know is to get him the hell out of his house.
After who knows how long, the arm I was grabbing wouldn't budge anymore. I curtly stopped my step, still not brave enough to look behind. "Uh… We're already in the park."
I was forced to look at his face to reply, and that was when I realized the height differences between us. Oh God, how fearless was I to pull him harshly like that when he could literally step my whole body with one foot… I just hope he wasn't angry.
"Oh… Right…" I answered clumsily, looking around the park. Anything will do right now, I just need something to help me out very uncomfortable and fishy situation…
My sight caught a slide few meter away in the left. That's it! A slide! The height could help me out from the height barrier and I can buy some time by going there…
Without a second thought, I climbed the slide and sighed in relief. Kageyama was looking at me weirdly, obviously flabbergasted. I needed to explain so he won't misunderstand. But before I did, reality dawned in me.
Height?!
Oh my god, I'm afraid of heights! How can I forgot something that crucial?!
I looked around in panic. Oh no, this is bad. This is very, very bad. What should I do?! I want to go down but I'm also too afraid to look below me. Am I going to be stuck in here forever?
Kageyama, upon seeing my internal struggle and my shocked look, seem to grasp the situation. Before I even know it, I felt my whole body go light and strands of black locks tickling my cheek. I look below me to see Kageyama has already lifted me up. Before I could comprehend the situation, he put me on the ground.
I looked at Kageyama, my head still on clouds as I gaped. W-What just happened…?
Before I could show my appreciation, Kageyama was the one to put the both of us on the same level of height. "Are you alright?" He asked.
"Oh! Right," I fumbled my words, "Thank you."
I looked down, embarrassed. That's right, I should've made him adjust his height instead…
I looked around again, finding something that's not too high this time for me to handle. That was the time my eyes caught the sight of a swing. I'm not making any mistake this time!
I tugged his shirt, pointing at the swing, hoping he would get the signal. And he did, narrowing his eyes and when his sight landed to the swing. He arched an eyebrow, "So you want to play the swing this time?"
I shook my head, "Not me," I corrected, "You're the one that's going to sit on the swing." I emphasized.
He didn't question me, not even showing a sign of disagreement as he flatly went his way towards the swing. Guess he concluded I'm just a weird person overall.
When he finally sat on the swing, I placed my hand on my hips as I looked at him proudly. "Fufufu, we are on the same height level now." A full feeling of accomplishment surged inside me.
He stared at me, clearly amused. "So that was your intention."
I nodded, feeling satisfied. After all my hard work, finally I erased the 'height barrier' between me and Kageyama.
But… What now?
I must keep him away from his house until I receive Yachi's text. I checked my phone, finding no new message. I contemplated, looking at Kageyama who was waiting for my next foolish action. Whatever, I don't even care what he thinks about me anymore. My image has long been ruined.
"Oh, I know!" I said as an idea popped on my mind, "Since you're on a swing and all, how about I push you?"
"You don't really have to do it," He answers, "I can do it on my own."
My expression dropped, "Oh." I said, disappointment filling the tone of my voice.
Kageyama eyed me for few moments, before sighing in defeat. "Fine. You can push me."
My eyes twinkled in eagerness, dashing towards his back before pushing him mildly at first before picking up the pace.
After few pushes, I checked my phone to see if any new message has been received yet, but none. I looked around the park as I pushed him, thinking of another new plaything if the swing is getting boring.
That's when Kageyama decided to break me away from my thoughts, "So tell me," he began, "What's your true motive dragging me all the way here?"
My shoulder tensed, my face turned dread at his sudden question. I wasn't expecting that. Fortunately, Kageyama wasn't facing me, or he would see my expression at the time and my cover would blow up.
"Oh." I said as calmly as possible, "Um… Actually… The truth is…" I trailed, dragging the words as long as possible as I tried to find a possible answer.
Suddenly, the swinging stopped, his back wouldn't nudge anymore as he halted all my movements. At the exact second, I panicked. Screw Yachi and Hinata, I'm not doing any favor for them anymore. This is bad for my heart.
Kageyama turned around his head, looking at me in the eye as he waited for my answer. "So?" He pressed, and I know any distraction wouldn't work for him anymore.
"I-I…" I started, my palms started to sweat as I looked at his eyes, couldn't quite bring myself to look away.
He has pretty eyes… I like-
"I… Like you?"
Both my eyes and his widened at my sudden slip out. Wait, what kind of absurd sentence did I just stated?!
Okay, recap from the scene. I was looking at his eyes, I like it. They were pretty. I MEANT TO SAY I LIKE HIS EYES TO MYSELF BUT I ACCIDENTALLY BLURTED SOMETHING VERY MISLEADING OUT LOUD!
Oh no, I screw up. He was looking at me, eyes still widened and mouth hanging open, clearly speechless.
"Wait! I accidentally said that out loud!" Great, Arisu, now you make it sounds like you liked him in secrecy. I looked away, frustrating to rearrange my thoughts to make the sentence right. "Ugh, that's not- I mean-"
That's when my phone vibrated on my pocket. Finding it as the only way to escape, I opened my screen to see the name of Yachi written on it. I picked up the phone, not even caring about the bewildered Kageyama, looking at me with his mind still blank.
"Arisu, we've finished! You can bring Kageyama here now."
I hung up abruptly, not even bothering to say anything as I grabbed Kageyama's arms for the second time. This time, the destination was reversed.
"What- Where to-?" I didn't answer him as I pulled him to his house, I was so done with today.
The whole walk was silence, both of us didn't try to start up a conversation. When we arrived in front of Kageyama's house, I let his arm go and rotate my head towards him. I bowed, "Thank you so much for today!" Then I stormed off without expecting for his reply.
AN: Hello guysss! This is my first Haikyuu! fanfiction. Please follow and favorite if you like it. Reviews are also very welcome!