AN: Hooray Spring Break has finally begun for me! So what a perfect way to start it off by posting a new chapter! I felt sick earlier and just didn't want to do anything, but I'm almost better now.
Also in case you haven't noticed yet, I edited chapter two in the section discussing Tia's sexuality. I've been wanting to change it and now I have! I've explained my reasoning for this change in more depth in that chapter so make a quick stop there if you can! In the meantime, enjoy!
Chapter 9: Not a Date
Tsukishima will admit that he's a complicated person. He's also aware of his actions toward the people he meets.
He knows he's rude. He knows he's cynical. He knows he's not the nicest, most confiding person to walk the planet, that he's also a bit of a sadist, taking joy in other people's suffering for his own entertainment.
And yes, he knows these traits aren't what most people would look for in a friend. To that, he'd say he's pretty much okay with that, never the type who is social to begin with. Besides, he finds that too many friends, having to be around them constantly, would only give him a headache.
The volleyball team is a good example. Not that he's friends with any of them, except for Yamaguchi. Yachi is okay, but only because Yamaguchi is in a relationship with her so he has to tolerate her.
That's just the kind of person Tsukishima Kei is.
Still, discourteous as he is, there's always a line drawn. He respectful towards his seniors, he's mean but not cruel, and anyone who's either suspicious, dangerous, or just gives off a bad vibe that would make the tall blonde uncomfortable, he stays away from them, wanting nothing to do with them.
Unfortunately, that line was crossed with Harriet Thompson. From the get-go, he knew she was bad news and knew she's the kind of person he wouldn't be able to handle. But she was also a stranger, and usually with strangers, you only meet them once with a rare chance of meeting them a second time. On Sunday, it was all fair game for him to claim that CD by any means possible and not suffer the consequences in the future.
That's what he hoped for.
But that's not what he got.
Some deity up there really wanted to make his life shit by having that same girl appear the next day at his school, not only as a new student, but also as his classmate. When Yamaguchi told him that was karma, he really wanted to punch him.
That girl however seemed to want to do more than just punch him whenever they encounter. The past week had been hell. Moments like these he wishes he could change his snarky behavior, or just shut up entirely, because for some reason he couldn't whenever he faces her, resulting in adding dangerous amounts of fuel to the fire. Let's just say he had many close calls from her occurring wrath.
Friday was the worst however. So many scenarios happened, and he didn't know how to feel about it.
On campus, an idiot first year, one of those giant rebel punks that think they're all high and mighty, apparently knows how to speak English and knows just what to say to hit on an American girl. As Harriet walked by, he calls to her saying, and these were the exact words Tsukishima heard,
"Hey baby! Come here! Bring that hot ass over here!"
As you can see, his sources could only have been from very distasteful Western films on the internet. Or Western porn. That's a close second.
Also his English was terrible.
Of course most students may have gotten the 'Hey baby! Come here!' part, but not the rest. Tsukishima could bet that almost no one knew exactly what he said, but can assume that what he said must not be good at all.
One clue would be the creepy smug grin the asshat wore on his face. Another bigger clue would be the way Harriet halted in her tracks. And just stood there. Silent. A dark air clouded around her, foreboding and probably suffocating to be close to.
That should be enough of a warning sign, alarm bells practically screaming to get the fuck away, but that punk was either blind or too incredibly stupid, truly believing he's got a score on that hot American chick. Two of his friends were cheering him on from behind and it was just painful to watch.
"Come here baby~"
The words even made Tsukishima cringe. Hell, Tanaka and Nishinoya had more class than that; had more respect towards women.
Harriet still remained quiet, not saying a word, and he remembers the way her hand gripped tightly on the shoulder strap of her guitar case before slowly turning around and making her way towards the guy in even strides, her face unreadable. The ring-leader and his pack were just giddy as she stood before him, ignoring the fact that her knuckles have turned white and how she was still ominously silent.
But it doesn't stop there. Oh no, that's not the worst of it. Because the creep reached out and brushed his hand over her cheek, his thumb across her painted lips and Tsukishima never felt so disgusted in his life. How dare she let that Neanderthal lay his filthy fingers on her, allow him touch her like that when he's proven that he's just as smooth and suave as sandpaper! He didn't know why he reacted so badly to it, just that he hopes to never see it happen again. It could be because he was raised to always be respectful to girls, especially when in a relationship (though he's never been in one and doesn't plan to anytime soon) and that went against everything his mother taught him. It's the only explanation. The point is he didn't like it.
And when the guy licked his lips, that had been the final straw for him. The same for Harriet, finally deciding she's had enough, and Tsukishima witnessed the most satisfying beatdown he had ever seen. In the end, the guy scrambled away with a busted lip and a bloody nose (maybe some bruises in his stomach), his buddies having to help support him during his escape while yelling curses at her over their shoulders. She gave them the finger.
Harriet didn't seem like herself for the rest of the day. Word of the fight spread rapidly and she got called to the office. Tsukishima found out from Hinata, who found out from Kenta, that the reason why she got called to the office was because the same idiot she dealt with played the victim card to the nurse, saying that he only wanted to learn more English from her and got bullied for speaking it badly. Despite trying her best to explain how it really happened, about the fact that she'd been sexually harassed and that lying scumbag knew exactly what he was doing, she got detention and two days suspension, whereas the 'victim' in question only received detention.
"Oi, cheer up Hinata! Thompson's a tough chick, so see can handle herself just fine," Tanaka says during afterschool practice.
What has to be taken to account concerning Hinata Shouyo in volleyball is whatever mood he's in deeply reflects how he plays. In this case, the boy happened to miss his spikes (something that deeply displeases Kageyama) and that he gets overly distracted to a point where it's not uncommon to have to repeat yourself twice, sometimes three times, before he gets what you're telling him. Sometimes it pains Tsukishima to see how easy it is to read Hinata.
"I know that!" Hinata pouts, but then quickly turns downcast to the ball held loosely in his grip. "It's just not fair."
"Heeey, if it makes you feel better, Hiroki is currently hacking into all of the guy's social media accounts!" says Nishinoya, grinning wolfishly.
"Ehhh? Really?"
"Yup! I saw the damage he did to his Facebook. Dude, if I were that bastard, I'd stay out of the internet for a while."
"Wow, Hiroki is so cool!"
"I know right?!"
"I'm starting to think he's a bad influence…" Daichi mutters from a distance, chugging down his bottle of water after having their first bout of exercises.
Suga smiles. "Well even so, it's not like his influence will make them want to become successful underground hackers."
Tsukishima snorts. "Of course not. Considering their grades, that would be impossible."
Daichi hums. "That is true. So we have nothing to worry about then."
Sitting against the wall next to Tsukishima, Yamaguchi taps his shoulder and spoke in a low whisper. "Hey Tsukki, you know tomorrow is Saturday right?"
The blonde's brows furrowed. "What of it?"
He feels sweat develop in the back of his neck when his friend gives him a perplexed look. Was something important happening tomorrow? Tsukishima thinks back on it.
Then it hits him like a two ton truck. He groans, burying his face in his palm.
"Fuck."
Because of that helpful reminder, the rest of his day was garbage. Literal raw sewage. Not even successfully angering his rowdy teammates by commenting on their intelligence lifted his spirits.
Tsukishima was thankful for walking home alone today. Yamaguchi and Yachi had planned another date so it's just himself.
Saturday. He's not looking forward to it. Hopefully, due to Harriet's mood, she might not be up for it and would want to cancel the arrangement. Otherwise, tomorrow will be full of awkwardness, discomfort, and if Tsukishima acts like himself, he might end up in the hospital. It wouldn't've been much of a problem if it weren't for that disgusting prick, and Tsukishima will feel no remorse if his life gets ruined by whatever that hacker posted in his accounts.
He reaches home, immediately shuffles to his room and drops his weight onto his bed, fatigued from volleyball and filled with dread of what awaits him in the future.
Maybe he should call her and tell her to forget about owing him.
Bad idea.
First off, he doesn't have her number and just talking to her in general is not a good option at the moment.
He could just not show up, but she's made it clear that if he did that, there will be hell to pay and angering her further is also not an option.
So what other option does he have? None that he can think of.
Why did he have to be put through this?
Mulling in despair, he jolts when he feels his phone buzz in his pocket. He makes a noise, not in the mood to deal with whoever it is that decided to text him, but fishes for his device anyway. He lies on his back and glares at the screen above him. His eyebrows shoot upwards at the unknown number, but mostly at the text message.
[ Hi Debbie! Guess who? ;D ]
If it weren't for that horrible nickname, he wouldn't be able to guess who the text was from, but knowing who this is didn't make him feel better in the slightest.
How did Harriet get his number? He doesn't recall giving it to her. Did someone give it to her? Heck, why did she even want his number? Does… Does she know where he lives too? Tsukishima suddenly did not feel safe.
Before he could contemplate whether or not to answer the text (and to maybe search somewhere online to see if there's anything that can repel his house from witches in case if it turns out she does know where he lives), he hears his mother call him down for dinner. He sighs. He abandons his phone on his bed, changes into his house clothes, and leaves his room. Maybe food will help clear his mind. It's the only thing he can rely on.
About an hour later, he returns feeling marginally better (his mom had made his favorite today) and picking up his phone, he was greeted with new texts.
[ In case you freak out, Hinata-chan gave me your number. No sorcery here ]
[ He didn't tell me where you live so you can rest easy on that ]
[ For now :) ]
[ Just kidding I don't really want to know where you live. It's bad enough I have your number ]
[ Not answering huh ]
[ That's fine. Until you reply, enjoy a photo montage of adorable puppies ]
Tsukishima thought not to dwell on how she knew he had that thought, that it was just an ironic, unfunny coincidence and he's not at all transparent, while scrolling down pictures of a fluffy white dog. There was even a few of the dog playing volleyball with Hinata and his little sister.
[ Jun sent me those. I just can't believe Hinata has a smaller, cuter version of himself! ]
[ *insert intense squeals here* ]
[ Miki is her name btw. The Samoyed. She will one day be a model ]
Tsukishima typed a reply, seeing he probably should or there will be no end to this.
{ I hate dogs }
[ Wow ]
[ I am offended and I'm not even a dog ]
{ You sure about that? }
[ How cute, a comedian. Thanks for reminding me how much I hate you ]
Tsukishima quirked his lips at that and continues typing.
{ No problem }
{ You mind explaining why you're bothering me in the first place? }
For a while, Harriet doesn't answer, and Tsukishima finds himself waiting patiently.
[ About tomorrow ]
[ You said you have practice that day and we should meet at the mall in the evening ]
[ I'm gonna need a more specific time than that ]
[ Would've asked you earlier but shit happened ]
{ Hinata said you got suspended }
[ Don't remind me ]
{ Are you alright? }
Tsukishima typed that before realizing it and had already sent it before he could take it back. Minutes pass and Harriet doesn't answer again. He curses. Way to make it more awkward. Way to let her know you're actually worried about her wellbeing. She won't think you're on something. And why would he ask that? Of course she's not alright! He was there!
He feels his phone buzz during his self-rant and hesitantly glances back at the screen.
[ I'm fine. Thanks I guess ]
[ Still need the time ]
Simple as that and it's obvious she's not fine and doesn't want to discuss it further, at least not with him. In short, he screwed up.
{ We'll meet at the entrance at six }
[ Cool. Be there, or else ]
Tsukishima sensed that was the end of their discussion and exhaled heavily before burying his face in his pillow.
He is not looking forward to tomorrow.
In all honesty, he doesn't want anything from her. He only brought it up to tease her and amused himself in her humiliation. Now it's not funny anymore.
Tomorrow became today faster than he had wanted.
He arrived late to practice on purpose, mumbled an excuse that he slept through his alarm, ignored Yamaguchi's worried glance, glared hatefully at Hinata, and just focused on volleyball. Because he remained completely focused, wanting so hard to momentarily forget, his blocks were more brutal. Even Tanaka had a hard time getting passed him.
"Wow! I don't know what's gotten into you Tsukishima, but that was awesome!" the second year commented. "Don't worry, you still haven't one-upped me yet!"
Tsukishima only huffs and continues on his defense.
Soon, break time rolled around and Shimizu and Yachi were serving sandwiches to the team's delight. After having to assure Daichi and Sugawara that he was fine, annoyed, he returned next to Yamaguchi on the floor, biting into his portion his friend had saved for him. Thankfully, Yamaguchi chooses not to query him like the others, though his concerned look still lingered on his face. Funny how Tsukishima for once decides to give his one hundred percent and the team immediately thinks something's wrong with him. They're not wrong, but like hell he's going to admit it.
"Wait! I just realized something!" Nishinoya began shouting out of nowhere, startling everyone. He aimed his index finger at the speckled blonde. "Tsukishima! Don't you have a date with that scary chick today?"
He choked in his sandwich.
"EEEEEHHHHHHHH?!" shouted the whole team while Tsukishima fisted his chest, coughing harshly.
The libero nods. "Yeah, because I remember back on Tuesday, Tsukishima and Thompson had a conversation about that, which resulted in Tanaka having to save his ass before she pummeled him. Then later in the auditorium, she finally accepts and said to meet on Saturday or else she'd punch him in the face."
"Ooh I remember that now!" Tanaka says. Hinata and Kageyama gave respective nods, also remembering.
"That sounds like a pretty unhealthy relationship…" Asahi states nervously.
"Hey, is that how kids are asking each other out these days?" Ukai whispers to Takeda in a distance from the students.
The advisor forces a low chuckle. "I surely hope not."
"H-Hold on, you got it all wrong! Thompson and Tsukki are not dating!" Yamaguchi tries to explain. "She just owes him a favor that's all."
The group stares at him. Meanwhile, Tsukishima tries to pointedly ignore two pairs of eyes drilling into his skull, coming from his captains.
"Soooo she owes him a date," Tanaka speaks up.
"It's not a date!"
"You seem to be defending him way too much," Nishinoya accuses. "Tsukishima's a man isn't he? Let him speak for himself! So Tsukishima, out with it! Are you two dating or not?"
Now all eyes were on him, and inside he was yelling every curse word he knew at Nishinoya and all the idiots around him until they burst into flames in his mental vision. Outside, he remained silent and he gave himself kudos for maintaining his pokerfaced expression because he knew he was just centimeters away from snapping.
"Even if I was, why would that be any of your business?"
"Ha! So you admit it!"
"I didn't admit anything. You're just drawing stupid conclusions and I don't have to explain anything to you."
With that, he stands and leaves the group, making his way over to Ukai and asking if he could excuse himself early. The coach lets him pass and Tsukishima quickly exits the court building to the clubrooms, not looking back until he hears Yamaguchi's voice behind him.
"Wait, Tsukki!" he catches up to him.
"What now?" This time, Tsukishima doesn't hide his irritation. If it's just Yamaguchi, he can be open with his feelings. Just a little.
"Well um…" Yamaguchi slightly hesitates. "Y-You know, you really don't have to go through with this. Thompson-san's probably still going through a rough time and likely doesn't want to either so maybe you two can cancel it, or at least postpone it maybe?"
"We already set up a meeting at six, which is hours away. Plus, doing that would upset her."
Yamaguchi looked confused. "Why would it?"
Tsukishima shrugs and smiles derisively. "Because I forced her to keep her word."
After gathering his stuff in the clubroom, he exits Karasuno High and heads for home while Yamaguchi and the rest of the team continue practicing. He announces his arrival when he enters the household.
"Ah Kei, you're home early," his mother greets him with a kind smile.
Tsukishima nods. "I got plans later."
"With a girl I hope."
Seeing the boy's paled face, she laughs. "Kidding! Though you should think about it Kei. You're not getting any younger."
He nods stiffly before retreating to his room and tosses himself on the bed. He groans. If his mother were to find out that he'll indeed be spending part of his evening with a girl, she'll have a field day. She'll mistake it for a date, she'll want to meet this girl, have her come over for dinner, and just melt into a puddle of happiness as she coos over how they make such a 'cute couple'.
Tsukishima feels a bile rise up in his throat. He loves his mom, but he does not want her knowing about this if that'd be the end result. He does not want to deal with Harriet more than he has to.
Sighing, he closes his eyes, deciding to rest for a bit before getting up to take a quick shower and get ready to meet his demise.
"…Say what now?"
Junichi sighs. "Trust me, I was just as surprised about this as you are."
Masami tilts her head. "Shouldn't you be worried?"
The boy forces a smile. "Words cannot describe how conflicted I feel right now."
"Conflicted about what little bro?" Scott chooses that moment to waltz into the family studio, located a floor below the music shop. Junichi and Masami were using it to practice, whereas Hiroki was needed to assist in his family's party store, and Takeo is usually unavailable in the weekends.
"About Hari-chan."
"Oh. Yeah she's been acting weird. She's been holed up in her room all day despite our dads saying she's not grounded. I mean sure, she got suspended, but it was unfair, she's not in trouble, so if I were her, I'd take this opportunity to do whatever the hell I want before going back to school. So what's with her today?"
Junichi and Masami glanced at one another.
"He doesn't know?" she asks.
Jun sighs. "I figured it'd be bad if he did."
Scott's eyes glinted, grin splitting his face as he claps happily. "Oooh secrets! I love secrets, especially if it's about the bastard witch! What is it? Tell me! I promise I won't tell!"
Jun highly doubts that, but knows he'd find out eventually.
"It's a long story," he begins. "To put it in abbreviation, she met this guy the day I gave her a tour around town and he turns out to be a student at our school, and her classmate. She hates him. A lot. And sometime during the week, Hari-chan wounds up owing him for recovering her lost phone. And they plan to do that today."
Scott hums, nodding, absorbing all the information before asking, "And why doesn't she just say 'Hell no!' and, well punch him or something?"
Jun sighs again, scratching his head. "I don't know. I wasn't there when all that stuff happened."
"Do you at least know who he is?"
"Tsukishima or something. I don't know him, but I do know he's one of Hinata's teammates."
"Tsukishima…" Scott mutters, brows furrowed. He crosses his arms and stares at the ceiling. "Why do I feel I've heard that name before?"
"Huh? You know who he is?" Junichi asks, surprised.
"No but thinking back, while working I recall someone mentioning that name to me a few times. And I have met someone with the same last name, but he has job so he couldn't be the one you're talking about," He shrugs. "Unless they're related."
"What is your job exactly?" Masami asks curiously.
"I'm glad you asked mi 'lady!" Scott pulls out a business card in his shirt pocket and hands it to her. Masami takes the card and reads the red print.
"Freelance Dj/Entertainer?"
"One of the best might I add," he says assertively, giving her a wink. "Ever need someone to spice up a party or event, I'm your guy."
"Nevermind the fact that he takes advantage of his foreign background and family status to gain more recognition." Jun's sarcasm was evident.
Scott gives him a hard look. "You sayin' I got no skill?"
"No, or else you wouldn't have been Takeo's tutor, but flaunting about how you're a nephew of a great American rock star does leave a bad taste don't you think?"
"Hey, we live in a competitive world. Success don't come easy. Hell, I've meet people who lie in order to make it to the top. It's crazy! You kids will soon see what I mean."
"My parents encounter frauds all the time in their jobs, so I can understand," says Masami.
"See? She gets it. But enough about me and how I run my business," Scott says before Jun could counter argue. "Back to Harriet, l say we play a game."
"Already I do not like this," Jun mutters. "Whatever it is, we're not-"
"Let's hear it," Masami speaks over him.
"Hah?!"
Scott slaps his knee, laughing. "I like you Masami-chan! And don't worry little bro, you'll find this game befitting for your concern over Harriet."
"Oh really?" Jun raised a brow, challenging.
"Oh yeah." Scott grins mischievously. "The game we're playing is Detective. I want to know more about this Tsukishima guy and why Harriet's having such a hard time pummeling him."
Meanwhile...
On his way to the town mall, Tsukishima sneezes. He sniffs and rubs his nose, then zips up his jacket.
Why does he get the feeling this will not end well?
AN: You know, Tsukishima is one of those people you dislike but kind of like at the same time but you just don't know why, at least that's how it is for me. Now I just need to find out why people like Oikawa so much. I feel like I failed to notice something while watching the episodes. Please help.
Anyway, hope you enjoyed this read and stay tuned for more!
