ICan'tThinkOfACleverUsername! Shout out to you! Thank you for following this story even though I barely update it :((( Really thank you so much!
Thank all of you for staying with me on this!
I'll make sure to up my speed now that I have more time writing for the next month! And here we are! Chapter 9! Enjoy!
Disclaimer: Chikae. Though I want more :(
Chikae's eyes pin-point the piece of konyaku alarmingly close to float up to the surface. The girl has already noticed the libero sitting across her, his eyes blazing through the steam.
"Don't think I'll let you get this one so easily," Nishinoya cries out before the start of their battle.
She watches him fall into silence, both amused and confused at the fact that the boy is in his Guardian Deity mode over dinner. She has never taken him lightly, but getting so serious over hot pot when he knows refill is readily available is just-
"Gotcha!" Nishinoya let out a yell before stabbing his chopstick through the soup and pulls out the konyaku piece Chikae has been setting her eyes on.
"You sly bastard!" the girl yelps, watching in shock as he bites down on it.
"It's all your fault that you're not fast enough, Chikae." he smirks and says after hurriedly swallow down the content of his bowl, "Hot pot is war. You've got to be ready to fight."
"It's dinner!"
"Yeah, keep telling yourself that when I get the last piece of konyaku left," he chuckles, a vile smile creeps across his lip.
Chikae looks at the boy, her chopsticks firm in hand, "You wouldn't." she says
"Battle royale, Chikae. Battle royale."
The steam clears from their view and Chikae pierces her gaze through the little gap between two piece of meat. Like I'll let you take the konyaku from me!
She plunges the chopstick forward, but stops dead when Nishinoya takes the spoon and scoops her target away in a swift.
"Hey!" she yells, "That's unfair!"
"I said battle royale," the libero grin, his smug face challenging her, "You are at fault for not being fast enough."
The girl pouts, sitting back down on the chair. He's right. She was naïve to think that chopstick can beat spoon.
"You fought well though," Nishinoya continues, "So here."
He slips half of the konyaku piece into her bowl, smiling brightly as he does so, "This is your reward."
If she says that act did not shake her a bit, Chikae would be lying. That small and seemingly stupid little competition between really made her happy. Is it just her or is there a certain heart-lifting factor to this household? The talks that her dad could not give her, she would receive from Mrs. Nishinoya – the kindest and most wonderful woman she will ever get to be acquaintance with.
Chikae can't really explain it, but she loves this household, badly.
"Y'all ain't kids anymore," huffs, "Sit down and eat properly wouldcha? And Yuu-chan, leave some for your dad okay? He's coming back from work."
"It's not my fault Chikae ate the last konyaku-"
"You sly bastard!"
She thought he was being nice when he gave her that last piece. Nishinoya you-
"Oh?" the libero's mother chuckles lightly, "So it's not Chicchan anymore but Chikae now I see?"
"Wha-"
"I didn't actually realize I was doing that," Nishinoya tilts his head, the hand that still holds his chopstick on his chin. From the blame he just put on her a minute ago, Chikae cannot stop but imagining herself shoving those chopstick up his nostril.
Strange thoughts to have at dinner, but not entirely impossible.
Maybe she'll actually do it. He's got to know she isn't to be messed around with, especially when it has to do with konyaku.
"You can just call him Yuu if you want?" Mrs. Nishinoya suddenly nudges her elbow, smirking.
That takes her by surprise.
The girl never really thought about it, calling him by his first name. She has memories of herself referring to the libero as such, it's just- It feels like she's intruding on lands that aren't hers to walk on.
"I don't mind," Nishinoya shrugs, "I'd actually like you to call me that. Like I got Ryuu calling me Noya-san? It's sort of like that."
And as he says, the boy gazes at her. Chikae feels a tad pressured but it does not appear to be a bad thing. She considers herself close enough with the boy for them to start calling each other on first-name basis. It's just she does not want to do anything that Daichi Kubota would find invasive. Daichi was her, or was a part of her, but she's also separated. Chikae doesn't want to anger any part of her old-self.
"I guess...? If you don't mind, ...Yuu?"
"There we go," Mrs. Nishinoya grins, "Now since we are out of konyaku because of you two. I'm gonna head out to get some, so start studying right after you finish alright?"
"Sorry," Chikae apologize, "Please take care on your way."
The kind woman gives her a smile, and exits, leaving the her and the libero back at the house, awkwardly wonders whether to keep eating or just simply clean up and save his mother another trip out stocking ingredients. She stares at the pot, wondering why the intense gaze from Yuu.
"Thanks for inviting me over for the hot pot," she says, "I had a really great time."
"You can always come over, Chikae," he grins, "We'll always welcome you."
"And I'm sure my dad will do the same too." the girl smiles, "You're probably pretty much the only one he wouldn't feel weird being with under the same house."
Realizing how wrong what she said could be interpreted, Chikae averts her eyes away from Yuu's. She dares not think about how red the libero's face has gotten or how her own will potentially get. She's been staying out of the zone that Daichi Kubota sets up for them. Far away from it.
Then there is Koushi-san as well. She hasn't give him a good enough answer yet. "Okay is what I would like to say but I can't," isn't a good answer. It's a dick answer that Chikae would not like anyone to say to her when she confesses her feelings to them.
She is terrified of the thought that one day she'll have to deal with Yuu's emotions too.
She isn't ready for relationships yet, heck, she isn't ready for anything yet. All she did was decide that she'll start fighting for herself, and for those she cares for. Her path just started. She did not calculate anything that has to do with feelings. Adding to that, the fact that Chikae could not entirely recall everything that has happened in her past along with emotions that goes with since the last time she tried to take her own life and Yuu saved Daichi's- her life makes it even harder for the girl to mentally resolves anything.
"You okay?" The boy's question takes her back to reality, Chikae turns her attention to him, holding up his glass of water, "You looks a bit pale."
"It's nothing," she answers, receiving the cup and sips on it, "I just have something that I needed to sort out."
"Whatever it is, if you need my help. I'm there."
The libero says, his eyes flash under the light. The firm conviction in his voice calm her. how can he be so confident of himself, she must ask. for Chikae it was never easy. But for this boy, it seems like it is a nature.
"Let's start with my study," she smiles, "I still need a lot of help on that."
"Alright!" Yuu cheers, "Let's wrap this up and we'll get to that!"
Δ
"So what is it that you wanted to discuss with me?" Daichi takes his share of the pizza, leaning back on the chair waiting for his friend to start spilling the beans.
Suga has been focused for the last few weeks but the way he was after Chicchan visited them proved he's definitely the opposite. Daichi doesn't want to invade. The setter is very capable of handling himself. However, if Suga looks to him for advices, he must have been under quite a bit. It's unusual to see him under pressure like this outside of the court. Guess, it wouldn't be an impossibility either.
"I think," the third-year setter clicks his tongue, "I got jealous."
"Okay." Daichi comments, amused of the new aspect of his friend.
Suga. Jealous. Haven't seen that before.
"You don't have to look so entertained, you know." the boy chuckles, "Look, there's no way that I can put this in a comprehensive way that doesn't make me look like a child, but I don't like seeing her so close with Nishinoya."
"Oh you're jealous alright."
"Yep," Suga chuckles, sipping on the beer, "Should have met me in 8th grade. I'd be so fun back then."
"You have got to tell me about it."
"Oh I don't think so."
They bursts out in laughter and slows down the sound after the excitement dies. In a way, the captain feels that he's doing wrong to Asahi but even if the guy's here, he'll probably be more stressed out about Suga's problem than able to give advices.
"Look, what I said before stands," Daichi takes his sip of the beer, "Chicchan knows that you like her. Maybe show her that you actually do? The way I see it, Nishinoya is progressing fast because of his nature-"
"You know, this makes me question the very reason why you are still alone right now."
"What do you mean?"
"It's not my place to tell."
Suga smirks, that devilish look that is rare to see coming from him pops up, taunting Daichi. What does he mean by he doesn't know why he's alone? Hell, even the captain asks that himself that question all the time. Why is he still alone?
Well, girlfriend right now might just be a bad idea considering he'll never be able to spend time with her. Suga obviously is capable of handling himself, and Daichi has no say in whatever he decides to do with his love life so, being a pal is actually the best way for him to help his friend.
"Alright, I'm gonna need you to leave." the captain says.
"What?!" Suga seems shocked, "I bought you pizza!"
"And I gave you enlightenment. Now go, drop in on Chicchan and see how she's doing. She just got a full week of suspension from the dean. Might be nice to let her know you are worried rather than telling me that you are."
"Do you have something here that you don't want me to see?" the setter tilts his head, a threatening gleam in his eyes, "I am so telling-"
"Telling who?" Daichi asks, seriously the way that his friend has been cheeky about this thing annoys him to no ends. What? Suga is obviously trying to tease him about something. But what?
"Nobody. I'm out. Good night, Mr. Clueless," the third-year says, closing the door behind him and the Karasuno team's captain sits down on his bed, lost of words.
There is definitely something going on and the fact that Suga knows enough about it to joke around while he doesn't makes him uncomfortable.
Seriously, what is the deal?!
What?!
Δ
Chikae takes in a deep breath, her eyes scaling the opponent. There is no way in hell she's letting this one through.
"One more one more!" Takinoue-san shouts, signaling Shimada-san to toss him another one.
He spikes, and along with it, brings the pressure towards her. Chikae can hear it in the air, how the ball is fractioning against particles around it, how slightly louder it gets every time it closes the gap between her and itself.
Aim for it, she wills herself, Aim for it.
It feels like her senses are heightened. She can sense the energy going through her vein, the command from her brain steadily flowing through her entire being. And that one second before the ball touches the ground, time seems to stop. Everything slows down. One breath. Two breaths.
The skin on her side burns from impact but Chikae gets up instantly, eyes never leave the ball.
"One touch!" she hears Takinoue-san shouts, backing up as he calculates the dropping point.
She doesn't need to wait for him. She knows where the man will go, she knows where he will strike next. Chikae's eyes keep their lock on the setter of the other side, and as the ball goes up, she runs.
There is only one person who will be able to take that toss.
The girl flies up, her arms loom over Yuusuke Takinoue. I won't let you through, she wills her thoughts towards him. The man seems to have been affected. There is a slight hesitance in his spike when it hits her hand. The ball slams straight down at the court and Chikae lands on her feet, a tad too proud she must say when he glazes a smile that means defeat. He takes her serious just now and she bets that he must have known there was no chance for him when the ball left his palm.
"Didn't think you'll be able to pick up that trick from the Dateko kid," he comments, "Took me by surprise."
"I've been practicing," Chikae grins, "One more game?"
"Nah. I got morning shift tomorrow, kid." Takinoue shakes his head, "'sides, wouldn't want you to lose what little good feeling you have right now, would we? Next time I'll show you your right place."
"You bet, old man."
Chika laughs, grabbing the bottle of water that was suddenly tossed her way.
"Good catch." a familiar voice enters their practice space, catching everyone's attention.
"Yuu!" she greets, waving at the boy.
And he smiles, waving back at her, "Your dad had some errands he couldn't skip so I volunteered to pick you up. Ma cooked extra too if you want."
"Thanks," she declines, "I'm good. I made dinner before I joined practice here so another day maybe."
"Always."
Small muffled giggles toy behind her back and the girl turns around, quirking an eyebrow at the adults that are very much acting like five-year-old kids sitting only a meter or so from her.
"What?" she asks, hands on her hips
"Nah," Shimada-san smiles, "Just thought that you would have at least told us when you guys hook up."
"We did not hook up!" the young libero refutes.
This takes her by surprise for a bit, seeing him suddenly reacting to the tease. It's not like these guys meant anything. They are just-
"You're embarrassed," Takinoue-san jokes, clasping his hands together, "Cute."
"And y'all are just jealous cuz no one actually likes y'all," Chikae chuckles, arm crossed.
An instant silence befalls them when all eyes were on her. Do you remember that feeling when you're sitting in the library and some dumb kid out of nowhere screams for about a minute and then stops? And then everybody starts looking at him with either shocked or disapproving looks? Yeah, she feels like that kid right now.
"What?" Chikae asks again.
But no one answers. The old men just as if on cue, starts cracking up. "Whatever," she shrugs, picking up her bag and tugs on Yuu's wrist, "Let's go."
The boy doesn't say a word, just silently obey. But the "adults" were not finished. The two of them walk, a little bit faster than they normally do, and as for Chikae, she wishes that the old men would just shut the hell up.
But the more she wishes, the more she is annoyed.
Their voices resonates, only amplifying the laughter that threatens to chase them through the night.
"Chikae and Yuu sitting in a tree..."
"Oh shut up!" she shouts, grabbing Yuu's hand and pulls him away from the gymnasium crowd.
It must be the teasing, she tells herself.
It must be the teasing that gets her heart beating out of rhythm right now. Must be it.
Δ
He doesn't dare to take a peek at her. Partially because he is afraid that Chikae is still angry over what the Neighbor team put her up to, but mostly because he is terrified that she might be able to see his face, which he assumes is taking one several shades of red at the moment, and knows that he is being affected by the teasing.
Nishinoya doesn't know yet.
He doesn't know yet if he should go for her.
Suga-san also confessed and look where that got him. Chikae is different know, she's not the Chicchan that told him she joined Karasuno for him anymore. She's independent, and capable of taking care of herself. Sure he is happy, and glad but Nishinoya likes being able to care for her, to look after her, to enjoy dinner with her and his parents because she made those meals much better than they normally are. Albeit that he still eats fine but there's something about eating together with Chikae that makes him very happy.
"Do- Do you mean what you said back there?" Nishinoya asks, stealing a glance at the girl next to him. Her shoulder length copper brown hair glimmer under the street lights. But he looks away the moment her Auburn eyes show any sign they are going to his direction.
"I'm sorry."
The libero feels something like a lump in his throat when that sentence hits him. And she sounds so apologetic about that too, making the tension even worse.
"I shouldn't have said that," Chikae purses her lips, "That was stupid of me. I should have learnt when I told Suga-san-"
"Suga-san?"
"Yeah," she sighs, "I told him that I would want to date him but I couldn't because I cannot think about my feelings yet."
"So you like him?" Nishinoya tests, truly he doesn't want to hear her answer.
"I don't know," Chikae says.
Somehow he is relievved, but still, the boy knows it's only temporarily this answer. She likes Suga-san for sure, Chikae just doesn't know yet if that's like a brother or like a special person. But he knows that he likes her, not as a family member or a friend.
He knows that. And he doesn't know how she feels about him.
"I made the atmosphere weird, didn't I," the girl laughs, awkwardly he must ask.
Nishinoya cringes inside, irritated at himself for making her feel bad. It's not like everyday they have a chance to be alone and he just has to go ahead and ruin it for her.
He jogs up a little bit in front of her, and bends down, his arms to the back. "Hop on," Nishinoya grins, "I know just the way to lighten things up."
"Yuu, this is-"
"Come on!", he insists, "It'll be fun!"
"B-"
"Come on!"
He laughs, but the moment she runs towards him and jumps, something else happened inside his heart. The second-year saw her smiling, a genuine smile that was too long overdue. It's like the Chikae he knows from before took place and was trying to tell him that everything is okay.
That moment made him realize. It let him know that there is a place in his heart he'll never be able to fill up if she's gone.
"Let's go!" Chikae commands, one of her hand hooks over his neck, "Just remember, you're the one who offered."
"To infinity and beyond!" the boy shouts, dashing forwards.
It is silly, everything that is happening right now but he wants to take it seriously. He wants to see her smile even if that means that he'll have to do silly stuff. Heck, no one in the team would take him seriously anyway. They'll never understand the logic of a man's romance. You can't help lost causes.
Chikae laughter echoes through the alleys that they speed pass, and her hold on him tightens. Her warmth on his back and her breath on his neck makes his face red but the steady rhythm in her breath and the quietness that befalls her gradually signals him to slow down.
Her grip on him loosen as his grip on her tightens. Chikae fell asleep it seems.
Everything just became quiet, only the soft sound of her mumbles are coherent. Nishinoya takes a look at the sky, stopping to marvel at how beautiful it is.
"H-" he wanted to call her but decides against it.
She looks so peaceful that it might as well be a crime to wake her up.
"..ne touch," the girl mumbles, shifting slightly on his back and the boy has to take all of his power to stop himself from laughing at her sleep-talking.
"And you call us volleyball-idiots," he chuckles, securing her before walking again, ignoring the starry sky spreading above their head.
Good work for the day, Nishinoya smiles, and thanks for always trying so hard for our sakes.
Nyaaaaa! I just started watching the second season of Haikyuu and OMG I love it so much! I'm groggy all the time though cuz binge watch 17 episodes is not a smart thing to do. Don't be like me, those who haven't watch yet LOL
Oh and have you guys ever listened to some of Haikyuu radios? Rajikyuu they called it. It's hilarious! Ayumu is extremely cute! You should try listen to some if you have time and if you can understand Japanese. The voice actors are really tight! Yep, okay now I'm gonna go to sleep. I'm dead...
See y'all around.
