Chapter 10: GUT FEELING
The Moon
The weekend rolls around, giving a reprieve to all students throughout Japan. The constant strain of the week comes to a stop (or more of a pause) as Shimizu sent a quick announcement via multiple emails that they would not be having practice, and all members were advised to rest.
Given his nature, Tsukishima was not one to wake up late despite the promise of inactivity that stretched before him. The blonde went about his morning routine, his pace slower than usual as his mind was occupied.
Despite the fact that he had brushed aside his conscience easily enough the previous day, Tsukishima was in fact feeling slightly peeved at himself for how he acted towards a certain fiery headed boy. Contrary to what Yamaguchi might believe, Tsukishima did not believe himself to be as calm and collected as he would have liked. If the bespectacled boy was being honest, he would admit that he had very little control over his sharp tongue, his emotion sometimes getting the best of himself and often times manifests into something akin to cold anger.
Thinking about it was cumbersome, trying to change it even more so. His mind would attribute it to adolescence, and staunchly told the rest of himself that it would fix itself with time. Still, the face of a certain fiery-headed, hyperactive boy kept appearing before his mind, and with a resigned sigh, the boy escaped from the bathroom to change into running clothes.
He wasn't going to have any peace of mind if he stayed at home the entire day. He tells himself that he can't rest easy anyway, at least until Hinata gives him a reasonable excuse as to why he's been acting so strange the past few days.
Tsukishima finds his elder brother situated on their dining table with the news blaring in the background. With a scowl, Tsukishima made his way to the television set, determined that if he wasn't going to have peace within, he damn well will have it outside.
"So as you can see, Mr. Morinaga is obviously a family man! Dedicating his personal time to his wife and kids regardless how busy his schedule becomes, such an example-"
"That's very generous of you, if I didn't know better, I might even say you might be biased! I'm sure we have a Taki voter in our midst."
"Nonsense, I am strictly professional in my analysis. But if you prefer Mr. Hachiru, who has not only contributed very little in his position as-"
"Nii-san, I'm switching the television off." He said, giving fair warning.
"Some say Mr. Morinaga is sure to lead in the elections, why the statistics alone-"
Akiteru Tsukishima looked up from his phone for a minute, as though just realizing that the television was turned on.
"Oh. Sure, I wasn't watching anyway. I think it was mom." He said, then resumed his attention towards his phone, his toast before him slowly turning cold. The absence of noise was a blessing, and Tsukishima's scowl finally faded from his face. He made his way to his brother, grabbing a piece of fruit from the middle of their table and started eating it.
"Where's mom?" Tsukishima asked.
"Shopping in the market. Said that if you wanted anything, she'll cook when she returns." Akiteru looked up, seeing his little brother properly, and noted the athletic wear. "You guys have practice today?"
Tsukishima shook his head. "Going for a run." He said simply. He looked at his brother's phone and asked, "girlfriend?"
Akiteru's reaction was immediate, his face flushed a deep crimson color, his voice loud as he denied it. "No no! It's a friend of mine, wanted to know about a job, I don't even have a girlfriend-"
The bespectacled boy smiled slightly, his face amused.
"I'm just joking, Nii-san." He ate slowly, the hours seem to stretch in front of him. He looked at the clock behind his brother, who was still blushing slightly (trying and failing to look dignified). 7.10am. Well, an early run was better than nothing. "So your friend," Tsukishima said, continuing their conversation "why does he want to find a job? I'm assuming he's a friend from college. Money problems?" Akiteru only looked mildly surprised. Ever since Tsukishima had started dedicating himself to volleyball, their conversations had started flowing easier, much like it used to be when they were younger.
"As usual, your guess is right. It is a friend from college, well, was. He's dropping out next week." Tsukishima showed slight interest, so Akiteru continued with an explanation. "Well, he wasn't really interested in what he was studying. Besides, he was dead set on getting a job in a company that markets digital goods. His parents are a bit old fashioned though, wanted him to become a teacher."
Tsukishima hummed around his breakfast. There was a comfortable silence surrounding the two brothers, before curiosity won Akiteru over, and he asked Tsukishima,
"What about you, Kei?"
"What about me?" He asked, slightly confused with the line of questioning.
"What are you planning to do once you graduate?"
Tsukishima looked at the piece of fruit in his hand, rolling it over.
"Something corporate, probably." He said simply. "I don't really mind anything, as long as the pay is good." At this, Akiteru gave a hearty laugh. The bespectacled boy smiled in return.
/Haikyuu/
Tsukishima leaves the house some time later, when the morning air was cool and the spring heat was still hidden behind mist and dew. He starts with a stretch, and then an easy pace. He doesn't let himself think too much as he makes his way to Hinata's residential area, telling himself that nothing was a matter, and he was probably going to be laughed at.
He remembers Hinata's face as he brushed aside volleyball. It did not line up with Hinata's character at all. Either the past few months had been nothing more than an elaborate joke- no that can't be. There are some things you just can't feign. And his emotion, passion and dedication towards volleyball fell within that category.
The mountain climb towards the shorter boy's area was torturous, and Tsukishima had to internally commend Hinata for taking this route every day to school. This could, no joke, be the secret behind the boy's unending source of stamina. When he finally reached the other side of the miniature mountain, he continued in a slow and steady pace.
Amid the cherry blossoms, Tsukishima sees him; sitting on a swing set alone, his eyes downcast. He seems to be lost in thought. Tsukishima considered his options on how to approach when the fiery headed boy suddenly jerked to attention as his phone rang. Tsukishima couldn't quite see his face when he read whatever message was displayed on the boy's screen. The smaller boy stood up from his spot, put on a cap, and started walking away. Tsukishima discreetly followed him.
The Sun
He had been lost in thought when the dreaded message finally came, and with it his pre-designated destination. He was understandably nervous. After all, he had just received the address to a hotel. Hinata's mom had been very cross with him yesterday, and it irked him even more to remember when his uncle had swooped in and laughed it off. Had told her teens were unpredictable on the best days and not to be too hard on Hinata. He even side hugged Hinata, as though to prove something. It made Hinata's heart nearly stop. He doesn't know how he managed to excuse himself to his room after that but he did.
And then his uncle sneaked in a few hours later.
Hinata shuddered at the memory.
He was told to meet up with him in the afternoon, when his uncle didn't have anything planned for his campaigning activities.
The fiery-headed boy looked at the address written, swallowed his fears and followed it.
Just a while longer. Then everything will go back to normal.
The Moon
The bespectacled boy scowled at an unsuspecting passerby, nearly making her cry. He ended up tailing Hinata, feeling uncomfortable with both the idea, and the sweaty attire he had had the misfortune of wearing. He followed Hinata until they entered a subway train that led into their neighboring city.
Great, and when he meets up with some childhood friend in a café somewhere, then you'll realize what an idiot you're being.
Still, the bespectacled boy couldn't help but keep an eye on the shorter boy anyway, who was nearly invisible in the crowd of train passengers. From the few glimpses he could catch, Hinata kept fidgeting where he stood, as though he's afraid to run into someone he knows.
When Hinata exited at one of the train stops, Tsukishima had a hard time sidestepping his way through the crowd. His height had given him a slight advantage though. Had he not been so tall, he might've lost sight of the shorter boy ages ago. He kept trailing his teammate, so focused on not losing his track that he was surprised when the boy stopped short. Tsukishima's eyes widened.
They had reached the love hotel district.
The bespectacled boy definitely did not want to be seen within a mile of the place, not on a weekend, or any day for that matter. He saw the shorter boy making his way nervously through, looking at his phone as though consulting it. Tsukishima thought it best not to jump to conclusions. Maybe Hinata was just passing through.
But then the shorter boy stopped in front of a shady looking hotel, one Tsukishima would not deem a second glance had he been alone. And then the boy entered it, his back disappearing into the looming double doors, looking especially small.
Tsukishima reeled. He can't follow him inside without bringing attention to himself. He tries to recollect his thoughts, but there are too many people in the area leering at him. He gives them a disgusted look and walks away angrily. On a normal day, the idea that Hinata was sneaking off to love hotels instead of practice would've been so ludicrous Tsukishima might even laugh.
What an upset the world could be.
The Sun
The bed smelled musky.
"Guhh..." The man above him grunted, thrusting into him harder.
The boy felt hot. He had been given alcohol to drink, the taste of it still lingering in his mouth. He had lost count how many shots he had taken after multiple glasses. It had been hard to keep track in between the horrible vomiting.
The world was spinning.
In a way, the daze was almost welcoming compared to the constant terror he had become accustomed to the past few days.
He can't even remember the last time he's thought of volleyball.
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A/N:
If I keep this up, I might actually finish before the end of the year hahhahahahaa
TheRealKags: hahahahahhaha I can't help it though. Sometimes it just sorta writes on its own. I am a mere slave to whatever it is that's writing this story. xD THANK YOU FOR REVIEWING :3