Here is the new chapter! With some fun at the end~
Thank you to all who favorited and followed!
Chocogirl24 : If your heart aches for Ayaka, there will be a pause in the angst with the Interhigh! ;)
Guest : Eeeeeh Bokuto issn't quite as clueless as everyone and even himself think he is...~ I'll have to add some bits of sentences about Bokuto at some point to clear it all up.
CocoaFirefly : Your review made me SO happy, seriously! I'm so, so glad people like my fanfiction!
curlystruggle : Oh dear, I'm starting to feel (a little) guilty about all this angst because everyone is brokenhearted... Especially me.
SoulXHunter : THAT POOR OWL IS INNOCENT AND CLUELESS (sort of) AND DOESN'T DO IT ON PURPOSE I SWEAR! Well, Honoka is bolder than she looks, she may appear innocent but she's not~ I can't have every girls looking innocent AND being innocent! "Charming little pumpkin" is my new favorite thing to say. And it fits so much Bokuto! XD And for chucking your heart - you're welcome. :3 Why Ushijima? Do you want him? Is it wishful thinking or a theory?
thefrozenstrawberry : First of all, I wanted to thank you for you honesty. It will only do me good! For in love-like-love - it's very hard to define which stage anyone is at, because even the chaacters themselves don't quite know. How could AYaka know is she's having only a crush, if she's in love or anything if it's the first time she's in love? (but not the fist she has a crush) The whole 'what do they really feel?' will come back, for both AyaKou and if their story isn't finished then it means it's still developing and can change. You'e right about Bokuto and AYaka's character devevlopments. We've seen their relationship but not much about themselves or how they will evolve. The thing is, it can't happen in only a few chapters and it will happen bits by bits during the entirety of the story. Ayaka already changed a bit - she wasn't much into the volleyball club at first and now they're all friends. She was shy but now she's more relaxed. It will definitely have an influence on her behavior and character development in the future. As for Bokuto... I personally think that the most noticeable character development I'd have to work on would be his title of an ACe, his pride in it, his confidence (in the beginning, he as afraid to fail, remember? And even if he's learned the straights, it's still never been used in matches a nd he probably always wonders ' would it work? Can I really win next match or will I fail everyone?') Plus, remember that he has to get hooked on volleyball AND is only number 9 - in the canon he's up to 4 so, there HAS to be somehting to make him go all the way to the top. He'll also have more Character development when it comes to intereaction with his friends/Akaashi and mostly, with Ayaka. It's just that, as I said already, it takes time and can't happen over a few chapters. As for the vocabulary and grammar structure problem... I am so sorry about this, English isn't my native language and even if I COULD find a betareader, it's really hard to and it ALWAYS makes me 'late'. Honestly, at first, I was writing this story for fun, more for me than anything else but then, people started really liking this story and now I'm getting a little more serious so... I'll try my best in the future!
InsaneOtakuGirl : Before I started writing this fanfic, Bokuto was in my top 10 but now he's definitely on my top3! He's just so much fun to write! ^^ I'm really glad you like my fanfic and please, don't say you wont be able to write as well as me - I'm defintiely not the best and, if anything, it mean that you have so much more room for improvement than me! Isn't it a good thing? :D As for the outcome... unfortunately, there's still a long way to go before finding it out... But I can promise a happy ending! :D
Lola : Ahah, for Fukui... Unfortunately, she won't be out of the picture before a long time... So close yet so far is EXACTLY how Ayakou functions when it comes to their love. It's actually the lyrics of one of the song I have chosen for their playlist but, no spoiler~ ;)
FANFICTION
HAIKYUU! : SOWLMATES
CHAPTER XXI : Unknown Acquaintance
"This is love…isn't it? When you notice someone's absence and hate that absence more than anything? More, even, than you love their presence?"
— Jonathan Safran Foer, Everything Is Illuminated
"She had a look of suffering and I was struck less by her beauty than by the extraordinary loneliness in her eyes."
— Mikhail Bulgakov
Monday morning, 1st year class 6…
About half the class was busy studying and Ayaka was no exception. She was reading her History notes, frowning in focus and her lips muttering the words.
"Ayaka-chan."
The dark-haired girl startled and turned around, seeing Honoka standing there. Ayaka's heart missed a beat, she hadn't heard anything from the girl since last Saturday when she had suddenly left the studying session. Or rather, she had run away from Honoka flirting with Bokuto.
Honoka didn't look particularly angry, but she wasn't smiling as much as usual.
Akaashi glanced at the two girls and decided to keep his life in check and stay out of this, even if he was a little worried for Ayaka.
"Ayaka-chan, can I talk to you a moment?" Honoka asked.
"S-sure…"
Ayaka got up and followed Honoka outside the classroom just as Ami entered. The three girls saluted each other but Ami stared at the two rivals going away. As soon as Honoka and Ayaka had disappeared, Ami ran to Keiji, almost knocking him off his chair.
"Akaashi-kun! Where are they going?! What is happening?! Do you think we should make sure they don't go into a fight or–"
"You are too loud so early in the morning, Furuda-san. Calm down, they will be all right…" He answered, stabilizing himself on his chair.
Ami stared at him thoughtfully before throwing a worried glance at the door.
"After what happened with Bokuto-san last Saturday, I hope you're right…" She murmured.
Keiji blinked at his notebook before frowning and turning towards Ami:
"Wait – what happened with Bokuto-san?" He asked.
"Bokuto-san didn't tell you?" Ami asked, surprised.
In the hall, Ayaka followed Honoka until they were out of view and earshot from anyone else.
"I-is there something wrong, Honoka-chan?" Ayaka asked, fiddling anxiously with her fingers.
Honoka sighed before turning around.
"Ayaka-chan, are you in love with Bokuto-san?"
Ayaka squeaked and blushed, looking away from the other girl but it was all she needed for an answer.
Honoka sighed once again, putting a hand on her hip, frowning lightly, more out of annoyance than anything.
"Why didn't you tell me? Were you scared I'd ignore you or something? It's true that I like him but… it's more infatuation than actual feelings, you know… If you had told me, I wouldn't have gone so far Saturday."
"R-really…?" Ayaka hesitated, not sure how to do with this information.
"Of course, you're my friend. I wouldn't go and flirt with the guy you like!" Honoka answered, "Bokuto-san isn't interested in me anyway…" She continued with a shrug.
"W-what makes you think so?" Ayaka asked, relaxing a little.
Honoka seemed to hesitate a little before speaking up:
"When you had gone into the bathroom, we tried to keep working, thinking you'd be back. But Bokuto-san couldn't focus anymore and he left first to help you. After a while, Akaashi-kun got up as well and I don't know why exactly but you left – I suppose it was because of the way I was acting. Then everything was tense, Bokuto-san didn't stop fidgeting and being all nervous…"
She paused and continued, looking right at Ayaka:
"I think he didn't like that you had left with Akaashi-kun. In the end, I got annoyed and I spoke up a little too… rudely… I probably shouldn't have done that but…"
She put a hand behind her neck, rubbing it awkwardly.
"I was getting jealous that even when you weren't here, Bokuto-san's attention was focused more on you than me. I said so out loud. And do you know what he answered? That I was nice but that I shouldn't forget that you had been feeling unwell before leaving and that a friend should worry. Ah, and also, he told me to stop flirting with him…"
Honoka looked a little defeated and Ayaka had no idea what to say. She couldn't imagine Bokuto-san speaking in such a way to anyone, even less someone as cute as Honoka. Even if her attempts at flirting were blatantly obvious…
"Anyway, Ami-chan and Tsukuda-kun left and Bokuto-san and I talked a little. I told him I had a crush on him but he said he already had someone in his life. I suppose we're awkward friends now…?" She hesitated before chuckling awkwardly, "I won't get between you two. So, if you want, go for it, Ayaka! Ok?"
She patted Ayaka's shoulder and walked away. Ayaka was too stunned to say a thing. She wasn't even sure she had understood what had exactly happened last Saturday.
"Kanemoto-san!"
She startled and whipped around, seeing Bokuto walking towards her with a wave and a grin.
"B-Bokuto-san!" She exclaimed, flushing.
"Do you feel better since last Saturday?" He asked, looking down at her a little worriedly.
"Y-yes, t-thank you…"
Silence fell for a moment and quickly, the young man spoke up once again:
"I just saw you speaking with Honoka-chan. Is everything… is everything all right?"
Ayaka glanced up, seeing his cheeks slightly flushed from embarrassment. She hesitated, not knowing what to say, or how to even say it…
"It's all right but… what about you? Did you… argue with her?" She hesitated.
"Errh… not really… It's more… well, we expressed ourselves… I just didn't like a few things she said and did and, that's all… But everything's fine now!" Bokuto exclaimed with a smile.
It reassured a little Ayaka but she was still a little confused. Before she could ask anything else, the beginning of class rang and Bokuto startled.
"Crap! I'm gonna be late! See you tonight at practice!" He exclaimed before running off to his class.
Ayaka went back into her classroom, Keiji and Ami both glancing at her worriedly.
During lunch, the three of them took their bento and went on the roof to eat them, discussing what had happened last Saturday as well.
"Bokuto-san was being very nervous and anxious, and you could see that Honoka was getting more and more annoyed by that. When Bokuto-san realized it he started talking, saying 'Kanemoto didn't feel well and I am worried for my friend, you should be too' and then he continued, telling her to stop flirting with him because it was making it hard for him to focus. Honoka turned red and no one said a thing – except Bokuto-san once again. He said that he was here to study, not to get laid and that if Honoka couldn't help him with maths he'd leave."
"I never expected Bokuto-san to talk like that to anyone, ever…" Ayaka murmured with wide eyes.
"Me neither. I suppose that even Bokuto-san can get annoyed and frustrated for more than just volleyball… In a way, I'm not surprised he'd be so blunt and honest, though." Akaashi nodded, still a little surprised.
"It was getting too awkward so Tsukuda-kun and I left but… I think Bokuto-san and Honoka talked after that."
"This is what Honoka told me," Ayaka nodded. "She told him about her f-feelings…"
"Ayaka, don't blush please," Ami said, rolling her eyes.
"B-but! I-it's so embarrassing! And she was rejected too!"
"It was obvious she'd get rejected. I think she just said that to get it out of her chest, she probably needed to say out loud to Bokuto-san that she had a crush on him because she wants to get over him." Ami continued with a shrug, "In all cases, it's one less rival for you! Now, only this Sowlmate and Fukui-senpai are left and you can have his heart for you, Ayaka!"
Ayaka looked down at her bento. If Honoka had told Bokuto-san about her feelings to get over him, it had worked… She seemed a little down, but other than that, she was fine. Same for Bokuto. Perhaps… perhaps Ayaka should consider telling him about her own feelings… to get over him?
"Ayaka?"
She startled and looked back at her friends who were observing her carefully.
"I-I'm all right…"
Akaashi sighed before speaking up:
"With the InterHigh coming soon, Bokuto-san is focused solely on this. Even if Koizumi-san had interested him, he wouldn't have accepted her feelings."
"The exams are coming as well…" Ami complained.
Ayaka tried to focus on the conversation but between the exams, the InterHigh and Bokuto invading her thoughts, it was hard.
On Wednesday and Thursday, exams took most of the time for all the students of the Fukurodani Academy. Surprisingly enough, Bokuto was too busy with last minute studying for his exams to really go bother the first-years. To Akaashi, it felt as if something was missing but Ayaka was grateful for this: it was the opportunity to stay away from the boy she liked. The more time she'd spent away from him, the sooner she'll feel better. Plus she'd spend the next week-end away and then, the following week was busy with the InterHigh and not long after, there was the summer holiday – all in all, she was certain she'd manage to get over her feelings until she could act normally around Bokuto.
"Kanemoto-san," Akaashi called, putting some papers on her desk when he came back from a break, "I just walked by Coach Yamiji who asked me to do something for him, could you distribute these papers to the second-years while I go give these to the third-years?" He asked, shaking his own pile of papers in hands.
"Of course," she answered, taking the papers and getting up.
"You know where are the second-years' classrooms, right?" He asked as they exited their classroom.
"Pff, of course I know! I'm not that lost!" She answered, puffing out her cheeks.
There was a moment of pause during which Akaashi stared at her with a light, amused smile. Kanemoto sighed, shoulders dropping.
"I'm going in the wrong direction, am I?" She asked in a low voice.
"You're going in the wrong direction," he agreed.
She turned her heels and took the other way. She heard Ami call for Akaashi and run after him, probably accompanying him even if she didn't need to.
Ayaka climbed up the stairs leading to the second floor where the classrooms would be the closest. She walked by Komi and Konoha in the halls, giving them the papers to be signed by their parents concerning the InterHigh in case of injuries. She stopped at Bokuto's classroom, about to knock to ask someone if he was here but she stopped in her tracks when she heard him. Her head whipped around and she saw him from afar, sitting on a desk and talking cheerfully with a girl she didn't know. What she noticed first was the long, dark hair in her back.
Ayaka remained still, unable to move and somehow, Koutarou looked up just at this moment. Seeing her, he stiffened before a huge grin appeared on his face:
"Kanemoto!" He exclaimed, jumping down the desk and hurrying towards her, ignoring the curious glances thrown at him by his classmates, "What are you doing here?" He asked cheerfully.
"I, uh… this," she stumbled over he words, giving out the paper.
His eyes lit up as he took it:
"Ah, when we start receiving papers, it feels so good, so real… I can't wait for the InterHigh!" he exclaimed before laughing awkwardly, as if embarrassed to think that.
She couldn't help but smile lightly and they stared at each other before Ayaka remembered she still had papers to give.
"I should…" She started hesitantly, pointing to the hall where she had to continue finding teammates.
"Hey, don't you introduce us, Bokuto Koutarou?"
They both turned towards the dark-haired girl who had followed Bokuto next to Ayaka. He seemed a little shy before speaking up once again:
"Fukui Sachiko, this is Kanemoto Ayaka – one of our team's manager."
"Fukui? You're…" Ayaka hesitated, her heart suddenly squeezing painfully when she realized that she was Bokuto's 'Sowlmate'.
She had seen the senpai from afar and had heard a lot about her – from Ami, Honoka and mostly, Bokuto who kept rambling about her from start to finish in practice.
Ayaak's voice broke and she glanced quickly at Bokuto who seemed relieved she hadn't said a thing, completely oblivious of the real reason why she'd remain silent. As for Sachiko, she smiled sweetly at the first-year.
"Kanemoto Ayaka, I've heard a lot about you. Bokuto keeps talking about you all the time. He really appreciates you." She said with a smile.
Ayaka stared at the girl, a little astonished. She was pretty, taller than Ayaka was. Her smile was hard to decipher. Ayaka couldn't figure out if Sachiko was smiling out of pure kindness, mockery or bitterness. It was disturbing, especially with her dark eyes that looked enigmatic and didn't give anything away. With her round glasses, Ayaka hated to admit it but she had a bit of an owl look – a mysterious, dark and dangerous one. Not the funny, happy-go-lucky and cheerful look that Bokuto had.
Finally realizing that she was silent and should probably give an answer, she quickly spoke up:
"H-he d-does…? I-I mean, he talks a lot about you as well…" She answered awkwardly.
"Really? I'm enchanted to know that," Fukui answered, throwing a charming look at Bokuto who grinned sheepishly at her.
They seemed to stare at each other and Ayaka quickly looked away.
"I-I have to go and… and give these papers, s-so I'll see you… uh… later, Bokuto-san!" Ayaka exclaimed.
"Ah, wait! I'll give them if you want, I know the others' classes and where to find them," the boy proposed, catching up with her quickly.
"No, I'm all right, thank you. Have a good day. Don't forget to eat healthily and rest in between exams, all right?" She said in a hurry, looking down and holding the papers close to her chest to avoid glancing at him.
Koutarou threw her a strange glance, wondering if she was all right but despite his long legs and much faster pace, he was unable to keep up with the girl. He felt that if he were to follow her, he would betray someone. He just had no idea who was this someone he'd betray… He continued looking at her glancing awkwardly and shyly in every classroom, trying to go as fast as possible to stay away from him. Bokuto didn't notice Fukui coming to stand next to him, watching in amusement from afar the first-year who kept blushing and stuttering.
"So, that's the Kanemoto Ayaka you always talk about?" She said with a smile.
"Mmm…" He answered absentmindedly, "Do you think she was all right?" He asked, turning back towards his Sowlmate.
Fukui glanced up at him, observing him in silence before smiling and answering:
"I don't know her, I couldn't know. She seems like a shy girl, perhaps it was that?"
Bokuto nodded before they went back into their classroom.
After the last exams, when he entered the gymnasium for practice, Bokuto was surprised to see Akaashi warming-up but no Kanemoto around. He quickly jogged to him:
"Akeashi! Where is Kaneonto?" He asked immediately, surprising the others.
"Hello to you too, Bokuto-san. I am fine, thank you for asking. What about you?" Akaashi calmly replied.
"Akeaasghi!"
"Kanemoto-san isn't here. She left after the last exam. She's going directly to the airport."
"The airport? Why? Is she leaving?! She's leaving us, isn't she?! She quit the manager job and is moving somewhere else?!" Bokuto exclaimed, obviously panicking.
Akaashi observed him before letting go of the arm he was stretching. He faced the second-year, the rest of the second-years smiling in an amused way to see their Ace so messed up.
"Calm down, she didn't quit anything or isn't leaving anywhere. Kanemoto-san simply needs to be in Kyuushuu tonight. Tomorrow there is the opening of a sport center that was partially financed by the Kanemoto family."
"T-that means… I won't see her until Monday?" Bokuto concluded, frowning lightly.
"None of us will, but… thanks for taking us in consideration, teammate!" Komi mocked, rolling his eyes.
Bokuto didn't seem to like the idea of having the girl away. But mostly, what bothered him was that she hadn't told him a thing before leaving…
"Relax, it's not like she's going to die, anyway…" Konoha said, shrugging it off.
"Except if her plane crashes." Saru added, chuckling.
Bokuto gasped and paled. Saru earned nasty glares from his friends and he quickly looked away.
"I-I mean… there are like, one chance on a million that it'd happen so…"
Everyone sighed in relief when Bokuto nodded but, of course, Saru had to add something else:
"Well, except if the last plane crash was, the millionth one before, or…"
"Saru, shut up! You're going to break him and we have the InterHigh Monday!" Komi scolded while Akaashi sighed and Bokuto threw them all panicked looks.
"Bokuto-san, Kanemoto-san will be all right. Her plane will not crash and she will be back on Monday to encourage us all, and especially you, for the InterHigh." Akaashi said calmly, looking straight into his friend's eyes.
"By the way, I've heard that the inauguration will be filmed, she'll be on tv," Komi said, trying to change the topic to help Bokuto come back to life after his mini heart attack.
"It wouldn't be the first time anyway. She always appears on tv with her family – especially since her brother the failure threw dirt all over their name." Konoha added.
"Her brother, the Ace?" Bokuto asked.
"Yes. And did you know that the reason why we had our exams yesterday and today was because of this inauguration and Kanemoto?" Yukie intervened, coming over after hearing the last bits of conversation.
"Eh? What do you mean?" Konoha asked, blinking.
"Mid-terms exams always happen on the Thursday and Friday but this year, it was Wednesday and Thursday. Ayaka's father just had to give a call and we ended up with our exams with one day less of studying, all thanks to her and this inauguration…" She explained with a slightly annoyed look on her face.
"Tch, talk about preferential treatment…" Komi muttered.
"I hadn't heard a thing about that," Akaashi said, looking confused.
"Of course not, no one dares speak up in her class because she's the rich Kanemoto girl. I've heard that in Middle-School, a boy asked her out but when she said no, he started saying things about her, mostly because of her older brother who had started being the mess he is now. Two days later, the boy was excluded from school and he was never seen ever again."
"You're exaggerating, he's not dead."
"Maybe not, but his career is," she added with a shrug, making all the boys' eyes twitch with sudden mistrust – except Akaashi and Bokuto, "He was on the soccer team – one of the best player. After that, he couldn't get into any club whether it was professional, from school or beginners. He can only play in the streets with children now."
The second-years all glanced at each other worriedly. They were on the volleyball team and all wanted to become pro-athletes – it was obvious. When they knew that one of the Kanemoto family member would be their manager, they all hoped without exception that it would probably give them a bit more chance to be noticed by someone important – she was important, after all. But now, they realized that if she could help them with their career, she could also destroy it. And she was their manager.
"It's ridiculous!" Bokuto exclaimed, crossing his arms over his chest, interrupting everyone's thoughts, "Maybe he was a soccer player, but if he really liked Kanemoto he wouldn't have started saying things that were probably not happy things just because she had rejected him! Sure, it got him excluded from school and soccer club, but maybe he deserved it! These are just rumors, we don't the truth and we don't know what Kanemoto would have to say about this! But one thing is sure: she probably isn't the one who asked for him to be excluded from everywhere and everything!"
He then frowned at the others, pointing a finger at them:
"And don't you dare start acting differently around her just because of a stupid rumor! She's our manager and she's only worked to ensure that we'd have the best training and opportunities! If anything, we should be grateful to her!"
Silence fell on the gymnasium and Koutarou flushed, realizing that everyone had heard and listened to him. The second-years watched him, a little astonished by his protective speech.
"U-uhm, I-I mean…"
"Bokuto is right," Coach Yamiji intervened, going over to the second-years, "I am not supposed to tell you this, but in the beginning of the year, Kanemoto filmed you all with cameras that were a little everywhere. She sent the videos to some people she knew and part of your training regiment has been proposed by Abe Osamu himself."
"Abe Osamu?!"
"The volleyball national team's coach?!"
Akaashi and Bokuto glanced at each other, already knowing about that considering they had received papers and instructions from this coach through Ayaka – they didn't know that the rest of the team had received a similar treatment.
"Yes, Abe Osamu contacted me to give me some suggestions. Also… instead of being suspicious of a member of your team, look around." Yamiji said with a smile before turning to the rest of the team, "We'll have easy practices today and tomorrow, I want you to rest before the InterHigh on Monday!"
"Oooss!"
Komi leaned towards the others, keeping his voice down to avoid anyone other than the group of second-years (and Akaashi) to listen:
"What did he mean by 'look around'?" He asked.
"The balls."
Everyone turned to Akaashi who had walked to a cart full of balls, taking one of his hands and thinking deeply.
"During the Golden Week, we all complained about the balls getting old and hard to practice with."
He threw the ball at Komi who received it in his hands. The ball was shining under the light.
"It's brand-new. I thought it was Coach Yamiji, or the school that had changed the balls but…" The setter said, throwing a look around, "It might have been Kanemoto-san."
"She would really do that?" Konoha asked, "We're just… a high-school team, even if we're Fukurodani Academy and a powerhouse…"
"Maybe, but we're Kanemoto's team." Bokuto said with a shrug, "She did all that for us because she's our manager and she considers it her job to make it as easy as possible to practice and get better." He concluded, thinking back on the amazing progress he had done since the beginning of the year thanks to the suggestions she had given him from Abe Osamu.
They remained silent, agreeing without a sound to his words. Once again, they were struck by the maturity and strength Bokuto Koutarou could display (at rare times).
On Friday, during the practice match with Nekoma High
Almost everyone already knew each other from the last year's many practices, but the first-years were introduced enthusiastically. Bokuto already knew Kenma considering he had been dragged many times by Kuroo to play volleyball but he was surprised to see him on the team. On the other hand, he was more excited than a proud father to present the 'new best setter to ever toss in the History of Fukurodani' AKA Akaashi Keiji to Kuroo and the rest of the Nekoma team. Akaashi had been terribly embarrassed but was well welcome – and teased. The setter wondered how had Ayaka survived an entire day with Kuroo who was about as terrible as Bokuto when they were put together in the same room.
Because they didn't have much time, they started practicing as soon as they were warmed up, despite taking it easy two days before the InterHigh.
At the end of practice, before starting to put away everything, they took a break, sitting on the floor, drinking and eating some snacks.
"Bokuto!" Kuroo called, coming closer with a tight hand around Kenma's arm who had tried to get away to play on his play station, "Where is your girl? Y'know, your manager? Kanemoto Ayaka-chan~" He said, throwing a grin at the flushing owl after saying 'your girl'.
Several threw him a confused look but Bokuto jumped on his friend to shut him up:
"Shhh! No one can know about the other day!" He hissed into Kuroo's ear.
"I know, I know. Still, where is she? I didn't see her once today…" He answered, sitting next to the rest of the Fukurodani second-years, forcing Kenma down with him.
"She's… not here…" Bokuto answered, sitting next to him.
Kuroo looked confused, and curious and before Bokuto could throw the topic of the conversation on his girlfriend – to avoid any mention of the disastrous Saturday during which Koutarou had been played like an idiot – Komi piped up:
"She's at a very important thing in Kyuushuu, because of her family. She was on tv!"
"Stop obsessing with that tv…" Washio said, eyebrows slightly down.
"Eh? She's that important?" Kuroo said even if he already knew how important she really was (Bokuto glared at him for playing the innocent kitten).
"Here, look," Konoha said, sitting down with his phone to show to everyone.
He showed an article that was on the internet since this morning with a picture of the new sports complex along with all of its financial support. There was a dark-haired man, shaking the hand of the city mayor.
"It was on tv, you said?" Kuroo continued, "Kenma, give me your playstation a minute. I wanna watch Kanemoto on replay."
"What? No…" Kenma answered.
Somehow, Kuroo still managed to get the playstation into his hands without causing a fight or breakdown from his friend who watched him (very) carefully to make sure Tetsurou wouldn't break it, or make a mistake, or even cause a scratch. Within a few minutes, everyone leaning towards Kuroo, he had found the video of the inauguration of the sports complex from the local tv's replay. The boys didn't listen to whatever was being said but they did look closely at the images.
"Is that Kanemoto's father?" Komi asked, pointing at the dark-haired man.
"They just said he was Kanemoto Akio, so yes that's her father."
"And this one with the glasses? The young one?"
"That's probably her brother."
"And here the pretty lady–"
"Shhh! I'm trying to listen!"
They fell silent once again, as the faces went by. They saw many important people and pro-athletes, but even if they were aware of their importance, the high-schoolers were still too young to really care.
"Look, look! She's here!" Konoha exclaimed as there was a close-up of Kanemoto discussing with the mayor of the town.
"I-I can't recognize her…" Komi murmured.
Everyone watched closely with wide-eyes, Kuroo pausing the video so they'd see in details.
It was Kanemoto Ayaka. But it wasn't the Kanemoto Ayaka they knew. The Kanemoto Ayaka they knew was shy, pale, clumsy and her hair was always a mess – especially at the end of the day during practice. But right now, she had perfect hair in a bun, light make-up. She was smiling and she looked proud and confident despite her high-heels and cocktail dress.
Bokuto felt uncomfortable, as if looking at the picture of a family member he was supposed to know, but had never met. It was Kanemoto Ayaka, looking prettier than usual, but it wasn't what disturbed Koutarou most. It was the way her eyes didn't sparkle as they usually did. She was smiling brightly, but it didn't reach her eyes.
The group of boys remained silent a long moment.
"All right, no one says a thing but I'm gonna say it," Kuroo suddenly broke the silence, "She's kinda hot – not sexy hot, but wow hot. Like, you just wanna rip her dress and see just how far the nice little girl can go until she turns into a beast and–"
"WOW!"
"SHUT IT!"
"DON'T!"
"PLEASE WE SEE HER EVERYDAY!"
The screams continued. Only Akaashi remained calm, sighing to himself, and Bokuto didn't say a thing, still staring thoughtfully at the image of the girl he didn't know on the screen. Kuroo laughed seeing the owl second-years reacting so vividly, slightly (or a lot) red in the face at his words and suggestions.
Finally, once the voices calmed down, Kenma calmly glanced over Kuroo's shoulder. Somehow, he chose the perfect moment to speak up when everyone was able to hear him:
"So that's the girl you told me about, Bokuto's girlfriend?"
Everyone froze, Kenma looking up curiously when all wide eyes of Fukurodani suddenly whipped around to Bokuto.
"Damn, didn't I tell you to not say a thing?" Kuroo asked Kenma, suddenly remembering that he had not mentioned the fact that Kanemoto's identity was supposed to stay secret – even after the funny Saturday.
But it was too late, Bokuto blushed and gasped, lifting up his hands. Akaashi sighed, hitting his forehead with his palm, sensing the chaos that was sure to come:
"WHAT?!"
"WHY DO WE NOT KNOW BOKUTO?!"
"WHAT ABOUT YOUR SOWLMATE?!
"I CAN'T BELIEVE IT!"
"BOKUTO!"
"WHO KNEW?!"
"SINCE WHEN?!"
"HOW?!"
All of the second-years ended up jumping on Bokuto, shaking him like a peach tree, screaming, yelling, throwing insults and swearing. Kuroo's laugh resonated while Bokuto desperately tried to explain the whole story. Akaashi sighed and climbed up his feet, deciding to stay away from his crazy senpais. Kenma grabbed his play station back and started playing discreetly behind Kuroo, chaos continuing to spread.
(in the end, Bokuti DID manage to explain the whole fake-dating and despite the teasing, the others understood the general picture - Kuroo never stopped laughing once)
Kuroo! :D I love my kitty so much! Like, everytime he appears I put Hello Kitty from Avril Lavigne because I consider it to be his character song! x) I hope he didn't go too far but, come on, let's face it: it's an entire group of hormonal teenagers without any adult or girl around. OF COURSE one of them would mention naughty things! If not Kuroo then who? :p
I hope you liked this chapter! ^^
Yours Truly,
May