24

I finally got around to writing another chapter for this fanfic. I can't believe season 2 is ending next week.

Do you know how bloody fast my heartrate was watching this week's episode? I was breathing so heavily just from watching it and I had to refrain from screaming or else my parents would think I'm insane. Oh my goodness. Like, I know what was going to happen and yet I still went crazy.

OH AND SEASON 3 IS COMING IN THE FALL. OH MY GOODNESS GRACIOUS PRAISE THE LORD.

Disclaimer: I don't own Haikyuu or any of its characters.

We're drifting apart
You're riding away on a bicycle built for two
This is breaking my heart
I wish you would stay
But she's taking my place
And I'm losing you
Losing You-Piper Curda

"You exerted your knee way more than you needed to during the game," I sigh. "Now look at the mess you got yourself into."

"Shut up."

Shaking my head, I lace my fingers with his. "Ne, ne, let's go get crepes!" I suggest. "My treat."

Toru manages a small smile, though pain is written all over his face. "Thanks…Mei."

We walk out onto the sidewalk, heading for a famous bakery down the street. The sunset streaks its golden rays, the city lit up orange-yellow brilliantly. It's peaceful for once, a pleasant time to just walk hand in hand quietly.

We enter the quaint little bakery and the air fills with the indulgent, sweet aroma of desserts. This place sells everything: from layered tiramisu to sweet crème brûlée of flawless caramelization.

Seating Toru in a French-designed chair, I approach the girl at the front. "I'll have two vanilla crepes with all the works," I pronounce, slapping a thousand yen on the marble counter.

She flashes a pearly white grin, tucking a strand of golden blonde hair behind her ear. "Here's your change. Thank you for coming," says she, her voice light and musical.

I take the receipt and money before returning to my seat across from Toru. He doesn't say anything, focused on his phone. Even when we get our food, he only mumbles a short "thanks" before digging into the warm pastry.

Finally, I muster enough courage to ask, "Are you okay?"

He looks up from the sliced strawberry on his fork and his brow hardens. "Do I look okay?"

"I wasn't asking physically."

"I wasn't answering physically," he shoots back tartly.

I clench my jaw. This guy… "You don't have to act all sulkily just because you lost," I mumble.

"It was my last year, Mei! You don't understand that-that this is so important to me! Of course you wouldn't get the frustration of losing, over and over to him. And now Tobio…"

My decreasing pity dissipates and annoyance replaces it. "Oh, I don't understand? I don't recall you being there for me when I lost nationals. Oh and remember that time that I got kicked off the team? You weren't there either!" I exclaim.

"The hell? Why are you angry? I'm the one who lost!"

"The hell? Why are you wallowing in your own pity? Sometimes, you're just so…so…"

Toru shoots me a taunting look. "Huh? Yeah, what am I?"

"You're such a child! You think that everything is about you, don't you? Well, sorry but you need to build a bridge and just freaking GET OVER IT!" I sit back in my seat, arms folded across my chest. "You never could keep it in; you just always had to tell someone about your problems and expect them to fix them for you."

"Is that a problem? You're the one who never expresses how you feel and that's why we got into arguments like this!" he cries.

"You think it's easy to tell someone, who acts like his life is full of issues, that they're having their own problems? Yeah, I'd like to see you do that."

He doesn't reply. There. There, Toru. I said it. That was one of the reasons why I didn't want to get back together when I got kicked off the team: I didn't want to listen to your bloody problems and have to keep mine in the closet. He never listened, while Kuro was always willing to sit down and give me advice.

Sheesh, now he has me comparing him with Kuro. Great. Just what I needed.

"Um, excuse me?"

I turn from the window. At the side of our table stands the girl from the counter, now wearing normal clothes instead of a pink apron and a worker's nametag.

"Can we help you?" I ask.

Her almond-shaped, blue eyes flicker to Toru. Of course.

"Sakura-chan," whispers Toru. They know each other? "What are you doing here?"

"My parents own this place," so-called Sakura-chan explains, giggling. "Oh, I'm Ishikawa Sakura, by the way. You're Mei-chan, right?"

I flinch. "Um…yeah. How do you know that?"

"Um, you're famous." She laughs a tingly, bell-like laugh. "Volleyball's pretty huge at my school. I go to Shiratorizawa."

I note Toru's immediate tensing at the name of her school. "That's cool. How do you know Toru here?"

"Oh, we used to go out when we were first and second years in middle school." Before me. Dammit, she's too nice for me to hate her. "Do you mind if I talk to Toru alone?"

I hesitate. What would she have to say to him that she can't say in front of me…oh, I don't know-probably a freaking confession! But I can't just say no… "Be my guest," I say with a small gesture of my hand.

She smiles again-oh, God, she's one of those kinds of people who smile at every little thing. "Thanks! We'll be right back." Practically dragging Toru, she exits the bakery.

I sigh. What the hell am I doing? Am I just loosely dating Toru again, like I did when I was an insolent, self-absorbed middleschooler? I don't even know. It's so difficult to maintain a decent relationship for me…

But I love Toru. I knew it the moment I saw him play. He's the North Star in my sky, the one that shines the brightest amongst others. We became official just today and now…now he's slipping from my grasp again, losing himself to volleyball and frivolous girls once again. And I'm the only one who can stop that from happening.

I clear the table, quickly dumping the remains of our barely-touched meal into the trash. I snatch my phone and burst out of the bakery, quickly avoiding the two middle school girls entering.

I look for them frantically, searching the streets. Where are you…where are you? I miss your hand in mine. Tell me your problems; I don't care anymore. I just want to see you, even if you were with me just ten minutes ago. Let's not fight anymore. Just hug me and kiss me, make up with me. I don't care…I don't care…as long as you're mine.

I take a sharp left.

Oh.

Toru's eyes blink open, revealing his gentle brown orbs that I wish I didn't look at. "Mei."

"You're a jerk," I whisper. I can feel the rush of tears. "I didn't think you'd be that quick to cheat on me…I mean, we got together just today."

"Hey, I-"

"Stop right there," I cut him off. The wet tears, much against my will, drip in slivers of rivers down my cheeks. But my hands, now in fists, won't undo to wipe them away. "I was right. I shouldn't have decided to get back together with you. You really are the same."

"'A sadistic monster hidden behind a charming smile and a fake attitude,'" he quotes.

I give a short nod. "That's right. But I'll add vain and careless to the list as well. Just remember, Oikawa-san, you lost to my team." I turn on my heel and walk away stately.

Forget you.

Forget you, Toru.

Forget you and your sadistic volleyball playing.

Forget your paper-ness, your see-through personality.

Forget you and your problematic life that only involves which cute girl to choose and what to eat for dinner.

Forget you.

Forget you.

I keep repeating the words in my head. Over and over and over. But I can't his image out of my mind.

OOOOO

His hand rubs my back comfortingly. "I'm done with guys," I tell him.

"You don't mean that," Kuro says.

"I do."

"Wish I heard that one at the altar."

"Stop making jokes!" I cry. I snatch one of the pillows on my bed and throw it at his face. "That isn't funny!"

"Sorry," he mumbles back.

I shake my head. There are ice cream tubs spread on the floor of my bedroom and half-heartedly crumpled tissues littering the throw blanket. "I'm done. This is stupid. I don't know why I'm crying over this guy." I walk over to my closet and snatch a fur coat.

"Where are you going?"

I turn from the doorway. "To find my dignity."

Well, crap chapter, I know. It's short and I don't really know where this plotline is going right now. But I tried? haha idek.

Oh, and Sakura isn't the new OC, if you were wondering. The new OC, who will come in probably the next chapter or the following, will not be a love interest, if you were wondering also.

Hope you liked this chapter and if you think it's crap, let me know. If people actually tell me, then I'll actually redo it, okay? Thanks!

I'll be updating every Saturday/Sunday now, for both this fanfic and Piece by Piece. xx