I'm glad that I wrote so far ahead and that I find the time to continue.

I am actually boosting with happiness today.

I submitted my characteristics for a Haikyuu Matchup and I am just amazed and surprised that I was shipped with Ushijima. *squeal*

But anyway, excitments builds!

LilweenGalatrass: It's my own headcanon that he is a sweet tooth so, yay. Tendou and Tamiko's relationship is great and fun to write xD

PandaHee: He was a cutie, yes :D I drew that photo, it's on my tumblr. I also drew a pic of Tamiko hugging Oikawa with Ushijima standing behind her xD. You will get your interactions!

Chapter 25 - A Problem

"Dinner is ready, boys!" Tamiko called from the kitchen.

She could already hear all of the boys get up and cheer. Soekawa and Ushijima offered themselves to help her set the table but in the end, everyone was helping in some way. Kawanishi took the cutlery and Shirabu the glasses. They all followed her little instructions and soon the table was set. After thanking for the food they ate. Everyone seemed to be very hungry, especially Goshiki who placed a big mountain of rice on his plate. Tamiko smiled to herself and hoped that she had cooked enough. A sudden weight on her lap caught her attention. Semi's cat decided to rest on Tamiko's lap while they ate and she used her free hand to stroke its soft fur. She loved the cat. It was very friendly and anything but shy. It always made Tamiko long for a pet of her own. Only problem was her brother. She didn't know what it was but any animal in his presence would go on the defense. It was hilarious but also sad. Tamiko took another bite of her food and looked around. She had seated herself next to Ohira and Ushijima and both broad giants were quietly eating. Otherwise it was lively at the table with laughter and shouting. Tendou lead the conversation at the table with Goshiki while the others laughed.

Tamiko stayed quiet. She kept thinking the same thing. Is Tobio-kun eating right now? Is he alright? She had promised him not to call him. It was hard. She really wanted to know if her was fine. It was the first time they had been apart on christmas, usually spending it together as a family. Family. That was something that had lost its true meaning. A mother, a father, siblings. It was only her and Tobio now. They were on their own. Did their mother even want to come and see her own children anymore? It was an unnerving thought that had started to haunt her dreams. Many possibilities went through her mind. Maybe she met someone new. It was highly likely. Her mother was single with two children who were never around. And being a makeup artist for movies meant she came into contact with famous actors. There was that possibility and it scared her. No, I don't have children. What if her mother would claim this? It was frightening. She swallowed as her thought jumbled and her jaw muscles tightened, her eyes gazing into nothing. Her tenseness was noticed by Soekawa.

"Say, Tamiko, where is your little brother?" he asked.

Tamiko flinched a little. That dreaded question. Should she lie? No, then they would ask about her mother. But they would do that even when she told them the truth. The subject of her mother wasn't very well known amongst the boys, otherwise they wouldn't ask. But now, she felt cornered.

"He's at his friend's house." she told him.

"And your mum?" Yamagata asked. "Shouldn't she be here as well?"

Tamiko swallowed and pressed her lips to a tight line. Crap. She has kept the truth from them but only to keep herself safe from the pain. Izumi knew, of course, she had already spent one afternoon crying in her arms, but her boys didn't. She didn't want to cry again. Not again. Why can't this just stop? As she looked up to them she saw the worry in their eyes. Her nails dug into her hands and she put on a smile.

"She couldn't come," was all she said as she smiled at them.

Immediately the third years all stood up and walked over to her. Soekawa pulled back her chair and Ushijima was the first to pull her to her feet and hug her tightly, then Tendou joined in and so did the others. It was a group hug with her in the middle. It felt so warm as silent tears started to flow down her cheeks, soaking Ushijima's shirt. He also seemed to notice as he tightened his grip a little. But she didn't move, only silently letting the tears flow. It felt so warm in his arms, her face pressed against his hard chest. She felt so safe in his embrace, so wanted, but she didn't hug him back, although she wanted to. He would interpret it the wrong way. So she just stood. Some of the boys were rubbing her back or patting her head when Soekawa made an announcement.

"Let's have the best and most unforgettable christmas." he said.

All of them agreed as the group hug dispersed. Ushijima held onto her a little longer than the others but not too long. He pulled away but placed his hands on her shoulders. His worried eyes burned into hers and she looked away, ashamed of herself for causing such ruckus. After a short squeeze he let her go and it was painful to do so. He wanted to hold on her, comfort her until all her pain was forgotten. Instead, he thought words would help more.

"You are not the only one who can't see their mother." he said.

The others cringed. Wrong phrasing. But they all knew what he meant. Ushijima himself hasn't seen his mother in a long time. Tamiko also knew this. She knew him well.

"Yeah, you're right." she sighed.

And then the tears and worry were forgotten as the boys helped her clean the table and the dishes. In the end they took over the entire cleaning progress and Tamiko rested on the sofa, trying to bask in the jolly atmosphere. When everything was done they all migrated into the living room. Everyone took a seat, Tamiko still on her little sofa, the cat purring on her lap.

"So, how are we giving away the presents?" Goshiki asked excitedly.

"We take turns," Soekawa suggested. "Each turn everyone receives their present from that person."

Since Tamiko was a girl and the boys were such gentlemen, she started. Everyone received the same size packet with their jersey number on it. And they all were more than delighted when they saw what was inside them.

"All of them hand made." she said as they examined their new scarves.

They all had the same pattern, the ends lightly coloured but the middle in a darker tone.

"Oh, this is amazing." Tendou squealed happily and wrapped the yellow scarf around his neck.

"Very soft wool." Ohira awed.

"Since when can you knit?" Yamagata asked.

"I taught myself in middle school." she explained.

One of the things she had taught herself. She had no mother to teach her, but she didn't want to think about it. Next was Ushijima, since he was the captain. He gave everyone a packet and in the brief silence, they unwrapped them. Ushijima was always thoughtful when it came to gifts. Semi, for example, received a few bandages for his fingers, something he had been in need for. Tamiko was at first confused about her present. It was a little sack in blue. When she opened it, she found seeds.

"What are those?" she asked.

"Freesia seeds." Ushijima explained.

"Freesia?" she repeated, still confused. "The flower?"

Ushijima nodded.

"If you plant them now, they should bloom around mid April." he told her.

You smooth bastard, the boys all thought. A flower that blooms on her birthday. Tamiko blushed a little of the unexpectancy, idea and sweetness of the present.

"Thank you." she smiled sweetly.

Ushijima nodded at her and then looked away, hiding his face. Semi, who was sitting next to him, had to smile. Never had he seen Ushijima blush so intensely. If only Tamiko knew what effect she had on him. When Tendou gave out his presents, her mood changed again.

"I got everyone a book that I thought suited them." he grinned and waited for their reactions.

"A fashion book?" Semi grumbled.

Tendou grinned brightly, telling him that he urgently needed to look at it and then Tamiko unwrapped hers.

"Seriously, Tendou?" she groaned. "A yaoi?"

"Of course. I heard girls love that kind of thing." he explained.

Tamiko pouted and looked at the cover of the book.

"That is just unsuited, Satori." Ohira mumbled.

"Uh." Tamiko squeaked.

She had read the back of the book, stood and held up her hand in front of Tendou.

"Good one. Thanks." she grinned.

Tendou grinned and gave her a high five. To everyone's surprise she opened the book and started to read it. They all awkwardly look away and turned they attention to the remaining presents. Minutes turned into hours as they gave away one present after the other. It was already pitch black outside when Semi gave his away. When Tamiko unpacked her present she couldn't contain herself.

"Semi!" she shrieked.

He flinched, everyone did. They looked over to Tamiko who was staring at a book she had just unwrapped.

"I always wanted this." she swooned and hugged the book.

"I know. That's why I got it for you." he said.

She stumbled over to him and hugged him, falling on top of him. The others, including Semi were shocked but stayed silent.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you." she squealed as she squeezed him.

"It was nothing." he laughed.

In the midst, Ushijima stood and left the room. Tendou looked after him but didn't follow only sighing. He knew how he must feel. For Ushijima it was a whole new sensation. He felt a stinging pain in his chest. It was probably the first time that he understood that this pain wasn't from an injury or illness, but from a simple emotion. An unbelievable concept for him, feeling pain from an emotion, but he had read about it by now. Broken heart. Now he understood why it was named that way. And he hated it. Having no control over his emotions. He hated it. But he couldn't deny that he wanted to be washed away by it. He would rather spend time with her than play volleyball, he was sure of that now. He sat down on the stair leading upstairs and sighed. That was when Tendou joined him. The middle blocker sat down next to the ace and sighed.

"Feels horrible, doesn't it," he said.

Ushijima hummed in agreement.

"But there is nothing to worry about." he smiled and patted his shoulder. "They are childhood friends. They tend to do that."

He hummed again and Tendou stood. He could sympathize with his friend. But Ushijima was lucky. Everyone here wanted him to be with her. Although she had hugged Semi, he hadn't hugged her back. Semi knew, it wasn't right. When he and Tendou crossed paths, they started to whisper.

"This is bad, Eita-kun." Tendou whispered when her returned to the living room.

"I know." Semi agreed.

"Well, there are two types of girls. They either flirt more to get from the friend to the boyfriend stage, or when they realise they like a guy, they grow shyer." Tendou shrugged.

"But she is neither. We don't even know if she likes him or not." Semi reminded him.

"That's true and a problem." Tendou scratched his chin.

Both of them started to brood over different ways to achieve the goal when Semi got an idea

"I know who we can ask for advice." Semi exclaimed.

"Who?" Tendou asked.

Semi pulled out his phone and dialed a number. Then he waited. Then he answered.

"Hey, Izumi-chan." he smiled. "We need some help."

"With what?" she groaned, unamused to be called at this hour.

"With our couple-to-be." Semi told her and that was all she needed.

There was a long sigh at the other end of the phone.

"Eita-kun, just leave them alone. If you guys force them together it will never work out." Izumi said, slightly annoyed.

"But time is running out. And this is the perfect situation." he reminded.

He was exactly wrong. These were the last school holidays before their graduation and final exams would be haunting them soon. And exam time is no time for couples. This was, in their eyes, the last chance for something to happen between those two. Izumi also knew this.

"Then make them interact." she offered as the safest and most logical plan. "She's in the kitchen a lot, right? Give him a reason to be in the kitchen like, I dunno, make him help her with the cooking or something."

Semi nodded, wished her a lovely Christmas and ended the call. Tendou expectantly looked at him, waiting for instructions. Semi sighed.

"Here's the deal."