I've wanted to post this chapter for so damn long... :3

Thanks for all who followed and favorited! :D

Areil408 : I don't know if my story is asperfect as youu say but I'm trying! ^^ I'm glad you liked last chapter and Akaashi's line, I hope you'll be just as impatient with the end of this chapter~ ^^

SoulXHunter : Of course they won~ Akaashi is so wise. IT'S AKAASHI AND THAT'S WHY WE LOVE HIM SO MUCH! HE'S THE SANE ONE IN THE GROUP THAT WE ALL DESPERATELY NEED AND WANT! Doorknob-papa-san will have more development later on, as much as Kenta, don't worry! ;) He's not THAT bad... I think that if Ayaka's fiancé option was Bokuto... currently as things are, she'd probably keep it hidden or if she said anything to him, it would be without expecting anything in return. There are some Fukurodani options on doorknob-papa-san's list but they're behind Ushijima. I didn't think while starting this story that I'd enjoy so much writnig Ayaka with Akaashi and the rest of teh team, but their interactions are so great~ With the hope tht you'll like this chapter~ :3

GeekatHeart21 : I'm glad you liked last chapter and I hope it'll be the case for this one as well~ ;)

sobasicallyme : Not sure last chapter really WAS drama but it sure as hell is coming. If things look promising then I'm glad I can still entertain readers even after 28 chapters! ^^ And you're right, Akio is such a great character! :D

ghostvu : When I first read your reviews, I didn't understand what you meant about the auto-correct because I was so exhausted that my mind didn't even understand what I was reading. Then I re-read it. And I laughed! XD I can't tell which I like most - Awake, Ayala or Bouton?

ThePinkyNinja : I love your pseudo. AND I AM SO HAPPY YOU LIKE THIS STORY TO THE POINT OF READING IT IN ONE DAY! *happy dance* When can Bokuto get the girl... well - which girl? And whoever he ends up with... you'll have to read the end of the story~ ;)


FANFICTION

HAIKYUU! : SOWLMATES

CHAPTER XXVIII : The Price of Honesty

"Love is honesty. Love is a mutual respect for one another."

Simone Elkeles, Leaving Paradise

"A broken heart bleeds tears."

Steve Maraboli, Life, the Truth, and Being Free

Bokuto fell face first into the grass, his entire body aching after the intensity with which he had played against Usui High-school. He let out a groan while the rest of the team joined him on the ground.

"Eat well, you need to take your strength back," Yamiji said as the bentos were being put on the grass for everyone to eat.

"I'm not sure I even have the strength to eat…" Komi admitted, laying on the grass.

"I want a nap…" Konoha added, yawning.

"You'll take naps after eating," Ayaka said.

She nudged the boys lightly with her feet. They groaned, more to appear annoyed than actually being. She laughed at their exhausted states but slowly, they straightened up and ate. They talked excitedly about their crushing victory. Winning always was satisfying and making them happy, but they had made their best match against a team that had crushed them and left them shaken up last year. It made today's victory a thousand times more pleasing.

"I had no idea you could use straights so well, Bokuto!" Konoha exclaimed.

"Well, I did miss a few of them in the second set…" He admitted sheepishly.

"We just need to work a little more to perfect them, Bokuto-san," Akaashi answered.

Bokuto grinned before lifting up his fist, Akaashi smiled back then put his fist against his.

"You got your revenge, Bokuto-san."

"Yeah… I did… Now the only one left is Sakusa!" Bokuto exclaimed with a determined expression.

After their lunch, and a well-deserved nap, Fukurodani Academy's volleyball team went back to the gymnasium. Just like during the opening ceremony, the teams gathered into the main one with one difference: their number. They were now only sixteen teams. Everyone was serious because they knew that from now on, just one defeat would mean that they'd leave the competition. At every step of the InterHigh, things got more and more serious but after the preliminaries, after being the number one in their prefectures, after becoming the first two of their groups… now only the best sixteen were left until only one won. By the end of the week, the winner would be known.

After dinner, in their room, Komi was massaging Bokuto's muscles that ached more than usual after their intense match.

"Where did you get this massage oil?" Bokuto asked, the minty scent familiar.

"I asked it to Kanemoto before dinner. I said we all had sore muscles and needed her oil."

"Oh…" Bokuto simply answered, realizing that it was the same product Ayaka had applied on his shoulder and back months ago.

He thought back of the moment they had spent in the nurse office, the girl massaging his aching muscles after he had tried playing with the skeleton. He chuckled, thinking back of everything.

"What is it, Bokuto-san?" Akaashi asked while he was being massaged by Konoha.

"Nothing, I was just thinking about something happy…" He answered with a smile, "I feel better now, thanks," Bokuto told Komi.

Komi took some oil and started massaging his arms and thighs on his own – he could reach them after all. Bokuto went to massage Konoha who took off his t-shirt and turned his back to the Ace.

"Talking about Kanemoto, she was all pretty once again today," Komi added, "Just after she had gone up to give me the oil, she went back down and she met with her date."

Bokuto turned towards him at once but no one seemed to notice the sudden trouble in his eyes.

"Ushijima-kun. I think they went on a date or something, she took his arm and they climbed into a taxi."

"It was probably a dinner with Ayaka's father. He was here today, at our match," Akaashi said.

"Uh? He was there?" Konoha asked with wide eyes, "Aouch, easy there Bokuto, you're about to disconnect my shoulder."

"Sorry," Bokuto answered.

"Aaah, that feels good… There! There! Press there!" Konoha exclaimed as the Ace obeyed him.

"I hope no one will hear us moaning and sighing through the walls…" Komi said with a chuckle.

"So… Kanemoto was there?" Bokuto asked, "I mean, the father?"

"He was, I saw him before entering the court. He wasn't here at the end of the match so I don't know when he left, though," Akaashi answered.

"Do you think it's serious between Ayaka and this Ushijima Wakatoshi?" Komi asked.

Bokuto glanced at his friends, his heart beating a little faster. Akaashi and Bokuto thought back on the conversation they had had last week in the school. Ayaka had told them about her brother, but mostly, about her probably arranged marriage. They only understood it now, but if she had shared this, it was probably because she had just learned about it last week.

Akaashi sighed before answering Komi:

"I don't think she likes him – or that he likes her. They met recently and the marriage was something recent. Ayaka told us about it last week, to Bokuto-san and I."

"I can't believe a high-schooler is already ready to get married – and someone we know as well…" Konoha said while putting his t-shirt back on.

"Ayaka isn't a common high-schooler," Bokuto intervened, "We're high-schoolers who just happen to be good enough to play on a national level in volleyball. Ayaka has dealt with people a hundred times better than us her whole life. She knows people we couldn't even think of. She spent her life being raised as the Kanemoto daughter – she probably knew her whole life that she'll end up married off to some pro-athlete. It just… it's just happening earlier than she had imagined…"

Akaashi stared at Bokuto who looked down at his hands that were fumbling nervously.

"That explains a few things about her actually. She always avoids spending too much time with us, and recently she's been spacing out way more than usual." Konoha said.

"It also explains why she didn't try to tell her feelings to–"

Akaashi's voice broke suddenly, Konoha and Komi glancing at him in slight panic just as Bokuto's eyes looked up, widening.

"I-I mean…" The setter hesitated, for once, losing his cool.

They had been so relaxed and exhausted Akaashi had completely forgotten that the only one who didn't know about Ayaka's feelings for Bokuto was the Ace himself.

"Ayaka is in love with someone?" Bokuto asked, straightening up and frowning lightly.

Akaashi glanced at Komi and Konoha who quickly looked away, completely abandoning him to deal with the mess he had just created, trying to appear as innocent as Bokuto.

"I wonder who it could be?" Komi said out loud.

Konoha glared at him to shut him up while Akaashi was under Bokuto's intense gaze. Just like during the match in the morning, the setter felt as if he had no other choice but to answer the entire truth to the Ace… When he looked like that, he looked like a determined predator that wouldn't give up on his prey for anything.

"I-I think she is… s-she never told me anything…" Akaashi lied, thinking that if Ami were to learn about his tongue slipping she'd probably get to Chiba just to personally strangle him.

Bokuto stared at Akaashi, many emotions going in his eyes. There was disbelief at his words, then betrayal that he wouldn't know anything when he felt much closer to Ayaka than Keiji was. Then, realization that it all made sense. Ayaka was much happier than at the beginning of the year, more open and there had been times when Koutarou had walked past her and Ami and there had been this blissful, flushed expression on her face… Bokuto didn't know much about love, but he was pretty sure that this was the way a girl in love looked like…

Akaashi, Konoha and Komi glanced at each other worriedly, not wanting Bokuto's mood to drop.

Koutarou was thinking deeply about all the little clues that made so much sense. She was always doodling little hearts and owls on her notes, she always looked giddy and happy. Ayaka had fallen in love and it must have been someone on the team considering they were the only ones to really approach her. But who could it be among–

His eyes glanced up at Akaashi.

"I think I know who it is…" Bokuto murmured, a look of distress on his face.

"Y-you do…?" Konoha hesitated, glancing nervously at Akaashi who looked away.

It was all Bokuto needed to have his proof. The way Konoha and Komi kept glancing at Akaashi was obvious enough. Not only Akaashi and Kanemoto spent lots of time together in practice – more than Koutarou and Ayaka – but they were also classmates.

"I… I think I'll go get something to drink. Someone wants something?" He asked, getting up and grabbing his wallet.

"No thanks."

"I'm fine."

He left the room and at once, Konoha and Komi glared at Akaashi.

"Congratulations! How are we going to explain anything to Ayaka if she finds out Bokuto figured it out?! He's still obsessing over his Sowlmate!"

"It slipped my tongue!" Akaashi exclaimed, "And… I don't think Bokuto figured out it was him she likes…"

"Come on, she looks at him with hearts in her eyes. There is no way he wouldn't have noticed but he only understands it now!" Komi exclaimed before falling on his bed, "Ayaka is going to kill us!"

"No, she'll kill Akaashi."

"I don't see what's wrong in Bokuto knowing. If anything… he'll probably realize his own feelings this way." Akaashi answered.

"Put that way… it might work out… somehow…" Komi muttered, glancing at the setter.

But all three of them couldn't shake off their nerves getting the best of them.

In the halls, Bokuto was walking aimlessly until he found the vending machine. He put some coins and pressed a button. His drink fell with a metallic sound and he growled, leaning his head against the vending machine's window.

"I'm such an idiot for not figuring it out earlier!" He muttered against himself, eyes closed tightly, "When I think that I tried to kiss her – and in front of Akaashi! He probably interrupted us for that reason! I don't even know why I'd try to kiss her! Stupid, stupid, airhead! Idiot, imbecile!" He kept repeating, hitting his head at every insult.

"Who did you try to kiss?"

Bokuto froze, glancing at his left where the voice had come from. He finally saw Shirofuku who was watching him from a seat, calmly drinking a can.

"SHIRO- Yu- Agh! Uh! W-w-what are you doing here?!" He asked, panicking.

He tied to appear nonchalant, leaning 'casually' against the vending machine. The girl stared at him suspiciously, narrowing her eyes while he slowly felt his heart increase with the pressure she was putting on him.

"Same as you, I'm taking a drink," she answered, lifting up her can.

"I-I mean, I thought you sick?"

"Ayaka isn't here to keep me down so I sneaked out. I'm tired of being in bed and I'm feeling much better anyway…" She answered, shrugging.

"You look like shit, though…"

"And you look like an idiot with your forehead so red."

Bokuto blushed in embarrassment, remembering that she had heard him muttering. He had thought he had been alone.

"So~ who did you try to kiss?" Yukie continued with a teasing grin.

"NO ONE!" Bokuto exclaimed at once.

He bent down to take his drink and have an excuse to go but he somehow managed to get his forearm stuck and he had to kneel to get his drink and arm back. Yukie shook her head with a sigh when he managed to get free and opened the drink.

"Is this about Ayaka?" She asked.

Bokuto jumped, his drink flying. He tried to catch it but the sudden move added to the previous fight against the can in the vending machine ended up in the drink foaming up. It covered Bokuto's hand, the can slid from his fingers and landed on his chest, covering his t-shirt with the drink and foam.

He stared at the now empty can at his feet then sighed. Yukie chuckled while he leaned down to get the can into the nearest trash can.

"Here," Yukie said, throwing him some handkerchief to wash off the drink on the floor – and on him.

"Thanks…" He muttered, flushed in embarrassment.

"So, considering your reaction, I figure I was right. It is about Ayaka-chan~ When did you try to kiss her~?"

"It was an accident!" He exclaimed, blushing, "S-she was nearby and then… just… stuff happened! But nothing happened!"

"Because Akaashi interrupted you?"

"Yes…" He answered sadly, "I mean! It was a good thing! Thank goodness Akaashi was here! Ahah!"

Yukie hesitated, recalling what he had been muttering to himself before seeing her.

"Other than your amazing denial…" she started absentmindedly.

"What? I wasn't listening?" He asked, looking back at her with panicked eyes.

"Nothing~ What did you figure out?" She asked.

Bokuto flushed before sitting down next to his friend. He remained silent a moment before answering:

"Akaashi told me that she's in love with someone."

"Oh shit…" She muttered, thinking that the poor setter would get murdered at some point if Ayaka were to learn about this.

"And… I think I know who it is and it makes me feel SO guilty to not have figured out that my friends were… was… that… THIS happened!" He answered, his thoughts all over the place.

Yukie would have been glad, if the way he had phrased it hadn't been so awkward.

"Wait… did you figure out who she likes?" She asked worriedly.

"Akaashi. And he is so oblivious he doesn't even realize it!" Bokuto answered, frowning at nothing in particular.

Yukie looked away quickly, covering her mouth with one hand, the other clenching almost painfully her can.

"Coming from you, this is…!" She hissed to herself, trying not to laugh or scream – or both.

But then, his answer sank and she froze, turning slowly towards her friend.

"Wait – Akaashi? You mean, Akaashi Keiji? You think Ayaka-chan is in love with Akaashi?"

"Yes…"

"That's… an interesting theory…" She answered, trying hard not to hit him on the head.

"I don't know what to think anymore… I thought… that… I don't know… I don't know anymore…" He muttered before frowning, "That's very sad."

Yukie was about to speak up when she saw his expression… He looked so sad, and she could tell it was because he thought Ayaka was in love with another guy. Bokuto himself was probably not aware of his own feelings… Yukie leaned forward, putting a comforting hand on his forearm to reassure her friend.

"Look, Bokuto… Don't–"

"Yukie-chan? Bokuto… san?"

They both looked up at Ayaka who was standing, followed by Ushijima, a few meters away. A look of shock and distress passing on her face, her eyes glancing between Yukie, Bokuto and the hand the manager had put on the boy's forearm.

Yukie quickly pulled away, flushing in embarrassment.

"Ayaka-chan, w-what are you doing here at this hour?" She hesitated.

Ayaka hesitated, glancing at Ushijima who didn't seem to comprehend why everyone looked so embarrassed.

"I… I could ask you two the same… It's very late to… walk around…" She answered, "I-I think I'll just let you two… do your thing…"

Ayaka grabbed Ushijima's wrist then pulled him, walking away quickly despite the confused look on the dark-haired boy.

"Wait! Ayaka-chan! It's not what you think!" Yukie exclaimed, getting up suddenly.

She turned towards Bokuto who blinked at her:

"Oh, what a mess… You, go back in your room and do… whatever you guys do at this hour! Also, don't overthink things! Akaashi isn't interest in Ayaka! And I need to quickly reassure her before she overthinks things as well…"

Yukie put her can into the boys' hands who looked just as confused as Ushijima a moment ago.

"I don't want of your microbes!" He exclaimed while she ran after Ayaka.

Yukie didn't answer but Bokuto sighed before throwing the can in the trash can and getting up to join the others in their room. It was getting late, especially after such an intense match. Even if things still felt messed up in his mind, he was glad he had talked with Yukie about this whole deal. Bokuto found the three boys sleeping under their covers and went into his own bed as quietly as possible. As soon as his head was on the pillow, he heard moving in the bed next of his and Akaashi's quiet voice spoke up:

"Bokuto-san, I'm sorry for earlier."

Bokuto blinked in the darkness, not understanding what the setter meant.

"You don't have to apologize. It's not your fault… Also… I should be the one to apologize after what I had done before the opening ceremony."

Akaashi's brows furrowed even if no one could see him. Bokuto sighed loudly and rolled on his back, thinking back on everything Ayaka had told him before the opening ceremony. Before he had tried to kiss her…

"What do you think it means if you want to kiss someone you shouldn't?"

"It means you like the someone, you airhead…" Komi grumbled from under his covers.

"Or that you need to get laid asap," Konoha added.

Bokuto remained silent a moment, thinking over his friends' words, blushing despite himself. Finally, he chuckled and turned back towards Akaashi.

"Neh, Akaashi… Today's match was awesome. We make a really good team, right?"

Akaashi moved and the light was turned on as Akaashi sat up, staring at Bokuto with narrowed eyes.

"I will go sleep in another room. I'm freaked out now and I won't be able to sleep." He said while the others sat up as well.

"Eh? But! Akeeashi! Why?!" Bokuto exclaimed.

"You just went from wanting to kiss someone you shouldn't to us making a great team – I don't want to be attacked during the night if you want so badly to get laid."

"That's not what I meant!" Bokuto exclaimed, flushing while the other two years were snickering behind their covers, "I won't do anything to you! Or anyone! The idea freaks me out just as much as you!"

Akaashi stared for a long moment at Bokuto before sighing.

"Yes, Bokuto-san… We make a good team… All of us." Akaashi added, glancing at the wiggling forms under the covers in front of them.

"We'll win tomorrow?" Bokuto asked with a smile as Akaashi lied down and reached for the light.

"Only if you sleep now."

"Yes! I will!"

"Of course we'll win! Who do you think we are?!" Konoha asked, throwing a grin at Bokuto.

The four boys chuckled before the door suddenly opened to a very angry and tired-looking Suda.

"Go to sleep all of you! We can hear you at the other side of the hall!" He hissed.

They all fell silent and Akaashi turned off the light, all of them hiding under their covers, biting their lips to not laugh too loudly.

The next day there were the eighth finals and quarter finals. Fukurodani Academy won, with some difficulty their match of eighth. Hisakawa had started as regular before being replaced half-way through the match by Akaashi. Still, the victory had been hard to get. In the afternoon, they fought hard but ultimately, they lost…

Konoha and Komi were still sniffing and drying their tears when Matsuoka and Suda made a call to go into the bus that would bring them back in Tokyo after a drop at their hotel for their bags.

"Where are Akaashi and Washio?" Matsuoka asked.

"Toilets, not long ago…" Konoha answered.

"And Bokuto?"

Komi looked around before shrugging. Suda sighed deeply… Despite the straights spikes, Bokuto had been blocked many times today and even if he didn't give up once, the loss, like every loss of the team, had been particularly hard on him.

"I think I know where he might be. I'll go get him," Ayaka said, getting up from her bag, "You should start going into the bus to be in time."

"All right," Matsuoka nodded.

Komi, Konoha and Yukie glanced at each other a little worriedly. Even if Bokuto hadn't spoken about the mess of last night yet, and even if Ayaka had told Yukie that she understood that they were just friends and nothing more… They all expected a huge mess to happen soon. It felt as if the whole team could feel the tension bubbling up. Ayaka was in love with Bokuto who was obsessing over his Sowlmate and thought Ayaka liked Akaashi.

Ayaka was walking through the almost empty halls, looking for the Ace. After discussing with Yukie last night, she had understood that her reaction had been ridiculous. Nothing was happening between Yukie and Koutarou – just the idea of it had made Yukie laugh. But after the terribly boring evening with Ushijima, her father and brother… Ayaka had jumped to conclusions way too fast.

I have to stop getting jealous every time I see him with another girl… She thought to herself.

Still, today the Ace had glanced several times at her with a curious look she couldn't understand. Actually, pretty much everyone had been glancing between her and Bokuto all day and if the Ace didn't seem to notice, she wondered if it had anything to do with her evening spent with her family – plus Ushijima.

She opened a back door that led into the garden behind the gymnasium and looked around. Ayaka couldn't help but smile when she saw Bokuto sitting on a bench, a few meters away. She approached him quietly then sat at his sides.

"Did you come here to let out your frustration?" She asked, noticing some grass on his pants and the dirt at his feet turned over.

"Mmm…" He answered, trying not to grumble at the girl.

Bokuto could tell she had come out of concern for him.

"The grass is innocent, you know…" She said, a little, amused smile on her lips.

Koutarou glanced at her and couldn't help it. He laughed, softly. He looked back at her and Ayaka sighed, tapping lightly his thigh, getting up.

"Come on, the others are waiting for you, Ace."

"Do you still think I'm worthy of being the Ace and Captain after losing?" He asked, not moving from an inch.

Ayaka turned to him and observed him for so long that he felt his cheeks heating up, not quite knowing why.

"Bokuto Koutarou. You are not the only one winning or losing – the whole team does. You are not more guilty of this defeat than any other player. But one thing is sure… without you… without their Ace, they wouldn't have gone so far into the competition. Not just because of your power or skills but also…"

She paused, her soft, proud smile tugging at her lips. Her eyes sparkled and Koutarou's breath was caught in his throat, not quite knowing if it was the way her eyes sparkled or if it was because of her words.

"Also because when they were feeling down, you were there. You pulled them up and pushed them towards victory."

She leaned forward, taking his hands to force him to get up. She had to look up to stare into his eyes but Koutarou couldn't help and smile lightly, feeling much better with the girl at his sides.

"Isn't it what an Ace and future Captain should do?" She asked.

Bokuto nodded softly at her words, reassured and comforted.

"Thank you…" He said, a little disappointed when she let go of his hands, "You know," he suddenly spoke up, as they advanced calmly towards the door, "Akaashi said something last night… about you… liking someone…"

Ayaka froze completely, her heart suddenly beating way too fast, panic invading her. She couldn't even think of murdering Akaashi because she was too scared that Bokuto had figured it out… figured out she liked him but mostly, that she had been too much of a coward to tell him face to face… If he had learned this way… she'd hate herself…

Bokuto continued advancing, not noticing her stillness.

"I thought that it was Akaashi you liked, but he tried to strangle me this morning when I said that so…"

"No!" Ayaka exclaimed suddenly, "I-it's not Akaashi!" She exclaimed, her voice breaking in panic.

Bokuto thinking she liked someone else might be just worse than him knowing about her feelings from another's mouth.

Bokuto stopped and slowly turned to her, cheeks flushed. He stared at the girl who looked so embarrassed and panicked. He smiled softly.

"I think I know… but… just so you know… whoever that is… even if it's Ushijima… he's a very lucky guy…" Koutarou said, his voice a little too tight.

Bokuto continued walking and Ayaka felt tears invading her eyes. Bokuto knew she liked someone. He didn't know who. He thought it was someone else, he thought it might be Ushijima…

Maybe it was the panic, maybe it was her damn habit of speaking up without thinking, maybe it was the fear of losing Bokuto definitely if he thought she liked someone else… Maybe it was the way he kept his jaw tight and his shoulders were dropping lightly…

"You…" She squeaked, tears escaping her eyes as Bokuto froze, a few meters ahead from her, "It's you…!"

Ayaka gasped, realizing what she had just said and quickly covered her mouth, her entire body trembling.

Koutarou, not sure he had sure right or had understood what she meant, turned slowly towards her, his heartbeat increasing. A part of him was terribly glad for the words he had just heard… but another part was completely panicking and he wished he had misheard. But the way Ayaka was trembling, blushing terribly, hands covering her lips and tears in her eyes, not daring to look his way…

Koutarou's lips fell open. The others' behavior from last night made so much sense… So, so much sense…

What an idiot… He thought to himself, for once, at a loss for words.

Ayaka took a shaky breathe and glanced up at a thunderstruck and shaken Bokuto. She closed her eyes, swallowing hard. She wanted to deny it, to pretend he had misheard. This way, everything would go back to normal.

No it won't go back to normal. She thought to herself, as she slowly pulled her hands away from her mouth.

Now that he had heard, now that he knew… the least she could do was being honest until the end…

She opened her mouth, her lips trembling. She looked up and despite the tears in her eyes, she saw him very clearly.

"I-it's you I like… Bokuto Koutarou…" She whispered, feeling as if she had just jumped off a cliff into the unknown.

Hearing the words destined to him, erasing all possible doubt that he had heard wrong, Koutarou's eyes widened and his lips fell open in shock.


If it ain't a cliffhanger... considering I can't post till next week...

NOW SUFFER WHILE I WRITE MORE CHAPTERS! I CAN'T WAIT TO KNOW WHAT YOU'LL THINK OF THIS CHAPTER! :D

Yours Truly,

May