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I am happy with the positive response of the last chapter. So much fluff :)

curlystruggle: Don't scream too loud. They will hear you. The fluff will get you.

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Chapter 38 - A turn of Events

"Tami-chan," Oikawa called. "Earth to Tami-chan."

The setter waved his hand before her eyes repeatedly, trying to get her to snap back to reality. But he wasn't successful. She stared into nothingness, her mind completely absent. Oikawa's shoulders slumped. Iwaizumi, who was sitting next to Oikawa, turned his eyes away from the court.

"Leave her alone, alien-for-brains." Iwaizumi grumbled.

Oikawa leaned away and pouted. It had been 10 minutes since they had sat down to watch the match between Karasuno and Inarizaki, and she still hadn't spoken a word. It wasn't strange for her to be quiet sometimes but not responding to anything was unusual. Oikawa turned to her boyfriend instead. Their eyes met.

"Ushiwaka-chan, what's wrong with her?" he asked.

"Her mother is coming home." the ace simply explained.

Now it was self-explanatory. The two third-years had only heard about her condition in their last year of middle school. Izumi had told them. Tamiko knew that they knew and she didn't care. Oikawa and Iwaizumi exchanged a glance before turning their attention back to the court. Both teams had already started their warm-ups while the crowd of spectators grew larger and larger. What caught Iwaizumi's attention were the amount girl's with banners mentioning the Miya twins. He found it amusing that Oikawa hadn't noticed that he had been outnumbered when it came to a fangirl club. However, in Tamiko's mind there was chaos. Her mother was coming home.

-the night earlier-

"You are coming home?" Tamiko exclaimed.

She didn't realise that her hand was shaking. The pool of emotions was still present and now it showed no sign of leaving. If anything, it could get worse. Her pulse had elevated as well after she had heard those words. Was this some cruel joke or was this really happening?

"Yes, I got enough hours to go on holiday for two weeks." her mother explained.

"When will you come?" Tamiko asked.

"End of March," her mother informed. "I don't want to miss your graduation."

A big smile grew on her face. And yet, she felt as if there was disappointment waiting behind those news. Instead, her mother listed things to be done, things to expect and when to expect them. It was really happening.

"Will you tell Tobio?" her mother asked. "I can't reach his phone."

"I will," she promised.

There was no possible chance that she wouldn't tell him. When she would, she didn't know yet. She did know where he was staying since she had to sign the slip from the school. It may not be allowed to do that in her age but she was still his guardian. Since he was having important matches she didn't want to throw him out of focus either. No, she would wait until all the matches were over.

"Ah, before I forget," her mother interjected. "I have found someone in America."

"Found someone?" Tamiko asked, cautious.

Her eyes fell on Ushijima who was now sitting upright on the bed. Instead of spending his time doing something for himself he was watching and listening. She was secretly glad that he was.

"Yes, he is wonderful," she dreamily sighed. "He will come as well since he wants to meet you two."

"Does he?"

Tamiko was more than bewildered. Her mother had found a man after all those years since father had left. Since then she had been drowned in her work so it might be a good thing that she had found a man. She might have more time for her and Tobio now.

"Yeah, you will like him. He is a very sweet man," her mother swooned.

"If you say so," Tamiko answered, a little unsure.

"I will email you the details later," she told her.

Tamiko nodded to herself when her eyes met with Ushijima's again. He was still watching her as she strolled around the room.

"Oh, mum," Tamiko blurted out.

"Yes, sweety?"

The words were lying on her tongue. I have someone, too. It was too easy to say them, a little too easy. You will like him, mum. He is a little quiet but very sweet. So many things she wanted to tell her. About Tobio's success, her manager position and her athletically talented boyfriend.

"I can't wait to see you." she blurted out instead.

"Neither can I," her mother answered.

The call ended with Tamiko staring into nothing, her arms hanging. First the broken glasses, the colour-blindness and now this. It was too much. Ushijima stood and walked in front of her. It was just a guess from him but he wrapped his arms around her all the same. An unusual hug as well. He squeezed her a little tighter than usual and it was something she yearned for.

"What is happening," she mumbled into his shirt.

"Your mother is coming home after a long time." he told her.

"It's weird," she muttered and pulled away from him. "I don't feel happy at all. I don't even feel anger."

Ushijima wanted to pull her into his arms again but she avoided his gentle pull. Instead she began to pace. She paced in the room chewing on the nail of her index finger. Ushijima watched her. Like a caged animal in a zoo she seemed to be losing her mind. It made him feel a little uncomfortable and confused to see her in such an unusual state but he was sure that he had to do something. He stopped her pacing and held her shoulders.

"Tamiko," he spoke. "If you need any help I can do that."

"It's fine, Toshi-kun," she sighed. "I'll be fine."

Like always, she added in her mind. Ushijima frowned. It was one thing being independent but this was the wrong time to show that trait, even he knew this. He had always wondered what would happen if her mother would ever come back and from the phone call there seemed to be a big change on the way. Another man. For a short moment he wondered what a good boyfriend would do now. He did like her after all. He could just jump over his own shadow. And so he did.

She avoided his gaze, ashamed of showing him her vulnerability again. No, she can't be weak. She had been strong for all this time. She couldn't lose now. Showing weakness was the worst thing you could do, that's what she had learned throughout her life. Tamiko's eyes widened when she felt his lips on her forehead. When he pulled away she gaped at him, surprised at the sudden sign of affection. Their eyes locked and she tried to find a speck of logical reason in his eyes. Instead they were so soft.

"Don't think that you are alone." he told her before quiet adding, "I'm here as well."

For the first time did she see pain in his eyes. Was she really that important to him? Even after the short time they had spend with each other? She wasn't even sure if she felt the same way. Ashamed and now struck with guilt her eyes became watery. Again he wrapped his arms around her and she quietly sobbed into his shirt, clawing into his back. Every now and then she whispered his name and as an answer he squeezed her a little. He was there for her and she had to know this. For minutes they stood like this when Ushijima's watch chimed.

"We should go to bed," he suggested.

Tamiko nodded quickly, wiggled free and disappeared into the bathroom. When she looked at herself in the mirror her eyes were red with tears. She grimaced at herself and managed a smile before washing her face. She took her time. It wasn't that she didn't want him here but she wanted some alone time for now. Ushijima was already lying in bed with his eyes closed when she emerged. It was a double bed, a wish from Izumi who had wanted to share a bed. Now she had to share the bed with Ushijima. Tamiko swallowed. He didn't move when she slipped under the duvet, much to her relief. He did however let out a big sigh.

"Good night," she mumbled as she lay on her side.

He hummed and Tamiko smiled to herself. Warmth grew to her cheeks as the reality of the situation sank in. However, it didn't feel awkward. If anything she wanted to cuddle with him but he was probably too tired. And she wasn't sure if he would like that anyway. Instead she closed her eyes. Sleep quickly found her and when the alarm sounded the next morning they woke up face to face.

-present time-

The phone call still didn't go out of her head. She really was coming this time and now she was thinking of all the scenarios that could play out. Chaos. Happy reunion. Hatred. It was mainly negativity that was present in her mind. But the man her mother had mentioned awakened her curiosity. What was he like, what did he look like? So many questions and possible faces went through her mind. Her head rested in her palm when she felt a hand gently squeeze her other one.

"Think of something else," Ushijima spoke into her ear.

Their eyes met for a moment, blue and olive. Others would have thought of it as rude but she knew exactly what he was trying to say. Tamiko managed to twitch her lips up to a smile. A warm yet sad smile. Then she gazed down at the court and her eyes widened.

"Orange," she mumbled. "They're wearing orange."

And then she burst into laughter as she saw the thirteen oranges and one black crow.