*huff*
*huff*
*smack*
*thump*
*huff*
*huff*
"Once more!"
It was almost dusk, and the volleyboys were now practicing the last of their spikes on the beach as the sweltering heat of the afternoon sun had gone away, making the evening sun much more bearable. The afternoon, post-lunch, was spent indoors, away from the beach where the student council members were working.
Ergo, Ren-chan!
It was only about half an hour ago when they switched their training locations to the beach. When he walked there with his twin, he saw her giggling with the smug doofus captain of the boy's basketball team. No doubt, he was trying to get his chance with her.
Well, who wouldn't?!
Over the last couple of months, Ren had become some form of a celebrity in their school, respected and admired by all, especially for her efforts to collaborate with all clubs in the school as the council member.
That smug bastard from 3-A needs to be reminded of his place, which was not next to her!
He huffed angrily at how long the training was taking, but he knew that lacked the needed balls to skip training, especially when he could often feel the cold stare of his captain. That surely rooted him to his spot.
Ugh! Just get over already!
After what seemed like after many moons, their training for the day finally ended, with the sole exception of the final cool-down-jog along the shore.
He joined his twin and Suna, walking over to them as they rehydrated themselves, before running.
"Why does the training have to be long and gruelling?" he grumbled.
"It was actually rather chilled compared to last year. Did you forget how we had to train outdoors in the afternoon?" asked Suna.
"Yea but did you see how much less training the basketball idiots had?" he rebuked.
"Well, that's why we are number 2 in the nation, and they are in top 16," said 'Samu.
He grumbled incoherently at his twin, and ran.
"Can you slowpokes run faster? Damn it, I'm hungry!" and with that they slowly trailed after him.
"It's supposed to be cool-down-jog, shithead. Slow down or you'll sprain something tomorrow," shouted 'Samu, and he slowed down slightly.
But he was already so far away, that he didn't hear his twin and Suna talk about him.
"I'll bet he's just brooding over Ren-chan talking to Nagata-senpai about their upcoming game with Hyogo High School," said Suna.
"Yup. There's no doubt the bastard's jealous. He's so obvious! But I doubt he cares about that," said Osamu.
"He should, because I'm sure Kita-san has caught onto his intentions, and if this is one of his flings, Kita-san will fling him into the sea."
"Yea... and when that happens, let's help Kita-san."
"You bet, I'll help. With my camera, that is."
Dinner on their first night was a fun affair. Although the training regiment for the sports club members was arduous, the three groups of students that were spending a week by the beach, were actually enjoying themselves by the end of their training.
Student Council members had an incredibly productive day where they networked with the local shops and businesses, who would help them spread the word about the upcoming away games. They would generate some income by selling tickets, and that would help fund the teams when they qualify for nationals, and would have to go to Tokyo.
Rina-senpai took charge of their summer project really well, and it helped that her family owned a few shops here on the beach. Ren was a happy woman since her plan was working so smoothly. Even the council members were equally enthusiastic about the new nature of their work that was so much more than just regulating student behaviour in school.
But her happiness lasted only for a while, before he plopped himself next to her post-dinner.
Oh, kami!
Atsumu declared himself to be the most patient man that evening.
He waited while she chatted with her council friends about their project and planning.
He waited while she conversed with Kita-san and his grandmother's health.
He waited while Suna asked her some questions about their holiday homework.
He waited while she teased him, teaming up with 'Samu and Gin-kun.
And he waited all the while they finished their warm teas, and a comfortable silence fell on the table.
After all that, he grabbed her wrist, and tugged her out of the dining area of the lodge, where the Inarizaki students were staying at.
"Atsumu! What the hell! I hope you know kidnapping is a criminal offence!" shouted Ren.
He just smirked, glancing back at her fuming face.
"It's only criminal, if I have criminal intentions, which I assure ya, I don't. I'm just calling dibs on your time now. Everyone has interacted enough with you today, and now it's my turn."
"Well, then say what you wanna say! You didn't have to drag me out of my seat."
"Yea, but I like my privacy, and I'm not chatting with you in front of my classmates."
"Why not?"
"Because."
"Because?"
"Well, because."
"Ugh. Idiot."
The salty sea breeze hit them as soon as they stepped out of their lodge, and out into the beach. The night skies were littered with twinkling stars, and the silhouettes of the palm trees swayed slightly in the beach breeze.
He was acutely aware of his grip on her wrist, but he had no intention of letting it go, even when they reached the shores.
"Atsumu, I'm still wearing my indoor slippers! Look, how you've spoilt them!"
"I'll get us both new pairs, happy?"
"The lodge owners will be so mad, we spoilt the ones they loaned us."
"I'll buy them 4 more pairs, happy?"
"Are you sure, you even have that much money?"
"No. But 'Samu does."
He smirked at that, and glanced back to see her holding back her own laughter at his nonchalance.
"Alright. So what did you want to talk about?"
"Just... Things..."
"..."
"..."
"... So basically I got dragged here for nothing?" she tried to wriggle her wrist from his palms, but he only tightened his grip. "Let me go, Atsumu! I'm tired, and I refuse to walk any more, especially when we've nothing to talk about."
"We do. But okay, just sit next to me first, will you?"
He walked them a little closer to the crashing waves, and sat down on the beach, pulling her down to sit next to him.
She sat down obediently, adjusting the skirt of her dress to prevent them from flying away. He stared on at her, still not wanting to let go of her yet.
"You can let go of that death grip, Atsumu. I won't go away."
But why does it feel like you would? Like the ephemeral morning dew?
He let go of her wrist, and she dusted her palms, ridding them of any little grain of sand that clung to her when she sat down.
"So. Are you okay Atsumu? You've been a little off the past couple of weeks," she asked.
You have no idea.
"Nothing like that. I just feel like we don't spend enough time together."
"Atsumu. We are classmates, and do almost every pair project in class together. We walk to school and sometimes even walk back home together. We either go out to cafes on weekends or do group stay sessions at your place, or Suna's or Ginjima-kun's place or even mine," she stared at him, as if he's lost his marbles.
Still not enough, Ren-chan.
"You're right. But it still feels as though we don't."
She scoffed at him.
"You're so weird."
As the hem of her dress got caught in an errant breeze, and the scar on her left knee caught his attention.
"How's your therapy coming along?"
Her eyes widened slightly at his question, before she schooled them back.
"It gets better every week."
"Do you feel like you would be kicking a ball or two soon enough?"
She chuckled at that.
"Not so fast Atsumu. I do miss playing, but my fear is even greater. It will be a while."
"For sure. But no matter what, you know I'm here for you right? I mean, even 'Samu and Suna and Kita-san. Even Gin-kun."
She smiled at that, but her eyes looked a little dimmer.
"I know," she whispered, and looked back towards the sea. Her expressions were a little strained, but her issues were something he couldn't solve, even if he wanted to.
So he did the next best he could, and that was to distract her.
"I wear briefs as well as boxers."
"..."
He watched as her shocked gaze roved over him, especially hovering over his waist.
"..."
"... what in the actual hell are you talking about?!"
"You were the one who asked me about my underwear."
"No! We were talking about my therapy! No where did I mention anything close to underwear!"
"Ah, not today, but you did ask me once."
"What?! When?!"
"Our game of 20 questions, Ren-chan~~"
"When di-... oh. Oh."
"Yea. If you don't believe me, shall show it to you? Right now I am wearing boxers. I was wearing briefs in the daytime while training."
"Don't you dare, or I will chop off your arms."
"Meanie Ren-chan~~ I was gonna show how beautiful my maroon boxers are." He pouted a little for some extra drama.
"Just shut up, or I'll fling you into the sea."
"Oooo! I'm up for a skinny-dip, if you are!"
"Bye. I'm off to sleep."
She got up and started walking back towards their lodge, but he got up faster than her.
"I don't mind showing them to you in some secluded room too. Let's go Ren-chan!"
"No! NO! Don't you dare come anywhere near me! Or I'll tell Kita-san!"
Ah shit.
"Just kidding Ren-chan! Hahahah, you're so fun to tease. We'll keep the underwear modelling for another time."
"Yea like in a parallel universe where we both don't exist at the same time."
"Nah uh! You and I both will be together, in every universe."
He grabbed her by the waist and pulled her into a tight embrace, her palms smacking him in the chest at the sudden hug.
"Admit it, Ren-chan, you can't live without seeing my 'treasure chest' among many other priceless possessions I'm willing to show you," he said as he wiggled his eyebrows wildly at her, burying her further into his grasp.
And all he got in response was flushed face and a hard kick to his shins, before she stomped away into the lodge.
Going to bed that night was tough for poor Ren.
His endless flirting remarks and abrupt innuendos were all too much for her, especially when that peculiarly handsome smirk graced his face whenever he teased her.
But that wasn't all.
No, more than that, it was his gaze. It was like he wasn't just listening to everything. It was much more than that. It felt like he heard much more than she said. He was so perceptive, she was sure he never missed a single detail about her.
Yes, it was that sort of attention, and focus on her that made her feel so... exposed...
Feeling another blush gracing her face, she buried herself into the futon, and let go of her senses into the silence of the night. Later on she would briefly dream about twinkling stars, a soft beach and a too-attractive-for-her blonde haired boy.