The only establishment open was a family owned restaurant a block away from Mina's residence. Silence loomed over the couple, as Oikawa contemplated whether or not to catch her hand in his. Every time his fingers were close enough to brush against hers, he would lose the confidence to proceed further. After behaving like a class-A jackass, whether he had the right to dote on her was questionable. At least that was his train of thought.

Mina was rather annoyed by the male's indecisiveness, were they on good terms or not? If they were on good terms, why was he continuing to maintain a safe distance from her? As much as she aimed to avoid comparing him to Kuroo, she could not help but wish Oikawa had even a tenth of his maturity. Hell, she wished she had a tenth of it, too!

When they reached the establishment, she allowed Oikawa to complete all the talking. They were the first people to arrive according to the owner, who was also serving at the moment. The Seijoh captain had requested to be seated by the window. First, he knew that the sun would be rising soon which would make a breathtaking view. Second, he remembered how excited she was when a silver of light had illuminated his features. Of course Mina was too engrossed by her own thoughts to have realized the small gesture.

After setting the menu down, the owner had disappeared behind the kitchen door to fetch the couple some utensils and glasses.

"How is it that we're dating, and I feel like we're strangers?" It was the one thought that Mina was itching to express. It was both equally terrifying and therapeutic to finally have said it.

The question was certainly not one that he was prepared for, it stumped him.

"Can… you explain what you mean?"

The brunette waited for the owner to return with the drinks before providing him a response.

"I don't know much about you, Toru. I know that you love volleyball, I know your favourite sweets. I know…" Inhaling a sharp breath, she placed a palm against her forehead. "that you've had to work so hard to be where you are today. I love how passionate you are and how much love really resides within you… But that's it. I don't know anything else. Nothing about your family. I only learned that you have a nephew because I overheard Kageyama talking to someone about it."

It was dawning on him that there was a lot she had concealed from him, for his sake. Their relationship was built on stolen moments, and a few dates. There was hardly any time for conversations below the surface level. It was only natural that she desired more. Even so, her presence mattered to him. All that used to matter was volleyball. His first thought and last thought every day was volleyball … until he met her. He wanted to inform her about this, of course. But he was unable to swallow the imaginary clog in his throat.

"It's terrifying, because I don't think I should love you, but I do. It's all too sudden, and maybe I'm stupid. But I am so tired of holding everything back. It feels like I'm being crushed by these feelings. I'm not selfish for wanting you to care more." It was more that she was trying to convince herself than him. There was just so much pain. Pain from masking her feelings from her parents and now from him. Love wasn't supposed to hurt this much.

"Wow. I don't know how but I feel so happy and angry at the same time." She loved him. The circumstances around the confession were below optimal but, she loved him! He unquestionably had many flaws when it came to relationships, and for her sake he would work on them.

Mina stared at him, attempting to decode his admission. Was that really the most appropriate response after she just blurted out her feelings?

"You must think I'm crazy." A small smile had claimed his lips as he reached out across the table to capture her hands in his own. "Let me explain. I'm happy that the girl I love, loves me back. And I'm angry at myself for not realizing sooner that I was neglecting her feelings." He tenderly squeezed her hands, as Mina averted her gaze. "My pretty girl…I'll tell you whatever you want to know. But in exchange, I expect to learn more about you too. Is that fair?"

His voice had a velvety texture that was intoxicating, if love was poison then she was heavily infected already. All she wanted was to build a sturdy foundation for their relationship, his proposal was a step towards that.

"I think that sounds workable, pretty boy." A bright smile worked its way onto her features. Outside the sun had begun to rise, shining in its full glory, as if it were celebrating the progress made by the couple. The warm illumination pouring through the window accompanied by her breathtaking smile had Oikawa Toru flustered. A palm was used to cover the scarlet colour adorning his cheeks.

"What, you can't even look at me right now? So much for being a pretty girl…" A melodic laugh had departed as she shook her head. She really missed this, well. She really missed him.

"No! That's not it!" He accidentally was too animated, slamming his palms against the table, revealing the blush he was concealing. "I just really want to kiss you."

Of course he would pout while saying that, she mused to herself.

"Well, what are you doing after practice tonight? My father won't be home, so you can kiss me all you want." Wiggling her eyebrows, she propped an elbow on the table before resting her cheek against her hand sluggishly.

By now his entire face was burning, and his pout had become more exaggerated.

"Mina-chan stop teasing me!"

The brunette laughed at her adorable boyfriend then batted her eyelashes innocently.

"What? Who said I was joking?"

"Mina-chan!"

Time slipped on by as the pair discussed what the other missed in the last week and half. Oikawa described numerous moments where Shiratorizawa's Ace had 'harassed him' during their summer training camp. Mina's favourite story was when Oikawa had almost pounced on the Ace after hearing him comment on how surprised he was that Iwaizumi was able to score points at all. She imagined her boyfriend as a small puppy attempting to claw at a bear. When it was her turn to relay the best moments of the training camp, she instinctively chose to dance around the topic of her mother. Instead she focused on the more entertaining stories. She was technically hiding two key aspects of the summer training camp – the text from her mother and Kuroo's confession. It was not that she planned on hiding it forever. They were just topics for another day.

After settling the bill, there was an hour left before class started.

"So, you're coming after practice, right?" Mina rocked back and forth on her heels slightly, while curving a brow.

"Hmm. I'll think about it." A teasing grin was presented down at her.

"Fine. Don't." Turning away from him, she blew out a huff. She wouldn't beg!

"I'm just joking, don't take everything so serious." Snaking an arm around her from behind, he drew her body to his before dropping a kiss to her cheek.

"Let go, Toru. I need to change before school starts." She was fighting the urge to smile as she squirmed within his embrace.

"Okay, okay. I'll text you when I'm finished practice." Reluctantly he released her from his hold, before stepping back.

Dusting off the non-existent dirt from her clothes with the tips of her fingers, the brunette held her chin high. "Well. I won't be eagerly waiting!"

"But I will be. Eagerly waiting to see you once more, that is."

Between the smoothest comment she had ever heard and the smug expression on his face, the only appropriate response she could think of was to squeal.

A/N: So Mina is still hiding things, smh. But they cute, eh.