It was finally Monday, which meant that the training camp was over. The long three days were tiring and filled with constant jokes. Bokuto had the time to tell me weird yet funny jokes, but he allowed himself to get annoyed by Kuroo, who also joined in the fun. Kuroo's jokes were straight up science jokes that I didn't understand. I laughed so I didn't make him feel bad, but Kuroo saw through my lie many times.

"Hey Hayashi!" Bokuto popped in front of my desk like a groundhog seeing light for the first time.

My arm was propped on the table as my hand held my cheek. "Hi Bokuto, what's the joke you have for me today? Is it going to be better than Kuroo's science jokes?" I cracked a smile, remembering Kuroo's vexed face when he tried to educate me about his jokes.

"Yeah, my joke is better than his lame ones! Even I don't understand. I doubt his teammates know it either." Bokuto huffed, looking away for a few seconds before looking back at me. "Okay here's one, why did the bullet lose his job?"

"Ummm… I don't know."

"Because he got fired." A gummy smile appeared on my face as I laughed at that classic yet simple joke.

His jokes always lighten up my morning. "Pft! Haha! You have a lot of time on your hand to make me laugh huh?"

"Of course! You're my friend! Don't forget to sit with us at lunch!" Bokuto said, then moved to his seat in the classroom when class begun.

"Bokuto, Bokuto, Bokuto…" I mumbled out his name like I was chanting a spell. "You are an oddball…"

During the whole school day, I've been hearing students talk about a murder that took place near the school, so all clubs were canceled until further notice. The police haven't caught the murderer, my parents are out of town, and I'm alone with Kazue. This was a scary matter to think about.

"Why do you look so shaken up, Hayashi?" Bokuto noticed my quiet behavior and pale face.

"Oh…" I didn't know if I should even tell him about my worries. It's enough on his plate that he's trying to make me smile and laugh more. "It's—"

"Bokuto-san," Akaashi interjected. "I'm pretty sure Hayashi has heard about the recent murder near our school. It's been roaming around today." Akaashi was as sharp as ever. He already knew my anxiety and guessed it right.

"Hayashi, aren't your parents out of town too?" Bokuto remembered me telling him about it on the bus ride back to Tokyo yesterday.

"Yeah, what bad timing they have… but I'll be fine! Don't worry about me!" I didn't want the two to be concerned about me.

"If you get scared, we're just a call away." Akaashi assured me.

"Yep, just like what Akaashi said."

Hearing them say that made me feel like the luckiest person in the world. I'm glad I'm their friend. "Yes, I'll keep that in mind."

Later Akaashi parted ways, and it was just me and Bokuto. "Hey, you can go home without me. I have to go to Kazue's daycare and pick her up." I didn't want to remove myself from Bokuto because the sky was getting orange and I'm scared to walk alone with my daughter, but I didn't want to hold him back either. His parents may not like it.

Bokuto shook his head. "Nah, I can't do that. Let me come with you and drop you off, so I know that you both are safe. I'll make sure that no one hurts you." He grinned as if he was a superhero trying to protect his people.

It's a good thing he said that before I could ask him. It'd feel like a burden for me to ask than him to say it first. "That sounds good!" So we moved out together.

Once we got there, we headed inside the building and went to the room she was located in. "It's been so long since I've seen Kazue! I hope she'll remember me."

"Oh, she talks about you all the time! Kazue's a smart and bright child. Even I'm surprised she remembers you. She's always like 'where's Bo?'" Kazue's memories were better than mine. Her doll eyes were always filled with knowledge and the eagerness to learn more.

Bokuto chuckled right next to me. "That's great to hear. At least she won't be shy this time."

Then we stood in front of the door that Kazue was in as we waited for the staff to open up.

"Hayashi, are you sure you're going to be alright tonight?"

I paused to think about it. Should I be truthful? It'll make me feel safer to know that I'm not alone, but is it too risky to have a man over the house while my parents were out? I don't have any family members in Tokyo, so I can't go to their houses. I also don't have any female friends I can go to. The only person I have was Bokuto, and I know that he wouldn't do anything to me. He's really caring, energetic, and thoughtful. More than necessary, he's always going out of his ways for me. I do trust him.

"I… Um…" This was the first that I couldn't even form a simple response. I was worn being truthful or being a burden.

Bokuto's golden eyes analyzed my facial expression and concluded his thoughts. "I promise that I won't do anything without your consent. I am a respectful man. I'm just there to ensure your safety because I care about you,"

My heart skipped a beat when he told me that he cares about me. I know he said it many times, but why does it hit differently at this moment? Maybe it's because I need someone to protect me and make me feel safe? I don't know.

A small genuine smile formed on my lips. "Thanks, Bokuto." I lightly punched his shoulder. "I really trust you enough to sleep in my house. You better not make a mess…!" I didn't know where I went with the last sentence, so I awkwardly ended it on a weird note.

"Haha! I swear I won't. Hayashi, don't be afraid to ask me for anything! You're always here to help me. Let me do the same for you. I'm your friend and I have your back!"

His words made my heart feel tingly in a good way. I'm not used to having people there for me, but I'm glad to have him. I looked at his side profile, to see that he was staring at the window installed in the door. Bokuto's probably watching to find Kazue through the clear glass. It's odd how he cares for my daughter and wonders about her well-being. I hope Oikawa can be like that if he wishes to be a part of Kazue's life.

"Look! I see her!" Bokuto's loud voice snapped me out of my thoughts as he pointed on the glass.

"Where?!" I scooted closer to him, so I could also see through the window. That's when I saw Kazue being carried by the staff. "Awh. She's tired. I bet she's been waiting for me all day."

The staff who held Kazue opened the door. "I'm sorry she fell asleep before you came." The worker said in a hushed voice. "Who wants to hold her?" Their eyes shifted from me to Bokuto.

"I'll carry her. Bokuto, can you grab her stuff then?"

"Yeah sure."

On our way home, Kazue was sound asleep in my arms and Bokuto was carrying the baby bag. The sky was getting darker as we walked to my house. "Do you want to stop by your house so you can get some clothes to sleep in? I feel bad if you slept in your school clothes."

"How long will your parents be gone for?"

"Till the end of the week. Why?"

"Because I'm wondering if you'll be okay until then. Do you want me to stay until they come back? I don't want you to be scared since they haven't caught the murderer." Bokuto empathetically said.

Casting my eyes down at Kazue, I held her closer to me. I don't want anything to happen if I'm scared to be alone with this unsettling situation in town. "Alright, you can stay until they come back. All I want is for Kazue to feel safe at home."

"Let's hit my house first!"