If you're brave enough to say goodbye, life will reward you with a new hello. And when you say goodbye, know that it's not forever, but a promise to return.
ooo
Kagome stared at herself in the mirror, turning her head side to side. Her purple skirt swished gently as she twisted on her feet, making sure her uniform was all in order. Her tie had been tucked into her blazer; the white school jacket buttoned over it to complete the look. Kagome stared at the buttons on her jacket for a good minute, before dismissing the thought.
"Nee-san, let's go! We're waiting" Kagome perked up at the sound of her brother's voice from outside her room.
"Coming!" Slipping her phone in her jacket pocket, she joined her brother and grandmother in the apartment entrance. Both were decked in formal wear, Shirabu in a deep blue pressed shirt and black trousers, while their grandmother wore a beautiful grey kimono with violet cranes. Outside their apartment, Haru was waiting with the car for them.
"I'm going to walk today. I will see you there." Kagome told them before heading down the stairs.
It was an odd feeling, Kagome had to admit, as she walked down the street with no bag on her shoulder. Today might be the only day she would ever get to. No books with testing all done, no need to bring a laptop to study on during lunch. After all, it was graduation day. The short walk was nostalgic, having walking down this road for two years now. She knew the route by heart, the four blocks that she had to walk, the small creek that ran by the park she walked next to.
"Kagome!" Kagome waved her hand in greeting when she saw Mirai standing by the gates of Shiratorizawa waiting for her. Around them, students and families wandered onto campus, parents sending their children off to their classrooms for the last time.
"I'm not late, am I?" Kagome asked as the two entered the school grounds, heading for their classrooms where the students were all mingling till it was time for them to enter the auditorium.
"Misaki-sensei isn't there yet. I think she's doing some last minute checks." Mirai replied, walking into their school building. Kagome eyed the rows of lockers where they discarded the outdoor shoes and put on indoor ones.
"It's odd. Come tomorrow, we won't have to come here again." Kagome said, both of them coming to a standstill in the third year hallway. Students were walking all around the corridor, meeting with friends in other classes and chatting amongst themselves. A nudge in the side got Kagome's attention. Mirai gestured for her to enter her classroom, where she realized that the third year volleyball players had all gathered for one last conversation as senior high students.
"I'm telling you. The Student Council prepared a slideshow of pictures to show today. I saw it!" Tendo whined to Leon. Kagome shook her head with a silent laugh as she approached the boys. When they noticed that she had arrived, they greeted her before dragging her into their conversation. With all the chairs in the room taken up, Kagome sat on Tendo's desk, the red-headed boy rocking back in the chair that accompanied said desk.
"What are you going on about Satori?" Kagome asked, giving Tendo a curious look. She probably shouldn't have asked, judging from Leon's shaking head, but it was too late.
"I was walking by the Student Council room when I heard cackling coming from inside. So, I took a peek to see what they were all doing." Tendo let out a string of words, pausing to get some air before continuing. "They were all huddled around a computer with some pictures flashing on the screen occasionally."
"And you think this was a slideshow?" Kagome replied. Tendo gave her a serious nod. She twisted her head to the side so that Tendo wouldn't see her laughing, but the slight shaking of her upper body gave her away.
"Are you laughing at me?" Kagome shook her head, a grin displayed on her face. "Yes you are. I know that look. You are totally laughing at me. Just you all wait. I am not lying."
"If you're wrong, Kenjiro can comfort you." Kagome told Tendo. He replied by sticking his tongue out at her, before Ushijima had to tell him to stop being so childish.
"You're one to talk Wakatoshi. Haven't you gotten over your issues with Oikawa or was that just me?" Ushijima didn't bat an eye.
"We have polite disagreements over things. If only he came to Shiratorizawa…" Kagome could tell what Oikawa didn't like about Ushijima. It's not that she held it against him, either of them for that matter. But Ushijima was blunt, extremely blunt and was oblivious to many social cues, so she could see where some misunderstanding could be born. Oikawa added with his over-awareness and self-esteem issues regarding his ability usually caused fights between the setter of Aoba Jousai and ace of Shiratorizawa.
"You will have to get used to them. Tooru's going to be on the same team as you." Kagome said to the taller third year.
"Mm." Ushijima nodded his head. There were only three weeks before university started. Three weeks till Oikawa and Ushijima were finally on the same time for the first time in forever. She just hoped neither one ended up in the infirmary or the hospital. Kagome was glad Iwaizumi wouldn't be there to egg the situation on even more. Unlike Oikawa, who was planning on going pro in volleyball, Iwaizumi decided to enter sports medicine and chose not to try for the boys' volleyball team.
A slam of the door gained the attention of the majority of the room, the students turning to see who had just entered when they noticed one of the teacher's standing there.
"It is time for you to head to the auditorium. But before you all go, I would like to thank you all for a wonderful year. It was a great pleasure teaching you and best wishes for your future paths." Misaki-sensei said, bowing at her waist. Kagome got off the table with elegance that none of classmates were surprised by and faced her teacher. It would be the last time she did this.
"Attention." At her words, all the students stood up from wherever they were sitting or leaned against and faced the same direction she was. "Bow." Kagome moved her body so that she was inclining forwards towards her teacher.
One of her classmates gently touching her shoulder made Kagome snap out of her thoughts, as she was about to be called up. Kagome wasn't sure when she had started to lose track of time, whether it was the numerous speeches or listening to her fellow classmates being called up. With the many students graduating that year, the roll call had been particularly long. Not to mention, with her being the representative of the third years, she would be getting her diploma after she gave her speech.
Sitting in her designated chair, Kagome felt the urge to flee for the thirteen time that day. She knew that her speech was coming up. Being the top student of her year, it was a requirement for her to congratulate her fellow third years and wish her underclassmen good luck. So far the morning had gone well. Her friends had gone up and received their diplomas, shook the teacher's hands and paid their respects to their school.
"And now, please welcome our third year representative, Shirabu Kagome." Kagome stood up, feeling the weight of over a hundred eyes on her as she replied with a yes. She made her way down the aisle, heading up to the podium on the stage where her prewritten speech was printed out for her.
"To families, friends, teachers, administrative personnel and underclassmen, on behalf of the graduating class, I would like to extend my gratitude for being able to come today. Without your support, many of us wouldn't be here today, and I myself am no exception. I would also like to briefly like to extend by thanks to all the faculty administrative personnel that have made Shiratorizawa such a prestigious institution. To be the representative of my graduating class is an honor." Kagome addressed all the pleasantries before turning to her fellow graduated.
Well, my fellow third years, we've done it. We've accomplished one of the major milestones in our lives: high school graduation. I think that in itself deserves its own round of applause." Kagome paused when the crowd let out a small applause before continuing on with her speech.
"This is a major step in the story of our lives, one that we will remember for the rest of our lives. Live in this moment with pride because each and every one of us worked hard to get here. I'm sure I'm not the only one that remembers the 2 AM studying in the common room surrounded by vending machine food." Kagome heard many of her fellow classmates chuckling in the crowd.
"Our graduation here is not the end for us. Each of us will be taking our separate paths today, be it to study in university or start working. Wherever your future takes you, let it take you somewhere. Our life is a journey, a story that we have the privilege of writing ourselves. Remember that you are capable of doing anything you set your mind to. Don't let your tears keep you from leaving the nest. Embrace it. Keep your head raised and take a step. That step many be today, next week, or even in a year's time. But when you take that step, that moment will define your life." Kagome said, before turning to the underclassmen.
"In a year or two, all of you will be joining us in the ranks of Shiratorizawa alumni. It will go by with a blink of the eye. Before you even know it, you will be walking across this very stage, get handed your diploma and shake hands. I want to wish you all the best of luck for the upcoming years. Make sure to do well in your classes so that you can step in the direction you want your future to lead you." There was a sniffle here and there. She could see the tears in her friends eyes, with many of them sitting in the front couple rows.
"I want to take the time to thank each and every one of you for the last couple years here at Shiratorizawa. It has been a pleasure studying alongside you as a classmate and as a friend. You make each day worthwhile and your presence will be missed. On a brighter note, even though this is a day of endings, of sadness and separation, it is also a day where you are free of this school and can finally start to make your own decisions. My name is Shirabu Kagome, and it has been an honor to be the representative of the graduating class." With that, Kagome bowed her head in deference to the audience. The room echoed with crying, clapping and whistles as Kagome stepped down from the podium and accepted her diploma.
ooo
As she walked down the hallway to visit the other classes, many approached her to say their farewells. Kagome replied with her own goodbyes, taking pictures with friends and acquaintances. Before she even knew it, she was staring out at the courtyard where her brother and grandmother were standing with four new arrivals.
"Tooru, Hajime? Even Takahiro and Issei." Being friends for a long time, Hanamaki and Matsukawa were a little miffed that she didn't call them informally like she did with Tendo Needless to say, after much complaint from them, Kagome gave up and started to call them by Takahiro and Issei.
"Congratulations!" Shirabu held out a bouquet of flowers for Kagome, letting the girl take it from him. With the bouquet in one hand and diploma in the other, Kagome looked like the picture perfect graduate student.
"Thank you." The carnations in her hand were beautiful, a mixture of white and pink carnations. Shirabu saw the smile on his sister's face, glad that he had chosen those colors.
"Picture time!" With that, she was ambushed on both sides by her friends from Seijou. Kagome smiled at Shirabu as he took a picture of the five of them. After the picture was taken, each one gave her a hug and kiss on the cheek before handing her off to Shirabu and her grandmother for their picture to be taken.
"Congratulations!" Sango's arms slipped around her as she was pulled in for a hug. Kagome reciprocated the hug, thanking her friend before pulling away. Rin and Mirai finding their way to her other side as they smiled for a picture.
"I want a picture too!" Tendo said, an arm on Kagome's shoulders. Ushijima came up on the other side of Kagome and soon, all the volleyball players were standing together while Oikawa took a picture. Parents and other family members of the boys and girls surrounded the students as the players smiled at all the different cameras.
"Before I forget, Kenjiro, come here." Shirabu gave his boyfriend a confused look as he approached Tendo. The confused look turned to recognition when he saw Tendo move a hand to his second button and pull it off with surprising ease. Kagome heard her grandmother let out a short gasp and put an arm on the elder woman, in case she spoke up against it. Their family was very traditional, so it had come as a disappointment to their grandmother, uncle and aunt when Shirabu came out to them.
"For you." Tendo said, holding out the second button. Everyone knew what the second button of the school uniform meant. It was only gifted to someone that they had romantic feelings for.
"Wait for mine, okay?" Shirabu asked and Tendo nodded. Shirabu nodded, ignoring the catcalls and whistles from their friends.
"Mirai! Where did yours go?" Kagome heard Sango ask excitedly. As the younger had said, Mirai's second button was no longer there. Kagome could see the remainder of strands of the string that had been ripped off with the button.
"A boy from my class confessed to me. You know, the one I've had a thing for. We're going to try things out. He's going to Kyoto with me." Mirai told her. Kagome smiled.
"Will you also be giving yours away?" Kagome turned to see her grandmother was talking to her. The sudden reminder made her guts twist inside. Kagome had been on a good run at forgetting that she had set up her friend with her betrothed.
"He only turns 18 in December. When he graduates, if he gives me his button, I'll give him mine." That's if Akaashi can accept the fact that he will have to break up with Bokuto and become engaged to a girl he barely knows.
"As the contract states, you cannot speak of the betrothal with him or inform him in any way until he is told by his parents. Keep that in mind Kagome. If you breach the contract, I'm afraid it will be out of my hands." Oba-sama said, a hint of weariness in her voice.
"I know."
ooo
"Are you sure you want to move in early? You still have two weeks before formal lectures being don't you?" Shirabu stood in his twin's doorway, watching as she folded her clothes into a suitcase. He could faintly hear Tendo washing dishes in the kitchen from lunch.
"Satori needs a room, doesn't he? Besides, I'll need time to get used to campus." Kagome replied, giving her brother a side glance.
"Not necessarily." Kagome scrunched her brows together, ignoring the need to gag. "Where are you going to stay when you come back for break?" Shirabu asked.
"I can just borrow the room during then. I'm sure the bed won't be used often." Kagome said. Once the last set of jeans were pressed and folded into the suitcase, Kagome zipped it up.
"When did Satori say he would be moving in?" Kagome asked. Shirabu walked into the room and sat on his sister's bed.
"A few days before his university starts. He wants to spend time with his parents beforehand." Shirabu said.
"Hmm." Standing up, Kagome looked over her luggage, one suitcase of clothing. She was leaving a few pieces here, knowing that she'd come back to visit. Besides, if she was ever low on clothes, all she had to do was go to the Main House.
"Now, I don't think I need to give you this spiel, but I'll do so anyways." Kagome said, sitting down on the bed next to Shirabu. She took his hand in hers and held it in a comforting grasp. Kagome knew that her brother was feeling uneasy about her moving out. After living together since junior high, the two had never been apart from each other for long. So, this would be the first time since Shirabu returned to the main house.
"Make your decisions carefully. When you think you are ready, by all means, go for it. I won't stop you." Shirabu cringed, hearing his sister give him the talk. "Do not let him pressure you into it."
"I know that Nee-san." Shirabu replied, lacing his fingers with hers.
"You'll be fine without me." A low pitch whine erupted from Shirabu's throat. "I'm not going to the other side of the world. I'll be in Tokyo, only a two-hour train ride away." Kagome told him.
"But…" Shirabu started off, his voice dying off when Kagome tightened her grip ever so slightly around his hand.
"I'll call you every night until you want me to stop. I'll message you until you get sick of me. And if the time ever comes that you need to get away, my dorm room is always open to you. Never forget that." Shirabu tucked his face into Kagome's shoulder, taking in his elder twin's scent, a scent that would no longer comfort him.
"Promise?" The whispered barely reached Kagome's ears.
"I promise." Kagome leaned her head on Shirabu's and closed her eyes.
"Is Ushijima going with you?" Shirabu asked in a soft voice.
"He'll be going next week with his father." Kagome replied.
"What about Oikawa and Iwaizumi?"
"Next week as well." She heard soft grumbling under her as Shirabu shifted his head.
"Will anyone be meeting you there?" A cold nose pressed against the base of her neck.
"Obaa-sama and Haru will be picking me from the station and dropping me off at the university." Kagome said.
"Will you be okay?" Shirabu asked his sister.
"I'll be okay. You?" Shirabu nodded, pulling away from his sister.
"I want pictures of campus and the food. Also tell Obaa-sama I say hi." Kagome smiled, letting him pull her in for a gentle hug.
"Not fair. I wanna join the hug too." A lanky pair of arms wrapped around the twins and Tendo hugged them.
"I can smell fish oil on you. Go away." Kagome half-heartedly pushed at the boy's shoulder. His embrace only tightened, making Shirabu laugh at his sister's plight.
"Be careful. Don't roam around at night alone. Do well in classes. But that doesn't mean stay up till 3 am studying. Don't give me that look. You know exactly what I'm talking about. And if there is a boy, I call dibs on hitting him first. If it's a girl, well, I can't hit a girl, so I'll be mean to her instead." Tendo said with all the seriousness in the world. At his words, Kagome felt the start of a reoccurring argument begin.
"Excuse me? I get the first crack at him. She's my twin!" Shirabu snapped at Tendo.
"But Kagome's my platonic soulmate. That trumps being a twin." Tendo grumbled, causing both Shirabu and Kagome to backpedal.
"Plat – what?" Shirabu gave his boyfriend an incredulous look.
"Platonic soulmate. You know, the best friend you never had? The half to your whole?" Tendo replied.
"The half to your whole is for red string of fate soulmates. Not platonic soulmates Satori." Kagome explained.
"Well, you know what I mean." Tendo chimed and Kagome raised an eyebrow at his response.
"I know what platonic soulmates are." Shirabu said in a bored voice.
"You do realize that me and Kagome are twins, as in we share the same soul. That surpasses your measly platonic soulmates." Shirabu stated, before cocking his head in confusion. "Wait, since when were you two platonic soulmates?"
"Never."
"Months ago." Both Kagome and Tendo said in unison, Tendo expressing a face of betrayal at her reply.
"So mean! Kenjiro, Kagome's being mean to me." Tendo latched onto his boyfriend, causing the younger to flush at the ears. Kagome watched over the two with a smile, knowing that she would miss their antics.
ooo
"What are you doing here Kagura-oba-san? Shouldn't you be resting?" Her aunt looked like she hadn't aged a day since Shirabu was dropped off at the Main House. Her black hair was swept into a low bun, glasses pushing the stray hairs out of her face.
"Gobodo-sama told me you would be moving into to your new university today and I wanted to make sure you moved in safely." Kagura replied.
"Ah. Does he know you came here?" Kagome questioned.
"Bankotsu's well. He wanted to come see you off but got tied up in some business back at work." Kagura explained.
"Did Kenjiro not come?" Kagura looked back at the train station as they left, giving Kagome a questioning look. Kagome shook her head, explaining that he had volleyball practice and couldn't come to Tokyo, but went with her to the train station to say goodbye along with her other friends. It had been quite a tearful moment, with Sango bawling her eyes out.
"I haven't seen him since New Year when you guys came over. Tell him to come visit us sometime soon." Kagura stated, a sad look appearing on her face. Christmas and New Year were the only times that all the relatives of the Shirabu family got together at the Main House. Kagome despised going to such events.
"He's been busy with school and volleyball. Being in high school takes a lot of time." Kagome replied. Kagura stared at Kagome, her blazing red eyes staring at Kagome, before accepting the excuse and looked out the window.
Having been brought up in the Main House, she had very little interaction with her father's brother, especially after he married a woman that wasn't to her grandmother's liking. The only reason the marriage wasn't annulled, and Bankotsu wasn't forced to marry another woman was due to Kagome's mother giving birth to a set of twins, ensuring that there would be a spare heir to the corporation.
"Kagome." Kagome turned her attention to her grandmother who was sitting beside her, dressed prim and proper in a kimono as always, this time it being a dark red one with koi fish.
"Stay on top of your classes. They are the most important thing. Make sure you eat properly and take your vitamins." Obaa-sama started. "Also make sure to come home every now and then."
"That's right! Kohaku and Kanna have been asking about you." Kagura said, talking about her five year old son and 3 year old daughter.
"I'll make sure to come and visit." Kagome replied politely, and before she knew it, Haru had pulled up to the front entrance of her dormitory, East Hall. Parking the car, Haru got out and began to unload the luggage while Kagura stepped out to get some fresh air. Just as Kagome went to open the door, a hand settled on her shoulder.
"Kagome." Kagome turned back to see her grandmother looking at her with a morose expression.
"Is something the matter Obaa-sama?" Kagome asked and her grandmother shook her head.
"You are so much like your mother. She stayed here as well for her university years." Obaa-sama replied, making Kagome's eyes widen in surprise. She didn't know that. Her parents never told her that.
"A gift for your graduation." Her grandmother took a small handkerchief out of her pocket and pass it over to Kagome. Kagome accepted the gift and looked at it, recognizing the sakura petals and red geometric shapes. It was the same as the kimono that hung in her parent's old bedroom and realized that it must have belonged to her father. "I will not tolerate failure. Represent the Shirabu family well Kagome, for this will only be the start." And with that, her grandmother let go of her shoulder and turned away from her. Kagome pushed some of her grandmother's silver hair out of the way and gave her a chaste kiss on the cheek before getting out of the car.
"Thank you Haru. Once again, please take care of Obaa-sama for me." Haru nodded, bowing to the madame with his right hand over his heart.
"Of course, Ojou-sama. Please be careful." Kagome nodded before grabbing her suitcase by the handle. Haru then turned to see Kagura hadn't gotten into the car.
"Are you not coming as well Kagura-sama?" Haru asked and Kagura shook her head, taking ahold of one of Kagome's bags.
"I'll help Kagome settle in. Don't worry about coming to get me. I'll be going straight home after." Kagura said.
"Shall we go and get you moved in?" Kagome reluctantly nodded and started walking to the building entrance with her aunt.
"Hi there. What can I do for you?" The receptionist asked as the two women walked into the building, awestruck by their beauty.
"I'm Shirabu Kagome, first year student. I'm here to move in." Recognition lit in the woman's eyes as she nodded. A couple clicks and a few forms were placed in front of Kagome.
"I'm Kaori, the dorm manager. It's nice to meet you." Kagome smiled and inclined her head in the dorm manager's direction. "These forms are statements that you will need to sign. Please read over them and sign when you are ready. In the meantime, I will get your key and access pin to the building in case you are out after hours." Kagome nodded and began to look over the forms. It was information she had been informed about beforehand, one of the forms stating the rules of the dorm, the other being a licensing agreement.
"There you go." Kagome slid the papers back to Kaori, who smiled and took the forms, sliding them into a folder that Kagome knew the rest of her information was in.
"This is your access pin to the building after hours. Make sure to hit the asterisk button after typing your code in." Kagome nodded. "And this one is your dorm key. This will give you access to your dorm suite. The suite you are in is composed of three private bedrooms, one of them being yours. They will be unlocked, but you may always lock it if you so choose." Kaori told her handing Kagome her key and slip of paper with a string of four numbers written on it.
"Each floor has a total of ten suites, consisting of three bedrooms, bathroom and kitchen. Half of them will be in one wing, the other half in the other wing. In between, there is a large common room. You will be in suite 4 on the 3rd floor. There are two sets of stairways in the building. One in the middle of the building and the other at the far end." Kaori said, gesturing with a pen in the direction of the stairs. "Do you have any questions?"
"I was told that I needed to get a university ID card. Where do I go abouts getting that?" Kagome asked. Kaori nodded, pulling out a map from one of her drawers and showed Kagome the building that she would need to go to.
"Anything else?" Kagome shook her head.
"Have a pleasant stay. A copy of the dormitory rules has been left on the desk in your room if you need it. Please feel free to come down if you have any questions. I will be here all afternoon." Kaori said. Kagome thanked her before heading to the staircase with her suitcase, Kagura trailing after her.
"Do you want me to carry that Kagura-oba-san? You shouldn't be carrying heavy things in your condition." Kagome asked her aunt, but the woman shook her head.
"I'm only 14 weeks. I'll be fine carrying your bag up two flights of stairs. It's not that heavy" Kagura replied. Kagome kept an eye on her aunt. She didn't need another death on her shoulders. Luckily for them, her suite wasn't too far down the hallway. Setting her suitcase down, Kagome used her key to unlock her dorm suite door and held the door open so her aunt could pass through.
"This is better than I thought it would look." Kagura said, setting Kagome's bag down on the couch. The first room once entering the suite was the lounge. There were dark blue couches already in place, with a moderately large television screen sitting against a wall on a chest. In the middle of the lounge was a floor table with a set of remotes for the TV, heating and air conditioning. Moving around the suite, Kagome realized that the kitchen shared a half-wall with the tv. The room had a stove, microwave and oven, along with varying cupboards and drawers filled with utensils. The island in the middle of the kitchen had four stools.
"Come pick your room. No one else is here." Kagome heard Kagura's voice from the other side of the dorm. Walking out of the kitchen, she bypassed the entrance to the bathroom and came to a corner in the main room where there were three doors side-by-side. All three were open, with Kagura walking in between all of them to check them out.
"This one has a pretty view." Kagura gestured with her hand to enter the room, one hand resting on her growing bump. Kagome entered the room in the middle to see that the window had a perfect view of the city.
"I'll take this one." Kagome smiled before going to the living room and bringing her belongings into the room. The room was better than she was expecting for a dorm room. It had a twin sized bed pushed into the corner of the room, just next to the window. Under the window sat a desk where Kagome saw the copy of the dorm rules.
"Let me help you get your things out." And so, the two women got to work, Kagome dealing with her clothing while Kagura took out her university materials and pictures to post on the wall. Kagome, knowing Kagura had a good sense of interior design, let her aunt put the pictures up, knowing that it would keep the attention off of her. When Kagome finally turned around to see what her aunt had been up to, her jaw dropped. It was a beautiful array of pictures, ranging from her childhood to recent graduation.
"Where did you get that?" Kagome pointed at the wall, specifically at the largest picture posted up.
"Ah, I found it in your folder of pictures. You look beautiful. Not to mention, the boy beside you looks handsome. If you weren't betrothed, I would have suggested that you date him." Kagura said. Kagome knew exactly who put it there, for only one person had a copy of the picture. Sango would be getting a call from her later.
ooo
"Tooru, Hajime." Kagome waved over to her friends as they jogged up the path to their new dorm. Unlike Kagome, they were situated in the West Hall.
"Tsuki-chan!" Oikawa crashed into Kagome with a tight hug, aware of her still healing wrist. Kagome reciprocated the hug before turning over to Iwaizumi and giving the shorter male a hug.
"Was the ride pleasant?" Kagome asked, walking in between the two as they hauled their bags into their resident building.
"Yeah." Oikawa said whilst Iwaizumi headed to sign his forms and get his key. "Have your roommates moved in yet?" Kagome shook her head.
"They might move in this week." Kagome replied. Oikawa nodded, setting his bag on the ground and dropping onto a couch in the reception room.
"We asked for a room together, so hopefully we get it." Oikawa told Kagome.
"Who is your third roommate then?" Kagome asked and Oikawa shrugged his shoulders.
"As long as it's not Ushiwaka." Oikawa grumbled. Kagome stifled a laugh, knowing that Ushijima was staying in this dorm hall as well, and didn't say anything.
"I'm sure it'll be fine. Now go get your stuff. Hajime's almost done." Oikawa nodded, getting off the couch and sauntering over to the receptionist to no doubt sweet talk the woman. Kagome was surprised that Iwaizumi hadn't gotten jealous from his boyfriend's tendency to flirt with every pretty girl on sight. Once the boys had gotten their keys, Kagome went them up to the second floor where there suite was.
"What are you doing here?" Oikawa let out a strangled warble as he stared jaw-dropped into the suite. Kagome looked around his lanky frame to see Ushijima midstride, wearing exercise clothing and holding a plate of sushi.
"Ah, Ushijima, I didn't know you were here already. How did your move in go?" Kagome asked, moving around Oikawa and into the room.
"It went well. My mother cried a lot when she left. Father most likely took her out to eat to distract her." Ushijima replied, offering Kagome some sushi. Iwaizumi walked into the room after and stared at Ushijima. Unlike Oikawa, he didn't seem to be put off with having Ushijima as a roommate.
"Ushijima." Iwaizumi nodded his head to the taller male. Ushijima welcomed Iwaizumi to the dorm room before looking over at Oikawa who was still stuck in the doorway.
"Is he not coming in?" Ushijima asked and Iwaizumi didn't even look in his boyfriend's direction.
"He's a little slow." Iwaizumi replied, sticking his hand out to Ushijima. Ushijima stared at the hand that was reached out before looking at Iwaizumi.
"What is this?" Ushijima asked and Iwaizumi let out an amused chuckle, knowing Ushijima wasn't even trying to be mean. Seeing as at least one of them was getting somewhat along with Ushijima, she said her goodbyes and left them to sort out their problems. No doubt Kagome knew she would be getting a visit from Oikawa, who would go on a rant for hours about how it was unfair that Ushijima was his roommate and that he was going to die there now that Iwaizumi and Ushijima had called a truce.
"If I get roommates like that, I wouldn't mind." Kagome mumbled to herself as she crossed over to her dorm building, taking the stairs up to the third floor. The campus was a buzz, with hundreds of students moving into their dorms. Kagome was glad that she decided to come early and move in before the rush. On her floor, there were a few people roaming down the hallway, the majority of the students already in their rooms, settling in.
As she got closer to her door, Kagome heard sounds coming from her dorm and realized that her roommates had just arrived. Kagome should have known that the world wasn't going to make it easy for her. Because when she opened the door, she came face to face with two people she hadn't been expecting.
"What the –" A shout came from the kitchen, following by a crash of something Kagome didn't want to know. All she could do was stare at the occupants of the dorm.
"You?!" Kuroo shouted from his seat at the kitchen counter. A head of white and black popped up from behind the counter to reveal Bokuto holding a bunch of kitchen utensils in his hands. Immediately, she closed the door, stared at it with a blank look before stalking down the hallway.
"I told you our roommate wasn't a stalker!"
ooo
"So, basically, the system has you registered as a male. Hence your placement with us." Kuroo said. Kagome nodded from her perch on the other couch. Promptly upon her return to the dorm, Kagome sat the two boys down and gave them the explanation Kaori had given her.
"Are you going to be moving out then?" Bokuto asked in a sad voice. Kagome let out a sigh, leaning back into the couch.
"No. It's too late to find a good apartment near campus that won't be expensive." Bokuto perked up. "But, if I'm going to room with you two, then there are going to be some rules. You can add your own if you like, but as long as all three of us agree to it." Both males nodded.
"One, if my door is shut, do not open it. Knock and I'll let you know if you can come in or not." Kagome said, and both males could agree with the rule.
"Two, I don't care who you bring over, since it is none of my business what you do with your personal lives. But if you're going to have someone overnight, let me know so I can get out of your hair." Kuroo let out a small cackle.
"Akaashi will want to come over, won't he Bo." Kuroo leered and Bokuto started batting at him to go away. Neither one noticed Kagome look away from then, a pained expression dancing on her face.
"Three, I'm not going to clean up after you, and I don't expect you to do the same for me. So, make sure you clean up after the mess you make." Kagome said. "You both were scouted for the university team, right?"
"Yup!" Bokuto chirped, Kuroo nodding his head as well.
"Laundry." Kuroo stated, realizing what Kagome was getting to.
"Exactly. I don't want the place smelling of your sweat after you come back from practice." Kagome cringed at the memory of walking into the male's locker room at Shiratorizawa.
"Those seem fine with me. Bokuto?" The horned owl nodded in acceptance.
"What are we going to do about food? The university has a cafeteria, but it is so expensive." Bokuto asked.
"We'll have to cook our own meals here." Kuroo replied. "That means grocery shopping as well. Does anyone have a car?" Both Bokuto and Kagome shook their heads.
"There's a store near campus. It's where I got the stuff for now" Kagome said, gesturing to the kitchen where both boys knew there was a small amount of food.
"Can you cook?" Kuroo asked Kagome, and she nodded. He let out a sigh of relief. "Thank god, because this idiot never bothered to learn how to do so when living at home." Kuroo jabbed his finger in Bokuto's direction.
"I suppose we'll have to teach him then." Kagome replied.
"Excuse you, I can make a mean shrimp scampi with linguini." Bokuto retorted, crossing his arms and pouting at both Kuroo and Kagome.
"The only reason you can is because Akaashi forced you to watch him make it so that you would know one recipe to make at university. Even Oba-san tried to teach you but you somehow managed to forget everything she told you." Bringing up Akaashi this time made Bokuto curl into a ball and tuck his face into his chest.
"I miss 'kaashi." Kuroo slipped an arm around his friend's shoulders, giving him a bittersweet look.
"I'm sure he misses you too." Kagome said in a quiet voice. Kuroo looked up at her and gave her a thankful look.
"Remember, he said he'd be coming to visit with Kenma this weekend before classes start." Kuroo told Bokuto, who nodded, remembering their conversation about that prior to his move to university.
"That okay with you?" Kuroo asked Kagome.
"It's fine. Let me know what time they'll be coming so I can give you some space." Kagome replied. Bokuto's head popped out of his fetal curl.
"You don't have to leave if you don't want to. I'm sure Akaashi and Kenma will want to see you again." Bokuto replied.
"It's fine." Kagome said, a melancholic expression taking over her smile. "It's fine."
ooo
"Two guys? That's it. I'm coming there." There was a momentary pause on the phone before Kagome heard her brother speak. "Satori, get out of my way. Stop blocking my path."
"Kenjiro, I've already laid out rules. They aren't going to do anything." Kagome told her brother. From the sound of it, he was still struggling to get past Tendo.
"But they're boys! Boys, Nee-san." Shirabu complained. Kagome sighed, thinking maybe it would have been better not to tell her twin about her living situation.
"You know if they even tried anything, I could knock them out right?" Self-defense was something required by their grandmother before they moved out for high school.
"Yes." Shirabu mumbled. Kagome stopped to let a jogger go past her before continuing down the path. With both Bokuto and Kuroo having people over, Kagome took the time to explore campus and figure out where her lectures would be held beforehand.
"What classes do you have tomorrow?" Shirabu asked. Kagome looked at the timetable in her hand.
"Accounting and Financial Information followed directly by Introduction to Microeconomics. Then I have a three hour break before Statistics I." Kagome replied, her dislike for the classes seeping out of her voice.
"That sounds awful." Shirabu said and Kagome let out a laugh. "Don't forget you wanted to do business as well." She heard an angry huff on the other side of the phone.
"So, have you been lying in bed all day or did you go out?" Tendo's voice came out, and Kagome realized that the phone must be on speaker.
"I'm taking a walk around campus. My roommates have friends over." Kagome replied.
"Already? Why didn't you bring a friend over? I'm available anytime." Tendo prattled off.
"Thank you for reminding me. I should go see how Ushijima is doing." Kagome ignored the gasp of betrayal from the other side of the phone as she finally made it back to her dorm. Taking the steps one at a time, she waved a hand to her hallmates as they walked down the stairs, most likely on their way to get food by the looks of the time.
"Kagome!" Kagome looked up to see one of her old teammates, Shiori, standing at the top of the stairs holding a shopping bag.
"Some of the girls on my floor are have a movie night in the common room. Movies, popcorn and pizza. Do you wanna come?" Shiori asked.
"I'll think about it. What time does it start?" Kagome asked, coming to a stop next to the taller girl.
"At 9." She could hear her brother and his boyfriend on the other end of the phone urging her to go to it, but unlike her ex-teammate who didn't have classes till noon, she had an early morning one.
"I have a morning class tomorrow. I'll have to see." Kagome replied. Shiori waved her off, telling her not to worry if she was tired.
"You should have said yes." Shirabu told his sister. Kagome continued up the stairs until she got to her floor and began to pad down the hallway.
"And sleep during my first class? I think not. Obaa-sama would kill me if she found out." Kagome shivered at the thought of her grandmother getting angry at her.
"Satori and I have to go. Dinner's ready." Kagome heard her brother say, having heard Tendo's quiet voice telling Shirabu that the ramen was done.
"I'll call tomorrow night." Kagome replied, balancing her phone in between her ear and shoulder as she took her dorm key from her jean pocket and unlocked the door.
"Good luck tomorrow." Shirabu said before ending the call. Kagome opened the door, reaching to grab her phone. Sliding the phone into her jacket pocket, she stepped into the room, closing the door behind her to see Kenma sitting on the couch playing a game whilst Kuroo, Bokuto and Akaashi were in the kitchen making food.
"So Kuroo wasn't lying when he said you were the third roommate." Kenma said, taking his eyes off the screen to welcome Kagome into the dorm.
"A mistake in the system." Kagome replied, taking a seat next to Kenma, watching the boy play a Pokémon game.
"So, have you thought about my offer?" Kagome asked the setter. Kenma paused his game and looked up, his golden cat eyes landing on Kagome's face.
"Mm. Okaa-san thinks it's a good idea. When would I have to start?" Kenma asked in a quiet voice.
"You can choose when you would like to start. If you want to start this year, I can put in a word and get you an internship for the summer. Or you can start next year as a part-time worker." Kagome explained each option as best as she could.
"What would I be doing though? I looked it up and there are many different jobs." Kenma said.
"For an internship, we have the potential incomer undergo an interview. From that, the company will place them into the appropriate job field." Kagome replied, before letting her voice get really quiet. "But if there is a specific job you want to do or intern for, I can always get that for you."
"Won't that cause problems with the other workers?" Kenma asked. He hadn't been expecting Kagome to be so lax with giving jobs at her family company.
"Not necessarily. Many of the people working at the company were recommended or chosen without having to apply." Kagome said, shrugging her shoulders. "There will be a little paperwork that needs to be done, but I can take care of that." When she saw Kenma's brows frown, she quickly reassured him. "Don't worry about it. It's the life I've been bred into."
"Since when did you get here?" Kuroo asked and both Kagome and Kenma looked over to see the tall male walk over with two bowl in hand, giving one to Kenma before offering the other to Kagome. Looking at the food, Kagome noticed that it was beef yakitori with seasoned rice and vegetables on the side. Taking the chopsticks from Kuroo's outstretched hand, she picked up a slice of the yakitori and stared at it.
"Please don't tell me Bokuto made this." Kuroo let out a laugh when he heard Bokuto's whine from the kitchen.
"Don't worry Kagome. Kuroo and 'kaashi helped me." Bokuto told her before glaring at his best friend. "Stop laughing at me. I only burnt the first couple."
"Burnt? You mean utterly destroyed it. Bo, it was completely charred black." Kuroo replied. Kagome put the yakitori in her mouth and as Bokuto had said, it did turn out well.
"How is it?" Kagome looked up to see Akaashi sitting on the other couch.
"It's good. I suppose you had to help him a lot?" Kagome gestured to Bokuto, who was standing in front of the stove with Kuroo by his side helping him.
"He never retains the information." Akaashi replied with a sigh, digging into his own meal. Kagome ate in silence, letting the two high school students talk amongst themselves while she pondered her own situation. So far, she had managed to keep a calm conversation with her betrothed, but Kagome couldn't afford to make any mistakes. With Kenma and Akaashi being extremely aware people, it took all her effort not to make any unconscious moves. Once she was done with dinner, she made her way to the kitchen where Bokuto and Kuroo were finishing up and washed her things.
"What are you studying Kagome?" Akaashi asked her, pulling her out of her thoughts as she wandered back to sit on the couch.
"Management and Economics." Kagome replied.
"Are you planning on working in a business later on?" Akaashi asked and Kagome nodded.
"Sounds hard. Good luck with your studies." Akaashi told her. Kagome smiled, thanking the boy before pulling out her phone. A string of texts from her old volleyball group chat appeared on the screen, the younger players wishing the old third years good luck for the first day of university.
"Here Akaashi." Kagome looked up briefly from her phone to see Bokuto slide next to Akaashi on the couch and kiss him on the cheek. Instantly, guilt rushed through her veins. Her free hand gripped her jacket, knuckles turning white from the pressure.
"Bo." Kuroo called out to his friend in a hushed voice. Bokuto gave Kuroo a confused look before realizing his mistake and immediately apologized to Kagome.
"It's fine Bokuto." Kagome replied, watching as the tension in Bokuto left his body. She couldn't explain it, but all of a sudden her chest hurt and Kagome didn't know why. As smoothly as she could, Kagome stood up from her seat, eyes shadowed behind her mask.
"I've got an early morning tomorrow so I'm going to bed." Kagome told Kuroo before looking over at Kenma, purposely avoiding looking into Bokuto and Akaashi's eyes. "Safe travels back home." Kenma and Akaashi gave their goodnights to her as she walked out of the living room to her room as fast as she could. Once she was in the safety of her room, she stumbled over to her bed and dropped onto it, lying on her back. Staring at her ceiling, she saw the faint flickers of the glow-in-the-dark stars Oikawa stuck up when he came over to see her dorm.
"What is this?" Kagome whispered to herself, holding her hand against her chest. There was a flash of pain that went through her when she saw Bokuto kiss Akaashi. She wasn't physically injured anywhere and there wasn't any psychological trauma that occurred, so she put together that it was something emotional.
"You are living with the same person who is dating your betrothed. Not to mention he is your friend." Tendo bluntly pointed out.
"I know that. What does that have to do with me moving out?" Kagome didn't understand what Tendo was getting at.
"Look. I know you say you are happy for them. But it doesn't change the fact that one of them is your betrothed and the other your friend." Tendo started off in a rather serious tone. "There will come a time when you won't be able to look at them without guilt."
"I can handle it." Kagome replied, but Tendo was quick to cut her off.
"Can you? Kagome, the thing you don't understand is that you are human. It's not easy to watch your betrothed have a relationship with someone else, especially when he was given a choice in it." Tendo told her. "Most likely, you'll envy their mere existence due to the fact that they have the one kind of relationship that you won't have. A relationship based on love."
"I'm fine with them dating." Kagome whispered to herself. "I'm happy for them. They have the chance to have something that I could never even imagine having." What Kagome didn't realize was that she was already spiraling down an unhealthy path.