"Who's that?"
Sawako looked up to find Mika's curious brown eyes. It sparkled and delivered the question with a quirk of a smile that followed a blink after. The young lady raised a brow and Sawako returned the same smile on her face. Instead of answering her friend's question, Sawako showed her the picture on her phone – the one that was recently taken at their house when she went home.
Mika gasped and Sawako knew why. "This person…" Brown eyes looked at her bluish-green eyes. "Kageyama-kun… is it?"
Sawako giddily nodded.
"Karasuno's setter and one of the freak twins."
She nodded again, confirming Mika's statement and knowledge of the aforementioned setter's reputation. She covered the lower part of her face with hair as much as she could gather given that it's shorter than ever.
Mika leaned in. There was an equal giddiness on her face. "He's your…" Her voice toned down to whisper. "…boyfriend."
Sawako hummed, feeling the bubble of pride in her chest. "He is."
"Oh… my…"
"Yeah… oh my…" Sawako giggled.
The two of them were at the cafeteria, eating breakfast before their first classes would start. Moments ago, her mother had mailed her the soft copy of the photo last Sunday. Sawako left her apartment in delight upon seeing the photo and made it her wallpaper on the phone. She had just sent Tobio-kun the photo, giving him a message as the setter also had his first day of classes today.
A second-year, huh…
Sawako ate her tempura, her mind suddenly wondering about the things and the future. Bluish-green eyes roamed around. Sometimes locking eyes of brown and blues, of green and silver. Sometimes watching a snippet of rowdy pair, trio, and group; catching the sound of their laughter faintly. Sometimes, her attention would swerve to some individual who prepared silence and solitude. But there and then, as she shared this moment with a friend, Sawako could only wonder.
Now, I wonder how my first year will fare?
"Establishing a distinct classroom routine with the students helps them know exactly what to expect. The ability to anticipate the structure of your lessons and the expectations you hold can cultivate a productive working atmosphere. An example structure could include: interactive starter activity, taught subject matter, engaging learning tasks and an enjoyable yet relevant assessment to end the lesson…"
Her head bobbed in agreement and understanding, jotting down the words on her notes with her mechanical pencil.
The professor walked from east to west at the platform. A notebook was in her hand yet her eyes would make contact with the students that even Sawako felt like they shared gazes for a minute. And then, the professor paused, checking her wristwatch. The gesture made Sawako take a look as well and made her realize that the hour was about to end.
"Now, I want you to create a brief lesson plan. It will be due next week. Pick any grade. Pick any lesson quarter. Pick any topic. Calibri, 12, and single-spaced." The professor paused. "Clear? If there are no questions, class dismissed."
Oh.
Sawako nodded to herself. She got her words down on her notes and closed them. A sigh escaped her lips after composing herself. With that, Sawako began to pack her belongings and joined the fray that started to leave the hall where they had their class.
"Even if it's a week from now…" Her feet moved in the direction of the library. "… I should probably start today."
Her eyes caught sight of the building where the library is and when her shoe-clad feet touched the pavement outside the building. She could feel the breeze that gently caressed her short hair, making it sway to where it planned to go.
The time was 10:33 when Sawako pushed the doors of the main library. It was when her nose caught the smile of books and coffee. It was when her eyes landed on the large oakwoods filled with new and old books, of tables and chairs that are occupied by students alike in all departments and blocks.
It was 10:34 when Sawako settled down on a table by the large window. It was vacant and it has the exact light she needed. She took out her books and notes, as well as her pen as she began to write the outline of her lesson plan. She had a grade, quarter, and topic in mind. This task ought to take an hour or two.
It was 11:19 when someone came to the table, she was occupying did Sawako looked up from her scratch paper. It was a young lady in her age with the same black locks but owned blue eyes that reminded her of the sky in spring. She was carrying a sketchbook that was bigger than her bag and wearing a dress twice her size.
Cute…
"Hi. May I sit here?"
Her voice is cute, too…
She mentally fawned and smiled while her hands took her belongings close to her so this person could place hers. "Yes, you may," Sawako answered, noticing the familiar accent that escaped the lips of the stranger.
"Thank you."
Sawako momentarily watched the newcomer sat down and placed her belongings. From the look of how she dressed and that large sketchbook to the variety of pencils she laid on the table, Sawako guessed that this person is studying visual arts. She caught glimpse of her sketches, locking her bluish-green to her blues in a second before Sawako returned to her draft of a lesson plan.
It was 11:21 when they both began to work on their own tasks. Sawako, thinking of what activities to make and the visual arts student moving her wrist to draw. No more locking gaze and shy smiles but a familiar silence engulfed the both of them like a bubble of their own business.
It was 11:49 when the quiet library echoed a voice, catching the attention of the people inside.
"Hey, Hana-chan. There you are," called short-haired ginger with chocolate eyes. It stopped on their table, looming over with her imposing height and narrowed brows. She had a frown marring her face. "I've been looking for you since your class ended. Why didn't you tell me?"
The person beside Sawako, now named as Hana-chan, continued on her work, unperturbed. "Shhh." The girl shushed. "We're in the library, Tsubaki. Tone down your voice." In which the ginger rolled her eyes.
Hana-san turned to her apologetically. "I'm sorry about that. It's her normal voice."
Sawako shook her head, understanding for having been around with a noisy and nosy group of people in her life for years as well. "It's okay." She smiled at the ginger that blushed at her attention.
"Oh. Sorry." Tsubaki mumbled at the others, glancing at her with apologetic eyes before grabbing a spare chair.
"It's okay," Sawako repeated, eyes looking to see the other occupants of the room go back to their own businesses.
Tsubaki-san smiled. "You're nice. And you look familiar, too."
Eh.
She blinked. "I am?"
"She is?" Hana-san piped in, confused.
Tsubaki-san nodded. Sawako found it cute how her short locks jingled at the movement. "You are." She said. "Karasuno versus Shiratorizawa."
Oh. Sawako remembered that match. It was known throughout the country, after knowing that the famed and grooming canon, Ushiwaka couldn't make it to the nationals. It was an unforgettable day for the team and her family.
"Oh, you're from that family."
Sawako turned to Hana. "That family?"
"Yeah. That whole family who cheered for Karasuno." Tsubaki answered, placing her own books about anatomy and physiology.
Oh.
"It was such a sight. I'll never forget about it." The ginger continued. "Especially the woman in kimono. Is she your mom?"
Sawako smiled. "She is."
Tsubaki smiled back. "She's lovely. She's quite lively. I like her." The flipping of the book of bones paused. "Are the blondes your siblings? They're tall."
A soft giggle escaped Sawako's lips, nodding her head. "They're my younger brother and sisters."
Tsubaki whistled. "Must be a handful. I have a younger brother – plays for Shiratori. Tall, their middle blocker. He gets cheeky whenever he wants and 's hard to make him move when he felt like being lazy."
Sounds like Hitori.
"But Tai-chan's smarter than Tsubaki," Hana added, making Sawako blinked.
"Oh please, I passed the entrance exams of this fine university." Tsubaki waved the book and her school ID in hand as if telling them that she's smart, perhaps smarter than Hana claimed to be.
Instead, Hana shook her head and faced Sawako. "I believe we're not properly introduced yet."
Sawako blinked in realization. "Oh, oh yes, we haven't. I'm Harukaze Sawako of the teaching Education department." She lowered her head to the other ravenette and ginger as if she's bowing.
"I'm Ayano Hana of architecture."
"Kawanishi Tsubaki. Hana-chan's cousin and brother of that middle blocker who blocked one of your ace's spike. Shiratorizawa No. 12."
"Quite a proud sister you are. Now, your course." Hana remarked and Sawako giggled.
Tsubaki pouted. "Sports Medicine and Science."
Bluish-green eyes slightly widened. "Woah."
"Big, I know." The ginger grinned. "I always wanted this."
Hana leaned suddenly closer to her ear. "It's for Wa – Ushiwaka, actually."
For Ushiwaka? A brow arched. "Why?"
"They're kind of… dating."
Sawako blinked.
"We're not. We're friends." Tsubaki defended. "The one who's dating someone here is Hana. She's been with Semi since we're first years."
This time, Sawako turned to the girl beside her. She caught sight of Hana's blush. Cute.
"Remember Semi? The pinch server."
"Oh. Yes, I did."
Yes, Sawako did. She heard from her younger sister, Hitori, who has been told by Hinata-kun of a third-year setter who gave wat on his second year for the other setter – the one who fell into Tsukishima-kun's trap. Bara-arms setter or burnt Sugawara-san, they called.
Huh?
It took Sawako a moment to realize how she was getting acquainted – friendly to girls who had a relation to volleyball dorks. Mika has Suguru-kun. Tsubaki and Ushiwaka whom the former denies that there's nothing between them but Sawako could see that there's something basing on Tsubaki's surprising nonchalance at the mention of the left-handed spiker, and she's the older sister of another athlete. And Hana has Semi while she has Tobio-kun.
Oh, wow. What a small world.
Sawako never thought that volleyball was closer in her life than she thought. It used to be a sport that her cousin played and her grandfather coached. It used to be the sport that linked her to Koushi, Daichi, and Asahi. Then Shimizu and the team. It led her to Kageyama Tobio-kun.
Now, it has her connected to the three young ladies studying in different departments for different courses.
Sawako looked at the two cousins – Hana, sketching an exterior of the building, and Tsubaki scratching her head with a pencil while reading something on the thick book about human anatomy.
Wow. What a small world, indeed.
Tsubaki looked up. "I bet Sawako-chan's dating someone, too."
"Eh?"
"She's blushing. So, you are really dating someone!" Tsubaki grinned, making Sawako cover her face.
Eh… Eh?
"Who is it? Do we know him? He plays volleyball, isn't he? Because you were at the match. From Karasuno, right? Which of them?"
"Let the lady speak, Tsubaki."
She's like Hitori.
For some reason, Sawako found Tsubaki's continuous barrage of questions amusing. The blush died down at each question, her mind was unable to follow, couldn't keep up to answer.
"Oh, sorry."
Sawako giggled. Instead of saying outright the name, she pulled out her phone from her pocket and switched it on. She placed the device on the table for the two ladies to see with a smile.
Hana blinked and Tsubaki had her mouth opened in an O. Sawako was quick to shush the young lady before she could gush on what she recently found out.
"Oh, my everything." The Kawanishi girl gasped. Her brown eyes glancing back and forth from her phone to Sawako's face with an indescribable gleam. "I know him...!"
Hana nodded. "He's the setter."
"Yeah, yeah! I heard he got invited to the Youth Camp last year. Pretty much like Waka but on the way there. He's actually good."
A smile dawned on her face, bobbing her head in agreement and confirmation.
Suddenly, Hana sighed. She focused her attention back on her sketchbook and continued to draw. "We're all dating volleyball dorks."
A giggle and in which, Tsubaki whole-heartedly defended… "I'm not dating anyone."
"You are."
"I'm not. Why am I not aware then?"
"You are. Denial."
"Oh gosh, Hana-chan."
Date: 04/07 12:41
To: Kageyama Tobio
Subject: Look who I met today!
Attachments: See attachments
They're from Shiratorizawa.
And closer than you think!
Date: 04/07 1:04
From: Kageyama Tobio
Subject: Re: Look who I met today!
Than I think? Who're they?
Date: 04/07 1:04
To: Kageyama Tobio
Subject: Re: Look who I met today!
Guess who!
One is a relative of the team's middle blocker.
One is dating a setter.
One is dating (?) Ushiwaka.
Date: 04/07 1:05
From: Kageyama Tobio
Subject: Re: Look who I met today!
You have me 3 clues when you're only with 2 people.
Date: 04/07 1:05
To: Kageyama Tobio
Subject: Re: Look who I met today!
One happens to be the same person.
I'll deliver the two-week worth of your favorite yogurt if you guessed right.
Date: 04/07 1:07
From: Kageyama Tobio
Subject: Re: Look who I met today!
I'll take that as a challenge.
Date: 04/07 1:07
To: Kageyama Tobio
Subject: Re: Look who I met today!
Attachments: See attachments
You have time until today, dear Tobio-kun.
Neko-Tobio wishes you luck.
In between her classes, Sawako would leave the premises to go back to the apartment. There, she would check how the feline was doing, pet it for a moment before grabbing a textbook or whatever that she needed for the next class. it was one of the advantages of living near the campus. It didn't fail her.
The day was well for the older Harukaze. After meeting the Ayano-Kawanishi cousins, she attended her last class for the day and met up with Mika afterward. In which, by chance, encountered the cousins once again. The last hours of her stay in the gymnasium were their talks circling around the boys whose lives were focused on volleyball, aside from their existence.
Date: 04/07 7:34
To: Kageyama Tobio
Subject: You-time
Call after dinner?
"Oof! Tobio, oh you." She giggled at the kitten. Her hands wrapped around its tummy and caressed using her thumb in gentle circles. "Com'n, we need to keep you clean."
Neko-Tobio meowed in response, sinking its teeth lightly on the skin by her thumb. It made Sawako giggle. Lightly, softly, she ran her hand across the kitten's body. The small feline would purr and Sawako would shush him with sweet talks as if the animal would understand.
She was wiping the wet black fur to dry; the kitten was in her arms when her ringtone echoed throughout the room. Bluish-green eyes slid their gaze to the screen that lit up on her bed and her feet began to trot.
Upon closer inspection of taking hold of the mobile device, a smile appeared that mirrored the happy bubble swelling in her chest. She swiped the screen to answer, "Hello."
[Hi.] Baritone voice reached her ears.
It made her giggle. "Hello, again."
[Huh… hi?] He sounded confused.
Sawako continued to rub the towel on the kitten as a small laugh escaped her lips again. "How's your day?"
[Hinata and Hitori's in my class. I have some news.]
Her eyebrow quirked. They're classmates this year?
[Tell me how your day went, first.]
Oh. "Oh! I met them. You know Mika already. The Nohebi alumni." There was a grunt on the other side. "Then I met Hana, the black-haired one, and Tsubaki, the ginger. They're cousins."
[And they're from Shiratorizawa.]
"Yes, you got that right, hun." She kissed Neko-Tobio's tummy. "Can you tell me which is which?"
Tobio-kun faked a cough. [The one dating the setter is…]
Ohhhhh! "Is?" She nodded in excitement. Small laughs seem to never stop themselves from escaping her lips tonight.
[… is… Hana.]
And Sawako gasped. "You got that right!"
[The one dating? Why is it a question? Ushijima-san is Tsubaki.]
"Coz, she said that they're not. And another correct answer, love."
[…l-love.]
Another laugh. "Yes, love. Now, who's the who on the last clue? Should you get it, yogurt will be delivered to you." That rhymed.
Silence.
The world seemed to still as she waited. It's almost as if it was just… silence. For some reason, Tobio-kun didn't utter a word. However, Sawako was aware that he was still there, courtesy to his breathing that her hearing managed to catch on.
[… Uhm…]
Alas, he hummed. The action made her giggle. "Yes?"
[T…Tsu…]
Bluish-green eyes lit up.
[Tsubaki?]
But it gleamed in a rather teasing manner. "Is that a question?"
[No… it's Tsubaki, isn't it?]
Sawako flopped down on the bed. The kitten dozed on her arms as she swung her legs in the air. "What made you think it's her?"
Another silence.
She patiently waited.
[… she looked familiar.]
"How familiar?"
A grunt. She giggled. [I'm not sure… She looked like she can play sports. Like… Hitori.]
Like Hitori. Not just hours after she met the ginger and heard of her relations to Shiratorizawa's middle blocker, Sawako gave the lad a similarity to Hitori. Her lips twitched, widening the smile she has on her face. "Can you guess to whom she's related?"
[Do I get something different if I got that right?]
Sawako pursed her lips. "You name it."
A huff. [Kawanishi.]
In which, Sawako laughed at his immediate response. "You already knew the answer." What an opportunist. She can't believe he asked for a prize for that and she fell, thinking he'll not get it right.
[It was the hair.]
"Yeah, it was the hair."
A pause. How did he…?
"You did a research." Sawako guessed. Knowing the lad, a match without directly communicating with the other player leads to a forgotten name. She didn't recall someone from the Shiratorizawa team (Ushiwaka and that red-haired middle blocker) to have an exchange with the raven-haired lad.
[… I did.]
And that's how he got the name.
'What's the news?" She asked, changing the topic.
That night, she learned that the Karasuno team will go to Nekoma at the Golden Week for a scrimmage. Just like last year but on a different venue, the Battle of the Trash Heap is at it again. Sawako was unsure whether she should go and watch. It's Golden Week after all. She's going to be home that week as well. Even then, her support will always be there.
Aside from the news about the scrimmage, she had learned of the new players in the team. Tobio-kun, unlike Koushi, gave vague descriptions much less dropping the names of these players. It made her miss the trio.
Nevertheless, she's happy for the team.
Sawako eyed the bulging stock of papers and a pile of books in her desk while laying down on the bed. She glanced at the desktop clock, showing her that it was already late, 8:21. She's not done yet with her lesson plan having been distracted talking to the group of ladies she met today.
A yawn escaped her lips, one with a sound before she could control herself.
[…]
"Tobio-kun?" Only then did she realized that the other speaker stopped.
[… Are you sleepy?] He asked. [You should sleep.]
Oh. He surely had heard her yawn. "What about you?" Sawako sat up on the bed, careful enough not to disturb the sleeping kitten.
[I have homework.]
Oh. "I'll… I'll make sure you've done with your homework before the call. Next time."
[Ah.]
"So, that you're not going to doze off doing them." She reasoned and paused after having an afterthought. "You're not slacking off with your studies, are you?"
She heard a sound almost similar to a grunt. It took a while for her to hear him say. [No.]
Sawako almost couldn't believe him. It was really hard to tell. The pause between her question and his answer should be an indicator of his poor lying skills or embarrassed persona. Perhaps, it was the latter. She couldn't really tell since she couldn't see him.
I wish I could. A somber thought.
"Okay." She chirped. He had her notes anyway. "I'm going to retire early."
A hum. She smiled.
"Goodnight, Tobio-kun."
[Goodnight, Harukaze-san.]
And a beep that ends the call.
Despite his unwillingness to call her by her first name, Sawako remained unbothered and her smile remained on her face.
Life fell into a routine.
Every day, Sawako would wake minutes earlier than her alarm. She would check on Neko-Tobio that was growing faster and getting livelier. She would clean the room, cook for herself, get showered, and study for the day. exactly fifteen minutes before her first class, Sawako would make her way to the university.
Once her first class ends, she would go back to the apartment to check on the kitten and changed her books for the second class. She would eat lunch at the cafeteria with Mika most of the time. When the lass was unavailable, Hana would eat with her. Sometimes it's just Tsubaki, sometimes, Mika and Hana would join her. Other times, it's Mika and Tsubaki, sometimes the cousins. Sawako never got to eat alone and she's never lonely because of them.
When the day's over, it would usually end in the afternoon, Sawako would go home. Clean, study, and if something's amiss in her collection, she would go to the supermarket to buy ingredients and other necessities. Make dinner, study, and true to her words, she would wait for Tobio-kun to give her a message and then they would talk over the phone call.
Then sleep.
For the Golden Week, Sawako went home. She spent her time making plans with the AsaDaiKou trio, Kiyoko and Satsuki. She bonded with Kirin most of the time – doing their usual routine of when she was still at home. Her long-distance relationship with Tobio remained as the lad was busier with his volleyball career. Once they have the time, the time lost without seeing each other was compensated through watching movies or volleyball matches, playing volleyball in his yard, cooking in their kitchen, and walking around the town.
She attended the semi-finals of InterHigh with Hana and Tsubaki where the team lost to Date Tech. Sawako was home for the first summer of her university days doing similar activities at the Golden Week but more seasonal such as: eating soba with the family at the Ukai residence, and making ice cream with Tobio at his home.
Their relationship?
Between the two, she was more vocal in saying her feelings and compliments. Of course, head pats and holding hands became a regular thing between them but never more tactile than that. Tobio-kun was still shy most of the time which urged her to tease him with her affections.
It's the middle of the year, and to think that they've been going out for months. It was busy. They were both into their field yet makes time for one another. She could see him grow as a man and a player as time passes, whenever they met. Perhaps, it's the same for her to him.
It's exactly the kind of relationship she pictured knowing the kind of person Kageyama Tobio is.
And it was great.
He was lovely.
And winter came.
Bluish-green eyes darted to her left, seeing specks of white dancing through the air as it slowly made contact with the ground. Her feet moved to a stop, preferring to watch the majestic scene outside through the window in the hall.
She was on her way to her last class after sharing lunch with Hana when the first snow of the year appeared. Having got used to life in Torono, it's Sawako's first time to witness this moment in the city.
"Hey Haru, are you comin'?"
Her head turned at the call of her name. Her block mates would call her "Haru" instead of "Sawa" after finding out that she was born a spring-baby. Or that, they treated her like a big sister because of her personality.
Sawako nod and began to walk towards the open door. "Yeah." Yet her mind continued to go back to the snow as it reminded her of the certain lad back in town.
When the first day of December came, news of Tobio-kun's participation in another invitation to National Youth Training Camp reached her ears. Naturally, with the national level in mind, he agreed and was supposed to be excused for a week to train just like how it was done on his first year in high school.
Training would start on Monday of its second week, which was four days ago. Now, it's Friday. Her last night before going home and his last day at the camp.
Date: 12/05 12:54
From: Kageyama Tobio
Subject: (No Subject)
We were dismissed. Can I stay over?
Class dismissed at that exact time. However, Sawako has not yet checked her phone. Her arms were occupied by books and instructional materials she made with a satisfied smile on her face. She was successful and did a job well done at her report.
And now, she ought to head to the cafeteria as promised to the cousins.
Ever since they met and formed a bond, Sawako has been taking the train back to Sendai with Hana and Tsubaki. And she would watch them picked up by the team's previous setter and Hana's boyfriend, Semi Eita.
After this, pack up and… oh…
Her eyes lit up upon sighting the black and ginger turfs in the middle of the many heads outside the cafeteria.
"Sawa-chan!" Tsubaki called and waved her arms.
Hana also turned in her direction, smiling. Sawako immediately turns, making her way to their table. Yet a body of a man sporting a buzzcut hair that reminded her of Tanaka-kun has blocked her way. She looked up to the person, wondering why he didn't move. Once again, she was met with ruby eyes and a scarlet face.
Hm?
"Harukaze Sawako-san…" The person started, making her question how did he know her name. "I'm wondering if you're free to date?"
"Eh?"
"I… Uhm… I like you. Since the exams actually and I'm hoping we go out. It's not like you're dating anyone, aren't you?"
"I am."
"Eh?"
Suddenly, a hand landed on this person's shoulder, startling both of them. To Sawako's delight, it was Tsubaki with a disapproving look and behind her was Hana that was shaking her head.
"Sorry, bud. Hands off."
"But…"
Sawako offered the lad an apologetic smile, her eyes watching in amusement as Tsubaki led the lad away from her. Such happening became an almost normal thing for Sawako. She didn't really flaunt around that she's dating someone. She kept on turning down mixers and karaoke nights. She didn't attend the out-of-town trip a few of her block mates arranged to bond as she was at home with her family and friends. Adding the fact that Sawako was normally seen with three ladies in different specializations. This might have led some to believe that she is available and not committed to romantic relationships.
"You're done with your report?" Hana asked as they waited for Tsubaki's return. Apparently, the table was taken by the other students as soon as the cousins approached her.
Sawako nodded. "It went well," and sighed. "Two more to go and I'm done for the term. How about you, Hana?"
"Two plates and a research paper." The young woman sighed.
In the background, Sawako can still hear Tsubaki's voice. It sounded angry, for some reason, and she was having an argument with the guy from earlier.
"I told ya' and she told ya' that she's dating someone."
"I'm not gonna buy that."
"Oh god. You're not her type. So, piss off."
"Lemme just talk to her. Why are you getting in the way?"
Their argument caught their attention. But not enough for Sawako as soon as she turned to the arguing duo, her eyes caught sight on a familiar figure.
He was standing tall. Clad in grey jacket, awfully familiar track pants, a black cap, and another awfully familiar blue knitted scarf. Her bluish-green eyes could only blink in disbelief as this supposedly tall person was looking everywhere as if he's lost.
Before she knew it, her body moved towards that person. "Tobio-kun?"
Said figure was startled. He immediately turned to her, as his back was facing her. To her surprise, she was met with eyes covered in shades and a surprise pout. But beneath that, she could see the same blue eyes widening themselves in surprise.
"Tobio-kun" Hana turned in surprise.
"Tobio?!" Shrieked Tsubaki.
Yet Sawako was unfazed. Her mind was still in a state of shock to see the person she was excited to meet. "Huh?
The question of disbelief escaped her lips without thinking. "What?"
Tobio-kun closed his agape lips and pouted. "I messaged you."
"Y-You did? I haven't checked my phone yet."
She heard him mumble. "Let me." And the load in her arms lessened. Her textbooks and instructional materials were now in his arms as her hand fished out her phone on the pocket of her jeans. It was only then in that moment that she has read the message he sent on her was gone.
Tobio raised a brow. "I guess. I… I'm staying over before going home." He said this while looking at her.
Only then did Sawako noticed the bag on his feet. It just sank. He must've been waiting for her response since they were dismissed and waiting here looking lost and almost out of place.
Sawako sighed. This guy…
The months of dating and days apart have not made their relationship boring. There are days in which they chose to spend in silence – sleeping, daydreaming, or casually doing the things they like together. To think that Tobio could still surprise her.
Hana shrugged. "Alright, 'Baki. Let them now." She ushered the brunette before turning to Sawako. Hana glanced at Tobio and smiled. "You must've had a long catching up to do and we're not taking your time. So… see you, Sawa."
Sawako nodded, smiling at the raven-haired girl. "See ya, Hana, Tsubaki."
"Take care, you two."
"Ah."
The couple watched the cousins joined the fray of college students. When the pair of familiar black and brown were out of their sight, Sawako hummed, turning to the setter who has half of her belongings in his muscular arms.
Tobio raised a brow as she eyed his attire. "What?"
She decided to tell him her mind. "Where did your Karasuno jacket go?"
In which, he singlehandedly picked up the bag on the ground. Her stud tucked in his arms made Sawako amazed at the fitness growth this young man went through.
He used to be lean and almost skinny.
"In the bag." He answered.
Even his voice was deeper than the last I heard him speak.
"Trying not to catch attention, aren't you?" Sawako laughed at the scoff he left in response.
Ever since the team made its mark on the nationals, and his participation in the Youth Camp, the name Kageyama Tobio slowly ranked up to the bigger world of volleyball. The boy was no longer just a prodigy of a setter in Sendai as he was known as a rising star that rivals the current best setter in high school, Miya Atsumu.
"Why aren't you wearing a jacket? It's already cold."
Both of their feet moved to walk down to the snow-piled ground. Snowfall has stopped for the meantime, allowing the people to continue their lives normally without thinking of dust white falling.
Sawako turned. "I'm wearing the thickest of my sweater. I don't feel cold."
"You should not underestimate the winter," Tobio told her, walking beside her. "You can wear the jacket."
Raising an eyebrow at his narrowed eyes through the shades, Sawako found herself reaching for the zipper of his bag. She sighed. The black jacket with the kanji of Karasuno embroidered was taken immediately. Sawako silently zipped it close as they walk and gave her bag to the waiting lad. She took it back once her arms shot out of the sleeves of the jacket, catching a whiff of his scent that smelled very much like lavender.
"You almost sound like Koushi for a moment there." Sawako started. "Is that a setter thing?"
"What setter thing?"
"You know, almost nagging like a mom." She saw his eyes twitch and hands reached to take off the ridiculous shades without thinking.
"Ennoshita-san is not a setter." He said, "Oikawa-san and Miya-san don't even look like they're acting like a mom. More like, they're the babies."
When Sawako looked ahead, her eyes blinked in another surprise. They have just left the university, about to turn in a corner to the apartment when her eyes somehow landed on a familiar dyed-blonde hair.
Tobio noticed it too and curious. "Miya-san, what brings you here?"
The blonde looked startled, halfway eating a fresh taiyaki from a stall nearby. The other setter grinned like a cat moment later. "if it isn't Tobio-kun and Harukaze-san."
The door of apartment 301 opened. The room was slightly dim when they entered. It looked colder than the season yet the soft purr that echoed inside made it warm.
"Come in." Sawako turned to the lads, flicking the switch of the lights on.
She discarded her footwear and a flick of her eyes saw how the two setters followed her. Her arms moved to remove the jacket, hooking it to the hook in a wall, and approached the cat that padded with its soft paws.
"Hello, little love." Sawako picked up the already grown kitten and switched on the lights in the main room. "Make yourself at home, Miya-san."
Tobio placed their bags by the foot of her study desk, already knew where she would place hers and her textbooks on the desk. She eyed the other setter that was looking around the rather spacious room for living and resting.
"Would you like something to drink, Miya-san?"
The blonde continued to look around, grinning at her so to speak. "Anythin'."
Sawako nodded and proceed to prepare drinks and food for her guests. She made it simple with a tea – a matcha, thinking that has Miya-san wouldn't mind. She could hear the conversation of the two while adding onigiri.
"If I didn't know, I would mistake the two of ya' as siblings, Tobio-kun."
A confused. "Huh?"
"Is this y'ar family? And… Harukaze-san's? Woah. What in the he – Ya'r whipped. You're whipped."
Silence.
"Ya'r looking at her neck in here, too. Oh, how would anyone think that the prodigy Kaegayama Tobio-kun's fetish for the neck?"
"Wha–"
"Could this be Harukaze-san? She's really cute."
"Ah."
"I'll pin for her if it wasn't for ya."
"No."
A laugh.
When Sawako entered where the boys are, she had caught the frown on her boyfriend's face and the laugh that echoed from the blonde. She shook her head in amusement, carefully placing the tea set on the table.
Tobio huffed and sat on the cushion on the floor. Miya-san, who saw her, settled down on the other. She heard them mumble their gratitude while she poured them tea. Neko-Tobio found himself wrapping his tail on her ankle. It tickles, it was endearing. But the moment for the cat was cut short when Miya-san picked him up.
"Who're ya?" asked the blonde.
Sawako sat on the spare cushion. "Tobio." She smiled when the guest arched a confused brow. "Neko-Tobio."
Miya-san laughed. "Really? He must've hated it."
Tobio blushed.
In which, Sawako grinned. "Oh, he got confused a few times. But he got to stick with it and get used to it." She pinched Tobio's cheek. The lad grunted and took a sip on his matcha tea. With a sigh, he placed the cup back on the saucer and turned to Miya-san.
"I thought you already went home, Miya-san."
"Oh, I was. 'Til I saw that you wern't coming to the station." Miya-san said. "So, I followed ya."
Sawako blinked, mentally whistled. Is he some stalker?
"As I thought ya'r going to ya'r girlfriend. And I wanna see Harukaze-san again." He smirked at her.
Rolling her eyes, Sawako peeked at Tobio. He was scowling, gripping at the cup in silence.
Dating Tobio, he never showed any indication that he's the jealous type. She would recount the moments wherein someone would ask her out, getting saved by Tsubaki's overprotectiveness, Mika's sharp tongue, and Hana's disapproval. Perhaps, he was getting good at controlling his anger, she couldn't tell if he was having a negative reaction regarding those moments.
It was the first time she saw him act that way – jealous when Miya-san was obviously just riling him up.
With that in thought, Sawako placed a hand on top of his free palm. He turned to her and she smiled, squeezing his rough pads. She felt calm down, loosening his grip on the cup, and huffed.
Miya-san might have seen their interaction, she couldn't tell. But the sly smile that etched on the other setter's face says it all while he finished his tea with a satisfied smile. "As much as I'd love to stay and get to know ya Harukaze-san, I hafta go now."
"Oh." Escaped her lips. Her bluish-green eyes glanced at Tobio's blinking blues.
Miya-san stood up. "Thanks for the tea."
"Would you like us to accompany you to the station?"
The blonde shook his head. "I can manage." Then turned to the silent lad. "See ya' at the nationals, Tobio-kun."
Instead of walking the other setter to the station, Sawako saw him leave the apartment. Tobio-kun watched, too. Until the mop of dyed-blonde disappeared in the corner did they went back inside and sat back down.
Neither spoke a word.
Sawako simply stared at her lovely companion. She sat with her back straight, her legs beneath her bottom. Her hands-on top of her legs and her eyes were on him.
This guy…
… was being adorable.
"What?" He asked.
"What, he asked. What is it?"
He scowled.
Sawako scooted closer. "I should be the one asking you that." He raised a brow. "Is there something wrong, Tobio-kun?"
He blinked. He took a sip and Sawako waited for him to speak, only to hear a response she didn't expect. "Nothing really."
He was jelly earlier, wasn't he?
"Nothing… at all?"
He nodded.
"What about earlier? You were…" She trailed.
"Jealous." He arched an eyebrow.
And she couldn't help but do the same as this awareness. "Yeah…"
But Tobio scoffed, looking unbothered at the whole deal with Miya-san trying to sneak on him to see her. She did remember telling Tobio how she came across the person of topic months ago.
"It's fine. I just… couldn't help it."
"What is?"
He stared. She smiled to reassure him that it's fine, urging him to go on. She intended to extract whatever negativities he felt inside.
He sighed. "People like him…" He started, blue eyes locking on her. "He's good – better even. I'm still not good with feelings like he does and he's a great setter. Makes me envious sometimes. But it's fine." He smirked. "You don't love him."
It made her smile. Oh. Humming, she opened her arms. "Come here."
"W-Wh-What… No…" His cheeks started to coat with pink.
"Oh, come on."
Tobio took a sip of the tea. Sawako wouldn't allow him to stand as she tugged on his hand, with such strength he stumbled right in her arms. As soon as it happened, she wrapped her arms around his neck and keep him close.
"H-Harukaze-san…!"
He's still not calling her by her first name. Sawako tightened her embrace at the lad. His face may be buried in her chest but it didn't matter. This young man had a development.
"Since when did you grow up" She ruffled on his black hair that was getting long. "Of course, I don't." She reaffirmed his statement earlier, smiling at his peeking blues.
She felt him smile. Tobio learned how to smile and it was such a beautiful sight. He looked very different when he does – far from the scowling and unapproachable first year that radiated bad aura and far from the boy who tried to imitate Koushi's everything-will-be-fine smile. It was lovely – truly that Sawako loved it very much.
With another tight hug, Sawako planed a kiss on his forehead. "I love you."
She felt his arms snaked around her waist, hearing him sigh. It followed with a hum that sounded similar to a grunt and grumbles. And she shook her head lightly at how adorable it was for her. Sawako didn't expect any more for him to say the exact words. Knowing him, he would still be shy, blushing cutely as if it's their first time telling one another their feelings. But she could feel the contentment in her arms.
It was enough for her.
Tap.
Tap.
Tap.
OMAKE
It was Tuesday in the evening when he arrived home from training. Tobio silently closed the gates, opening the door before mumbling a soft, "I'm home" to no one in particular. Yet he received a surprising response that came from upstairs.
"Oh, Tobio. Good, you're here. There's a package for you earlier." Miwa-nee-san passed by him looking dolled up and grabbed a pair of shoes. "It's by the door of your room. Came from Sawa-chan."
"You're leaving?" He asked.
The woman looked up at him. "Yeah. I won't be back until tomorrow. Sudden call, yadda. Bye." And she left in a haste.
Not going to ponder and overthink why his older sister was acting the way she did, Tobio went upstairs to go to his room. True to her words, a box was placed right by the door. Tobio picked it up and entered his room. After placing his bag on a chair, he reached for the scissors and cut the wrappings open. His brow arched amused at what he saw inside, holding to it with a smirk on his face. It stretched into a grin upon seeing a post-it note attached to it that says,
Package delivered!
Name the other reward anytime, love.
- Sawako.
note:
What a week. Life as a student who has pent-up disappointment with the higher commission of education was really tiring. I had my complaints about their irrational decisions on what to do with the learning while there's still pandemic. As a physical and health education major, it sucks.
I believe it was a week ago that I updated my bio and wrote down the schedule of my updates for Superfluous – every other Tuesday. This is because I'm aiming to post the last chapter (epilogue) exactly on the 22nd of June to mark my sixth-month update of this book.
Even now, I'm still having a hard time believing that I've been posting chapters weekly of this year-old draft already. It's a goal! I can't even believe that wow, we're almost there to the end.
As promised, this is longer and I sped up the timeline. And oh! I introduced some of my darlings from Dulcet – Hana, and Tsubaki. You can check out the other book if you like. It focuses on Shiratorizawa (original plan) and currently on hold. I might work on it immediately after the epilogue but I don't know, I'd like to give Oikawa a try.
Life update: I'm exhausted. I did some school requirements with friends about badminton and man, I think I pulled a muscle or something. It hurt actually as it's been more than a year since the last time I played and trained. Not to mention that it's summer and it's so hot, I was sweating buckets.
Bbymojo: That, I believe is canon, too! There was something about him being socially awkward that he's like Sai in Naruto but better than Sai. Glad you think it's adorable!
See ya!