He loves her.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
He really does.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
Despite a long time he spent with her, being around her, having his toes curl at her vocal affections, chilling while his heart would beat erratically at the mere sight of her, in the end, and even now, he still couldn't say those three words as she does.
I love you.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
Maybe it was how he grew up that he couldn't properly express how he felt. He messes up expressing. The team knows about this as they witnessed this first-hand. It's a miracle, hopefully not a one-time thing that he managed to confess his feelings.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
But he doesn't want to be unfair. He wants to tell her, too. It was godsent that he saw something wholesome on the internet about a guy that's almost similar to him. Having an expressive girlfriend can take a toll but he loves her that way. She's able to speak out and he felt valued – special.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
So, he tried it. Did it. She hasn't picked it up yet.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
He did it every moment he could find such as helping her wash the dishes or when she fell asleep on the ride home, he would tap her forehead. Or whenever they're just hanging around in silence and she's reading a book; every time in her hands mostly. If he's courageous enough, he would tap thrice on her head, shoulders, arms, waist, and even on her feet.
And she would giggle, "Because it tickles." The first time he did that to her feet, he was sitting on the floor and she on the couch, she kicked him.
It was the day he turned seventeen when she noticed and decided to ask about it.
Harukaze-san was in his house. Like on the day of the first time he came inside, Tobio sat on the chair with the television running. Harukaze-san was in their kitchen working on their dinner. He insisted to help yet she doesn't want to. Simply because it's his birthday and he has no plans to throw a party. The team greeted him and he said his thanks. The triplets and Miki-san did, too but the day ends with her and cooking.
So he gazed at her.
He watched her slender back. She always had a good posture and she was already tall. Harukaze-san stood straight; it tells about how she's confident and strong. Her hair was longer that reminded him of the day he trimmed it. What once ended just above her shoulders, now ended mid-back. He kind of wants to do it again.
He watched her turn to him, carrying the pot of rice, blistering hot. Blue eyes followed the way her tight lips curved into a smile when their eyes met. Tobio found himself returning the gesture when she went back to wash her hands diligently and hooked the apron back.
He remained to watch her sit down on the chair across from him and raised a brow.
"What?" She asked, smiling. "You've been staring for a while now."
His eyes trailed how her fingers tucked a strand behind her ear, making it alluring because of her smile. "Nothing."
Tap. Tap. Tap.
She disregarded it with a shake of her head and they ate in silence. For today's dinner, it's his favorite curry, tonkatsu, and salad. Except for the time that she brought a box of cake she apparently made early in the morning to sing him another English birthday song. And he loves the smile on her face when she does so that enunciates the words with enthusiasm. The cake was their dessert.
It was after eating when Harukaze-san got her hands on a photo album. He was late to react and the next thing that happened was her laughing upon seeing the angry-looking baby that looked as if he hated the world named Kageyama Tobio – him.
"O-Oh…" She covered her laugh, glancing at him with sparkling eyes.
Tobio blushed beside her. "Don't… don't say anything." He tried to cover her eyes with his hand but she fought back and kept him away with her feet on his face.
"Oh, you're such a beautiful baby." She told him and what seemed like a habit, he felt her fingers pinched his cheeks suddenly. "You're born with an… angry pretty face – is this Miwa-san?"
He took a look at what she's pointing at. "Yeah."
She flipped the pages, giggling every now and then seeing his ignorant childhood that trained very hard to know and challenge the world. There's back when he was merely two, his first walk, diaper days, nursery days in that ridiculous yellow hat – back when volleyball was bigger than his head. It also included his first volleyball match, his first struggles in flexibility training, his crying face when he scraped his knee and he was so young that he couldn't hold the pain.
Tobio rolled his eyes seeing his younger self in elementary. The days when he never owned any video games. And a whole lot more pictures. But as the pages lessened, fewer pictures were placed and it caused him to be reminded that the only one who cared the most to take photos of his almost everyday life was his grandfather.
Suddenly, she stopped. When he took a look at her face, it was melancholic. Sad, downcast, it confused him. It made sense when her eyes flipped back to a picture of him – younger him and his grandfather, Kazuyo-san. The photo was so long ago and it was his 8th birthday.
"Your grandfather…"
His smile twitched upwards at the memory of the elder. His head bobbed. "Kazuyo-san."
"… Kazuyo-san." Harukaze-san copied. The name rolled off in her tongue sounding too careful. Her eyes looked softly at the old picture that he even forgot existed. By the hesitant caress on the plastic page, he could tell that she was imagining something he could not tell. But he was sure that it was something happy.
"I heard from Koushi that… you took the entrance exam in Shiratorizawa."
He blinked, eyes widening. He was trying to keep that from her, but it didn't matter anymore as she already knew.
Harukaze-san was looking at him. Gone was the face earlier that grins at what she thinks. It was replaced by the previous sad face he doesn't want her to wear – especially when it's directed at him. "I… I heard Kazuyo-san was…" Her lips fell into a flat line before she could utter the name of the school he knew.
"A Shiratorizawa alumnus." He finished in her stead.
It is what it is. For years, he upheld it and took it to heart. His grandfather's words of getting stronger to be able to face stronger opponents have been engraved in his soul that it was still evident even now.
Shiratorizawa Academy was his first choice of high school. For having a grand reputation of the powerhouse champion in a long line in years, Kazuyo-san's advice to him and his desire to come out on top was what urged him to take the exam. That was one reason.
The other reason was simply that Kazuyo-san was once there. He wanted to reconnect… to Kazuyo-san in that way…
I didn't pass.
"Yeah." Harukaze-san flipped the photo album close but didn't return it.
He watched her right hand reach out for him that was on his lap. Slender, bony fingers wrapped themselves around him and the hold was tight. He returned the gesture and leaned on her side. Tobio let his body weight fall on her and Harukaze-san didn't mind at all. In fact, she untangled her hand only to replace it with her left and snaked the freehand on his head that pulled it close to her shoulder.
Tobio sighed.
Silence embraced them once again.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
He closed his eyes when he felt her fingers move strands of his hair on his forehead.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
Despite the odds of not making it to the exams, he was truly glad he made it to Karasuno. If it weren't for the team – her, he wouldn't be able to achieve the reconnection that he longed for. Harukaze-san somehow reminded him of Kazuyo-san. They both supported him on the sidelines, cooked for him the curry he loves, intended to watch him grow as the athlete he wanted, and liked to watch the recorded volleyball matches with him.
But she was not Kazuyo-san. She's her own person that made her stand out from the group of people he wanted to keep. It was endearing and very charming. He's grateful that he has her.
"I've been meaning to ask you, Tobio-kun but what's with the taps?"
He tilted his head upwards, his blue eyes meeting her bluish-greens. Her face says she's curious and he couldn't help but blush at his answer.
"What?" Harukaze-san was smiling. "Why are you blushing?"
He scowled to cover the blush. But no matter how much he tries to hide it, Harukaze-san wouldn't let him. Instead of keeping to himself, he answered her question without changing their seating position.
He held out his other hand, placing it on her other arm. A tap. "I…"
Another tap. "… love…"
And another. "… you."
Tap. Tap. Tap.
I love you.
He pouted, his cheeks burning. He saw her smile amidst the reddened cheeks, pecking the side of his forehead like an angel's kiss. And for what makes things better, he felt contentment at their relationship.
"That's genius. I love you, too."
During the entirety of winter break, aside from his daily training with the current team, their annual Christmas party, he spent some of his free time with Harukaze-san. The young lady has told him to give some time to himself and he would work out in his room or simply rest. Sometimes, he would try to study her notes.
The keyword is try.
Christmas that year was different. After exchanging Christmas gifts with the team the night before, he and the Harukaze family exchanged gifts on the day. The night was spent with her at his residence under the kotatsu table knitting for a change. And what seemed like the start of a tradition between the Kageyama and Harukaze, he and her family went to the same shrine for another year of blessing and bad luck. Another joint family portrait was taken to commemorate that he later found in the photo album when his mother placed it in a spare pocket one day.
Another thing that somehow progressed was the fact that his mother started to lessen the days she's barely at home. He would come home often after training to find dinner being served at the dinner table and Reika-san joining him for dinner. His father was still away for his research and they were updated that they'll finish soon. And to their surprise, Miwa-nee-san didn't bring home any guy for them to meet.
"Kageyama, would you like to join us?"
He looked at Sugawara-san who grinned. Blinking his eyes, he looked at the seniors huddled up together in casual winter clothing with the ladies. Azumane-san, Sugawara-san, Sawamura-san, and Shimizu-san attended the ceremony with him for Aizawa-san and Harukaze-san. Shifting his eyes to the latter, he took in her appearance. In her special kimono and furisode, she looked more dashing than the other females in the area. She wore blue with golden and white cranes by the hem. Her accessories were yellow.
It was one thing that he learned today. Out of all the upperclassmen, Harukaze-san was the oldest, followed by Aizawa-san who'll celebrate her birthday just a week later than Harukaze-san's. With the year of their coming of age, he attended the ceremony at the city hall with them. The last time he attended this event was for Miwa-nee-san and he's here again for Harukaze-san.
Tobio nodded at Sugawara-san, which made the male happy.
"Okay! It's gonna be Daichi's treat."
"What?" Asked the former team captain, his hands were inside his jacket to keep them warm as he looked at his friend with disbelief. "No, not me. It's Asahi's."
In which, the former ace exclaimed. "E-Eh? Shouldn't it be Suga's since it's his idea?"
"Technically, it's yours." Sugawara-san pointed at Azumane-san before turning to Sawamura-san who wore casual clothes like them and a flat look to their former setter. Sugawara-san pouted, looking like he didn't like the idea of being the one on the receiving end. "Com'n. We're not going to let the ladies treat us." The lad groaned.
Tobio switched to Harukaze-san, finding her rolling her eyes at the trio. Beside her was Aizawa-san shaking her head in disbelief and Shimizu-san unbothered. The other three bickered and pointed fingers on who's going to treat who.
"I want some barbeque." He heard Aizawa-san.
"I'm getting soba," Shimizu-san added.
Harukaze-san turned to him. Her red-painted lips smiled. "What do you want to eat, Tobio-kun?"
He hummed. "Anything warm."
She nodded. "Ramen?" He nodded. "Shoyu ramen? Okay." Then, she turned to the trio that was now checking their wallets. "Let's go!" She exclaimed.
"To where?"
"To Kunohe." She said and nudged them to walk. "My treat!"
"Really?! Sweet, Sawa!" Sugawara-san's face brightened immediately. "Ow!"
Aizawa-san pulled a strand of his hair. "I think I heard you saying you don't want any of us treating you, dorks."
"Hey, stop pulling. It hurts, ya'know."
Tap. Tap. Tap.
Tobio whipped his head to look at her face, eyes widening slightly in surprise at the unexpected gesture he received in his arm. She was already looking at him, her bluish-green eyes looked brighter than ever. He found himself smirking at the sudden development, giddy that she's also doing what he has been for months.
Tap. Tap. Tap. Tap.
Harukaze-san was very supportive of him.
Very.
She came when he asked her to watch their match on the night they first talked. She came again on his second request and went on the next when he didn't. She would pat his head, caress his hair, and tell him that he did great on the court no matter if they lost or won.
She understood his kind of food to eat because he's an athlete, even the time that will take him because not only is he an athlete but a student as well. She understood why the national league was important to him, even the depth of why he strived so hard to the top and why he was as he was in middle school.
She supported him all the way.
That was why he was very ecstatic to see her on the bleachers. Harukaze-san was with Yamaka-san and Suguru most of the time. They sat beside the Karasuno Neighborhood Cheering Squad, not having their own world with the comments they shared with the notable supportive alumni, yet having their own world at the same time with less enthusiasm as the cheering squad.
Even though they lost to Inarizaki, again, in the third round, she was still positive in the whole ordeal, cheering him and the team – complimenting him with his performance. They bought the event's new shirt in the same color as last year – white and black, together.
And then Valentine's.
He vividly remembered wondering how the next Valentine's would take place a year ago. Solely because this time, Harukaze-san was in another prefecture. He kept on thinking, questions lingering on how she did it. Is she going to make the same chocolates? Is she going to make him a special bento like a year ago? But this year, it's different. They're dating. They're each someone's special. And...
"Kageyama!"
He immediately turned, startled, when the door of the clubroom was slammed open all of a sudden. It was followed by a loud call of his name, one that belonged to none other than Nishinoya-san.
"Haru-senpai!" The libero latched on to his white training shirt. "When's she coming over?"
"Yeah, yeah."
Blinking, he answered. "Tonight."
"Really?!" came Hinata who joined to latch on his other arm.
Tobio scowled at the two energetic teammates. He eyes the three first-years, shaken and confused at his current predicament. "Yes. Now, get off!"
Hinata and Nishinoya-san beamed. The two led and left together to the gym as they dragged the three first-years: Tokito, Shoji, and Yaotome, with them. Tobio shook his head and flipped his phone open. He had been informed by Harukaze-san that she's going home with Ayano-san and Kawanishi-san and has been told that he doesn't have to take her home. She'll drop by the court later.
So, he left it just like that, patiently waiting, and headed to the gym.
Date: 02/14 5:01
From: Harukaze Sawako
Subject: Home
I'm back!
I'll drop by later.
Date: 02/14 6:17
From: Harukaze Sawako
Subject: Chocolates
Attachments: See attachments [Groupie photo]
Look who got their chocolates!
We're dropping by!
Tobio raised a brow, pout was forming in his lips as he read the message he received ten minutes ago.
Training has ended normally in a chaotic way. With the addition of three optimistic freshmen, the team gets rowdier especially when the pioneer of problem children – Nishinoya-san and Tanaka-san, ranked up a year, and would take charge behind Ennoshita-san's back. Most of the time, it's to join them in their shenanigans that Sawamura-san would definitely disapprove of. It's not like it happens all the time. Narita-san and Kinoshita-san were always there to reprimand them. Sometimes, Yamaguchi would step up.
Tobio zipped his bag close and casually sling it on his shoulder. He wrapped the scarf on his neck and rubbed his palms together.
"We're back!"
His eyes turned to the figures by the door. The others followed suit, surprised at the outburst by never-ending sunshine called Sugawara-san. Before they were a familiar grey-haired, their intimidating former captain, and the gentle long-haired ace. With them were their beloved former manager and their chocolate sponsor.
"Senpai!"
Smiles turned wider upon realizing who was standing by the door. They flocked together at the center of the room, getting crowdier with the number of people inside.
"Alright, settle down, settle down," Ennoshita-san said. "While it's nice that our senpais came to visit us, it would be better if we gave space to each other. Sit down, Noya."
While the others sat on the tatami, along with a few, Tobio remained standing by the locker. His eyes caught the sparkling bluish-green on the room. His lips etched a smile before realizing it and felt warmer as if spring arrived when she smiled back.
It was like a tradition since Harukaze-san met the volleyball team. Every year, on the exact day of Valentine's, no matter the day, she would give chocolates to any members of the team whether they're a coach or the club adviser.
"Haru-senpai, you're the best!" He heard.
It was exactly a year ago that he saw the same genuine joy on the faces of his two rowdy seniors. The color of pink seems to linger in the air at their happiness. Even the new trio got their chocolates from her, surprised at the gesture without having contact with her.
He swore he heard her correctly call them by their names and he didn't recall telling her.
While everyone in the team opened their palms for the chocolates, giddily accepted them with grins and blushes on their faces, Tobio couldn't help but be amused and amazed at what she's doing, making chocolates for a number of people.
Harukaze-san turned to him with a box in her hand. "Happy valentine's, Tobio-kun." She smiled. "Just so you know, it's not a giri choco."
He smirked, hearing the same words she once told him on the previous Valentine's. He said his thanks as she stood beside him silently and shyly with that tick of hers that involves tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. He hastily unwrapped the box, opening it before taking out one volleyball mascot-designed chocolates called Vabo-chan. It melted in his tongue in a taste he wanted to take another to eat.
"How's it?"
He spared her a glance as he popped another in his mouth.
"Sweet as always, Haru-senpai!"
"Like you!"
"Oh, thank you, Nishinoya-kun, Tanaka-kun."
He gave them narrowed eyes at their cockblocking but didn't speak out how he's annoyed at their interference.
"Don't be selfish, Kageyama-kun. Harukaze-senpai is for the team." The ginger snickered.
"She's my girlfriend." His nose scrunched with displeasure.
"We know. No need to rub it on our faces." He heard Tanaka-san.
His brows narrowed even further. "I wasn't."
"You were." Hinata insisted.
"I wasn't."
"You totally were."
"I said, I wasn't." He scowled to end the pointless argument. Hinata seemed to have understood the cue but instead of making things worse, the shortie huffed and stuck him a tongue. Tobio rolled his eyes, letting it pass. "Dumbass."
In which Harukaze-san snorted.
If there's something that Tobio doesn't know how to handle is how to celebrate an anniversary. One that involves romantic relationships. He remembered Miwa-nee-san crying her heart out for like every six months because of some stupid jerk. It became a reminder that aside from their parents, none of them has yet to experience such an event.
Not until he remembered that the day his upperclassmen graduated was also the day he started dating Harukaze-san.
"Congratulations, Ennoshita, Narita-san, Kinoshita-san, Nishi–"
"SHOYO!"
"HINATA! You better wear my jersey!"
Not until another batch of his upperclassmen graduated today.
"…Nishinoya-san and Tanaka-san."
He, along with the rest of the team, greeted their upperclassmen in ribbons. They crowded the newly graduated batch of 2014. The situation has greatly reminded him of back when Sawamura-san, Sugawara-san, Azumane-san, and Shimizu-san graduated. It was the start of his second year in high school, and now, after they bid goodbye, he'll be in his third year – the last year, once April started.
Third-year, huh.
"Remember when I asked you to think of your next captain?" Ennoshita-san asked. They nodded in response. "The thing is, I already have someone in mind."
"Really?!"
"I bet it's not Tsukishima."
"Shut up, shorty. Like I want to lead your leagues."
"What do you mean by that?!"
Ennoshita-san frowned. "As I said, I already have someone in mind."
Tobio couldn't help but to smirk when the two bright-haired batchmates of his zipped their mouths at the constipated smile from Yamaguchi. It was followed by his hand on their shoulders, reminding them not to cause any ruckus when they're talking about an important matter. He saw Ennoshita-san smirking at the action and he then knew who his senpai was talking about.
"Starting today, Yamaguchi will be your new captain."
The aforementioned boy gaped and Hinata and Yachi-san gasped. But Ennoshita-san is not yet done. The older lad turned to him with a look full of hope and he knew, too, that he didn't want to disappoint him with the new responsibility they gave him.
"And Kageyama will be the vice-captain."
"Looking forward to it, King." Tsukishima scoffed by his side.
In response, he glared. For he hasn't heard that moniker for quite some time now. Truly a lot has changed since he was a third-year middle school student. Gone were the days of isolation and loneliness. The world of darkness where he only got himself to lean on. Gone was the reputation that reminded him of his dark side and was instead replaced by something truly noble, as if he had been cleansed from great sin.
So, he looked forward to never forgetting the days of who he was and smiled at Ennoshita-san and the third years.
"We won't let you down," declared Yamaguchi.
"You can count on us," he continued.
To celebrate their graduation, they, along with their four visitors (Sawamura-san & Co.) went to their favorite restaurant in town – Kunohe and to their delight, was Ennoshita-san's treat. The don rarely spoils them in food like Sawamura-san, having seen no reason on why to spend money when they can have a decent meal at home.
"Now that I remember." Tanaka-san started after slurping his ramen noodles. "Kageyama was once a vice-captain in KitaIchi."
"He was?" Tobio raised an eyebrow at Hinata who looked up from his bowl of rice. "He honestly doesn't look like the type to lead."
"Excuse me?" This shit.
"Huh? You played against him. How come you didn't know?"
"He didn't look like it at all."
"Of course, he didn't. He ordered them around."
And as off as it was, Hinata and Tsukishima snickered at the expense of his situation at the recent statement.
"Now, now. Snarky as ever, huh, Tsukishima." Sawamura-san spoke. The two shut up at the attention they received from their former captain and resumed eating. "Let your new vice-captain go and eat properly. At the very least, Hinata is not talking with his mouth full this time. That's some growth."
Tobio snorted, not going to retort about what Sawamura-san said. As they ate in silence, his mind began to wander and anxious about something. something like an anniversary tomorrow. He has no idea what to do nor what to give.
So, when he came home on that day, Tobio went straight to his room. After hanging his scarf, his hand opened the drawer and took the Boyfriend Book Guide he bought. It has been a good source of advice for him in the past months, seeing he doesn't want to distract his upperclassmen with all the college activities and requirements they needed to take. Though it's embarrassing to admit, there are tips and techniques mentioned and included that require a great deal of courage and hard-face like Oikawa-san's.
He doubts that Oikawa-san would help him in romantic matters if he asked. But he'll keep in mind to try. The older lad was a ladies' man after all.
Page 55. Anniversary To-Dos and Not To-Dos.
His eyes flickered to the calendar. Tomorrow is Wednesday, and she's yet to come home by Friday, being held back by last-minute requirements. She would be at the university, perhaps going back and forth with the cat she took in a year ago. But she'll not be at the apartment the whole time.
That will not be a problem.
Sighing, he closed the book and hid it in the drawer. He thought back and tried to remember her class schedule for tomorrow as he left his room. He trotted down the stairs and headed to the kitchen where he began to look for recipes. His fingers touched the pages of his mother's and grandfather's writings, and a look at two familiar foods he's confident he can cook, he took it with him to his room.
He awoke early the next day. jogging, working out, hygiene routine, and breakfast he did. And it was around nine when he decided to go through the contents of his bag, the recipe, the list of the ingredients, and what he was going to do in her room once he arrived.
Yes. Everything is in order that he even had a list in his phone and pocket to remember.
So, when the clock struck 10, he grabbed his bag and pocketed his phone to his pants. He headed downstairs, closed the windows, and lastly, the door. He made sure to leave a note on the fridge for his mother or Miwa-nee-san to know where he's going one day on spring break. And once he's out and free, with a huff he left.
He rode the bus and the train in silence. Tobio would check his phone every now and then for the time and her updates that she never misses doing regularly. Somehow through the year of dating, phone calls at night proved to be a challenge due to the added intensity and demands of academic requirements that sometimes he would fall asleep on his notes in class and her reviewers. Random texts became the closest thing that they could communicate.
It's the thing he dislikes in long-distance relationships. He was getting used to these updates. But it's the distance and her weekend stays that made it possible. Harukaze-san kept on taking his breath away. because as the days went by, she was slowly becoming more womanly, more mature – adult.
And the same could be said to him, too. He has gone through changes already throughout the whole year.
They're getting older. And today is their anniversary. They made it through the year together.
Date: 03/19 10:57
From: Harukaze Sawako
Subject: Mika's car
Attachments: See attachments [They're huddled up together in front of the car]
I've been thinking of getting a driver's license.
It has totally slipped my mind!
He blinked, started to think of having his own, too. But he probably won't be able to use it. It might go to waste.
Date: 03/19 10:57
To: Harukaze Sawako
Subject: Re: Mika's car
You should.
Date: 03/19 10:59
From: Harukaze Sawako
Subject: Re: Mika's car
Okay!
EdTech will be my last class for today.
One more presentation!
Tobio softly sighed. He closed his phone and placed it back in his pocket. Harukaze-san didn't know. He chose not to tell her of today's agenda, not even sure if she remembered today's event. It's kind of like a secret mission to surprise her.
It's a good thing that she gave him a copy of the key to the apartment last December. And she has another class to attend. He has time to check over her supply of ingredients, but if there's scarcity, cook, clean her already clean room, and spare time to prepare whatever needs preparation.
It didn't take that long for him to get off the train. He merged himself in the crowd of city folks, having been done this before a number of times. His blue eyes would still wander around the cityscapes, catching glimpses of people busy looking at their phones, or couples talking to one another and some who walked alone. Things like this make her happy because of her fanaticism of walks.
He headed to a street, a little farther to the station, and found himself in the block where she stays. Tobio saw the familiar gate and lightly pushed it.
It was quiet in the area, save for the faint sound of television that came from where the landlady stays. The setter headed to the stairs, climbing to the third floor. And when he did, he stopped in front of the first door. It took him a few moments to find the key, inserting it into the keyhole immediately. He heard a click and he turned before he pushed. Immediately coming inside, the purrs of the grown one-year-old cat echoed inside and was actually waiting by the doorstep.
Ah.
Tobio stared at the black cat. Its yellow eyes glowed and stared back at him. For months, he never tried to reach out to the cat after it hissed on him the first time. But it's been that long. Perhaps, there's a chance. So he sat and reached out a hand.
"Swswsws." He started, mimicking the way people call the cats. "Tobio." It felt so weird calling someone with his name, much less a cat.
But to his surprise, Neko-Tobio meowed and rubbed his head against his palm.
Oh. "You're not bad at all." He mumbled, finding it nice that a selective feline could actually be nice to him.
But the magic was gone as quickly as it came. As soon as the words left him, the cat seemed to glare at him and flicked his tail like a snob. He watched, a little dumbfounded at the sudden change of character, and frowned.
"Nevermind." Tobio stood up, watching the cat disappear in the room.
So, he went there to drop his bag before going to the pantry and checked with meals in mind. He took out the eggs, the stock of chicken and pork, carrots, flour, potatoes, and selected vegetables. Next, he took out the apron on the hook and washed his hands. With his hands clean and clothes protected, he took out the bowls to place the ingredients, chopping board, and knife. He took the recipe he took yesterday and set it in a place where he could read it and won't get wet nor dirty.
Harukaze-san likes to cook as she likes to eat. Those weekends in between school years have not only extra volleyball bonding but cooking lessons as well. at times, baking lessons. Tobio has learned and the how-tos were engraved he had with Kazuyo-san years ago.
He's pretty confident in what he knows. Therefore, he can cook just fine. Perhaps, not on par with Harukaze-san but edible at least.
Tobio washed the pork and the vegetables before chopping them to pieces. He arranged them in separate bowls according to their kind. He let the rice get cooked by a rice cooker as he focused on the meal in mind. The oil was heated, the pork was getting fired, the vegetables were mixed and they were sauteed. It gets a little messy and makes him anxious whether it's okay to go on or the food's done.
When one is done, he proceeds to the other. The process repeated, the rice was cooked, and he began to bake with a mind that strayed to a spring of matcha and dorayaki,
Date: 03/19 1:07
From: Harukaze Sawako
Subject: Presentation done!
It took so long but finally!
I'm so hungry.
Tobio sighed and washed his hands. He had finished cooking and resorted to cleaning the kitchen, just in time for her message to arrive.
Date: 03/19 1:08
To: Harukaze Sawako
Subject: Re: Presentation done!
Congratulations.
I'm inside.
His hand immediately reached for the plates and chopsticks, he headed to the table where he placed the food. He made sure that Neko-Tobio wouldn't dare to touch it while he cleaned and was assured that nothing was out of place. He found the cat by the bed just two meters away from the food and never been thankful that the cat has good manners.
He went back for the glasses when his phone beeped once more.
Date: 03/19 1:08
From: Harukaze Sawako
Subject: Re: Presentation done!
Thank you!
Inside where?
Suddenly, he felt giddy after realizing the outcome of what he's doing. He found it new at first and it felt nice knowing that she will be surprised and for sure, will make her smile, especially after her hard work. Meals taste better when you're hungry and tired.
Date: 03/19 1:09
To: Harukaze Sawako
Subject: Re: Presentation done!
Room 301.
Date: 03/19 1:09
From: Harukaze Sawako
Subject: Re: Presentation done!
Huh?
What are you up to?
Tobio couldn't help but chuckle, the giddiness catching up to him. yet at the same time, he felt nervous.
The firsts are really nerve-wracking.
He sat down on the chair cushion and leaned on the foot of her bed.
Date: 03/19 1:11
From: Harukaze Sawako
Subject: Re: Presentation done!
(≖ლ≖๑)ﾌ?
He turned to the cat. "Do you think her apartment number has crossed her mind?"
But Neko-Tobio merely yawned, ignoring his question. It padded closer to the table, and Tobio watched how the cat sniffed and attempted to snatch a chicken drumstick from the plate. He swatted the paw, glaring at the cat that glared back at him.
"No, they're not for you."
The cat attempted once more and Tobio had to block its face lightly with his hand. And another. Came thrice before he had enough and picked up the male feline.
"You better stay!" He glared, placing Neko-Tobio down on the bed. He turned his back on him only to look back at the cat in a second. "You better not touch it!"
Suddenly, the sound of the door opened and there was a confused, "Huh" which was followed by his name, "Tobio-kun?"
And that's where he felt it. The giddiness. He felt excited.
He watched the cat jump off on her bed and head to where his owner was. He felt his handshake a little and his heartbeat irregularly knowing she came, and his hard work was displayed at the table. At the same time, he felt happy, thinking he has someone to spend an anniversary with. One that is very patient at his inexperience and his schedule.
He wanted to thank her. He's never been more grateful to share such an experience with her. From all the things they did together without a problem. For the support, she gave without second thoughts. The group of people she spent her life with has now influenced him to be someone more than just the volleyball athlete common people know. Above all, for simply being by his side.
So when she came and emerged, when her eyes turned wide in surprise seeing him in her room and the food on the table, when her cheeks turned red and there was a smile on her face and eyes, Tobio could only utter bashfully.
"Hi."
Her mouth was slightly agape but closed it immediately while blinking. "H-Hello." She placed her bag on her desk, while he was glued to his feet. It took her a moment to smile. "You're here and… you cooked."
He nodded. "Yeah."
Harukaze-san blushed.
To think that they've been together for a year already and still felt this way. He gestured for her to sit on the cushion, aiding her as she slipped off her jacket and scarf. "Lunch?"
She smiled, "Of course." He liked it. "It's the first time Tobio-kun cooked."
But she didn't sit. She glanced at the food, squirming with her toes curling. It was followed by a light growl in her stomach that amused him.
"What?" He asked.
Harukaze-san blushed. He caught the nervous tick of tucking the strand of her hair behind her ear with her eyes down. There was a smile on her face that showed her pearls of white teeth. With a step forward to him, she reached for his hand.
His face flushed at the level of happiness he felt there and then. Mirroring the smile on her face, he awkwardly placed a hand on top of her head and leaned forward. He could hear the vibration of her giggles and the tightness of her arms on his waist.
"Thank you."
And he's proud of what he has done.
After eating and giving Neko-Tobio his share, they washed the dishes together. In silence, she washed and he wiped. Only the clanking of the plates, glasses, and the amusing growl of the eating cat.
"Nee daisuki na kimi e" warawanaide kiitekure
"Aishiteru" da nante kusai kedone
He raised a brow in her way. She went to her desk and fiddled with her phone immediately after wiping her hands clean. His curiosity was answered with music reverberating as she set the table on the side.
Harukaze-san smiled and held out a hand. "Take my hand."
"Why?" Dance?
"Just take it."
Dakedo kono kotoba igai tsutaeru koto ga dekinai
Horane! Mata baka ni shite waratte yone
He grunted. "I don't dance."
She scoffed. "Liar. You did a niku dance." Instead of waiting for him, she took both of his hands. Palms faced each other and fingers wrapped one another. He felt himself getting pulled in the middle of the room.
Niku…? His eyebrows scrunched up in confusion not remembering the exact event he did as what she did. But somewhere at the back of his mind that nagged him, he vaguely recalled himself celebrating with the other chaotic members of the team before their last practice match against Fukurodani that summer. But...
"I didn't!" How did she know about that?!
"Sure."
It must be Hinata. That idiot…!
Kimi no eranda michi wa koko de yokattanoka?
Nante wakaranai kedo.
Tobio found himself mimicking her energy. He followed her movements – swaying their arms up and down while turning around. He would apologize when his foot stomped on hers but she would shrug it off with a laugh or the lyrics.
They swayed. Their hands are swinging. Their feet are skipping.
Tada naite narrate sugosu hibi ni
Tonari ni tatte ireru koto de
Boku ga ikiru imi ni natte
Kimi ni sasagu kono ai no uta
"You're having fun," Tobio told her when she suddenly let go and began to imitate a guitarist. He ran a hand when she went to pick up the sweeper and mop, immediately catching the latter when she threw it at him.
She made her way back to where he stood only to change the song. "Come on, Tobio-kun." She encouraged him, just in time for the drums to play. It was followed by an electric guitar. But she immediately returned the sweeper and took two spoons.
As she began to bang the utensils on any surfaces, he joined the rhythm.
"That was great." Harukaze-san sighed beside him.
He nodded in agreement, humming in doing so.
After the minutes of making a noise, making a fool of themselves in their own world inside the apartment, while having some fun, they opened the door to the balcony to take a breath of fresh, spring air. They stood by each side, their arms on the railing. The sun was still up, the light still conquers the vast blue sky. But what they did felt like a day and the tiredness creeping in.
Tobio turned to her, heads whipping only to jerk in surprise to find how close they were.
"Happy first, Tobio… kun." It caught her by surprise, too. The soft gasp that escaped her lips and the widening of her eyes said so.
Instantly, his eyes flickered to those lips of pink. He remembered. He remembered how they were glossed on the times she came at the nationals and how they were painted red in formal events like New Years'. For some reason, he could feel her breath better and he felt the hairs on his nape rising. He felt goosebumps all of a sudden.
"Sawako-san."
"Ha?" His eyes flickered to her eyes. It was so blue but it's kind of too green. It only got closer that it made him aware of how dangerously intimate their position was.
"Call me, Sawako-san from now on, please." She said, looking at him through her eyelashes.
He blinked when she bit her lip. "Okay." Oh, gods.
She giggled. It sounded so soft, it's like a whisper and he knew that if there's something going to happen, there's no going back. And he kind of wanted to shut her up. No words whatever, no talking but does she want it? He wanted to know how soft they were.
Blue flickered to bluish-green. At the contact, he slid his tongue across his lips discreetly to moisturize it as if it's a call of instinct. She looked like she's inviting him, urging him to lean closer. He did and their noses touched.
He saw her smile. It made him smile, too.
With a beat that passed, they leaned in.
note:
hello.
i actually intended for this to be the last chapter. But I found no justice in leaving it here with no actual scene of how the kiss, kags' graduation, and all. coz, it's important, y'know? so, yeah. here. hahahaha
the pace is quicker this time coz well, tobio is focused on joining the league after graduation immediately, so there must be some behind the scenes grind for that to happen. an example is the national training camp for u-16 that was shown since s4 started. i'm saying this on behalf of my other role as an athlete (i'm not a volleyball player, tho but the same rules apply) and sawako's intent on graduating with flying colors, you can see that it's like a replica of kageyama's parents (not like it was given much depth on his family status aside from miwa's appearance on that chapter) of focusing on the goal at hand.
to be honest, this story is based on what i like in a relationship - my ideal relationship. there's long-distance but you can still make time for the other partner despite the busy schedule. there's support in the goals despite being personal and for the self. thinking of marriage shall appear when it's time but looking at kageyama in the year of 2013 - 2015, he's a busy lad. the same goes for my sawako that's studying in college. kags as a pro, and sawa in her profession.
so, this may seem like a boring chapter. lols. i actually had a lot of fun writing kags' doing the surprise thing. i can imagine him messily cooking in the kitchen and trying to befriend a cat hahaha. but seriously, as i mentioned in my comment in ao3, kags' is not really boyfriend material (my analysis on his character). i'm just making miracles based on my own fantasies in our beloved setter.
life update: i rewatched haikyuu season 1 while editing this chapter. life's good, i guess. i have a month remaining in my last term as a 3rd year, so, by the next academic year, i'm close to kissing college goodbye. gosh.
song: ai uta by GReeeeN. it has a movie, too, aiuta: my promise to nakuhito. it's good. i cried a lot here.
bbymojo - oh. it's something i believe, not exactly canon as what i wished. i apologize for the misunderstanding i might've caused.
please leave a review!
see you next week, 061521!