Hello everyone,

I apologise for the long break but I had so much to do.

I want to thank you all for 300+ followers and favourites

I never thought I would ever see those numbers.

And my story is over a year old already :D

Woop woop!

starrat: Glad you're still hanging around :)

Dianne060807: Your realisation is an interesting one indeed.

curlystruggle: They are indeed. I love them.

jungkookies: :)

QueenElls: That we will have to see.

hetanyomachinekotalia: You have? Holy shit, you read a lot. It is different I know. When you don't find a good fic you have to write one yourself.

Anyway Merry Christmas guys.

Enjoy!


Chapter 45 - An uncomfortable reunion

Tamiko was nervously fiddling with her top, creasing it while waiting. Her phone was laying on the living room table with blue eyes staring at it. It lay there peacefully despite the air around it feeling electrified with anxiety. On the calendar hanging in the kitchen the current day was circled in red and to make the day even more thrilling the gods had decided to make it rain. And not a drizzle but a proper downpour. Tobio was slouching on the couch yawning and listening to the rain. The siblings waited and waited for the call that told them their mother had reached Sendai. It was a Saturday, a day where most people would enjoy the day with family and friends. But some spent that time to go after their hobbies and ambitions. Ushijima was training, mainly to go after his ambitions but also not to intrude on this family moment. In hindsight, Tamiko wished that he was here right now. She had reached a new level of nervousness which she never knew existed and she didn't like it one bit. But this was also a good sign. It meant she missed him. He was important to her after all.

Her sight fell on the freesia which had grown in the last month. It was still bare, not carrying any flowers but the anticipation to see it's colours was building every time she looked at it. She had already researched the flower in the books of the library. The main colours it could make were colours she couldn't see with her bare eyes, except white and yellow. Secretly she hoped they were white. Yellow wasn't a colour she was fond of. Asking Ushijima about it was something she didn't want to do. She had received the bulbs before he knew about her colour-blindness and since he had this green finger he most likely knew about their meaning when it came to colours. On the other hand, from her interpretation he was the kind of guy who probably would have given her new ones to plant to change the colour. Or maybe he wouldn't have said anything because they were already planted. She didn't know. In things like socialising with girls she wasn't very knowledgeable of his behaviour patterns.

"Sis, I'm bored," her brother suddenly complained. "Let's play something."

An uncomfortable feeling spread through her when she thought of a game. She glanced at her phone again and rubbed her cold arms. The cold chill didn't go away.

"Just watch TV," she mumbled and pulled her knees up to her chin.

She could feel his eyes on him and it took him a while to reach for the remote. It was easy to see that she was nervous and anxious. Tobio sighed quietly and turned on the sports channel. A volleyball match was one. While Tobio's eyes were glued to the screen Tamiko was gazing at the droplets moving down the glass.

The doorbell suddenly rang and Tamiko jumped to her feet. Tobio turned off the TV and followed his sister to the door. Both held their breath when she reached for the doorknob. There she stood. Despite the dimness outside, there was a strange glimmer in the woman's blue eyes. Her skin had started to wrinkle from age and stress and yet life had returned. The love she had found seemingly refreshed her and pixie cut made her look a little younger than she actually was. Tamiko stood in the doorway ridgid, not knowing what to do.

"Tamiko, my dear," the woman spoke.

"Mom," Tamiko answered quietly.

Their mother, Kageyama Shiyori, was a tall woman, her hair short and black, her eyes cold and stern. The corners of her lips hung heavy and she gave her daughter's shoulder a small squeezed of acknowledgement while handing her the dripping umbrella. Then her gaze wandered past her.

"Ah, Tobio-kun, my darling," the woman exclaimed and approached the setter.

Tamiko stared into the distance with disbelief. She didn't want to feel jealous towards her brother but in that moment she couldn't help it. Rage built inside of her and she clenched her fists. Shiyori hugged her son, although Tobio didn't move.

"So how is your volleyball club going?" she asked.

"We got into the semifinals," was all Tobio said.

"How wonderful," Shiyori smiled and turned to Tamiko. "And how is your orchestra doing?"

"Still practicing for the graduation ceremony," Tamiko informed her.

"Good, good," she nodded.

With ambled steps she looked around the house, inspecting the kitchen and living room. She occasionally wiped her finger along the furniture and inspected the dust on her fingertip. Tamiko pressed her lips to a thin line. Was this really the way came home? By inspecting the condition of the house? She tried to control the bubbling emotions inside of her which were on the brink of bursting.

"How are your grades, Tamiko?" her mother asked.

"Still the same," she answered.

"And how about you Tobio-kun," Shiyori asked with a softer tone.

"I had to retake a test because I failed," he shrugged.

To that the woman's eyes narrowed. She thought for a moment and turned to her daughter.

"Didn't you have any time to help him study?" Shiyori asked her daughter.

"I…," Tamiko stummered.

"She had enough to do, mom," Tobio interjected. He put a strange emphasis on the word mom. "She took care of the house and was working."

"You are still working at that library?" she asked, rather disgusted.

"Yes," Tamiko nodded, looking at the floor.

"A useless job," Shiyori commented.

No more was said to that. Tobio exchanged a glance with his sister who then glanced at the ground.

"Tobio-kun, you are going to like your new stepfather," she swooned.

"You are going to marry him?" Tamiko asked.

"Of course," she said and turned to her son. "You wouldn't believe it but he is a former volleyball player."

"He was?" Tobio's eyes widened.

"Oh yes," she smiled. "He could teach you a thing or two."

After those words Tamiko didn't listen any longer. Instead she felt ashamed. Why was her mother only considering Tobio? Was she really such a failure? While she pondered her mother called her. Tamiko's eyes snapped up to look at her.

"Do you have a boy in your life yet? Or are as incompetent as your father?" her mother asked.

Before Tobio could say anything to defend his sister their mother was already monologuing about the idiocy of their biological father and how wonderful their new step-father was. All the while the words 'just like your father' echoed through Tamiko's head. An uncomfortable knot was building in her stomach and she looked at the floor. This wasn't how she had pictured their long awaited reunion but at the same time she had expected it. The worst scenario was playing in reality.

"You will meet him tonight," Shiyori noted. "We will eat dinner tonight at this restaurant."

She placed a leaflet of a restaurant in town onto the table. It was a first establishment which offered meals from nearly all over the world. Their new stepfather seemed to have cash under his belt. That was hopefully not the reason why their mother was worshiping him.

"6pm," she said. "And don't be late."

She hugged her son, nodded at her daughter and left their home. When. The door fell shut Tamiko was still gazing into the distance. It was as if she had just lived through hell itself. Never had she felt so lost, so vulnerable.

"Sis," her brother muttered. "Why didn't you say anything?"

Tamiko glanced up to her brother and blinked, a tear rolling down her face. She pressed her lips to a tight line and shook her head. Tobio stared at her with parted lips. His strong-willed sister had been crushed by the mere presence of their mother. He had no memory of their father, of the arguments and quarrels his sister had witnessed. He only remembered his mother loving him and shunning Tamiko. He had ignored it all since Tamiko was there for him when their mother was not.

"Sis," he spoke softly. "What do we do now?"

"Get ready for a fine dinner," Tamiko stated after calming herself.

Both siblings readied themselves in silence. Tobio convinced her to exchange a few words with Ushijima before they left, to update him on the current situation. The ace was quietly listening to her while she poured her heart out. Then he said a few words of encouragement. It helped a little, hearing his voice and Tamiko left their home with newfound courage and an umbrella. While they made their way to the restaurant Tamiko told her brother that Ushijima's father, a former volleyball player, was back and that they were going to meet tomorrow. Ushijima had invited both the Kageyama siblings to this reunion. Tobio felt more than honoured to meet the father of the Shiratorizawa ace. More excited than meeting their new stepfather-to-be.

The restaurant was easy to find. The parking lot was filled with the kind of cars you would need a lot of money for. It gave Tamiko a queasy feeling parking there with a bright red car amongst the elegant black. The siblings walked towards the entrance, where they were greeted by an employee.

"Do you have a reservation?" he asked.

"I don't know with what name the reservation has been made but our mother is expecting us," Tamiko told him. "Kageyama Shiyori."

"Let me check for you," he said and looked through his book.

Meanwhile, the siblings looked around and Tamiko pressed her lips together. She has never been in such a fine establishment. There were certain manners that weren't accepted here and she wasn't very familiar with those. So she silently stood there and watched the man's finger glide over the pages until they came to a stop.

"Ah yes," the man said. "Under the name Takashi. Follow me please."

He led them to a table for four in a quiet corner of the restaurant. Two people were already sitting there. The woman smiled and whispered something into the man's ear. Then she stood. With open arms she welcomed them both and they all sat down. Tobio sta next to his mother, to her left and Tamiko sat to the right of the man. Tamiko looked around the room before the sound of Shiyori clearing her throat caught her attention.

"My dear, these are my children," Shiyori spoke. "This is Tamiko and this is Tobio."

She pointed at each of her children, although she placed a gentle hand on her son's shoulder. Tamiko's eyes met with olive and the man gave her a smile which she mirrored for good manners.

"This is Takashi Utsui," Shiyori happily introduced him. "Your future Stepfather."

"Now now, Shiyori-chan," Takashi laughed. "Don't overwhelm them with so much information."

Shiyori blushed but stayed silent. Then he reached for their hands and shook them, introducing himself again. He engaged into a conversation with Tobio and about volleyball straight away and all the while she watched him. It was difficult to tell in the dimness of the restaurant but the man seemed familiar. His face was a bit broader and his haircut a little different but then she remembered that certain foto.

"You are Toshi's dad," she suddenly realised with a whisper.

As if he had heard her loud and clear he looked up from his wine and into her eyes. She recognised it, those olive eyes.

"Did you say something?" he asked.

"Wakatoshi," she elaborated. "You are his father."

Tobio and Shiyori stared at her and then at Takashi, who was also wide eyed.

"You know my son?" he wondered.

'I'm his girlfriend,' she wanted to say but the words were stuck in her throat. It wasn't conceivable why she didn't say a word. This man would find out the truth soon enough anyway. But for some reason she couldn't say it.

"Yeah, I'm in his class," she finally said.

"Are you?" he asked and his face lit up. "How is he doing? Is he still playing volleyball?"

"He is," she confirmed. "He will most likely join a team in Tokyo."

"That's great to hear," he smiled. "I was going to meet with him tomorrow. I can't wait to see him again."

That was clear to her. Ushijima had already told her this. Had he mentioned her to his father? That was another thing that she hadn't considered.

"Maybe he can come live with us," Shiyori proposed. "He could be a great brother for you, Tobio-kun."

Tamiko and Tobio exchanged glances. This was getting more complicated than they had anticipated.