Hey, guys.
I apologize for this being the first update this year.
Finals are coming up and life has been busy. I still appreciate the love and reviews I get from you.
randomfics29: I did leave those clues for a reason. Whatever happens you will have to see for yourself. I know it's too late but I also hope you had a lovely holiday.
AliceMitch09: Oh no calm down D: Let me get some tape for your heart!
Dianne060807: Well, I'm not George R. R. Martin. I'm still learning and there are still many more chapters to go! :D
Girlbook: Yes indeed.
dersoccer: Well, to see colours our eyes use three types of cones that detect the colours blue, green and red. In Tamiko's case, the cones for the colour green and red don't work and so she can't see the colours red and green. Instead, all that is red and green appears to be in a yucky yellow colour. That's why Tamiko needs those special glasses (which do exist). Othewise she would have trouble knowing when a banana is ripe or, in some cases, when the trafficlight is red or green. And that is why colourblind people have problems distinguishing certain colours; because they can't see them.
starrat: Thank you :)
Cardfighter By Mapel: Well, you don't have to wait any longer!
jungkookies: WELL YES
Kelleak: Thank is an excellent question. 10 points for griffindor
Guest1: Good guess :)
Guest2: First time I have heard of that :O OTL
Guest3: Wait no longer!
Eilimakk: 5 days? Only? xD Kidding, thanks for enjoy it. I feel honoured by your praise. Very very honoured :) Well, I stopped the chapter startes because I have run out ^-^" you could message me a few if you have any ideas. I'm not really rushing them, I just tend to be a little sloppy sometimes. When I reread I notice them and curse myself for it. I do apologize. It may be my second language but I make a lot of mistakes in my first language too. German is hard. And my readers do need their patience. It's been three months after all. My kittens are cats now :D Although one kept throwing up his food. Both get raw meat now from tiime to time. They really enjoy that. And thanks for asking :)
sukondis: Oh no the fears D:
RandomReader: Interesting opinion. I like it.
Well, I don't want to keep you. Happy reading and Happy Easter!
Chapter 46 - A resistance
"I'm fine," Tamiko insisted after getting asked for a third time.
Along with Tobio and Ushijima she was walking through the shopping district of Sendai, nervously chewing her lip. They were on their way to the café where Ushijima had his meeting with his dad, the same man her mother wanted to marry.
"You will like my father," Ushijima told her. "He is a kind man."
I know, she wanted to say but never found the courage to do so. The evening after they had the family reunion she wanted to tell him. But she only sent him a text message stating that it want okay. Nothing more. Now she was afraid of when he found out. She'd never been in this kind of situation before and felt lost. The usual calm demeanor was crumbling and it was frightening. Frightening how she was losing control of her composure. She clenched and unclenched her fist in her pocket while the other tried not to squeeze Ushijima's hand she was holding. Keep it together, she commanded herself.
"There's the café," Ushijima informed them.
They all looked to the other side of the street at the building. It was a small café and was known for its cosy interior and delicious sortiment of cake and other sweet things. For a family reunion it was a well chosen location. Something his must have remembered. That café has been here for many years. Ushijima took a deep breath. The he took the first step. The siblings followed and Tamiko's chest grew tight with anxiety.
A small bell rang when the door opened. It was warm inside the café and not as busy as Tamiko expected. A few tables were occupied with an elderly couple, a busy man with his laptop and a group of female friends. All of them strangers. The waitresses seemed relaxed and cheerful, greeting the trio when they entered. A few eyes turned to them to expect the newcomers but they didn't linger. All except for one pair.
"Wakatoshi," Takashi called and waved.
Ushijima turned to the voice and pause for a moment. It had been years since they had last seen each other. He walked towards his father to greet him. With a spread arms Takashi welcomed his son into a hug. A touching reunion. Tamiko allowed herself a small smile when heart stopped for a moment and her knees became weak. Beside Takashi's seat sat their mother with her arms crossed. When the woman saw her children her eyes grew small.
"What are you two doing here?" she asked.
Both Tobio and Tamiko didn't know what to answer. Squinted eyes watched them closely when Ushijima stepped forward.
"I invited them," Ushijima said.
Shiyori glanced up to the Shiratorizawa ace and her eyes softened. Tamiko could only guess what her mother was thinking.
"Oh, I see," Shiyori smiled and urged. "Come, sit down. I'm Kageyama Shiyori, but you can call me Shiyori. I'm the mother of those two."
"I know," was all he said.
Tamiko pressed her lips to a thin line. It was as expected from Ushijima to notice although she had never told him. He had probably remembered the photos from home. That's how she remembered what Ushijima's father looked like. It was the only way she could explain it to herself. Being observant was a usual trait of quiet people.
The three sat down on the opposite side of the table, Tamiko between the boys. A waitress took their order but otherwise silence ruled over the table. Tamiko tried to avoid eye contact but she felt her mother's gaze on her.
"So, Wakatoshi," Shiyori started and smiled at him. "You go to the Shiratorizawa Volleyball club."
"Yeah," he answered plainly.
"Tobio-kun plays volleyball, too," she informed him.
"I know."
"Are you a starting player?"
"Captain," he corrected.
Her blue eyes began to sparkle.
"How wonderful," she beamed.
Tamiko had to withstand a giggle since Ushijima didn't seem at all amused. She knew that he was aware of the trouble her mother had caused in Tamiko's life. Because of her ignorance Tamiko had punched her fists bloody during the training camp. To meet the woman who had caused all that suffering wasn't making him feel content at all. Especially since she didn't seem to consider her daughters feelings. Instead, she focused on him and that annoyed him.
"And what are your plans for the future?" Shiyori inquired to know.
"That depends on Tamiko." he explained.
Tamiko's eyes shot up in that moment. His decision depended on her? Wasn't that a bit too much? It was clear to her that he had his own goals for the future but to let that decision rest on her shoulders was a responsibility she didn't want to bare. What if she destroyed his future through her decision? She was about to interject this thought of his when she felt her mother's eyes like daggers piercing her skin.
"Why would you let this decision rest in her hands?" Shiyori asked with a hint of disgust that only Tamiko seemed to hear.
"She probably hasn't told you yet, but Tamiko is my girlfriend," Ushijima announced. "I want this relationship to last and because of this I want her wishes to affect my decisions and my future."
Her heart began to race and her face grew beet red. It was the first time he had called her this openly and also for her to hear how serious he was taking this relationship. A prickling feeling erupted in her chest.
She looked around. There was nobody familiar around which was relieving. If that information was heard by a fellow Shiratorizawa student then the whole academy would know. This was something she wanted to avoid. Then she saw her mother's face. But it was Takashi who spoke first.
"I'm happy for you, Wakatoshi," he smiled. "Having a woman in your life can really brighten up your day."
His son half smiled back at him. Their similarities were not all in their looks. Both had a warm voice, soothing. Although from the photos she remembered Ushijima was a equivalent mix between his parents. She wondered if she was ever going to meet his mother.
"It's a bit difficult to have step-siblings date," Shiyori noted out of the blue.
"I don't think so," Takashi disagreed. "They're eighteen. They'll go to college soon."
Next to her, Ushijima had not moved. This was also something she hadn't told him. Their parents wanted to get married. She wasn't looking forward to seeing his reaction because she didn't know how he showed his anger. Even beneath the calm ocean a volcano could bring the water to boil. And that mystery terrified her. While the two adults discussed, Ushijima listened.
"You're remarrying," Ushijima stated.
His father nodded.
"Does mother know?"
Takashi rubbed the back of this neck, informing him that he wanted to tell her face to face and not over the phone. His son seemed to accept that answer when he didn't speak and just nodded. A waitress brought their drinks and cakes but Tamiko had lost all of her appetite. Instead, she took a sip from her coffee and watched her mother over the rim of her cup.
"So you're go to the same school," Takashi started. "Are you in the same class?"
"Yeah," Ushijima nodded.
"Do you any sports, Tamiko?" he asked her.
Tamiko looked up from her coffee.
"No, just music," she answered. "I'm only involved in sports as the manager of the volleyball club."
"I see," he laughed. "That requires a lot of work. It is a tough academy after all. Getting accepted through grades alone isn't easy. Well done."
"Thanks," she smiled sheepishly.
A fondness began to grow. Takashi really was a kind man. Tamiko started to wonder what her own father had been like. The memories were not as present as they used to be, so much so that no feelings accompanied them. She had been without a father figure for too long. And Tobio as well. But wasn't it a bit too late now?
Ushijima's father suddenly laughed and her mother with him. It really was strange how at ease she started to feel in his presence. If her mother weren't here, she would be much calmer. Sadly this wasn't the case.
"How are your studies going, Tamiko?" Shiyori asked out of the blue.
"They're going well," was all she answered.
In truth, she had been studying intensely until her mother announced her arrival. Since then she had trouble focusing. But the only thing that motivated her now was that she was studying for herself and not for the attention of her mother. Those days were long gone.
"Oh, that's right," Shiyori suddenly turned to them. "Since we are getting married we are all going to move to America."
"What?" Tamiko squeaked.
Shiyori ignored her and leaned forward to Tobio telling him of all the great volleyball teams he could join there. This she also told Ushijima. America had a lot of tall players and she had would organise the school and all the other things. After a while of not letting the boys get a word she turned to her daughter.
"There is a university you could go to. Your grades are good enough to get accepted," she told her."
"Shiyori, I would prefer if you give them the choice," Takashi interjected but Shiyori cut him off.
"I am their mother, darling," she said. "I decide what's best for them."
"What's best for us?" Tamiko growled. "How dare you. How dare you act like our mother."
"Because I am your mother, honey," Shiyori answered.
This made her blood boil. So much so, that she stood and didn't care that she was making a scene.
"What kind of mother leaves her children on their own for almost half a year? What kind of mother leaves her children by themselves for christmas?" Tamiko asked. "I was studying every day and looking after the house and after Tobio. I had to take a part-time job to finance my contact lenses. I had to look after Tobio but I'm still a child myself. Why did you take my childhood from me?" she said and tears began to fall.
"Tamiko," her mother spoke gently and stood but Tamiko shook her head.
"You're not my mother," she muttered. "But I'm not my father either, so stop hating me for looking like him."
This accusation hit a wound. Shiyori's head flushed red.
"I am your mother," she bellowed. "And you will listen to me!"
"I may be your biological offspring but you were never there for us. And just so you know, sending money doesn't justify your neglect."
And then Tamiko left the café. Without a second thought Ushijima ran after her. Tobio was left in the café with the stranger of a mother looking at him with a pitiful glance.
