Greetings my little balls of sunshines,
After such a long time I have managed to finish the latest chapter and I owe you guys an apology. I know many of you don't mind and I appreciate the loving and supporting comments I received during this haitus. But I want to apologize anyway because I want to, so deal with it.
Life has been turbolent for me and to be honest it still is, only that I have finally found the time to do what I love and that is writing. Nothing bad has happened so don't worry. A lot of good things happened which meant a big change for me. I have finally finished my theory of my apprenticeship (don't ask, that's how we roll in Germany) and now I work. I have a full-time limited contract and am now being tested for one entire year, then I will hopefully pass my practical. So, I've been concentrating on a secure future, which I must say I have anyway cause my husband earns good money, buuuuuut I love working with kids so that's what I'm doing. It's a very fulfilling job and I greatly enjoy it. The past years of studying has also given me a lot of insight on how kids behave according to what age, which is really helpful when you want to have kids in your stories. I've read a few guys with kids in them and was highly alarmed when I read about a five year old talking like a 2 year old.
Now, obviously working so hard for my education means I have less time for writing. Adding to that, my interests have morfed a little. I still enjoy Haikyuu but you guys can probably relate when I say "I get swept away easily by other things". That's kinda what happened...twice. In my absence I have scribbled down ideas for a Draco Malfoy fanfic and a How to train your dragon fanfic. Also some old ideas of Ushijima and Tamiko in a Game-like-setting along with feudal Japan has come back to interest me. It's nothing big, there isn't much there yet, but there is content there. If you are interested I might post a few chapters one day, see how it develops. I also got back into Katekyou Hitman Reborn for some reason although that fandom seems kinda dead. But don't fret. I will bring Behind a strong man to an end one day, I dunno when but I have an end in mind. I want to keep the story up nonetheless, since you guys enjoy it so much.
I have been browsing other Haikyuu fics lately and noticed that on this website, my story is in the top 20 Haikyuu stories regarding favourites and in the top 10 regarding followers. This makes me so frigging proud. I never thought this would ever get as popular as it is. And my story is the most popular Ushijima fanfic on this site. Help me...
I also have some big news from my part. My husband and I will go to Japan in April 2019, kinda as a honeymoon. It will be a big adventure for the both of us since we have never set foot in a country so different to ours. My husband is more interested in the nature since he is a hobby photographer but I wonder if I get to go to anime shops. I hope I do. Anyway, I'm pretty sure I will get a great inside on the life in Japan which will probably lead to me rewritting everything. Who knows.
Anyway, that's it from me for now. I don't know when I will post the next chapter but I hope this one gives more of a closure than the last one.
I wish you all a happy 2019, best wishes from me and arigatou for your support.
Review replies
sushidish14: Awww thank you so much. Well, the update took a while but here you go.
fairytaildoll: Thank you very much. Here is the late update.
Eilimakk: Hello :) His gran died happily, I can assure you. Tamiko has the same passion I do :) We shall see.
eunioapaint: Thank you so much. I know that feel :D Well, the update is here. I hope it doesn't disappoint.
Valen Goncalvez: Thank yoooou
Guest: We shall see what happens.
ktbelle1313: Here is the update. Thank you for liking it.
KNIG: Sometimes things are easy to foresee. Thank you very much for the love :)
13rini: Oh wow, thank you so much for that comment. I aim to please.
Redb4Black: That is a very valid question which I cannot answer :/
Rani: Thank you so much for liking it :)
In my defence, I had no clue how to write this chapter. I apologize if its a little short. Chapter 49 - A nightmare
It was the knocking of a hammer hitting wood that violently ripped Tamiko out of her sleep. When she had just been in the noisy courtroom in her dreams she was now in her room, lying on her bed. Yet her bedroom was dark and silent, and it was deafening. Only the ever so quiet ticking of the clock hanging on the wall could be heard. With a groan she fell back onto her pillow, her hair spreading out around her like Medusa's snake hair. She needed to sleep, but she couldn't close her eyes. That dream, sprouted from those memories was something she was afraid of. Memories of the prosecution.
As it had turned out, Ushijima Masako was a lawyer, just like everyone else in her family, with only Wakatoshi breaking that family tradition. It was a family business that had gained a notorious reputation in the entire country over generations. It may have been Tamiko's naivety as to why she had underestimated Ushijima Masako, but it had terrified her how good Ushijima's mother was with her words. Nothing like Wakatoshi although he was raised by her. What Tamiko also hadn't expected was, that Masako took their case to court herself as their own lawyer. And it had happened so quickly. She had prepared the two siblings and even made sure that their mother couldn't harass them while they waited for the due date.
"Dammit," she groaned.
Tamiko squeezed her eyes shut, slapped her cheeks and then let the sting warm them. Her lungs filled with air and she exhaled slowly. Her eyelids fluttered open as her eyes adjusted to the brightness of a different room. It was still a mystery to her as to how she got here. A dream? Memories? Probably a mixture of both. Her brother sat to her left while Ushijima Masako sat to her right, placing papers onto the desk in an orderly fashion. Tamiko closed her eyes again. The noises in this room were buzzing in her ear. The harsh knocking against wood pulled her out into reality again.
"All rise," a man spoke loudly and everyone in the room stood.
Tamiko and Tobio already knew what to do and what would happen next. Masako had gone through it with them on multiple occasions. It is my first time defending children, she had told them. She had practiced this so Tamiko and Tobio could concentrate on the words spoken on this day. Understandingly they were still nervous.
"Your honour, ladies and gentlemen of the jury; the defendant has been charged of neglect of her two children, which she has left in her home by themselves while she worked abroad," a loud voice announced.
There were some familiar faces in the room. One was from the youth welfare office. That lady already had a very detailed conversation with the siblings. Semi's mother was also there including her son. Even the school principals were present, both from Karasuno and Shiratorizawa academy. Coach Washijo sat next to the Shiratorizawa principal, his arms crossed while he frowned. All the other faces were blurred, forgotten faces.
"Your honour, ladies and gentlemen of the jury; my client is presumed innocent until proven guilty," a voice defended her mother.
Tamiko couldn't remember the lawyers face. She didn't like him so his face wasn't clear in her memories. Maybe the voice was wrong as well, who could say. She avoided her mother's glare at all costs. It was still a clear memory, her mother's ferocity when she had received the letter. That phone call was one she didn't want to remember, yet her mother's ranting rang in her ears. Now she sat only a few chairs away from her, her head big and red with anger.
"We call a witness," the voice announced.
There were many and most of them were but a blur. One that was sharp and vivid in her mind was Ushijima Wakatoshi. Ushijima looked a little small in the stand but he looked as calm and serious as always. If anything, his eyebrows looked a little drawn together.
"For how long have you known Kageyama Tamiko?" a male figure asked.
"I have made her acquaintance in the first year of high school," Ushijima answered.
"When have you heard of the neglect?" he was asked.
"I heard about it from Kageyama Tamiko herself about a year ago."
"How did she describe the neglect?"
"She often spoke of her mother rarely being at home."
"Was the neglect noticeable in her behaviour?" the man asked.
"I witnessed a few behavioural outbreaks during school days. On occasion she heavily cried and once even inflicted self harm." he explained and for just a brief second their eyes met.
Tamiko pressed her lips together to a tight line and rubbed over her knuckles. There was no evidence to the touch from her wounds when she had punched the tree repeatedly. No feelable bumps. However, there were traces of thin white lines of the broken skin.
"What sparked those behavioural outbursts?" was the next question.
"They always followed after her mother phoned her to tell her she wasn't coming home because of work," Ushijima admitted.
"I understand that you are also in a relationship with Kageyama Tamiko."
Ushijima nodded.
The scene shifted to coach Washijo sitting in the stand. He looked as angry as he always did, either because he didn't want to present or because he couldn't believe this was happening to one of his students. Maybe it was a bit of both. He gave only positive comments, voicing her importance to the all important volleyball team of the academy. The principal, with whom she had never had any contact before also gave a comment.
"Kageyama Tamiko is an excellent and hardworking student for whom we wish only the best. Her wish to temporarily become the manager of our volleyball team is something we want to fulfill."
This had warmed her heart with excitement. She caught a smirk from coach Washijo and even Ushijima and Semi met her gaze. The principle from Karasuno made a similar speech about her brother.
"Kageyama Tobio is an important asset to our schools volleyball team. Since his arrival, our team has elevated in performance."
So many comments were thrown around, growing more jumbled and louder.
"They are valuable."
"They need to stay."
"Throw her out."
"Punishment."
"Wake up."
"Tamiko, wake up," came a commanding voice, clearer than all the others.
Within a second Tamiko sat upright in her bed, panting heavily with sweat drops on her forehead. This time her room was not empty. Izumi's face was right in front of her, looking anything but happy. Her eyebrows were drawn together and her hand was on Tamiko's shoulder, offering support.
"Do you want to talk about it?" she asked with a soft voice. "Or should I get Ushijima?"
When her breath began to slow, Tamiko shook her head. No, she didn't want Ushijima to worry about her. That would make her feel worse. She was strong, just like he had said before. She could handle this.
"It's just the same dream as always," Tamiko muttered.
This didn't satisfy Izumi at all. She frowned and shook her head, squeezing her shoulder with one hand.
"I don't understand why you have nightmares from it," Izumi's sighed. "The verdict was in your favour. You get to stay, your mum has to stay and Ushijima gets to stay."
"I know. I guess it's just too good to be true."
"You deserve happiness," Izumi's declared. "And seriously, I can get Ushijima. A good cuddle will help you sleep better."
"Let him sleep," Tamiko groaned.
"Tamiko, he's staying here because he is ready to wake up for you anytime," Izumi's reminded her. "I would use and even misuse that opportunity if I were you."
Tamiko frowned but didn't say anything. This, Izumi took as a sign and quietly left the room. A few minutes later Ushijima walked in and sat down on her bed. His moves were slow and rather sluggish but his whole attention was on her. He kept his eyes on her even though she avoided his gaze. Only when he brushed a strand of her hair behind her ear did she look him in the eyes. She tried to suppress it, but the tears swelled in her eyes.
"I'm sorry I took your father's happiness away," she managed to say before she choked.
Ushijima frowned and then lay down next to her, lazily waving his hand, gesturing to join him. Sobbing quietly she lay down beside him. It took some time for her sobs to die down, but Ushijima stayed quiet, not judging. Once she had calmed down she managed to take a deep refreshing breath. It was then when he lifted his elbow and his arm along with it. It was a clear indication that he wanted her to cuddle with him.
For a second she grimaced. This gesture had Izumi written all over it, as if she had given him that advise. But she gave in anyway and as she snuggled up against him he pulled her closer. It suddenly dawned on her how close they were when she felt him exhale heavily. She also heard his heart beat beneath his shirt. She also felt the heat radiating from his body. It was comforting in an indescribable way. No nightmare or bad thoughts could touch her right now. She was save, save in this cocoon of warmth and comfort. Maybe it was too early. Maybe she was wrong to feel this way. Maybe, just maybe it was a dangerous move to assume this, but her lips moved on their own. With a bit of difficulty she shuffled upward and placed a tender kiss on her boyfriends lips. It was brief, it was soft, it was only for the feeling alone. Ushijima sensed it as well. His eyes fluttered open and he gazed into deep blue eyes, the eyes he had come to love.
"I love you," she whispered.
