This chapter was split into two cause I can't decide who to give the POV to, so I thought, why not? And made two separate chapters in different POV's. I hope none of you gets confused lmao.
· · ·
I glanced at Mori, who was sitting comfortably at my table as I was double checking my things. I nodded once I'm sure everythings fine before turning off my light, taking Mori, and sitting on my bed. I opened my window and stared at the dark sky of the night contemplatively.
The band competition's tomorrow and I'm really nervous. September and October really passed quickly and before I knew it, it's already October 27.
The weeks leading until today weren't smooth sailing. It was hell. I sighed and loosed my grip on my sheets once I noticed that I was tightly holding it.
The previous weeks almost sucked ass.
To be honest, I think I bit more than what I can chew from everything that I was doing. I know I said from before that everything is just multiple small tasks but it's slowly escalating from that.
The school festival thing is way harder than I thought. The fucking school president is so incompetent that she's barely doing her share and dumping a lot on us that's not even a member of the council. No one dared to talk back to her. Even Ueno's holding his tongue but I can feel that he too, is close to snapping.
This is what happens when you become the student council president because of daddy's money. At least the school festival wouldn't lack funds. Considering some classes are doing something different and difficult than the usual things, the increased budget is definitely something we needed.
And hell, the others decided to amp up the practicing even more. They asked me if I was fine with that and I just said yes even if I'm tired most of the time. The three of them stop by their homes to change and rest before going to the rental studio unlike me who head straight there from school because I keep getting held back.
There's a lot riding for us in this competition. We haven't verbally said it, but this would be a deciding factor whether we'll decide to continue or not. That's why I haven't complained even once. At least my problem on my part was done. Sure, I kept screwing up for weeks before, but it's mostly fine now... I think.
Aside from that shit, there were also a lot of things that happened with Koutarou. As for courting him...
That went as well as I imagined, I guess...
I mean, all I'm doing is leaving him little gifts he likes on his desk if I could such as little snacks, candies, or that korean drink banana milk. He loves that stuff. And I made sure that he knows it's from me by writing small notes along with it. I did it so frequent that his classmates got used to it already. The cute bastards even suggested and told some things here and there! Like what got the best reaction and what was meh. They told me that he really liked that honey butter chips and the fruyo. I just thought he would probably like those and it's nice to have confirmation, so I bought that for him a few more times.
Komi says that I'm really spoiling him so much to the point that he often brags about that in their volleyball practices and he feels like ripping his ears off whenever Koutarou gets to another tangent about me giving him things, but can you blame me? The way his gold irises lights up when he sees another gift from me on his table... Oh! and when his eyes do the curling thing when he smiles so big while thanking me is... He looks super adorable and beautiful, okay! I wish he'd hug me out of happiness like bef- no! bad thoughts!
Gosh I sound like a simp...
It's like I'm down really bad. But atleast I'm 75 percent sure that this courting thing is going well. I'm not even sure if I'm doing the right thing. I just wing it ever so often.
I bet if Kenma hears my thoughts he'll be disgusted and would make fun of me. He's a quiet person, but he's also ruthless. Especially in online games. He's like a whole nother person when he's mad. And he calls me the ruthless one when all I do is curse... At least the man doesn't bring other people's mothers with how heated he becomes in online trash talk sessions. I don't even know why they bring the mothers when trash talking but whatever.
I bet he learned all that trash talking from Kuroo. Kuroo just exudes a natural mentor aura, even if he can be annoying at times. No guy that hangs out with rooster for a few days walks away without picking up something from him. It just varies from person to person. It could range from something as valuable as a volleyball skill Kuroo passed on to you or something as useless as a way to get into your enemy's skin. Scratch that. The latter's actually useful too, seeing as it helped me one up that girl. Not that I'll tell kuroo that. He'll get a big head. Or maybe he'll act like a proud father? It could go both ways.
But yeah, I'm already in too deep with him, it's starting to be both euphoric and painful. A part of me feels like he actually feels the same... Like, only a teeny, tiny part, okay? I think my courting thing is actually working! Even for a bit... But I'm not that sure. Maybe I'm just assuming things but like... that little part gives me hope. And I'm pretty sure I'll be bawling my eyes if I was wrong but whatever. Heartbreak is part of life. I'll cry like a baby for a week and move on from him like a champ.
(A voice that suspiciously sounded like Komi rang in my mind, saying 'Are you sure only for a week?' I ignored it.)
That aside, I already decided to tell him, and I'm pretty sure with my feelings already but...
Fuck it. There's just no easy way of saying this. It's a lot of interrupted confessions man. I want to make it special, so I try to create a moment if that makes sense.
First was when I tried to tell him about it when we fed the cats but he was so distracted by those little assholes that he didn't hear me.
At least the cats aren't thin anymore. They definitely grew healthier because of us. It was a slight drain in our wallets but it's worth it since they aren't skin and bones anymore. And they get really excited when they see us! Have you seen an excited cat! We barely got the food out and they're already meowing and doing the circling and rubbing thing they do in us! It's like a dream come true for all cat lovers out there! To be surrounded by a bunch of cats who's happy seeing you! (even if they're just there for the food) I could die happy only because of that!
Anyways, I told him while on our walks home. It was perfect! The sunset was beautiful, the weather was beautiful, the trees were fluttering, but a loud ass truck passed by right when I said 'I like you' so he didn't hear it... Like, couldn't the truck have better timing? Why would it pass by at the same time I utter the words 'I like you'? Ridiculous, I tell you!
I tried to tell him when we were at a convenience store, but conveniently, there was an old woman needing our help to reach the high shelf right when I was about to tell him!
Another is when I was about to tell him, a goddamn kid ran between us and tripped. Face first. And we have to deal with him crying. Of course we helped him, even if the kid's a little bastard. But he ruined the atmosphere, so I decided to book it.
Can you believe my bad luck?
Then there was one time I decided to tell him outside the gym but that bitch Suzumeda interfered and told me that coach Yamiji was looking for him. He wasn't. And when Kou asked her, she said that she must've heard him wrong. Of course I didn't tell him anything after that! The mood's ruined!
And then, when I decided 'Fuck it!' and didn't try to make it romantic, just tell him straight up, it rained.
Yes, it fucking rained.
It rained when the weather forecaster said it would be a clear afternoon!
It was a lot of goddamn interrupted confessions, it's like fate is directly intervening and laughing at me. But fuck fate! I will tell him! Even if it takes a lot of time, I'm making sure I tell him before this school year ends in March! I will get the perfect moment, when the two of us are alone to tell him!
I sighed as I calmed myself. Thinking about this is useless now. Maybe I could shout it on stage tomorrow? I mean, that would be special, aight.
Hell no, I'll die in embarrassment.
I closed my eyes and hugged Mori closer in my chest as I attempted to fall asleep. Not even 30 minutes later, I was overthinking again.
I sighed before standing up and walking straight to the lights of my room to turn it on. I decided to take out the items in my bag to double check it again. After that, I returned my things back in the bag, turned off the lights, and went back to bed.
'But what if there's something you've forgotten since you removed and repacked everything?' A part of my mind asked.
I sighed again for the umpteenth time tonight, stood up from my bed, headed up straight to the light switch to turn it on, and then to my bag. I took everything out to check on it. Once I'm sure that everything's fine, I returned everything in my bag, turned off my light, and headed to my bed to sleep.
· · ·
I can't fucking sleep.
What if I forgot something when I was rechecking my items?
I sighed and turned on the lights for how many times that day. I walked into my bag to make sure that during my double checking before, I haven't misplaced a thing. While repacking my items in my bag, I heard a knock from the door. I Abandoned whatever I was doing and opened the door. My sister, Hatsukou, greeted me with an indifferent expression.
"I knew you'd still be awake." She grumbled before pushing me gently on the side so she could enter. I watched her walk straight to where my bag was and repacked all my items before dragging me to my bed and forcing me to sit down beside her. Without saying anything else, she hugged me. I leaned into her hug and let the comfortable silence fill the air. I glanced at the clock and noticed that it was already
My sister didn't say anything else. She just hugged me, which I'm thankful for.
"I'm worried about tomorrow?" I admitted.
"What for?" Hatsukou said. She shifted for a bit before hugging me tighter.
"Everything. The new song genre, our band's future riding on tomorrow, what that previous judge said..."
"You'll do great. That I can attest to." Hatsukou said surely. I sighed and shifted a little from the hug so that I could see her.
"How would you know that?"
"Because." She gently tucked a few strands of my hair in my ear while she continued talking. "You're my sister. I saw how hard you worked, even if you were busy with a lot of other things." When I still didn't look convinced, she sighed. "What are you the most bothered by? I can tell it's not about what you should bring since I sorted that already, hm?"
I let silence linger between us for a few minutes before sighing.
"I... Well... It's stupid, really. It's just... The judge from before. His uh- it's- I just-" Hatsukou stopped my stutterings by placing a finger in her nose.
"Do you still feel bothered by his words?"
"Pretty much. Yeah." I weakly shrugged as she hummed in contempt.
"Do you remember what his name is?"
"No?" I scrunch my nose at the seemingly awkward and out of spur question.
"Hm. Then his hair color? The outfit he was wearing?"
"No."
"Any physical characteristics of that dude? Or just anything that's distinctive about him?"
"There's nothing, really." I'm not entirely sure where this conversation is going.
"Well, to put it as softly as I could, why are you letting some random stranger occupy your mind?"
"Well I-" she immediately shushed me with a sniff.
"I'm not finished. But the thing is, that guy is a total stranger to you. Why are you letting some rando affect you so much?"
She's right about that. I don't even remember that bastard's face anymore...
It's just-" Hatsukou interrupted me before I could continue.
"There's nothing noteworthy about that guy for you to remember. Nothing distinctive to the point you don't even remember his name, just his words. He has no effect nor impact on your life or whatsoever. Why does his words matter so much to you?"
Why does his words matter to me?
I...
"I guess- I- I don't know." I sighed. I didn't speak anything else and Hatsukou didn't say anything more. She shuffled a little so she's sitting more comfortably and pulled me so I'm lying down on her lap.
I was thinking about what she told me and I guess she knows that because she didn't say anything. She was just stroking my hair and left me alone to ponder on what she said.
She is correct though.
That judge was a stranger. He don't know me- or us. He wasn't there on the milestones we conquered. He wasn't there during the disappointments and the heartbreaks our band experienced. He wasn't there in the hard times we practiced, or in the times we almost gave up, or during the joys we experienced when we finish a song.
He was simply a nameless, faceless passerby, who we encountered during our long journey together.
Why am I so affected by his words when he doesn't even have a single effect or impact in our lives?
He doesn't matter.
"He doesn't matter." I said loudly so that Hatsukou would hear me. She smiled and continued playing with my hair.
"He doesn't matter." I repeated while looking at her.
"Exactly, Chuuyou. He. Doesn't. Matter." My sister repeated more firmly. She paused for a bit to make those words sink in before continuing. "He was simply a piece of shit who had no effect or impact in your life. A stranger, who doesn't know jackshit about you. A nobody." She paused before continuing. "People like that- always talk shit when they know nothing. And the things they say is neither constructive nor helpful, so you should just disregard them." She finished with a firm tone and a faraway look on her face.
He was a piece of shit. A stranger. A nobody.
I giggled a little and let those three repeat in my mind. It eased my worries and my nervousness for tomorrow. Hatsukou giggled with me when she noticed I'm feeling better.
"Are you fine now?"
"Yeah. Thanks, Hatsukou."
"Sure. Just... if you ever hear that jackass judge's words again, just try to drown it with the words of someone important to you. Think of their nice words or gestures instead of the pointless one a stranger said to you. And hey." She grabbed Mori, who was forgotten on the side, and placed her on my arms. "Those who actually mean to you should be the ones you think about. Now move, let's have a sleepover tonight."
I looked at Mori before hugging her tightly and moving over so Hatsukou could lie down.
Someone important, huh.
· · ·
The night and the day passed away quickly, and before we knew it, we're already backstage waiting for our turn. This competition started at 5 o'clock, and will last until about 7-8 ish? Depending on how long the other contestants would perform.
The competition area is open- kind of like a park with a stage temporarily set up. Why they thought this was a good idea in October, when it's starting to snow, I don't know why.
Koutarou and the others told me they had a small surprise prepared for today, which is honestly cute. I can't believe they actually went here today since they would leave tomorrow for their training camp along with the other schools. Well, it's more like a weekend thing, where they'll squeeze two more days of practice in the weekend right before the spring high tournament next week. I told them that they shouldn't come and just focus on their rest day, but they insisted on coming. Konoha is especially vocal about this, which is honestly touching. They said they have enough time to rest and I just accepted it.
"I'm so fucking nervous." Eri muttered while pacing around the area.
"Me too. Shit." Takara said while trying to sit still on her seat. Trying being the keyword here. She was fidgeting so much and was looking around. I can feel the stares of those other bands who would perform today, but no one actually said something about it so I let her be.
"We'll be fine." Tsukiko said as if she was trying to convince herself more than us. She was rubbing her palms together nervously while flinching every so often when she heard the crowd roar. I wrapped my hands in hers to comfort her, which she looked at me gratefully. She bit her bottom lip and stared at the ground before standing up and suddenly hugging me. I quickly hugged back of course.
Funnily enough, If Hatsukou hadn't talked to me yesterday, I would be way more nervous than the three of them combined. It's weird that I'm so calm today. Probably because I already got it out of my system yesterday?
"Not fair!" I heard Eri whine. There was a shuffling before I felt two more people join the hug.
The hug between the four of us lasted for a few minutes before we parted. Well, it looks like they calmed down now. Eri was just impatiently tapping her foot instead of pacing, while Takara and Tsukiko were trying to comfortably sit.
"Hey." I said. When they all looked at me, I continued. "We'll be fine, because we practiced for this, alright?" I paused as I looked at them. "And our practices yielded amazing results. Let's just be confident in ourselves that what we can do in our practices, we could perform. Okay?"
They looked at each other as if they were communicating with their thoughts before steeling their nervous expressions into determined ones.
"NOW, FOR TH-" I sighed and stood up as I heard the announcer's voice call the band before us. After they're done, it's finally our turn.
· · ·
In the audience, a group of loud teenagers was squabbling about something.
"I know you three said you would bring a banner, but does it have to be that big?" Washio muttered. He looked at the said banner disappointedly before sighing and facepalming. The said banner had to be carried by two people (namely Komi and Konoha).
All of them had an agreement to create a banner to cheer for their friend. Konoha, Koutarou, and Komi volunteered to be in charge of making it, which they agreed albeit skeptically. But the three just looked so excited doing it that the others didn't have the heart to disagree. They probably should have listened to their guts and let someone with actual artistic talent to do the said banner.
"Of course. We have to show our utmost support for Ishi and the rest the best we can! As all might have said, Go beyond plus ultra!" Konoha declared with much enthusiasm and a matching fist pump. He almost dropped the banner at the gesture. Luckily, Sarukui was next to him and was able to catch it and gave it back to him.
"Don't call them Ishi and the rest. That's just rude." Washio scolded.
"Er... No offense to them of course. But be honest! All of us are here for Ishi first and foremost since she's the one we're friends with..." Konoha apologized before shrugging. "But whatever. Let's just cheer for the rest of Aesir too!" He whooped as he held the banner higher, prompting Komi to do it too.
The banner was eye-catching because it looked... Well... Ugly.
It was so fucking ugly.
It was really so ugly and hideous to look at that words aren't enough to describe it. The monstrosity that was written in the center was 'YASS! GO QUEENS!'.
It's not even symmetrical.
The letters were uneven and were made from big cut-out of magazine pages. Words like 'Aesir's the best' and Aesir #1' is written in a smaller font in the background.
It garnered mixed reactions from their group.
'What the actual fuck is this?' Kai thought while cringing. He was slightly regretting his decision of coming. He isn't that close with Chuuyou, the only interaction he had is the small talks during Koutarou's birthday, but he thought he might pass by since he's already going to visit the area anyways. (Kuroo and the others also pressured him into coming).
'It's too late to turn back now, Yukie' Yukie thought regretfully while trying to avoid looking at the banner and being associated with the current group. She may look unbothered outside, but she's dying inside.
'Kami-sama please give me your entire stock of patience and self restraint because I might burn that shit if you don't.' Washio prayed while looking at the sky.
'It kinda looks like a death threat if I'm being honest.' Kuroo gave the banner a thoughtful look but didn't say anything. At the moment, he was at an impasse with himself. On one hand, the banner would embarrass the hell out of Chuuyou, and on the other, he's cheering for her so he shouldn't really be embarrassing her.
'That banner is so fucking ugly I don't even know if they're showing their support or they're trying to embarrass the hell out of Aesir.' Kenma glanced at the banner before deciding to ignore its existence for the whole time he's there and deciding that it's better to play his game.
'The one incharge of making that shit has no creativity at all. It's a mish mash of trash and shit. It's like the one who cut out those letters doesn't know how to use a scissor.' Yaku thought while glaring at the banner. His eye was twitching and there were several tick marks on his forehead, but he didn't say anything else.
'I knew I shouldn't have trusted Komi, Konoha and Bokuto when they said that the three of them are enough to make it.' Sarukui was staring in disbelief at the banner while playing with his fingers.
'I'll just pretend that I don't know these idiots' Akaashi inwardly facepalmed while trying to avoid being associated with their bunch by sinking on the chair he's sitting on. He was extremely embarrassed at their antics as a lot of people were looking at them.
· · ·
When the four of them went up the stage and faced the crowd, the huge banner was the first they noticed.
Eri snorted at the said banner and did her best to try to ignore it. Tsukiko was able to manage her expression but she was screaming internally. Takara's mouth was agape at the eyesore that is the banner.
'What the actual fuck is that?' Chuuyou thought incredulously while directly staring at the said banner with a dead expression.
Konoha, Bokuto, Komi, and Kuroo were cheering the loudest while waving their hands and the banner when they entered the stage.
In a way, The ridiculousness of the situation helped in easing their nerves. The frantic nervousness they felt was replaced with happiness and feeling touched for the nice, thoughtful gesture (even if it was really ugly).
The go signal was given.
She played her guitar when it's her part for their intro. Chuuyou took a deep breath to prepare herself to sing.
· · ·
When you see the crimson leaves
Can you hear my whispery?
Like I'm calling out those memories in ecstacy
-
I poured all my emotion into my voice as I sang the first verse. Come to think of it, I wrote this song with that scenery in the park in mind- while the leaves of the maple tree danced along the fluttering wind- With my memory of him in my mind.
How long had I actually had feelings for him? Cause I'm pretty sure I was already struck by cupid's arrow at that point of our time.
-
The light is on
The shadow forms
For the night can be so beautiful
-
Maybe it was that time when he made sure I would get home safe from diving into the Han river. Not my best moments, I admit, but it did give us a beautiful memory together.
-
You are like sunshine duration
Shining for the population
People praise for you
-
Oh how this part fit him so well! He's definitely shining, as bright as the sun in the sky.
I prevented the urge to chuckle. I'm on stage right now and it would definitely not go well for us if I started laughing now! So back to my previous thoughts, before I go off topic here! What was that again...
Oh yeah. It was when my feelings probably started? Hmm. Maybe it was way back when he first found me feeding cats early in the morning?
I remember his surprised yet happy expression from seeing me crouching down, with a kitten on my lap as cats flooded the area for the cat food I bought for the first time in the streets.
-
And our voices now align
And our hands show up the sign
And our hearts will be alive
-
I looked up at the beautiful sky as I continued to sing while thinking about how long I liked him. The sky is already a bit dark and there's a lot of stars visible. I know this song by heart, mind, and soul. I spent countless tired days to perfect this- nights when I almost slept besides my guitar from sleeping right after practicing.
Maybe it was way, way earlier. Like that time when we first fell into each other. Literally. The love at first sight kinda thing? But I just didn't realize it.
I wouldn't be surprised if that's what this was actually, though I'm pretty sure it's not that.
Am I contradicting myself? I'm definitely contradicting myself right now...
Well, while love at first sight is a beautiful thing to think about, I think it wasn't that... I think I liked him gradually, after he showed his every side to me.
-
You are my sunshine duration
Shining for the population
People praise for you
-
This song... This is definitely for him. I looked back down at the crowd, and somehow, I instinctively knew where he was and locked eyes with him as I sang this part. He was smiling, and cheering along with the others, but if I'm being honest? I could care less (okay this is a little rude when they took the time to see me when they have training camp tomorrow...) about them.
There's hundreds of people watching this competition right now. Maybe there's even more people watching this on their TV's at their houses, as this was being broadcasted live.
But I don't care about that right now. It's like, they don't exist and only him and I are the only people.
I hope it was the same for him.
I can't stop my wide grin as the crowd roared its approval. From the cheers, the jumping, and the sounds of clapping, I can confidently say that our song was a success! I glanced at my friends, and from their expressions, I can definitely see that they too, felt the same way as me.
The voice of the announcer and the crowd was hazy. Exciting the stage and us celebrating on the backstage was a blur. The other contestants congratulating us went from one ear to another, and before I knew it, I'm leading my bandmates from the backstage to where my other friends was. They pointed to us and waved their hands as a gesture for us to come there.
My sight immediately locked into him as I walked, and before I knew it, I was running. I don't know what came into me when I decided to threw myself in him and hug him. Being a strong athlete, he was able to catch me and hug back.
I didn't notice earlier, but was that scarf the one I gave him on his birthday? I can't believe he wore it!
"YOU WERE AMAZING OUT THERE!" I slightly lifted my head so I could look at him. Sometimes, I hate being shorter than him. My height makes it had for me to see him when we're standing.
"You really think so?"
"I KNOW SO!" He confidently declared. That declaration of him made me feel so many things at once, and so, I tightened my hug from him (just not that tight so it wouldn't be painful). I felt my heart beat faster when he returned the action.
Oh god. I'd fallen really hard for this guy.
· · ·
As the two of them were so wrapped up (literally and figuratively) with each other in their little moment, they were completely oblivious to the rest of the world that was still moving around them.
"Hnng! My heart can't take any more of this cuteness." Konoha squealed as as he clutched his chest exaggeratedly.
"I know right?" Kuroo wiped a nonexistent tear from his cheek as he watched the scene playing in front like a proud parent at their child's graduation.
"That's my friend! woo! go get your manz!" Eri cheered next to the two of them.
The others also watched the scene play out with mixed reactions, but they won't deny that they feel happy at their progress.
Konoha, Kuroo, and Eri were definitely the most happy with the situation. They rambled into each other as they watched Koutarou and Chuuyou in the distance, bonding with each other from that fact.
Kenma was slightly judging her for being a simp, but he felt a little proud that she actually did that without hesitation. His introvert ass could never! Next to him was Komi, who watched interest as they both pulled away from the hug.
Takara stayed with Sarukui, Kai, and Yukie as they calmly talked shit about the banner.
Washio, Akaashi, Yaku, and Tsukiko had fond smiles on their faces as they looked away from the sight to give them a little privacy and tried to get to know Tsukiko.
· · ·
After no more than one and a half hour of waiting, the results were finally announced. There were only three more performances lined up after them, and the judges took more than 30 minutes to decide.
· · ·
"Well, I'm glad that this is finally over and brought great results for us." Tsukiko smiled from beside Washio and grabbed Eri, who was loudly sobbing, for a hug.
"That was so worth it. Everything was worth it." Eri hiccuped and leaned onto Tsukiko.
"It's a shame that you all only placed second though." Washio said
"Pfft, it's fine. we're still new to the rock genre, and us placing 2nd is actually good enough. We weren't even expecting to have a place at all. And the new vocalist of luck and logic was good." Tsukiko admitted. At this point, Eri left and went to Takara, claiming that she needs to copy her in their math assignment. At the mention of the new vocalist, Washio frowned.
"Oh yeah he was." Washio said thoughtfully. Sensing that there's something in his wording and tone that she couldn't quite place a finger to, Tsukiko asked.
"Do you know him or something?"
"Yeah." Washio hummed. "We did play volleyball against their team. It's a little surprising that he ran all the way to Tokyo for a competition when he's from another prefecture. And I can't belie-" They turned away from their conversation when they saw Konoha and Koutarou having a loud and playful argument with each other. Kuroo and Chuuyou were also there and were hyping them in the background.
"Do you ever feel like you're the only one responsible in your circle of friends?" Washio sighed.
"Every damn time. It's like I'm babysitting a bunch of toddlers, not 17 years olds." Her mind is going to Eri and Chuuyou. Most of the time, Eri's the one with the dumb ideas and Chuuyou enables her and even hypes up her dumb ideas, which always results to something being broken or missing.
They both sighed at the same time before ignoring the sight and focusing on their conversation.
· · ·
Konoha can feel a smirk creeping in his face as he watched Chuuyou's friend- oh sorry, Asano Tsukiko, interact with his rather reclusive teammate. He quickly and aggressively tapped Kuroo and pointed at them. At first, Kuroo was annoyed, but when he saw what he was pointing to, he suppressed the urge to squeal in delight.
"I mean, we could. Bokuto and Ishi are almost fine anyways. They just need a little more push. I'm sure we can help Tsukiko-san and Washio too!" Konoha giggled.
"Update me on their interactions and I'll try to help you as much as I could." Kuroo said seriously.
"We're like, really good at this."
· · ·
"Oh God, they found another one to work on." Sarukui remorsefully whispered to Komi as they watched Kuroo and Konoha giggle to each other while stealing looks as the two talking together hatch out some sort of plan.