As Hinata and I waited in the examination room, the awkward silence had creeped its way back into the air. In the heat of the moment, I hadn't realized Hinata had called me "baby". I think he'd been thinking about the same thing by the look on his face.
I cleared my throat, "So um.. we gonna talk about it?"
He tensed up instantly, "O-oh uh.. it was a slip of the tongue. Honest!"
He raised two fingers and crossed his other hand over his heart, "Won't happen again, I promise!"
"Heh.. Shoyo you know me better than that. I'm not offended by what you said. Honestly.. you and I both have been through more together to make things like this more understandable ," I emphasized.
"Hm.." he grumbled.
"Tch.. what's with that response?" I pouted.
"No offense Vanji, but, you make all our conversations seem so black and white. As if none of the events that occurred before Brazil never happened.." he crossed his arms huffing.
"Hey!" I snapped, "I never said they didn't."
"Vanji- why am I here?" he plopped down beside me causing the paper covering on the examination table to rustle.
"I-" I paused.
Why did he come? I mean sure we were friends besides our breakup but I had never made it a point to attend his matches even after he returned to Japan. But, here he was. Why?
"Publicity stunt?" I joked awkwardly.
"VANJI-" he scolded giving me a stern look.
"I know.. I know. Bad joke. I'm sorry," I stared down at the ice bucket where my ankle was resting.
"Do you really think that? That you're just PR for me?" he scoffed.
"No of course not!" I replied.
He suddenly moved in closer bringing his face centimeters from mine, gazing into my eyes.
"H-hey Shoyo what are you-" I stammered.
"If I'm only in this for my own selfish reasons like publicity, I wanna milk the situation for all it's worth," he teased.
He gently held my chin and angled my face upwards. I began to protest but he quickly silenced me with his lips.
I tensed up at the sudden contact but, I couldn't escape the butterflies building in my stomach. I could feel Shoyo's anxiety when he initially kissed me, unsure whether I'd reciprocate his actions.
I grinned and gently leaned into the kiss and closed my eyes. He chuckled through our lips and I pulled away briefly against the tickling sensation.
"Heh.. sorry," he blushed, "Didn't mean to kill the mood like that."
I touched my fingers to my lips, "It's fine, so.. what does this mean?"
"I don't expect this to me mean we're back together but," that familiar gleam in his eye shone, "Don't think I won't give it my all to win your heart once and for all."
I giggled, "Oh I won't make it easy for THE Ninja Shoyo Hinata."
"Is that a challenge?" he perked up grinning ear-to-ear.
"It's a promise," I winked.
~~~
After being released by the physician with a diagnosis of a sprained ankle and crutches, Hinata and I carefully snuck through the back while he, of course, carried me insisting I was far too "broken".
He had replaced his "incognito" apparel and I had put on one of his athletic tops that had a hoodie to cover my face. Once we were a far enough distance from the courts, we both laughed at each other's get up.
"You look like a 80s private detective wannabe," I snorted.
"And you look beautiful," he purred into my ear.
"S-shut up idiot!!" I growled attempting to use the grit in my voice to cover my obvious embarrassment.
He laughed and teased me as we walked up to a black, expensive looking sports car. I stopped in my tracks, almost forgetting my balance was already impaired.
Hinata quickly caught me by the waist and shifted my weight to where I was leaning into his chest, "Whoa girl.. can't have you hurting yourself anymore than you already are, heh."
"Whose car is this?" I stared in awe.
"Oh.. mine." he stated calmly.
"Huh? No way!" I exclaimed in disbelief.
The car was sleek, had tinted windows and dark matching trim and lights. The only pop of color to the vehicle was a cheesy MSBY logo mirror decoration. But, overall, this vehicle was something straight out of a luxury lifestyle magazine.
"Well," Hinata spoke, "Mine in the sense of I drive it exclusively but.. the car is technically owned by Bouncing Ball Corp."
My eyes widened and I quickly covered my mouth to stifle a laugh, "So.. Kozume's then?"
"Well yeah," Hinata raised a brow, "And what's so funny about that?"
"If it's his," I choked between giggles, "that makes him your sugar daddy."
"WHAT?!! K-KENMA'S NOT MY SUGAR DADDY!! HE'S MY SPONSOR!" he shouted defensively.
"Shoyo, what does Kenma do as your sponsor?" I asked innocently.
"Well.. he pays for most of my volleyball expenses and promotes me along with his brand and sometimes gets me other branding sponsorships that he collaborates with." Hinata explained.
"And, what do you do in return?" I continued.
"I play volleyball and promote his brand." he stated.
"Sooo.. what your saying is as long as you perform well, Kenma gives you benefits and gifts?"
"Well, to put it plainly, yes."
I burst into laughter, "That's the LITERAL definition of a sugar daddy and sugar baby!"
Hinata's face turned into a scowl and while grumbling he opened the car door and helped me into the passenger seat. Once we had both gotten into the car, I noticed he was still pouting.
"Hehe I'm sorry Shoyo, I was just teasing." I reassured.
"I knoww," Hinata sighed, "And to think I was going to take you on a romantic evening of cuddling in bed with your favorite crime thriller show while you recuperate ."
"Wait what?"
"And I was going to order in your favorite takeout and offer my most comfy tshirt and blankets.." he egged on.
"Shoyoooo," I pleaded.
"Oh well," he continued.
"No no! I'll stop teasing I swear!" I begged as I gave him my saddest puppy eyes.
That earned a smile and peck on the lips.
"Okay just for you," he smiled, "BUT.."
"But?" I tilted my head confused.
Hinata slowly leaned in and whispered in my ear, "Why don't you let me spoil you tonight?"
