"Good night, Sawa-nee."
She hummed in response. "Sleep well, Kirin."
Her bluish-green eyes glanced at the youngest female, catching Kirin covering the yawn that escaped her mouth. Sawako shook her head and averted her eyes back to her notes. She changed her grip on her pencil and returned to jot down the answers to her assignment in her notebook when she heard a snore from the living room. She paused, listening, and finished her assignment. Once done, she piled her notebooks together, she stood up from her seat and entered the living room.
There, on the cold wooden floor, lies a tall young lady, sleeping and snoring on her own homework. Sawako sighed at the sight of Hitori. The loud girl was fast asleep, her body on the floor while her feet laid on top of the table. Her notebooks were on the floor folded and wrinkled at the sleeping figure. Sawako swore, she saw multiple pencils under the table and to make matters worse, chips. And the television was on!
What a mess.
She approached Hitori and tapped her cheek. "Hitori, wake up."
Hitori mumbled a few gibberish words before her eyes opened. Bluish-green clashed bluish-green, heavy and asleep over wide-awake and seemingly annoyed. The girl yawned and didn't even bother to cover her mouth. "Hm? Nee-chan? What is it?"
But instead of embracing annoyance at the mess in their living room, Sawako sighed and smiled. She pinched Hitori's cheeks. "What're you thinking, sleeping in the living room? You have your own bed. Sleep there."
"Oh? I fell asleep." Hitori looked apologetic despite the sleepy look on her face. "Sorry, nee-chan, I tried studying but I can't."
Sawako couldn't help but sigh. She ruffled her hair. "Of course, you can't. You turned on the tv."
"But I can't concentrate without watching anything!"
Sawako didn't buy her excuse and began picking up the fallen materials. "Yes, yes. Now, take your things and go to bed."
Hitori obliged, standing up from the floor and forced herself to walk upstairs with her study materials that didn't look like study materials at all.
Sawako shook her head. Even though Hitori was born after her, came in second in the birth order, and was the first to be welcomed by the world on the day the triplets were born, she didn't act like she's the older when technically, she is. Kirin just happened to be born second and Suzaku, the last, yet he acted like he's the first-born triplet. Hitori, cheeky as ever, flunking exams every now and then, acts like a boy, and loud for a girl.
I guess, she's still a child.
She turned off the tv, grabbed a sweeper and dustpan, Sawako started cleaning the living room. She also mopped the floor, when she heard the front door being slid open.
Sawako returned the mop and went to their hallway to greet the newcomer at the genkan. "Welcome home, mama."
Their mother, Harukaze Miki, looked up. Raven locks fell down on the woman's shoulder and brown eyes met her bluish-green ones. Her mother's face showed no signs of aging, almost wrinkle-free, and didn't look like someone her age. In fact, their mother looked like she has just celebrated her 25th birthday.
"Sawako? Why are you still awake?"
She grinned. "Studying and homework."
Miki gave her a look. "You're studying too much." And sighed. "I know how much you want to be an educator but keep in mind that you're still 17, dear. A relationship would be nice."
Instantly, her pinks dusted pink. But Sawako paid it no mind and followed her mother. Miki passed by the living room to enter the kitchen. She watched her mother opened the fridge, taking out a clear pitcher filled with water. Sawako prepared two glasses and brought them to the dining table where she sat on one wooden chair. She remained silent, not having plans to retort an answer to her mother's statement.
"You're awfully silent, Sawa-chan."
She blinked. "Eh?" She averted her eyes and directed it to her glass being filled. "Well…"
"Well? How's your progress with Koushi-kun?"
Another blink. She turned red. "What?"
Miki's eyes widened. "So, there is progress!" She exclaimed. "Finally, my daughter's a true lady!"
"N-No… Koushi and I are not like that at all!"
"You're not?" Miki raised an eyebrow and drank the rest of the water in her glass. Sawako nodded. "Then, why are you red?"
She looked down to hide the blush, suddenly realizing that her cheeks felt warm. She heard her mother sigh.
"So, it's not Koushi-kun, huh." Sawako drank her fill as her mother opened the plate that she reserved for their mother. Miki stood up and placed it inside the microwave oven. "Then who?"
She didn't want to answer. But Sawako knew that she can't lie.
Thinking about it, she has not yet known why is she attracted to the Kageyama Tobio. She admits that he's good-looking, cute rather. Although he does not excel in academics, which proves that there's someone who is not perfect, there's always something in him that she wants to protect. It's like an urge, a sudden need to do something far from what she's been doing and what she's used to, yet until now, she has not known what it is that she wants from him. Perhaps, she wants to see something else?
Sawako looked at her mother. "Well, there's an interesting first year…" she trailed.
There was a ding. It came from the microwave. Sawako waited as her mother opened and took out the plate inside the electronic. Miki brought the plate and sat down before splitting the chopstick in half. "Bring him home next time."
The blush on her cheeks couldn't get any warmer. She stood up. "I'll take a bath."
Yes. That's something she ought to do. The blood on her cheeks stayed for so long, she felt like passing out. But it wasn't that hot. A bath would ease whatever she's feeling. As she made strides to the door, she decided to postpone her studies for the night, grateful that she was able to accomplish her homework first. She's going to hit the bed as soon as possible or else her mind would wander back to the familiar baby-faced of a scowling lad.
Before she can leave, her mother continued.
"Uncle will be coming home tomorrow noon." Her feet stopped and swiftly turned on her diaphragm to look at her mother. There was a smile on her mother's face and instantly, her eyes widened in surprise and glee. "Kaede-san called me earlier."
She nodded. I see. That's good news.
Her grandfather, her mother's uncle, the brother of her mother's father, known as the legendary Coach Ukai of Karasuno, collapsed sometime in January this year. The family of both Ukai and Harukaze would visit every now and then to check on how he's doing and check if the old man was on his best behavior on his bed rest. The old man tends to be hard-headed that it took him months. Even at his age, he tends to overdo things, forgetting the fact that he is living for six decades already. It was a good thing for the family that this month and the previous month, Ikkei has been a good patient.
"We'll pick him up tomorrow?"
Her mother nodded. She smiled.
"Goodnight, mama."
And Miki just gestured for her to shoo away as she ate on her dinner. At the same time, checking something on her phone.
Sawako shook her head in disbelief. Her mother didn't change at all – eating while doing her job when she's still at home. Often times, she would catch her mother sleeping in their living room with lesson plans and books piled around the tired lady. If not in the living room, it would be in the kitchen. Yet there are cases wherein her mother would come home late at night, or early in the morning, only to catch sleep. Her mother's that busy as a bee, teaching in the day and student at night. And it has been that way for a long time. Even then, despite her mother's career and personal dreams, Sawako can proudly lift her chin high for how her siblings grew.
The hallway was dark when she reached the second floor. There are five doors. Four on the left that she and the triplets occupied while the door in the right is the master's bedroom – where her mother supposed to sleep for years. She occupied the first door, followed by Suzaku, Hitori, and Kirin. Sawako approached hers and slid open to see her room was a little messy. Piles of textbooks were out on the shelf as they occupied a portion of her floor. She also noticed that her trash bin's full. She shook her head. I'll just throw them tomorrow.
She cleaned her room first before she grabbed her sleepwear and headed to the bathroom. There, she began her night routine. It was when she was already ready to call it a day and hit her comfortable bed when her phone began to ring.
Time for daily reports brought to you by Sugawara Koushi-kun.
She answered the call.
[ Hello, Sawa. ]
"Hello, Koushi. How's it going?" Sawako placed her phone between her ear and shoulder as she attempted to clean her study table. She heard a chuckle.
[ Thanks to the notes of the mystery third-year, Kageyama and Hinata passed. ]
She grinned. "Oh ho? That's good news."
Three nights ago, she was on a phone call with her Koushi in the middle of her rest night. Finals were over days ago and she achieved her study quota for the day. Besides, her brain felt like it had enough and she's been suffering from a headache for information overload. She ought to give herself a break that she needs, and so, rest it is for the night.
"You sound distressed." She looked at the screen of her phone. The silly selfie of them flashing before her eyes with his name on it and the time their call was taken.
[ Eh? ]
"You have a problem or something?"
[ Well, not really… Am I that obvious? ]
She heard a sigh.
"Are you really asking me that?"
A chuckle followed next.
[ It's actually Kageyama and Hinata. ]
She blinked her eyes. Ah. Kageyama. "What of them?"
[ Actually, they failed a test. ] She frowned. [ Kageyama almost passed his modern literature and Hinata's halfway in his English. ]
Oh.
[ I already told you about the Tokyo Away Games, right? ]
"Yeah."
[ It's actually on Saturday. ]
Her eyes widened. "Eh? But there'll be supplementary exams…"
There was another sigh. [ Yeah. That's the problem. It's just one test though. But the two are really having a hard time catching up. ]
Ain't that a surprise. Sawako never thought that Kageyama-kun did not excel in his academics. The lad actually looked smart for his looks, as he is known as a genius setter in their small world of volleyball. Add the fact that most feared him because of that scowl that seemed natural to him. He looked badass. But she guessed that looks can be deceiving and she has been deceived by Kageyama for concluding that he's academically bright. It was here that she started seeing his flaw. It's what makes humans perfect in their imperfect state. Because no one's perfect and their flaws are what makes them beautiful. So, she let his flunking flaw passed.
However, as much as how she appreciates her friend telling her this kind of thing, there was a tone hidden from his voice that she couldn't quite decipher.
"So, what do you want me to do?"
[ Help them? ]
She laughed. She couldn't believe it. There it is.
[ Com'n, Sawa. You're a study bug since then and now. Help from their senpai would be nice. ]
She deadpanned.
[ Kageyama would be happy if he passes. ]
She blushed that tug her heartstrings. "Say no more, Koushi. I'll slap you."
The third-year setter laughed on the other side of the line. [ Too bad, Sawa. Impossible. ]
And she clicked her tongue in response.
Koushi continued his daily report. The warmth on her cheeks stabilized. Ever since the third-years learned that she and Kageyama knew each other, he began to tease her at least once or twice a day about their first-year setter. He even claimed he's their number one shipper. Sawako swore that Koushi has been reading shoujo manga secretly.
Leaving her with a choice to help the two flunkers and be a good upperclassman, instead of going to bed after the phone call, she turned on her study lamp and took two blank notebooks – one for modern literature and one for English – in her drawer. She made it personalized by writing the names of the two that she has to save. Then she took out her notebooks from her first-year days on her bookshelf.
She barely slept that night. A number of hours were taken from the hours that she should have been spending in sleep. Even then, she still couldn't believe that she actually did make two reviewers when she's supposed to be resting. It only occured to her right after she finished the two subjects. Screw academic break. Screw Koushi for giving her this idea – for making her help the cute first-year who returned her handkerchief after keeping it for so long in his studies. Screw Kageyama-kun for being cute.
She sighed. The things I do for him.
Her eyes widened upon realizing her thought during her stretch. Sawako shook her head, her palms contacting her cheeks that left a light sting.
She glanced at the small clock on her desk before she stood up. Her hand reached for the lamp and turned it off before she left her room to cook. It was barely five in the morning and she took longer than she intended to. She has to hurry in her routine. But before she could trot her way downstairs, Suzaku emerged from his room with a towel and clothes on his arms.
Ah.
"Succhan." She called.
Suzaku blinked and greeted her. "'Morning."
She smiled. "Do me a favor?" He nodded. She went back to her room, grabbed the notebooks on her desk. "Will you please give these to Kageyama Tobio-kun of Class 1-3 and Hinata Shouyo-kun of Class 1-1?"
Suzaku looked confused, a questioning gaze was directed at her but he nodded, taking the notebooks from her hand. "Sure. Any message?"
She blinked. She didn't think of such. Oh, well.
"I wish them the best and I hope that they pass."
"Understood."
Sorry, Succhan. I don't have the face to show yet.
[ Hinata puked, though. ]
Her eyes widened with worry. "What happened?"
A sigh. [ Saeko-san, Tanaka's older sister, was their drive to Tokyo. ]
Her eyebrow raised. "Tanaka-kun has an older sister?"
[ Yeah. They looked alike. ]
She glanced at herself in the full-body mirror. Despite their heritage, Sawako admits to herself that she's the shortest of the four. Why when she's older is a mystery. Perhaps it's a thing with elder siblings to happen to be shorter than their younger siblings? Aside from the height, the structure of her face differs from the three. Hitori, Kirin, and Suzaku looked more foreign than her who happens to be a Japanese with eccentric eye color. They looked more Russian to her and than her.
"I can't imagine. Sorry."
Koushi laughed. [ That's alright. But that's not the point. ]
She blinked and realized she overlooked a fact. "Oh yeah."
[ Oh yeah, Nekoma has a new regular member. I heard from Yaku-kun that he's half-Russian, too. ]
Her eyes widened. Hafu?! "Did you just say, Russian?"
[ Yeah. He's really tall. Around 190 cm? Almost on the same height as Suzaku. ]
Her breath hitched. "That tall?!" Their Suzaku is a real-life tower, standing tall in 190 centimeters and still growing. I want to see a height showdown!
[ There are other tall guys, too from the other schools. There's Fukurodani Academy of Tokyo, Ubugawa of Kanagawa, and Shinzen of Saitama. ]
"They sound strong."
[ They are. We lost most of the games today. ]
She smiled. "But you don't sound defeated at all. In fact, you sound like you're having fun."
[ Is that so? ] Koushi chuckled. [ Well, I am. ]
Sawako listened to the rest of Koushi's report. Until he has to bid her goodnight for the lights off. She, too, has a whole day ahead for the next day, so she agreed. She finally slept.
Her alarm went off at exactly four in the morning. Her hand reached over the alarm clock on the headstand to turn it off. The ringing instantly died down. She sat up from her bed and yawned. Sawako rubbed the morning glory off her eyes and stretched. She yawned once more as she left her bed to comb her hair in front of the mirror, grabbed her clothes and towel to take a bath. It was the beginning of her morning routine.
Sawako never failed to miss a day, except on occasions wherein she got sick – which is rare. Every day, without fail, no matter how her sleep hours were getting lesser, she'll always wake up at four to prepare. This has been engraved in her mind and body, it already became a habit.
She blow-dried her hair after the shower, changed into the most comfortable clothes she can find in her closet. And when she's done preparing for herself, she left her room and entered the kitchen.
It's always Sawako who wakes up first – to cook, to clean – she never failed.
"Good morning."
She looked up from her cutting and smiled. Suzaku entered the kitchen, fully awake and prepared for the day. "Good morning, Succhan."
Her brother hummed and rummaged into one of the drawers. He's looking for a match. When he found what he was searching for, he approached the picture frame in the living room area. It was placed on a cabinet, surrounded by a vase of flowers and their family portrait that was hung on that side of the wall. He stood in front, lit the candle and incense.
Sawako took a small cup and poured hot, boiling water. Then she took a sachet of instant coffee, pouring it into the cup because their father, because of his profession, leaned on instant coffee for years that it became a preference. Sawako stirred it well, knowing fully and remembering one of her earliest memory, prepared a saucer to place it in front of a small picture frame.
She smiled. "Here's your morning coffee, papa."
"Are you going to pick up Grandpa Ukai?" Suzaku turned to her.
Sawako resumed cutting vegetables while Suzaku opened a cupboard to take out plates and utensils.
"Yeah." She answered. "Are you going to tag along?"
"Yeah."
The kitchen was silent then. Suzaku finished preparing the table, grabbed a spare apron, and helped her. It was five when Kirin appeared. Thirty minutes passed when their mother and Hitori entered in time for their breakfast.
"Good morning." The three kitchen-workers greeted.
"Good morning." Miki took a seat.
"'Morning."
The breakfast was set, all of them cleaned and showered. All of them has greeted their father and together they ate their breakfast prepared by her and Suzaku before their day starts.
"Don't you two have training?" Their mother started a conversation.
Hitori shook her head as she grabbed a portion and swallowed. "There's ongoing maintenance, sensei said. So, there are no club activities."
Miki hummed. "Studies?"
Hitori choked on her food. Kirin was quick to fill her glass of water.
Miki just blinked her eyes. "What?" But her second daughter pouted. "Don't tell me you failed."
"Yeah, she did," Suzaku answered.
"Succhan! You're supposed not to tell, mama."
"So what? It's not like you failed your supplementary exams, either."
"Oh ho?" Miki's eyebrows raised as she drank her tea.
"I passed my supplementary exams yesterday," Hitori confessed, with a sheepish grin.
"I lent her my notes in my first year." Sawako piped in. "Seconds?" She stood up and approached the rice pot.
Suzaku followed her for his second servings. "Sawa-nee also lent her notes to the two first-years."
"Oh ho?"
"What?!"
"So, that's why you're in class next door." Kirin looked up from her plate to Suzaku then to her elder sister with wonder. Sawako saw her sister smiled. "Is it Kageyama-kun?"
"Kageyama?!"
She almost lost her grip on Suzaku's plate. "W-What're you saying, Kicchan?"
"So, Kageyama is his name, huh." Miki hummed.
Kirin nodded. "We went to a match against the Neko –"
"Oh, I heard that from Hicchan!"
"– and Sawa-nee was stuck staring at him the whole time."
Sawako went back to her chair with her second servings. Before she sat down, she reached to pinch Kirin's arm. "I'm not!"
Miki let out a giggle. "You're awfully red not to be interested, Sawako dear."
"Eh?!" She faced. But her mother ignored her and turned to the triplets.
"Tell me more about Kageyama-kun."
The three shared a look while chewing on their food.
"For starters, he's not good in academics. Hence, Sawa-nee's reviewers."
"Apparently, he's a regular in the volleyball club," Suzaku added.
"Brawns over brains!" Miki clapped.
Sawako continued to eat. Her face showing red. Please, stop.
"You know, mama, he also played in middle school. He's from Kitaichi, too."
"Oh ho?"
Sawako prayed in her mind as the three continued. Please, stop. Warmth coated her cheeks, as it shows her blushing. On normal occasions, she would run away to hide her face. But it's their breakfast, she couldn't leave the table. So, she endured as her sisters and bother to tell their mother about Kageyama-kun. Just when she was able to pass the day without thinking that much of him, and he just have to be the topic of the day.
Kicchan, why did you have to mention his name?
She remembered what their mother told her last night, about bringing Kageyama-kun home. She obviously just can't do that. Kageyama-kun isn't hers. Moreover, they haven't had a decent conversation. It was always greetings, and hi's, and hellos.
At last, she finally finished her meal. She was about to stand up when Miki turned to her with a look of approval. There was a wide grin on her mother's face. Sawako was instantly alarmed. It was such a rare sight. Whatever her siblings told their mother, she'll someday know.
"You choose well, daughter."
Flustered, she mumbled. "Thanks for the food." She stood and cleaned her space, bringing her plate to the sink. She swore she heard them – the triplets and her mother giggling (chuckling).
Her day was spent with the Ukai and her family. Alongside her mother and her brother, they went to the Sendai Hospital to pick up the newest and finally released Ukai Ikkei. It didn't take them that long, seeing as the elder man was entirely waiting for his freedom. Before they departed to the city, they dropped Hitori and Kirin at the Ukai household. The twins volunteered to help their Aunt Kaede clean and prepare the house for his arrival.
Ukai Ikkei, brother of Ukai Seiji, father of Sakanoshita Kaede, uncle of Ukai Seiji's daughter, Harukaze Miki, and grandfather of Ukai Keishin, Harukaze Sawako, Harukaze Hitori, Harukaze Kirin, and Harukaze Suzaku. After months of (forced) bedrest, he has finally left the (prison) medical facility called the hospital. He has been known by the others as the Legendary Ukai for being the person behind Karasuno's entry in the Spring High Tournament. Unknown to all, he is an annoying relative.
Sawako couldn't count her mother and Kaede-san's sighs as soon as they reached the Ukai house. They stayed there, catching up to untold stories. Most of the time, it was Hitori who did the talking regarding her adventures in the tennis club and the new experience in high school. But every now and then, Kaede-san and her mother would raise their voices.
She was once a topic of the conversation. Hitori, the loudmouth she is, dropped off Kageyama-kun's name out of nowhere. Some time on her sister's rambling, Sawako stopped to follow the flow of the conversation. It only occurred to her that the topic shifted to Hitori's friendship with the volleyball team's bright-haired decoy, Hinata-kun. Of course, Hinata-kun won't exist without his partner, her eye-candy, Kageyama-kun. Thus, the unwanted joke of her grandpa-uncle and persistence to introduce him to them.
Everyone became a topic of the conversation and it didn't just end with her. As the sole growing boy left in the family, Suzaku was challenged by the older man. Growing to hate losing, the youngest of the Harukaze accepted the challenge, and thus, it resulted in a competition between men. It ended with Kaede-san smacking her father-in-law to stop, and Miki pinching her beloved son's cheeks.
Sawako sighed. "What a day."
"I'm tired." Kirin flopped down on the seat beside her on the sofa.
Miki appeared behind them. "Isn't that nice? You were able to spend the day without studying."
Kirin sighed. "I feel like hitting the sack already."
Hitori apparently dozed beside Kirin. Suzaku stood up from the sofa and entered the kitchen. He came back with a tray of glass and a pitcher filled with water.
"Thanks, Succhan." She thanked the lad as he placed a glass in front of her on the table and filled it with water.
Suzaku hummed in response and sat beside her.
She let the cold water eased her fatigue. She has not moved today but she felt really tired. Especially from the time that she tried so hard to deny that there's nothing going on between her and Kageyama-kun, the suspected boyfriend of hers when he isn't. She took a sip first and closed her eyes. Her head lay on the sofa before she drank the rest.
Grandpa is really a handful.
"Oh ho?"
The three of them turned to their mom. Miki was holding her glass and was looking through the window.
"What is it, mother?" Suzaku asked.
Their mother was silent. A smile was on her lips that soon turned into a giggle. She shared a look with Kirin and Suzaku, unable to guess what was happening and failing to catch what their mother meant. Then Miki shook her head, albeit in amusement at something over the window. Hitori finally falls on the sofa, unperturbed in her sleep. Kirin shook her head and tapped her older twin.
"Torin, wake up."
Miki finally looked away from something over the window. A smile remained on her lips and turned to Sawako with a knowing smile. "Is Kageyama-kun a tall, black-haired boy with blue eyes?"
Her eyes widened.
"He was standing outside just now and he left." Miki tapped each of their heads. "Make sure to throw the trash, alright? Good night."
Her mother turned to her sleeping daughter and picked her up in bridal style. Miki carried Hitori upstairs, unbothered at the weight and long legs that dangled of her second daughter. Kirin followed, turning to her and Suzaku.
"I don't think I can stay awake any longer. Goodnight."
They both nod and watched the youngest daughter leave the living room. Suzaku picked up their glasses and pitcher. He placed them on the tray before walking to the kitchen. He came back with a cloth to wipe the table. Sawako fixed the sofa and entered the kitchen. She grabbed the trash can and securely tied the plastic of the black bag. All done without a word.
"Are you going to take a bath, Sawa-nee?"
She nodded. "You can take the bath first."
He hummed and left. She changed her indoor slippers for outdoor ones at the genkan and slid the main door open. When she reached outside, the breeze hit her skin and it was warm. The sky was dark, barely any clouds and the stars reigned over the endless freedom. A song came into her mind and soon, she hummed. It was the same song she hummed on the night she thought there was a serial killer on the loose. It actually reminded her of what her mother usually sang in the hardest times.
She began singing. "Ue o muite arukou. Namida ga kobore naiyouni. Omoidasu harunohi. Hitoribotchi – eek!"
Her hold loosened on the plastic bag and it fell on her feet. She looked at the human figure standing beside the wall as tears erupted in her eyes. Her heart beats faster than normal, surprised to see the awkward shocked face of Kageyama Tobio.
"W-W-What are you d-doing here?!"
He froze and slowly looked away. He began grumbling at something she couldn't understand with that scary look on his face.
Ah… he surprised me.
She touched her chest and took deep breaths to stabilize her heart rate. She lost count of how many times he actually made her heart race that fast. Still, she has a task to finish. She picked up the trash bag. She left it on the side that the garbage pick-up would immediately notice, inside another trash bin outside their house. And when done, satisfied, she turned to him, narrowing her eyes.
"What are you doing? You – " She paused as she saw the worsening black and blue on his cheeks. "What were you thinking?"
He looked taken aback. "What exactly?"
She pointed at his cheek. "That." Without thinking, she brushed her finger on the bruise.
He yelped, red.
I thought he left so, why is he here?
Without a word, she didn't give him a chance to retort and grabbed his wrist. She led him inside. "O-Oi!"
Sawako turned to him. He went silent as she placed a finger on her lips. "Don't make any noise." She let go of his wrist and bent down to the shoe rack. She grabbed the spare indoor slippers at their shoe rack and placed them before him. "For now, wear this."
She's thankful that he immediately obliged. He sat down at their genkan to remove his shoes for the exchange of footwear. Not a moment after, she changed hers, too, and led him to the kitchen.
"Take a seat." She instructed and left him to get an ice pack.
Immediately finding the pouch, she filled it with ice cubes and came back to see him sitting on one of the chairs at the dining table, looking everywhere. When their eyes clashed, he rigidly sat up with his back straight. She, too, fastened her pace and sat beside him. She changed her hold on the ice pack and about to place it on his cheek when she realized something. She let out a small shriek and blinked. She has just found herself sitting too close to normal. Her cheeks felt warm.
He backed off.
Too close. She blushed. "Please, excuse me." And placed the ice pack on his cheek for the bruise.
Kegayama remained quiet. He was looking at her. Sawako fought the blush that might worsen and focused on her voluntary task. No one talked. Sawako shut her lips to extract an answer regarding what happened. And throughout the process of treatment, Sawako did not make any eye contact.
It's just Kageyama not taking his eyes away. She already knew she looked stupid holding an ice pack on his cheeks when she could give it to him. But how could she when he let her be?
Ah, my heart… Don't look at me. I might get a heart attack.
"I-I'm sorry."
"Eh?" She blinked.
He looked away. "H-Harukaze-san said you'll get a heart attack if I look."
She blushed. "I… said it out loud?"
He nodded.
She looked at her lap. "I don't… mean it that way."
He glanced at her. "Oh, sorry."
And silence.
The both of them just sat down on their chosen chairs. They did not share any contact and remained silent. Sawako lost count of the minutes that passed in her head. If it weren't for Suzaku's footsteps that trekked upstairs, they would probably go on for a little longer with their silence.
He must have realized this as Kageyama-kun placed the ice bag on the table and stood up. She was confused at first, her eyes questioning his sudden movement, and was surprised when he bowed.
"Thank you. I have to go home."
So, she nodded. She accompanied the lad to the main door and they both changed their slippers. Once out, she walked with him until they reached the wooden gate. She watched his back as he slowly left their residential area and for a moment, he looked like he belonged there. There was another wind.
Before fully disappearing on the corner, he faced her once more. He gave her another bow and blush was evident on his cheeks. She felt hers showing for all blue eyes to see.
"G-Good night, Harukaze-san."
She blinked at the less stutter but smiled. She waved him goodbye. "Good night, Kageyama-kun."
And he looked surprised. "Thank you!"
Sawako blinked as he runs away, leaving her hand still suspended in the air and dumbfounded.
n o t e:
i've searched and reviewed the manga regarding ukai ikkei's hospital days for this, seeing as i made the ukai a relative of the original characters. not much was stated, apparently, and it only mentioned of his overdoing back when he was younger. as much as i want to put a label on that certain condition, i don't want to risk his image seeing as ikkei was healthy and strong even on the chapters before the timeskip. even then, it didn't also mention when did he collapse but we know that it happened some time after he trained the daichi's batch.
another thing to point out is the harukaze height. according to the japan's national health and nutrition survey, the average height of japanese women is 148.9 cm (4'9"). i made the harukaze siblings hafu and seeing as how haiba lev stood tall with his cute face, i thought that they're not different, thus, the height difference between the normal teens in haikyuu. well, shimizu is 166.2 cm, it's genes.
sawako - 174.3
hitori - 174.7
kirin - 174.7
suzaku - 190.3
i really like the number three and seven. don't mind my choice of numbers.
lastly, wow. thank you very much for the four who followed this story. it still makes me blush even now.
p.s. TOO MUCH KOUSHI!
