When Sunday came, Tobio woke up feeling hopeful and for some reason, nervous.

Harukaze-san came home last Friday in the afternoon. He insisted to pick her up as what a man should (according to How to Be a Good Boyfriend for Dummies). But he got turned down and he resulted to do some surprise-I'll still-pick-you-up-even-if-you-told-me-no. Of course, she had to bring the kitten who he has to share a name. He understood as it is a kitten. He had no problem with cats nor other animals. It's just that, they don't like him that it bummed him off and the kitten would hiss at him when he had not done anything wrong.

After dropping her off at their house, he had not seen Harukaze-san for the rest of the day. Her family took her time. He heard that they watched movies all night. A family thing, Hitori told him. And he understood by simply knowing that her family is important to her.

He really thought that he could have her the next day. She was back in town and he had waited. But he was wrong.


Date: 03/30 7:20

From: Harukaze Sawako

Subject: Senpais

Attachments: See attachments

I'm with your beloved senpais.

I won't be able to update until sunset.

But I know you have training, so stay hydrated!


It just meant that he couldn't have her until the night. Even if she had, his mother's going to take her out for the promised dinner later at night.

How loved.

Thinking back, aside from her cooking lessons, they didn't have anything to do. Strolling around the city or watching might work but they've done it already for about... thrice? There are times where they would just eat whatever they did together and stay silent for a period of time. It was fine with him but there's nothing wrong if he wants to do some physical activity with her, no?

He's not sure if Harukaze-san's down to playing volleyball with him as he hadn't seen her play. Perhaps, he could ask her if wants to for a change? Only if time would love to give him a piece of her before she goes back to the city and if she would love to as well.

But it's Harukaze-san, she would say yes.

So, when Sunday morning came, the team's rest day, he's very hopeful. He only had a week left before the new academic year starts and things would be more difficult as days go on. She would be busier with complicated schedules and course subjects, while Inter-high and Youth Training Camp would take his time.

This long-distance relationship of theirs will prove itself difficult along the way, and once in a while moments spent together would be rare. Chances like when she's back in town will be more special.


Date: 03/31 8:10

From: Harukaze Sawako

Subject: Hello, Sunshine.

Good morning!

What're you up to, today?


Date: 03/31 8:11

To: Harukaze Sawako

Subject: Re: Hello, Sunshine.

Morning.

Nothing much. Are you busy today?


Yosh.

He made a fist at how casual he sounded. The book he diligently looked for and bought at the bookstore was a lifesaver. Him, Tobio, inside a bookstore was already a miracle. Reading it was making him get closer to being a good boyfriend to someone like Harukaze-san.


Date: 03/31 8:12

From: Harukaze Sawako

Subject: Re: Hello, Sunshine

No. Let's meet?


Date: 03/31 8:12

To: Harukaze Sawako

Subject: Re: Hello, Sunshine

Okay. Where?


Date: 03/31 8:12

From: Harukaze Sawako

Subject: Re: Hello, Sunshine

I'm coming over?


Date: 03/31 8:13

To: Harukaze Sawako

Subject: Re: Hello, Sunshine

I'll pick you up.


Date: 03/31 8:13

From: Harukaze Sawako

Subject: Re: Hello, Sunshine

Okay!


Immediately after receiving her response, Tobio made a mad dash to the stairs. Thank everything that he woke up early and cleaned his bed. Thank everything he already ate and showered. Just… thank everything.

But before he could brace himself to step on the stairs, he went back to his room to hide to the guide book that he bought. Harukaze-san may not laugh at him should she find out about the book but he wouldn't like to take the chance. She may not look like it, but he had a feeling that she wouldn't let it go. Not with her being so vocal and all. She really likes to tease him when she had a chance – and she has no matter the distance.

So, he hid what he should hide before leaving the room.

It was Sunday yet, it's so quiet. He didn't have anyone to tell and say, he's going to be out quick. Once the door was shut and the gate was closed, he ran.


Harukaze-san was not outside and by the wooden gate when he arrived. Tobio, having been there for a number of times inside since Harukaze-san iced his bruise almost a year ago now, his hand found its way to push the gate lightly to enter their residence. Without further ado, he approached the sliding wooden door.

"Harukaze-san?" He called.

Their house was not silent at all. Ever since dating their older sister, Tobio would find himself getting along with the triplets. Mostly with Harukaze as a man and oftentimes, quarreling (and getting irritated) at Hitori. Miki-san was absent most of the time but when the woman was at home, she would pamper him like a son of her own. While the other girl, she's just that – the mediator or the mother hen when Miki-san was not at home.

The door slid open much to his surprise. But it immediately deflated upon seeing Harukaze.

The blond tilted his head and gestured for him to come inside. "Come in. Nee-san's upstairs. You can go there if you like."

He nodded, mumbling, "Thanks."

He entered and took off his shoes, leaving them by the genkan along the outdoor slippers lined there. Harukaze disappeared to go to their living room. He heard the sound of their television on, the soft meowl of the kitten, and an unladylike snort from. Not minding their business, he took steps to the stairs only to hear, "No funny business, Kage-chan!"

A tick mark appeared and he just wished for the loudmouth girl to shut her trap. Even if what she said sounded innocent, Tobio was old enough to know what it meant. No way, that's not going to happen! He licked his tongue and continued to stride upstairs with his cheeks getting warm at her words. … not yet, at least.

"Oh, Tobio-kun."

He looked up as soon as his feet touched the second floor. His blue eyes found her figure that was by the door of her room.

"I was about to go down." He heard the door closed. Her face was slightly flushed.

Ah.

"Ah."

He could've waited in their living room then. Perhaps, it was him that had been waiting to have her time on her limited stay that had made him think and did otherwise. He was there when she arrived yet it felt like it has been a long time.

"Let's go?"

Harukaze-san's smile made her face glow, it was making his heart tight. He knew what it's making him feel this way. Talking to her on the phone and exchanging emails was okay. It was great. Talking in person and just by his side was a different story. He almost forgot how she looked like and how her voice sounds like without in person that he couldn't answer properly. There will always be what seemed like a rock stuck on his throat that made him ineligible to express.

So, he nodded.

And she pinched his cheeks.

Tobio watched her go down. It may not look like it but he really likes her hair. It was so black and natural despite the trend of dying hair with different colors. Another thing was it swayed behind her whenever she walked. Sometimes, it looked like it wasn't swaying at all. His eyes bore at the back of her head, remembering the night she was wearing a kimono. He could remember how she stood out with her black hair under the cherry blossom trees.

With a tilt of his head, he followed her downstairs and unconsciously tried to reach for her hair. Those soft black strands were caught in his hold and it was… soft. Tobio was unable to stop himself from twirling a finger around like her nervous tick.

"Why? What's wrong?"

A blink.

And another.

He could see her smile and she wasn't moving anymore. She wasn't walking and he could see the front door. He heard the television, and there's a sound of plates and glasses. But there was no snort, no purr, and no words. It took him a moment to realize that they were at the foot of the stairs. His cheeks burned after realizing how he was holding a part of her hair without her word.

"O-Oh…" Tobio was embarrassed. "N-Nothing."

"It doesn't look like nothing to me." She was smiling.

If it weren't for another pair of bluish-green eyes that started to shoot daggers at the side of his head, he would've to retort something or simply stare, but of course, it was just an if. He could hear Hitori mumbling, "Cheeky jerk flirtin' right in front of my eyes." and an uncalled "Then, don't look or cover your eyes, gorilla."

He looked away and brought his palm close to her face. In one quick move, he tapped a hand on her forehead, lightly, glaring at the nosy blonde that was looking at them in the living room.

"L-leave it." And went to make an exit.

Harukaze-san's hair was always long… He closed his eyes, reaching what's outside the wooden gate. Short hair… He couldn't stop thinking about it.

"Hey, tell me. You like my hair?"

GAH!

"I said… leave it!"


Having been out in their house for the majority of the day, Tobio was unaware of what happens inside the house whether his father or mother, and sister going home in the middle of the day or not. This includes not knowing how the dinner of his mother and Harukaze-san fared. At that time, he was with the team and when he came home, his mother was not there. Just his sister who was fast asleep on the couch.

He glanced at Harukaze-san that was standing in their living room. She was looking everywhere. She would pick up a book on a shelf, stare at the photo in the frames, and trail her finger over a piece of furniture.

A blink.

And another.

Oh shit.

It only occurred to Tobio that Harukaze-san… Harukaze-san was inside his residence. She was leaving a memory of herself there that she has stood there. She was leaving fingerprints, proof that she was indeed here.

Tobio swallowed and approached the fridge. Blue eyes immediately landed on the water pitcher and hands took it out. "Water?"

She nodded. "Yes, please."

He served her a glass of water, placing it on the table where she could reach it. As he drank on his own glass, he watched how Harukaze-san drank while her eyes remained on a photo of years ago. How could she… He watched her throat moved as she intakes cold liquid. He watched her lips sighed in content when it left the glass. There was curiosity in her eyes when she saw a photo.

Kami, he was not prepared to introduce her to him yet.

"So, any plans on what are we going to do today?" He turned to look at her. "What?"

"I thought you have some plan."

She shrugged, sitting on a chair across him. "Nothing really. Do you have any ideas?"

He blinked.

Ah.

He blinked again. Tobio gently placed the glass. He met Harukaze-san's gaze.

"What is it?" She asked with that smile present.

For all he knew, Harukaze-san simply watched their volleyball matches. Does she know about the basics? Of course, she knows. But what if she didn't? He's going to be the one doing the teaching. Can she keep up? Will he be a good teacher? She's studying education, she's a preservice teacher. She won't judge if he's not good. Only a few understood his onomatopoeia and that's how he teaches.

He stared back at her eyes. He couldn't believe that he was doubting what Harukaze-san can do. Nevertheless, he'll know later. "Volleyball."

She was still for a moment before a snort, un-ladylike, escaped. "Should've known."

He deflated. He didn't expect such a reaction. "No?"

She shook her head. "I didn't mean it that way. I'd love to."


He should've known, truly. Harukaze-san has a cousin and grandfather for a coach, watched volleyball matches as a child – of course, she knew how to play volleyball. That was why he was not surprised when Harukaze-san was able to pass to him the ball decently.

"Who taught you?"

"Myself."

"…" He passed the ball back to her and stared.

"Self-taught on the basics including the rules. Then Keishin found me once so he corrected some mistakes he saw."

The ball bounced back on her forearm, her feet were slightly wider than her shoulders, knees were bent, and hips lowered. Her stance was correct – that of a novice. Truthfully, she can make better passes than Hinata – as that on-court partner of his was almost on his way to be a decent receiver.

"He may not look like it but he's a good teacher." Harukaze-san continued, letting out a soft gasp when she bent her knees a little deeper. "I'm sure you've witnessed how he is."

"Yeah." He slapped the ball.

"He gets demanding. Getting strict. Scary – oh, don't tell him that but you get what I mean."

"Yeah."

Harukaze-san smiled. He couldn't help but quirk the side of his lips a little. For a moment, it was just them in their backyard, passing a volleyball to one another. Five minutes passed, going ten. Ten minutes passed, she would laugh at his expense or made a comment about the clouds to distract him. Fifteen minutes passed and he would try to do the same and she would laugh at his revenge. Tobio took note of the consistency of the passes mentally. He found this activity relaxing. He was able to share a part of him with Harukaze-san.

It felt nice.


Her coming back was entirely temporary. Tobio knew, aware, and was prepared for this predicament. As her boyfriend, he ought to be the one that'll understand her. If it's time and distance, so be it.

As he watched her maneuvered their kitchen pantry, his eyes landed on the back of her head again. Those long locks used to reach her armpits when he first saw her. Now, it ended on her long back, almost reaching the waist. Her arms moved, hands reaching to hold. Her head would turn from left to right and there would be a smile on her face when she somehow got right what she wanted. And he just sat there on the dining table, while the television was on, the sound was ignored. His eyes remained on the straight figure in their kitchen.

Suddenly she turned, facing him with a plate in hand. "What?"

His cheeks warmth and he reverted his eyes back to the television. "Nothing."

A plate of onigiri was placed. It followed by a tray of a pitcher of orange juice and two empty glasses.

"You've been staring – now glaring at the back of my head for a while." She said, sitting down on the chair across him. Her fingers took one onigiri and she had a bite. She was looking at him. "Care to share your thoughts?"

He took his second onigiri.

A heartbeat passed. And another. While the television aired a gag anime that for some reason was about alcoholic college boys and diving. Harukaze-san poured him another glass. The sound of the ice hitting one another reached his ears but even then, he didn't look at her in the eye.

After a mouthful of the second onigiri, he drank the orange juice. Only then did he face her with an evident pink dusting his cheeks. "Your hair is pretty long."

Bluish-green eyes blinked. "Oh." She poured him another. "Is that it?"

He nodded.

"You think it'd be better to have it cut?"

He raised an eyebrow.

"I've been thinking of trimming it. But I don't mind for a new hairstyle."

He grabbed another. "Does it get in the way?"

"Not really. I just got used to it." She answered before taking a bite.

And Tobio returned his gaze to the television, taking large bites on the food she made and sipping on the juice in-between. It was silent between them. No words being uttered even when they ate all of the onigiris and drank all the juice. The eye contacts were something he relied on her and on verbal gestures as he helped her clean. He would stand beside her, wiping the dishes she washed, and she would hum a familiar tune as if she enjoyed the moment.

He was at well.

His eyes fluttered in surprise when he felt her touch on his forehead. Tobio couldn't stop himself from arching an eyebrow in her direction.

"Don't you think your bangs are getting longer?" She asked.

Huh?

He wondered if that was the case but said nothing. Instead, he watched her pink lips curling in a smile and there was a sparkle in her eyes.

"What?"

She beamed. "Let's cut it!"

That was how he found himself on Sunday morning. He was sitting on a chair in front of a bathroom mirror, wrapped in silk they found with Harukaze-san standing behind him, hair up in a bun and holding a pair of scissors.

He had a right to get nervous. Does she have experience in cutting hairs?!

"Why couldn't we just go to a barbershop?"

Through the mirror, he saw her pout and began to play with the scissors in hand. "Where's the fun in that? And it saves money."

His brows narrowed. They could have gone to a nearby barbershop or to his sister's workplace but no. How practical. But still, this fear with how her hands and scissors work is uncharted, unknown territory.

"Why're you looking like that?"

He looked away. "Nothing."

A beat.

And another.

Without a word, surprising him, he felt pressure on the strand of his hair. Locking it between her fingers before he felt something cutting a part of him and hearing the sound of the scissors.

The first cut.

It was followed another. And another. Until he could actually feel the difference by his nape. He watched her step to the side, trimming the ends of his hair by a few centimeters by his ears, and by his forehead.

He watched her worked, earning shared gazes with her through the mirror a few times. No words uttered. Really. no making funny faces – just looking at each other's eyes. He chose to ignore the burned cheeks whenever they met. He chose to ignore the way how his palms suddenly started to feel clammy that rested on his lap beneath the silk. He chose to ignore the way his stomach did a backflip and a somersault at how whole he felt as he lived on that moment.

He chose to ignore them all, focusing only on the person who surprises him every time they met.

The brush they found (borrowed without permission) on his sister's room was used and he felt it around his neck as she brushed away the stray cut hair that stuck on his skin and shirt.

"And… we're done."

Tobio took a look at himself in the mirror. His hair was shorter, almost the same length from middle school, but his face was definitely older and more confident. He looked… he looked… I looked…

"You're cute." Harukaze-san said through the mirror.

His eyes found hers again and he blinked. Eh… His head moved and faced her.

His cheeks burned brighter as if it's the first she told him that. But it's not. It was her face that was so close to his that made everything different this time. He could see that there's more to her eyes and her brows. He didn't even know that she had a birthmark on her ear it almost looked like a hole. Nor how small her nose was nor her lashes were that long. It was her face that was close, it made him feel so… mushy.

"W-What?" As a response, his brain and heart are not in synchronization. The words rolled off his tongue in a mess. "I'm not… I'm not cute at all!... How cod… cold… could… you call me like that…!"

Oh, fuck.

That and her cheeks were burning like his. She pinched his arm, pushing him away from the chair, away from her face. "I-I… I do! And… you can't make me n-not say it, o-o-okay?! Now, get off and do me a favor and cut my hair as I did to you so get that scissor and tie this cloth around my neck… Gosh… you!"

Shit.

He did as he was told, immediately, wrapping the silk and picking up the scissors.

She rambled.

Harukaze-san never rambled… I think. It surprised him. She surprised him, especially when she pushed him out of the chair, lightly but with force, because her face was so red. The eye contact through the mirror when she told him that he's cute was the trigger. Perhaps, it was his face?

Nevertheless, he worked on it and positioned himself behind her. But just as he was about to start, he paused.

"How long…?" He asked, moments later.

She gave him a palm that was below her jaw, and he almost hesitated. He liked her hair long. He could like her short hair, too.

Fuck.

He suddenly remembered that alluring hairdo she had last new year. It showed her neck and he knew he had been staring at that particular spot. His sister knows about it, told Harukaze-san about that fact and the girl started to tease him about it – going to the point of claiming he had a neck fetish.

Damn it.

She's teasing him.

"Tobio-kun?"

Perhaps not.

And so, with a sigh, he parted a few strands and positioned the scissor. Now, forgetting the idea of her exposed neck on a regular basis once this is over, he closed the twin blades and long black hair strands fell at his bare feet.


"What… happened?"

His eyes flicked to her face as a response, and she simply beamed.

"Don't fret too much. It's just a hair. It'll get longer."

"But Sawa-nee!"

"Oh, darling. You two looked so cute. What a pair you are!"

After getting a haircut by Harukaze-san, cutting Harukaze-san's hair, and cleaning their fallen hair, they spent the rest taking photos – Kami. He was so awkward – he can't even smile on the camera. They watched television and cooked dinner. She spent her time with him from day to night and he was so happy.

So, when he walked her home, they were bombarded by her family. The first thing they noticed was their – shorter hair.

"Tobio-kun did this?!" Miki-san gasped, turning to him in surprise. "You have a hand of a god, my dear? It was neatly done."

Tobio mentally thanked his sister for this luck by teaching him how to do a haircut. "Thank you, Miki-san."

"Oh, I know! Let's take a photo!"

Again?

"Include Neko-Tobio, too!" Hitori raised the black kitten he almost forgot.

He stood beside Harukaze-san by the family portrait, the kitten hearing his name was in her arms. He narrowed his eyes at the feline before looking ahead at her family. A camera was on their hand and they looked ready to click as they were.

"You two looked like a family. My eyes hurt."

He rolled his eyes at the older blonde and receive a snicker from the Harukaze lad.

"Com'n now. Make a smile," Miki-san told them. "This will be quick so look at the camera and relax."

He blinked, looking at Harukaze-san. She was talking to the kitten when their eyes met. And he really did felt relax.

If only she could stay for a little longer…

He faced the camera once more and he tried to lift the corners of his lips.


Date: 04/08 07:32

From: Harukaze Sawako

Subject: Portrait

Attachments: See attachments

Mama sent this to me today. They're having it printed.

You can grab a hard copy.

It's the first day of class, so do your best!


In the picture she sent was the photo they took at her house. He stood by her side, both sporting shorter locks, and a kitten that was camera-ready and looking at the lenses as they did.

You looked like a family.

His heart soared, flipping his phone closed when the bell rang and a teacher came inside the class of 2-3.

"What it, Kageyama?" Hinata asked him, trying to take a peek at his phone but he flipped it closed enough before the lad's amber eyes could see.

"Nothing." He answered and chose to focus on the teacher instead.

"Indeed, they are." Kirin gushed beside her twin.


note:

heyo! so, i missed an update last tuesday. i apologize for that. research has been a bitchy friend, it was taking most of my time. it's hard to conduct interviews because of the pandemic. face-to-face, when?

anyways, thank you! i see that there are still who read this fanfic. i am delighted at that fact and i am grateful.

next chapter will be longer to make up for the missed update and this update today coz it was surprisingly short. thought, i went over 6k words. lol.

Until then!