Chapter Sixteen
Ryuzaki Miu almost knocks her cat off her shoulder when for the uptenth time that day, she sneezes. The adorable but cheeky cat jumps from her shoulder to the ground when she leans over to take a tissue.
Miu coughs sharply and eyes her companion.
"I've caught a cold," she mutters. The cat meows back. "I'm hungry. Will you go grocery shopping for me, please?"
Of course, the cat ignores her before it heads out of her room. She sighs. Miu stares at her phone, considering whether she should call someone to come help her. She sighs again when she decides it is not worth disturbing anyone for it. There's no point making herself a burden, and she doesn't wan't them to think she is a helpless little girl anyway. She just has to go the covenience store, buy something quick to eat then take a nap when she gets home. A long one. A nap that'll last until tomorrow if possible.
As if to mock her, the weather isn't even bad today. The air is only a little cool, but nothing a jacket can't fix. She wonders how she even got sick in the first place. Probably a bit of neglect towards her sleep schedule and a lot of stressing out.
Fortunately she won't miss any classes today, because it is sunday. Stiĺl, being sick is awful. She yawns, her lids heavy and her throat sore, and almost falls flat on her face when she trips over a pebble.
"Hey, are you okay?"
She looks up to see her classmate, a new acquaintance she made on the first week of school.
Kozuki Ame holds her before she falls, a worried look in her eyes.
"Kozuki-san," Miu says under her breath, "I'm fine, thanks."
Ame lets her go before she gives her a warm smile.
"What are you doing here? You look like you've been run over by a truck."
Miu sneezes. Her face is pale, almost turning green and she can't imagine what her hair looks like at the moment. Probably like a messy nest of brown curly twigs. There was a time when her looks mattered more than anything to her, but that was before. When she was another girl, in another life.
"I'm just sick," she snorts. "Just going to buy some food."
"Oh, that's right, you live on your own," Ame remembers. "We'll go with you then. You don't mind, right?"
Before Miu has the time to shrug it off and then notice that Ame just said "we", she has the answer to who the "we" actually refers to.
"Hey don't decide things like that," a male's voice whines in her back.
Both girls turn around to see a tall boy, hands in his pockets. His athletic build stands a little slouched, perfectly smooth and casual, as if he's currently posing for a cover of a magazine.
Miu sneezes and begins to blow her nose at Oikawa's perfect entrance.
"And why is that?" Ame asks with a grin. "We both know who leads the way between the two of us."
He huffs playfully. "Oh my, your new role as a leader has really gotten to your head."
"You know you should just call me captain already."
He smirks. "No way, Ame-chan, do you even know what it takes to ask anything from me? You'll have to try harder than that."
"What does that even mean?"
"Are you going to introduce me to your friend?" He asks instead.
Ame turns back to Miu and whispers loudly on purpose, "do you want me to introduce you to this annoying man? I'll tell you beforehand, he's even more insufferable once you know him better."
"Rude, Ame-chan, I'm hurt. And here I thought we were close friends." He puts a hand on his chest.
"Unfortunately, we're not," she replies immediatly, "do you even know what it takes to be close to me?"
"Fine, you won this round," Oikawa pushes his glasses on his nose. "No more teasing you in front of your friend."
"Thank you," Ame gives him a victorious grin. "Miu-chan, this is Oikawa Toru, brilliant setter, alien expert and my favorite pet. He's quite nice to be around if you remember to feed his ego and give him your attention."
She turns back to Oikawa, not at all offended by her description of him and gives him a bright smile.
"This is Ryuzaki Miu, my classmate. She's a super good student."
"Really? How come you've become friends with Ame-chan? Do you know she's a thug? She got suspended once last year-"
Ame punches him in the arm and he whines at her rude manners.
"Don't listen to him, he's just joking," she laughs. "Now, should we go?"
They arrive at the convenience store, which looks empty at this hour. The vendor is currently just waiting for an hour before he can close the store.
"So, what do you need? Let's say we're your team mates right now so tell us what you want!"
"I have a list," Miu takes a wrinkly paper out of her pocket. "Maybe we should split it so it goes faster? I'm hoping to be home quick and cook something fast. Then I'll go to sleep."
"Alright," Ame nods. "We'll look for the food on top of the list then. Oikawa, you're taking the rest."
"Eh? Why am I the one who ends up alone?"
"We obviously won't let Miu-chan on her own when we're the ones who offered to help."
"You really don't have to, you know." The sick girl intervenes.
"Don't worry, it's fine," Ame assures her. "We don't have anything better to do, right Oikawa?"
"Yeah," he nods. "Since someone broke their bike, we're pretty much stuck."
"I told you my dad was going to fix it next weekend," Ame rolls her eyes. "And if you weren't so heavy it wouldn't have broken in the first place."
"Because now it's my fault you can't ride straight on the road. I was the passenger, not the driver," he reminds her.
"It's easy to get distracted when you're behind me." Especially when you're hugging my waist, but Ame doesn't say that out loud. She has learned over time that being too honest with Oikawa sometimes put her at a disadvantage. He wouldn't miss an opportunity to tease her.
"You're never sitting on my bike again," she says and crosses her arm on her chest like a child.
"I don't know if I want to know, but what actually happened?" Miu asks softly.
Oikawa smiles and Ame stucks her tongue at him.
"Ame-chan gave me a ride home the other day," he starts to explain. "We took the short cut, the one on the side of the mountain. She didn't pay attention and we almost fell in the bushes. Fortunately nobody was hurt, except for the bike. I wonder what distracted her so much," he casts Ame an innocent look.
She feels her cheeks turning pink and grabs her friend by the arm and spin on her heels.
"Let's find those groceries," she says quickly. "Oikawa, you're going the other way. See you later."
They leave the boy with Miu's list, and Ame disappears before he can embarass her any further.
Once the girls are alone, Ame lets go of her friend's arm. Being around Oikawa always means things are going to happen, and although that is something to look forward to, it is exhausting as well. She is comfortable around him, and she likes to spend time with him but he has that way of making her head spin which makes her lose her composure. An air of calmness much needed that she doesn't have in the first place.
"You two look cute together."
Ame sighs and tiptoes to grab a box on the top shelf, Miu's favorite snack apparently. Then she hands it to the shorter girl and shrugs.
"He's always playing like this, although we've known each other for a year now," she pauses, visibly pondering whether she should say it out loud or not. "But since we've been talking again, I thought some things would change," she laughs awkwardly. It soon dies down and she settles in a neutral expression.
Lately, their relationship that isn't really one hasn't made any headway. And to be honest, it bothers her. She just waits, and waits, because there's nothing else to do and they are good friends no matter what, but it's starting to feel draining. There is no problem with that, really, nothing is necessarily wrong, but something definitely itches. Maybe speaking her mind would help her see clear. She has been spacing out often lately, and whenever he's not around she feels incredibly down. One minute she's fine and the other it's all gloom.
"Nothing changed. I know I'm very lucky to be able to hang out with him, that he likes me as a friend," she continues more for herself than anything. "But you know sometimes you can't help wanting more, even if you'll probably never have it. After all you can't make someone share your feelings."
"What makes you say that?" Miu frowns. To her, despite his manners and playful act, Oikawa looks everything but not interested in Ame.
"He rejected me," she says softly. Not really like a complaint, no she already got over it, but more like a bitter statement. A resignation to a lost cause. "I know I said I would make him fall for me, but that's unlikely to work out. I'm too weird and loud and not smart enough, while he has everything. I feel like I can trust you with this, you know, my doubts and all, but I'll shut up now so you won't feel like you have to say anything. Sorry for whining, I'm ruining the mood."
"I've seen boys being indifferent towards girls that only wanted them to look their way," Miu ignores her last sentence, "and believe me when I say that Oikawa definitely likes you more than a friend. Whatever happened before, I'm sure you stand a chance with him."
Ame almost asks how Miu could say that when she's known him for less than half an hour, but the words die in her throat when she sees her friend make such a sad and bitter face. It only remains for half a second, but it is enough for Ame to ink the image in her mind. The ultimate look of defeat, when you know you've put everything you got into the game, when you thought you surpassed yourself only to find out the other team is out of your league and you never stood a chance since the beginning.
After that day, Ame would think of Miu as a beautiful sad girl, one that always seems to be lost in her ruined mind, and looking back it is probably what made her stick around stubbornly.
"Thank you," Ame pats the top of Miu's head. "I don't know what happened and I won't ask, but just so you know, I think you're a super strong and clever girl. And I'm happy to be with you today."
She emphases with a warm grin and Miu looks puzzled at first, then she smiles softly. She doesn't know why this girl, practically a stranger to her, is trying to sort of comfort her, but she is certain it is not some kind of manipulation. Kozuki just seems too honest for that. No, the girl just wants to... be friends with her. Without any hidden intention. This is strange. Miu is not used to that at all. But maybe it's alright. Maybe she can trust her. Maybe one day, she'll even consider Ame a loyal, invaluable friend. One with whom you cry and laugh and die together.
They head towards the checkout to find Oikawa waiting for them with everything Miu needed on her list, like the nice little legman he accepted to be.
"That was long," he glances at the girls. "I almost felt lonely. Is everything alright?"
They stare at each other and Ame finally says, "yeah. Let's pay and walk Miu-chan home."
"It's alright you know," the short girl protests. "I don't want to waste more of your time. Just go ahead and have fun."
"No," they answer at the same time.
"You look very tired. I don't feel like leaving you alone."
"True," Oikawa nods, "you look even paler than before. I'd feel guilty to let you faint on your way home."
"For once, I agree with the alien. Let's go, your appartment isn't too far from here, am I right?"
Miu finally yields and with her two new bodyguards, they walk out the store with handfulls of groceries.
Once they arrive in front of the building, Miu fishes out her keys and Oikawa holds the door for both girls before following suit.
In the elevator, they remain silent as a famous song, classical music, plays out.
"It'll be the first time a guy comes at my place," Miu states.
"Really?"
Ame stares at Oikawa like he just did something very dubious. He lifts his free hand in an innocent way.
"Don't look at me like that, I didn't do anything!"
She shakes her head and turns to Miu.
"If you don't want him to come in, he can wait outside," she tells her.
"Wait outside? What am I, a dog?"
"Well, hasn't anybody told you you can't force your way into a girl's house?"
"You're the one who brought me here," he whines.
"You're being pushy, Oikawa."
Ame shoots him a grin and he uses his free hand to poke her cheek. Miu snorts and glances at him, amused.
"That would be mean, especially after you helped to carry everything. You may come in if you want."
Oikawa nods.
Miu's appartment doesn't have a lot of furniture, but it is tidy and well kept for a place occupied by a teenager. She obviously is used to being on her own. They put their things in the kitchen and while Miu put the food in the fridge, the others wait in the living room.
The white walls give the room a luminous aspect and the whole appartment is incredibly calm, nothing like Ame's house where her parents and herself chat loudly. However, despite being peaceful, there's something missing in the room. There is nothing personnal here except for Miu's electronic devices, her school books and a few plants. There are no photos on the walls.
Ame notices the grey cat lying on the couch as if it was on heaven. She runs to it while Oikawa eyes her, amused, and she take it in her arms.
"His furs is so soft!" She strokes the little grey head. Then she hands it to Oikawa. "Do you want to take him?"
Oikawa stares at the cat and it stares back. He gets along with dogs just fine, but there is some bad blood between him and cats. It seems they are the only creatures in the world to hate Oikawa Toru, as if that is possible and he prefers to stay as far from them as he can.
"No thanks."
"Allergies?" Miu asks as she joins them.
"No, only a natural hatred."
"Oh come on," Ame chuckles, "you know saying that only makes me want to throw the cat at you."
Miu gasps but calms down when she realizes it's only a joke. Weird sense of humor.
"After an act of vandalism at Ishihara High School, the criminal known as Ame-chan strikes again with this time a cat assault towards a handsome young man," Oikawa pushes his glasses on his nose.
"Again with that joke? It's getting old you know Trashykawa."
"Who taught you that f-word?! That's not a pretty thing to say."
"Trashykawa. I told Iwaizumi he should get copyright on his well-thought insults, words of wisdom I reckon, but he nicely said everyone could use them as long as the situation is appropriate. Which is always the case with you, Crappykawa."
"There is a conspiracy against me."
"Indeed, there is."
As if it understands everything, the cat hisses at Oikawa and jumps down to disappear outside the room.
"Well then," Ame turns to Miu. "We'll go so you can rest."
"Are you sure? Don't you want a drink or something?"
Ame and Oikawa share a glance before he replies, "No thanks, we'll give you some peace."
"O-okay."
She walks them to the door and while Oikawa just winks, Ame pats her shoulder.
"Take care okay? You have my number so just call me if anything happens."
"Yes," Miu nods. "Thanks again for helping me, the two of you. I appreciate it."
"No problem," Ame smiles. "See you tomorrow."
They wave at her as the elevator closes and they can hear her door close as well with a muffled sound.
Ame crosses her arms on her chest and sighs. She shivers when Oikawa brushes the tip of his finger on her neck.
"Yes?"
"You're frowning Ame-chan. That doesn't suit you at all."
"Are you calling me ugly?" Her lips curve into a pout. "You really are shameless."
He smirks and lean towards her.
"I wouldn't dare."
He wraps his arm around her neck and before she can say anything, he takes a picture of their reflection in the mirror. Oikawa has always had that habit of taking photos of everything. Ame likes to call him a narcissist for that, he just says he wants to keep memories. In case the world ends and he is chosen to travel to flee to an exoplanet. A creepy pranoid nerd.
"What did you think of my friend?"
"Mmh?"
He stares at his phone, his arm still on her shoulder and Ame starts to get a sore neck from looking up.
"What do you think of Miu-chan?" She repeats.
Oikawa puts his phone away and finally looks at her.
"She seems lonely."
Ame nods. "I agree. She just transferred from Shiratorizawa, you see, and she doesn't speak to anyone in our class. I'm worried about her. I don't think anyone should stay alone."
"Wait, Shiratorizawa? She's from Ushiwaka's school." Then after a pause, "how come she was pushed back to your school?"
"Enough with your disdain, don't feel superior just because Aoba Josai is a private school," she flicks his forehead.
"Sorry," he chuckles.
"But I don't know why she left either. I didn't ask because she didn't look like she wanted to talk about it."
"Maybe she couldn't handle the pressure. After all it is an academy for the elite. All their students live on campus. After middle school they offered me a place there, but of course I refused. I chose Seijoh to be with Iwa-chan instead."
"Very touching," Ame grins. "What is it that your nemesis always says again? You should've come to Shiratori-"
"Oh shut up," Oikawa puts his hand on her mouth. It is large enough to cover her face, and Ame remembers it is the same fingers that have produced so many brilliant plays on the court. These calloused fingers that warm her whenever they touch her, touches that would burn her someday.
"Anyway," she takes his hand in her own and holds it tight, "I'm going to ask Miu-chan to join the volleyball club again. Even though she doesn't like sports, I don't want her to stay alone."
"That sounds quite harsh. You can't force her to come to practice. Maybe you should ask her to be your manager instead."
She blinks, then tightens his fingers in her own.
"That's a great idea! You know you can be smart sometimes Oikawa."
"Only sometimes?"
She chuckles and pats his chest with a smile.
"Thanks for humoring me today. You didn't have to follow me here, but you did it anyway. That was nice."
"I don't mind, if it's for you."
She chuckles again and steps closer to him, but a cough to the side interrupts them. An old lady is waiting to get in the elevator, and it seems like she's been waiting for a while. With an embarrassed laugh Ame mutters "sorry" and Oikawa follows her out the building.
"My sister texted me," Oikawa starts to pull the collar of his shirt. "My parents are busy, they won't come home tonight."
"Uh, okay?"
"Do you want to come over?"
Ame stops in her tracks and stares at him.
"You, you ask me to come to your house while your parents are away?" She stammers and her cheeks warm up. She immediatly understands what that implies, it's getting late and hell no, she is so not ready for this. Oikawa looks a little bit uneasy, waiting for her answer, which doesn't look like him at all, and it only embarrasses her further. She doesn't want to upset him but there's no way she can accept.
"I'm sorry but, damn this is so embarrassing, I can't! "
"Oh, why? Do you have something to do?"
"This, this is not the question here!" Ame is pretty sure she's as red as her school uniform now. Had she been wearing it at the moment, no one would have been able to tell the difference between her face and her jacket.
"Listen Oikawa," she tries to calm down and looks everywhere but at him, "I know we're close and all, but let's not rush it okay? I'm not ready for the moment. Maybe, later, like in a few weeks or months. Maybe next year? In a decade?"
She finally lifts her gaze and to her surprise Oikawa just has a blank face. It freaks her out even more. Why do these things only happen to me, she whines internally. She decides she'll just sprint if he keeps staring at her.
Then Oikawa laughs. A loud, horrible laugh, the kind of laugh that is just so ugly it makes you want to laugh as well. But Ame is too uncomfortable to do so. If this wasn't a critical moment, she would have recorded his laugh to use it as a meme. Or a ringtone. That would be ridiculously funny.
"What are you laughing at?"
"Sorry," Oikawa takes his breath. "I just wanted you to have dinner with my sister, her son and me," he finally says.
Ame's jaw nearly drops to the floor. She quickly turns around and buries her face in her hands.
"Someone just kill me already," she groans.
Oikawa laughs again, this time with a little more self control.
"Don't worry that was cute."
She turns back to glare at him.
"You did it on purpose!"
"I didn't. You can't blame anyone except yourself and your dirty mind. Although I'm glad to know you promised me a little something a decade from now."
"Oh shut up!"
She tries to punch him in the face but he catches her fist midway.
"Come on, you're adorable," he smirks.
"I'm not! I'm a badass!"
"Yeah, yeah, let's go cutie."
Ame scowls and intends to burn a hole in his head with her glare but he only chuckles and grabs her hand to walk to his home. Well, maybe their not-relationship doesn't stagnate as much as she first thought.
AN
I hope you enjoyed chapter sixteen. I know it's been like, three months, but hopefully you still remember this story. I'm crossing my fingers. To be honest I have been busy with school lately, and I've also been working on other fics, but I'll keep writing this one as well. Promised. This one just feels a little harder to write than the others. Probably because the characters are younger than me (not by much) and I've always written about characters that are older lol. Don't know if anyone feels the same. As always, thank you for reading, don't hesitate to leave reviews, you know a nice word always makes my day. Until then, take care.