I'm sorry I didn't post earlier but I was too much into an Ayakou mood to write Kijime... Also, i don't seem to get over my exhaustion and soemhow sick-bu-not-really state... "
Thank you for your support! Thank you to all who followed and favorited! :D
shadow-binder : I'm glad you like the story and Kiku! :D The story will be complete fluff~ (compared to Sowlmate)
pinkdoughnuts : Kiku's relationship to arhem, someone will be revealed later on. ;) People are usually uselessly cruel and Kiku is always the victim - but the more we'll learn about her, the stronger she'll appear! ;)
FanFictionAddiction4EVER : I really have to keep writing Asahi... T.T I hope I don't have Aoba Jousai's characters OOC... It's not easy writing about them because unlike Nekoma and Fukurodnai, we've almost only saw them on matches so it's different from their everyday behavior I suppose... Kiku is one of these poor people who never fit in and because no one goes to her, they don't realize how sweet she is... :)
Lili : I love writing Oikawa, he's such a complexe character - always balancing between joke/happy-go-lucky and terribly serious to the point of looking devilish (not in a trickster way even if I think that to some extent, Oikawa IS a bit of a trickster) all the while being so fragile... Kiku's past will be revealed little by little.
PaintCat : Glad I covered up Oikawa's lateness! :D Thts truly confusing this time (the time to warm-up + 2sets of a match...? That's AT LEAST an hour if not more?) absent from court? I'd be tempted to say he was with a girl but it's not his type to miss practice for a girl and especially a practice match with his Tobio-chan... Like I told Lili just above... I love writing Oikawa's character - so complex, he's a blessing for writers! He's orgasmic - not just because he is OIKAWA TOORU but because he is such an interesting and complex character! *O*
Guest : I'm glad the end of chapter 4 made you laugh! :3
Shy guest : I'm so happy you lie this story - and I hope Hajime isn't OOC!
Cinnamonroll-chan : The cuteness is a nice change from Sowlmate's angst, uh? x) I hope you'll like it as it goes on ! ;)
rheascarlet : Yep. I wrote From Evening to Dawn (which I should finish as well...) and Sowlmate! :) And once I'm done with whivecer of these three is done, I'll write another story (Kuroo) and probably one for Oikawa - if I manage to find a proper idea because I have like three different ideas of OC but I can't settle down my mind...
deadlywhisper21: I'm really happy you like my story but your review kind of rubbed me in the wrong way - even if I understand that you meant no harm and that it was constructive - and I'm all for constructive reviews. I'll answer to you in the most polite way I can, though. You wrote that Kiku was way too shy and that it was overboard with her going to see a psychitrist, right? You said I had to make her a little "normal" but there is nothing anormal in being shy or mentally ill. She's as human, as normal, as anyone else. Being shy isn't a disease, seeing a psychiatrist isn't a bad thing - it's just stygmatized things in our society which make people like Kiku (and like me and many more readers, I believe) feel like victims, guilty just for BEING. That's why I'm writing a character who is "overboard", who is "way too shy" and "also sees a psychiatrist". Because I want to show people, through my writing, that no matter how shy or mentally ill they are, they are human and beautiful and they deserve love and respect - from classmates, teachers, neighbors, friends, lovers, everyone. I hope my answer didn't anger you but I am speaking honestly. :)
Anon : (when I read your pseudo I couldn't help but think about the "Francis! Francis! -Anon, anon, sir!" from Shakespeare's Henry IV part I! XD) Anyway. My love for Shakespeare shone again. Anywaaaay... um... I completley forgot what I wanted to add? Except that I thank you very much for your review! It made me very happy! :D
FANFICTION
HAIKYUU! : QUIET WORDS
CHAPTER VII : Feeling Bold
"It is truly beautiful how pure and compassionate you realize some people are when they open up to you like a book begged to be read.
It is truly beautiful how they are so vulnerable to love when they stop holding it all back."
— Soumya Goswami
"Love, like Fortune, favours the bold."
― E.A. Bucchianeri, Brushstrokes of a Gadfly
The next day, Iwaizumi entered the classroom and saw Kiku looking for something in her desk and her bag, looking a little bothered and panicked.
"Good morning," he said when he arrived.
She startled and glanced up at him, flushing lightly.
"G-good m-morning," she answered before continuing to look into her desk.
"Are you looking for something?" He asked curiously, trying to keep down his heart from beating too excitedly because he was talking with his crush.
We're just talking, damn it, calm the fuck down, little drum… He thought to himself, trying hard not to blush.
"M-my uh… organizer… I-I can't find it anymore…" Kiku answered, finally sitting down at her chair with a little pout.
Hajime blinked before realizing that he had her organizer. He cursed himself for not thinking about it before and started looking through his bag. It attracted the girl's attention who glanced at him as he pulled out the little organizer.
"I… uh, found it at the library, I'm sorry I had forgotten about it until now…" He explained sheepishly.
Kiku's eyes widened lightly until she turned on her chair to face him. She approached her hands to take the organizer. Her fingers brushed Hajime's and he blushed terribly at the electricity that shot through his arm.
"Thank you…" She said with a soft smile.
His heart missed a beat and he tried to say "you're welcome" but it sounded closer to a pathetic "yor wellabubuh…". She didn't seem to mind his low, grumbling stammer and opened her organizer, looking relieved. But the moment she read what she had written, she lost her smile and glanced at the young man next to her who was still trying to say something.
"D-did you… um… r-read it?" She asked in a low voice.
"Ah, u-uh, no!" He answered before feeling guilty at the relief he saw in her eyes.
He glanced around nervously before rubbing the back of his neck, his hand going all the way into his hair to shake them, like every time he did when he felt bothered by something.
"Uuh… actually… I did… I-I'm sorry…" He said, not bearing to lie to the girl.
She glanced at him once again, looking stunned but he couldn't tell if it was because he had initially lied, because he had read her organizer or because he had admitted the truth?
"O-oh…" She said, sounding somewhat disappointed before turning her head away and closing her organizer.
Hajime hesitated, not knowing what to say or add. He felt guilty for not being honest from the beginning, and even worse, not having the courage to tell the girl that Oikawa had also read it. He didn't dare open his mouth again.
Kiku glanced at him several times, a little nervous and surprised that he wasn't asking any question concerning what he had read. Observing him from the corner of her eyes, she noticed his slight nervousness – it expressed with his hand constantly ruffling his hair, his crouched position and the 'tch' coming out of his lips every once in a while. Sensing a gaze, he glanced at her but she looked away so quickly he didn't see her looking at him. He looked guilty for lying to her. He hadn't meant to look into her privacy and he wasn't asking her any question and for the moment, there wasn't any other rumor about her. No word that had been written in her organizer had spread yet.
Deciding that Iwaizumi Hajime didn't seem to have any grudge against her and didn't seem like someone who would give free pain, Kiku opened her lips once again. Her little intake of breath to speak up attracted the young man's attention but before a sound could escape her lips, the teacher entered and the class started. Disappointed at her own indecision and inability to speak up, Kiku lowered her head in shame.
Hajime glanced at her several times, a little worried, but he didn't dare bother her. He was starting to be able to focus on the lesson when a little paper appeared at the corner of his desk. His eyes widened and he glanced at Kiku who tapped the table with her finger, cheeks flushed. Hajime's heart missed a beat but he quickly recovered, excitement making him almost jump off his chair when he reached for the paper to read what she had written for him.
Yesterday, you played very well.
He stared at the words for a moment, reading the words again and again until it was printed in his mind. He was aware of Kiku glancing at him several times to wait for his reaction. He was dumbfounded, he hadn't expected the girl to watch the match – and now he felt a little ashamed because they had lost…
He quickly glanced up at the teacher, then ripped a page off his notebook when he wasn't looking, cursing the loud sound it made but it didn't attract anyone's attention. He wrote a quick message then passed it to Kiku who read it eagerly.
You watched the match? I didn't notice you, sorry. We weren't at our best without Oikawa, sorry for the pitiful show.
It made Hajime smile to himself and he quickly hid his smile behind his hand but his eyes were sparkling just to see her so joyful. Just to exchange little messages written on a paper. The impatience to read her answer, to give her one of his own, all mixed with his feelings and the excitation of being caught… it made both Kiku and Hajime giddy.
The paper came back to him and he grinned when he read the message she had written.
It was a nice change to see the team without Oikawa-san, it was more interesting. And I think you all played very well. I liked watching this match.
It must be the first time someone even said that a match had been more interesting without Oikawa.
Not knowing what to add, Hajime wrote a simple "Thank you" and handed the paper to the girl. He hadn't expected any answer but it came anyway.
You're welcome. When will you have free time to study on the History paper? I have club everyday after school…
Hajime wondered when he'd have time – he had practice as well. The only time he could think of was the weekend but he couldn't really tell her that, right? It'd seem… weird to invite her somewhere on a weekend.
But it's only to study. There's nothing wrong in that, right? He thought to himself.
Feeling bold, he wrote down his answer and gave it to the girl, watching carefully her reaction.
This Saturday at 2pm at the library next to the train station?
Kiku's hair hid her expression but Hajime was pretty sure she seemed happy and impatient. He was still eager to read her answer and almost hopped off his chair in joy when he read it.
Yes
Kiku and Hajime exchanged a look and a smile before focusing on the class – or rather, pretending to focus because their minds and hearts were a thousand miles away from this classroom.
Later this day, Iwaizumi opened the changing-room's door while whistling happily, making the first and third years who arrived blink in disbelief.
"Is Iwaizumi-san whistling and smiling?" Kindaichi asked hesitantly Kunimi when they entered the changing-room.
"He is…" He answered, just as dumbfounded to see their senpai usually more of the grumbling and scowling type looking so happy.
"Iwa-chan~!" Oikawa called, quickly joining his friend's side, "You look terribly happy~ Did something good happen in particular?" He asked curiously.
"Mmm, not really? I'm just feeling in a good mood," he answered with a shrug, "Ah, by the way, this week-end, I won't be able to go with you at the mall like we had planned."
"Uh? It's rare of you to cancel plans… Do you have something else planned?" Tooru asked, a little stunned by the sudden change of plans.
"Mm, I have to study for the History paper with Ki– I mean, Akiyama-san." He answered with a nod.
"AH~! A date~!" Oikawa exclaimed, clapping his hands in happiness.
"No! It's to study!"
"A study date, then~!"
"Not a date! Just… studying!" Iwaizumi exclaimed, blushing more than he intended.
"Iwaizumi-san has a date?" Yahaba asked from the other side of the changing-room.
"No I don't!"
"So lucky…" Kindaichi whispered.
"I'm telling you, I don't have a date!"
"But you wish it were one, right?" Hanamaki asked.
"Yes– I mean! No! Damn you all!" Iwaizumi exclaimed, ruffling his hair annoyingly.
The team chuckled and snorted at his embarrassed reactions.
When the weekend arrived, Iwaizumi was bothered in the middle of the morning, by the sudden presence of his neighbor and best friend who entered Hajime's bedroom as if he owned the place.
"Oi, knock before entering," he grumbled, turning around on his chair while Tooru sat on his bed.
"It'd make me waste time! And it's not like we're not used to go into each other's places. Unless you have things to hide from me, Iwa-chan?" Oikawa asked with a wink.
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"I still don't know where you hide your porn, it's annoying," he muttered thoughtfully.
"You don't need to find it."
"OH! So you do have some!" He exclaimed cheerfully.
Growling, Hajime hid his embarrassment by turning around and continuing to scroll down the web page he was reading.
"So~ Iwa-chan~" Oikawa continued, standing up and looking around the bedroom to find if there was something different than usual – unfortunately, not, "What are you planning to wear this afternoon?"
Confused, Hajime frowned and spun his chair once again to look at his mischievous looking friend. The Ace simply shrugged and showed the outfit he was currently wearing. It didn't seem like much of a deal for him but Tooru turned pale and held his chest dramatically.
"You cannot be serious! You cannot go on your study-date with Kiku-chan, wearing this… this…! Whatever that is!"
"For the thousandth time, it's not a date. And who cares what I wear?" Hajime continued with a shrug.
"Kiku-chan does!" Oikawa exclaimed cheerfully.
Hajime preferred not answering while the Captain was already moving towards the young man's drawers. Opening it all and starting to look for whatever he'd deem suitable for a study-date.
"Don't make a mess, I cleaned this morning," Hajime scolded when he saw his clothes starting to look like messy balls of fabric rather than clothes, hanging a little bit everywhere.
"Don't you have anything a little more colorful? Something that wouldn't make you look like an angry and injured soldier?"
"I don't have anything else, and I don't look like an angry and injured soldier."
But Tooru ignored him and opened another drawer, chuckling when he pulled out one of Hajime's boxers. He showed it to him with a huge grin, making the Ace blush in embarrassment.
"Don't pull my underwear like that!" He exclaimed, grabbing one of his favorite boxers and folding it once again.
"Interesting choice," Tooru commented with a teasing grin.
"It was a gift from my cousin!" He exclaimed, putting the godzilla boxer back in its drawer.
"You do know that the godzilla is right in front of the boxer and that in case of a little, um… heat~, it'd look like the gozilla is your–"
"If you finish your sentence, you're dead."
Instead of finishing the sentence, Oikawa tried to take another boxer to have a closer look. Hajime pushed close the drawer, almost cutting off the setter's fingers who startled. He glanced at his friend but Hajime was glaring.
"S-sorry, Iwa-chan?" Tooru hesitated.
The only answer he received was an annoyed huff while Hajime gathered his clothes and tried to fold and put some order back in his drawers. But as soon as he'd have a part folded, Tooru would take a shirt or something to have a look before grunting and having Hajime folding all over again.
"Are you done soon?" Hajime grumbled when he took another shirt that had gone into the 'angry and injured soldier' pile like every other clothe.
"The best you'll have today will be that," Oikawa said, showing the chosen outfit.
It was simple, and still in Hajime's style (he was glad Oikawa had not decided to give him some clothes for the day, he would have died) but he felt incredibly annoyed that Tooru would come in and decide for him.
"Wear that and Kiku-chan will… well, not fall into your arms because it looks awful for a date, but at least, you won't look quite as murderous or rebellious as you usually do."
"The only reason why I look murderous is because I have to handle you every single day…" Hajime grumbled.
"Iwa-chan! Just wear the clothes I have chosen for you!" Tooru exclaimed vehemently.
"Uuurh… all right… but at one condition!" Iwaizumi exclaimed, suddenly stricken by an idea.
It made his friend blink and tilt his head on a side. Hajime grinned, knowing he had Tooru trapped – or rather, willing to bend to his little condition.
A few hours later, dressed in the clothes Oikawa had chosen for him, Hajime waited in front of the train station, as planned, for Kiku to arrive. He couldn't help but glance at his outfit, wondering for the thousandth time already if he looked casual enough all the while cursing himself for thinking about something so petty. He wasn't Oikawa, he didn't care how he looked.
"S-sorry, I-I'm late!"
He turned around and his heart stopped. There was Akiyama Kiku and for the first time since knowing her, she wasn't wearing her uniform. And she was just as casually dressed as he was – which was a relief, neither of them was overdressed or had misinterpreted this non-date-study-date. She was wearing black pants and a green shirt with a light brown jacket.
"It's all right, I just arrived," he said with a smile.
They stood around each other awkwardly before he showed her the way to the library. She nodded hesitantly before going ahead, Hajime following her a few steps behind. He couldn't help but look at her figure from head to toe, his eyes lingering on her behind. He felt stupid but her pants was just tight enough to show her curves and it drove him mad. He blushed and focused on the back of the girl's head.
"Is he staring at her ass?" Hanamaki whispered to Oikawa and Matsukawa, all three hidden behind a light post – not hidden at all actually, especially not discreet with their black glasses that were supposedly making them look 'incognito'.
"She does have a nice ass though, can't blame him for that," Matsukawa answered before holding back a scream when both Makki and Oikawa elbowed him.
"For now, everything is going smoothly…" The setter murmured with a smile.
"Remind me how you convinced us to follow them on their non-date?" Hanamaki asked as they started following the couple in the library.
"To make sure Iwa-chan doesn't blow his chances right away! This date is a golden opportunity for them!"
"I thought it wasn't a date?" Mattsun asked.
"Also, they have a lot of golden opportunities – according to you," Makki added.
"Shhh!" Oikawa exclaimed when they entered the library.
They had lost the couple from their view but quickly found them, sitting at a table and taking notes from books. It quickly became boring though, watching them when nothing happening.
"Can we leave now?" Hanamaki asked, trying to have as many books as possible balanced on his head.
"No," Oikawa answered.
"Can we leave now?" Matsukawa asked, adding another book on the top of his friend's head.
"No."
"… Can we–"
"No. Ah!"
Hanamaki and Matsukawa immediately pulled away the pile of books and ran to Oikawa's sides to watch what was happening. Kiku had just gotten up and was walking towards some shelves to find another book.
"I am seriously getting bored. Nothing is going to happen, let's just go…" Hanamaki sighed.
"Ah, she can't reach the book," Oikawa remarked, ignoring his friend's request.
Kiku was jumping up to try to reach the book. Hajime seemed to notice it as well because he suddenly stood up. Before he could take a step towards the girl though, Kiku just decided to climb on the shelves, making sure not to step or damage any books. She grabbed the one she wanted and fell back on the ground, making sure it was the right one before walking back to a stunned, but proud looking Hajime who sat back at his chair.
"In conclusion, Iwaizumi has a crush on a rabbit. Can we leave now?" Matsukawa asked.
Oikawa whipped around, glaring at his friends.
"How old are you really?! I'm trying to ensure my friend's happiness! If you want to leave so badly, then go!"
"If we leave you alone, you're going to provoke drama," Makki answered seriously.
"Tch."
Oikawa shook his hair then leaned forward, still hidden behind his shelf, to look at the two. He froze and blinked when he only saw Kiku.
"Where is Iwa-chan?"
Before the other two could lean to check as well, a sudden threatening aura appeared behind the three. They startled and slowly turned around, seeing a murderous Iwaizumi standing there, with his arms crossed over his chest, fire surrounding him. Without a word, he gave a harsh nod towards the exit and they perfectly understood the message.
"W-we're leaving…" Oikawa agreed with a quick nod.
He went away, followed closely by Hanamaki and Matsukawa. They did not try to enter the library again.
Iwaizumi sighed and went back to sit in front of Akiyama who glanced at him quickly before continuing to take her notes. Almost immediately, he received a message on his phone and he scowled at the message Oikawa had sent him.
Invite her to eat an ice-cream when you're done!
"I-is there something wrong?"
Hajime glanced up at Kiku who had noticed the way he had clenched his teeth and phone angrily.
"N-nothing…" He answered, putting his phone in his bag.
"… Was it… Oikawa-san…?" She asked hesitantly.
"H-how…?" He hesitated, blinking in disbelief.
A light smile appeared quickly on her face as she put down her pencil.
"You really look annoyed when… he does something… Oikawa-ish… You just… looked annoyed right now. I… I concluded Oikawa-san had just sent you a message…" She answered sheepishly.
Hajime stared at her, lips falling open. He couldn't believe she knew him well enough to figure out Oikawa had just sent him a message. Moreover, he couldn't believe she had just invented a new word 'Oikawa-ish'. It was perfect for all the silly and childish things his Captain always did.
Silence went on longer then, finally, he snorted. He quickly hid his smile and laugh, trying not to be too loud in the library.
"O-Oikawa-ish… I love it…" He chuckled, laughing as lowly as possible.
Kiku seemed glad to see him smile and relaxed and she spoke up again:
"H-how long have you… been friend with… Oikawa-san?" She asked curiously.
Hajime stopped chuckling and his smile wavered a little. Once again, he wondered if she was one of his friend's fan to always talk about him. Not always, but she seemed to notice Oikawa. It wouldn't be the first time Hajime would have a crush on a girl who only saw Oikawa, though…
"Erh… we've been friends… since forever? We're neighbors, we almost grew up together." He answered with a tight smile.
Kiku smiled more and leaned forward, as if sharing a secret:
"I-I've read that a friendship that… lasts for more than seven years, will last a lifetime. You'll spend a lifetime with Oikawa-san as friend… a lifetime of Oikawa-ish things…"
"I'm doomed then?" He joked with a huge smile to see her smiling.
She chuckled and nodded vividly, trying to remain discreet. Hajime cursed this library that forced them to be silent – he wanted to hear her laugh fully. Her real laugh, not a little chuckle hidden behind a hand and a book.
She's actually very funny.
Hajime glanced at all the notes they had gathered, knowing they had all the material necessary for their History paper. He thought back on Oikawa's Oikawa-ish message from earlier and, once again feeling really bold, he spoke up once again:
"Do you… uh… wanna go eat an ice-cream… or something?" He asked, flushing terribly.
Would it make this non-date-study-date an actual date? Or just a study-date? Or… whatever this day was?
Kiku glanced up at him, eyes wide, as if she couldn't believe what he was saying. Then, she glanced down, looking a little unease.
"I-I can't…" She murmured, fumbling with her necklace.
"Oh…"
Hajime tried hard not to feel disappointed but just as he was about to call it done for the day, she glanced up once again, attracting his green eyes at once.
"B-but… I-I'd love to d-drink something… I-if you d-don't mind… U-unless you want something to eat… b-but… um…"
Seeing her struggling, embarrassed to propose a drink, Hajime grinned, strangely happy and relieved to spend more time with her.
"A drink… would be great…" He said with a side smile.
She smiled at him and quietly, they put their notebooks and pencils back in their bags and put the books back in their shelves. Kiku was struggling to reach one but Hajime just walked behind her and took the book gently with a hand on her shoulder, putting it back on its shelf before they exited the library with little smiles.
"I think I'm going to cry…" Oikawa murmured when they watched from afar the sweet and quiet exchanges between the two.
"He just touched her shoulder, they're not married yet, no need to cry," Hanamaki teased with a snort.
"But! Iwa-chan is…! He is being nice and gentle to a girl he has a crush on…!"
"They're going towards the park, should we follow them?" Matsukawa asked, already taking a step after the couple.
Oikawa was staring at the two but when he noticed the soft gaze and tender smile on Hajime's face while looking at Kiku…
"…No, I think they can handle the rest of the day on their own…" He decided, staring at them disappearing from view.
Surprised, his teammates blinked at what he had just said.
"Are you sure? I thought you wanted to ensure your 'best friend's happiness'?" Hanamaki asked.
"He doesn't need my help for that…" Oikawa said with a smile and closed eyes, "Now let's go! I want some ice-cream!" He exclaimed cheerfully, turning around while his two friends sighed but followed anyway.
Hajime and Kiku decided to go into a nearby park, taking drinks from a vending-machine and walking in silence alongside a little lake, on a path where some people were walking by. Some were families, some were couples and some others just were walking their dogs around. A child ran past them and tripped but before Hajime even had time to acknowledge what was happening, Kiku had run to the child and leaned down.
"Are you all right?" She asked the little boy who was already standing up.
"Yes! Thank you, onee-chan!" He exclaimed cheerfully before running off once again.
Kiku smiled and stood up, joined by Hajime who was observing her from the corner of his eye. They had spent only a few hours together, outside of school, and yet, he felt as if he had met a completely different person. Outside school, Kiku wasn't quite as shy and closed-off, she was barely stammering anymore while talking to him. She had made jokes. They now had jokes only the two of them could understand. She had showed how observant she was, how thoughtful of others she could be. How kind she always was. Hajime was glad he had gotten to see these new sides of Kiku – joking, pleasant, just being herself… It was slow, but she was surely opening to him and for once, even if he was still panicked at the idea of crushing on her, he didn't mind it.
There was no way the rumors about Kiku were true. Hajime was now sure that whatever reason had driven everyone to think she was some sort of psychopath that went to the hospital for psychological treatment or whatever stupid rumors were going around – that was all they were. Rumors. Nothing else. Kiku was the kindest, warmest soul he had ever met.
They walked for a little while longer until, sensing his gaze on her for a while now, Kiku glanced back at Hajime. She took a deep breath before speaking up:
"My aunt."
"Uh?" He hesitated, not knowing if he had spaced out or something from the sudden change of subject.
"My aunt… works at the hospital some days of the week…" She continued, pulling some hair behind her ear nervously, "I-I am very close to… my aunt and uncle, s-so I always go to the hospital and have dinner with the two of them afterwards… If I only write my aunt's name, I get confused as to where I have to go, whether the hospital or the house… That's why… it's written everywhere in my organizer…"
Hajime stopped, feeling so incredibly stupid. Of course it'd haunt Kiku's mind – he had read her organizer, seeing written everywhere 'hospital' while rumors that she was being insane were running around in the halls. Of course she wouldn't want him to think her some madwoman.
"You… never asked a question about what you had read a-and… I'm grateful for that but…" Kiku hesitated, not quite knowing why she'd talk about that.
"S-so… you're not… sick?" Hajime asked hesitantly.
Kiku smiled, shaking her head.
"Unless shyness is a disease, I'm not physically sick," she answered happily.
He sighed in relief. He had started thinking that perhaps she was going to the hospital for a completely different reason than psychological treatment – he had been a little scared that the girl he was crushing on might be really sick or something. But she was all right, she was healthy.
"Thank goodness…" He sighed before catching himself and lifting up his hands, "I-I mean! I-I didn't think you were mad or anything! I knew you weren't! B-but… I was worried… after reading 'hospital' so many times…" He explained sheepishly.
Kiku smiled and once they were both relieved that the little misunderstanding that had been nagging on their minds was gone, they finished their walk around the little lake then Hajime walked her to the train station. It had been a good day and they both walked back home with smiles on their faces.
We learn a little more about Kiku adn she starts to open up! :)
Next chapter: Beautiful Eyes
Yours Truly,
May