I apologize for not posting the chapter earlier but a hell lot of things happened in the same time: I moved out to another place and then, there was no more niternet until well, yesterday; I got sick so badly I couldn't move for a week and then, I am currently screaming about my finals.
Thank you so much for your constant support, it gives me wings! :D Thank you for following and favoriting - it's crazy, only 11 chapters but already so many of you have favorited, followed and reviewed...! I could never thank you enough! :D
Yunrii : Nothing makes me happier but knowing my chapters make someone smile~ :3 I only wrote the prologue of the Oikawa fanfic so far - but I'm preparing something pretty cool, ifnot the best fanfic, a good one! ;)
trouvaille : I had promised fluff for this fanfic, after all. Compared to Sowlmate, with Kijime, we're drowning in absolute fluff! x)
: Your review made me laugh so much! :D Thank you for reviewing so passionately! :D Iwaicutie is just the best~
rheascarlet : Everyone dealing with Kijime hears wedding bells because they're so fluffy constantly. I PROMISE I'LL WRITE KUROO'S STORY NEXT! I'll try finishing Asahi's one during the Christmas holiday to start Kuroo! I'm really impatient to write about Ayaka and Bokuto's appritions in this fanfic! ;)
darkpercy5 : I am continuing, I am~ Thank you! :D
pinkdoughnuts : Ayakou needs 68 chapters to kiss. Kijime ALMOST kissed at 10 chapters. But the record is held by Oikawa's story - first kiss in the prologue. XD
Viet Devil : THERE IS NOTHING BETTER THAN STRONG TOUGH MUSUCLAR AND POWER DEITIES LIKE IWA-CHAN BEING ADORABLE CUTIES WHO BLUSH AND STAMMER AND ARE SO AWKWARD AROUDN THEIR CRUSHES! THEY'RE THE ABSOLTE BEST! And yes~ definitely bonding and friendship between Kiku and Oikawa + team - I think it's starting next chapter or the following?
Angelgirl236 : Ayakou definitely needs a good lesson from Kijime about a healthy relationship with no heartbreak.
Shy guest : I should probably add more of Kiku's insight and feelings - it's so focused on Iwa-chan we still didn't have a proper insight on Kiku's feeligns - even if it's obvious. Well, Iwaizumi IS an athlete - he needs LOTS of food and I've always imagined him with a sweet tooth (one of m friend says he'd be more into salty stuff but I disagree). The poor dying pterodactyls on fire... We don't know what she told him through the window - someday, they'll probably talk about it (if I remember to write this moment).
Houshikun001 : I hope you have a good dentist then! XD Thank you to YOU for your lovely review~
Cooliceprincess : Their romance IS progressing fast, but they're not together yet. ;) One of the ebst thing from Haikyuu is Oikawa and Iwaizumi's friendship.
CommandoGirl1127 : Aaaaw~ Thank yoooou~ Concerning the comparison between Ayakou and Kijime, I'll say to you what I wrote above: Ayakou needs 68 chapters to kiss. Kijime ALMOST kissed at 10 chapters. But the record is held by Oikawa's story - first kiss in the prologue. Let me LOL once again! XD
Lili : Not all of her classmates are terrible, some weere just too afraid to act~ ;) I don't think anyone wouldn't ship them - even their families will give their blessings (for the most part) without thinking twice.
LuxKlara: I feel like for a lot of people this fanfic is some sort of medicine pill because of Sowlmate! XD The girl Kiku was talking to previously willl reappear and we'll have the revelation of the link between Kiku and the coachES later (but soon).
bloodplus103 : Like I said before - this fanfic is a medciine pill for the ones who read Sowlmates! XD Sorry for the grammatical mistakes, I'm trying my bst but as long as it is understood, I guess it's fine... ^^"
xOphiuchusx: SO sorry I couldn't post ealeir! But here it is! :D
tripmisses : I want their relationship to evolve steadily but too fast either. Just no drama to ruin things or anything. Just fluff. And more fluff wrapped up in fluff. I have to admit that I have NO IDEA why you posted another review saying simply "kijime babies!" but I agree? I HAVE found the names for the future Kijime babiees... x) (it's one of the first step when I create OCs - how many babies and what names will they have?)
Sheryllovie98: Cute and fluffy are the main words of this story - it'll get a bit more spicy with a bit of 'hot' later on, but LATER LATER ON! x) (I ahve to keep things interesting, right? :D)
Anonymous : Thanks for your encourgaments! More cuteness will arrive in like, every chapter...
Tamani : I'm adding little bits about Kiku here and there but I'll have to wrtie a chapter with a long-ass explanations and flashhbacks and stuff at some ponit... Hinata is short for a boy but I think he IS taller than Yachi (and Noya). It's still... at least that! XD But yeah, he'd be pleased to be taller than Kiku. I CAN'T WAIT TO INTRODUCE KYOUTANI IF YOU KNOW! LLIKE KIKU BEING SLIGHTLY FRIGHTENED BY HIM AT FIRST AND KYOUTANI BEING HIS USUAL SELF BUT THEN HAJIME ARRIVES AND HE IS LIKE OH YOU MET MY GIRLFRIEND THIS IS AKIYAMA KIKU AND BLAH BLAHH BLAH AND THEN KYOUTANI BECOMES N°1 SHIPPER AND HE EVEN BEATS OIKAWA AND US ALL AND THEN HE JUST PROTECTS KIKU BECAUSE SHE'S THE PRECIOUS GIRLFRIEND OF THE ONLY MAN HE RESPECTS ON THIS DAMN WOLFY TEAM. Sorry... I got a bit excited... XD
FANFICTION
HAIKYUU! : QUIET VOICE
CHAPTER XI : Quiet Jealousy
"I can't think of a better way to revenge someone who tried to break you, than to live and love life more without them."
— Innocent Mwatsikesimbe, Live & Remember
"Welcome to the wonderful world of jealousy, he thought. For the price of admission, you get a splitting headache, a nearly irresistable urge to commit murder, and an inferiority complex. Yippee."
― J.R. Ward, Dark Lover
"What? Just because I can't have you right now, doesn't mean I'm okay with him having you."
― Cora Carmack, Losing It
"Jealousy isn't a pleasant quality, but if it isn't overdone (and if it's combined with modesty), apart from its inconvenience there's even something touching about it."
― Milan Kundera, Laughable Loves
"Iwaizumi!"
The Ace startled when Coach Irihata suddenly called him. His teammates all stopped as well and everyone glanced at the coach sitting on his usual bench, frowning lightly and arms crossed over his chest, Mizoguchi just behind him.
"Here it comes…" Hanamaki murmured to his friends with a smirk.
"I think I know who will actually eat our jersey," Matsukawa added, glancing at Iwaizumi who totally ignored him and calmly approached the coach.
"Yes, coach?" He asked, stopping in front of the man.
It was rare of the coach to wear such a disapproval look upon his face – and most of the times it was against the silliness of the other third-years, not Iwaizumi.
"I've heard you skipped class almost all day with a classmate. Is this true?" Irihata asked with a voice way too calm to be reassuring.
Iwaizumi hesitated. He knew his and Kiku's absence wouldn't go unnoticed, he had just hoped that his coach didn't care enough to bring it up – usually when someone skipped class or practice, it wasn't mentioned again. Irihata and Mizoguchi followed the "it'll pay you back later" method – which was usually proved right.
Deciding to bet on honesty, Hajime squared lightly his shoulders and nodded.
"Yes, I have." He admitted.
He hadn't expected Irihata to yell at him – it wasn't his head coach's style, it was Mizoguchi's. But Iwaizumi was still surprised when the head coach sighed deeply, closing his eyes before looking back at him.
"Look, I don't usually care about what you guys do outside of the volleyball club. I don't concern myself with your scholar results either, as long as you don't have supplementary classes that would have consequences on your practices. But don't drag other students if you skip class."
Iwaizumi hesitated once again, stunned by this strange scolding. It was as if Irihata wasn't irritated by the skipping class in itself – but the involvement of Kiku. So far, Irihata hadn't cared about his players' love lives so why would he care about Iwaizumi's? Not that the coach knew it was actually 'love'. Or Kiku, or Hajime himself – no one really thought about it as 'love' (yet). The only time girls were mentioned by Irihata was when the trouble coming from Oikawa's fans kept interrupting practices or stopping him before matches.
"As long as you don't skip class again with Akiyama-san, I'm fine." Irihata concluded with a sigh.
Hajime took it as a dismiss and he actually started turning around before changing his mind and looking back at Coach Irihata.
"With all due respect, sir… If I feel like skipping class again with Akiyama-san, I will. If I consider it necessary, of course." He said boldly.
His teammates who had been eavesdropping gasped at the unusual boldness of their Ace with their Coaches – he usually obeyed them without trouble. As for Mizoguchi and Irihata – definitely not used to Iwaizumi of all people being so… blunt with them – opened wide eyes and it took them a moment to find an answer.
"O-oi, don't go and say stuff like that, Iwaizumi!" Mizoguchi started, frowning, "Skipping class is forbidden and therefore, you should be–"
He was stopped by Irihata who lifted up his hand, frowning once again at Iwaizumi, but this time, for some reason, the Ace didn't feel like the coach was frowning at him.
"Why do you say that? 'Necessary'? Why did you skip class exactly?" Irihata asked with a tense voice.
Surprised, Hajime blinked before answering, trying to keep his voice from wavering – not because he'd hesitate in saying the truth about the bullying, but because it was just too surprising to see his coach reacting in such a way.
"Um… Akiyama-san was bullied… She didn't want to go back to class and I… didn't want to leave her alone…"
"Kiku-chan was bullied?" Mizoguchi repeated with wide eyes.
Shocked that his second coach would be so familiar about the girl, Iwaizumi threw him a confused look. Before he could form a thought about it, though, Irihata continued looking even more irritated than before:
"Why didn't you just tell the teacher about the bullying to settle this story correctly? Instead of running away and skipping class the way you did?"
"Ah, b-because, uh…"
Hajime rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly.
Because other than the fact that Kiku couldn't possibly face them, I actually treated these bullies with the same respect they did Kiku and I would have been punished as well and in this case, I wouldn't be able to help her out? Because it'd probably give a bad reputation to Kiku even more? Because bullies aren't scared of teachers and it'd make things worse?
"Uuh…" He hesitated, now cursing himself for saying anything about the bullies.
Seeing him struggle, Oikawa finally reacted – he stopped watching in amusement and suddenly appeared beside him, putting a hand on his shoulder.
"Coach! With all due respect, Iwa-chan only acted to make sure Kiku-chan was all right! She was very troubled and needed to get away from the school grounds so he helped her get some fresh air. Of course… Kiku-chan or Iwa-chan both should have gone and tell the teacher about the bullies… but someone did, so in the end, everything is fine, right? Kiku-chan felt better with the help of Iwa-chan and the bullies will be punished for their actions."
Irihata stared for a long moment at the Captain, knowing damn well that behind this polite smile and sweet words lied a hidden truth. A truth only known by the teenagers apparently.
"…I suppose that yes, everything is all right now. But next time something like that happens, tell the teachers instead of skipping class." Irihata said with a hard voice.
"I doubt it'll happen ever again. No need to worry, coach!" Oikawa chirped positively.
"Back to practice if it's settled then," Mizoguchi ordered, waving them off and sending a glare at the rest of the team that had been watching the whole show.
As soon as Iwaizumi and Oikawa were out of earshot, the Ace leaned towards his friend, speaking so the coaches wouldn't hear:
"Oi, is this true someone told the teachers? Did you?" He asked darkly.
"How do you think Coach Irihata heard about it otherwise?" Oikawa shrugged before continuing calmly, "But no, I'm not the one who talked about it."
"Then who did?"
"If my source is exact, it's Shi-chan who did~" Oikawa answered.
"Shi… who?" Iwaizumi asked, frowning lightly.
"Yukimura Shinobu," Tooru sighed.
Shocked once again, Hajime blinked. He had been surprised that Yukimura would actually think of Kiku's sake earlier and help bring her stuff while she was taking her shower. But that she'd go and tell the teachers the truth… perhaps she had really wanted to stop the bullying from happening but hadn't dared.
The next day…
Iwaizumi worried when he didn't see Kiku at her desk but tried not to let it get to him. The few students who were there turned to him, their eyes staring for a very short moment before looking away, not wanting to bring upon them the wrath of Iwaizumi Hajime. Noticing Fujioka Masami trying to appear as small as possible, he was tempted to throw a biting remark but it wasn't his style – though, he was sure Oikawa would have already done that if he were here. But what – or rather who – caught his eye was sitting towards the front of the class, reading a book.
"Oi." Iwaizumi said, approaching the girl.
Yukimura Shinobu looked up at him, half-surprised but trying to hide it. There were some emotions in her eyes he couldn't quite read.
"Good morning, Iwaizumi-san."
"…Morning," he grumbled before frowning lightly, "Is this true what you did yesterday? You told the teachers?"
"Don't worry, I didn't mention your actions against the bullies, you won't be punished," she answered, turning back towards her book already.
He stared at her, but understanding she wouldn't add anything else and he should probably be grateful – by her generous actions and not saying about his actions, he hesitated. Iwaizumi was about to thank her when she glanced back up at him, a curious expression on her face.
"You know… You two are very alike."
"Uh?"
"Oikawa-san and you. You are more alike than most people think." She cleared, staring at him right in the eyes.
"Eeeeh?! Oikawa and I?! No way! We're nothing alike!" Iwaizumi exclaimed, frowning and looking down at the girl who didn't seem impressed by the way he raised his voice.
Before Yukimura could add anything, some sort of heavy atmosphere fell on the room. There was no sound but everyone could clearly hear the steps of the person everyone's gazes had been instinctively attracted to.
"Kiku…" Hajime said under his breath.
He glanced back at Yukimura who gave him a side smile:
"Go." She whispered, nodding towards the girl.
He frowned but, too worried for his friend, he followed her order.
Iwaizumi tried not to hurry but it was obvious his steps were impatient to reach Kiku. She had already sat at her table, fumbling with her skirt, looking down and trying hard to ignore everyone's gazes on her, whispers starting to raise around the classroom.
"Look, it's Akiyama…"
"She came…"
"Iwaizumi-san stayed with her all day yesterday I heard…"
"Eh? Is it true?"
"Does this mean these two… y'know…"
"Eeew… what the hell?"
"Akiyama-san, good morning! How do you feel today?" Iwaizumi asked loudly to shut everyone up, ignoring the way his cheeks were suddenly aflame from everyone's suggestions.
Kiku seemed shocked to see him, and mostly, to see him saluting her so eagerly, so happily. She was hidden from everyone's view thanks to his body making a wall.
Knowing that this proximity, this way of standing was giving them some sort of privacy, Hajime looked right into her dark blue eyes.
Are you ok? You slept well? You didn't think too much about these bullies? You went home safely yesterday? Do you need anything – drink, food, me to punch these bullies for you? I'm here so don't worry… He told her silently, just with the strength of his gaze.
"G-go… good m-morning… I-Iwaizumi-san…" She greeted back, eyes cast down.
He cursed her stammering – after they had progressed so much, she was back to being this nervous wreck around him, all because of the bullies and everyone's attention on her at the moment.
"I…"
She hesitated, glancing back up at him, eyes blinking to chase away the angry tears – she knew why she was so anxious and she didn't want to stammer, but she couldn't help it…
Hajime didn't look impatient or nervous, he simply kept staring at her with a patient, encouraging smile. It was all Kiku needed to find the strength to continue despite knowing that everyone was looking and listening. She even smiled a little.
"I-I'm fine… I had wonderful dreams last night. W-what about you?"
Hajime grinned widely but his joyful expression remained hidden from everyone – except for Kiku whose eyes started sparkling happily just to see him.
"Great." He answered.
He moved towards his desk and the two shared a knowing smile. The curious whispers were ignored until the classmates decided that there was no point in talking about any of this anymore – these two weren't reacting or giving any hint of their relationship, and they didn't want to anger Iwaizumi again. The only person who continued staring at the two, who were quietly chatting about the movie they had seen the day before, was Yukimura Shinobu.
At the end of the day, because Kiku didn't want to go to her own club, Iwaizumi decided to accompany her. Just to make sure she'd be safe and sound. Just as they were exiting the main building, they came across Oikawa who was walking towards the gymnasiums.
"Oikawa!" Iwaizumi called.
The setter stopped and turned around just as the couple joined him.
"Iwa-chan~ Kiku-chan~ How are you?" Oikawa asked, glancing down at Kiku.
She nodded with a soft smile, not daring to speak up. Seeing that Iwaizumi didn't seem particularly worried, Oikawa decided everything was probably settled.
"U-um…" Kiku hesitated, attracting the two young men's attention on her, "O-Oikawa-san, I-I wanted to thank you for what you did yesterday… I've heard from I-Iwaizumi-san what you did, s-so… thank you…" She said, bowing.
"Ah, it's no problem!" Oikawa quickly said, waving his hand as she straightened up.
"Oikawa, I'll accompany Akiyama to her bus station. I should be on time at practice though, so here are the keys," Iwaizumi said, giving the tinkling keys to his friend.
"All right~ If you're late, I'll explain to Coach~" Oikawa added with a wink.
He glanced down at Kiku at this and she quickly looked away, flushing. Iwaizumi glanced between the two, trying to understand what just happened. Why would he wink? Why… would she blush because of that…?
"Oikawa! Iwaizumi!"
They all turned to Coach Irihata just as he exited the main building as well. He seemed surprised to see Kiku hidden behind Iwaizumi but she remained as silent as a ghost, avoiding his gaze.
"Here's a paper you'll need to fill by the end of the week for the club," Irihata said, giving it to Oikawa.
"Aye~" He answered, putting the paper in his bag.
"Then, I'll go ahead," Iwaizumi said with a nod towards Oikawa who waved at the couple.
Iwaizumi turned around, Kiku running to keep up with his long legs until he slowed down for her. They walked away under the happy gaze of Oikawa and the curious one of Irihata.
"…They know each other?" He asked, glancing at Oikawa who tried not to appear too suspicious.
"Of course they know each other, they're in the same class and Iwa-chan took care of Kiku-chan yesterday~" He answered, keeping his answer in enough blur to not give any hint to the coach of the nature of their relationship.
"Are they skipping practice?" Irihata continued suspiciously.
"No, no! Iwa-chan just makes sure Kiku-chan gets to her bus stop safely."
Irihata seemed surprised before some sort of relieved glint appeared in his eyes.
"I see. I'll go open the gymnasium's doors then." Irihata said, walking towards the gymnasium.
Oikawa smiled to himself before taking a similar direction, a few meters behind.
The next day, at break…
Kiku threw a quick look around the class 6 of the third-years but her target wasn't seen. She clutched her little paper bag against her chest, pouting as she looked around but didn't find who she was looking for. She didn't dare ask anyone in the class and no one noticed her either.
Sighing, Kiku turned around to go back to her own classroom when she bumped into someone.
"My~ Kiku-chan~" Oikawa hummed.
"O-Oikawa-san!" Kiku exclaimed before realizing that her scream had attracted the attention of several people on both of them.
Oikawa had noticed the girl glancing around his classroom just as he was coming back there, curious about her intentions, he had remained behind until she'd bump into him.
"If you are looking for Iwa-chan, we're not together this lunch – I have forgotten something in my bag so he went ahead at the cafeteria~" Oikawa continued happily.
"I… T-thanks you b-but, I'm not… looking for Iwaizumi-san…" Kiku murmured, clenching the paper bag.
Oikawa blinked curiously, realizing that if she had been looking into his classroom – she had probably been looking for him.
"I-I was l-looking for you…" She continued, still looking down.
I hate being right, why am I always so right? Oikawa thought, suddenly uneasy.
He was used to girls looking for him and shyly stand in front of him – it usually meant a confession or an embarrassed attempt at giving him something homemade. He didn't mind most of the time – except the two times the girl confessing to him had been Iwaizumi's long-time crushes (his only two crushes other than Kiku). Oikawa hated it when it happened – that a girl Iwaizumi liked but was too shy to talk to would fall for him instead of his friend. He had been sure that with Kiku-chan, she'd fall in love with Iwa-chan but now…
"Look, Kiku-chan, you're a nice girl but I… am not interested in you," Oikawa started in a quiet voice so that no one else would hear but the girl.
Stunned, Kiku blinked at him, as if she couldn't believe what he just said.
"Me neither. Why would I be interested in you?" She asked, tilting her head on a side in confusion.
Damn, that stings! Oikawa thought, even if he wasn't interested in Kiku.
He kept his smile plastered on his face, trying to appear nice despite the slight grunting noise he had made from the harsh words of the girl. It was definitely a first – a girl not interested in him at all.
"N-no, I… I was looking for you to ask you something…"
"Mm?" Oikawa said, curious once again.
"Y-you know… I-Iwaizumi-san… better than anyone, r-right…?" Kiku asked, blushing at the thought of the wing-spiker.
"Well, yes, I do. AH!" Oikawa exclaimed, understanding what she was getting to.
Putting his hands on his hips, he leaned down with a smug grin on his face:
"Let me guess~ You want me to answer questions about Iwa-chan because you're too embarrassed to ask him yourself, neh, Kiku-chan~?" He continued, now realizing that it made so much more sense this way.
Stunned once again that he'd guess what was her intentions, Kiku nodded sheepishly. Before she could continue, though, Oikawa continued, straightening up and lifting up a finger as if proving his point:
"Well~ It'd be my pleasure BUT I'd rather have you ask Iwa-chan directly~ I won't answer any of your questions because you have to find out on your own, Kiku-chan~" He said proudly, not wanting to miss the chance of these two spending time together.
Kiku watched him closely, her eyes enigmatic and much more intense than usually. Or maybe it simply was because for once, she wasn't looking away from Tooru's face. Slowly, he grew uncomfortable by her intense staring and he wondered for a short moment if it was what Iwa-chan and his teammates had referred to the "demon eyes".
Then, quietly, Kiku handed Tooru her paper bag, still staring right into his eyes.
"Mmm? What's this?" He asked curiously, taking and opening the bag.
"My price of the bargain, Oikawa-san. In exchange of your answer." Kiku said with a smile.
"I just said I wouldn't answer any of your…"
Oikawa's voice trailed off when he opened completely the bag and threw a curious look in it. He froze completely, eyes widening and sparkling as he recognized the oh-so-familiar milk bread he loved so much waiting just for him. He could already smell the scent of the sweet patisserie he would die for.
He glanced back at Kiku but understood from her gaze and calculating smile that she knew she had gotten him with his sweet tooth and most defining weakness: his infinite love for milk bread. She would not let him go away with the milk bread if he wasn't answering her question – and there was no way he could give up the milk bread now that he had seen it.
"…Ok. But one answer." He gave up, frowning lightly – partly at himself and partly at Kiku for knowing how to persuade him.
"Perfect, I only have one question," she answered with a delighted smile.
Oikawa grumbled to himself, before holding closer the bag of milk bread – he wouldn't take the risk she'd take it away.
"All right, I'm listening." Oikawa said, wanting to get this over with so he could eat this delicious milk bread.
Kiku smiled happily.
Unbeknownst to Oikawa and Akiyama, Iwaizumi was just exiting the boys' restrooms when he caught sight of the two of them, talking to each other. And the girl giving the setter a paper bag that obviously made Oikawa very happy. Hajime clenched his fists before turning around, more sad than angry.
Don't worry - no tension to come between anyone and anyone.
Next chapter... as soon as I have rested a bit... ^^"
Probably next week. The title is "Milk Bread" but I might change it, dunno, not satisfied with it...
Hope you enjoyed this chapter~
Yours Truly,
May