Chapter for Christmas!
Thnk you to everyone who followed and favorited! :D
. : I'm glad you like this story so far! :) I have no bloody idea what milk bread tastes like... I've heard it's like French pain au lait (which literally means 'milk bread') but tastier or something... So, it probably tastes like something close to heavens.
Tamani : I want to add more of Shouta because his interactions with the boys, and especially Iwaizumi, will be priceless. All of them. x) Her past will be slowly, slowly revealed, and for coach and Kiku, it'll be revealed soon too! ;) "Built real solid with a cushioning layer" is such a sweet and cute way to describe Kiku~! It's perfect~! :D I now WANT her to beat Kyoutani in arm wrestling! I might write this actually... (if you let me, considering it's your idea)
pinkdoughnuts : It's all right! x) And for the answer... you'll have it next chapter! ;)
Houshikun001 : Papa bear Shouta is A+ dad. Well, I think that Iwaizumi wouldn't let jealousy consume him - he'd shrug it off because his friendship with Oikawa is very important too and at this point, he's not dating Kiku or anything so, Oikawa's friendship is even MORE important... but if at some point it DOES bother him so much, he'd just face Oikawa and/or Kiku and that's it. He's a very straightforward boy, after all. ;)
HaPPy2901: You'll know what her parents meant when we'll learn about her past! ;) I'm a HUGE fan of CHiCO and the Honeyworks - but they don't make enough songs... T.T
Lightpurple96 : Diabetic is a good theory! But it's not that! She just can't drink/eat milk-stuff (forgot the right word for it and too lazy to check it up at the moment) and she's allergic to nuts and others sutff from the same family.
Faye : Thank you! Your review made me so happy! :D
Cooliceprincess : Glad you're curious! About Kiku, I presume. She'll slowly open up and we'll learn the truth. ;)
rheascarlet : You don't have to read my other stories, I'm happy if just this one makes YOU happy! :D
Yunrii : It was my favorite part too! XD Papa bear Shouta is the greatest~
Shy guest : Kiku's past will be explained later. I don't think Shouta would ever admit volleyball isn't a girly sports simply because he's too proud for that. If he admits that Iwa-chan isn't a weakling, it'd mean that he's strong enough for his daughter and he doesn't want that either! XD I hope you enjoyed the song~
LuxKlara : Che gioia di sapere che ti piacino le mie storie! :D La relazione con Kiku e l'allenatore sarà rivelata presto! I'm sorry I don't answer to everything you said and in English but I'm exhausted and I can"t think in Italian. I really, really need to practice my Italian more...
FANFICTION
HAIKYUU! : QUIET WORDS
CHAPTER XIII : Blind to the Obvious
"This is how the girl who couldn't speak and the man who couldn't see fell in love."
― Margaret Atwood, The Blind Assassin
"I don't think love is blind, true love is probably the most clear-eyed state of being there is.
"Maybe you're right. Maybe with true love, you see and you love anyway…"
― Marisa de los Santos, Love Walked In
"Like every year, the Golden Week's training will be held in our usual gymnasium. You will sleep in some of the high-school's classrooms. Meals will be provided for you – no junk food. Is there any question?" Mizoguchi concluded as everyone on the team read the papers with the information concerning their Golden Week training.
"Who will be cooking the meals?" Hanamaki asked, hand raised.
"I will."
Everyone growled at that fact, making the young coach frown.
"If you dislike my meals, then you won't have any!" He growled.
"It'd be so much more tasty if it was made by a cute girl…" Someone muttered in the back.
Mizoguchi clicked his tongue, hands on his hips. He was tempted to tell them to get a manager on their own – but as long as Oikawa was here, a manager on the team was forbidden (there had been a few tries on the first-year of the setter but all the potential managers ended up being his fans who ignored their duties of manager to get closer to him. It was then decided that there would be no manager as long as Oikawa was here.)
"The Golden Week will end with a practice match against Wakunan Minami High-school – a rising team of the prefecture. This a good opportunity so make sure to learn a lot about this school." Irihata added.
"Oooosss!"
"We'll take measures for the uniforms – get in line in your jersey's number order." Mizoguchi exclaimed, already holding paper, pencil and a tape measure.
For the third and second-years, their number didn't change and their uniforms wouldn't need much changing – except for the few who grew up of many centimeters in the last few weeks. It was mostly for the first-years who had never been measured before.
"Iwaizumi… your chest width is wider than last year of a few more centimeters. Do you want your uniform adjusted?" Mizoguchi asked.
"It'd be more comfortable to play, if it's tight I might not be as free in my moves."
"Got it…" Mizoguchi nodded, writing down carefully.
"How much more muscles will this man get, seriously?" Hanamaki grumbled, glancing at Iwaizumi who stared at him in confusion.
"But seriously – cooking meals, taking measures, adjusting clothes… you'd make a good wife, Mizoguchi." Matsukawa commented with his usual neutral expression.
"What did ya say?!" The coach immediately shouted, glaring at the impertinent third-years.
Oikawa, Hanamaki and Iwaizumi all chuckled while Matsukawa played the innocent. Mizoguchi decided to ignore them, continuing to measure the line of players while grumbling to himself.
"I'm not the one who'll adjust your clothes, anyway… dunno how to sew…" Mizoguchi mumbled.
"We wouldn't want our uniforms to fall off in pieces in the middle of a match, indeed…" Hanamaki said, heard only by his fellow third-years, looking terribly amused.
"Oikawa's fans would probably love it, though," Iwaizumi answered with the same expression.
"Our clothes falling off – maybe that's the solution to defeat Ushiwaka, uh?" Matsukawa added.
Once again, all four laughed to themselves, trying to smother their voices to remain discreet.
Once everyone's measures were taken and the last questions had been asked and answered, the practice went as usual, even if it was a bit shorter.
"I'm going to practice a bit more before leaving," Oikawa said, joined for once by some others who didn't have enough practice this day.
"We could do a three-on-three?" Hanamaki proposed.
"Why not?" Iwaizumi agreed with a smile.
"Umm… Iwaizumi-san?"
They turned towards the entrance of the gymnasium where Yahaba was standing, changed, but looking a bit sheepish.
"Yeah?"
"…Someone is waiting for you…" Yahaba announced, a little awkwardly.
Surprised, everyone glanced at Iwaizumi who was just as confused about who could possibly wait for him. Deciding to get this over with quickly, he thanked Yahaba and went at the gymnasium entrance, ignoring his teammates who peeked curiously from the entrance.
"Kiku?" Iwaizumi said, surprised and eagerly going towards the girl who was standing just under the changing-rooms' lights.
He flushed, realizing he had just called the girl by her first name. She blushed as well before fidgeting awkwardly, holding a brown bag in her hands…
"Do you… uh, need anything?" Iwaizumi hesitated, not knowing why she'd wait for him at this hour.
"U-um… I-Iwaizumi-san…" She hesitated.
He stared at the girl, waiting for her to form the words she struggled with. Her lips kept opening and closing and for a short moment, Hajime focused only on her rosy lips and how shiny they were. She must have been using lip balm. Knowing her, probably something tasting like fruits. He was curious about the taste of her lips – not just the lip balm, but how it'd feel to kiss her.
"UGH!" He exclaimed, blushing madly when he realized his thoughts.
Confused about his strangled scream that had come out of nowhere, Kiku glanced up worriedly at the boy.
"N-nothing, g-go ahead…" He muttered after coughing awkwardly.
His heart was beating like drums, the same thought of kissing Kiku going over and over in his head with lots of other thoughts concerning kissing (not necessarily on the lips) – now was not the time for his teenage hormones to get in the way and confuse his thoughts any more than they already were.
"I… u-um…"
Kiku blushed even more and it actually made Hajime curious about what she wanted so badly to tell him. She seemed so confused, shy and hesitant and–
OH. Is this… could it be…? Would it…? A confession?! Hajime started thinking frenetically, If it is, what should I answer?! I know what I want to answer but how do I do that?! Should I kiss her after – no, stop thinking about kissing, damn it!
His heart was still beating madly – this time, out of excitement, impatience and hope. He felt his palms go sweaty and clenched and unclenched his fists nervously. For the first time since meeting Kiku, he wished she'd just stop hesitating so badly – waiting for her words was just torture!
"I… Iwaizumi-san, I… here!" She exclaimed, bowing down.
He blinked, pretty sure this was not a confession as he had hoped. He glanced at the brown paper bag she was handing him, wondering what it was all about. She just wanted to give him this?
Disappointed by the absence of a confession, Hajime took the bag and opened it half-heartedly. His eyes widened as he saw a white box with written on top of it "Akiyama Bakery".
"Is this…?" He hesitated.
He took out the box carefully and opened it, peeking inside. And as expected – there were four little patisserie of all kinds.
"I… I have w-wanted to give some patisserie to thank you… for everything you've done for me… Iwaizumi-san b-but… I… uh… I wasn't sure which was your favorite patisserie…" Kiku explained sheepishly, pulling at the hem of her skirt shyly.
Iwaizumi stared at the girl, noticing that the way she pulled nervously at her skirt lifted it up lightly.
Shut it hormones! He thought to himself, trying to say something but his tongue tied.
"I had hoped I'd find out your favorite patisserie b-but… I-in the end, I put several of them a-and I hope y-you'll like them – I made them myself! S-so I hope you, um… they're not as tasty as my father's b-but… I-I mean… I…"
"Thank you…" Iwaizumi finally said, cheeks burning, "I-I'm sure they'll be delicious…" He added, smiling lightly.
He scratched his cheek sheepishly, feeling incredibly happy that Kiku had taken the time to make him patisserie just as a thank you.
Glad he was taking the patisserie and didn't seem to feel weirded out, Kiku sighed in relief, a bright smile lightning up her face.
"T-then…"
She bowed to him before turning around to go home. Iwaizumi hesitated, he wanted to spend more time with her – he wanted to make sure she'd go home safely. He opened and closed his lips to call her, but didn't dare.
"Pss! Psst! Iwa-chan!" Oikawa called from the gymnasium entrance, making sure not to be heard by Kiku who was getting away, "What are you doing standing there like a stupid lamp post?!"
Pissed off but grateful for his friend's intervention that took away all of his nervousness, Iwaizumi looked at the silhouette of the girl.
"Akiyama! Wait!" He shouted, running after her as she turned around, "Do you… uh… I'll walk you back to the bus stop. I-it's dark, it's dangerous…" He murmured.
"You're the most dangerous one out there, Iwaizumi!" Hanamaki exclaimed from behind, proving that the volleyball team was listening very closely.
Iwaizumi grumbled to himself while Kiku glanced between him and his friends, blushing lightly.
"Y-you have practice s-so I-I wouldn't… bother you…" She replied.
In some sort of miracle, despite the distance, Oikawa heard her and an idea hit him:
"Why don't you join us, then, Kiku-chan~?" He asked from afar, bathed in the gymnasium's light.
Everyone turned to him, a little stunned by his proposition.
"B-but…" Kiku stammered.
"This way, you'll see us practice and as soon as we're done, Iwa-chan will walk you back – he'd be too scared to play correctly otherwise…"
"Oi!" Iwaizumi exclaimed at this supplementary comment.
Kiku seemed obviously conflicted. She glanced up at Iwaizumi, her gaze showing that she wanted to spend more time with the young man. But she was too shy to actually stay with the volleyball team – even if they were down to only six boys…
"Also… we'll need a referee…" Oikawa continued, making his puppy eyes to Kiku.
The girl flinched, gasping lightly at the way he looked at her, pleading her to come and help them out. Everyone turned then towards Kiku who blushed and looked down. Then, finally, slowly, she nodded hesitantly.
"I… I'll try my best…" She murmured.
"Yay~ Three-on-three~" Hanamaki happily sung, going back into the gymnasium.
"You know the rules of volleyball?" Iwaizumi asked the girl as they walked towards the gymnasium.
"I-I know the rules… Though… I might not be able to follow up everything you guys do… you are all so fast…" She continued, a light and amused smile on her face.
Iwaizumi was about to put his paper bag with patisserie on a side but, of course, his friends, had to come and tease him.
"Eh, What's this~? What's this~?" Hanamaki asked, trying to get a hold of the bag.
"You listened so you already know, back off!" Iwaizumi yelled, lifting up his arm to get the bag out of reach of his fellow wing-spiker.
"Eh? Looks tasty!" Matsukawa exclaimed, grabbing the bag – bless his height while Iwaizumi cursed his short stature.
"Give it back! It's Kiku's gift for me! Leave it alone!" Iwaizumi exclaimed, trying to jump to get his patisserie back.
"No fair! I want Kiku-chan's patisserie too!" Oikawa whined.
The two other third-years who had remained behind didn't dare comment, only laughing lightly at their teammates' antics.
Kiku watched them in amusement and finally, when Iwaizumi retrieved his bag and the others stopped teasing him, she dared speaking up.
"I…"
Everyone turned to her and she had to force herself to not shriek in panic.
"I-I could bring the team something… someday…" She said shyly, moving her fingers together and looking down with blushed cheeks.
Everyone looked at her with wide eyes before cheers and happy voices erupted.
"You'd do that? You're so nice~! Iwaizumi's so lucky~"
"Become our manager please!"
"I want milk bread!"
The only ones who remained calm in the overall storm were Iwaizumi and Hanamaki for very different reasons. The first one was smiling softly, glad to see Kiku get along well with the team and not being too scared.
Hanamaki, on the other hand, was shocked. He had known Kiku for years, he knew her better than Iwaizumi did – and yet, she had never showed any sort of courage or will to socialize. The simple fact of accepting to help out the team for their three-on-three was surprising enough – it was Akiyama Kiku, after all! The girl alone with six other boys seemed like enough stress to cause her an aneurism. But she was actually willing to go even further: bringing sweets to the team – and not just the six of them, but the entire team…
Hanamaki glanced back at a love-struck Iwaizumi, sighing deeply with a hand on his hip.
"What did you do to her seriously…?" He muttered to no one in particular.
"Uh?" Iwaizumi hesitated, not understanding what his friend meant by that.
"Nothing. SO! Should we start this three-on-three or not?" Hanamaki exclaimed loudly, joining the others.
The boys decided on two teams and Kiku remained near the net with a whistle, watching the team start its improvised three-on-three. They had half-expected her to scream or cry whenever something loud was happening, but she didn't seem phased. She did jump a few times when a ball or a player suddenly appeared too close to her but other than that, she did all right. She also knew the rules of volleyball perfectly well. The only times she hesitated were when she couldn't see where a ball had landed exactly – usually the boys would argue on "yes it's in!" "no it's not!" "you're saying that because you want the point!" "and you're saying that because YOU want the point!".
At some point, Iwaizumi's spike was stopped by Matsukawa who grinned proudly at him but the sound of the whistle made the team look at Kiku.
"N-net fault…" She said, pointing at Matsukawa who lost his smile.
He huffed annoyingly then looked straight at an overly cocky Iwaizumi.
"Your girlfriend is too on point. It's annoying." He muttered.
"She's not my girlfriend."
"Yet~" Oikawa added.
Iwaizumi stared at him then, at everyone's surprise (Kiku was too far away to hear any of this and she just watched them innocently), he spoke up:
"Yet." Iwaizumi repeated with a little nod.
The boys all gaped at their teammate who had (finally) openly admitted outloud that he wanted to be with Akiyama Kiku.
"I-is everything all right?" Kiku asked softly.
"Yeah, let's keep going." Iwaizumi said with a smile, taking the ball to go for a serve.
Hanamaki got in position but he couldn't help and think that this three-on-three will end up with an aneurism – his.
Once the match was over, Kiku helped the boys take the things away, Matsukawa and Oikawa happily keeping her company when they noticed the amount of jealous glances Iwaizumi kept throwing their way. Of course, the girl was too innocent to realize what was going on.
"Ah… I-I should go before my parents worry…" She murmured at some point when she noticed how much time had gone by.
"Oh, yes, Iwa-chan! Can you accompany Kiku-chan to her bus stop?" Oikawa asked, not wanting to have Kiku's father after him for keeping his daughter from going home in time.
"Sure…" He answered, turning around to join the group of third-years.
Hanamaki glanced between Kiku and Hajime who were staring at each other as distance grew shorter. Grinning, Hanamaki suddenly put his foot in front of him. Iwaizumi didn't notice and stumbled against the foot. He gasped, stumbling forward and trying to find his balance but hitting Kiku when she tried to help him. They both gasped and fell down, the young man on top of the girl.
Oikawa's mouth formed a joyful 'o' while Matsukawa was taking pictures from his phone that had miraculously appeared in his hands right on time.
Hajime and Kiku's wide eyes were staring at each other, too shocked to move an inch. His body had crushed hers on the floor but there was no pain – only warmth throughout their bodies and their hearts beating so hard they could feel them through each other's chests. And more importantly: their lips were touching. It was the biggest cliché in the universe: a fall forward and ooops, they were kissing. But neither Hajime nor Kiku minded at all.
Silence resonated, apart for the clicking sounds coming from the pictures being taken.
Suddenly, Hajime realized that his lips were touching Kiku's and he panicked. He screamed and moved away, clumsily trying to get up but getting his legs tangled up. He almost fell back on top of the girl who squeaked when he caught himself – one hand on the floor, one hand on her breasts. She blushed even more and his cheeks burnt as he moved away from her, still on the floor.
Kiku slowly sat completely, arms covering her chest instinctively while Hajime was opening and closing his mouth, awkward, squeaky sounds escaping his lips – he was half-hidden behind Oikawa's legs.
"S-so-sorr- I- Iam- asshh- sor- I aaah… uuh! So-I-aaah!"
Hajime swallowed hard and tried to speak up once again but Kiku, unable to meet anyone's gaze, suddenly stood up.
"I! I-I s-should g-go… H-have… anice…"
She closed her eyes, tears appearing at the corner of her eyes – Hajime's heart broke and he tried to call for her but she ran off before he, or anyone, could stop her.
"W-wait! Kiku-chan! It's dangerous out-there alone!" Oikawa exclaimed, taking a step after the girl.
But he was stuck when he felt something at his legs – he looked down and blinked, seeing his childhood friend, eyes wide open and panicked, cheeks still red but his skin a little blemish. And holding onto his leg like a child…
"I-Iwa-chan…?" He called, not believing the person holding his leg and looking so lost was his best friend.
Hanamaki looked at the Ace, just as stunned as everyone else to see him so disturbed. Then, he sighed and looked back at Oikawa:
"I'll make sure Kiku gets home safely," he said, grabbing his bag.
"O-okay!" Oikawa answered as he nodded awkwardly.
The wing-spiker ran off in the dark after the panicked girl.
"I-Iwa-chan… are you um… okay?" Oikawa asked, not daring to move.
"N-no… s-she was… Kiku was crying… because of me…" He whispered, still looking like the ghost of himself.
"Iwa-chan…"
He had seen Kiku cry several times – because of the stress of their work, because of the bullies… but never because of him. The very idea that she had been crying because of him made his skin crawl – he wanted to rip off his heart for causing her any pain. He hated himself for making her cry. Until now, he had only protected her, he kept her tears away from her eyes… but he was no better of the bullies if–
"…chan! Iwa-chan! …Iwaizumi!"
His full name pronounced by his childhood friend made Hajime jump and he glanced up seeing Oikawa staring at him with a confused, and perhaps slightly annoyed expression, but he couldn't understand why he looked like that… Finally having Hajime's attention, Oikawa sighed and made a sign to the others to go before while he stepped away and freed his leg.
"Whatever you're thinking – stop that, Iwa-chan." Oikawa started, crossing his arms over his chest.
"…You called me by my name…" Iwaizumi whispered, blinking in disbelief.
"That's what you noticed?!" Oikawa shrieked, definitely looking annoyed now.
It made Hajime startle once again and for a moment, he wondered what was wrong with him before remembering Kiku's tears. The evening had started so well but now – he had ruined everything…
"Look, Iwa-chan – it was an accident. Caused by Makki, but still an accident. Kiku-chan knows very well that you had no intention of falling on top of her, of kissing her – if you can call that a kiss… and grab her breasts… It was an accident. She's shaken up and shocked because she's so shy but she won't hold it against you. So stop torturing yourself with dark thoughts and get yourself together, Iwa-chan!" Oikawa exclaimed.
Iwaizumi stared at his friend, still a little shocked by everything that had happened…
"Tomorrow, you'll apologize when you'll see her and you'll explain to her you had no intention of… everything that happened. She'll understand. Okay?"
Oikawa showed his hand to help his friend stand up and after a little hesitation, Iwaizumi took it and rose.
"I… y-you think…?" He murmured, still feeling guilty for her tears.
Oikawa sighed deeply, hands on his hips before nodding.
"I'm sure."
Hajime hesitated a little… He thought back on all the moments Kiku had seemed embarrassed and flushed around his friend. She probably had a crush on Oikawa. If it had been Oikawa kissing her by accident… would she have run away…?
"Iwa-chan?" Oikawa called when the silence got longer.
"Oikawa… I think I should… I should probably leave Kiku alone…" He murmured, feeling like he was tearing apart his heart all over again saying these cursed words.
I don't want to… I don't want to…
"W-what? But WHY?!" Oikawa shouted, "If it's because of what just happened, then it's not–"
"It's not! Not because of what just happened!" Iwaizumi exclaimed, cutting his friend.
Hajime lowered his head, clenching his fists and biting on his lower lip so hard he could almost draw blood.
"I… there's no point in pining after her w-when she likes you… like every other girl before…!" He murmured, brows furrowed while he fought back angry tears.
What the hell is wrong with me…?! He thought, closing his eyes.
He had had a crush on three girls before Kiku – one in elementary school, one in Middle school that continued in high-school, and another one in high-school. Every time, he had been way too shy to talk to them. Every time they had fallen for Oikawa. Iwaizumi didn't hold it against his friend, especially knowing he had rejected them because of his feelings for these girls (even when Oikawa had been crushing on the same girl at one point…). Kiku… with Kiku, he had thought things were different. She didn't seem to take much notice of Oikawa – he had thought he had an actual chance with her. But after seeing her acting so shy, and adorable, and blushing around the setter…
Hearing the words Tooru had wished he'd never hear, his eyes widened and his lips fell open. He was too shocked to react right away – which Hajime took as sudden realization…
"…Iwa-chan… I thought you knew Kiku-chan… but to say something so stupid, I was wrong!" Oikawa said suddenly.
Iwaizumi whipped to him at once, eyes wide, while Tooru frowned and continued, arms crossed over his chest:
"I can assure you that Kiku-chan doesn't like me at all! She said it to my face just a few days ago! She said she had no reason to be interested in me!"
"Wait… you confessed to Kiku…?" Hajime murmured, sounding betrayed.
"NO! Do I have to remind you I have a girlfriend?! No, I didn't confess to Kiku-chan – I had misunderstood her intentions but she made sure to clearly, harshly tell me in the face she was not interested in me in the slightest!"
Tooru took a deep breath, realizing that his friend, as intelligent as he might be, was being a complete idiot whenever it came to Kiku-chan – and mostly, that there were so many things he got wrong.
"Believe me or not, but Kiku-chan likes you, Iwa-chan!" Oikawa exclaimed, deciding to be as honest as possible.
He would have preferred for Iwaizumi to realize it on his own – but he needed the truth thrown in his face before he imagined more stupid things.
Disbelief and confusion appeared on Hajime's face and Tooru continued with a sigh:
"Look, the day of the match against Karasuno – Kiku-chan had been watching the match for you. That's when I realized she likes you. She looks at you with stars in her eyes – just the way you look at her! You're blind not to realize how she feels for you! And about the Akiyama Bakery? Kiku-chan came to me – bribing me with milk-breads, just so you know that she's a crafty type – and asked me what was your favorite patisserie to give you! I was at a loss because you don't seem to have any favorite one, so I promised her I'd take you to the family bakery… but you didn't show any liking in anything other than Kiku so… she decided to give you a mix…" He concluded, showing at the little paper bag with the patisserie offered by Kiku.
Hajime stared with wide eyes and an opened mouth his friend…
"Seriously, Iwa-chan – didn't she show you any sign of liking you?" Oikawa asked with a shake of his head, "Something she did around you and no one else?"
Hajime thought back on everything they had gone through – she had complimented his eyes, she had tried kissing him in the cinema, she had given him patisserie, she had offered him more smiles and laughs than anyone else…
He blushed and looked down, his heart hammering in his chest at the mere thought of Kiku liking him back…
Tooru smiled softly seeing this expression, the light of acknowledgment appearing in his friend's eyes…
"See? She likes you, Iwa-chan…" He finally said, reassured to know that Iwaizumi had his ideas cleared.
Face-to-face for Iwa-chan and Oikawa - of cours ethey're such good friends, a girl woudln't be able to break them. I can't wait to post next chapter - and the one after that! :D We'll learn lots of things about Kiku!
Thank you for all of your support, don't hesitate to tell me what you think! :D
I wish you all a Merry Christmas! Enjoy it! :D
Yours Truly,
May