Thank you to everyone who followed and favorited! :D
LuxKlara : Glad you liked last chapter! ^.^" I hope you'll like this chapter as well - we have a little insight on Kiku's life and we'll start learning more and more about her. ;) Akane from "Deep Red" IS the one who is introduced in the summer festival and will be Kuroo's girl; as for Oikawa's girl, there has been no sign of her so far and won't be any. But he WILL talk about it at some point. ;)
Krisia : I'll try to make some Makki and Kiku flashbacks then! XD Why she won't date Iwa-chan will be revealed later on, along with her past. I did call you Krisia, there~! ;)
starrat : So happy! Ihope you'll lilke this chapter as well! :D
AnimeViolinist001 : Oikawa ahs been trying to put these two together from th ebeginning, but now, the whole team is trying and they're getting SERIOUS. Causing some mayhem in the way (next chapters). I don't know if his plans will be ridiculous, but kinda cliché. But effective. ;D
Rhea Ellace : Lol, I'm lazy, except for writing! XD Oikawais honestly one of the best character of Haikyuu to write (along with Iwaizumi, Kuroo, Bokuto, aKAASHI, who are all deep and complex characters...) and one of the funiest and most interested to write with! :D Kiku is shy, but once she's used to people (OR if Makki pisses her off) she's pretty wild! ;)
pinkdoughtnuts : Don't worry, Iwa-chan isn't the type to give up so easily~! ;)
redninjalass19: So happy to know you love my stories! :D I must admit, I got a little confused with the crossover parts because you said, llike, every name? XD I can say that Bokuto and Ayaka will appear in THIS story, Quiet Voice. In Sowlmate, Oikawa and Iwaizumi will appear as well, with the mention of Kiku and even, Oikawa's future girl. As for Kuroo and Oikawa's stories - they will be set post-high-school and a huge part of the story will be,well, when they're training on the National team along with Ushijima and Bokuto so these two willbe there all the time (Iwaizumi will be there a lot as well). Kiku will be a lot in Oikawa's story. All that to say that, yes, Kijime and Ayakou will appear in both stories! :D
Tamani : I can't tell if Hanamaki wants Kijime ot get together or if he wants to ruin their chances by embarrassing them both? Your review made me so laugh, thank you! XD
Houshikun001 : The whol eteam love thier Ace and wants his happiness with Kiku, of course they're supporting him! And thank you so much for what you said about the review-answers and the quotes! :D
AmericanNidiot: I wrote Takehiro? I'm so sorry! I always mess up between Takahiro and Takehiro! I'M SO SORRY MAKKI! T.T I like anime sports as well but never watched Prince of Tennis... " As for a weakness for animals... onee of my headcanon concerning Iwa-chan is in this chapter! ;D
Reader fan: Thank you! I'm so happy you're enjoying it! :D I think the moment when Kiku told Oikawa "why would I be interested in you?" will remain in everyone's memories - mostly Oikawa, he can't get over his trauma, the poor thing... COME ON! We all know that Oikawa convinced Iwa-chan to go digsuigsed at a party or something as Sherlock Holmes and Watson and that Iwa-chan/Watson ended up trying to make Sherlock/Oikawa swallow his pipe at some point! XD Thank you for your support! :D
FANFICTION
HAIKYUU! : QUIET VOICE
CHAPTER XVII : Something No One Else Knows
"Beauty is not in the face; beauty is a light in the heart."
— Kahlil Gibran
"They told me that to make her fall in love, I had to make her laugh. But everytime she laughs, I'm the one who falls in love."
— Tommaso Ferraris
"I take pleasure in my transformations. I look quiet and consistent, but few know how many women there are in me."
― Anaïs Nin
"Lonely people read a lot, but talk and hear little, life is mysterious for them: they're mystics and often see the devil where he's not."
— Anton Chekhov, A Medical Case
"All we need is someone to let us in."
— Anne Sexton, "Hurry Up Please It's Time"
"Iwaizumi!" Hanamaki called.
The Vice-Captain whipped around and caught his jersey thrown to him by his friend.
"Ah, thanks!" Iwaizumi answered, already dressed and leaving the showers and bath.
Hanamaki and Matsukawa, who had just exited the bath with towels around their waists, stared at him in confusion just as Yahaba went out as well.
"Where is Iwaizumi-san going?" He asked curiously because the Ace had seemed to be in a hurry.
"Probably to stalk his future girlfriend or something," Makki answered with a shrug.
For once, Iwaizumi hadn't stayed with Oikawa to watch over him while he was over-practicing as usual. Instead, as soon as the rest of the team had shown signs that they wanted to go take their showers after the long, exhausting day of practice, the wing-spiker had gone with them. He had taken a quick shower and bath before getting dressed before anyone else.
Hajime stopped suddenly at the cafeteria door, listening for a short moment to Kiku's singing. He took a deep breath then pushed open the swinging doors, trying to keep a casual look by putting his hands in his pockets.
"Hey!" He greeted with a shy smile.
But she continued singing, not realizing someone had come in. Kiku was turning her back to him, working behind the counter to prepare the dinner for the volleyball team. She had headphones and her hair was swinging to the rhythm of the song she was listening to.
Feeling like an idiot because Kiku hadn't heard him, Hajime stared awkwardly until he met Mizoguchi's gaze. The coach glanced between Iwaizumi and Kiku before his lips opened in a 'o' shape and he gave an overly obvious wink in the direction of Iwaizumi. Mizoguchi didn't realize that he was caught by Kiku who glanced up at him curiously, before following his gaze and blinking upon seeing Iwaizumi who was making fast gestures to his coach to tell him to stop. Realizing they had been caught by the girl, both Mizoguhi and Iwaizumi turned to Kiku and stopped all gestures as she pulled out her headphones from her ears.
"Iwaizumi-san!" She exclaimed with a big smile, "You're here early…"
"A-ah, uh, h-hi… I didn't… expected you here…" He said awkwardly.
Kiku blinked at that and he cursed himself because Kiku was supposed to be here – if anything, he had hurried to come all the way here because she was supposed to be here!
"I have to go see Irihata, can I let you handle things from here, Kiku-chan?" Mizoguchi asked the girl.
"Sure," she answered with a nod and smile as the coach took off his apron.
Mizoguchi went by a side-door and arrived in the cafeteria, he patted Iwaizumi on the shoulder with a not very discreet wink before leaving.
Kiku glanced quickly at Hajime before looking back at what she was doing and finishing to make piles of bowls and plates.
"C-can I help you?" He asked hesitantly.
"No, thank you, I'm already done. I just have to keep an eye on the cooking." She answered, turning around with a smile.
She wiped her hands on the apron then approached the counter hesitantly.
"Where are all the others?" She asked, tilting her head on a side.
"Um… g-good question, probably still in the shower…"
"…You must have taken yours really fast, then." Kiku remarked calmly.
Hajime flushed in embarrassment, afraid his intentions had been understood by Kiku. But then, she suddenly reached out to him and touched his hair shyly, almost tenderly. Shocked, he turned wide eyes towards her and noticed her blushed cheeks and hesitant smile.
"Your hair is still wet… you'll get a cold if you don't dry it correctly, Iwaizumi-san…" She murmured, fingers leaving his hair to his regret – it had felt good when she had dived her fingers in it, "I'm surprised it's still spiked up, though."
"Uuugh… it's always been like that…" He answered sheepishly, leaning against the counter to be closer to Kiku.
"I thought you were using hair gel or something – it's cute that your hair looks good naturally!" She exclaimed.
He blushed terribly before a long, but comfortable silence, settled. It didn't feel awkward this quietness, it soothed Iwaizumi and he felt like he could fall asleep right now. He felt so warm, so safe, so groggy after an entire day of practice… He put his elbows on the counter and leaned down until his head rested against his arms, and he glanced up at Kiku's face.
She stood not far away from him, keeping her eyes focused on her fingers, on the lower part of the counter on her side… Sensing a gaze on her, she looked up in Hajime's beautiful eyes and she stopped breathing, blushing when she noticed his gaze on her and only her. She smiled shyly but then, Hajime spoke up quietly:
"Tell me something I don't know yet about you," he requested suddenly.
It was what he was supposed to do, right? Yesterday, his friends had given him 'advices' to find out more about Kiku, and mostly, to make her fall in love with him. More, at least. Enough for him to gather the courage to ask her out.
"Show your muscles," Makki had said; "Just kiss her and end this pining," Mattsun had said; "Be kind and charming," Watari had said; "Share your passions!" Kindaichi had said; "Make her laugh!" Yahaba had said; "Find out more about her, show you're interested in her!" Oikawa had said…
Kiku stared at him, a little stunned, before pondering this for a moment.
Neither was aware of the entire volleyball team gathered behind the swinging doors, looking at the show through the round windows – only their Captain wasn't here yet, approaching them from afar.
"What's the emergency you told me about, Makki?" Oikawa asked, annoyed to have interrupted his practice earlier than usual and to have hurried for his shower, hair still wet.
"SSHHH!" They all exclaimed, whipping towards the setter with a finger in front of their mouths.
"Iwaizumi's making a move onto Kiku!" He answered in a hushed voice.
"OH?! Move out of the way!" Oikawa exclaimed at once, pushing away Makki and Mattsun to look through the window.
"OI! Calm down!" Matsukawa exclaimed, pushing him off once again.
The three battled a little for the best spot to look from the window then settled for sharing it, the rest of the team on the other window or trying to see from afar.
Kiku thought deeply about Hajime's question, half wondering if she should find some hidden meaning behind it, but she decided to shrug it off simply to focus on it.
"I like dancing," she said with a shy smile.
"Eh? Really?" He asked, blinking surprised eyes and raising his head from his arms once again, "I knew you liked gymnastics and all of these stuff… but dancing too?"
"What about you?" She asked with a smile.
"Me what?" He blinked.
"Tell me something about you I don't know yet." She said with a smile, leaning against the counter and crossing her arms.
The skin of her forearm brushed his and Hajime had to focus on her question, the meaning of her words and how to speak. At a loss at what to say, he blinked and flushed before smiling awkwardly:
"I don't like dancing," he answered awkwardly.
Kiku blinked at his echo of her own answer, then she jerked her head backwards and laughed. Hajime's eyes widened and his heart missed a beat before warmth took over him. For a moment, he lost all consciousness of where he was and what was happening. The only thing he knew was that he was with Kiku and her laugh was the most beautiful sound he had ever heard.
"Somehow, I could tell!" She exclaimed before looking back at him with sparkling eyes, "You should ask Hanamaki! He's a very good dancer!"
Hajime stared at her in disbelief and almost immediately, she gasped and covered her lips with her hands.
"Oh… Oh dear, I had promised not to tell anyone he knew…" She murmured, flushing in embarrassment.
Hajime was surprised that despite the antagonism between the two, and especially Hanamaki's open dislike of the girl, Kiku was kind enough to respect his wishes – Takahiro was probably not quite as nice concerning Kiku's secrets.
But then, it occurred to him that Hanamaki Takahiro, his friend for three years, had never mentioned once enjoying dancing and that he was apparently good at it! Suddenly laughing, Hajime quickly covered his mouth to smother the sound, looking back at Kiku with happy eyes:
"Oh! I am SO going to use this as blackmail!" He exclaimed.
"NO! Please, don't! He'll know I'm the one who told you!" She whined.
She threw him a pleading look, pouting lightly and despite the laugh still bubbling out of his throat, Hajime couldn't resist to this adorable face she was making.
"Okay, okay… I… I won't mention it unless it's an absolute emergency…" He answered with an amused smile.
"That's the best I'll obtain so… thank you, I think," she answered with a sigh.
He chuckled once again and didn't realize right away that Kiku started staring. Until their gazes met and she quickly looked away, cheeks turning a bright red. Flushing as well, Hajime glanced away, heart beating like drums and scratching in cheek in embarrassment.
"…Your smile is beautiful."
"Eh?"
Hajime looked back towards Kiku who smiled to herself, glancing down because she was too embarrassed to meet his eyes directly:
"Y-your smile… it's a beautiful smile, Iwaizumi-san…" She murmured in a low voice, fingers fumbling together.
Blushing, Hajime swallowed hard, trying to find something to tell her. He wanted to answer to her – that her smile and laugh were beautiful, but before he could find the courage to do so, Kiku quickly looked up and spoke up again:
"I don't see your smile very often… it's because it's so rare that your smile is so precious." She explained with a soft expression.
Eyes widening, Hajime was even more at a loss at what to say. He blushed even more and his hand rubbed the back of his neck as he looked away… but slowly, he felt a smile appear on his face once again. He wasn't sure what had caused it – Kiku's beautiful expression, her compliment, the sheer happiness of spending time with her? – but he was smiling and he felt good.
"Thanks…" He whispered, glancing at her intensely, "You too… your should smile more often. Y-you… you're very pretty when you smile and laugh… it's like, the whole world illuminates thanks to the brightness of your smile…"
Kiku blinked, blushing terribly at his words. Hajime held back a gasp as he stiffened.
EH?! It sounded so cheesy! What the hell?! I'm not Oikawa! What the hell am I saying?! It's the truth but…! WHAT AM I EVEN SAYING?! He thought to himself in panic.
He was about to apologize or add something but Kiku then glanced down shyly in the most adorable way, a beautiful smile appearing on her face. Hajime was pretty sure that flowers appeared and that the world was at peace and all endangered species saved.
"Thank you…" She whispered in the softest voice.
He jumped to force himself to answer:
"Y-you! Welcaa- welco- YoweLL… coo… m-me, y-you're… wel… come…" He stammered, voice turning into an embarrassing squeak.
There was some more comfortable silence during which Hajime struggled to find his breathing once again.
"Tell me something no one else knows – not even Oikawa-san…" Kiku suddenly requested, looking right into his eyes.
A little stunned by this strange request, Hajime thought about it a moment…
"Something not even Oikawa know…" He murmured to himself.
"There must be something," she added with a chuckle.
Hajime thought of a few things he wasn't sure whether or not Oikawa knew about. There must be something but what could possibly…
Flushing in embarrassment, he glanced back at Kiku. He bit his lower lip quickly worriedly before glancing around to make sure there was no one around before turning back towards the girl:
"…I-I love cute baby animals, so every week, I make sure to walk by the pet shop to see them… No one knows about it, except the lady of the shop who lets me pet the baby animals after so many years of walking by…" He admitted, red on his cheeks.
Kiku blinked her eyes before smiling – not out of mockery, but because she found it to be the most adorable thing she had ever heard someone say.
Hearing nothing but her silence, Hajime glanced away, feeling like he had ruined all of his chances of ever being with her – she must think him so lame now.
"S-sorry, it's stupid…" He mumbled.
"I-it's one of my favorite thing to do as well…" She murmured with a smile, "So… it's not stupid at all…"
Surprised, he glanced up at her, blinked then smiled sheepishly, scratching the side of his cheek.
"O-oh…"
He smiled to himself before looking back into Kiku's eyes:
"You too – tell me something no one else knows…" He asked, blushing.
"Aah…" She hesitated, chuckling a little.
She thought about it for a long moment before turning back towards him:
"There is something only my parents know… would it be fine?" She asked hesitantly with a side smile.
"As long as it's something I would know before anyone else, yes…" He answered eagerly.
She glanced around the cafeteria then leaned over the counter, giving him a sign to get closer. He flushed but leaned, cursing the fact that he had to get on his tiptoes a little – but thankfully she didn't notice it. He felt his entire body warm up when her lips brushed his ear to whisper to him and only him:
"I have a tattoo," she whispered.
Hajime pulled away, staring at the girl with wide eyes.
"What?"
"I have a tattoo," she repeated with a little, slightly coy, smile.
"B-but!" He stammered, blinking in disbelief.
He would have never imagined Akiyama Kiku of all people to have a tattoo – he was so surprised that he couldn't even react except stare at her. Why the hell would she think of having a tattoo? What happened for her to get one? Was she joking? No, she was being honest.
"You? You have a tattoo?" He asked once again, incredulity hitting him hard.
She nodded, a smile playing on her lips – she definitely enjoyed seeing him so dumbstruck.
"…Okay. What is it and where is it?" He asked, half wanting a proof of it because it was just unbelievable…
Kiku smirked smugly before answering:
"I'd have to take off my clothes to show it to you, but maybe someday I'll let you have a look at it?" She answered.
He blushed at the suggestion and knowing that she had somewhere on her body covered by clothes a tattoo… For a moment he let his thoughts wander to find out where her tattoo could possibly be – leg? Back? Stomach? Somewhere else?
Hajime and Kiku's discussion was interrupted by the sound of a ringing clock.
"Ah, it's all ready!" She exclaimed, going to turn off the ovens before glancing around curiously, "It's strange that no one else has arrived yet from the showers… Usually everyone comes in the cafeteria and starts drooling…"
"Yeah, it's strange that…"
Hajime's voice trailed off when he leaned away from the counter and caught sight of his teammates' faces in the doors' round windows. Of course they wouldn't come drooling at the scent of dinner. They were too busy spying on their Ace and Kiku.
Realizing they were caught, they all pushed off each other and hurried away from Hajime's narrowed, dangerous eyes. Kiku didn't notice a thing because she was too busy taking care of the cooking meal and looking for Mizoguchi who had disappeared for far longer than expected.
"Iwaizumi-san, would you mind go find the others?" She asked.
"Yeah…" He answered, walking towards the swinging-doors.
He found his team trying to act nonchalant and innocent, awkwardly leaning against the walls or each other. They probably tried acting natural – but it resulted in Yahaba playing the yakuza against the wall and frowning at something in front of him, Kindaichi was hiding behind a neutral Kunimi (but he was taller than him so it didn't work), Watari facing the wall and only inches from it, Mattsun was leaning on Makki who had lifted up one leg against the wall and was resting his elbow on said-leg, while Oikawa had leaned against the wall as if he was seducing some invisible girl.
Unimpressed at their lack of discretion, and the third-years' teasing grins, Iwaizumi stared at his friends. He knew very well that they didn't hear a thing – but had seen Kiku whispering something in his ear and from the way they were all trying to hide their joyful expressions and excitedly shivering bodies, they were holding back from asking any question.
Oikawa opened his lips to ask his friend how it had gone, but Iwaizumi cut him before the sound of his voice could fill the hall:
"Dinner's ready. And if anyone asks anything, or gives the slightest remark…"
His voice trailed off threateningly, a dangerous aura surrounding him, everyone startling and feeling chills running down their spines. Satisfied by their eager nods, Hajime pointed to the cafeteria, looking down at all of them as they walked past him.
The dinner was strangely calm this time and everyone enjoyed Kiku's meal, complimenting her as she left the ovens and cooking place to join them, standing a little awkwardly while everyone finished eating. Her father was supposed to come pick her up but he wasn't here yet so she was waiting.
"Kiku-chan~!" Oikawa called suddenly, waving at her when he noticed her standing aside, "Don't you eat with us?" He asked as she approached, thinking he wanted something else.
"A-ah no, I already ate before preparing dinner…" She explained sheepishly.
"Then, sit with us!" The Captain exclaimed eagerly.
He stood up with his trail in hands and before anyone had time to react, he pushed it down to a free seat before patting the chair he had just left – right next to Iwaizumi. Kiku hesitated, glancing over her shoulder at her uncle who either didn't seem to notice what had happened or ignored it completely. She sat hesitantly as Oikawa grinned, ignoring Iwaizumi's glare, and went back to his trail – in front of Kiku and Hajime.
Hajime continued eating, slower, trying not to think about Kiku's presence right next to him with his friends grinning at him teasingly.
"Dinner is excellent, Kiku-chan~ Did you cook it all by yourself~?" Oikawa continued enthusiastically.
"A-ah, Mizoguchi-san helped me…" She answered.
"Waah~ You're like our manager~"
Kiku focused on her hands on her laps, blushing at the compliment.
"It'd be nice having a manager – we were forced to give up all of our previous managers because of Oikawa…" Matsukawa remarked.
"H-hey! It's not my fault! I didn't mean for this to happen!" Oikawa exclaimed.
"If only we had been able to choose between Oikawa and a manager – but coach thought that, for some reason, Oikawa was more important than a manager…" Hanamaki added with a shrug.
"'For some reason'?! Makki! So mean! What do you mean 'if only we had been able to choose'?!" Oikawa whined, several players glancing at the third-years' table from the commotion.
"We would have chosen a cute manager instead of you," Makki and Mattsun said in harmony.
"How can you say such a thing…?! Iwa-chan! Say something!"
Iwaizumi lifted up his head from his bowl of rice and simply shrugged:
"With you on the team, we have more attack power but no manager. Without you on the team, we could still have a pretty good power, have a manager and I would be rid of these constant headaches you create."
"Iwa-chan!"
But Iwaizumi, Hanamaki and Matsukawa smiled, everyone knowing they were just joking. Probably. Kiku smiled lightly at seeing such a good-hearted atmosphere then looked up at Iwaizumi:
"If you have headaches, you should drink ginger tea," she said with a smile.
"O-oh? I-I'll try, y-yeah… thanks…" He answered, cheeks flushing lightly.
The three other third-years smirked, Matsukawa opening his lips to add another comment:
"Great cook, takes care of you…" He started, playing it cool.
"Kiku-chan would make such a good wife~" Oikawa finished proudly.
Kiku blushed terribly, back to her usual shyness while Iwaizumi startled, glaring at his friends while his cheeks turned red. He wanted to shout at his friends but it would have been too obvious that he had been as flustered as Kiku at this not-so-innocent remark.
"By the way," Makki intervened to change topic before Oikawa got strangled, "Don't you have practice with your club?" He asked the girl, pointing his chopsticks at her.
Kiku stared at him a little suspiciously, not understanding why he would make genuine conversation with her. But after deciding that there was nothing wrong in what he asked, she answered:
"I do, but I promised Uncle Nobuteru to help out… You are very numerous after all."
"But your teammates, don't they mind?" Oikawa asked curiously.
Kiku blinked at this, tilting her head on a side:
"Why would they?"
Surprised by the innocent tone of her answer, they only stared at her. They played volleyball – a team sports, they knew how important it was for teammates to get along and to spend time together on and off court.
"Kiku, your father is here," Irihata called.
Kiku quickly said goodbye to the boys, wished them a goodnight, then went off.
"Makki, do you know something?" Oikawa asked as soon as she was gone.
"How would I know?"
"You're her neighbor, you should know something," Mattsun added.
Makki seemed to ponder it for a moment before shrugging:
"I don't know, we never talk about her club activities…"
No one else added anything, changing the topic for something else; only Hajime continued thinking about Kiku and her cheerleading club…
The next day…
"Everyone, you get to have a break for half an hour!" Mizoguchi called after they came back from a running.
Everyone sighed in relief, sitting down on the floor or stairs while eating some onigiris – practicing all day was hard and every break was gladly taken. The coaches had to discuss things and everyone was particularly exhausted after Iwaizumi had pushed them to their limits.
"Yahaba!" Iwaizumi called, making the second-year setter startle.
Lowering his voice as to make sure no one else would hear – even if he wasn't discreet – Iwaizumi ignored the way his cheeks felt a little hotter. But he wasn't blushing, he swore to himself.
"Do you know where is held the cheerleading practice?" He asked, voice sounding closer to a grumble.
Yahaba blinked but nodded nevertheless, giving the indications to the wing-spiker who left the team.
Iwaizumi put his hand in his pockets to try to appear nonchalant. He would just go quickly to the gymnasium Yahaba had indicated to him, have a quick glance at Kiku and her team, and then he'd go back to the volleyball team, his disappearance unnoticed by anyone as long as Oi–
"Iwa-chan!"
Hajime froze completely, shoulders dropping.
As long as Oikawa didn't know…
Knowing he had been caught and couldn't hide his intentions to his childhood friend, Iwaizumi waited for Oikawa to catch up with him then they continued walking side by side towards the gymnasium shared between the basket ball club and cheer leading club.
"You're going to see Kiku-chan? You're worried because of what she said last night?" Oikawa asked with a cheerful smile – before Iwaizumi could answer, he continued, "Aaah~ It's kind of cute and romantic from you~"
"…Why are you here?"
"Making sure you don't chicken out!"
"…"
"Also! It's fun! It's like a secret spying!"
"That's the real reason you're here, isn't it?" Iwaizumi sighed.
Oikawa laughed but didn't give a straightforward answer.
They arrived at the gymnasium and saw the big court divided in two by a net separating the basket ball club and cheer leading club.
"Look! Here is Kiku-chan!" Oikawa exclaimed in a hushed voice, elbowing his friend as they stood near the doors without entering the court.
Hajime's eyes were already on the girl. She was wearing a normal sports outfit and he was a little disappointed – he had half-hoped to see her in her cheer leading outfit but just like their uniforms they probably only put it on for official competitions and shows.
The cheer leading club was a mix with some boys and lots of girls, all doing some stunts and gymnastics to a rhythmic song, shouting their encouragements to some team of Aoba Jousai that wasn't actually here. The Captain – a third-year girl Oikawa knew from clubs' Captains' reunions at school – was counting loudly, everyone doing as she ordered. Iwaizumi and Oikawa watched everyone doing their stunts but after a while, they realized that Kiku was only standing on a side, counting with everyone else without participating. Then, towards the end of their routine, Kiku and another girl ran in front of the various pyramids and stunts made by the rest of the cheer leaders. And Kiku did an entire line of jumps, flips and other skillful moves that showed not only the unexpected muscles of the girl, but also her flexibility and grace.
It was like watching a completely different version of the usual shy girl Hajime knew.
"It's just like you…" He murmured, earning a confused glance from Oikawa, "You're totally different on and off court – Kiku is the same. Totally different from her usual shy behavior…"
Oikawa didn't answer, just looked back at the cheer leaders continuing their practice with a rare seriousness on his face…
"The only reason why I behave differently on and off court is because I act accordingly to everyone's expectations." He answered in a low voice.
He was heard by Hajime who glanced at his friend. If someone knew Oikawa Tooru better than anyone… it was him, and yet, there were still times where he got confused about whether or not his friend was wearing a mask or not. Acting according to everyone's expectations… Oikawa was considered a flirt and happy-go-lucky guy, charming and popular with girls – of course he'd act this way around his fans and everyone who saw him only as that. But underneath this joyful mask hid bitterness and fear, years of hard-work, endless practice, thirst for victory… The seriousness Oikawa was showing on the court was only one side of his personality, but it was the closest to what people could see of his true personality without knowing him.
"Mm…" Hajime agreed with a little nod.
Better than ever, he realized how much Kiku and Oikawa's personality were similar: both hid feelings bottled up deep inside them, and both wore a mask to fit everyone's expectations of them. Hajime had a pretty good idea of what kind of mask Kiku was wearing – but he was lost at what it was hiding.
"Ah! It's Oikawa-senpai and Iwaizumi-senpai!" Some girl on the cheerleading club exclaimed suddenly.
At once, all focus from the cheer leaders disappeared and squeals of girls resonated all around – Hajime growled, it was exactly to avoid that reaction that he hadn't wanted Oikawa to come at all. Tooru put on his mask and waved with a charming smile at the girls who approached, but kept their distance as their team Captain neared the volleyball Captain:
"Oikawa-san, Iwaizumi-san, is there anything you need?" She asked curiously.
"Mm, no, we were just curious about the cheer leaders of our school so we came to watch your practice. I hope it's no bother?" Oikawa asked.
"Not at all! It was just a surprise!" She answered with a smile, "Everyone, break!"
While the cheer leading club spread around to drink water and wipe off the sweat, glancing at the Captain and Vice-Captain of the volleyball club, Hajime looked around. He noticed Kiku drinking water. On her own, while everyone else was in groups of two or three or more. Frowning lightly, Hajime turned back towards the two Captains who were discussing quietly:
"Oi, Ki– I mean, Akiyama-san… why is she all alone over there?" He asked.
The cheer leading Captain blinked then glanced over her shoulder, as if finally noticing that Akiyama Kiku was, indeed, alone.
"Ah, yeah, Akiyama is always on her own."
"Why is that?" Oikawa asked with a smile.
"Tch…"
Curious by her reaction, both young men glanced at her as she explained, looking a little annoyed:
"She's just here, y'know. We don't really want of her, but she doesn't seem to get the message and stays on the team."
Iwaizumi's eyes widened and he took a step forward, about to throw a few well-earned insults to the third-year who didn't seem to notice his reaction – but Oikawa stopped his friend with his arm and spoke up instead:
"That's a really mean thing to say… If she's on the club, there must be something she likes about cheer leading, right?"
"I suppose, yeah, but she's just so weird. Firstly, she's not fit, she ruins the image of the team but because she's kinda good, coach insists she needs to participate – and I'm sure it's just some pulled strings from Irihata – he's her uncle, y'know?"
"So I've heard…" Iwaizumi grumbled, the girl not noticing his growing annoyance.
"Akiyama isn't that good that we absolutely need her, but well. And then, there's what happened in our first-year…"
"What happened?" Oikawa asked, tilting his head on a side.
The Captain pouted and looked once again at Kiku who was trying hard not to be noticed by anyone, looking down at her feet and keeping a neutral expression on her face. But some loneliness slipped through.
"She was just so clingy and annoying, things didn't go well for the first Golden Week training. She was constantly around us, trying to force a conversation and be friendly but she would always skip away from time to time – and one day, we saw why: she is covered in scars!"
Hajime's eyes widened, his heart missing a beat as Oikawa threw him a worried look. The cheerleading Captain didn't seem to notice and continued with a shiver running down her spine:
"The poor girl is hideous! Nature wasn't kind to her, but to the point of scarring oneself… it's just creepy! Akiyama freaked out and tried to explain to us, but, we were scared, y'know. If she was willing to hurt herself that much – what would she do to us? She called her parents who came to get her in the middle of the Golden Week practice – can you believe that? We thought she'd leave the team but she stayed and remained all this time! After that, she never tried to be friendly to any of us so… she's just kinda here now." She explained quickly, wanting to talk with Oikawa alone more than talk about this girl.
Oikawa seemed thoughtful but before he could add anything, Hajime intervened:
"Did any of you try to befriend her?" He asked, sounding dangerous.
The cheerleading Captain startled and paled a little at the tone of his voice but she swallowed because she couldn't find any answer to that without admitting that she had never tried to go towards Kiku.
The sudden raise of voice had attracted a few people's attention and everyone stared at their Captain apparently arguing with Iwaizumi Hajime – especially Kiku who hadn't heard anything but could see from afar the burning anger in Hajime's eyes.
Then, Hajime whipped around and walked away, Oikawa glancing between the cheer leading Captain, Kiku and his friend.
"I-Iwa-chan! Wait!" He exclaimed, running after him after a very quick goodbye to the cheerleading club.
"It pisses me off!" Iwaizumi exclaimed, fists clenched tightly as they exited the gymnasium.
Oikawa pouted, understanding what he meant but the Ace continued, a dangerous and fiery aura emanating from him:
"Everyone judges Kiku without trying to get to know her! She's spent three years with these selfish snobs who think they're better than anyone! She's been all alone all this time and doesn't even know what a team is like! It's so unfair! And…! And!" He hissed.
Iwaizumi slowed down, his angry frown turning into a hurt one. He gritted his teeth and Tooru blinked at his reaction.
"…And what did she mean… covered in scars…? What happened to Kiku?" He muttered in a low voice, "Why isn't she telling me anything?"
Tooru wasn't sure what to answer to that… he could comfort his friend, but they both knew that his anger was justified and that the one needing comfort was Kiku… but she wasn't in the same gymnasium as them… Unless…
"Perhaps we could convince her to join the volleyball club as a manager?" Oikawa suggested as they reached their gymnasium.
Iwaizumi froze, a foot on a step, before turning around quickly. He seemed to think about it for a moment before frowning and pouting:
"If Kiku stayed for three years on the cheerleading club despite these idiots rejecting her, there must be a reason…"
"She must really like cheerleading… which doesn't make sense considering she's very shy." Oikawa continued, "But it couldn't hurt asking her anyway? She's making our meals already."
"Helping out Mizoguchi to make us dinner isn't the same thing as being a full-time manager!" Iwaizumi answered.
Oikawa rubbed the back of his neck but before he could add anything else, Hanamaki called for them from one of the many halls in the volleyball club's gymnasium:
"Ah, there you are, you two! We were looking for you!"
Iwaizumi glanced quickly at his friend before shaking his head without adding anything else and retreating, still pissed off, in the gymnasium's restrooms before break was over. Hanamaki glanced at him then back at a sighing Oikawa:
"Did something happen?" He asked, raising an eyebrow.
"An unfortunate and confusing insight is what happened…" Oikawa answered with a shrug.
"With this answer I need an insight because I don't get it," he answered without even blinking.
"I'll tell you about it tonight, let's go back before Mizoguchi goes on a wild hunt!" Oikawa decided.
I had mentioned the song "Rockbell" from Chico and the Honeyworks fitting Kiku and Kijime; but I found two other songs: "Stand by You" by Rachel Platten and "Strong" by Sonna Rele (I prefer the piano version)~! :3
We now know moe about Kiku, and from now on, the mystery will be increased at every answer we obtain~!
NEXT CHAPTER : FROM RUCKUS TO MAYHEM
Yours Truly,
May