I had forgotten to say it last chapter but this fanfic has reached over 200 reviews, 225 favorites and OVER 300 FOLLOWS! Thank you SO MUCH for everyone's support! :D
I said it also on Sowlmate's last chapter but for the ones who don't read it: Redonix made lovely fanarts of Ayakou and Kijime that you can see if you find on google her deviantart "red-rowan"! Check it out! :D
As usual, thank you for your favorites, follows and reviews! :D
AnimeViolinist001 : I'm so happy for KIku too~ She will be so supportive of them all, and one most of all, ahah~ I can't wait for the InterHigh so she can do her special ecouraging treatment to Hajime~ You know what? I think that if Ayaka had chosen ANYONE other than Bokuto, Akio would be okay wiht it - Ushijima, Akaashi, Oikawa,even Iwaizumi... he'd be down for any of them (except Tendou) but it HAD to be the only boy he can't see in picture (Bokuto). And who wouldn't approve of Hajime? :D
Krisia : Ahah, I hope I'll ruin your make-up even more in the future! :D For happy and sad tears! :D Sorry, I just keep forgetting to call you Krisia! We'll have a quick reaction of the cheerleaders and some classmates at Kiku's change of club, btuthe big reaciton will be when they'll start dating.
pinkdoughtnuts : The difference will be more obvious with everyday Kiku will spend with the boys. Don't worry, Iwaizumi will start a slow progress. :)
LuxKlara : I prossimi capitolo eranno felici! ;) Honestamente, di tutti i miei OC, Kiku è la più forta e la più incredibile. I suoi cicatrici eranno menzionate nel questo capitolo, ma il mistero resta intero! :)
Reader fan: Shouta is such a great character and they're not even dating but he already gave his blessing to Hajiem for dating, marrying and being the father to his future grandchildrren. Ahah, out of context te whole "tattoo? Lizard? Godzilla?" sounds very werid but you'll see in time! XD
sxs1000 : I like how you passionetely said that anyone should be able to do what they like, regardless of how they look before adding "but no murder, it's bad" XD It's very true, but it was funny the way you said it! x) Fluff and Kiku taking care of Iwa-chan are definitely coming! ;) Everything is going to accelerate now, and every chapter will have something new. :) I'm so glad you like Kiku's name! I find it so adorable! I don't remember if I had put it in the early chapters, but it means chrysanthem... chrysanthema... dh, I never remmeber the name in English of that flower, but it's the name of a flower! XD
Houshikun001 : If you're tearing up for Kiku's treatment of her teamamtes and how she was accepted among the volleyboys, you might cry a river by the end of the fanfic. ;D
Shy Guest : Thank you for all of your reviews! It made me SO HAPPY! :D Thanks to Hajiem noticing her, Kiku will have so many friends - the team, Shinobu, ... it's a big change for KIku, but the best she could have hoped for. :) I have to add more "creampuff" references to Makki, it's so adorable that people call him that! XD And his relationship with Kiku is so great! :) I think Iwaizumi killed Oikawa many times over the years, but he's his best friend so he brought him back to life, or soemthing. He probablys just has to say "oh, an UFO" "WHERE?!" . It'd be funny if Oikawa wasn't a good singer but I can't imagine not knowing how to sing because ... Namikawa Daisuke. Ooooh! A mattsun-Kiku teaming to tease the hell out of Makki would be hilarious! xd I hadn't noticed that Mattsun was the one with the constant sex jokes, but it's true - him and Makki, both. XD Poor Hajime... You dream of Hajime taking off his clothes? Girl, can I have the same dream? Seriosuly, that's so lucky! XD The kouhai-senpai kink will definitely come back later on. I'm so glad you like my writing style and my attempts at humor! XD Native language? May I ask you your native language and where yo'ure from? :D I love knowing where my readers are from because it's amazing that people from all aroud the world can connect through Haikyuu (and my fafics)! :D I'll have to check the mecha thing about Iwa-chan! ;) Baby animals are coming (next chapter I think) The Aoba Jousai's 3rd years are also my favorite group of friends in Haikyuu - with the 3rd gymnasium! ;) I didn't like hurting Iw-chan either but... it means Kiku caring for him and I couldn't let this oppotunity go away... / Leaing the toxic people behind is hard but Kiku made the best choice, and now she has lots of friends who care for her and who she can care for in return! ;) I hope you'll like this chapter as well! :D
AmericanNidiot : I'm so sorry I hadn't noticed your name hadn't appeaed correclty - I usually copy-paste the surname but it might have gone wrong lst time! " Don't worry, when they'll be foficial, papa bear Shouta will give a long and intense speech to Hajime who will have no choice but to nod to everything he says.
LilyDaph : Oh lala, je me sens coupable pour ton manque de sommeil! " J'espère que le chapitre est arrivé assez vite à ton goût? ;)
FANFICTION
HAIKYUU! : QUIET VOICE
CHAPTER XXI : Connection
"She is proud, she is struggling with herself; but kind, charming, generous."
— Fyodor Dostoevsky, The Brothers Karamazov
"To be kind is more important than to be right. Many times what people need is not a brilliant mind that speaks, but a special heart that listens."
— Anonymous
"Your hand touching mine. This is how galaxies collide."
― Sanober Khan
"Finding someone you can really connect with is like winning the lottery — It happens basically never, but if it does, you really shouldn't blow it."
— Jessica Verdi, What You Left Behind
"Sometimes silence is a really good answer."
— Unknown
"We didn't talk about anything heavy or light. We were just there together. And that was enough."
— Stephen Chbosky
"Big things are often just little things that people notice."
— Markus Zusak, I Am the Messenger
"The curves of your lips rewrite history."
— Oscar Wilde
Before going to get their showers and bags and clean everything, the team ate the last of Kiku's cookies and drank the tea brought by their new manager. They all sat in groups of two or three, or more, chatting with smiles and laughs. And this time, Kiku wasn't alone on her side, she was surrounded by the four third-years regulars, who were half-teasing her and Hajime, and half-discussing light-heartedly.
"After we've cleaned up everything, we bring our bags back to our places, take a shower, change clothes and the team gathers for a karaoke! You'll join us, Kiku-chan?" Oikawa asked excitedly, munching on one of her cookie.
"I-I d-don't know…"
"You're part of the team now!" Mattsun exclaimed.
"We won't take no for an answer!" Oikawa declared determinedly.
"T-then, I-I guess…" She agreed hesitantly.
"Makki will wait for you so you don't get lost, then!"
Iwaizumi frowned lightly while Makki sighed deeply.
"Greaaat… now that you're on the team, I'll have to avoid eating anything you prepare for us. And make sure I won't get killed in my sleep." He answered jokingly, pretending to be annoyed.
"You won't have to worry about that, Makki!" Kiku answered.
"Don't call me that." He said with a frown because only Oikawa dared call him that – and the fact that Kiku just called him 'Makki' was making Oikawa bounce around excitedly like a radioactive rabbit.
She totally ignored his remark and continued with a smile:
"After all, the poison I've been feeding you all week should end you by Sunday. No need to worry about the future, you don't have any." She said with her usual kind voice.
Makki stared at her with wide eyes as she stood up to go fill her glass again. Mattsun was staring, impressed by her smugness, joke and the fact that she had managed to get Makki to shut up. Oikawa had stopped jumping and was keeping a smile on his face, blinking and trying to figure out whether or not he had heard right. Iwaizumi was staring at Kiku, lips open in shock, but then, he chuckled to himself, covering his amused snicker with a hand.
"OI! Don't laugh! What if it's true?! What if I'm dying?!" Makki exclaimed dramatically, totally believing Kiku would poison him.
"Well, then, I guess we'll need to find another wing-spiker," Iwaizumi answered with a shrug.
"Don't get rid of me so easily!"
Once everything was cleaned up and that Iwaizumi and Oikawa (mostly Iwaizumi) checked that everything was cleaned up in the gymnasium, cafeteria, restrooms, bathrooms and the classroom they had slept in, they left, being the last ones. They got home, took their showers and got dressed for the usual karaoke post team practice.
Most of the team was already waiting at the meeting point, Kindaichi looking shy to be with his senpai while Kunimi was as stoic as ever. Makki and Kiku arrived, surprisingly, without arguing. It took everything he had in himself for Iwaizumi to not collapse from fever when he saw how adorable she was. She was wearing a dress with high-thighs and Godzilla be his guide to remain functional for the whole evening when she was so pretty. Of course, Oikawa openly complimented their new manager – which made her blush and Hajime wished he had been the one getting her to blush like that. She glanced up at him, half-waiting for his reaction but as soon as their eyes met, he glanced away, flushing. Kiku looked away awkwardly and these two who were mysteriously left on the side by the rest of the team (Captain's orders) remained in a heavy silence until everyone arrived. Then they started walking towards the karaoke, everyone falling into easy conversation which, for once, had nothing to do with volleyball. Perhaps meeting outside of school or practice and wearing casual clothes helped everyone relax.
Iwaizumi and Kiku were following the group, Oikawa glanced at them often and smiling encouragingly at his friend who kept glaring at him for no reason other than the fact that he had no idea what to do or talk about.
"You look nice," Kiku said, breaking the silence.
It surprised Hajime who blinked at her, not knowing what to do or say, so he just gaped at her. Until he blushed, startled and forced his voice to come out of his mouth:
"Y-you too! Y-you look very pretty…" He exclaimed awkwardly because he should have been the one complimenting her first.
Kiku glanced up at him then looked him up and down slowly. Hajime swallowed hard because she was looking at him and it didn't feel like an innocent gaze at all…
"You look more like yourself than last time," she added with a smile.
The last time they had seen each other in casual clothes had been when they had been studying for their paper – the time Hajime ended up in the bakery didn't count considering she had had an apron and he had had been covered in sweat.
"Y-yeah, last time Oikawa had been the one dressing me, saying that I needed to be dressed 'properly' for a study-date and… a-and… NOT THAT IT HAD BEEN A DATE!" He exclaimed suddenly with wide eyes, realizing his mistake.
Kiku looked up at him, blinked then smiled, awkward and shy again. Hajime looked away and flushed in embarrassment. They didn't add anything else for the rest of the way but now he knew not to let Oikawa dress him because Kiku could tell he wasn't being himself. It pleased him more than it should have.
The group entered the karaoke, the first-years and Kiku remaining behind and following the ones who were used to this tradition. After ordering drinks, they all started discussing on who would sing first. When it became close to an argument, Iwaizumi decided that everyone would draw lots to decide of the order. Oikawa whined when he was in the last ones while Hanamaki was the first one to go.
"You don't have a number, Iwaizumi-san. Don't you want to sing?" Kiku asked, leaning towards him to glance at his nonexistent number.
"Eeeh… no… I'm fine," he answered, glancing away.
"Let's start!" Makki exclaimed, standing up.
"No! Let's wait for the drinks to arrive!" Oikawa exclaimed.
Kiku glanced at Iwaizumi who remained focused on staying as silent as possible, then, she glanced at the others, watching their banter like an amusing show. Hajime glanced at the girl but then, she glanced at him from the corner of her eye and both looked away.
The drinks arrived, Makki passionately sang off-key, followed by a shy Watari. Kiku and Hajime didn't say a thing to each other, barely glancing at each other and when they did, they would immediately look away and blush.
"Oi, we've gotta do something…" Mattsun said, leaning towards Oikawa and nodding towards the couple.
"They're not even talking. Why are they so awkward now that she's on the team?" Makki asked.
"Maybe because they know they'll spend plenty of times together now?" Oikawa started, "AH! I know! Let's get them to sing together!"
"Iwaizumi never sang, not once. He doesn't like singing, especially in front of people. He'll never accept."
"Unless Kiku-chan is the one asking him?"
"I don't think this is gonna work…"
"Hold on, where is Kiku-chan?" Oikawa asked suddenly.
Everyone turned to him, the few who hadn't noticed the girl's disappearance glanced at the empty seat next to Iwaizumi who shrugged:
"Just went to the restrooms. She said she passed her turn singing and whoever's next should sing. So Kindaichi, your turn," he said.
"Ah! Uh! Y-yes!"
"We won't get to listen to the alien-mermaid's sweet singing!" Yahaba whined.
Instead, they listened to Kindaichi who was so nervous and blushy, he could barely utter a word without messing it up. It was one of these rare times when they saw Kunimi smile in amusement. In the middle of the song, Kiku came back and swiftly went back next to Iwaizumi while smiling encouragingly at Kindaichi – who blushed even more in embarrassment:
"What did I miss?" She asked Hajime, leaning towards him as discreetly as possible.
"Kunimi's smile," he answered so calmly he surprised himself.
"He can smile?" She continued, blinking in disbelief.
Iwaizumi chuckled, hiding his smile behind his hand. Kiku couldn't help but smile hearing the sound and the two visibly relaxed.
"Seems like the ice is broken…" Mattsun remarked.
"Yeah…" Oikawa said with a smile.
"Oikawa, your turn," Makki said, bringing the boy's attention back on the karaoke.
Oikawa sang enthusiastically, better than expected even if no one was particularly surprised – he was the closest being to perfection anyway. The team was used to listen to him humming and sometimes singing in the shower so they knew he could sing. They hadn't expected the wide gestures and passion put in the song – but once again it was Oikawa Tooru so they weren't that surprised. Just praying he wouldn't break something in his wild gestures.
Once everyone had sung once (except the stubborn ones who just wanted to laugh at the others, like Iwaizumi and Kunimi), they took turns for whoever wanted to sing, sometimes arguing but a glare from Iwaizumi would quickly settle things. Of course, Oikawa and Makki sung most of all, sometimes joined in duets by Matsukawa and Yahaba. It quickly turned into a competition and Kindaichi couldn't stay away from trying to win and it was who would do the most passionate singing. At some point, Oikawa had taken off his jacket and had started stripping off his clothes which made Kiku turn away with blushed cheeks. When she glanced back, a few seconds later, Makki and Mattsun had taken off their shirts as well for a reason she couldn't understand?
"Oi, put your clothes back on…" Iwaizumi said once the song was over, sounding annoyed.
"You're boring, why don't you come singing here? Where is your competitive spirit?" Makki asked, but put back on his shirt anyway.
"I know I'm going to lose so I'm staying here." He answered, used to their teasing.
"A wise warrior knows when to fight and when to quit, something you might need to learn, Makki," Kiku intervened with a chuckle.
Hajime nodded firmly to that while the young man rolled his eyes at the new nickname she was giving him.
"Why don't you join us, Kiku-chan~?" Oikawa asked, pointing a micro to her in an inviting way, "You haven't sung yet, and we know you love singing!"
"O-oh… I-I… I-I don't know… I-I n-never…" She stammered, glancing down at her laps.
"Don't tell me you've never been to a karaoke before?" Mattsun asked with wide eyes.
"You HAVE to sing – Captain's orders!" Oikawa exclaimed with an exaggeratedly shocked expression.
Kiku hesitated and glanced quickly at Hajime who was watching her closely. He gave her a tiny, encouraging smile and nodded.
"Go, you'll love it…" He murmured, pushing her lightly.
Kiku grinned and hurried, almost bouncing to Oikawa's side, while he gave her a micro, the other third-years going to take a break and enjoy the show.
"Why don't you sing a duet? It might be less stressful for you!" He exclaimed suddenly.
"I-I don't mind…" She answered shyly.
"But I want to rest and everyone is tired after singing so much…" He continued, glancing at everyone thoughtfully as if he was looking for some victim.
Understanding that he wanted Kiku and Hajime to sing together, everyone pretended to be exhausted, even the ones who hadn't sung that much. Iwaizumi brought up his glass to his lips and blinked when he noticed Oikawa's gaze stopping on him.
"What?" He said, staring at his friend.
"Iwa-chan~! Why don't–"
"No."
"I didn't say anything yet!"
"You're about to tell me to sing with Kiku, and it's no. You know damn well that I can't sing to save my life. I'm not going to… to…"
His determined voice trailed off when Kiku turned to him. The moment their eyes met, Hajime's conviction shook and everyone held their breathe, praying they would finally hear their Vice-Captain's singing voice. Hajime glanced away, pouting and feeling his cheeks heat up…
"Iwa-chan, do it for Kiku-chan! She needs reassurance… we're all tired… you're the only one who can do it…" Oikawa murmured, his voice still reaching the other side of the room.
Hajime stubbornly kept his face turned away. But then, he made the mistake of glancing back at Kiku. She was smiling lightly, timidly at him, as if silently asking him to join her, her eyes shining in excitement. He growled, put his face in his hands then got up with bright red cheeks:
"Ok! But one song, that's it!" He mumbled.
"YEEAAAAH!" They all shouted, standing up and lifting up their arms.
Kiku hopped happily until he reached her and Oikawa gave Iwaizumi the second micro with a big, bright smile.
"Enjoy~!" He whispered to the Ace with a tap on the shoulder.
"I'm going to punch you. Actually – if any of you laughs at my singing, I'll turn you into a bloody watermelon! Got it?!" Iwaizumi threatened, looking at each and every one of his teammates, mostly the three impossible ones who had miraculously passed in their third-years without dying by his hands.
Everyone put on innocent looks while Makki chose the song, along with Oikawa and Matsukawa, all three leaning over the remoter and staring intensely at the screen.
Kiku smiled up at Hajime, glad to have this moment with him even if for once, he was the one looking shy and uncomfortable.
"Don't worry, your singing can't be worse than Makki's," she said with an earnest smile.
"EH!" Makki exclaimed, frowning at her.
But it made Hajime chuckle and he nodded, thankful that she was trying to reassure him. Just then, music started. Kiku and Hajime blushed when they recognized the song. Iwaizumi turned around and glared at Oikawa who simply lifted up his fingers in his usual peace sign. But before Iwaizumi could bark an insult, Kiku started singing, focusing on the lyrics at the screen even though she knew the song already.
Hajime felt like his heart was about to burst into flames when it was his turn and he started singing, looking away from everyone and ignoring the blush on his cheeks when he heard some snickers, knowing damn well that everyone was making fun of him and possibly recording this miracle of Iwaizumi Hajime singing. His voice was low and closer to a grumble than the singing of a romantic song but it was the best he could do. At least, he wasn't squeaking in embarrassment.
Hajime jumped out of his skin and the singing stopped abruptly when he tried to hold back a scream. He glanced down and saw Kiku's hand delicately touching his, as if for reassurance. Too stunned to continue singing, he stopped just as she raised the micro to continue her part, for the chorus. And it sounded so beautiful, so angelic when it was Kiku singing…
Glancing once again at her fingers touching the back of his hand delicately, he turned around his hand to take her hand in his. But Kiku pulled away and he only grasped the air. Hajime looked back at her face and wondered if she had pulled away on purpose, but her expression was so joyful, enjoying the song, that he couldn't figure out whether or not she had noticed his gesture to try to grasp her hand.
Hajime stared at Kiku for the rest of the song, feeling at peace just by listening to her angelic voice. He was supposed to sing another part, but when Kiku realized he was too busy staring at her, she took care of singing everything.
Once the song was over, Kiku and Hajime stared at each other, lost in their gazing… until the volleyball team started clapping.
"That was amazing, Akiyama-senpai!" Yahaba exclaimed cheerfully.
"Iwaizumi, that was so lame, man! You were ridiculous!" Makki exclaimed, laughing with tears in his eyes.
"O-OI! D-don't laugh!" He exclaimed, blushing in embarrassment.
"Iwa-chan has grown up so much~!" Oikawa said, tears in his eyes.
"YOU! Stop crying! Stop laughing, Hanamaki, damn it!"
It quickly turned into an enthusiastic argument and after a while, when Hanamaki took hold of the micro once again, Iwaizumi decided to get out of the room to take some fresh air. He was still too shaken up by the duet with Kiku and the way her fingers had touched his skin.
Iwaizumi took a deep breath of fresh air, the night had already fallen and he sat on a nearby bench, closing his eyes and lifting up his face to the sky.
"What am I supposed to do next…?" He muttered to himself.
"I'm sorry, I don't know…"
Hajime jumped out of his skin another time and almost climbed over the bench, blushing when he noticed Kiku standing behind him with a little smile, hands in her back.
"I-I saw you leave the room a-and I was wondering if you were… all right… I-I know you don't like singing, s-so I hope it didn't bother you… singing with me…?" She hesitated, glancing down at her feet shyly.
Hajime felt his heart go wild but he swallowed back the lump in his throat:
"N-no…"
There was a short moment where only the chirping of birds in a nearby tree was heard. A breeze shook Kiku's dress and hair while Hajime sat back on the bench so he wouldn't look like he was about to kill himself with it.
"M-may I…?" She hesitated, taking a shy step forward towards the bench.
"Y-yes, p-please," he said, showing her the place next to him.
He made sure to stare at his feet and realized that his feet were shaking nervously and his hands were fumbling anxiously while Kiku sat next to him. Close enough to feel each other's warmth, but not close enough to touch. She was sitting quietly, calmly and he glanced quickly at her, forcing his limbs to stop moving so much.
Hajime's breath got caught in his throat as he stared with a light blush on his cheeks Kiku who was smiling kindly to a couple of birds who were hoping in front of them. Wind brushed her hair away from her face and her hand quickly came up to keep her hair from hitting her face or going too wild. Hajime was pretty sure he had seen something on her neck – a long, white mark. A scar… but it had been so fast he couldn't be sure and Kiku hadn't realized he had seen anything.
"I…" She started, making him jump out of his staring, "I wanted to thank you for everything you've done for me all this time…"
Kiku glanced up at Hajime and his heart sped up.
"I-it's… n-nothing, I didn't… it was Oikawa…" He answered, his voice sounding unsure, weird.
Kiku didn't answer right away but then, her smile grew a little bigger and she turned to him, shaking her head lightly.
"He's the one who gave me another option… but… y-you're the one who gave me a choice…" She murmured, looking right into his eyes.
Hajime stared back, stunned by her words and the way her eyes shone while looking at him… There was a moment of complete silent and Hajime realized that despite her words, he still couldn't understand what she had meant by it. He couldn't understand most of her despite their connection. Because there was a connection between them, there was no denying it. They both knew it, they were both aware of each other's feelings but they kept what they had as it was to not break it. It was too precious, too important to do anything that might shatter it.
Open up to me. Tell me something no one else knows. Tell me what I need to know. Let me kiss you. Let me hold you hand. Trust me… Were as many things that Hajime wanted to say at this moment but for once, he thought that the best answer would be silence.
He only nodded, acknowledging her words and her feelings and she smiled, going back into their quiet moment.
Hajime was lost in thoughts, mostly thinking about what he should do next concerning Kiku – should he ask her out? Should he tell her his feelings? Then what? Would she return them? Wouldn't she? Hanamaki had mentioned that she didn't want to date him despite her feelings. What was stopping her? What had happened to her? What was he supposed to do for Kiku to trust him completely?
Hajime blinked when he felt some weight on his shoulder, he glanced down and after a missed heartbeat, his heart suddenly sped up at the realization that Kiku had fallen asleep on his shoulder. He stared at the girl's face, his fingers brushing hers hesitantly – partly because of the splint around his wrist, and partly because he didn't to risk waking her by moving too much… His cheeks burnt when with his other hand, he delicately pulled away a strand of hair from falling over her face. Her hair was soft and he wanted to keep sliding his fingers through it but he couldn't do that. He kept staring at her, noticing that her eyelashes were long, and just like her hair, had copper reflections. He didn't even know that eyelashes could do that but it just added to her beauty. Her lips moved softly as she breathed in and out calmly… She seemed peaceful but he couldn't tell if it was how she always looked when asleep, if the exhaustion was too much, or perhaps… perhaps it was because he was with her…
"I'm in love with you…" Hajime whispered.
His voice trembled a little, and it was higher than he intended because of his nerves and the fact that it had escaped his lips before he could control his heart or reason… he half expected Kiku to look up at him, shocked and blushing, before smiling lovingly… but she remained sleeping. Hajime let out a shaky breathe, cheek blushing, not quite sure whether or not he felt relief to know she hadn't heard his confession. He wasn't ready to confess yet – he hadn't even expected to say the little words before it had already escaped his lips to convey the voice of his heart. But he realized he didn't mind… Saying "I'm in love with you" while staring at a sleeping Kiku felt good, it felt right and he couldn't wait to say it again and next time… she'd be awake and he'd look right into her eyes to make sure she knew the strength of his feelings for her.
Slowly, he smiled softly and he leaned down, making sure not to move and wake her, and his lips brushed her forehead. It was the touch of a feather, a caress of comforting love, the soothing warmth of being cared for…
Kiku didn't wake up but she seemed to feel something because she smiled in her sleep and nuzzled a little closer to Hajime, falling into a deep but reassuring sleep.
Some time later…
"Where have Iwaizumi and Akiyama gone to?" Matsukawa asked, glancing around as the team exited the karaoke.
"No idea, they disappeared after their song and they haven't come back since…" Yahaba answered, pulling his jacket on him.
"I'll try finding them, you guys go home safely~!" Oikawa exclaimed with a wave.
"Who are you? Their doting mother?" Mattsun asked as the first and second years saluted their senpais and left in the opposite direction.
"Nah, the team's mother is Iwaizumi," Makki remarked.
"We might have two moms now that Kiku is here," Matsukawa continued while Oikawa sent messages to his friend.
But when the sound of a phone vibrating resonated in Iwaizumi's jacket he was carrying, he realized that a phone would not be the solution to their missing teammates.
"I don't want her as my mom, she wants my death." Makki said, sounding frightened.
"Your actual mother probably wants your death too, as annoying as you can be…"
Takahiro glared at Issei half-heartedly before turning towards Tooru who was sighing as he put away his phone and gave up.
"No idea where they might have gone? If I don't bring Kiku back, her father will be the one killing me…" He mumbled, lifting up grumpily the girl's bag he was carrying in one hand.
"You have an awful long list of people wanting to kill you… don't you think something's wrong with you?" Matsukawa asked calmly.
"What about you– oh."
Hanamaki's probably insult was stopped when his eyes caught sight of two silhouettes he recognized instantly. Oikawa and Matsukawa turned around, the first gasping and squealing when he saw that Hajime and Kiku were sitting on a bench, her head resting on his shoulder and his head on top of hers…
"They've fallen asleep… seriously?" Hanamaki mumbled.
"They're cute, let's take pictures for blackmail," Mattsun said, already taking pictures and sending them to the entire volleyball team.
"Who is going to wake them up?" Oikawa asked, tilting his head on a side.
Matsukawa and Hanamaki glanced at him and before the setter had time to do anything, Takahiro threw him Kiku's bag in the arms and the two third-years turned around while Oikawa struggled with his jacket, Iwaizumi's jacket and Kiku's bag in his arms.
"W-wait! Y-you're not going to let me do it on my own!"
"Make sure Iwaizumi is the one bringing her home safely!" Hanamaki exclaimed without bothering the turn around.
"O-oi! Don't leave me on my own!" Oikawa exclaimed before glancing nervously at the couple, afraid he might have waken them up, but they didn't even budge.
Matsukawa glanced at Hanamaki as they walked away, ignoring Oikawa's whining because not only he didn't want to wake them when they were so cute, but also… Hajime wasn't in the best of mood when waking up, probably even less if he was being woken up from a slumber with his one and only. It was the main reason why the two had decided to save their lives.
"You're saying you hate her but you're actually protective of her and you want them together," Issei remarked.
Takahiro huffed and turned his head away stubbornly, he'd die before admitting such a thing.
"I don't see what you're talking about. I don't care about what they'll do, these two lovestruck idiots!" He mumbled.
"Liar."
"Tch."
For once, though, Iwaizumi had been too sleepy to actually get angry for being waking up – he didn't mind waking up (slowly) when it was his clock, but when someone bothered him in his sleep, he hated that. The first thing he saw was Oikawa waving at him sheepishly while carrying all of their stuff… but then, he saw Kiku's still sleeping face and his expression softened. The fact that he was still numb from sleep and exhaustion helped a lot as well…
Hajime gently woke Kiku up and despite her cute yawning and the adorable little rubbing of her eyes, she stood up and followed the two, still too sleepy to really know what was happening. Hajime almost tripped over his feet and lost his mind completely when she held onto his sleeve and followed him around, still drowsy.
"You know, you could just take her to your home, I'm sure you mom won't mind it if you finally bring a girl back – also you'll both enjoy the night and–"
"Shut up, Trashykawa! Pervykawa!" Iwaizumi hissed but his friend only chuckled at his embarrassment.
Oikawa went his own way while Iwaizumi walked Kiku back to her home, finally waking up after the sky has darkened and stars started twinkling, the two walked quietly. Hajime's jacket was around Kiku's shoulders and they were walking slowly, as if to keep the moment of goodbye as far away as possible… but eventually… they passed by Hanamaki's house and they stopped in front of Kiku's front yard.
"Thank you… for bringing me home…" She murmured with a sweet smile and sparkly eyes.
"I-it was nothing… considering your chaperone has abandoned you…" He answered, glancing at the window lit up from Takahiro's bedroom.
Kiku chuckled to his grumbling voice that hid the tenderness and kindness of the young man.
"I'm glad he did…" She whispered to herself.
Hajime looked back at the girl, eyes slightly widened, not sure he had heard very well… was he imagining things…?
But she smiled at him then moved a little, taking a deep breathe that made her rise a little on her tiptoes.
"I'm sorry I fell asleep on your shoulder… it's… very embarrassing…" She admitted with a flustered chuckle.
"I-it was fine… I… uh, I fell asleep too so, uh…" He answered awkwardly, rubbing the back of his neck and flushing.
"I guess we're both exhausted after this week of practice and everything that happened, uh…?" She concluded softly.
"Y-yeah… I guess…" He nodded, scratching his cheek and glancing at her with a smile.
"I-I should go…" She said sadly, glancing over her shoulder.
"Y-yeah… uh… goodnight, I suppose…?"
"Y-yes… g-goodnight a-and… I'll see you on Monday…?" She hesitated, twisting a strand of hair.
"Y-yeah, Monday… class…" He mumbled with the biggest, goofiest smile to exist.
She smiled just as brightly but remained in front of him… then, she jumped towards Hajime and touched the back of his non-injured hand, softly, tenderly, just like when she had tried to reassure him during the karaoke. She stood on her tiptoes while pulling him down a little and kissed his cheek quickly, both blushing terribly as Kiku walked away with a huge smile.
Hajime stared at her, shocked, heart so loud he couldn't hear her last "goodnight". She glanced at him from over her shoulder and he smiled even more. He started to turn away, as slowly as possible, until Kiku came back running to him, giving him his jacket before walking away once again, chuckling at her own forgetfulness…
Hajime saw her silhouette disappear in the darkness and he brought up the jacket to his face, partly to hide his red cheeks and bright smile… but mostly to breathe Kiku's lingering scent. She smelled of pastry and bread – from living in a bakery – with a hint of lemon – from her shampoo or body soap?
He took a deep breathe in, eyes closed and walking a few steps. He wobbled then fell against the Hanamaki house's wood fence. He sighed and let himself drop on the ground, jerking his head backwards and chuckling. He breathed Kiku's smell again then laughed delightfully, looking up at the stars and thanking them for giving him the chance to meet Kiku.
Did I mention I had loved writing this chapter? It made me feel all ~fuwa fuwa~ inside and pretty much most of the next chapters will be like that! We'll learn more and more about Kiku! ;D
NEXT CHAPTER : KINDNESS
Yours Truly,
May