I should probably wait a bit more but I'm too impatient to post Chapter 31 and see your reactions! XD
Thank you to everyone who followed and favorited and reviewed! :D
pinkdoughtnuts : I wanted them to win too, but unfortunately, I had to follow the manga... I'm so happy you loved the way Hajime loves her - and talking about sun, moon and all... All of my main girls represent an astre of some sort: Ayaka is the moon, Kiku the sun, Akane the night (ok, not an actual spacy stuff but well), and Oikawa's girl the stars. And yes... Ushijima's cousin. Ah, by the way - she'll make an appearance in this story. And Ushijima and Tendou will reappaear as well - their interactions with Kiku and Oikawa or Iwaizumi are too funny. XD
TamashinoSuzume : Kiku really evolved a lot in so little tiem and just thanks to Iwaizumi and the volleyball team~
TheLadyMuse : Tendou's reaction when he sees her again is in THIS chapter! ;) But yes, he'll never fully recover, the poor boy... x)
LuxKlara : Al momento di questa storia Oikawa ha incontrata il suo ragazza ma non sa chi è esattamente. Tendou really had no idea Seijou was around when he started singing, otherwise he wouldn't have.
Krisia : Believe me, after writing their interaction I'm going to add more of Ushiwaka and TENDOU and Kiku together! XD
xxjaelee : Kiku WAS the Queen of the mathc, after all! ;) Shiratorizawa will definitely reappear and Tendou will face his worst nigthmare once again. x) There won't be another guy falling for Kiku - the only one who 'could' is Tendou but he's too scared now and she's already taken; but there IS a rival with Yuuna being in love with Kiku as well. As for Oikaawa's love interest, she'll appear in this story btu he will have his own story later. :)
AnimeViolinist001 : Writig the match was emotionally exhaustnig for me! x) Chapter 31 is soon, very very soon~
Aquafin: Kiku and Tendou were the best part of this chapter! XD
FANFICTION
HAIKYUU! : QUIET VOICE
CHAPTER XXX : Broken Monotony
"Love is like the wind, you can't see it but you can feel it."
― Nicholas Sparks, A Walk to Remember
"A generous heart is always open, always ready to receive our going and coming. In the midst of such love we need never fear abandonment. This is the most precious gift true love offers - the experience of knowing we always belong."
― Bell Hooks, All About Love: New Visions
"Even when you'd lost everything you thought there was to lose, somebody came along and gave you something for free."
― Jenny Valentine, Broken Soup
"Forgiveness is not an occasional act, it is a constant attitude."
― Martin Luther King Jr.
"People have to forgive. We don't have to like them, we don't have to be friends with them, we don't have to send them hearts in text messages, but we have to forgive them, to overlook, to forget. Because if we don't we are tying rocks to our feet, too much for our wings to carry!"
― C. JoyBell C.
"Being gifted doesn't mean you've been given something. It means, you have something to give."
― Unknown
Kiku looked around but there was no one in sight. Taking out the key she had asked her uncle, exceptionally, she unlocked the boys' changing-room and entered the room, leaning against the door. It smelled of sweat and boys. It made her smile. The place could use a little cleaning though. Normally, she wouldn't be allowed in this room, but because there wasn't any practice today, after their loss at the Inter-High, Kiku had asked her uncle to let her go there – so the boys could have a surprise when they'll be back. She glanced at the basket she was carrying but decided to clean the room – it'll be less work for the players, even though, it didn't seem to be their priority.
Opening all windows and the door, knowing that no one would come here, she put away all lost clothes, especially socks and put them in a bag to clean later. She threw away the wrappers of some food, the cans of drinks then she dusted the top of the lockers before cleaning the entire room. All dust and dirt was cleaned and at the end, it smelled the clean and fresh and not whatever deodorant they were using until it'd fill the room. She was organizing the boxes, putting everything right where it belonged instead of wandering in various boxes. Then, she took the basket she had brought, the initial gift for the boys, filled with little packets of cookies. She put it on top of a chair and looked around, glad of the final results.
She quickly closed the door, locking it then ran down the stairs and going towards the school building.
"Akiyama-senpai!"
She stopped in her tracks when she was called and she turned around, seeing Kindaichi and Kunimi arriving at school, as well as many other students. They smiled to her politely before glancing towards their gymnasium from where she had come from.
"What were you doing over here? I thought there was no practice today? There wasn't, right?"
"Don't worry, there wasn't any – I just needed to get something for my uncle." She answered, reassuring the boys at once.
Apologizing because she needed to go, she quickly went into the teachers' room, finding her uncle drinking tea while reading the local newspaper. Glancing over her shoulder, she realized he was reading with a frown the article about Shiratorizawa's victory… finally noticing her, he glanced up and quickly folded the newspaper.
"You're done?" He asked as she gave him back the key, "No one saw you, right?"
"No, no one came this morning. I'm almost surprised some of the crazy ones about volleyball didn't come anyway to practice."
"I was very clear with Iwaizumi that I don't want them practicing in the slightest today – they need to rest, physically and emotionally. You should go in your classroom before class starts."
Kiku nodded and turned around before remembering something and looking back at Irihata.
"B-by the way… I wanted to ask you something… but it's embarrassing…" She murmured, blushing.
He raised an eyebrow and couldn't hide his surprise by what she was asking him. He wasn't sure if it was a good idea but he sighed, giving her on a folded paper with what she was requesting.
"You know it won't please your parents. You're supposed to go home right away after school." He said, opening the newspaper once again.
"T-they don't have to know about that…" She answered sheepishly, now feeling tense and anxious.
And before he could add anything, she walked out of the teachers' room and towards her classroom. She was disappointed, a little worried, when she realized that Iwaizumi hadn't arrived yet…
Iwaizumi's apartment…
The ringing of the clock startled awake Hajime and he quickly shut it off. He rubbed his eyes and heard a moan behind him and the covers were suddenly pulled away from his body.
"Oi…" He mumbled, pulling back.
For a few seconds, Oikawa and Iwaizumi fought for the covers until the Ace gave up, too tired and numb by the lasting feeling of loss. It seemed to get harder to deal with it at every competition…
"Boys, you're going to be late if you don't get up now!" His mother called, entering the bedroom.
She opened the curtains and both teenagers hissed and hid their faces against pillows, not wanting to be blinded by the sun so soon.
"Breakfast is ready, hurry up. Tooru, your mother brought your uniform and bag before she left for work. I'm putting it at your feet."
She left the door opened, the smell of breakfast making their stomachs growl and finally wake them up a little. Hajime sat up, and glanced at his friend whose hair was a mess.
"Get up…" He mumbled, kicking him awake.
Oikawa moaned even more but opened his eyes, still red from last night. They both got up but walked around the room and got ready with difficulty… everytime they had lost against Shiratorizawa, despite the initial tears, the two had always put up a face for everyone – even before they became Captain and Vice-Captain and it was only home that they allowed themselves to really cry and sob until their eyes burnt and their hearts would burst from bitterness and sadness. They usually ended up falling asleep wherever they were and one of their mother would cover them up and put the clock for the next day.
"Y'know… Kiku-chan might get jealous if she learns we slept in the same bed," Oikawa commented when he exited the bathroom, still trying to arrange his hair.
Iwaizumi sent him a non-impressed look before shrugging.
"She knows we're having sleepovers every week, and we've slept in the same bed since we were kids."
"Still, I want to see her reaction when she'll learn about it~ It'll be funny~!"
"No, it won't be."
They went into the kitchen where Hajime's parents were already here. Upon seeing Iwaizumi father and son, there was no denying they were related: both had the same dark, spiky hair and if his father had brown eyes, they definitely looked alike. The main difference was in their personalities, Iwaizumi Takashi was more joyful and loved the embarrassing dad jokes. Or simply being an embarrassing dad. Hajime didn't take much from his mother, Iwaizumi Umeko, considering she had short, curly brown hair and brown eyes – but his green eyes came from his grandmother, Umeko's mother.
Umeko was finishing to prepare the bentous while his father was sitting, reading the newspaper and eating breakfast.
"You're not working today, Iwaizumi-san?" Oikawa asked politely his friend's father when he noticed he was wearing civilian clothes and not his police officer's outfit.
He lowered the newspaper to answer while his son was looking around for the bottle of orange juice before narrowing his eyes at the (big) glass Oikawa was pouring himself.
"No, I have today and tomorrow off, then only day-shifts." He answered with a smile.
"Oi, give me that before you pour the whole bottle," Hajime ordered, reaching for the bottle.
"Iwa-chan, you know that Kiku-chan won't like you any more if you keep frowning so early in the morning?" Oikawa teased, giving him the bottle anyway.
"OI!" He cried out, blushing.
Both his parents turned around at once as he avoided looking their way. Umeko smiled, a knowing expression on her face while Takashi blinked in confusion. Then he turned towards his wife:
"When you told me you thought Hajime was in love, is that what you meant?" He asked, ignoring the way his son startled guiltily.
It was his turn to whip around with wide eyes towards his parents – he was sure they didn't know, especially not his mother, that he had been discreet! (Oikawa snorted at the unbelieving expression his friend was making – there was no one more obvious when in love than Iwa-chan)
"Well, yes, he always goes on and on. Kiku this, Kiku that… Isn't she the classmate you had to work with on a History paper? Your new manager?"
Takashi laughed cheerfully at that and tapped his son's back proudly.
"The manager! Isn't that my boy?"
"S-she's n-not… w-we're not…"
"So, you do talk about Kiku-chan to your parents~!" Oikawa hummed teasingly, chin on his joined hands.
"You stay safe, right?" Takashi continued, raising an eyebrow.
"I'm not! I don't! Dad! Mom! Stop!" He exclaimed, mortified by their teasing smiles.
"You finally talk about your girlfriend, we're happy for you, honey!"
"She's not my girlfriend!" He exclaimed, blushing.
"Not yet~" Oikawa added with a smirk, "Didn't you say you'd wait the end of the Inter-High to conquer her? The path is wide open, she's waiting for you to ask her out~!"
"So, she likes you back, that's a good thing!" Takashi exclaimed joyfully before looking confused, "That's a surprise, considering how gloomy you always look…"
"I don't look gloomy…!"
"Yes, you do~" Oikawa answered before screaming in pain when he received a kick in the shin, "I'm only telling the truth! But Kiku-chan doesn't care! She likes you anyway! S-stop hitting me, Iwa-chan!"
"So what is she like, this Kiku?" Takashi asked instead, curious about the girl who had perked his son's interest.
"Cute and kind, perfect for Iwa-chan~ They fit together perfectly like the two of you~!" Oikawa said, looking at the Iwaizumi couple.
They glanced at each other with happy smiles while Iwaizumi was silently begging them all to stop torturing him from embarrassment, but they all ignored him.
"They're not dating yet because a certain someone is too embarrassed to even speak to her without losing his mind–"
"Oikawa!"
"–But it's only a matter of time~! She's the niece of the coach too!"
"They don't need to know any of that – you don't need to know any of that," he quickly added, turning towards his parents, "Stop now, we'll be late for school!"
"And she's the daughter of bakers! Akiyama Kiku! But Iwaizumi Kiku sounds great too and–"
"OK! ENOUGH NOW!" Hajime shouted, standing up with his cheeks so red he felt burning.
His mother chuckled, shaking lightly her head while Takashi blinked, a little astonished, his smile dropping.
"Akiyama, you said?"
"Yes, you know her?" Oikawa asked curiously.
Hajime threw a confused look at his father but he just waved it off, going back to his newspaper.
"No, but she sounds lovely. You'll have to introduce her to us when you'll be dating. If you get over your embarrassment by the time you're done with your third-year."
"Dad!"
He pretended to be innocent, going back to his newspaper but he didn't read the words, thinking deeply about what he had just learned. Hajime decided to shrug it off, and more importantly, to get away before Oikawa revealed any more embarrassing story to his parents. He grabbed his friend by the collar and started dragging him, ignoring his whines.
But even if his parents weren't here anymore, Oikawa seemed to be in a particularly teasing mood – or perhaps it was his way to cope with the defeat. Half-way to school, he started ignoring him and it finally made Oikawa change tactic. He was looking thoughtful and kept glancing curiously at Iwaizumi until he cracked and turned to him, frowning.
"What?"
"…Are you going to confess to Kiku-chan now?" He asked because despite the light-hearted teasing from earlier, Oikawa still remembered Yuuna's warning.
Iwaizumi shouldn't confess until what Kiku had been hiding was revealed.
Hajime blinked, blushing but looking away, thoughtful… He had meant to wait after the Inter-High but he also knew that right now, was not the right time. He was scared. That he'd be rejected if Kiku didn't feel comfortable with him – and whatever secret she's been hiding, it was holding them from advancing any further in their relationship. Whatever it was. More than friendship or a crush, probably being in love but could it be possible when you were not a couple? They had a something going on all the time, shared smiles and gazes – but they weren't officially dating.
"…I don't know…" He admitted, sadly.
Oikawa opened his lips to continue but his friend interrupted him, just as they were entering the high-school's gates:
"I don't want to think of it yet. We lost yesterday, I want to focus on the Spring High and–"
"And you'll waste even more time! Stop running away, Iwa-chan! Just confront her!"
"You're the one who told me not to confess yet." He replied, frowning.
"Yuu-chan told me to tell you that but… but well, just go and try! What's the worst that could happen?" He exclaimed, raising his hands to the sky.
"Being rejected?!" Iwaizumi hissed, thinking it was obvious but for someone like Oikawa it wouldn't be – he had never been rejected (except by Yuuna but she was the only exception) he didn't know the fear of confessing and the worry about the outcome…
Tooru opened his lips but suddenly, several girls arrived near them.
"Oikawa-san! We're so sorry you lost against Shiratorizawa! Will you be all right?" One of his fangirl asked.
"I made you some cookies to comfort you!"
"You look so tired! But you were so cool yesterday!"
Oikawa quickly put on a polite smile and tried to end as quickly as possible the greeting, but when he glanced at Iwaizumi he was already dozens of meters away, going into the building. Hearing his name, Tooru turned back towards his fans, pretended to feel better after a good night even if he definitely didn't feel any better.
When Iwaizumi entered his classroom, he was almost impatient to see Kiku because despite what Oikawa had asked him, despite his confusion, seeing her was his happiest moment of the day. He wondered how she felt after the defeat, he hadn't contacted her and now he regretted it. He had been too self-pitying to wonder about Kiku the previous day…
He saw her at her desk, reading and her cheek against the palm of her hand. She looked tired but she was surrounded by the morning light and his heart skipped a beat. He remembered how passionate she had been the previous day during their match, how she had protected them from Tendou's mocking at the end…
Someone suddenly bumped into him, waking him up from his staring.
"Kiku-chan! Ah, Iwaizumi-san…" Yukimura murmured, noticing him.
Kiku looked up and saw them both, blinking and trying not to glance too obviously at the Ace. Shinobu almost immediately joined her friend.
"Guess what? Oikawa-san took the cookies I made for him! Thanks to your advices, they were delicious! Thank you, Kiku-chan!" She exclaimed.
Iwaizumi raised an eyebrow without commenting, realizing she was one of Oikawa's fans. Well, girls who weren't were rare exceptions, after all.
"It's great for you, Shi-chan!" Kiku answered with a smile.
After some chit-chat, Shinobu went to her seat. Iwaizumi and Akiyama glanced at each other awkwardly, flushing, then focusing back on whatever they had been doing.
"How are you doing?" They both asked in the same time.
They stared at each other, a little stunned then smiling, the red on their cheeks deepening. Iwaizumi was about to speak up again to ask her but the teacher arrived and interrupted them. Kiku immediately focused on the classes. Hajime tried to focus but his body was still heavy from the finals he had fought the previous day, he still felt like he was being cheered on, like he was doing his absolute best. After all the effort and excitement, all the emotions of pride and determination, sadness and bitterness from the loss… the quietness and monotony of class was a torture. He didn't realize when he fell asleep, but he woke up when someone shook his shoulder, at lunch time from the sounds he was hearing all around.
"Where's Kiku?" Makki asked.
Iwaizumi blinked then glanced at the girl's seat, but she was gone. Her bentou was still here, meaning she'd come back.
"She always disappears at lunch to go to the restroom, she'll be back," he answered, stretching his numb limbs.
"Oikawa and Matsukawa went to buy some bread, we're having lunch here."
"Mmm…"
A few minutes later, the two boys came back, along with Kiku who put a little make-up case back in her bag. Even without saying it outloud, they had wanted to share lunch on their own, only among the volleyball club's third-years but Shinobu tagged along, sitting next to Kiku and stealing her attention for the rest of lunch break.
Hajime didn't realize that he was staring bitterly at the girl for keeping his Kiku for herself, until he was kicked under the table by Mattsun.
"You're staring too much, it's getting embarrassing for us." He said, pointing his chopsticks at the Ace.
"Oh… uh…"
He realized that many of his classmates were staring at him and whispering about "Iwaizumi-san" and "Akiyama-san" and "staring" and "weird". He stared at them, frowning and they all looked away and went back to their own business. Suddenly, Kiku and Shinobu stood up and went off, leaving a disappointed and sulking Iwaizumi whose shoulders dropped.
"Why do girls go to the restrooms so much? Kiku came back just before lunch," Hanamaki muttered.
"She forgot her make-up case, though. Perhaps she's just accompanying Shi-chan?" Oikawa suggested.
"Why do they feel the need to go to the toilets in group? They're scared to be attacked if they're on their own or something?"
"With perverts like you lurking around, probably," Iwaizumi answered, closing his bentou box, "Also, since when do you call Yukimura 'Shi-chan'?" He asked suspiciously Oikawa who smiled sheepishly.
"I heard Kiku-chan call her that, and it's cuter than Yukimura or Shinobu."
Hanamaki suddenly grabbed Kiku's light pink make-up case out of boredom.
"Should we have a look at what she's hiding in there?" He asked with a smirk, already opening it.
"Wait – no, it's not right! Leave it! It's Kiku's!" Iwaizumi exclaimed, trying to grab it.
"I hope you like strawberries because that's the savor of her lips~" He teased, holding up her lips balm.
"Put it back in and stop that!"
Makki gave Oikawa and Mattsun everything he was pulling out – some make-up, various pads and female things, handkerchiefs… He suddenly froze, staring at the inside of the make-up case. Iwaizumi – who had been trying to gather all of Kiku's belongings from his friends' hands – glanced at him curiously when he noticed the strange behavior.
"What is there next?" Oikawa asked curiously, leaning forward.
His smile wavered but before anyone could say anything, they heard the girls' voices. Iwaizumi quickly put everything he had been holding back in the case, Hanamaki closed it and threw it in Kiku's bag just as she was entering the classroom, following Shinobu. Iwaizumi was too embarrassed to look at Kiku after what his nosy friends had done, so he didn't realize the way Oikawa and Hanamaki glanced at each other worriedly. He also didn't realize that they left soon after even if there was still some time before the end of lunch break and that they had been unusually quiet.
At the end of the day, Iwaizumi stood up and sighed, not quite knowing what to do or where to go – without practice, he was a little lost. Kiku noticed this reaction and paused in putting her books back in her bag.
"What is it?"
"I want to go practice, I don't have anything better to do…"
She smiled, a little amused before replying:
"You should rest for today. Go home and do… whatever you do to relax. Do you play video games or… watch movies? Or something?"
He suddenly had the urge to ask her to stay with him – go eat some food, take a walk in a park, going in town… but he didn't want to sound too selfish or clingy.
"Do you… uh, have anything to do?" He asked curiously, cheeks lightly flushed.
"I-I do… but I can spare a few more minutes." She answered.
He was wondering what they could do, panicking a little because he didn't want to waste any second but he also didn't want to rush through whatever they would do next and–
"How are your arms and shoulders?" She suddenly asked.
"Uh?"
"You've been rubbing your neck and shoulders all day… did you get hurt yesterday?" she wondered, touching shyly his forearm.
"U-um, j-just a little sore…" He answered, flushing a little more.
She stared at him for a little while before blushing and speaking up again:
"Meet me in the infirmary in a few minutes, a-and you'll have to t-take off your shirt too…" She murmured, lowering her gaze while her cheeks burnt.
He blushed terribly but she was already walking away from him. Hajime remained standing there for a long moment, frozen in shock and not quite believing what was happening, what Kiku had asked of him… His heart sped up excitedly and he suddenly turned around, almost forgetting his bag and hurrying out of the classroom and to the infirmary.
"Iwaizumi!" Matsukawa called when he saw him.
"Sorry! Infirmary!" He answered without glancing at him, almost running from how excited and impatient he was.
He walked past Oikawa and Hanamaki without noticing them, the excited grin on his face making them raise eyebrows. He couldn't quite believe that Kiku, the girl he was in love with, had asked him to join her in the infirmary and to take off his clothes! He didn't want to be disappointed but it was more beautiful than his wildest dreams!
"Where is he going?" Hanamaki asked.
"Infirmary?" Mattsun answered with a shrug.
As soon as there wasn't anyone in the hallway, Hajime hurried until he was almost running but stopped in front of the infirmary. His heart was beating hard but he couldn't tell if it was because of his run or because he was meeting Kiku here… He entered shyly, slowly, calling for someone but there was no one. He heard footsteps behind him and he turned around just as Kiku arrived with a kind smile.
"Didn't I tell you to take off your clothes?"
He blushed and realizing what she had just said, she blushed as well, quickly trying to correct the misunderstanding:
"I-I mean! S-shirt! T-take off your ts-shirt!" She exclaimed.
He was almost about to ask why just his shirt when he noticed something in her hands – massage oil for sore muscles.
Oh. That's what she had meant then… He realized, blushing even more when he understood that he had jumped to conclusions way too fast. Calm the fuck down, we're not even dating! Why would she…?!
"You didn't stretch properly yesterday, and you had a very intense match. Coach… um, Uncle Nobuteru's wife is kinesitherapist. She taught me how to massage muscles to ensure a faster healing. You shouldn't force yourself for a while…" She explained sheepishly while he was slowly taking off his tie and shirt.
"Y-yeah…" He answered in a low voice, trying to keep his heart rate down to a normal one.
Once his shirt was off, he started pulling at the sleeveless top he was wearing under his uniform but she stopped him there by stepping closer.
Not even fully bare-chest, then… He realized when she made him sit down.
He didn't even have the opportunity to rejoice that she was seeing his arms for the first time because he had changed a few times in front of her for practice. He glanced up at her as she walked around but she didn't seem disturbed by the sight of his arms. Instead of starting to massage his shoulders though, she knelt in front of him and gave light pressures on his forearms. She made little circles, slowly going upwards, focused on massaging him as best as she could. At first, the touch was light but almost painful because of how sore he was but with the oil and her massaging hands, his muscles warmed up, feeling better little by little. It was completely silent except for their breathings and Kiku's touch. Her nails were white with turquoise leaves. He started observing her, how her hair caught the sunlight and turned into copper. How focused she was and how her cheeks were a little pink – from touching him perhaps?
"How… how did it go yesterday…?" She asked after she had massaging his entire right arm, switching to the left, "Y-you met Kanemoto-san, didn't you?"
He quickly recalled the meeting with Kanemoto Ayaka, heiress of the Kanemoto Group that would sponsor him and Oikawa next year. And Ushiwaka. The previous day, before she'd go back to Tokyo and her boyfriend – Bokuto Koutarou, fourth spiker of the country – she had asked all three of them to meet her to discuss the next year and their plans. It had almost gone sour at first, putting the three rivals in the same room but… Iwaizumi had had the opportunity to talk about his future plans with Kanemoto and his ideas were now clearer.
"It's almost confirmed, that we'll be sponsored…" He answered.
"Then… you'll continue volleyball?" She asked joyfully, smiling to him as she massaged his bicep.
"Y-yeah… but I'm considering other options as well…"
She nodded then went back to his right arm because it the most sore one… She brushed her hands, massaging his skin carefully, just enough to make him feel warm and good. He swallowed hard when his heart started speeding up. Kiku glanced up at him very quickly and their eyes met… For a moment, just like the previous day, just like every time they looked into each other's eyes, time seemed to stop. He glanced very quickly at her lips, his heart beating even faster if it were possible. Her hands slowly brushed the length of his arm and he shivered at the light, meaningful touch. He opened his palm, her hand lingering over his, almost holding but the moment his fingers started closing around her hand, Kiku stood up. She walked behind his shoulders and the moment was broken but the atmosphere was still full of intense emotions. The warmth he felt wasn't just caused by her massage, and he was pretty sure she was feeling the same.
She started massaging his shoulders and perhaps it was because he was less tense than before (she wasn't kneeling in front of his legs anymore, after all) or perhaps he was more sore and her fingers knew just where to press but he sighed, closing his eyes. Her hands continued massaging his shoulders and neck, slipping under the few centimeters of fabric of his sleeves, warming him even more while he enjoyed the quietness and the sparkling feeling that was surrounding them. It was hot, intense and they didn't need to share words to know how they felt. She massaged for a long moment, Hajime not realizing the little moans and sighs escaping his lips from how good it felt and finally, her hands stopped moving, still resting against his hot skin. She gave a few more massaging moves against his shoulders then, slowly, she moved her hands forward, over his collarbone and almost reaching his pectorals. Perhaps she felt under her fingertips the mad beating of his heart, maybe she realized she was going too far but she suddenly froze.
Hajime opened his eyes when Kiku started pulling away, but his hands grabbed hers before she could. His fingers held around her wrists, he wasn't thinking anymore, lost into the cocoon of warmth her massage had given him. He felt a little sleepy and the only thing he could think of was her hands on him and how her kind gesture had made him feel… He closed his eyes again and lifted her right wrist against his lips. His nose brushed the tender skin of the inside of her wrists and she startled.
"I-Iwaizumi-san…" She started in a breathy voice, blushing terribly.
He didn't seem to hear her and he sighed, his lips brushing against her skin before he started kissing her delicately.
"I-Iwaizumi-san…!"
He would have continued kissing her wrist if the door hadn't suddenly opened, making them startle. They looked and paled before blushing terribly. Hanamaki's mouth fell open, eyes wide in shock to see Iwaizumi standing in just a top, Kiku's hands all over his body while he was kissing her wrist… Then, a teasing grin appeared on his face.
"Oh~ Sorry for interrupting~" He hummed, starting to close the door.
Kiku suddenly pulled away her hands, making Hajime almost fall over. She opened and closed her lips as Hajime realized what he had been doing – and dread and panic filled him. He turned around to apologize, blushing terribly but Kiku was already grabbing her bag and running past Hanamaki.
"W-wait! K-Kiku!" Hajime exclaimed, standing up suddenly.
"First-name basis now? Well, it's only natural when you start making-out in the infirmary. If I had known I wouldn't have cock-blocked you, sorry, bro." Hanamaki said, still grinning and definitely not feeling sorry.
Iwaizumi didn't even feel embarrassed by his friend's teasing and ran after Kiku.
"O-oi! You're! Not… fully dressed…" Hanamaki muttered, "And he's not listening to me. Well, at least, the rest of the school will enjoy the view…"
Iwaizumi almost ran over Oikawa and Matsukawa who were waiting outside when he ran out. The setter grabbed his arm before he could fall but Hajime's gaze was wandering all around – no sign of Kiku anywhere.
"What are you– why are you covered in… what is it exactly?" He asked, letting go and moving his fingers suspiciously.
"Where's Kiku?!" He shouted, whipping around.
"Gone already, she said she had to go somewhere when we asked her," Mattsun answered before realizing that the two had been alone in the infirmary, "What were you doing with Kiku?"
"Making out, and it was hot and intense from what I saw," Makki answered with a grin.
Oikawa and Matsukawa turned towards Iwaizumi, huge, excited grins on their faces but he blushed and immediately spoke up:
"NO! We weren't! I was just sore, she was massaging my arms! Because the muscles are sore!"
"That's what we all say, ahah~" Makki said, "Also, I doubt that you give a massage with your lips. Or that she had a sore wrist."
Iwaizumi glared at him while Oikawa squealed, hands going on his cheeks – but he regretted instantly when he ended up with his cheek covered in massage oil.
"I'm so proud of you, Iwa-chan~!"
"You were still on the awkward staring-from-a-distance stage at lunch, how did you move so fast?" Matsukawa asked.
"W-we weren't! More importantly! I need to! Talk! To her! OH! What an idiot I was! What was I thinking?! Why would I start kissing her wrist?! What was I THINKING?!"
"With your second brain, don't worry, happens all the time to all of us." Hanamaki answered calmly.
"Not HELPING!"
Iwaizumi was already turning to the hall to follow her but Oikawa and Matsukawa put hands on his chest to stop him.
"Stop there. You freaked her out. Give her time." Oikawa started.
"Also you're glistening – you're one of the most popular guy in school, do you really think you can get out with your muscular arms shining from oil without getting chased? All of your fans, and Oikawa's and pretty much the entire female population will try to get a piece of you."
"M-my fans too…?!" Oikawa asked with wide eyes, not liking this idea.
Hanamaki threw Iwaizumi's shirt over his head, forcing him to think about seriously getting dressed before going out.
"Do you even know where she went?" Mattsun asked, handing him his tie while he was frenetically getting dressed.
"I-I have an idea! I'll try and I'll see how it turns out!"
"What will you tell her?" Oikawa asked.
"U-uh…! Uh! Second brain!"
"Bad idea." Mattsun commented, shaking his head.
"Even I know that." Makki added.
"I'll improvise!" He exclaimed, grabbing his jacket and bag and leaving.
They couldn't stop him, he was already running down the stairs. The moment he was out of view, Oikawa and Hanamaki darkened, the wing-spiker turning towards the setter.
"Should we tell him? I mean, I'm not that surprised but… I don't think Iwaizumi realizes what he got himself into."
"…I-I don't know… we probably should but… he's so in love with her, he'll never… I feel like it's way bigger than we thought…" Oikawa answered in a low voice, pouting in worry.
"What are you talking about?" Matsukawa asked.
They didn't answer, not quite knowing what they should do – they had pushed Iwaizumi to fall for Kiku but now, it felt like their ending could only be sad. They didn't want that for their friends…
Iwaizumi went to the only place he knew Kiku often go to: Nippon SPCA. He almost busted through the door, looking around but there only was a stunned Hayato there.
"Hajime…? What a pleasure to see you here!" He exclaimed.
"U-um, hi! I-is Kiku here? I mean, Akiyama-san…?" He asked hesitantly.
"No, she said she might come by later though. You can wait for her here… but it's not certain she'll actually come. Do you want me to call her for you?"
Iwaizumi hesitated, rubbing the back of his neck. His arms and shoulders still felt warm. He wanted to see her as soon as possible but she might not want to see him after what he had done…
Sensing that there was something going on, Hayato hesitated before pointing at the door leading to the sheltered animals.
"Do you have a pet?" He asked.
"Uh? Uuuh, no…" He answered, shaking lightly his head.
"Your parents don't allow it?"
"N-no, b-but… I never really thought of having one…" He answered.
And I have Oikawa to deal with, it's more than enough… He added to himself.
"I see… I know you met Kiku's pets – aren't they incredible birds? She taught them how to talk and lots of tricks. It really made her feel better when she took them in." He explained, opening the door and leading Hajime through the hall.
"T-they're pretty incredible birds," he admitted.
He realized the dog he and Kiku had taken care of the one time he had been here was gone – probably adopted by now… Then, he blinked, stopping in front of the plexiglass cage in which there was an animal he recognized.
"It's the bearded dragon from last time!" He exclaimed, approaching the animal who looked up at him, "You're healed now…" He continued, noticing the way his tail wasn't bandaged anymore and even if he had a scar, he was better.
"He's a good fellow, but he's not very good with people so we can't find a house for him. Reptiles really aren't my thing and Kiku doesn't think she could take care of him when she already has two birds and a hedgehog…" Hayato explained sadly, "If we can't find him a house soon, he'll be too old and no one will want of him. I suppose… you know what happens to animals who don't find any home?"
Hajime nodded sadly then leaned closer to the plexiglass, watching the big lizard. He had grown since he had last seen him. The bearded dragon looked him straight in the eyes, his tongue sliding out of his mouth for a short while.
Hayato glanced between Hajime and the bearded dragon before smiling:
"Do you want to hold him? He doesn't bite, I promise." He said.
"U-uh? I-I never hold a lizard, I wouldn't know…"
"It's fine, it's fine!"
Hayato opened the cage and carefully took the bearded-dragon out of its cage, making sure not to hurt any of his limb before giving him to Hajime. He struggled a little to hold him, the animal moving until he was comfortable and looking around lazily. Once he got a little more used to the weight and animal in his arms, Hajime looked at him more closely. It was strange touching the scales on his body and he was surprisingly warm. The bearded-dragon didn't seem to mind being held and even let his tongue out, giving a quick lick on Hajime's hand.
"Well, isn't that a surprise…" Hayato started, hands on his hips as he observed the two interact, "He only acts like that with Kiku. You must have her scent on you…"
It made Iwaizumi blush and it took a lot of Hayato not to laugh – so that was what had happened between the two teenagers…
He took the lizard and put him back in his cage just as the front door's bell indicated that someone had come.
"It's me, Hayato!"
Hajime startled when he recognized Kiku's voice. Hayato gave a quick pat on the boy's shoulder just as Kiku opened the door and froze, seeing them and mostly, the man she liked and who had kissed her hand some time ago… She blushed and looked away.
"I have to go check some papers~" Hayato hummed, walking past Kiku and leaving the two teenagers alone – with a few dozens of stray animals watching them curiously, like some interesting show.
"Y-you came here…" Kiku said hesitantly, breaking the awkward silent.
"I-I know you come here often so I… thought… perhaps it was where you had to go… I-I'm not stalking you or anything! A-and I apologize! For what happened earlier! I-I acted like a creep and I'm sorry…!"
His heart was beating frenetically – out of fear she had gotten too scared and he might have ruined his chances with her. There was a short moment of silence, Kiku staring, stunned, at Hajime before she smiled shyly, her gaze lowering and redness invading her cheeks.
"I-it's fine… I'm the one who… started… touching you in a way I shouldn't have. I-I won't do it again, I promise…"
Please do it again… he thought but the relief that hit him made his shoulders instantly drop.
"T-then, you're not… angry at me?"He asked in voice no higher than a whisper.
"N-no, I was just… v-very embarrassed because Makki caught us like that… a-and… I would have been late if I hadn't left."
She seemed hesitant, not knowing how to stand then she grabbed the hem of her skirt with her hands and crossed the distance separating the two of them, her steps resonating. She was suddenly standing in front of him and she looked up, planting her gaze in his, making his heart go wild once again.
"Thank you… for apologizing to me… I really appreciate the gesture…" She said with a smile.
He chucked nervously, rubbing the back of his neck.
"I-it's only natural…"
She smiled a little more – he didn't realize how much of a gentleman he was to her and how soft he could be with others. She was the one who saw it most, who saw it best and it was her greatest pride.
They stared at each other with silly smiles for a moment before Hajime started frowning.
"Hold on… I arrived here before you – where were you?" He asked, suddenly worried she had met someone.
"I-I went to Shiratorizawa Academy…" She answered sheepishly.
He gasped, stepping away, watching her with wide, shocked eyes. He felt betrayed even though in the back of his mind he knew she must have had a good reason to go to the enemy!
"Y-you… what?!"
"I wanted to properly apologize to Tendou-san and the rest of the volleyball club… Oikawa-san sent me a message telling me you had gone after me and I thought you might have come here…"
"Great minds think alike… uh…" He commented awkwardly because he had a hard time imagining Kiku at Shiratorizawa – but… apologizing to Tendou despite everything that he had done and even though she had initially been scared of him sounded very much like something she would do…
They stared at each other for a little while, until the animals became jealous that Hajime was stealing all of Kiku's attention from them. Just like the last time he had been there, Iwaizumi helped out Kiku taking care of the animals then he walked her back to her home. He didn't notice Hanamaki staring at them from his window then flopping down on his bed to share the information with Oikawa.
BONUS
[At Shiratorizawa Academy…]
"It's nice having a day off~!" Tendou exclaimed, hands behind his neck, "Should we go do something in town? I'm bored~!" He asked his teammates, turning around to face the third-years of the volleyball club gathered here.
"Didn't you complain about not getting enough sleep last night and wanting a nap?" Semi muttered, raising an eyebrow.
"Nah, that was when I was bored in class!"
Some whispers from other students made them all glance around. Many students of Shiratorizawa were staring at the entrance of the Academy.
"What is she doing here…?"
"That's Aoba Jousai's uniform, right…?"
"Aoba Jousai?" Leon repeated curiously.
The volleyball club finally noticed who everyone was staring at: Seijou's manager-chan who was staring at the panels, totally lost… Tendou gasped then hid behind Semi while they all approached her – curiously because they hadn't expected anyone on Seijou's team to come, and especially not her, and especially not right after the defeat…
"What are you doing here?" Ushijima asked her.
Kiku startled and turned around, noticing them, then relief washed over her – she wouldn't have to get lost on the Academy grounds, after all…!
"I-I'm sorry for coming!" She exclaimed, bowing down, "I-I wanted to apologize for my behavior of yesterday… I acted recklessly… harshly… and… I went way overboard…" She muttered, glancing shyly at the red-head.
They all glanced at Tendou who hadn't expected such a behavior from the girl… he stared at her with wide eyes, mouth hanging open – until Semi forced him to face her.
"…Apologies accepted…" He mumbled, glancing away.
"And?" Leon asked, leaning towards him.
"…And I have to apologize too… I shouldn't have sang the song even if I had no idea your team was nearby…" He continued, making his teammates smile.
"Y-you're not as creepy as I thought you were, after all…" Kiku admitted, a sigh of relief escaping her lips.
"You're not as scary as I thought you were," he answered with a smirk.
There was a short, awkward moment, where no one said a thing. Kiku glanced away then picked something from her bag and handed a little packet of cookies.
"I-it's for your team, as apologize and as… congratulation for winning…" She said, even if it sounded like the words were ripping her throat.
Tendou actually grabbed the packet, the others glancing at him and Kiku curiously. Then his lips curled up and he raised his hands to the sky:
"If you wanted to come all the way here to confess to me, you should have just said so~!"
Kiku made a disgusted face, unable to hold back the "Eeww…!" that escaped her lips. Tendou froze, a little annoyed at the oh-so-honest reaction he had obtained while the others all snickered, even Ushijima had the tiniest of smile at the reaction.
"No need to look so disgusted." Tendou said.
"How can I not? You're far from being as brave and kind as Iwaizumi-san." She said, still looking like she was about to throw up.
Tendou kept a smile on his face but it was obvious he was feeling a little bitter about the reaction and words she had just uttered.
"The only person she seems to see is Iwaizumi," Semi added, his hand in front of his mocking smirk, eying teasingly Tendou for getting his hopes high.
"It doesn't matter, you're still too scary! Though, don't come crying here if he ends up not being as satisfying as you imagine him to be~!" Tendou continued, hands on his hips.
Kiku glanced away, unimpressed by his looks or the charm he imagined he had. There was a moment of awkward silence before she bowed down.
"I-I'll be leaving then… g-good luck for the Nationals…" She murmured through gritted teeth.
Yamagata took the packet of cookies from Tendou's hands, opening it and tasting one, a smile on his face.
"It's good!"
"It's actually very nice of her to come all the way here to apologize and offer us cookies even though we beat her team…" Semi remarked, Ushijima nodding while munching on a cookie.
"She's even Tendou's type, right? You like the cute ones. Who would have guessed you had the same tastes as Iwaizumi?" Leon said, a little teasingly.
The others chuckled when Tendou turned to them, frowning and annoyed, his mouth turned into a bitter smile. Sure, his type was cute girls but…
"This girl isn't cute – she's the devil hiding in a cute girl's body! Don't forget how she had behaved and what she almost did to me! Perhaps these cookies are poisoned so we'd die before the Nationals and Seijou will have their revenge!" He exclaimed with wide eyes.
"…Nah, she's just a naturally good-hearted girl who felt bad for almost destroying your ipod, even though you shouldn't have pissed her off to begin with." Semi replied, taking another cookie from the packet Ushijima was holding.
"For the last time! I had no idea Seijou was around!"
"Ushijima, Semi, keep some for the second and first-years, and the coaches, we'll give them tomorrow." Yamagata remarked, the Captain nodding without a word.
Tendou gave them a long look while they enjoyed the cookies, earning strange looks from other students – some girls were already thinking of what sort of cookies they'd make for their crush on the volleyball team…
"Ah, that reminds me…" Tendou murmured.
He ran off, making the others glance at him curiously.
"Ah! Wait! Tendou!" Semi called, "Damn it, I feel like he's going to make a mess once again…"
"Should we go after him?" Leon asked.
They followed, slower than the running middle-blocker. Tendou caught up with Kiku just before she could reach the bus stop, calling her from afar:
"Manager-chan! Wait!"
She startled and glanced over her shoulder, surprised to see him coming. He didn't waste time and immediately spoke up when he reached her:
"Yesterday, you insulted me, you almost called me a 'monster' – why did you stop at the last moment?" He asked because it had been haunting since the previous day.
Kiku blinked, remembering when she had almost called him a monster. She flushed and glanced away before smiling to him, though, a little sadly:
"Everyone seems to call you a monster and even if it's to express how impressive your blocking skills are… I know what it's like to be called and feel like a monster… I didn't want to burden you even more by calling you this way." She explained, sounding a little sheepish and awkward.
Satori's mouth fell open and he stared at her for a long moment. He had underestimated her – she wasn't just a supportive manager, a scary demon hiding in a cute girl's body or even Iwaizumi's girlfriend-to-be… She was very observant and had guessed the torment plaguing him about being called a monster. Even though now he found pride in being the feared "Guess Monster", he always had a bittersweet taste for all the times he had been called a 'monster' just because he was different… In this way, she was very similar to him…
Suddenly, his teammates arrived and after apologizing for whatever poor action he might have done, they said goodbye to Kiku and dragged Tendou away. He glanced over his shoulder at the girl standing at the bus stop. She was keeping her hands folded together, she seemed shy but her gaze was very sad.
"Just a kind-hearted girl…" He repeated to himself, thinking back on Semisemi's words from earlier… "Iwaizumi is one lucky guy…" He added with a satisfied smile.
BONUS 2
[The following day, Aoba Jousai's volleyball club…]
Iwaizumi unlocked the changing-room's for morning practice – the first since they had lost against Shiratorizawa. The team was following him, most still yawning and being a little sleep-deprived. He was the first to enter but froze in his steps, blinking in astonishment. Slowly, everyone filled in and stared, as surprised as he was.
"…It smells good, it smells clean…" Yahaba remarked.
"Everything is put in the boxes," Makki noticed.
"We had decided to wait after the Inter-High to clean it all? Who cleaned up?" Mattsun asked, turning towards the second and first-years because he was sure no third-year had done it.
They all shrugged while Iwaizumi approached a chair, with a basket filled with packets of cookies. Every packet had a little ribbon and someone's name written. He grabbed the one with 'Hajime' on it and smiled softly…
"Kiku…" He whispered, realizing she must have come at some point to clean it all and leave these cookies.
Oikawa took a little paper on top of the cookies' packets and read it outloud for everyone:
"To give you strength so you can conquer the Spring-High~ I'm proud of you, boys~"
They all teared up hearing that, except Makki who just grinned, a little proud of how far she had gone, and Iwaizumi who was still staring at his packet of cookies.
"A-Akiyama-shaaaan…!"
"I-it's so nice having a manager…!"
"She's the best manager in the whole world…!"
While they were all crying in joy and getting their packets of cookies, Hajime had quietly slipped away from the group and had already opened his. What he found first though wasn't a cookie, it was a little piece a paper with a message that was destined for him and only him…
Thank you.
He took a cookie, munching on it slowly to enjoy every savor from it. Then a soft smile lit up his face…
No, thank you, Kiku… He thought to himself.
Of course, the Iwaizumi parents come from my own imagination. :3 We got to see Tendou and Shiratorizawa very quickly, and things between Hajime and Kiku accelerate~
Tell me what you think~!
Yours Truly,
May