Guess who stayed up till 5am because I was in a writing zone?

Thank you to everyone who followed, favorited and reviewed! :D

forevertrash97: Hajime is such good boyfriend (read: husband) material, there's no way Kiku wouldn' fall for him right away~! ;)

starrat : I hope you'll appreciate this chapter as well~! :)

geeksdarling : Kiku's greatest happiness is Hajime~! :D And her work on herself! ;) All of my OC appear in the other fanfictions which makes it really fun! ;)

deadlywhisper21: Technically, Iwaizumi noticed her first (sakura petals) but forgot. Then Oikawa noticed htat there was this girl with brown/copper long-hair who was in love with Iwa-chan but wasn'tt acting the same way his other fans were. But he forgot about her until a few days after the new school year. So, Iwaizui developed a crush on Kiku before Oikawa remembered noticing her beforehand. ;)

Krisia : Ahah, I alreayd know what you're speechless means and it makes me so happy that you'd react like that! XD

vixbee : Ahah, Yuuna is in love with Kiku, sory I hadn't been very explicit when she was introduced. That's why she's jealous of Hajime and all the attention he got from Kiku. She'll appear next chapter very quickly! ;) I'll try my best to give Yuuna her own happy ending as well! :)

Aquafin : I loved writing about Kiku falling in love with Hajime - I can't wait for her to reveal it all to Hajime. He'll be so flustered and adorable~!

wOw : Starting with this chapter, there is a high percentage of kisses EVERY chapter! ;) Of course everyone is free to join the Kiku's protection squad! :D Kiku will talk with Hajime about what she wants to do in the future, don't worry! ;)

AnimeViolinist001 : If you're going the way you wanted, then I'm happy! ;) I'm prretty sure Hajime and Kiku feeel like they're dying of overwhelming love every time they make eye-contact! XD

pinkdoughtnuts : I loved wxriting Kiku falling in love! And enjoy your holiday~! ;D

FANFICTION

HAIKYUU! : QUIET VOICE

CHAPTER XXXIX : The Words That Mattered

"When two souls are one, they hear each other, even in silence."

― Matshona Dhliwayo

"It was the eyes. The secret of love was in the eyes. The way one person looked at another, the way eyes communicated and spoke when the lips never moved."

— V.C. Andrews, Flowers in the Attic

"But the second she opened her eyes and looked at me, I knew. She was either going to be the death of me… or she was going to be the one who finally brought me back to life."

― Colleen Hoover, Ugly Love

"You know, sometimes all you need is twenty seconds of insane courage. Just literally twenty seconds of just embarrassing bravery. And I promise you, something great will come of it."

— Benjamin Mee

"A kiss is a lovely trick designed by nature to stop speech when words become superfluous."

— Ingrid Bergman

"You know a moment is important when it is making your mind go numb with beauty."

— Friedrich Nietzsche

"I want to feel your smile on my lips. I want to feel your soul on my kiss."

― Unknown

"Are you going to kiss me?" I blabbered stupidly.

"I'm working up the nerve," he said softly."

― Liz Reinhardt, Double Clutch

"I'm yours for ever–for ever and ever. Here I stand; I'm as firm as a rock. If you'll only trust me, how little you'll be disappointed. Be mine as I am yours."

— Henry James, The Portrait of a Lady

Hajime was following Oikawa to go to morning practice, without hearing what he was talking about. He was too lost in thoughts about what had happened the previous night to think about anything else – he had gone to visit Kiku, to apologize for trying to kiss her, and… she had asked him a little more time. He had kissed her cheek.

Cheeks flushing at the memory, smile tugging at his lips, he didn't realize that Oikawa had stopped in front of him and he bumped into him, brought back on earth.

"Yoohoo~! Kiku-chan! Makki!" He called, seeing the two coming from the opposite direction.

Kiku was walking with her bicycle at her side, probably because she and Makki were talking. Iwaizumi appeared next to Oikawa, his gaze searching for Kiku's. Even from afar, green and blue met and they both smiled, flushing.

"Good morning," she greeted the two.

Hajime nodded and a comfortable silence fell between them, just as Hanamaki and Oikawa started talking, less than a meter before them.

Thinking back on what had happened the previous day, Hajime wanted to talk to Kiku but just before he'd open his lips, he felt her fingers brush his. Glancing down in pleased shock, he made sure he wasn't dreaming it all then looked straight at Kiku. She glanced up at him shyly then looked away, hiding her red cheeks. He was about to hold her hand when Hanamaki suddenly turned around:

"Matsukawa is already here, let's go open the changing-room!" He said

Kiku and Hajime acted as if nothing had happened and the Ace nodded. He followed his friends towards the club's changing-room while Kiku continued in another direction to put down her bags, considering she was, like most of them, already changed in her sports outfit. He watched her leave then pulled out the keys from his bag.

They went to change, then practice, then after a quick shower and changing their clothes, Hajime had to wait for the others to be done to close the door. He was waiting outside, leaning against the railing impatiently.

"You can go on ahead if you want," Oikawa told him when he noticed his restlessness, "I'll close the door."

Iwaizumi looked up at him gratefully then gave him the keys, quickly going towards the main building. Just before Kiku could enter their classroom, he arrived at her level, putting a hand on her shoulder:

"Hey, uh, can we talk? Very quickly?" He asked.

She glanced up at him then nodded, both entering the classroom. He glanced around quickly, the other person he was looking for not here then he spoke up:

"Hanamaki told me everything. What Muraki did to you… I… what she said – don't listen to her. It's worthless jealousy and… and I don't think that at all, y-you're the most… you're the most incredible person I know… a-and I don't know what she said exactly but whatever it was – it was wrong." He started, a little awkwardly.

She opened her lips to talk but he didn't let her, continuing:

"I… well, what I'm trying to say is– I'm not trying to, y'know, go back on my word from yesterday because I will give you more time, I'll wait for you, but just… just you should just–"

"Iwaizumi-san," she interrupted, putting her hand on his forearm, his gaze on her instantly, "I know…" She said with a soft smile.

There was a short moment for silence, but they didn't feel awkward or weird. Just reassured.

"I wanted to ask you if–"

"Kiku-chan!"

Both turned towards Shinobu. Kiku stared at her, realizing that they were in the classroom surrounded by many people, and Hajime glared at Shinobu for interrupting them. They were having a moment, damn it. She was about to ask him something, damn it. Why do people keep interrupting them?

Shinobu must have understood she wasn't welcome by the Ace because she looked away from him sheepishly:

"Um, sorry… I just… I was…"

When someone else entered the classroom, Iwaizumi's gaze followed her, frowning instantly.

"Y'know what? Nevermind. You'll tell me that later, Akiyama," he said suddenly, walking away from the two girls.

Her hand left his arm as he went straight for Muraki. She just had time to look up at him in awe that, without a word, he grabbed her arm and pulled her out of the classroom.

"W-wait! I-Iwaizumi-san!" She exclaimed, struggling to keep up with him.

Several people glanced at them, chuckling and teasing smiles appearing on their faces.

"What's going on?"

"Is he going to confess?"

"Seriously?"

Kiku pouted and looked away, going to her desk and unaware of Shinobu's vivid gaze going from her and the doorway from which Iwaizumi and Muraki had escaped.

As soon as they were out of view from the rest of students, Iwaizumi let go of the girl who was pouting at his rough treatment. He could almost feel guilty by it but he was still too pissed off. He turned to her, arms crossed over his chest, and frowning darkly:

"Iwaizumi-san, I–"

"Shut up! I'll do the talking! Whatever you did and said to Ki– Akiyama, you'd better never try that again or I'll denounce you to the teachers!" He exclaimed.

She startled, then looked away guiltily.

"…And so what? I didn't do anything they can punish me for. She and I… we only talked and we came to an agreement."

"What agreement?" He huffed.

"…She told me she wasn't interested in you. I…"

She glanced up at him sheepishly, noticing his eyes wavering slightly, confirming what she thought – he didn't know the details of what she had told Kiku the previous day.

"I… can see that you like her, for some… strange reason…" She said, feeling green from jealousy, "But when I asked her what she felt for you, she said… she didn't want to be with you. That she'd rather remain friends. Then… I thought she was wasting her opportunity and would break your heart that's why–"

Even if he felt a little shaken up by these words, Iwaizumi didn't let her finish:

"I don't care the reasons behind your behavior! I don't care what you two talked about! Don't hurt her again, or you'll have me to answer to, got it?!" He exclaimed.

She pursed her lips together, then nodded sheepishly. He huffed, then, satisfied, turned away to leave, ignoring her bitter gaze in his back.

He walked back to his classroom and sitting down at his desk, not realizing Kiku was staring at him worriedly and tried to speak up shyly before looking down at her hands when she couldn't.

He was still fuming a little to know she had dared tell Kiku she was "worthless" and "didn't deserve him" from what Hanamaki had learned. The reason why Muraki did that, out of jealousy or because she didn't want his heart broken, didn't really matter. Her words had hurt his Kiku and he wouldn't let it go. Even if… he couldn't help but sigh deeply, trying not to let Muraki's words invade his mind.

Not interested in him? Didn't want to be with him? Wanted to remain friends? Even if there were so many moments when Kiku had showed him she liked him… she never showed she wanted to be with him, did she? Every time he had made a move onto her, she had pulled away and freaked out. He had thought it was because of her anxieties making things difficult for her, but perhaps she just… didn't want to be in a relationship with him? Perhaps her past and anxieties were too much for her to consider being with someone. He'd… if it were the case, he'd understand.

Lost in his thoughts, he didn't realize that the teacher had started his class and that Kiku had put a message on the corner of his desk. She tapped her finger to it, attracting his attention on it. He quickly took the message and opened the folded paper, reading it.

Are you ok? She was asking him.

He quickly wrote an answer and gave it to her discreetly, making sure their teacher wouldn't notice.

I'm fine.

Kiku pouted and glanced over at the Ace who was finally starting to take notes. She wrote down something but scratched it and finally left the message as it was, not quite knowing why she'd write anything else. She stared at what she had scratched, heart heavy in her chest.

When you say "I'm fine" it means you don't feel fine, right?She had written before scratching it – if he didn't want to tell her how he truly felt, she couldn't force him. She knew better than anyone what it felt like, trying to protect others from her own hurt by saying "I'm fine" even when she didn't feel this way.

"Every time you say "I'm fine" it means that you're not."

He knew this about her, and even he had unconsciously used the same way of escaping, he had been here when she had needed him. Kiku wanted to reach over and take his hand, the way he had done it the previous day.

She tore off another paper and wrote another message then, instead of just putting it down on his desk, she reached over. She put her hand, holding the folded paper, on his forearm, forcing his attention on her. He stared at her, a little stunned by her bold move in the middle of class. She smiled at him, a little hesitantly then squeezed his forearm in reassurance. He took the paper from her fingers as she pulled away just before the teacher might notice them.

I'm here if you need someone to talk to, she had written.

He glanced over, noticing she was staring at him expectantly. He smiled, heart beating warmly, then nodded.

Who cared about people's words? The only ones that mattered were Kiku's.

The day of class went as usual, a comfortable tension between Kiku and Hajime that their friends noticed. There was something in their eyes and smiles that made everyone think "ah, here it is," without quite knowing what 'it' was.

Practice time finally came, and Oikawa who had the key, arrived late because of his fangirls, everyone hurried into the changing-room, not realizing the door didn't close completely in their hurry. They had enough time to change, but they always tried to relax after a stressing day of school and they didn't want to hurry to the practice right away.

"So, did you talk to Muraki?" Hanamaki asked as they were changing.

Oikawa and Matsukawa – who had, of course, heard the whole thing since the previous day and wondered how he always escaped the drama – glanced over as Iwaizumi froze in his move, blinking at the wing-spiker:

"How…"

"Did I guess you'd go have a talk with her? Because you're obvious. If you hadn't, we would have all gone anyway."

Oikawa nodded enthusiastically at that before adding:

"No one threatens or bad mouths our manager-chan!"

"Eh? Someone threatened Akiyama-san?" Yahaba asked with wide eyes, everyone starting to listen as well, protective instinct kicking in.

"One of Iwaizumi's fangirl," Matsukawa explained quickly.

Everyone seemed to understand what it was all about, but it only made Iwaizumi frown because he hated the idea that his 'fangirls' (he didn't realize how popular he really was but in the same time, his fans weren't as showy as Oikawa's) would go to such lengths.

"Muraki won't approach Kiku again," he said.

"Ooh~ You didn't hurt the poor girl, did you? It'd be bad for you, if you did," Makki continued, a little amused.

"I'm not stupid! I wouldn't hurt her!" He exclaimed.

"Except her feelings," Mattsun added.

"She hurt Kiku's feelings as well! I don't see why I should be more careful about her feelings!"

"You've got a point, there. Let's just hope it won't come back to bite you." Oikawa said.

Iwaizumi raised an eyebrow, silently asking him to elaborate:

"Who knows? She might go tell someone you did hurt her, or that you said very bad things, and even if it wasn't the truth, it'd tarnish your reputation. If your reputation is tarnished, so is mine, and so is the team's!"

Iwaizumi continued frowning, but he was thinking deeply about that. Even if it wasn't the truth…

"Maybe she lied…" He whispered to himself.

"Hmm? Who?"

"Muraki, she told me…"

He hesitated and his friends all encouraged him in silence, not wanting their Ace to keep things to himself, especially when it became so delicate.

"She said Kiku didn't want to be with me, that she wanted us to only be friends and… yesterday Kiku asked me to give her more time, maybe…"

His voice trailed off while the others all stared at him with wide eyes:

"…When did she ask you that, exactly?" Oikawa asked suspiciously.

"Last night when I… oh." He said, remembering he hadn't told anyone about that.

"You went to see her last night?! What happened?!" Makki exclaimed.

Iwaizumi hesitated before telling them everything that had happened, and for teasing, everyone went "awww" when he was done.

"O-oi! Stop it! Don't stare at me like that!" He exclaimed, blushing, but they only laughed.

"Well! I don't think Muraki said the truth!" Oikawa exclaimed before his brows furrowed, "But… considering Kiku-chan's past… it is still a possibility."

"If it's a possibility then… I'll wait for Kiku to make things explicit." Iwaizumi continued, sounding sadder than he intended.

The other third-years glanced at each other, wondering how they should comfort him. Oikawa finally put a hand on Iwaizumi's shoulder, making him look up:

"Cheer up! It's not over, Iwa-chan! I'm sure Muraki said that just to rile you up! Kiku-chan is in love with you, for sure!"

"Being in love with someone doesn't mean that you want a relationship with this person, or that a relationship is even possible. With Kiku's past and trauma… it wouldn't be surprising she wouldn't want to deal with me. After all…"

He sighed deeply and continued, voice tight:

"The person who reminds her most of the night she almost died is my father. And I… kinda look like him… She's so sweet and kind she probably never dared say it to me but I probably remind her of that night. What if… she thought of us being together but now that she remembered my father, she can't? She's too afraid?"

Oikawa glanced at his teammates, lips thin, not sure if he should say something and what sort of something he should say… But before anyone had time to gather their thoughts and speak up, Iwaizumi took a deep breath:

"I'm not going to date her." He suddenly said, a stubborn look on his face but his eyes so sad.

"Eh? W-wait, wait! Why would you say that, Iwa-chan?!" Oikawa exclaimed.

"Because! I can't date Kiku!" He exclaimed, throwing his arms around vehemently, "There's no way I'll be able to take care of someone like her! I'm going to mess up at some point! She can't! She's! I can't, okay?! I can't date Kiku knowing the truth!" He shouted, eyes shining and showing his hurt as he said these words.

Oikawa opened his lips to reply, but a smothered sound attracted everyone's attention to the door. Yahaba raised an eyebrow and pushed it open to explain to Mizoguchi they'd arrive soon, or to tell Oikawa's fans to back off for the moment… but the moment he pushed the door open, he gasped.

"Akiyama-san?!" He exclaimed.

Everyone saw Kiku standing there, still in her uniform and a brown paper bag fallen at her feet. Her fists tight, she kept her head low, fighting with all of her might the tears in her eyes from rolling down. Knowing she was noticed, she forced her head to look up but her eyes couldn't meet anyone's.

"S-sorry… I-I didn't… I didn't m-mean to I-interrupt…" She murmured, trying to force her lips to smile, "I-I'll j-just…"

She made a move to turn around, limbs trembling while everyone understood that she had heard the last words. Understanding it as well, Hajime started trembling and paling, realizing his mistake – he had said the only words he didn't think and she had heard. She thought he didn't want of her in his life. She thought–

"I-I'll s-see you… p-practice…" Kiku said, voice breaking a little.

She made a step but Hajime gasped, making a step forward as well, desperately trying to reach for her even though she was too far away from his reach:

"W-wait! Kiku–"

The moment he spoke up, Kiku's heart clenched even more and she couldn't hold back her sob. Her hands went to her eyes while Hajime, and everyone, froze worriedly to see her so hurt.

"I-I'm… I'm sorry…!" She said, suddenly running off.

Everyone stared at the door wide open, not knowing what to do. Kiku obviously had heard what Hajime had said, but only the worst part, the part she should not have heard.

"Oh crap…" Matsukawa muttered – which summed up pretty well the situation.

Recognizing the bag from the Akiyama bakery, and knowing she had listened to his advice of bringing patisserie to Iwaizumi when she'll feel ready to face him… Hanamaki turned towards his friend who was shock frozen, hand still up in the hope of reaching for her.

"What are you waiting for?! Go after her, idiot!" He shouted suddenly, making everyone jump.

"W-wha–"

"Makki is right, Iwa-chan! Go fix up this mess!" Oikawa exclaimed as well, pointing at the door.

"B-but…!"

"No 'but'! Just go after Kiku-chan and tell her once and for all how you feel!" Oikawa shouted, frowning angrily.

To add more strength to his words, he grabbed his best friend's shoulder and started dragging him out of the changing-room, everyone making way for them. As soon as they had stepped outside, Oikawa pushed him forward with all the strength he could use, the Ace almost tripping over his own feet, too stunned to keep his balance. He looked up, mouth wide open as Oikawa pointed in the direction Kiku had taken:

"You're going to lose her if you don't take action!" Hanamaki exclaimed, having followed them outside with the rest of the team.

"Go! NOW!" Oikawa ordered with a strong voice.

Hajime stared at them and Hanamaki's words hit him hard.

"You're going to lose her."

Heart beating frenetically in panic, he barely nodded before turning around and running down the stairs, going after Kiku he could see from afar. If he didn't run with all he had, he'd lose her. Damn it all! He couldn't let her go! He had promised he'd never leave her!

"Kiku…!" He called, but she didn't hear him, "KIKU!"

She stopped and turned around just as he arrived at her level, almost running into her. Grabbing her shoulders, he looked straight into her eyes:

"It's not what you think! I didn't mean it that way!" He exclaimed, trembling a little.

"W-what…"

She looked up at him, her big eyes, shining with tears and confusion…

"I'm in love with you!" He exclaimed.

He stopped breathing, cheeks turning red as Kiku's eyes widened and her lips fell open. Swallowing hard and knowing that now there was no coming back, he spoke up again, stammering over his words but desperate to get his feelings to reach Kiku's heart:

"I-I'm in love with you! I only want your happiness and the only reason I said these terrible words are because… because I'm afraid that if I'm with you I won't be good enough for you!"

She made a tiny sound, almost like a gasp, and tried to speak up but he shook his head, continuing stubbornly:

"I am in love with your eyes, and your kindness and everything you do and are! I don't care about your past and your scars because I'll embrace it all if it means I get to be with you! I'm not leaving you, ever…!"

"Haji–"

"I can't choose for you, if you want to be with me or not, but I want you to know how important you are to me! You light up my days, my life and you make everything happier! I think you're the most beautiful and intelligent person I ever met! Your kindness and pure soul are breathtaking! And! And I!"

He took a deep breath just as she tried to speak up once again but he didn't let her, cheeks a bright red and looking right into her eyes. His green eyes shone in a way they had never shone before, stunning Kiku enough that she'd look up… and get lost… There was a peaceful silence for the shortest of the moment when their eyes met – green and blue, both sparkling with the same love and admiration for one another…

"W-what I'm trying to say is… is that… you're… you're perfect for me… And… I want to be with you… a-and I really, really am head over heels for you, you have no idea what you did to me… A-and…"

"Hajime–"

"And I–"

Kiku didn't let him finish, she suddenly grabbed his tie and pulled him down to her. Their lips met and the world stop spinning.

Hajime's eyes widened and he stared right into Kiku's sparkling ones… just as they both closed their eyes and enjoyed their first, clumsy kiss. His hands in the air in shock, Hajime leaned against her lips, their heartbeats suddenly calming down. Their hearts beat strongly, resonating in their whole bodies, to the same rhythm, but instead of an overwhelming, exploding love, they only felt a soft, peaceful love filling their veins.

Heads tilting to deepen the kiss, they smiled against each other's lips and suddenly, the sound of loud cheering reminded them they had a public watching. The volleyball team, all watching from the front of their changing-room, were cheering loudly, screaming and jumping excitedly, some dangerously leaning over the railing but they were all too happy to care.

Kiku suddenly pulled away but didn't let go of his tie, blushing terribly and looking down.

"S-so-sorry! I-I d-didn't mean! I-I! I m-mean, yes, but no! B-but! I w-would have, um…!" She stammered, unable to look into his eyes after she had forced him down for a breathtaking kiss.

Before she could continue her embarrassing stammer, Hajime, his gaze never leaving her beautiful face, cupped her cheek, his other hand on her shoulder. She just had time to look up that he was leaning down and kissing her lips once again.

Everything they had felt, all of their confusion, hesitations, doubts… it all faded away as they shared their feelings through this kiss. They didn't need words to express how they felt – their tender kiss said it all.

Hajime pulled her closer and she fell against his chest, one hand still loosely holding his tie, while the other went against his steadily beating heart. Every heartbeat seemed to say "I love you, I love you, I love you…" against her palm and it was even more reassuring than his warm lips slowly moving against hers.

Kiku suddenly pulled off, needing to breathe, a bright smile on her face, a smile so big her cheeks hurt and she had to bite on her lower lip to be sure it wasn't a dream. Hajime smiled brightly as well, leaning down to brush his nose against hers, his lips already reaching for hers once again. Her fingers against his lips stopped him, but she didn't stop smiling:

"W-wait… I… I need to tell you…"

He waited in a mix of impatience and worry, but her eyes sparkled so beautifully, so happily, there was no way it could be anything else but something good.

"I-I'm in love with you too, Hajime… I… I have been for a long time…!" She said, tears of joy shining in her eyes as an ecstatic laugh escaped her lips when she finally said it outloud for him to hear.

His smile went wider and the moment her fingers against his lips brushed his cheek instead, he leaned down. He kissed her, but she laughed and he pulled her against him, their bodies pressed together warmly and her beautiful laugh echoing in his ears. He kissed her cheek then went back to her lips and this time, she was the one to pull him down for another breathtaking kiss, breaking it off from their never-ending smiles then kissing again.

A few meters away, the volleyball team had calmed down (a little), slowly getting over the fact that their shy manager had pulled down their strong Ace from the tie to kiss him. And that they had continued kissing ever since. And probably confessed at some point considering how happy their unwavering smiles were.

"My Iwa-chan… he's grown up so much… and now he finally found the love of his life…!" Oikawa murmured, eyes teary as well and hands pressed together happily.

"We have to go to practice," Kunimi said calmly but no one listened to him.

"I'm so happy for Iwaizumi-san and Akiyama-san!" Kindaichi exclaimed enthusiastically.

"Took him long enough…" Mattsun said with a smile.

"I hope they won't get too sickeningly sweet now…!" Makki sighed, leaning against the railing.

"Aaaw, come on, Makki! We all know you're their first supporter! Second, actually, I'm the number one!" Oikawa exclaimed, draping his arm over his shoulders to tease him.

Hanamaki rolled his eyes to pretend he didn't care – but they all saw his smile, just like everyone, he was happy for their friends to finally be together.

"Oi! What are you all doing in your uniforms?! Practice is about to start, go get changed!" Mizoguchi exclaimed from down the changing-room.

"Mizoguchi-san! Iwa-chan and Kiku-chan are finally together!"

"They're kissing!"

"They're a couple, at long last!"

"HALLELUJAH!"

"YEAAAAH!"

Mizoguchi just blinked up at them, as they all cheered once again, arms in the air and overly excited about the news. He glanced and finally took notice of Iwaizumi and Akiyama close to one another, kissing and smiling and the team's words hit him.

"Wait – because they weren't dating before?!" He exclaimed with wide eyes.

They all paused, looking down at him then they laughed – only Iwaizumi and Akiyama weren't aware of their relationship before making it official with a confession and a few kisses!

BONUS

[Some time later…]

"I had no idea they weren't dating, I thought they were together for weeks now!" Mizoguchi said, still stunned by the news.

"U-uh." Irihata said, looking irritated with a frown on his face and arms crossed over his chest.

"Are you unhappy because your niece is dating Iwaizumi? He's a good boy, he won't break her heart, I'm sure!" Mizoguchi continued with a smile.

"…That's not the problem but…"

He narrowed his eyes and Mizoguchi followed his gaze, shoulders dropping when he understood what Irihata was getting at.

"Are they always going to be like that, from now on?" He muttered annoyingly.

"Ah, well…"

They stared from afar, just like some of the players who were chuckling at the overjoyed couple. Kiku and Hajime were both following their duties as manager and Ace – but they had such heart eyes for one another that it made every single task very difficult. They had silly smiles on their faces and flushed cheeks and didn't stop glancing or staring at each other from afar.

Enjoying the fact that their Ace and team mom was too distracted to keep them in check, all hell was breaking loose for the rest of the team. Even if, instead of doing some shenanigans, they were too busy teasing and making fun of the new couple with snickers, taking photos and videos for later black-mail. There was no way they'd let their Ace live down the embarrassment that he didn't feel for the moment but would certainly hit him later.

BONUS 2

[After practice this day…]

After proposing for Iwaizumi to accompany Kiku back home – actually, Oikawa hit him hard in the ribs and shouted "Iwa-chan will walk you home, Kiku-chan!" while Mattsun kept Makki's whimpers down (he complained that he didn't want to see them make-out on his way home). So, the Ace didn't have much of a choice – but at least, he didn't get a talk from coach Irihata. Yet.

Not that I mind their not-so-discreet intervention, he thought as he glanced down at Kiku.

They were walking calmly, hand-in-hand, unwavering smiles on their faces. Sensing a gaze on her, she looked up and Hajime immediately gasped and blushed:

"Eeeh… s-sorry… for staring…" He mumbled adorably.

"N-no, I-it's fine… I'm… staring a lot too…" She whispered.

They flushed and arrived in front of the bakery, stopping there and regretting that the way to her home was so quick. They looked at the house regretfully, wanting to grasp every little minute they could get together.

"I still can't believe it–" They both said in one voice, before stopping.

They stared at each other then chuckled in amusement.

"So… we're… a thing, now… right?" He asked, a little hesitantly because just the previous day she had asked him to give her some time.

They took quite some detours, but despite all hesitations and insecurities, their kiss had been enough to say everything. Their confession had comforted their hearts of their feelings for one another. The one thing they needed to make clear now was the nature of their relationship.

When they looked into each other's eyes, there was no doubt to have. Kiku gave the slightest of nod, their fingers tightening and their smiles growing wider. Silent vows of love shone in their eyes and there was no need for words. Not anymore. Their heartbeats going to the same rhythm, the warmth of their lips, the soft gazes lost in one another, the tender hold of their hands… It was everything.

Iwaizumi Hajime – her boyfriend. Akiyama Kiku – his girlfriend.

"I… I really like that…" He started, breaking the comfortable silence, "The feeling that we don't need any word to communicate, that we understand everything without a word… it feels good…"

Kiku's hold on his hands tightened and she grinned, a mischievous glint shining in her eyes:

"Then stop talking." She said, her lips trembling to add something else but she was still too embarrassed to say it.

He didn't need her to say what she wanted. He leaned down and kissed her. He let go of her hands so he could let cup one her cheek, fingers threading through her silky hair, the other resting in the curve of her back to press her to him. Kiku didn't need any word to lift up her arms, hands going in the back of his neck.

I love you, I love you, I love you… sung their hearts. And through their kiss, the warmth and breath they shared, all of the peace and love they felt was expressed. No need for words. Their quiet expressions of love were all the words that mattered.

"Uuugh… I'm going to face this vision everyday from now on… isn't it?"

They pulled away and threw an annoyed glance in Hanamaki's direction just as he was coming home. He grinned to them teasingly and they smiled back, all of them pretending to be annoyed, but too happy to really care. Hanamaki lifted up his fist, fist-bumping the air to say "Good job, Ace" and "Nice move, Akiyama" before he waved at them and entered his house.

They glanced back at each other and, even if they were still high on cloud happiness, after a goodnight kiss (on the lips), he left Kiku and they went back homes. Both, smiling like fools in love. Arrived homes, both leaned against their doors, hands on their hearts still beating strongly.

I love you, I love you, I love you…

Finally, they're dating. Took them loong enough. XD

Don't hesitate to tell me how you feel~! :D

NEXT CHAPTER : FACING THE WORLD

Yours Truly,

May