Hey! Sorry for not posting this chapter earlier but I wanted to take some advance in the chapters I was writing and stuff kept coming up and I didn't have time. I should go back to a more regular posting, but be aware that with the university, and now I have to write my master degree as well, it's going to be tough at times for me to have time to write new chapters.
Thank you to everyone who followed, favorited nad reviewed! I hope you'll like this chapter! :D
serena-pearl05 : Yes, they were just dry-humping! :) Their first time will be, well explicitly described because it's an impotant moment for them. Thank you evr much for your review, I'm glad you like the story and I hope you'll like what happens next! :D
LadyAmazon: Ahah, I suppose then, that I did a good jobo if it got you aroused, didn't it~? ;)
xSuccubusQueen : Thank you SO MUCH for your review, which means so much more coming from someone who doesn't usually leave reviews! You have no idea how happy your review made me feel! :D I'm- I can't even answer to your sweet words, I'm just so happy to know you love my story and especially ebcause it make syou FEEL. This is exactly why I'm writing and I just- thank you so much? I mean, I might sound a little... um, selfish because I have so many reviews and follows etc. but lately, so few people have shared what they think of my fanfictions, the number of reviews has really dropped and I'm happy for every one of them but I was afraid my writing, or my stories, were getting too... boring, or that people just didn't like them anymore. But to konw that I can still make people FEEL the stories they read, that I write... It gave me confidence again. Your review was a blessing ,so thank you! :D (life? What life? lol) And, well, I hope you'll enjoy the rest of the story~! :D
xxXsilverXxx : Thank you! I'm veyr happy I've had so many faithful followers for so long, so thank you! :D I'm happy that you loved last chapter, which was a happy chapter, so~!
Aquafin : Thank you so much! :D I really laughed writing, and re-reading the Truth and Dare part! XD
FANFICTION
HAIKYUU! : QUIET VOICE
CHAPTER L : The Star Festival
"I envy people that know love. That have someone who takes them as they are."
― Jess C. Scott, The Devilin Fey
"I realized how truly hard it was, really, to see someone you love change right before your eyes. Not only is it scary, it throws your balance off as well."
― Sarah Dessen, The Truth About Forever
"There is no shame in being hungry for another person. There is no shame in wanting very much to share your life with somebody."
— Augusten Burroughs
"You can be lonely even when you are loved by many people, since you are still not anybody's one and only."
— Anne Frank, The Diary of a Young Girl
"The quieter you become, the more you can hear."
— Ram Dass
"Eye contact: how souls catch fire."
— Yahia Lababidi, "Aphorisms"
"Have you ever met someone, spent less than thirty minutes with them and thought 'I could easily love you'."
— Donte Collins
"I've never felt this urge to be near someone until I got to know you. Maybe if there was a way for you to get to know me, you might feel the same pull. But you keep leaving before I get the chance to find out."
— Unknown
"When I first met you, that's what I remember. I looked up at the sky and thought, I'm going to love this person because even the sky looks different."
— Margaret Stohl, "Beautiful Chaos"
"It's awful, isn't it? The way humans can leave other humans without so much as a breath of goodbye–of where they are going or why."
— Unknown
"To the dumb question "Why me?" the cosmos barely bothers to return the reply: why not?"
― Christopher Hitchens, Mortality
Hajime let his hands rest behind his head as he watched Kiku getting dressed after their last make-out session – just one text to tell her his parents weren't home and she had come. These summer holidays were the best he had ever spent. Morning practicing with Oikawa, and sometimes with other teammates, and the afternoon entirely dedicated to his Kiku.
She caught sight of his staring and blushed even if, not long ago, they had done much worse than just staring. A silly smile appeared on his face:
"W-what?" She asked hesitantly.
"You're beautiful…"
"…Stop talking nonsense," she said, despite the smile on her face.
"No, you stop talking nonsense."
"No, you."
"You."
"You!"
He stared at her, looking almost annoyed before disbelief made him shake his head.
"You know… I didn't think it'd happen like that. You used to be rather shy and quiet and now… you're speaking up your mind. Against me. You're arguing with me – no one does that, not even Oikawa!" He exclaimed in incredulity to know that his adorable girlfriend could have such a temper.
Kiku stared at him before letting her body swing back towards the bed.
"And… does that bother you?" She asked, sounding curious and coy in the same time.
"On the contrary," he answering, pride swelling in his chest to know she felt confident enough to speak up her mind to him, "It excites me."
"Then I'm glad even Oikawa isn't arguing with you."
He couldn't help but flush, immediately trying to clear up the misunderstanding:
"N-no, I didn't mean this sort of excitement, I mean yes with you, but not–" He stopped his embarrassed blabbering when he saw her lips tremble, holding back an amused smile, "Great… now you're making fun of me. You're teasing me." He realized.
She approached the bed, sitting on the edge and sending him a long, amused look.
"And… does that bother you?" She asked again, even though she already knew the answer.
"On the contrary…" He whispered with a smile, moving to be able to kiss her lips.
She chuckled against his lips, kissing him back tenderly, her hair falling down and keeping them hidden from the rest of the world. Suddenly, the door opened and they both turned around, sighing when Oikawa entered like he owned the place, not disturbed to see Kiku wearing only her shorts and a bra or his friend naked and covered only by his sheets.
"Can't you knock before entering? We could have been… busy!" Iwaizumi exclaimed, rolling his eyes while Kiku put a shirt on herself.
"Believe me, I would have known if you were ~busy~!" Oikawa answered, rolling his eyes and sitting down on the edge of the bed, "Seriously, you need to keep it down because I had to take Takeru eat an ice-cream so he wouldn't hear the two of you, he kept asking questions about why you were screaming! This ice-cream is on you, Iwa-chan, you owe me one."
Iwaizumi didn't answer, rolling his eyes as soon as Oikawa could only see his back. He grabbed his boxers and started getting dressed. Unfortunately, it wasn't the first time Oikawa had interrupted them. He often showed up after they had a make-out session – apparently, both Hajime and Kiku were being loud (they weren't aware of it and tried to keep it down) and so, Oikawa always showed up at the end, estimating that it was over and he could come in. He never considered the quiet, cuddling part, interrupting them at this moment.
"Iwa-chan, will you come to the Tanabata festival? We go every year! Makki and Mattsun will be there, so you have to come! Of course, you too, Kiku-chan!" Oikawa exclaimed.
"Don't worry, we had already planned to go there tonight," Hajime answered, glancing at Kiku.
They shared a knowing smile, Oikawa glancing between the two, his enthusiastic smile dropping.
"Oh. You didn't tell me, that you had already planned to go…" He realized.
It was strange for Oikawa, spending most of his time being bored and alone during the summer holiday. He usually spent it with his girlfriend if he had one, but he didn't at the moment; or with his friends. But all three were busy with their respective girlfriends.
What a joke… I'm the only one all alone… He thought to himself.
He opened his lips to speak up but upon noticing Kiku and Hajime, sitting right next to each other, smiling, eyes sparkling and talking to each other in a low voice, Oikawa felt like he was unwelcome. He didn't feel like he belonged here. He wanted to say something but just stood up and left the bedroom, his sudden absence going unnoticed by the two lovers.
Back in his own room, he fell down on his futon, not knowing what to do. He had been the one to push Iwaizumi and Kiku together, they were made for each other and whatever trouble they had gone through recently, they were over it now. Kiku had thanked him, and Makki and Mattsun, for their help to push Hajime to touch her, but obviously, there was no more need for them to make plans to get Iwaizumi jealous and horny. Tooru was very happy for his friends. But the more he saw them, the more hollow he felt.
Ever since Marika had broken up with him, many girls had come and asked him out, jumping on the opportunity to date the Great Oikawa Tooru. Several were to his tastes, and he was often tempted, but for some reason he couldn't quite understand himself, he kept saying no to every single one of them. He still didn't understand what Marika had accused him of – not spending enough time with her, neglecting her? He was a very busy man, after all. She even thought he was cheating on her – it was ridiculous! Oikawa Tooru respected women and would never do such a thing!
"When we're RARELY together, it seems that you're not here WITH me! As if you're thinking of someone else! I can't bear the thought of being cheated on!" Marika had told him.
She had misunderstood, he was not cheating on her. What Marika and him had had was good, she was pretty and nice, and despite her mistake about accidentally revealing Kiku's past, he had thought they could last a little more than a few months. It wasn't that he didn't get bored with Marika (boy, he did get incredibly bored now that he thought of it), but even if her eyes weren't nearly as green, she was the most resembling girl he knew to–
Tooru froze, forcing his line of thoughts to come to an end.
It wasn't the first time he thought of this girl, whose name he didn't even know. He had met her only four times in the past few years. Usually, it was during the finals against Shiratorizawa, she would always comfort and encourage him when he'd go crying on his own behind the gymnasium. Then, he had learned she was a student at Shiratorizawa Academy and he had vowed to never think of her ever again. But then… he had met her again. Just a few months ago, before entering his third-year, in the middle of town. They had literally bumped into each other and this time, this meeting had seemed different, it had seemed more.
His hand went under his pillow and when his fingers touched a cool, metallic, little plaque, he took it out from under his pillow, staring at it. She had given it to him, this little plaque saying "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star~". He wanted to see her again, to know her name, her story, to keep looking into her beautiful green eyes… He had so many questions to ask her and yet, this one time, the only thing he had been able to tell her was "W-will we ever see each other again?!". Ridiculous, really. A girl from Shiratorizawa. Even if she was pretty, he had met her only four times. Four little times over three years. And she was at Shiratorizawa! The same school as Ushiwaka, the same team that kept beating his team!
Though…
"I wish!" She had answered to him back then.
Tooru sighed, letting his chin rest on top of his pillow, still staring at the plaque with written "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star~"
In his entire life, he had never wanted so badly to meet someone again. He had never been more curious, more intrigued by anyone ever. He had never found anyone so beautiful. What was so different about this girl that even after so few encounters, an unknown identity, and so little time spent together, he couldn't forget her?
A few hours later, at the Tanabata Festival of Sendai…
"Do you think she's all right? She's late, maybe I should check on her – she doesn't answer her phone!" Iwaizumi exclaimed, glancing from his phone, to the crowd then back at his friends.
Hanamaki and Matsukawa sighed with amused smiles to see him so panicked, while Oikawa laughed good-heartedly.
"Don't worry, Iwa-chan~! I'm sure Kiku-chan is only making herself pretty for you~!" He answered.
"Why didn't you wait for her to make sure she'd arrive safely?" Iwaizumi asked, staring firmly, almost glaring, at Hanamaki.
"Oi, don't look at me like that, I had assumed you'd go pick her up. Why didn't you, anyway?"
"She said she'd come here directly. But I should have gone to meet her anyway, to make her a surprise or something!"
"Don't worry, she'll be fine," Mattsun said, absentmindedly.
"What if she's not?! What if something happened to her?! What if– I'm calling her again."
He pulled out his phone just as it vibrated in his hand, a message from Kiku saying she would arrive soon making him sigh in relief.
"See? She's fine. Just late. It happens even to the purest of us to be late from times to times." Matsukawa said.
"And you happen to be late a little too often," Makki teased with a grin.
"I'm not pure, so it's not a surprise for anyone."
Oikawa was distracted from his friends' banter when he heard some girls' voices.
"Look, look, aren't they handsome~?" One girl asked her friend.
Glancing from the corner of his eyes, Oikawa saw a group of three girls, staring at them from afar with blush on their cheeks. He smiled and waved at them nicely, making them blush and go away with excited chuckles. Oikawa had to admit that they were very handsome, many girls glancing their way as they walked by. While Hanamaki and Matsukawa had opted to wear casual clothes, Iwaizumi and himself wore yukata – for the first, it was to surprise his girlfriend, and for the second… Tooru just looked magnificent in a yukata.
"Hajime!"
The call made all four turn around, Hajime grinning instantly when he saw Kiku arrive as quickly as she could, in her yukata and zori. She arrived near them with a flush on her cheeks, pushing off some hair that had fallen in front of her face and Hajime, who couldn't stop smiling like a fool, blushed as well. They stared at each other, both enjoying the vision of the other in summer festival's clothes. Hajime looked particularly handsome, with his brown kimono, slightly open on the front, reminding Kiku of a samurai – the only thing missing would be katanas to his sides but the kimono was enough to make her drool. As for her own yukata, she wore a pink and purple one, with pretty flowers. It showed her curves and she had a nice hair-pin holding her hair up.
"Y-you look s-so beautiful… you're adorable… I love you…" Hajime stammered, blushing even more and almost biting his tongue off in the process.
Kiku smiled widely, cheeks red and eyes sparkling. She opened her lips to compliment him as well but she was cut:
"Uuurgh," Hanamaki groaned, rolling his eyes and turning around, "Don't disgust me yet, I want to eat festival food!"
"You are the disgusting one," Hajime mumbled, glaring at him for interrupting his and Kiku's moment.
With Kiku here, not expecting anyone else, the group started moving, Hajime and Kiku quickly falling behind and holding hands, never ending smiles on their faces.
"You look so handsome too, Hajime! Like a samurai! You look so cool and amazing!" She exclaimed before pulling lightly at his arm.
He leaned down, her lips going to his ear:
"And you are so incredibly hot you can't even begin to comprehend how you make me feel…" She whispered so he would be the only one hearing.
He blushed madly but smiled, quickly leaning to her ear.
"I can't wait to try and take off your yukata, you look breathtaking," he answered in a low, hot voice.
"What do you mean 'try' to take it off? I have the full intention of taking off yours whether you want it or not, by the end of the night. And I hope you'll do the same to me." She said, blushing but unwavering.
He chuckled adorably, his fingers sliding through hers. He brought her hand up, kissing the back of her hand, the flirting atmosphere switching back to a fluffy one.
"Don't worry," he said, his warm lips against her skin.
"Ooooi, the two sweet pies over there! Don't get left behind!" Matsukawa called from afar when he noticed them remaining behind.
Hajime sighed, Kiku chuckled as they joined their friends. The group often stopped at booths, to play little games or to eat same food. They admired the colorful decorations made of paper all around town and the festival booths as it was custom for the Tanabata Fetsival, and especially in Sendai.
"Do you know where the Tanabata Festival comes from~?" Oikawa asked suddenly, turning around and walking backwards to face them.
"Oh boy, here he goes again," Makki sighed.
"China? Like, pretty much everything."
"Be a little more enthusiastic! Even after years of repeating it to you, you still don't know the legend behind the Tanabata Festival! Do my words mean nothing to you?!" Oikawa whined, starting to pout a little.
Kiku looked up curiously at the boys, all sighing and smiling at their Captain's antics. Then she turned towards him:
"What legend?" She asked.
He grinned happily, almost bouncing in excitement to tell her the story:
"The legend behind the Tanabata Festival is beautiful, full of magic and star-crossed lovers who–"
"Just get on with the story already," Makki said, rolling his eyes.
Oikawa glared at him before looking back at a curious Kiku:
"It's the love story between Orihime, daughter of Tentei, the Sky King, and Hikoboshi. Orihime wove beautiful clothes by the bank of the Amanogawa which is known to our days as the Milky Way. Her father loved the cloth that she wove and so she worked very hard every day to weave it. However, Orihime was sad that because of her hard work she could never meet and fall in love with anyone. Concerned about his daughter, Tentei arranged for her to meet Hikoboshi who lived and worked on the other side of the Amanogawa. When the two met, they fell instantly in love with each other and married shortly thereafter."
Oikawa paused for dramatic effect, Kiku smiling and glancing very quickly at Hajime before focusing again on the story:
"However, once married, Orihime could no longer weave cloth for Tentei and Hikoboshi allowed his cows to stray all over Heaven–"
"Because they were too busy fucking to care about that," Makki intervened.
"Makki! Don't ruin the story!" He hissed.
"It's okay, I'm listening," Kiku said to calm down the setter.
He glared a little longer at Hanamaki before turning back to his audience – only Kiku, but it was more than usual anyway:
"Then, in anger, Tentei separated the two lovers across the Amanogawa and forbade them to meet!"
"Oh no…" Kiku murmured, even though it almost sounded like she was making fun of Oikawa's overly dramatic tone – it made the others hold back their snickers and hide their smiles.
Nevertheless, now taken in by the tale he was telling, Oikawa continued with even more enthusiasm than before:
"Orihime was sad at the loss of her husband and asked her father to let them meet again. Tentei was moved by his daughter's tears and allowed the two to meet on the 7th day of the 7th month – Tanabata – if she worked hard and finished her weaving. The first time they tried to meet, however, they found that they could not cross the river because there was no bridge. Orihime cried so much that a flock of magpies came and promised to make a bridge with their wings so that she could cross the river. It is said that if it rains on Tanabata, the magpies cannot come and the two lovers must wait until another year to meet. And that's how, every year, we celebrate Orihime and Hikoboshi's return into each other's embrace for just one day and one night~!" He concluded, arms spread out with a silly smile on his face.
"Deep down, you're just even more of a silly romantic as Iwaizumi," Matsukawa said, startling both.
"W-what is that supposed to mean, Mattsun?!"
"Yeah, how is this w-wrong a-anyway?!" Iwaizumi added, frowning but he was too embarrassed at being described as a 'silly romantic'.
"Iwa-chan, don't stutter or you don't sound convincing at all!"
"Don't blame me!"
Ignoring their banter, Kiku looked up at the sky and even if the stars were smothered by the city lights and pollution, they could see them clearly. No cloud, no rain, which meant that the magpies could come and let Orihime find her Hikoboshi. Smiling, she spoke up, making the boys shut up:
"Tonight, they can meet then…" She said with a lovely expression on her face.
All four looked up, thinking that perhaps, some Weaving Princess in the stars would meet her husband tonight… Then, Kiku's brows furrowed:
"You said the 7th day of the 7th month? But we're in August… I know that Sendai has the Tanabata Festival later than other cities in Japan, but why is that?"
"Well… I'm glad you asked, Kiku-chan," Oikawa started, while the others groan, earning a confused look from Kiku, "I read about this legend, not when looking for information about the Tanabata festival, but about the stars Vega and Altair who respectively represent Orihime and Hikoboshi."
"Great, after the literary lesson, we get the astronomy one…" Makki mumbled, closing his eyes.
"The original Tanabata date was based on the Japanese lunisolar calendar, which is about a month behind the Gregorian calendar we are using today. As a result, some festivals are held on July 7th, and some are held on a few days around August 7th because of the 'One-Month Delay'!"
"The what?"
"By forgetting the lunisolar calendar and using the Gregorian one, there is a gap of three to seven weeks than in the original calendar. We invented a way to compromise by setting the dates for festivals later, it's called Tsuki-okure 'One-Month Delay'. The festival is celebrated just one solar calendar month later than the date on the Gregorian calendar." He explained.
Kiku stared at Oikawa with wide eyes, the others smiling at her confused expression. They knew what it felt like – they had gone through the same. The shock of hearing their fancy setter go on and on about legends and mostly, explaining phenomenons they could barely grasp the concept of, was always stunning. They still didn't understand most of what Oikawa explained but after all this time, they got the general idea.
"…I knew you liked aliens and stars… but I had no idea you were so knowledgeable, Oikawa-kun…" Kiku said, sounding in awe.
His ego would have been boosted if not by the way she had said it – as if he was a beautiful face with no brain!
"Aliens and stars…" He repeated disdainfully, rolling his eyes, "Well YES! But not just aliens and stars! I love astronomy and physics! Stars are beautiful and space is so fascinating!" He exclaimed enthusiastically.
"This guy can point and name every single star and constellation he can see with his bare eyes, and with a telescope he can give you an entire lesson on the topic. He knows every legend associated to the constellations. Of course, he uses all this knowledge for stupid alien crap–"
"It's not crap!"
"–And we should probably blame him for being so obsessed on such specific topics he loves, like volleyball or astronomy but, he can be pretty impressive at both." Iwaizumi admitted, a little proud of his friend.
"What do you mean 'pretty impressive'?! I am very knowledgeable, like Kiku-chan said! She knows the value of my brain!" Oikawa exclaimed, huffing a little to be belittled by his friends who shrugged it off like some fancy liking for space and aliens.
Over the years, Oikawa had learned so many things about space and astronomy, he always aced the physics tests but mostly, he could talk about it all night long, pointing at stars and giving a story or an interesting fact about it. Iwaizumi loved space too, or he wouldn't be friend with Oikawa, just not nearly as much as he did. There were many things he didn't quite understand, but for Oikawa, it was as simple as calculating two plus two. Not many people knew about Oikawa's second passion after volleyball: astronomy. It had all started with a weird fascination for aliens, but now, he knew everything he could know at eighteen years old about space, physics and other life. Iwaizumi knew better than anyone how much dedication Oikawa gave to his passions, he had been his Ace for the past six years after all. But his knowledge about space and physics was truly impressive for a high-schooler.
"…It's incredible… do you want to become an astronomist, Oikawa-kun?" Kiku asked, not having expected such a career for the young man considering how extravagant he could be at times.
Oikawa looked at her with wide eyes – the stupid-fish look, as Iwaizumi called it.
"No. I want to become a professional volleyball player." He said as if it was obvious, "Don't you know that?" He asked, looking almost hurt she hadn't known that.
"Ah, um, yes! B-but, you could consider… another career path… in case your knee can't let you become a professional volleyball player."
Oikawa stared right into her eyes and she shivered, holding back the reflex to step away at the intensely calm, and quite frightening, gaze he gave her.
"I won't let it happen. I won't let my knee, or any injury, slow me down ever again. I learned my lesson. I love astronomy, perhaps as much as volleyball, but I don't want it to become a job or a career, I want to keep enjoying it, the way I still enjoy volleyball. I just want them to remain my passions before my jobs."
Kiku stared at him, lips open… his knowledge was certainly impressive, almost as much as his skills in volleyball. But his raw determination was what left her the most awestruck.
Then, they continued walking, everyone silently pondering these words. After a moment, Kiku glanced up at Iwaizumi, seeing him lost deep in thoughts. Surely, Oikawa's words had echoed with his heart and his own wishes for a future path.
"…Hajime… Oikawa-kun said he wants volleyball to remain his passion and not a job, but he will become a professional volleyball player? How is it not going to become his job, then?" She asked in a low voice to not be heard, unsure she understood the depth of Oikawa's character.
Hajime looked up straight ahead, staring at the back of his friend, a few meters ahead.
"…You can't play on the National team without passion." He simply said.
Kiku was tempted to ask him if he felt as passionate about volleyball, and she was pretty sure he did, but was it as strong as Oikawa's determination? She wanted to talk about it with Hajime but right now wasn't the right moment as they walked through the Tanabata Festival.
Kiku's fingers brushed against the rains of tanzaku – wishes written on pieces of paper and hanging from trees or bamboos.
"Should we write one?" She proposed the boys.
They all agreed, Oikawa being the most enthusiastic one of all. Kiku picked up a colorful tanzaku and without much hesitation, she wrote down what she wished for and hung the tanzaku down, quickly disappearing in the sea of colors and wishes.
"What did you write?" Hajime asked when he noticed she had hurried to not let him see it.
She put her finger in front of her lips playfully, her eyes sparkling mischievously:
"It's a secret~" She hummed happily.
"Even for me?"
"Maybe not for you, but for now, let's call it a secret even for you!" She answered with a chuckle.
He looked down at the green paper in his hands, wondering what he should wish for. He usually wished for his family and friends' happiness and health, or for winning his competitions… but now he felt like he should write something more important. He wrote down a few words then hung it from the tree.
"What did you write? Will you tell me?" Kiku asked, trying to read it but he took her hand, forcing her to remain still and not try to read his wish.
"Only when you'll tell me yours." He answered, bending down and kissing her cheek.
Hanamaki and Matsukawa had already written down their wishes and were comparing them, laughing at whatever foolishness they had wished for. Iwaizumi glanced at Oikawa, surprised to see him staring at the blank, turquoise paper in his hands. He seemed undecided, hesitant, which was an unusual look from the setter on an everyday basis but especially for this Tanabata Festival's wish. Every year, Oikawa was the most enthusiastic about writing his wish, he always wrote the same wish but it never came true: to go to Nationals. But right now, he looked… conflicted.
Iwaizumi was about to ask him if he felt all right, suddenly worried, when Kiku tapped his hand, pointing at what was going on a few meters away from where they were.
"Takahiro!"
The group, except Oikawa who was further and didn't hear, turned to see Hanamaki's lastest conquest, Yumi-chan, coming up. She looked particularly nice in her yukata and she quickly greeted the other volleyball players before turning to her 'boyfriend'. Whenever Makki was confronted about it, they weren't dating. But it was the only girl he had spent time with, intimate or not, in the last few months so despite his denial, his friends could see that he was slowly, very slowly, starting to get attached to her.
"What are you doing here?" He asked, looking her up and down, admiring her figure in a yukata.
"The same as you, dummy!" She exclaimed with a laugh, "I'm here with my cousin and some friends. Do you want to join us? We're about to go get some food and then watch the fireworks!"
Hanamaki glanced at Matsukawa and the couple.
"I'm always up for food, anyway," Mattsun shrugged.
"Go on ahead then, we'll find you later once Oikawa is done with his tanzaku," Iwaizumi answered.
"Okay! See you later, then!" Hanamaki exclaimed, and accompanied by Matsukawa, they followed Yumi to where her cousin was.
Meanwhile, Tooru was still holding his piece of paper and his pencil to write down his wish. He had spent years wishing to beat Ushiwaka and go to Nationals, but it never came true so maybe he should wish for something different. Overcome his fears? No. Go to Nationals? Too general! Be the greatest setter of Miyagi? Already accomplished.
"After all I can't wish for anything else but beat this damn Ushiwaka…!" He mumbled to himself with a frown, putting down the pencil against the paper.
Beautiful green eyes flashed in his mind and he stopped. He was vaguely aware of the growing spot of black ink on the paper as the pencil tip remained on the paper for long seconds.
He remained silent, still and surprisingly calm despite the missed beats of his heart from sudden, unfathomable panic.
He lifted the tip of the pen, then he put it down again, writing down his wish with a clear, calm writing.
I wish for my dreams to come true.
He hung it at the tree then, after a final glance at this new wish, one he had never done before, not quite sure if it was right or not, he turned around and joined Iwaizumi and Kiku. He vaguely noticed the absence of Makki and Mattsun but right now it didn't matter.
"You took a long time, what did you write?" Iwaizumi asked him.
"…The same as usual!" He answered with a smile convincing enough to fool Kiku – but not Iwa-chan who could tell there was something wrong with his friend.
"I suppose you wished to beat Ushijima, right?" Kiku asked.
Tooru opened his lips to answer when they heard another voice:
"Do you want something from me?"
Oikawa, Iwaizumi and Kiku all froze, eyes widening at the familiar voice coming right from beside them. Slowly, they looked up and remained frozen in shock to see Ushijima Wakatoshi, in flesh and blood, looking back at them. He was accompanied by Tendou and Semi, both gasping upon seeing their rivals.
If the name 'Ushijima' hadn't been pronounced by Kiku, and overheard by the group, they probably wouldn't even have noticed each other in the crowd.
"Y-you… Seijou…" Semi started, blinking in disbelief.
"Geh!" Oikawa cried out, finally reacting, face twitching in disgust, "What's with this devilish timing?!" He hissed.
"Hell if I know!" Iwaizumi answered, glaring at them and so tense, so suddenly that Kiku looked up at him worriedly.
Tendou noticed the two holding hands and gasped once again, this time more because he was crazy than out of surprise. He put his hands on his cheeks, moving forward and invading their private space – even though, he made sure not to get too close to the glaring Ace and the demon manager.
"Are you two dating~?! Ahah! Good job on this one, Iwaizumi-kun~!" He exclaimed cheerfully.
Iwaizumi kept glaring, but flushed, which made him look less intimidating. Semi had to bite the inside of his cheek to not laugh at the unusual and unexpected sight, while Tendou looked overjoyed to see the Ace he loved putting down with his block, suddenly so weak. Kiku blushed as well, looking away from the group of third-years from Shiratorizawa.
"W-what are you doing here, anyway?" Iwaizumi asked, trying to change of topic out of embarrassment.
"What do you think? We're enjoying the festival," Semi answered.
"We're right next to Aoba Jousai! Why would you come all the way here?" Iwaizumi asked, aware that Kiku was half-hidden behind him because of Tendou's creepy staring.
He glared at the middle-blocker who ignored him. Semi seemed hesitant about what to answer but it was Ushijima who answered:
"We visited some family of mine who lives nearby." He answered.
"…Oh."
There was a moment of long, awkward silence when Iwaizumi and Kiku stared at the three players from Shiratorizawa.
"…Enjoy the festival… I guess?" Iwaizumi said to cut short the time spent with these guys.
"…You too?" Semi said, while Ushijima nodded.
Kiku nodded back, glad to get away from Tendou and these tall, impressive, scary volleyball players – her team was much more manageable than these ones. But she couldn't take a step away that Iwaizumi's hold on her hand held her back.
"What is it? Let's go, Makki and Mattsun are waiting for us," she said.
But Iwaizumi glanced around before clicking his tongue in annoyance, looking back at her after a quick glance at Shiratorizawa's boys who raised their eyebrows inquisitively.
"…Oikawa has wandered off somewhere." He mumbled, annoyed.
Probably to get away from these ones, he was too annoyed to stay around. He could have warned, this imbecile…! He added to himself.
"…Do you need help finding him?" Ushijima proposed.
Everyone looked up at him, surprised to hear him say such a thing. He raised an eyebrow, not understanding why it'd seem weird he'd propose their help finding Oikawa when they didn't have anything better to do. Even if they often (always) met on each side of the court, they had no reason to be so discourteous.
"T-thanks… but he'll get out of his hole on his own. He's a big boy, he can handle himself." Iwaizumi answered after a thoughtful pause.
"Are you suuuure~?" Tendou asked teasingly.
"Tch. Yeah. He'll find us. Let's go, Kiku." He said, pulling at his girlfriend's hand.
They made two steps away when she tugged at his hand, giving him a long look. Finally, Iwaizumi looked over his shoulder, holding back a sigh:
"…It was nice seeing you. I think." He said, earning an elbowing from his girlfriend but he ignored it.
Satisfied he'd properly say goodbye even to his enemies, Kiku nodded to them and after some salutes, the three boys from Shiratorizawa watched them leave, quickly disappearing into the crowd.
"He's mad to cling onto such a crazy chick~ This manager is so scary~!" Tendou said, but he was smiling, looking strangely happy.
"You're the crazy one and it's your natural state, so you don't have much room to talk." Semi answered with a light shake of his head.
"Eita-kun! Why do you hurt me so?!"
Semi rolled his eyes and followed as Ushijima lead the way in the opposite direction.
"We couldn't have helped much with looking for Oikawa anyway," he said.
"Right, right~ We have to go find Shi-chan~!" Tendou hummed, a light-hearted step taking him forward, many people glancing at him for his red hair, red yukata and erratic bouncing.
Ushijima nodded, accelerating a little.
Meanwhile, to avoid spending any time within the area in which Ushijima breathed the same air as him, Oikawa had escaped, too annoyed to run into these Shiratorizawa boys to care about anything. What were they doing here so close to Seijou?! Why did they have to come and ruin his evening? He was having a good time and their mere presence in the festival was enough to ruin his time, now reminded of the bitter defeats he had faced times and times again. The Spring-High was coming up, which meant he had a chance for revenge. He could not mess up this time.
Too lost in his thoughts, Tooru didn't look at where he was going, wandering annoyingly, in between people and booths to get away from Ushiwaka and the thoughts haunting him. Looking up, he realized he was far away from his friends, probably at the other side of the festival. He didn't even know where he was at first glance – it took him a moment to recognize the place because of the decorations for the Tanabata festival.
He was in a tiny park, with a tiny lake – more of a big pond actually – just behind the groups of booths, the trees were decorated with more paper decorations and some lost tanzaku. Calming down a little, he advanced further into the park, disappearing behind the colorful decorations and trees. There was no one around, so he took the time to breath and calm down. The surrounding trees and silence was soothing his soul from the torment he had felt just a moment ago.
More than mere annoyance, it had been a sudden panic rising within him. He was ready for the Spring High and to beat Ushiwaka but he hadn't expected to see him. It felt like a terrible nightmare, with Ushiwaka to come and ruin the day, breaking his hopes and dreams. Tanabata was supposed to be a festival about stars and wishes, it was why Tooru loved this festival so much – but with Ushiwaka appearing in the middle, it had made the entire festival look bland and meaningless. What about stars and all of his knowledge if his skills in volleyball weren't enough to beat Ushiwaka? What about wishes if his own determination wasn't enough to get stronger, work harder, practice more – until he could win?
His line of thoughts was cut when he heard someone humming nearby. He looked around, his sudden anxiety and fears being pushed back in the back of his mind as the sweet voice resonated in the silent park.
Tooru didn't want to interrupt whoever was here, relaxing the same way he did, probably thinking she was alone, but he couldn't hold back his curiosity. It was a sweet, nice voice and this song was…
His steps took him closer to where he could hear the voice, the words as comforting as a song he had heard many years ago, when he was a child. He suddenly remembered that day when he had assisted to a Tanabata Festival and had heard the Tanabata Song for the first time. It still created the same emotions in his heart, it still touched his soul after so many years.
"Sasa no ha sara-sara
Nokiba ni yureru."
The bamboo leaves rustle,
shaking away in the leaves.
As if echoing with the lovely song, a soft breeze shook the branches of nearby trees, making the tanzaku fly around beautifully.
"Ohoshi-sama kira-kira
Kingin sunago
Goshiki no tanzaku
watashi ga kaita."
The stars twinkle
on the gold and silver grains of sand.
The five-colour paper strips
I have already written.
Tooru glanced up, realizing that the stars were shining brightly – probably because he and the mysterious singer were away from most of the festival lights. Or maybe it was the magic of the Tanabata Festival. The stars stood out more than usual.
I wish for my dreams to come true. He had written earlier.
"Ohoshi-sama kirakira
sora kara miteru…"
The stars twinkle,
they watch us from heaven.
He suddenly arrived near a bench, surrounded and hidden by trees and he froze when he noticed someone sitting here. A young girl, around his age, she had been the one singing with a soft smile and closed eyes. Just as he arrived, and the song ended, she opened her eyes. She gasped upon seeing someone there and stood up, looking panicked.
"I-I'm sorry!" Oikawa exclaimed at once, lifting up his hands, "I didn't mean to bother you! Or listen! I shouldn't have, really, but… I…"
His voice trailed off as he observed more closely the young girl… and recognized her. Her lips fell open, apparently recognizing him as well. They stared at each other in stunned, calm silence…
She was rather tall for a girl, wearing a night blue kimono, with a yellow obi and beautiful details he couldn't quite make out – were these flowers? Or stars? Nevermind her yukata, he couldn't look away from her face. Her delicate features, dark brown hair held up with a hairpin, sparkling green eyes, as bright as emeralds, slightly widened as she stared back at him.
She shook herself, suddenly looking down, and swallowed hard, a flush appearing on her cheeks. Tooru's heart missed a beat, recognizing his girl from all these four little encounters. The very one he had tried not to think about, but had dreamt of all day long… The one who had given him a "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star~" charm, wishing to meet him again.
"I-I'm s-sorry…!" She said, turning around to leave.
"W-wait!" He called.
His hand reached for her wrist, stopping her in her track. He felt the smooth, soft skin under his fingers, the sensation shaking his body for a short moment. He was opening his lips, looking for words but when she looked up at him, he was too shaken up by her mesmerizing eyes.
"Y-you… you…" He stammered, feeling his cheeks heat up, "I-it's you… isn't it…? The girl I met many times over… you're the one who comforted me after all these defeats… right?" He asked in a low voice, as if afraid to destroy the dream if he spoke any louder.
It felt like an enchanting encounter, with a creature from another world – and she was so breathtakingly beautiful, he could believe it. If his evening had been twisted into a nightmare by meeting Ushiwaka, it was now changing again into a beautiful, unbelievable dream by meeting this girl.
She opened and closed her lips before nodding, too stunned to say any word.
"I-I am… and you are… Oikawa Tooru…" She said, a light smile dancing on her lips.
Gods, the way she said his name was making his heart beat so fast, he couldn't even understand why he reacted in such a way, but this smile? This timid smile sent waves of warmth though his body.
He had never felt this way for anybody before. Being with this girl, meeting her again, thanks to her enchanting voice guiding him to her, his fingers slowly sliding over her hand to brush her own fingers… Tooru was stunned, mesmerized, enchanted, he couldn't even describe how he felt, but it was the closest to warmth and peace he had felt in a long time… so long he couldn't remember the last time he had felt this way. Meeting again had to be fate, especially on such a night.
Whatever Tooru felt at the moment, he knew that she felt it too.
~Tentei arranged for Orihime to meet Hikoboshi who lived and worked on the other side of the Amanogawa. When the two met, they fell instantly in love with each other…~
"What… what is your name…?" Tooru asked softly, cheeks turning red and unable to look away from the girl.
She opened her lips to answer but whatever she tried to say was smothered by the sound of fireworks exploding in the sky. Both startled and looked up, the stars smothered by the bright explosions of fire and colors depicting incredible paintings across the sky.
Both Tooru and his unknown girl watched the beautiful fireworks, the bubble of silence gone but the peace still filling them.
~However, once married, Orihime no longer would weave cloth for Tentei and Hikoboshi allowed his cows to stray all over Heaven~
The girl looked up at Tooru's face, illuminated by the colors of the fireworks, his eyes reflecting the sky. Dark blue with sparkles of red, gold and green. She couldn't tell what was more beautiful – the sky itself, or the way it reflected in Oikawa Tooru's eyes.
Her fingers escaped from his and even if the touch had been feather-light, Tooru immediately noticed it. He looked down at her, opening his lips but she spoke up before he could:
"I'm sorry, but I must go…" She said, already turning around.
"W-wait!" He called, going after her.
She accelerated but he didn't give up – not this time. She had disappeared from him too many times. He needed to know more about her, he needed to know her name, who she was – and then, perhaps he'd understand why she was haunting him.
"W-wait! At least tell me your name! Tell me if we can meet again!" He exclaimed, reaching for her once again as they approached the various booths of the festival.
She spun around just before she could disappear in the crowd, still looking up in awe at the spectacle of fireworks. Tooru didn't care about these fireworks any longer, all he could think of was trying to catch her, to keep her from slipping away from his fingers once again. He had spent the last three years meeting her only once a year, but his thoughts always drifted back to her. He needed to know who she was!
They faced each other, a strange, sad determination shining in her green eyes as she looked up at him. He could see all the sky lights sparkling in her eyes, but all he could see were the conflicting emotions in them.
"We can't," she said with a light shake of her head.
"Because you're from Shiratorizawa?!" He exclaimed, "I… I don't care!" He exclaimed.
His heart skipped a few beat, not realizing he had just said that. He hated Shiratorizawa, for beating his team every year, for having Ushiwaka there…! But just for this girl, just her… he might consider not caring about where she came from. Even if it was Shiratorizawa Academy.
She opened and closed her lips, shaking her head before continuing:
"No, it has nothing to do with our schools but I just can't see you again! I barely know you, you can't just… you…! It's complicated, okay?"
"But–"
"But we'll meet again." She cut him, putting a hand on his chest.
He couldn't talk when she said these words, looking up at him so intensely. Then, a light smile appeared on her face:
"And… next time… I won't have to comfort you… okay?"
Half of the times they had met, it had been behind the gymnasium when Tooru was letting out his frustration and sadness for losing against Shiratorizawa. She had comforted him then. He didn't understand why she'd want him to win against her school's team but… he understood they would meet again. And she had faith he would win. He could not fail, not this time, it was their last chance.
~Then, in anger, Tentei separated the two lovers across the Amanogawa and forbade them to meet.~
She turned around, disappearing in the crowd while the fireworks quieted down. Tooru advanced in the crowd as well, trying to catch sight of her, to keep following her but she was gone and the crowd was too thick…
What did she mean? It was complicated? Why? Because they were from different schools or other reasons…? He knew she had felt the same way he did a few moments ago, so why run away?
"But we'll meet again." She had said.
He clenched tightly his fists, not understanding what the hell was wrong with him. He barely knew her, he didn't even know her name and yet, he was overwhelmed with thoughts of her. He didn't understand it at all but– but!
~Tentei was moved by Orihime's tears and allowed the two to meet on the 7th day of the 7th month…~
They'll meet again.
At another part of the festival, a few minutes ago…
"I can't believe we lost this imbecile!" Hajime mumbled for the fiftieth time tonight.
Still holding hand with Kiku to not lose each other, she struggled to hurry after him through the crowd. They were looking for Oikawa, with the hope they'd have enough time to join Makki and Mattsun but the chances were getting thinner.
"Ah!" Kiku screamed when she almost fell over.
Hajime immediately stopped and looked over his shoulder, keeping her upwards.
"Are you okay?" Hajime asked.
"I-I'm fine but my shoes hurt a little…" She mumbled apologetically.
"The fireworks won't be long, perhaps we could go and find a nice spot to watch them? You'll rest a little this way." He said, taking her hand again.
She smiled thankfully and after getting away from the crowd, they found a bench under a tree, half-hidden from people. While Kiku rested a little, Hajime went to get them drinks, sitting next to her as they drank in a comfortable silence. Hajime glanced at Kiku, in the same time she glanced up at him. They flushed, smiles on their faces. Putting down his drink, he took her hand in his and she squeezed lovingly.
"I'm very happy to be here with you, Kiku," he said in the soft voice reserved only for her.
"I'm the happiest I've ever been in my entire life," she answered with a tender gaze.
He grinned foolishly, excitedly, happier than ever. Leaning down to kiss her, she closed her eyes, waiting for his kiss just as the fireworks exploded in the sky. Distracted by the show, they looked up, in awe at the beautiful lights and spectacle, reflecting as kaleidoscopic colors into their eyes. Hajime looked down at Kiku once again, taking in the beautiful view of her bright smile, the sweet blush on her cheeks, her eyes shining of thousands colors like hundreds of rainbows illuminating her life.
"…You're beautiful…" He said suddenly.
It wasn't the first time, but every time he said it, it seemed to take her by surprise. She startled, looking up at him, as if asking if he was talking to her then, relief flooding within her, her eyes sparkled in joy. She leaned up towards him, kissing his lips softly. He kissed her back, his free hand cupping her cheek.
"…And you're breathtaking," she answered against his lips.
He chuckled, kissing her again.
It was long minutes after the fireworks had ended that they decided to move and try to find their friends. The crowd, after the fireworks, was moving again, everyone smiling after the beautiful show.
"Ah, sorry!" Kiku exclaimed after bumping into someone.
She blinked, staring for a moment at the girl wearing a night blue yukata… She seemed vaguely familiar but she couldn't remember where she had seen her before. She seemed a little distraught and shaken up, not hearing Kiku's apologize.
"Come on, I know where Oikawa is waiting. Matsukawa will join us there." Hajime said, after checking his phone.
Kiku's attention was back on him, catching up to be at the same level as him:
"What about Makki?"
"He's accompanying home his girlfriend and her cousin before going home." He answered.
Kiku smiled knowingly, happy for Makki even if he didn't know it yet. He finally found someone he wasn't running away from.
They found Oikawa at the entrance of the festival, even from afar, he seemed lost in thoughts and a little shaken up.
"Oikawa, you missed the fireworks," Iwaizumi said when he arrived next to him, wondering what had happened to see him so distraught.
"Ah, no, I watched them," he said even though he could barely remember any of it, his mind plagued with thoughts of his unknown girl from Shiratorizawa.
"All alone?" Kiku asked, feeling guilty for not finding him in time (even though, she had loved the fireworks kisses).
"A-ah, um…"
Oikawa seemed hesitant, glancing around and flushing a little. Iwaizumi and Kiku glanced at each other, then back at him, his best friend raising a curious eyebrow:
"Y-yeah, but… it's fine. It was beautiful, wasn't it~?" He continued, putting up a face.
"…I was a little distracted so, I don't know," Iwaizumi answered suspiciously, still observing him with narrowed eyes.
"O-oh, I see."
Oikawa looked back at him, knowing that Iwa-chan knew something had happened, the latter silently asking him if he wanted to talk about it.
"Yo!"
They turned around as Matsukawa arrived:
"If I didn't have a lovely girlfriend already, I would have hit on Yumi-chan's cousin!" He announced, somewhat proud of it.
"Of course, you would have," Iwaizumi answered, rolling his eyes in exasperation.
"Not everyone is blessed by True Love, like you two," Mattsun answered, staring at the couple.
They blushed happily, which would have made him roll his eyes if he wasn't in such a good mood.
"Do you have anything else to do? Or can we go home?" Oikawa asked, surprisingly calm.
"Uuh, no, it's fine by me. I'm getting tired anyway, all the food I ate is making me sleepy." Matsukawa answered with a shrug.
Kiku and Hajime nodded as well, finding Oikawa's behavior strange. They walked some of the way together before Matsukawa went on his own and the last three stopped.
"Then…" Kiku started, looking at Hajime and Oikawa.
"I'm… uh, I'm supposed to spend the night with Kiku but… are you okay?" Iwaizumi asked his friend.
Kiku glanced between the two, worrying for the setter who startled guiltily.
"E-eh? I-I had no idea that you… I'm fine! I'll see you tomorrow, Iwa-chan~! And be safe, you two~!" He exclaimed with a wink.
"O-oi!"
Oikawa turned around, quickly walking away and obviously escaping the couple.
"…I wonder what might have happened to him. Perhaps he met an alien?" Kiku proposed, trying to light up the mood.
"He wouldn't shut up about it if it were the case… I wonder what the hell happened when he went off. Is it because we walked into Shiratorizawa?" He pondered, the couple going into another direction to the Akiyama Bakery and house.
Kiku shrugged, if Iwaizumi didn't know what was wrong with Oikawa, no one could figure it out.
Seeing her worry for their friend, Hajime squeezed her hand, leaning down and kissing her cheek quickly:
"Come on, let's go back to your place, I want to take off your yukata now!" He said, making her blush and smile.
"You're going all out, now, aren't you…" She sighed, but she sounded amused.
"You were asking for it, weren't you?"
She looked up at him, eyes sparkling in mischief.
"Yes, I was!" She exclaimed, accelerating and pulling at his hand.
Their laughs echoed in the night as they continued their way, feeling warm and happy.
BONUS
[Back at the Tanabata Festival…]
"Shiiiii-chaaaa~nnn~!" Tendou called when he noticed the tall and familiar figure coming closer to them.
She arrived near the three Shiratorizawa boys, glancing over her shoulder, acting a little strange then turning back towards them with a smile.
"Is everything all right, Shiori?" Wakatoshi asked worriedly, frowning lightly.
"Was there someone following you?" Semi asked, looking just as protective.
"A-ah, uh, no! No one!" She exclaimed awkwardly, lifting up her hands, "I just bumped into someone who looked familiar and I was wondering where I had… seen this person…" She explained.
"We crossed path with some of Seijou's players, maybe it was one of them?" Semi said, raising an eyebrow.
"P-probably…" She answered.
Tendou got closer to Shiori, invading her private space but she was used to it and didn't mind, looking up at him curiously:
"Where were you, Shi-chan~? We had said we'd look at the fireworks together but you were gone!"
He gasped dramatically, leaning forward with his big, round eyes staring right into her green ones:
"Could it be… you were meeting your secret lover~?" He hummed.
Shiori gasped, startling and blushing. All three boys stared at her with wide eyes, not understanding this reaction.
"W-what are you talking about, Satori?" She continued, chuckling lightly but it sounded off.
They were silent, observing her closely until Satori's lips trembled:
"Ooooh~! How unusual~! Our Shi-chan is flustered~! I wonder what Shouhei-kun is going to say when he'll learn about it~!" Tendou continued, staring straight at Shiori to embarrass her.
She pouted stubbornly, clenching her fists and looking up at the red-head, she even tried to lift herself up on her tiptoes to get closer to his height but she couldn't, even if she was taller than average. She wasn't fazed by his long limbs though, her gaze didn't waver once:
"He won't say anything because there's nothing to learn about!" She exclaimed.
"Is there, really~?"
"Yes!"
"It's enough, Tendou, you're annoying her again, let her breathe," Semi sighed.
Tendou chuckled good-heartedly while Shiori turned around, putting her hands on her hips stubbornly.
"The two of you in the same place is exhausting…" He muttered before looking up at Ushijima, "Should we go?"
"Yes, let's go if we don't have anything else to do here."
"Now that the fireworks are done, it's going to get boring~! Let's go, let's go~! AH! Perhaps we'll meet your secret lover on the way back, Shi-chan~?" Tendou continued teasing as they slowly walked out of the festival to go to the nearest train station.
"Sa-to-ri! Wakatoshi! Tell him to stop!" Shiori exclaimed, turning towards the grand Ace when she got too annoyed.
"Tendou, you heard her." He simply said, used to these two's antics.
"Aaaaww…~" He hummed, smiling in glee to have caused so many flustered reactions from the usual calm and collected Shiori.
As soon as Tendou's interest switched to something else, Shiori let out a discreet sigh of relief. She glanced over her shoulder as they walked away from the festival booths and crowd. Tanabata Festival had always been her favorite, but today had been particularly interesting. Meeting again Oikawa Tooru.
"Shiori?" Wakatoshi called when he noticed the young girl falling behind.
She hurried after him, Tendou and Semi arguing about something, probably caused by the middle-blocker. Shiori slid her arm under Wakatoshi's and they settled for a calm pace, slowly going back to the dormitories of Shiratorizawa Academy.
I was so happy to write about Shiratorizawa~! Talking about Shiratorizaawa - I posted some days ago a one-shot about Ushijima called "Stronger", it's a very quick reading if you have some time! Don't hesitate to go and tell me what you think, I'm really curious about your opinion on it!
You finally met Shiori, Oikawa's girl and the main OC of his future story "Aliens". YES, they've met before, but you'll know the true events in his story. NO, Iwa-chan doesn't know about her (yet). YES, she had some link to Shiratorizawa/the volleyboys. NO, Oikawa still doesn't know her name, his knowlegde about her is just that she is at Shiratorizawa and he is fascinated by her. And YES, they will meet again (not sure if it will be in this story, though, I might keep it for "Aliens")
Everything mentioned about the Tnabata Festival - the legend, the calendar stuff, the particularly of Sendai's Tanabata Festival... it's all true and I hope that the physics' explanations about the different calendars was clear enough... " Don't hesitate to ask any question! ;)
I hope you enjoyed this chapter, the aspect of Oikawa liking astronomy (it's not canon, but well, it's one of my favorite headcanon about him~!), the little bits you've seen of Shiraotirzawa and Shiori~! I really enjoyed writing this chapter, so... tell me what you thought of it! :D
NEXT CHAPTER : [still haven't found a title, lol] (but I can say that a little dog you might have been waiting for will come back~! ;) )
Yours Truly,
May