RAR :

Koganegawa : Ahahahah ! You made me laugh so much. Thank you for your review and input I really appreciate it ^^

Part 6

You spent the following days in a haze. As Semi was sending gentle and reassuring stares and smiles, your nervousness in his presence greatly receded. Each day, you couldn't wait to see him. This time, as promised, he was very discreet. No one suspected a thing, or if they did, they told nothing. He sent you texts now and then thourough the day each time he could, helped you clean and tidy each evening and walked you home without showing in front of your parents.

Days passed again. You were scared Semi's grades or performance would worsen with you on his plate, but him taking time off practice made him really less tensed and busy. But while he was on the court, he was at the top of his game. More efficient, more careless. You'd never seen him play like that. You could see the coach hesitate half of the games and switch between him and Shirabu, and his team relying on his solid shoulders.

As promised, he left you his jacket each night, and he would wash it during the day at Shiratorizawa's laundry room, where he would wear it for the rest of the day to make sure it imprinted his scent. Once, you were on the roof eating the two of you alone, but not too touchy. It made you remember how much you missed your conversations, hearing his husky voice hit the air, as he asked you again :

"So, what do I smell like ? Cause I don't wear any perfume, mind you."

"W-well...uh..." Really ? It was all natural ? Man...You described him the best you could and finish with : "And so, so...like...manly !"

He seemed puzzled at that.

"You mean, like sweat or else ?" But he could see your blush spreading and worsening.

"...N-no. Like..." You mumbled behind your hand, looking aside.

"What was that ?" He smirked.

"Manly sexy." You managed to slip.

He laughed openly.

"You're so cute, (F/N)."

Semi had decided on his own to drop the formalities after you started going out, to call you by your first name, as you tried to do with him. Though each time his name slid from your lips you couldn't refrain from recalling that sinful time in the locker room. Gratefully, Semi never brought that up again.

"So you think I'm sexy ?"

"O-of course." He was sinful. "Everyone thinks so."

"So did you fell for my good looks too ?"

"N-no. It wouldn't be enough. You're also strong, talented, hard-working, mature, responsible, respectful, intelligent, caring and passionate." All in all, he was perfect.

And so he grinned, very moved by your words, and kissed you on the forehead, like he would as often as he could.

"I love you too." He repeated.

You held hands when you could, like on the way home, where he would kiss you on the head too before he watched you get in. His hands were always hot, calloused but careful, skilled and caring. It made you blush and watch the floor each time they engulfed yours, and you tried to steal glances at him when he wasn't looking. You felt so happy since you started dating. You realised how much he eased your pain the moment you gave in.

He was too good for you, and all you did was return his affections and cook him his favorites dishes.

Today he finally took you on a date. When you saw him at the park this Saturday, you couldn't help but agree with Tendô as you laid the blanket and the shared dishes on the grass. He was lean of course, almost thin, as if with his intense training he couldn't keep any fat in, but dressed like this none of his muscular features stood out.

He was in a pale blue shirt, a light green scarf, white coat, dark grey jeans while he lent you his team's jacket. The colours all put together, especially the scarf, was contrasting with his ashy blond and hazel eyes too bad.

"E-Eita...I...think Tendô was right."

"What ?" He spat angrily, his eyebrows instantly frowning. It was one of his flaws that you were in love with : hot-blooded and easily angered. "What of him ?"

"Your fashion sense is disastrous, we have to go shopping next time."

"Tch !" He tilted his head aside.

You couldn't help but giggle at his antics.

"You should wear black, white or earthy colours with your hair and skin. Stay away from fading colours, it makes you look sick." You gently advised.

"Alright, alright ! Geez ! If you say so. I'll buy some."

He was cranky for a good part of the afternoon, but after a sound peck on his lips, you manage to break his bad mood. And of course, some Tekki Maki.

After three weeks, you planned on making him come the Sundays to study.

It was a great idea, since your grades has been suffering since you started as a manager, and even more so since you started falling in love then dating Semi. Your parents were more than thrilled at seeing you finally worry about your grades, but at seeing Eita, too beautiful and well-mannered to be true, your parents smelled something surely was going on. He sure was impressive for a third-year, especially when he brought his grades to prove his worth to them professionally.

Your mother weighed him up very critically. It didn't help that he was part of the volleyball team you took care of. They made sure to regularly check on you, but Semi and you were happy to just spend time together doing something important, not touching each other, just sitting at your desk.

Well, at least, you thought it was a good idea nevertheless, until he finally patted your cheek with his pen this afternoon, breaking you from your reverie.

"(F/N), are you listening ?"

You were looking at his long eyelashes, his brilliant ashy dark pointed hair and sharp features, his prominent neck and elegant chin moving as he talked, his voice smooth, deep and viril. His smell was encasing you, making you wonder how you could have caught such a man.

"Huh, w-why...yes."

"I asked you three times a question. Did you understand the concept ?"

"I..." His serious eyes fixed you, dedicated to your education and attention. "Not really, I'm sorry." If he didn't already find you stupid, now must be the case.

"It's alright, I'll explain again. Listen carefully."

After some time, he let you to your exercises while he did his own homework. But you were half-focused. You were enamored with Semi's concentrated expression as he thought and wrote sharply on his books, his writing clean, neat and elegant like him. His scratching was noisy, and no one would believe this was the writing of a high school student. His pen looked too tiny for his big hands and slend wrists.

"Are you finished, (F/N) ?"

"Oh, er...No." He raised an eyebrow and frown the other. God, his irresistible pout before your very eyes.

"(F/N), this is important. I promised to help you. What are you doing exactly ?"

You just continued watching him, and he didn't know if you heard him or not. You were sitting so close to each other, though not touching. But you could feel his warmth, enjoy his reassuring scent.

"Watching you. I can't help watching you. All the time."

He noted you were slightly blushing, looking at him as if he was the most marvelous thing ever. His eyes widened when your lips slowly reached his and you kissed him for the first time. It's as if, for the first time ever, his presence beside you felt real. He would admit he'd been waiting for this for a while, and god was it worth, seeing how trusting and smitten you were with him. It felt good.

Your mother chose this time to bring tea and you two separated just on time. He did his hardest not to show his blush to your mother as she was leaving the beverages on the desk.

When you were alone again, he sent you a heated gaze.

"Geez, you're making this difficult." The back of his hand brushed yours, caressing you softly. "Ugh..." He sighed, jerking his head. "I love you too, (F/N), but we need to do this. I'll be damn if you failed your year because of me. I've already done enough."

What was he talking about ? Did he know you've been so emotionally rocked this year that you couldn't concentrate at all ?

"Is me being here not enough anymore ?" You slightly jumped. You didn't want him to think he was doing bad, because it was the exact opposite.

"No, no...not at all."

"You can say yes. You never told me if I was present enough. Are you alright with this ? Am I taking good care of you ?"

You were dumbfounded. How could this man still doubt himself.

"You're doing your best, and I can see it. I can feel it. I don't feel alone anymore. You can't possibly do more. All I can think is how you're too good for me."

"Stop saying this. You're not. You looked out for me, comforted me, tried to distract me from my envy, always a step ahead on my needs, trying to make me feel confident from the beginning." He cupped your cheek, observing you. "I never felt anything close to strong or beautiful until you told me so plainly."

You returned the gesture, putting a hand on his near your face.

"Because you are. I told you, this team doesn't deserve you. They're wasting your work and talent. If they didn't give you so much the impression you have to prove yourself so hard you'd have way more room for adaptation. I'll repeat how beautiful and reliable you are until you believe it on your own."

His expression tensed, eyes wettening. You saw Semi in all states of mind. He was ruled by his emotions and susceptibility. Frustrated, angry, annoyed or collected, but never sad. His head suddenly fell on the crook of your neck and you instinctively embraced him. Was he trying to hide it ?

"They say I'm too showy and risky."

"I say they don't realise the wasted talent. Sure, an inexistent setter feels good for dumps or discrete strategies, but you bring the best out of the team. You always make sure the path is open for your spikers and that's what a setter is. Ushijima's the captain but he never acts like one, he never encourages the team. He's just the ace. You take care of and act nice with everyone. You still give advice to Shirabu who doesn't give two cents about it."

He wrapped his arms around you closely.

"Don't mind them anymore Eita. You're a real setter, and a fair player. I can't wait for you to find your real place."

His form was tensed and trembling in your arms. It felt nice to give him comfort for a change. Then he took a big breath in and gripped you hard one last time. When he pulled away, he seemed relieved and collected.

"Thank you."

"Keep all that in mind please."

"Will do." He grinned. "Well ! Come on, I need to teach you. If you pass your test with a good grade, I'll make it up to you."

You blushed, hoping he didn't discover your naughty side too soon.

When he left, your mother turned her severe eyes towards you. Your father just watched your lover go, eyebrows up at seeing his muscles moves.

"Home study huh ? When did you start dating ? How dare you invite him without telling us ?"

"It-it's not- He's just-"

"Darling, calm down. The boy seems harmless. It's just a crush, right dearie ?"

"I don't care how harmless or good his grades and his looks are, you're not dating and that's final. You already have the volleyball club, your grades are falling, you have to concentrate on your education, this is not an option, do you hear me ?"

Your shoulders slumped.

"Yes, mom."