falling into step

A Haikyuu! fanfic

by mew-tsubaki

- ^-^3

Chapter 4: Interlude

"Hold on. You're not allowed to go straight home," Hoshimura insisted to Watari two days later after practice and before the libero even had the chance to exit the gym. To emphasize his point, the middle blocker clamped his hand down on Watari's right shoulder and kept him in place in front of him.

"Why not?" Watari asked. He looked to Yahaba for help, but their captain merely whistled and walked away behind Hoshimura, heading in Irihata-sensei and Mizoguchi-san's direction. Ueno looked far too happy on Hoshimura's left, and Kyoutani lingered around the edges, curious.

"Because there's a mixer tonight. A mixer!" the dark-haired blocker exclaimed, grabbing Watari's attention once more.

Hell. Watari rolled his eyes. "I'm not interested."

"You're not allowed not to be interested!"

"I've got other things to do, though…?"

Only the ends of Hoshimura's mouth curved up, giving him a truly untrustworthy look. "Studying doesn't count. And you still haven't picked a manager with Yahaba, so clearly that's not on your mind either. So what else is there?"

Honestly, nothing. But Watari tried to think of something. Unfortunately, he wasn't a very good liar, and he was crap at coming up with fibs on his feet. So he frowned.

"There. So come with us. Numajiri from Johzenji arranged most of it—"

"What? Why Johzenji?"

"Because the guy's a ladies' man like me and it never hurts to have some added charm. So he and a few friends—boys and girls alike—will join us and it'll be fun."

By this point, Kyoutani had lost interest and walked away to join Yahaba, and something occurred to Watari. He looked between Hoshimura and Ueno. "How come Kyoutani and Yahaba aren't getting hounded?" Though, even as he asked, he figured about Kyoutani.

"Kyoutani would ruin things," Ueno said flatly. Of course. If ever there were the chance not to be around Kyoutani more than necessary, Ueno took it.

"And Yahaba gets a pass," Hoshimura added simply.

Okay, that was unexpected. "Why?" Watari pushed.

"…call it a captain's pass," the dark-haired teen offered, letting Watari go. At last!

"Well, I still find issues with your reasoning, so count me out. Consider taking some of the second years and first years instead!" he threw back over his shoulder as he left.

Hoshimura and Ueno howled in response, more so when Kawasumi, the team's second year ace, finally dropped in on the conversation. Actually, Kawasumi would be a much better choice, since the guy went through girlfriends constantly and showed no signs of stopping. Not to mention he was the type who'd want to go to a mixer.

But, honestly… The Interhigh prelims were in less than two weeks, and Watari wanted to think about that instead. There were also finals to concentrate on, as well, as those would happen not long after. Then it'd be summer break…then Spring High prelims…then winter break…the Spring High, if they pulled it off, winning the Miyagi representative playoffs in October…graduation…and then… Then what?

Watari, lost in his thoughts, had reached the first crossing on his way home without realizing it, and he frowned at himself. It wasn't wise to walk around without being aware of one's surroundings. Especially right before the tournament season.

He picked his head up, watching the traffic light, his view of it obscured only when two large trucks drove by. The first, he ignored. But the driver in the second caught his attention. It was Matsukawa.

The light changed, and Watari let the throng of people pull him along, and he walked in the direction of his house…but, really, his feet carried him towards the hardware store just as Matsukawa hopped out of the driver's side and walked around back to unlatch the back door. Matsukawa didn't notice him initially, but he spied him when Watari waved. He tipped his head in response.

"Good evening," Watari said brightly, feeling relieved to see a different familiar face. He glanced inside the back at the fortress of cardboard. "Deliveries again?"

Matsukawa shrugged and yanked himself swiftly into the back. He pushed two boxes around on the floor with his foot. "Yep."

"Nothing too heavy this time, I hope."

The black-haired boy grinned and hopped out. "Nope. But I had a rough night, so I'm moving at my own pace today."

Watari furrowed his brow. "Rough night?"

"Hanamaki drank me under the table."

The libero gasped. "Oh."

Matsukawa eyed him. "…I'm joking. Watari, I'm barely a month older than you. I still can't drink, and neither can Hanamaki."

"Oh. Oh, right…" Oops. Watari felt a little stupid.

"It's fine." Matsukawa smiled and reached for something in the breast pocket of his worker's suit. "Want one?"

"A cigarette?!"

But, no, it was a broken stick of Pocky. Matsukawa turned his head to hide his snicker, but his shoulders were shaking so hard with silent laughter.

Okay, now Watari felt really stupid, but at least he knew it was Matsukawa's fault for playing with him. "Matsukawa-san…!" he grumbled with a little glare. Sweets-loving Matsukawa and Hanamaki, he could handle. Vice-loving Matsukawa and Hanamaki? He wasn't sure.

Matsukawa was trying—and failing—not to smile, but he passed Watari some of the chocolate-covered biscuit anyway. "I didn't take you for the gullible type," he remarked between bites.

Watari ate what was offered and refused more. "Not gullible, just…" He frowned. He didn't want to sound whiny or nostalgic…but he knew there were things he didn't know about his former senpai. How was he to have known Matsukawa was joking right away? Yes, Matsukawa and Hanamaki were the prank-pulling type, but still.

"It's fine. I don't think I could do those things anyway."

"Hmm?" Watari lifted his eyes from the pavement and watched Matsukawa's profile as the taller male stacked the boxes to pull them out.

"My family. They run the apothecary store three blocks over. Practically doctors, y'know." Matsukawa pulled the boxes into his arms, and he glanced between Watari and the truck. "…"

"It's fine. I'll watch the truck. You can go inside."

Matsukawa turned without a word, but he was back in under a minute. "Thanks," he said, and he climbed into the back once more, looking things over.

Watari frowned at his back, wondering how to continue their conversation. Then again, now probably wasn't the best time. "Sorry to bother you when you're busy," he stated.

Those dark eyes returned to rest on his face. "Hmm? You're not a bother, and I'm not particularly busy." He patted the tops of two open boxes and hopped out again, but he latched the door this time. Then he turned around and leaned his back against the vehicle and kept his eyes on the libero.

"But you're obviously working," Watari pointed out.

Matsukawa shrugged again. "I told you, I'm taking it easy. And I've only got one other delivery tonight anyway." His eyes darted to Watari's bag and sweats.

"Ah. I'm just heading home like usual." As he said it, a part of Watari felt as though that was such a lame thing to say… In a way, Watari could understand how Hoshimura and them could get caught up in parties and the like. Such things at least made for good stories.

Matsukawa nodded—he really preferred gestures where words could be sacrificed, Watari noted. "Do you want a ride?"

"Oh! No, I don't need—"

The older boy raised his eyebrows and grinned gently. "Sure, you don't need one. That's not what I'm asking, though. Would you like one?"

Watari felt the weight of his phone in his pocket, but it wasn't as though the device were buzzing with any urgent text for him to be home that minute. Plus, after the second crossing on his route, Watari's house was only a ten-minute walk. A drive would go by in the blink of an eye. But… Matsukawa was being kind, and Watari had never turned down a senpai's kindness before. Well, except for those times on April First when Hanamaki went around to all the kouhai offering a "really tasty" sweet and salty snack.

Matsukawa started to turn away, but it wasn't in a way that made Watari think he was leaving without him. His body language definitely said, "So, you coming or not?"

So he went.

Matsukawa was a decent driver, more responsible than Watari imagined. He seemed to keep to the speed limit quite steadfastly, it was almost amusing. And he didn't mind talking while driving, though he spoke up mostly at stop signs. "So it's summer. Practice not running as late as it used to?"

Watari leaned his elbow on the passenger's door handle and cupped his cheek in his palm. "No, I think tonight's a fluke. That, or—" He stopped short.

Matsukawa cocked his head at him.

"Uh, well…" Watari scratched his cheek nervously. "It's just…Hoshimura's dumb idea. I can almost see him wearing Mizoguchi-san down until the sensei caved and didn't drag practice out."

"What idea?"

"…a mixer."

Matsukawa surprised him yet again, this time by laughing and doing so quite loudly. "Oh, for crying out loud…! Shyeah, I can't picture you there. Or. Oh, gods." He gave Watari a dumbfounded look. "Hoshimura didn't invite Kyoutani, did he?"

"No, Ueno made sure of that, I think." Watari grinned broadly, too. "Funny how Kyoutani gives most people the same impression, yeah?"

The older boy nodded. He took a right where Watari motioned, but then they were only two streets away from Watari's house.

Knowing that, it was hard to keep his grin from dissolving, but he made sure to plaster it back on the next time Matsukawa peeked at him. It was only the second time he'd bumped into Matsukawa, but it was rather fun, having his mind briefly taken off other considerations.

The truck pulled up to the small, split-level house with the Watari nameplate out front, and Matsukawa shifted into park. He eyed the home appreciatively. "Nice place."

"Eh, it's a home like any other." Watari unbuckled and slipped his duffle's strap over his head. "Although I think my parents might be surprised to see me home so soon." With his hand on the door handle, he added, "Thanks, Matsukawa-san. I appreciate it."

Matsukawa simply smiled in return and gave a little parting wave as the libero climbed out. As soon as Watari cleared the front of the vehicle, though, and was passing through the gate, the truck pulled away.

"I'm home," he called inside as he kicked his shoes off.

"Ah, no need to be so loud, I'm right here," his mother said, turning the corner from the hall which led to the kitchen. She furrowed her brow. "You're home early, Shinji."

He put his duffle on the floor and switched to his slippers. "Yeah, I know. A friend gave me a ride." He kissed her cheek.

And yet she seemed disgruntled.

"What?"

"Do we know this friend?"

"It was one of my volleyball club senpai."

"Oh." His mother paused. "Well, that was nice of him, I suppose."

He sighed. "You suppose…?"

She crossed her arms in front of her chest. "Then you tell me. What else is a mother supposed to think when her son gets a ride from a friend but comes home wearing such a frown?" She shook her head, her dark brown hair swishing slightly around her shoulders as she reached up and patted his cheek twice. "Hurry up and bathe. I'd like your help in the kitchen, and you can study after supper."

Watari nodded, but her words didn't exactly reach him. Even once he reached his room upstairs, he was still having a hard time processing what she'd said. Because, if he'd been frowning, he hadn't realized it at all.

- ^-^3

The following evening, after practice, Watari's journey home was the normal version: on foot and alone. He wasn't entirely surprised. Bumping into Matsukawa had happened only twice, so there wasn't enough evidence to prove a pattern, and it wasn't as if Watari were searching for him regardless.

The evening after that was also the same, which was a bit of a surprise. If Matsukawa were working a schedule, Watari figured maybe his chances of bumping into him were better every other day or so. Then again, it wasn't as if they'd discussed Matsukawa's schedule or lack thereof. So Sunday came, with the Interhigh prelims less than a week away, and Watari tucked his Matsukawa-related thoughts into a corner of his mind as he met Yahaba that afternoon in the heart of town so they could collect study materials from the specialty bookstore.

"Honestly, I'm beginning to feel more like a manager and less like a captain, looking after Kyoutani," Yahaba grumbled as they got off the bus and headed up the street towards their destination. "Why is it my responsibility to ensure that idiot passes his exams?!"

"Because he just barely pulled through finals last year," Watari reminded him. He gave Yahaba an empathetic smile, although he wished this were one of their regular, fun excursions. Even though they were in jeans and t-shirts right now, somehow Watari felt as though this was just an extension of practice, since things had circled back around to the team. Not that Watari wasn't nuts about volleyball, but so far this school year he and Yahaba hadn't had the time to relax as normal friends do.

"I swear, though, if I don't find this stupid study guide for that airheaded ace, I'm going to scream. I am not spending my summer break tutoring him or holding his hand through summer classes or extra summer homework."

"So if it's the normal summer homework load, that's fine?"

Yahaba's shoulders sank, and he grimaced at Watari, who tried not to laugh. "Watari…you get away with so much because you say such things with a nice smile."

This time, the libero did laugh. This was Yahaba's way of calling him an asshole without saying it outright, which was forever amusing to him. "Still, it wouldn't be horrible, if we all got together to do the homework," Watari stated, returning to their previous subject. "I mean, if we invite Hoshimura and Ueno and drop in on Kyoutani, maybe things could be productive. We don't kill each other at practice or during lunch, and Kyoutani's almost docile when his younger siblings are around. Maybe that's the secret formula."

Watari thought he'd come up with the best plan…so why did Yahaba look so forlorn? "…still not how I want to spend my summer…," he mumbled under his breath.

Watari furrowed his brow. Was he missing something? "Yahaba?"

Yahaba blinked and snapped his head up, as if remembering he had an audience. "Ah! It's nothing, nothing." He turned his head, emphatically looking both ways before they crossed the street and reached the bookstore. But, even from behind with a three-quarter view of him, Watari noted that Yahaba's cheeks were flushed more than one would expect of the summertime.

Inside the store, Yahaba and Watari split up, but Watari didn't mind. He went for the stationery while Yahaba tracked down Kyoutani's study guide, and the libero figured Yahaba wanted a minute to collect whatever jumbled thoughts were tumbling around in that captain's head of his. Although, if Yahaba were still out of sorts before they went home, Watari would say something. The last thing the team needed was their captain not to have his head in the game.

The shaven-haired boy picked out a set of pastel index cards which would be easy on his eyes when memorizing on his way to and from school and a packet of bold-colored see-through sticky notes since some had fallen out of his notes the last time Yahaba had borrowed them. He met Yahaba at the register, and it was as if no mood swing had occurred.

Watari peeked at the three things Yahaba had selected. "Wow… Those are all easy-reader titles." He smiled. "You say you and Kyoutani don't get along, but I think you guys like each other in your own ways."

"Do not," Yahaba hotly retorted, but he bought all three items anyway. Outside the store, Yahaba checked the time on his phone. "Ah, I kinda wanna binge on junk food…"

"That's a bad idea."

"Considering I'll burn it off this last week that ends with the prelims, with Irihata-sensei working us to death before our day of rest?" The taller boy snorted. "Not as bad as you'd think, Watari."

Okay, so maybe Yahaba had a point.

"Ah!"

"What is it?"

Yahaba was looking at his phone again, but this time he was smiling. He crammed his phone into his back pocket quickly and gave Watari an apologetic look. "Um, nothing. Well, something. Change of plans. I've somewhere to be… Do you mind? I'll make it up to you, promise."

Watari waved him off, though. He wasn't one for having his friends owe him, though he kind of liked that Yahaba always offered. "Don't worry about it. I'll see you at school tomorrow."

Yahaba beamed at him and waved as he jogged off, looking like an elementary schooler hurrying to his favorite amusement park. At the corner, he nearly crashed into an old woman in his delirium, but he quickly bowed in apology and then was out of sight.

Meanwhile, Watari also checked the time on his phone and weighed his options. He didn't have anything else to buy and he wasn't hungry yet, but he also didn't want to go home so soon. Nevertheless, he texted his mother to see if she needed him to pick up anything while he was still out.

He'd just hit "send" when something bluntly pointed jabbed him in the back of his calf. Watari looked down and saw a dog's snout worming its way between his legs, but it was difficult to feel annoyed when the rest of the dog followed the snout, and a small bull terrier with an off-white coat stared up at him.

"Oi, stop that."

The familiar voice behind him straightened Watari up, and he looked over his shoulder to find Matsukawa holding on to the bull terrier's leash—as well as the leashes for a distracted, golden shiba inu and a quivering, longhaired dachshund. The black-haired male wasn't in his usual gray jumpsuit, but Watari scolded himself for being dumb. Of course Matsukawa would be in a t-shirt and jeans like anyone else in this heat, although it was surprising he'd wear a black shirt and not something light like Watari's yellow one.

Matsukawa tipped his head to Watari, and then his eyes were back on the bull terrier. "Stop," he said a little more insistently as the dog walked ahead and stood there with his tail wagging and smacking Watari's legs. Matsukawa rolled his eyes and tugged on the dog's leash, but the beast held his ground.

Watari chuckled. "It's fine, I've got it," he said as he carefully stepped over the terrier. The dog whined then and didn't quiet down until Watari knelt and patted his head. With the dog occupied, Watari looked up at his senpai. "Hi, by the way," he added with a smile, and he chuckled again when Matsukawa briefly looked away, clearly realizing he'd forgotten a greeting, as well. "Are these your dogs, Matsukawa-san?"

"Nah." Matsukawa motioned to the bull terrier with his chin. "That stubborn guy belongs to Ryouzou-san, the grandpa who lives next door to us, and these other two belong to the rambunctious young family of six across the street from my family. I got roped in to dog-walking at the last minute today, but, then again, I often get roped in to this." He pouted. "My parents insist I have a way with them, and my older sister refuses to go near dogs, so." He gestured with the leashes to finish.

"They're pretty well-behaved, though."

"Say that after you've had to walk them in the early morning in early spring when it still feels like winter outside."

Watari smiled, and Matsukawa stopped pouting. "So I guess this is another job of yours then?"

"If only," Matsukawa commented as the dogs—mainly the shiba inu—pulled him along, and Watari walked beside him, the bull terrier falling back to trot between the two athletes. "I don't get paid for this, although sometimes Ryouzou-san loans me books as 'payment.'"

Ah. Something new about Matsukawa. "Matsukawa-san, you like to read?"

Matsukawa pulled a face, but there was a dusting of pink on the apple of the cheek facing Watari. "…kind of? I disliked all the reading we had to do in school, especially of the 'classics,' but I like some of the light novels Ryouzou-san collects. And the foreign titles, too."

"Wow… Are they translated or…?"

"Translated." Matsukawa paused when the dogs came upon a public trashcan and had a sniff around the bottom. "I don't have your brains, Watari."

"That's flattering, but I only know as much English as they teach us in class." Which was true. Watari had never felt the impetus to do outside reading nor considered studying other languages. Although now he felt a spark of curiosity at what foreign titles Matsukawa had read. And that curiosity reminded him of something else he'd been wondering the past week: "So, if this isn't one of your jobs, is it just the delivery service?"

Matsukawa shook his head, and they continued walking, although they crossed the street and headed back the way they'd come. "Mostly it's that. I'm kind of playing at being everyone's delivery boy since I'm on hand, and my parents loan me out when I'm not stocking in their store. There are a couple of family-run businesses surrounding ours," he elaborated at Watari's confused look.

"I see… No regular schedule then?" Watari's shoulders slackened. It must be tough, working in a family business… A part of him was glad his parents had normal, office-type jobs.

And that part of him that was glad for that kept him distracted, so he missed the tiny smile his question brought to Matsukawa's lips. "Not necessarily," the older boy said.

"Hmm?"

They went past the point where they'd met, but Watari kept with him. "…Tuesdays and Thursdays," he finished.

"That's when you work?"

Matsukawa shook his head, and he came to a halt when they reached the next block. "Deliveries are every Tuesday and Thursday to the hardware store, and I spend most of my days at the apothecary. But Sundays are definitely open." He heaved a sigh of relief. "Which I appreciate, even if I have to walk these guys."

The bull terrier yipped in response and barked happily when Watari shot him a smile.

"But, Watari…"

"Yes?"

Matsukawa pointed to the bus stop behind them. "I take it you came here via bus?"

Watari looked over his shoulder. Crap! He'd really followed Matsukawa, completely forgetting himself. "Ah, sorry, sorry," he bumbled, and his face felt hot…and not from the sun.

Matsukawa laughed softly. "Nothing to apologize for. I'd give you a lift if I could, but…" He held up the dogs' leashes.

"No, that's fine." His phone buzzed then, making him jolt, and he saw his mother had replied. "I have to go anyway…"

The bull terrier whimpered as if he sensed Watari's departure, so the libero knelt and scratched the dog behind the ears. But Matsukawa walked with him to the bus stop.

Watari almost brought up that he didn't have to, but he was getting the sense that Matsukawa was the kind of guy who did as he pleased, and Watari liked the company, so he kept quiet. The bus arrived two minutes later, anyway, so Watari got on and found a seat by an open window. He waved to Matsukawa, who waved back, and he happily chirped, "See you around!"

Matsukawa flashed him another peace sign like last week, but Watari knew that was his own way of saying the same thing. And Watari knew something else, too:

This time, when he got home, he'd be wearing anything but a frown.

- ^-^3

My sweet boys… TT-TT *loves them too much, both individually & as a ship* I also enjoy Watari's slight obliviousness as well as slight gullibility—the latter of which Mattsun will come to enjoy far too much. XD Let's see… Hoshimura's not as annoying as he seems, my headcanon about Kyoutani having younger sibs is something of which I refuse to let go, and Yahaba will be explained in the future. I also cherish Watayaha friendship, so that won't deteriorate, no worries. And we'll get to learn more about Mattsun, so stay tuned!

Thanks for reading, and please review! More precious children in ch5~!

-mew! c: