KAGEYAMA
TWO WEEKS LATER
I am standing outside of a major department store I never shop at. My parents yes, me no. I have my hands in my jacket pockets. It's not cold but it will be later tonight. It's to be expected with October weather. I spot Akaashi walking towards me. He is wearing so skinny jeans with sneakers and a fitted jacket showing how tall and slim he is. He smiles as he gets closer to me.
"Hey you," he greets.
"Hi," I reply. "How was the drive?"
"Not too bad since it is a Saturday afternoon," he replies. "Guessing everyone went shopping earlier this morning. I hope you don't mind I choose this location."
"I know you chose it for a reason," I reply opening the door. Akaashi walks inside with me close behind.
"Observant as always," he replies. "They have the best selection, sales, and quality. If you must wear these clothes every single day you will need that."
"Excellent points," I reply as we step into the cool air condition. He has put a lot of thought into my work clothes for the long term. I like that. I follow Akaashi as he seems to know where to go. "How was your morning?"
"Long," he replies. "I had a client that is going through a divorce. She was struggling to not have a breakdown."
"I'm sorry to hear that," I reply not sure what else to say. I would never want to be divorced. I want to marry my partner to be with them forever.
"It happens," he says with a shrug. "Her husband suggested divorce after 15 years, so it is a total shock." That is a really long time. I can't imagine doing something like that. I know everyone has their reasons.
"I would find it difficult having to hear those kinds of issues on the daily basis," I reply.
"Sometimes it is good news," he replies. "One of my regulars is an influencer. She recently had me do her hair for a trip to Paris. A business client is flying her out for some launch or something."
"Now that is cool," I reply as the men's department come into view. "Although I would hate to be online with people watching my every move."
"That may happen when you join the league," says Akaashi. "You are very intriguing Kageyama." The way he said that has me staring at him. "Okay so I figured we can start with basic tops and bottoms you can mix and match."
"You really thought this out," I reply impressed. I'm use to being the one to do all the planning.
"Um hum," he hums walking up to a wall that has all these dress shirts on it. "I'm assuming you will be working in an office. Since winter is around the corner let's go with long sleeve." Akaashi grabs a black, white, navy, teal, and a dark red.
"Uh, wow…" I say slowly. Some of these colors are not even anything I would wear. Akaashi chuckles.
"I think these colors will look great on you," he replies. "The teal will really bring out the blue in your eyes." I blush because he makes me sound so sexy. I feel that I am I don't know….normal. "Alright, so pants let's do black, navy, brown…"
"No brown!" I exclaim. Akaashi looks at me.
"What's wrong with brown?" he asks.
"I don't look good in that color," I explain.
"Yes, you do," he replies. "It has to be styled properly. Stick with me and I will show you the ropes. One thing at a time. No brown, let's go with a dark grey and light grey. Hmm….plaid."
"Hell no," I laugh. "I'm not wearing plaid." Akaashi laughs.
"I had to try," he replies. "You can try on one shirt and one pants here to ensure you know your size."
"Alright," I reply. I was not in the mood to be trying on every single one. I take the black slacks and black shirt heading into the fitting room. Akaashi did great. The shirt and pants fit. I tuck the shirt in checking myself out. Dare I say I look good. I head out of the dressing room to see Akaashi scrolling on his phone. He lowers the phone soon as he spots me.
"I am assuming everything went well," he replies putting his phone in his jacket pocket.
"It did," I reply. "I looked good."
"Of course, you did," he replies. "Do you need any ties or cuff links?" I look at him thinking about how fascinated my dad would be. He loves ties, cuff links, those things that hold up his fancy socks. I have never had any interest in that stuff.
"Not needed," I reply. "Now if I was a manager and up, I would say yes."
"Dress for success," smirks Akaashi.
"I am," I reply. "Sort of." Akaashi and I walk around the store looking at some other stuff. Workout equipment, shoes, and the electronic department. Akaashi provides me a coupon where I save 30 percent off my total purchase. I am down for saving money. Akaashi and I walk outside to see the sun setting. "Thanks for your help. I think this job will see I mean business."
"For sure," replies Akaashi. "That is important given our age. Let them know you can play on their level. What do you have planned now?"
"Nothing really," I reply with a light shrug. I glance at him noticing he looks nervous, but it was only for a second. It goes away revealing a blank face.
"Are you hungry?" he asks. "I would love to cook for you. Talk a little more." I smile realizing he doesn't want our time to end. I am enjoying myself. Why not take him up on his offer.
"I could use a little something to eat," I reply. "A place in mind?"
"I was serious," he replies. "I want to cook for you. Meet me at my place. Don't forget to bring your new work clothes. I want to ensure we got the right pieces for you. Want to see you try on a few more." I swallow down the nerves I feel. Akaashi gives me his address. I walk him to his car before going to my own. I plug in the address Akaashi provided me. We both live a way from this store. I get to his apartment complex in 35 minutes. I must admit it looks nice. It is a gated community. I followed behind Akaashi heading inside finding a parking space close to his building. Akaashi parks standing beside his car waiting for me. I walk over to him.
"This looks nice," I reply.
"You haven't even seen the inside," he chuckles. "We're on the 2nd floor." I follow him up the stairs knowing moving in or out must be a total bitch. Akaashi unlocks the door heading inside. Their apartment looks so spacious. I love that is smells clean and fresh. "Please get comfortable." I take off my jacket and shoes setting my bags down before following him to the kitchen. "Anything you allergic to?"
"Not at all," I reply. Akaashi opens the fridge taking out something in a bowl.
"Great," he replies. "I made some sriracha covered beef tips to go over rice."
"That sounds so good right about now," I reply rubbing my belly.
"Oh yes," he replies. "I'm starving. I haven't had anything since lunch time. It was just a small salad." I would rather eat vegetables over salad. Salad is so….boring.
"When was that?" I ask. Akaashi pulls out a pan.
"That was around noon," he replies.
"Oh my god…." I mutter.
"I know," he replies. "If not for the cigarettes I would be on one for going that long without eating." I know he is referring to being short with people because of not eating enough.
"I don't think I could do that," I reply. "I can't go longer than 4 hours without eating."
"I'm sure you have to keep feeding those muscles," says Akaashi making me flush. Akaashi chuckles. "Anything to drink?"
"Water is fine," I reply. I really wouldn't mind some liquor, but I really can't drink tonight. I need to ensure I get back home safely. "Where is Bokuto?"
"I'm sure he is running the streets somewhere," says Akaashi. "If he is not home now he probably won't be back tonight."
"So you would have been here all alone," I reply. Akaashi glances at me.
"Yes, but I'm not," he replies.
"Um where's your bathroom?" I ask.
"It is down the hall to the right," explains Akaashi. I follow his instructions heading into his bathroom. I close the door leaning on the countertop with my hands. His bathroom smells nice too. I look at myself in the mirror because it is clear Akaashi likes me. I don't want to have sex with him. I need my first time to be with Hinata. It will help me to not look like an idiot when I decide to have sex. It was already pressuring to think about having sex with a girl but a guy. Ten times more stressful. I run my hands through my hair.
"You can do this," I coach to myself. "Just remember what you have learned, relax, go with the flow." My cheeks are turning red as I want to do something with Akaashi but I am not sure what. "Fuck." I turn the cold water on splashing it on my cheeks. That helps a little as they are not so red afterwards. I dry my face before walking out of the bathroom. Akaashi has the rice going. I can see he is cooking some spinach.
"This dish is best with broccoli, but I decided to switch things up," he replies not taking his eyes off the stove. Akaashi has a bottle of water set out for me. I drink the water as we discuss volleyball for the remainder of his cooking session. It didn't take long at all. Akaashi sets our bowls on the table. He fixed himself a glass of wine. He grabs his chop sticks taking a bite. "Yum, sorry you have to see me chowing down like this."
"You earned it, '' I reply. "No judgement here." I begin to mix the ingredients a bit before eating. I immediately like that the meat is medium rare with sriracha making it spicy. "This is perfect." I smile happily scooping some more onto my chop sticks. Akaashi chuckles putting some music on his phone on low volume.
"Thank you," he replies. "I enjoy cooking. I have been trying many new recipes lately."
"I tend to only cook foods I like," I reply. "Like BBQ, steak, um yeah that's mostly it." Akaashi laughs.
"Are you getting in enough vegetables?" he inquires with small chuckles.
"I do thank you very much!" I exclaim. The music is helping sooth me. Akaashi wraps up dinner. He doesn't wash the dishes but does load them into the dishwasher. I never thought to do that. It does help his kitchen appear cleaner.
"Grab those clothes and let's see what we are working with," he replies. "You can come to my room." I grab my bag of clothes following him into his room. His room makes mine feel like a closet in a way. Hinata would like his room as the furniture is all white but has silver here and there. Interesting. "You don't have to try them all on. I would love to see you in those teal and navy slacks."
"You are set on that aren't you," I reply.
"Yes, I am," he replies with a light chuckle. "Also, I would like to see you in the dark red shirt too but one thing at a time." I set the bag on his long dresser that is to the right of his door entrance. I close his room door although I know Bokuto is out.
"I will certainly be wearing a belt with these," I reply.
"It will look sleeker," he says sitting on his bed. "I agree with this." I stare at Akaashi as I remove my shirt. Akaashi kind of stops talking as he gazes at me. He slowly crosses his legs. Is he is aroused? It's hard for me to tell. I can tell with Hinata but Akaashi he is his own person. I'm still learning him. Although I am shy, I don't break eye contract with Akaashi. I unbutton my jeans slowly sliding them off. Akaashi turns his head breaking our eye contact clearing his throat sipping some wine. I slide on the pants putting on the shirt. Akaashi has a mirror to the left in his room. I walk over staring in awe. I look really good. I wasn't expecting this. I slide my hand into my hair looking more closely. "I told you. Those people at the office won't know what hit them." I laugh nervously.
"I'm just there to do my job and nothing more," I reply. Akaashi sets his wine glass down walking over to me. Something about the look in his eye tells me he is on a mission.