When you and Tendou arrive at a parking lot, he holds the door open for you to get out.

"So where are we?"

"You'll see," he says as he reaches his arm out for you.

You take his hand and get out of the car. Looking around, you try to think of where he's taken you.

The pair of you walk out of the parking lot and around the corner to a different street. Immediately you recognize where you are.

"No way!" you scream.

"Shh," Tendou shushes sternly "you don't want people thinking I'm kidnapping you, right?"

You stop walking and look up at him.

"W-what? Are you okay?"

"Why are you so sweet all of the time?" you ask.

"What are you talking about?"

"Dragon Sushi!" you yell "our parents used to take us here together after practice all the time, don't tell me you forgot!"

Tendou looks around awkwardly and scratches the back of his neck.

"Oh really, I guess I did forget about that."

"Liar!"

"Okay fine," he laughs "you got me. But come on, let's go in."

While you two eat, you reminisce about the old middle school team you were both on.

"Man, we were such losers back then."

"Seriously," you agree "but I was just glad to have you with me. I didn't really care about what the others said."

"Same here," Tendou admits.

"Did you find good teammates at Shiratorizawa?"

Tendou's face lights up. "Yeah, they're the best. You've gotta meet them all. Especially Ushiwaka!"

"Ushiwaka?"

"You know, the crazy left-handed guy!"

"That's Ushiwaka?! I heard he was amazing but damn."

Tendou smirks, "Yeah I'm lucky. My best friend's gonna be famous one day and I'll be famous by association!"

"You're such a dork, you know that?"

"Be nice to me, Y/N, I'm paying for your food!"

"W-what," you stammer.

If I let him pay, will he think it's a real date?

Tendou laughs. "Calm down, it's not a date, remember? Besides, I don't want Iwa to try and punch me next."

"I-"

You sit in silence for a bit as you try to think of what to say. After Tendou pays the bill, you make sure to thank him for being with you and paying.

--

"Damn, I'm so full," Tendou whines.

You're both walking back to the car while Tendou complains about how he ate too much.

As you turn a corner, you bump into two other boys about the same age as you and Tendou.

"Sor-" you begin to say.

As you look at the boys, you recognize exactly who they are. One of the boys scoffs upon realizing who you were, too.

"Seriously?"

"Hey let it go, Matsukawa."

"Shut up, Hanamaki. Y/N what are you doing hoeing around with Tendou? Shouldn't you be saving yourself for Iwaizumi?"

Before you can respond, Tendou grabs you by the stomach and pushes you away from Matsukawa.

The way Tendou cares about me is like we never stopped being friends. He stands up for me the exact same way he would in middle school whenever I was made fun of especially for my anxiety.

"Shut up dumbass, don't get near Y/N."

Matsukawa smiles smugly "What are you gonna do, monster?"

"Tendou stands in front of you. "Walk away dude, you don't want Shiratorizawa to get involved."

Before Matsukawa retaliates, Hanamaki grabs him and pulls him away from Tendou.

"Let's go, dude."

Matsukawa scoffs and slaps Hanamaki's hand off of him.

"Whatever," he says as he stares you down, "let's go."

You watch as the two boys walk away from you.

"Alright there, Y/N?"

You nod back at him.

"Cool. Don't let that jerk bother you, okay?"

"I got it. Thanks for that."

Tendou tries to hide his awkwardness from you, but you can tell he's a bit embarrassed.

What's gotten into him?

"W-what can I say, Y/N," he laughs awkwardly "I used to stand up for you all the time in middle school."

"I know," you tell him "but it's still really sweet of you. Now let's go back to the car, okay?"

"Right."

--

Back in the car, Tendou says he'll bring you back to your house.

"Do you need me to tell you how to get there?"

Tendou looks you dead in the eyes and smiles. "What do you think?"

"Ok, impress me then," you tease.

"I think I've impressed you plenty already, but I don't mind scoring a few bonus points."

Soon enough, Tendou gets you safely back at your house.

"So, how'd I do?"

"Hmm," you think as you annoy him, "I guess I am a bit impressed. However, you could've just been stalking me for the past four years just to remember how to get to my house."

"You caught me," he laughs.

"Hey so do you want to come in?" you ask him.

"You know I do."

The pair of you walk inside an empty house.

"Where's your dad, Y/N?"

"Well he usually only goes out when he needs to borrow parts from my uncle, so I guess he went over there."

"Damn," Tendou says sadly "too bad I don't get to see him again."

You look at him with a small smile on your face. "Don't worry Tendou-chan, you can see him next time you come over."

Tendou gets excited "So you want to hang out with me again?"

You laugh. "Of course I do, Tendou-chan."

"Nice. And I'm still loving the nickname. You remember that from last night?"

"Sorta," you say while rubbing your head "most of it is a blur, though."

"Yeah, you're so lucky I was there for you."

You look down. "I know, thanks a bunch for that. I probably would have blacked or passed out if it wasn't for you."

"Hey Y/N," Tendou calls, "I had a lot of fun with you today."

You smile. "Me too."

Tendou pulls you into a hug. "I can't wait to see you again," he says, "you were the first person to ever accept me for who I am and I miss that so much."

As you're pressed against Tendou's chest, you feel yourself begin to get flustered at what he's saying to you.

"T-Tendou," you mumble.

Tendou lets go of you.

"What's up?"

This time you pull yourself back into your friend. You bury your face into his neck.

"I miss you too."

END OF CHAPTER 22