Chapter 23- Prelims Mini Arc

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A/N: May or may not include fluff... enjoy :)

I inhale a big breath of the cold air as I open the hotel doors jogging down a block.

More tears were already brimming in my eyes as I tried to stop myself from breaking down again.

You can't let her get the best of you Ren.

I take a few deep breaths before glancing around the dimly lit streets where only a few people were around.

Right as I was about to grab my phone from my pocket to check the time it suddenly rings as someone was calling me.

Not looking at the contact name I answer the call, slowly bringing it to my ear.

"H-hello?" I stutter not realizing that I was shaking from the cold air that was causing goosebumps to form on my arms.

This was also due to only wearing a short sleeve shirt.

"Ren? Are you alright?!" A voice speaks on the other end, traces of worry in it. The voice was one that I knew immediately.

"I-iwaizumi-Chan?" I mumble quietly my body slightly shaking as a big gust of cold air.

"Ren where are you?" He continues his voice getting louder.

Did he just call me Ren?

"Oh uh I'm just outside my hotel down the street infront of a clothing store," I finally respond quietly as I look around my surroundings.

"You're outisde all alone at 1am!" Iwaizumi scolds me muttering under his breath.

"Maybe..."

"You know, it's really nice to hear your voice. It helps me calm down," I sigh a faint smile on my lips. "I honestly wish you were here with me because to be honest with you I don't think I can go back to sleep right now."

The other end of the call stays silent as Iwaizumi doesn't reply.

"Gomen! I made it weird, didn't I?" I let out an awkward laugh till I hear the noise of cars on his end.

"Are you really not wearing a jacket. Baka," He mutters and I instantly turn around on my heels to see the black haired boy a few feet away from me.

He hangs up the phone putting it in his sweatpants pocket as he walks towards me studying my face intently.

I knew for a fact that my eyes were puffy, dried up tears on my cheek and my face pale from the cold.

All of a sudden Iwaizumi pulls me into a hug his warm body in contact with my cold one.

I instinctively return the hug wrapping my arms around him as I place my head on his chest.

"I thought you needed a hug," His warm breath whispers in my ear sending shivers down my body.

A few tears slip as he gently rubs circles on my back. "Y-you walked from your hotel at 1 in the morning to give me a hug?"

He hums in response to which I pull him a bit closer loving the warmth that the boy was giving me.

The noise of cars driving down the street and a few pedestrians talking fill the air as the two of us enjoy the hug in silence.

"I just want to drink an extra large chocolate milkshake and walk around town all night," I sigh jokingly.

"Then let's do it."

I pull out from the hug my eyes widening at Iwaizumi.

"Huhh?!"

"Let's go get extra large milkshakes and walk around town," He reply's nonchalantly as he wipes away a tear from my face with his thumb. "I would usually say no since it's 1am and we both have games tomorrow and it's also pretty cold outside. But if it'll make you smile that's all that matters."

Welp I think my heart just exploded.

"Well if you say so," My face is completely red as I begin to skip towards the nearest convenience store not wanting him to see his effect on me.

Damnit Iwaizumi!

I hear his footsteps catch up to mine as he tosses me the hoodie he was wearing before to which he was wearing a long sleeve under.

Quickly grabbing my hand in his he looks at me annoyed. "Naka it's 1am and you want to skip around leisurely alone. Be more safe," The ace grumbles.

I laugh at his angry yet concerned face putting the hoodie on and falling in step with him.

"I'm sorry Iwa-Chan, I won't do it again," I tease him by using Oikawa's nickname for him.

"I-iwa-Chan?" His pupils dilate, his face turning a light shade of red.

He stops in place to which I do as well looking at his face a smirk on my lips.

"C'mon now, we don't want to take forever!" I pull his arm as I run towards the convenience store.

Arriving at the 24 hour brightly lit building I open the doors instantly spotting the milkshake machine sprinting towards it.

"Oi stop running like a child!" Iwaizumi catches up to me for a second time as I click the chocolate milkshake option on the machine placing the cup underneath it.

"You're such a mom Iwa-Chan," I giggle glancing at him then back at my milkshake as it goes into the gigantic cup.

"You have to stop with the nicknaβ€”"

"Oh also, how did you know that I was not okay to begin with?" I cut him off looking at him curiously.

"Oh uh I just knew something was off when you called and told me it was nothing. Also Miyazaki-San (Akari) called me telling me what happened and that I should go look for you."

"Oh did I wake you up?" The thought comes to mind feeling bad for bothering him with my situation. "I'm really sorry if I diβ€”"

"Like I said I don't really care Naka-Chan. I just wanted to make sure you're alright," He smiles grabbing the now filled milkshake from the dispenser putting a lid on top.

I couldn't help but fight the blush creeping on my cheeks from his concern for me.

I step out of the way as he himself gets a small cup choosing a vanilla shake.

"Woww way to make me feel fat," I snort looking at the extra large milkshake in my hand then back at his small that was still filling up.

"Just didn't want to get a bigger size since we have a game later today," He explains as he grabs his cup putting a lid on it.

I nod my head in response as we walk towards the counter to be met up with an older women.

"That'll be 483.54 yen."

As I'm pulling out change from my pocket Iwaizumi already gives the lady the cash.

"Iwaizumi I could've paβ€”"

"It's alright Naka. My treat," He gives another small smile.

I puff out my cheeks to cool myself down as I sink myself more into his hoodie.

"Aww you both are such a cute couple. I love seeing young love," The cashier smiles at us two.

"We're not toβ€”"

Oh time for a payback Iwaizumi.

"Oh yes thank you so much miss! I love this boy with all my heart," I swoon linking my arm with his as I go on my tippy toes pinching his cheeks playfully.

Iwaizumi's face is now the one that heats up as I could feel his body stiffen.

"Well lets go babe," I grab both shakes putting his in his own hand as I pull him with my arm towards the doors.

I hum a tune in my head as I sip on my milkshake as we walk down the street together.

"Y-you did that on purpose didn't you," Iwaizumi's finally speaks up glancing at me.

"Hmm maybe I did, maybe I didn't," I tease.

Before he could reply my phone rings as a message pops up on my screen.

Hina:
Where are you?!

We have a match tomorrow at 11 and you can't waste your energy!

I'm going to kill you if you come any later!

Right after another message pops up but this time from Akari.

Hey hey Ren don't worry about Hina, go have your fun with your man ;)

You deserve to have some fun but you must explain why you ran away once you come back!

I let out a quiet laugh at the message and feel Iwaizumi leaning closing towards me to see it himself.

Realizing what the full message said I pull my phone back quickly stuffing it in the hoodie pocket.

"Tsk tsk Iwa-Chan, that's an invasion of privacy," I move my finger back and forth.

"Aww c'mon Ren please," The boy pouts.

Oh my this is too adorable.

I slowly pull out my phone taking a quick photo of his cute face.

"Aww this is too cute," I swoon showing him the photo.

"Oi delete that!"He tries to grab the phone with his free hand.

"I'm good."

Out of the blue Iwaizumi unlinks his arm from mine and lunges for the phone.

One step ahead of him I move back before running down the street trying not to drop my milkshake in the process.

"I forgot how fast you are," I could hear him say as his pace began to quicken.

I giggle in response as I also increase my speed up until I abruptly stop looking at the view in awe.

"Let's go to the end of the pier," I turn to Iwaizumi who was now right behind me to which he nods in response.

The water was flowing peacefully with the beautifully lit night sky in view as there were many stars.

A few lamp posts were as well along the pier so that those wouldn't trip, but me being the clumsy self I am do the exact opposite.

Iwaizumi is instantly on my side holding my body up from falling and holding my drink as well.

"You're such a clutz Naka," He lightly chuckles straightening me up.

"I-I'm not!" I puff my cheeks a pout on my face.

He only hums in response as we continue to walk down to the end of the pier side by side.

Reaching the end I sit down putting my legs through the poles of the barrier as they swing back and forth.

"Wow it's so pretty," I smile looking up at the stars as I continue to take sips of my milkshake.

Iwaizumi follows my steps sitting right next our bodies in contact, his arms behind him as he glances up at the sky. "Yeah it is."

Small gusts of wind come, the water flowing peacefully fills the atmosphere as both of us stay in a comfortable silence enjoying the view.

"So what happened at the hotel?" Iwaizumi speaks up as I feel his dark green eyes on me. "You don't have to tell me if you don't feel comfortable to," He adds.

I sigh inhaling the cold air placing my elbows on the pole putting my chin in my hands.

"Well this isn't why I ran off, but I got another note from my stalker."

"What did it say?" The aces voice is lower than usual.

"It said something on the lines of that I shouldn't keep my guard down and that he or she is watching me."

"W-watching you?" I glance at Iwaizumi to see his eyes widen at me.

"Yeah, it's pretty creepy, but it's happened to me before. Which is where the reason I ran out the hotel comes in," I run a hand thorugh my hair looking away from Iwaizumi's intense gaze.

"Akari, Hina, Sakura, Ito and I were playing truth or dare and Ito dared me to pour water on the Niiyama Girls Team. To which I of course agreed to not wanting to chicken out and the girl who opened the door was someone who I didn't have the best past with at Nekoma. She's part of the reason I left Tokyo."

The boy only nods his head slowly in response but I couldn't help but notice Iwaizumi frown at the mention of Ito slightly making my heart break as I think back to the time where they hugged.

"I know I asked before but is anything happening between you and Ito? I justβ€”when I saw you guys hug the other day I was assuming it was something..." I drift not wanting to meet his eyes.

"No nothing is happening between the two of us. I've actually been using her which is why I've seemed to look close to her."

"U-using her?!" My eyes widen looking at him.

"Yeah, when you first told me about the stalker of yours I wanted to help and immediately putting Ito as a suspect becuase she seemed to have a strong dsilike towards you."

"Finally someone sees it!" I beam and Iwaizumi shushes me before letting out a small laugh.

"I'm surprised none of your teammates notice it, but the entire guys team does," He says. "But as I was saying when talking to Ito those few times she mentioned phrases along the lines of 'comeback for stealing her postion as ace.'"

"But I'm not even the ace," I whine pouting at him.

"Oi Baka, stop being so dense, you definitely are and everyone knows it," He flicks my forehead.

"But I had a good suspicion that it might be her so I've been spying on her a bit, but haven't seen anything bad done so I'm not sure anymore," He finishes off.

"S-so the only reason you were interacting with Ito was because you were trying to help me?" I tilt my head at him.

"Yeah, basically. She was the one who was always all touchy touchy with me which I hated," He grimaces.

"Huh," I mumble a huge smile coming to my lips as I look at my feet.

"What?"

"Nothing."

"Oi no spit it out Naka-Chan."

"It's just that no one has ever done something that nice for me before," I look at him his eyebrows furrowing in confusion. "I mean there was Kenma and Kuroo who did help me out but no one ever went to such a great extent to help me out, so thank you."

His gaze softens as he notices the small smile still on my lips and returns one back.

Our faces at this point were both inches apart as we both suddenly locked an intense gaze with one another.

Iwaizumi's eyes flicker down to my lips before looking back into my eyes. He leans a bit closer closing the distance his hand holding my back for support so that I wouldn't fall.

"Naka-Chan is it alright if Iβ€”"

"BAKI BAKI NI ORE"

My phone suddenly begins to ring, quite loudly may I add and I move back panicked looking down at my phone.

'Akari definitely added this ringtone' I thought to myself as I let out a small sigh before answering the phone.

"Yes Akari?"

"Ren you have to come back now! Hina is very mad and when I say that mean that she has her 'I'm going to slit your throat' eyes," Akari shivers on the other end.

My eyes widen as I think of an angry Hina feeling bad for Akari. "Alright I'm coming."

Hanging up the phone I glance at Iwaizumi who was staring at the night sky his eyes showing an unknown emotion.

"Alright we have to go now or Hina will kill both Akari and I," I chuckle grabbing my milksahke standing up.

The black haired boys eyes snap to my movements and does the exact same grabbing his milkshake as well. "Alright."

With that we began our walk back it being completely silent as neither of us brought up the moment that happened at the pier only a few minutes ago.

I was too into my own world of thinking of different scenarios that would've played out that I didn't even notice us arrive at the hotel.

"Thank you for everything Iwaizumi. I really appreciate it," I turn to him a small smile on my lips.

"Oh no problem, I surprisingly had fun," He teases grinning back at me.

"Oi what's this supposed to mean!" I slap his shoulder playfully to which he laughs.

"Ren!" A voice shouts and we both turn to see Akari panting for air as her hands were on her knees.

"Sorry to ruin the cute moment but you better come now because Hina is going to murder both of us," She breaths out.

"Oya? That is not good," I grumble. "Text me once you get back to your hotel." I turn back to Iwaizumi pointing my finger at him.

"Alright alright I will," He says slowly turning around as I watch him walk down the street.

"Ren!" Akari subtly coughs eyeing Iwaizumi then me. "Go thank him!"

My eyes widen in realization as I take in what she was trying to say and look at the black haired boy who was waiting to cross the road.

"I'm nervous," I tell her fiddling with my fingers.

Akari rolls her eyes at my words walking up to me then pushing me with full force in his direction.

Her unexpected power almost causes me to trip over a crack in the sidewalk catching Iwaizumi's attention as he turns around.

"Naka? What's uβ€”"

"I forgot to give you your hoodie back, so here," I quickly take it off giving it to him.

With the small confidence I have I give him a quick peck on the cheek his body instantly stiffening at my contact.

I pull back quickly to look at his reaction to which his cheeks were tinted a light shade of pink.

"Just wanted to thank you again and wish you luck on your games tomorrow," I smile my face also getting red.

"Renn!!!! The devil's coming!" Akari shouts her eyes darting back and forth between the door and I.

"Well gotta go, bye! Goodnight!" I give him a small wave before running towards Akari who grabs me by the wrist as we run towards the elevator.

As the doors open we both enter clicking the floor as we see a angry Hina open the staircase door.

She looks around till she locks gazes with us running towards the elevator.

"You two," She spits out like poison her glare getting even deadlier.

"Ahh please close elevator!" Akari clicks the button multiple times.

Thankfully it closes just as Hina was about to enter.

"Oh thank the lord," I let out a big sigh my heartbeat going back to it's normal pace.

"Yeah... cute moment by the way. I'm glad I didn't ruin it," She smiles brightly.

"Actually you surprisingly did when you called me a while back while Iwaizumi and I were at the pier," I tell Akari her eyes instantly widening.

"Nooo wait I did! Agh! I need win the bet!" She whines jumping up and down like a child.

"Oya?! What bet?"

At the sternness in my tone the girl takes a big gulp her eyes widening in fear at my sudden change in emotion.

"Ah geez you and Hina are both scary when mad," The third year mumbles moving a step back.

β€”
Hope you enjoyed the chapter! I actually had lots of fun writing this since I haven't written this much fluff in a while. I also just realized that this book goes from happy moments one second to really sad moments the next which I find funny.

Also thank you so much for 21k reads!!! I have no words but just want to say thank you! This story is honestly just all over the place as I keep changing ideas but I'm glad that people are enjoying it.

Next chapter will be posted in hopefully 1-4 days so stay tuned :)

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