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CHAPTER 38






"Why doesn't Oikawa-san visit us anymore?"

"He's really busy with school and with volleyball."

"But, he promised to play video games with me!"

Once the last patty is cooked, you place it next to a fresh burger bun and slide the plate across the counter to a pouting Niko. "I know," you sigh, "but he's also the captain, remember? He's got a lot of things to take care of."

Niko sighs heavily as he pokes a finger at the bun. "Fine."

You slide another plate with fresh lettuce, tomato slices, and onions across the counter. "Your favourites," you nod towards his plate, "to go with your dinner."

"Thank you!" Niko exclaims as he assembles his burger and chows it down in less than five minutes, and in a blink of an eye, he's already sitting across the television with a gaming controller in his hand, abandoning his math sheets once again.

Not wanting to ruin his mood with the reminder of homework, you bring your plate to the couch and sit next to your brother. It's been four days since you met Kai for the first time. Ever since that evening, there's been a slight rift between you and Oikawa, causing him to be quiet.

Even after sending him multiple texts, he's been vague, giving one word responses and not bothering to call either. It's hard not to worry about him, especially knowing that he's got many responsibilities weighing on his shoulders.

"Why aren't you eating?" Niko asks with his eyes glued to another player on the television screen. "If you won't eat it, I will!"

Your thoughts begin to jumble up, ruining your appetite. "I can't really bring myself to eat anything right now," leaning forward, you slide the plate onto the coffee table, giving Niko full permission. "You can have it."

"Yay!" He pauses his game, picks up your plate, and works on a second serving. It keeps him distracted from the thought of Oikawa, and from wondering why you have gone stiff on the couch.

Crossing your legs, you lean back and fish your phone from your pocket. You open your conversation with Oikawa, hoping to find a response from him, but you sigh when you see nothing. "I hope you're doing okay," you whisper, eyes lingering on Oikawa's contact name.

"I'm doing just fine," Niko replies with a munch, "Mm, this burger is amazing!"

Your thumb hovers over the call button, and just before you can press it, your phone begins to ring with Oikawa's contact name displayed at the top of the screen. There's no hesitation when you answer the call. Even Niko stops chewing, wondering why you're so urgent to answer your phone.

Straightening your back, you take a deep breath and bring it to your ear. "Kawa?"

"Hey, baby," Oikawa answers, his voice sounding out of breath. "Just finished practice. A bit after hours, but I promise I'm not overworking myself. How are you?"

"Oh my God, I've been worrying about you for the past few days now," You're up from the couch before you even know it, pacing back and forth in front of the television with Niko's eyes following. "I text you and you give me one worded replies?"

"I know, I'm sorry."

"I can't even find you at school." Hearing his voice is a relief, but it's not enough to stop your mind from entering overdrive. "I've been worrying so much. I just wanna know if things with you and your dad are okay, and I wanna know if you've been taking care of yourself."

There's silence on the other end of the line as Oikawa catches his breath. "I'm sorry," he breathes. "I've been doing fine. Just stressed, that's all."

"You sure?"

"I'm positive." Oikawa reassures. "No need to worry about me, okay?"

"Is that Oikawa-san?" Niko asks with excitement. "Lemme talk to him!"

You groan and hold the phone against your chest. "Just let me talk to him first, okay?"

"Wait," Oikawa says, and you bring the phone back up to your ear. "Is that my little guy?"

"Yeah," you stifle a laugh, "He's been worrying about you, tooβ€”"

Before you can finish, Niko grabs your phone out of your hand and runs to the other side of the living room, far from your reach. He sticks his tongue out to you before putting Oikawa on speaker. "Oikawa-san!"

"Little guy!" Oikawa does his best to sound enthusiastic, "How've you been?"

"You promised me that you'd come over!"

"I know, I'm sorry. Your sister probably already told you, but I've been super busy with things." There's muffling on the other end of the line, followed by footsteps and the sound of a car engine starting up. "Do you mind giving the phone back to your sister? I really need to talk to her."

Niko, not wanting to say bye to his friend yet, holds the phone a little tighter. "I miss you."

"Aw, I miss you too, little guy." Oikawa's smile can be heard through his voice, easing Niko to place your phone back into your hand. "Now, let me talk to my girlfriend."

You thank Niko silently and guide him back to the counter where his homework waits. "I'm here, Kawa."

"It's nice hearing your voice," he leans back in the driver's seat and closes his eyes, letting himself have a few moments of peace amidst his chaotic life. "I hope you weren't busy when I called."

"I wasn't," you point to a question on one of the blank homework sheets, redirecting Niko's attention, and Oikawa laughs when he hears him whining in the back. "We just finished dinner when you called."

"Actually," Niko interrupts, "Y/n didn't eat!"

"Oh? How come?"

"She was too busy worrying about you!"

"Is that so?" Oikawa asks, and your silent response makes him sigh. "Baby, you're so concerned about me taking care of myself that it's distracting you from taking care of yourself."

You shoot Niko a look before taking Oikawa off speaker. "I know, but I'm much better now that I'm actually talking to you." Keeping your phone close, you put a pencil into Niko's hand. He twirls it between his fingers, just before he pokes your side with the eraser end. "Focus, Niko."

"You know what," Oikawa buckles his seatbelt, preparing to drive off. "I'll just bug you tomorrow during lunch. I think it's better that I actually spend some time with you in person than just talk through the phone."

"Wait," you walk away from the kitchen and stop near the hallway, hoping that your brother isn't eavesdropping. "I just wanna know if things with you and your father are okay, especially after... you know..."

"Things are fine." The lie is bitter on Oikawa's tongue. Guilt lingers at the idea of lying to his girlfriend, but he doesn't want you worrying further. "Trust me. If something was wrong, you'd be the first person to know."

Even though his voice falters, you don't question him. "Okay."

"Okay," he replies, feeling the guilt begin to dissipate from his stomach. A white lie, he tells himself. "I'll see you tomorrow."


Β· β€’ —– Ω  ✀ Ω  —– β€’ Β·


Once you pay for your food, Sheena follows you back up the stairs, down the hallway, and straight into your classroom. A few students linger around, and word of Aoba Johsai's upcoming game against Karasuno had spread like wildfire. It's the only thing that everyone has been talking about.

"I hope this tofu is just as good as you claim it to be," you tell Sheena as you poke at a piece of tofu.

Sheena is already starting on her lunch, stuffing rice and tofu into her mouth with a grin. "It is!" she swallows before quickly taking another bite. "Even Iwa orders this whenever it's on the menu."

Then, the classroom suddenly becomes quiet. You look at Sheena first, a question already prepared on your tongue, but you follow her gaze to the door where you find Iwaizumi and Oikawa leaning on the frame, arms crossed over their chests and their eyes on you and your friend.

A few of the students whisper, wondering why out of everyone in the room β€” why out of everyone in the entire school β€” that they would be searching for you and Sheena. But the two boys give no time for questions as they make their way across the class and stop by your desks.

"Get their bags," Oikawa says to Iwaizumi, "and I'll take their trays."

"What are you two doing?"

"Bringing you to our spot!" Oikawa smiles as he balances your trays in his arms. The students continue to stare, and some of the girls even flip their hair over their shoulders and straighten out their skirts when the captain acknowledges them with a nod. "C'mon, let's go!"

You turn to Sheena, but she's already standing with her arm looped through Iwaizumi's. The couple head for the door, but Oikawa doesn't move, still waiting for you to get up.

It's hard to move when everyone is watching, murmurs floating around with new gossip about who the girl with Oikawa is. You eventually get up, making sure to keep your eyes on the floor as you follow a wobbling Oikawa down the stairs, out the front doors, and through a grassy area with wooden picnic tables, trees, and shade.

Even the students outside, who were once engaging with each other, stop their conversations to watch the ace and captain walk through the grass with two girls that they've never seen before. You spare a quick glance up, and instantly regret it when you find all of their eyes on you.

"You'll get used to it," Oikawa grunts as he slides the two trays onto one of the wooden picnic tables. "Iwa-chan and I always come out here to talk and eat, but we felt like we were missing something."

"Not just something, but two special people," Iwaizumi tugs on Sheena's hand, making her sit next to him on the bench across from you. "Just thought this afternoon would be better with our girlfriends."

Sheena's eyes go wide, and her cheeks glow a bright pink. "Oh," she starts giggling awkwardly, trying hard to ignore everyone's stare. "How kind of you."

"I thought we were private." You watch Oikawa take a seat, and when he pats on the bench, asking you to join him, you only cross your arms over your chest and wait for an answer.

Oikawa fights the urge to pull you onto his lap and forcing you to sit. "Baby," he says, then bites his tongue when you warn him with a look. Some students even wonder if they heard him properly. "I mean, Y/n," he corrects himself and lowers his voice, "It's only a matter of time before everyone knows that you're my girlfriend, you know?"

Not knowing what to say, you avert your eyes to the students sitting at the other tables. When they sense your annoyance, they turn back to their friends and pick up where they left off in their conversations.

With a grumpy look that makes Oikawa laugh, you take the spot next to him on the bench, being careful to leave a respectful amount of space between yourselves. "Fine," you mumble as you slide your tray closer. "Just try not to rub it into everyone's face, okay?"

"Okay!" Oikawa says too excitedly for your liking. He closes the distance, scooching across the bench quickly and landing a kiss on your cheek. "Finally, I've been waiting for this day."

"I just said not to rub it into everyone's face, and here you are kissing my cheek in front of everyone."

"It's just a peck." Sheena shyly defends Oikawa.

"Yeah," Iwaizumi joins in, "I think you're overreacting."

"Thank you!" Oikawa says to the couple before grabbing your spoon. He scoops a piece of tofu and holds it in front of your mouth. "Now, open up! Let me feed you!"

"Okay, now that's too far, and kinda weird," Iwaizumi reaches out and lowers Oikawa's arm.

"Thank you!" You mock your boyfriend, and he sticks his tongue out before feeding himself. "So, you guys always come out here?"

All of the boring conversations and debates that Iwaizumi has had with Oikawa β€” mostly being about you β€” at this table begin to resurface, almost like painful memories. But, something about this day feels different from the rest. Iwaizumi actually feels comfortable sitting at this table, now that you and Sheena are here to save him from Oikawa's shenanigans. "Yup."

"It's nice here," Sheena says, glancing up just in time to watch the tree branches rustle in the wind. "We should start coming out here more often." The breeze brushes through her hair, and it's enough to send Iwaizumi's heart jumping into his throat. He gulps.

"We actually need help from the both of you," Oikawa leans forward on the table and interlaces his fingers. "I'm pretty sure you guys know already that we have a game against Karasuno coming up in a couple of days."

"Yeah, that's all that everyone has been talking about." You respond before snatching your spoon back.

Iwaizumi reaches around Sheena and rests his hand lazily on her hip. When he squeezes her, she moves closer to his side. "There's a new stupid rule that's been established," he clears his throat, "Teams without at least one team manager are not allowed to compete in the Miyagi Spring Qualifier Semifinals. It's dumb, considering that we've been fine without one until now."

"Oh, that's weird." Sheena picks at her now cold tofu. "Did you open the manager position already? I'd be happy to apply."

"Well, Iwa-chan and I have been thinking that you two could be our managers?" Oikawa asks, and you reply with a dropped jaw. "I mean, if you don't want to I completely understand. It's pretty last minute and it's a big responsibility, and I know it's out of your comfort zone, butβ€”"

"No," you stop him from rambling. "I'd be happy to be one of your team managers."

"Me too! I'd love to support our volleyboys!" Sheena beams without hesitation.

"Hm, volleyboys," you repeat. "It has a nice ring to it."

"I know right? This seems like a dream come true." Sheena doesn't notice the moment Iwaizumi steals a piece of her tofu. "I'm getting excited just thinking about it!"

"And, I did promise you that I'd support you and your dreams til the end, remember?" You watch Oikawa's expression soften, and if it weren't for the other students sitting around, he would pull you in and suffocate you with kisses. "Oikawa?"

When he finds himself lost in his thoughts, he closes his eyes and shakes his head. "Yeah, um," but his happiness overrides his system. The worries that were once crowding his mind slowly disappear, now replaced with new hope and love.

"Of course I remember," Oikawa grins before leaning in and pecking your cheek once more. "Thank you."


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