chapter nineteen: BLUEBERRY PARFAIT

The second day of preparations had started. Miruka was flying through this entire day with ease and a cheerful attitude.

The signs were all up and most of the advertisements had been completed. Kenma followed Miruka around and helped her with any odd jobs, reluctantly conversing with others because of Miruka's persuasion.

Yesterday, the Nekoma Volleyball Team had made it a team objective to get to know Miruka better and find out more about her previous life before Tokyo.

Surprisingly, it was tough. Most of her responses were normal and held little to no detail. All they got from today after countless attempts was that she lived with her brother and his wife, liked animals and the fact that they were all being annoying.

"Are you sure you want to keep up with this?" questioned Yaku, raising an eyebrow. "Whenever we ask her anything she never continues the conversation after that which makes it awkward and leaves us with a general answer."

"Nope!" exclaimed Kuroo, shaking his head. The bento box on his lap moved with every jerk of his head. "We've gotta know what's in the peach head's brain. Don't you think it's even a little suspicious that she never says anything?"

"We know about her past middle school," prompted Lev, counting one finger on his hand. "That her favourite drink is milk and she had two friends she liked a lot in middle school!"

"There's not much and — " Kuroo continued, before getting interrupted by the loud ringing noise.

That's one step I guess . . . Kenma thought, the school bell blasting through the area again.

Everyone parted ways back to the preparation of the festival. The atmosphere was lively and students roamed the grounds holding materials and supplies. Kenma caught the eye of Miruka who was hauling posters and sticking them up.

"Kozume Kenma!" she shouted, calling for him abruptly and gathering a little bit of attention. "Come here, I've a job we need to do,"

He walked to her slowly, sighing to himself. Being friends with a Miruka was always filled with fun interactions, but her extroverted nature was always a barrier that felt difficult to cross.

People probably thought he looked silly.

Kenma pushed the lingering thought to the side.

"After school, we need to help choose the cats that are compatible with our needs," she began immediately, giving half of the insane amount of posters into his hand. He dropped a little from the weight and wondered how strong was she exactly.

"So are you free? It'll only be a few hours and it would be a real help,"

Her voice was pleading and he did not have the power to refuse a person like her. One, she had always been persuasive and two — he would never admit this, even in his thoughts — she was just too damn cute that he lost all ability of saying no.

Before he could stop himself, she was already dancing with happiness. "Thank you so much Kenma! I'll see you after practice then."

He sighed again and watched her run off to stick up more posters. She grinned at more people she passed and set off. The more she kept talking to another person, the more he wanted to be in their place.

Miruka glanced at him watching and waved wildly at him, hollering a loud 'hello'. Quickly, she continued chatting excitedly, placing her hand on their shoulder and pulling them into a hug.

Kenma felt tired.

She's fine with other people — better even.

Pity. That's probably why she hangs out with you. It's all because she felt sorry that you never had the ability to speak with other people and she probably thinks you're a pathetic piece of —

"Hey, Kenma. Stop staring at her. Take a picture," muttered Kuroo, gazing at his best friend. He hadn't moved from his seat the whole time. "Snap out of it. She doesn't think you're weird. Milk-sama likes you."

Kenma whirled around to face him, eyes widened slightly. He felt so exposed, the captain figuring out what he was thinking so accurately it pissed him off.

The knowing smirk he had plastered on added to that.

Kuroo ruffled the second year's head. "Don't worry. You're going to be okay."

Okay. Okay. Okay.

Maybe.

But that's a start.

That's one step.

• • •

And one hundred steps back.

"We're almost there, Kenma-kun," she said happily, entering more streets as she held a map in her hand with pursed lips. "Just a few more turns and we'll be there. I think."

Miruka shifted her sunglasses off her face, the sunlight hitting her directly. The girl had packed herself some clothes so she got changed before leaving school, while she just asked the setter to wear his training gear and he'd be fine. Kenma just went along with it as they left early, Miruka practically jumping up and down in excitement.

They had taken the train, the journey easy and smooth, the calm mood ending once they got at their stop. Miruka had pulled out an insane map covered in red marker, coffee cup stains and random notes scribbled in like 'Best Cakes — Show To Akira' or 'Vegan Restaurant — Awesome Burgers' with arrows pointing at streets, connecting the lettering.

Kenma wanted to groan out loud from the heat, even if he was wearing a light white t-shirt. Miruka was wearing the same thing coincidentally, but with light denim jeans instead of shorts like himself. This summer was way too hot, in his opinion. In hers, it felt like she could just laze the day away if she could.

"Kenma-kun, Kenma-kun," Miruka gasped, grabbing his arm and squeezing it, dragging him quickly. "This is it, this is the shelter! The girl's brown eyes lightened up at the pastel blue building, the large white print above the entrance clear and easy to the eyes. A sense of relief washed over her and they both went inside, the cool air conditioning hitting their bare skin.

Was this what true peace felt like? questioned Miruka to herself, the artificial breeze making her close her eyes in happiness. She shook her head and walked up to the receptionist, who looked quite happy to see her.

"Asano-chan, welcome back," he greeted, sending her a polite smile that she mirrored easily. "Kagerou-san stopped by and wanted me to tell you that you owe him from the bet,"

Miruka quirked up an eyebrow. "Which bet exactly?"

"Something about a basketball team losing?" the man said, snorting afterwards. "He was looking pretty smug about it."

Kenma watched the girl beside him drag the palm of her hand down her face, her eyes both dead inside and deadly. She nodded solemnly, whispered 'goodbye, limited edition coupons' and resumed talking. The receptionist pointed in the direction and called for an announcement.

He smiled. "Just take a left and you'll see Satoshi-sensei. She's got everything covered." Miruka nodded and they turned to the hallway, stopping at the door where the woman's name was engraved into. Kenma stepped behind Miruka timidly, eyeing her as she knocked on the door.

It burst open, a young girl stumbling forward into Miruka, her hands grabbing her shoulders for support. She blubbered and fumbled a bit, helping the girl stand up straight. The girl bowed and chirped a high pitched 'sorry'.

Kenma watched Miruka's eyes widen as she looked at the girl's undeniably pretty and delicate-looking face. The girl grinned sheepishly, still touching Miruka's shoulders as they both blushed furiously.

"Oh, Asano-san, it seems you've met my daughter," greeted a low voice that was an uncanny resemblance to the girl's — just at a different pitch. "This is Emi, my pride and joy. And this is?"

The woman gestured to Kenma and he blanched before mumbling his full name. Satoshi nodded seeming satisfied. "I am Satoshi Makoto, Kozume-san. I hope we can find a good cat that's compatible with you!"

Miruka nodded absentmindedly and continued sneaking glances at Emi, who was back inside the room. Her long blondish-brown hair hid her grinning face when Kenma noticed a calico cat approaching her.

He was admittedly envious of Emi and how Miruka looked at her.

But he would definitely not say out loud.

Miruka and Satoshi chatted, eventually leading themselves inside, the gamer following in suit. His eyes bulged at the sight before him.

At least twenty cats littered the room, pouncing on fake mouse toys, sleeping, playing with each other and just moving around aimlessly. Miruka clutched his arm excitedly, twisting hers around it. He felt his cheeks heating up and turned his attention back to the cats.

Oh. Them.

Kenma internally groaned at the fact he had to handle them. He didn't hate animals per se, but it just felt awkward and odd not knowing how they were feeling. It felt better watching them through glass or on the screen of his gaming consoles.

In the blink of an eye, Miruka was already playing with a few. She beckoned him over then paused when she saw his face.

"You okay?" she questioned, the corners of her mouth quirking upwards. She bit her lip and her shoulders shook, holding it her giggling terribly. "'Cause that's some face you're making,"

"Whatever . . . "

An odd twisted grimace settled on to Kenma's features while he was approached by three cats, growing when it saw one with black fur and lazy eyes. It pounced on his lap and mewled happily, placing its head under Kenma's palm.

Satoshi huffed and squinted at the feline. "That one's a slippery thing," the woman grumbled. "Always escaping and climbing up ridiculous things. We've had to bring him down from a roof too many times to count."

Miruka blinked and muttered something to herself. She moved over to Kenma and cupped her hand around her mouth to his ear.

"He's like Kuroo, Kenma-kun," the girl whispered, grinning sheepishly as Kenma watched blankly. "The resemblance is uncanny!"

He shifted his attention to the cat then to Miruka, making the unbelievable connection in his head. It actually does remind me of Kuro.

"And that calico kitten over there is like you, all curled up in a ball with that mouse toy." Miruka pointed at the said cat and Kenma pulled a face once more.

There was no way he was like that cat in anyway.

No way in hell.

Miruka shuffled towards it and put out her fingers for it to sniff; it was a cautious thing that was so hesitant he was sure it wouldn't move. But it did. It rubbed against her and purred approvingly, Miruka's eyes glowing with pride.

It suited her, in Kenma's eyes, being around all these animals. Even with them she was popular.

Oddly, he was the one surrounded by the most amount and it was a very uncomfortable yet interesting situation. Miruka slipped out her phone and took some pictures of the cats (occasionally Kenma because his faces were just too good) and chatted with the vet.

Later they left the room and discussed, Miruka doing most of the talking while Kenma took notes, which cats were coming to the festival.

"Are you sure you want to take that black cat?" Satoshi asked. "Tomoe is a restless rascal! I know you can handle him but really? Him?"

The peach-haired girl nodded. "Absolutely; I think he would be essential to the festival. And I'll include more flyers on the stray adoption as well,"

"Fine — "

"Thank you, Satoshi-sensei for doing business with us!" Miruka stood up abruptly and shook her hand, taking Kenma's in her other. "It's been a pleasure!"

"Alright, Asano-san," she sighed, smiling tiredly. "And to you, Kozume-san."

The girl beside him waved and bolted outside, weaving through the hallway, squeaking a quick goodbye to the receptionist. Kenma rushed with her, completely out of sync with her mood.

"We did it, Kenma-kun," she said wobbly, looking teary-eyes in shock. "I think I'm going to fly ~ !"

"Don't do that, please."

"I won't actually but wow I did not expect any of this to succeed," she gasped, pulling Kenma to her closer by his arms. "Gosh I'm so happy I could practically kiss you right now and do you even realise how amazing everything is and I love those cats, I love you, I love absolutely everything right now!"

Kenma faltered. He froze. Then he went red.

Kiss. Kiss. I love you?

Nope, she definitely did not just say that.

Miruka kept staring at him happily till the words she pretty much screamed at him processed through her head. She felt like she could faint out of embarrassment.

"Wait, no!" Miruka yelped. "That was — I mean sure it wouldn't be that bad to kiss you — nope, nope nope! I meant that I would't kiss you but you're totally kissable and I love you as a friend! A friend! But you're totally cute and people would definitely have feelings for you — "

She said that!

Miruka waved her hands around, eventually landing them on her pink face. 

I cannot believe I said that!

The setter and manager scratched the back of their heads awkwardly, finding each others eyes. The peach-haired girl blinked once, then twice. A sudden laugh erupted from Miruka's throat, getting louder and louder as she clutched her abdomen. Kenma stared and felt a smile growing on his lips, chuckling softly and holding up a fist to his mouth to hide it.

Miruka glanced up at him and bit her lip, watching him showing so much happiness in this amazing moment. She stared at the crinkles in his eyes, his set of straight teeth and the glint the blonde in his hair in the sun.

He looks so beautiful like that.

The thought startled her a bit when they stopped laughing. She let it sink in and put it away for the moment, realising that she had some sort of cards in her pocket. The girl pulled it out and saw two coupons for a free dessert she owed Kagerou. Kenma was facing away from her and fidgeting, so she couldn't see what he looked like. A lightbulb switched on in her mind.

"Say, Kenma-kun," Miruka exclaimed, making him turn to her. "How about we go and get something to eat? The blueberry parfaits there are to kill and die for," She waved the coupons in the air and he furrowed his eyebrows.

He let his arms fall to his sides and peered at the yellow cards. "Don't you owe that guy those cards?" he whispered to her, barely audible.

"Well, if I don't have them I can't give it to him. Right?"

Her smile lit up his vision and for once in his life, he decided to take a chance. Kenma took one step to her and set his hand on hers, all of his courage pouring into the small gesture. Miruka noticed the shakiness in his breathing and the way his eyes were opened so wide she could see golden flecks inside.

Quietly, she curled his fingers around his again. The wrappings that covered them from his setting tickled her palm.

"Y-Yeah."

• • •

. . . um . . .

how do I say this? how do I begin? how can I do this without sounding terrible and awkward and pathetic? well, let's start it simply.

hi.

(That took me ages to think of, no joke. Seriously.)

it has been an AGE since i updated and i finally got the motivation to write. i feel like a new person. i feel happier for once in my life. i feel okay.

i feel whole.

i think that my motivation to actually do stuff has resurfaced and i feel so much better. i'm sorry i haven't updated and honestly, i just don't want to think about that. i know that it's been so horribly long but is it bad that i feel so good that i finally put this head to work? 

although, this a/n isn't about me this time.

it's about all of you guys.

we've reached fourteen thousand reads, over one thousand votes and on top of all of that, i've won first place in the kenma category of the haikyuu! watty awards.

i cannot believe this.

i am actually crying right now after checking these numbers. all because of your support, new and old readers, i've been able to keep these chapters going. i want to thank you all from the bottom of my heart.

so, in the next chapter, i will be announcing a special surprise that will involve all of you which i hope will be a success! so, i end this note on a, well, light note.

thank you, and i hope that you have an amazing [insert appropriate time here]!

you're all wonders. just pure wonders.

— michaela