"oikawa, jesus christ," makki says as he scoots over to me during our in-between class break, "you have got to stop staring. it's creepy. you're creeping me out, and i'm not the one you're staring at." a prominent blush creeps up from my neck to my cheeks, and i try to hide my face from him, doing so by burying it in my crossed arms, lying over my desk.

"makki, shut up," i grumble, kicking him under the table, "he's pretty, okay? like, really pretty."

"yeah. a pretty princess," he says sarcastically, and i groan loudly, before i'm tapped on the shoulder. ready to launch myself at makki, i look up, only to find iwaizumi looking down at me.

"uh... hi?" i try, trying to fix my composure. he holds up a note, and i take it gratefully.

'do you know where the nearest vending machine is?'

i glance up at makki, he nods sternly, and i know it's my chance to get some 'alone time' with him. well, whatever that may be in crowded school halls.

i quickly scribble down 'i'll take you' and he looks at me as i stand up, bowing quickly to show his gratitude. i smile before leading the way. he catches up, and i find myself trying to talk to him.

except he can't hear me.

i glance over, and he has his eyes on me for a split second before they wonder off again, taking everything in. i wonder if he has amazing vision or something; something to make up for the lack of sound. i wonder what the silence is like. i wonder if he can hear his blood flow through him, if he can hear anything but silence, or if he's incapable of even that.

i show him the nearest vending machine, and present it by waving my arm at it, smiling brightly. he lets out some sort of a chuckle — it sounds a little butchered, but absolutely adorable — and quickly inserts two coins, receiving a bottle of pocari sweat in return. he grabs it, glancing at it and oh my god he's so fucking adorable and then, for some reason, holds it up to me, his eyes expectant.

i look at him, my own eyes wide, because holy fuck, he just showed emotions with his eyes only. i've always been good at reading people, but never through eyes. i always considered it to be fake, because eyes don't change. pupils do, but they don't 'harden' or 'soften', it's the muscles around them contracting and relaxing; frowning or smiling. but here he is, his eyes telling me to have what he just bought.

"oh, no thank you," i say, holding up my hands slightly, "it's okay." he persistently holds it up, closer to me, and won't give in until i've taken three generous sips and he's bought another bottle quickly.

"thank you," i say, and he seems to understand, because he shakes his head and points at me as if to say 'no, thank you'. i chuckle nervously, flustered by the situation, my fingers clawing slightly at my neck — a stupid nervous habit of mine. "we should go back." to make things clear, i point over my shoulder in the direction of the classroom, and he nods firmly, following me once again. the bottle of pocari sweat sits firmly in my hand, reminding me of what a strange boy he is.

—

"oikawa-kun," the teacher says as class ends, "would you mind stepping outside with me for a moment?" most students are getting out some subject they can work on for a few extra minutes after class, so i nod and stand up, walking after him to the hallway. he slides the door closed, turning to me, and even though for a split second i thought he was mad, he has a kind smile on his face.

"i placed iwaizumi-kun next to you for a reason," he explains, "i want him to have a nice time in this class, and since you're a very social person, i thought it'd be easiest for him to make friends around you. so, if you don't mind, would you be able to keep an eye on him?"

i stare at him, blinking thrice before cocking my head to the side, "are you sure, sensei? with club practice and all..."

"i heard he's quite a fan of volleyball himself," he winks, "his father went to nationals. but, of course, it's hard to play when you're deaf. so he hasn't ever joined an official team." he clears his throat, looking up at me. "anyway, oikawa-kun, will you?"

"well, he's a nice guy, so i guess i don't mind," i say, a small blush dusting my cheeks as i glance away and oh god sensei please don't notice my crush.

"ah, thank you! i knew i could count on you," he grins broadly, "you should invite him to practice sometime. it'd do him good to be around some people."

"yes, sensei."