CHAPTER 14: The Real Feelings

Oikawa sighed and sat up. He was on his bed, trying to sleep but he couldn't. The room was dark but his undrawn curtains let some light from the moon to shine his room even if it's only for a bit. He looked at the clock. It was 2 in the morning.

He got up and changed to a white t-shirt and black track pants and left his house, not forgetting to grab his Aoba Jousai jacket. The night breeze was cool and there were hardly any people on the street. He had his earphones on and his phone tucked into his pants' pocket. His strides were slow and leisure and he stared at the sky as he walked.

Finally, he arrived at the bridge; the special route Sorano uses every time she leaves work. As told, the stars were abundant on the night sky, twinkling and sparkling. It felt so therapeutic. The full moon shone as brightly, slightly covered by some clouds. Oikawa smiled, resting his arms against the railing, admiring the beautiful view. The wind blew softly.

'Oikawa-san?'

He turned to look. 'Sorano-chan, good work for today.' Oikawa said, smiling. Sorano smiled back and jogged to him. She was wearing a white sportswear jacket over a black t-shirt.

'Stargazing?' she asked.

Oikawa nodded, pulling out his earphones. 'I couldn't sleep and I thought of this place.'

'We haven't come here together for a while,' said Sorano, looking up. 'This is an opportunity.'

'How was work?' he queried, not averting his gaze away from the sky.

'As usual, not too hectic but still busy,' Sorano replied. She looked at the guy from the corner of her eyes. 'Are you usually up at this hour?'

'Kind of,' said Oikawa. 'I don't sleep easily unless I'm too tired.'

'We're probably the same. My sleeping schedule is all messed up and I couldn't get myself accustomed to sleeping earlier than midnight.'

'Sucks to be us, while everyone else gets to enjoy a good sleep.' Oikawa smiled sadly at her.

'I say,' Sorano turned to him. 'I'm kind of glad now that I don't sleep at this hour. I get to enjoy this view with you.'

Oikawa fell silent and felt his face heat up. He didn't quite understand why he would feel embarrassed by that statement but he thought he blushed so he looked away. They both didn't say anything for a long moment then Sorano suddenly sighed.

'Kise received an acting offer letter.' She spoke.

Oikawa gaped. 'Oh? Isn't that a good thing?'

'It is,' said Sorano, looking at the river below them. The water reflected the moonlight. 'But that'd mean the end of my managing him.'

He turned. 'Why so?'

The wind began blowing strongly. Oikawa glanced at the sky and saw lightning far across the bridge. It was about to rain but Sorano seemed not to notice. She obviously did not like the idea of Kise acting.

Sorano's gaze was full of sorrow and worry. 'Kise wouldn't be a freelancer so his schedule would be fixed for as long as the shooting goes. I have classes to attend and the shooting locations would differ once a while, I can't always be there for him. I also have my job at the pub...' she trailed off and Oikawa saw her eyes became watery.

'You can always say no, Sorano-chan.' he assured her.

'But then I'd be interfering with his career and minimizing his potential,' she shook her head. 'I'd be a selfish person.'

'You can say no and admit how you feel about it, but it'll be totally up to him to accept or reject the offer. What's important is that you tell him the truth,' Oikawa turned around and leaned his back against the railing. 'He must be having mixed feelings about it without knowing what you truly feel. You've been by his side for so long. It's only fair to tell him.'

Sorano stared at the brown-haired lad.

'Ah...' Oikawa held out his hand and felt a droplet of water on his palm. 'It's going to rain.'

Another droplet fell on Oikawa's head and he winced. 'We should go.' He said.

Sorano didn't budge. The rain became heavier and Oikawa grabbed Sorano's arm. Together, they ran searching for cover. Oikawa saw a convenience store that had an awning by its side so he led Sorano there to shield from the rain.

'We'll wait until it slows down.' He ruffled his wet hair, attempting to dry it.

Sorano wiped her face with the back of her palm and kept her fists in her jacket's pockets, shivering from the cold. 'You're right, Oikawa-san.' She said abruptly.

Oikawa turned to her.

'I'm going to tell him.' Sorano decided and was about to step into the rain when Oikawa pulled her arm. She halted.

'Now?' he asked.

'Yes.'

Oikawa glanced at his wristwatch. 'It's past 3am!'

Sorano shook her head. 'He's not asleep don't worry.'

'How would you know?'

Sorano thought for a moment, squinting her eyes. 'Perhaps this is what I call a manager's instinct.'

Oikawa frowned and knew she wouldn't listen. 'Okay, wait here.' He said and ran into the store. Sorano stood still as she was told. A minute later, Oikawa came out with an umbrella.

Sorano raised an eyebrow. 'Just one?'

'Sorry,' Oikawa chuckled nervously. 'I could only afford one.'

She laughed then shrugged. 'Let's just go.'

-

Oikawa sneezed. His hand that was holding the umbrella felt frozen. It was cold and the rain only got heavier as each minute passes. The umbrella wasn't too useful as it rained sideways. Some of the paths they took were slightly flooded too. Their footwear was completely drenched. Lucky for Oikawa he was only wearing a slipper.

Sorano pressed the doorbell again then turned to Oikawa. 'Sorry.' She said.

'Why?' Oikawa was surprised by the sudden apology.

'I dragged you here while it's raining like crazy and now you're drenched and cold.' She replied.

Oikawa laughed slightly. 'That's okay, this is far more entertaining,' He looked at the window on the second floor that still had the light on. 'You're right. It seems that he's still awake.'

The front door was opened and there stood Kise who was wearing a grey cotton night robe. He squinted his eyes to see in the rain and recognized his manager almost immediately. The automated gate was opened from inside of the house. Sorano and Oikawa entered.

Oikawa closed the umbrella and placed it inside the umbrella holder just by the front door. Sorano had entered first but she stopped right by the door because she was dripping with rainwater. Oikawa stood beside her while Kise went to fetch towels.

The blonde returned with two fresh white towels and handed it to them. Sorano wiped her face and body then draped the towel on her head. Oikawa dried his hair and placed it around his nape.

'So sorry for barging in at this hour, Kise,' began Sorano. 'But I need to tell you something.'

Kise shook his head. 'I know that can wait. Have a seat first, you two. Don't mind the sofa. It's leather.' He said and gestured at his sofa in his spacious living hall.

Sorano pursed her lips into a thin line and inhaled sharply before sitting down followed by Oikawa. She gave Oikawa a meaningful gaze and Oikawa nodded, understanding what she meant.

Can I really say it?

Kise came back two minutes later with two cups of hot cocoa. He put it in front of the two, on the coffee table. 'Drink that, warm yourself and then you can tell me.' he said.

Sorano and Oikawa reached for the cups. They drank all of it in one go and Oikawa leaned against the sofa, sighing in relief.

Sorano placed the cup back on its saucer.

'So?' Kise raised an eyebrow. 'What's bothering you, Sora-cchi? This is such a weird occasion to have you in my house at 4 in the morning.'

'Why weren't you sleeping? You have a shoot tomorrow, don't you?' Sorano queried.

'Had some stuffs to take care of,' Kise shrugged. 'I could say the same to you.'

Sorano went silent. Oikawa nudged her arm.

'Um... okay, uh...' Sorano started. 'I don't want you to go, Kise.'

'Go where?' Kise frowned.

'The acting job offer,' she looked into his eyes. 'Honestly, I'll miss working with you and you know I can't follow you if you accept it. I have my classes and my job. Though, if you really want it, you should take it. I just want to let you know that I'm reluctant to give you away.'

Kise fell quiet for a moment and then laughed loudly. 'Sora-cchi!' he exclaimed. 'Is this why you come here?'

He continued laughing. Sorano glanced at Oikawa and Oikawa shrugged.

'This is a new side of you I'm seeing,' Kise smiled then said in a small voice, 'I thought you didn't want to get involved.'

'Of course I do!' Sorano chided. 'You're basically my pet cat! Prawn! Yellow prawn! I'm actually worried thinking how you will survive without me as your manager.'

Kise folded his arms across his chest. 'I sure can.'

'How many years did you go without a manager because you fired every single one?' Sorano copied his action.

'That was because they were too strict and uninteresting!'

'Where can you find someone like me?' Sorano smirked.

Kise looked away, embarrassed. 'Nowhere...'

Sorano laughed softly. 'Anyway, yeah, I wanted to let you know how I feel about the offer.'

Kise smiled painfully. 'I still have time to decide.'

'Is it a movie or a drama?' Oikawa spoke.

'An action movie.' Kise replied.

Sorano sneezed out of the blue and Kise jumped in his seat, surprised. Oikawa laughed.

'Sora-cchi, aren't you prone to flu?' Kise peered out of the large window to see if the rain had stopped. 'It's still pouring out there. You mustn't go home yet.'

Oikawa looked as well and agreed with Kise. It was pouring more heavily than when they arrived. It'd be impossible for them to go out and home; that could lead to hypothermia. But Sorano wasn't convinced.

She looked out the window anxiously. 'I might not make it in time for tomorrow's schedule.' She said.

Oikawa put a hand on her shoulder. 'Relax, Sorano-chan. A schedule can go haywire but that's life. It doesn't have to be perfect.' He retorted.

Sorano stared at him. 'I've never messed my schedule before.' She said quietly.

'I have extra rooms where you guys can stay for the night.' Kise interjected and stood, taking their cups and saucers to the kitchen.

He gestured to the room further ahead of the living hall. 'This room can be Sora-cchi's. Then the room upstairs would be for Tooru-cchi. Will that make you feel safe?' Kise grinned.

Sorano chuckled then headed into her room.

-

Reina cut off the call and sighed. She was on her bed, stomach down. She just had a phone call with her lover, Himuro Tatsuya who promised to come back to her in a week or so. She still couldn't believe she was diagnosed with a heart muscle disease. She was told that she couldn't do heavy jobs and to take care of her health.

A knock came on the door. It was her brother, Furihata Kouki. 'Breakfast is ready!' he called out from the outside.

'Coming!' Reina replied and got out of her bed. Her parents were already downstairs seated on the dining table, waiting for her.

'How are you feeling, Reina?' her mom smiled.

'Good.' Reina answered and sat down across her mother.

'Let's eat.' Kouki said and they began eating at once.

Reina thought while she ate. She thought about how easy life could crumble in a single minute. One day she was very healthy and the next second she suddenly succumbed into a disease. She decided that every minute is precious, good or bad. She knew she could leave the world any second from then but she tried to be optimistic and assure herself that it would all be good.

-

'Welcome back, Akayuki!' Izumi greeted with the same grin she always wore whenever Sorano enters the pub.

'Not glad at all to be back, Izumi.' Sorano replied and headed to the changing room. Oikawa entered the pub as well.

'Oh? You're here as well!' Izumi waved her hand. Oikawa waved back and sat by the counter. 'So, how's it going with Akayuki?' Izumi leaned closer to the brown-haired lad.

Oikawa hummed. 'I'm not sure what you mean by "how's it going" but we're practically good friends. How's it going what?' he questioned back.

Izumi smiled slyly. Iwaizumi Hajime appeared from the kitchen and saw Oikawa. 'What are you doing here? Where's Akayuki?' he queried.

'Changing room.' Oikawa replied.

Iwaizumi glanced at Izumi and she gave him a wink, indicating that it was all going according to their plan. Oikawa noticed it but kept quiet.

'How did it go with teaching Akayuki volleyball?' Iwaizumi turned to Oikawa.

'She just got the gist of the basic, nothing complicated yet.' Oikawa answered.

'When your brother comes back, where are you going to teach her?'

'I'll ask for his permission and then maybe teach Takeru as well.'

'That boy,' Iwaizumi tried to remember Oikawa's nephew. 'It's been so long since I've seen him.'

'Ah, he'll be back next week,' said Oikawa, smiling. 'And maybe we'll be having a small celebration. You're pre-invited.'

Iwaizumi chuckled. 'Sure, why don't you ask Akayuki along?'

'Why would I do that?' Oikawa queried.

'I don't know, for fun, maybe?' Iwaizumi shrugged then left before the brunette could reply.

'Iwa-chan's been a bit weird lately.' Oikawa muttered to himself but Izumi heard it.

'Don't worry, he'll be fine soon.' She smiled.

'Who will?' Sorano queried, appearing behind Oikawa. They turned to her.

At the same time, the door was opened from the outside and Reina entered.

'Reina!!!!' both Sorano and Izumi yelled in surprise.

The said girl grinned and waved her hand, taking a seat beside Oikawa. 'Hi there.' Reina greeted her two friends.

'How are you feeling?' Izumi touched her hand gently.

'Fine, just a little lethargic,' said Reina. 'How are you guys doing?'

'As usual, not too busy but not too free either.' Izumi replied.

Reina laughed softly. 'I miss working here.'

Sorano placed a hand on her shoulder. 'You can always come and see us.'

Izumi glanced around the place and decided that no customers needed their service at the moment so she went into the kitchen to call Iwaizumi. They then had a long conversation as the night unfolds.

-

Kiyoko folded the letter she got in the mailbox in the morning. She had read it for almost 9 times since opening it, thinking hard. Gazing out of the window at the dark sky, she exhaled sharply. 

'Acting, huh?' 

-

A/N: I thought I wrote a lot but when I scrolled, it seemed little hahahha I made a silent promise to update this in a week time but missed the deadline ihatemyself.

Thank you for reading and I'll always appreciate comments!

Team Oikawa? Team Kise?

Until then, by my leave....