≪ Chapter 19 ≫

No One's POV

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 The sound of school shoes clashing with the tiles of the hallways echoed throughout, as a sweaty Hikari burst into her classroom with papers in hand.

The said female marched up to the front and waved her hand in the air as she opened her mouth to speak.

"Can I have your attention please?" she questioned, earning some curious looks. "Yeah, thanks. Uh, I just came back from the student council room to pick up the forms our class hasn't filled out for the upcoming culture festival. As some probably know, it's already October, and we haven't prepared for it. I know there are some classes that haven't started as well, but most already have and we're really late in doing so, which is why I'm here today to ask you guys what you want our class to do for it."

The class fell silent; they then turned to the door, where Hamako-sensei entered, greeting the students with an "Ohayo gozaimasu."

Everyone rose to say their proper greetings before bowing and taking their seats once more, all attention to the two in front.

"As your classmate Hikari-san has mentioned, our particular class has experienced a small delay regarding the annual Karasuno High culture festival. But worry not, we're not too late to the point of the disqualification of participation in the festival itself. We're going to take this homeroom and half of first period to discuss this matter. Hikari-san, go ahead," Hamako-sensei smiled, gesturing for the young brunette to take it away.

The glasses-wearing third-year nodded, clearing her throat. "Hai, arigato gozaimasu, sensei. If I may, can everyone think of some ideas and send it to me later? Drop by the classroom during breaks or lunch if you think of anything. We'll vote tomorrow."

"Sounds like a plan. Thank you, Hikari-san, you can now sit down," Hamako-sensei smiled.

"Arigato gozaimasu," 

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The sound of the wall clock was not at all irritating, to someone who had heard it too often to get irked. 

The classroom had been, to Hikari's expectations, was empty. After all, she knew that no one really wanted to stay inside after dismissal. It was alright to her, though.

She, though she had been tired and wanted to go home like the rest of her classmates, was sitting at her desk, still doing her tasks for the upcoming school events.

Had she not volunteered for the task to deal with this, she could have been at home, resting, perhaps watching anime, reading manga, or even-

"Just forgot my pencil case."

That voice interrupted her thoughts quite quickly. (Faster than it should've.)

"Oh, it's just you. I thought it was actually someone significant," the brunette sighed, continuing her work.

Sugawara stopped in his tracks and turned. "Excuse me?"

Hikari looked up. "Oh no, don't mind me. Just finishing culture fest stuff. Carry on with your dawdling."

"Dawdling?"

"Ah. Um, sorry, wrong word. Forget it- I can't think right now," she chuckled nervously, mentally slapping herself.

"Riiiiight. Well, um, see you tomorrow then," the silver-head waved, "oh and one more thing?"

"Yeah?"

"I just uh, wanted you to know, get home safely or something. I mean, you don't have to. I wouldn't really care if you gotrobbed. Wait, that sounded- I mean, just- whatever, sorry. Get home safely."

"Oh, um, sure. You too. Jaa," she waved awkwardly, focusing back on her work.

As soon as the classroom door closed, Sugawara punched himself in the gut. One, for being an idiot, and second, for blushing the whole time he spoke.

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"It's late. What are you doing here?"

"Caring, Kei. Half. I didn't wanna walk home alone," Hikari explained sheepishly to the blonde, who was packing up his bag.

"That's new. You came to the club room. Suspicious. Usually you'd be all over trying to avoid this place," Tsukishima noticed, trying to sound like he didn't care.

"Oh, so you notice things?" Hikari smirked, folding her arms as the trio headed down the stone steps.

"Tsukki's been acting differently all day, Ayu-chan! It's hilarious. Spacing off, having random blushing moments. I'm telling you, you should've seen it!" Yamaguchi laughed.

The blonde glared at the freckled male. "Yamaguchi, urusai."

"Gomen, Tsukki!" The seaweed green-haired teen grinned, earning a laugh from the oldest of the three.

"Kei, something on your mind?" Hikari chuckled, tucking some mousse strands between her ear.

With a subtle hint of pink dusting his cheeks, Tsukishima turned away grumpily. "Shut up. None of your business."

"Translation: something's got you. Be honest," Hikari told him. 

"I said, it's nothing, Ayu...chan,"

"You paused."

"No I did not."

"Did, too."

"Did not!"

"Yamete kudasai!" Yamaguchi yelled.

"Kei won't spill the beans!" Hikari rolled her eyes.

"I don't have any beans to spill!"

"You do!"

"No, I do not!"

"Fine!" the brunette breathed, irritated.

It was silent for a little, until Tsukishima sighed and spoke up.

"I really... don't. Besides, if I did, it wouldn't be so important," he explained.

Hikari nodded in defeat. "Okay, okay, fine. But if anything comes up, tell me and Tadashi right away, 'kay?"

He nodded. "I'm going this way. Have to pass by the convenience store. Mata shita."

The other two nodded, waving goodbye to their friend. "Mata shita!"

The tall middle blocker then shoved his hands down his pockets, burying his face in his scarf. 

As he walked, he felt a little guilty about himself. He was too stubborn to admit it, but deep down, there was that pit of shame in his stomach.

When he reached his house, he greeted his mother and his brother and immediately rushed to his room, closing the wooden door behind him. 

He then flopped down on his bed, headfirst into the pillows. He covered himself with the dinosaur-patterned comforter.

That was one lie. One lie to both his friends. And yet his feelings wouldn't budge. His heart knew the truth, but his mind convinced him that it was nothing.

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The next morning was no different. 

Tsukishima woke up with the guilt pit in his stomach, half of it somewhat filled with unwanted butterflies.

Checking his phone, he found that he received a message.

To: Kei and Tadashi

Fr: Ayumu

Subject: mornin

Hey loves !! Morning !! See you later :DD

He rolled his eyes, replying quickly before shutting down his phone and then getting up properly, bracing himself for a new day.

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"Ohayo, Kei, Tadashi!" Hikari smiled warmly at her friends, dashing toward them.

It was then that Tsukishima knew.

"Ohayo, Ayu-chan!" Yamaguchi grinned back, waving.

"Ohayo," was all that came from the blonde's mouth, as he looked away, seemingly uninterested.

And from a far, a certain someone was watching it all.

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a/n: hhahahhahahahahahahhahahahahhahahahahhahahahha

thats all i have to say

:)))))

okay hello !! sorry for not updating, not just the story but ive been kinda mia here !! i dont know what's happening myself, but ah hello! i found time !! be proud !!

jk you dont have to be

anyway

yeaaaaa waddup

im slowly laughing and crying because so many of the wattpad writers have broken my heart because my ships are both sailing and maybe sinking and i was like

'im tired of MY heart getting broken. these people need justice'

so um. no one can rlly expect whats gonna happen w me but just prepare urselves for not just angst but fluff as well

i cant wait to break y'all but also not break y'all ya feel

anyway thanks for reading !!

m so glad you all seem to be enjoying it ! thanks for 21k ack im so grateful !!

<<33

man i keep wanting to draw for this book 

ugh seeing a manga-ish version of this would be 11/10 but obv that aint happening because im busy

so yeah !! dont expect things too soon but i WILL be updating eventually :D

sorry this update sucked in general lol im so tired

jaa ne

nyx