"(F/n), honey, I didn't know you were dating this young man." Tendo's mom smiled warmly at you. "It's good to know you've someone looking out for you other than me and Satori."

Damn Satori and his big mouth, why'd he have to tell her we dated?

You shot Tendo a glare and kicked his leg under the table before turning to his mom. "Oh, we're just testing the waters." You said dismissively to her. You didn't want to make it seem like Tendo was lying, so you just downplayed it instead.

"We are?" Ushijima asked with a puzzled look on his face, wondering what you meant by that since you have cut him off. He caught your sharp stare and changed his tone. "Oh, yes. We are."

"So when are you two going on a date?" Tendo asked you.

His smile was getting on your nerves now. "We haven't thought about that yet." You sighed.

"Maybe you should visit your mother together. It's been almost a year since she left, hasn't it? She'd probably like to meet him." Tendo's mom suggested.

Ushijima turned to you. "Yeah, I'd like that."

You froze for a few moments, unsure of how to respond. You didn't intend to bring Ushijima along with you to visit your mother's grave, but he didn't even know she passed away. You had to be careful with your words. "Haha, I just don't think I'm ready to let him meet mama yet. Maybe another time."

"Of course sweetheart." Tendo's mom said sympathetically. "Your brother can go with you this year."

Ushijima turned to you again. "Your brother?"

Shit.

"Of course, Satori is her half brother. Didn't they tell you?"

Ushijima's eyes were glued on you now and Tendo dragged his mom into the kitchen with him to 'get the dessert'.

Ushijima was beginning to realise how little he actually knew about you. He knew where you lived and where you worked and that was about it. You knew where he lived, you knew about his as a volleyball player and you'd seen pictures of his mom from albums. You knew plenty about him, but so much of you was a mystery to him.

"Tendo's your half brother?"

You nodded.

"Can I see your mother?"

You shook your head.

"Is there a reason?"

You looked him dead in the eye.
"She's dead."

This caught him off guard, and he opened his mouth to speak but you beat him to it. "And I don't bring anyone except Tendo and his mom with me when I visit her."

"I see." He mumbled. "Okay."

"You're not going to ask any more questions?"

"You don't want me to." He stated.

Tendo and his mom returned with mini cupcakes she had baked, but you excused yourself. "I don't feel too well, I'm heading home."

Tendo's mom packed you a lunchbox full of her mini cupcakes as you grabbed your coat. "They were meant for you anyway. Rest well, okay sweetheart?"

You nodded and said quick byes to them all and stepped out of the house, feeling unusually tired and drained. You still blamed Tendo for this mess, but you'd give out to him for meddling in your life when you were less sleepy.

You stifled a yawn and made your way home through the dark, thinking back over your conversation with Ushijima earlier.

You mentally kicked yourself. "Why did I go telling him everything. I could've just lied. I lie to everyone else, whys he any different?"

But you already knew that your feelings for him made you act differently with him. Every interaction with his would take an emotional toll on you. This wasn't normal. Heck, you wished these feelings would just disappear.

If I feel this bad, I wonder how much worse he feels since I didn't even give him a real reason to go on a break.

It was thoughts like these that kept you up at night, and any plans you had to sleep that night were postponed. Once again, your head was clouded with thoughts of only him and not being able to be by his side made you feel restless.

"Good thing you broke it off now." You sighed to yourself. "Any more time around him and you might've stayed and put him in danger."

You reached your doorstep and headed into your house. These next few weeks were going to be pretty depressing if her feelings for Ushijima didn't leave her alone. She only hoped it wouldn't take any longer than that.

~•~

CookieMonster: i have one last idea

FarmBoi: if this doesn't work
FarmBoi: i have to stop
FarmBoi: I think I'm making her uncomfortable

CookieMonster: Wakatoshi-kun, trust me
CookieMonster: (F/n)-chan just needs to realise that she's not doing you a favour by leaving you
CookieMonster: i promise she still likes you

FarmBoi: are you sure?

CookieMonster: positive!
CookieMonster: now hear me out
CookieMonster: Listen carefully to my instructions

FarmBoi: will this work?

CookieMonster: yesss

FarmBoi: how do you know?

CookieMonster: well now you know I'm (f/n)-chan's brother
CookieMonster: well, her half brother
CookieMonster: i know her
CookieMonster: This will work

FarmBoi: ok
FarmBoi: I'll try it

~•~

Ayyyyyy so here's yet another chapterrr
I'm sorry that these are a little shorter than usual it's just easier to write but I'll make the more important chapters longer!!

Yes you and farmboi will make up soon dw but also don't celebrate too much because I have more angst planned :)

Y'all are gonna hate me in a few more chapters and I am rEADY for it 🤩🤩🤩

Stay safe and pls don't plot my murder 👁👄👁