Tsukishima had brought out a futon and a blanket from his built-in wardrobes which seemed to be completely fresh and, for a while, unused. He moved the low table from the centre of the room and placed the bedding next to his, overlapping it with the cotton sheet while taking a pillow from his own two and positioning it briefly. Next to the bed, I had my backpack of essentials ready for the next day; although I forgot a change of clothes to sleep in, I thought this whole arrangement was more comfortable than expected. My phone was charging in the socket next to Tsukishima's, a glass of water was kept present for me which was brought straight from the kitchen, and I was carefully welcomed into the life of my new tutor.
Tsukishima was instructed to go to dinner by a female voice from downstairs which he eagerly declined because of the meal he had earlier in the evening, however, he did make short appearances to his family every now and again just to make his whereabouts clear. He even asked me whether I felt hungry, but I politely declined as well--I am already getting somewhere to stay so it would be inhuman to take their food too. The rest of the night only consisted of very little talk from both parties and myself wandering around his room looking for things to occupy myself with. However, I was missing something out of my daily routine that I follow frequently, but I'm not sure if it's entirely appropriate, but what isn't about this situation.
"Tsukishima?" I asked out of the blue, putting down a random CD from his collection on his desk, "Could I have a quick shower?"
The blond giant's face fell and his eyes widened instantly; he put down his 'Monthly volleyball magazine' on his table and scrunched up his posture meaning he became just as flustered as last time.
"No." He stated, immediately going back to his reading.
I became red in the face from embarrassment, "I'll be out in two minutes and I'll get changed back into my clothes in the bathroom. It's just a quick shower."
"And you don't see anything wrong with that? In a house with, basically, a stranger?" He leant his elbow on the table, as he was sitting on the ground, and put his head in his hand.
"How can you call us strangers?" I said as he scoffed, "I know I'm asking for a lot because of everything you've done so far, but I feel-- I feel gross."
I emphasised 'gross' so he understood I wasn't just talking about me being unclean, but mentally disgusting after this past evening.
"Can't you just wait until tomorrow?"
I thought for a moment: it's bad enough that I'm using his room as a place to stay without consent from his parent, never mind use his shower. And if his family sees me coming out of the bathroom with wet hair, we'll both be busted.
"I guess it's only just one night," I paused, "You're right. It's fine. I'll wait."
Silence rained down on the room again. His annoyed expression watched me picking up more of his CDs and placing them back down in a slow manner, a natural stern look crawling on my face. His mind was turning, still guilty from the whole tutoring incident and what it caused; he just wants the feeling to go away so he can move on from what he witnessed. He wants to help more than he already has.
"You're so good at sulking to get other peoples attention--you know that right? So much so that it's effect on me is starting to wear off." Tsukishima grunted getting up from his position and rubbing his eyes, knocking his glasses in the process.
"Do you really think I would be that inconsiderate?"
"I know you wouldn't, but you obviously want this shower whether I say no or not. I'm counting down from five minutes."
I looked up surprised, "Are you sure? I really don't mind."
He looked away from my pleased expression and mumbled, "If it helps you feel better."
"What?"
"I said yes now hurry up."
I pulled at my soaked hair with a towel, wringing out any access droplets from the ends until it was parched enough to dry naturally straight. The smell of the surprising familiar mint shampoo intoxicated my lungs and the heavenly scented body wash filled the bathroom with its entrancing aroma. I felt thoroughly cleansed of any mental and physical dirt from the day which entirely cleared my mind and help me feel more at home in this new environment.
My own bathroom at home would be shamefully defeated compared to Tsukishimas; the walls were all beautifully tiled, the bath-and-or-shower was moulded by thick, grey stone, and even the pressure of the water felt stronger against my tense skin. I would never skip a day of bathing if I lived here.
Making sure to clean up after myself, leaving no steam on the mirrors or windows, I was ready to get changed into my old school clothes from today, however, interrupting my movements was the dreaded sound of the bathroom door slightly clasping open ajar. Startled, I wrapped the towel around my body, covering myself and moving away from the intruder as quickly as I could throughout thinking about the consequences. But to my surprise, a thin hand, holding a large, lime green t-shirt and a pair of black shorts, shot through the tiny open space, not daring to show who the hand belonged to, or take a peek inside. Tsukishima harshly gestured these clothes towards me by shaking the cloth in an attempt to catch my attention and didn't stop until he could feel my hesitated grasp pry them away from his; and with that, he immediately shut the door without the need of saying any words which could potentially be heard by someone else. Thank god he was a gentleman and didn't think to try anything perverted like seeking a peek. Surprisingly, he was kind enough to lend me, what looks like, his spare clothes, even though I told him I could get dressed back into my school uniform--he really isn't so bad after all.
"Thanks for the clothes Tsukishima." I opened his bedroom door, after carefully manoeuvring through the hall extremely quietly, and walked to my readied futon; my cheeks red from leaving the shower, his shirt and shorts hanging dangerously loose from my skin and my hair slowly drying in the room temperature. I was shying away from his gaze, mainly embarrassed by the way I smelt and looked: I was practically a walking Tsukishima and the mint fragrance from my hair screamed his name.
He took a look from his reading, now located on his bed crossed legged and completely different from five minutes ago. His school uniform had been totally stripped leaving a blue t-shirt with a yellow star engraved on the top left corner, and a casual pair of grey joggers to complete the night time look. Both of us were ready to go to bed nearing eleven pm, after hours of getting to know each other bit by bit in interval stages.
"Mm," He mumbled, flusteredly clutching the edges of his magazine as his eyes trailed the way his old clothes overlapped my figure, and how the familiar smell of the body wash overtook and claimed my original scent. Tsukishima had never seen such a sight and he, and his male urges, didn't know how to react to such an awkward situation. He knew he brought it on himself, but he couldn't help but admire and stare in awe. Any male teenager would react in the same flustered way.
"Your shower is amazing too." I sat myself down on the floor facing him.
"Thank you." Even in the now dimly lit room, I could still see the blush crawling on his pale cheeks.
Giving me the clothes was the logical thing to do to ensure I felt comfortable, however as every second goes by, his eyes never leaving this new sight, he is regretting it. He just couldn't help but think about how unusual and fast the events of the evening have turned; to now having a female classmate take a shower in his house and sleep next to him in his spare bed. It was something out of a slice of life story.
"What time do you normally go to bed?" I asked as another hour rolled by with various talking striking whenever the other had a question. I asked him about volleyball to which the answer was very blunt and unenthusiastic. Further on, we had both taken trips to the bathroom to do what was needed, like cleaning our teeth, and now Tsukishimas bedroom had grown even darker as the whole house was nearing its sleep mode. His small reading lamp upon his bedframe eerily illuminated his belongings, making shadows dance along the floor and walls, channeling across my body as I lay my back on the futon.
"It usually ranges from eleven to two am." Tsukishima slotted his magazine back into the shelf and turned to look at the sight below him: the fabric of his t-shirt now accentuated and revealed the edges of my body indiscreetly. He just chose to ignore it, hiding his eyes by pushing his glasses up on his nose.
"Why until two am?"
"It's time where I'm not bothered by anyone."
"That seems like something you would say." I smiled, thinking I should just leave him to his late-night activities in peace.
He looked at me with his signature irritated look, "Speaking of not being bothered, you should probably get some sleep. I'll even dim the light down for you." Tsukishima tossed the cotton blanket, that was at the foot of my futon, over my body in a lazy and uncaring manner, gesturing for me to finally get some rest.
"What about you?" I unfolded the edges of the fabric around my figure until I was submerged in cosy bedding and laid my head on Tsukishimas spear blue pillow.
"As I said, it's a time when I don't want to be bothered by anyone. That includes stowaways like yourself." He flashed a condescending smile.
Just as his slim legs manoeuvred across me to once again sit on his bed, a female voice startled both of us from the outside hallway.
"Goodnight Kei!" Tsukishimas mother merely yelled, her smoothing call channelling through the wooden door.
I was scared, wondering if she would enter his room for the last time of the day and see me curled on the floor, but I was reassured when I heard her soft footsteps echo away from our location--I even prepared to shuffle underneath Tsukishimas bed.
"Oh my god-- Goodnight!" He huffed a reply, running his large hand over his face in loveable annoyance.
I chuckled at this cute interaction and decided to have fun with it while I still could, "Mamas boy."
"What was that?"