⊱ ────── {.⋅ ♫ ⋅.} ───── ⊰
I wonder if I'm being real
Do I speak my truth or do I filter how I feel?
⊱ ────── {.⋅ ♫ ⋅.} ───── ⊰
"Mamoru-kun."
Although it didn't really strike him as a hostile tone directed at him, Mamoru shivered, his face going pale. "Yes, captain?"
"Kageyama-kun told us some interesting things when he talked to Oikawa." Daichi gave him a strained smile, chuckling darkly. "Want to elaborate on that?"
The entirety of the gym fell silent, eyes swerving to look at the boy taking down the net.
⊱ ────── {.⋅ ♫ ⋅.} ───── ⊰
I wonder, wouldn't it be nice
To live inside a world that isn't black and white?
⊱ ────── {.⋅ ♫ ⋅.} ───── ⊰
Lo and behold, the angels have granted them a sight they've been privileged to see. The tips of Mamoru's ears turned a shade of pink that nearly made Daichi forget why he was asking *cough* interrogating *cough* Mamoru.
"He...Oikawa-san...um." Mamoru was utterly mortified and he felt the back of his neck burn with embarrassment. Admitting this felt a bit odd in his chest. He gathered what was left of his resolve to say the truth and blurted out, "It was just on the cheek!"
⊱ ────── {.⋅ ♫ ⋅.} ───── ⊰
Right before I close my eyes
The only thing that's on my mind
Been dreamin' that you feel it too
I wonder what it's like to be loved by you
⊱ ────── {.⋅ ♫ ⋅.} ───── ⊰
"Just?" Daichi's eyebrow twitched. How did another school student snag such an affectionate action when his own teammates couldn't do it? "Did he force you?"
"I doubt Iwaizumi-san would let Oikawa-san do that," Mamoru choked out a reply before he thought about what he said.
"Did he kiss you too?" Tsukishima muttered, looking oddly disgruntled.
"Yes, but they were both very chaste." Mamoru ducked his head, gratefully when his bangs hid his view of the team. "Is...it a problem?"
⊱ ────── {.⋅ ♫ ⋅.} ───── ⊰
I wonder why I'm so afraid
Of saying something wrong, I never said I was a saint
⊱ ────── {.⋅ ♫ ⋅.} ───── ⊰
Sugawara let out a punched out noise like his lungs just collapsed. Ennoshita steadied him with a hand on his shoulder.
"Not at all," Daichi smiled, although it didn't look very nice. "But I think a little talk with Seijoh is in order."
"Why?" Mamoru tilted his head.
Nishinoya murmured something that sounded suspiciously like "bury a body" before he was silenced by Asahi.
Hinata bounded up to him like an overgrown puppy, looking just as hopeful as a puppy begging for a treat from the dinner plate. "Can I have a kiss too?!"
There was a massive chorus of various noises, but it was drowned out by the static in Mamoru's head.
"R-right now?" Mamoru felt the flush grow hotter on his cheeks and he chastised himself for the stutter. Although Japanese people were typically more reserved about affection, maybe certain families thought differently? "Oh, well, I suppose."
He dipped his head down, net clamped between his fingers like a comfort blanket, and planted a quick kiss on Hinata's cheek.
Hinata beammed like the ray of sunshine he was, so bright that he didn't notice the dark looks cast upon him.
"Mamoru-"
"Hey, enough lagging!" Ukai slammed the door open, startling Mamoru so badly, he let out an undignified squeak. "We've got to finish up."
⊱ ────── {.⋅ ♫ ⋅.} ───── ⊰
I wonder, when I cry into my hands
I'm conditioned to feel like it makes me less of a man
⊱ ────── {.⋅ ♫ ⋅.} ───── ⊰
Mamoru hurried to roll the net and take down the pole as they started to congregate in front of Takeda and Ukai.
"Now that it's summer vacation, we can practice from morning to night," Takeda said excitedly. "Starting tomorrow, we'll be resuming the Tokyo away games. This time, we'll be there for a solid week. This is the first and last long-term training before the spring tournament prelims."
"Let's make the most of the opportunity," Takeda smiled, eyes searching through every player. "So we have no regrets."
──── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ────
"Maiko." Mamoru knocked on her door, waiting for an answer. He heard the gentle rolling sound of her chair and her door opened.
Her eyes searched his face before realizing it wasn't something bad. "What's going on?"
⊱ ────── {.⋅ ♫ ⋅.} ───── ⊰
And I wonder if someday you'll be by my side
And tell me that the world will end up alright
I wonder
⊱ ────── {.⋅ ♫ ⋅.} ───── ⊰
"You've read a lot of books," Mamoru said awkwardly. Although they both did, Maiko read more fantasy and fiction books. "I need help..."
Maiko tugged on his sleeve and they both shimmed onto the bed to stare at the ceiling. It was a rare time for Mamoru to ask for her help, let alone at all.
"It happens at school," Mamoru started out softly. "When I see certain people, my heart beats faster. And then I can't stop thinking about them. It's embarrassing."
Maiko made an aborted squeak. She nearly bolted upright before forcing herself to keep staring at the ceiling. "Mamoru, I think you have a crush?"
"Really?"
"Mhm." Maiko laced her fingers together and placed them on her stomach. "Is it a boy or girl?"
"...Boy." Mamoru thought of the older boy who smelled like freshly baked cookies and the younger boy who reminded him of sunny days. He thought of the sweet, shy giant and the loudmouth, well-meaning boy that always accompanied him. He thought of others and frowned. Why were there so many?
"There's...more than one."
He didn't have to turn his head to see Maiko's expression. Although, he was a little surprised to see Maiko more ecstatic than surprised.
"Oh, it's your volleyball team, isn't it," Maiko commented quietly, lacing her fingers with his. "It's okay to have these feelings. I think they're pretty cute too. It's just a part of life, Moru."
"When did you get so wise?" Mamoru huffed, half-joking. As far as he knew, Maiko was just as unworldly as he was, as they'd grown up attached to the hip. When did she get the time to discover what this was?
"I have a crush," Maiko muttered, cheeks flushing pink. "You have to promise not to laugh when you see him."
"When?" Mamoru studied the dark spot on the ceiling. If he stared at it hard enough, it started moving. He squinted—Maybe it was a bug.
"I mean, he's a part of the volleyball team," Maiko said sheepishly. "You'll probably run into him eventually."
"Wonderful," Mamoru muttered darkly. "Can't wait."
He sat up, squeezing her hand one more time. "Thanks, Maiko. I think I got it."
Maiko grinned. "It's just like a book I read online," she chirped, looking a little too gleeful as she sat up with him. Except it was the opposite, where there was one girl and lots of boys."
Mamoru half-listened, mostly focused on the pang of envy that struck a chord in his cold chest. He couldn't remember the last time he smiled like that, like he didn't have a care in the world. Did he ever smile like that? If he did, he couldn't remember. Maiko was healing faster than he was.
He needed to catch up before he fell behind.
Someone knocked on the door. Fumiko's voice breezed through, "Mamoru-kun, you should probably leave soon."
"Have fun in Tokyo!" Maiko gave him a crushing hug before whispering, "Say hi to Claire for me if you have a chance."
"Of course." He doubted he would get the chance with the packed training schedule; but if it came across, then it wouldn't hurt to stop by. They both headed downstairs where the rest were waiting. "I'll see you in a week."
He gave a polite bow to the Rossi family, but was surprised when Ayano gave him a hug. "Have fun, dear."
"Even though it's training, it's still summer," Alessandro smiled lazily. He'd caught the summer lazybug first, and was usually found on the couch with a fan in one hand and a Gari Gari-kun in another. "Just focus on yourself for a change."
Hadn't he only been focused on himself?
"You'd better get going before you miss the bus," Ayano clucked, glancing at the grandfather clock at the wall.
"Say hi to Mari for me!" Fumiko added hurriedly. She picked up Hercules and waved his little paw. He barked, ears perked forward and puppy eyes at full force like he could convince Mamoru to stay.
He was very tempted. Perhaps one day, he could attempt to smuggle him through with his bag, Kuroko-style.
"I'll see you all in a week," Mamoru said again, dipping his head. When he locked the door behind him, he breathed out a sigh.
It was still strange, even to this day, that he had people awaiting his return. Besides Maiko, his close family had never left him alone, in fear he would deviate from his routine. Claire had always been with him as well, but to monitor him rather than control.
It was a nice feeling though. He started an easy jog to Karasuno, where he found a few others waiting nearby the coach bus.
"Oh, Mamoru-kun." Tanaka waved him over. "Do you wanna sit with me on the bus?"
"No fair!" Nishinoya hissed, looking disappointed for some reason.
"I'm already sitting with Asahi-san," Mamoru said apologetically. "Maybe on the way back though."
"Taking off in the middle of the night is so exciting!" Hinata looked like he ingested something caffeinated in the way he was chattering. It was probably something in his genes.
⊱ ────── {.⋅ ♫ ⋅.} ───── ⊰
Right before I close my eyes
The only thing that's on my mind
⊱ ────── {.⋅ ♫ ⋅.} ───── ⊰
"Ukai-kun and I will take turns driving," Takeda announced, looking all too chipper for someone awake and ready to drive for some three hours. He'd heard of people drinking Red Bulls and Vietnamese coffee, but he'd also heard that was a recipe for disaster so even he wasn't tempted to try it.
Ukai, on the other hand, looked like he was going to fall asleep on his feet any minute. He held up a hand lazily. "Sorry if I nod off."
Mamoru swore he could feel the fear in the group rise to a level equivalent to swimming in shark infested waters. It was almost tangible at this point.
"Thank you very much!" Daichi shouted and bowed, prompting the rest to bow, breaking the uneasy silence.
"Ah, not so loud..."
"Okay, okay, get on the bus." Ukai ushered everyone inside, before adding, "We'll be arriving at our destination early in the morning, so get some sleep."
They filed onto the bus, Mamoru taking a window seat in the back with Asahi. Sugawara and Daichi sat in the adjacent seat, yawning simultaneously.
Mamoru yawned just watching them.
Almost as soon as the bus rolled forward and out of the school, everyone's heads lolled back and their eyes closed like clockwork.
Mamoru felt the heavy weight of sleep closing his eyes and the fuzziness in his head as a sign he should probably sleep. He could almost feel the impending migraine come along the next day.
The rolling motion of the bus became constant, and the subtle rocking became smoother as they entered the freeway. Eventually, even he gave in to his body's desire to sleep and his head drooped towards the window.
"Mamoru-kun?"
⊱ ────── {.⋅ ♫ ⋅.} ───── ⊰
Been dreamin' that you feel it too
I wonder what it's like to be loved by you
⊱ ────── {.⋅ ♫ ⋅.} ───── ⊰
Mamoru's eyes flickered open lazily. Asahi's eyes glanced at his eyes almost like reflex—Mamoru knew that his eyes reflected the moon's light like ice. Some people told him it scared them, joking around about how he was like a mini version of his father. Did it scare Asahi too?
His father's eyes scared him too.
"Mhm?"
"Is it true?" Asahi whispered like it was a world secret, or maybe that was just him being considerate. "That Seijoh's captain kissed you?"
"Mm," Mamoru hummed, stifling a yawn. He turned his face to give Asahi his full attention though his eyes were spotty with sleep. "D'you want," he yawned, slurring his words slightly, "one too?"
Maybe he was wrong about Japan. Maybe they kissed people on the cheek like Europeans. He would have to look it up later.
Asahi's face went bright red, though it was covered under the cover of the bus. "Uh, I, wait, I-"
Mamoru brushed his lips against his scruffy cheek and mumbled something before nodding off, resting his head on Asahi's shoulder. "G'night, Asahi."
"G-goodnight, Mamoru-kun."
Let it be known that there were more than two students still half-awake on the bus.
⊱ ────── {.⋅ ♫ ⋅.} ───── ⊰
I wonder what it's like to be loved by you
—"Wonder"; Shawn Mendes
⊱ ────── {.⋅ ♫ ⋅.} ───── ⊰
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I'M ALIIIIIVE.
Okay, so I finally gave up the dog I've been training for sixteen months or so and I've been a WRECK. Seriously, I didn't think how attached I'd get to this dog, but I cried for days after I gave him up. And the staff has seen this a lot, especially because they all know I'm a first time puppy raiser, so they were all walking around with boxes of tissues because I wasn't the only one crying.
I swear he knew he was going because he gave me this look and stared at me throughout the car ride over there. I cried when he did that.
But anyways, I don't regret raising this dog because I got to raise a beautiful (physical and behavior-wise) dog for the first time, and he's going to make a difference in someone's life. Can't say I'm still not sad about it though.
SECOND. I'm going through midterms which means a shit-ton of projects and tests and speeches, so I'm really stressed out because terrible stress management AHahaHa
But thank you for sticking with me so far! And shameless advertising because I have a new addiction.
Check out my Bleach oneshot book on Archive of Our Own. It's not open for requests because it's my stress relief. I don't think you can copy or click on links here, but it's called "golden hour" by EdenValian. Thank you so much!
𝄥𝄞─────────────── 𝄇