𝐂𝐡 𝟖 —— 𝐋𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐃𝐚𝐲
[messages: Kiyoomi Sakusa and Chiharu Konishi]
[9:23]
Good morning Kiyoomi!!!
How did you sleep?
As well as you'd
expect. It is in
fact not a very
good morning.
I feel groggy.
Yeahh
Mentally I don't
regret meeting up
last night but
physically I do
Exactly.
I have just found
out that Mujinazaka
is heading home after
today's semi-finals
Just thought I'd
let you know
Oh, nice. I think
my team might stay
until finals end
since we live closer.
I guess today's our
last day together,
then.
Are you crying?
Are you?
😝😃
I think I'll miss
you a lot.
Haha
You're totally
in shambles
Why yes, I
can tell that
you're very
sympathetic
I'm just kidding,
Kiyoomi I'll miss
you too
Wanna watch
semi-finals
together?
If I must 🙄
You must
Let me know
when you get
to the arena.
⌜ • ° + ° • ⌝
Getting out of bed was a challenge. A subtle chill lingered in the room, having snuck from outside through the walls and invaded the snug inn. Chiharu was among the last to get out of his comfortable blankets. The thick blankets had provided a deceptive coccoon of warmth that broke Chiharu's heart to deny himself of. The moment his bare skin met the frosty air, a shiver coursed down his spine. It was as if a fresh wave of icy air had been waiting for his inevitable departure from the warmth of his blankets. As soon as he felt that the cold might've been bearable, if he could just push through to change into warmer clothes, a second wave of a different type of cold struck:
"So, where'd you sneak out to?" Kiryu's words cut through the chilly air, their sharpness matching the frosty morning like icicles stabbing at Chiharu's guilty conscience.
His friend didn't even bother to glance in his direction, yet his tone carried a chill that seemed to rival the weather outside. There was a calculated coldness to Kiryu's demeanor, an attempt to make Chiharu squirm under the weight of guilt. It was Kiryu's silent form of persuasion, his artful skill in making his best friend fess up, his lack of elaboration left Chiharu in a stressful silence. Silence that spoke a thousand words into Chiharu's head, like 'you know, my responsibility as captain is to make sure my team is safe', and 'what would Coach say if you didn't make it back?'. All in Chiharu's imagination, of course, but it jabbed at his guilty conscience. And it wasn't as if he could find an excuse to leave the room right now in avoidance of confrontation, the whole team shared one sleeping-space.
"Goddamn, I've known you for too long." Chiharu mumbled, Wakatsu simply knew him way too well. "I was out with Sakusa. We were talking." He threw his hands up in defeat.
Usuri's voice rang from across the room, "I'm sure that's all you were doing!"
"You need to mind your own business." Chiharu couldn't help but laugh. He turned back to Kiryu, "For what it's worth, we were just talking."
"I believe you." Wakatsu responded sincerely.
"I dont!" Usuri exclaimed from several meters away.
"I don't actually care if you sneak out to see Sakusa, I was just worried you were being dangerous." Wakatsu continued as if Usuri didn't exist.
"—Being dangerous as in making out with Sakusa in public, that is," the setter continued.
Chiharu sighed in defeat, realizing he'd never get Usuri to stop being his annoying self. He came to realize the rest of the team was already on their way to watch the Semi-finals, so, he ushered his friends to leave as well.
"Well, we had been waiting for you." Usuri rolled his eyes.
They took their time bundling up, rummaging through their limited luggage for the warmest jackets they could find. They also took turns being menaces, Usuri stealing Subaru's overcoat because "he deserves it, he called me 'creepy' yesterday!" (To which Chiharu replied "He's not wrong."), and Kiryu taking Bishin's warm gloves.
Chiharu layered the Itachiyama sports jacket over his own, a choice he made without much explanation. If someone prodded him about it, he'd brush it off as a decision made purely for his own comfort and warmth, though deep down, he knew that was a bad excuse. It wasn't the coziness he craved; it was the lingering scent of Kiyoomi's perfume on the soft fabric. But of course, there was no way he'd ever admit that out loud.
Neither Kiryu nor Usuri seemed to question Chiharu's attire. Instead, they gave him amused smirks. It was one of those unspoken agreements between them that Chiharu was terribly down-bad for Itachiyama's ace.
As they stepped beyond the inn's cozy air-conditioned haven, an unforgiving gust of wind welcomed them. The fierce blast nipped at their cheeks and whipped their hair into a frenzy. Bravely, they pressed on, making their way through the freshly laid inches of snow, each step met with a soft crunch beneath their boots.
Chiharu hesitated for a moment before speaking up, breaking the silence that lingered like the fog. "Hey, about yesterday... I wanted to say sorry, genuinely. I was out of line. Usuri, I think you're one of the most skilled setters I've ever played with. I'm sorry for undermining you."
Usuri flashed a genuine smile, his eyes warm despite the chill around them. "It's alright, Haru-san. I didn't take it to heart. Plus, watching Wakatsu-san punch you was... well, it was honestly a highlight."
Chiharu let out a rueful sigh. "Yeah, I had it coming," he admitted, getting a firm nod of agreement from Kiryu.
Usuri glanced between his two upperclassmen, a flicker of something unspoken in his eyes. They were more than just teammates; they were his best friends, the ones who took him under their wing back when he was still unsure about his place on the team. "I'm going to miss this, you know? Once you two graduate, I don't know what's going to give me this kind of entertainment." He left the 'they were his best friends' part unspoken, as to not fatten Chiharu's ego.
Chiharu met Usuri's sentiment with a shrug to lighten the mood. "Guess you'll just have to step up your game, then. You'll just have to push the team to be closer friends and better athletes. Teach them to find themselves on and off the court."
Kiryu chimed in, his voice layered with humor. "That's almost philosophical coming from you, Haru-san."
Chiharu grinned. "That sounded very sarcastic, but I'll take it." He glanced to his right at Usuri, who was facing away from them, wiping subtly at his eyes.
⌜ • ° + ° • ⌝
One would expect the crowd inside the main arenas to thin out due to the losing teams going home but it, in fact, looked fuller due to the influx of families, friends, and passionate supporters of the players and of course all the remaining teams that were still there to spectate. The bustling energy in the main arenas refused to wane. The spectators chatted even louder and busier than all the previous days, infusing the air with an excited buzz.
The two semi-final games are set to take place consecutively instead of together, so that spectators can choose to watch both games.
Chiharu maneuvered his way through the busy crowd, each person a vibrant piece in the lively tapestry that enveloped the arena's entrance, a mix of fans heading inside and others lingering to chat.
Spotting Kiyoomi amidst the pre-game buzz of excitement, Chiharu hurried to join him. He latched onto his arm to ease Kiyoomi's feelings toward his source of torment: the crowd. There was a faint waft of common stadium foods and chips and such. Vendors shouted out their best deals of the week, and the lines to buy souvenirs was longer than ever. It was an unmistakable "semi-finals day" atmosphere.
As they searched for seats, the stadium filled with vibrant team banners and electrifying laughters with snippets of conversations. The two struggled through their dilemma of both not wishing to be trampled by the hyper-excited audience members in the front but also wanting a good view of the game. Eventually they settled in a row relatively in the middle, and they were both content.
⌜ • ° + ° • ⌝
Fukurodani's sheer decimation of Inubushi Higashi in swift four rounds left the stands roaring with cheers and applause. Even after all the players had left the court, the stadium continued to echo with chaos. Amidst the clamor, Chiharu caught a glimpse of a subtle prideful smirk on Kiyoomi's face, as if he'd vicariously found his revenge through Fukurodani's victory.
Between the scheduled warm-ups and occasional delays, the intermission provided a much-needed breather for both players and spectators alike. It was in this interlude that the vibrant arena transformed into a mingling ground for a blend of camaraderie and competitive intensity.
After a long-winded, indecisive conversation, Chiharu decided he would benefit from visiting some old acquaintances from other schools before the second match. Afterall, it was his final day at Nationals. Kiyoomi begrudgingly agreed that he, too, would benefit from seeing his friends. Even though he loathed social gatherings, he dared to hope that a few chats with familiar faces might be worthwhile. Thus, they rose from their seats, and two individuals averse to crowds dove headfirst into the sea of people in pursuit of social interaction.
For a while, Chiharu watched over Kiyoomi's interactions, until he observed him engaging comfortably in conversation with Fukurodani's setter. Satisfied with this development, Chiharu realized it was for the best to leave Kiyoomi alone and hence allowed him to proceed as he wished. Amidst the flurry of interactions and excited chatter, Chiharu came unexpectedly face-to-face with Bokuto. It was a rare moment, catching the typically surrounded and celebrated ace by himself. Nevertheless, Bokuto's upbeat energy was equivalent to that of ten people's combined.
"Konishi, my MAN! How are you doing?" His voice was a breath of fresh air that cut through the ringing crowd.
"Yo, Bokuto!" Chiharu exclaimed just as excitedly, "You did great today!"
They patted each other firmly on the back in a tight hug, then made up an extravagant handshake with several exploding elements and flashy spins. Bokuto had changed into his iconic 'Way of the Ace' T-shirt after his match, a sight that brought back memories for Chiharu—just last year, they had stood together in line, chatting and waiting to grab those souvenir shirts. If Chiharu wasn't mistaken, that was how they first met. Which was rather hilarious, considering their first interaction consisted mostly of groans and complaints about the absurdly long line.
"I thought our chances at winning today were a bit shaky, but my line-shots really pulled through." Bokuto recalled animatedly, swinging his arms in the air and demonstrating his line-shot technique.
"Oh, I could tell!" Chiharu agreed, "Inubushi's DS looked like he was about to cry."
The ace let out a loud laugh. "Man, I can't wait to play again tomorrow." He paused, "By the way, I wanted to catch you after our match yesterday. I really thought there should've been a rematch for the last point. How's your leg doing?"
Chiharu winced slightly at the memory, feeling the slight twinge from his leg. "It's alright, I wasn't really injured, just overworked and cramping, so there would've been no point in redoing it."
"You've gotten really good this year! I mean, you've always been good, but I was getting frustrated at how you'd never let me get a clean kill!"
"You too, Bokuto. Your spikes have gotten stronger and more precise." Chiharu returned the compliment, to which Bokuto gloated, "Honestly, losing against your team taught me a lot more than winning would have."
"That's the spirit! It's all about the lessons we take from the court, right?" Bokuto grinned, his enthusiasm contagious.
"Well... it's also about winning though. I'll crush you the next time we play, whenever and wherever that may be," Chiharu said, his tone light, yet determined. Then, changing the subject, he asked, "What are your plans after high school?"
Bokuto chuckled, a hint of nervousness behind his jovial tone. "Don't laugh, but—"
"If you say that I feel I might laugh," Chiharu interjected humorously.
"—I'm thinking about going to college. I know, it sounds weird for someone who's all about volleyball." Bokuto finished, scratching the back of his head.
Chiharu ultimately didn't find it funny. "Hey, even single-minded volleyball nerds have every right to aim for higher education. Me and Sakusa are going to college, and I know my teammate Nozomu is trying to go, too."
"No way! You're still close with Sakusa-kun?" Bokuto's enthusiasm shifted gears toward the new topic.
"I'd say we're more than close," Chiharu replied with a chuckle.
"Best friends? Boyfriends?" Bokuto inquired, teasingly.
Chiharu hesitated, "Actually, we haven't clarified that yet."
"I really hope you guys figure it out. Sakusa-kun is a cool guy." Bokuto
Chiharu nodded in agreement. "Definitely. Anyway, good luck at finals. I'm rooting for you guys."
"You're the best, Konishi! I'll catch you later."
"Crush it out there, Ace." They exchanged a quick friendly fist-bump. Bokuto flashed a thumbs-up before bounding off towards his teammates.
⌜ • ° + ° • ⌝
The second match went by with a victory to Ichibayashi. Chiharu followed the crowd that was streaming out of the stadium upon the game's completion.
For once, he was comfortable in the crowd, immersed in the chatter. He figured being in the mass of people all day was probably some kind of exposure therapy. Despite the chaos, Chiharu felt a warmth in the fact that everyone who walked in here as strangers felt more connected to each other as they left. Despite the cacophony of voices, he shielded himself in the comforting hood of his pullover, a layer underneath the borrowed Itachiyama attire he sported. The soft cotton fabric shielded his ears and the sides of his face, warming him and muffling all the noise around him.
Exiting the doors, he fished out his phone to message Kiyoomi, making it successfully to the second word in his text before a light tap on his shoulder interrupted his attention. His initial thought was to greet Kiyoomi, assuming the tap had come from his friend. Yet, as he glanced to the side, he was met with the sight of another Itachiyama sports jacket, worn by none other than Iizuna, the team's captain. A moment of confusion settled upon Chiharu as he realized the situation. The casual tap seemed to indicate that Iizuna had mistaken his hooded figure under the Itachiyama jacket for a teammate. He didn't stay focused on Chiharu long enough to realize his error, eyes still wandering the crowd. Oblivious to the mix-up, the captain asked, "Hey, where's the rest of our team? They took my damn crutches..." He finally looked down at Chiharu who had turned his head to look at him. "Oh, Chiharu, hey. Sorry, I thought you were someone on my team— by the way, have you seen them? Any Itachiyama personnel around here?"
Chiharu chuckled at his joke, "No worries. I'm afraid I haven't seen them. What's happening?"
"Juro took my crutches, so what's happening is it's getting pretty hard to walk."
"Oh right, how's your ankle?"
"It's seen better days." Iizuna laughed at his misfortunes. A few people accidentally bumped into him here and there, causing the captain to stumble and hop defeatedly on one leg.
Chiharu laughed at his dramatics. "Here, Iizuna," through chuckles, he offered his arm out as support.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to hold you up but I appreciate your help." Iizuna replied, leaning on Chiharu's shoulder as they tried to navigate out of the dispersing yet still large crowd.
"No worries, I was waiting for Sakusa anyway." Chiharu said, "Who are you looking for again?"
"That bastard, Juro."
"The long-haired one?"
"Yup." Iizuna confirmed as the two settled on a nearby bench, "He and a couple others were trying to walk with my crutches, and I think he just took them with him when they left the stadium without realizing I actually need them."
Chiharu sighed whimsically, "Yeah, first-years can be like that."
They continued to chat about some mundane things as Iizuna borrowed Chiharu's phone to call his teammate. That was when he realized that of course he did not have Juro's number memorized. Chiharu then explained that he only had Sakusa, Komori, and Iizuna's own numbers saved in his phone because they were the only people from Itachiyama that he'd ever had to text or call.
"Damn it," Iizuna, a broken man without his crutches, laughed at his own despair.
Iizuna then proceeded to try both Sakusa and Komori, (his own cellphone was dead and in his pocket). To his most terrible luck, neither of had seen Juro or his friends, they were probably back at the inn already. Although just as good friends did, both Sakusa and Komori agreed to come find Iizuna and support him back to the inn.
Iizuna handed the phone back to Chiharu, shaking his head in mock disbelief. "If I'm honest, I think Juro's gotta be doing this on purpose."
Chiharu chuckled, scrolling through his contacts offhandedly. "Making the captain hop around the arena on purpose is a bold move."
"I wouldn't put it past him," Iizuna agreed, a grin tugging at the corner of his lips. "He's always been a bit too enthusiastic about tormenting me."
"Renowned setter captain Iizuna: bullied by a first-year." Chiharu chanted. Iizuna shoved him playfully.
As they waited for the teammates to arrive, they made some casual conversation. In typical Chiharu-fashion, their chat veered toward the topic of Sakusa Kiyoomi. To which Iizuna had this to say, "I know we joke about this and all, but what's the tea? Are you dating?"
Seeing as Iizuna craved deeply for a piece of the drama, Chiharu caved. "Honestly I don't know, we talked it out recently and just forgot to clarify our 'status', I guess."
"Can you really call it 'talked out' then?"
"I guess not."
The crowd just outside the stadium was now thinly dispersed, and only a few loitered to be with their friends.
Just then, Sakusa and Komori finally appeared. Sakusa's was clearly trying to keep his expression as stoic as ever, but there was a subtle hint of amusement in his eyes at the sight of Iizuna's miserableness. Komori, on the other hand, had a wide grin plastered across his face, and as he walked closer they could hear him laugh.
"Captain, what's this I hear about a crisis?" Komori teased, nudging Iizuna playfully.
Iizuna rolled his eyes. "The work of Juro."
Kiyoomi glanced at Chiharu, a faint smirk tugged at his lips. It was getting dark and the street lamps had turned on, the warm yellow bulbs illuminating Kiyoomi's face gracefully. "And you've dragged Haru into this too?"
"I blame the Itachiyama jacket, I think I'm an honorary member now." Chiharu chuckled and hid the fact that he was outrageously attracted to Kiyoomi under this lighting behind his lame joke.
"Good thing I was looking for you anyway." Kiyoomi mumbled as he reached into the white plastic bag he'd been carrying. A few crinkly noises later, he retracted his hand now holding a tiny paper-brown packet, something dangly wiggled against the cardboard. Kiyoomi tossed the packet at Chiharu. "I got this for you."
Now in his hands, Chiharu examined closely the specimen and realized it was a necklace nicely tucked into thin cardboard packaging.
The necklace likely came from a booth set up just inside the arena, Chiharu could tell from the timing and the delicate volleyball pendant, one that was small but crafted with precision, the textured surface completed with crisp panels and seams.
The pendant hung charmingly from its thin silver chain, a few smaller charms in the shape of stars hung from other places down the chain, a rather elegant touch.
Iizuna studied the necklace just over Chiharu's shoulder and came up with his own conclusion which was, "Sakusa, who knew you were such a sap?"
Before Sakusa could fight back with an ugly remark, Komori fueled Iizuna's claim. "Right?" He chuckled, "My cousin is a charming romantic when it comes to Haru-san."
Chiharu was glad those two spoke before he could, because he had been close to tears in that moment.
The group exchanged playful banter as they made their way back to the inn, Iizuna limping with the support of his new human crutches, and Sakusa and Komori jokingly accusing each other of being Juro's 'partner-in-crime'. When they were about half-way there, it became abundantly clear that Komori was the only one actively trying to help Iizuna. Meanwhile, Kiyoomi and Chiharu had fallen behind the two, having their own quiet and separate conversation.
"Thank you for the necklace, Kiyoomi."
"Do you like it?" Kiyoomi asked almost nervously, which shocked Chiharu because one couldn't have gotten him a better present. Especially when it felt completely casual and unprompted.
Chiharu chuckled at the fact that Kiyoomi even had to ask. "Well, what's the occasion?" He retorted playfully.
"Does there have to be a special occasion?" Kiyoomi teased, "Can't I get my boyfriend a present just because I want to?"
The word "boyfriend" slipped effortlessly from Kiyoomi's lips, causing Chiharu to trip over his own feet, almost tumbling. He caught himself, but the moment lingered in the air, the word swirling in his mind, both foreign and exhilarating. But he felt something akin to joy bubbling within. Chiharu awkwardly cleared his throat. "Boyfriend?" He repeated timidly, the word sounding far more unfamiliar out of his mouth than Kiyoomi's. But he was definitely willing to entertain the idea.
"If you'll have me, that is." Kiyoomi responded, smoothing his jacket as if he hadn't just casually dropped the smoothest pick-up line ever.
Chiharu stuttered almost frantically, a jumble of syllables coming out of his mouth. He cleared his throat a second time, "I will. Of course I will."
Kiyoomi, smooth as ever, joked about taking the necklace back if the answer had been different. It was then that something clicked for Chiharu.
He felt an unfamiliar lightness, as if the ground beneath him had gone and turned into clouds. The air around him seemed thin, making his head buzz and leaving him feeling like he'd lost a few moments of precious oxygen. A burst of genuine laughter bubbled up from deep within him, dancing into the crisp air of the evening.
In his tranced state, he found himself looking at Kiyoomi longingly, as if seeing him for the very first time. The glow of the streetlamp shined a soft halo around Kiyoomi's features, accentuating the black in his eyes and the curve of his lips that formed a shy, reciprocating smile.
He'd felt this fuzziness many times so far. He'd felt it when they held each other as they confessed their feelings the night before, when they engaged in playful banter about beating each other in volleyball, and even back when he'd poked at Kiyoomi's dotted moles before he could stop himself. The puzzle pieces aligned, and in that very instant, he knew—he loved Kiyoomi.
With that thought, Chiharu halted in his steps, tugging on Kiyoomi's jacket sleeve to pull him to a stop as well. His hand, almost on instinct, found its way to the back of Kiyoomi's head of dark curls, while his other hand looped around Kiyoomi's waist, gently bringing him closer. It was then— on the slippery snow of Spring, under a dim street lamp, and surrounded by a thin fog— that Chiharu placed a tender kiss on Kiyoomi's lips. And then another.
And truthfully, they would've kept kissing had they not been in public; had Iizuna not obviously yelled back that they were 'walking too slow'.
⌜ • ° + ° • ⌝
Author's Note ——
I'll edit this later. Kiss scene unplanned; wasn't supposed to happen for another couple chapters.