Part 2: Chapter 17
"(nickname)-chan! Emergency! I need to talk to you, like now! I'm gonna borrow her, Tsukishima-san!"
Three pairs of eyes blinked as you, Tsukishima and Yamaguchi stared at their class president in bewilderment. Michiko was panting for air after running all the way to class and shouting in your faces.
It was currently during lunch time and the three of you were eating your meal peacefully when Michiko came bursting into the classroom, disrupting your meal times. You swallowed your food as you stood up, feeling concern for your best friend.
"Mi-chan, are you okay? What do you need to talk to me about?"
Ignoring your question, the first-year grabbed your hands and ran out of the class, dragging you along. "No time to waste! See you later, Yamaguchi-san and Tsukishima-san!"
Yamaguchi and Tsukishima stared at both their classmates' retreating forms until they were out of sight. Tsukishima returned back to eating his lunch as Yamaguchi blinked his eyes in confusion, asking, "What was that all about?"
Tsukishima took a bite out of his strawberry cake as he answered monotonously, "I don't know and I don't want to know. Just focus on finishing your lunch, lunch break is going to end soon."
"Okay, Tsukki!"
"Don't call me that."
"Sorry, Tsukki."
***
You were still being dragged along as Michiko continued running down the hallway, going to who knows where. You were still feeling confused and concern towards your best friend's unusual behaviour, wondering if she had lost her mind.
"Mi-chan, please slow down. You're gonna rip off my arm if you continue to pull me along like that." You said as your arm began to throb in pain.
Michiko immediately released your arm with a sheepish look as you rubbed your arm, glaring at her.
"Sorry." Michiko apologised.
You sighed as you rubbed your head, feeling a headache coming. "Nevermind that. So, what's the 'emergency' you wanna talk about with me?"
You air-quoted the word "emergency" and waited for Michiko's reply. Class 1-4 president's eyes lit up as she grabbed you by the shoulders and begun to shake you like crazy while shouting in excitement, "Are you and Tsukishima-san dating?! Why didn't you tell me?! I thought we are best friends!"
You felt your head spinning as Michiko continued to give you a mini-earthquake. Before you could lose your lunch, you begged your best friend to stop shaking you. "Mi-chan! I'm gonna lose my lunch if you continue to shake me that hard."
Michiko released you immediately as you tried to regain your sense of balance. When you felt that you weren't going to black out, you fixed a glare at your best friend who gave you an innocent look. "Seriously, Mi-chan? What's wrong with you? I swear one of these days..."
You trailed off as Michiko's words from earlier on sank in. The black-haired female grinned in amusement as she watched your face changed from shock to disbelief to embarrassment. You could feel your face heating up at the mention of you and Tsukishima in a relationship. You could imagine how horrible it would be if you were to date that sadistic string bean.
Michiko began to giggle at the look of horror on your face. "It can't be that bad, dating Tsukishima-san. I mean, have you seen yourself whenever you're around him? The moment he enters the room, your face lit up like the sun."
You turned to Michiko with an appalled look as you took her by the shoulders and stared directly into her eyes. "Are you out of your mind?! Why will you think that string bean and I are dating? Which we're not, by the way! We're just friends!"
"And I do not, I repeat do not light up like the sun whenever Kei-kun enters the room!" You added on.
"OH MY GOSH! YOU GUYS ARE ON FIRST NAME BASIS ALREADY? YOU CALLED TSUKISHIMA-SAN BY HIS FIRST NAME, HOW CUTE!"
Michiko squealed in delight as you try your best to get her to shut up before people start coming out of their classroom to investigate what's happening.
"Mi-chan, keep it down! You're gonna attract attention!" You said, desperation shown on your face.
Michiko calmed down before remembering what you said earlier on. She tilted her head to the side as she asked, "Wait, did you mention earlier on that you and Tsukishima-san aren't dating?"
"Yes, I said that. Please believe me when I say that he and I aren't dating." You desperately answered, hoping that she would believe you.
"But I swore I saw you and Tsukishima on a date at the park near our school the other night?" Michiko muttered under her breath, a concentrated look on her face.
"What?" You stared at your friend as though she had lost her mind.
Michiko turned her attention back to you as she exclaimed, "I saw you and Tsukishima-san at the park near our school after volleyball training, I think. Both of you were blushing and being fluffy with one another. There's no other explanation other than that you two are dating!"
Your (e/c) eyes widen when you realised what Michiko was referring to. Your mind flashbacked to yesterday night when you and Tsukishima were at the park after training. Your brows furrowed when you remembered that you heard some rustling and what sounds like a girl screaming coming from some nearby bushes, but you weren't so sure.
"The sounds that I heard at the park that night, it can't be..." You trailed off before turning to Michiko with a glare as the girl crept away, trying to escape from you.
"Michiko Akiyama."
The said female froze in her steps when she heard the warning tone in your voice. Turning around slowly, Michiko winced when she saw the glare on your face. Hesitatingly, Michiko replied, "Yes?"
"Is there something that you aren't telling me?" Your (e/c) eyes narrowed further, scrutinising the girl as she shrunk in fear.
"I-I might or might not have spied on you and Tsukishima-san," Michiko replied quietly, however she went on when she saw the look on your face. "It wasn't on purpose though! I was just passing by on my way home after club activity when I saw you and Tsukishima-san at the park which only made me curious as to what you guys are doing there."
You sighed and shook your head, wondering why were you friends with such a person like Michiko. The first-year simply grinned slyly, causing you to be wary of her. "Whatever you're thinking of, stop thinking of it."
Michiko took your face into both her arms as she stared intensely into your (e/c) eyes, trying to find something in there that would answer all her questions.
"Mi-chan, what are you doing exactly?" You asked, your voice muffled as Michiko squished your cheeks together.
"Ah, I see I see," Michiko muttered mysteriously as she finally released your cheeks.
You rubbed your sore cheeks as you stared at your best friend curiously, thinking if she had lost her mind. You only became more even more curious when she began to pace up and down the hallway while muttering nonsense under her breath.
Yeap, the girl has lost her mind completely.
"Mi-chan, I think you should lie down at the sickbay." You said as you tried to stop her pacing.
Suddenly, Michiko stopped pacing abruptly and turned to face you with a serious look. You began to back away slowly, afraid of the girl standing in front of you staring at you with an intense look. Sweat formed on your forehead as Michiko invaded your personal space, her face practically an inch away from your own.
"Erm, Mi-chan?"
"I knew it! I knew it!"
You could only stare in bewilderment as your friend began to dance around like a drunkard, a happy look on her face. And you thought you were the weird one.
You straightened your body as you face Michiko who had stopped dancing, a giant smile on her face. You asked confusingly, not able to comprehend what your friend was thinking about. "Mi-chan? Seriously, what's wrong with you? You've been acting all weird ever since you barged into the class like you just ran a marathon."
"You like Tsukishima-san!" Michiko excitedly exclaimed as she pointed a finger at you.
Confusion turned into shock as you stood there with wide (e/c) eyes, your brain not functioning. You could only stare at Michiko as the girl began dancing around you once more, chanting "(name)-chan likes Tsukishima-san" under her breath.
You snapped out of it when you heard whispers coming from your fellow schoolmates. You glanced around as everyone stared and talked about the both of you. You felt the first-hand embarrassment for your crazy female friend as your face became so red that you put all tomatoes to shame.
Bowing, you apologised for the commotion before grabbing Michiko by the arm and escaped to an empty classroom. You pushed Michiko inside as you shut the door behind you, panting for air.
Michiko felt guilty when she saw the tired look on your face as you tried to calm your erratic heart down. "Sorry, (nickname)-chan."
You took in a deep breath before facing Michiko with a stern look, your arms crossed, saying. "Alright, you need to calm down and stop spouting ridiculous words. What makes you think that I like Kei-kun? That's just crazy talk!"
You threw your arms up in the air at the end of your mini-rant, a disbelief looks on your face. You almost laughed at the idea of you having feelings for the dinosaur lover. As if that will ever happen unless hell freezes over.
Michiko shook her head as she approached you, pushing you from behind as she directs you to sit down. "My poor baby, you're like a newborn when it comes to romance. Not knowing anything at all, you poor child. Come, let mother teach you all that she knows."
You groaned as you realised where this was going. You knew that you'll be here for a while listening to one of Michiko's "life" lecture. "Is this really the right time to listen to one of your life lessons?"
"Of course! It's always the right time for life lessons!" Michiko replied indignantly, feeling offended by your words.
You rolled your eyes at her dramatic flair and rest your head on your hand, a bored look on your face. Michiko smiled when she knew that she had your attention despite the bored look you're giving her.
One thing that Michiko love about you is that every time she goes into one of her life lessons, you will always listen to her no matter how boring it is.
"Okay, now that I have your attention, let's start with something simple first. What do you see Tsukishima-san as?" Michiko asked.
"A close friend." You monotonously answered, not understanding where this was going.
"Hmm. That's a good start. Now, whenever you're around him, what do you feel?" The first-year went on.
"I don't see where this is going -"
"Just answer the question!" Michiko cut you off with a glare, you doing the same.
You banged your head on the table as you groan, "I don't know. Normal?"
Michiko lifted up your head as you gave her an "are-you-done" look, shaking you vigorously and dramatically exclaiming, "No! No! You need to be more specific, (name)-chan! Come on, you can do this better than that!"
At this point, you were done with your best friend and her annoying behaviour. So, you snapped.
"Fine! You want me to be specific, I'll be specific! So specific that you can write a book about it. Whenever I'm around Kei-kun, I feel contented and happy. Every time that string bean smile at me, I feel an entire zoo rampaging in my stomach in a good way. Instead of feeling angry whenever he teases me, I feel joyful. If you're wondering, I find myself wanting to always be around him!"
"(name)-chan, you need to calm-"
You interrupted Michiko as you went on, to focus on your ranting to listen to what Michiko has to say.
"Furthermore, my heart always beats wildly whenever he does something cool during volleyball training. I find myself blushing whenever Kei-kun praises me. At the same time, it always breaks my heart when he shuts me out and I hate it. Yet, I can't help wanting to know what's behind those walls he builds over the years. I've been feeling like this ever since the away games in Tokyo and I don't know what these feelings mean, they scare me. However, I don't want these feelings to go away. There! I said everything there is to say. Are you happy now?!"
By the time you finished your rant, you were panting for air as Michiko stared at you with wide eyes, not expecting you to explode at all. You and Michiko stare at one another - you looking frustrated while Michiko looked surprised.
Your (h/c) hair fluttered up slightly before coming to a standstill as a breeze entered the classroom from an open window. You sighed as you collapsed in your seat, your face buried in your hands. Despite feeling vulnerable after wearing your heart on your sleeves, you felt a weight lifted off your shoulders.
Michiko's eyes soften when she realised that you had confessed how you felt towards Tsukishima and now, all you had to do was to admit that you might be falling for him. All you need was a little push in the right direction and Michiko is more than happy to help you, although she might need help from some people.
You looked up at your best friend with a hopeless look as she tugged your hands away from your face. Michiko softly smiled as she said, "(name), those feelings you are feeling around Tsukishima-san are feelings of falling for someone."
Michiko watched your face with a hopeful look, waiting anticipatedly for your reaction. However, she wqwcmet with disappointment when you responded with an "oh."
"Seriously?! That's all you have to say?!" Michiko shouted at you while clutching her hair so hard you were afraid she's gonna pulled them out.
"What do you want me to say!" You gave your friend a confused look as you replied.
"Oh, I don't know! Maybe an "Oh my god, I'm in love with Kei-kun!" or something like that along the line. Honestly (name)-chan, you're so hopeless!" Michiko said as she threw her arms into the air, expressing her frustration towards you.
"This is my first time feeling this way. That's why I didn't know how to react." You muttered under breath, your cheeks slightly pink.
Michiko whipped her head towards you with a look of surprise as she exclaimed, "Sugar Honey Ice Tea! Are you telling me that you have never felt this way towards a guy before?!"
You shook your head as your cheeks redden, feeling embarrassed at the fact that you never had a crush before. At that time, you didn't really see the need of having a partner as you were busy with volleyball. You didn't have the time to be in a relationship, so you didn't bother.
You looked at Michiko with a curious look when you realised she had not replied at all. Michiko was standing there with her mouth wide open as you back away immediately, knowing that she was gonna explode any moment.
Your intuition was right when not two seconds later, Michiko exploded into her fangirl mode. She grabbed you by the hands as she swung the both of you around and around while shouting, "Oh my gosh! This is too precious! Tsukishima-san is your first love and that's the best kind of love ever!"
Michiko released you as she started daydreaming. "Ah, the sweet taste of first love. It's even better when they meet in high school. Nothing beats seeing two high school sweethearts being married after many years later ."
You rubbed your sore wrists as you glared at Michiko, saying, "Don't be ridiculous, Mi-chan. Kei-kun and I aren't gonna be together, let alone talk about marriage. Besides, I'm too young to be thinking about this sort of things."
"(name)-chan! You're not allowed to say such things! I'm gonna make you realise that you and Tsukishima-san are meant to be together! Then, you're gonna get married and I'll babysit your cute kids!" Michiko gasped, feeling offended that her own friend would destroy her ship.
You rolled your (e/c) eyes at Michiko's dramatic reaction as you said with a final tone, "For the last time, I don't love Kei-kun and we aren't gonna be together. We're just good friends. Get that through your thick skull. Now that's established, let's head back to class, lunch period is almost over."
With that being said, you pushed the door opened as you head back to class. Michiko gave a frustrated groan, not understanding why were you such a stubborn human being. She trailed behind you as she complained, "Why can't you see that fate has decided you and Tsukishima-san are meant to be?"
You ignored Michiko as she went on, a determined look on her face. "I'm gonna make you accept the fact that you're in love with Tsukishima-san."
"Good luck with that." You replied dryly as you sat down.
Michiko glared at you, determined to prove you wrong. "Don't say I didn't warn you first."
Tension sparked in the air between the two females as neither refused to back down. You gave Michiko a smirk who stuck her tongue at you before taking a seat. However, you knew that you can never stay mad at Michiko for long as both of you burst out into laughter.
Tsukishima raised a brow at your behaviour, silently asking what's going on. You shook your head with a smile on your face as you mouthed, "Nothing."
The middle blocker shrugged before giving you a small smile, a fond look on his face that left you blushing. You quickly turned your head to the front as you fan your redden cheeks, trying to make the blush to disappear.
You caught Michiko's eyes as she wiggled her eyebrows, a smirk on her face. She mouthed the words "I told you so" with a smug look on her face that has you glaring at her.
You let out a groan and buried your head in your arms as Michiko's words from earlier on came to mind. "(name), those feelings you are feeling around Tsukishima-san are feelings of falling for someone ."
For the rest of the day, you only had one thought on your mind as you tried to ignore Michiko's knowing looks and Tsukishima's questioning gaze.
'Can it be that maybe Michiko's right? Am I really falling for string bean?!'
***
Tsukishima's furrowed his brows as he tried to figure out what was wrong with you. Ever since lunch period ended, you have been acting rather off. By off, Tuskishima meant that you have been avoiding him every time he tried to talk to you.
Did he do something to set you off? After all, you seemed to be acting perfectly fine whenever you're around other people. It seems like Tsukishima was the only exception.
The blond first-year gripped the volleyball that was in his hands tightly, frustration written all over his face as he stared at you laughing along with Hinata and Kageyama. Tsukishima couldn't understand why were you avoiding him when he remembered clearly that he haven't done anything to set you off.
You were laughing as you watched Hinata and Kageyama bickering over who was better volleyball. However, you stopped laughing when you caught Tsukishima glaring at you, his hands gripping the volleyball tightly.
Your cheeks pinked as guilt overcame you. You have a slight idea as to why Tsukishima was acting this way. Ever since Michiko planted the idea of you having feelings for Tsukishima, you have been avoiding him. It's not his fault that you were acting this way, you just didn't know how to act around the blond.
Your emotions were all over the place. Half of you wanted to be around the male, laughing and smiling like you usually do. While the other half knows that you would make a fool out of yourself if you were to be around him - your heart will be beating crazily and your face will be on fire.
Just the thought of it already has your cheeks pinking slightly and butterflies fluttering all over your stomach. You caught Tsukishima's eyes as they widened slightly in surprise before narrowing into a glare. You bit your lips as Tsukishima turned his back to you and walked off.
You can't help but wanting to run over and apologised to Tsukishima.
"(name)-chan, are you okay? Your face is red."
"Eek!"
You let out a squeal and jumped ten feet into the air when you heard Suga's voice appearing next to you from out of nowhere. "Suga-senpai, you gave me a scare."
"Sorry, (name)-chan." Suga apologised as he pulled you onto your feet.
"It's fine." You smiled with assurance at your vice-captain who smiled in return. However, that smile gave way to concern as Suga furrowed his brows and said, "Are you and Tsukishima fighting?"
Your (e/c) eyes blinked as you replied, "What?"
Suga chuckled at the lost look on your face as he repeated what he said, "I'm asking if you and Tsukishima are fighting. Both of you aren't talking to one another which is weird since you guys are always together."
You shook your head as you explained, "Kei-kun and I aren't fighting. It's just that, how do I put this, I don't know how to act around him normally."
Suga tilts his head to the side, a confused look on his face. "What do you mean?"
You sighed as you glanced towards where Tsukishima was sitting by himself in one corner, a frown still visible on his face. Suga's head followed you as you explained your troubles to your senior. "A friend of mine planted the idea that I might have feelings for Kei-kun in my head which is not true as he and I are just close friends."
Suga laughed lightly when he realised that there was nothing serious happening between you and Tsukishima. He ruffled your (e/c) hair as he said simply. "Sometimes all you need to do is to feel with your heart and not think with your brain."
Your brows furrowed in confusion as you tried to decipher the meaning behind the silver-haired setter's words. "I don't understand where you're coming from Suga-senpai."
Suga smiled gently as you gave him a hopeless look, saying. "What I meant is, you need to open up your heart and let things fall into place naturally. Don't think so much about your feelings towards Tsukishima, instead focus on him. Then, you'll naturally come to realise and accept if you have fallen for him or not."
You face split into a giant smile as you thanked your friend happily, "Thank you, Suga-senpai! You've been a great help!"
Suga chuckled as he patted you on the head for encouragement before heading back to where everyone was. You took a deep breath as you try to calm your heart down. Now that you know what to do, your thoughts were more coherent as you approached Tsukishima, ready to apologise for your behaviour.
"Kei-kun, do you have a minute? I need to talk to you."
Tsukishima turned his attention to you as he saw you approaching him, replying coldly. "What do you want?"
You winced at the cold tone directed towards you as you said, "I just want to apologise for avoiding you. It's just that my thoughts were all over the place and I wasn't acting like myself."
Tsukishima's coldness melted away as he replied curiously, "Are you okay?"
You faltered at Tsukishima's question as your face became red. You shook your head and gave an awkward laugh, saying. "I-I'm fine, it's nothing for you to worry about! Ha. Ha."
Tsukishima blinked his golden eyes as he simply said. "Okay if you say so."
"Does that mean you're okay with me now?" You gave Tsukishima a hopeful look.
Deciding to play around with you for a bit, Tsukishima replied thoughtfully, "Hmm, I wonder. I mean you did avoid me..."
He trailed off as you gave him a pout, mumbling, "Meanie."
Tsukishima chuckled as he ruffled your hair, happiness could be heard in his voice as he spoke. "I'm just kidding, Munchkin. I forgive you, just don't avoid me again."
"Whatever." You muttered as you looked away from the smile directed at you, blushing.
Tsukishima smirked as he gave you a peck on your forehead, ignoring the way how hard his heart was beating. He straightened as he watched your face for any reaction. You froze like a statue as your (e/c) eyes and mouth widen in shock, your entire face becoming even redder.
When the blond saw your expression, he smugly said. "You look like a tomato. Should I call you tomato-chan from now onwards?"
You glared at Tsukishima as your face remained red. Instead of using words as your retaliation, you stood on your toe as you closed your eyes and kissed Tsukishima's cheek. Now it was Tsukishima's turn to be frozen in shock as his face became as red as yours.
"Look like I should be the one to call you tomato-kun." You smirked despite redness painting your cheeks.
Tsukishima scowled at you as he replied, "You're annoying."
Both of you glared at one another, completely oblivious to the fact that the entire Karasuno team was staring at the two love birds.
Suga shook his head with a smile on his face, saying, "Such tsundere."
Daichi laughed as he reprimands his vice-captain lightly, "Now, now, Suga. We should leave them be."
Everyone laughed as you and Tsukishima bickered like old times. Only this time around, both of your faces were red as both teenagers try to ignore the fact that both parties were falling for one another. (Actually, it's more like reader-chan is the one who is ignoring this fact, Tsukishima is just too embarrassed to admit that he is falling deeper for you. :D )
(Next chapter hint: summer festival)