SEA FOAM

“Took ‘em long enough,”   There is something amusing about the story of his cousin, about the way Keiji seemingly visible frustration over them as well; he thinks it was cute, the way Keiji couldn’t be bother to cut down his razor sharp words over his cousin simply indicate that he does care about them alot. While an outsider like he is, it’s better to listen and nod along with his boyfriend. With this, he guesses that he wouldn’t be able to witness Keiji’s frustrated facial expression anymore, that somewhat a tad bit disappointing. However, he wouldn’t push his luck over it. It’s better to just let Keiji express himself the way he want to.

Osamu left him to fill his stomach in the between of his packed schedule of work, it’s a rare sight to see him visit the shop in the middle of the day. Again, he cherished this very moment too, he will always cherish the slightest moment they can possibly have in the between of their busy life. Sitting by the shop, visible before the corner of his eyes - debating whether he should give it to him or not.

Hm, that’s not very him to doubt things out. There is nothing to lose anyway, for both of them. Maybe.

A minute, or two, or more, time seems to be moving faster than usual. One customer, two customers, and more come and goes. Keiji, too, finally finish his lunch and that means he should be on his way back to his work.

“Keiji,”   he calls for him, right before the very man open the front door.  “ya almost forgot this.”   cute, the way Keiji seems to be confused over it yet come closer to Osamu anyway. It’s a box, the man say. Osamu simply nods,

“It’s yours. Your gift,”   Ah so cheesy.

“I thought ya might like it. ‘s not much, perhaps too much, 'dunno. But for me, ’m serious on pursuin’ ya. Lately, ‘er cousin and his silly love story is all we talk about. It got me thinkin’ about it. So here I am, call it being selfish and silly but I ain’t gonna let you have yer chance to slipped away from me.”

“So I thought, it would be nice if ... ‘Dunno.  Get married or somethin’,”  though the last words come out as a mutter, that’s the bravest he can ever possibly be today. To do it here, in his own shop in broad day light.

“I can cook and clean for us, I have a bloomin’ business of my own, I’m funny and not a bad lookin’ person either.  Sure I have an annoying twin that’s going to be yer in-law but I will make sure he ain’t gonna bother ya. Aren’t I quite a catch?  Yer cousin might finally get together but I ain’t gonna let this chance for ya to brag about your love life too and say to ‘em that yer getting married. “

Judging from the display of colorful personalities on the court, Keiji didn’t doubt that Atsumu was the bragging type. If his own setting was that precise and skillful, he doubted he would be that much of a show-off. But it was understandable why the other setter would act the way he did. 

In fact, Keiji’s own teammates actually urged the setter to be more confident in his abilities. He could if he would, but he simply wasn’t the type. He also believed his skill level reached this far because he was part of a solid team.

Stories of friendly rivalries were common in the court. Oftentimes, it would be between captains, aces, or other players with similar positions. So that was Keiji’s first assumption to being approached like this by Osamu. Even though they had different positions, they could have something in common. That maybe there was something they could learn from each other. 

Honest to goodness, he didn’t know what he could offer to an already formidable player like him. Thus, he was taken aback at the inquiry and offer that followed. Why me? was the first thing that entered Keiji’s mind. He didn’t even have any assumptions at the ready. It almost felt like an event that happened off-script from the status quo.

“Sure, I don’t mind.” Keiji gave a slow nod. He didn’t have a pen and paper with him, his face giving away a hint of confusion while looking around. “Do you have your phone with you? I figured your team would stay for a while longer. Has your team already paid a visit to the Skytree?” His first assumption: Osamu wanted to wander around Tokyo more if time would let him.

“Ah,” right. How foolish of him, he didn’t think it through before the other boy said it so he averts his gaze out of embarrassment. “... Stay here.” Hurriedly, he run back to where his team are. Trying his best to get his phone out of his bag and runs back to the setter. Droplet of sweats are visible on his forehead right after. “Here. Yer number,” be polite, Osamu, he thinks. “please.” So he hand him his phone. 

“About Skytree, we haven’t. We plan to stay ‘ere for a couple of days. But I thought it’s gonna be better to have someone around to show us. That’s why,” Actually that’s not why. That’s not why he asked Akaashi for his number, it’s for something else entirely. A selfish, intangible reason that he doesn’t know off. Yet he know he want to be friend with him. Just him.

And it’s not like he can’t brag about it to Atsumu either. The fact that, he too, can be friend someone from Tokyo. Once he finally get the setter’s number, he can’t hide the hapy glints on his eyes under the usual stoic looking face he always have. “Say, is it ok to send ya a message sometimes?”

Kei.ji didn’t know how and when it started. No, it couldn’t be in their first eye contact. Such an occurrence was reserved in the world of fiction. And yet, his eyes searched for him. 

Compared to watching other talented players in the court, there was something different about this person. His skills were notable surely, but the setter couldn’t tell what else piqued his interest with him in the first place. And the mystery remained in the same when their teams faced off against one another.

He could hardly believe it himself. But there were moments that when their eyes, time… simply stopped. However, it wasn’t distracting enough that it would affect their performance in the match. Rather, they became more… motivated? Like some unspoken message, they ended up doing receives from one another. 

No one noticed it. No one but them.

So, cue his surprise when he turned around to see the Mi.ya O.samu. Kei.ji had a towel draped around his shoulders, taking a sip of his beverage. What is he here for? Well, the setter kept his thoughts deep and suppressed; never one to jump to conclusions.

“Ah, Miya-san.” He bowed his head in formality. “It was a good match earlier. As expected, your team is of national caliber. I’ve never been so exhausted, unlike my team’s captain who apparently wants more.” A pause. “I’ve also heard about your twin training alongside Ka.geyama. And it’s easy to see why.”

Maybe it’s the weather, maybe it’s youth, might even be other thing entirely. His focus were split into two, the match and the person on the other side of the net. Not the captain with that killer spike of his, no, but the setter with the calculating eyes that remind him of Kita-senpai. His twin told him to stop being distracted and he told him to fuck off; you know, like a normal siblings would. Atsumu is right of course, his mind should have been in the game entirely and not elsewhere. Elsewhere as in the setter before them.

The cheering roared in the stadium  and the game set. Everyone bowing to one another. Congratulating the winner and try to improve for the next match for the other.

Hurriedly and perhaps, impulsively. He found himself finding the setter named Akaashi Keiji, it’s not the first time they met but it sure is the first time they talk to each other. The names are familiar to one another that it’s not that awkward anymore to know without asking.

“Yours too.”  It is an understatement if their spikers aren’t draining his energy, nor they aren’t burning the twins with flame of competitions. They are a marvelous player as a team and as a whole. But that’s not what he want to say either to this person. “Yes, he is. It’s annoying to hear him brag about it everyday but as long as he improved then it’s good for us.”

Mad? Why does think I’m mad? Keiji had to reread Osamu’s message for good measure. Did I say something wrong? Weren’t my words understandable in its execution? No matter how much he tried deciphering the other’s words and his own, he couldn’t come up with a reasonable conclusion. He supposed it was better to ask the man involved.

( sms ) Mad? Why would I be mad?  ( sms ) I just said I wanted you to be here with me. That’s what I said, right? ( sms ) Did you think I meant something else?

oh god, keiji is definitely mad at him. there is no way this kind of messages indicate that he isn’t.  quivers in fear, osamu frozen in his place;  he can sense cold sweats starting to gather on his skins, all over his forehead and his back.  he is doomed, he is definitely and utterly doomed --not knowing that he did wrong, not knowing what is keiji being mad at.  there is no other way other than apologizing first. yes, that will do.

eh ?   is he in trouble ?  why is he suddenly demand his presence of all time ?  not to mention how serious this message is. did osamu forgot something ?  his birthday is in three days so there is no way he missed that.  did he forgot their date ?  what is it, keiji ?!