note: please see a/n at the end~

≪ Chapter 13 ≫

No One's POV

● • ● ☁︎ ● • ●

It was nine in the morning, and for once, Hikari allowed herself to settle under the comforts of her bed, snuggling close to her peach-colored pillow and hugging her whale shark stuffed toy (from the Osaka Aquarium, when she had visited with her family) tightly.

She relaxed.

There's no need to get up now. Not when there isn't anyone around. Ah, a beautiful Sunday morning with Whale-kun.

She smiled at the thought, awake, but not daring to leave her beloved bed.

Serene moments like these made her feel a wonderful mood, as she lay still, sunlight splashing on the empty space beside her.

Suddenly, the door swung open, revealing her mother, who decided to yell, "Ayu! You have guests!"

Groaning, the brunette turned to her mother and mumbled, "Ohayo... but could you please be more gentle and quiet? It was so peaceful."

"Gomen, gomen, Ayu-chan. Breakfast is ready, too. I'll be waiting for you downstairs." Namika apologized, adding, "Don't forget to wear your bra."

"Kaasan!" Hikari shouted, glaring at her mother. "You don't need to tell me such things! And by the way, who's there?"

"You wouldn't go down if I told you. Now hurry along, you don't want to keep them waiting," the older woman advised, sliding the door closed and leaving her daughter alone once again.

"I have this feeling I know. Ugh, how irritating," she muttered, sliding out of the comfort she hadn't planned on leaving.

● • ● ☁︎ ● • ●

"Ohayo, Ayu-chan!" came the greetings of two particular friends of hers, one who waved politely and another who seemed like he couldn't care less.

There they were, sitting around her family's dining table, the freckled teen wearing a yellow hoodie and khaki cargo pants, and the blonde wearing a navy blue v-neck with a moon imprinted on it as well as black jeans and a white cardigan tied at his waist.

Looking away, she made her way down the stars cautiously, as if she minded being with them. (It was a 50/50 feeling.)

"So you're back."

"So we are," Tsukishima answered nonchalantly, resting his head on his palm while watching the girl pull back one of the wooden dining chairs to sit.

Not wanting to talk, the three sat in a rather awkward silence, a lot different from their usual quietness; it was obvious something was quite off.

It wasn't long before the female of the three broke off the silence with a rather sudden statement.

"Kaachan, I'll be outside for a bit. I need to feed Chou," Hikari announced, getting up, not even looking back.

"Sure, honey. Breakfast will be ready as soon as you get back," her mother replied from the kitchen.

As soon as the brunette closed the back door, Namika sighed and popped her head out of the kitchen, drying her hands.

"Ne, Kei-kun, Tadashi-kun. Did anything happen with Ayu-chan while you were away?" the older woman questioned, looking at the two younger boys in concern. "She's been avoiding all questions I've been asking about you two, and she seems on edge."

"I think she may be irritated, Namika-okaasan. We had forgotten to invite her with us to Tokyo," Yamaguchi explained guiltily, hanging his head, "but neither of us expected her to be this upset."

"Ah, my child! Acting like such a kid again. Mou, when will she ever grow up? She's in her third year, for goodness' sake!" Namika exclaimed, shaking her head. "Gomenasai, it must be difficult for you two to keep being friends with her when she's like this. Thank you for being so patient."

"Iie, iie!" the seaweed-haired boy bowed politely on his seat. "We're a little bit used to it already."

"A little?" Tsukishima commented sarcastically. "More like a lot."

"Mm, you're right, the both of you. It has been a long time," Namika nodded, "why don't you guys have some breakfast? I'll finish cooking in a bit."

"I'm going to go after her," the megane decided suddenly, standing up.

"T-Tsukki?" Yamaguchi squeaked, looking up at his friend, giving off a questionable look.

Tsukishima didn't bother to reply and grabbed the small plastic bag sitting atop the table and headed straight for the backdoor, silently (and grudgingly) hoping that Hikari would be cooperative.

● • ● ☁︎ ● • ●

Strands of brown floated in the morning breeze helplessly as Tsukishima watched his friend play with her huge dog quietly.

Chou seemed to be enjoying his belly rub, and usually Hikari would be laughing while doing so, but today she was silent; not a trace of a smile could be found on her lips.

The blonde sighed and got up from his position on the raised wooden platform of the back of the house, walking towards the brunette with the plastic bag in his hands.

"Because I knew you would hold a grudge this big when we got home," he muttered blankly, extending his hand to give the small bag to her.

"Urusei," Hikari hissed, looking up at him and taking the plastic bag from his hands.

She took a peek inside, only to find a copy of a manga and a few pieces of food as the contents, shyly looking away. "You didn't have to."

"Don't you think we knew that? But we did anyway," Tsukishima answered, squatting down beside her to pet the playful labrador on the head.

"We?" she questioned, eyeing him curiously.

"Yamaguchi and I," he clarified, now scratching the back of Chou's ears, which she found pleasing enough to wag her tail.

"How much was it? I'll—" Hikari started, only to he cut off anyway.

"Ayumu no baka," Tsukishima commented, facing her and poking her nose. "Honestly. You're an idiot."

"Look who's talking," she rolled her eyes, ruffling his hair to mess it up.

"No 'thank you'? My, what manners. You're so polite," he spoke sarcastically, going back to petting the irresistible Chou.

"A-Arigato na, Kei," Hikari mumbled softly, standing up and looking away, gripping the handles of the plastic.

"Yeah, yeah, whatever."

● • ● ☁︎ ● • ●

"You're staying here the whole day, right? Tell me you're gonna help me get rid of this boredom," Hikari pleaded, gulping down her rice.

"If it's alright with you," Yamaguchi replied cheerily, just about finishing his food.

"Sure, sure. I'll be meeting with Ayu-chan's father anyway, so please take care of her," Namika smiled, standing up.

"Gochisosama," the three teenagers chorused, finishing their meals.

"Anyways, what're you guys doing for summer?" she asked curiously, resting her chin on her palm. "I was thinking we could do something if you guys aren't busy."

"We have training camp and then a team vacation. Nothing out of the ordinary," Tsukishima replied.

"What? You guys are going somewhere again? Dammit, I didn't know I'd be lonely for the whole summer," Hikari complained, face-planting into the table.

"Gomen ne, Ayu-chan," Yamaguchi apologized, flashing her a sorry smile.

"Iie, iie, don't apologize. And by the way, Tadashi, arigato na," she grinned, pointing to the plastic bag. "You know me too well."

"You're welcome," the freckled teen smiled back, giving her a thumbs-up.

"Anyway, what do you wanna do today?Watch anime? Go shopping? Play games?" Hikari suggested, tapping her fingers on the table.

"Oh! I brought this new DVD of a new anime. I think Tsukki would like it, and Ayu-chan would just watch it because it's anime," Yamaguchi lightened up, standing to get his bag.

"Don't think so lowly of me! I don't just watch anything that's anime, you know! I have refined tastes!" she exclaimed.

"Hora," he said, holding up a DVD case while grinning.

Reading the title, Tsukishima fought all of his urge to smile.

"Maji de, Yamaguchi. 'Dinosaur-kun is a Baker'? That's the best you can do?" the blonde teased, secretly wanting to watch it.

The three ended up laughing, dashing to Hikari's room to have a marathon of the thirteen episodes of a slice of life featuring dinosaurs baking.

They loaded up the CD in the DVD player, lying on Hikari's bed and grabbing a few pillows to brace themselves.

And after finishing it, the sun was setting and Tsukishima was in subtle (not really) tears, not expecting it to have such an angsty ending.

● • ● ☁︎ ● • ●

"Tadashi! Kei!" Hikari yelled excitedly, waving while running towards the bus that had just stopped. "Welcome back!"

"Ayu-chan!" Yamaguchi waved back, running towards her, Tsukishima and Yoshida following after the seaweed-haired boy.

"Yo, Yoshi-kun, Kei, Tadashi! How was Summer Training Camp?" the brunette megane asked, ruffling Tsukishima's blonde hair while he snapped bitterly.

"It was good, I can't wait for the team vacation, though! We're going to a beach, and attending a summer festival!" Yoshida beamed happily.

"Oh? That's good for you guys, then! Make sure to finish your homework, though~" Hikari winked.

"Don't remind me," Yoshida mumbled, a cold sweat and a dejected aura suddenly surrounding her.

"E-Eh?! Yoshi-kun? D-Daijobu desu ka?" Hikari asked.

"D-Daijobu," Yoshida nodded shakily.

"Pfft, pea-brain here probably didn't even start," Tsukishima teased, laughing.

"T-That's not true! I did! It's just..." the younger girl trailed off, "...it's more Japanese literature."

"I can help you with that! Say, you guys wanna get together before your vacation? It's still in like, one week, right?" Hikari offered, patting her female friend on the back.

"Doesn't sound ba—"

"Hikari-san?! Is that Hikari-san?" a deep voice called out, catching the attention of the said girl, making her and her friends turn towards the owner of that voice immediately.

"Hai?" Hikari responded. "You called, Daichi-san?"

"Thank goodness you showed up! I knew you would," the captain panted, catching his breath, "anyway, there's been a slight problem. Kiyoko-san needs to quickly get a new manager for the team—"

"Um, if you're asking me to become a manager, I'll pass, thanks," Hikari declined politely, shaking her head.

"Oh, I knew that. But we need someone to watch over the team and help out for the team vacation, and I was wondering if you could take Kiyoko's place just this once? We'll even pay for accommodations!" Daichi explained. "Onegaishimasu!"

"E-Etto..." Hikari sweat-dropped, scratching her head.

'Dammit! I can't just resist free offers like that, even if it means...' she thought, glaring at a certain silver-headed setter, who was talking to the manager, 'having to get along with him.'

"Gomenasai, it's okay if you decline. We can just ask Michimiya or somethin—"

"I'll do it," she gave in, "I'm weak to free offers, especially food."

"Bhaha! Ayu-chan is a cheapskate!" Tsukishima laughed, earning a shove from the third-year girl.

"Urusei, you street-sign, inedible and way too salty french fry," Hikari hissed.

"So, is that a yes?" Daichi asked, hopeful.

"I guess I'll just have to, considering this is an opportunity..." she nodded, a threatening smile suddenly playing on her lips as she shifted her gaze (which hardened into an ice cold glare) towards the vice-captain of the team, "to totally ruin this for someone."

The four athletes around her felt electricity run down their spines, as the menacing aura that Hikari emitted was just too strong as another pair of eyes matched the rock-hard glare she was giving off; the tension was felt greatly.

"H-Hikari-san?"

"Don't worry. You asked, I answered, and now there's absolutely no going back." she smiled, tilting her head.

"Stop acting like you're a murderer unless you want to be put into jail," Tsukishima stated, flicking her forehead.

"In my mind, that Sugawara's been killed more than thirty times. Too late."

"Which means you're probably in jail in your mind too, which means you probably can't go with us to the beach either."

"Urusai."

"Gotcha."

● • ● ☁︎ ● • ●

a/n: wo a w talk about actionnnn

'Dinosaur-kun is a Baker' pfft

okay clarification that's not a real anime i just made that up, so spoilers, the ending was that Dinosaur-kun totally lost the competition because he lost his friends, and last, he lost his love interest to his baking rival.

Poor dinosaur-kun.

I can't believe that dork Tsukishima cried.

ANYWAYS !! uhm sorry for not updating v often that goes for the hq oneshots book as well, im kinda enjoying my break from my job n all. yepyep.

But alas here is an update ! Also, announcement, I'm having a voting.

Because it's hard to focus on many books at once, please vote!

• I'll focus on Rip Tide and update more frequently, but Haikyuu Oneshots will not have very frequent updates.

• I'll focus on HQ!! Oneshots and update more frequently, but Rip Tide will not have frequent updates.

• I'll try to juggle both, but they will not have updates as frequent compared to if I focus on one book.

Also, if you're wondering, bal masqué will be written once Rip Tide is halfway done, just so that I don't get too behind etc. it's p hard juggling three books at the same time, so I can only do two if you want legit quality and sorta long updates.

That's all, please leave your vote in the comments !! ^_^ please have a nice day and take care of yourselves, thanks for reading~

jaa ne !

nyx