A/N:

Hey guys! I hope you all have been safe and sound ❣

I know that I haven't posted in a long while but I needed the break.

I am feeling so much better now and I am grateful for everyone who has stayed with me and Tall, Dark & Hooked all this while. Thank you 😭💖

Without any further ado here is your long awaited chapter...

Sentences in Italics represent Kuroo's thoughts!

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KUROO's POV:

"Say it again!" I commanded, more like threatened as anger coursed through my veins. I tried to wrap my head around the information Anzai-san orated which was bullshit at its best. Deep down, I hated hearing those words.

Our mind is a strange thing, filled with love, lust, and warmth...

Until scathing words spills with envy; setting us into a warpath.

"Kuroo, you know that it can't be true," Yak-kun interjected as he glared at Anzai-san while I remained like a stone, still processing her words. "They are just trying to frame her because you rejected two of them! They can't stand the fact that you like her."

She is just spouting nonsense! These girls have been doing this since day one.

"That's not true! I am t-telling you my side of the story. Y-you asked for it!" she stuttered to get her words out. She was sweating, her weight oscillated from one leg to another as she nervously picked at her nails.

"Anzai-san, you cannot bluntly say you saw them kissing. It's too big of a blame," Kai-kun addressed which only made me scoff, and reality set in.

"Anzai-san, stuttering is a form of lying, unless you have a speaking disorder of sorts," I remarked.

"W-what?" She stuttered, again.

"So, while you are at it, either tell us the truth or leave us and [F/N]-chan alone because we have got bigger fish to fry. And you guys are not worth our time," I bit her head off. It was irritating and I didn't want to hear one more word from her mouth that only knows how to lie.

"Kuroo-kun, s-she is not good for y-you. I know what I saw!" she insisted which only aggravated me a hundred folds. It wasn't just her words, it was her pitchy, squeaky, stuttering voice that drilled holes into my brain that made me want to hulk out.

"I will decide what is good for me and what isn't. You know what you saw? Then tell the whole damn story, not just a sentence where you blame someone because you don't like that person." I sneered, maybe even yelled at that point. I wasn't so sure why I even asked her to tell her side of the story but I did.

They might have thought that they could lay such a blame on [F/N]-chan and it would drive a wedge between us, then they were clearly mistaken. But I must hand it to them, they have done their homework. They somehow knew that I didn't like that guy Jerry and they have beautifully carved out a story that will implant seeds of doubt.

"It's not about my liking towards her, it's just–"

"Anzai-san, you know what? We are leaving now. This conversation is over!" I interfered, making her stop while I signaled Yak-kun and Kai-kun to leave and they were ready to depart from this stupid conversation as well.

"No. Wait, I-, I will tell the whole thing," she muttered to herself as we took a step.

"No. We don't want to hear anything else from you," Yak-kun announced and we began to walk away as she kept fiddling with her uniform bow and trying to say something, irritating the hell out of me.

"T-that gaijin (foreigner) left the class during lunch–" she spoke up finally and we halted in our steps.

"I mean after eating his lunch and Yui-chan wanted to talk to him. T-talk to him and get to know him but she was very nervous. She was- I um, I mean I have never seen her this nervous," she dragged. This is going nowhere; I shouldn't be here. I should go check on [F/N]-chan.

"What are you getting at?" I questioned, turning back in a whiff.

"W-Why are you yelling at me. You wanted to know the whole story, right?" she flinched but she was also thrown away by my actions.

"Go on, Anzai-san!" Kai-kun interjected, stopping me from saying something very mean.

We were back to square one, we were back to listening to her bullshit even though I knew it was a waste of time; even though I didn't want to. Although, it would allow me to understand the extent of their hatred towards my [F/N]-chan so I went along with it.

"Yui-chan left to find him and that's when I heard the boys talking amongst themselves, that-, that um– Reyne and [L/N] live together. Alone, without any parents or guardian!" she hushed, looking here and there to confirm no one would hear what she said except for the three of us, just like she was gossiping with her girls.

"First of all, I am not your gossip buddy and you need to stop lying. They are friends. They know each other from before and that's it." I stated as a matter of fact. [F/N]-chan had already told me that they were just friends and I trust her.

If she lived with him, she would have informed me yesterday, when we were talking all night long on the phone. She wouldn't keep this sort of information from me.

"I am not lying. That's what the boys were talking about. You can ask anyone in our class. That Gaijin (foreigner) was boasting about it to everyone. I swear!"

"So, what if they live together? They could even be family friends or he could be staying with her until he finds a place of his own. So, what exactly is your problem with that, Anzai-san?" Yak-kun hissed.

Yak-kun is rather honest and straight forward than most of us. He always has been the person who looks out for his friends. So, it was one thing to piss me off but to get Yak-kun agitated like this was not going to be in the best of their interest.

"I-, I don't have any problem. I just thought Yui-chan should know and I went to find her, t-to tell her about the information I heard–"

"Gossip, you mean gossip about what you heard!" Kai-kun cut her off. Now Kai-kun is pissed too? Damn [F/N]-chan you've got a protection squad.

"I found her in front of the council room and um, she was just staring into the council room in-in shock and I blurted out everything so fast and that's when she made me look into the council room a-and I saw them making out and she said 'It all makes sense now!' and I made her leave because she shouldn't watch that and it was only traumatic for her and on the way, we saw you and she took it out on you and–"

"You people are seething with jealousy and hatred that you guys have started to make up stories like this? You guys deserve an Oscar or something for this! We are leaving." I declared and walked away once again. Nevertheless, a feint sense of anger remained in my heart.

I began to walk towards the council room which was at the other end of the corridor, and our school had to have long corridors. Kai-kun and Yak-kun followed me behind and I could hear Anzai-san blithering some more shit as she walked behind us.

I paused on my track and took my phone out from my pocket only to see a call from [F/N]-chan. I picked it up right away, it wasn't like my brain had to instruct me to pick the call. There was no hesitation, it was a reflex; it was an instinct; it was need and yearning. I missed her and I wanted to narrate the whole shebang that had happened and laugh about it.

"Hey, I was just coming to see you," I said smiling, her call somehow calming my nerves as I stood still on the ground, without moving an inch. Her call made me feel better and I consciously shut down the other noises that were coming from behind me which was Anzai-san and Yak-kun's pointless argument.

"Don't come." She said, her gruff voice making me freeze as muffled noises of commotion reached my ears from her side of the phone. I was confused. It was a gut feeling; I wanted to run and look what was happening there.

The warmth of the summer diminished along with the sparkle & shine...

And the winter came breezing controlled by a cynical time.

After a short pause, she continued, "Just listen, I know I told you that we could talk during lunch but I don't feel so good. I went to the nurse's office and the sensei (nurse) asked me to go home. So, I am going home–"

"Bubbles, wrap it up or I'm going to carry you all the way to the gate!" I heard him command her which unsettled my nerves that had just calmed down a bit.

Why is he there? What is happening? She asked me not to come, but why?

"Shut up. Shhhh! Hello! Kuroo, are you there?" she asked and I heard more ruffling and shuffling from beside her, including Jerry's chuckles.

She was just a few meters away from me, inside a room, with Jerry, 'her friend' but I was rooted to the ground with noises in my head that I couldn't fully comprehend and I could only mutter, "Y-yeah, yeah I'm here."

"So, yeah. I am leaving now and I just wanted to know if you could come by my place after school, so that we could talk?" she asked, her voice so hoarse like she was keeping in a cough but what concerned me more was Jerry's presence around her.

I don't doubt her. She is with her friend. She is sick. I should ask how she is feeling. Ask how she is...

"What is Jerry doing there with you?" I blurted out, disregarding the thoughts in my head. I just wanted to know why she chose him to help her in time of need when she could depend on me.

I wanted her to depend on me, I wanted her to want me. As much as I want her...

"Oh, he is just helping me pack my stuff and–" her voice was interrupted when I heard her squeal "Oww, put me down. Put me down this instant!"

He is touching her. He is carrying her? No. No. No. This isn't right! I should be the one helping her. He might be her friend but he is overstepping his limits.

It was instinctive and my legs rushed towards the council room hearing every bit of commotion that was going on the other side of the phone. I even tried to question myself at this point by asking what if it was Yak-kun who was helping her. Would I feel all this nonsense or am I just too possessive of her that I am feeling this way?

"Fine then, walk and talk. I only have permission for an hour. I have to get back to school after we get home and do our stuff!"

"What stuff?" I asked but I got no reply as she was focused on her so-called friend. I was only trying to get a grip on the situation but my heart was racing. My palms were sweaty and I clenched my phone as I didn't want it to fall from my clasp, unlike other things that were actually falling apart.

"I swear to god I saw them kissing!" Anzai-san's squeaky, chirpy, annoying voice from her argument with Yak-kun reached my ears, making it much worse than it already was.

No, I am not the type to doubt my girl based on some bullshit. I'm her boyfriend. I just want to talk to her even if she doesn't want to look at me right now. I want to see her right now. It will be fine. It will be okay.

"The things I'm going to do to you for all this trouble you got me into!"

Flames of scruple danced away while buried demons came to play!

Circumstances so bleak and gray; only for emotions to trail astray!

That was it. His voice, his tone, and everything else that had happened in the last few minutes hit me like a train. My whole system was in shock and I needed to know what was happening there myself. I did not like that guy from the beginning and now, he was just asking for it.

"Stop talking Jojo, I'm trying to–"

"How long has he been there? Why is he coming with you?"

"What? Hello? What are you saying? It doesn't make any sense. This is what I wanted to talk to you about."

"Why do you not want me to come and see you? I'm on the way. Please just stay there. Don't move!" I commanded.

"He was just messing with you. He is my–" is all I heard for a reply and I didn't want to hear any more reasons. This was my zero-tolerance state. So, cut the call and I quickly sprinted towards the council room but it was already locked.

No, no, no. Run Tetsurou, run. They are still here. They must have just moved out. I asked her to stay. I asked her not to move. What the hell? I just need to talk to her and everything will be back to normal. Back to the way it was. Rainbows and sunshine...

I ran ahead to the nearest staircase, hoping to catch them before they could leave.

You are the one that is getting fooled here, dimwit! Horie-san's voice echoed in my head and I fought it with every ounce of trust I had in the girl I liked. I ran down the stairs, skipped a few steps, and slightly twisted my ankles down the way but I kept running until I found them.

Until I found them together, his hands were holding her, encasing her shoulder in his as she was flushed against his chest and her things on his shoulders. She looked pale and sick, her lips chapped and dry, her eyes slightly red and drained of energy. And him, he looked like he had accomplished something; like he had won her over to his side.

"Take your hands off her!" I declared, looking down on the two of them as they stood a few steps beneath me. It was infuriating to watch him hold her in his arms as I cascaded down the steps.

"Oh Kuroo, it's nothing I told you not to come. I spiked a fever and he is helping me get home. It's fine!" she detached herself from him, walked over towards my form, and held my hands in hers. She was incredibly warm and smelled like eucalyptus oil, a fragrance that I very much love. She looked nothing like she did a couple of hours ago and it pained me to watch her being sick.

"No. It's not fine. You should have called me. I should be the one that's helping you. Not some friend who is taking advantage of your sickness to get all handsy with you," I muttered loud enough so that he could hear me. He has pissed me off for an eternity to come and now it was my turn.

"He is not just my friend Kuroo–"

"What is he then? Tell me this isn't what I think it is."

"You cut the call, didn't you? You didn't hear me say the whole thing–" she took a step back in disbelief.

"What whole thing [F/N]-chan? That you two live together?" – I cut her off. I wanted to get it off my chest that instant, and I demanded — "You are genuinely surprised that I know this or you are shocked that I got to know this from someone else?"

Come on, answer it. Let's get this over with.

"Hey hyena hair, stop being an impatient ass and let her talk!" Jerry intruded and I was so mad I wanted to hack him into pieces. This wouldn't even be happening if it weren't for him.

"No. You don't get to talk. You are not a part of this relationship. You are the reason behind all this," I yelled and turned to her. I held her elbow and muttered, "And you! You need to come with me. We need to talk. I don't want to make a scene here."

"You already have." She declared, looking around and finally she glared at me.

She is mad at me now? I don't understand. I was the one that has been kept in the dark and she is mad at me for asking some answers?

"You have already made a scene, Kuroo. Look around!" she said it again, yanking her hands out of mine.

I looked around to see them all again. Those judgmental eyes scanned our situation with curiosity like we were putting on a show for them. I looked them all in the eye, more like threw daggers at them and they walked away like they hadn't witnessed anything that had happened here.

Once again, I took her hands in mine as I muttered "You, you kept it from me and he is going around the school telling everyone that he lives with you. Alone. Now put yourself in my shoes and think about it yourself. How am I supposed to–"

"Wow! You are assuming things without hearing me out?" she sighed, exhaling her surprise.

What? NO! What the hell? What is she even saying?

"What? No! It's not that I don't trust you. I'm just worried and I'm pissed that you didn't tell me yourself –"

"I did. I told you. I have tried to tell you, twice actually. Yesterday you slept while I was talking on the phone like a moron and today, a few minutes ago you just cut my call when I said that he is my brother. You cut the call, just like that, like my words don't matter. And you came here running to accuse me? Seriously?"

Brother? Wait what?

"No, I was up. I remember our conversation and I didn't mean it like that. I–"

"What's my favorite color, Kuroo?" she demanded.

"I-, green? I guess?"

"You guess?" she scoffed in disappointment.

"It's not my fault, okay? It's his fault. He told everyone in his class that he lives with you. On top of that, Anzai-san and Horie-san thinks they saw you making out with him and they are spreading more rumors–"

"Making out? What the hell are you–"

"I didn't believe them. I did not. I asked them to fuck off. What set me off was his voice on the phone, he was saying some weird stuff and you didn't deny that you two were living together–"

"Stop talking"— she took a pause and covered her eyes with her palms. She was exhausted, frustrated and when she opened her eyes, it held resentment. She resumed— "Just don't talk to me until you realize how much damage you've done!" holding her hand in front of me, putting some distance between the two of us as she stepped back. Her eyes looked into mine, searching for something; something that I failed to provide. A small puddle of water began to form in her eyes and she rapidly blinked them away as she hit his chest.

"Let's go!" he sighed, enveloping his arms around her shoulder again, ready to depart.

"No. I will go by myself." She glared at him, shrugging her shoulders as she pushed him away.

She snapped as he moved forward to hold her again, "Don't you dare touch me. You told people that you live with me but somehow you forgot to mention that I am legally your sister?" she began to cough and I could only imagine that her throat went dry.

"Bubbles, I–"

"I get that you didn't want to tell people that you are adopted but how did it not occur to you that you and I don't share the same genes and we look different? How did it not occur to you that people will misinterpret our relationship?" she questioned, curling her fingers into a fist so tight her knuckles went pale.

"I'm sorry, I didn't think it would be a big deal–"

"The people here, they don't like me in this school and now you just made it worse." Her voice broke and it made me feel responsible for her pain. I wanted to comfort her and tell her that she is liked and loved but I had a part in all this. I ended up making her feel like shit. I was at fault.

"No, I–"

"I don't give a shit about what other people think but hey here is a story where I played with Kuroo's fragile little heart and yours. Where, I am going to be the bitch that cheats on her boyfriend with the new guy who happens to live with her; who also happens to be her brother. Wow, how cool is that story to gossip?" she scoffed and wheezed in a breath.

Her condition got me worried and all I could focus on was her. She must be feeling betrayed and let down by the people that she thought she counted on. I was one of them. I let her down. I questioned her and rushed into this argument without giving much thought. Funny, how I vividly remember the time when I felt what she was feeling right now. Except, this time, it was me. I did this to her. I caused this.

I began to apologize, saying, "You need to rest. I am sorry that I rushed into things–"

"No. you don't get to apologize and get away with this just like that!" she finished her sentence with a cough. She didn't even look me in the eye anymore. She grabbed her bag from Jerry and walked away.

It was the moment of doom. Everything just went blank; I could see her walk away but I wasn't able to move. It was when her figure disappeared from my sight, realization hit me. I fucked up really bad. I have been fucking this up since the beginning.

If only I had listened closely when she tried to tell me...

"What the hell are you standing for? You are supposed to run behind her and apologize your ass off!" I heard Yak-kun, who was now standing beside me.

"You were watching?" I finally breathed out the air that I didn't even know I was holding in.

"Yeah, don't waste a second. Just go! Tell her it was all a big misunderstanding! I am sure she will understand," Yak-kun tried to push me so that I'd move an inch.

"I can't," I whispered, an intense burden of a feeling began floating within me. It was weighing me down.

"What?" Yak-kun asked, confused.

"I deserve this!"

Mistakes dawned and hopes perished;

Fate cannot be blamed when some things have forever changed.

To be continued...

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A/N:

How was it? 🙈🙈🙈

I was and I still am super nervous about this chapter. So, please do let me know your thoughts through the comments!!!

Your votes and comments are appreciated very much 💙

Thank you so much for your time and support 🥰 

Stay Hooked!

PS: If you guys are into Tsukki or a Pyscho-thriller (Yandere!) do check out my other book "Trick or Treat" 💞

Take care and Stay Safe!

~ Mata ne, Pudumaipen 💕