Training Trepidation Into Composure

Chapter 3

Between the exhaustion from the weekend, and worrying about Hinata and Kageyama, Yachi didn't have the energy to confront Tsukishima about what he'd seen on the bus. But he also hadn't said anything to her so she'd figured she was in the clear. Until the Friday before they left.

There was a final meeting before an early dismissal from practice. Arrive in the parking lot by 2:30, the bus would be leaving no later than 3. In the morning. There were also general warnings, to not be caught out of bed after lights out, to not be caught anywhere near the girls' sleeping quarters, or vice versa- no matter the reason. At that, Tsukishima glanced at Yachi out of the corner of his eye. Great, he not only thought she was some thief, but probably a perverted one at that. Guess he hadn't forgotten about the jacket after all.

Once they'd been dismissed, Yachi caught Tsukishima in the storage room as they both put away the final brooms. "Tsukishima-kun— hey—" She had no idea how to start this conversation and she was about to leave it at just an awkward greeting when he sighed.

"It's not my business, so I really don't care." He shrugged, and seemed to want to say more, "I just thought you were smarter than that."

Yachi stood there, shame washing over her. He thought she was some delinquent. Some gangster who would never amount to anything beyond a life on the street. He started to walk away, and she couldn't let him think that about her. "It was an accident!" She blurted.

He stared at her, "huh?"

She threw her hands to her face, it made it easier to confront him if she couldn't see him. "Kuroo-san leant me the jacket- and I forgot to give it back!"

He was silent for too long, then all but shouted, "The captain? Isn't he a little-" He bent his head and touched his forehead as though to calm his thoughts. Then looked back up, "Whatever, just." He sighed heavily like he hated what he was about to say, "let me know if you need... help... or anything." As he spoke, his voice trailed off to the point of almost mumbling. Then he shrugged again and walked away.

"Oh-okay. Thanks?" She responded to his back.

He waved his hand and grunted a "whatever," but kept walking.

Good to know if she ever committed another crime, he would protect her. She found herself grateful, then guilt ridden for even contemplating making someone like Tsukishima an accessory. She needed to return that jacket.

*

That night, Yachi held the offending jacket close to her chest. Hoping the heavily faded menthol would calm her anxiety and help her make a decision. Lying across her bed like a jigsaw puzzle lay her clothes and such to be meticulously loaded into her small overnight luggage. The other managers had recommended an outfit for every day as there would barely be enough time to do all their manager chores and a load of their own clothing, so with that in mind Yachi borrowed her mother's business trip luggage. Big enough to store a weekend's worth of her mom's business professional clothes and heels, more than enough room for five polos, a couple of shorts, and daily necessities.

The last piece of the puzzle was clutched in her arms, and she couldn't start packing until she decided what to do with it. Should she even bring it with her? Maybe she should just pretend she didn't have it. Deny. Pretend she hadn't worn it around her bedroom almost every night the past two weeks. Not like it had been on purpose! At first her own jacket was in the laundry, then she'd forgotten it at school not two days later and her mom always kept the apartment so cold recently. So it wasn't weird.

Except. If she denied having it, that would be lying. And if she kept the jacket at that point, she would be intentionally stealing it, instead of only accidentally. With that thought, she threw it at her open luggage and began laying things on top, no regard for its wrinkling state nor her intricate packing design. Her face felt on fire once she'd finished and she put her cool hands against her flaming cheeks. She couldn't believe she just tried to convince herself to keep some random boy's jacket, just to avoid an embarrassing situation. If she wanted to be a successful manager, she couldn't let her fear of awkward situations allow her to avoid them.