Clawed & Flawed: A Nekoma Story

Chapter 19

Tuesday – 7:00 P. M.

Lev sighed, "I'm so full! That is the best yakiniku I had this month. Should we order dessert?"

"Senpai, tell him to shut up. I can't even sit up straight," Shiro slouched on the chair.

"Lev, shut up," he complied while holding his stomach. "Thank God this place has a good student discount. Or else my wallet would have cried."

"Don't be dramatic. We know you have a lot of money saved up," Yaku consoled him.

"I happen to save money for myself, thank you very much," the captain frowned and crossed his arms.

"Fine, I'll pay for dessert," Shiro took a sip of green tea. "I'll give you 30 seconds to order. If it takes you longer than that, then the deal is off. Goodluck!"

Chaos roared from their table as the volley players fought with each other to get the poor waiter's attention. Kuroo sat back and laughed nervously as he gave up on interfering. Even the calm and composed setter was determined to earn his share of the free dessert although he had refused to eat more than one plate for dinner.

"Time's up."

"I got my order in!" Lev clenched his fist.

"So did I," Kenma mumbled.

"Hehe... I haven't seen you that energetic in a while," Yaku rested his head on his hand.

"I heard their apple pie is quite popular."

"What about you, Wan-chan? Aren't you gonna order something for yourself?" the captain pried.

"Don't call me that, I'll let it slide this time only because I'm too full to even argue. I've had enough to eat for tonight. What about you, captain? Trying not to put on more weight?"

"Huh?! As if petty issues like that bothers me."

"Oh, you're right. It's your lack of muscle. My bad."

"You little..." Kuroo poked her side.

"Ah! I'm too full for this. Stop that!"

"Take your word back!"

"No!"

Poke

"Ah! Fine, fine, you win."

Yaku sighed, "We might need to stop them one day."

Kai nodded.

Tuesday – 7:30 P. M.

"Don't be late for tomorrow's morning practice, kiddos," Kuroo smirked before parting ways with his team mates.

Though he said it with a cheerful face, the tone and intention were a threat. His team mates walked away nervously as they had completely forgotten about the schedule. Kenma and Shiro followed behind as they headed to their neighborhood.

"My legs are still sore from yesterday," the girl dragged her feet.

"You can stay in the club room and write your report tomorrow," he pocketed his hands.

"Can't I just accompany her?" the blond-haired setter moaned.

"No."

"Fine..."

"Ah! Finally, a break," she smiled to herself.

"But you better get used to helping out during our practices from now on," the captain stated.

"Ugh, how annoying," she pursed her lips.

"Hey! Inu-chan! You look like a duck~"

"If my stomach is not filled up to the brim, I would've kicked you right now."

"Now, now. There's no need for such violence. Besides, you look cute when you're mad," he squinted and smiled.

"Asshole!" she threw her bag at him.

"Oof, I deserved that."

"Stop messing around. The weather is still viscous enough to give us a cold. Let's get back asap," the second year interrupted.

"Hmph, fine," they answered in unison.

Tuesday – 8:30 P. M.

"You brought your console here?" Shiro opened the house gate to let her friends in.

"I figured if I bring it here then I can play without my parents' knowledge. Do you mind? I mean, Kuroo still has your house key anyway," the gamer took of his shoes.

"Uh, sure. You can use the living room. Help yourself with drinks and snacks. Knock or call me if you need anything."

"Geh? How are you so calm about it?" the oldest of the three chimed in.

"I'm used to sharing a house with other people and the house is pretty empty," Shiro opened a sliding door to a room they haven't been to before. "This way."

She turned the light on and revealed a Japanese style living room with rice paper walls and kotatsu in the middle of the room.

< Kotatsu is a low table covered with a futon and equipped with a heater underneath >

"You can use this room. There are power sockets on that wall. As for the keys, I'll let you two decide who gets to hold the keys. Just don't barge into my room at night and lock the door after you leave," the host put one hand on each of their shoulders before going to the kitchen.

"Where are you going?" Kuroo turned around.

"To make us some warm tea with honey. Kenma's right, the cold is not something we can underestimate. Settle yourselves in, I'll be back in a jiffy."

The two childhood friends sat down and set up the console to the TV before snuggling their feet under the table. Shiro went in with a tray of tea pot, cups, and an array of snacks.

"Woah, Inu-chan! I never thought that you can be this hospitable," Kuroo poured the tea into the cups.

"Ugh, it's a shame that I can't hit someone older than me."

"But you would still try to, right? Or are you admitting that I can get away with teasing you?"

"Shut up, old man!"

"Whatever, puppy!"

"That's enough, the game is loading. Here," Kenma passed them a controller.

After every round, either Shiro or Kuroo would groan in annoyance; unable to defeat their friend in combat.

"That's unfair. Why can't we play something where we're all on the same side? It's obvious that neither of us can beat you," Kuroo grumbled before munching on a rice cracker.

"I agree. Let's take a break. My thumb is sore from spamming random buttons," Shiro tucked herself inside her oversized hoodie.

"Oh. By the way, aren't you used to the cold weather when you were living in London?" the spiky-haired teen questioned.

"I am. Why do you ask?"

"I've never seen you in anything other than long-sleeves. Are you allergic to air or something?"

"Eh??? What's this, captain?" she smiled as she inched her face closer to his. "Is my senpai a pervert?"

"Huh?"

"Yeah, it does sound like you wanted to see her wearing less clothing. As a friend, I'm concerned for you," Kenma pretended to be oblivious.

"Erk, that's not what I meant!" he finally realized how his words could have been misinterpreted. "It's just that you always cover your arms and legs. I know I'm not making this any better, but it was out of pure curiosity."

Kuroo's cheeks grew pink with embarrassment as he tried his best to act tough and put on a frown. He crossed his arms and pretended not to show remorse as his friends attempted to make eye contact with him.

"Pure? Aw, captain. That's certainly a word to describe you," she sneered before giving Kenma a high five.

"Red does look good on you, Kuroo."

"Shut up! It's the hot tea. We don't have to continue this conversation anymore. I'll beat you this time," he pointed at the gamer.