Insomnia (A TsukiKage FF) ✔

5 - Kind words

"Ah Kei! I haven't seen you in so long."

"Sorry Sobo, I've been busy with school."

"Working hard I see? And who have you brought with you?"

Kageyama was looking around the place and when the elderly lady- she must be in her early 60s- at the counter addressed him, he blushed slightly and bowed.

"I'm Kageyama Tobio."

"Ah, then I shall call you Tobio and we shall be good friends, yes?"

Kageyama just nodded his head, still looking a little bewildered, and the sight made Tsuki grin.

"Will you have the usual Kei? Caramel latte with an extra shot of coffee and strawberry shortcake?"

"Of course."

"And what about you dear?"

"Oh no, I-" Kageyama began, but stopped thinking it would be rude to refuse the lady.

"He'll have a glass of milk." Tsuki ordered for him before turning to the younger teen. "You hungry?" he asked.

Kageyama shook his head to say no, but his stomach decided to betray him and let out a quiet growl.

"He'll have a blueberry muffin."

"Okay sweetie, I'll bring it to your usual spot."

"Thankyou Sobo."

Tsukishima headed off to the corner of the café, Kageyama following behind him. They sat down in a small booth and the setter looked around at the establishment. It was rather small but was warm and had a cosy atmosphere, as if the people here all knew each other and the lady at the counter. There were a few plants in the windows and hanging in corners, and the sound of the radio was quiet yet provided the right amount of background noise. There were only one or two more customers in there besides the two first years; Kageyama wondered if it was busier out of school hours.

The middle blocker watched as Kageyama surveyed his surroundings, his sharp eyes taking in all the sights of the quaint café. It seemed that the calm and comfortable atmosphere brought some of himself back to life.

"... - doing today?"

"What?"

Kageyama returned his attention to the other first year, only catching half of what he said.

"I said, what are you planning on doing today?"

"Oh... probably go for a run then head up to the hilltop."

"Hilltop?"

"Yeah, it's quiet and has a great view. I go there sometimes for the peace."

"Who knew the King was a sucker for views of the sunset."

"Shut up." the setter huffed and the older smirked.

Their food arrived, and the elderly lady patted Tsuki's blond hair before doing the same to Kageyama's; the younger looked surprised at the action, seeming foreign to him.

"You are welcome here whenever you want, just like Kei here. If we're open or closed, day or night, Sobo will be here to help. Now, enjoy your food, it will make you feel better."

"Thankyou." said Kageyama, looking like he truly meant it.

It was quiet between they as they ate and drank, but it wasn't the awkward silence Kageyama was expecting. At some point, Tsuki opened his bag and pulled out some worksheets, filling in the answers with ease. Kageyama watched curiously, wondering what it was like to be good at school. The only thing it seemed that he was good at was volleyball, it came naturally to him.

"What's that?" he asked, pointing at the difficult-looking equation at the bottom of the sheet.

"The extension question to the homework."

"Homework?"

"Yeah, you know, the one we were all set last Friday?"

"... We had homework?"

"Oh my god. Yes, we had homework."

"Oh. I haven't done it."

"Clearly."

"I don't even know where mine is." the setter added.

"Give me your phone."

"Huh? Why?"

"Just do it." the middle blocker insisted, and it was handed over cautiously.

Kageyama watched as Tsuki took a photo of the working out and answer of the first question at the top of sheet.

"When you find the work, use this to help you answer the rest of the questions. Maybe then you won't be so helpless."

"Rude Saltyshima!" argued Kageyama, but was actually pleasantly surprised at the help he was given.

"I won't help ever again." Tsuki resolved, smirking at the small pout on the younger's face.

"What is this I hear about never helping again?"

"Sobo, Kageyama here forgot we had homework." teased the middle blocker.

"It's not my fault."

"It kinda is."

"Boke." Kageyama muttered.

"Well it is only the one homework, yes?" Sobo asked, making Kageyama look down with blushed cheeks.

"It's all of them." Tsuki stated.

"Wah! Well Tobio, I'll let you in on a little secret. School isn't everything. Yes, grades are important and doing your homework will help you do better, but it is more important to have a kind heart, good friends and something you are passionate about. I think you have all three of those things, yes?"

"I do?"

"Indeed you do. Look at me, I wasn't the smartest at school but I always knew my dream was to open a lovely café with the best baked goods in town. I knew I wanted to make a place of warmth and comfort where people can take a break from their busy lives and relax. And I did it. You can do whatever you put your mind to Tobio, I promise you."

"I- Thankyou Sobo."