Image [IwaOi]

Chapter 9: Consequences

        It is cold out. Tooru does not like the cold, but he could relate to it somehow. The thought of it is almost ironic. At the moment, the weather reminds him of his home, tense, rigid, and cold . Tooru continues to step out of his house into the freezing winds of the world. His steps are quick and quiet, wanting to get into the warmth of the Aoba Johsai gym as quickly as possible. Before this, though, Tooru will meet up with Hajime, just like every other morning.

        "Hey, Iwa-chan!" The atmosphere seems to get warmer as Tooru approaches his childhood friend. 

        "Hi."

        Tooru notices that Hajime is deep in thought and somewhat stiff. Is he freaking out because of what Tooru told him? No, but he understood... or, at least Tooru thought so. Maybe he just has something going on. After he ponders what to do, the brunette decides to stay silent since the two are already near the school. Suddenly a high-pitched voice calls Tooru's name.

        "Tooru!"

        The name makes the tallest flinch, which draws the eye of the other male. Sakura quickly leaches onto Tooru's arm with a sickeningly sweet smile. The atmosphere instantly gets colder, nearly as cold as the air in his "home." It almost makes the brunette scowl, but he holds it back for his pride's sake. 

        "Hey, Sakura," Tooru acknowledges and puts up his usual image. 

        Another glance from Hajime sets off alarms in Tooru's head. Hajime, again, sees through his facade. He can almost read the brunette like a book. It comes easy for him since he has been with Tooru all his life. The spikey-haired male doesn't understand how anyone can not see through Tooru if they really know him. 

        "What are you doing here so early, Sakura?" Tooru is hesitant to ask. 

        "Oh! I thought I would watch your practice today since you love volleyball so much!" 

        Tooru's eyes somewhat darken as he nods. Great, now she will hover for the rest of their relationship. Tooru slowly raises his view and almost sighs in relief when he sees their club room. He also notices Hanamakki and Matsukawa standing and waiting for their ace and setter to walk over. It is evident that they are up to something. 

        "We have to go change. How about you go ahead into the gym; we'll meet you there," Tooru suggests, with an artificial smile. When he sees hesitance in Sakura's eyes, he hastily continues, "It's so cold out, I wouldn't want you to stay out here and freeze." 

        Tooru realizes his friends giving him a look as he turns back to them and the club room. Out of the corner of his eye, he sees Sakura nod and walks into the practice area. The four wait until she's gone till they carry on with a conversation. The troublesome duo, Hanamakki and Matsukawa, speak up.

        The pink-haired boy whistles lowly and says, "Wow, she's already so possessive. I give it two weeks."

        Tooru glares as the black-haired one adds on, "Nah, I give it one. She's phsycho!"

        The brunette looks to Hajime for help, and help he does. "Give him a break," there's a pause in his retort. It's not like-" Hajime cuts himself off and begins to walk away, but not before he closes with, "Never mind."

        Tooru smiles a big, goofy smile. Maybe it was  a good thing that he told Hajime. Now he understands. Now he doesn't judge him. Now he-

        Tooru's thoughts get cut off with the sound of Matsukawa's voice, "Woah, what happened here." 

        Tooru frowns once more. There is a grin on Matsukawa's face, but Tooru ignores it and catches up to his childhood friend, a minuscule smile once again plastered on his lips. When Tooru finally catches up, they walk up the stairs to the club room together.