barking at the moon [tendou satori]

chapter seven: i think i love you

AFTER THEY HEADED back to the gym, it was spread secretly to all the third years that they would be sneaking out. As night descended and the rest of the students slept, Oka and the remaining third years shuffled on slides and hoodies.

  She wore a hoodie Tendou had thrown in her face, declaring she must wear it. The night was warm, as most summer nights were and therefore she wore her spandex shorts. Oka and the other girls giggled as they met with the other teams and shushed each other.

  Eventually they made it outside without waking any of the staff and merged with the group of boys. It was large enough, with maybe twenty or thirty people all together. Oka peered over heads and shoulders trying to find her redhead before someone slid their hands around her waist and kissed her cheek.

  She spun around and smiled at Tendou. "I couldn't find you for a moment, I was worried someone forgot to tell you." She slid her hand into his as the group started moving, amazingly silent.

  Tendou shook his head. "No way. Who do you think suggested the plan anyway? I found the beach by accident and knew that we should sneak out in like, second year," he explained. Oka nodded, shivering slightly as the adrenaline ebbed away.

  The group finally paused at the edge of the beach and Oka stifled a gasp. The beach wasn't that big, but big enough for their group. It was secluded and the water lapped eagerly at the sand, moon reflecting off of it clear as day.

  It was only a moment before someone let out a cry and sprinting into the ocean. From then it was chaos as teenagers whooped and laughed. Someone brought beer and someone else brought a speaker. People were quite literally stripping and diving into the ocean, not a care in the world.

  Oka couldn't help but stare in pure joy. This was something she thought only happened in movies. She was just some teenager, but now her life felt like some drama. That now familiar warmth spread through her chest. By now Oka could recognize this feeling.

  It was happiness.

  She was quick to pull Tendou alongside her, laughing as he picked her up, holding her like it was nothing. He ran into the ocean, threatening to drop her as she shrieked and cackled. Finally, he set her down carefully in the shallow end and sent her a taunting look.

  "Don't worry, I wouldn't do it." He comforted her but she just hit her lip and shoved him backwards.

  His limbs flailed as he fell into the water, sitting up with a glare and soaking clothes. She was too busy laughing at his demise to realize he sneaking up on her until it was too late. He grabbed her ankle and she barely had time to scream before she too was pushed into the water.

  Luckily it wasn't that deep, not that Tendou would ever let go of her as his hand grabbed hers. She surfaced and quickly splashed his face until his grabbed her hands, shifting to hold them with one hand as the other snaked around his waist.

  Their breathing became heavy as they let the water lap at their chests. She glanced at his lips, looking up to see him doing the same. 'Fuck it'

  She leaned in and roughly kissed his, taking his shock to free her hands and holding his head. His arms held her waist as they lost themselves once more in the kiss.

  When they broke apart it was Tendou who splashed her and she gasped. "Traitor! You used me!" She snarled as he swam backwards. Oka sent a splash his way before desperately trying to swim back to shore. It wasn't enough though as Tendou grabbed her and pulled back to him, tickling her sides.

  Eventually though they emerged out of the ocean, soaking wet and happy tears trailing out of their eyes. Someone handed them a beer and Oka accepted it even though she had never drank.

  Her and Tendou found an empty spot on a log and sipped carefully, trying to mask the disgust upon drinking the alcohol.

  "This is gross," her hoarse voice made her laugh as Tendou nodded. He knocked some more back as Oka realized a happy buzz was warming her up. Tendou must've been feeling it too as he looked a bit more relaxed and his eyes glazed over.

  She leaned into his shoulder, staring at the ocean. "You know when you gave me your number I thought it was a joke. Boys only ever asked me out as a joke. But then you actually like," she cleared her throat, "showed interest in me. That's why I defended you. You're like the first person to like me."

  Oka hadn't meant to be so embarrassing like that but the beer buzzing in her system made her immune to forethought. She hadn't even realized Tendou's heartbroken stare. She continued. "My whole life people thought I was ugly cause I'm built like my dad. I'm all stocky and I'm not dainty. I'm sorry I'm not dainty, Ten." It was the first time she ever called him that and she later wished she had done it at a better time. Her tongue felt unusually heavy.

  Tendou cradled her into his lap, letting her lay down like a little kid. She stared up at his face, smiling like an idiot. She reached up a hand and caressed his cheek. Oka liked it when he leant into her hand. "I'm so happy Tendou. I don't want this to end. I don't wanna leave. I think I love you." She giggled as her eyes grew heavy.

  All she heard was a very soft hand brushing her hair and someone saying, "I won't ever leave Oka. I think I love you too."