Moonlight

Chapter 15

"Shortcake~" Yamaguchi sang around his bestfriend, effectively teasing him. It was a beautiful Saturday morning and the two were on their way to the train station to meet with Akane. Apparently, Keishin had to go meet a supplier for the store so he decided to accompany Akane to the station.

"Shut up, Yamaguchi." Tsukishima frowned and looked away. His hands fidgeted at the cord of his headphones. Somehow, he cannot bring himself to listen to music. His heartbeat is drumming loudly in his ears. It has been annoying him how over the past few days, despite burying himself with schoolwork, his mind always goes back to the tiny interaction in the gym.

"I mean, it was just an exchange of nicknames, right?" He slouched against the cemented bench. 

"Tsukishima! Yamaguchi!" an energetic voice perked their attention. Akane was smiling widely and waving at them. She was wearing a cute purple turtleneck that covered her arms, jeggings, and finishing off with heeled-boots. She looked different than when she's in her uniform. Her hair remained in a ponytail but she was glowing differently. 

She seemed happier.

"Hey, Akane-san! You don't even know where we're going, yet you dressed up good." Yamaguchi smiled down at her, appreciating the sparkles in her eyes. 

"I woke up good today, I feel like I'm ready for whatever surprises you two got." Akane gave him a thumbs up. 

"Well, we're going to have to walk though. It's just within the area." Tsukishima said, rubbing a hand over his nape.

Akane smiled and grabbed both men by the arms, linking hers, "I don't care wherever it is, Tsukishima-san. As long as I'm safe, I will have fun."

Tsukishima's heart skipped a beat. His feet was planted on the ground. This is a different Akane, indeed. He wasn't too used with her being this sunny. Hinata is a glaring kind of sunny ball of energy, but Akane is not so. Her warmth is that of a summer sun by the beach, playful and vibrant. He did not want to glare at her glow, he wants to bask under it. Oh to protect this light so it can shine more.

"Tsukishima-san?"

*click*

The sound of a camera click brought back Tsukishima to his senses and immediately glared at Yamaguchi who was too slow to hide his phone away. Nevertheless, he walked ahead of the two and took a peek at his phone. Akane was looking up at Tsukishima, waving a hand, whereas Tsukishima was staring at Akane wordlessly. But that wasn't the reason Yamaguchi took the photo. It was originally to capture that the two of them wore similar colors.

Tsukishima was wearing a denim jacket over a dark violet turtleneck which complemented well with Akane's purple one. Yamaguchi smiled to himself. He was sure Akane is a wave that the formidable Tsukishima cannot even surf smoothly.

He looked back and saw his friends walking side by side, both in silence. He was sure one was feeling differently than the other, he just has to make sure he is not being much of a pushy friend. It'd be his first time to see Tsukishima's other sides, so he better not get himself kicked out.

"Ah! We're here!" Yamaguchi exclaimed, pointing at the building infront of him. It was the mall.

"The mall? Are we shopping?" Akane left Tsukishima's side and ran up to Yamaguchi. 

Yamaguchi only shook his head and stepped in, Tsukishima following closely. They went up the escalator and Akane went to Tsukishima's side.

"Are we playing the arcade?" She asked excitedly.

"Just wait, shortpants." Tsukishima stepped off the escalator and offered his arm to Akane who accepted nonchalantly with a laugh. Yamaguchi caught Tsukishima's eyes and stifled his laughter.