Clawed & Flawed: A Nekoma Story

Chapter 25

Thursday – 12:45 P. M. 

The three seniors hung around the hallways of their floor, refusing to go in just yet. Yaku and Kai were talking about some girl the latter happen to walk pass on the way home yesterday while the lone wolf was deep in thought. Something about his jacket was still bothering him.

'Why does she have to be so stubborn about it? Just wear the damn jacket. What's with Yaku?! Offering her his jacket. Chee! As if she would accept it. I was the one who gave mine to her first,' he grumbled inside.

Shiro joined the group from the other end of the corridor as the bell rang. They said their goodbyes before returning to their respective classes. The girl was the first one to take a seat as Yaku pulled his friend aside and whispered in his ear.

"What's up with you? Why didn't you offer her your jacket? What kind of senpai are you?" the short student coldly inquired.

"Huh?"

It was uncommon for the libero to be particularly bothered about things like this. Furthermore, their manage:r was not his type at all. Had he really grown concern about her in such a short time? Kai's kind offer was understandable for someone with such a kind and soft heart, but it bothered the captain to be confronted by his tough cookie of a friend.

"Aren't you gonna at least offer to lend your track suit?" his eyes dead-serious.

"I-I did lend her my jacket."

Yaku's grip loosened, "Oh..."

"I think she might have it in her bag, but I'm not sure why she refused to wear it. She might have her own reasons so I don't wanna pry."

"She did implied that she had left the jacket at home, but I saw her hid something in her after lunch."

'Yakkun is really creepy about these kinds of things.'

The libero nudged Kuroo with his elbow; pushing him towards his seat and winked. He sat quietly behind her, mustering the confidence to talk to her.  

"Um, Inu-chan." 

"Hm?" she turned around and tucked her hair behind her right ear.

"I was just wondering if you have any plans for your first Winter holiday here. It's getting colder everyday."

"Not really, now that I have Haiiro I guess I'd have someone to binge watch with. I have some books I've been meaning to finish too. What about you? Busy practicing for Nationals?

'Crap, it's actually harder than I thought. What if she thinks I'm creepy for pressing her about the jacket. Breathe.... Just get it over and done with.'

"Yeah yeah. Practice. By the way, I just wanted to let you know as a friend, urm, you look pretty good in my jacket. In fact I think it suits you better. Keep it," he gulped.

They two third years blinked awkwardly at each other before the bell rang and broke the tension between them.

"S-sure, thanks. I think Haiiro loved it too," she blushed and turned back quickly; face-palming herself.

'Why did I say that? That was such a blatant lie, he must think I'm a weirdo now.'

Kuroo stared at the back of her silver head in amazement and smiled stupidly as he cupped his mouth to hide his expression. His heart beat picked up and a warm rush flowed to his cheeks. The teacher walked in and plopped a heavy stack of homework before scolding some late comers. 

19:00 P.M.

The sky was a gradient of fuchsia and orange with a tinge of Prussian blue on the western side of the train station. The convenience store door bell rang as the pair of neighbors walked out with steaming fried chicken and a ball of onigiri in hand. The sleeves of Kuroo's jacket covered almost half of his friend's hand.

"You know you can roll the sleeves up when you're eating right?"

"But the wind is freezing my fingertips," she took a bite of the crunchy snack. "I'll wash it if it gets dirty okay?"

He shrugged and dug into his own food, 'That isn't the problem though. If only you know how unbearably cute you are right now. Maybe I should just stop looking at her so much."

"Stay for dinner."

"Hm?" he looked down at her; mildly pouting.

"I'll cook some Oyakodon. To thank you for this morning, or whatever," she whispered the second part of her sentence. "Don't you dare wash the dishes."

"Y-yeah. I'll chill with Haiiro then."

"Okay, thanks again."

"Sure."

19.45 P.M.

Arf!

"I guess you smelled the fried chicken from earlier huh? Sorry buddy, I have none left for you. I'll get you some treats tomorrow. I promise," Kuroo threw a knitted bone toy for Haiiro to chase.

Shiro opened the sliding door and set the meal tray on the wooden table. She had changed into her house clothing and wore a frilly apron to avoid her white shirt from getting splattered by the chicken stock. Wafts of caramelized mirin and onion filled the room.

"Aren't you going to eat?" she nudged his chopsticks.

"Yeah, I was just wondering."

"The bone? I knitted it before going to school this morning. Had some spare yarn, so I decided why not."

"Can you knit anything else?"

"I guess, I can make you a Christmas present if you want."

He swallowed his first bite, "this is really good! I didn't know you had it in you Inu-chan."

She kicked his shin under the Kotatsu and took another big bite of rice as she pouted.

"You can't wear a pink apron and look intimidating. The scowl isn't helping either," he smirked provocatively.

"Hmph! Just finish your food, it's getting late."

"Okay fine, I'll drop by tomorrow morning to walk Haiiro. Make sure you have a good rest."

"I will."

"And wear the jacket to school, the forecast said it might rain."

"Okay."

"Don't forget to take your vitamin."

"Okay!"

"I'll feed Haiiro —"

"Yes senpai! Now get going already, you haven't even showered after sweating like hell today."

The host pushed her guest up before he lectured her even more. As the wind blew, she caught a waft of his cologne as her face pressed against his back. The musky tang made her stop on her track and blushed. She subconsciously squeezed his arm before snapping back to reality.

"You don't smell like how I thought you would ," she said while facing away.

'Did I hear that wrong? Or was she flirting ?' he looked back at her as she ran warm water over the dirty dishes.

"Night," he mischievously pulled the string of her apron before walking out the door.

As soon as the front door closed, they both sank down on the floor in embarrassment. Their cheeks grew scarlet with the thought of their interaction.

'Why did I just do?' they cringed.