Moonlight

Chapter 26

The away games had been productive and although the Karasuno team had been beaten in almost every game, Keishin still saw progress. The grandfather Ukai ought to see them in action now.

"Meaty, meaty, meaty~" Hinata's loud voice suddenly sprang across the gymnasium. Everybody looked at them with a confused look on their faces.

Akane approached Kiyoko to ask about it but the latter also shrugged. Later on, it was announced that everyone is being treated to a barbecue cook-out.

After her first night in the away games, she noticed everyone in the team to be more gentle with her. It's not something she can honestly deny to like, but it's a nice feeling when they were more like that. But she had been talking to herself about this and made sure to drill in her head that they were not obliged to do so.

Tsukishima, however, continued to be the cold kid that he is. Though he had been slowly warming up to the sport, he still considers it nothing but a highschool club.

Around the team, he is still unbothered but with Akane, he shows her that she is safe with him. May it be singing a song to ease her into sleeping or to show her a baby picture of him that he keeps in his phone, Tsukishima is doing things beyond his supposedly cool reputation. But he does not care because it's to help Akane.

Though Yamaguchi senses it's something more, Tsukishima sushes him away in denial.

"Uncle, here's your plate and cup." Akane gave Keishin his utensils as well and then walked away to give the same to Takeda.

"Ah, thank you Akane!" Takeda smiled at her. "Make sure to eat as well."

Akane laughed softly, "Yes, sensei. Thank you."

She made her way to where Kiyoko sat and saw from across them, Nishinoya talking like a commander to two more seniors. She shrugged it off with a giggle then proceeded to get her food.

"How's Tsukishima this time?" Kiyoko said out of the blue as Akane stuffed herself with meat. This caused her to choke off and had Kiyoko rushing to get a cup of water.

"Why can't you ask me how's the away games..." Akane mumbled as she felt breathing easier.

Kiyoko laughed, "I'm sorry, Akane-san. I just find you two interesting. You're like bestfriends that have their own worlds. Even Tadashi cannot come in your bubble."

Akane hummed, "Well, he's a good guy. His words just don't show it much but he does have a caring heart."

Kiyoko peered through Akane's bangs and smiled knowingly when she saw her smiling at her plate, too. Little does Akane know, the whole team have noticed their growing closeness with the snub player. 

"That, I'm sure you'll see. Tsukishima probably spent most of his time during the evenings just talking to you down the corridor."

Akane blushed but kept her head down, her hair sweeping in a curtain to hide her face. She had learned that Tsukishima has so many stories to tell. She enjoyed his stories of his childhood and even how he found out his older brother's lie. She loved it when he opens up to her. It made her feel like he trusts her.

Tsukishima sat beside Kenma, listening to him click away. His eyes wandered around and rested when they found Akane from across the battlefield of the barbecues.

"You like her?" Kenma asked quietly. Tsukishima was caught off-guard as he found him looking at the same girl he was eyeing. He was about to scoff out but Kenma went back to his game.

When he won a round, he spoke up again, "Make a move, otherwise someone will and you can only wish that you did something first."

Tsukishima could not even make a face or form a witty comeback. He looked at Akane who laughed off with the other managers. He likes talking with her and feels very protective of her. He feels at home when she's around and that's a heavy point since he does not feel very much with others. His heart beats louder when she's around but she never seems to mind, if she heard it.

Upon reflection of the days he had spent with her in it, Tsukishima blinked in deep thought.

'Do I like, Akane?'

"Oy Kenma! Why are you not eating?!""

"You too, Tsukishima! You need to eat more to grow more!"

Tsukishima was snatched back to reality, away from his deep thoughts when Bokuto and Kuuro yelled. They shoved their full plates unto their faces. Tsukishima and Kenma wished they could just have a moment of peace, but it seems it is impossible when the owl and the cat are around.

He saw Akane stand to throw away her trash. Her eyes met Tsukishima's among the mess of hungry volleyball players. She stood still and recovered after a moment, then she waved and gave him one of her bright smiles.

Kenma saw Tsukishima awkwardly waved back and smiled inwardly. With a pat on his shoulder, Kenma walked off to eat with a blabbering Bokuto on his tail. Tsukishima could not even hear Kuuro as one thing registered in his mind.

He likes Akane.