Monochromatic: Haikyuu Fanfic

Chapter 29: Tsukishima

After the first snow day, it seems that the snow afterwards comes in uncertain times: some happen in the dimness of dusk, when even the souls are in drifting slumber; some while the sun is out in a crisp afternoon. It's always light, the tiny specks looking like cold powdered sugar, dancing down slowly.

By the end of November, the holidays only approached faster. One by one, houses began to dress up in bright garlands - some in blinking christmas lights, dressed up and shining in different colors.

However, even with all the blooming laughter and anticipation from all around her, Fukui's energy is a speck in comparison. Her eyebags are only deeper these days - not only she has cleaning duty every day, (which is a tiresome job for two people) but her part time assistant at the boutique is taking its toll as well. It does not help either that she sets her profit goal to such a high amount in a short period of time, meaning work more - sleep less.

However, with all the strength in the world, she manages to sleepily smile to anyone who approaches her. In times, yes, she dozes off, but that never stops her from keeping up a mildly cheery aura.

Today, after all those chores, she heads to the shopping center for a couple things in mind: gifts, christmas lights, and most importantly - gifts.

"I wonder what they'd like..." Fukui muses as she strolls around the area. There's toys, knick knacks, chocolate, giftcards and then -

"Sporting goods! Duh!" Fukui says brightly.

It took her a couple hours, calculating with fingers and questioning her choices before buying two items. She wanted to make sure it would fit their tastes - and the thinning money in her wallet.

It's finally time to head home and start decorating - after that I could get some shut-eye, she thinks. The bags feel heavy, and she's not sure if it's because of her fatigue or simply because of the items she bought.

However, something else catches her eyes as she made her way out of the store. A sign reads with big letters:

Milk! 70% off original price!
Make some good hot cocoa this with our freshest milk!

And so Fukui halts, because who wouldn't pass up on such a good offer? She turns in the direction of the sale.

By the first few isles, they showcase boxes of chocolate, christmas toys and plushies, as well as pre-made cards for the holidays. She squeezes past the crowds that are there for their early christmas shopping, and finally reaches the grocery isle.

The perks of being tall include being able to reach objects far from an average individual's. Fukui thinks this is a survival skill, because most of the items that have the best sales - the jugs stamped with the farthest expiration date- are found on the very top shelf, out of everyone's eye range.

Most don't know this silly marketing technique, as most vendors try to get rid of the nearest-expiring jugs by placing them on eye level. It's much easier to fall prey onto them anyways.

Of course, only the thrifty shoppers know where to find the best deals.

Fukui reaches her arm to the top shelf, grabbing ahold of a jug by the handle. She looks into the bottom of the jug, and it won't expire until a couple weeks. Smiling contently, she places it in the shopping basket.

However, Fukui is not the only witty shopper in the isle. She hears groaning, as if someone is struggling just down the isle. Slowly, she turns her head to see Ayame, arms outstretched with fingers blindly patting for some kind of surface. The poor kid barely reaches the top shelf itself, let alone the jugs that waits above it. She huffs exasperatingly and shakes her arms before reaching up again.

With ease, Fukui grabs the jug of milk with one hand and hands it to her with a smile, "I see you needed some help."

Ayame blinks in mild surprise before nodding, simply replying with "thanks, Fukui-san."

The two seem to share the same destination: the checkout lane and out the shopping center. After the two finished paying for their purchases, they both headed for the mall's elevator. It's a bit dusty with thin cobwebs in the nooks. The light above them is glowing lowly, flickering weakly. The elevator doors close before them, and it begins to move down.

Fukui ponders a bit. This is a golden opportunity, isn't it? It's rare to be able to get valuable information of Ayame for Oikawa - not less from the source herself. This - what is happening right now- is God's indirect gift for Oikawa Tooru. Gleamed information of none other than Ayame herself. Fukui, yet again, becomes into a messenger - er- more of a spy. A matchmaker-spy-messenger. Sounds legit.

Fukui breaks the silence, looking at Ayame's shopping bags, "doing some christmas shopping too, Ayame?"

The said girl merely shakes her head, "I don't have anyone to give gifts to."

"Oh? What about the volleyball club members?"

Again, she shakes her head, "I'm a bit tight on money to get all of them each individual gifts, so I just bought some snacks for the get together we're holding."

She gives Fukui an apologetic look, "I'd invite you, but they'll probably freak out over an Aobajousai student coming over. Y'know, the whole enemies-should-stay-enemies thing."

Fukui waves her off, "oh don't worry about that! I was just wondering if you planned on giving anyone a gift... perhaps a special someone..."

Again, Ayame blinks, arching an eyebrow with a confused look, "...and who would that be?"

"Oh... I don't know..." Fukui says slowly, as if treading too slow will cause the conversation to die, but too fast will certainly make the atmosphere off-balance. It's already beginning to get stuffy.

"...Maybe like that tall blonde guy? I forgot his jersey number - but he's the one that you kissed during the game."

Ayame frowns, cheeks coloring ever so slightly, "you mean Tsukishima -"

Creeeeeeeeeeeeeak!

It is an ear-straining noise that sent shudders down Fukui's back - that same sensation of scratching of chalkboards or that scraping sound of fork against a ceramic plate. Both girls grimaced, hands scrambling to let go of the bags and covered their ears as the metal floor beneath them rumbles. You can almost feel the gears underneath slowing - loud banging of metal against metal reverbrating in the tiny elevator.

The loud noises comes to a halt with one last clang!

Cautiously and unsurely, both girls lift the fingers that block their ears. It's oddly quiet of the elevator now. They both exchanged looks.

"Well," Fukui says breathlessly and almost sarcastically, leaning on the wall with her back and then slids down in defeat.

"I guess we're going to be here for a while..."