Under the Stars

Chapter #10: I Think You're My Best Friend

A week passes and Tsukishima still hasn't brought up their conversation from training camp. In fact, aside from a few 'hello's, they haven't been talking at all. Even though he's the one who said they'd discuss it later, he's been skating around the topic, scared to do more damage. He's thought over what his brother told him on how to help, but even with that in mind, he feels as if he would be pressing into something he shouldn't be.

Even though it's his choice not to talk to him, he misses Yamaguchi. Normally he wouldn't be bothered by a lack of social interaction, even with his best friend. But for some reason, he feels the need to interact. He wants to talk to him, and his heart twists every time he reads a text from him. And ironically, this confusion wants him to refrain from conversation even more.

He glances over at the clock, it reads 7:09pm. He sighs as he drops his pencil onto his textbook, debating what he's about to do. His head is pounding, whether it's from studying or stress, he isn't sure. What are the consequences of putting this off? he asks himself.

He'll keep doing this.

But what if he stops? What if he gets help without even talking about this with me?

But what if he doesn't?

Tsukishima's eyes go wide as he realizes how serious this is.

What if he does something that he's going to regret?

He grabs his phone from the other side of his desk. This talk is going to happen sooner or later.

And I'd rather it be sooner before that happens.

He flips open his phone and selects Yamaguchi's contact. His thumbs hover over the keyboard, unsure of what to say. He types out several sentences but then quickly deletes them, before finally deciding to just call him instead. After four rings, he picks up.

"Hey Tsukki! What's up?" he sounds bright and cheery, like Tsukishima has just made his day.

"Can I come over?" he says, not wanting to waste any time with small talk.

Tadashi's voice takes on a surprised tone, "Oh um, sure I guess, I don't think that my mom will mind," he takes the phone away from his ear for a moment, and Tsukishima can hear a muffled conversation, "Yeah, she said it's okay."

"Okay, I'll be over soon."

***

Since he and Tadashi don't live far apart, he's over within 20 minutes after taking the bus. It's still light outside, the air is warm and the sky is clear. He knocks on the door twice and waits patiently for a moment or two until Ms. Yamaguchi greets him and welcomes him inside.

"Is there anything I can get you? A glass of water or a snack?" she asks.

He shakes his head, "No thank you," he responds while taking off his shoes and places them neatly at the base of the steps.

"How's school going? Working hard to bring home those A's?" Ms. Yamaguchi asks playfully.

Tsukishima chuckles, "Yeah, it's going alright."

"That's great to hear. Well, Tadashi's up in his room, you can come down any time if you need anything."

He nods while making his way to the stairs, "Thank you."

Up the stairs and down the hall, the door to Yamaguchi's room is closed. Even though they have been friends since elementary school, he still wants to be polite, and knocks on the door, which is met with no response.

"Tadashi? It's Kei," he says.

No response.

Realizing that knocking again would be pointless, he opens the door and sees Tadashi lying on his bed with headphones in, his room tidy as always. It seems that Tsukishima has startled him, as he sits up abruptly and grabs his blanket, but is relieved to see that it's his best friend and he lets it fall into his lap.