Fall | hinata harem

chapter twenty-one

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Akaashi Keiji

"He wants to see you," I plea over the phone again. "Please, Sakusa. He's so confused, I don't know how to explain everything to him."

"I know, I remember him acting similar to how you've described him. Don't fret over it, I'll handle the situation. Has Koutarou arrived yet?"

"No, uh, he should be here by sundown tonight. Oh, I'm getting word that the doctor's arrived. Is she the one you sent for him?"

"Yes. Please make sure he's as comfortable as possible until I arrive, and thank you for taking care of him, I know he's got a knack for stirring up trouble."

"Anything for you, Boss. Your will is our way."

"I'll see you soon, Keiji, should I miss Koutarou, be sure to give him my welcome."

"Will do. I'll see you soon."

That went better than I expected. I hadn't realized he had already planned on visiting Shouyou. I wonder what their relationship is..?

I couldn't help but hope that they were nothing more than friends.

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10:24 p.m

"No, you can't see him yet. He's been through a lot, have you not heard from Atsumu?"

"But Akaashi~! Omi's so~ into him! I wanna see what kind of person he is!"

"I'm telling you to wait, Bokuto! Sakusa's going to arrive soon, and he and Shouyou need to have time to themselves! And Shouyou needs a break after everything that's happened, so respect his space!"

"That's correct, Koutarou. Shouyou needs time to process everything," Sakusa spoke in his powerful voice. Bokuto merely huffed and crossed his arms.

"Why don't you go unpack and get a good night's rest? I'm sure Shouyou would love to have someone as bright and energetic as you to put him at ease in the morning."

"Fine~ Omi, but I'm not happy about this! Not a bit! I'm like one of the last ones to even see him because of that stupid trip I had to take just to make a deal with some stinky-"

His voice was merely an echo now that he had neared the end of the hall, quite a ways from where he previously stood.

"Bring me to Shouyou, please. Now, if you would."

He wasted no time, hardly even a moment after removing his coat and handing it to one of his guards, to ask about Shouyou.

I've never seen Omi so excited, though he expressed it simply by tugging his gloves up and shifting his weight.

"He's not asleep yet, is he?"

"I don't believe so. We gave him some paper and markers, so the last time I saw him, he was drawing at the desk."

When I think of holding Shouyou's precious hands in mine, when I think of his teary, helpless eyes glancing up at me, and his beautiful skin with fading tanlines and odd scars, I feel drawn deeper by his radiance.

So, as I watch Sakusa go into his room and shut the door behind him, telling me to stay out for the time being, I'm overrun with thick, boiling jealousy.

I clear my throat, fix the collar of my shirt, roll my shoulders, and, with one last glance at the door, I spin on my heel and walk off.

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Sakusa Kiyoomi

I had looked over at the desk the moment I walked in, but I didn't see him. Not at the bed, either, but at the window seat, sitting criss-cross with his back facing the room.

The stars shone beautifully, but the moon drew out enough light to illuminate the entire room without the help of the room lights.

Seeing his fluffy ginger hair after so long fills my chest with a sense of excitement. Serenity was heavy in the air, and I almost couldn't bring myself to slice through it.

"You haven't gotten any taller by the looks of it. What happened to that?"

He scrambles to get on his feet, staring at me with familiar doe eyes. I love his eyes.

"Did the doctor fix your injuries?"

"... Yes?"

He doesn't remember me.

"That's good, she's one of the best, you can trust her with anything."

"I'm sorry, but..."

When he stopped in front of me, just as I had those few years ago, he stood fearlessly and openly, hiding his pain, sharpening his gaze. I'd never seen someone do it as well as him, he's perfected the art of fooling others.

Just not me.

When he gazes up at me, half with curiosity and half with vigilance, I'm reminded of a wounded animal scampering away from a helping hand.

"... Do I know you? Are you Omi? Sakusa?"

"You used to call me by my first name alone- Kiyoomi. You... must not remember me. That's quite a bummer, to tell the truth, but... It's alright. I'll jog your memory."

He crosses his arms haphazardly and ducks down a bit, closing himself off while, at the same time, wondering what I may say next.

"Please, do."

"Do you remember Kiyo, Freeda, Dunk, and Shou?"

I saw his eyes widen a fraction after a moment of thought. His jaw slackened, and it was beyond pleasant to see each puzzle piece click in his mind.

"Kiyo... As in Kiyoomi. Freeda and Dunk... Grandma and Grandpa, and Shou was... Kiyoomi, you- you named him after me... I remember, but I hadn't thought... that I'd ever see you again."

He hid his mesmerizing face from me and turned away. Another action I had anticipated because-

"I was kinda hoping... I wouldn't see you again after that time..."

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