Monochromatic: Haikyuu Fanfic

Chapter 38: Infatuation? What's That?

Okay.

Maybe Takumi didn't expect to hear those words come out of Fukui's mouth.

He thought that she was apathetic. Never once she showed too much affection like any other adult to a child, but she did not outright dislike them either. She'd ask them the basic questions to check on them like 'do you want snacks' or whatnot, provide them their needs, wants as well, but never gave any genuine interest towards them. He thought she didn't care.

But she did.

She does.

Fukui believed in the power of seclusion: it gives her mind the time to calm down hurricanes of thoughts. It's always fool-proof, accurate, and the impossibility of it failing to sort things out is slimmed down. Emotional baggage like these, ones that she has encountered numerous times in her childhood are a bit more tolerable with the help of peace. Silence. Serenity.

It's what she gave Takumi and Haru all this time. She never prod nor ask any questions, and maybe that's why she always came off as stand-offish. Only speaking when she has a purpose, never engaging much in any 'small talk'.

Her golden rule for kids is that they will come to you if they need help. If they wish to withhold something, it is their choice. It is to be respected.

When Oikawa and Fukui came out of her room with the questions resolved, Takumi is already back at his spot with a pensive gaze at the empty bowl before him, still in silent shock from Fukui's words.

"Takumi, are you feeling alright?" Fukui notices his glassy eyes, crouching down and about to reach out to his forehead. But Takumi draws back just a little from her reach, and Fukui's hand freezes immediately, withdrawing it back without protest.

Fukui shifts her attention back at Tooru.

"I'll get going then~" Oikawa chirps lightly, "an evening jog won't hurt anyone!"

"Knock yourself out," Fukui says. On her way to lead him out, she then notices how Oikawa's fingers clench and unclench subtly. Didn't he do that with his chopsticks earlier too? For a lightheaded person, she's quite damn perspective.

"Hey Oikawa, you didn't tell me you have a habit with your hands before," she points out.

"It's - nothing. They're a little sore from practice." He admits sheepishly.

"Oh..." She rubs the back of her neck, "well, don't push yourself too hard."

Oikawa nods, gives one last wave to the kids (Haru waved back, Takumi only blinked at him with half-lidded eyes) before taking his leave.

-*-

That same night, Takumi couldn't sleep.

Beside him, his little brother take slow and steady breaths in his deep slumber. The air is cool in the master's bedroom, (formerly her parent's room,) it's just the right temperature and the sweet-smelling sheets hugs just at the right places...But even with the warm, snug blankets and the idyllic sleeping position, Takumi's brain refuses to shut down.

He decides to grab a glass of water. Yeah, that should do the trick. He shuffles to get up, slowly to not wake his brother. On the dark hall, he makes sure to take light footsteps, passing by the restroom and then by Fukui's -

Light seeps through the small crack on the very bottom of the door, painting a band of the carpet with light. She's still awake? It's nearly two in the morning... He hears faint mumbling, so he presses his ear flush to the door.

"Tetsurou, I told you already," she says softly, "I don't know if I can go this summer. Yes. I'm taking cram school, I'll be busy. Plus the money. Yeah. I'll be busy applying to scholarships too. No, I don't care if Bokuto gets upset. Whatever. Just tell Akaashi I said -"