Project Crimson » Haikyuu!! AU «

Six

"Papa, Mama, hurry up please!" Little Natsuhi called out as Bokuto hovered behind her, carrying their younger brother Musashi. The five year old giggled in Bokuto's arms.

"You're hair looks fine, honey. The little strands sticking out actually makes you look cool," Tsubaki, Natsuhi's mother, tip toed to tuck a loose strand behind Hayato's ear. His wavy brown hair has a mind of its own and wouldn't stay neat no matter what. His kids tease him that sometimes, it makes him look homeless. 

"Thank you, dear." Hayato kissed the top of Tsubaki's blonde head earning a chorus of ewww and vomiting sounds from the children, except Bokuto. He just grinned from ear to ear.  

"Mama and Papa, lovey-dovey!" Musashi, a splitting image of their father, reached out to the couple almost making Bokuto drop him.

"Eww, close Mukkun's eyes, Koutarou!" Natsuhi protested, never getting used to their parents being openly affectionate like that. 

The couple simply chuckled at their reaction.

They set up the camera, turned on the timer and gathered for their annual family photo. The first one for the new year. 

It's always at the same hill overlooking their little town in the countryside of Miyagi. 

They huddled closer, both to get a better shot and for warmth in this chilly day in January. 

"Three, two, one. Smile!" 

That photo sits in a DIY frame Natsuhi and Bokuto made in elementary school. Natsuhi keeps it on her bed side table at all times.

She likes it. Even though everything is covered in snow making everything white and somewhat grey, the picture feels warm. It always does. It always felt like a long, warm hug. 

Now, the picture frame sat on an unfamiliar white cabinet. The ceiling and lights doesn't look like the ones in her apartment. It's not the ceiling of the dorms back at the base either. 

This is not her apartment. 

"Papa.." 

- - -

"Bokuto!" 

Kuroo caught sight of Bokuto's spiky hair immediately after he entered the hospital lobby. His Vice Captain was holding a basket of fruits.

"You got my text! Na-chan's awake." 

"I sent word to everyone in Division 15 too. Good to hear the kid's okay." 

Just then, a nurse walked up to them to inform that they can enter the ward room. 

The hospital was bustling with activity. The mutant attack injured dozens of officers but thankfully, there weren't any fatalities. 

A complete sweep of the industrial area is ongoing to ensure there isn't anything else to be of concern. Repairs and reconstruction will begin by the end of the week. 

"Na-chan was asleep for 2 days. I bet she's hungry." 

"That reminds me. I promised to treat her to barbeque after the mission."

"Ehh, how come I don't know about this? I want barbeque too!" 

"Eat barbeque by yourself!"

"It'd be lame to eat barbeque by myself. Barbeque is a food for bonding! You didn't give me anything when I became your Vice Captain. How come Na-chan gets something 2 months into the job?" Bokuto grumbled. 

Yeah, Kuroo remembers that. He was going to give him a welcoming gift but cases and missions kept coming in as soon as Bokuto was promoted so he never got to it. The last time they had a drinking party, Bokuto sulked about it so much they had to call Natsuhi, who was then in her final year at Double A, to pick him up.