Monochromatic: Haikyuu Fanfic

Chapter 43: Back to Tokyo

The day has come when the kids have to go.

Fukui hadn't expected to get attached to the kids like this. Children in general is an iffy subject with her - she claims that she's not all that fond of children. Now adults would gasp at that, but Fukui is not stupid. Of course, she's still kind to children - she's aware of how great her actions can influence them in this time of nurturing. She respects them, cares about them, but never completely attach to them either. She was... envious of their naivety. Seeing children happy make her think of her callous childhood.

Explains why she never bothered to make any connections with them at first.

But these kids - went through the same things as she did, and maybe that changed how she acts around them in specific. They're not naive, they've seen traumatizing things for their age.

It's such a mess of self conflicts now, Fukui thinks. She really did like those kids. Maybe even consider them as little brothers. But she's still bitter about their father. The thought of another man around her mom gives her a disgusting taste in her mouth. She doesn't approve of their relationship.

Thre train is the complete opposite of cluttered - there's only them in the same compartment. Fukui stares out the window, eyes gazing out on the blurry trees that pass by. Early morning - three AM - train rides to Tokyo are much cheaper than midday ones. The two kids are fast alseep, Haru snoring cutely, head perched on her lap. Takumi sits upright on her other side, his head resting on his folded knees - asleep.

"Fukui-san..." A soft voice - no more than a whisper - escapes Takumi.

He's awake...?

Umeko replies with a sleepy hum.

"You'd..." Takumi hugs his knees tighter. "...Make a really good sister."

"...Thanks."

Umeko, milky from lack of sleep, smiles softly down at him. It's quite rare for Takumi to admit that, so she shifts in her seat just enough to sling an arm around his tiny shoulders and gently urge him to lean on her shoulder. Begrudgingly (although secretly pleased), he leans his head on her shoulder, and drifts into slumber.

-*- . -*-.-*-

Let's shift our focus to a couple of guys from Miyagi. It's the same day - but the hours passed and the sun shines brightly in the afternoon, light seeping through Iwaizumi's blinds.

"What did you do this time?"

Hajime says this without looking up at Oikawa, who, yet again, thrashes on Iwaizumi's bed for quite some time now. It's definitely way too early for this, he thinks. It's only the first day of summer vacation - the smoldering heat hasn't been approached this side of Miyagi yet. It still feels like spring. It still feels like the weather on White Day.

But it's not. It's been a whole month since the incident. Nothing changed so far. Oikawa's quite relieved, yet...

"Iwa-chan," Oikawa whines high against Iwaizumi's pillow, "...I'm the worst friend ever."

"Why don't you," Iwaizumi swivels around in his chair again, and his tone leaks sarcasm, "tell me what happened so I can actually do something. Idiot, Asskawa."

Oikawa pouts much like a child, but even so, he knows that it's Iwaizumi brute way of saying 'let me help you'. Oikawa reaches for the volleyball lying on the floor with his long arms. He sets it repeatedly as he laid down on the bed.

"I may have... Stolen Ume-chan's... first kiss..."

"You what?"