Monochromatic: Haikyuu Fanfic

Chapter 48: A Girl

Fukui receives an unexpected visitor on the day of the summer festival.

She planned on going with her friend Shizuka, who was her cleaning partner on the day of the bucket incident. Despite all of the girls that approach Fukui, it seems that Shizuka is the only girl that bothered to be her friend. Throughout the year they've eaten lunch together, worked on projects together - friendly activities of that kind. Althout Shizuka has liked Oikawa romantically, it was not her reason for hanging around Fukui.

With that said, it was no surprise that Fukui was asked to go to the summer festival tonight. While she has no proper yukata to wear, it's not mandatory to wear one. Not that it bothered her anyways, it's much comfier without one on especially with the summer heat.

But her plans came to a halt when someone decides to pay a visit just before she leaves the house. Her mother stands outside the door, and she looks incredibly tired. There's bags right under her eyes. Yet she still wears that same warm smile as soon as she sees her daughter. She's holding hands of Takumi and Haru on both of her sides.

"Mom! What are you doing here? Please get some rest," Fukui opens the door wide to let her in - maybe she can stay for the night. Her mother waves her off kindly.

Her mom looks down on both the kids before speaking, her voice is warm and thoughtful, "they thought I wouldn't notice, but they've been gloomy ever since they came back. They grew to like you. Would you mind if they stay for one more week?"

Fukui looks down on the two kids with a mildly surprised expression. Admittedly, she enjoyed having those two for company, and the house feels oddly quiet without them. Her preparation for college exams wont be until next week, anyways.

Fukui nods and lets the two boys inside the house.

Her mother smiles, Fukui has grown quite a lot too. Withstood lots of burden from her, yet she still stays strong. She notices Fukui's outfit and asks, "oh? Were you heading somewhere?"

"Yeah. The summer festival is today, down at the town square." Fukui answers. The sudden visit may have ruined her plans, but it doesn't bother her.

"Ah. I see." Her mother gives her an apologetic look, but she continues, "how about you take Takumi and Haru-chan with you?"

The mentioned names made the little boys perk up and look up at Fukui with pleading puppy eyes. Haru asks, "can we? Can we?"

It's hard to say no to that, so Fukui says, "Sure. Just don't get out of my sight."

"Yes!! Thank you so much, Fukui-niichan!"

Fukui's mother looks down at her watch, "shoot. I have to go do more errands. You kids have fun!"

" - Oh and Umeko. My Yukata should be somewhere in our closet. It should fit you nicely." She gives her a playful wink, as if to hint something for Fukui but her daughter only looks at her with a dense expression. Well, she's not surprised. She's not one for picking up social cues from the start anyways.

-*- Oikawa-*-

While Fukui had her summer festival plans laid out, Oikawa hadn't expected to go at all. He always went to those each and every year with Iwa-chan, Hanamaki and Matsukawa, and he supposes that he grew tired of it. Perhaps he can peep a view of the fireworks from his room as he do something else to kill some time. After all, he needed quite some time to reflect on himself after the rejection.