Monochromatic: Haikyuu Fanfic

Chapter 54: Stories

"I'll be there. I promise."

It's rare for Fukui to get nightmares, but when they do, they hit hard.

And it's not just any nightmare - it's not about the clown statue at the porch or the eerie-looking porcelain doll type of fear.Fear of the unknown is hair-raising, I most certainly agree, but that is nothing compared to traumatizing fear. Fear that squeezes the life out of your heart and the air out of your lungs. Close your eyes, wail, or scream - nothing will stop the inevitable attack of a traumatic fear.

Why? Because she knows it happened, long, long ago. 

Fukui is healing. But that doesn't prove that she's invincible.

A recurring nightmare. It always started with she, Iwa-chan, and Oikawa at the daycare. Nothing but mere children - a naive age of six. It was supposedly a huge day for Fukui, a day she can show off her father for career day. Oikawa's mother and Iwaizumi's parents were present already, busying themselves with their children. Every one of her classmates' parents were present too, and it seemed that it's only Fukui that doesn't have someone to be with.

"Oi! Is your dad coming?" Iwa-chan asked.

"He must be running late! He works out of town, after all!" Fukui said cheerfully, boasting with her chest puffed out.

And so Fukui waited and waited. Presentations of each child with their parent gone by fast, and everyone finished their turns showing off their parent. All there's left is Fukui, whose father isn't present after two hours of waiting. Sensei has the situation taken care of, a telephone in hand as she tried to contact her father's work phone.

"What does your dad do again?" Oikawa asks.

"Tou-san helps stories turn into books," Fukui recalls her father explaining it, loud and proud, " - he's an editor."

"Ooooooooh..."

"Mhm! He promised to be here. Maybe just not on time."

Meanwhile, the teacher smiled weakly on the phone, brows etching over in confusion.

"What? No, please let me speak to Mrs.Fukui, there must be a misunderstanding. Hello? This is Mrs. Fukui, Umeko's mother? Yes, I'd like to speak about her father- "

Sensei froze, hands cold on the phone. The amiable smile that she once had melted into a trembling frown. Her eyes were glassed over, lifeless and face debauched.

Her eyes flickered to Umeko briefly. Air suddenly too heavy to breathe.

"Oh my goodness... I am so sorry," She choked out. " I- I'm sorry for your loss."

As soon as the teacher put down the phone, Fukui tugged at her skirt, looking at her with wide curious eyes. "Will he be here soon, Sensei?"

And Fukui still remembered the look on her face - dim and heart shriveling, she smiled softly as she crouched down and pulled her to a tight hug.

"I'm so sorry that I'm the one to tell you, Umeko-chan." She said, "Otou-san - on his way home, he -"

Beeeeeeeeeep.

The world warped into black and white, and a high beep blocks everything else. She couldn't feel, numbness washing over her senses.

At the age of six, Umeko wished to die.

Then, she hears a voice.

"-chan"

"meee-chan."