The Clever Joker (Haikyuu Fanfiction Series!!!!)

13. Stumbling

Tomoyo POV

After finishing my meal with Natsuki and Jun, I decided to take my early leave and head back home. I silently stuff my hands in my pockets and sigh. It was a quiet walk, completely different from earlier today.

Seeing Jun and Natsuki eating together like family, was nice. Natsuki normally has a stoic expression at school but when she's at home, she's a little more open. Not to mention, the surprising meet up with Karasuno wasn't all too bad. I even learned that Tsukishima can be a decent guy when he needs to be, I guess. Knowing him, I'm sure he'll enjoy the strawberry shortcake that I gave him.

...

Yet what I didn't expect him to give me was the tofu flavored ice cream taiyaki. I know he bought the taiyaki to mess with me like I did with the cake... but tofu flavored huh? I haven't had that in a long time. The moment I ate it, I immediately thought of the past. Back when everyday was enjoyable and the world was so bright.

(8 years ago...)

"Huh Tomoyo are you still studying?!" My grandpa blurts out in shock seeing me still study after coming home from the farmer's market.

"I am," I monotonously answer.

"Take a break, studying that hard will just burn you out!" My grandpa scolds me as he drags me out to the backyard porch. "Why are you studying so much?"

"Mom and dad told me that I'm smart for my age so I need to work harder to just be like them," I explain. "If I study hard now, then I can be like them faster--"

"Here a taiyaki for you!" My grandpa suddenly says as he hands me a taiyaki.

My eyes widen. "A taiyaki? What's that gramps?" I ask, surprised.

My grandpa gasps. "Your parents never gave you a taiyaki before!? I really need to scold that son of mine." He shakes his head in disappointment. "A taiyaki is a sweet pastry that's shaped as a fish and can have different fillings depending on what you order."

"I see..." I answer as I analyze it.

"What do you eat at home? Do your parents ever take you out?" Grandpa asks me as he forces me to sit down on the porch with him.

"Takahiro-nii just makes food for us. We don't go out much since they're never home," I answer.

"... I'm sorry to hear that Tomoyo," grandpa sadly says and pats me on the head. "I know they're busy working in the hospital all day but--"

"It's okay. It doesn't matter. I'm already used to it," I admit and a soft smile forms on my face. "As long as you're here, it doesn't matter how long I don't see them. You're all I need."

"Tomoyo..." gramps says with a sad smile on his face. 

"Hey gramps, what flavor is this?" I question. "It better not be gross."

"Pfft. Don't be picky Tomoyo. It's a surprise. So go on ahead and take a bite," he grins.

I reluctantly take a bite and once I taste it, my eyes widen. "It's good..."

"Hahaha it's tofu flavored," grandpa says with a silly smile on his face.

"Really?" I question and he nods his head.

"It is!" He answers and chuckles. "You really like it huh?"

I nod my head and he laughs. "I can tell from the way you're munching it down!" He says as he gives me a loving look and pats my back. "You know Tomoyo, you don't always have to listen to your parents. You should try new things and go for what you have a passion for. If not, it'll be hard on you to keep going on. Don't restrain yourself doing something you don't want to do."