égoïste [Akaashi Keiji]

raison #21

You're like a comfy pillow.

Akaashi's eyes opened and he stared at the darkened ceiling, annoyed at himself that he was awake, late at night, because of just a single thought.

Shiori-san, why?

He wanted to heavily sigh. She was always like this, so he knew it wasn't intentional. It didn't make him special, he knew, but because he had these feelings he didn't know the limit of, he didn't know. He couldn't really act on them because he was fine just by staying by her side (also because he knew she wouldn't feel the same way).

Except, he was afraid that somebody else would come and take her away, though he knew that that would be an incredibly rare, and quite a near impossible task, since it was Shiori he was talking about.

But the thought still plagued his mind, because the world was unpredictable yet very predictable, and he didn't know which route it would take until it was too late.

Apart from being your favourite kouhai and friend, what am I to you?

He found himself thinking, easily falling into the thought, because he wanted to know whether he would have any chance at all.

Someone who blackmailed me into playing volleyball to help the team.

He wasn't sure if it was his consciousness talking, but he swore her voice was in his head, just interrupting his thoughts to give her own.

He let out a sigh, a smile dancing on his lips. If she had answered his unasked question, he knew that her answer would be an unconventional one.

-----

What did I just say to him? That he was a comfy pillow? Shiori was dwelling on what happened just earlier, just after Akaashi left after walking her home.

Arata walked out of his room and to the kitchen, where he spotted his sister crouching down on the ground, hugging her knees, staring at the ground intently.

"Uh, Ricchan, what are you doing? You're in the way." Arata manoeuvred around her with a pot of pasta, placing it on the middle of the table, the mat under it.

She abruptly stood up and headed to the kitchen to help set up the table, silent the whole time.

"Oi, you're kinda creeping me out. Why are you so silent?" The older Maebara sat down, getting himself some food.

"Hmm..." Shiori let out a long hum, "If a girl said to you, 'you're like a comfy pillow', what would your reaction be?"

"Huh? You're like a comfy pillow?" He paused for a moment, then sweat dropped, "Don't tell me someone said that to you, or you said that to someone else, though I think it's the latter."

Shiori laughed nervously, getting herself a bowl of pasta after sitting down.

"I said that to someone."

"Thought so. To Bokuto, Akaashi or Konoha?"

"I feel like you're too smart and analysing. Please become stupider."

Arata let out a light laugh, "It just comes to narrowing things down. So, who was it?"

"Akaashi."

"Eh?" His brows rose as he looked over to her in surprise. "Knowing you, it's probably just something you'd say. But if I heard something like that from a person like you, I probably wouldn't think too much of it." He gave a logical answer.

"But it's the truth, don't give me that look! He's a comfy person to hug, if that makes any sense. Same with Bokuto! But Bokuto's probably more comfy because he's more built, but stronger too, so I kind of suffocate slowly." She paused, nodding slowly, "Hm, I see. So then, I shouldn't worry too much about it either, then."