Sweet Love

Chapter 13: After interhigh

The rest, Bokuto and Akaashi cannot remember. The only thing Akaashi remembers is that he did not cry. In all the blur, prize giving and phototaking were done, handshakes were done, dinner was served and wolfed down by the hungry teens.

Everyone's mood is conflicted as they part ways to go home - happy that they are second among all schools in Tokyo but crushed because they had lost their final match. Even more than that, there was determination burning in their young hearts. They would win the next round they told themselves. But in the end, almost everyone went home and cried.

Even with Akaashi trying to convince Bokuto that it was fine for him to go home alone since peak hour was over, Bokuto insisted between tears that he would still protect Akaashi.

Bokuto takes the train with Akaashi. As the train stops at Akaashi's station, Akaashi does not alight. It pained him to leave the broken hearted Bokuto alone. He follows him all the way home. As soon as Akaashi is certain that Bokuto had reached home safely, he proceeds to leave. Bokuto lightly tugs his sleeve and stares at Akaashi with tear filled eyes. "Stay with me?"

Akaashi follows Bokuto into the house while texting a message to his mum about the sudden stayover. Akaashi's "Sorry to intrude" is followed by Bokuto's soft "I'm home." Bokuto's foster parents warmly welcome the stone beauty. Seeing Bokuto's crestfallen expression obviously painted on his face, both adults let the two teenagers be. Bokuto slowly shuffles into his room, Akaashi following closely behind.

Akaashi gently shuts the door behind him as he enters Bokuto's room. Bokuto flops on his bed. Akaashi slowly puts his bag down at the corner of the room and stands there, awkward and unsure of what to do. "Come over..." Akaashi walks to Bokuto and Bokuto pulls him down onto the bed, beside him. Bokuto circles his arms around Akaashi's shoulders and bursts into tears. Maybe it is the solemn mood surrounding them but Akaashi can feel tears stream down his cheeks too.

Bokuto cries himself to sleep, head atop Akaashi's shoulders. Shortly after, Akaashi falls asleep too, lulled by Bokuto's soft whimpers.

The next morning, both wake up with puffy eyes. However, the crying last night had washed away the negative feelings of the evening's defeat. They quickly wash up with a shower. Bokuto lends Akaashi a change of uniform and a toothbrush. They have a quick breakfast before grabbing their bags and heading to school.

The school hosts a prize giving in their honour. For the whole day, everyone in the volleyball team is showered with congratulatory messages and praises.

To give the volleyball members ample time to recuperate, there is no training. Akaashi decides to use the time to catch up on his studies. "Akash, how boring. Let's go karaoke instead." Bokuto had lamented once he heard of Akaashi's plans. Somehow Akaashi found himself being dragged to karaoke along with the entire volleyball team after school.