Strategize: Haikyuu Fanfic

Chapter 63: One and Only

The news of them being in a relationship turned out better than Tsukishima's predicament. In fact, he would've told the rest of the team head-on if he knew the perks of being Ayame's boyfriend. Of course, he still loves her, but that doesn't stop him from using his girlfriend as a weapon to rile up the two second years. Though he wouldn't show his vulnerability by kissing her or hugging her, he would drape his arm over her shoulder and maybe even go as far as snaking his arm around her waist, much to the their displeasure. He would even say very suggestive phrases within their earshot such as "that's not what you said last night" or "let's have some fun this weekend". As expected, Ayame doesn't quite understand slang meanings or sexual undertones, so she would just shrug it off.

Meanwhile, Ayame remained indifferent in the situation, the only difference was that she would call him Kei rather than Tsukishima during practices. After an apology to her boyfriend about yesterday, she couldn't help but wonder why wanted it to be kept a secret. Is he ashamed to have me as a girlfriend?

Maybe because I'm not affectionate enough? I mean, I give him a peck on the cheek here and there but that's whenever no one's around... He doesn't seem to be the type that would like it if I do it in public. Maybe I am a bad girlfriend... Either that or...

She sighed at the thought, drifting off to another world. Curse her social status, it was all her father's fault...! Her eyes absentmindedly focused on the metal bars supporting the net from a distance, her chin rested on her knees as she had her arms wrapped around it. Her train of thoughts got interrupted by an abrupt, prickling sensation on her right ear, sending shivers from her head to the tips of her toes. On instinct, she jumped in surprise and whipped head back to see Tsukishima, snickering at the sight of his red-faced girlfriend.

"D-Don't blow on my- hic!" Her face scrunched up as more heat crept up on her cheeks. She tried once more, "don't blow on my ea- hic!"

"Got the case of the hiccups? Poor you." He said out of sympathy with a hint of sarcasm in his tone. She was about to retort, but her hiccups cut her off once more, much to her annoyance.

Tsukishima hummed in amusement as an idea popped to his head, "I heard that if you eat cake, it'll go away. Let's go stop by the cafe before we-"

"I may not -hic!- be all that familiar with hiccups, -hic!- but I'm not stupid." She replied, unconvinced by his lies.

And there you have it, a teen with her shoulders tensing up every few minutes. Everyone noticed the troubled girl during break. She would continue to write down in her notebook, but the hiccups causes her hand involuntary spasms, making the once neat handwriting turn into a messy jungle of scribbles. They all watched her in a distance as she tried her best to continue her work. You can faintly hear the hiccuping noises.

"It's been an hour..." Yachi muttered, concerned for her friend.

Hic!

"Can she even focus on her work...?" Coach Ukai said, scratching his head. Everyone turned their heads to the blonde, who seems to be having a good time watching her suffer.

"Shouldn't you do something?" Daichi suggested.

"It'll go away eventually." He reassured as a small smirk crept onto his face. The blonde finds this very amusing.

Hic!

"If you won't do anything, then we will!" Tanaka said thumping his fist onto his chest in determination.

Noya's face lit up as he proposed a contest to his teammates. "That's right! Whoever gets rid of her hiccups wins!" This took the ginger's interest as well as his setter companion due to their extremely competitive nature.