Strategize: Haikyuu Fanfic

Chapter 78: Busting In

"Why did you have to dye my hair back? I really liked the black better." Ayame sighed as she gazed at the mirror, sitting still as the lady added finishing touches on her. She twirled a lock of her blonde hair for good measure, framing her face nicely.

"Why? Everyone else thinks you look nicer with blonde hair, Ayame-sama." She said with a soothing tone. A satisfied smile spread across her lips as she backed off and gestured her to twirl around with her finger. Ayame stood up reluctantly, turning around slowly as the ruffles on the ends of her gown flowed. It was in a light shade of powder blue, upon her request not to make it too flashy, though it still still looked as gaudy as ever with it's intricate laces and small glimmering gems glued to it- much to her dismay.

"You look...beautiful!" The designer said, wiping a tear. She eyed her head to toe, studying her features until something made her lips purse in dissatisfaction as she stared at her face - more specifically her forehead. "Hm...just one more touch."

She pulled out a compact concealer, dabbing a brush before approaching her scar with great focus. A small part of it peeked through the bangs, since some strands were held back by the pins. The designer's concentration faltered however, as Ayame stopped her with a grip - not with bruising intent, but firm and asssertive.

"Please don't." She said, getting a grimaced response from the woman. She sighed before letting go of her forearm, "I'll cover you up if they ever get fire of you. Don't worry."

The fear in the woman's eyes replaced with relief before nodding wordlessly. "...You're ready."

"Ah...Thanks, by the way." Ayame said as she look down on the gown before leaving her room. "The mascara is making me feel a bit drowsy, though."

The woman laughed, "it's supposed to feel like that for first-timers. You'll get used to it."

"Hopefully. Tell the rest to watch Mallow for me while I'm gone."

"Will do."

...

The ride there wasn't all that exciting either - just the girl with her elbows propped on the armrest as she stared out the windows of the limousine. Stargazing...except without the stars. She did notice something, something she used to think naivety did to her as a child. The moon seems to follow along the path of the car, no matter how fast or slow it went. It did not move an inch.

It looked a lot different from the last time - it was no longer a small slit, but rather a full circle. A full moon glowing brightly against the blanketed darkness. Somehow, she found it quite calming.

...

"Your identification, sir." A bulky man in a suit looked down on the boy, who confidently whipped out his card and the invitation.

"Hiro Yoshida. I suppose you are only doing your job, but you should know this by now and be familliar with it." Yoshida said, raising an eyebrow at him accusingly.

"I humbly apologize. Please come in." The man said with uneasiness, opening the door for the young man. It was indeed a large place - looked much like a ball with a sea of men in fancy suits. All except for Ayame, who stood out for she is the only one wearing a dress- a gaudy one at that. The place was high class, with the instrumental band playing softly amongst the english chatter of foreign men - ranging from ages sixteen to eighteen.

"Yoshida. What took you so long?" She asked the boy Japanese, who only waved her off dissmissively.

"I had to handle some things. Pick someone tolerable for me, got it?"

"That's pretty hard to do with such a huge swarm of guys and only have a night to choose a person who to spend the rest of my life with. You're supposed to help me choose."

Yoshida wishes he could be at two places at once, but the boys waiting at the back of the building needs him more. Fast.

"Look, I have errands to do. You can try to mingle or whatever you're supposed to do while I'm gone. I'll be right back." He reassured, getting a frown as a response from the girl and a defeated sigh.

"Fine. Just make it quick. These people are starting to piss me off." She rubbed the bridge of her nose.

...

Yoshida finally, blessedly, reached the back of the building. Late by roughly ten minutes by the specified time frame. His eyes adjusted to the dark surroundings of the back entrance, and there they are: hiding in the bushes tentatively from a safe distance- completely unnoticed by the guards.

"May I help you, sir?" One of the two guards asked.

"Papa asked to move some crates down at the basement - apparently there's a mouse down there too. We don't want to scare our guests if it makes it upstairs." He said without a sign of guiltiness. His expression remained as cool as ever, not breaking eye contact. Although it took a great deal of restraint to not let himself make a disgusted face in calling that man 'Papa' again. What the hell was he thinking in calling him that anyways?

One of them stepped forward. "I'll do it." He shifted his attention to the other guard. "You stay here and watch."

Ah...Fuck.

How could he not have seen this coming?! Did he not think this plan through? The boy looked panicked for a split second before clearing his throat nervously. "Th-The work requires two men in the least. It will only take a while. I'll get someone else to look over your station." Great. He just had to stutter.

Mercifully, the two men exchanged looks before shrugging in a non-committal manner.

"It's this way." He said, guiding the two bulky men by following right behind them. But before they took a turn, he puts a hand behind his back to form an 'okay' sign - three fingers held up slyly away from the guards' line of vision.

"That's the signal. Coast is clear." Ryuuji whispered to the group, who stayed crouched down behind the bush. "Stay close to me. There will be lots of people."

"It's like... It's like one of those spy movies!" Yachi whispered excitedly.

"Except we'll get deported and probably sued if we mess up."

Tanaka muttered. "We're really bustin' in that foreign city boy alliance."

"Stop it with that city boy, Tanaka. It's embarrassing." Sugawara face palmed.

...

The basement was indeed roomy, though it's fairly dark and dusty. The only source of light was the gleaming of the moon through a small window (which Yoshida made sure was locked nevertheless the likeliness of them fitting through that small hole). "We're done with the crates. Now, where's the mouse?"

"It should be somewhere here. Just listen for the squeaking noises." Yoshida said, inching towards the door backwards surreptitiously as the two searched. Slowly and oh so as quietly as he can, he shuts the door close behind the two men without noticing. He pulled out a key- a stolen one that is - and locked it. He twisted the doorknob for a good measure. Not a budge. Locked.

He reached up in his right ear, where an earpiece was placed secretly. He pushed a button and heard a faint buzzing sound, once it stopped, he spoke quietly. "You in?"

Ryuuji's voice was on the other line. "Yeah. Meet you there."

...

As Yoshida made his way through the crowd, he bumped into his childhood friend. Great. He's going to be late again.

This time Ayame yanked on his sleeve, "Yoshida, can't those errands wait? I need your help here."

"You can do it. I thought you're a mature adult already."

"You're the only one who thinks that. Can I just marry Mallow or something?"

"Look here, Ayame. I'd love to stay and chat, but I need to do something. So if you please let go of me." Yoshida said firmly. God, this girl is so damn pushy. The girl gave another frustrated sigh, letting go of his sleeve reluctantly.

"Fine. Just be back as fast as you can."