Stormy Summer

A Sudden Realization

Unsurprisingly, I had no such luck...

"No. What do you mean?" he insisted and stood back up.

Well... Here goes nothing. I can't help but hope for the ground to swallow me whole before it's too late.

"It's just... I don't know... Just... Just weird...? You've been quiet..." I trailed off, I couldn't bring myself to tell him everything. It was just too embarrassing to bring up... And it's not like I was bothered by it.

He seemed to think about my words, most likely not believing that this was all there was to it, though he doesn't question further, "I've just... been thinking," he explained, looking away slightly.

"About what?" I asked, glad that he didn't question me further. What I didn't expect was for him to blush slightly and change the subject entirely, "Anyway, what was that about needing help with studying?" Since he didn't inquire further, I decided to let this one slide as well, at least for now. I nodded my head, "Yeah, we need help with Japanese history," I explained again and he frowned.

"You didn't hesitate now... Why did you earlier?"

"I wasn't prepared earlier... I didn't know how to ask..." I trailed off again as I turned my eyes away. He sighed, "I'll help you! Is Saturday okay with you?" he asked, leaving me glad as he seemingly ignored the fact that I avoided eye-contact. Again. He stepped forward again and hugged me, "Saturday's fine," I mumbled into the embrace, as I steadily hugged him back.

"By the way..." Bokuto started and I hummed in thought, "If Kuroo's your cousin, why are you calling him by his last name?" I let his question sink in for a few seconds. I honestly didn't know how to answer. Was there even a reason?

"Because it's the color of his soul..." I mumbled jokingly, "Or maybe I started calling him 'Kuro' because of Ken-chan..." I added as an afterthought. I don't remember ever calling him by his first name though so it might just be because back then I didn't really understand that 'Kuroo' was actually his last name... Though I realize how absurd that might sound to someone who grew up in Japan as Bokuto did so... it's probably for the better if I don't mention it. Bokuto just hummed in thought at my answer.

"Also... why did they call you 'Natsu'?" by 'they' he was referring to Kuro and Ken.

"Oh. Natsu is my first name... Sally is actually just my Middle name," I looked up at him as best as I could in this embrace, "I usually just go by 'Sally' though," he seemed to think about it for a while, "Is that why Hana-chan is calling you 'Summer'? Why aren't the others calling you that, too?"

"I guess they don't know... Rose and I have always been neighbors, and, back then, most people were still calling me 'Natsu'. Like Kuro-chan and Ken-chan. Anna and I have been in the same class since the fifth grade but I already went by 'Sally' back then. Charlie attended the same school as Rose. It was only since last year that we've all been in the same class," Bokuto hummed in thought, "You and Hana-chan didn't go to the same school before?" I shook my head, "No she went to the local school, while I took the bus every morning," he looked down and our eyes met for mere seconds before he looked away again and hugged me tighter, forcing me to turn my head down again, as it was straining my neck, "I always thought 'Summer' was just a simple nickname..." he sounded somewhat stressed.

I shook my head as I tried to pull away from the hug. Emphasis on tried, "Don't!" Bokuto called, frantically, pulling me back closer. What? He's acting weird again. Maybe I should've said something, after all? What's wrong with him? I don't have a problem with hugging but he's been extremely clingy lately... "Don't... don't look at me right now... it's embarrassing..." I sighed. How long has he been like this? A week maybe? Or has it been longer than that?

I tried thinking back, how long had Bokuto been acting this weird? I couldn't think of any time in particular... Had he just always been this way? Was this just his-

I blushed slightly as he nuzzled the top of my head. All thoughts stopped. Bokuto said something. Had I been paying proper attention, I might've caught what he said.

"What did you say?"

"Nothing," he said quickly, before he released me, only to grab my hand and drag me after him again, barely granting me any time to process what just happened. Bokuto was walking faster than before, which made it hard for me to keep up, but as I looked up at him to say something, I decided against it. Probably for the better.

When we entered the school building again, he slowed down, so that I was able to walk beside him more comfortably. I wanted to ask him whether he was okay, but I didn't dare speak up. He probably wouldn't want to talk to me about this anyway...

"Where have you been?" Rose hurriedly greeted us downstairs, "Lunch break is almost over! Come on!" she was already turning around to hurry to class. Before we split up between the second-year and third-year floor, Bokuto ruffled through my hair, asking whether we'd be watching practice today. Rose shook her head at him, "We're going to the store today. Charlie wants to look for something," Bokuto nodded and went off after Rose gave him his bag.

Rose and I quickly hurried to class as well, "Thanks for waiting for me, Rose." she just smiled as she handed me my bag, that she had been carrying this whole time.

The grocery store was quite packed today. Rose and I immediately went for the magazines, as Anna and Charlie each went off on their own. I was just looking through one of the magazines and about to read one of the funny-sounding headlines to Rose, as someone bumped into me, "Gomen," I mumbled on reflex as I turned to look over my shoulder, not expecting to see one of Nekoma's volleyball players. The tall one to be exact.

"Ah, you're Bokuto's girlfriend, right?" the giant said, smiling at me, not bothering to apologize for bumping into me. I was taken aback, as was Rose, "I'm not- We... Bokuto and I aren't dating," I slightly stumbled on my words as I broke out in a blushing mess. The giant, Lev, frowned, "But Kuroo said-" he was cut off as a smaller guy roundhouse kicked him to the ground.

"I'm sorry about him. I hope he wasn't bothering you," he bowed slightly and I felt a slight sense of Déjà-vu as I looked from Lev to the person who kicked him, "Ah. No. It's fine, really," I raised my hands for emphasis. I felt kind of bad for Lev to be honest. Poor guy keeps getting kicked.

"Oh, hey, aren't you Bokuto's friends?" he looked at us, slightly surprised now, "Yes, I'm Anderson Sally and this is Smith Rose," I said motioning to Rose, "You're also on Nekoma's team, aren't you?"

"Ah yes, I'm Yaku Morisuke, Libero, nice to meet you," he introduced himself. Our chat was cut short though as Yaku excused himself to drag Lev out the store.

"Are you okay?" Rose asked as I was staring into thin air, "I wonder what Kuro-chan told him..." I said as I turned to look at Rose, who avoided eye contact and cleared her throat.

"I wonder..." she mumbled as she went past me toward the cash register, where Charlie and Anna were paying for whatever they wanted to buy.