𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐒𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 [𝐓. 𝐊𝐞𝐢]

𝐨𝟏𝟓. 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧.

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The blinding lights of the infirmary came into your eyes, causing you to groan and slowly get up. The pounding feeling in your head never seemed to ease.

'Shit, what happened?' You rubbed your head looking all around you, surroundings empty except for the necessities needed for an infirmary. You couldn't recall what happened moments ago, or why you were in the nurse's office, but you guessed that it had to be something bad.

"Saito-chan, how are you feeling?" The nurse then pulled apart the curtain, stepped inside, holding a clipboard and pen. She looked at you inquisitively waiting for your answer.

"I'm feeling a little dizzy. But that's it."

"Well, nothing an ice pack can't help. I'll bring you one right away." She left again, leaving you on the crappy bed and alone with your thoughts.

She threw the ball into the air, jogging up to a point until taking a jump-you assumed that it wasn't aimed properly-the ball began to ricochet off of Etsuko's forearms-"Saito-san!"

'Oh, so that's what happened.' You groan, setting your head back down on the pillow below you. Silence crept into the room and the only things that could be heard, were your shallow breaths and the running machines on the other side of the curtain. It began to make you think, and to be very honest, you didn't really like to go into such deep thought.

"You're such a dumbass." The bitter voice of a familiar blond entered the room, and unconsciously, you sat up with a growing smile. His face began to soften as well, but before you could process it, a scowl replaced the warmth. "Here's your ice."

"T-Thank you." Slowly grabbing the ice-pack from his grip, you pressed the bag onto your head and leaned onto the wall behind you. Tsukishima just stood there, staring at you intently until you lifted your head up. "How did you know I was in here?"

His face flushed a red, scoffing and looking towards the side. You tried to check if he was okay but he only slapped your hand away, resulting in you drawing it back immediately.

'Whats his problem?'

"B-Baka...I was just passing by and I saw your pathetic self being dragged in here. I wanted to have more reason to laugh at you." His face looked a bit guilty at his answer, and if he listened closely he would've heard you whimper silently.

'Fucking asshole, little bitch. He isn't being a tsundere, this idiot is being rude. Why do I get so nervous around an asshole?!'

"Tch." You mutter under your breath, looking away from him so you didn't have to make eye-contact. Truth be told, your heart was breaking a bit. "Then if you have nothing else to say, get out."

'I don't want you to go...just be a bit nicer and tease me like before.'  You hated feeling this way. It made you feel weak and not as mentally-strong as you thought you were. You hated liking someone, especially in this way. 'Wait, what the fuck am I saying?'

"Tch. Fine. But first, I want to know why you're even here in the first place." Tsukishima leaned forward from his chair, leaning his face a bit closer to yours.

'Because of that stupid bitch that's obsessed with you.' Unfortunately, you couldn't remember what her name was, due to the pounding in your head. But, mostly, it was the lack of care you had for her. Hell, she could serve a hundred volleyballs at your face and you still wouldn't remember what her name was. She was that irrelevant.

"I slipped." His face looked at you in disbelief, but seemed to shrug it off and slump in his chair. You didn't even believe your own lie, but pushed the guilt off your chest. Why did you need to feel guilty for an asshole anyway?

"Fine then." Silence crept into the room again, the cold water of melted ice began to wet your hair. You kept it there however, since you felt quite hot despite an AC vent present right about the bed. Then, your volleyball managerial instincts kicked in, suddenly remembering the important tournament coming up for the team. Well, for the team except Tsukishima. You were pretty sure he didn't care.

"How are you feeling about the Inter-High Prelims?" Your voice came out like a whisper which made you grimace.

'I sound like a pussy.' Tsukishima witnessed your moment, making him lean forward again to get closer to you. Unlike last time, you stayed in your position, making the distance between the both of you shorten. It felt comforting though, like the training camp all over again.

"I don't really care about it. We'll most likely lose anyway." His eyes diverted to his hands as they clutch each other. You sighed, it was a typical response from Tsukishima Kei. If anything, he was a pessimistic piece of shit that didn't believe in your team at all. It was annoying. "Compared to the other schools, we're like scum. I don't think we'll ever make it to nationals."

'This little idiot did not just- how annoying!'

"What do you mean you'll lose? The team has done nothing but work their asses off just to bring themselves to nationals. They all worked on their individual talents, but what have you done? All you've done was watch from the side and practice with minimal effort. You don't even try. Do you know how irritating that is Tsukishima? Even I've worked hard to take down notes to help you guys improve." Dropping the ice bag onto a tray near you, you sit up and face him completely, catching him off guard. You leaned closer to him, grabbing the collar of his shirt to make sure he understood every single one of your words. "I've never lifted a finger unless it was for myself Tsukishima. I watched from the front, seeing how hard other people worked while I sat on a motherfucking throne. And you know what? Now that I've joined the team, it's obvious that you're the one sitting on the throne because you're acting like a privileged and selfish bitch right now. How can you just sit back and watch everyone work hard while you don't even put full effort? Tsukishima Kei, you better change that mindset of yours before I have to make you understand myself."

The breaths that were taken in between your words were short, causing you to pant recklessly after your speech. The grip on his shirt was still tight, making it slightly difficult for him to breath. He took a look at your eyes, recognizing something completely different about them.

They weren't like usual. You were cold, and unemotional. You looked at everyone as if they were lesser than you, but here, talking to him, you looked passionate. It was as if he was encountering someone with two different people living inside them, call it bipolar if you would like. But just like before, he found himself falling deeper into the hole that was called his adoration of you. Sure, your looks was what made others perceive you as beautiful, but passion seemed to have enhanced every bit of your features.

"Who are you and what did you do to mubō-chan?" Your grip loosened, which gave him time to pull away. Your eyes fell to the grip, not knowing what came over you or what made you act that way. His hands made its way to your cheeks, holding them gently despite his calloused hands. "You're fucking annoying, you know that?"

"So why do you still deal with me?" Finally, your eyes seemed to meet his, and he didn't move away despite your close proximity. His gaze seemed fixated on yours, a smirk growing on his face while you seemed to melt into his hands.

"Because your irritating personality seems to be the only thing that drives me to work harder every single day."

AUTHORS NOTE!

I'm so sorry this chapter has been delayed;( idk why but i've been finding myself easily procrastinated and it's so annoying. Anyway, I hope you enjoyed the chapter!