eternal

unrequited / kimshi

"sugawara-senpai, hello," the bespectacled female said, smiling up at him, "good morning."

the silver-haired setter smiled down at the younger, his smile causing cute little creases at the edge of his eyes, "good morning, kimberly."

the two always happened to cross paths at the train station. it occured that way ever since kimberly accidentally fell asleep one time (due to staying up late on multiple nights) and sugawara had politely and kindly woke her up when it was time to alight. after all, they were attending the same school.

"is club going okay?" sugawara asked, adjusting his sky blue scarf wound around his neck.

"yeah, it's a little rigorous, though," kimberly said, fidgeting with the hem of her jacket, "what about you? isn't the spring tournament coming soon?"

sugawara's heart skipped a little beat. she remembered about the spring tournament. though, let us be realistic, it was what most of the students talked about these days. the boys volleyball team had managed to pleasantly surprise everyone by defeating the notorious powerhouse, shiratorizawa, therefore winning the inter-high, and going to the spring tournament.

"yeah, it is," he replied, trying to hide the telltale blush that was beginning to creep onto his fair cheeks, "we've been practicing a lot lately and we're trying to improve as much as we can until then."

"then, i wish you guys all the best," kimberly said, "i'll be watching you guys on the live broadcasting channel."

hearing how kimberly would still be supporting him even though they would be in different prefectures made his heart soar and his smile grow even wider. however, the annoying itch in his throat began to settle in and he quickly fished around in his pocket for a handkerchief.

"next stop, sendai station."

the train slowed down into a gentle halt as it approached sendai station. all of the karasuno students on the train immediately began to file out, chatter errupting from the teenagers. kimberly spotted one of her friends not too far ahead, so she waved sugawara goodbye and promised to see him later in school (if they happened to cross paths, anyway). sugawara smiled and waved back, just as the itch began to get worse.

the itch grew uncontrollable and sugawara struggled to hold it in. he waited until kimberly (and her friend) was out of sight, then brought the baby blue handkerchief to his mouth and let out a few coughs. he pulled away, noting the petals in his hand. his eyes widened when he caught sight of the slight and miniscule specks of blood dotting the edges of the otherwise pretty petals.

it's getting worse.

"it's getting worse, suga," a voice interjected from behind him, as if reading his thoughts out loud, making the third year startle slightly in surprise.

he turned around to see daichi looking down at the handkerchief and the petals in the boy's hand. daichi, along with the other third years, knew of sugawara's condition and, of course, his crush on the bespectacled first year.

daichi sighed and shook his head, "how long are you going to hide it from her?"

"for as long as i can," sugawara replied, disposing the petals into a nearby dustbin and shoving his handkerchief into his jacket pocket, "i don't want her to find out."

"you can't run away from this forever, you know," daichi said softly, walking alongside his friend, the both of them heading to school, "she's gotta know at some point."

sugawara said nothing, sorting out the chaotic strings of thoughts in his own head. daichi had always been the voice of reason, the one to set things out in an orderly fashion for everyone to understand more easily and clearly.