What I Couldn't Tell You | Bokuaka

Chaoter 3

☆☆☆

Keiji walked out of the bathroom, freshly showered and changed into pajamas. He made a beeline for his bed and slumped there, unmoving for a few moments and basking in the warmth of his comforter before turning on his back. He stared at the ceiling, recalling the day's events. He had known for a while about his growing feelings for his captain and friend, yet he denied them in favor of trying to keep things normal. He wasn't going to fall under the illusion that Bokuto liked him back, no matter how much the boy complimented him or touched him. Despite that, today's event had to mean something right?
He cleared his throat, feeling a sudden itch. He coughed a few times to get rid of it but to no avail. It only made Keiji groan internally, he couldn't be catching a cold. Not now when they had a game in a few days. Sighing, he reluctantly stood up from his bed and walked downstairs to the kitchen. His mother was still awake, finishing washing up the dishes with a small smile on her face. Keiji had a good relationship with both of his parents, even so, he always found his preference inclining towards his mother. No matter what situation he found himself in, or how anxious he got, his mother was there to support him.
"Mom?" Keiji called out hesitantly.
"What is it Keiji?" she asked in a soft voice. It was probably what Keiji liked best about his mother, the soothing tone of her voice. It never failed to calm him down.
"My throat hurts, do we have medicine?" he asked, a dry cough making its way out of his throat to emphasize his request, "I have a game in a few days and I don't want to get sick." He explained. His mother turned off the faucet, drying her hands with a towel and patting them on her apron for good measure.
Keiji watched as she moved to one of the cabinets, instead of pulling out some cough syrup though, she took out a cup with an owl print - one Keiji had received as a gift from Bokuto. Keiji watched perplexed as she moved to a drawer and pulled out a small bag of ginger tea. Finally, she walked to open another cabinet and pulled out the cough syrup. Keiji made a mental note of remembering where the medicine was kept. She set the items on the counter and moved to turn on the stove. Keiji went to seat at the table.
"Mom you don't have-,"
"No 'buts' Keiji," she stated in a stern voice, turning around to look at the young boy, "if you really don't want to get sick then you should also drink some ginger tea." She finished, turning around to continue preparing the beverage.
Keiji muttered a small 'thank you' before propping his arms on the table and settling his head between them. There was a certain beauty in watching his mom cook or do anything really. She moved around gracefully as she set the kettle on the stove, waiting for the water to boil while looking for a spoon to pour the syrup in. once done, she turned around and walked towards Keiji, offering him the spoon with medicine with a soft smile. Keiji thanked her, drinking the syrup up and handing her the spoon back. She turned once again upon hearing the kettle boil and carefully poured the tea into the cup. She set it down in front of Keiji, walking to get a seat on the opposite side of him.
"So," his mother started, clapping her hands together. Keiji picked up the cup and blew on it to dispel some of the steam, he took a small sip, feeling the warm drink rush down and soothe his aching throat, "I went into your room while you were showering to pick up your laundry and saw a flower on a water bottle." She commented nonchalantly, though her eyes told a different story.
Keiji felt his cheeks get warm.
"Did a girl confess to you?" she asked, biting her lip to prevent her from smiling. Keiji just rolled his eyes playfully.
"As if," he said, taking another sip from his drink and shrugging, "it was actually Bokuto-san, he said he saw it on his way to school and remembered it was my favorite flower." He tried to play it off as the most common thing ever, though truth to be told, his heart still picked up its pace upon remembering that moment. Keiji's mother's eyes softened, a warm smile spreading across her lips.
"Koutarou-kun is such a sweet boy," she commented, "I haven't seen him in a while, you should bring him more often."
Keiji only nodded, finishing up his tea, standing up and walking to the sink to wash it. He felt his mother's hand on his arm, the other one coming up to pry the cup of his hands.
"Don't worry about it sweetheart, I've got it," she insisted, moving Keiji aside and planting a small kiss on his forehead, "Go to sleep, you must be really tired."
"Thank you, mom," he said, kissing her cheek, "good night." He walked up the stairs to his room, feeling the drowsiness taking over. Once again, he silently thanked his mom for the tea, as it would probably help him sleep.
Keiji checked his phone, seeing one message from Bokuto.
[Bokuto-san]: Good night Akaashi!!!!
Keiji only smiled, unlocking his phone and typing a quick reply.
[Me]: Good night Bokuto-san.
He set his phone back on the night stand and slipped under the bed covers. It wasn't long before he fell asleep, a small smile etched on his face.

☆☆☆
"Ah Akaashi! Look!" Bokuto exclaimed while running ahead, leaving the first year behind. He stopped in front of the park, aligned with rows of bushes dressed in different flowers. The color varied greatly, painting the whole place in spring. Above them, cherry trees began to blossom, a few stray petals swept away by the lingering winter breeze. Bokuto crouched in front of a specific bush. It held a small pink flower, covered in various layers of petals. "What's your favorite flower?"
"Favorite flower?" Keiji questioned. He crouched beside Bokuto, admiring the flower. He turned to look at the older boy, noticing how the ghost of a smile settled on his face. The sun was setting, and the stray rays of sunshine were caught within Bokuto's features, his golden eyes shining brightly. Keiji briefly felt as if the air was knocked out of his stomach.
"Yeah, mine are Peonies," Bokuto commented while pointing at the same pink flowers they had been staring at. He turned to look at Keiji, rubbing the back of his neck and smiling sheepishly, "I know, it doesn't seem very manly right?"
"I just didn't take you for a flower guy in general Bokuto-san," Keiji replied, smiling reassuringly at the other boy. It seemed to do the trick because Bokuto visibly relaxed.
"It's because of their meaning," Bokuto explained, opting to take a seat on the grass. Keiji mirrored his action, pulling his legs against his chest, arms circling around them, and head resting against his knees. "Do you know the meaning of peonies?" the older boy asked.
Keiji just shook his head
"It means bravery," Bokuto stated. He looked up at the cherry trees, watching the petals dance in the wind. They stayed quiet for a while, watching the flowers and enjoying the remains of the fresh weather. That was, until Bokuto spoke up again, "so what's your favorite flower?"
Keiji remained silent for a while, repeating the question in his head. He had never put much thought to it before. He didn't know much about flowers except for the ones he helped his mom plant in the garden, let alone their meanings. Despite that, he could recall one flower that always caught his attention.
"I guess carnations," he declared, turning his head to look a Bokuto, allowing a smile to slip, "I don't know their meaning though," He added.
"It means fascination and love," Bokuto informed him, he smirked at Keiji bumping the younger's shoulder. Keiji felt his face heat up slightly, "tell me Akaashi are you secretly in love with someone?"
Keiji thought about it. Even so, he couldn't seem to recall having a crush on anyone. Romance wasn't really at the top of his head at the moment. He recalled the other meaning. 'Fascination'. He smiled lightly because that was a word he often associated with a rambunctious, owl-haired second year.
"Mmmhh no," Keiji said, watching the way the sun bathed Bokuto in honey, "I don't think I am."