The Moon's Redamancy In Fall [Tsukishima x Yamaguchi]

three.

Yamaguchi

I gazed my eyes at Tsukki in awe as we continued walking, without him not moving away from me even for an inch. His eyes was darted straight forward as he started to hum softly with the music coming from the earphones we shared, it was almost inaudible.

These were the times I would always be desperate, wishing that this walk with him will never end.

We stayed that way. With his arm slightly touching mine. His warmth and presence, I could feel it even with our jackets on. Even his warmth could make me cry. Tsukki never stood close to me. Maybe when we were kids, we would always play around in his house or mine, I would stay too late in his house playing volleyball in their small backyard and his mom would always insist for me to sleepover. But of course, we had to grow up.

Eversince the start of highschool, Tsukki and I kind of drifted apart even though we were always together, we were never that close. All of a sudden, he just grew distant. I understand that. Maybe because he was just too embarrassed to be close to me, or he didn't want things to be awkward between he and I. It had been awhile since Tsukki was this close to me.

After my trail of thoughts spilling from my head, I finally broke the silence building around us as we walked closer to a vending machine near a store, "Do you wanna grab something from the vending?" I offered.

"No," He simply said. Of course, no. Whenever Tsukki and I walk home, I would always grab a small carton of yogurt drink from the vending machine that we always walk pass by from going home. I would always offer Tsukki if he wanted to have something and his response would always be "No."

I smiled at him, "Okay, Tsukki," I took off the earphone from my ear and handed it back to him, stroding towards the vending machine.

"M-Maybe coffee," I heard his voice from behind as I hear his footsteps shuffling closer to where I stood. He took out a piece of paper bill from his slack's pocket and handed it to me. I was a bit confused at first. He never gets anything from the vending machine in our way home. What is up with Tsukki today?

I gave him a proud beam, "Tsukki, it's fine," I took out my small coin purse from the pockets of my bag and took a bill to get my yogurt and Tsukki's coffee from the vending machine. As I bent over to claim the drinks, Tsukki cleared his throat.

"Thanks," He mumbled, a little inaudible but I felt relief wash over me from this unusual personality Tsukki is showing, "Uh . . . Um," He stuttered. My ears craved for his voice more. I know he wanted to say something.

I turned towards him and handed him his can of coffee, he had this small smile from the corner of his lips, I stared at him dumbfoundedly, waiting for him to speak again.

"No, nevermind." No, why did you have to hesitate.

Tsukki's small smile was wiped off in an instant, it was so quick, it almost felt like a five second shooting star appearing from the night sky.

"Thanks for the coffee. I'll take the short cut," He didn't wait for my reply, yet instead he turned away and started walking to the left pathway of the street.

My house was straight ahead. Usually he would walk me until I get home, he wouldn't really mind taking the long cut but this time, he's taking the short cut?

"Oh . . ." I muttered under my breath, well, that was fast. "Okay, Tsukki! See ya!" I said, almost squealing making sure he heard me while I wave my arm.

He didn't turn around but he waved back, I smiled towards him as I wait for him to disappear from the streetlights. I sighed. He's been acting really weird. I opened the yogurt carton for me to drink but I paused halfway. I didn't even feel like drinking it anymore now that Tsukki's not here.

. . .

"I'm home!" I called out from the front door, struggling to balance myself while I take off my shoes.

I was welcomed by the sweet aroma of miso soup, coming from the kitchen. I felt the hunger that's been building up eversince our game ended. No wonder why I felt so tired.

"Welcome home, Tadashi, come join me for dinner!" My mom's voice came from the kitchen followed by the loud clanking of bowls and kitchen utensils.

I let out a soft sigh, "Okay, I'll just go ahead and prepare myself. Excuse me," I politely dismissed myself to her from the kitchen as I walked up the stairs leading to where my room is.

Entering my room, I threw my bag down the floor near the door, placing the unfinished yogurt drink on my desk and slumped my entire body down the bed, sinking in, I took a deep breath, filling my nose by the faint scent of fabric conditioner from my pillow and heaving a deep sigh.

Buzz!

My phone vibrated from my jean's pocket, I took it out while I lay on my chest, I saw Tsukki's name by the messages and I felt my heart leap out of my chest, I fumbled with my fingers and sat down by the edge of my bed before reading his text.

Tsukki: Your notebook's with me. I forgot to mention a while ago.

Yeah, because you'd always chicken out from mentioning ANYTHING. I thought to myself giving me the urge to roll my eyes.

I stared at his message for over a minute, but before I could even respond, he texted again,

Tsukki: Do you want me to walk you to school tomorrow so I can return it?

I stared at it again.

Staring.

Staring.

Staring.

Receiving another text,

Tsukki: It's okay if you wouldn't want to... I'm not forcing you. I'll just give it to you in class.

No. Not again. Come on now, Tsukki, why did you have to always do that. Right before I could respond, Yachi-chan's name appeared by the notification box, interrupting my typings. I took a peek and saw her message.

Yachi: hey, yams! i was wondering if you could lend me a hand for our project tomorrow? i was wondering if i should ask hinata but i reckon he wouldn't be much of a help since he would be playing volleyball first thing in the morning *nervous smiling emoji face*

I sighed and tap open her message. Oh! I completely forgot about our project for our upcoming Science Fair! Especially that I was grouped with Hinata and Yachi-chan, I figured Yachi-chan wouldn't be a problem but then, there's . . . Hinata. I groaned by the thought of it, burying my head on the pillow before replying to Yachi-chan.

Me: Sure, Yachi-chan:)

Yachi: great! i'll meet you by the sakanoshita market in the morning~ :D

I took a deep breath and opened Tsukki's message again, replying.

Me: Just bring it back in our classroom tomorrow, thank you. Gotta help out Yachi-chan for our Science project :) Sorry, Tsukki :(

I stared at our conversation for almost a minute. He left it on read right away after I sent my message. Well, that was quick, I was half expecting him to receive my message for an hour. I waited for his response but he didn't respond and to no surprise, just left my message on seen.