Chapter Text
kei tsukkishima was alone.
that's how it's always been, for as long as he could remember.
he did have his brother, but the age difference was always a form of separation between them. there was nobody in his class that he could talk to, and he liked it that way. kept it that way. nobody wanted to approach him anyway; his fast rate of growth made it hard, others quickly being intimidated. but his presence was known, often at the top of his class, being praised in small comments by his teachers.
the end of another school day was signalled by the bell. tsukkishima was one of the first to stand up, gathering his supplies so he could leave as soon as possible. unlike some of his classmates, there was nobody he needed to catch up with or organise plans with, other than himself. mundane, boring, plain -- that was how he described that day. everyday. wake up, greet family, eat breakfast, walk to school. go through classes, eat alone at lunch, finish his classes walk home. rinse and repeat. did it get old? fast. not once did he complain, seeing as he never took the initiative to make a change in his life.
while on his way home, there was a shortcut he suddenly remembered and debated going through it. it wasn't lie he was in a rush to get home -- his brother had a volleyball match today, he wouldn't be home until late. it wouldn't matter.
he step foot into the park anyway.
it was empty. there was a small playground in the centre of the area, sand dusted on its shiny painted finishes. only the sounds of his own, quiet footsteps filled the park. a splash of purple against a plain background. the wind blew past him, softly ruffling his hair. it tickled his skin as he saw something shine on the ground by his feet, stopping in his tracks. a coin? lost ring? he bent down to pick it up, outstretched fingers picking up a tiny diamond. or at least, a bead that looked like one. probably plastic, the holes on both ends meaning it may have fallen off a cheap bracelet or necklace. despite not seeing its worth, he pocketed it. he continued to walk across the park, his street in the distance.
it was another day in the park; a quiet one.
and as kei tsukkishima swung the metal gate shut, a part of him felt like he left something behind.