Chapter Text
It never fails to amuse Tsukishima to see you in your element, every bit confident and steadfast, with unwavering resolve twinkling your eyes. You stood tall in a pair of black stilettos, black pencil skirt accentuating your waist, and a cool blue turtle neck, your aura screamed of authority and professionalism, that Tsukishima would admit, was a turn on. Standing atop the podium, your voice reverberated in firm tone, delivering final instructions and tips to the crowd of freshmen for the lecture orchestrated by the seniors and student union of your department. Quite different from the customary facade, you were firm and businesslike, no dilly-dallying as you wrapped up your session.
You were definitely dazzling and impressive. As an unofficial member of the student union, (opting for offering assistance than sitting on a position) you were dedicated and responsible, always up to the task given to you without a fail that the senior members think it’s a shame you wouldn’t run for any position, even going as far as convincing you that it will look good on your resume. However, you would turn down the offers stating that you have joined enough student body organizations since young to fill out your papers. Still, the president was determined and would bring it up at every opportunities he could get, never giving up in hopes you might relent one day.
With a bow and a smile for the final touch, you finished your part and approached the department president with the intent to leave when you saw the six foot tall male peeking at the door of the lecture hall. A smile blossomed your face as you made your way towards him, heels clanking against the floor. You held a bunch of books in your arm along with your dark grey coat haphazardly hanging.
Tsukishima swiftly took the books out of your grasp as he waited for you to wear your coat, making you quite grateful for the assistance.
"I'm surprised they let an elderly in these assemblies. They tend to bore the crowd to death," Tsukishima quipped in his usual teasing style and as a result you pinched his arm in retaliation. “ow.”
"Oh shut up. I was nervous as hell. I was afraid to mess it up," comes your retort as you shook off the remaining jitters. "Have you been waiting for too long?" You asked in mild concern.
Tsukishima shook his head. Despite the additional height provided by your stilettos, you still fall short and only reached Tsukishima's chin. To stir you up, he leaned a bit closer to you and whispered in your ear. Too close that you could feel his breath grazing your skin. "You did look hot in there."
Embarrassment rushed through you. You throw a punch in his direction as your ears heated up. At this point, Tsukishima had gotten used to your physical comebacks and he rubbed his arms to feign hurt and elicit pity to which you brushed off knowing full well he can take that much pain as an athlete. As much as you didn’t want to expose yourself, Tsukishima was fond of riling you up.
"Easy there, chibi. How feral," Tsukishima clicked his tongue with a teasing smile donning his face.
Tsukishima also finds it amusing, your inability to take compliments reduces you to a complete flustered mess. Before the fateful night of confessions, you would often resort to bringing a hand over your mouth to hide your embarrassment or laugh it off before coming up with a compliment to return as well in order to show a composed image.
The usual noble lady persona you wear are slowly stripped off giving way to your more shy and childish nature. Tsukishima had notice the change in your relationship and the progress of how easily you get comfortable, that he felt quite proud over the simple fact of how much you relaxes in his presence, shedding your pretences and having no need to put up appearances.
To Tsukishima, it was a good start and infinitely feels better as he gets to know you better than you let on.
Tsukishima led you through the crowd, shuffling and shielding you from bumping shoulders with the other students teeming the hallway. He kept a hand on your waist as you exited the college building, adamant in keeping you close by him.
It was the closest to intimacy you can get within the premise of the campus as the two of you were never keen about public display of affection, something about it being too sacred for the public eye. At most, he’ll hold your hand and kiss your forehead when no one’s around.
Tsukishima matched your pace, slowed down and ensured less trouble for a woman in stilettos, without missing out a few comments on how you needed to suffer through the ordeal, to which you’d reply without thinking, “The price we pay for beauty.”
The couple met up with Yamaguchi Tadashi and Hitoka Yachi at the usual place you frequent to for lunch and ordered for the usual.
The three, Yamaguchi, Hitoka, and Tsukishima have always been together since high school, and expanded their circle to you as soon as Tsukishima started to wordlessly pursue you. Yamaguchi and Hitoka had known about his feelings to you even before he could acknowledge them and the two thinks that your addition is a welcomed presence for their group as you had melted Tsukishima's cynical front to a more acceptable human he could be as Hitoka commented in your formal introduction as a girlfriend.
"Woah Tsukishima-kun, you've definitely change."
"Shut it, Hitoka." He snapped.
"Ah, there's the usual Tsukishima-kun."
"I guess it's a good thing that you finally have a girlfriend, huh."
Yamaguchi was glad that Tsukishima have found someone, grinning ear to ear, even he was relentless with the teasing but never really went overboard. Hitoka on the other hand wasn’t too lucky as she became the subject of Tsukishima's flustered irritation.
"How about you mind your own business and grab yourself a boyfriend too?"
"How rude! I-I'll have you know, I've had guys confessing to me too, you know?"
"Did I just hear you stutter? Let me guess, these idiots are your clubmates?"
Tsukishima hits the bullseye.
"Plays don't count," he added with a smirk.
Hitoka could only hiss in embarrassment. "Y-you!"
In the background, Yamaguchi and _____ had been snickering at the exchange, fully aware of the joking undertones they have been used to. They have been friends for too long to know not to take Tsukishima seriously with his snide remarks.
"Kei," as his girlfriend, you finally stepped in. "That's rude."
"I know."
Surprisingly that banter formed a new couple as Yamaguchi confessed to Hitoka that same day.
"It was only a matter of time," Tsukishima remarked, unfazed to the news.
Now, the four often take double lunch dates at your insistence and much to Tsukishima's annoyance as he didn't want to spend your alone times with Yamaguchi and Hitoka but what can he say, he was weak to his girlfriend's pleading. It was only lunch, he'd treat it like the usual.
The group chatted over lunch with Hitoka and you mostly gossiping about the upcoming foundation week next month. There will be stalls set up all over campus with clubs mostly taking advantage of it to secure a new source of income, different bands were invited to liven up the celebration, and most especially, the awaited competition in search for the new face of the college. Different representatives of each departments contend for the crown and be hailed as an ambassador or ambassadress. They usually go all out with these events, never missing a beat to socialize and celebrate, going as far as to take the celebration as an excuse to get wasted.
You blushed at the memory of being invited by the department president for the screening of your representative, eyeing you up and down with a satisfied grin and a fraudulent looking expression as if in a search for someone to scam. The president was quite insistent on having you to the competition as they get a fifteen percent of the prize money, and he was definite that if it was you, it was a piece of cake.
"I'm not pretty enough for pageants, Yaa-chan," you squeezed a smile to Hitoka in embarrassment.
"What are you talking about, _____-chan? Have you seen yourself in front of the mirror??"
Even Yamaguchi nodded in agreement before turning to Tsukishima. "Isn't that right, Tsukki?"
All eyes swept to Tsukishima's direction making him alarmed with the attention. He wouldn’t admit it but he was nodding furiously in agreement.
"What are you all looking at? You already know the answer," he huffed in annoyance making you smile at the case that this was the most he'd compromise at publicly admitting his inner thoughts and exposure to his soft side.
"You're too modest, _____. You should own it. Look at you, you're pretty, smart, and hot to boot. I'm sure you'd easily grab the victory. Don't forget me if you ever get famous, okay?" Hitoka did not refrain from shooting compliments left and right, reducing you to a flustered mess as you tucked your hair behind your ear before covering your mouth with the same hand. Your cheeks were flaring red, stretching all the way to your ears.
Tsukishima relished at the sight as he glanced at you in amusement, thigh to thigh with you under the table as he played with his drink, swirling the ice within the highball glass nonchalantly. He had caught on with your nervous habit of playing with your hair whenever you get embarrass.
"I'm afraid I'll mess it up," you mumbled.
Yamaguchi shuddered and said, "Ah. I can feel you. Imagine all those eyes staring at you from the stage. Nerve-wracking."
Hitoka did sympathize but she did not want to dissuade you any more than you did, frowning at his direction which made him apologetic at his statement.
"Tadashi you're not helping at all," she cried.
You were quite flattered that they went all the way to help you in making decision.
"I don't really have a problem with the attention, I've been a member of the student council to train my fear of the crowds, but that's beside the point. It's my first time taking part in these activities," _____ shuffled in her seat and took a bite of the forgotten tiramisu, the rest were given to Tsukishima to finish off when you felt your stomach protest.
"There's always a first in everything," Tsukishima finally contributed while complaining at your thoughtless order of dessert when you couldn’t finish it off. He took a spoonfull of the dessert to his mouth and took his time to eat.
"How encouraging of you, Tsukishima-kun."
Tsukishima shot Hitoka a glare making her squeak in fear.
Yamaguchi just patted her shoulder in comfort before turning to you, "That's right, _____, there's always a first in everything. Doesn't really matter if you win or lose. You can just take it as an experience, a memory you can laugh fondly when you get old."
"How sentimental of you, Yamaguchi," You laughed, imitating Hitoka. "I'll give it some more thought."
He nodded and glanced at his wrist watch for the time, causing the group to be mindful of the time as well. Even though it was all short, you still enjoyed each others’ company. You bid your farewells and split your own ways, with Hitoka and Yamaguchi going back to the campus, and Tsukishima and you heading for the mall to restock your skincare products. You two had a free period and thus took advantage of it to leisurely walk around.
Tsukishima held your hand in his as you browse through the selection of skincare products. From the cleansing foam to the more expensive serum, you’d give them a glance and scrutinize the health benefits. With your free hand, you grabbed the familiar brand of cleanser, toner, and animal themed face masks, taking only the ones you needed and the ones not too expensive.
"Do you think I should join, Kei?" You suddenly muttered putting a panda face mask down as you looked up to Tsukishima.
"Do you want to?" He took his eyes away from the shelf of lip balms and return the stare, his other hand holding a tiny basket for purchasing.
"It's," hesitation laced your words as you sighed in defeat, "I don't know."
Tsukishima didn't know how to comfort you so he squeezed your hand, rubbing circles with his thumb. "Like what Yamaguchi said, you can do it for the memories you can laugh fondly to in your old age," he replied, stressing the old age in mock, and cue the soft blow in his side. "Ah!"
A few customers looked at your direction and you felt embarrassed at the attention.
"Kei! I'm quite serious here," you pouted.
Tsukishima only chuckled.
"Do you think I can pull it off?"
When you asked that question, Tsukishima was a hundred percent confident you could. He believes in you but saying it outright was not enough, in the end,the one joining was not Tsukishima but you.
You managed to secure everything you needed so you tugged Tsukishima with you to the aisle with the cute accessories, eyes locked to the bunny headband.
"Are we feeling a bit insecure here?"
"Not... Really." You contemplated on what to say as you choose between a pink bunny headband or a blue one. "My mother would never allow me to join these things."
Tsukishima was surprised. It was the first time you brought anything about your family. He was curious but could only wait for you talk about it when he noticed your reluctance to disclose any information.
"She says it's a waste of time and not to mention, a waste of money," you casually explained but there was bitterness in your tone.
"But, do you want to?" He asked again.
"I do."
"So what's the problem? Your mother's not here. I'll support you in the sidelines if you want me to, with the banner and all."
It was supposed to be a joke but it backfired when you returned it as well. "Will you really do it to me, Kei? Will you hold out a good luck, darling, banner to me? Complete with kissing emoji and hearts all over? Oh that would really be fun, you’d look hilarious. I think you should do it."
Just imagining it already brought you to tears due to laughing. Tsukishima Kei with a scowling face while holding a flashy banner, it was a huge contrast to his image and you couldn't help it but laugh a few more times while even slapping his arm.
"Aren't you having too much fun?" He glared, embarrassed for being painted with that image but her laughing face made it all endearing for him to accept. "Stop laughing."
You snorted. "Alright."
You headed to the counter to check out your things and went back to the college dorms so you could drop off your purchases before heading to your respective classes, dropping all your worries about the competition to focus on your studies. You can take your time weighing down the benefits later on at your free time.
Even after your class, you still have a part time job tutoring and would meet again with Tsukishima at night for dinner. The extra money you earn automatically ends up in your secret funds allocated for your little dates. Despite your mother giving you your monthly allowances, you dare not use it in fear of your mother finding out about your relationship. As much as you hate it, she has a tight grip over your finances that she even looks at the detailed account of your expenses. Nothing ever goes past her keen eyes.
The two of you have been dating for a few months now, managing to balance your time with school and your relationship, added part time jobs for you and volleyball for Tsukishima. It's been smooth sailing so far as the distance between the two of you are getting closer and you get to know him better.
Tsukishima was more attentive and considerate than you’ve given him credit for. He may seem indifferent and insensitive (in which he was but not to you) but he was sharp and easily managed to take a mental note of your small habits like your tendency to cover your neck or dart your eyes whenever you lie, or nervous ticks with your hair when embarrassed, or your desire to show off your cooking and then eyes lightly shining up for a praise. He was indulgent in this aspect as well, never failing to spoil you with appreciation and recognition you were due, mostly with action and rarely with words.
Tsukishima’s love language was his actions. It speaks through the way he wraps his hand around yours in comfort and warmth, the way he protectively lays his hand in your back or in your waist in public, or the way he walks at your pace. He was smitten, as Yamaguchi would say, tightly wrapped around your fingers in spite of his arrogance and self-importance. He was haughty and full of pride but to you he would concede, dropping all the walls he have built upon himself and exposing the gentle nature he buried. Like a cat approving of your presence, he’d cling to you in private.
For the most part, it was Tsukishima who actively initiate your dates, bringing you to places you might like. Thoughtful places but nothing too expensive like the fountain area with cats lounging around lazily, cheap grillhouse to blow off steam with alcohol, occasional cafe dates, and the amusement park you recently visited a couple of days ago (tickets given by Saeko-neechan.)
But this time, you wanted to do something for him and reciprocate. Something relaxing and intimate but not too taxing. Something casual and not too excessive. You racked your brains for any ideas and end up with something that might step up your relationship.
03:05 PM
Kei. :[You]
can i sleep wit you 2nyt?:[You]
(Read)
You watched your screen at the realization he might take it the wrong way and immediately typed in.
03:05 PM
that sounded weird (｡ﾉω＼｡) I meant in a non-sexual way. hahahahahahahaa.:[You]
(Read)
03:06 PM
u said ur brother's not around n i want to be wit u longer. :[You]
we can cook curry or something. :[You]
let me pamper you with my cooking ( ˘ ³˘)♥:[You]
(Read)
03:06 PM
[KEI]: ok.
(Read)
His response made you grin in triumph as you started listing down potatoes, carrots, and other ingredients in a piece of paper.
03:09 PM
[KEI]: Let’s go with curry.
[KEI]: Don’t you dare burn my apartment down.
(Read)
The similarities of your choice made you smile, excited and looking forward for tonight.