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The rain attacked the windows of the classroom. Tap. Tap. Tap. It rained. Tap. Tap. Tap. Went Daichi’s pencil as it hit against his desk. This was an important exam. He had studied for hours. Yet, he just couldn’t concentrate. This was so out of character for him and he knew it. There was something in the back of his head that just wouldn’t stop distracting him. Sugawara Koshi. He was the reason that Daichi couldn’t focus. The beautiful grey-haired boy, with his hazel-brown eyes and a mole under his left eye. With his gentle smile and that nurturing, but mischievous personality of his. His best friend. The vice-captain of the volleyball club. He wasn’t just that. He was more than that in Daichi’s eyes. He was handsome, strong, and charming. Sugawara Koshi made Daichi feel loved and Daichi wanted to make Sugawara feel that way too. But he couldn’t do it. What if he just ruined their friendship? What if Sugawara was disgusted and quit the club because of him? What if he never got to see that gentle smile of his ever again? What would Daichi do then? So instead he kept those feelings to himself. Daichi tried to focus back on the test and he was able to. But only for a little while before his thoughts drifted back to the boy sitting only a few seats behind him. Eventually the class ended. Daichi had managed to finish the exam. Tap. Tap. Tap. The rain hadn’t stopped just yet.
“Alright class is dismissed. I’ll hand your exams back tomorrow,” The teacher announced. The students around them stood up and left. Some went to their after school clubs. Others went home.
“Daichi,” a voice caused Daichi to look up from his desk. It was him. “I’ll be going to the club room now. I’ll see you in a few minutes,” The setter told him.
“Sure I’ll catch up in a bit, Suga,” The captain responded, trying to stay calm.
The grey-haired boy left the room, leaving Daichi alone. The teacher had already left. Daichi didn’t know what to do about his feelings. Should he keep holding back as he was doing now? Should he tell Sugawara? No. He couldn’t do that last thing. He had to hold back for the sake of the team. For the sake of his friendship. He could at least admire Sugawara’s smile and everything about him from afar.
“Hey Daichi!” A female voice called his name.
“Michimiya?” Daichi looked up at her.
“Daichi are you okay?”
“Yeah, I’m fine. Why do you ask?”
Michimiya studied him for a moment, “There’s something that’s bugging you, isn’t there?”
“Well yeah, I guess,” Daichi muttered.
“You can talk to me if you want, you know that right?”
Daichi sighed. “You see there’s someone close to me who I have feelings for,” Daichi said nervously. “But I doubt they feel the same way and I don't want to ruin our friendship.”
“So you’re holding back your feelings?”
“Yes.”
“If you really like them and it’s hurting you to keep holding back your feelings then just go and tell them. Tell them how you feel.”
“But what if I just ruin everything?”
Michimiya shook her head, “Knowing you, you didn’t fall for just any random person. You fell in love with someone special. And if you and that person are really close as you say then I’m sure there’s a chance that they feel the same way.”
“Really?”
“Yes.”
Daichi stood from his chair suddenly and grabbed his bag, “Then I’ll tell him today! I won’t hold back anymore,” He walked to the door. “Thanks Michimiya! You’re the best!” Daichi said as he ran off towards the club room. He didn’t stay behind long enough to see his female friend tear up. She knew that the one who Daichi loved wasn’t her. But she just wanted to see Daichi happy. And if that meant that he wasn’t meant to be her’s, then she was fine with it.
“Take care of him, Sugawara.”
~~~
Daichi knew that he couldn’t tell Sugawara just how much he loved him yet. He had to wait until later, after practice. As he entered the club room he did his best to stay composed. But when he stepped into the gym it was a different story. He was on fire. His receives and spikes were better than usual. They were already amazing, but today there was something about them.
“Wow, Daichi’s really doing well today,” Sugawara said to his fellow setter, Kageyama.
“Yeah, I noticed too. Maybe he’s excited about something,” The first-year setter responded.
“Mhm,” Sugawara nodded. Practice went by faster than usual and as they were finishing up putting everything away in the gym Daichi stopped Sugawara.
“Hey, Suga. I need to talk to you alone,” He said quietly to the setter, “Please could you wait for me in the club room after everyone has left?”
Sugawara felt a shiver go down his spine, “Uh, sure Daichi.” Daichi gave him a small smile and in return Sugawara also smiled. It was the same smile as always, a gentle smile. Daichi could never get tired of it. It was just so captivating. Daichi felt butterflies in his stomach as he thought about what was about to happen. What if he thinks it’s disgusting? The thought came out of seemingly nowhere and Daichi was now considering if this was the best move.
“You seem nervous dude, everything okay?” Tanaka asked, putting his hand on Daichi’s shoulder and effectively startling him.
“Huh? Yeah, I’m fine. Don’t worry about me,” Daichi did his best to seem normal and reassure his underclassman.
“Well if you say so. Hey Noya! Narita! WAIT FOR ME!” Tanaka said before running off. Everyone had left. Everyone except for Sugawara and Daichi. Daichi felt a knot forming in his throat as he walked towards the club room. The ground beneath his feet was a little muddy from the rain that had luckily stopped during practice. Each step felt like forever. That is until he stood in front of the door. His hand hovering just above the handle, contemplating whether or not he should open it. Taking a deep breath, Daichi entered the club room. There he was. Sugawara Koshi. Sitting on the floor, reading a volleyball magazine. Waiting for Daichi.
“Hey Daichi! So what did you want to talk about?”
“Well you see,” Daichi plopped down in front of the beautiful grey-haired boy. His hazel-brown eyes shone by the light above them. “I’ve been keeping something from you for some time.” Daichi slowly reached for Sugawara’s hands and held them in his own.
“Ah-” Sugawara looked at him in surprise. Oh no. Did I screw this up already? But he didn’t let go. Sugawara didn’t let go either. Instead he gently squeezed Daichi’s hands.
“You might think that I’m disgusting and I don’t blame you, but I,” he paused. “I like you, as in I have feelings for you.” Daichi hung his head down in shame and let go of the other boy’s hands. “Go ahead. Yell at me. Call me disgusting. Leave me here alone.”
“Daichi,” Sugawara whispered softly. “I love you too.” The brown-haired boy looked up at him in surprise. Daichi felt his face heating up as the tears fell from his eyes.
“Suga, you’re joking right?” He stuttered. Sugawara leaned in and gave Daichi a kiss. His lips were softer than Sugawara had expected. Daichi was left surprised as the setter pulled back.
“Still think I’m just joking?” Sugawara inquired. He didn’t even wait for a response from Daichi. He just went in for a hug. They both fell back onto the floor, but Daichi made no effort to stand back up. They just laid there on the floor. Crying and hugging each other. Do not be mistaken. These tears were none other than tears of joy. Tears of joy because their love was requited. Tears of joy because they no longer had to hold their feelings back.
“So will you be my-” Daichi began.
“No need to finish. The answer is yes,” Sugawara cut him off.
“You’re the most beautiful person I’ve ever met. You know that, right?” Daichi said. Sugawara became visibly flustered.
“Nuh uh! You’re even more handsome than me!” He giggled. Both Daichi and Sugawara were finally happy. They were together now and they knew that nothing could ever come between them.