Chapter Text
Birds don't sing. . .
By the time you were finished with your classes for the day, you would always find yourself stopping by the gymnasium to watch the volleyball club's practice. For starters, for the main purpose of offering moral support to your brother, Yū.
Not only that, but the team was overall such a welcoming and friendly bunch you couldn't help loving to spend your time in their company. Truthfully, their daily shenanigans would never fail to bring a smile to your face.
Although, it took you a while to actually warm up to them. At the beginning of that year, your brother had been suspended from the club for breaking the principal's dearest vase and so that meant there was no reason for you to accompany him to the gymnasium.
When you finally did, though, you couldn't help feeling somewhat left behind when you came across Yū's new teammates. Nothing against them, far from it, you just happened not to be a big fan of introductions.
You feared you'd end up panicking in front of them and there you go. You would make a fool out of yourself in front of everyone and they would find you weird for the rest of their lives! Of course, it could all be over exaggeration, but you chose to blame it on your social anxiety.
Interestingly enough, the socializing skills Yū had was something you deeply envied. You were twins, but even so your personalities came to diverge severely. Yū was a loud, cheerful extrovert while you stood in the corner, scared you would push people away with your awkwardness.
It would take you a while, naturally, but you were looking forward to opening up more to people. Less of being self-aware of every little action you do, and more appreciating the time you were to spend with your acquaintances.
By that time, Coach Ukai had just finished lecturing the team on their progress so far, proceeding to give them a couple of minutes to rest. Yū seemed very content with his development and you couldn't help chuckling at how childish he looked with that dorky grin on his face. Heartwarming, nonetheless.
"Did you enjoy today's practice, [Y/N]-senpai?" Hinata asked once he sat down by your side on the bleachers, his eyes glistening furiously.
You gently patted him on the head before replying. "I'm sorry, my sun child. I kinda got lost in the book I was reading so I didn't really pay much attention to you guys."
Hinata hung his head in defeat, but almost instantly beamed up again, looking up at you. "What are you reading?"
"Oh, it's a fantasy book about a dog who's cursed by a wizard and turns into a toy!" You replied.
The ginger gasped in awe, holding onto both of your wrists. "Woah! It sounds really fun, [Y/N]-senpai! Can I borrow it some other time?"
Oh dear, how much I love this precious buttercup! So cute! You couldn't help fawning internally at his adorable self, but you cleared your throat and soon added. "Once I finish it, the book's all yours!"
"Thank you, senpai!"
"Why does he call her senpai?" You were sure that would be Yū fuming in the background, never quite appreciating why Hinata would only refer to you as senpai and not him.
As for yourself, you didn't really mind being called senpai or not, all you cared about was the trait you had at hand: you were taller than Yū! Not that it made much of a difference to you, really. Yū was the volleyball player there – and a really good one, too – not you.
Nevertheless, you were sure that deep inside he hated you for that and, just like in every brother-sister relationship, teasing him on that matter was always amusing.
"It sucks to have a superiority complex about my height," you would taunt him. That also meant you were taller than Hinata and he respected you for that.
You paused for a moment, chuckled at your own childish thoughts and proceeded to join the rest of the team. "How are you guys holding up?" You asked, side hugging the most precious being in the world: Suga-san!
"The coach said we're doing well; so far he believes we've had quite the development." Daichi said while stopping to have a drink.
"Good, good. The chicklets are growing up." You stuck your tongue out at them, even if you were genuinely content with their improvement, turning back to Suga. "You guys plan on stopping by Foothill today?"
Of all the third years, you had to admit you saw Sugawara as an older brother and you were pretty fond of him. Not that you couldn't count on Yū, it's just that Sugawara was more of a level-headed person and you knew you could always count on him for support.
Suga nodded affirmatively in return, tilting his head to the side. "Something in mind?"
"I just remembered I have a few things to buy. It would be more practical if I joined you guys rather than going by myself."
And that's when you spotted him.
Of all the first years you had been introduced to in the beginning of that semester, that guy. . Despite being shy, you adored making new friends. Who doesn't, really? But him. . You had barely even spoken a sentence to him, "Daichi's looking for you" at best.
What was so unusual about that kid, anyways?
Tsukishima Kei was. . different. He wouldn't speak much during practices but you were positive you could hear him snickering in the background. He always walked around with headphones and you, at all times with your earphones, respected him for that.
Coming to think of it, he had never even tried starting a conversation with you. It was understandable, in all honesty. You weren't much of a sociable person, as well.
You would even try to ask the team about him, only to have "Tsukishima's got quite the problematic personality, don't you think?" as an answer.
You didn't know him so you weren't one to judge. In your eyes, he seemed to be quiet and pretty down-to-earth. Not forgetting to mention, smart. Tsukishima was in a college prep class! What else was there to it?
He would also make fun of Hinata's height. . But you just so happened to do the same – playfully! – with Yū. You even tried asking his close friend, Yamaguchi, and yet he seemed pretty vague with his answers.
"That's just the way Tsukki is."
But he still stood from afar. . Somewhat intimidating, actually, and with quite the unapproachable aura around him. And at that very moment, it could've been just you seeing too much and yet you felt as though he had been staring you down.
In your eyes, Tsukishima was an intriguing character and you genuinely wanted to know him. But how would you approach him? You side glanced at the giant mountain a few feet away from you and so you managed to pull off the slightest of smiles.
He huffed and turned his head away.
You gasped quietly, almost as if offended at his attitude. All you were trying to do was be friendly, only to receive that treatment – such effrontery! – in return.
"Back to practice, guys!
And so, practice had finally come to an end and you were currently, along with the rest of the team, on your way to Foothill Store.
The team maintained their pace calm; but as for yourself, you were skipping far ahead of them. Humming a cheerful tune you had been listening to earlier that day as you slid the front door open.
You smiled sheepishly upon catching sight of the small lucky cat ornament you adored so much, placed on the counter. And as you made your way to the nearby shelves, you kept on repeating "cream, condensed milk, chocolate powder and biscuits" in your head.
"What have you got in mind, nee-chan?" You heard Yū's voice call out by your side, nudging you with his elbow.
"I figured I could make some ice cream today." You gleefully announced.
"Nee-san, are you going to make some for us, too?” Tanaka suddenly blurted out, as if he had just appeared out of thin air.
You pursed your lips, scratching the back of your head. "The only problem is it might melt. . But I’ll work something out. Don't worry."
"Ahh, thank you, nee-chan!" Both Yū and Tanaka chanted in unison.
"It’s not much of a problem, guys." You reassured them, making sure you had gotten all the items you had in mind. "You can wait for me outside. I'm just going to pay for the bill."
They nodded in acknowledgement before heading out, while you made your way towards the cashier. "Good evening." You greeted the clerk, respectfully bowing your head, and proceeded to place your groceries on the counter.
"It’ll be ¥1050."
Taking out a bill of ¥1000, you proceeded to rummage through your bag, in hopes of finding a ¥50 coin. Yū most likely had something on him. "Huh, I’m afraid I need ¥50. . Could you way for a moment? I'll ask my brother."
"Hai."
On your way to the entranceway, you slid the door open and once you stepped out, you naturally threw your body forward. But you didn't expect you'd end up bumping into something. . Or rather, having your head pierced by someone's pointy chin.
"O-Ouch!" You yelled out in surprise, instantaneously jumping back and holding onto your forehead with both of your hands.
So there was it. Mt. Tsukishima Kei. He surely loomed over people. . You couldn't even hold back the thought of how poor Yū felt around him.
Okay. This is just awful. I should stop.
In the meantime, Tsukishima just stood there, holding onto his chin.
"H-Huh, I'm s-sorry! I'm–" You furiously started throwing apologies at him, desperately flailing both of your arms in the air.
"Watch where you're going." His voice came as cold and frigid as a glacier. Great comparison, [Y/N]. You're great. In all honesty, his monotone voice surprisingly managed to send chills down your spine and even startled you, causing you to jump back.
That was kind of rude of him, actually.
And that hit the spot.
"Hang. Right. There." Taking a step ahead, you pointed a finger straight at his face. "So you're blaming me for this? I obviously didn't see you coming and apparently neither did you. At any rate. . What the fuck? There's no need to be this rude and impolite, Tsukishima. I already said I'm sorry."
"E-Er. . [Y/N]-san, it’s fine, really! Tsukki's just like that!" Yamaguchi spoke up, waving his hand around as if telling you to let it go. But you simply couldn't.
"Quit it, Yamaguchi."
Rude!
You turned around with a heavy sigh, crossing you arms. "I honestly think this is the first conversation we've ever had and wow! Yamaguchi-san, how can you put up with this guy? Just because he's like that, it's no excuse for him to take it out anyone!"
The rest of the team did turn to look at you but that was all there was to it. They did nothing but watch. How helpful of all of you, you thought, gritting your teeth.
"Anyways," you turned to look at your brother. "Yū, have you got spare money on you?" And when you did so. . Tsukishima had purposely moved to the side and was, once again, standing in your way. "What's up with you?”
He didn't utter a single word. Instead, he stretched out his enormous hands and gave you a ¥50 coin.
"Is this your way of apologizing? Look, money won't make you a better man, kiddo." Was all you could come up with at the moment. Were you being too harsh on him?
"Noya-san asked me to take this to you." Tsukishima mumbled, turning around so you were now facing his back. And that surely shut you up for a brief moment.
"G– . .Good."
Curling your palms into fists, you grunted and kept on grumbling the inaudible to everyone else, storming off back into the store.
My first actual conversation with this guy and it just. . ! How can they put up with this annoying brat? He's got no respect for his senpais. . !
"What have you done, Tsukishima." Daichi spoke under his breath with a sigh, clutching onto his shoulder bag.
". . So now you're all against me. . ?" Tsukishima said in annoyance.
"Why do you have to be such a jerk? You pissed off nee-san." Tanaka spoke up, throwing a fist to the air.
"I'm not here to please people," was Tsukishima's final statement before you, in that exact moment, stepped right out of the store with your grocery bag.
Furiously stomping your way ahead of the crew you added. "What a charmer! Although, I sure do hope you realize acting like a spoiled brat will take you nowhere. That's common courtesy for you, Tsukishima."
"She absolutely owned you, man."
"Shut up."
. . .They just fall from the sky.