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A small smile brightened his features as he felt a light vibration from the phone that rested in his pocket. His smile grew as he pulled the phone out, seeing who the message was from.
"I wonder who’s got you smiling so brightly," Yachi teased, looking over his shoulder as Yamaguchi threw daggers at her.
A mischievous smirk came about her face as the freckled boy started walking down the hallway they resided in; Yachi just steps behind him.
"Oh, shush, do you not smile whenever your friends text you?" He asked, his eyes not even looking at the blonde as he texted back immediately. Yachi couldn’t help herself as she rolled her eyes.
"Tadashi, there’s a difference between smiling when texting your friends and smiling because Tsukishima texts you," she teased, elbowing him slightly as Yamaguchi looked at her confusedly.
"What does that mean?" He asked, head slightly tilted like a puppy as Yachi groaned.
"Tadashi, you’re in love with your best friend! I don’t see how hard that is for you to see," she explained as his face turned red.
"Oh, like you aren’t in love with Kiyoko. You’re a tomato whenever she gets mentioned," Yamaguchi teased back as the blonde-haired girl flushed, stopping him and pointing at him slightly.
"Don’t turn this into a whole ‘Yachi likes Kiyoko’ thing. This is a ‘Tadashi likes Tsukishima’ thing that we’re going to solve," She enunciated, turning around to walk again as Yamaguchi looked at her confused again.
The small café on the ground floor was just in view as Yachi skipped there. Tadashi hurried after her with questions on the tip of his tongue.
"Yachi!! What do you mean by ‘we’re gonna solve it’?!" He called after her as she laughed, almost in the line growing longer because of the lunch rush.
Tadashi picked up his pace, falling in line a step behind Yachi as more people began falling in line behind them.
"Wow, college took away my energy; I feel like an old lady," Yachi said as she exhaled.
"Yacchan, what did you mean by ‘we’re gonna solve it’?" Tadashi's voice hushed as Yachi smiled at him, softly tapping his nose.
"We’re gonna figure out a plan so you can ask him out," she smiled as she was next up to order.
Tadashi looked taken aback, face pink again and eyes soft at the thought of going out with Tsukishima.
As Tadashi sputtered nonsense, Yachi approached him again, dragging him out of line and to an empty table again.
"Words, Tadashi, use them," Yachi said as she watched him struggle.
"You want me to ask Tsukki out?" He asked.
"Yes," she responded with a bright smile.
"Like on a date?" He clarified as she hugged her knee.
"Yes," she responded once more.
"Like you want us to date?" He asked as she groaned.
"Yes! Don’t get why that’s so hard to understand," she said as Tadashi glared at her.
"He doesn’t even like me like that!" Yamaguchi whisper-yelled as Yachi rolled her eyes, chin resting on her knee.
"You seriously don’t see the way he looks at you? You’re the only person he allows around him! He’s in love with you, Tadashi," Yachi said as Yamaguchi flushed.
"Even if that were true, we’re both too busy to date. Tsukki has volleyball, and I’ve got school; we barely have time to hang out," Yamaguchi admitted as Yachi sighed.
"Listen, Tadashi, you both love each other. And before you argue that it’s not in a romantic way, it doesn’t matter; if you love someone, you will make time for them. I know you will because you do that for me. You do that for your family. You do that for everyone you love. I know Tsukishima will do the same for you, so don’t waste time worrying," Yachi said, grabbing her best friend's hand as his cheeks flushed.
"Thank you, Yacchan, if only you used that logic for your love life," he teased as she took her hand away.
"Be quiet!" She huffed as she heard her name called out. She stood up to grab their food as Tadashi smiled to himself.
Yachi was right; he needed to stop wasting his time. He had already wasted so many years trying to hide this crush. If he didn’t like him back, Tadashi would have to live with it. He loved Tsukishima in so many ways. As long as he still smiled at him, he would be able to live with the thought of never having his best friend love him the way he loves his best friend.
"So, what do you plan on having me do?" Tadashi asked as she smirked mischievously at him. He couldn’t tell if he’d regret asking or not what
His heart raced as he saw the tall blonde walk down the sidewalk, not noticing his friend sitting on the bench as he listened to his music. He looked so peaceful as he walked, barely a care in the world before his eyes laid upon Tadashi.
A small smile decorated his face as he looked down at Tadashi, those eyes analyzing every centimeter of his body as he took off his headphones, a small smile coming to his face as his pace increased slightly. His eyes were dead set on Tadashi, excited to see his best friend after weeks of being unable to see each other in person.
“Tadashi,” Tsukishima breathed out, soft and quiet but filled with joy as they came face to face.
“Tsukki,” Tadashi said with a bright smile.
Tadashi felt his heart race as Tsukishima began to lead their walk. This was when he was going to ask Tsukishima out during this walk down their favourite trail. Yachi had helped him plan out the entire trek. They would talk about their usual topics, school, volleyball—just overall catching up with each other. Then, they would talk about anything and everything as they walked down their trail and saw all the familiar things they’d come to love. However, today would be a little bit different as they walked.
The conversation flowed quickly as they strolled further into the forest, quickly engulfed by trees as their attention focused solely on one another. Their eyes were so soft towards one another as their quick pace brought them close to their first favourite spot on this trail.
“Did they change the layout of this park at all?” Tadashi asked, looking directly at the flowerbeds that had never been filled blossoming with flowers.
“Hm?” Tsukishima asked as his eyes left Tadashi. Confusion flashed through his eyes as he scanned the park layout. “Oh, I guess so,” he said, looking around, trying to see what Tadashi was talking about, but not coming across anything as Tadashi felt his heart slightly slump.
Shit, maybe Yachi had been wrong about this plan; Tsukishima was usually always observant about their surroundings but didn’t even notice the changes in their favourite spot. He should have seen the flowers and pointed out what had changed. Tadashi was supposed to pick up one to hold for the end.
Tadashi took out his phone, sending a quick message to Yachi before giving the rest of his attention to Tsukishima. He could feel the buzzes on his thigh, mainly from Yachi, as Tsukishima raised an eyebrow at him.
Before Tsukishima could ask any more questions, Tadashi started on a new topic, which he had been forced to learn from his roommate the previous year. Thank heavens he doesn’t have to change subjects from so many awkward conversations. That had been a nightmare.
The next spot came quickly, a small sweets shop filled with the most decadent chocolate and the kindest people. Tadashi had a love for the site ever since they’d found it together after a small get-together they’d gotten slightly tipsy from.
"Look, Tsukki," Tadashi pointed out the small shop as Tsukishima looked at the small shop.
"How did we get here? Isn’t this place on the other side of the park from the trail?" Tsukishima asked as Tadashi tilted his head at him with confusion.
What was Tsukishima questioning everything today? Did he not actually like Tadashi? Was Yachi wrong with her assumption?
"I guess we might’ve gone off the trail. Did you not wanna go inside?” Tadashi asked as Tsukishima looked at him.
“If you wanna go inside, we can; I don’t mind,” he spoke as Tadashi let out a breath he didn’t know he was holding. Tsukishima seemed to tense as Tadashi relaxed.
They both went inside, eyes looking around at the sweets that decorated the walls and the people sitting inside as they welcomed them with warm smiles. Tadashi noticed Tsukishima pulling out his phone and texting somebody. His eyebrow raised in confusion at his friend as he put the phone away, looking like a deer in headlights as he made eye contact with Tadashi.
“Wh-”
“I’m gonna get caramel chocolates,” Tadashi announced as he grabbed them off the shelf, heading towards the checkout line and leaving Tsukishima confused.
Maybe Tsukishima didn’t like him as much as Yacchan thought he did. All he’s been doing this whole time was spacing out and texting someone else. Of course, Tsukishima had other friends. Tadashi knew he did, but he had never been this strange to Tadashi; it was almost as if Tsukishima was hiding something from him.
They exited the shop, and a box of chocolate sat in a small bag as Tsukishima followed Tadashi back to the path. A look of worry filled his eyes as he looked around the park. Tadashi had yet to learn what was up with Tsukishima today. Of course, he always acted aloof and quiet, but never really with Tadashi. They had been best friends for years, since their childhood. Tadashi got to see sides of Tsukishima nobody else had seen, sides where he’d laugh at the most unfunny and oldest jokes anybody had ever made.
But today, Tsukishima had been acting strange. Strange, even for Tadashi.
“Tadashi, we have to go this way,” Tsukishima spoke out of nowhere as Tadashi looked to where he pointed.
“But the path goes this way..” Tadashi said as Tsukishima looked around semi-freakishly.
“Kei, are you okay? You’re acting strange..” Tadashi asked, softly grabbing his friend's arm as his face burned a bright red.
“I’m fine. Can we just please go this way for a second? I’ve gotta get something,” Tsukishima said, softly grabbing his friend's hand as he silently followed.
They walked quickly and quietly into a secluded part of the park. It was so beautiful as they came about a garden of flowers. It almost felt like a dream, with how magical it all felt. What could Tsukishima possibly be picking up from a place like this?
“Tadashi,” he spoke, voice seemingly calm and calculated as Tadashi could tell his eyes were filled with panic.
Tadashi stepped close to him, placing a hand on his cheek as butterflies flew around them, quick and graceful as he encouraged Tsukishima to continue what he was saying.
“Tadashi, you’re the most amazing person I know, and I’m so sorry if I upset you during this walk. But I needed to tell you this. I’m in love with you, Tadashi. I have been for years, and if you don’t accept that, I won’t ever bother you with these feelings again. I love you, Tadashi.” He spoke, looking down at him. His cheeks were flushed pink, and eyes soft as he looked into Tadashi’s eyes.
Tadashi felt as if his heart could explode, and he felt warm and so happy as he hugged Tsukishima. Tears fell from his eyes as they embraced each other. Soft cries left Tadashi as he fit their lips together.
“I love you too, Kei; I’ve loved you for so long,” he whispered, softly bringing their lips together.
His eyelashes brushed against Tsukishima’s cheeks, leaving butterfly kisses all over his now-lover. How his heart beat as the soft kisses brushed him. Tadashi knew this feeling was right, he now knew what it felt like to be in love and how wonderful it made him feel.
He’ll forever remember these butterfly kisses.