it was a stressful week followed by another one. an endless pile of lessons to learn and assignments to do. the deadline is our finish line, yet we're not even halfway there. it's been two weeks and i couldn't sleep enough, i've been having a hard time reviewing and dealing with personal stuff.

and in those two weeks, we haven't seen each other.

i figured it was because exams in his school is near too, so both of us are really busy these days. kuroo and kenma are also working hard in their volleyball club, a match is coming soon so they're preparing a lot for it. i wonder if he's also busy in their club. it sure doesn't seem like he's interested in it, but when he's on the court already, he becomes different.

i haven't been visiting miyagi for awhile now. i got a call from aunt to come since it's her birthday. it was a weekend so i started to prepare and head for the train station early. as i got downstairs, i heard the front door open.

with a heavy sigh escaping his mouth, father walked weakly towards the kitchen, but stopped when he saw me standing on the stairs.

"dad... " i called out, quite surprised at his figure. his eyes widened a bit, but he quickly replaced his reaction with a small smile.

"how's my daughter doing?" he chuckled weakly as he walked inside the kitchen, pouring water on the glass.

"good." i mumbled and followed his figure who placed his hand on the counter while shutting his eyes, massaging the side of his forehead.

"how about you?" i asked in a hesitant tone as i stared at him worriedly, his head slowly turning towards me.

once again, he smiled weakly, "strong as always. of course i'm doing fine."

something was off and i scooted over to the side when he passed by, walking inside the living room. he dropped his exhausted body on the couch, letting out a sigh of relief at finally resting.

my eyebrows furrowed as i stand on the doorway, "are you sure?"

his eyes opened a bit and he nodded his head, "yes. it's your aunt's birthday, you should go. i'm sorry that i can't go without you, i just need to... rest." his voice trailed off at the end as he slowly closed his eyes.

i sighed and turned my back on him, making my way to the front door when he spoke, "take care, (f/n). come home safely."

"rest well, dad." i responded back.

the train had a few passengers in it. all seems to be focused on their gadgets while the others doze off. i find myself lost in thoughts and staring at the tall buildings that we passed by. the billboards that aren't lighted up yet and the other things that caught my eyes.

i would also watch the people that look like tiny ants walking on the street. as i smiled at the pleasant morning that greeted me, i noticed that the train has already arrived in miyagi. it was still early, around nine forty five am and aunt promised me that we'll have waffles and pancakes for breakfast.

i beamed at that and hummed happily while walking towards her house. i pressed on the doorbell and i heard quick footsteps approaching the door. my aunt gave me a tight hug and i chuckled softly.

"happy birthday, auntie." i smiled at her and she pinched my cheeks.

"thank you, sweetie."

we ate our breakfast and had normal conversation. we would also often look back at the happy memories back then, when everything was all fine between the two sides. but we decided to move on and around one thirty pm, aunt's sister came by.

she gave her sister a tight hug and i quickly stood up and straightened my posture. upon seeing my figure, she shot me a look of disgust and ignored my presence, her whole family following behind her. this other aunt of mine... really hates me after what happened to mother.

"what is she doing here?" i heard her ask to auntie, who sighed and glared at her.

"she's still our sister's daughter." auntie responded, "she's still our niece." she gritted her teeth.

her sister rolled her eyes and glared at my direction, "she's the reason why both sides are at war that day. she's basically the reason why our sister died."

i froze at my spot and clenched my fist, eyes watering upon the mention of my mother. it doesn't matter if they keep blaming me because i do that to myself too. i have no rights to fight back, she's right. but bringing back that scene from the past made my heart ache.

her son, who seems to notice the intense atmosphere, calmed his mother and whispered something to her. aunt's sister groaned and went into the dining room while auntie gave me an apologetic look.

i let out a shaky sigh and smiled at her, "it's fine." i mouthed.

my cousin's eyes softened at my figure and he also had this apologetic look. i kept on smiling to reassure them and before he can even approach my figure to comfort me, i spoke.

"thank you, tooru." i said softly and walked pass him, heading towards the front door.

i headed outside and ran away from the house, not wanting to deal with insults from my aunt once again. last time we both met, she almost knocked me out. she blamed me a lot and hatred started to form inside her. but i could never get mad at her because whenever i would look at my aunts, they would remind me of my own mother.

i can feel my eyes starting to get watery and the surroundings around me started to change and become unfamiliar. but i didn't care and still ran away, hearing the waves coming louder. i stopped on my tracks and panted while wiping the tears away. i lifted my head up and walked on the stairs. i looked down and saw that it was pretty high, it seems like a wall for short middle school students and at the other side is the large, sparkling ocean.

the path up the wall was not wide, but not too small for me to walk on. i took off my shoes and held it on my hand, slowly walking while staring at the waves that is coming and hitting the cemented wall.

"what are you doing?"

my head quickly turned towards the direction of the voice and found tsukishima raising a brow at me. his question came out like a judgement, mocking me like i'm stupid.

"walking." i mumbled and continued to do exactly what i said.

"up there?" he judged me again and i let out a frustrated sigh.

"yes." i was not in the mood to talk, considering that my day was somehow ruined because of my aunt bringing up the sensitive topic again. not to mention, she wanted me and my father to just suffer like how my mother did back then.

i get it, i wish that to myself too, but mom told me to take care of myself, so i'll follow her words instead.

tsukishima's height made this short wall look even more shorter. despite me standing up here, he still managed to look tall. i huffed in annoyance at that, feeling so short once again.

"someone's grumpy." he teased.

i didn't reply and just groaned at his words. for the first time, i wanted tsukishima to leave me alone. i didn't want him to see me in a state like this, furious and about to explode any minute now. and i'm not sure if it's anger or tears i'll be bursting soon.

"you might fall off." he suddenly spoke and i raised an eyebrow at his concerned— "i don't have enough energy to catch you."

nevermind then.

"i can handle landing on my own butt." i bluntly said and he ignored me after that.

i stopped on my track and he also did. i looked at him and sighed, "stop following me."

"no." he bluntly replied.

"i might cry."

"go ahead, i don't care."

"i'll keep annoying you."

"i'll just put my headphones on then."

"i'll throw myself in the water!"

"not my problem."

goodness gracious, he's so stubborn. i huffed and continued walking while i heard his snickers behind. he still followed me and despite me throwing my shoes at him, he didn't stop. he even threatened that he'll throw my shoes on the road if i won't stop acting silly.

"tsukishima!" i shouted in a desperate, yet annoyed tone of voice.

he stopped and rose a brow at me lazily while still holding my shoes. i shut my eyes close for a second and let out a sigh, "i don't want you to see me like this."

"so?" he bluntly asked.

"so you should go."

"no."

"damn it!" i shouted and grabbed my hair in annoyance while he just smirked at my frustrated figure.

"i might rant and say things that you don't want to hear! i won't stop and i'll cry after! you don't want that, right?"

he rose a brow at me and an amused smirk was plastered on his face once again, "go on then."

i panted and tried catching my breath, staring deep into his eyes that are daring me to speak those words. i didn't want to, but the anger, frustration and sadness building up inside me, mixing and pushing me to release the words.

"i like you." i mumbled and saw how his smirk faded away upon hearing what i said.

"i like you, tsukishima." i spoke softly, not looking at him.

after a moment of silence, he finally said something, "that's not something i don't want to hear."

my eyes widened and i lifted my head up to look at him. his face wasn't blank, but it didn't give too much hint of happiness. he brought my shoes up, gesturing for me to take it.

"get down there."

and as i reached for it, a bell rang and it was coming closer. all i know is that i suddenly lost my balance after getting startled by the bicycle that passed between us. tsukishima's eyes widened and he clicked his tongue, quickly gripping my wrist and pulling me towards him.

the moment i opened my eyes, my face was on his chest and i can smell his scent. i can even hear his heartbeat, it was beating fast and loud.

as i realized what i blurted out lately, i quietly said a curse to myself. i lifted my head up slowly to meet his eyes that are staring at me. it was shining and it held so much emotions in them that even i could tell, that cupid shot an arrow at him also.

"i thought you don't have enough energy to catch me." i mumbled, clearly teasing him.

"your confession gave me energy."