*casually slides a long side chapter feat. Oikawa*

Without further ado, I hope this chapter answers some questions you may have had and maybe lets you discover things you never thought about! Enjoy <3

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How you guys first met and interacted until you officially called each other friends was so gradual. But the moment Oikawa realized it could be something more made him fall too hard too fast.

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He tosses his volleyball in the air as he absentmindedly spikes it. How did it even come to this?

☆

He thinks back to the moment when he started to notice you. Sure, you guys went home at around the same time and sat by each other on the train but that moment he really took notice was probably around the time you guys spoke to each other. He could remember it so clearly.

It was the day that he had peeked into your art club room to see you working away on your canvas. You looked so focused, so in your element and he could see that you were clearly enjoying yourself. Then he was amused to see you looking at him in awe through the gym door window so openly that very same day.

That day he packed up early and took the train, pleasantly surprised to see you and that bright red spot on your nose. He chats with you in a lighthearted manner, and is later amused at your strange but refreshing gestures when you shared your milk bread with him. He found himself being intrigued by your ever changing facial expressions; from when he pointed out the paint on your nose to when he called you Rudolph the moment you stepped off the train. It was a spontaneous thing, but it had just slipped out so naturally.

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Oikawa walks over and takes his volleyball as he chuckles at the memory.

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He could also remember that once he looked at his phone that day, he had accidentally taken a photo of you with a distraught look on your face. It looked as if you had just noticed that the spot was there. Oikawa had considered deleting it but decided against it. He might as well show you before he did, Oikawa reasoned with himself.

That very next day Oikawa was walking over to Iwaizumi's classroom and sees you walk out. Without a second thought, he changes his destination and walks over to you, calling you the nickname you weren't too terribly fond of. Oikawa found it enjoyable to engage in such friendly banter with you and it just felt so refreshing.

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He idly holds onto his volleyball, getting lost in his thoughts.

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There was that first time when he waited by your club room and startled you, a bit shaken by his presence. Being able to interact with you those few times made him realize that your company was something he wouldn't mind having around more often. You naturally fell into a conversation with him, agreeing with his proposition about waiting for each other after practice with a firm nod. He wasn't too sure on your reasons for it but he was still happy all the same.

The time he was most pleasantly surprised back then would be a tie between when you visited volleyball practice for the first time and when he found out that you drew a picture of him. You were honest with him about not being able to watch him practice volleyball with the team and he couldn't help but feel respect at the thought that you didn't sugar coat it or lie to him. But what was amusing was when he had caught you red-handed with a drawing of him and you had denied it out of embarrassment even if both of you knew what was up.

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Another toss. Another smack.

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What really boosted his respect for you was that unfortunate day when his fans did something they shouldn't have. He heard about it from Iwaizumi right away, and he still had a slight bump on his head to prove it to this day. After Oikawa heard about how they were picking on you, he made plans to go talk to them during lunch—only to find that you had planned to do the same thing.

He remembered it well: clear eyes, unwavering stance, oozing determination and confidence as you talked with his fans to clear the air and set things straight. He prepared himself to jump in when he saw his fans start to huddle around you but your voice cut clear through them and made him halt in his steps.

"Oikawa-san is a great guy so there is no reason to blow this up out of proportion. He likes talking with you guys so isn't it better to focus your energy on someone you do like? This time might be better spent cheering him on?"

Soon after, the dispute was solved from any further attacks and you had left, leaving his fans in the hall and unknowingly leaving him gaping as he stared at your retreating back.

But that's not all he discovered about you that day. When he had walked with you to the art clubroom and he had seen that the painting you were working so earnestly on was ruined, he felt annoyance at what people had become. He let out a comment, implying that he knew what was going on and waited for you to complain to him about his fans.

However, you had just replied with a simple response.

"Ah, that. It's not finished yet."

Soon after you had modified your work to make it even greater than it was previously. He was blown away by the strength of your will and even more blown away when you shared some words of wisdom to him—words that he didn't know that he needed to hear.

He certainly saw you in a new angle that day.

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Oikawa pauses as he lets the volleyball drop as he ruffles his hair a bit.

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Your friendship with each other continued to grow even further when he showed you how to play volleyball for the first time. He relished in the excitement on your face every time you had tossed the ball to him and he had easily tossed it back. He didn't even notice how much running he was doing until he stood still. It honestly didn't matter to him, it was just fun.

You reminded him of how fun volleyball could be. It made him realize how much he had lost himself as he just tried to become better and better...to the point where he almost forgot why he was playing in the first place.

First and foremost, he loved volleyball with all his heart and he was so thankful that he had met someone like you to remind him of that very important fact.

It was also the day that you had traded numbers, Oikawa feeling his excitement build up at the thought that you had just wanted to be his friend and pursued him for nothing more.

...Although, that was also the day when he had received the nickname 'Spotty'. It was a love-hate relationship. His teammates teased him for the nickname but he couldn't make himself tell you to stop, seeing your amused expression whenever you used it.

At least you had some mercy (unlike him) and barely said it unless you deemed it worthy.

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Oikawa breaks from his thoughts when the door to the gym opens, your head popping through the open door as you shot him a smile. He nods when you give him a look and gestures that he'll clean up as you wait for him at the bleachers.

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Looking at you, Oikawa is reminded of how he had lost his phone that one sad day and you had found it for him—also finding out about what he called you on his phone.

Oikawa liked your name. It was sounded nice and it suited you well. But if you were to ever ask, Rudolph would be number 1 on his list.

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Oikawa feels a smack on his arm and sees you looking at him with a quirked brow. "You're spacing out so much today!"

He only chuckles as he places his arm right at home on your shoulders, urging both of you guys to start walking home.

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When you start talking to him about the photos he had sent to you that day, his thoughts are brought back to when he had finally shown you the photo he had mistakenly took that day you guys officially met on the train. It was amusing to see your flustered expression as you tried to compromise with him, earning the portrait you drew of him in the process.

That was also when Oikawa finally deemed in necessary that you call him in a friendlier manner, rather than the stuffy 'Oikawa-san'.

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"Hey, what are you thinking about?" You voice out as you once again take him out of his train of thought.

Oikawa grins as he responds to your question, his voice unable to hide the teasing undertone to it.

"Hmm, a lot of things~"

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You grumble at his response but say nothing more on the subject, letting you two walk the rest of the way to the train in a comfortable silence. Your consideration towards him reminds him of the time when he stopped visiting you after club practice, him working three times as hard for the game against Shiratorizawa. He knew you had questions about it but you waited until he said it on his own, you just supporting him and his decisions as he practiced.

You were such a good friend to him but that moment when you visited him after the loss made him wonder if that's all he thought you were.

When he had stubbornly stayed to practice after the game, you had crashed in and pulled him away from his self-deprecating thoughts. You then brought him to the art club room where you urged him to paint something to relieve stress to which he complied—he would do anything to get rid of the feeling he had felt right now.

Oikawa had completely unraveled before you, breaking down and speaking his innermost thoughts.

However, you had just showered him with an aura of comfort, coaxing him down with warm smiles and saying words that he needed to hear. The moment you told him that he wasn't alone and how it was a 'team effort', he stared at the ground wordlessly, wondering how he managed to get so lucky and found someone like you.

Just a touch of your hand was all it took for something to build up inside of Oikawa. Maybe it was there earlier, he couldn't really tell.

All he knew was that when he had held your hand that day, he knew he wouldn't be able to let go from then on.

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You munch on some milk bread as you glanced at Oikawa's faraway expression. As much as you wanted to know what was running though his mind, it seemed like he was thinking hard on something right now.

You decide to take the time to also think hard on something you should do as well.

And of course, it involved Oikawa.

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It was hard for Oikawa to face you the following day, being reminded of the fact that he would see you at the double date that he ironically planned.

He had just wanted to spend time with you outside of school and meeting Ami at the gym doors was the perfect opportunity.

The only thing that threw him off was when he and Hanamaki had come to pick you guys up at the art club room. He saw you, Ami and a guy he spoke with a couple times prior since he was in Iwaizumi's class and his group of friends always seemed to block the door.

But that guy, Tadashi, had clearly set up an invitation for you to spend more time with him. Considering how he interacted with you, Oikawa could tell right away about how the guy felt about you since, well, Oikawa was like that too.

Oikawa couldn't think clearly after that, not being able to look you in the eye and giving you the cold shoulder. He knew it wasn't your fault but he couldn't help protest at how defenseless you were. Well, he couldn't say defenseless but he was still upset that you agreed to Tadashi so easily.

He knew you had caught onto his hot and cold attitude and quickly made plans to split up, linking your arm to his. Oikawa flinched at the contact, feeling slightly guilty at how he acted during the double date. The main point of the date was for Hanamaki and Ami but he had just realized his feelings just a couple days ago so everything was just so fresh that he didn't know what to do with it.

Once again, you had taken the time to sit down with him and listen to what he had to say, even if it wasn't much. He had no idea how to put it into words but every time you guys spent time together, the feeling continued to grow more and more.

He knew you were frustrated at his response, heck, he was frustrated that he couldn't give a proper response! But he was so glad that you just sighed and nodded to yourself as you accepted that you had to wait for him to elaborate on it later on.

It was fine for that moment until a surprising event had happened which lead to you stumbling on top of Oikawa.

He flushed faster than he would like to admit, not ready for the surprise attack. It's not that he didn't like that you were...really close...but he didn't know what he would blurt out if you stayed on top of him any further.

Thankfully, you had gotten off him and soon after you guys walked to the train.

As you guys were waiting for the train. Oikawa vowed to make sure that next time you guys hung out, you would have the best time. When you chuckle at his words and respond with a teasing smile, he finally figured out how to put his feelings into words.

He liked you.

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Oikawa hums a lighthearted song as he walks you home, his arm slung over your shoulder as if it was at home.

"Milk bread for your thoughts...?" You voice out, staring at him curiously.

Oikawa stares to you for a second before he bursts out laughing. "Well, just for saying that phrase, I'll tell you." He leans in closer as if he were sharing a secret. "Just thinking about how we ended up meeting each other."

You pull back from him, your brows raised. "You mean on the train? Is it that much to think about?"

"I guess it is~" He gives you a wink as he ruffles your hair lightly.

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The moment that he knew about Tadashi's affections for you, Oikawa stepped up his game. Maybe he was getting a little touchy but he didn't mind it. Unfortunately, you did. But this was the only way he knew how to express his feelings and he didn't know how else to express it.

Luckily, someone was on his side—Ami. She had come in when the volleyball team was on a water break and had informed him that Tadashi would be staying with you in the art club room after club time.

Oikawa searched her expression to see that she had figured him all out. Ami gave him a thumbs up and said good luck before she made her way to Hanamaki. He stood in his spot for a moment longer as he thought about if he should leave his extra practice early that day.

It doesn't take long for him to decide that he'll leave practice early to see you in the art club room and he was glad he did so when he sees you and Tadashi so cozy with each other. What irked him what that you had clearly saw him (or rather, heard him) come in but you had leaned over Tadashi's shoulder to talk about something.

He couldn't deny how childish his next few actions were from suddenly interrogating Tadashi or playing around and putting paint on you. Oikawa didn't know what to do. The more he saw you and Tadashi together, the more he could see how much you suited him. Tadashi could help you, heck, he even gave you a chance with that art exhibition!

But Oikawa was comforted by your previous words about when he had compared himself before.

"Everything is something Oikawa."

The moment when you had told him that he had made a pretty good Rudolph too, he kept thinking to himself that maybe he was that something to you too.

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You rolled your eyes at Oikawa's dismissive response and nudged your shoulder to his side. "Well if anything is bothering you, you should tell someone. Unfortunately, we're not mind-readers." You shoot him a teasing smile. "...Even if I really wanted to be one right now."

"I'll let you know one of these days~" Oikawa returns your teasing smile with his own. "Wait patiently, Rudolph!"

☆

You were patient, understanding, forgiving and most of all, confident. The time you had seemed to lose confidence, Oikawa knew he had to do something to get a smile back on your face.

Oikawa had learned a lot about you that day. You had shared your own weaknesses to him, presenting how vulnerable it had made you. He was glad that you could talk about your problems with him comfortably. That was when he realized that he could show his feelings in this way as well.

Just as you were patient with him, so would he. Just as you tried to understand him, he would do the same. He would support you and give you those tiny pushes forward to get you back on track and keep you steady so you wouldn't fall.

There was that but having dinner at your place was just something else. The moment after he had texted Ami about planning an escape just in case, your parents were by the door, smiling a little too sunnily (maybe just the mom actually, now that he thought about it).

They sat him down in the living room, just reassuring him that it wouldn't take long. Oikawa couldn't even answer most of it as your mom fired so many questions at him and your dad just nodded beside her.

Clearing his throat, Oikawa gathered up all the questions and tried to answer them all in a couple sentences.

"[Surname]-chan is a very driven and motivated person who loves art dearly. She had supported me more times than I can count. I couldn't have asked for a better friend."

Your mom just gives Oikawa a knowing smile as she stands up, your dad following after. "Thank you for taking good care of her." She winks at him before she urges him to follow her to the dining room. "I hope to see you around more often, hopefully by my daughter's side?"

Oikawa flushes at her implication, stiffly walking to the dining room with the thought that your parents had completely seen through him.

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You guys finally make it home, Oikawa sliding his arm off your shoulder before pulling you into a hug. You let out a noise in surprise only for Oikawa to chuckle at you.

"I need a hug to make sure I get home safely too~"

Rolling your eyes, you comply with his somewhat needy explanation, wrapping your arms around him as well.

"You better make sure you get home okay then, Spotty."

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As he hugged you to him, he was brought back to the time when you guys had hugged for the first time. What's more is that you had initiated it.

He remembered going stiff the moment it happened, his mind blanking for a moment before it screamed at him, telling him that this was real. Of course he knew you were thankful for him but when you gave him a hug even when you weren't much of a physical person, so many things just kept building up inside him.

Little by little, you guys walked closer to each other so you could meet in the middle.

Although when you had that talk in the café and you had lumped him together with Ami and Tadashi, Oikawa knew he still had a long way to go.

For now, he'd continue to walk towards you.

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The train ride back to his house was a quiet one, Oikawa mulling on the fact that it seemed harder to part from you every time he walked you home.