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"I'm winning, [Name]!"

Of course he is. Judging by the far distance between you and the little brown headed boy, he was clearly winning. After running rounds up and down the hill, you felt your lungs giving away the more you tried to race the two little boys. Finally, your hand tapped on the tree bark where both Tetsu and Hine waited, watching you breathe rigorous pants and slam both hands over your shaking knees.

You were out of shape.

"You're a slowpoke, [Name]!" Tooru called from afar, his tone indistinct while he sat with Haijime on the wooden bench. "Come on. I can run faster than that!"

The kids laughed with him as Tetsu pointed at you too, "Yeah! You're a slowpoke!"

Regardless of his cunning and mysterious last remark to you moments ago, a glare sent to the older Oikawa who paid no attention of your vicious look and propped his elbow over the table in amusement. Thankfully, his best friend was there to wack at the back of his head for you.

"Oh, man... Have you guys had caffeine or something?" you exasperated, turning to the two boys who are itching for another race with you. They have so much fuel, it's insane.

Hine pulled on your arm to join him in playing football, however, you were already on a brink of exhaustion.

"Come on, [Name], I want you to throw!" the little Iwaizumi exclaimed. If only you knew you were going to exert this much energy today, you would've dressed lighter. The sweat building in your clothes became apparent.

As much as you want to keep playing, you wanted to refuse, but luckily Tooru saved you the opportunity to do that by clapping his hands for the kids' attention. "Now, now. Two boys against one girl is no fair!"

You grimaced, wondering if that was meant to be sexist or not.

"You don't know how to play football and you always cheat, Oikawa! You're a phony!" shouted Hine as you can hear Hajime praising him in the background like a proud uncle he is.

Kids these days, they're so honest.

It was like they meant for the brunette to get all riled up because now, Tooru clutched both of fists in anger by the absurd argument and simply gave in, "Oh yeah? How about two against one!"

That was easy.

Both small boys were enlightened by the challenge who are now inviting Oikawa to play. You blew a sigh in relief and joined Hajime on the bench who is occupied on his phone with headphones cuffing his ears.

His dark eyes now followed you once you came into his vision, plotting yourself down on the bench and desperately seek for your water bottle. An amusing smile lifted on Hajime's face while he watched you chug the life out of the plastic bottle, slipping his headset to hang from his neck.

"Not used to kids huh?" He pointed.

Your brow quirked after wiping a spillage at your chin and hummed. "Is it obvious?"

"Like a sore thumb," he added. "I never seen anyone so awkward around kids before."

Whether that was an insult or not, you were unable to make an argument. Huffing your cheeks, your body turned from him to gaze at the boys from a far roughly tackling the older male over the green grass. "Well, I'm not a pro like Oikawa. I'm quite jealous."

A pout formed on your lips when observing the scene of Tetsu tackling his father at his wide shoulders with an uplifting laugh. It was a beautiful sight to see that the sun even shone so brightly at them like a spotlight. With that image in mind, your eyes sparkled at them.

"He seems like a natural at this - like he was meant for this," you spoke honestly.

By hearing your confession, Hajime didn't make a reaction but said lowly to you with eyes still glued to his phone. "You'd be surprised. Oikawa was never the family-type nor someone who thought of children."

His words appealed you, almost throwing you in shock. Many questions flashed in your head that you wanted to ask but you didn't want to be intrusive since those questions were meant for Tooru to answer. The thought of sticking your nose into someone's business through another would be rude.

Despite your silence, Hajime kept speaking. "He's changed since he had Tetsu. The selfish bastard never cared about anyone else but himself. Just thinking about it makes me want to clobber him."

That last statement at least made the heavy mood a bit lighter. If Tooru were to hear that, you knew they'd start another argument and Iwaizumi would end up giving him a head butt. But Hajime's explanation struck you deep down that your thoughts surrounded on the star athlete. The person he was before is not the person he is now.

There was only one assumption you can make for him to change. Did he perhaps have Tetsu by accident then?

"I'm tired," a whine surpassed the older Oikawa while nearing you and Hajime at the bench. The two boys followed from behind in satisfaction, their energized expressions replaced with exhaustion. Tooru had his hands at his hips while eying the space between you and his best friend. "Were you two talking about me?"

"Just telling her how much of an idiot you are," finished Hajime while getting up from his seat.

"You always try to make me look bad, Iwa-chan. What are you, jealous?" that retort was bold, not even Tooru himself didn't realize that he struck a nerve by the looks of his innocent smile. An obvious vein popped at the edge of Hajime's head and then rose another blasting argument with him.

Their dynamic was interesting, you'd say but you can feel how close they were when they insult each other like brothers. A hand tugged at your pants and your eyes trailed down to find the smaller Oikawa boy staring up at you.

"[Name]," Tetsu peeped. "Are you going to stay with us for the rest of the day?"

You smiled sadly. "I'm sorry, little man. As much as I want to stay, I have work later on."

He gave a long whimper at your answer, then a larger fair hand touched at the top of his head in comfort.

"Don't worry, Tetsu. She'll come play with us soon," assured Tooru. "Now start cleaning up so she can be on time for work."

"Come on, I'll help you," Hajime approached the small one with an offering hand, urging him to come to collect his toys. Tetsu hesitated for a second and then giving into the lecture, holding the larger hand to be led where Hine is playing by the sand box.

Tensing at the situation, you were once again being left alone with Tooru. When you glanced at the man, it felt like he knew that. A yawn broke from him as he casually sat at the spot next to you. Unaware of the small distance between you two, you finally noticed it when he stretched his arm behind you and lay it on the table. But you can sense his hand slightly hindering your arm as if he was trying to pull you closer to him.

"It's already noon and it feels like a long day," Tooru complained while resting his leg over the other. "Isn't that right, [Name]?"

When he directed his attention to you, the same aura he emitted was the same when he warned you about referring to him as 'daddy'. Alluring but also ominous, it seemed. You felt your chest tightening at his change of outlook.

"Probably because we were playing with the kids a lot," you sneaked a nervous laugh, purposely breaking the tension between you two. If you didn't, you'd be unable to shake his charming stare at you and you would swooning all over him.

He chuckled back. "Could be. Tetsu was happy to see you, it even shocked Iwa."

"Iwaizumi is nice," you let out. "He's reserved and cool. I can see why you get along with him."

"He acts like that in front of Tetsu," he corrected. "If not, then he would be cussing me out and be plain mean. He always has a potty mouth."

"Now that seems like him," a delighted smile plastered your face, although it already looked like that way without the vulgar language.

Then a quick silence filled the space around you two. The conversation was leading nowhere else for you to say more, but Tooru jumped the gun.

"Thanks for coming," he said with a wide smile. The hand that was tracing your arm reached beside your face and stroke a curled finger against the bone of your cheek, also getting you to look at him. Unknowingly, his arm was close in wrapping your shoulder. "We should do this again sometime, hm?"

He was not being shy. Each and every move he made, he did it with confidence and you were speechless. Thoughts jumbled your mind but that finger of his brushing your cheek made you think of nothing besides his touch. A little nod came from you which eased his stare.

"You look lovely," Tooru continued, "I get to see you out of your chef coat for once."

Your mouth gaped at the comment. "Now that sounds dirty!"

"I'm being honest! Not my fault that you look cute," he teased as you felt yourself growing timid by his words flooding your mind.

Was he flirting with you? The innocent and collected Oikawa you once knew is now this heartwarming Prince Charming. He was going to say more to his enticement, showering you with compliments but the second Tetsu ran back to him, he jerked his arm back to his side swiftly in avoiding to get caught in the middle of his intimacy.

"Daddy!" the boy cried with his tiny backpack clung to his shoulders. "I'm getting sleepy now!"

"It's nap time for you, buddy," Tooru stood on his feet to pick up Tetsu in his arms. "Upsy-daisy!"

Checking the time on your wrist watch, early evening was approaching and you knew you were going to make your leave soon. You also stood away from the bench to retrieve the nearly empty milk bread pan. "I should get going. Don't wanna be late for work."

Tetsu's hand reached to grab you with the same look he always gives you when he's parting ways with you. "[Name], thank you for the milk bread. It's the best I ever had."

You grinned at him and held his tiny hand securely in yours.

"I'm happy you like it, Tetsu. Thank you for lunch, Iwaizumi," then you aimed your eyes at Hajime with Hine hanging from his shoulders. He gestured a thankful nod at your way.

"Please bake more for me and Daddy again," peeped the smaller Oikawa - almost like a demand than a suggestion.

Nodding, you knew he was going to make more requests from you starting today. The looks of his expression when he ate the loaf of bread shown amazement by the pure white fluff meeting his lips. Tooru had a similar expression like his son.

"Yes, yes. I will." Then he broke out a yawn and slipped himself into a deep slumber against Tooru's neck. Entranced by the snoozing image, you made sure to imprint the looks of him, knowing that you were going to miss his youthful face until next time.

"I could walk you but..." Tooru spoke but trailed when he lifted Tetsu to his chest.

Your head shook, "Oh it's alright. I can get to work from here."

"Well, we'll be off," Hajime signaled for the group to part as his little nephew waved behind his head. "Get to work safe."

You watched them depart from you with Hine still waving on Hajime's back until they descended far enough and you can no longer seem them. Hoisting yourself up, you tapped on your cellphone to unmute your notifications and saw an endless list of Terushima's text messages. By peering at it lazily, you didn't bother reading any of it instead, you locate yourself and search a fast route to your work.

While you attempted to walk across the lawn to reach a corner of the park, an item caught your eye at the edge of the bench where you previously sat at. Something more like a doll or a plush, it was shaped like an alien underneath the faux material, smothered in dry drool at some spots of the head. It almost looked worn.

You helplessly picked it up in your hand to gawk at the cute plushie with huge black eyes staring back at you.

Did it belong to Tetsu perhaps?

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Posted: 04-11-21