It's a bright Saturday morning. You walk down the street in the direction of a middle blocker's home with a box in your hands and a smile on your face. You approach the front door and before you ring the doorbell, an all too familiar older brother answers with a smile.

"Akiteru-kun!! It's so great to see you?" You say in surprise.

"I saw you walking here so I decided to open the door right away. I'm assuming you're here for my brother. He's upstairs. Oooh whats that you've got in your hands." Akiteru motions at the box in your hands.

"Oh... uh this is a gift for Tsukishima... I kind of promised him I would make it for him." You say nervously.

"Wow... I'm glad my little brother has a friend like you. His only other friend is Yamaguchi and—"

"Uh.. We aren't friends exactly... Just classmates and club members..." You say trailing off.

"Oi Shortie what are you doing here?" Tsukishima says at the top of the stairs.

"Hello Beanstalk. I came here to drop you off the pastry I told you I'd bake for you while we had detention." You say straightforward.

"On second thought I dont want it... You could try to poison me."

"Shut up you dickhead!" You stick out your tongue.

"Wow you guys get along great" Akiteru says.

"No we do not" You and Tsukishima say in unison.

—

You and Tsukishima sit on his back porch while you take out the box. "Here." You hold out the pastry.

"Did you bake it from scratch?" The middle blocker says opening the box to look inside.

"It's my own special recipe." You smile proudly as Tsukishima examines the shortcake.

"Then it probably tastes like shit." Tsukishima smirks.

"GASSSsP"

"Why did you say gasp instead of actually gasping?"

"I'm so offended Beanstalk I worked hard on baking this for you. Could you at least take a bite before you assume the taste of what could be the greatest strawberry shortcake you could ask for?"

"Yeah right. I'll try it... not because of you... because I'm hungry"

"Mhm. Okay I could care less if its about me"

Tsukishima grabs a spoon and takes a bite of the delicacy you spent hours making just for him. "So??...." You say, quite curious.

"It's....." he pauses for dramatic effect.

"It's what??" You urge for an answer. 'He'll probably insult it and rub it in my face....'

"It's amazing..." He looks down at the strawberry shortcake with a warm smile. "Thanks (Name)..."

He looks up at you as you stare into his golden eyes. You blush slightly and smile. "No problem Beanstalk. I promised to make it for you and here you are."

"You want some?"

"...Actually sure... I never tried any for myself I spent so much time thinking wether you'd like it or not."

"Well youre lucky then. I was expecting it to be horrible."

"I dont know if I should be offended or not." You say a little taken back.

"Shut up and try some" Tsukishima takes some cake onto his spoon and holds it out for you to eat. You move in and take a bite and smile. 'Wait... hes feeding me' you realize.

"Wow I make a mean shortcake..." You say moving back, sweating a bit.

"Self centered much?"

"Pfft Shut up I worked hard."

"Shortie you truly eat like a pig even if I feed you." Tsukishima motions to the whipped cream that lies by the sides of your mouth. He leans in towards you and wipes the cream away with his thumb. You clench your hands together nervously as he leans back. Tsukishima opens his mouth to say something.

"Anyways... I should get going... Thanks for having me." You stand up quickly, blushing, and head for the door.

"Oi, Shortie wait." You turn around. "I'll walk you home."

—

"You know you dont have to walk me home right?? I was going to meet my sister at my neighborhood park." You put your (H/C) hair behind your ears.

"It would be a pain if you ended up getting lost or something. You are very ignorant to your surroundings." Tsukishima smirks.

"Shut up!" You say punching his arm. "I'll have you know, I know my way around here."

"Anyways, why are you meeting Shimizu-senpai at the park?"

"Oh.. we are going out grocery shopping once we meet up."

"Interesting..."

You and Tsukishima walk side by side awkwardly, both of you looking at the trees and houses to avoid eye contact. You feel a buzz in your pocket.

NEW MESSAGE: KENMA

Hey (Name)! I hope I'm not bothering you but I was hoping we could meet at the park tomorrow to hang out since it'll only be a Sunday. We could probably go to the game store and check out some new releases ^^

You smile at the little face Kenma left. Tsukishima bends down to look over your shoulder. "Who are you texting?"

You gasp in shock seeing Tsukishima and your faces only inches apart. "None of your business Beanstalk. Its just Kenma" You say pushing him away.

"Wow you are making friends!"

"Yeah and you aren't"

"Like I've said before—"

"Yeah yeah Relationships aren't your thing. But haven't you ever thought of reaching out to other people?" You question putting your phone in your pocket.

"No thank you."

"Wow Beanstalk you're so stubborn. Just consider it okay?" You put your hands on your hips. "Haven't you ever wanted to open up to someone?"

"No. I'd rather not" He looks away.

You sigh in frustration but look up at the park. Kiyoko is standing as another guy is bowing. "Another confession" you mumble.

"Please Please Senpai. I can treat you better than everyone else."

"I-I'm sorry Riko-san but I don't think that it could ever work out...." Your sister sighs.

You look at it from a distance. Your face saddens. "Are you okay Shortie?" Tsukishima puts his hand on your shoulder.

"I'm fine this is normal. It's been like this since junior high..."

"Hey Riko-kun...." You say to the rejected first year as he passes.

"....(Name)-san..." Riko says with an angered look.

"What did I do???" You say stepping back.

"This would have been different if you helped in junior high. You god damn self centered bitch... You could have done the one favor I asked

"Well isn't this strange." Tsukishima says adjusting his glasses. "Listen Riko-san... None of this is (Name)-san's fault. You just suck. The real self centered guy is you."

"What the hell are you doing sticking up for her? Do you want to be with Shimizu-senpai too? The only reason people would become friends with (Name)-san is to get to her sister."

You look away ashamed. It was true. Everyone in junior high did use you for your sister and it hurt. And it still hurts today.

"Oh please." Tsukshima smirks. "Shimizu-senpai would never be into a stuck up guy like you who doesn't even try in school. Now if you would excuse me and my friend we will be going." Tsukishima grabs you by the wrist and walks away. Riko stands there with the most humiliated face on. You look at Tsukishima.

"It's okay Shortie." He leads you to your sister.

"(Name)! Is everything okay?" Kiyoko hugs you.

You look at Tsukishima who nods at you to tell her. "It was nothing. Just catching up with an old friend....."

"Oh okay... Ready to go?"

"Y-Yeah..."

You turn to Tsukishima, "Thanks...."

"Yeah no problem.."

You and Kiyoko walk away. You look back at Tsukishima who has already left.

'I'm his friend?....'

The thought makes you laugh. Of course not. It was in the moment. Yet, deep down you felt happy.

To Be Continued.....

Wowie! Im on a roll right now arent I? And this is pretty long compared to what I usually write.

Just some notes:- Idk if I'm changing Tsukishima's character too much.... oh well?

Thanks for reading!

♡ Shortcake