You join the other club managers at the breakfast table, exhausted from the night before.

"Did Tsukishima-kun ever do anything to you yet?" one asks.

"Uh... not exactly. All I have to do is avoid him all day and maybe he'll get over it." You say confidently. You look around for a lurking Dino dork.

"Hey (Name)!" A voice frightens you making you jump from your seat. From behind you Misawa smiles seeing you startled.

"O-Oh Hey Misawa-kun!" You maintain composure.

"Mind if we talk?" He rubs the back of his neck.

"Oh uhh sure?" You get up from your seat as the managers ooh in unison.

Misawa leads you out into the empty hallway by the cafeteria. You lean against the wall. "So what do you need?"

"Are you.... and Tsukishima Kei together?" Misawa jumps straight to the point.

"No way. Where did you get that?" you raise an eyebrow.

"Well Tsukishima likes you... I can tell by the way he looks at you."

"Why do people keep saying that?" you throw your hands up in the air. "We hate each other."

Misawa smirks and crosses his arms. "So you're single?"

"Very"

"Have you ever thought of... not being?" He smiles to the ground.

The question catches you off guard, he looks up at you while your face flushes. He begins to laugh and puts his hand on the wall, your faces only inches apart. You close your eyes tight, trying to turn your face away. They slowly open realizing a rose seperates your faces. Your eyes widen.

You hold the rose in your hand as Misawa backs up. "(Name) Shimizu, will you give me the honor and have dinner with me tonight?"

'Wait what. Is he... asking me out on a date?' You think, staring at the rose as Misawa smiles.

You open your mouth to speak, but someone else enters the hall. "Misawa."

Your face lights up seeing the tall beanstalk. He looks more... serious.

Misawa chuckles, "Hey there Tsukishima-kun"

Tsukishima's eyes lock onto the rose you hold in your hands. You notice and put it to your side, looking away. After a moment of silence, he adjusts his glasses and clears his throat, "Your sister is looking for you."

"Oh..." An awkwardness lingers as you stand rubbing your arm, playing with the rose in one hand.

"I should go." Tsukishima turns, putting his head phones on. You turn to Tsukishima's direction. Your mouth opens, but words are unable to come out.

Why do I want to tell him its not what it looks like?

You take a step forward but a hand grabs your wrist. You turn and see a concerned face. "Misawa... I..."

"..Go. Just... give me an answer later okay?" He smiles softly patting your head.

You nod and run after Tsukishima. You stand in an empty hall, looking left and right. Your sister appears in front of you, "(Name) there you are, come with me." She says clasping your hands in hers, pulling you into the room.

"K-Kiyoko whats going on?" You look around and see the other team managers. "What's... happening?..."

"(Name), tell us everything." Mai says holding your shoulders, sitting you down.

"What?..."

"The rose..." Yuike says motioning to the scarlet flower resting in your lap.

"Oh... this is from... Misawa..." you say trailing off.

"Whaaat?" The girls yell in unison, except for your sister.

"Did he ask you out?"

"...yeah?"

Your answer catches your sister off guard. She turns to you. "What did you say?"

"I... didn't say anything... he told me to give me my answer later..." Your sister sighs in relief and walks to the door. You look at her in confusion, but immediately your attention gets taken from the other girls, attacking you with questions.

"What about Tsukishima-kun?"

"What about him?"

"I thought they had a thing..."

"Apparently not..."

You sit there dazed as they go back and forth.

—

It's almost dark and I still haven't talked to Tsukishima.

You walk up the stairs to the roof. Maybe I can see the sunset from here.

Your eyes widen seeing a familiar beanstalk staring up at the darkening sky. "Tsuki...shima?" You say, catching the blonde's attention. In that instant, you remember the previous night. As you turn to bolt, he grabs you by the shirt, holding you back.

"Shit." You say turning around as Tsukishima lets go of your shirt.

"hey.... buddy. my bud" you punch Tsukishima's arms lightly, his face still furious. "My.... man?"

Tsukishima raises his hand, as you cover your head, closing your eyes.

All you feel is your head being tapped. Your eyes slowly open as Tsukishima rests his hand on your head. His face more... soft.

"Are you not mad at me or something?" You say as Tsukishima puts his hand to his side.

"I was...." He hesitates, "but it doesn't matter.... What are you doing here?"

"I wanted to see the sunset... what about you?" You say leaning against the railing.

"Its much more quiet up here.... plus I'm trying to get away from Kuroo-senpai and Bokuto-senpai." He rubs the back of his neck. You stand there looking out at the sky as the wind blows through your hair. Tsukishima's head turns to you as you smile at the setting sun. He smiles to himself. After a moment his smile fades.

"So.. you and Misawa?" Tsukishima says looking out to the sky. His question throws you off. "The rose?"

"Oh right.."

"Are you guys a thing?"

"No no no" you say waving your hands. "It's... not like that"

"Do you... like him?" He says softly, not looking at you.

You look at him, confused. This is unlike him to being asking so much. "I... don't know"

"I'm quite surprised someone would ask you out" he says jokingly, trying to break the silence. "Can you even handle a relationship?"

A pain strikes your heart.

"What?" You stop leaning on the rail. You pause, looking directly into his eyes. "Asshole."

"Wait what?"

"You asshole!" You yell, clenching your fists together.

"What did I do?" Tsukishima steps back.

You look at him for a split second with a face full of pain and turn to run. Tsukishima stands alone as the moon rises.

You run down the stairs quickly. As you wipe falling tears you run into a short pudding head.

"Kenma-kun...." You whisper as tears flow down your face.

—

"Everything was fine until he said that!" You cry as Kenma comforts you.

"Why do you think he said that?" He says in his soft tone.

"I— I don't know.. but for some reason it hurt... a lot" You sniffle.

Kenma puts his hand to his chin. "He probably said it from jealousy..." he says under his breath.

"Huh?" You say turning to Kenma.

"Nothing..." Kenma says. "What are you going to do about Misawa?"

"Misawa...." Your crying is put to a hold. You stand up, "I know what to do."

Kenma nods, understanding, as you exit the room.

—

Everyone fills the cafeteria for dinner, you rush in, looking around for Misawa Kuroo. You finally find him and yell "Misawa!"

All the players look at you, including Tsukishima. Misawa stands up, his chair filling the silence. You take out the rose and play with it in your hands. You hold it out and bow "Will you... be my boyfriend?"

The female managers all gasp as the boys cheer. Misawa takes the rose he originally gave to you and pulls you in for a hug. "Please take care of me."

'My first boyfriend...'.

You can't help but think of Tsukishima. As you are released from Misawa's hug you see Tsukishima exit the room, with Yamaguchi following.

-

"Tsukki! Wait!" Yamaguchi says as Tsukishima stops in his tracks. "Are.. you okay?"

"I'm... fine."

"But (Name) and Misa—"

"I said. I'm fine. I could care less about her stupid love life. I have nothing to do with it." Tsukishima says coldly as he puts his head phones on and walks away.

Yamaguchi sighs, "Tsukki....."

WOW I FINALLY FINISHED THE CHAPTER!

I'm sorry my hiatus lasted this long but i finally found time to finish up the chapter and I'll immediately start on the next one!

Thanks for reading!

- shortcake