Chapter 20 - Akemi's Plot

"So? How did it go?" Yamaguchi asked Akemi when he picked her up before going to school the next Monday.

"What? Oh you mean the seminar. It went well for both of us. As usual, your best friend was so good at being a snob, he made a lot of hearts flutter, including mine."

"Heh, you're still hung up on that huh?"

"Well... you're not confirming anything so I am not yet giving up. But I told you senpai, My offer to you still stands. Give in to me and I won't bother him anymore." Akemi teased Yamaguchi.

"Hahahaha! What's this? Lowkey blackmail? You do what you want. Just don't hurt anyone in the process."

"Argh, his stinginess is rubbing off on you."

——————————

After school ended, the team started to gather at the court. Akemi and Yachi have received the new uniforms for the team so they're busy organizing at the side near the storeroom.

The players practiced and trained as usual. They practiced some drills as well as played 3 on 3s according to Coach Ukai's lineup to check the 1st years' blending with the team.

After which, they picked the balls and put them in the bin. Others started to clear up the net and poles. Hinata brought the volleyball bin and Noya the poles into the storeroom. Mr. Takeda gathered up the team near the managers and started giving up the uniforms of those who are already there which started with the captain and vice-captain. Just then Hinata and Noya are hurriedly returning to the huddle up.

Akemi saw them and called for Tsukishima. Once Tsukishima was near, Akemi acted to trip backward, grabbed Tsukishima's shirt, and pulled him into a kiss; an open-mouth kiss because Akemi wanted this to be a big surprise for everyone. Tsukishima instinctively put his right arm on the wall looking like a kabedon. His left hand supported Akemi's waist. His new uniform fell to the floor. Tsukishima tried to take his lips off hers but he didn't expect Akemi to grab tighter to his shirt. And damn she's strong. Her warm mouth was still pressed to his mouth. Everyone stopped moving. Even the loud Noya and Tanaka were speechless. But among them, Hinata was the only one who was hurt because he saw everything and from his perspective, it really looks like a kabedon because his view was from the side.

"Stop! You said you're mine!" Hinata shouted, eyes filling with tears.

"Mine? He said mine?" Noya sat beside Tanaka immediately like watching a movie in anticipation of the unfolding drama.

Tsukishima pulled from the kiss, wanting to turn towards Hinata.

"Sho, baby, no don't misunderstand... it's—-" Tsukishima stammered. He grabbed Akemi's hand from his shirt and pushed Akemi, stronger this time, and immediately walked towards Hinata.

"Sho? He called him Sho?" Tanaka said to Noya.

"Baby? He called him baby!!!" Noya gasped.

Plop! Plop! Rolled paper hit Noya and Tanaka.

"You two shut up with your commentaries." Ennoshita sternly said. Yamaguchi and Kageyma can't help but chuckle.

Tsukishima reached Hinata and cupped his face.

"No, no don't think that, let me explain, everyone saw what happened, it's not intentional. Hey hey... please...". Tsukishima embraced the speechless and now crying Hinata.

"Finally, you're now willing to admit it!" Everyone, including the lovebirds, turned their heads to Akemi.

"I'm sorry everyone for causing this ruckus. I felt the need to help my senpais to be more open. I know it's none of my business but I really can't stand them hiding anymore. I feel like they will be happier now that everyone knows." Akemi bowed to everyone and approached Tsukishima and Hinata.

"I'm really sorry senpais."

Tsukishima looked at Akemi. He sighed heavily. He forced Hinata to look up to him.

"You heard her right?" Tsukishima asked, searching for understanding in Hinata's eyes. He doesn't really care for anyone except Hinata right now.

Hinata nodded and dried his tears with his hands. He then looked at the whole team who seemed to have frozen in time.

"Ahmm you get the gist... I think? Tsukishima and I are together... since last year. Sorry for this disturbance. Please continue with the uniform distribution." Hinata said, embarrassed of the commotion they caused.

"Congratulatiooooons!!!" Tanaka shouted.

Everybody seemed to wake up from the trance. Then everyone clapped and laughed including Coach Ukai and Takeda-Sensei.

"Oh to be young." Sensei is shaking his head while clapping.

The mood was lifted. Yachi picked up Tsukishima's uniform and gave it to him. Hinata sat beside Kageyama who smiled at him and tapped his back. Tsukishima sat behind Hinata.

The distribution continued. When Hinata got his, he sat beside Kageyama again. Tsukishima this time, pulled Hinata closer to him so Hinata's in between his legs. Maintaining his hand on Hinata's waist. No longer holding back.

"I love you, baby. Let's talk later. Okay?" Tsukishima whispered. Hinata nodded.

———————————

When everyone dispersed, Akemi pulled Hinata to the side.

"Senpai, I'm really really sorry."

"Yeah... Though I think it's time for it to be revealed too. I just didn't know it will take this kind of thing to happen for us to face the truth and be honest with everyone. So a part of me wants to thank you I guess...?"

"But it is not bad either if we remained quiet about it. Or if somebody doesn't go around kissing someone's boyfriend just to prove something. It is our relationship after all, not anyone's business." Tsukishima interjected and glared at Akemi.

"Hey senpai forgave me and admitted it might be time to come out anyway and I helped so take it easy on me please?"

"He may have forgiven you but I haven't. And it's my relationship too so I have a say in it. You made him cry and I hate it when he cries." Tsukishima still glaring at Akemi.

"There there, let's get along from now on huh...". Hinata said and excused himself and Tsukishima.

Hinata held Tsukishima's hand, pulled him down, and whispered, "I love you Kei".

"Let's go home?" Hinata asked with a wide grin on his face.

"Sure. You are okay now? Don't want you crying like that ever again."

"Sorry. I didn't mean to doubt you. She kissed you though and... and... I still don't like it. You're mine so..."

"I understand. I'll kiss you a lot later. Want me to stay at your house tonight? We can drop by my house to pick up things I'll use tomorrow."

"Thank you, Kei. Thank you for spoiling me every day."

"Of course..." Kei bent down to his ear and whispered, "I love you too Shoyo baby. So much."

They smiled at each other and walked home.

And that is how their relationship was revealed to the whole team. They don't need to hide anymore.