Part 9

Text in italics represents thoughts.

Kunimi "I...I like Kageyama..."Kindaichi "..."

Kageyama "What?"

Kageyama "Why?"

Kageyama "But he is already with Kindaichi."Kageyama "Why would he have feelings for me?"

Kageyama "I am the worst.

Kageyama "I am the absolute worst."

Kageyama "I should stay away from them."Kageyama "Or else I will ruin their relationship."Kageyama "I cannot be near them."Kageyama "But..."

Kageyama "I don't want that."

Kageyama "..."

Kageyama "I cannot go back to how things were..."Kageyama "I don't want them out of my life."

Kageyama "I cannot do that..."Kageyama "I don't want to lose them..."

Kageyama "..."

Kageyama "What should I do?"

Kageyama "What should I do?"

Kageyama "..."Kunimi "W-why are you still silent?"

Kindaichi "I-I'm just surprised..."

Kunimi "Mmmmm..."

Kunimi "D-does it disturb you?"

Kindaichi "No."

Kindaichi replies without a second thought.

Kindaichi "Akira, I am serious; I am just surprised, but I am not bothered by this."Kunimi "O-okay."

Kindaichi "Are you planning on telling him?"

Kunimi "I don't know..."

Kindaichi "..."

Kunimi glances behind Kindaichi at Kageyama's back.

Kunimi "I think Kageyama has feelings for both of us."Kindaichi "..."

Kageyama "Fuck."Kageyama "How did he know?"

Kageyama "I am doomed."Kageyama "I am so doomed."Kageyama "But how did he notice?"

Kageyama "How?"

Kageyama "..."Kageyama "I was so obvious,"

Kageyama "Wasn't I?"Kageyama "But I cannot stop myself from blushing when I am around them."

Kageyama "..."

Kageyama "I just like them..."Kageyama "Is this how things will end between us again?"

Kageyama "I won't be able to be with them again..."Kageyama "But Kunimi said..."Kageyama "I am the worst..."Kageyama "The absolute worst..."

Kageyama "..."

Kunimi "Yutaro?"

Kindaichi "Yeah?"

Kunimi "Do you still like Kageyama?"Kindaichi"..."Kageyama "..."

Kageyama "Fuck."

Kageyama "Kindaichi also likes me???"Kageyama "But how?"Kageyama "I don't understand anything?"

Kageyama "Aren't they dating?"Kageyama "How can they date and like me at the same time?"

Kageyama "I know there is that poly thing but I don't understand it."Kageyama "..."Kageyama "Why is this so complicated?"Kageyama "I don't understand anything-"

Kindaichi "Yes..."Kageyama "Say what now?"Kageyama "So, Kunimi and Kindaichi like me too."

Kageyama "But they are dating?"

Kageyama "Ugh..."

Kindaichi "..."Kunimi "..."Both boys turn and stare at Kageyama who shifts slightly in his bed before freezing.

Kageyama "Oops, that was loud."Kageyama "I hope they didn't notice..."

Kageyama "I don't want to talk about this now?"

Kageyama "Please ignore me."Kageyama "Please believe I am still asleep."

Kageyama "Please..."Kageyama "There is a lot and I am not ready to talk about all of this now..."

Kageyama "..."

Kageyama "I cannot talk about this now at all."

Kageyama "I don't even understand half of what is going on..."

Kindaichi "I-I think we have to sleep and continue this conversation tomorrow."Kunimi "Yeah..."

Kageyama "Please make the earth swallow me before morning.".

.

.

Saturday, October 27, 2012. Around 5:00 AM.

Kageyama rubs his eyes and stretches his arm as a yawn emits from his mouth before sighing. He turns in his bed and sees both Kindaichi and Kunimi sleeping, making a smile creep on his face. He watches the two for a few seconds before memories of their conversations of last night flooded his head. Kageyama's breath stops at his throat as he sits up slowly in his bed.

Kageyama "I cannot face them."Kageyama "At least not yet..."

Kageyama gets up slowly from his bed making sure not to disturb the two boys before he changes into his gym clothes. He opens the door of his room gradually but it emits a loud creek making him freeze. He snaps his head to the boys as he watches Kunimi turn around and mumble something in his sleep before Kageyama glances at Kindaichi who is still sleeping. Kageyama's tense shoulders fall as he sighs and leaves the room leaving the creaking devil open behind him.

Kageyama "It was just Kunimi."

Kageyama "I know this small creek won't wake him up no matter what."

Kageyama "..."Kageyama "I can rearrange my entire house furniture and he won't even budge."Kageyama "But Kindaichi on the contrary will wake up if a mosquito hummed near him.

Kageyama "Good thing he didn't wake up."Kageyama stands near his room trying to calm his racing heart before he starts walking to his sister's room. He opens the door to his sister's room slowly and smiles.

Kageyama's Sister "Ohh, you are up early as usual."Kageyama "Yeah, I want to go on a morning run."

Kageyama's Sister "Ugh...where do you even get the energy from..."Kageyama just shrugs as he sits near her.

Kageyama's Sister "Are your friends still asleep?"Kageyama nods.

Kageyama "Mmm...do you want me to help you to get up?"

Kageyama's Sister "No, just push the wheelchair near me, and I will get up alone."

Kageyama "Okay..."

Kageyama's Sister "I will prepare breakfast before I leave for my appointment, okay?"

Kageyama "Mmmm."Kageyama's Sister "Do you want anything specific?"

Kageyama "No..."

Kageyama's Sister "Alright."Kageyama's Sister "Just leave now so you can come back before your friends wake up."Kageyama "Yeah..."

Kageyama "I don't want to come back..."Kageyama places the wheelchair near his sister's bed before leaving the house.

Kageyama "Ugh..."

Kageyama grunts as he starts his jog toward the nearby park.

Kageyama "What should I do?"Kageyama "I cannot face them."Kageyama "I just cannot."Kageyama "Kunimi already knows how I feel from interacting with me alone."Kageyama "So he will know that I overheard their conversation last night."

Kageyama "..."Kageyama "Even though I believe they knew yesterday, I was awake..."Kageyama "Otherwise, they wouldn't have stopped their talk midway..."Kageyama "Ugh..."Kageyama "What should I do?"

Kageyama "I don't want to go back home or face them."

Kageyama continues running in the park for the next hour.

Hinata "Ohh...."

Hinata "Kageyamaaaaa."

Kageyama stops and turns around as he watches an over-energized Hinata dragging a sleepwalking Tsukishima with him.

Kageyama "Ehhh...Hi..."

Hinata "Are you here to practice?"Kageyama "Yeah...Is Tsukishima awake?"Tsukishima "No."

Kageyama "..."Hinata "He is."Kageyama "Ehh..."Tsukishima "Waking up before 10 on a Saturday should be illegal."

Hinata "What?"Hinata screams, making Tsukishima grunt at his boyfriend.

Tsukishima "Where do you even have all this energy..."Tsukishima "Oh.. right..."Tsukishima "The food you eat needs to go somewhere, and it isn't your brain, obviously -"

Hinata "Ugh...Kei..."

Tsukishima "Or height.

Hinata pouts making, Tsukishima chuckles and pinches Hinata's chin.

Hinata "Ugh, Keiii..."

Kageyama "..."

Tsukishima "How can humans even process anything this early..."Kageyama "Ehh..."

Tsukishima "Kageyama, entertain Hinata for a while until I rest."

Tsukishima "He has been dragging me around since 4 AM."Tsukishima "And unlike both of you, I am human."Kageyama "I cannot stay here for so long..."Tsukishima "Ugh...why?"

Tsukishima "This is the only time I asked you for something, and you cannot even do it."Kageyama "Mmm...Kindaichi and Kumini are sleeping over, and I snuck out for my run before they woke up."Kageyama "It is rude if I leave them alone..."Kageyama "Even though I want to..."Kageyama " I cannot."Kageyama "I know I have to return soon."

Tsukishima "Earth to Kageyama."Kageyama "Mmm, yeah?"Tsukishima "Dude. I know you have a short attention span, but it is getting worse."Kageyama "Ehhh..."

Kageyama "W-what did you say?"

Tsukishima "Are the 3 of you dating?"Kageyama "What?"Kageyama screams, making Tsukishima step back as he rubs his ear.

Tsukishima "No...I see... but damn, you are loud."

Kageyama "..."Tsukishima glances around before he frowns.

Tsukishima "Where did the orange haired disappear to?"Tsukishima sighs before he starts walking away.

Kageyama "W-wait..."Tsukishima "I know."Tsukishima "I will come back and discuss whatever is disturbing you."Tsukishima "But I need to find my lost puppy first..."

Kageyama "..."

Tsukishima "Just stay here because I am not searching for you after finding Hinata." Kageyama nods as Tsukishima walks away. Kageyama sighs and sits on a nearby bench.

Kageyama "I know I can trust Tsukishima..."

Kageyama "I will tell him..."

Kageyama "He..."Kageyama "He might help me since I really don't know what to do..."

A few minutes pass before Hinata and Tsukishima appear again. Hinata walks silently and sits on the ground in front of Kageyama as Tsukishima sits near him.

Tsukishima "So, what is the problem?"Kageyama "I..."

Hinata "Kageyama, you can tell us anything."

Kageyama nods before he clears his throat and starts playing with his fingers.

Kageyama "I just don't know where to start..."

Tsukishima "..."Kageyama "..."

Tsukishima "Does it have to do with Kindaichi and Kunimi?"

Kageyama "Yes."

Tsukishima "Okay."Tsukishima "Did something happen between the 3 of you?"

Kageyama "No... but..."Tsukishima "But yes?"

Kageyama "Kind off..."

Hinata "Huh?"Tsukishima "What happened?"

Kageyama "Kunimi knows I like both of them..."Hinata "But they are dating..."

Kageyama "I know..."Hinata "Ehh..."Tsukishima "Did you tell him?"

Kageyama "No."Tsukishima "Then how do you know that he knows?"

Tsukishima "Did he question you?"

Kageyama "Also no..."Tsukishima "..."

Tsukishima "Then what happened?"

Kageyama "I overheard him tell Kindaichi that he thinks I like both of them..."

Tsukishima "Shit..."

Kageyama "Mmmm..."

Tsukishima "How did Kindaichi react?"

Kageyama "He was surprised..."Tsukishima "..."

Kageyama "..."Tsukishima "You are in a sticky situation, man."

Kageyama "Mmmm..."

Kageyama "B-but that isn't all ..."Tsukishima "Ugh, what else?"

Kageyama "They both said: they liked me back too."Tsukishima "..."

Hinata "..."

Kageyama "..."

Tsukishima "Mmm..."

Kageyama "The thing is, I believe they know that I overheard them."Tsukishima "..."

Kageyama "And I don't know how to face them."Tsukishima "So you ran away."

Kageyama "I didn't..."Tsukishima raises an eyebrow making Kageyama stop mid-sentence.

Tsukishima "Are you sure?"

Kageyama "Okay, fine."Kageyama "I just don't know how to face them."

Tsukishima "..."

Kageyama "..."Tsukishima "Listen, I know it sounds crazy, but if you like them and they like you back. Why don't you date?"

Kageyama "..."

Tsukishima "..."

Kageyama "I want that, but ...I am afraid I will ruin what we have now."Kageyama "And I don't want that."

Tsukishima "..."

Kageyama lets out a loud sigh before standing up."Tsukishima "..."

Kageyama "I have to go back home before Miwa gets worried."Kageyama "I don't know what I will do about Kunimi and Kindaichi..."Kageyama "But if they bring the topic up, we will discuss it..."

Tsukishima "And if not, you will ignore it?"

Kageyama nods, making Tsukishima shake his head before standing and putting a hand on Kageyama's shoulder.

Tsukishima "I believe you should discuss this matter with them, no matter whether they brought it up or you do."

Kageyama "Mmm..."

Kageyama nods before saying bye and going back home.

Kageyama walks into the kitchen and sees Miwa and Kindaichi preparing breakfast.

Kageyama "..."Kageyama's sister "You are finally back."

Kageyama "Mmmm..."Kageyama's sister "That was a long jog."Kageyama "I met some friends and ...mmmm"Kageyama's sister "Yeah, yeah..."Kageyama's sister "Anyway, I have to leave now."

Kageyama's sister "Have fun, boys."

She screams as she exits the entrance door.

Kageyama "..."

Kindaichi "Mmm..."

Kageyama starts setting up the table as Kindaichi continues cooking.

Kindaichi "Why didn't you wake me up so we can go on the jog together?"Kageyama "Because I wanted to avoid you..."Kageyama "Mmm...I-I didn't want to disturb you."

Kindaichi "..."

Kageyama "I-I will see if I can wake Kunimi up..."Kageyama takes a step, but Kindaichi pulls him back.

Kindaichi "It is only 8."

Kindaichi "Akira will end you if you wake him up now."Kageyama "..."Kindaichi "Let's eat now and then wake him up after 10."Kageyama "Okay."Kageyama sits and starts eating, avoiding eye contact with Kindaichi.

Kageyama "Good job, Tobio."Kageyama "Make the situation more awkward so he will notice..."Kageyama "Ugh, why am I like this..."

Kageyama "I cannot think of anything..."Kageyama "Ugh..."Kageyama "I-"

Kindaichi "Are you alright?"

Kageyama "..."Kindaichi "Kageyama?"Kageyama "Mmm, yes?"Kindaichi "Is everything fine?"

Kageyama "Mmm..."Kindaichi "..."

A loud bang startles both boys before Kageyama gets up, and Kindaichi follows him.

Kageyama "..."Kindaichi "Akira, are you alright?"Kunimi "Yeah..."Kunimi rubs his head slowly as he yawns and stands up.

Kageyama "What happened?"

Kunimi "I forgot how to use my feet."Kageyama "Ehh..."

Kindaichi "O-okay, do you want to eat breakfast?"Kunimi "Sure."Kunimi "What is the time?"Kageyama "It is about 9."Kunimi "Earth is ending today, I see..."Kindaichi chuckles as he walks back to the kitchen while shaking his head.

The blanket around Kunimi's feet tangles him, but Kageyama catches him before he falls again.

Kageyama "..."Kunimi "Thanks."Kunimi kicks the blanket off his feet while still holding Kageyama's arm tightly before he walks to the bathroom. Kageyama stands shooked for a few seconds before he walks to the kitchen.

Kindaichi "Akira didn't lie when he said he did not function properly this early."

Kageyama "..."Kageyama "But how can someone forget how to use his feet?"Kageyama tilts his head as Kindaichi laughs while shrugging.

Kindaichi "That is an Akira specialty."Kunimi walks into the kitchen and collapses on the chair near Kageyama.

Kindaichi places a cup of milk in front of him with a sandwich, but Kunimi pouts.

Kindaichi "What?"Kunimi "Can you feed me?"

Kindaichi "..."

Kunimi "I don't want to move."Kageyama "..."

Kindaichi "Sure..."Kindaichi smiles and picks up the sandwich and places it in front of Kunimi's mouth as the latter takes a bite and starts to chew as his eyes fight to stay open.

Kindaichi "Akira, don't sleep while eating..."

Kunimi "Mmm..."Kunimi gulps before he takes a sip from his milk and places his head on the table. Kindaichi shakes his head and starts to caress Kunimi's hair slowly.

Kunimi "Yuu, if you continue playing with my hair, I will fall asleep."

Kindaichi removes his hand from Kunimi's hair before taking a bite of his food.

Kindaichi "Akira."Kunimi turns his head and takes another bite.

Kageyama "How can I be selfish and get involved in their relationship?"

Kageyama "I know Tsukishiama said I have to bring the topic up if they don't."Kageyama "But I cannot..."Kageyama "I cannot be selfish and ruin what they have now..."Kageyama "I just cannot..."