Part 8

Text in italics represents thoughts. 

Friday, October 26, 2012. After practice.

Kindaichi "Oi..."

Kindaichi "Hey, Kageyama."

Kageyama "..."

Kindaichi "Wait..."

Kageyama "..."

Kageyama stops and turns around to spot a panting Kindaichi running towards him.

Kageyama "..."Kindaichi "...*huff*..."

Kageyama "What are you doing here?"Kindaichi "I... told...you ...to ...wait ...for us."

Kageyama frowns and tilts his head while staring at the heavily panting Kindaichi.

Kindaichi "I...sent ... you a message...*pew*..."

Kageyama "Oh..."

Kageyama takes his phone out, but it is off.

Kageyama "Ehhh..."

Kageyama "I-I am sorry, my phone is off."

Kageyama "I didn't realize you texted me."

Kindaichi "Oh, it is okay."

Kageyama looks around but doesn't spot anyone.

Kageyama "Hmm...?"

Kageyama "Are you here alone?"

Kindaichi "No..."

Kindaichi looks around before sighing.

Kindaichi "I went to pick you up with Akira..."

Kindaichi "But I guess he didn't run with me..."

Kindaichi "He probably is still walking here."Kindaichi "Hmmm...If we wait, he will probably arrive soon..."

Kageyama "Okay..."

Kageyama "W-why are you here, though?"

Kindaichi "We want to check on Miwa and hang out with you."

Kageyama "Mmmm..."

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

Kindaichi and Kageyama stand in silence for a few minutes.

Kageyama "Kunimi is taking so long..."

Kindaichi "Yeah..."

Kindaichi "Is it okay to walk back to Akira?"Kageyama "Mmmm."

Kageyama nods before they turn around and walk in the Karasuno direction. Kindaichi takes his phone from his back and calls Kunimi.

Kindaichi "..."

Kindaichi "Yeah, yeah, sorry."

Kindaichi "..."

Kindaichi "Yeah, I caught up with him."Kindaichi "We are walking to you now."

Kindaichi "Where are you?"

Kindaichi "..."

Kindaichi "Oh..."

Kindaichi "..."

Kindaichi "No, it is fine."

Kindaichi "I will go back there."Kindaichi "But I am not sure if Kageyama will come back with me or not."

Kindaichi "..."

Kindaichi "Yeah, yeah, bye."

Kindaichi hangs up as he sighs.

Kindaichi "He is still standing near Karasuno."

Kageyama just nods and continues walking.Kindaichi "Ehhh...If you want, you can go home first, and we will meet you there."

Kageyama "No, it is fine..."Kindaichi "Okay."

Kindaichi "..."

Kageyama "..."

Kindaichi and Kageyama continue to walk silently until hearing a scream when approaching the school. Both boys glance at each other before running.

Kunimi "I said, leave me alone."

Kunimi "Damn it."

Kunimi "Why are you doing this?"

Kunimi "Let go of me."

Kunimi's voice fades as they reach the gate.

Kageyama "He probably is inside."

Kindaichi "Yeah..."

Kindaichi looks around before running inside the school with Kageyama.

??? "Ouch"

Kunimi "Ugh.."

Kunimi "Let me go."??? "Ah..."

Kunimi "Leave me alone doesn't mean: cover my mouth."

??? "Is that why you bit me?"

Kunimi "Yeah, and if you don't let go, I'll kick you."

??? "I won't be doing this if you just speak to me."Kunimi "I don't want to."

??? "But-"Kunimi "Like hell, I will speak to you, Shirabu."

Shirabu "Just..."

Kageyama "There..."

Kindaichi "What do you think you are doing?"

Shirabu's eyes widen as he looks in Kindaichi's direction.

Shirabu "W-what are you doing here?"

Kunimi pushes the surprised Shirabu away and runs and hides behind Kageyama.

Kindaichi "That is none of your business."

Kindaichi "What are you doing here?"

Shirabu "That is also none of your business."Kindaichi "Okay, then what were you doing to Akira?"

Shirabu "Ugh..."Shirabu "Akira, can we talk?"Kunimi "No."Kunimi "I don't want to talk to you."

Kunimi "Or be near you ... ever again."Kunimi "So, stop stalking me."Kageyama "Stalking?"

Kageyama immediately pulls Kunimi by his arm from behind him and looks into his eyes as he tilts his head. Kunimi just nods.

Shirabu "I won't stalk you if you just talk to me-"

Kunimi "Dude, what part of 'I don't want to.' do you not understand?"

Shirabu "But..."Kindaichi "But nothing; leave him alone."

Shirabu looks between the three boys before grunting and walking away while mumbling under his breath.

Kindaichi "Are you fine?"

Kunimi "Yeah."

Kindaichi "Are you sure?"

Kunimi "Yeah, yeah, I am sure."Kunimi "He didn't do anything."Kindaichi "But-"

Kunimi "Can we talk after we leave?"

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

Kindaichi "Sure..."

The three boys exit the school and start walking with an awkward silence.

Kunimi "..."

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

Kunimi looks at the other two, who are walking with their heads lowered before he sighs.

Kunimi "Ugh...what is wrong?"Kindaichi "Huh?"

Kunimi "What is wrong with this suffocating silence?"

Kindaichi "Ehhh..."

Kageyama "I-it is nothing..."

Kunimi "Sure...whatever..."

Kageyama "..."Kindaichi "....Kunimi "Ugh..."

Kageyama "..."Kunimi "Mmmm... Kageyama?"Kageyama "Yeah?"Kunimi "Can we eat out or do you have to get back home?"Kageyama "I can eat out."

Kunimi "Cool, there is a new place I want to try."

Kunimi "It isn't that far from here."

Kunimi "Can we eat there?"

Kageyama "Yeah."Kunimi "Great."Kunimi smiles brightly and jumps in front of Kageyama, who lowers his flustered face, shocking Kunimi, who returns to walking near Kindaichi before he holds his hand.

Kageyama "What the hell?"

Kageyama "Calm down."

Kageyama "Calm down, Tobio."

Kageyama "Calm down."

Kageyama glimpse up at Kunimi who seems lost in his head.

Kageyama "Please don't realize what I feel."

Kageyama "Please don't, Kunimi."

Kageyama "I don't wanna ruin it now."Kageyama "After we finally got close again."

Kageyama "I don't want to lose both of you again."

Kageyama "I cannot lose you now anymore..."

Kageyama "Ugh, just try to breathe."

Kageyama "Breath slowly, Tobio."

Kindaichi suddenly pulls Kageyama's arm bringing him back to earth.

Kageyama "Y-yeah?"

Kindaichi "Hmmm..."

Kageyama "What is wrong?"

Kindaichi "Are you fine?"Kageyama "Yeah..."Kindaichi "You looked so lost in your head."Kageyama "Ehhh...it is not important..."

Kindaichi "If you say so..."

Kindaichi glances at Kunimi, who just shrugs.

Kageyama "..."

Kindaichi "Anyway, the shop is here..."

Kageyama "Okay."

Kageyama starts walking toward the door, but Kindaichi pulls him back.

Kageyama "We aren't going inside?"

Kindaichi "Mmm...Oikawa-san..."

Kindaichi points into the shop where Oikawa and Sugawara are eating.

Kageyama "Oh..."

Kageyama glances at them before lowering his head.

Kageyama "..."

Kageyama "I'm not ready to meet Oikawa yet..."

Kageyama "But..."

Kageyama "But Kunimi wants to eat here."

Kageyama "He was so excited when I agreed."

Kageyama "..."

Kunimi "If it still disturbs you, we can go to a different place."

Kageyama "But you said you wanted to try this shop."

Kunimi shrugs before turning away.

Kunimi "We can try it another day."

Kageyama "But..."

Kunimi sighs before he grabs Kageyama's hands.

Kunimi "Listen, Kageyama."Kunimi "If being around Oikawa still disturbs you, I don't mind checking this place another day."Kunimi "It is not like it will close tomorrow."

Kunimi "We can eat in a different place, okay?"

Kageyama "Okay..."

Kunimi "Cool, then let's go to a nearby shop."Kageyama "Mmmm."

After they get seated and order their food.

Kunimi "..."

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

Kunimi "Ugh, why are we silent again?"Kageyama "Mmm..."

Kageyama "C-can I ask about Shirabu?"Kunimi "Ugh... sure."

Kageyama "Well..."

Kunimi "..."

Kageyama "Ehh..."

Kindaichi "How long has he been following you?"

Kunimi "I-I don't know..."

Kunimi "I realized I was being followed last week..."

Kindaichi "..."

Kunimi "I didn't know who it was..."

Kunimi "At first, I speculated it was Shirabu, but I wasn't sure...until today..."

Kindaichi lets out a long sigh before nodding as the waiter brings the food.

Kageyama "Hmmmm..."

Kunimi "..."

Kageyama "W-why would he stalk you?"

Kunimi "I had a fight with him a few weeks ago."

Kageyama "Oh..."

Kunimi "..."

Kageyama "Can't you talk with him and resolve the issue?"Kunimi and Kindaichi answer no in union.

Kunimi "Ugh..."

Kunimi scratches the back of his head before sighing again.

Kunimi "Okay, hmmm, where do I start?"Kageyama "..."

Kunimi "Long story short."

Kunimi "Shirabu tried to break me up with Yutaro..."

Kageyama's eyes widen as he stares at Kunimi.

Kageyama "What?"

Kunimi "Yeah..."

Kunimi "That is why I refuse to talk to him."Kunimi "I know what he wants."

Kageyama "..."Kunimi "And I won't forgive him even if he begged..."

Kageyama "Ehhh..."

Kageyama "W-why would he do that?"

Kunimi sighs.Kunimi "He has feelings for me."Kunimi "But I never realized..."

Kageyama "Oh..."

Kunimi "It is kind of my fault."

Kindaichi "What?"Kindaichi "How is it your fault?"

Kunimi "I didn't realize it sooner."

Kindaichi "You are not making sense."

Kunimi "If I knew, I would have rejected him from the start."

Kindaichi "But you kind of did."Kunimi "How?"

Kindaichi "It isn't like you never told him about me and led him on."

Kindaichi "Akira, he knew we were dating from the start."Kunimi "..."

Kunimi "Hmmm..."

Kindaichi "..."Kunimi "Well..."Kunimi glances at Kageyama before looking back at Kindaichi.

Kunimi "It's...Ehhh..."

Kunimi "Us dating is not a rejection..."

Kageyama glances up at Kunimi before he lowers his head and continues eating.

Kindaichi "What do you mean?"

Kunimi "I could date him while I am still dating you..."

Kindaichi "..."

Kunimi "..."Kindaichi "But you will never cheat."

Kunimi "You are right."Kunimi "But it still gives Shirabu hope."

Kindaichi "I see..."Kunimi "Adding..."

Kunimi "Hmm..."

Kindaichi "What else?"

Kunimi "Ehhh..."

Kunimi glances nervously in Kageyama's direction.

Kunimi "Hmm..."

Kunimi "D-do you know about polyamorous relationships?"

Kageyama raises his head and tilts it to the side with furrowed brows.

Kindaichi "Yeah?"

Kunimi "Well, there is that too."Kindaichi "..."

Kunimi "..."Kindaichi "..."

Kunimi "That is why knowing about our relationship is not considered a rejection..."

Kindaichi "I understand..."

Kunimi "Yeah..."Kindaichi "..."

Kunimi "..."

Kindaichi "A-Akira?"

Kunimi "Yeah."Kindaichi "D-did you ever want a poly relationship?"

Kunimi gulps as he stares at his food.

Kunimi "..."

Kindaichi "Akira?"

Kunimi "..."

Kunimi "Y-yes."

Kindaichi "What?"

Kunimi "..."

Kageyama "Mmm?"

Kageyama "W-what is a poly relationship?"

Kindaichi "..."

Kunimi "..."

Kunimi "Ummm...to sum it up..."

Kunimi "I-it is when multiple people date each other at the same time."

Kageyama frowns as he stares at slowly boiling Kindaichi and an anxious Kunimi.

Kageyama "Isn't that cheating?"

Kunimi "N-no, because nobody is dating someone behind someone else's back."

Kunimi "We all kind of agree to date..."

Kageyama "Oh..."

Kindaichi "..."

Kunimi "Mmm...Yutaro."

Kindaichi takes a deep breath before answering.

Kindaichi "Yes."

Kunimi "I..."

Kindaichi sighs before he shakes his head.

Kindaichi "Is it because of Shirabu?"

Kunimi "No."

Kunimi sighs and holds Kindaichi's hands.

Kunimi "I promise I never talked to anyone behind your back."

Kunimi "I... I just..."

Kindaichi "We can talk about this later..."

Kunimi "Mmm..."

.

.

.

After the 3 boys finished eating, they went back to Kageyama's house and Kindaichi and Kunimi decided to sleep over.

Kindaichi "Akira?"Kunimi "Mmmm..."Kindaichi sits up and takes a glimpse at Kageyama before looking at Kunimi again who just rolled in his bed and faced Kindaichi.

Kindaichi "Can I ask about the poly thing?"

Kunimi sits up before nodding.

Kindaichi "Is there any reason you want such a relationship?"

Kunimi "..."

Kunimi grabs Kindaichi's hand and tangles their fingers together.

Kunimi "You know how much I love you."

Kindaichi "Yeah..."

Kunimi "And..."

Kindaichi "Do you also have feelings for someone else?"

Kunimi nods and lowers his head to avoid Kindaichi's glance. Kinaichi sighs and places his hand on Kunimi's cheek before he starts rubbing his thumb across Kunimi's cheek slowly.

Kindaichi "Look at me."

Kunimi "Mmmm..."Kunimi raises his head to meet Kindaichi's soft gaze, making Kunimi's heart flutter.

Kindaichi "I am sorry."

Kunimi "Huh?"Kindaichi "I am sorry I got mad earlier."Kunimi "It is understandable..."Kindaichi "No, it is not."Kunimi "..."

Kindaichi "And I believe you thought I was angry for the wrong reason."

Kunimi "What do you mean?"Kindaichi "I was not angry at you."Kunimi "Oh..."

Kindaichi "I was angry because I made you uncomfortable to open up about such a topic."

Kunimi "..."

Kindaichi "I never want you to hold back about anything..."

Kunimi nods as his eyes start to water, making Kindaichi pull him into his lap and embrace him tightly.

Kindaichi "I never want you to be uncomfortable around me."Kindaichi "You can always tell me anything you want."

Kindaichi "Without second thought."

Kindaichi "Alright?"

Kunimi nods his head on Kindaichi's shoulder as Kindaichi strokes Kunimi's hair gently.

Kindaichi "I love you, Akira..."Kunimi "I love you too."

Few minutes of silence pass as Kunimi stays seated on Kindaichi's lap while Kindaichi strokes Kunimi's hair.

Kindaichi "Can I know who you like?"

Kunimi "..."

Kindaichi "If you don't want to tell me now, it is fine."Kindaichi "But always know that you can tell me anything."

Kunimi "Thank you..."

Kindaichi "You don't need to thank me."

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

Kageyama "What?"