CHAPTER SIX

Akira's PoV

After Coach Ukai told us about the Inter-High Prelims, we all head over to the bus. It's rented for a whole day only so it's very cheap to rent. We all got inside and the only seat that wasn't taken was beside Nishinoya.

Damn! Of all people!

Defeated, I walked down the buses' aisle and our eyes met for a second. I looked away and just focused on getting into the seat, finally sitting down beside him. Aw! He's on the window side! I wanted to sit there. I sighed, put my arm on the armrest, and rested my chin on my hand. I know it's a short time trip back home but I'm exhausted and bored.

I wonder what Daichi will say later? Wondering about it makes my head explode. I'll deal with this later.

The bus started to move and we're off.

"Akira, do you want some candy? We don't want you to throw up, you look exhausted." I looked over to the other side of the aisle and saw Suga-san. "Oh, thank you." I extended my arms to take one from his packet and put it into my mouth. I felt the cool sensation from the mint and it gave me some kind of comfort. Was that too weird?

I sighed, closed my eyes, and leaned on the bus seat. I want to ignore his presence completely but I can't. Even with my eyes closed, I can still remember the shocked expression on his face when he saw me and Tetsuro in that dimly lit room. There's no way that he didn't see, right? He wouldn't have made that sort of expression if he didn't.

Crap. I'm so dead.

My life is so hectic, I can't even keep up with it. It's not me in control of my life, it's the other way around.

Before I even know it, I fell asleep.

-

"Akira-san, wake up."

I felt a hand move me by the shoulder and my eyes fluttered open. I saw a black-haired boy with blonde portions leaning forward into me. It's Nishinoya.

"Oh, Uhm... Thanks for waking me up." I said and gave him a small smile. He grinned back cheerfully. "No problem! We're here in the school." He straightened his back and stretched as he yawned. I was looking at him so I yawned too. Dang.

"I see what you did there! Yawned too, huh?"

I looked down at my feet and nodded. He seemed to notice my mood and shut up. I stood up and dusted my clothes. "Let's uh... get going." I bowed as I passed him and walked down the aisles to get out of the said bus.

Why am I feeling like this? I hate it.

I stepped outside the bus and head over to my brother. He glanced at me once and ignored me after. Is Daichi seriously mad at me? I nudged him in the shoulder and gave him a pout.

"Hey... I'm sorry."

He looked at me and sighed as he closed his eyes for a second. "I'm not mad at you..." He muttered. "Eh? But why are you ignoring me?" He looks really pissed at me though. When Daichi is angry at me, he's not the type to shout or anything like in training. He'll frown and ignore me for days if I won't do anything about it. I think that way, he can guilt trip me and I'll be very sorry.

"I'm not. I'm just tired." He tried to turn away but I hugged his right arm.

"No! You're not getting away. You're seriously angry. Your voice is so low." I said and stomped my feet. I'm not a brat, just a habit. When we were kids, this is how I say sorry to Daichi. I'll act all cute and clingy until he gives up. I hope it'll work though...

He glared at me but I just smiled innocently. Please work, please work!

He sighed again and used his other hand to massage his temple.

"Okay. I promise we'll talk... later. Now, we got to head into the gym." He used his other hand to free himself from me and walked away without me. I stared at his walking figure, gradually getting smaller and smaller.

I felt a hand on my shoulder from behind. I turned my head and saw Nishinoya once again.

"What do you want?" I said, rather in a harsh voice. He looked taken aback and I gasped. I did not mean to say it in that tone! What am I doing?!

"I... I'm sorry. I'm really... sorry." I said and bowed my head. What's the cause of all these emotions? I can't even remember.

"It's okay! I should be the one saying sorry. I think I'm becoming such a nuisance." He said and rubbed the back of his neck and gave me a sheepish smile. "No, no! I'm just... not feeling okay."

"Oh. Are you sick?" He asked again. What do I say? "No. I-I don't actually know."

"Oh." It seems that I've left him speechless. My shit is too much to handle that even Nishinoya can't cope with it. "Well... let's go to the gym?" He perked up, trying to shake off all the negative vibes from the two of us and offered me his hand.

I was hesitant at first but I took it. He gave me a cheery smile and headed into the gym.

-

"Okay! Everyone rest up today because tomorrow is the start of our intensive training for the Inter-High prelims! Don't forget to eat dinner and have plenty of sleep, okay?!"

"Yes!"

That was the ending of the small announcement Coach Ukai said. I dozed off most of the time and didn't hear what the rest he said. The last part's the only thing I caught upon. I'm so anxious to go home, I want to have a proper rest.

All of us headed outside while Daichi and Suga-san locked up the gym. We started walking into the school's gate and it was so silent. It's quite unsettling. Shoyo was the one who broke the eerie silence.

"I haven't thanked you yet for the dinner earlier, Akira-san! It was so good!" Hinata exclaimed, too excitedly as he patted his stomach. Kageyama then smacked him in the head. "You're too loud, boke!"

"You're so mean Bakayama!" The small one retorted.

"Are you going to let the kid call you that, king?" Tsukishima added and smirked at the black-haired boy. "Shut up, Tsukishima," Kageyama-kun replied.

"Oh yeah! Thanks for earlier, Akira-chan." Suga-san said and patted me in the head. I blushed and nodded at him. He's really the soft one in the group.

"Man, being a model sure pays well huh," Tanaka commented and chuckled lightly.

"That Nekoma team was tough. How did they do that defense!" Shoyo

I looked at my brother who's walking beside Suga-san, who's also beside me.

"Daichi~ Talk to me please?"

"Stop it, Akira."

"But Daichi! You said we'll talk!" He stopped walking. Uh oh. Is he gonna tell me off now? Please don't. The anticipation is killing me, I just want him to spit it out already.

"Why didn't you tell me that you used to study in Nekoma?" He said, his voice grim. I never really thought it would matter. Besides, it's not like I know their defenses and offense. Sure, I used to watch Tetsuro play but I'm clueless about their strategies.

The boys all got quiet, even the two loud ones. I think they want to hear my answer too. I feel like I owe them this somehow. "It didn't come up. I didn't think you would react this way, Daichi. I can't help you when it's about volleyball-" He cut me off shortly.

"No. It's not about that at all. I don't care that you used to study there, or you were not able to tell us their volleyball strategies-"

"Then what are you so mad about?!" I snapped. I shouldn't have done that. He's going to get more mad. But I can't help it! He's being unreasonable! I was cut off in my thoughts when he shouted. "It's the fact that you keep secrets from me now!" His voice is very demanding. The boys listened to our loud conversation quietly and they stiffened when they heard Daichi yell.

"We're not like this before! You used to tell me everything! I don't even know what happened to you for the past year! Is there anything else that I should know about, Akira?!" I didn't know he felt this way. I love my brother, but I grew up. Telling him things, or disturbing him just to tell him stories sounds so embarrassing now. Daichi is a busy man, and I am now too.

"I... Let's continue this conversation at home, Daichi." I replied coldly and tugged him away. Welp, we just had a full-on argument in front of all our teammates. I didn't even say goodbye to everyone. I should apologize later.

When we got a little bit far, I let go of his shirt that I held on to when I tugged him away earlier. We both didn't say a word. It was awkward. I think it's the best thing to do at the moment, so we won't fight in the middle of the road.

A few more minutes of silent walking and we got into the house. Huh, mom and dad aren't home. "Mom and Dad went somewhere. They texted me earlier." He said coldly and began to walk towards the staircase. I chased after him and took him by the wrist.

"Come on, let's talk about this." I pleaded. He sighed, his face softening. "You know I couldn't resist you." We went to the couch and talked. "So... I'm sorry." I said and fiddled with my hands. "I'm sorry too, especially for yelling at you back there." He reached out and wrapped me in a comfortable hug. He rested his cheek on the top of my head. I started to tear up, he was being so sweet all of a sudden!

"I-I'm sorry for not telling you anything. I just thought y-you're busy and I am t-too." He pulled away from the hug and smiled. He patted me on the head and said, "Don't cry now. No more distance, no more secrets?" He asked with a gentle gaze. I nodded and he dried my tears with his thumb.

"What do you want to eat?"