Chapter 6: Realization

(!TW! there is going to be a little bit of swearing in this chapter !TW!)

~ No one's POV ~

It's been a week since the match against Date Tech and everyone's been feeling better than ever. Coach called off practice for the whole week because of how much stress they were in during the game, he didn't want to push them to their limit just yet.

During the week off no one knew what to do so they scheduled a relaxing day at the park - it was Oikawa's idea since he wanted a 'team bonding' activity. They all met up in the gym to make the preparations.

~ Hanamaki's POV ~

Oikawa thought it would be a good idea to take the whole team to the park. I repeat, whole team. I don't know why he thought that taking all these idiots to a public place would be a good idea, I mean we would be lucky if we didn't immediately get kicked out or arrested.

''Okay so now that everyone's here were going to get started on preparing, or more like...well - I don't know!'' Oikawa said with a determined look on his face.

''This is useless, may I go home?'' I heard Kunimi say, he sounded very tired but to be honest we all were. It's eight a.m and for some reason we were all gathered up in the gym and forced to listen Oikawa - yeah this is not a good way to start the day.

''Huh, why Kun-chan?! Don't you want to go come with us?'' Oikawa was now pouting.

''First of all, don't call me that. And second, I didn't say that, what I meant to say was that I'm fucking tired and I don't want to be here!'' he was now pissed. Now we know not to mess with Kunimi when he doesn't get his sleep.

''Uuuggghhh Kun-chan no need to be such a mood killer. Anyway all I need to know is who can come. If you guys can tell me that much I'll leave you be. So...?'' he crossed his arms and stared around the room at everyone.

Next to me I could see Mattsun raising his hand,

''I have to help my parents with something so I can't come with you all, I'm sorry.'' he sounded unsure of his answer. Like there was something else, but I'm not going to ask him about it after all it could be something family-related.

''It's fine, maybe another time!'' Oikawa was now suddenly cheerful again.

After ten minutes Oikawa finally let us go home and sleep which we all took as a blessing from god. The hang out was scheduled for this Friday afternoon at the local park. I was excited. But for some reason I still felt sad, I think it's cause Mattsun isn't able to come. I wanted to spend more time with him.

Lately I've been feeling some type of way whenever I'm with him but I can't quite put my finger on the right word to describe it. It's like I suddenly feel alive and happy when I'm around him, I don't want anyone to know these feelings because they might call me weird - not even Matsukawa.

I just hope I can forget about all this.

~ Matsukawa's POV ~

I felt bad when I saw Hanamaki's face after what I said, I really wish I could come but I had a date with someone. A girl named Itsuki to be exact, she randomly came up to me and asked me out and I didn't want to be come off as heartless. The only bad thing about the date is that it's at the same park everyone was meeting at. I need to somehow try to avoid them since I made up an excuse. I don't exactly know why I didn't just say I had a date.

\\ Time Skip - Friday //

Finally it's Friday. I just want to get the date over with and go home, I still can't believe I agreed to this.

I walked to my closet and opened it, I looked at all the clothes I had and decided on a black and white hoodie, a pair of ripped jeans and a beanie - just in case the hood wasn't enough. Before I got dressed I went to take a shower and brush my teeth. When I was done I walked downstairs and put on a pair of black converses.

It wasn't that cold outside but I didn't care. The walk to the park was filled with me asking myself why I didn't just reject the girl, sometimes I'm just too nice. I could see the entrance of the park and right outside next to a lamp post was Itsuki.

Let's just get this over with.

~ Hanamaki's POV ~

I arrived a bit earlier since I lived close to this park, I mean it is the park me and Matukawa met at. I really love this park, it has a lot of tall green trees everywhere and the grass is soft and bouncy. In the middle there is a crystal lake filled with fish and ducks surrounded by benches but my favourite thing about it has to be the abandoned courts at the back. They were made for football, tennis and volleyball and it had an old net that you could place in the middle.

I was at the front of the park because I had to wait for the others so we could all go together to the courts. I could see that Kindaichi dragged Kunimi along with him and Oikawa and Iwaizumi were following close behind, last to arrive were Yahaba and Kyotani and I could guess why.

''Hiiiii Makki-chan!'' Oikawa shouted while running toward me holding Iwaizumi's hand.

''Hi Oikawa and you Iwaizumi.'' Iwaizumi waved at and sat down on a nearby bench. The others started heading in our direction as well and sat down on the grass and bench after saying a quick 'Hi'.

''Shall we head to the courts?'' I asked getting up and grabbing my bag, I packed a volleyball because I knew they were going to want to play that. They all nodded and stood up. I walked them to the back of the park where the courts were and when we got I went to go put the net up.

''Woah Makki how did you know about this place?'' Kindaichi asked me couriously.

''Well this is where me and Mattsun met for the first time and this is where we've been hanging out for the past couple of months.'' I finished setting up the net and grabbed the volleyball out of my bag.

''Oh really? That's cute!'' said Yahaba, he walked up to me and grabbed the ball out of my hands then started throwing it in the air.

''I know right! I wish we met like this Iwa-chan!'' Oikawa whined but Iwaizumi just ignored him and went to Yahaba.

After some stretching we decided to play some matches and split up into two teams but we had seven people so someone had to take turn in being the referee. The first team was Iwaizumi, Yahaba and Kyotani and the second was me, Oikawa and Kunimi. Kindaichi volunteered to be the referee and went to sit on the side.

Everything was going well and my team was in the lead because Kyotani just couldn't understand the concept of working with others. Kindaichi kind of gave up on keeping scores and was playing on his phone, when I wasn't paying attention Kyotani hit the ball and it rolled away.

''Don't worry guys, I'll go get it!'' I jogged away in the direction the ball flew. I finally spotted the ball next to a bench with two people on it, the guy that was sitting down stood up and grabbed the ball. When he looked in my direction I couldn't believe my eyes...Matsukawa?!

~ Matsukawa's POV ~

\\ Before Makki appeared //

Itsuki was a pretty fun person to hang out with but I feel really bad because I didn't tell her I was gay, and even if I wanted to right now just isn't the time - and plus she would start asking me if I had a crush on anyone.

In the middle of my conversation with her a volleyball rolled next to our bench at my feet. I picked it up and looked around for the person who was searching for it. I spotted a figure jogging toward me and when it got closer I realized it was Hanamaki.

Oh shit!

Why is he here?!

I can't allow him to see me!!!

Uuuuuuggghhh, fuck! I think he already saw me!

When I looked at his face he looked sad, I expected him to be surprised more than anything. Now I feel even more worse. A wave of guilt washed over me and I walked to him but he just ran away crying. Itsuki was confused and came up to me,

''Um, who was that? And why was he crying?''

I ignored her question and ran after Hanamaki in hopes of trying to explain myself to him. I knew she was going to be mad at me but I didn't care. While running I realized that if Hanamaki was here then the rest of the team would be here as well. Great, just fabulous! If they find out about this I'm going to be bombarded with questions.

~ No one's POV ~

The team was patiently waiting for Hanamaki to come back with the ball but he didn't show up. They began to get worried and decided to go search for him. Walking the same way he went they saw a person running toward them, as the mystery person got closer they noticed it was Hanamaki. But he was crying.

''Oi Makki! What's wrong?!'' asked Iwaizumi, he went to go grab his arm but Hanamaki slapped it away and kept running.

Suddenly another person came running, this time it was Matsukawa and he was shouting for Makki to come back,

''Omg Mattsun! Why are you here?'' Oikawa said waling closer to him. Everyone surrounded him and began asking questions - just as Matsukawa predicted.

''Please stop! This is annoying, calm down!'' the whole team went quiet, ''Okay I'll answer your questions, but one at a time.'' Matsukawa sounded angry so everyone agreed. Oikawa was first to speak - of course,

''What exactly happened?'' he crossed his arms and sat down on the grass and everyone followed suit.

''Don't be mad at me but I lied about not being able to come. Basically I had a date with a girl and I didn't want to tell you guys cause, I think, you all know by now that I am gay and would start asking me questions. She said the date was going to take place at the park and I was hesitant at first but I had to agree. So time skip to a five minutes ago, me and her were talking and the ball flew to us and I picked it up I saw Hanamaki, he ran away crying and I ran after him.'' after he was done he took a deep breath.

''Wow...'' said Oikawa.

''Wow indeed.'' added Kunimi.

~ Hanamaki's POV ~

OH MY GOD!

WHY. WHY, WHY, WHY!

BUT I THOUGHT HE HAD OTHER PLANS... HE LIED!

I DON'T KNOW WHY I'M GETTING SO WORKED UP ABOUT THIS.

I need to calm down...

I stopped running and found a bench to sit down on. My face was stained with tears that eventually dried out because of how fast I was running. I took a deep breath and tried to remember everything that happened - oh yeah now I know. I saw Matsukawa at the park when he wasn't supposed to be there and then I ran away after noticing that he was with a girl... Wait! A GIRL?! But he said he had to help his family. Aaagghhh, of course that was a lie, he was so unsure of his answer I should've known.

But the real question is why I'm so sad about that. Could it be that I have crush on him and seeing him with someone else makes me jealous? I mean that is a possibility, I'm really not good with sorting out my feelings. I need help. But first let me at least get home, people are going to start to think I'm homeless.

-----------

When I got home first thing I did was take a shower cause I was a complete mess. While in the shower I kept thinking about ways I could solve my feelings, I came up with an idea but it didn't seem that safe after evaluating it. I could try and call Oikawa for some help since he's already in a relationship should know about this. Yep that's what I'm going to do.

When I was finally done with my shower I changed into comfortable clothes and called him, I hope this goes well...

= On call with Oikawa =

''OMG! Makki-chan are you okay?! We saw you running away crying, what happened?''

''I'm fine but can you do me a favor?''

''Sure what is it? I'll do anything!''

''Well, can you come over to my house. I have to ask you about something.''

''Of course I'll come! I'll be there in about ten minutes, is that fine?''

''Yes, yes. Take all the time you need and also thank you. For always caring about me and for taking the time to come help me. I really appreciate it Oikawa!''

''Awwwwwww you're going to make me tear up Makki-chan! It's nothing, I'm just doing my job as a captain but thank you for aknowledging it! Anyway I need to get ready, see ya in ten!''

''Yeah see you!''

= End of call =

Now I just have to wait until he comes over. I feel bad bothering him for something as stupid as this but he was the only person I could think of. I need to at least have something to offer him when he gets here, I'll just make some cookies so we can both share.

~ No one's POV ~

\\ When Oikawa gets to Makki's house //

The door bursts open and in comes Oikawa who has a proud smile on his face.

''Makki-chan! Hello I have arrived and I'm ready to sort out your problems. Oh you're making cookies, give me some!''

Hanamaki was still in shock from what just happened but Oikawa simply walked over and took some dough from the bowl and ate it. When Hanamaki came back to his senses he rolled up balls of dough from the bowl and put them on a pan, after he was done he took the pan and put it in the oven - Oikawa watched silently and when he was finally done he spoke,

''Hi Oikawa, I don't ever recall giving you permission to enter my house but here you are. Anyway thank you for coming I have some serious things I need advice on and you were the only person I could think of.''

''Okay then let's sit down on the couch and talk things out, you seem a bit stressed.''

They sat down on the couch and played some calming music in the background.

''So lately I have been reflecting on my feelings toward Mattsun and I might have a crush on him and so I called you here since you're already in a relationship and could give me some advice.'' he was nervously playing with the hem of his shirt.

''Aww that's so cute of you! But before that I have to ask you something... If it wasn't for you seeing him with that girl would you have ever thought about this?'' his tone serious which kind of scared Makki.

''Actually, I don't think so. I think I thought about it because I was a little bit jealous.''

''That's what I thought, I'm proud that you managed to figure your feeling out on your own. When I had to deal with Kunimi he didn't want to admit he had feelings for Kindaichi which was so frustrating since it was sooooo obvious. Anyway now they're together so I'm glad!'' Oikawa made jazz hands at the last part which got Makki to laugh.

''Wait those two are together?! I would've never guessed.''

''I know, Kunimi likes to keep his relationship lowkey while Kindaichi doesn't really care. It's been like... three months so everything is going great!''

Suddenly the oven made a loud alarm sound meaning the cookies were done. Hanamaki ran up to the oven and took them out slowly as to not burn himself, Oikawa was close behind him ready to snatch as many cookies as he could - he took three before Hanamaki caught him. They went back to the couch and put on a movie for them to watch. It was 'Clueless' because Oikawa wanted to. While they were silently watching Oikawa asked a question,

''When are you going to confess to him?'' his eyes were still on the TV while Hanamaki was looking at him with a confused expression.

''I don't know. I don't think he likes me so I'll just never tell him I guess...'' he sounded sad and Oikawa was quick to pick up on that.

''How do you know? I mean I never thought Iwaizumi would like me back but here I am. You know, sometimes you have to take risks and confessing to him would be a pretty big one but imagine if he liked you back. Wouldn't that be amazing?''

''It would be of course but who would like someone like me?'' he let out a small laugh and turned to watch the movie. Oikawa on the other hand was not having it.

''How could you say something like that?! You're one if the most prettiest and nicest people from the team! Anybody could like you, hell when I first saw I started blushing and I thought I fell in love again, that's how pretty you are! And it's not only your looks but you're personality is immaculate! So please, never talk badly about yourself again!'' when Oikawa finished talking he heard faint whimpers from the boy next to him.

Hanamaki was crying, but this time they were happy tears.

He lunged at Oikawa and hugged him with all he could, Oikawa was taken back at first but hugged him back. They stayed like that for some time just enjoying this moment. Then Hanamaki spoke in a soft voice,

''Thank you Oikawa! I really appreciate this...''

That night after Oikawa went back home Hanamaki decided it would be better for him to take Oikawa's advice and confess to Mattsun.