Winners and Losers
CHAPTER COUNT: 1/1
CHARACTERS: Sakusa Kiyoomi X You | Haikyuu Characters (mentioned)
WORD COUNT: 8,600+
GENRE: enemies to lovers | university au | fluff | you/reader fic
CONTENT WARNING: strong language | some suggestive language | mentions of sickness
SPOILERS: n/a
collection masterlist
You stared at the piece of white paper posted on the bulletin board in disbelief. Your eyes could see and read what was written on it, but your brain refused to register the words.
The results were out and the paper you were reading contained the ranking in the project funding audition the school held recently. There were only five names listed. You saw yours. However, it wasn't written on the blank where you hoped it would be. Instead, the name of the person you wished wouldn't make the cut was there.
That's quite stupid. Why did you ever think you'll be in the number one spot? Why did you ever think that person wouldn't make the cut? WHY DID YOU THINK YOU WOULD EVER WIN AGAINST THAT PERSON?
His name was written in bold letters like a slap to your face. And then there was your name on the next line. Again.
"I won," that familiar, quiet, deep yet irritating voice said from behind you, casting a shadow that loomed over you and the board. He clucked his tongue, the sound muffled by the black facemask he was wearing, and then you felt his hand on your shoulder, applying quite some pressure.
"Second place. L/N Y/N." He chuckled briefly, the sound seeming uncharacteristic to his person. "You seem to have a deep-rooted love for being second best."
You side-stepped and inched away from him, regarding him with a dramatic eye roll. You can't argue with him this time. The two of you had a deal. It wasn't a big thing when you decided to strike it with him but now that you’ve lost, it's a different story altogether.
You sighed. You’re actually confident you'll win this round's auditions, but after overhearing the comments of the judges about his number, you knew you’ve fail miserably. Hell, one of the best in the panel of professors appointed by the academe you were both aiming for called his performance 'mentally orgasmic'. What did you have against that when all you heard was 'exceptional' from them?
Ninety nine to ninety eight percent. Crazy, but that one point made all the difference. He won, you lost.
"Congratulations," you said, admitting defeat and also inwardly praying he'd spare you from your deal. You’ve got to do the former because he really is a monster when it comes to academics, not just in that but in almost everything he does. However, out of all the things that he does, studying is what embodies his passion. It's like seeing an extension of the real him, separate from the archetypal image everyone knew him with – silent, brooding, hiding his utter ruthlessness behind that mask which you thought he only uses to fend others off as opposed to the impression that he was a hypochondriac. It makes you want to puke rainbows and cry blood at the same time whenever you witness him dishing his brains out.
He narrowed his eyes at you, those cold, dark vortices making you freeze especially so when he brought his mask down. For some reason, when he spoke to you, he always did that but spoke through it even when he was talking to teachers.
"Did you… Hmm. I think I heard wrong. The L/N Y/N actually congratulated me," he said in that quiet, indifferent way that always set you on edge. He had this quiet, gentle air about him which always hid something sinister just beneath the surface. Yes, he looked so damn beautiful with that perfect head of raven curls and severe yet gorgeous looks, but underneath, he’s a demon who preys on people’s fears and weaknesses.
"Sakusa," you stated with a heavy sigh as if uttering just his name put an invisible weight on you. "Don't start."
Kiyoomi flashed that annoying smirk which seemed to be only known to you as your classmates and friends didn’t seem to think he was capable of any other expression apart from being bored which they chalked up to his higher brain capacity. He then took a step towards you. To anyone who wasn’t the wiser, it would look like he’s being nice, merely conversing with you. That’s how his image is to everyone – the ideal youth dream who could do no wrong, given his outstanding, full, blue-merit record even if he is a grade-A haughty prick.
"You're not trying to get away from our little agreement, are you?" he teased, gently running his fingers through the length of your hair. How his hand got there was a total mystery. All you knew is that you stopped breathing the moment he did so.
Damn you, Sakusa Kiyoomi.
The blood in your veins was boiling, but you concealed that fact by replying concisely without emotions. "Of course not. A deal’s a deal." In truth, you were dying to bail on him, but knowing him, you didn’t have a way out of it. It’s your fault for striking a deal with the devil himself.
He grinned, that slow smile spreading from one end of his mouth to the other, rendering you motionless, staring up at his face like an idiot and feeling like you swallowed whole chunks of ice. He blinked then, letting go of your hair, his left eyebrow rising slightly.
"Good. I'll pick you up at nine tomorrow." With that, he walked away, leaving you dumbfounded as always.
**
How exactly do you go about with Sakusa Kiyoomi? You can summarize that human in three things, but it would only be an attempt as he had always been more than that, always more than what meets the eye, always more than what he lets on, but to you, he’s just these three things.
First, he’s that kid you knew since you were young but never really got directly involved with until the two of you went to high school where the pair of you had almost all of your classes together. Well, your parents were friends with his dad, you met each other in some occasions back then, but you never really spoke to each other. He wasn’t much of a talker or so you thought since he loves to torment you with his words, which brings you to your second definition of Sakusa Kiyoomi: he’s your arch rival.
He’s been your seeming nemesis from the beginning. He just used to stare at you all the time without the decency to look away when you catch him doing so. He would do it blatantly and when he knew you’re already squirming like an insect under a microscope, being pulled apart by the wings and legs, he’ll relent and smirk at you. It’s like you’re this little puzzle he can’t seem to figure out or maybe he’s just ridiculing you in his head. The latter is more likely. It wasn’t as obvious as now, but you do have the hunch that this competition has been going on since the moment you knew of each other’s existence. There’s always that same kind of tension whenever your eyes would meet. It’s crazy since you were both so young then, but in your heads, you were enemies, rivals in everything.
But… there’s a big BUT! You’ve realized that everything you can do, he can do much, much better and it always is the case. You’ve realized that when you entered the same middle school he studies at. He was a year older than you are, but you got accelerated to his grade, skipping seventh grade altogether.
You were quite smug about that to him, taking in the look of surprise on his face when he first saw you entering his class back then, but of course, he just smiled deviously at you from where he sat and never spared as much as a glance at your direction ever since.
You thought you were actually doing great being in the same ranks as him, but really, it just made things worse for you especially since he always comes out on top. Just when you thought you’re a step ahead of him, he’s ten steps away from you to the finish line.
And lastly, he was the person who instilled fear in you yet you can’t help but be drawn towards him. Sakusa Kiyoomi, you’re afraid of him in all sense of the word. It’s like everything he says to you is a threat. A simple word from him means a lot of things especially because he doesn’t speak much, but when he does, it’s always with a purpose. He speaks in that unnervingly gently manner and that heart-melting voice wasn’t helping at all. He wasn’t big on actions nor was he expressive. His face always has that same bored look as if he’s just about to pass out on everything, but those soft, lethargic eyes were made to deceive and seduce, expressing a lot and nothing at the same time even behind those stupid facemasks.
You really hated that habit of his, which you noticed he only does towards you. At times, when you attempt to do something and excel at it (which he’s already good at), he would give you that challenging look, his brows rising a fraction as if he’s silently saying, “Alright, people, let’s give the floor to L/N Y/N and watch her fail.”
He only talks a lot when he’s arguing with you and most of the time, you lose because of that relaxed look about his face that would sometimes escalate to a full-blown grin that plucked at your nerves one by one, either making you angry or just making you feel like a goddamn loser. There’s always that taunting look in his eyes, and when he sees you wavering, he’ll nod as if he was affirming your thoughts of failure. You, on the other hand, always lose your temper and always end up saying too much to him which he would then use against you when he finds it convenient.
When things are really serious or if he is on hyper drive to annoy the hell out of you, Kiyoomi would be towering over your form, curse his height, motioning to touch you with those beautiful, slender fingers with an unfathomable look about his face. You’d always flinch away whenever his cold fingers would make contact with your skin. That’s also when he would withdraw his hand and walk away after flashing your with what seems to be a pained look.
Those incidences are becoming more frequent recently and he would go all touchy-feely which would then freak the hell out of you enough to send you running for your life. You’ve come to realize that one time when you noted that he kept visiting the school infirmary which you avoided like the plague because of the university doctor, and one time, when you met there by accident, he motioned to touch your cheek but withdrew, then again, he flashed you that expression as if you’ve murdered his family.
Kiyoomi is very subtle, but he makes sure to leave a dent in everyone’s consciousness… especially yours.
You’re quite afraid of him, but you can’t help but be near him at the same time. It’s not your choice, but at the same time it is. Circumstances dictate that you should be with him, and volition also dictates that you should be around him because then, you didn’t think your day would be complete or that your achievements are validated enough if he wasn’t there to see it. It’s a weird relationship where you desire to prove yourself to him quite desperately while he torments the shit out of you.
Or maybe you’re a deranged masochist after all and an idiot who likes to court danger. You’ve always thought that Kiyoomi is that psychotic guy who would kill you brutally in the future after he’s done toying with you – you’ve had nightmares about that. But despite the uneasiness, you feel thrilled and alive whenever you’re around him. He’s always something you look forward to, beating him, that is. You guessed, despite the fact that he seems bored with you, you can never get bored of him until you actually win against him.
You’re probably obsessed with the notion of defeating him, while he’s telling you off subtly because his message can’t seem to make it through your unusually thick skull, well, based on his standards.
You were afraid it just got worse recently. He stepped his game up in this little act of intimidation he would play with just a slight change in the arrangement of his facial muscles as long as his eyes were on you. It was as if your brain would stop working once he locks eyes with you. You’re afraid the effect of those looks has become even more potent after that little incident at the library.
Honestly, you don’t know what the hell his deal was that day. It used to be that you were the one bugging him, not the other way around, but when you’ve got yourself convinced that you can never win against him and that you’re over it, he does what you did to him in the past – challenges you.
“I bet you can’t do it,” he said with that sarcastic smile of his.
You scoffed at him, thinking him ridiculous since he did not even tell you what his challenge was and he was already telling you that you are not able to do it. Wanting to prove yourself to him, of course, you jumped the trigger and said that whatever he tells you, you can do.
“Then kiss me,” he said out of the blue, pulling his mask down. “That’s my challenge. Can you do it?”
You blinked at him. There you were quietly sitting and doing your work, and he dishes out something like that. “Kiss you? What kind of challenge is that?” You snorted. It was stupid, really. “Are you that touch-starved?”
He stood up from his chair and stalked towards you then. The moment he was near enough, he turned your chair so it was facing him, trapping you between his arms. “So,” he arched a brow, again with that same taunting look. “Can you?”
“What the hell –”
“Because I can if you’re too much of a chicken to do it.” He smirked as he inched closer.
You leveled your expression to his. “Is that all? Seriously, Sakusa, what do you think of me?” Without warning, you turned tables on him, seizing his arm and pushing hos bigger form down the chair instead. With eyes wide open and all the guts you could muster, you leaned forward swiftly, touching your lips against his own.
He froze, probably not expecting you to do it at all, but his shock and your victory soon ebbed away and you felt him smile underneath your lips. Kiyoomi leered. “You call that a kiss?”
You straightened up, surprised that your emotions and thoughts were not a chaotic mess. You were pretty calm for someone who just gave your first kiss away to the person you hated the most. Idiot. “What do you think of yourself, a lucky bastard? What makes you think –”
He arched a brow at you, tilting his head to the side. “You’re incompetent in so many levels, L/N Y/N.” He also stood up and again, reached over with his fingers, leaning closer until your noses were nearly touching. His eyes strayed to your lips as he leaned even closer. That’s when you bolted out of the room.
He acted like nothing happened after that and challenged you again to another competition, the same one which brought you to the present – nervously staring at your phone, particularly at a message he sent telling you to get to his house on your own because he can’t come pick you up.
Kiyoomi did not live anywhere near your neighborhood. He lived in the suburbs and you weren’t really sure where the hell to find his house since you haven’t been there for ages, but then, he texted you the address and saw that it was located a few blocks from your place, an condominium complex to be precise. You didn’t know he moved out of his family house.
You found yourself standing in front of the door which had the number of the unit in gold inlays above it. It was a good hour and a half after your supposed meeting time, but you really couldn’t care less what he would think of the fact that you’re late. You’re too busy lamenting the fact that you’re spending a Saturday with him.
You knocked, but he did not answer. You tried again, but all you got was silence. Damn everything, if he was playing tricks on you, you would really kill him. You knocked again, but you got the same result. That’s when you decided to call him. You heard his phone ringing from inside the unit. You frowned, keeping the phone ringing.
“Sakusa!” you called then you heard a low groan from somewhere inside. Thinking that he was just sleeping, you knocked louder on the door, but you heard nothing after that. A sense of dread assaulted you as you reached for the doorknob, which was, surprisingly, unlocked. You went inside the unit, looking around the sterile white walls and grey carpet. It looked like an office. Very fitting to its owner.
You’re not even surprised to see that knowing Kiyoomi’s personality, but the dread you felt became worse when you saw an outstretched arm on the floor, sticking out from a door at the end of a short hallway. A few inches from it was Kiyoomi’s phone.
“Sakusa!” You rushed breathlessly towards the room. As you were expecting, he was unconscious on the floor, looking pale. You kneeled beside him, feeling for a pulse. There was but he was out of it. On top of that, he was burning.
You raised his head to your lap, shaking him slightly. “Sakusa, are you with me? Hey, Kiyoomi?” You started muttering expletives under your breath when he didn’t respond quick enough, your brain already conjuring the worst.
He just groaned, his head lolling limply to the side. You had to hold him against you as you dialed for an ambulance, but then you felt his cold fingers closing around your wrist. His eyes were open and he was shaking his head.
“What the hell happened to you?” Your voice came out high-pitched.
“P-passed out…” He blinked, breathing shallowly. “I’m okay.”
You made a face at him, quite shaken by the fact that you thought him adorable just then than the fact that he looked almost dead with that pale complexion. You’ve got to admit you love seeing him weak, but you weren’t a sadist who reveled in the pain of others and he wasn’t an exception.
“No, you’re not. Let’s get you to the hospital.” You motioned to stand up, but he stopped you and shook his head no with that stubborn expression he always has whenever you are debating about something.
“It’s just a fever.”
“Which could be a symptom to something else.” You helped him up. The moment you were successful at wrapping his arm around your shoulder, you were met by that natural scent that lingered about him. It made you feel so at home for some reason, eliciting nostalgic memories from your childhood. It was another thing that probably drew you to him. He reminds you so much of good days. The irony of it.
You led him to his bed, which was tidy. In fact, it did not even look like he slept on it. You sat him down and he immediately collapsed on the mattress. Just then, your eyes fell on the desk at the far end of the room. The lamp was on with a thick book open under it.
“Did you even sleep?” you asked, not really expecting an answer as you shifted your narrowed eyes from the desk to his direction. You scoffed at that, knowing that he will not satisfy you with an answer.
He rolled his eyes and sported that bored look again before closing them. “Don’t dare call an ambulance or I swear I’m gonna make your life a living hell.”
“Funny. I thought you’re already at it.” You shook your head, suddenly feeling stupid that you had to blurt out your thoughts. You smirked at him and approached his nightstand, staring at his still figure on the bed, his head turned towards the other side, but your mind was focused on the landline. “Might as well.”
His head snapped to your direction when he heard you pull the receiver off of the cradle. “What –”
You dialed the emergency hotline and raised the receiver to your ear, satisfied to hear the first ring when suddenly, everything went silent after you heard the harsh sound of something being pulled and torn from the wall.
You turned to face Kiyoomi, his body bent off the edge of the bed as he held the wire connected to the phone itself. He slowly looked up and glared at you. He was that desperate not to get into an ambulance.
You dropped the receiver and took your phone out instead, but he lunged forward and seized the device from your hand, holding it away from you as he laid down on the bed, eye intent on you, his breath snagged and shallow after all his exertions.
“Seriously? You chose the wrong time to be arguing with me about getting into an ambulance, you annoying brat!”
“What did I tell you?” he whispered shakily, placing a hand over his eyes in frustration.
You smirked at him. “You have another phone outside.” You were about to make your way out of the room when he seized you by the waist, making you sit down on the bed just by his side. His arm was around you, firmly holding you into place. You struggled to get away from him, but he was strong despite his state.
“Sakusa Kiyoomi!”
He didn’t say anything, caging you in his arms.
“Let’s just call your dad.”
“No.”
“Then I’ll call our family doctor.”
“No!” He breathed out noisily, conveying his annoyance towards you. “You’re not getting me into such a stupid-looking car.”
“I’ll drive you if you want.”
“Don’t want to move…”
There was really no sense arguing with such an incorrigible person, especially not Sakusa Kiyoomi. You wonder why you even try, knowing for sure he couldn’t be swayed to do otherwise once he sets his mind on something. It was getting frustrating.
You took his arm off of you, but he tightened his grip, refusing to let go.
“Ugh! Clingy much?”
He leaned his head at the base of your neck without saying, his breath coming out in warm batches, making you nervous.
“Fine. You said you’re okay, right? I’ll just leave,” you told him, feeling guilty, but masking it well. To your surprise, his eyes widened and his grip on you started to resemble that of a boa constrictor securing its prey. Fear etched its way across his face, his eyes watering to the brim.
“NO! No…” He was hyperventilating after making an effort to get up and hold you down. “Please…Y/N…don’t leave me…”
Damn, is he even aware of what he is doing right now? Well, his state made you panic, too. It’s just so weird. “O…kay.”
His eyes were still on you as he hesitated to lie down again. He handed you the phone. “Call Iizuna instead.”
You arched a brow at him. “Iizuna Tsukasa? The school doctor?”
He nodded, closing his eyes. “He’ll come for sure.”
You frowned. You never really liked that person. You just stared at him even as he was handing you the phone until he opened his eyes and asked you if there was any problem. You shook your head and immediately dialed the doctor’s number.
After a few rings, the school physician answered the phone and told you he will come in a while after you’ve explained the situation. It puzzled you how he seemed to understand what was going on immediately without much questions.
Setting the phone down and removing your coat, you realizing that you were also still holding your bag. You preoccupied yourself by preparing the necessary things you would need to lower Kiyoomi’s fever, and of course, you had to assure him you weren’t leaving.
There were a plethora of pills in the medicine cabinet in the bathroom, but thankfully, you found something that would help, including a cold pack already frozen in his freezer. You couldn’t help but wonder if he always got sick or if he already had a preexisting condition.
When you came back into his room, he was out cold, breathing shallowly and sweating profusely. His button up shirt which he wore over a white undershirt was soaked by the time you were done, so you decided to wake him up.
“You gotta get changed,” you told him, handing him a blue body-hugger you found inside his closet, which was, by the way, arranged by kind and color. Talk about being a neat freak.
He opened his eyes, staring blankly. “I c-can’t…”
You made a face at him. “You can stay up all night reading about quantum physics and you can’t change your shirt?” You scoffed. “Did you purposefully call me here to be your maidservant for the day?”
He nodded, holding his head down, his ears becoming red. “I’m sorry.”
“If you really are then you will change your shirt on your own.” You handed him said garment.
Kiyoomi motioned to take his upper garments off, starting with the black button-up he was wearing. He was successful albeit slow, but the moment he got to his undershirt, he struggled with just getting it over his chest and gave up, looking at you helplessly.
“I really –”
You glared at him for a moment and removed the shirt from him, taking over from that point on. All the while, you avoided looking at his face. You were in the middle of mopping off perspiration from his back when someone suddenly spoke from the direction of the door.
“You’re this weak, huh?” It was the doctor.
You merely glanced at the doctor who was eyeing you cheekily before putting Kiyoomi’s shirt on him before hurriedly helping properly tuck Kiyoomi in bed as you explained the circumstances to Tsukasa. You spoke without even looking at him once and he didn’t say anything about that. You guessed he just reminded you so much of your mother, and having a pair of eyes in school, and now at Sakusa’s house, on you that resembled her made you antsy. They were siblings anyway, the youngest child in the family to be precise, and he was that estranged uncle you did not really know or like even when you were younger. Your dad doesn’t like him either and you never knew why, but looking at matters now, you didn’t exactly hate him. He was just strange.
You bowed after that and prepared to leave the room, but Kiyoomi, curse him to the pits of hell, held you back and told you to stay to which you shook your head. “Doctor Iizuna will check on you now and it’s not like I’m going anywhere farther than your living room.” What’s with him and being all too clingy today?
The older male smiled at you then. “You may stay, Y/N.” He set his bag down by the bed. “We’re all family here anyway.”
You cringed inwardly.
The doctor chuckled then. “The patient wants you here.” He smirked at Kiyoomi then. “Let’s not make him snap, shall we?”
Kiyoomi glared at your uncle’s direction, but gave you instructions to sit on the chair in front of his desk nonetheless.
Tsukasa began a series of tests, asking this and that. Kiyoomi answered impatiently, showing covert hostility towards the former with clipped answers. Now that you’re watching them interact, you think they have the same personality. Just what did Kiyoomi have to do with your mother’s brother? Maybe your family ties were closer than you’ve expected.
“It’s the same case,” the doctor said after a while. “Fatigue and mild arrhythmia…but…”
Arrhythmia? Your eyes landed on Kiyoomi who pretended not to notice your questioning look as he addressed your uncle. “But what?”
“There are so many things I do not know about you as of late,” Tsukasa suddenly said as he was fixing things inside his bag. He glanced at you. “I didn’t realize how much my niece has grown.”
“You’re not exactly ten years, my senior, Doc,” you remarked off-handedly.
He took that good-naturedly then looked at Kiyoomi with an arched brow. “And I did not know you are dating my niece.”
You made sport of the way Tsukasa referred to you.
“I’m not,” Kiyoomi said reluctantly after flashing a hostile look at your direction.
“Then what’s with the insistence for her to stay?” He chuckled. “Quite desperately, too.”
“Uncle,” you interrupted rather firmly, arching a brow at him as you stood up, motioning with your head for him to follow you outside. Although he was annoying the hell out of you by implying that you had a relationship with Kiyoomi, you were keener on knowing what is wrong with him. The doctor was being careful when he said it was ‘the same case,’ and you did not miss how Kiyoomi looked at him.
After bidding Kiyoomi goodbye, Tsukasa followed you out of the room. You closed the door to the bedroom and walked him to the door, asking him about Kiyoomi’s real condition.
“He pretty much suffers from fatigue all the time, balancing his studies and training at his father’s company. He's also showing signs of an imminent cold on top of the usual suspects,” the doctor said.
“Arrhythmia? That concerns itself with the heart, right?”
“Yes, but nothing to worry about. It’s not bad. He’s just always on his toes these days.”
You almost laughed at that. Kiyoomi? On his toes? Why? Of course, you uncle did not fail to notice that and arched a brow at you. He works for the university and yet he doesn’t know what the hell is going on between you and his patient. Of all the things, he suspected that you were dating.
You cleared you throat. “He’s not sick, sick, is he?”
“No. He’s sick somewhere else.” He laughed, but cut himself short when you eyed him quizzically. Obviously, you did not get the joke. He also cleared his throat. “Look, Y/N, I do not know what my sister and your father told you about me, but I’m not so bad.”
“I know. I just don’t…” You sighed. “I’m sorry, Uncle.”
“Don’t call me that. Just Tsukasa is fine.”
You didn’t say anything, suddenly embarrassed about how you acted around him for the past decade.
“It’s obvious you don’t want to have anything to do with me.”
Shrugging, you met your uncle’s gaze for the first time. “That’s the thing. They didn’t tell me anything. I guess we’re just not close and nobody really talks about you.”
He chuckled then, putting on his coat. “You take after your father. Thank goodness you look like my sister.” He patted your head then, withdrawing his hand when you flinched. He eyed you apologetically. “Anyway, please stay with Kiyoomi. He’s not really going to be able to fend for himself today. Just lower his fever when it spikes and give him cold meds. He’s just tired.”
You nodded. “Will do.”
The doctor left after that and you found yourself silently making your way back to Kiyoomi’s room. You found him lying on his side, watching as you entered through the door. He didn't say anything even as you touched his forehead to check if he was still running a fever. He was, so you just took Tsukasa’s advice and decided to stay with him. It wouldn't hurt once. Besides, Kiyoomi owing you sounded beyond interesting.
"You still have fever.”
"You have a knack for pointing out the obvious, too," he commented, looking like he was about to laugh but then started coughing instead.
On instinct, you sat down beside him and started tapping his back. You honestly didn't know what to do so you just did what you know, but he held your hand away. "You might catch my germs," he said when he has calmed down.
"Right." You stood up then, keeping your distance.
"You don't have to be that far," he griped.
Your chuckled nervously. "For good measure?" He rolled his eyes at that. Normally, you would have thrown a shoe at him or something, but he's sick and you’re not that cruel. "Do you want anything?"
He shook his head as he adjusted his position to a more comfortable one.
"I guess you better rest then."
"I will on one condition."
Here we go again. "What condition?"
"When I wake up, you should still be here."
"Seriously?" you snickered at that. He's such a silly person right now.
"Just agree for once, will you?" he said breathlessly. "You're mine for the day, remember?"
That's a nice way to put it. You shrugged and pulled his swivel chair towards the bed then. "Alright. Just rest already."
For the first time that day, Kiyoomi smiled before closing his eyes.
***
For the rest of the day, you stayed by Kiyoomi's side, running here and there to get him whatever he wanted. It was oppressive. After he went to sleep, you called your mother and asked her what you should do with him, mentioning that her dearest brother had been rather vague about the instructions he had given you.
'Why are you obligated to care for some sick person? You should just leave whoever that is under the care of a professional. It's not like you're good at anything concerning the household anyway, much less taking care of a sick person.'
"Wow, thanks, Mom. It's not like you trained me to be actually good at anything else apart from academics!" you retorted, exasperated. "Sakusa and I are supposed to do something else, but he's sick."
'Kiyoomi? Our Omi-Omi?' Her tone suddenly changed. There was that, too. Your mother had nothing but good words to offer where Kiyoomi was concerned. If she doesn't keep pushing you towards the guy, you would have thought she had a huge crush on him. You can't go anywhere to have fun unless you tell her that Kiyoomi would be there.
“Yes, Mother.”
'Take good care of him. I'll e-mail you the instructions. My dear daughter, you should do your best to nurse my future son-in-law back to perfect health. Poor guy.'
"Mom!"
'Don't shout. You will upset him!'
"I'm not even in his room so I can shout all I want. What future son-in-law are you taking about? We're not even friends to begin with." You've had enough of your mother's silliness so you told her to just e-mail whatever she had to and hung up.
Ugh!
She, too, could be so irritating at times. You always lose to Kiyoomi and she wouldn't even take your side for it. 'Remember, it's okay for Kiyoomi to dominate you as long as you come as his close second,' she told you one time when you were so upset and about to throw the towel down. She's just too intent to have you marry the guy in the future like his own father was.
The instructions arrived quicker than what you've expected. It even included a recipe of porridge, but you had no intention to burn his kitchen down so you thought you should just go out and buy everything. He didn't have cooling patches either so you needed to run to the drugstore to get them. You checked on Kiyoomi and saw that he was awake, barely, but his eyes were open.
You stood by his bed and leaned down to check his temperature. He was still too warm. When you were sure that he was aware of your presence, you said, "Hey, I have to go out for a while to get some stuff for you."
As soon as the words left your mouth, he broke into a fit of panic, his dark eyes becoming wide as a mix of resentment and horror etched its way across his face. "No!" he wheezed and pulled you down on the bed. You fell right on top of him, about to get up, but he held you down.
"Ki – Sakusa! I c-can't breathe…" You struggled to get up from the rather awkward position since your face was technically buried against the crook of neck which was slightly moist with sweat. Surprisingly, he smelled so good, like mint and autumn leaves with a hint of rubbing alcohol. What were you thinking? You tried to get up again and only stopped struggling when he finally spoke.
"You can't leave me…" he all but whispered, his hold on you becoming a tad slack, but he was still applying force to keep you with him. "Y-you promised. We had a deal."
"Okay, I get it, Sakusa. Can I at least get up?" you asked, raising yourself slightly, but he shook his head. "You'll leave me if I do."
God, you couldn’t handle his stubbornness. He was worse than a kid throwing a tantrum. "You're being a pain right now. I won't leave you if you don't want me to."
"You're just saying that," he mumbled against your cheek, the way his mouth made contact with your skin making you panic. "You will leave me the moment you get the chance."
"What are you saying?"
"I heard you. You said we're not friends." He's actually sulking over that, but if there was something you couldn't do, it was to lie to him. You relaxed a bit, taking the liberty to ruffle his soft locks, smiling slightly when he leaned to your touch. "We aren't exactly friends, you know. Why would I say otherwise? Maybe you'd call me delusional if I even thought of it."
"You don't want to be with me," he accused.
That's a lie.
"After all the effort I've put in…even asking your annoying uncle for advice…"
"What?"
"Everyone wants us to be together except you."
You didn't know if he was shitting you again or if he was being serious with everything he was saying. If anything, it sounded like a confession, but given the fact that he loved to toy with you regardless of your feelings, you didn't assume anything. They weren't exactly nice words, but you somewhat felt like they were the most pleasant things he said to you.
You frowned at that and heaved yourself up to look at him, but when you did, he was already sleeping. Ah! He's in delirium, huh? You got off him and fixed his blankets, leaving him to sleep. You really had to go out and come back before he wakes up. God, he's such a pain!
You went out to pick up everything he needed when you’re sure he was asleep. Luckily, there were shops where you could get everything just a few blocks from his apartment. You returned after half an hour and prepared his food. You were in the middle of reheating the porridge when the alarm you’ve set for his meds went off. You hurriedly finished off in the kitchen and went to his room to wake him up.
Kiyoomi easily came to consciousness and obediently took the meds, but in the process, he spilled water all over his shirt and blankets. It's added work, but you took his soiled blanket and even gave him a change of clothes, but again, he needed you to dress him. You couldn't quite concentrate on the task, noticing how smooth his skin was and how he fit in the criteria of body built you wanted in your first boyfriend. You mentally smacked yourself for considering such things where he was concerned, but you couldn't help it when he's just too pretty even in his state.
"I'm sorry for making you do this," he said in frustration. "This isn't what I meant when I made that deal with you."
You snickered at that. "It's okay. Your health is more important. Besides, there's still next time," you assured him.
He arched a brow. "You mean that?"
You shrugged. "It's not like I have the power to kick you out of my house when you come unannounced, right?"
He smirked at you then. "Your parents adore me, probably more than you."
You laughed sarcastically at that. "Funny, Sakusa." You stood up and walked out of the room to get the porridge and brought it back to his room. "You have to eat."
He nodded and motioned to sit up, but he was too weak to do even that. You had to hoist him up so he could lean against the pillows and the headboard, oferring him the lap table so he could eat. He did try to lift his arm, but they fell on his sides like limp noodles as quickly as he attempted it.
"Do you need me to feed you?" you asked with a pained expression you tried very much to hide. He's sick and you didn't want him to be upset, too, because of your reluctance, but you couldn't help it after what he said earlier. He didn't seem to have a clue about the matter, too. You hated how composed he is even in such a moment while you’re just losing it all the time.
He nodded then. "Please?"
"Okay." You lifted the spoon and fed him the porridge when it was no longer too hot. It was comical. You’ve never imagined you would be in such a situation with him. He always looked capable of doing whatever by himself and yet there you were.
"How was it?" you asked as he was chewing on the last spoonful.
"Just fine," he answered, his brows knitting together. You hated it when he does that. "You're on edge," he commented then.
You dropped the spoon in the bowl with a disgusting sloppy noise. "I'm fine."
"Are you?" He grinned evilly at you then. He seemed better. "Is my presence that overwhelming?"
You glowered at nothing in particular. "You're this weak and yet you have the guts to say those things."
"I'm just physically ill. It doesn't change anything."
"Yeah, you're still an ass." You shoved the spoon into his mouth, making some porridge drip at the side of his mouth.
He grimaced then. "Look what you did!"
"Look what you made me do!" You reached for some napkin on his bedside table and wiped his mouth with it. "I'm trying my best here. Can you at least be nice to me?"
At that, he laughed weakly. "I'm always nice to you."
"Yeah, if insulting me all the time is nice."
"I don't mean to be mean all the time," he said to you and lifted his hand to touch your hair. "You're just too adorable when you're irritated. I can't help it."
You felt your face heating up. Did he just call me cute? You stared at him in disbelief when that voice in your head said yes. "You're really sick, huh?"
"I'm feeling better."
"So you say."
He rolled his eyes then. "I'm full."
You stood up and took the lap table, putting it on the floor. You gave him water then, not forgetting to hold the glass for him this time. When he was done drinking, you placed it on the tray and brought it to the kitchen, returning to his room right after to find him wrapping the blanket over his back as he sat straight against the headboard.
"Are you cold?" You rummaged through the shopping bags on the floor where you've put the cooling patches and the disposable hand warmers you’ve picked up as well.
Kiyoomi nodded, shivering slightly as he wrapped the blanket tighter around him. You took the bag and sat down before him, giving him the warmers before fixing the blanket around him. He patted the space near him, telling you to move closer. You sat beside him on the bed, tensing up when he suddenly leaned his head on your shoulder, his soft hair brushing against your cheek.
"Thank you, YL/N."
"It's not a big deal.”
"It is to me."
You glanced at him. "Why is that?"
"Because I know you care enough to stay."
That got you to arch a brow at him. What the hell was he talking about? It wasn't as if you didn't care about him. He has been a part of your life for as long as you can remember and you are not insensitive to his presence or anything about him. If anything, your senses seemed to be turned up to eleven where he is concerned, and not that he is sick, I couldn't just be indifferent to him.
"I-it's not that…" You shook your head, unable to focus on what you should say with the way he was staring as if he was seeing right through you. The cocktail of nervousness and excitement as well as the need to prove yourself to him came rushing back again. There was just no winning against this guy even if he was just looking at you. "Do you think I don't care enough for you?"
"I annoy you, that's a sure thing. I don't necessarily see you caring for me except today."
"That's because you never gave me the chance to do that," you retorted. "Look, Sakusa, you always piss me off, and I might actually care if you just tone down a bit on that. Besides, if I didn't care, I wouldn't be here in the first place."
"So you do care for me?" he asked again, looking like he was suppressing a smile.
"Yes. What do you take me for?"
"Do you want an answer to that?" He chuckled then, but you didn't find anything funny.
You pushed him lightly, narrowing your eyes at him. You were getting frustrated. "Yes, actually I do. How exactly do you see me? God, I just want to open your skull and see what is going on inside that brain of yours!"
"You're my rival. Nobody comes close to that, but at the same time…" He sighed then and looked at you intently. "You don't really get it, do you? I mean, I actually said things to you earlier and you still don't get it."
"What?"
"Well, not every person has it all like me."
You chuckled without humor. "Yeah? You're full of yourself as always. What don't I get, huh?"
He ran his fingers through his hair, messing it up. "What am I to you?"
You didn’t know what to say then. You didn't know how to answer his question. What is Sakusa Kiyoomi to you? "You're not my friend."
"No, as much as I hate to admit it, I'm not. I don't want to be your friend." He stared intently at you as he spoke as if he was making you understand something that he is not saying.
"Wow. Okay." That stung.
"What else?"
Your face heated up when you thought of it. "You're my purpose…”
“Huh?” It was his turn to be stunned.
“At least with regard to my studies." You sighed. "I can't explain it, but even if you are not my friend or anything, you give me the drive to do better. I can't deny the fact that I look forward to seeing you all the time because I know I would be able to exceed my expectations of myself by going against you. In the end, it's not enough, but you see, I like where I am now and some credit goes to you for pushing me all the time."
"I don't get it."
You shrugged. "I'm being honest here. It's not like I'm the one confusing people all the time."
"You actually do. At times you smile at me like I can do no wrong, but you would also glare at me as if you want to kill me. There are times when you say things to me but you don't mean them, or maybe you do but you make it seem like you don't. You react to me the way I want you to, but you shoot me down just as quickly. What is it really, YL/N?"
You met his gaze then. He really is handsome even if he looked sallow with sickness. "What do you want it to be?"
"I'll give that decision to you."
"It depends."
"On what?" He seemed to be vexed.
"I don't know."
His eyes turned to slits, but his words were rather contradictory. "What if I tell you I like you?"
Your ears started to get warm and that weird ringing sound invaded your thoughts as you tried to process what he said. "This is hypothetical, right?"
"No."
Your eyes almost bugged out when he said that.
"I like you, YL/N. I don't want to be your friend because I like you more than that. I liked you from the moment I saw you. You just don't see it."
"Kiyoomi, I…"
"You said my name." He smiled then, the lightest tinge of rose touching his cheeks. "You usually don't."
"I don't know why I said it either." You blinked at him. "I think I'm going to freak out now…"
You chuckled nervously when suddenly, you were pushed down on the bed, landing on his pillows which smelled so much like him. Mint and autumn leaves. The sight of the ceiling disappeared, replaced by his face dominating your line of vision as he hovered over you. You flashed him a pained look, feeling your face getting hotter like that time you ran away from him when he tried to kiss you.
"I'm asking you now, YL/N. I like you. Do you like me back?"
"No – yes, er…I don't know." You covered your face with your hands, but he pried it off. You closed your eyes but then peeked at him. "If you're not sick anymore, I'm leaving."
Kiyoomi shrugged, flexing his jaw as if his manly ego was challenged. "I'm still sick. Now answer me properly. Do you like me or not? And if it comforts you, I'm asking if you like me as a man."
"That doesn't comfort me at all."
"L/N Y/N," he hissed. God, he's scary.
You looked at him then and nodded your head slowly. "What's not to like?" you offered.
"Yes or no. I need to hear it."
"Y…" You whined then, kicking your legs underneath him. "Do I have to?"
"Yes. I was honest. It's the least you could do."
Damn it! "Fine! Yes, I like you, Kiyoomi. I do. Are you happy? You won again!"
At that, he broke into that smile that made you feel like the heavens are opening to welcome you to paradise with the angels singing in the background. He sighed and brushed away some locks of hair from your face. "Great. I don't have to go see your blasted uncle to ask for advice."
You made a face at that. "You what?"
"Lame, I know."
"Beyond that, actually."
He pouted. "Hey now! I really wanted to know more about you. Turns out he’s even more clueless."
You giggled at that, poking him on the cheek. "You're silly, Sakusa Kiyoomi."
"Yeah?"
"Mhmm."
He leaned closer then, putting some of his weight on you, but before you could protest, he cupped your face with his hands and stared into your eyes then shifted his gaze lower to your lips. "Can I give you my germs?"
You froze. "N-no – "
"You hesitated." With that, he dipped his lips against yours, lightly pressing and watching your reaction. You couldn't fight it, and when he detected that, his lips started moving, coaxing you to respond. Your heart started pounding and your hands, with a mind of their own, held onto his hair, pulling him closer. His gentle manner and the taste of him made your toes curl and your mind to lose all sense of space and time. It was just Kiyoomi and you.
He pulled back before you were ready making you chase him, pressing your mouth against his, catching him off guard. He was surprised, but he responded to you in kind. This time, Kiyoomi kissed you harder, your breaths meshing until both of you couldn't breathe.
You chuckled at the dazed look about his face when you both pulled away for breath. Kiyoomi then buried his face against the junction of your neck. The tables have turned. You know you got him this time, and as if to confirm your thoughts, he said, "I've totally lost this time."
"I won, huh?"
"You always win where I am concerned, Y/N, but hey, congratulations, I guess?"
You feigned surprise at that. "I think I heard wrong," you said, imitating his tone the previous day. "The Sakusa Kiyoomi actually congratulated me."
He heaved himself up and smirked at you. "Do you want me to make you sicker?" he asked, his eyes fixated on your lips again.
You smirked at him in response, placing a hand on the side of his face. "Bring it on, Sakusa."
-end-
Thank you so much for reading. Likes, comments and reblogs are deeply appreciated! Hope you enjoyed it.
© ORIGINAL WORK BY nanaminokanojo. CHARACTERS ARE INSPIRED BY FURUDATE HARUICHI’S “HAIKYUU!”. [20220623]
PHOTO/IMAGE/GIF/FANART CREDITS TO THE RESPECTIVE OWNERS.
*cross posted on A03
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𝐒𝐚𝐤𝐮𝐬𝐚 𝐊𝐢𝐲𝐨𝐨𝐦𝐢 𝐎𝐧𝐞 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐭 | 𝐋𝐞𝐭’𝐬 𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭 𝐀𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐈𝐧 𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐍𝐞𝐱𝐭 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞
It's been a long time since I've written a Sakusa piece, and I kind of got a little crazy with it.
Judging by the title, it's not your usual fluff.
Pairing: Sakusa Kiyoomi (timeskip) x fem reader! (she/her)
Genre(s): tragedy, angst
Warning(s): terminal illness, reader's death, lots of sad stuff.
Please proceed with caution.
Sakusa Kiyoomi
“Kiyoomi, let’s break up.”
On the seventh anniversary of our relationship, I decided to break it off with the man that I once decided that I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. I knew he would propose to me in that fancy restaurant that would have taken months to get a reservation to go in. I even know that he got my dream ring because he hid it in the drawer of his socks compartment.
I broke it off with him because I want him to resent me.
I want him to resent me to the point that he does not want to remember me or forgets all about me.
Why?
He deserves someone better than me because I am a bad person.
After the dinner date, I successfully stopped the proposal and ditched him there and spend the night at a cheap motel. No matter how many times he called or messaged, I ignore all of it. I deleted all the photos we shared together in my phone, so that I will not regret what I am going to do for the next few months.
This was killing me on the inside but I have to do this.
On the first day of post breakup, I packed up all my stuff and send it back to my childhood home back in Okinawa. I wanted to throw all of our pictures hanging around our home, but I want to give him the honours of destroying our happy memories.
I quit my job in Osaka and left for Okinawa. On the same day, the news article of our breakup was released. I felt some weight lifted from my heart. At least he accepted it.
During my first week back, it finally hit me. I broke up with the love of my life. I cried every night to sleep. It was painful, harsh and torture to sleep by myself but it was all of a choice made by myself.
As I was not working anymore, I had more time to spend with my family and helped out with the family small yet bustling inn that was filled with tourist.
Weeks turned into months and it was time for my family to know the truth. It was the first time I saw my tough bear papa bawled like a baby that day. I felt bad but the truth was going to come out sooner or later.
Every evening, either my mother or father would bring me to the beachside for a light walk. They say it was for my own good, but I know they are just worried about me. I guess I should not let them worry more.
Instead of going out for one of my usual night walks, I asked them to give me some privacy.
I prepared three envelopes and begin writing.
Oh, it’s not some love letters. It was my will. One for my parents, another for…him and another one for our baby girl. I used to be a lawyer, so this was a piece of cake for me. Who am I kidding? It’s never easy. I’ve tried written my wills a thousand times but I could not do it.
It kind of seals the deal that I am going to die.
When I received my diagnosis, it was a nightmare in disguise. I was 18 weeks along and…I have cancer. A terminal one at that. Life sure loves me…huh. I have already started on chemo, since I have passed the danger zone but I have lost all my hair.
I hope my baby girl gets her daddy’s luscious dark curls. How do I know if it’s a girl? I just know in my gut feeling that it will be a girl.
Besides, I hope my baby girl looks like him, I don’t want to leave another piece of me behind for him.
This is torture.
Why is life so unfair? I just wanted to be a good lawyer, get married to the love of my life and have children with him. Is it so difficult for me to live a normal life?
But I am glad to see him moving on. I recently read on an article that he was spotted on a date with one of the famous actresses that my mother probably watches.
I am happy for him. Truly, I hope he lives his life for himself and not for me.
My doctors told me that I will be able to carry my baby to full term and that was all I need. I hate chemo but I needed to do it for my baby girl.
There could be a change of events cause Mama’s body is very sick, so I am going to name you Miyuu.
I am going to add in the will in case someone objects to your name.
When my friends flew into Okinawa to see me, they all broke down and bawled like babies. Do I look that terrible? Guess I don’t have the pregnancy glow that most pregnant ladies have.
And yes, I am having a baby girl. My chemo treatment has stopped as we have about eight more weeks to my delivery date.
Everyone was updating on how their life has gone and then they told me about him too.
I am glad that he is moving on well with his life.
That is all that matter, his happiness.
As long he is happy, I can leave this world happily.
I hear the beeping of the machine and my shallow breathing in the oxygen mask that helps to breathe better. I felt my bump weakly and relaxed when I heard the strong heart beating of my baby girl.
Miyuu, darling, I’m sorry that mummy got sick before you came out to this beautiful world.
I hope you are as healthy as your father, but not the anal person like him. Be more like mummy and make more friends.
But don’t lie to your loved ones like mummy. Always be truthful.
I know you will grow up and be loved by everyone.
Mummy is going to take a rest now, my sweet darling, be safe and healthy.
“Code blue!”
The flatline, the dreaded beep sounds, the anxiety and helpless of not being able to do anything. The doctors tried their best to stabilise the mother but it was no use. She was gone at the age of 28, and now they have to save the baby in her too.
They promised the young lady that they would save this baby of hers no matter what.
“Call the OBGYN, Paediatric surgeons and book the operation theatre. We have to deliver this baby now. I will inform the family.”
It was all too soon for the family but time was of the essence.
After losing his only daughter, now they have to pray for their granddaughter.
With shaky hands, he signed the form. The form to save his granddaughter but nothing could bring back his daughter. His precious girl that he raised for 28 years old, passed before him.
“Please…please tell me I’m not too late. No…Wait, what is going on?”
Kiyoomi lets out a shaky breath as he slowly approaches the glass window, and saw it all. Your lifeless body lying in there, while the doctors were prepping to go in for an urgent surgery. The baby bump broke him.
Your father wrapped his arms around the tall volleyball player and no words were needed.
He did not even say his last words or even spend your last moments together.
Without a care in the world, he cried in your father’s arms. He was too late, to hold you in his arms, to say I love you for the last time.
At least you did fulfil one of the promises that you make together, half of it, was to build a family with him.
Every second was agonising as they waited outside the operation theatre. Kiyoomi refused to rest until he knows his baby girl was out safe and he just wanted to hold your hand for the last time.
All this time, you were suffering and he was oblivious to it.
“Babe, it’s so painful. Why didn’t you tell me that you were suffering? Just how much pain were you in? I’m sorry…I’m so sorry…”
His siblings who flew down with him, could only wrapped their arms around him and comfort him.
[Two months later…]
After putting Miyuu to sleep, Kiyoomi went into your study room. He took a deep breath as he sat down in front of your table. The graduation photo that you took together was still on the table.
And the three envelopes.
He traced your handwriting on the envelope fondly and opened the content.
It was a letter.
Hi babe, can I still call you that after our breakup?
I know what I did was brutal because I want you to resent me. Resent me to the point that you hate seeing my name or remembering me. Forget me all…but I guess you couldn’t since you opened this letter. I wrote my name especially big on this envelope because I hope my name repels you but if you’re here, I’m glad.
My diagnosis was not in our plans at all and I was pregnant. I knew if I told you, you will drop everything and spend your time with me. I am going to die. I don’t want you doing that and regretting it. That’s why I planned the breakup and hiding from you.
When I saw your news of you dating again, I thought, I’m happy that he’s moving on.
But I’m not. I miss you so much. I want to hug and kiss you or get my daily cuddles. There is a lot more that I want to do with you Mimi but I don’t have the time. I hate it so much but I regret this. I love you so much, never once did I forget about our time together.
Please don’t forget about me. I really love you so much that I don’t want you to know that I die, but you were there? Weren’t you?
I’m sorry babe that you have to experience this.
Kiyoomi, take care of our baby girl, Miyuu. I gave her that name because you’re horrible with names! I love you so much.
With lots of love,
Your First and Last Love of Your Life.
P.s – Check the second drawer for a usb drive.
He wipes his tears and looked for the usb that you have left for him. It was his usb that you ‘borrowed’ from him during your second year of university and never gave it back.
It was videos.
But there was one that you titled it as ‘WATCH THIS FIRST’.
He clicked on it and it was you before you started on your chemo treatment.
“Erm…Hi Mimi. This is a little awkward but I wanted to film this before I start my treatment…so before I turned ugly. I’m sorry for everything, from hiding this and our baby.”
Kiyoomi’s eyes became teary as he watches you wiped your tears away.
“I don’t want to die but I guess it’s inevitable? I love you so much that even words can’t express how much I love you. Since I’m dying soon, I love you more, ‘kay? Please take care of my parents after I’m gone. I have kept my recipe books at the highest shelf where I keep my secret stash of chocolate, so cook those for our daughter.
I didn’t throw out any of our memories. It’s at Mika’s house. I couldn’t do it, so go and take it back.
Our little girl here, I hope that she looks like you but you probably wish that she looks like me, right?
Babe, I wished I had a time machine and went back to the time where I took my health seriously but I guess this is fate too.
Sakusa Kiyoomi, it was an honour to be loved by you in this life. If you don’t mind, can we meet again in our next life? In our next life, please marry me.
I love you so much and I’m sorry.”
And the video ends.
“In the next life, I will make sure we meet again, fall in love and get married and do all the things that we missed in this life. Why are you always right, she does looks like you. Our baby girl, she’s like you. I love you so much, so please let me come to you in the next life.”
For the first time after the birth of his daughter, he smiled for the first time.
This was written after the movie, More Than Blue. I got lots of inspiration from it and I hope you guys enjoyed it.
Stay safe and healthy,
With love,
Rosalie🍓
©️ ICHIGOROMI — Please do not plagiarise my work or re-edit and repost as your own.
Reblogs are appreciated!
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