#we don't talk about the changing quality these are from prev year and i just touched them up

[dukeofqueers]

watch me draw them embracing 7862 times and do nothing else

[mmilkbreadd]

Chapter thirteen: “Owls, Cats and Swans”

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(These links might not work, so I recommend you to enter my profile and look in the pinned post for new updates)

Warning(s): a bit longer than usual.

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Despite being a small market, you were able to get all the ingredients for the strawberry cake: eggs, flour, sugar, and, obviously, strawberries. The smell of them was exquisite, and they seemed of good quality too. 

Bokuto was already waiting for you at the entrance, where you had to pay for the products you bought for lunch. Besides the ingredients, you also wanted to buy a common sandwich, just like Koutarou.

“Woah, I didn't know you had a big stomach” Bokuto said looking at everything you were carrying between your hands. “Now I admire you more than ever!”

Shaking your head, you rested your purchases on the table where the cash register was located.

“No, Bokuto-san,” you said, taking your wallet out of the bag that had “Shiratorizawa” written on it. “Ushijima asked me to make a strawberry cake, that's why I brought all these things.”

Bokuto mouthed an “Oh”. Then he took his wallet out of his bag and before you could pay the cashier, he pushed your hand slowly and handed them the money.

You couldn't even complain about his actions, because he was already interrupting before you spoke: 

“No, y/n, I’ll pay... With one condition” the Fukurodani player took the bags with the purchases and pointed to the exit. “I want to try that cake too. Also, you need a kitchen where you can bake it since I doubt that there is a public one in the hotel where you stay. You and your friends can come to my house after the matches are over.”

Friends. What a strange word to refer to the people who were by your side all week. 

Strange, but real.

After exiting the market and accepting Bokuto's invitation (since you hadn't thought about where you would bake until he mentioned it, and also as a form of thanks), both of you headed towards the gym again. But before entering, you decided to sit on a bench at the entrance to have your little lunches. 

While you ate, Bokuto would tell you about his friends and ask questions about your life. There wasn't much to tell him about you, but since he asked very kindly and with a sparkle in his eyes, you tried to answer him as best you could. 

“I never would have guessed that you liked baking,” he said after a few seconds in silence. “I thought you were “volleyball, win, no smiles, angry”.”

You almost spit out all your drink listening to Bokuto trying to imitate your voice. A small laugh left your lips after being able to swallow the liquid that was almost spat out.

Koutarou was really a funny person. Maybe he was a little crazy, but not the bad type. You had heard the rumors that said that Bokuto was “dumb”, but no, you didn't believe that. Rather, you thought he was a genius.

He was clear about things, he knew what was important.

“I think it's time to go back, I have to play in an hour and a half,” you said after looking at the time on your phone. Bokuto looked a little disappointed, but then came back with his energetic expression.

“Oh, what a shame! I was having a good time with you, but you're right” he said getting up from the bench where he was sitting. “I too have a game shortly. Maybe, with a bit of luck, I can see some of yours!”

After entering the gym, you guys parted ways to go with your respective teams waving each other goodbye. When you got to where Emiko was, you noticed that Tendou and Ushijima were there too.

When Satori saw you, he was no longer angry, but now he was hugging you saying “you can never replace me after this hug.” When you were able to get out of his arms, Ushijima and Tsukasa asked how you had been, then you proceeded to explain what Bokuto had offered you: go to his house so you could bake the strawberry cake.

While Emiko jumped with excitement and Wakatoshi just smiled wishing to taste the dessert, Tendou frowned, jealous that you already had a strong relationship with ace Fukurodani's ace the first day you met. Instead, it had taken him ONE WEEK to gain your trust. 

Torture much, right?

Finally, after finishing telling the news to your friends, your coach called you and Emiko to start warming up before the game. You left Ushijima and Tendou and joined your other teammates.

The warm-up lasted about an hour since the match that was taking place on the court where your team was going to play next, had ended earlier than planned. You carried the ball cart to the side of the court where you would start playing. The coach said to practice a bit more, before Rato High School, your rival, arrived.

The referee blew the whistle indicating that the match was about to begin and then both teams positioned themselves on the lines that marked the boundary of the court to salute. Your serve would indicate the beginning of the match. 

Screams coming from the audience behind you caught your attention. At first, you thought they were the usual ones, Wakatoshi and Satori. But after observing who was screaming, you realized that it was Bokuto. He had his arms raised in the air, swinging them back and forth. Beside him were Akaashi (as usual), and a boy with black hair, and combed up, who did not have any team uniform. You thought it was Kuroo Tetsuro from Nekoma, you still weren't sure since he wasn't wearing the red sports team. 

You looked at Bokuto and smiled at him, thanking him for the support.

Seconds before serving, in the silent gym you could hear:

“If I had been the one screaming, I would have been killed. The preferences are noticeable.”

Satori Tendou, he would never change. 

And neither would the team... You had won again. 

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When the four of you arrived at Bokuto's house you couldn't even ring the bell, since the owner had opened the door for you as soon as your feet landed on the entrance. Taking off your shoes before entering, Akaashi explained that Koutarou had been sitting by the window since they returned from the gym, waiting for all of you to arrive. Specifically, waiting for you. 

Kuroo Tetsuro was in the kitchen, which confirmed your theory from earlier: he was watching the game too. Nekoma had lost during the third round against Karasuno, while they had lost today in the semi-finals against Kamomedai High. He also told you that the orange-haired boy (Hinata Shoyo), who had been involved in your downfall the day they arrived in Tokyo, had a fever, which was quite influential in the defeat. 

After yelling at Satori and Koutarou several times not to touch the raw strawberry cake mix, you were able to put it in the oven to finally cook. During the anxious wait, Kuroo and Bokuto were asking about your years playing volleyball, and why now you hang out with these people; being that the year before, you were alone practically all the time. Even though their questions were a bit annoying, you answered all of them as you had earlier at lunch. 

Akaashi and Emiko were talking in the corner as they carefully watched the three of you. Tsukasa, in her mind, was cursing Tetsuro because he was ruining her plans of setting up you and Bokuto, by not leaving you alone. Meanwhile, Tendou and Ushijima sat in front of the oven waiting for the time to take out the cake. 

After a long forty minutes, the dessert was ready. Carefully, you took the cake out of the oven and let it cool on top of the table, despite Wakatoshi's requests, who said that he could handle a bit of heat. Fifteen minutes later, everything was perfect for eating.

The seven tasted a piece of the cake, while you watched the others for a reaction. Suddenly, Bokuto started crying.

“It's the best cake I've ever had!” he said before hugging you. Maybe he liked hugs too much. “Come live with me and make me these desserts every day.”

When he released you, everyone started thanking you and complimenting you on how great it was. Nobody expected you to know how to cook so well, but they didn't know all the years it took you to perfect your recipes. 

Two hours passed and there was no more of the cake. Everyone was laughing and having a good time. Including Tendou, who was the only one who didn't want to come because of his jealousy for Bokuto. But all good things must end. 

“Time to go,” Tsukasa said after finishing helping Akaashi wash the dishes. “We are going to be late if we don't leave now.”

Saying goodbye to everyone, they thanked you again for the delicious food you had prepared, and you thanked Bokuto for letting you cook at his house. No one had been dissatisfied.

Tomorrow would be the semi-finals, and the players from Fukurodani and Shiratorizawa would have various incentives to win and reach the finals.

And Tendou had one more day to accomplish his mission of making you laugh. Difficult but not impossible. 

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A/N: there’s an error on the National Tournament’s Twitter image, Shiratorizawa won 2:0, instead of 2:1. Sorry, it must have slipped!!────────∘°❉°∘────────

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Thanks for the support!

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Thanks for reading!! 🥰