Chapter Text
It took some time, longer than Tsukishima would have expected, but he and Kenma finally found a good place. Apparently, the faux blonde was a much better conversationalist through text. He was still shy and talked as little as possible when the two of them found time to meet or speak on the phone, but through text, Tsukishima was able to get to know him.
He knew that Kenma had a hard time living in Tokyo because of the amount of people and liked to stay home as much as possible. He knew that when Kenma did go out, it usually resulted in a panic attack if he was alone. Which explained why Kuroo was so protective. He knew that Kenma would forget to eat if someone didn't remind him and his favorite thing to eat was apple pie. Kenma loved his video games and he was good at them. Very, very good. He knew that, although he was currently in his second year, Kenma planned to study computer coding and game design at university.
Tsukishima was getting to know Kenma and he thought that the two of them would work out together nicely. However, they hadn't had that conversation yet. He hoped Kenma didn't want them to stay platonic, he actually had a feeling that Kenma felt the same way he did. Yet, Tsukishima didn't want to bring it up. Not yet. It didn't feel right without the third and final piece of their puzzle.
To: Tsukishima Kei
From: Kozume Kenma
Message: Good luck today.
To: Kosume Kenma
From: Tsukishima Kei
Message: Thank you.
As the day wore on, Tsukishima almost wished he had asked the older boy to come and watch him play. He chastised himself every time he caught himself thinking as such. Kenma had school. He wouldn't want to sit on a train for hours just to watch him play volleyball. He himself needed to practice for their own games later this month.
But he kept thinking it.
He thought it more and more throughout the day as they continued to win. Game after game, advancing closer and closer to nationals.
And then it was time to face Aobojosai and Tsukishima no longer had time to really think.
He knew how much his team wanted this. He knew that, in many ways, to win would be redemption.
He thought they had it after the first game. Aobojosai, though good, didn't seem to be on top of their game. And then they added in the new player and it all changed.
As they played, Tsukishima kept catching himself eyeing the usual starter that was replaced by Oikawa's "mad dog-chan". He was a first year, one that had gone to middle school with the king, one that had walked away from him during that last game. The first time they played a practice game with Aobojosai, Tsukishima had thought the kid was lazy, even lazier than himself. He barely moved through the first game, his motions seemingly half complete. But, as time wore on, Tsukishima caught onto the pattern. The boy wasted very little movement in the first half, but the second, when most of his team was slowly down, that was when he began to play. And he was good. A player like him was annoying.
So why would Aobojosai pull him out when they did? They should have started with the bleach blond dog and replaced him with the droopy eyed first year. Not the other way around.
"Stop looking at Kunimi," the king said as they made their way toward the coach after the second game. "You're getting distracted."
"What?"
"You need to play your best even if you're playing against your markmate!" Kageyama growled, glaring at the taller first year darkly.
Tsukishima stopped short, staring at the king. "What did you-"
Kageyama dropped the glare, looking at Tsukishima in confusion. "Isn't that why you're looking at him?"
Tsukishima instinctively placed his right hand on his hip where his mark resided. "How the hell would I know that?"
The king tilted his head, "I don't know. You just kept looking at him so I thought…"
"How do you know?"
"We played together in middle school," the other first year pointed out, like that explained everything. "Thought you already knew." He walked away from Tsukishima, toward where the others were gathered.
Tsukishima stared after him incredulously. How the hell did the king think he knew that? He didn't even know the kids name before now! "Tsukishima!" Daichi called, motioning for the first year to join them.
Tsukishma did so slowly, his eyes still looking toward the first year on the opposing team. Said first year seemed to know he was being stared at. His back straightened and his eyes became alert as they flickered around the stadium. Finally, the rested on Tsukishima. The two of them locked eyes and Tsukishima felt himself stop walking once again.
The other, Kunimi?, continued to look at him, confusion on his face, until an arm was thrown around his shoulder and he broke eye contact. It was the other first year that used to play with the king. The two spoke lowly, glancing at Tsukishima every so often.
"Tsukki?" Yamaguchi questioned, standing beside him and following his gaze. "Why are you staring?"
Tsukishima looked away quickly, feeling a flush spread across his cheeks as he fought for control. "It's nothing."
"But Tsukki-"
"Shut up, Yamaguchi."
"Sorry, Tsukki," he laughed as the rest of the team moved toward the court.
Tsukishima was distracted throughout the third game. He played well, he knew he did, but his mind wasn't really there. They won the third game, beating Aobojosai and moving into the finals. Tsukishima didn't even pause as he ran toward his bag, searching frantically for his phone.
To: Kozume Kenma
From: Tsukishima Kei
Message: The king just told me he went to school with our third. I just played against him. He goes to Aobojosai.
He waited impatiently. Kenma was never far from his phone, so he should get a quick reply.
To: Tsukishima Kei
From: Kozume Kenma
Message: Did you talk to him?
Well, shit. Tsukishima looked around frantically, seeing his own team had scattered and the members of Aobojosai were nowhere to be found.
To: Kozume Kenma
Frome: Tsukishima Kei
Message: I lost him.
He moved through the halls quickly, turning every moment he saw a flash of blue. Where could he have gone? No doubt he was with the other first year. The one that always seemed to be glaring at Kageyama. Not that Tsukishima blamed him.
It wasn't until he heard Kageyama's voice that another possibility came to mind. He moved toward the king quickly, spotting him easily in the crowd. His height was good for something.
He was right. Kageyama was standing in front of the two first year Aobojosai players. The first year that wasn't his markmate was scowling angrily, tears in his eyes as he glared at the Karasuno setter. All three turned to look at Tsukishima as he stepped beside the king. "What?" Kageyama growled.
Well, he never accused the boy of being smart.
"I would like to speak to you," Tsukishima said, as politely as he knew how. He was looking at Kunimi, leaving little doubt to who he was speaking to.
Kunimi frowned, "Who are you?"
"Tsukishima Kei," he replied, not wanting to divulge more in their location. Even if Kageyama already knew.
"Why do you wanna talk to him?" The other first year demanded, his anger with Kageyama apparently transferring to the other Karasuno member.
Tsukishima's eyes flickered to Kageyama, "I was told something during the match that…needs to be addressed."
Kunimi's frown grew more pronounced as he began to reply. But he didn't get a chance.
Kageyama sighed in irritation, "I thought you knew your marks matched."
Tsukishima scowled as he rounded on his teammate, "How would I know that? And if you knew, why didn't you say anything?"
"You would be distracted if-"
"It isn't your choice to make!" Tsukishima growled, taking a step closer to Kageyama and making sure to tower over him. Even he admitted that Kageyama had gotten better over the year, but he still didn't understand that there was more to life than volleyball.
"Marks? Match?" Tsukishima turned away from Kageyama, who was still muttering under his breath, and focused once more on Kunimi. He noticed the other first year had placed his hand on his right hip, in the same place as Tsukishima's mark. His eyes were alert once more as he stared up at the blond.
"I don't know for sure," Tsukishima replied, dropping the mask, "I just know what he told me." He gestured to Kageyama.
Kunimi nodded slowly before turning toward the closest bathroom. "I suppose we should check."
Tsukishima followed after him, vaguely registering the fact that the other two first years were following. He entered the bathroom after Kunimi and glared as Kageyama and the other tried to enter. "Privacy, please," he said with a fake smile as he closed the door in their faces.
Kunimi smiled slightly before slowly lifting his shirt. Tsukishima sucked in a quick breath. The king was right. He lifted his own in return, seeing the others eyes fly to the mark instantly. They both froze for a moment before slowly letting go and letting the tops fall back in place.
"Well," Kunimi said, rubbing the back of his neck and rolling his eyes. "This is awkward."
"That happens," Tsukishima replied, thinking back to the time he met Kenma. He blinked. Kenma. He pulled out his phone, seeing a stream of messages.
To: Tsukishima Kei
From: Kozume Kenma
Message: Find him.
Message: Did you find him?
Message: I'm going to guess that is a yes.
Message: Or you are still looking and ignoring me.
Message: You better not be ignoring me.
To: Kozume Kenma
From: Tsukishima Kei
Message: Sorry. Found him. Marks match. Talking.
Tsukishima looked up as Kunimi cleared his throat. "Interesting conversation?" He asked sarcastically, gesturing toward the phone.
Tsukishima grimaced. Okay, yeah, that probably looked rude. "It's our other markmate. I told him that Kageyama…well, then he was asking me what was going on."
"Third…you already met?" Kunimi asked in interest, moving a step forward.
"He's the setter for Nekoma," Tsukishima replied, "Kozume Kenma. Second year. He hates being called Kozume. Just Kenma. We met this year."
To: Tsukishima Kei
From: Kozume Kenma
Message: Number
Tsukishima let out a snort, "He wants your number. Do you mind…"
"Of course not," Kunimi responded, taking out his own phone. He relayed his number, which Tsukishima entered into his own phone before sending it to Kenma. He then game Kunimi his own number, along with the second year setters.
They had barely finished when the door opened, "Sorry to break this up, but the bus is waiting for us," Kunimi's friend said, looking slightly sheepish as he did so.
"Our too," Kageyama said, arms folded across his chest as he looked at the two. "I was right, wasn't I?"
They all ignored him. "Well, I'll text you," Kunimi said quietly, moving off with his friend. He stopped a after a few steps, slowly looking back over his shoulder. "Good luck. Tomorrow. With Shiratorizawa."
Tsukishima didn't respond as the two walked away.
He had meant to text them that night when he got home, really, but he was exhausted. As soon as he made it into his room, he instantly collapsed on the bed and fell asleep.
He woke the next morning just in time to grab something to eat and make it to the school before they had to leave.
Today, they were playing Shiratorizawa.