Notes

"How did it go," Sugawara sing-songed on a Wednesday. Daichi and Sugawara exclusively invited Akaashi to hear updates. Daichi even did accidentally feel sick during the last hour at work, only to promise to do the rest of the paperwork later. He was lucky to be a reliable employee indeed.

"We made out against the bathroom wall," Akaashi provided false details with a monotone expression. Sugawara threw his arms in the air and rolled his eyes at the dumb response.

"Okay. So, Akaashi. How did meeting him go? Was he nice?" Daichi held his arm in front of Sugawara to stop him from talking. He did only smile genuinely at his friend whom he was growing closer.

"He was very polite. Not only toward me. I saw him tip the baristas at the cafe. He willingly held the door for not only me but other people right behind him too. He also offered to drive me home. My stupid self accepted because the trams and buses were overpacked at that time," Akaashi summarized the examples of Bokuto's kindness. Daichi nodded his head in approval and looked over at Sugawara's surprised expression.

"Wow, what a gentleman. He's someone you should keep," Sugawara winked jokingly and made Akaashi scowl at him. It would've been threatening if it weren't for the fact that they were close.

"Koushi, no wonder your friend doesn't tell you the truth," Daichi scoffed lightheartedly and lightly gave him a look. Sugawara didn't protest. He had his own visions of Akaashi ending up with Bokuto. Akaashi wasn't aware of how easy it was to fall for men like Bokuto. That was based on Akaashi's description of him. Sugawara did see fifty-fifty percent of it happening.

"The only weird thing was that he didn't mention his daughter at all. It wouldn't be natural, of course. I mean, I did ask him what he does for a living. Hm, I don't know," Akaashi reflected upon the lack of his daughter in conversations. Perhaps he was used to parents making their children into their entire personalities.

"I see. Well, people are different. If I were Bokuto, I wouldn't mention my child right off the bat. I guess?" Sugawara hummed in thought and nodded in understanding. Daichi, for once, nodded in agreement. Daichi wouldn't expose their children to friends who they just met.

"Other than that, our conversations were so natural. We shifted between being formal and funny. A friendly form of formal I guess. He made me laugh a lot, and vice versa. I could even be sarcastic with him without it being awkward, or me explaining what my sarcasm was about. You know what I mean? He understood my humor," Akaashi delved into the conversation part of their hang out. Nothing was ever awkward. Only the beginning, which Bokuto gracefully saved.

"That sounds really satisfying. For sarcastic people in particular, it's like, you have to careful with everything in case the other doesn't understand," Daichi snorted and looked toward Sugawara who nodded and related to it.

"Definitely," Akaashi agreed thirdly and opened for a normal pause to enter. Both of them quietly thought of questions they had to ask their friend. Everything was questionable. They wanted to know what Bokuto answered to his questions too. That story could be told anytime. Except,

"So. That's it?" Sugawara asked unclearly. Akaashi furrowed his eyes in confusion upon hearing the question.

"As in, are you, friends, on social media now? Do you just have his number? Would you want to hang out with him again, you know?" Sugawara asked about the overall status of their friendship. For once, Sugawara asked a good inquiry. Akaashi shrugged his shoulders and had to pause to think for a moment.

"I forgot to ask him about social media. Well, I did accidentally hint at hanging out again. He treated me for my meal, and I want to return the favor. It should be right to invite him somewhere. He has a busy schedule though, and I don't know how much time he has for friends," Akaashi explained thoroughly. He did forget to add that detail prior. Daichi raised his eyebrows in surprise upon hearing Bokuto's actions. Wow, he did seem like a good person.

"He treats his friends, workers, and civilians with respect. That's a good track record. Well, he didn't disagree or seem uncomfortable when you hinted at hanging out again?" Daichi replied with a question regarding Bokuto's reaction. Body language and facial expression said a lot.

"No, he seemed like he was expecting to hang out again. I don't know. It's hard to explain. He didn't disagree or seem hesitant though," Akaashi pointed out and shrugged his shoulders. He didn't feel the need to analyze much. Daichi looked toward Sugawara and hoped for a mature response on the matter.

"Alright, well. You've practically led up to another hang out in which you pay for whatever, which is fine," Sugawara hummed in thought. Akaashi and Bokuto weren't close enough for it to be okay with only one part paying. It would indirectly be a red flag for Akaashi to take the treatment without giving anything back. Especially when making new friends. Who would befriend someone seeming like a cheapskate?

"That leads me to the next problem. When and where? We are nowhere near acquainted enough to just hang out next week," Akaashi felt stupid for overcomplicating this. He felt as if he was in front of a board with social cues, social politics, etcetera. He felt absolutely stupid for overthinking it all. In high school, it was so much easier to hang out with new friends.

"Social media, brother. You have his number. It's going to be awkward, the friendship will dry out if you just don't interact and you plan on randomly inviting him somewhere. Rejection isn't the issue, just the lack of interaction between you know," Sugawara tried to reason. Akaashi understood his perspective, and it made sense. Daichi seemed to shake his head in disagreement. At the gesture, Akaashi looked at him for further explanation.

"Doesn't matter. If both of them aren't dry, as we've had the impression of, everything's gonna be fine. I don't think Akaashi has to initiate a conversation between the hangouts. I mean, the opportunities and subjects for conversations will be many. Imagine Akaashi asking something about him, right? Then, oh, he did text me about that two days ago. That's why I wouldn't necessarily feel like I have to message him before inviting him out," Daichi explained his contrary viewpoint, which made sense too. Akaashi understood the point of saving the conversation for physically meeting up rather than on social media.

"Okay, that's just our contrary beliefs. As much as I'd love to argue, I honestly think it should be natural. Bokuto seems like a social person if he just randomly invites you to work. No one does that. Besides, he has social maturity enough to sense an unnatural text. As in, if you force a text, he might notice. If it's natural of you to just say, hey it was nice today, then go for it. You can't force conversations. Bokuto is a social person, and he's not very likely to reject an opportunity of making a new friend," Sugawara aligned their differing opinions. At the end of the day, it didn't matter what Akaashi did or didn't do. As long as it was natural, it would stay natural.

"No, Koushi's right. Any course of action, or lack of action, is correct as long as it's natural. Or else it's gonna be awkward. It's not the lack of messaging. It's going to be a weird text with faked emojis," Daichi cringed at the thought and concluded the weird discussion once and for all.

Akaashi looked down at his lap and nodded. The conclusion did give him a sense of what direction he should take this. He believed it would be smart to text something. He wanted the online conversation could be lighthearted to match Daichi's philosophy of saving conversation for the actual meeting. However, he did agree with Sugawara on creating a lively acquaintance before inviting him. Or else it would come off as too sudden or random. The pair was truly balanced.

"Any suggestions on places? Please not the places you've gone on dates," Akaashi especially stared at Sugawara who just raised his hands defensively. Daichi looked up in thought, before thinking thoroughly and pushing back memories from months ago.

"The food hall by the library. It's an informal place packed with restaurants. It's really chill. Eat dinner, go to an ice cream bar, and have beer. It's all under a roof," Daichi remembered where he spent every day after high school with his friends. Akaashi raised his eyebrows before nodding in agreement. That was a terrific idea.

"Thank you, that's a suitable place. I think I might text him depending on if I feel like it. You both are good with advice. Well, Daichi is." Akaashi purposely thanked Daichi to a larger extent. He watched Sugawara widen his mouth in deep offense, and actually roll his eyes in frustration. Akaashi couldn't help but bite back a victorious grin from getting revenge on his friend.

After a nice visit at Sugawara's and Daichi's, Akaashi walked toward his own place. His phone was in hand. Which was untraditional of him. Akaashi's biggest weight was Bokuto's decision to pay for him. It didn't seem right to have a lunch paid for by him, only to disappear. The man even blocked him on the money app. Akaashi's mother would never approve of him letting it go.
---------------------------------------------------
The two generations of Bokutos had managed to build the bed in time. After lunch on Tuesday, they were able to set the screws and pieces together. Yuki proved to be surprisingly happy with her new bed. She was sad to leave the crib. However, one surprise chocolate egg on the new bed healed her pain. All she needed to stop crying was an egg.

Bokuto did help his daughter adjust to the new routine of getting out of bed. He was saddened to admit his Wednesday was nothing more than the ordinary. He was simply lucky to have time for everything he was supposed to do. The practice didn't crash with any chore he was doing. It was nice to record team moments and personal tutorials on different techniques.

His most recent tutorial regarded how volleyballs shouldn't hurt with the right technique. It was especially fun for Atsumu, who purposely did hard spikes to actually get Bokuto's arms red. Bokuto was supposed to bump it anyway, but no. His younger teammate did ask whether he was okay or not. That was a sweet part of practice, other than hard work and analysis.

"You slaughtered the floor today," Atsumu smacked Bokuto's back before he could reach his car. Bokuto only chuckled to himself. Atsumu wasn't supposed to spike. The poor golden-eyed man just wanted to show how to avoid pain when volleyballs came in contact with anybody's forearms or hands.

"You slaughtered my arms," Bokuto retorted before unlocking his car. Atsumu let out a satisfied laugh but shook his head sheepishly afterward.

"I went a bit overboard," Atsumu shrugged his shoulders slowly, and gave Bokuto an apologetic look. At least Bokuto liked to believe so.

"Have a nice day, 'tsumu," Bokuto rolled his eyes slightly at him but offered him a strong-minded smile. Both of them had these bold personalities that crossed one another. They were different, but they did like each other's confidence. It was empowering for them both to have somebody like-minded, despite their differences.

Yuki was eating dinner at Kuroo's. Kuroo was picking up cooking from his mother, which was a good thing. He was lucky on the drive home, with lights changing to green right in front of him. Better roads, and a green light streak. He could feel the freedom in the greenery. The beautiful gaps he could take in every roundabout filled him with peace. He savored every moment of being free to just relax and drive. Bokuto reached home earlier than expected.

He did want to pick up Yuki, but Kuroo insisted on keeping her for the evening. Kenma liked her, and Kuroo's mom visited. She sent her regards earlier, which had Bokuto in a very good mood. Bokuto found himself at home in silence. His muscle memory would announce his entrance. Though, there was no one to greet. Bokuto peacefully entered his home, putting his keys in the same vase as always.

Bokuto felt a bizarre feeling from the quiet. His home never changed face, and the exterior weather radiated sunlight. Everything was the same. The external quiet seemed to reach his body. Silence seemed to pass itself to him. Yuki's presence made itself the biggest when she was outside. Though it was rare, Bokuto didn't mind silence in particular. He spent it wisely. He only tried to remember any chore he should've completed.

Boredom only tended to urge to fill it with fun activities. The house invited no activity, as it was very clean. Bokuto couldn't decide what to do. Making dinner for himself only? He didn't wish to disturb Kuroo. He suddenly wasn't in the mood to be surrounded by visitors. Bokuto promised Yuki whatever activity Kuroo had planned for her. It wasn't often Kuroo got to take her out. The fact was that Yuki only stayed at Kuroo's.

Thoughts of his daughter made him smile internally. The silence was accompanied by the thoughts of his daughter. Bokuto was exhausted, which only made him satisfied with his efforts. He could sleep, but Bokuto stopped taking naps. Routine was something he cherished. It was something that kept him up and going. He had taught himself to follow his routine over years.

Bokuto looked around the house, to find anything to be done. His eyes ignored the outside's sun rays, as he eyes stared at a few dishes to be done. His hands moved slowly upon wiping the dishes with soap. He circled the plate a few times, covering the same spots with extra soap. Until he was satisfied, he turned on the water to wash any spots off. His clean hand removed the slippery soap. A few rounds went into washing the same plate, before moving onto one glass he drank water from.

He went over to the kitchen table with a sprayed cloth. He caught a thin layer of dust, and gradually went through the same spots. As Bokuto decided to go upstairs, his gaze peered over to the staircase to observe for spots or dust. He subconsciously sensed a mellow satisfaction after walking into Yuki's room. Bokuto's hands moved on their own, organizing books and folding her duvet neatly. He was invested in wiping over her window with another cloth from the kitchen and checking for screws under the bed.

One of Bokuto's last stops included the bathroom. His reflection faded once he caught a few spots from brushing his teeth. It was easy to spray the mirror and wiping with paper. He went over the cleaned layer with dry paper to avoid any lines and such. Bokuto preferred to take his time doing important chores to keep his home clean. It made him improve his skills to teach Yuki as time went by. He was investing in becoming someone Yuki could rely on for help and teaching her everything she needed to know.

After Bokuto looked inside the shower for anything to clean, he was satisfied to see the objects were organized. He could only feel his phone vibrate. Bokuto didn't have a sense of time after cleaning the house. He believes he spent at least two hours cleaning, which was average. Satisfied with the cleanliness of his home, Bokuto peacefully checked whatever notification went off. It could be Kuroo, it could be his teammates, or it could be a new friend from Manga Matrix too.

Bokuto did feel surprised upon seeing a text from the new friend.

Akaashi Keiji: Just wanted to say thank you again for yesterday. It would be nice to return the favor sometime.

Akaashi Keiji: You did block me on the money app too, so.

Bokuto snorted at the last text and nodded to himself. His block list was very long. He also had pride. His own pride wouldn't let anyone pay for him, and Bokuto wanted to treat his friends. Always.

Me: Don't worry about it. It's a very me thing to do. Think of it as an accurate impression of me instead.

Akaashi Keiji: I would like to return the favor though. What do you think?

Me: It would be nice to meet up again! When do you have in mind?

Akaashi Keiji: I would ask you. Being an athlete must be tough as we talked about. Practices, matches, etc. You can suggest anytime, and I'll try to make it work :)

Me: I seeee. Thank you for your understanding!! Next week? Coincidentally Tuesday works for me.

Akaashi Keiji: Should we make it at dinner/evening time?

Me: Of course. It must have been tiring to just go out right after work.

Akaashi Keiji: That was no problem at all. That cafe is my charger for my dead batteries

Me: Understandable! Well, I don't mind going out after dinner time. You'll get time to rest and all.

Akaashi Keiji: Dinner time is between 5 to 7 pm, right? That's my usual timing

Me: My dinner time is from 4 to 5:30 pm! Earlybirdd. I did eat dinner at 6 pm when I was younger though. Well, 7 PM works for me!

Akaashi Keiji: 4?? Wow.. yes, I agree with 7 pm. I have a place in mind. I can send you the address soon.

The pauses between the texts were sometimes long, due to Akaashi checking for customers. Bokuto could relax on the couch until he hear the same doorbell going off. He could've seen Kuroo if only he had looked up from his phone.