The ones that guy you tight so you know that they are never letting you go. They want you to stay with them for as long as possible and holding you tight is the way they show it.
Hanamaki
The ones that lay on top of your chest because it’s just so comfy. They can fall asleep within minutes of laying on your chest and they always feel the need to squeeze your ribs as tight as they can.
Kunimi, Iwaizumi, Matsukawa
The ones that complain that they don’t want to but never let you go when you need to pee. They hold on as tight as they can when you say that. If that doesn’t work then they will pretend they’re sleeping so you can stay with them.
Kyotani, Kindaichi
The ones that are connected to you 24/7. Even without meaning to be they are naturally cuddly. They keep you by their side all the time. Somehow always holding your hand. It’s not a surprise that they are small spoon and refuse to be big spoon.
cw : probably grammatical errors as I only read through it once, oops
a/n : this is my take on trying to write from yahaba’s perspective, wanted to switch things up a bit! I’m quite the hoe for seijoh, so please look forward to seeing the seijoh four as part of this series -- but for now, we will start off with Oikawa’s heir.
the park is based on Inokashira Park in Japan, where you can rent swan paddle boats and paddle around the moat. honestly, it’s a dream of mine to go here someday!! so here is me relishing my dream date in Japan via fanfic. I hope you enjoy all the fluff!
The afternoon breeze rustles the cherry blossom trees welcoming the brisk, yet warm cloudless day. Beams of sunlight twinkle on the water of the nearby pond while bright colorful rowboats drift along painting the perfect setting for a date in the park. And though others also have the same idea, unfortunately, for Yahaba, the irony is that he thought he'd be on a date too.
It took everything out of him to build up the courage to ask you out, it was just a decision he made after crushing on you for as much as he could handle before his heart burst at the seams. There was no right place at the right time because he tried to ask you out multiple times in one day. Once in the morning, right before the bell went off reminding people they have five minutes to get to their first class, but you were flustered from running late and he couldn't catch your attention. Then he tried again at lunch, hoping he'd find you at your usual spot under a tree in the courtyard. But once again he backs down seeing you accompanied by a group of your friends -- he was too embarrassed to take you aside assuming your friends would make googly eyes fully aware of what's to come from your chat. So as the end of the day drew near, time felt like it was ticking and with every ounce of willpower, he decided to ask you out no matter what got in the way.
The bell sounds dismissing classes and Yahaba is on his feet right away. You're in the class a couple of rooms down from his and he had to act before you left to go home. His determination to ask you out is on the cusp of impatience as he frantically walks down the hallway. Once he spots you, the nerves hit, and frisson swirls in his stomach. He calls out your name. You look back at him with a smile as radiant as the sun shining through the windows. He tightens his grip on the strap of his bag, taking a deep breath as he catches up to you. Your face exuberates kindness accompanied with an enthusiastic look in your eyes, which he believes is the culprit to falling for you so quickly.
“Hey!” you sang, looking down at the duffle bag at his side. “Are you off to practice?”
“Yeah, I was just on my way,” he replied, taking in your presence. “Was just going to ask you something.”
“Of course!” you chimed with an even wider smile than before.
“Well, this weekend is actually supposed to be super nice out,” he began trying his best to keep eye contact with you. But the continuous sparkle in your eyes is so overwhelming he feels as if he could get lost in them. “So I was just wondering if you’d be interested in--”
“Hey, Yahaba!” A voice calls out, interrupting him before he has a chance to complete his sentence. Looking behind, he spied Watari and Kyōtani making their way towards the both of you. Irritation pulses through Yahaba's blood, of course, this has to happen.
You greeted them with a small wave and smile.
“Y/N!” Watari exclaimed. “You going to be cheering us on at our next game?”
“You know I’ll be there!” you giggled, the sweet melody that always astounds Yahaba. Truthfully, he could listen to you laugh all day and for a moment it calms him down.
“Can always count on you!” Watari responded before smacking Yahaba’s back. "Ready for practice?"
The contact from Watari’s hand is playful at best, but it just fires Yahaba up with heated anger. He clenches his jaw in an attempt to hold back the rage as his face darkens, replying to Watari with, “I was just asking Y/N something.”
Then taking a deep breath, he pivots back to you hiding his intractable temper with a forceful smile. “I was thinking maybe hang out--”
“Oh yes!” you answered, cutting him off in excitement. “We should go to the park, the one with the paddle boats!”
Yahaba smiled in agreement to your suggestion, “Or I was thinking maybe a cafe--"
"Watari, Kyōtani. Would you like to go?" You asked as they continued to listen in on the conversation.
"Paddle Boats?" Watari pondered. "I'm in!"
"I don't think…" Kyōtani observed -- but gets interrupted by Watari.
"C'mon Kyō, it will be fun!"
Yahaba stands off to the side, completely obliterated by the events of what just happened in front of him. His mouth was curled in a tight pout, outrage flared across his face and his knuckles pale from making tight fists.
"Perfect! We will meet up Saturday afternoon," you chimed before turning around to walk away. "I'll text you the details."
Yahaba remains speechless as he side-eyed his teammates.
“Wow, hanging out with Y/N,” Watari said. “That’s going to be--”
“NO!” Yahaba raged with a low growl. “You’re both not invited!”
“Aw, but Y/N sounded so excited,” Watari groaned, with a pout on his face.
“Yahaba just wants to spend time alone with Y/N,” Kyōtani grumbled, rolling his eyes.
“Shut up!” Yahaba thundered as Kyōtani raised a brow at the outburst. Then with a deep breath in, he breathes out, calmly adding, “I want to tell Y/N I like her.”
“Oh!” Watari cheered, before clapping his hands together, eyes suddenly wide.
“Don’t tell anyone, okay?” Yahaba snapped with a frown flashed across his face.
“Our lips are sealed,” Watari reassured as Yahaba looks for confirmation in Kyōtani.
“What? I don’t even talk to her,” he taunted, crossing his arms.
“So if she asks, tell her you’re busy or something,” Yahaba concluded.
“Roger that!” Watari agreed.
Yahaba’s eyebrow twitches thinking back to that day. He doesn’t know how much more forward he could have been, of course, the timing of Watari and Kyōtani was absolutely in line with impeding his attempt to ask you out. Though you weren’t quite understanding the true intentions of his plans, you even asked to reschedule so everyone could make it. But thankfully, Yahaba’s persistence in not wasting a beautiful day won you over. Your kindness truly gets the best of you, some days.
“Yahaba!” a voice travels across the park and there you are walking towards him. He swears that the way you say his name will end him. It almost feels like a movie when you wave at him with a smile as the wind blows your hair and the cherry blossom petals fall in the background. He feels his face burn up as you get closer, your smile glowing even bigger.
“So glad you talked me into this!” you chime. “The cherry blossoms look beautiful!”
“Yeah,” he replies with his eyes only fixated on you. To him, you are even more breathless than the scenery and even if you weren’t right here beside him, we would still think it to be true. Your presence stirs an excitement inside him that makes him want to pounce at his confession, but alas, he must be patient for the right time. “I was thinking, we could go for a walk around the lake…”
“Oh, I thought we were going to rent those,” you pout pointing to the swan paddle boats lined up at the dock.
“Uh,” Yahaba stutters trying to feel out if confessing on a paddle boat is even the least bit romantic. And to his calculations, it’s not. “Maybe later, it would be nice to stretch our legs.”
But the look on your face makes him regret what he said as your eyes grow big and a sadness peaks out from them. There’s a genuine earnestness in them that draws out the guilt.
“Alright,” he gives in, and the spark returns as you let out a sigh of happiness. “I guess we could go now!”
“Amazing,” you say, grabbing his hand to race towards the dock.
The sequence of events catches him so off guard, he doesn’t even remember buying the tickets at the vending machine and settling into the boat. All he can feel is the heated sensation of your hand holding his and he tries so hard to keep it ingrained in his memory.
"Is everything alright?" you ask, eyebrows knit together at the flush look on his face.
He blinks a couple of times, in shock from your observation, before replying with an, “Of course!”
You set your feet into place and look over to Yahaba, who’s settling into the seat. Once he’s got his footing in place you start to peddle taking off, but he stops you.
“Let me!” he offers, taking a hold of the steering wheel.
“I- uh think it’s meant for--”
“Don’t worry, I got this,” he exclaims after sending you a jubilant grin.
You guffaw as he awkwardly tries to tame the paddle boat. He’s off to a challenging start, slow to get the rudder going and kicking at the pedals as the swan can barely take off away from the dock.
“Are you sure you don’t want help?” you ask, hesitant to assist when he offered to maneuver the contraption by himself, but holding back has never been so difficult.
“No! This is easy,” he breathes, then overhears a couple of bystanders snickering at his rough departure. What he’d only hoped would make him look cool, just make him look tired and out of breath. The shame takes over as he fights with the pedals once more.
And just as he’s about to give up, there’s less resistance with a little tap forward. Carefully and steadily, the boat finally takes off and a dubious smile plasters on his face as he looks over. You send him a thumbs up with a wink revealing that you’re also peddling. Though he wishes he could have done the deed himself, he appreciates your kind gesture of silently letting him do his thing for a moment.
“This is so great!” you sing out, as you start your trek around the pond.
The cherry blossoms hide away the rest of the park transporting you to a new world. But you. You’re unconditionally captivating, full of giggles, and squeals in awe of the simple, yet jaw-dropping surroundings. Picking up the pace, you signal wanting to go faster, and the happiness he feels is the most intoxicating he’s felt ever. Perhaps he was wrong about this not being a romantic setting to confess. And perhaps now might be the right time to tell you.
“Uh, Y/N,” he utters, running his fingers through his hair and cheeks a little bit flush. “I have something--”
“Oh my gosh! Look!” you point to another paddle boat.
Everyone else in paddle boats gaze fixed on a man presenting a little square box to his partner. You let out a gasp watching the woman's hands covering her mouth in pure shock from the events. It’s a beautiful moment to witness, but Yahaba freezes at the sight. Caught between astonished and uneasiness, his eyes revert to you who glances at him with a big smile. And it makes him retract his confession, feeling his confidence crumble as the man places the ring on the woman's hand and they kiss as the crowd of people claps in celebration.
You deeply exhale, exasperated by the newly engaged couple, and turn to Yahaba who starts kicking at the pedals again to take off.
“We’re so lucky that we got to see that,” you say, peddling away, but when he only adds with a short grunt, you realize you’d cut him off before. Regretful of your actions, you apologetically add, “S--Sorry… What did you want to say?”
“Hm?” He straightens up, lifting the corners of his mouth.
“Before,” you state, batting your eyelashes practically taking him out with the gentle look in your eyes.
“Oh! I forgot.” He wasn’t confident that you’d brush off his fib, but you don’t push the conversation further. He begins to wonder if it’s even worth sharing his feelings. You’d only insisted on joining because of Watari and Kyōtani, the only reason you were actually here was because he coaxed you into enjoying the sunshine. He must be so foolish and conceited to believe that he might have a chance with a girl like you. At first, he thought you were only an arm’s length away and now it’s quite evident that you are further out of reach than he ever imagined.
“You want to grab something to eat?” you ask, breaking the silence between the both of you. “I think they have food stands set up in the park!”
He nods while rubbing the back of his neck, trying to shove down the feelings of disappointment, and you both paddle back to the dock.
As you park, Yahaba gets out first and holds his hand out to help you out of the boat. Nerves and resentment roll through him as you take hold of his hand, goosebumps starting to emerge from your touch and he tries to push it down.
“Wow, thank you!” You exclaim planting both feet beside him and then letting go of his hand. “I didn’t know you were such a gentleman, Yahaba.”
Instantly, he feels his face heat up and he puffs his chest out, wounds licked clean from your compliment.
“I do what I can,” he expresses as you walk side by side back into the park.
The smell of rich and sweet flavors hit your nose, as you saunter down a path lined with food stalls. Your eyes seem to light up approaching the numerous treats, but Yahaba can tell you’re trying to push down the excitement as you scan back and forth as if to look for something in particular. It makes his mouth twitch and he tries not to laugh so his reaction doesn’t offend you, after all, he didn’t have the heart to explain himself as to why you look so cute.
"Do you know what you want?" He asks.
“I think so!” You reply giving him the warmest smile. "What about you?"
"I'll have whatever you pick."
He’s at a loss of words, his eyes admiring you silently for a second as you continue to walk down the line of stalls. And one catches your attention. A small stand with big gold letters at the top and an older lady standing at the booth. With an inviting grin, she gestures to the two of you to come closer.
As you step up together, the lady stares at you for a second too long, and says, “You're a cute couple.”
Yahaba shakes his head absently as his ears start to turn red. "Oh we aren't--"
"Can I please get two sakura mochi?" You order, unintentionally cutting off Yahaba from correcting the woman.
"Of course m'dear," she replies.
You open your purse searching for your wallet, but Yahaba stops you by placing his hand on your arm.
"I got this," he offers.
"Are you sure?" You ask, eyebrows drawn together.
"Yes," he reassures. "My treat."
Yahaba pays for the mochi, as you thank him for the kind gesture. Honestly, he doesn't mind, because it makes him quite happy to treat you in whatever way that he can. Plus he's not quite sure if you heard the old lady exclaim that you're a couple, but he doesn’t care because the miscommunication is quite complimentary. It makes his cheeks start to redden at the fact that you two, even as friends, look like you’re together.
"Here you go," the lady dashes back with the mochi. You give her a mini bow in thanks as she looks at Yahaba and gives him a wink. She sends you off with a smile and wave.
"Thank you," you call out to her before turning around to walk over to a bench nearby and he follows close behind as you take a seat beside each other.
Yahaba tenses up when you sit unusually close to him, your thighs almost touching his and your shoulders barely grazing his arm.
"Itadakimasu," you say before cheersing the mochi together and sinking your teeth into the sweet, pink-colored rice cake wrapped in a salted pickled cherry blossom leaf. The red bean filling coats your tongue in a sweet yet slightly salty flavor bringing a sense of warmth and renewal. Your eyes grow wide and you let out a hum of excitement, turning to Yahaba who has rice from the mochi stuck on his cheek. A giggle escapes your lips as you point at your cheek saying, "You have a little bit of rice --"
He smiles awkwardly before quickly trying to wipe it away with the back of his hand but misses. You chuckle, leaning in close to pick off the grain with your fingers. The closeness makes Yahaba’s heart flutter, honing in on the spot where your fingertips touched his cheek.
This is the perfect time.
The best time to confess to you. His emotions bubble as he searches for the right words to express how he is feeling. He’s so nervous he thinks he might explode, but before he spirals into a panic, he takes a breath.
“Y/N, I--”
“Oh! Yahaba, there’s taiyaki!” You exclaim, notice a couple of people walking by holding the fish-shaped cake. “We need to find the stand!”
You chomp down the rest of the mochi as Yahaba comes to terms that perhaps the reason it’s been so difficult to confess is because he’s not meant to tell you.
The rest of the date is wonderful, he really enjoys your company and you end up spending time together until the sun begins to set. Yahaba offers to walk you to the train station and you’re both awkwardly quiet. He doesn’t really know what to say as he feels let down that he couldn’t go through with the confession.
At the station entrance, just as he’s about to bid farewell, you stop.
“I’m sorry this is sudden, but I have something to give you,” you say, rummaging through your purse. At first, Yahaba is confused and he’s not quite sure what kind of surprise is in that small purse of yours, but he tries to keep from getting too hopeful. You smile wide, so wide, in fact, your cheeks sting a little. You present an omamori -- a protective amulet that you bought from a shrine -- to him. “Please accept my gift!”
His eyes grow wide, feeling his heart begin to melt and he has to remind himself that it’s impolite to continue gawking as he hesitates to take the amulet.
“I know you’re worried about filling Oikawa’s shoes, so I wanted to give you this for good luck,” you add, looking away slightly embarrassed from the blush that is coloring your face. And to Yahaba, it just might be the most adorable thing he has ever seen. “Please do your best!”
“Thank you Y/N,” he finally speaks, stopping for a second while he decides if now is the right time to tell you. Your smile is genuine and inviting, he chuckles a little under his breath before carrying on, his features hardening into a serious look. “Uh, I actually had something I’ve wanted to tell you all day.”
You wait for him to continue, eyes fixed on his brown eyes.
“I-- I like you.” He huffs a little giving you an awkward smile.
“Really?” You stare at him innocently and he gives a half shrug. “Cause I sort of like you too,”
He freezes, not sure if he heard correctly. The words seem imaginary like he’s thinking too much, expecting the best outcome as he looks at you in surprise before audibly swallowing.
“For real?” His voice is rich with emotion and your stomach does a backflip as you nod, shyly smiling. A loud sigh leaves his lips, ecstatic at the newfound information. But something still doesn’t add up. “Wait then why did you ask Watari and Kyōtani to join?”
“I was nervous to spend time alone with you,” you stammer. “I tend to do things without thinking when I’m around you.”
“Ooh.” He pieces together at the events leading up to this very moment and Yahaba chuckles. “That’s a relief…”
The tension melts out of him as you comfortably sink into silence, both soaking in each other’s company. After a moment, you take his hand in yours, leaning in, and kiss him on the cheek. Before he could say anything you ran into the station.
“Thank you for the wonderful day! I’ll see you on Monday!”
His face is flush and the spot where you kissed him feels like it’s fire from your lips. This day ended up being so much better than he ever expected.
also, for those who are curious, sakura mochi is a classic Japanese sweet eaten during the cherry blossom season. I’ve never had it before, but I am dying to try it one day!
