5Thanks to those who've reviewed, I appreciate it. I fixed most of my errors in ch. 2 they had me cringing. -_-
Chapter 3
Getting To Know You
Izumi had told Koh all about her time with the boys, and Karin of course, at dinner. He had smiled at her but his grip on his chopsticks had broken the wood.
"You alright?" Izumi had asked him. The older man had smiled in a rather forced way and sat down the broken chopsticks.
"I should meet this Kuroo, if he's trying to date you." He'd said sinisterly. Izumi's face had gone hot and she'd vehemently denied they were dating. Koh looked at her like with an odd expression and then took their empty plates.
"Izumi, he is clearly interested in you. I know you aren't that oblivious." He said washing dishes. Izumi had known that, really she had, but only now realized just how obvious it had been. She'd gone to bed thinking about it and nothing else.
Now, Izumi sat in her spot at prep school with a small bag of cookies Koh had made. He'd told her to give them to Kuroo in thanks for inviting her to the game. She looked at the empty seat beside her and felt her stomach begin to twist. The classroom door opened and Kuroo walked in, his school's track suit on. He must have come straight from practice. He looked up and smiled at her as he made his way to his seat.
"Hey Nomura, how was your day?" He asked sitting down and placing his bag down. Words seemed to fail Izumi as she worked her mouth like a fish out of water. She held up the bag of cookies to him. Kuroo took them and smiled in confusion.
"Everything alright?" He asked opening the bag and taking a cookie then offering her one. Izumi took one and shook her head.
"Are you...do you want to go out with me?" She asked looking up from the cookie to Kuroo. His normally sly eyes were like saucers now and the cookie in his fingers dropped to the desk a light dusting of pink on his cheeks. Izumi thought is was rather comical to see him agasp. Then upon reflection of what words had stumbled out of her mouth she felt a horrified flush paint her usually pale skin.
"Wait! What I mean was are you trying to date me? I didn't mean...I mean not that you're not great...I mean...I...Oh god." She rambled on until she covered her face and sat her head on the desk. Kuroo for his part was holding back a laugh. Trying. Kuroo popped the fallen cookie into his mouth as Izumi peeked up at him from between her arms.
"For a moment there, I thought you were asking me out." He said watching her. Izumi looked away instantly.
"To answer your question, I wanted to get to know you better, but yes I find you attractive and would like to take you out on a date." He said utterly confident and smooth. Izumi felt her eyes go wide.
"How can you just say it like that?" She asked, really asking how confident he could be with the chance of rejection so high. Kuroo shrugged.
"How else should I say it? I like you, I want to go on a date, why should I hide that or be unsure?" He asked taking out his notebook. Izumi finally came up from the desk and stared at him in awe.
"Don't you know what you want Izumi?" He asked looking back at her, his cheeks still a tiny bit tinged.
"I...mean, aren't you worried I could say no?" She asked. Kuroo shook his head no.
"You can say no, that's fine, but I would just ask again. Until you said yes." He said with that infamous grin of his. Izumi actually giggled at that.
"So confident." She said as the teacher walked into the classroom.
"Thanks for the cookies." He whispered before the teacher began writing on the board.
After prep class was over, and the cookie bag empty, Kuroo and Izumi packed their things and Karin met them at the door.
"Hey Izumi, I'm heading to dinner with Dai, so I won't be going to station with you." Karin said with her hands up in apology. Izumi smiled.
"That's alright have fun." She said as Karin bounced away happily. Kuroo laughed as the bouncy girl disappeared.
"Hopefully that guy will hold on to this one." He said as he and Izumi walked out to the street. Izumi looked at him confused.
"What do you mean?" She asked. Kuroo smiled at her with a suspiciously innocent smile.
"Come eat dinner with me and I'll tell you." He said and Izumi instantly knew that their earlier conversation was not going to go under the rug.
"What if you come to my house for dinner?" She asked surprising not only herself. Kuroo hadn't thought she would go with him today but he felt a flicker of excitement at her suggestion.
"My...brother wants to meet you." She said as they began walking to the train. Kuroo felt himself stop and he smiled grudgingly.
"Ah, a brother." He said with a sigh. Izumi smiled shyly at him.
"Alright but you owe me a date, no questions asked." He said as the two got on her train. Izumi nodded nervously and then pulled out her phone.
"Koh? I'm bringing over Kuroo for dinner, is that okay?" She asked into her phone. Meanwhile Kuroo was picturing a dark haired, similar featured man with demon horns and red glowing eyes.
"Yes, the one from prep school...okay thanks." She hung up the phone and smiled at Kuroo.
"He says it's hamberger tonight, lucky you." Kuroo laughed and the two sat down.
"Want to go over some notes from class?" She asked and Kuroo nodded.
As Izumi opened the front door and let Kuroo in she noticed the boy had gone very quiet. They took off their shoes and walked into the living room.
"I'm home." Izumi called out into the large house. The smell of dinner made Kuroo's stomach growl.
"Come on, this way." Izumi said as she led him to the kitchen. Walking there Kuroo noticed how unlived in the house seemed. There were no pictures on the walls, everything decor wise was in it's perfect place.
"You guys just move in?" He asked as they made their way. Izumi looked at him confused.
"Nope, I've lived here since I was a baby." Kuroo frowned a bit at that information. They passed the dining room which he noted was huge and unused and finally went into the kitchen where a more comfortable table was. It was set with three places and looked almost gourmet. From the kitchen the man he guessed was Koh came in with a salad. Kuroo wondered if the man was really her brother, he was blonde and had brown eyes.
"Ah, you must be Kuroo. Nice to meet you." Koh said setting the salad down and reaching out a hand to the younger man. Kuroo smiled and took the proffered hand.
"Yes, nice to meet you." For a moment the just smiled at each other, and then their hands began to get tighter and tighter until Izumi noticed that they were both going rather pale. She sat in her place and cleared her throat.
"Let's eat." She said watching the two in slight confusion, she wasn't quite sure why they both seemed to be sizing each other up.
"Izumi tells me you play volleyball, and are captain as well." Koh said starting the conversation. Kuroo nodded.
"Yes, I play for Neckoma. Izumi tells me you're her brother." He said back to the man. Koh actually looked surprised for a moment. He looked at Izumi and smiled affectionately.
"Well, not by blood. I'm actually her father's assistant. I just keep an eye on the house and Izumi." He said looking back at Kuroo.
"I've known him for a long time though." Izumi said between bites. Kuroo wondered what her parents did.
"You were going to tell me what you meant about Daisho and Karin." She said now looking at Kuroo. He chuckled a bit and nodded.
"Right, deals a deal." He said taking a drink. The food was really damn good. Koh watched the two silently.
"I've known Dai since middle school. It's not that he's a bad guy but it seems he can't hold a steady girlfriend for longer that a few months." Izumi nodded and looked thoughtful.
"Well they've been dating for a month or so now, I guess we'll see. Karin seems to really like him." She said with a warm smile. Kuroo wondered if she knew how lovely that smile was. Koh felt a tick of annoyance as he watched Kuroo smile at Izumi...He wanted to smack the younger man upside the head.
"We have another practice game coming up soon, would you like to come?" Kuroo asked as they finished dinner and all just say chatting. Izumi nodded.
"Sure, that sounds fun." She said with a smile. Koh felt a bit of sadness squeez his chest. Normally Izumi would have be horrified to be invited out, unless it was Karin doing the asking. However that sadness made way for a flash of pride. The young shy girl had no problem saying yes to this young man. He stood up from the table and took everyone's plate.
"Izumi, you take a bath first today." He said placing the dishes in the sink. Izumi looked up at him in surprise.
"Oh, okay. I'll see Kuroo out then." She said standing from the table followed by Kuroo. Koh smiled at her.
"Don't worry about it I'll walk him out. We need a man to man talk anyway." He said innocently. Izumi looked between Kuroo and Koh sensing some tension.
"O...kay. See you tomorrow then Kuroo." she said slipping out of the room. Koh walked Kuroo to the door as promised and as the black haired teen slipped on his shoes the older man towered over him.
"I'm just going to get this out of the way right now." The normally even tempered Kohei said with a dangerous edge in his voice. Kuroo looked up with his best apathetic look.
"Izumi is as good as my sister, so naturally I want her to be happy. Meaning if you make that girl cry, or break that delicate heart. I will make you suffer. Understand?" Kuroo stood up and checked his sneaker.
"I understand. Hope to see you around Kohei." He said with a dangerous look of his own. As Kuroo closed the door Koh laughed and shook his head. Kuroo was no so easily cowed, and it was hard not to admire the young man's even temper even after being threatened.
At school Izumi and Karin were chatting in between periods when Izumi's phone vibrated. Kuroo's name blinked up at her and she found a small smile creeping onto her face.
"That Kuroo?" Karin asked conspiratorially. Izumi nodded and read his message.
"Italian. Dinner. Sunday." Was all it said and Izumi caught the attention of most of the students in the classroom when she began laughing. She wiped at a tear that had formed and shook her head.
"He's so demanding." She said with amusement. Karin smiled at her friend warmly.
"A date?" She asked leaning over to look at the message. Izumi nodded. Karin pumped a fist into the air.
"Bout time!" She said heatedly. The students close enough to the two began whispering about the Ice Queen and a date.
Sunday came faster than Izumi had expected, and while throughout the week she'd been rather calm about the whole affair on the actual morning she felt butterflies and apprehension seep into her bones. Normally she would not have given two thoughts to her clothing, her hair or her look in general. Today however she felt the need to look as cute and put together as Karin did when she was out with Daisho.
She pulled out a simple white sun dress that had pretty short lace sleeves. It actually made her pale skin look a little tan. She choose flat sandals that where a neutral color, and then began the arduous take of curling her short hair slightly. She'd never put on much makeup so she stuck with lip gloss and mascara. Grabbing her simple purse she headed downstairs where Koh was making breakfast.
"Morning Izumi." He said as he scrambled eggs. Izumi smiled at his back and sat down.
"Morning." She said sipping on the coffee he'd poured for her. Koh turned around to plate the eggs and stopped to stare at her. He blinked and felt his grip tighten around the pan. He almost told her to go through on a hoodie but shook his head.
"You look wonderful." He said honestly, although he wanted her to cover up all that loveliness. Izumi looked down shyly at the table.
"Thanks." She said softy. He sat down and slid a plate towards her.
"Where are you two going?" He asked as they ate. Izumi looked up at him and shrugged.
"He wouldn't tell me." She said with a little laugh. Koh felt his eye twitch, that little...Izumi finished her food quickly and checked her watch.
"Time to go! See you later Koh." She said practically running out the door. Koh shook his head and smiled after her.
Izumi stepped off the train at the stop Kuroo had told her to and looked around for the familiar bed head. He was waiting near the exit and was looking at his phone. He was lent up against a wall ever so coolly. He wore a pair of dark jeans, a simple t-shirt with a loose cardigan over it. His worn looking sneakers added another note of cool to his look. Young girls were giggling as they passed him. Izumi walked towards him and just as she was about to call out to him he looked up and smiled at her.
"Izumi." He said in greeting and waved at her. He pushed off the wall and held out a hand to her with a smile. Izumi looked from him to his hand.
"Hey." She said shaking his hands in confusion. Kuroo's face exploded into a full on laugh as he gripped her hand and pulled her into a hug still laughing. With face aflame Izumi looked up at him.
"What's...why are you laughing?" She asked seriously lost. Kuroo looked down at her.
"You shook my hand." He said with another snicker. Izumi nodded and still seemed confused. Kuroo released her and took the hand that she'd used to shake his and then held it up between them.
"I meant, that we're going to hold hands." He said explaining it to her. Izumi felt her shoulders slump and she went a little blue in the face.
"I'm an idiot." She said self depreciative. Kuroo laughed and pulled her along till they were out of the station then he handed her a ticket.
"The aquarium?" She asked looking at him. Kuroo nodded.
"There's a new exhibit with jellyfish that Kenma said was interesting. Then we can head somewhere you want to and after that I made reservations at that italian restaurant I mentioned earlier this week." He said as he began to lead her down the sidewalk.
"Wow you planned a full day." She said impressed as they walked along, still holding hands. Kuroo winked at her.
"Of course." He said happily. Izumi looked at their hands, Kuroo's was so much bigger than hers, and rough. I was warm though ad comfortable. He seemed so at ease, while Izumi's insides were a jumble.
They made it to the aquarium and relinquished their tickets at the gate. They chatted about the fish, and then went through the glass hallway stopping when Kuroo requested a picture from another couple. He'd put an arm around her shoulder and pulled her into his side with a large grin, while Izumi shyly smiled at the camera. He thanked the couple and then suggested they head to the jellyfish exhibit. Inside the room was rather dark, the only light coming from the giant aquariums holding the jellies. They were so close together, Izumi could feel his heat next to her. In the dark that closeness seemed to make her ten times more aware of it, and far more nervous.
"Did you know that jellyfish can live forever? They are usually eaten before that though." Kuroo said as they watched a rather cute group of jellies.
"That's interesting." She said quickly and quietly. Kuroo looked down at her and quirked his head to the side.
"Everything alright?" He asked watching her face in the low light. Izumi looked away quickly and gave a quick nervous laugh. Suddenly a wicked grin spread across Kuroo's face and he let go of her hand only to move behind her and slip his arms around her waist. Izumi's shocked gasp made him chuckle. He leant his chin onto her shoulder and then whispered.
"Why so nervous? Think I'll jump you in the dark?" He asked with a low tone of amusement. He felt her tense up and he laughed.
"Isn't that what you're doing now?" She asked quietly. Kuroo let her go and once again caught her hand.
"The dark makes things seem more intimate doesn't it?" Izumi's shoulders relaxed once he'd put her thoughts into words. The blue light from the tank shadowed his handsome features but Izumi was positive her was grinning at her.
"So that's why you brought me here." She said suddenly understanding. He laughed at her accusing tone.
"Caught me." He said as they moved to the next tank.
"You're a rogue." She said with a small smile. It hadn't been at all unpleasant, the move had just been unexpected and bold. Izumi was coming to expect it from him.
"You're going to shock me to death Kuroo." She said resigned to it. He smiled as they exited the jellyfish room.
"Tetsurou will do I think." he said as they moved towards the part of the aquarium where you could touch certain fish. Izumi smiled at him, no blush present, and nodded.
"Tetsurou." It was his turn to feel the heat of a blush on his cheeks.
After the aquarium they went to Shibuya and shopped around, wasting time until their reservation. By the time rolled around that they needed to leave they'd each made small purchases and had grabbed a coffee. Conversation had been light hearted and, to Izumi's relief, easy. They walked to the restaurant hand in hand Tetsurou telling her all about a rival volleyball team, and something about a trash battle. Izumi was surprised to find that the italian place was rather fancy. They were seated quickly.
"Good Evening, what can I get you two to drink?" The waiter asked. They ordered, and then a sort of comfortable silence settled over the table.
"Can I ask a question?" Tetsurou asked fiddling with the straw of his drink. Izumi smiled at him.
"I don't know, can you?" She asked him with a playful snicker. Tetsurou laughed and shook his head.
"You're parents aren't around often are they?" He asked, smile gone. Izumi traced the rim of her glass thoughtfully.
"No, not really. They're in Paris right now. Or they were last week." She said with a small smile. He nodded in understanding.
"Is that why you work so hard?" He asked her causing her to look up at him in confusion. Tetsurou leaned back in his chair.
"You go to a prestigious school, are in the top ten percent, and even go to a prep school after school. From what I've weaseled out of Karin you rarely have time for yourself." He said cautiously. Izumi blinked at him.
"You've been talking to Karin?" She wondered out loud. Tetsurou chuckled and nodded.
"Jealous?" He asked leaning forward. Izumi laughed and shook her head.
"That's just a curious thing to do." She said then took a long sip of her drink. Tetsurou shook his head.
"Are you going to answer the question?" He asked probingly. Izumi watched him for a moment.
"In a way, yes. I guess you're right. I want them to be proud. They expect a lot from me." She said as the waiter sat down their food.
"Why do I feel like I hear a 'but' coming?" He asked as he cut into his dish. Izumi smiled and shook her head.
"But, lately I've been wondering why I never took time to do what I actually wanted to." It was quiet for a moment as they both ate.
"What is it you want to do?" He asked after his bite.
"I'm not sure just yet, but this is fun." She said gesturing between the two of them. Tetsurou sat back again and laughed.
"I'm glad you think so." He said before conversation turned to lighter subjects. She asked him about his own family who she could tell he loved. Then he asked her about Kouhei and if he should be jealous, to which Izumi laughed so hard she snorted.
Tetsurou walked her home after they had taken the train. As Izumi reached for the gate Tetsurou let go of her hand.
"Izumi." He said as she unlocked the gate. She turned around to say goodnight to him, but something warm and firm pressed against her lips. Tetsurou had caught her shoulders and then had leaned in to kiss her. His eyes were closed, his face softer than she'd ever seen it. He released her before she could even contemplate returning the kiss. He smiled down at her and then ruffled her hair.
"Thanks for today, I'll see you later." He said softly. In a daze Izumi felt herself wave to him and then walk into the house where Koh was waiting in front of the tv. He watched her walk up the stairs in a zombie like state.
"What the hell…" He said as she disappeared.