- Hey, Akaashi.

- Yes, Konoha-san?

- Why do you always want to motivate Bokuto? You can let him recover.

- I like... to see him playing at the top of his game... it's really satisfying.

- Satisfying?

- I... I love him...

- Yes, everyone has noticed.

It was the time out. They were soon going back to the court to finish the second set. And possibly win.

- Maybe, but he didn't notice it.

- Normal, the main concerned one never notice it.

The game resumed. They win, Bokuto again in good shape. They were changing.

- Guys... Bokuto started. I have to tell you something.

- Don't come and tell us that this is our last tournament and depress us. Said Konoha.

- No it's not that. In fact... it concerns more others than you. You already knew it.

- Ah you are finally going to say it.

- Say what? Asked Komi.

- Um... when I had this kind of... mood swings... I was doing it on purpose. Just to get attention. But otherwise I'm perfectly normal!

Akaashi dropped his deodorant.

- I'm sorry, Akaashi.

- At least I won't be fooled. Akaashi said in a cold voice.

- Akaashi...

- Why?

- Listen Akaashi I...

- I thought we were best friends? Unless I was wrong.

- Akaashi I...

- You know Akaashi, you should really tell him. Said Konoha.

- Tell me what?

- Nothing. Said Akaashi.

- That he has been in love with you for almost two years now, stupid owl. Konoha sighed and took out his phone.

- Listen to this Bo.

The conversation they had had during the time-out was played on his phone. Akaashi's eyes widened.

- Akaashi... Bokuto began.

Akaashi was going to get out of the locker room when their coach came in.

- Where are you going, Keiji?

- Let me go Takeyuki-san.

- Wait. You... you are of the same family? asked Komi.

- Sort of. And I came to explain it.

- How? What do you mean Takeyuki? Bokuto asked.

Akaashi turned to Bokuto, confused.

- Keiji, Kōtarō, you both know that I am your godfather.

- Yes, but... wait... you are also Akaashi's godfather? But you are my godfather and the godfather of...

- It is impossible. You... you are my godfather and also the godfather of...

- Of your childhood friend. To both of you. That you have forgotten. You were small when the Bokuto moved and you lost sight of each other. You lost touch. Keiji, you were five at the time. And Kōtarō, you were six.

- I... I always remembered everything we did. Bokuto began. When... we played volleyball together... when we slept on the floor... his head on my shoulder. When I took him by the hand to the waves because he was afraid... I failed to put a name or a face to those memories. So it was... it was you Akaashi... Hey why are you crying?

Akaashi get out of the locker room. Bokuto stood there, staring at the door. He straightened and went out of the locker room to follow Akaashi.

The black-haired boy had gone to the park. Bokuto followed him and he sat beside him on the bench, hidden by large shrubs.

- Akaashi.

- Leave me alone...

- Akaashi listen... I... I'm really sorry. I shouldn't have played with you that way and... I'm sorry that... you had... a bad impression of me.

- You lied to me!

- I know.

- Why? What would you have gained by showing us a false side of yourself?

- Um... nothing? I don't know... I felt confident with you. I understand why now. It's because it was always with you that I was confident when we were little.

- I... I loved you so much... when we were little I told... I told my mother that I would marry you... I loved you so much that I had a hard time... accepting your departure and... I still love you as much... not for the one you were then but... for the one I have got to know since last year... I... I love the one who was my best friend from childhood and... my best friend now...

Akaashi burst into tears and Bokuto took him into his arms.

- I love you too Keiji. I'm sorry. So sorry. I also love my childhood best friend. And I love my current best friend even more. I have fallen deeply in love with you.

Akaashi continued to cry and then, after calming down, straightened, sniffed and wiped his face with his hands.

He looked at Bokuto, who offered him a small shameful smile, scratching his neck with one hand. Akaashi put his right hand on a strand of Bokuto's hair that fell off because he washed his hair after the game.

- Grey strands, eh? Asked Akaashi.

- You like it? Asked Bokuto as if they had just found themselves after all these years without seeing each other.

- That's fine. It's not catastrophic.

- Hey. What are you insinuating?

- I prefer your natural hair.

- There may be a way to see me naturally one day.

- And how?

- If we get married.

Akaashi blushed deeply and punched Bokuto on the shoulder, who laughed.

- Idiot.

- Do you remember when I read you your favorite books when I learned to read in school?

- Yeah. And that time when you broke that boy's nose who had bothered me at the break time. You came into our playground even if you had no rights.

- Of course, I had to protect my prince.

- Nonsenses.

- And also, when you started riding your bike without the little wheels, I saved you by letting go of my bike because you almost fell into the river? The chain on my bike had derailed. Then you cried because you thought my bike was broken because of you.

Akaashi pouted.

- You only remember embarrassing things.

Bokuto laughed.

- No, I only remember cute moments. And just the first day we went to the beach you put sand on your older sister and when your mother scolded you, you pulled your tongue.

- Yeah sorry... you defended me and you got the slap for me.

- It hurt, you know! Everything I did for you anyway. I made the starfish that day in the water so that you wouldn't be afraid.

- Yes well, that's enough. I was the weak little boy, I understood.

Bokuto burst out laughing.

- At least you admit it.

- Mmgrph. Bokuto giggled and took Akashi's hands with his own.

- And so... will you go out with me, Keiji? Will you go out with me, Akaashi?

Akaashi blushed and questioned Bokuto.

- Why did you asked two t-

- I asked my childhood best friend and my current best friend. So?

- I... yes I want to go out with you Kōtarō. I love you Bokuto-san.

- On the other hand, the "san" is too much.

Akaashi rolled his eyes and went into Bokuto's arms. Bokuto took Akaashi's chin between his thumb and index finger. Then he lifted Akaashi's face to his and was about to kiss him when Akaashi put a hand on Bokuto's lips, red as a crayfish.

- ...? Bokuto looked at him.

- I... never kissed someone... before...

Bokuto took Akaashi's hand out of his mouth.

- So let me guide you.

- You...

- Uh... a girl when I was in middle school.

Akaashi pouted. Bokuto laughed and kissed him on the forehead.

- Promise it was just a love affair of nothing at all. Jealous?

- Mmh... n... no...

- Pfft. No, my ass yeah.

- Yes you have a nice ass.

- ...

- ... Oh my god... just forget about it.

- Nope.

Bokuto put his left hand on Akaashi's cheek and gradually reduced the gap between them. Akaashi grabbed Bokuto's t-shirt, his breathing getting faster and faster. Bokuto pressed lips on Akaashi's gently. After a few seconds he leaned back.

- You are tense.

- ...

- Relax a little without really being too relaxed. Just... let's say... you have to move your lips against mine. If you know what I mean.

Akaashi hid his head in Bokuto's chest.

- It's embarrassing.

- Why? Bokuto asked, laughing.

- It is.

Bokuto kept Akaashi against him by gently rubbing his back.

- I ruined our first kiss... Mumbled Akaashi.

- No, not at all. That's what makes it special.

Bokuto pulled Akaashi back again to kiss him. This time the kiss was better. They had to separate in lack of air.

- I love you Keiji.

- Me too Kō. I love you.