Chapter Text
"I'm really sorry to hear that Tetsu-chan, honestly."
Oikawa sighs as the beer glass in his hand meets the wooden table they've been sitting for the past two hours.
"It's been three years. Of course, it still feels a bit weird but I think I'm used to the idea myself. I was more worried about Hitoka but she seems to be progressing well. "
"You sure that's not your wishful thinking?"
"God Tooru, you never change! I took her to a child psychologist for a while on a regular basis and read a great amount on child psychology myself. She's healthy."
Oikawa points his chopsticks towards Kuroo.
"If it's about children, I get protective you know? "
Kuroo jokingly glares at Oikawa.
"Hey, how about some table manners?" He rests his chopsticks on their stand and reaches for his beer to ease the food furthering down his stomach.
"So, she's been living with you for three years? You took her in your old place or moved out? "
"No, I took her in. I had a spare room, large enough to fit the necessary furniture in. She's really the brightest child I've ever seen, Tooru. You should visit me sometime, we haven't seen each other in years. You disappeared after moving back to Miyagi. "
"For your information, my dearest Tetsu-chan, we're both turning 34 this year. Please embrace the technology and get a smart phone! Learn how to properly Skype! Don't be such a whiny old grandpa and expect me to visit you during religious holidays!"
Kuroo knew both had no other choice, considering their circumstances, but he whined anyway. Still, this tiny chance they got was enough to bring their old closeness back, catching up on everything they have missed in those three and a half years.
Oikawa had to move back to Miyagi, his company wanted him to take care of one of its branches. He got married to his sweetheart, Yukie, he met during university and decided to completely settle down in his hometown.
On the other hand, Kuroo's older brother passed away three years ago, leaving his daughter behind. Kuroo willingly took her in. He was the only one who works from home as a writer and earns a decent amount of money, he was the most suitable person to take care of precious Hitoka, who is now 6 years old.
The first year was hectic for both of them, with Hitoka not being able to grasp why is she alone and Kuroo trying to get himself together and rearranging his whole life for the little girl but he’s thankful that he has the time, energy and tries his best for the literal definition of sunshine. Kuroo doesn’t try to replace Hitoka’s parents, Hitoka is now aware of her circumstances and acknowledges Kuroo as her guardian; in the end they get along fine almost like friends, without stepping over the boundaries of an adult/child relationship.
Kuroo already has his mother at home to babysit Hitoka since he had to see the editor for his upcoming short story to be published, so he spends another hour with Oikawa in the restaurant. Drinking and reminiscing their university days rejuvenates Kuroo more than he expects. All refreshed and ready to continue struggling everyday problems, he sends off the visiting friend back to Miyagi. After that, he walks back to his own house.
✿
It's another typical day starting in Kuroo household and Kuroo is baking potatoes in the oven for breakfast. He calls out to Hitoka so she can wash up and come to the table but gets no response. Trying not to unnecessarily worry, he calls out once more, then climbs up the stairs, knocks on Hitoka's door.
"Sunshine, you in there?"
He leans on Hitoka's bedroom door, trying to hear if she's inside.
What he doesn't expect to hear is Hitoka moaning his name, sounding like she's in pain. Kuroo storms inside, finding Hitoka in the bed, her face beet red from the fever, drenched in sweat, her hair sticking to her forhead and temples. His car being at the mechanics for its annual check, Kuroo considers his options; either subway or taxi. Looking at his watch, he thinks it'll be wise to take the subway so he won’t get stuck in the traffic.
Kuroo grabs the little girl's coat from her wardrobe and wraps Hitoka in, without paying any attention to what he's wearing. He starts running with a half conscious Hitoka in his arms towards the station,which is pretty close by. Rush hour is chaotic as always and Kuroo is able to cram himself in one of the trains the last second. After a while, struggling to get himself in a comfortable standing position and cursing his stupid brain about not taking a taxi in the end, he feels a light tap on his shoulder.
Upon turning, he sees a pair of candid, golden eyes, offering Kuroo his seat. Touched by the gesture, Kuroo thanks him several times, the young man also helps him to get seated without the little girl getting crushed in between. Kuroo settles down, then with a tissue, he wipes the sweat drops off of Hitoka's face. After that, he bows politely to the stranger again, standing in front of him. Stealing a glance at the stranger, he’s most probably a university student, almost as tall as Kuroo but with a larger and more sturdy build and he’s looking back at the two with the warmest smile that eases his frustration and nervousness.
By the time Kuroo calms down and there are 4 stations left until the hospital, the carriage Kuroo's in is half empty. That instant, the stranger lightly gasps, suddenly opening his backpack. Kuroo watches the other with questioning eyes as he tries to balance himself. He finally finds what he’s been looking for; a small -10 cm long, to be exact- cactus in a cute purple pot, placed in a plexiglass box. He extends the cactus to Kuroo, smiling brightly.
"I have to get off at next next station but here's a little present for the girl, I hope she gets better in no time."
He looks at Hitoka's face one more time with compassion and waves to Kuroo as he runs towards the gates.
"Don't forget to water it once a month!"
He shouts and runs off the carriage, leaving Kuroo and other passengers baffled. The last time Kuroo sees the guy is when he's bowing to someone in the station because he wasn't looking where he was running and almost crushed the old man. Kuroo chuckles at the sight while train continues towards the next stop.
✿
Yachi gets well in two days since the fever wasn’t anything troublesome but now it’s Kuroo who is subjected to bad luck. Without noticing he left that out, he steps on one of Hitoka’s toys, while trying to ease his fall, he ends up with a broken forearm.
Before even thinking about how to get to the hospital, he lets out a loud swear and all the obligations rush through his head; how is he supposed to clean with one arm, how is he supposed to use the keyboard, his deadline is around the corner, how is he supposed to get Hitoka dressed or bathe her; hell, how is he supposed to bathe himself! Pain starting to sink in, he lets another swear, leaning on his other arm he straightens himself up.
Normally, he feels content but in these extreme moments he hates himself and the life he leads. He always told himself that he had time; time to make friends, time to find a significant other, time to travel abroad, time to go to a bar and drink until he passes out. He had time until Hitoka came into his life and changed all of his priorities. Together with priorities, his whole life changed and one morning when he woke up, he found himself all alone.
Not that he regrets the decision, it was himself who wanted to let the little girl in.
If only he had more time to prepare himself for it.
Trying to chase away the negative thoughts, he reaches for his phone to call his editor. He tries his best to hide that he's actually in great pain.
"Ah hello Shimizu-san. How is your day?"
"It's okay, Kuroo-san, I hope yours is the same. What is the matter?"
"Uh, I had a little accident and maybe will be in need of an extension concerning the deadline."
Kuroo is almost sure now that his arm is broken because it hurts like hell.
"Accident? What happened?"
"I fell on my dominant arm and-"
"I can't believe you."
Shimizu ends the call abruptly, leaving Kuroo perplexed. In almost a minute, she calls back.
"I called the ambulance, they are coming for you Kuroo-san."
"What?? But-"
"I'm pretty sure you would try to drive to the hospital. And don't worry, I'll pick Hitoka up from the school."
Kuroo lets out a relieved huff, grateful for Shimizu being so perceptive even though she seems distant at first. He slumps on a chair next to the kitchen table, finally unwinding and letting tears warm his cheeks. He thanks his luck that at least Hitoka is not at home.
"You know me too well."
"So please take my advice seriously, you need to seek help if you are in need."
Loud knocking on the door saves Kuroo from the trouble of answering back.
"They are here, thank you again Shimizu."
"No problem, get well soon. Call me when you feel better."
✿
Keys clicking in his pocket pierces Kuroo's ears. Entering inside, Kuroo plops on the couch. Painkillers are not enough to ease his headache, the new cast on his arm is secured on his chest with a holder.
He's not sure how long he's been passed out on the couch but when he wakes up, he finds Hitoka sleeping next to him and Shimizu sitting across, reading. Kuroo gave her the keys to the house for emergencies. The idea seems more brilliant to him than it did back then.
"How are you feeling, Kuroo-san?"
"My head and arm hurts but other than that I'm okay. I'm really grateful that you took care of her, thank you."
"Don't even mention it."
Shimizu closes her book, grabbing her bag from the floor, she heads towards the door.
"I'm sorry but I need to leave now, as I have an appointment to get ready to. About the deadline, you know we can't push it, we have one week left. It's so last minute."
Kuroo sighed, not knowing how to counter that.
"I understand but... " He whined in desperation. "I don't know what to do!"
After a minute of humming and mumbling, Shimizu comes up with an idea: a helper.
"If you accept, I can arrange someone at least for the next week, until the deadline, someone to type and run little errands for you."
Kuroo feels very reluctant; because of Hitoka, he doesn’t fancy having a stranger in the house. However he trusts Shimizu and knows she will definitely send someone worthy. Adding desperation to the current situation, Kuroo has no other option than to accept.