Chapter Text
It is a sunny day and she walks to school with high spirits. Her long brown hair, with soft curls, sways slightly in the wind and she lifts her head feeling the refreshing breeze against her skin. She enrolled in that school just before the summer break, an unusual period but her high grades justified her entry. It was a short period to get to know her classmates and she was glad they were very kind and welcomed her. That little time, however, was enough for her to be known among most of the first years. She knew it'd be like that because of her looks, but she was eager to make friends with them, to be part of a group, to share stories, to make memories. Looking at the school gate she smiles, kindly, and remembers she is blessed to be in the same class of her most cherished friend.
- Aya-chi! Good morning! – The tiny figure of a girl with short blond hair, with a small part tied on the side of her head by a star hairclip, smiles brightly at her.
Aya's face lights up, a huge smile appears, and shows that she isn't the discreet girl who some might think. She jumps toward the smaller and gives her a tight and exaggerated hug, rubbing her cheek in her hair while responding the greeting, very lively.
- Seeing your smile so early in the morning is a sign that today will be wonderful!
- Aya-chi, don't exaggerate! – The smaller manages to break free of her arms, but then receives a slightly sulky expression.
- Awn, you're so mean, Hitoka. Let me enjoy this morning in the best mood possible! - The two turn to walk into the building, toward their classroom.
- Hahaha, ok, ok. I understand your excitement, you couldn't come to school for so long and just after coming here you had to leave for summer vacation. But calm down a bit. Soon you'll get used again.
- I'm so relieved our classmates are nice. They're very kind to me.
- Yes, but you didn't have to worry about it. You're so pretty the instant you step in the classroom all eyes were on you.
- Ugh, but it attracts many boys with their strange compliment...
- Nothing has changed since elementary school, huh? – they walk in the hallway, smiling while chatting. An orange-haired boy approaches them excited while eating a huge bun and greets the smaller girl with a contagious smile – Good morning, Hinata. You have a big appetite before class starts, huh?
- Yes, I need to eat well for the games to come! - Aya looks at their interaction, with curiosity and even admiration, which draws Hitoka's attention who panics when she realizes that they don't know each other yet.
- AH! I'm sorry! Hinata, this is Tsubaki Aya, my best friend. – the boy looks at her friend and chokes with a piece of bun. The girl was so pretty his cheeks starts to burn – Aya-chi, this is Hinata Shouyou, he's one of the volleyball club members. – Hinata beats his chest to release the lump of food from his throat as Aya smiles.
- Nice to meet you, Hinata-kun!
- It's m-my pleasure! – he stutters thinking that he looks like a fool in front of her, but Aya widens the smile, which makes him calm down.
- So, you're part of the volleyball club! I'm curious to know the people who are making Hitoka so determined lately! – The blonde blushes too and Hinata laughs.
- You should come and see us then! I'm sure there will be no problem!
- Oh, it may be that soon I'll do it. – The bell rings and they say goodbye going to their respective classes. – He seems like a good kid.
- Yes, he is! And he's so amazing playing! You need to see it, Aya-chi! – the highest smiles tenderly and strokes her friend’s hair, moving away to sit at her desk at the window.
At the end of class, Hitoka takes her things quickly and runs out of the classroom after saying goodbye.
- Hey-! Geez, she didn't even let me talk! – Aya sighs, lowering the arm that was raised to get her friend’s attention. Two girls approach her and smile, while she gets her things in her bag.
- Hitoka-chan is really excited about this club, isn't it?
- She always says the volleyball club is amazing. – The other girl laughs and Aya agrees, smiling kindly.
- Yeah, Hitoka never was an optimistic girl, so I'm curious to know this club that is improving her self-esteem. She has invited me to watch the friendly games, but as I just arrived, I still had many documents and pending issues to resolve with the school... – The two look at her in silence and Aya laughs reassuring – Come on, girls! It's all right, okay? – They both nod and Aya sighs – I'll have to wait for my brother to pick me up today, but it'll take another hour... I think I'm going to the gym to spy on how Hitoka is doing in her club activities! – She gets excited and puts her bag on her right shoulder, moving to the door quickly.
- No wonder you seem like her mother, hahaha.
- Hey, what's the problem with worrying about my childhood friend? – She laughs and the two accompanying her to outside and then they go to their own clubs.
As she approaches the gym, Aya can already hear the noise of shoes dragging on the court and screams of incentive. However, when she comes near the door, she is hit by something so fast she can't even see what it was. Her cry of pain and the noise of her body falling on the ground draws the attention of those who were inside the gym and they run to see what had happened.
- Hinata, you dumb! You hit a girl!
Aya hears the voice of a boy but her head hurts so much she can’t open her eyes for a moment. Her nose is burning, cheeks tingling, and the world spinning crazily. Another voice panics and she slowly gets up from the ground to feel something running down her face.
- What?! Ahhh, I'm sorry! – Said boy runs to her and helps her sit up, but shouts horrified to see blood coming out of her nose – Whaaaa! Tsubaki-san?! I'm so sorry!!! What do I do?? She's bleeding!!!
- Ehh?! Aya-chi! – Hitoka manages to pass by the players and runs to her as well, just as horrified as Hinata. Aya looks at her friend with a hand over her nose trying to stop the bleeding, and smiles.
- Hitoka, it seems to be very lively here, huh?
- You need to go to the infirmary, Aya-chi!
- Don't be silly, I just need to stop the bleeding and sit down a little bit. – A sturdy and athletic boy, who she learns later is the captain of the team, Sawamura Daichi, holds her left arm with a concerned look.
- Excuse me, let me help you, you can sit inside the gym. I apologize for our lack of care; the door should be closed.
- Don't worry, it was an accident. But I accept the help, I'm a little dizzy... – she gives her right arm to him and he changes sides to help her get up.
- Aya-chi... – They return to the gym and Aya smiles again when she sits and holds Hitoka's hand.
- Hitoka don't make that face, I said I'm fine. I thought I'd come look at you, I was curious about the club after seeing how you're so excited lately.
- Oh! Really?! – Hitoka's cheeks got rosy and she moves her arms randomly, embarrassed – Y-you could have told me, I'd like if you attend to their games too!
- Hahaha, I know, but you didn't let me say anything before you came running here. – Hitoka despairs herself apologizing, but Aya raises a hand for her to stop talking – We've talked about this, Hitoka, you don't need to apologize for everything. This is not your fault. – She points to her own nose and her friend lowers her head – It’s not anyone's fault, okay? Moreover, I can take care of this, right? – Aya winks to her friend, lowers her head a little and presses her nostrils, breathing with her mouth. Hitoka seems worried still but takes her phone and checks the time.
- I'll let you know when it’s okay to stop… – Aya gives her a thumbs up and the others watch this, some of them worried too.
- Oh, she's very smart! – Daichi vocalizes his thinking and the others look at him, who explains – When you have a nose bleeding like this, you can’t let it run to your pharynx, that's why you should down your head. And to stop the bleeding you should do what she’s doing, press your nostrils with your fingers for a bit. This should be enough, but if it continues to bleed you repeat that for 10 or 15 minutes, otherwise you’ll need to see a doctor.
- Wooooow, how do you know that, captain?!
- One who do sports should know this, Hinata. It's normal for us to get hurt like this, don’t you think? – a boy with grayish hair responds to him who gets embarrassed that he doesn’t know that, even getting hurt himself so many times, he'd always put a cotton in his nose.
- Yes, she seems to know these things. – A man with dyed hair comes near them. Hitoka tells her she could stop and Aya frees her nostrils, waiting to see if the bleeding really stopped. Her friend looks at her face and moments later confirms it’s okay. Aya smiles and look at the man who approached them – I’m the coach of the team, Ukai Keishin. You're friends with Yachi-san, I see.
- Yes, I'm Tsubaki Aya, it's a pleasure to meet you all. I'm sorry for interrupting your practice and for all the commotion. But also, I hope you all take good care of Hitoka. – All of them look at her seeing how she is polite and gentle. Tanaka and Nishinoya, who were observing behind another boy with long hair, suddenly widen their eyes, hold the hands of each other and exclaim excited that she’s so beautiful. Ignoring all the mess her face is because of the blood, Aya's beauty didn't pass unnoticed by them.
- Eh? – She hears them and diverts her face, embarrassed, holding Hitoka's shirt, who chuckles.
- Aya-chi is very shy when praised, don't mind about that. – Aya looks shocked to Hitoka for saying this openly, but the excited cries of the two boys call their attention again.
- Wooooohhh! She's cute! – Aya tenses and tries to hide behind Hitoka – So cute!
- Ok, ok! Go back to training, leave the girl alone. – The boys return to the court and an older girl offers a glass of water to Aya, and a damp towel to clean the blood off her face.
- Aya-chi, this is Shimizu Kiyoko-san, the club's manager.
- It's a pleasure, Tsubaki-chan, I'm sorry you got hurt.
- Oh! So pretty! – Aya exclaims, impressed, and Shimizu gets red, like the others, who notice how she praises another girl so casually, despite getting so shy when praised too. Aya smiles and accepts the water – My pleasure, Shimizu-senpai. Don't worry, I'm fine, thank you.
During the conversation, distracted, they don't realize another ball flying towards them almost hitting Aya's head once again, scaring Hitoka who screams.
- KYAAH! Aya-chi! You ok?!
- Wow, she's like a magnet of fast balls...
- Stop it, Tsukishima!
At the end of training all of them are cleaning the court. Aya looks at her phone and Hitoka goes to her when finished to change.
- Is something wrong, Aya-chi?
- Oh, Kyo-nii would pick me up today, but it's late so I called home. Mom said that he's still at work and doesn't know when he will be able to come.
- Didn't he tell you?
- No, remember when he was robbed two days ago? They took his phone and he didn't remember my number by heart. It seems I'll have to go alone.
- But your home is in a dangerous way to go alone, right? – Hitoka looks worried, but Aya smiles.
- Don't worry, I'll stick with my phone in hand, if I notice anything, I'll call the police right away, okay?
- If you have the phone in hand it will draw even more attention from thieves. – A voice catches their attention and they realize that a blonde tall boy with glasses had heard the conversation.
- Tsukishima-kun! – He was leaving the gym and heard them while waiting for someone. Aya notices a cool aura in him and he seems to be a calm person. She lowers her head and sighs, murmuring to herself.
- I really have to worry about these things, huh… – Hitoka looks at her with a concerned expression and Aya rubs her nape thinking of what to do but hears the Tsukishima one sigh while putting his hands on his pockets.
- Is there no one in your home besides your brother to come pick you up?
- Not today... Well, I have no choice, so I'm going home. I'll be okay.
- Where do you live, Tsubaki-san? – Asks another guy who approaches the highest, hearing the conversation too. It's a boy with a gentle expression and cute freckles, Aya thinks to herself.
- Huh? Near to the park...
- Oh, Tsukki lives near there too! We always go together until part of the way. You can go along if you want.
- Yamaguchi. – Tsukishima looks at his friend as if to say to him not to interfere, which makes Aya look at him.
- Sorry, Tsukki.
- Do you really live near there? – She questions and Tsukishima sighs, seeming tired.
- Yes, let's go.
- Don't you mind?
- You said yourself, don't you? Your brother was attacked, it's dangerous.
- You should accept, Aya-chi... – she nods at Hitoka and smiles.
- Okay, see you tomorrow, Hitoka.
- See you tomorrow, Aya-chi, Tsukishima-kun, Yamaguchi-kun! – They nod and go towards their homes.
- You're in the same class as Yachi-san, Tsubaki-san? You seem very close.
- Yes, we know each other since childhood. I'm so happy to be near her again.
- You seem overprotective. – Aya looks surprised in Tsukishima's direction, even strangers can see this? – Is she your girlfriend? – If her eyes could pop out of their sockets, that would be the time for that. Yamaguchi is also startled by the question and nudges Tsukishima due to the unkindness – Oh, isn't she? So, it's a one-sided love?
- You aren't the first one to say this, if you're thinking you're doing an original joke. – Tsukishima widens his eyes, surprised by her reaction – Just surprised me that you can be that way with whom you barely know. – He doesn't answer and Yamaguchi sighs in the middle of them – Hitoka is my childhood friend, she's important to me and I have this habit of worrying too much about the ones I consider important. I'm not lesbian, if that's what you want to know. Are you interested in me? – She smiles teasing him and he looks shocked at first, but angry right after.
- Hah?!
- O-oi...! – The two look at Yamaguchi who was on guard and continues – I'm going this way... – He points to a side street toward his house – Don't fight, ok?
- Eh? Of course not, why he'd fight with me after confessing? – Aya fakes a confused expression and Tsukishima narrows his eyes.
- You're very brave, shorty.
- Shorty? I'm 168 cm tall.
- Oh, sorry, most people are smaller than me. – He wears a smug smile and she tilts her head.
- Hmm, did you want your crush was taller than you? – He gets angry again seeing the corners of her lips lifting with a smile as smug as his and Yamaguchi tries to hold back laughter, failing miserably and being caught by him.
- Sorry, Tsukki! It's the first time someone doesn't fall in any of your provocations! – He narrows his eyes again and Yamaguchi shivers – I'm going! See you tomorrow!
- Tch! – Tsukishima goes back to walking and Aya just follows.
- You have a difficult personality, huh? – He snorts sarcastic – What's your name? You could at least introduce yourself to your crush. – Tsukishima turns to her, towering her frame and expecting her to take a step back.
- You already know my name and I already know yours, so what do you want? – He notices she doesn't move an inch and looks direct in his eyes.
- Oh, if you don't want to talk, fine. Tsukki. – She widens the smile and he feels his blood boil. – I'm Tsubaki Aya, it's a pleasure, Tsukki.
- Tch. Tsukishima Kei. – He returns to walking and she goes along again.
- Oh! You have a beautiful name! – He looks at her suspiciously, but is surprised to see that she smiles genuinely – All my brothers have similar rōmaji names, three letters starting with K. I always thought it was so cool! My name was to be Kaya, but my parents decided to keep the three letters instead of starting with K – She shrugs adjusting the bag in her right shoulder. – I was the first girl, so I think I caught them by surprise – She laughs. – In less than two months I'll have a sister! Her name will be Aoi. She'll be so cute! – Tsukishima looks at her in silence, analyzing her happy and excited expression as she speaks of her family. He now understands the overprotective personality she appeared to have. She just loves the people around her too much. He frowns, looking ahead, she's one of those people who likes to gush about family and friends. Annoying. – So, I think you have a very pretty name, Kei-kun! – Tsukishima's eyes widen in surprise; she was calling his first name so casually that caught him off guard. – Huh? What's it? You're not coming? – Aya looks back when he stopped walking without realizing it. Ugh, she was so carefree and talkative he decides to ignore it and spare the trouble. The boy returns to walk and asks, even if he wasn't interested at all.
- What are the names of your brothers?
- Oh, there's Kyo-nii who's the youngest of them, he finished college in March! He works in an advertising company and his projects are so awesome! He's the one coordinating the marketing of that new supermarket in downtown! – Kei soon regrets his question, she got so excited to talk about her family she was almost skipping each step she took. – There's Kai-nii, he's the second oldest and graduated last year. He's a chef and owns a restaurant! The dishes he prepares are so delicious! – It was almost amusing observing her expressions, he thinks, wanting to smirk but holding himself not to let her notice – And then there's Kou-nii, the oldest, he's a plastic surgeon! It's been awhile since the last time I saw him; he's always traveling to conventions and is already married.
- Oh, a plastic surgeon in your family? How convenient, your body is really yours or is his work? – Tsukishima smiles sarcastic, expecting another quick answer or an angry reaction, but all he gets is silence. He notices her fidgeting her hands, holding her bag's straps, before she speaks dropping her excitement in her voice tone.
- Hum, I live right there, thank you for accompanying me. – She bows without looking in his eyes – Good night, Kei-kun. – Without waiting for an answer, Aya turns her back and goes home while Tsukishima observes when she enters a house and then he turns to go to his own. For some reason, he feels guilty, she seemed strange, ignoring his comment and leaving. Whatever it was, he thinks, has nothing to do with him and hopefully he will not see her again. She was annoying with all the talk.