Snow in a Spring's Day
Chapter 1: The Train Ride
Niou woke up late, again. That's why he came to morning practice late. As a result, their loving Sanada-fukubuchou asked (or should I say, commanded) him to run 50 laps, which he had no choice but oblige.
The sun was surprisingly striking today. Well, it was summer but... today was unusually hot.
After the laps, he played a match with Kirihara. He won 7 – 6 because Kirihara passed out. "Ah, what a hot day," Niou remarked as he wiped his sweaty forehead with his arm.
"That explains why the brat passed out," Marui said as he pointed Kirihara.
"Come to think of it," Jackal said, "you're right, Niou."
Niou said nonchalantly and got his water bottle, "Yeah yeah."
"It's natural because it's summertime," Renji said, holding a notebook in one hand.
"BUT IT ISN'T NATURAL TO BE THIS HOT!" Marui yelled at Renji... in the face. Not that he minded it, though.
"My, my, I guess the heat's getting into you." Yukimura said.
"OF COURSE!" Marui fumed and grabbed a water bottle, opened the lid, and pour the water on his head. "So hot," he whined.
"Okay, that's the end of morning practice. Everyone is dismissed!" Yukimura commanded.
The regulars rushed to the bathrooms to take a bath. They deserve it after all. And then, they changed into their school uniforms and went to their respective classes.
As soon as classes ended, Niou went straight to their club room for he didn't want to be late and run laps again. Wondering why he didn't get a detention today? Ask him.
He reached the locker rooms and opened the door, just to see his other team mates.
"Hi," he greeted.
"Hello Niou-kun," Yukimura smiled. "No detention today?"
"Nope. I was –"
"'A good boy today' is what you're about to say, right?" Renji, who just appeared out of nowhere, interrupted.
Niou shivered. "Seriously Yanagi, you're creeping me out."
"Niou, a good boy? Is it the end of the world already?" Marui laughed.
Niou blushed. "Che."
Yukimura nodded with a smile. "That's good. Keep that up though."
Niou then put down his bag. He was about to change his clothes when his phone rang. He flipped his phone to see the name of the caller.
"Oh great," he thought. "Why now?"
His hands shook a bit as he lifted the phone near his ears and answered hesitantly.
"Mom?" he said with the 'why-the-hell-did-you-call-me-now' voice.
"Oh, Masaharu, can I speak with your captain please?"
Niou sighed. He handed his cellphone to Yukimura and said, "My mom wants to talk to you."
"Me?" Yukimura asked and pointed himself. Niou nodded at this. Yukimura's lips formed a 'o'. He then spoke, "What is it that you want, Niou-san?"
"Ah, Seiichi-kun, I need Masaharu to do an errand for me. So if you may excuse him..." she pleaded.
Yukimura smiled. As if Niou's mom would see it. "Sure, Niou-san. It's fine."
"Is that so? You have my greatest thanks," Niou-san said with a happy voice.
"It's nothing," he replied. Yukimura then handed the cellphone to Niou and told him, "You are excused for now. Go and do the errand your mom wishes you to do."
"WHAT!" Niou exclaimed. "Why Yukimura? WHY? WHY? WHY? WHY?"
He almost kissed Yukimura's shoes. Literally.
Yukimura bent over the begging Niou, ruffled his hair and smiled. "Now, now, Haru. Be a good boy and do what your mom asks you."
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"
"Go now, Niou Masaharu," Yukimura said with his voice of doom. Niou shivered and picked up his phone and went out of the locker room really fast.
Kirihara happened to pass by this and asked, "Why is Niou-senpai in a hurry?"
Yanagi chuckled and answered, "His mom had made him do an errand."
Kirihara mumbled, "Oh."
Sanada stood up and commanded, "Everyone, run 10 laps now!" And then he drifted his eyes into Kirihara. "And you, for being late, run an additional 50 laps! NOW!"
"EHHH?"
Niou was now far from the school. He walked sluggishly towards the train station and sighed. "Why do I have to do this in the first place?" he whined.
Flashback
"Masaharu, wait for me at the school gates, 'kay?"
"Yeah, right." he deadpanned.
FEW MINUTES LATER...
"I'm here," Niou's mom waved. She handed him a box wrapped in a fine pink linen cloth. "I want you to take this to your aunt in Tokyo."
"WHAT?" he shouted. When he saw the look in his mother's face (a.k.a. The look of doom), he sighed and hesitantly agreed.
"That's great! Go now before the sun sets and be safe, ne Masaharu?" she reminded. He just waved back and rode on a bus, going to the train station.
Niou finally reached the train station. He got his tickets immediately and rode the train. When he saw a sitting spot, he sat on it with the speed of light.
He grinned at himself, saying, "I'm so good at this thing, aren't I?"
"Taking a nap sure isn't a bad thing," he thought.
He first scanned his surroundings to make sure no one will focus their attention on him. When he was assured, he decided it's time. He was about to close his eyes when a certain person who just stepped on the train caught his eyes. A girl.
His eyes followed to where the girl was going. He was mesmerized with her shoulder-length brown hair tied in a half ponytail that blended well with her light brown uniform. He was sure he had a nose bleed when she faced his direction. He saw and admired her youthful face and her pair of sharp blue eyes that peacefully stared at the window pane. Her smile was so beautiful and warm that he felt like an ice in a frying pan.
Niou never thought that there was a girl this beautiful. He always thought that girls only become beautiful when they fix themselves (put makeup, style their hair, etc.) but this one betrayed his theory. This girl, Niou thought, is one of a kind.
When he saw her uniform badge, he immediately identified her as a Hyotei student.
Instead of sleeping, he spent his time staring at this girl, forgetting everything around him. He was shook out of his thoughts when the announcer said that the train was in Tokyo now. Niou watched the girl step out of the train. He smiled and scratched his head.
"I forgot to take a nap just because of her?" he asked himself. "That's not like me."
He had a big smile on his face as he stepped out of the train. I look forward to see her again, he thought and walked away to do his job.
Sooooooooooooooo, how was it? Crappy or not? I would really like to hear your comments 'bout this. No Flames please, though, this is my first fanfic after all. :)