"Rakuzan High's basketball club is the top of the prefecture here in Kyoto and the entire Japan." Higuchi Shota-senpai explains as he hands me a magazine which has Rakuzan's basketball team in its cover.

"Being their manager isn't all too hard, just listen to Akashi-san and the coach and give the team towels and water bottles after they train." I nodded and gave back the magazine.

How did this happen?

Welllll...

*Flashback*

"Join the volleyball club! If you're new, don't worry. We now have a gym for newbies to train in!" An excited senpai handed me a paper, but I politely declined. It was just the first day, but seriously, the clubs are going all out.

I sighed as I again politely declined another invitation. How was I even supposed to the guidance counsellor with this kind of a crowd?! At least I now know that a prestigious school is like all other schools...

"Excuse me." I sighed for nth time as I stared at the paper blocking most of my sight. I smiled politely.

"Yes?" I asked in Japanese. I thank God for my love of anime that I was able to learn simple Japanese.

The guy smiled and introduced himself, "My name is Higuchi Shota. I'm the manager of Rakuzan's basketball club." Please just get to the point so I could reject you... "This is my last year here so I'm looking for someone to take my place." Okay, why does he make it sound like he's dying? Damn, heart, don't go sympathizing on him. You promised no clubs! No clubs! "Is it alright?"

I scratched my cheek as I averted my eyes away from him, "W-Well, isn't there anyone else who was interested?" Higuchi-senpai rolled his eyes, sighing.

"Plenty. But they only want to because of Akashi-san." After saying that, he narrows his brown eyes at me.

I held up my hands in self defense. "Woah, there... kinsa ni si 'Akashi-san'?*" I quoted Akashi-san with both hands. He shot an eyebrow at me.

"Uhm...what?" I face-palmed. I let my native tongue slip again.

"Sorry... I'm still having a hard time adjusting to speak Japanese all the time." I coughed. A familiar heat ignited on my face. Both his brows shot up.

"You're a foreigner?" I nodded. A smile instantly lit up on his face. "That's great! Welcome to the basketball club!"

Without even letting me reply, Higuchi-senpai said he'd meet me after class then left me alone and dumbfounded amidst the crowd of students. Sweaty, nervous, and excited crowd of students...

*End of Flashback*

And here we were, walking to the gym where the basketball club was. I could've rejected him, but my heart was so annoyingly caring that I decided to join. Joining one club won't make a difference for a normal highschool life. Just don't get attached to them.

Hopefully.

"...and we're here." Higuchi-senpai shot me a nervous smile which made me confused. Why was he nervous? He was the one who decided to bring me here! Now he's making me nervous too!

With slight hesitation, he pushed through the double doors.

You know the part in the anime when you pushed through some doors, wind just blasted on the protagonist's face and they smile widely.

It was like that.

Except without me smiling wide.

I stared awestruck at the inside. It was freaking huge! The ceilings were so high too! My ears perked at the sound of squeaking shoes and bouncing balls. My eyes widened as a muscled, dark-skinned senpai slammed the ball into the ring making a loud bang. Unconsciously, I smiled.

"Please wait here for a moment." I nodded as I continued watching the team practice. My heart hammered in my chest. I was going to assist these guys?! Am I even good enough?! My eyes drifted through each player, but one caught my eye. He wasn't practicing like the others; he was just standing there watching all the players. As if...

I quickly looked away when his eyes spotted me. Blood rushed to my face. Should I run? I mean, he looks really scary so its a pretty good option right now...

While I was debating whether to run away or not, a loud whistle stopped my thoughts and the team from practicing. My eyes flickered to Higuchi-senpai. He was motioning with his hand to come over. Should I salute at him and run away? That isn't a very good first impression though...

Nervously, I walked towards him and stood beside him. My fingers played around the rim of my skirt.

"Everyone, gather around!" The coach? yells out and the players quickly gather. I frowned. They're really well disciplined.

Only five in particular weren't in a hurry. It was the dark-skinned guy who made that awesome dunk earlier, a carefree blonde guy, a tall, black haired guy, a white-haired guy, and...that guy.

Even though he was the shortest among the five, he held more presence and superior authority. He has light red hair, but what irked me were his eyes. They were...heterochromatic: one was red and the other yellow.

They were staring directly at me.

Quickly, I looked down at my hands which were still busy playing with my skirt.

"We have a new manager for our next three years. Say your greetings." My brows furrowed in confusion. The coach may have the authority and looks to order the team, but it didn't seem like he was the one in charge at all.

"Nice to meet you, please take care of us!" I jumped at their voices and bowed down as well.

"N-Nice to meet you! Please take care of me as well!" The familiar heat ignited on my face as I stuttered. Why am I so freaking awkward?!

A hand grabbed my chin and I found myself staring into a pair of green eyes. It was the carefree blonde... He smiled, showing all his teeth.

"Nice catch, Higuchi! You got us a cute one!" I slapped his hand away and glared at him through my pink-rimmed glasses. Yes, I wear pink-rimmed glasses... It was the only color left in the store.

My eyes widened when I realized what I just did. I quickly grabbed his hand and rubbed the part I slapped.

"Waaah, sorry kaayo, senpai!* I didn't mean to slap your hand!" I bowed my head again and kept saying my apologies.

"Sing-san, you're talking in your native tongue..." My face flushed as I changed my words into Japanese.

"I am SO sorry, senpai! Please forgive me!" Well, there goes my first impression...

Senpai grins. "I'll forgive you if-"

"Kotaro, enough of your foolishness." We both froze at the voice. Kotaro-senpai was quick to pull away his hand from me as he laughs nervously.

"Don't be so such a kill joy, Akashi! I was just having fun." My head slowly turned to Akashi...it was the red-haired guy. My throat tightened at his glare. Fear bubbling in my stomach.

I looked away.

The coach was unconcerned at what just transpired and just claps his hands. "Get back to practice."

"Hai!" At the sound of retreating footsteps, my hands flew up to cover my humiliated face.

You just blew up the whole plan, Niña...

-0-0-0-0

kinsa ni si 'Akashi-san'?* - who is this Akashi-san?

Waaah, sorry kaayo, senpai!* - Waahh, I am sooo sorry, senpai!