égoïste

raison #3


So that's what 'exhilaration' meant, Akaashi had searched up the word Shiori used earlier. She said, 'I want to feel that exhilaration again'.

He shut the dictionary and stared at his notebook, this 'exhilaration'; is this the same as when somebody gets a spike in in volleyball? Is it like when Bokuto-san spikes a cross that doesn't get caught out by blockers?

The setter glanced up. Shiori was helping Konoha with his revision and watching over how he did things, while Yukie was helping out Bokuto with explaining the same thing over and over again, trying to drill it into his volleyball fuelled mind.

Maybe so. That's probably the reason she keeps playing volleyball, away from the eyes of those with connection to the National stages, Akaashi twirled a pen around his fingers.

What problem does she have with wanting to go on a bigger stage, anyway?

Shiori opened her phone, checking if she had any messages. Konoha was currently filling up some blank spaces on a worksheet, so she had a little bit of free time.

She opened an app that allowed her to converse with people who had the same interest as her: those who read Shonen Jump, or those who read manga and watched anime. It just so happened that she received a message from one of the people she's been talking to for a while about different series they both liked, their username 'MiracleBoy'.

Shiori's username was 'FlyHigh', the name of one of her favourite anime openings.

I still don't know why this person's called themselves 'Miracle Boy', Shiori let a small smile on her lips when she looked at his message.

MiracleBoy: Did you read the new chapter of the volleyball manga?! That was intense!

FlyHigh: I saw! It really was! I can't wait to see this animated! Season 4 where you at?!

Shiori closed the app, putting her phone face down so that she could concentrate on what she had to do now.

"Ah—Aki, you're spelling that one wrong." She pointed to the box that read 'beginning'. "This one's supposed to have a double n."

"What, really?!" The wing spiker frowned, rubbing it out with an eraser, "Damn it!"

The female snickered at his reaction but patted his shoulder, "It's fine, you'll get it eventually."

"I damn hope this is on the quiz next week."

"Bokuto, that's wrong." Yukie sighed for the umpteenth time. They were stuck doing the same question for an hour after dinner, and it was beginning to annoy her that he wasn't getting it. Moreover, they were only on the 5th exercise's 1st question.

"But how?! I swear I'm doing it the way you're teaching me!" The owl frowned, looking up at her with a frustrated expression.

Yukie furrowed her brows slightly. She really did want to help Bokuto, but he was really testing her patience. Plus, working on the same thing for over an hour was taxing. She glanced over at Akaashi, "Akaashi…" She started.

The setter let out a small exhale and turned towards his captain, "What don't you get, Bokuto-san?"

As the volleyball captain told his vice-captain of everything that he didn't get, Yukie sighed in relief and excused herself to take a break.

Shiori only smiled at the scene. It was something that only Bokuto could do, and it was something that amused her. She was surprised Yukie was able to hold out for an hour or longer; Shiori wouldn't be able to do that. Her patience span was probably maximum 30 minutes on the same thing before she blew her lid. On especially good days, it'll be a maximum of 45 minutes.

The teen turned to Konoha, who had called her name. "Is this okay?"

"Oh, you've finished it." She stated, sliding it in front of her to take a look. She glanced at the answers, then started to explain what was wrong and why. "Aki, for this one, it's 'i' before 'e'." She pointed to another one, "And this one isn't spelt like that. It's got a lot silent letters, so it might be hard to remember." She wrote down the actual spelling with a red pencil and underlined the silent letters. "That's it. You got most of them right."

Konoha let out a sigh and went back to working on the worksheets.

Shiori glanced over at Bokuto and Akaashi. They were still on the math problem, but it seemed like there was some progress, as minimal as it was.

Ah, that's right, Akaashi wanted me to help with his English. Shiori leaned forward, seeing what the second year was working on. It was another worksheet, similar to Konoha's, but harder in level. He had filled it up already. It should be fine to take a look, right?

As if he knew what she was doing, Akaashi pushed the worksheet gently in Shiori's direction as he was talking to Bokuto.

The teenager looked up at the setter, but he was still talking to Bokuto, not looking at her. Without another word, she took the piece of paper and scanned through it, making sure that she corrected any mistakes. Once she finished, she put it back where it was previously, going back to Konoha's work.

It was at that time that Yukie had come back, bringing a plate of cut fruit. "Guys, here's some fruit."

So that's why she was gone for so long, Shiori grinned at her good friend and cleared the area around which they were using.

"Ah! Thanks, Shirofuku!" Konoha immediately stopped working and started eating. Bokuto was the exact same.

"Don't make such a mess. I have to clean this up later you know." Shiori glance at the two of them, brows slanted.

Taking a piece of a variety of fruits, she glanced up at the clock. It was around 8pm now. "We've been at this for about 2 hours. How are you guys faring up? A bit longer or is this enough for today?"

"This should be enough for today." Konoha lightly stretched his neck, arms and back as he chewed. "I think I need to continue this the day after tomorrow."

"Same! I can't study and sit still the whole time!" Bokuto complained, waving a piece of fruit around.

"Okay, okay. Same place same time yeah?" Shiori met each of their eyes. They nodded.

"Oh! Oh yeah, Yukie, can you help me with my failing subjects? I completely forgot about them." Shiori laughed and popped a grape into her mouth.

"Sure thing."

"Thanks, Yuki!"

Akaashi wondered if now was a good time to tell them that Shiori would be joining them in practice. For receives, anyway.

He ate a strawberry, contemplating over his options. About an hour ago he had successfully gotten her to give the OK to helping out with their practices. But, they didn't discuss any details. Akaashi was a thorough person, so he would've liked to discuss this more with Shiori. Such as when she is able to come and help out. Of course, they could discuss it right then and there, but he didn't know if Shiori would want that and of course, how Bokuto would react since he was the captain and all.

Taking a few blueberries, he slowly put each one in his mouth, dark eyes landing on the one who sat opposite him. "Shiori-san." He said, grabbing her attention.

"Hm?" She turned to him, brows alleviated to show her surprise.

The rest of them looked to him.

"When are you available to help out?" Akaashi asked.

The volleyball captain, wing spiker and manager all tilted their heads slightly in confusion. They had no idea what he was talking about.

"Hey, hey, hey what's going on Akaashi?!" Bokuto turned to face the vice-captain, eagerly wanting to know what they were talking about.

Are they talking about his English work? Yukie and Konoha wondered. That was the only thing they knew that Shiori could help Akaashi out with.

Shiori knew exactly what he was talking about. She grabbed her diary and flicked through it to the week they were currently in, seeing which days after school she was free. "Tomorrow I have archery practice with the archery club, but I could probably come by the day after that. So, the day when we have our next study group."

"What are you talking about?" Bokuto grabbed some more fruits and almost angrily shoved them into his mouth, like a small child throwing a tantrum. He must have really wanted to know.

"Then come by at that time." Akaashi nodded in agreement. "I'll inform the coach."

Shiori was silent for a moment, before nodding, "Yeah, okay."

"What's this about a coach?" Konoha stared wide eyed at the setter and Shiori, "Is she going to help us during practice or something?"

Yukie clapped her hands together in realisation. "Oh! Is she going to play volleyball with you guys?"

"What?! Akaashi! You never told me about this! Why?!" Bokuto grabbed the setter's shoulder and pulled him back and forth.

Akaashi sighed, "Bokuto-san, it was decided just today." He sounded almost done.

"Decided what?!"

The second year knew that when Bokuto got like this, there was no pulling out. He wouldn't stop until he found out. Well, Akaashi was going to tell them eventually anyway, so he might as well.

"Shiori-san is going to help with our training." Akaashi put it bluntly.

The volleyball members were quiet for a moment, before an elongated "EH?!" came from them. They whipped around to look at Shiori, who sat there with a bored look, taking the berries and eating them.

Bokuto stood up and leaned over to Shiori, "Is that true, Shiori?!" His golden eyes were wide but they gleamed with passion and expectation.

"Uh…yes, it is." She fed him a strawberry, which he nearly dropped.

Konoha looked quite surprised, "How will you help out? We're the boys' volleyball team, not the girls'."

"Aki, does it really matter what gender the teams are?" Shiori rolled her eyes and flicked the boy's forehead.

"Hey!"

"Eh, Akaashi, did you want to see her play volleyball?" Yukie's voice, even though it sounded a little lazy and lax, had hints of mischievousness in it.

"That's not it, Shirofuku-san. Shiori-san will be helping with receives training." Akaashi elaborated.

"Receives training?" She raised a brow.

"Yes. When serving."

"Serving…?" Yukie paused for a moment, looking up at a higher space on the wall to remember something. "If I'm remembering right…Shiori had good control over her normal serves in the games she played in P.E."

"Normal serves?" Konoha and Bokuto had a funny look on their faces.

Shiori didn't say anything. She just continued to eat the fruits off the plate, as everyone had stopped eating to talk and think. She would occasionally feed the third years though.

Well…of course Yukie wouldn't know that I'm able to do jump serves. I didn't do any when we were having the girls' match. It would have been overkill since lots of them haven't played before. So I stuck to the normal serves. Still controlled where it landed though. Maybe I should have not controlled it so much…Shiori thought.

Akaashi picked up the last blueberry, "You'll be able to see her in practice the day after tomorrow." He ended the conversation there, not further explaining.

Bokuto stared at Shiori for a very long time, unnerving her when she noticed.

"Uh…Kou, what's wrong? You're staring." She dangled a strawberry in front of him.

He took it with his mouth and chewed, still staring at her. Once he finished the strawberry, he raised a brow, "Are you good at volleyball?"

"That's…a surprising question, Bo." Shiori shrugged nonchalantly, remembering how earlier that day Yukie had said she was good. Maybe Bokuto was asking because he wanted to see if she thought she was good. "I'm not sure. We'll see for ourselves in a couple of days' time, yeah?" She smiled at him, but there was a spark of challenge in her eyes.

"Oya?" Bokuto noticed and smirked, "Well, I can't wait then!"

"Hey, are you sure about this?" Konoha questioned. "Wouldn't want you to get hurt."

"Positive." Shiori glanced at Konoha with a smile. "Thanks for the worry, though. I'm sure it'll be fine. I'm only serving."

'Only serving', Akaashi wanted to laugh at that comment.

He was sure that she could do as much damage as a service ace from Bokuto, or just short of it. His biggest concern was how Shiori would play in regards to where she would put the ball. She wasn't an idiot, so she knew the places that were hard to hit, that much was certain.

It'll be good practice for Komi-san, as well. If he can get Shiori-san's serves, then that would improve his ability as a libero, the setter took the last of the fruit.

"You might want to bring your P.E uniform if you're going to practice with them." Yukie commented.

"Yeah, ok." Shiori wondered if she should wear the volleyball gear she always wore for games at the sports centre, or if she should just wear trackies and a T shirt.

The actual gear might be better if I'm serving…Shiori was conflicted. Maybe just a T shirt and the shorts from my school uniform? Urgh, whatever.

She got up and took the empty plate, going to rinse it off.

"Akaashi! Did you get her to practice with us for our sake?!" Bokuto grinned and slapped Akaashi on the back, "You know what's good!"

Konoha sweat dropped, "Uh…I don't think that's it, Bokuto."

Akaashi decided to not respond to Bokuto.

"Oh!" Bokuto suddenly stopped, owlish eyes going wide. The others stared at him, wondering what he thought of. His expression went serious; his brows knitted together and the intensity in his eyes was similar to those that he had in game.

"Do you think she has the skin tight shorts that the girls' wear?!"

Yukie smacked Bokuto, sighing with irritation, "That's not something to get serious about!"

Akaashi held his usual normal expression, but hit Bokuto on the back, hard.

"HEY!"

Konoha stayed silent, guiltily look to the side. He had honestly thought the same thing, but he was glad he wasn't vocal about it.

"Konoha! You agree with me, right, right?!" Bokuto tried, rubbing the back of his throbbing head.

"Huh?! I, what, um," The Jack of all trades opened his mouth to disagree, but Shiori had come back into the room, forcing him to stay quiet.

"You know, you're really loud." She started, eyeing the ace.

"Eeep! Shiori!" Bokuto shifted slightly away from her as she leaned forward just slightly in his direction.

'Eeep?' Akaashi and Yukie thought.

"Well, it's not like I didn't know you were a perv." Shiori snickered, lightly kicking his leg.

"Hey! I'm not a perv!" Bokuto weakly tried to defend himself, but failed.

"Anyway, we'll see what I wear. I might even miraculously have the uniform on that day." Her tone held tease.

Bokuto froze for a moment, then turned to Konoha, hoping he was thinking the same thing. Konoha and the ace looked each other in the eyes for a long moment, then clasped their hands together over the table in a silent agreement or cheer of some sort.

Akaashi sighed, wiping his hands on a tissue. He looked over to his English worksheet, seeing it corrected with a red pencil. He had gotten quite a number wrong.

as expected, the more advanced worksheets are harder, he looked over her writing. She had even given him instructions on how to improve it. It was like she was making up for the lost time that she couldn't help him because she was busy with Konoha.

"You two, stop fantasizing weird things." Shiori sat down and pulled her own books. She had spent so much time helping the others out that she forgot to do her own. She needed to focus on literature and math.

Stupid comprehension questions that don't make any damn sense…she mentally cursed how people came up with such things.

It's not like she needed to look into everything that the author meant, i.e. the blues in the sky were cold and frozen, signalling just how cold it was. It meant just that, not some emotional crap like the sky was blue and frozen because it was a depressing day for our resident main character.

Nope.

Shiori turned to Yukie, "Can you help me with this, please?"

"Sure!"

And so, the study session continued for a little longer, before they all bid each other goodbye.


Shiori sighed to herself when she saw all the things she used for dinner.

"…do I really have to clean all this?"