"Next, Kageyama."
Kiyoko and I are measuring everyone's highest point for spiking and blocking for the Spring Tournament Pamphlet.
Kageyama's flour dusted fingers hit the transparent basketball board and the team gasps in amazement. That almost reached my face and I'm standing on the second rung of the ladder already. I stretch the measuring tape and call out the measured number.
"Um… 337 centimetres."
Jeez, Kageyama's role as setter doesn't require him to jump often but damn, he's freaking talented. I wipe off the dust left behind by Kageyama.
Kiyoko records the results in her notebooks. "Next, Hinata," she calls.
I wouldn't be surprised if Hinata's highest touch point was higher than Kageyama's.
My legs slightly tremble as Hinata's body suddenly closes the distance between us. Watching him jump always impresses me. As soon as he lands on the ground he asks zealously, "How many centimetres?"
I lean out and measure.
"It… is… 3… 333 centimetres."
Kageyama raises his fist as victor of this competition and reminds Hinata that he now owes him three curry buns. Hinata ruffles his hair out of anger and challenges Kageyama to a new competition of whoever can get the most blocks. Loser has to buy GunGun Yoghurt for a week.
"Y-yamaguchi, I'm coming down okay?"
I'm actually okay with heights, as long as I'm something stable and can be guaranteed I won't fall. This metal ladder does not fulfil my requirements.
Slowly and carefully, I place my feet down when I'm sure there's a rung there.
"Are you afraid of heights Hori?" Tsukishima snickers as he sees me warily making my way down.
"Of course not" I deny but in my head I admit to my fear of falling. My hands slip and coat the ladder with sweat. I look over to Tsukishima, who I've never been able to see from this height. Holy shit, how do tall people survive? Wait, that's pretty ironic. An extremely tall person with a fear of heights.
My foot completely misses one of the rungs and I squeal waiting for the painful fall.
"Hori-san!"
Yamaguchi's hands seize my body and stops the incoming impact. He holds me like a delicate doll until my foot touches the ground again.
"Nice save Yamaguchi," I exhale. My heart is totally out of control because of that near death experience, definitely not because Yamaguchi touched my boob just now. Definitely not.
"No problem, are you okay?" He asks, referring to my wounds which have just barely healed.
I dust myself off and give him a thumbs up. "Hori are you sure you're okay? You're bright red." Tsukishima raises a brow as he looks at me.
"I am absolutely fine," I insist. Yamaguchi's lingering pressure remains on my boob. He reaches out to feel my forehead. I bust open and steam pours out of me. I flinch away and drop to the ground.
"Oh my god please don't do that, it's so out of character."
After seeing Tsukishima's scowl I quickly regain my composure.
"Hey, hey Hori-san, you played volleyball, how high could you jump?" Hinata bursts into my personal bubble.
I do the calculations in my head. My current fingertip height would be around 2 metres or more now right? My vertical jump back then was about 48 centimetres or something…
"Back then… I don't know, probably jumped something like 270 centimetres? For the spike."
"Measure yours now," Kageyama suggests. I shake my head and hands at the same time.
"There's no need for me to."
"Come one, Hori-san. For fun," Hint coaxes as he pulls me off the floor. I compare the pros and cons and ultimately decide there is no potential harm.
"I guess…"
However, I'm scared of not having a really good score. As males, their muscle mass already gives them that extra boost and a better height. I don't want to be disappointed. I hate using this gender as an excuse but I want to be the best when I know I can't.
"Here?" I ask, lining up behind the white line. I bend my knees slightly ready to sprint.
The seniors from a barrier on two sides, intimidating me.
"Go Hori," cheers Suga-senpai, followed by warm praises by other members. I press my left finger tips into the white powder.
"Hori's left handed?" Everyone's mouths are wide open. I decide it's easier if I just demonstrate.
I haven't done this in a while, but I haven't been slacking off physically either. I throw my arms behind me and project myself upwards. My armpit muscles screech in pain. At least, the landing was fine. I definitely tried too hard on that one.
Yamaguchi moves the ladder on the other side of the board and measures.
"26… No wait 269 centimetres," he says at last.
Everyone is amazed and applauds me.
I roll my shoulder to soothe the pain. "That's our Hori," grins Suga-senpai as he affectionately throws his arm around me. At least I seem to have completed my plan of trying to impress them, even though it would've been way more cooler if I made it into the 3 metre group.
"Everyone!" Takeda-sensei throws open the door. He is visibly heaving for air, small dots of sweat line up on his forehead. The Captain calls for us to gather round.
"Thanks for your hard work. This is sudden but I have some big news." He takes a moment to catch a breath and resumes a more authoritative stance.
"Kageyama-kun, you've been asked to attend the National Youth Intensive Training Camp."
I drop my mouth open. Kageyama is as shocked as Kageyama can be, which is not very shocked to be honest. That's the camp that observes and selects the potential candidates for the U19's Japanese Volleyball Team. Ushijima attended one back in the day, I think I made him cookies the next day. Everyone else is visibly more shook than the invitee himself.
"Kageyama that's incredible. You're basically on the same level as Ushiwaka," I state in awe. In the first place, why am I so shocked, more than anyone I should know Karasuno is strong, especially our setter.
"What about me?" Hinata enthusiastically asks.
"This is the national camp we're talking about. Under 19's representatives for Japan. Do even understand what that entails?" Tsukishima says in his patronising voice.
Takeda-sensei looks a bit guilty when he admits that Kageyama was the only one who received an invitation. Hinata looks absolutely crestfallen but I believe that as soon as Hinata develops his own play style he'd be equally as good as the invited players.
Suga-senpai sneaks up behind Kageyama and says "Kageyama if you get bombarded with interviews, tell them you learnt everything from a magnificent senpai named Sugawara," much to the anger of Tanaka and Asahi-senpai.
I karate chop Suga-senpai's stomach lightly. "Stop that crap," I laugh. Asahi-senpai muses to himself wondering why Nishinoya hadn't received an invite as well. Daichi-senpai tells him to stop looking at Nishinoya through the lens of an overly doting parent.
"They're probably looking for someone less…" I drift off and the third years and I look at the hyperactive libero currently trying the left the spirits of Hinata, jumping around with the happiest but goofiest expression.
"Well honestly, less like that," I conclude. From head to toe, as representatives for Japan, their first impression should be strong and fearsome and their aura should dominate the court as easily and effortlessly as one would turn on the tap.
"I have another announcement to make," Takeda-sensei continues and quieting down the riot. "Overlapping the national camp in early December, there will be an exclusive camp held for promising first-years in the Miyagi prefecture. Anabara-sensei contacted and informed me that this was an initiative to raise the overall skill level of players in the prefecture."
I see Hint basically shivering with excitement. Please let this be him, I pray. I don't want to see him devastated.
"This camp is only open to first years but it can be seen as an imitation youth training camp."
Daichi-senpai repeats those last words under his breath.
"One member of Karasuno has received that invite."
I look at Hinata who's dazzled himself up with anticipation.
"Tsukishima-kun," Takeda-sensei annouces. "You have been selected."
Once again, astonishment paints the faces of the Karasuno members. Before Tsukishima can decline the offer, Daichi-senpai agrees for him and reminds him that an opportunity as rare as this should be held tightly with both hands.
"Sensei what about me?" Hinata asks hopefully. "Tsukishima-kun was the only person invited," he admits guiltily again.
"Hinata, don't mind," I comfort. "The less people expect of you now, the more the shock value will be when we get to the Spring Tournament."
However the poor boy is still dejected.
"That aside, have we decided who's running the relay for us?"
Daichi-senpai approaches Takeda-sensei with the plan. The sports festival is coming up soon, next week in fact. It makes sense to sign up the team's most hyperactive members in the race, they have energy to burn anyways.
"Hori which team are you on?" Suga-senpai asks.
"White," I say discouraged. Yacchan's on the red team, I'm not that friendly with anyone else in my class either.
"Me too!" He says and we lock our hands together in a double high-five.
"I'm so glad I'm not alone." I let out a sigh of relief. Well, at least I won't be bored for the whole day.
"Hori-san are you also on team white? Me too!" Hinata wags his tail as we high five.
"Shoyo you too?"
Although I'm happy that I'm no longer alone, having Hinata and Nishinoya on the same team is equally as tiring as running a marathon. As we all reveal our team colours, the volleyball club is split exactly into two.
White - Me, Suga-senpai, Hinata, Nishinoya, Yamaguchi, Ennoshita.
Red - Kiyoko, Daichi-senpai, Asahi-senpai, Kageyama, Tsukishima, Tanaka.
Kiyoko and I challenge each other in the open race 100 metre. As former track and field members, we decide this is a good chance for a bit of friendly competition. Kageyama and Hinata challenge each other at the volleyball game, causing me to remind them that school rules forbid members in a club cannot participate in their sport, for fairness.
I sigh as I sit next to Suga-senpai on the bleachers. The sun burns my skin even through my hat, forcing me to remove my jacket. I sit myself next to the red-faced male, wiping his forehead with the back of his hand. Suga-senpai begins to cool me with his makeshift fan created from the program booklet. I scan through the schedule for the day, the races that really matter to me are all gathered near the end of the event.
"Hinata and Nishinoya's up next in the scavenger hunt." Suga-senpai signs at the two boys with the fashionably noticeable hair on the field.
"Do you think there'll be a confession?" I muse.
"Confession?"
"In animes, the protagonist always gets that card that says they'll have to find the person they like and then it's usually a confession." I rest my cheek on my hand temporarily, until the sweat becomes like hot gooey glue.
"Hori-san, are you expecting a confession then?" He laughs evilly like a rich snobby princess. "From Nishinoya? Hinata?"
"Maybe from you?" I flirt.
The whistle is blown and Nishinoya and Hinata scrutinised the piece of paper they drew from the box. For a second I wonder if Hinata can even read the item he has to find. Some people are already calling for their item/person to be found. Nishinoya has dashed off to god knows where.
Hinata finally moves and his eyes examine the crowd, landing on me.
"Hori-san! I need you!" he yells. My heart skips a beat. If he had simply called my name I would've gone but since he added that 'I need you', who could refuse? I don't need to look that Suga-senpai's expression simply tells me that this is the confession I want. I jump down, ignoring several steps of the bleachers to Hinata. He grabs my wrist and leads me to the centre of the field, where the hosts are providing commentary for the event.
"First one back, from the white team we have Hinata Shoyo!"
White team cheers from behind me. Hinata gives the piece of paper to the hosts.
"Hinata Shoyo had to look for..."
I gulp. Had to look for what? What requirements did I meet? I am curious to see what on the paper brought me as a first thought to Hinata.
The host laughs. "Someone who can do an aerial."
I slap my face as the crowd gasps and roars. "Hinata, do you even know what you chose me for?" I let out a small laugh mixed in with a whimper in disbelief.
"Nope," he says happily. "I just thought Hori-san would be able to do it anyways."
A grin bursts onto my face. "Really, you put too much hope in me."
"Can she do an aerial?" the host asks and gains 'oohs' from the audience.
"Can I do a couple practice cartwheels?" I ask. I haven't done this in forever, and also I haven't done this in public before. I obtain permission and continue to daze the crowd. Doing a normal cartwheel is fine, it's just like breathing. One handed was something I could do, but actually I'm feeling the creeps rooting my legs to the ground. My arm trembles as I flip but I maintain a graceful landing.
"Okay, I can do it!" I nod my head to the hosts. A step further back that usual. Using the white line as my marker, as soon as my leg recognises the feeling of this run-up, at the perfect moment I thrust my body in the air. The landing is stable and I raise my arm in the air as my body returns into the natural position. I shove my heart back down my throat and rest it in my chest again.
"And she's done it! 50 points to the white team!"
"Hori-san that was amazing. You're a god!" I can't help but laugh and smile at his reaction.
"Idiot, you should be glad you have me around or what would you do?" I put him in a headlock and drill my fist into his head followed by some resistance from the boy. We approach Nishinoya after the top 5 places have already been taken.
"Noya-san what were you looking for?" Hinata and I ask as we return to Suga-senpai.
"A wig," he moans.
I pat his back to show I at least appreciate the effort. "That's a death trap!" I exclaim, imagining the vice-principal's reaction if Nishinoya had dared to rip off the wig from his head, exposing the shiny surface underneath. Nishinoya divulges that in the beginning of the year he had accidentally hit the vice-principal, causing his wig to fly off and was suspended from school and club activities. My hand automatically comes up to support my open mouth as I simply shiver at the very thought. I have gained a newfound respect for Nishinoya. If one can survive as normal after that ordeal, Hinata growing 2 centimetres by tomorrow seems plausible.
I wave the boys a temporary goodbye as I spot Yacchan being caught in the crowd of cheers. I stretch my hand out to pull her out of the mass of moving bodies. "Having fun are we?" I joke and distance her from enthusiastic students.
"I was dying in there!" she exaggerates. "If only I had your height Erina."
I dismiss her thought with a quick flap of my hand. "Pft, I wouldn't want you to change one bit." I would hug her but the presence of the sun advises strongly against this.
"I have to apologise, I don't feel like I've been a good friend these days, always occupied with volleyball." We sit on the seats protected from the sun by the shade of the marshalling area.
"No it's okay, I know you're busy and all as manager. You've also been helping out with Kageyama-kun and Hinata-kun after practice right? So it's fine." Yacchan laughs it off and opens her bottle of water.
She sees me furrowing my brows as I notice something strange in what she said. "How do you know I've been helping out Kageyama and Hinata?" I narrow my eyes at the petite girl.
She directs her attention to the sky and uses random gestures to form an excuse. Her broken sentences don't become any clearer either, leaving me to be even more skeptical. Her movements stop as something out of her peripherals captures her attention and a salmon-pink highlights her cheeks. I follow that gaze and I lock eyes with someone I know.
Since they're a known pair, I soon spy the freckled giant handing over a drink to his emotionless friend.
Yamaguchi's name slips out of my mouth followed by Tsukishima's. I turn to face my blushing friend. "So you like one of them," I deduce. Her reaction confirms I'm on the right track and I test my luck and decide to pry further. I say their names aloud, judging which one she has a better reaction to, but lean towards Yamaguchi as I cannot see Tsukishima making contact with my sweet Yacchan.
"How'd you guys meet?" I say annoyed. I'd love to have been there to introduce them, a part of me hates the fact they knew each other behind my back. Yamaguchi must've been providing her with updates. I'm mad at both of them!
"Well... there was a period of time where you seemed really depressed and I thought maybe it was because of volleyball. I bumped into him in the hallway and asked."
She twiddles her thumbs and bites her lip, drawing lines with her shoe on the dusty ground. There is a small tug on the side of her mouth. I recognise that as the tell-tale signs of a girl in love.
I struggle to believe the fact Yacchan had the courage to initiate a conversation with a stranger without me. Let me clarify something, sure I hate making contact with new people but that doesn't make me incapable. In Yacchan's case, she succumbs to fear and nervousness, unable to form proper words.
"Yachi Hitoka, you're totally crushing on Yamaguchi."
"No way," she denies and buries her head in between her knees. "He's just really kind."
I scoff. This is how shoujo love stories usually start out, stage one: denial. "The bumbling heroine has finally found her dashing prince charming," I narrate, causing her to sink further into her embarrassment. How cute, I almost feel the urge to find someone to evoke these emotions in me.
"If you want to do something about it, his birthday is in a week." As soon as the words leave my lips, there's the taste of regret. I'm a possessive person, I know. Yamaguchi is not mine in any way, which is why I have no right to keep him from Yacchan. I violently beat the the part of me unwilling to surrender Yamaguchi.
Yacchan's expressions are a sequence of excitement, thoughtfulness, confusion and finally an interesting mix of all three. "Want me to help?" I say with undecided intentions. She refuses immediately. "No, this... I want to do it myself," she murmurs without conviction.
I have never seen this side of her before. At that moment I decide to whole heartedly support them if their relationship were to be a success. I'm too greedy anyways. "I'll give you the opportunity. What you do from there, it's up to you."
I place a hand on her shoulder and walk towards the duo. "Yo, Yamaguchi, Tsukishima. Sup," I greet. Yamaguchi greets me with his usual adorable smile whereas Tsukishima sends a nod of acknowledgement. I bring up superficial topics before smoothly sliding into plan. "Right? Speaking of which, my points on my membership card might run out soon. I have to watch a movie but I'm not sure what," I ponder and sneak peeks at the two boys. "I was thinking of Jurassic World but, I dunno, what do you guys think?"
Yamaguchi nods earnestly at my idea. "I was planning to watch it with Tsukki this weekend!"
"Really?" I act surprised. At the fact that my plan worked and also, at the fact they already had planned a date. "Is it okay if I join then? I'll 'pay' for your tickets too."
"Of course it's fine. Hori-san, did you know Tsukki really likes dinosaurs? He even-"
"Shut up Yamaguchi."
"Sorry Tsukki," Yamaguchi apologises with a sheepish smile. I chuckle into my hand.
With such a juicy offer, even the disagreeable Tsukishima permits me to intrude on their plans. "One more thing, is it okay if I bring a friend?" I point to the lonely Yacchan who shies away and shows interest in something else completely despite her piercing gaze beforehand. The kinder one of the two allows Yacchan to join as well. "Thanks Yamaguchi, you're a babe," I say, but slapping myself mentally as I'll have to stop calling him that so casually as he could be my best friend's boyfriend.
"I'll send you the details," Yamaguchi says as he holds up his phone. I smile goodbye and blow a raspberry at Tsukishima.
I return to Yaccha who looks eagerly for my response. "So guess who's the best wingwoman ever?" I say as she throws her arms around my waist. She softly squeals and squeezes me. I suppress the rising urge to toss her aside. With this heatwave and physical contact, dark Hori emerges from her cave along with a flood of sweat. "Alright! I get it! Now we have to plan your outfit for the day."
I make arrangements to meet Yacchan at my house before we leave together for the city.
The speakers call for all participants in the open age 100 metre race for females to assemble in the marshalling area. "Oh, I gotta go. I challenged my senior," I say to Yacchan as I leave. "Wish me luck, even though I'm on the other team."
"Good luck." She smiles, her cheeks still dyed pink.
Finding Kiyoko in the crowd was like identifying the difference between an apple and a pear.
"Thought you backed out," she taunts as I approach her. She glistens with sweat and looks fired up. The red headband wrapped around her forehead is the only sign distinguishing the two of us.
"Me?" I overdo my expression of disbelief. "Never."
We do a couple warm up stretches before we're allocated a lane, right next to each other.
The speakers overhead begin their commentary.
"And here we have the two beauties of the boys volleyball club. No seriously, someone tell me how they managed to get these two as managers?"
I extend my hand out. "No hard feelings if I win right?"
She sends the mischievous smile right back at me. "I'm not going to let my junior beat me."
"Oh it's on like donkey kong." I smash my fist into the palm of my other hand.
The doorbell rings signalling the arrival of Yacchan.
"Coming!"
Upon opening the door, I'm met with the adorably dressed Yacchan. She matched her black and white checkered shirt with a beige buttoned down skirt reaching just above the knees, throwing on a long white cardigan and finally finishing off with the black Nikes.
"Well someone's looking cuter than usual."
She lets out a sigh of relief. "Thank god, I thought I might've over did it."
I rest my hand on her shoulder. "It's fine, you look great."
A surge of confidence is evident of her face. "Let's go!" I say cheerily and exit my house. I pause when I see Yacchan's totally horrified expression. "What?" I say looking behind me cautiously.
"You aren't going like... that right?"
She gestures to all of me. I look own at my outfit. Yes, I deliberately played down compared to my normal style to maintain the spotlight on Yacchan but obviously she doesn't approve of this hoodie and sweatpants plan at all. Not one bit.
She pushes me back inside. "You're changing."
I'm forced to reveal my wardrobe for inspection.
"Do you have any other colour except for black, grey and blue?" She lifts up a shirt and raises a brow to prove her point. I shrug and reply with, "It's a lifestyle." Unable to scrounge of a skirt in the monotoned wardrobe of mine, she settles for my ripped black jeans and oversized Rolling Stones jumper paired with a red checkered jacket around my waist. Now wearing something more stylish, I slap on some last minute makeup to complete the look.
"Happy now?"
"Very," she replies. I convince Yacchan to allow me to fill out her brows and apply a bit of lip tint. I dab some brown eyeshadow to emphasise her cute puppy eyes.
"Okay, now we're good to go." I smile as I look at my finished masterpiece.
As planned we catch the intended train and arrive right on time. Yacchan wanted to come out earlier so she could browse a gift for Yamaguchi using my observations. I suggest an arrange of items, seemingly to cause more issues as we both have to buy a present. Ultimately I manage to think of another gift I could make at home, and Yacchan settles for a safe option of chocolates.
I text to the boys on the phone as we make our way to the cinemas.
We're here. Where are you guys?
A buzz on my phone alerts me of the message from Tsukishima.
Look to your left.
Sauntering in, Tsukishima and Yamaguchi are dusted with faint sparkles and flowers like the male leads of a drama, attracting the attention of several female bystanders. My chest tightens when I see them both, needless to say Yacchan's ascended to heaven, indicated by her mouth making a perfect 'o' shape. I gently nudge her arm.
"Hello? Earth to Yachi," I mumble.
"Erina, what should I do?" She tugs on my hand and looks at Yamaguchi with the soft wavering gaze. "I've never experienced these types of nerves before."
"Hey! Did you wait long?" Yamaguchi asks as he smiles. I side-step away from Yacchan so she can stop using me as a barrier.
"Not at all," I say, discreetly wringing off the small girl off my body. "Uh, as you may or may not know, this is my friend." I elbow her to introduce herself.
Softer than the sound of a page turning, Yacchan introduces herself. I notice Tsukishima lower his head. I point between Yacchan and Yamaguchi. "So I believe you two, already know each other." I cross my arms and demand an excuse from Yamaguchi who develops an interest in the ceiling lights.
"Anyways, it's nearly time for the movie," Tsukishima interrupts.
"Right," I nod and intertwine my arm with Tsukishima as he lets out a surprised 'eh'.
"We'll buy the tickets and you two can take care of the food." I pull Tsukishima away from the pair and head towards the counter. I keep my arm pasted onto his until we reach the ticket machine.
Yacchan, use this chance wisely. Good luck, I pray.
"So Tsukishima, Yamaguchi's birthday is tomorrow. Get him anything good?"
"How'd you know?" Tsukishima arches his brow.
"As a manager I have access to your profiles."
Tsukishima shoots me his signature displeased look. "That's a breach of privacy."
"Hey, you gave up that information when you joined the club," I retort and shrug.
I scan my membership card, one I did not apply for but rather one they sent me because I happened to watch a bunch of movies. The pop-up appears, confirming I have enough points for four redeemable tickets for Jurassic World.
"Aye, I'm a god," I praise myself as I press confirm.
"Is there a reason you wanted to pair us up like this?" Tsukishima suddenly questions.
I blink innocently. "Like what?"
"Your friend with Yamaguchi." I continue to press the buttons.
"I think they look good together. Tsukishima where do you want to sit?" I ask, trailing my finger over the screen.
He leans down and peers over my shoulder. "The four at the back, yea that looks good. So basically you're trying to set them up together?"
I press 'OK', and grab the fallen tickets a few second later. I turn and find myself a breath's distance away from Tsukishima and the tip of our noses slightly brushing against each other. I stare deep into his golden brown eyes that pierces my calm front and soul like a ray of light. We flinch away from each other and find more interesting objects to regain our composure.
"Well," I say, my voice going higher. "Pretty much."
"Why?" he asks even though he's facing the opposite direction.
I tilt my head and scratch my cheek. "Since I became volleybll manager we haven't been hanging out as much. Yacchan's parents aren't often so it's really easy to get lonely. So I thought if she managed to get herself a boyfriend maybe she wouldn't feel so lonely anymore. I mean Yamaguchi's not a bad pick at all."
The line between my feelings and Yacchan's almost mix but I manage to keep the separator in. Right, today I'm playing Side Character A, Yacchan is the heroine for today. "Promise me you'll let today play out?" i extend my pinky out to Tsukishima.
"What are you? A grade schooler?" he smirks pushing up his glasses.
"Just do it will ya?"
He sighs and reluctantly twists his pinky around mine. "Cross my heart and hope to die," I vow.
"Yea, whatever let's go."
I stare at my reflection in the window. I love the irony, how it's easier to be isolated in a sea of people. I imagine a barrier around me, erasing me from the stories and vision of others around me. I guess this is what you called sonder mixed with loneliness. Or does sonder have loneliness implied? Yacchan and the boys are downstairs ordering from McDonalds whilst I volunteered to find any vacant seats. Luckily I managed to grab this four seater overlooking the street. From the window I spy Tsukishima walking up. I'm reminded of his robotic popcorn eating routine as he failed to detach his eyes from the screen. They were as bright and lively as the time during the Shiratorizawa match. I smirk as the word nerd materialises in my mind. He takes the seat opposite of me, and we both just observe the people passing by.
"You were right," he says, sliding into the seat.
"I'm always right," I reply smugly. I pause for a moment and sneak a glance at him. "Um, what am I right about?"
"Yamaguchi and Yachi."
My head drops off my hand for a moment as I stare incredulously at him. "Well they have both our blessings at least," I half-laugh. Love makes a great escape, something utterly satisfying and makes you crave for more. Hemingway's Henry and Barkley found solace and comfort in each other from the endless deaths around them from the war. Bruce Wayne in Dark Knight Rises found another love to cope with the death of Rachel. Wonder Woman said so herself, that Love was the key to saving the world. I think.
It works. Been there, done that.
"They're cute," I murmur, noticing their reflections as their heads pop up from the stairs.
"Erina, I took the liberty of ordering food for you even though you said no."
She slides 24 chicken nuggets and large fries over to my side. My mouth splits into a smile when I see the food. "If I get diabetes, it's your fault," I pout while devouring the first potato strip.
Yamaguchi places Tsukishima's cheeseburger in front of him.
"I thought McDonald's was doing a Jurassic themed Happy Meal?" I taunt Tsukishima but only receiving a glare in return.
To fill up the silence, Yamaguchi asks us about our thoughts on the movie.
"Jurassic Park, the first one that is, is still the best," I say, mouth full of mashed potato.
"Right?" agrees Tsukishima.
Tsukishima and I slip into a passionate conversation, comparing the original movie to the new one.
"You know Tsukki made me watch the original trilogy five times," groans Yamaguchi but shares a smile with us.
"Shut up Yamaguchi." He sips on his drink, gazing out the window.
"Sorry Tsukki," he chuckles.
"But I can't talk about Jurassic World without talking about Chris Pratt, like come on," I sigh along with Yacchan.
"Six pack?"
"Six pack," she nods as we munch on our food. Unconsciously, my eyes find themselves resting on the stomach of the two boys. Yamaguchi stretches his arm over Tsukishima's stomach.
"Tsukki might actually have some."
I lean over the table and send Tsukishima my killer smile and puppy-eyes.
"Hey Tsukki," I say softly.
"That doesn't work on me."
I pretend to sulk and sadly eat my fries. I move onto my next target. "What about you Yamaguchi?"
I bet Yacchan wants to know as well but she hasn't reached that level where she feels comfortable openly asking such a question with 'impure' intentions. He is somewhat stunned by the focus shifting onto him.
"Eh? Of course not," he denies quickly.
Under the table, I kick Yacchan's because my question reserves have almost been sucked dry. Yacchan carefully weaves the conversation so the topic is on Yamaguchi, and whenever the questions seem to be dragging the spotlight back onto me or Tsukishima I manage to save it and re-direct the light back onto the main couple. Tsukishima half-heartedly contributes to the conversation, only when I stab him with the daggers in my eyes asking for help to keep the love birds talking.
Despite it only being autumn, the chemistry between Yamaguchi and Yachi soon begin to form fireworks as I gradually became more and more irritated by the emerging couple. Finally the time comes to return home. Before entering the gates, we say our goodbyes for the day.
"Ah!" I slap my hands together. "I forgot to buy something. Sorry Yacchan, I have to buy it today. Go on without me."
I grab her hands and pull her towards me. I can't wink but I do smile secretly at her. "I guess this is farewell for today. Thanks so much for joining us."
I nod my head at Tsukishima and Yamaguchi. "See you at school!"
"See you," Yamaguchi waves.
I turn my back and cooly wave as I leave Yachi with her potential boyfriend. Must be nice, I think, to have a boyfriend. The thought immediately deletes itself as Wakatoshi's face comes to mind. I swat away the image and head to the bookstore.
The tips of my finger skims across the spines of the books as I browse for the latest romantic release. Words vs pictures... Novel or manga... The decision is truly difficult to make. I google some reviews before ultimately deciding on a book titled 'Sugar', climbing the charts for it's cute and sweet portrayal of two gay lovers. My eyes scan the several shelves, locating the white cover of the book on the fifth shelf, just one shelf too high for my height. I glance around, noticing no vacant steps. I lean against the shelf and reach for the book.
My fingers continue to slip off the top edge of the book. I shake my shoulder to relieve the tension and attempt for the third time. I wince as I feel the book finally leaning out for me to grab it. Suddenly, someone's white sleeve shoots past mine, their frozen fingers brushing against mine and removing the book with ease. I turn to discover the face of my saviour.
"Tsukishima? Didn't you go home?"
He hands me the book. "No, I wanted to get some study guides."
"Thanks," I say, wiping the cover of the book with the word 'Sugar' glistening back at me.
"That was sweet of you," I grin and point at the title of the book.
"Stop." That's the only word I get back from Tsukishima as he wanders into the study guides section.
I watch him as he ponders carefully, holding two books and comparing them. "Wanna make a bet?" I challenge.
He glances at me, raising a single brow. "On what?"
"When Yamaguchi and Yachi are gonna date of course. A month?"
"You really think they'll be able to confess to each other?"
I tap my chin and reconsider. Tsukishima does have a point, they are both timid, shy and easily frightened. I question their strength to muster the courage for a confession.
"You're right," I concede. "Well, not if I can help it."
I roll up my sleeves. "Guess I'm going to play Cupid for a bit."
Tsukishima crosses himself, chanting a soft prayer. I pick up snippets, mainly the words, 'lord', 'help them both', 'incompetent Cupid'. I playfully punch him. "Hey what's that supposed to mean?!" I try to sound angry but a laugh escapes from my lips.
LINE: Yacchan has messaged you
Yacchan: Erina...
Hori: Tell me all about it.
Yacchan: I think
Yacchan: I might like Yamaguchi
Yacchan: Like a lot.
You started a call with Yacchan.