A/N: Thanks to everyone who followed, favourited and reviewed! It makes me very happy.
The new chapter is finished sooner than I've expected.
Enjoy!
The authority of those who teach is often an obstacle to those who want to learn. ― Marcus Tullius Cicero
There's a natural law of karma that vindictive people, who go out of their way to hurt others, will end up broke and alone. - Sylvester Stallone
We are all ordinary. We are all boring. We are all spectacular. We are all shy. We are all bold. We are all heroes. We are all helpless. It just depends on the day. ― Brad Meltzer
All parents damage their children. It cannot be helped. Youth, like pristine glass, absorbs the prints of its handlers. Some parents smudge, others crack, a few shatter childhoods completely into jagged little pieces, beyond repair. ― Mitch Albom, The Five People You Meet in Heaven
Don't ever pity me. ― Simone Elkeles
The next day after the training camp, Aya didn't show up for the first period. Kiku wondered what might've happened; it wasn't like Aya to miss classes. She knew the redhead stayed at school longer with a few members of the basketball club, to tidy up and discuss the camp, but that didn't explain the absence.
And then Aya ran into the classroom just before the fourth period. She was obviously in a hurry, her uniform was not buttoned properly, the ribbon was missing and her thick mane was as wild as ever. Aya'd probably woken up with that hair and ran to school.
Kiku chuckled under her nose. It was unusual to see Aya like this, but it was surely refreshing.
"Mornin'!" Aya greeted her automatically, splitting her hair to braid it. She had to work at the knots and made a grimace each time she yanked at it stronger than necessary.
"Hello, a-are you okay?"
"Yeah, sorry for worrying you." She winked and took out the english textbooks, while still working on her hair.
"Someone's in a rush." Aomine snickered.
Kiku didn't turn to look at him, but he didn't sound particularly mean. Kiku'd swear he was worried too, and let it out in that rude welcome.
"Oh, shut up." Aya growled, not pleased by his teasing.
Irihata-sensei walked in for the English lesson. The first thing she did was glare at Aya, who didn't care or didn't notice. But then it started…
Irihata-sensei was calling Aya out to translate, read, fill in, or explain the grammar, more than usual. Kiku, and probably the whole class, were aware of a certain hostility the teacher had towards the redhead, and they knew it was mostly because the redhead was better in English than the teacher. And everyone was asking Aya for help. And Aya scored 100 each time they had a quiz or a small test, so Irihata-sensei was trying to humiliate her whenever she had a chance. Without success so far...
Kiku was curious why Aya was bearing with it so placidly, because it wasn't one of the redhead's characteristic traits. Kiku knew that disputes like that were never good for a student, maybe Aya understood that too. And whatever Irihata-sensei came up with, as long as it was within the English class, Aya passed with flying colours and sometimes the teacher made an idiot out of herself. That must've been enough for Aya to shrug it off. It would be for Kiku. She would still ask Aya later on.
They had to do a pair dialogue about the article they'd just read. It was about zoos. Kiku had no idea what was there to talk about.
"U-uhm… I'm not good at dialogues." She apologised to Ishii.
The boy shrugged. "Let's pretend we're talking about it. You can try telling me about that cookie recipe you used?"
"I-I don't know how to translate that."
"Let's figure it out. Everyone loved it, by the way." He told her with a smile. It was so nice to receive treats after that hellish week of practising.
She blushed and looked at her hand. "I-I-I'm g-glad to hear that."
"You can bake for us anytime you want, Kiku-chan. And I mean… anytime."
"Kagami-san." The teacher stopped near Aomine's desk, dragging the attention of the students sitting nearby. (The whole class actually.)
Both Aomine and Aya looked up at her. They were doing what she had told them. For some reason the grumpy ace was working on his English quite diligently. Kiku noticed these small things, even if she was scared of him.
"Yes?" Aya asked warily. It was obvious she didn't like the teacher.
"Would you mind covering your cleavage, it must be disturbing for Aomine-san and tie your ribbon." Irihata-sensei said bitterly.
Aya looked down. A panic flashed on her face. It must've been the necklace, because any jewellery was forbidden in Touou. And Aya's boyish necklace was presented boldly to everyone. She was alway wearing it, but she was also always hiding it. And now, when she forgot to button up her shirt and tie the ribbon...
"And that," Irihata-sensei grabbed the ring hanging on the chain and yanked it off of Aya's neck before the girl could react. It required more strength than Irihata had originally thought. The chain was thick, boyish, just as the ring that was hanging on it. So a boyfriend, huh? She threw it on Aya's desk mockingly. "is forbidden. Keep that in mind." She added and returned to the teacher's desk in the front.
Aya hissed in pain.
The class went eerily quiet. No one knew what to say.
The usual process should be: 1. tell the student they broke the rules, 2. ask them to take their jewelry off, 3. if they cooperate, warn them and let them off the hook, 4. if not, confiscate the piece, and punish them with a detention…
Not this.
Kiku was staring at her friend being hurt; her hands went cold, and tears of uselessness threatened to spill. She had no idea what to do. Even if this wasn't a teacher… She'd have no idea what to do. Kiku was scared to death by bullies. And she was hating herself for it. I'm sorry… was followed by a myriad of inward insults.
Aya quickly buttoned up her shirt and tied the ribbon, to not cause a scene, but oh how her blood was boiling. It was obvious from Aya's burning glare.
Aomine… He didn't seem to have a problem with causing a scene.
"What the fuck was the meaning of that?!" He growled at the teacher.
"Pardon me, Aomine-san?" She turned on her heel towards him. She disliked this boy too. Why the hell did she have to use honorifics when it came to those stupid children? They didn't deserve it. None of them.
If Aya was sending him a message to shut up, he ignored it.
"What the fuck was the meaning of that?!" He repeated threateningly. "It was unnecessary! Why'd you do that?"
Kiku blinked in surprise. Was Aomine protecting Aya? What happened between them during the camp she didn't know about?
"I'm the head of the disciplinary committee. I decide what is necessary, Aomine-san." The teacher said icily.
"You –"
Aya stomped on his foot and he winced.
"He means he is sorry for disrespecting you, Irihata-sensei." Aya said politely and bowed her head as little as she could. Her voice and her eyes were burning with anger and hurt.
"Oh?" She raised an eyebrow. "Very good. Please, continue with your task."
"Tche, why did you do that? It fuckin' hurt." Aomine hissed at her the moment she looked at him, holding the necklace in her hands.
"I don't need you to protect me, and you sure as hell won't argue with that…" She glanced over her shoulder, knowing that the woman had an unbelievably good hearing, "sensei," she spat out as an insult, "because of me. It's not worth it. She could make you repeat the year."
"And I sure as hell don't need your consent to do whatever I want." He glared at her.
"Yes, when it involves me!" She hissed.
"Tch."
Lightning was flying between them as they glared at each other.
Kiku and Ishii exchanged worried glances. What on earth had just happened? They didn't continue with the dialogues at all.
"What is that anyways?" Aomine eyed the boyish chain and ring. "Token from a boyfriend?"
"Memento of friendship, there are three of these actually. And it's none of your business." She retorted.
Suddenly Aomine's eyes widened.
"What?!" Aya asked.
Thank gods the bell rang and the teacher left. The classroom started chirping, discussing if the teacher was in the right or not. The two, of course, ignored everyone.
"Your neck is bleeding." He said and suddenly, all the anger at Aya was replaced by anger at the teacher and worry. His fists clenched.
Aya blinked and touched the stinging skin on her neck. When she looked at her fingers there really was blood; nothing serious, probably just a scratch from when the broken clasp pierced her skin.
Kiku blinked in panic. Aya was bleeding? And she did nothing to help when the teacher hurt her friend like this? She was scared of the teacher and the way she had treated Aya-san, yet she didn't have the courage to do anything.
"Y-you should go to the infirmary." She advised. Infirmary?! How lame can I be? …
Aya turned to her and smiled: "It's just a scratch, nothing serious. Don't worry. But I should probably have it cleaned. I wear that necklace all the time, but I don't remember the last time I properly cleaned it… Can I ask your help, Kiku?"
"Huh?"
"I don't want to bother the nurse, so could you look at it here? If you don't mind..." Aya asked, somewhat fidgety. Was she scared of the infirmary?
She nodded. "Uh, oh, sure. I c-can."
Aya fished a small first aid kit from her bag - the girl was prepared for everything - and handed it to Kiku. Then she turned to the window, pulled her hair to the front, undid her ribbon and undid the top of her shirt, letting it slide a bit backwards, so Kiku could see the wound.
Kiku approached her warily, Aomine's pointed glare was almost unbearable, but she had to help her friend. Aya was trusting her with this. Cleaning the scratch was the least she could do.
"Oh, uhm… you're not scared of blood, are you?" Aya asked suddenly, turning her head to Kiku.
"No." She replied quietly. How could she be scared of blood after all she'd been through? She peeked at the long scratch at the back of Aya's neck that was already bruising up. How terrible…
"That bad?" Aya was reading Kiku's silence well.
"Not pretty." She took out a disinfectant and a swab to clean the scratch. "It's gonna sting." She warned, hovering over the back of Aya's neck. Her hand was shaking and she couldn't stop it, no matter how hard she was trying.
"I know, I don't mind the sting." A grin was audible in Aya's voice and it made Kiku bite her tongue and get it over with quickly.
Maybe she had no courage to stand up for Aya yet, but she could treat the wounds. And she should learn to ignore Aomine's scary glare. She took a deep breath and pressed the swab on Aya's bleeding neck. The redhead didn't let out a sound, didn't even flinch.
Kiku frowned at the lack of reaction to pain; she cleaned it as fast as she could, and kept holding another swab at it, until it stopped bleeding. "D-do you want me to bandage it?"
"No. It would look too weird." Aya pulled her shirt back up and redid the ribbon. "Thank you." She smiled at her.
"Why did she do that?" Kiku blurted out, staring at her hands. "She's a teacher."
Aya shrugged. "Doesn't matter now. What's done is done. It'll heal."
"Why didn't you argue?" She looked into Aya's red eyes and resisted the urge to avert her gaze.
"I promised Katsunori I wouldn't cause him trouble… As far as I know, the two are not on good terms either, so, no need to fan the flame."
"It hurts right?" Kiku peeped quietly.
"Hmmm… Not in particular. It's just a scratch." She smiled and ruffled Kiku's hair. "Don't worry about me, Kiku, I'm fine. 'kay?"
######
By the end of the day, all the first years knew about Irihata-sensei's outburst. Even some second years had learned, and Kiku was questioned about it at the cooking club. Of course, it got blown out of proportion. There were several versions of the story, in one, it was Aya who had provoked the teacher, in another it was the teacher being completely bitchy, but all of them were somehow edited.
And Kiku tried to put it right at least within her club. It took courage, for someone as quiet as her, but she managed to explain herself to the classmates. It was her accomplishment of the month, speaking so much. The stuttering infuriated her, but she needed to find a way to get rid of it.
The majority of the students didn't like the teacher, partly because she was the head of the disciplinary committee and decided about all detentions, and partly because as a teacher, Irihata sucked. So either way the story twisted, they were majorly on Aya's side.
When she was heading home, she was mentally and emotionally drained. She talked to the schoolmates more than ever before, and she wasn't sure if it was good to stick out this much. Not to mention the daily flood of bully notes in her shoe locker. She still had no idea what to do with that situation. She was trying her best to ignore it, but she read it, and it stung.
She was mechanically unlocking her bike; she'd recently started to use it instead of the public transport. When a voice startled her.
"Ah, Kiku-chan! You take a bike to school?" Tada asked her cheerfully.
She turned around and blinked at him and his best friend tagging along. They were both unlocking their bikes to head home too. Seeing Wakamatsu there, she blushed and averted her eyes. She might've wanted to give them all a chance and to learn to cope with Wakamatsu, but this was too soon. And she'd had enough of people for the day.
But she couldn't ignore her senpais. "U-uhm… Y-yes."
"Good to know, we can go together for a bit." He offered, elbowing Wakamatsu for his sudden silence. He was fighting his battles here.
"I-i-i live in a d-different di-direction." She stuttered, mortified by her stuttering. Why? She'd been talking with people more than ever. She even thought she was doing quite well, yet, these two showed up and she turned into a stuttering mess again.
"Oh?" Tada's eyebrow arched up. "Do you know which way we go?"
She paled. She knew, yes, she knew. She observed people and she remembered their bikes, from behind. She always waited to be alone by the racks, whenever she used the bike… She didn't know how to answer without sounding like a stalker.
Tada sighed, feeling he failed in making the conversation with the shy girl. He shot 'I'm-sorry' look at Wakamatsu and shrugged.
"AH!" Wakamatsu finally found a question he had for Kiku, startling both of them in the process. "Is it true about Irihata-sensei and Aya?" He'd heard rumours and since there was no practise, he didn't have a chance to ask Aya. The redhead was long gone.
Kiku briefly glanced at him. She couldn't keep an eye contact and she couldn't even remember his face properly, just his outstanding fair hair… What are you scared of?! Her mind shouted. "U-uhm… D-d-depends… W-what d-d-did you he-hear?"
"Several stories… at the committee meeting Irihata-sensei talked about the importance of noticing students' jewellery and making sure the rule is kept… She said she had exemplary punished Aya-san for bragging about having a boyfriend?" Wakamatsu blushed at that. "Is that about Aya-san's necklace?" The entire basketball club knew about the necklace, and that it wasn't from any boyfriend. Whether she had a boyfriend or not though…
"What?!" Kiku snapped her head up, but stopped her eyes at his Adam's apple. She was angry now. One thing was students twisting the story, but the teacher? What was her problem? "She said what?!"
The boys blinked and exchanged surprised glances. Where was the stuttering?
"So… what happened?" Tada asked carefully.
"She tore it off Aya's neck in the middle of the class without any warning! Aya just overslept and forgot to do her ribbon to hide the thing." She said what she'd been repeating for the nth time that day. The anger stopped any other fearful notions in her mind, apparently. Why couldn't it happen when she was facing bullies? "I treated the scratch and bruise it left on Aya's neck. I hope it won't leave a scar." She muttered the last sentence under her nose.
Tada frowned, he trusted Kiku. The girl had no reason to lie. "Ne, Kou? You sure the teacher should stay in the committee?"
"NO! Not after this!" He exclaimed, pushing his bike towards the gate rather aggressively, the two following his example. He sighed deeply. "But it's not like we can do something." He squeezed the handlebars on his bike, his knuckles turning white. It was so unfair!
"You have the class full of witnesses." Tada suggested.
"Their word against hers. DAMN! I don't like her!" He shouted, scaring off a few crows. And not just the crows...
"I-I-I'll go… S-sorry." She bowed, got on her bike and sped away. Truly, in a different direction than the boys.
Tada sighed in exasperation and gave Wakamatsu a scolding look.
"WHAT? I scared her?!"
"YES!" Tada yelled back at him and Wakamatsu actually leaned backwards.
"Was I that loud?" He peeped after the reality check.
"Well, I'm used to it, I know you don't mean it… but Kiku-chan…"
"DAAAAMN!" He rubbed his face desperately. "She can't even look me in the face!"
"Same here." Shun chuckled. "She'll come around."
"Why do you think so?"
"Don't tell me you haven't noticed… When she was angry at the teacher, she didn't stutter and even raised her voice. So…"
"So what?"
"Once she gets over her fear of huge guys, she might look you in the face, and she might even come to like you."
"How could she possibly come to like me, when she's running away the moment she can?"
Shun smiled at him knowingly. "She was watching you during the practise match. Admirably watching you…"
Wakamatsu's cheeks burned, "really?"
"Really."
"I'm still not going to keep any hopes up." He grumbled. The girl was cute, she was interesting, but if she was scared of him, what was the point? He couldn't even chase her, because he'd feel like a bully. So what was he supposed to do? Just wait?
Shun decided his words of wisdom weren't necessary here. That might actually be wise.
"Ah, Kiku!" Aya returned to the changing room after the P.E., just to catch Kiku. "Wanna hang out on Sunday? We could go to Arami's..."
She startled and quickly hid behind her t-shirt. Even if Aya knew about the scars, she wasn't comfortable about showing them to the redhead. "U-uhm…"
"Just asking. If you have other plans it's fine." Aya smiled, politely looking into the corner and not at Kiku. She knew she was ambushing Kiku, but she could really use the girl's company and relax during the weekend.
"N-no! I'll go. Sunday when?"
"Let's say four P.M. Is that okay?"
She nodded.
"Good. Thank you!" Aya grinned happily, and made herself scarce.
Kiku blinked at the door and shook her head. Then she grinned to herself. She was happy about the invitation.
######
"How was your week darling?" Sora asked her over dinner. "And the training camp? You haven't told us anything. Did the boys treat you well?"
Kiku glanced at her mother and smiled softly. "It, it was fine. Aya was there and… The boys were kept in check by the vice-captain and captain, so they behaved. The practise match was interesting..."
"Hmmm…" Sora smiled and glanced at her husband. "Are you going to bake treats for them more often, then?"
"M-maybe." She nodded with a slight, barely visible blush. Why was Wakamatsu's figure popping up in her head?
"Good! I'm glad you've made friends darling. Any plans for the weekend?"
"Mhm, I'm going to Arami-san's with Aya on Sunday. She looked like she needed some rest. And the place is so comfy." She sighed and stared at her chopsticks. Should she talk with them about the teacher? Or was it better kept a secret? She didn't want to worry them.
"What is it?" Her father asked, observing her carefully.
"N-no. It's nothing, father." She peeped, avoiding eye contact. Somewhere in the past they just started avoiding conversations, and now she didn't know how to talk with him. But…
He looked at his wife seeking support, but Sora shrugged. This was their relationship to fix. To their surprise Kiku spoke up again.
"Uhm… If someone hurts my friend… What should I do?" She asked warily. "Say… a teacher… maybe…"
"What happened?"
And so she briefly told them about the situation. About the necklace.
"A teacher did that? Really?" Her father asked with a raised eyebrow. If a teacher did something like this to Kiku...
She nodded. "I didn't know what to do."
"It's good you didn't get involved." Sora said seriously.
"What?!" Taiki looked at his wife. "In your high-school years you'd be the first to jump into a fight for a friend."
She opened then closed her mouth. Then she glared at him. "That's me. I don't want Kiku involved in others' fights. It looks like Aya knows that too, as she didn't fight with the teacher."
He sighed in resignation. "You at least treated the wound, right?"
Kiku nodded, biting her lip.
"You did the right thing then." He said. Honestly, he wouldn't mind his daughter getting into a fight. At least it would prove she had some fight in her; and he was doubting that would happen. The last time she got into a fight was the first year of middle school, when she almost got expelled. As parents, they went berserk, yelled at her for being stupid, to know better… Maybe it was their fault? Tch...
She nodded again and got up taking her dishes to wash it. She didn't look at them at all.
Sora was absentmindedly browsing videos online. She knew that they'd said something wrong to Kiku the previous night, but she had no idea what it'd been. As a mother she didn't want to receive another threat from school that they would expel her daughter for fighting. Touou was a prestigious academy and while she had no idea why Kiku chose the school, she was as proud as a parent could be. She didn't want to hear anything about fights… Then again, Kiku was obviously worried, for not standing up to protect her friend. She wondered if it was their fault as parents too.
Oh… She spotted a video of her favourite teenage dancer. Maybe she was deeply drawn to martial arts, but if she wasn't, Sora was certain she'd be a dancer. She loved watching all types of dancing competitions and dancing shows. At first she wanted Kiku to dance, but the child was so clumsy, she didn't have the heart to throw her into dancing classes.
And by the time she knew it, Kiku was already a master archer. She at least took something from them.
"Mom? I'm going to the orphanage, okay?"
"Ah." She startled and turned to her daughter. "Yes, sure. Come back in time for dinner."
Kiku nodded and leaned forward, curiously watching over her mother's shoulder. She wanted to know what kept her mom's interest so strongly.
She blinked at the screen and the dancing girl. "What is that?" She asked.
"Oh, uhm… World championships? I think, from the fall… Why?"
Kiku actually rubbed her eyes and stared at the tablet as if seeing a ghost. "That's Aya."
"Huh? That's Aya? What Aya?" She was baffled by Kiku's reaction. She knew the girl? "Wait… you mean… your Aya?"
"Uh, yeah…" She shook her head and turned on her heel. "I'll be going."
"Yeah, bye. Be home for dinner!" She reminded her.
"So Kiku's Aya… Wait… WHAT?!"
######
"I did some digging!" Sora greeted her, when she got back home. "Is the Kagami Aya really your friend?"
"Yeah." Kiku nodded. "I didn't know. I knew she danced, I just never thought."
"I should've known! When you mentioned her. Sorry, Sweety, I should've warned you?"
"Warn me, why? She's totally great."
"Well… She's been in the spotlight, magazines, certain falsity comes with people like that."
"Uhm, mom? You've been in some magazines too. Are you a false person? A bad person? How do you measure it?"
Sora blinked at her. "I… Sorry, I don't want you to get hurt, that's all."
"Weren't you happy I made friends? Is it bad now?"
"... no… no, if she's a good person, then I'm happy. Bring her over some time!" She quickly switched to being cheerful. Her daughter was changing. She was glad for it, but suddenly, not so sure it was that amazing. "Uhm, here, if you want to read something about her." She showed her the tablet with a few articles she'd found in japanese.
"Thanks mom."
######
It took an unbelievable amount of courage to pick up the phone and dial the pinkette's number.
"Momoi Satsuki here, how can I help?" Satsuki sounded so serious when she picked up.
"Uhm… Satsuki-san?" Kiku peeped. "It's Ohno Kiku here."
Satsuki squealed on the other end. "Kiku-chan! I've been wondering if you'd ever call me! What is it? How can I help you?"
"I-I wanted to ask… about… Aya. Uhm… Is it true? Is she really a world champion?"
"Uuuhm… Yes. I thought you definitely knew. Didn't Aya-chan tell you herself?"
"No, not yet." She sighed dejected. Why didn't she?
"Well, I got it out of her a bit forcefully, I think she doesn't want it to be known, for some reason. Don't worry about it. It's only me that knows from the students that is. I'm sure she'll tell you when she sees it fit."
"R-right… Thanks." She hung up. When she sees fit, huh?
Why didn't she tell me? Kept going on in Kiku's head for the rest of the weekend until it was time to go meet Aya. She wanted to confront her, yet she didn't know how to do it right. The redhead must've had a reason to keep it a secret, right?
She kept pacing up and down the street, worried out of her mind. She couldn't wait to see Aya, yet she didn't want to see her at the same time. Then with a sigh she went into the shop and took her usual table.
Arami-san didn't bother her with questions, he saw she was distracted and so he brought her a fresh tea and a few cookies.
She still had a good half an hour to think about this all. But as she couldn't calm her nerves, she picked the first book she rested her hand on and started reading. Books had magic to calm her nerves. She even ignored the bell above the door, when it rang.
"Kiku!"
She snapped her head in the direction of Aya's voice. "Hello. Are you sure it wasn't a problem for you to come?" She asked automatically, glancing at the clock. But Aya was there right on time.
"What are you saying? 'f course not." She smiled widely and took a seat opposite her. Without saying a word to him, she ordered coffee and biscuits from Arami-san.
Kiku mused how quickly Aya could befriend people, Arami-san too… "I just…" She looked at her hands. She couldn't wrap her mind around the concept of having friends. Not really. She wanted them, friends, but suddenly having them after years of solitude, was something hard to believe. Better get used to it...
"Just what?" Aya tilted her head and stared at her, giving her her full attention. "Thought you are not good enough?"
Kiku bit her lower lip and didn't look at the redhead. She was right on point. Then, to her surprise, Aya reached over and gently touched her hands.
"I don't give a damn about your scars. And if anyone ever dares to tell you that you are not worth something, I'll personally go and punch them. You are my friend. Talk to me if you want, but I won't force you to. Okay?"
She opened and closed her mouth. She didn't know what to say. Those words were so encouraging. She avoided Aya after the redhead had noticed the scars she had on her torso, even though Aya tried to calm her down. But the redhead didn't give up on her… And so, Kiku ended up helping with the training camp and finding some more friends. Even if she did nothing against the teacher. Aya didn't think anything was wrong, she didn't blame Kiku. Honestly, it looked like Aya was glad that Kiku didn't get involved. the redhead deserved something. "B-bullying…" She whispered.
"Hmm?" Aya didn't hear properly.
"I-I was bullied in junior-high. The scars…" She wanted to open up, but she had a knot in her throat and stomach. She'd never talked about it with anyone. She gulped.
Aya frowned. "You don't have to force yourself to talk about it now, Kiku." She said comfortingly, seeing Kiku's struggle. She wasn't sure she could talk about her own problems right now either. "Just remember that you can."
Kiku nodded and a small smile appeared on her lips. "Thank you…"
"So! Now tell me! What do you think of Wakamatsu-senpai?" Aya asked cheerfully.
Kiku's eyes widened and her cheeks turned rosy pink. What was with the sudden change of topic? "I-i-i… H-he is a good person, very cheerful… And good at basketball…"
"Oh? And he doesn't have a girlfriend!"
Her cheeks turned deeper red. "I-I-I'm not…" Then she frowned at Aya. "What are you implying?"
She liked when Kiku threw away her fears and talked back to her. "Nothing." She played innocent. "Why don't you come over to watch some practises?"
"That's too embarrassing."
"But he won't notice you otherwise!"
Oh we've been bumping into each other quite a lot, Aya. "I'm not trying to get his attention!" Kiku's voice rose, which was unusual for the timid girl, but Aya was smiling. It was nice to see how the shy and quiet girl could change in a month when she was given enough space and support.
"Hmmm… You sure 'bout that?"
"Yes! And anyways, my father would kill me! I can't date someone who doesn't do something 'traditional'."
"Traditional? What do you mean?"
Oh, crap. She didn't mean to talk about her family. But it was Aya, so she could, right? "Uuuhm…" She was drawing circles around her coffee mug. "My family owns a dojo. We teach Kyudo, archery… And so…"
"What?! You do Kyudo?! Why haven't you said anything!"
Kiku pouted. "You haven't told me about being a world champion either…" She shot back. That wasn't according to her plan, but whatever. Aya ambushed her with Wakamatsu out of the blue.
"Wha-?! I… That… It wasn't important." Aya stuttered, baffled by her sudden jab.
Hmmm… It was interesting seeing Aya indecisive. "You didn't trust me with it!"
"Neither did you!" She jabbed back accusingly.
Kiku frowned. "Can you blame me?"
Bullying… Aya sighed. "No, not really. And it's not like I didn't trust you. I was scared you would run away."
"I wouldn't. And it is the same for me too!"
"I know. Sorry… How did you figure it out? I've only told Satsuki." She said and carefully observed her.
"Ah well… My mom is a big fan of dancing. When I told her about you, she suggested you might be the Kagami Aya, she saw in some magazine months ago. And so… I asked Satsuki-san, and she confirmed it." Kiku shrugged, it wasn't exactly like that, but it sounded better that 'I've stumbled upon a video and then did my research'. When she noticed Aya's narrowed eyes, she quickly added: "But she didn't rat it out!"
"Hmmm… Interesting coincidence. Does your mother dance?"
"No, she does Iaido and Kyudo. I was too clumsy to do Iaido, so they focused on teaching me Kyudo."
"Iaido, Kyudo, please explain. I'm not confident I really know what these activities are about."
Kiku smiled. This was something she was good at, and she could explain it to someone who was genuinely interested. It made her very happy. "Okay. And then you'll explain the dancing stuff to me, okay?" Aya nodded. "So… Iaido is the way of a sword. It's the art of drawing a sword. It was developed to…."
Their conversation dragged on for hours; it was interesting for both of them, as each learnt something new, and got to know the other one better. It was rare that Kiku talked about something with such a vivid spark in her eyes, but Aya seemed to be genuinely interested. And Kiku learnt more about Aya-san. She learnt about Aya's ex a bit, she learnt the twins were in Japan all alone, even that Aya's mother died a long time ago. She was not going to share this with anyone. How could her mother think there was something faulty about Aya? Well, all her mother saw was the dancing prodigy, not the person beneath. Kiku felt privileged to slowly discover that person. The redhead never ceased to amaze her, and she finally understood that she wasn't all sunshine and rainbows, but she had struggled too, and she had overcome it.
At the end, Arami-san had to remind them of his closing hours.
Wakamatsu decided to check out where Kiku's shoe locker was in the morning. He felt like a creep, but he wanted to know, in case he wanted to leave something in it. Like a flower, or something nice. What the hell am I thinking? That's gonna scare her like hell… But maybe it could make the girl smile.
He was there super early. He abandoned Tada and went to school without him; for which, he knew he'd get scolded.
He slipped along the racks of second years' shoe lockers, trying to look as small and as sneaky as he possibly could. One of the shoe lockers there shut loudly, startling the hell out of him. He gulped, who was there so early? He peeked from his sneaking spot, to see Irihata-sensei, walking away from there and heading towards a teachers room.
He frowned. What was the teacher doing there? He walked towards the lockers, but he had no idea which locker she'd tempered with. If he tried to find it, and someone caught him. He looked around, staring at the names written on the lockers. He found Kiku's, and then his eyes stopped on Aya's. The dispute their manager had with the teacher was stuck in his head. Sure, Aya was fiery, sure she had her faults, but nothing of that was a reason for the teacher to hate her so much.
Maybe if I get a peek… He slowly opened the locker. There were Aya's indoor shoes and a note. A love letter, or…? He reached to check it out, feeling completely guilty and weird. But the teacher's presence was highly suspicious to him.
Then a laughter reached his ears, and he quickly put the letter back, shut the locker and hurried to his own. He had his heart in his throat. He didn't get to open the letter. Maybe it was for the best. He shouldn't have done that. What were you thinking?!
######
"What?" Aomine turned around, glaring at Aya. She defended Sakurai's lunch from the grumpy Ace with her body.
"If you are hungry, just say so, stupid." She said in a scolding voice, but not angry anymore.
He raised his eyebrow. "And?"
Aya fished out her own lunch and handed it to him. "Here. Take mine. I'm not that hungry."
He was staring at it in disbelief.
Then Aya's stomach growled and she blushed, frowning at her flat belly.
"Not that hungry, huh?" He teased with a mocking smirk. Then he grabbed her elbow and pulled her out of the class. They'd already caused enough ruckus in front of their 'friends'.
"Did he just kidnap Aya-chan?" Kano turned his big eyes at Ishii.
"Seems like it."
Kiku couldn't believe it. She blinked at the door, and then shook her head and continued eating quietly. Sometimes, it was better if she didn' try to understand those two. They were obviously functioning in their own way full of banters and teasing.
But Aya returned on her own, frowning, absent minded. She smiled at them, announcing that Aomine was most likely skipping the next class of two; nothing unusual. But her smile was missing the usual spark. Did they argue? Kiku thought. and if they did, it must've been more serious than their usual banters.
######
During the P.E., classes 1-3 and 1-4 were joined together. It was warm enough to exercise outside, so while the boys were playing football (soccer) under Yoshioka-sensei's supervision, the girls were divided into teams to play volleyball on the neighbouring courts. The teams were put together according to their class.
Four girls from the class 1-4 were in the volleyball club, and they were on the same team by the P.E. teacher. The P.E. teacher, Umaki-sensei, who was also the coach of the girls' volleyball club, liked to keep those four on one team; even if it meant giving them an unfair advantage.
The rest of the teams were the students' choice.
Aya's class appointed her as the captain of one of their teams. It was a given. Any team sports during P.E., Aya would 100% be a captain of one of them. And Kiku was happy for her, yet she felt sick from her stomach, knowing they were about to play volleyball. She hated running, she hated ball sports even more. Her hand-eye coordination might've been perfect, but her legs got in the way. And catching those cannon balls... Maybe I should play sick?
"Kiku!" Aya called out her name as the first. Kiku's eyes went as wide as they could.
WHAT?! She was planning to get away from there, and now she was already on a team? She looked at Aya in desperation, why was she torturing her? No one else would want to be on their team now!
But Aya just smiled at her. Her choice, it wasn't out of pity. The redhead didn't mind Kiku's clumsiness. She was okay with covering for her. And today, after her little strange argument with Aomine, she was ready to fight as never before.
The other girls weren't happy about it. With Kiku on their team, it was like playing with five players instead of six. Maybe Aya could make up for two people... Whatever, it was just P.E. and just another stupid match against the other class they had to survive. They weren't that good at volleyball either. If the teacher's volley-girls won, everything would be okay.
Nothing unusual.
But they didn't forget to glare at Kiku or utter quiet complaints. When Aya couldn't hear them.
Team 1-4 was starting with the first serve. One of the volley-girls was serving and she purposefully hit it with her full strength, aiming at Kiku – the girl who had the least chance of receiving it.
Kiku closed her eyes, awaiting the harsh impact. She knew this was on purpose, she knew it was going to be like this the whole game. She wanted to run and hide, avoid the ball, but if she tried to avoid it, she'd most likely trip and hinder everyone even more.
Someone pushed her aside, there was a dull bang sound, but no ball hit her in the face. She opened one eye, just to see the red flash saving the ball and sending it right to their setter. She blinked in surprise. Was Aya planning to cover for her the entire game?
"Sorry." Aya muttered to her. "Keep your eyes open, if you can't get it, avoid it. I'll be there." She winked at her in reassurance. But there was something raw and wild and furious in Aya's eyes. Though it wasn't aimed at Kiku, thankfully.
"How cute! But you can't cover up forever, Kagami!" Someone from the other side of the net yelled. Kiku didn't wear her glasses here, so all she could see was a blur. It was still better than a risk of having them broken by the ball.
Aya was staying true to her words. Anytime they targeted Kiku, Aya was there. Completely fine with guarding both positions. And Kiku couldn't believe how she was doing it. Yes, she made mistakes; the ball flew out a couple of times, when it was too fast; she missed a spike from time to time. But out of all the girls on her side of the net, she was the best.
After one set they lost, they changed sides. As unusual as it was, Aya seemed tired. She was running and jumping around much more than the others.
"Look at the losers. Congratulations, Ohno. You did a good job!" One of the four said mockingly, looking down at the small girl, who was trying so hard to hold back her tears. "Thanks for tiring Kagami out." Said another one.
Eh? She looked at Aya properly. It was true, she seemed tired more than usual.
They were doing it on purpose. Targeting Kiku was their strategy. Since Aya was competitive and protective, they knew she'd overexert herself, and since the beginning of the match she seemed somewhat off from her usual overly-energetic-self.
"Sorry. I'm so sorry, Aya-san." She mumbled under her breath. She felt so bad about using Aya as her shield. She never asked for it, but she was glad for it. And it made her feel guilty at the same time. She couldn't meet Aya's eyes.
Aya gently touched Kiku's shoulder, in a reassuring gesture. It meant – 'I don't mind.' "It's okay." She hummed to Kiku. "Don't worry, I need this outlet."
Need?
"Fuck off!" Aya growled at the girl and stood in front of Kiku protectively.
"Hmph." The girl turned and crossed under the net. Maybe infuriating the redhead more then she'd already been wasn't the luckiest choice.
"You don't have to try that hard, Kagami-chan." Miyuki, the setter, said and patted Aya's shoulder. "It's not like we can win against them."
Aya chuckled and wiped her forehead; wildness and pure thirst for victory glimmering in her eyes. "Well, we certainly haven't lost yet."
"Eh?"
"Call the others; I think we could take this set." Aya said.
Her managerial and observing skills, as well as her volleyball experience came in handy. She explained what she had noticed and what they could try. They lost a set but the difference in points wasn't that huge. The two girls, Rei and Aki, who she had shot down in class for badmouthing Kiku, didn't want to participate in anything Aya proposed. But sure as hell it pissed them off, when the girls from the other class made fun of them.
Kiku didn't get it at all, but her role was given. 'Stay out of the way' and 'Don't get hit'. But the girls were willing to make it work. So she'd fulfill her duty without a complaint.
"We will do it." They nodded as one. The two gossipy-geese (Aki and Rei) were fired up this time. It wasn't about covering for Ohno anymore; it was about showing those four bitches their place.
Aya smirked. Who would've thought that these two...
All of the girls were ready to tear their opponents to shreds.
Thanks to Aya's observation, they were keeping the set in tie.
Whenever the opponents scored, they scored back. It was a back and forth game. And sometimes, the ball was kept in the air for unbelievably long rallies. The girls playing on the other court stopped and watched them.
Even the boys got their attention dragged away from football, and rather hung on the fence staring at the girls running after the ball. Yoshioka-sensei couldn't make them go back to football, so with a sigh, he joined them to watch the games and his female colleague.
Umaki-sensei was watching in worry, turning a blind eye to occasional insults her girls spouted towards Aya's team. She didn't want the class 1-4 to lose, because it would mean that her new additions to the volleyball club weren't as good as she wanted to believe.
"Bring it!" Aya called for a spike running up to the net from the right side.
"Here you... GO!" Miyuki set it up higher, according to Aya's jump. She was an excuse of a setter, but after Aya had explained what kind of tosses she wanted, and after they had tried and failed several times, she got it right. Once in a while... This time, she got it right. She could see it from the ease with which Aya spiked it in, avoiding the block.
They got one point and were currently one point ahead.
Unfortunately it was Kiku's time to serve and the precious one point was lost immediately. She wanted to run and hide again, like this whole game. In serving, she was all alone and everyone was staring at her. She dreaded that rotation every time. And every time she failed. And every time she felt like throwing up under all the eyes staring at her.
"Don't worry about it." Aya encouraged her. "I'll teach you how to serve later."
Kiku blinked at Aya, she had no idea how the redhead wanted to teach her that… Still, How nice…
The next serve from the opposite team targeted Kiku again. And Aya received it again. It was off, but Miyuki managed to set it for Aya again. Not as well as before, so the opponents were quick to return the failure of a spike.
The girl from the volleyball club who spiked it back was robust, tall and her spikes, as well as her serves were unbelievably powerful. Only Aya, and somehow Miyuki were managing to receive them.
She targeted Kiku, as per usual. Kiku looked at Aya in pure panic. She knew the ball was coming, she knew it would hit her, she wanted to run, but her feet were glued to the ground.
And Aya wasn't close; she had barely landed from her jump, and no one else dared to jump between the small girl and the cannonball. This time it would hit her. MOVE! Kiku ordered her legs, but they didn't seem to have any self preservation instinct in them anymore.
Shit. Aya thought and sprang forward without thinking. She knew she wouldn't make it, but she leaped forward nevertheless, jumping in a sort of midair dive. She hadn't calculated the trajectory right, or she jumped with more force than she needed to, all in all, the ball hit the side of her cheek, making her bite into it. It hurt. She could feel the metallic taste of blood in her mouth, but the ball was up. "Cover it!"
Kiku was staring at her in pure horror. She saw how it hit Aya's face. But Aya didn't stop to look at her, she was already moving forward, to help whenever she could.
"Ah!..." Rei jumped in and touched it. It was not enough for a spike.
"Just get it over the net!" Aya shouted, not realizing that blood was tracing out from a corner of her mouth and dripping down her chin.
Miyuki had the last touch.
"Direct!" Robust girl shouted, and spiked it.
"Tch." Aya dived forward to catch it. She was everywhere, and Kiku couldn't believe it! All the energy!
"Eh?!" So far, Umaki-sensei hadn't seen Kagami dive. The redhead was extremely ferocious today. Some of her girls didn't know how to do that properly and they wore elbow and knee pads during practises and even now. Kagami wore none. Which meant she'd get her knees and elbows scraped from asphalt. The girl didn't care. She was in for the win.
Aya wrestled the point, not caring about a few scratches. There was a short break before she would serve and she could finally catch some breath.
"Aya!" Kiku's voice sounded panicky, upon seeing blood on Aya's face. "You're bleeding!"
Aya touched her chin and the right side of her mouth. Her right cheek was throbbing and she knew she'd have a bruise there. In an ungirly gesture, she spat out the blood which collected in her mouth and wiped her lips and chin with the back of her hand. Running for a handkerchief and fussing over something so insignificant wasn't in Aya's nature.
"Kagami-chan! Are you fine?" Miyuki asked with concern. Suddenly her entire team gathered around her.
She wanted to help, but the other girls quickly pushed her aside, worrying over Aya. Aki and Rei glared at her as if it was her fault. Well, she felt like it was her fault. Aya'd jumped there only for her. She felt like crying.
"Yeah, yeah. Leave it. I'm fine. I just bit my cheek. No big deal." Aya spat out blood once again, but it was already getting better.
"You should go to the infirmary, Kagami." Umaki-sensei suggested.
"I'm fine. Besides, there isn't much the nurse could do. My teeth didn't get knocked out." She said firmly.
So she probably is scared of the infirmary... Kiku thought.
The teacher looked at Yoshioka-sensei in charge of the boys, looking for support. But her colleague was frowning at her, sending her a scolding look. "Let her play if she wants. It's not like she has a concussion."
Shit… She swore in her mind. "Fine. It's your serve, Kagami."
Aya took the ball from her with a victorious smirk and walked behind the back line.
Kiku watched her with curiosity. Her concentration was incredible and Aya seemed to be preparing for something she hadn't done yet. She dribbled the ball and took a deep breath
Aya's success rate was only 5 out of 10 tries with this serve. But if she could make it… It could make those mocking idiots shut up. If she couldn't, she'd only get angrier.
"Cover the back of your heads!" She shouted and threw the ball up.
She did a run up, leaped up, and hit the ball with her entire body strength. For a moment, she looked like she grew wings. Because Aya could use the entire strength of her body, it was a stronger cannon than from the robust girl, who only used her arm's strength. The sound was terrifying. The ball made it through at such a speed that the 1-4 team didn't have time to blink, let alone react.
"Don't celebrate. My accuracy isn't all that good." Aya muttered and dribbled before her serve again.
She managed to get two more service-aces before the ball hit the net right next to Rei's head, which made the girl glare at Aya.
"Sorry." She shrugged with a mischievous smirk.
It got them three points ahead and they managed to keep it.
The class 1-3, despite having a complete sport anti-talent on their team, won the set. And after that they won another, shorter one, due to the class ending.
"What on…" It was the first time that Kiku was on the winning team. It felt awesome to win, but not being able to contribute in any way made her depressed. The only thing she could do during P.E. was staying out of everyone's way. It made her feel lonely, even if she wasn't alone.
"Yes! We did it!" Aya high-fived with all the girls, her included. "You were awesome, girls."
"What were you doing?!" Umaki-sensei shouted at the four girls from her volleyball team. "You are in the volleyball club! How can you let them win so easily!? How does that make me look!?"
Aya laughed at that. "So what do you say? Wasn't it worth the sweat?" She asked Rei and Aki, the two gossipy-geese.
"Hmph. It certainly doesn't make us friends." They said, but they couldn't fight off a smile. Winning felt awesome. Even though it was with Ohno and Kagami on their team, it was worth it.
"Fair enough. What about a truce?" Aya asked, offering a handshake.
"I guess that's fine." Aki said and shook Aya's hand.
Then they turned at Kiku. And she turned to face them, but she couldn't hide the fear in her eyes. It was her fault Aya-san got hurt. Her fault she didn't help them win. If only she could…
"You too." Aki said grumpily. "We are not friends, but… A truce."
She blinked, her eyes wide. "H-h-hai!" She bowed deeply. What? Did it mean they wouldn't be mean to her anymore? Really? She didn't have to worry about anyone in the class anymore?
The four volley members passed by Aya, all giving her hostile glares. Bitches. She thought, and then waved them with a bright smile on her face. The P.E. was over, and all they had to do was to go get changed, do their class duties and head home.
Aya's boys surrounded them both with worried eyes. "You cheek is bruising, Aya-chan!" Kano gasped. And Kiku couldn't meet their eyes, none of them. But she had to wait until the changing room would be vacant, she couldn't change with the others.
"Eh?" Aya touched her stinging cheek, he was right. "I suppose I'll have to wear make-up for a couple of days." She shrugged. "No big deal."
"We didn't know you played volleyball too." Ishii said, calmly observing their manager for once.
"Ah well." She smiled. "Los Angeles, sun, ocean, beaches and beach volleyball contests… Let's say streetball wasn't the only free-time activity I did there."
"Did you argue with Aomine-san?" Sakurai asked warily.
At hearing that, Kiku looked at her friend. Did she argue with Aomine? Was that her trigger to be so ferocious in the match? If yes, did the redhead realise what it meant?
Instead of answering, Aya gave him a short glare.
"S-sorry. I didn't mean to pry. I'm sorry." He was bowing to her continuously.
"Oh, it's fine, Sakurai-kun. You don't need to apologise."
"So?" Kano peeked at her from behind Ishii as they were heading towards the changing rooms.
"I don't know, okay?"
"You don't know?" Arai asked with a raised eyebrow.
"I don't know." She repeated. "Would you mind leaving it? I need to sort it out myself." She said, disappearing into the changing room, leaving Kiku outside with the boys.
"That was weird." Arai muttered.
"Certainly" Ishii nodded.
"Sakurai, you shouldn't apologise that much. It tick's people off." Kano pointed out good-heartedly.
"Sorry! I'll try not to. But sorry for annoying you! Sorry!"
"What do you think, Kiku-chan?" Arai asked her with a smile. "Was there an argument between the two?"
"I-I don't know… Maybe? But It's strange for Aya to be this… distracted… angry… about it."
"So he must've done something." Ishii rubbed his chin.
"More like, say something." Kano filled in. "If he did something to her, he'd be dead."
Ishii wanted to reply, but Aomine strolled out of the changing room and glared down at all five of them. Kiku hid behind Ishii's back, she really couldn't handle Aomine in his better days, now when he looked so pissed off…
"Don't stick your noses into it." The ace warned them. "It's between her and me."
"Sure." Kano said with a half grin. "Just don't hurt her."
"Tch."
######
"Hey." Wakamatsu greeted Kiku when he met her at the bike racks again. It took courage for him to approach her. But he'd watched the volleyball game through the window and it looked nasty. All the spikes and serves directed at Kiku. If it was anyone else (except Aya maybe), they'd run away from the court. It took a tremendous mental strength to stay there and try to play, or at least not get in the others way. "Are you okay?"
"Hm?" She turned to him, then immediately averted her eyes with a blush. "Yeah, f-fine." She muttered, placing the bike strategically in-between them. They don't have the practise today! Why is he here?! "W-why d-d' you a-a-ask?"
"Eeerm…" He scratched the back of his neck. "I watched the game. It looked like they ganged up on you."
She bit her lip and lowered her head, trying to hide behind her fringe. So other people saw her humiliation? Wakamatsu saw her humiliation? There was nothing worse than that. First she tumbled him down, then he had to save her during the training camp and now he saw that? "S-s-sorrry… I-I-I'm u-u-useless in s-s-sports…" She had tears burning in her eyes.
"Huh? You're a perfect shot, you can't be good at everything. Besides, you didn't run away, that's strong, takes a lot of courage." He said straightforwardly.
Was he praising her? For being useless? "W-w-wait… A sh-sh-sh-shot?!" She looked up at him, and seeing his blush she looked away again. She didn't want to make him feel uncomfortable.
"You don't remember us? You gave a lesson to my lil' brother, treated his scratches when he fell off his bike in front of your dojo."
"WHAT?! Y-y-you've been to my place? And you h-h-haven't said a thing?! Ah… S-sorry." She apologised for her little outburst but a small smile played on her lips. He'd seen her shooting then… And he wasn't thinking she was totally lame.
He blinked, baffled. There it was. The fighter in her. If only that trait was up front more often, maybe then she'd finally look him in the eye. He wanted to get there. He wanted her to face him.
######
In the evening, Kousuke sprawled on Shun's floor and stared at the ceiling. Shun walked in with some drinks and snacks and turned to his wardrobe to change from his work-clothes. He didn't need to wear the t-shirt promoting the convenience store he worked at at home too.
"Hey, what's that?" Kousuke frowned when he saw Shun's bruised ribs. It was turning yellow already, but it was there. "Don't tell me…"
Shun shrugged. "Father got drunk when I came back from the training camp. I didn't manage to lock the room in time. It's my fault, I should've stayed over at your place when you suggested it. I didn't think he'd be so..."
"Where is he now?" He asked with his fists clenched.
He knew Shun's mother ran away from his father, leaving Shun behind and starting a new life somewhere with someone else. She'd never once sent a card or a letter. Nothing. She ghosted them. Maybe because of Hanzou's, his father's, violent nuances. What the hell was wrong with Shun's father? So what that Shun liked men, it didn't make him a lesser person.
"Don't know, don't care." He said and pulled a fresh t-shirt over his head. "You know him, he comes and goes. I haven't talked with him normally for months."
Kouske didn't know what to say. His parents were awesome, over the top sometimes, but awesome. And Shun was there, struggling on his own. He wanted to help, he certainly didn't want to pity, because he knew Shun hated that the most, but he wasn't sure what to say, or how to help.
"It's fine, Kou. I'll stay at your place when he comes back again, 'kay?"
"Of course. Anytime you want."
He smiled at his friend. "So? You must want to talk about something if you're here."
"Ah… well… Several things actually."
"Let's start with the worst thing."
"Keh. I've seen Irihata-sensei around the students' lockers today. Early in the morning."
"When you ghosted me?"
"Sorry, I wanted to find Kiku's locker and… ah… no, never mind, you didn't hear that."
Shun's eyes widened, then he chuckled. "I won't allow you to confess via letter. Forget that. You're not that lame."
"NO! I WASN'T THINKING ABOUT THAT?! More like… giving a flower or something…"
"I'd be creeped out. Really, no, don't do that. Face her."
"Irihata-sensei!" He brought the topic back. "I have a feeling she was up to no good. And there was some note in Aya's locker."
"Okay sherlock, it might've been nothing. I bet Aya-chan gets love letters here and there, and you haven't seen sensei actually do anything, right?"
"Yeah, but… given their fight."
"You think she might be bullying Aya? The head of the disciplinary committee? That sounds too ridiculous. Maybe she just returned a book to someone."
"Maybe…"
"Don't get involved with her, until Aya-chan comes to you with the problem. Irihata is a snake. No one likes her, and no one should mess with her."
He sighed in resignation. Tada was right, and he might've come to biased conclusions. He certainly wouldn't ask Aya about her love letters.
"Now the good thing!" Shun prompted him. "You talked with Kiku-chan?"
Kousuke blushed and scratched his cheek. "A little, after that volleyball match. She seemed so dejected. Uhm… for a moment, she raised her voice, when I reminded her I visited their dojo. She didn't remember me."
"Ooooh, that sounds nice! So she isn't just a damsel in distress. And she didn't run away from you this time."
"Dude, she's a fighter. She stayed in that match the whole time! You've seen it too! That's so courageous and awesome!"
"You like her." He teased.
"No! I don't really know her yet… But I might be interested? I want her to face me. I want to see that fighter fight. Or maybe… smile at me, for once?"
Shun laughed, oh his huge friend was getting deep into it. And he was really curious how it will all play out. But given the fact Kiku had been bullied before, he wondered how many more small encounters it would take for the two to talk properly.
A/N: I hope you liked it! And thank you for your patience with me :) I've started focusing on this story now, for a change. Because, WYD is so far ahead from this one, that I'm not sure how to write Kiku and Wakamatsu in WYD anymore. So I'm re-reading and trying to move this story forward.
Let me know what you think and remember, reviews are appreciated, but never necessary.
S.