Quick Note: Hotaru means Firefly in Japanese. :)
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"Koutarou"
Just by the mention of his name, he knew that something bad was about to happen.
Hayama Koutarou gritted his teeth in fear.
"Y-Yes?!" His shoulder was fidgeting, extending all the way to his knees.
Interhigh was near and they might be all excited and preparing for that.
However, before it, there was one battle they must overcome, in the form of an examination.
That being said, a certain Hayama Koutarou was in danger, among all.
Akashi is angryyyyy!
They just discussed the scope and depth of the problem and all arrows of danger were pointing on him.
"You need to do something about this matter." Akashi Seijuro informed normally as if it was that simple but Hayama knew how terrifying Akashi could get if what he desired wasn't met. He could never understand what was going on inside the mind of his captain.
Just as predicted, Akashi Seijuro was planning an intense tutoring for him.
Thinking about it sent shivers to the sophomore's body.
The redhead put a forefinger in the surface below his chin as he pondered. "Well, I could probably spare some time to teach you Math and English."
He jolted upon hearing, as if a heavy and deadly thunder just pounded his overall body.
I-It really is a private tutoring!
Hayama's eye twitched.
"Reo, I believe your best subject is Literature. I would like to leave Hayama in your care on that."
Instantly, the blonde thanked all the stars in heaven during daytime that this tutoring wouldn't be a one on one with Akashi.
Mibuchi smiled, "Sure, the fact that Sei-chan knows what subject I excel makes me happy."
Reo-nee?!
"Then…"
The blonde agitatedly turned his head back to Akashi as he waited for next.
Actually, forget the other subjects. He could manage to pass those if he wanted to, well, except to one particular subject that he had hated ever since god-knows-when. In fact, he was still wondering how he was able to pass his freshman years because of that.
That one particular subject.
Honestly, he even despised mentioning its name.
"If I'm not mistaken…" Akashi continued.
You surely would never be mistaken!
Hayama's eyes blinked exasperatedly as he waited uneasily.
"…Science is your worst subject." the redhead ended.
Hearing that very name was the poorest, the lowest, the most severe and unpleasant sound that his ears could ever hear.
Nonetheless, he shamelessly admitted it.
Now, who would his captain choose as his mentor for Science, also known as the person who would be the mastermind of his pain and hardship.
Until Reo chimed in, "Why don't you just tutor him by yourself, Sei-chan? You're the most intelligent person here that I know."
To that, the blonde quickly sent meaningful looks to his co player.
The black haired shooter blinked blankly and nonchalantly.
How could you suggest that Reo-nee?! Have you forsaken me!? Two subjects are already too much! I wouldn't want to spend more time with Akashi especially just the two of us!
There he thought, as if sending his inner monologues to Mibuchi. Although in the surface, he was just firing meaningful eyes like daggers. Whether the receiving party got it was unknown to the sender.
Mibuchi parted his lips and only gave the blonde a smile.
Are you kidding me Reo-nee?!
"Unfortunately, I'm afraid that I cannot. I have a lot of things I need to do." Akashi said.
Mibuchi looked once again at Hayama, using the same smile but this time, adding a sharp tilt of his head on the side as if saying 'Isn't that good? You're safe.'
At the same time, a slight burping sound entered the scene.
Nebuya Eikichi approached the group. By the looks of him slightly massaging the surface of his stomach, anyone could tell that he just finished—yet again—another round of snacks.
"Alright! Leave P.E to me. I'll teach you on that." He gave a hard slapped on Hayama's back which almost made the latter lose his balance.
"Oh my god, could you cover your mouth when you're doing that. It's disgusting." commented by Reo regarding the burp.
Hayama jerked abruptly in front of Nebuya, "P.E?! I've never heard of anyone tutoring P.E!"
"Really…" Reo sighed.
What an ungrateful student. Nebuya thought, lifting one brow. "That's a pity, Ha!"
"Eikichi, I'd want you to come as well." Although his grade wasn't as bad as Hayama's, still, Akashi wanted the bulky student to try harder. All of them can pull it off if only they tried, he believed.
"Akashi?" he could protest but he knew it was a futile act. He regretted ever approaching the three, he thought.
"I know someone who could teach you in Science, Kotarou." Akashi spoke as he eyed one person who was at the bench and resting.
The three uncrowned generals trailed their eyes on the direction where Akashi was looking.
Eh?
No way?!
Ohh…
"Mayuzumi-san, can I have you for a second here?"
They were greeted with an emotionless face from the other side of the court.
It took him quite a while to even stand up. Really, he never liked to be ordered around, especially by that freshman.
Yet, he just couldn't seem to disobey.
"What is it?" The third year student asked, unbothered by the trouble he was about to face.
As for Hayama, even though he remembered having a friendly moment with him during their trip, he still had some doubts.
And also, this guy… he was totally anti-social, the blonde commented in his mind.
"Your marks in Science last year were quite commendable. I'd say it was and still your best subject, am I right?"
His eyes twitched. Just how much information did Akashi have about him? He even knew about his sophomore year's performance.
He looked around the faces of his other teammates, taking a considerable assumption as to what was going on.
In this season of exams with Interhigh coming, there was only meaning. "Yes, and what of it?"
Akashi smirked, "Then, could you teach Koutaro?"
Mayuzumi didn't like how he sounded as if requesting when for all he knew, it was already a task that he decided himself for him. Refusal wasn't an option anyway. He looked at the blonde.
Those cold eyes made Hayama winced as he stammered. "W-What is it?" Uwaa, he's absolutely against it!
Though, in Hayama's surprised, after a minute of silence, the only third year student among the group uttered his answer. "Okay." Not like he had a choice.
Akashi inched up one side of his lip, "That settles it, then."
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If other people would know this whole tutoring event, they would definitely wonder as to why a freshman student would need to tutor a sophomore.
Clearly, it was something unusual, quite out of the typical standard in society. However, if talking about a certain Akashi Seijuro, the guy that was known as almost perfect around the campus, it would be feasible.
Hayama shifted the bill of his cap to the back of his head.
One foot pumped from the ground, putting enough force to accelerate his skateboard.
Why must he spend his weekend studying? He thought while on his way at the agreed café where everyone from his team would grill him with their knowledge.
As his mind wandered what would happen on his future situation, he suddenly came across a familiar figure of a girl.
He stopped and stomped the end of the deck of his skateboard, before lifting it up from the ground.
In a split of seconds, he wondered if he really saw who he believed he saw.
Though the face of that person was out of his sight, Hayama was able to recognize whose hair that belonged to. He plastered a grin as he decided to walk backwards to chase the girl, who was busying herself with a mobile phone.
"Zaki?" Hayama called.
The girl didn't look up right away.
First off, she finished reading what was written on the text message on her phone.
"Oh, Hayama-san…? Ah, Hello." She examined the person on her front, eyes specially trailed off at the skateboard between his right arm and body.
"Skateboard? I didn't know you can ride that." Hotaru smiled, taking the chance to shut off her device.
"Yeah, this is better than renting a taxi." he shrugged. "Anyway, where are you going?" Brows pulled up curiously.
"I'm meeting Seijuro-sama. He said he'd be at this café." Hotaru opened her phone once again, scrolled back at the message sent by her superior before showing the screen to her acquaintance, purposely letting him read the redhead's message.
Hayama squinted his eyes upon reading the first word. It quickly registered in his memory. "Wait, that's where I'm also going!" he blurted out.
Was it a coincidence?
Wait, no.
Akashi would also be at the café to teach him so that means she would also be there? Could it be…?
"Ah, so you must be the person who would need the tutoring?" Hotaru assumed.
Hayama threw his palms in attempt to defend his self. "It's pitiful when you said it that way Zaki!"
Hotaru just smiled, "So, why did you come from that direction?" she asked, forefinger pointing on her left, remembering that he actually appeared behind her while the café was on the opposite direction, on her right.
Hayama bit his lips revealing the signature tooth in the surface before producing an awkward chuckle. He probably didn't notice. His mind was wandering off somewhere. "Ehehe…I probably would have lost my way if I didn't see ya' Zaki."
"I see." The girl shifted her forefinger on their right. "Let's get going then?"
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The name of the café sounded familiar to her, remembering she actually had seen it somewhere on this street before.
"It should be at the end corner." The girl mumbled to herself, nodding on and off from the screen of her device.
"You don't seem surprised Zaki?" Hayama trailed off.
"About what?" She glanced.
"Well, I'm a second year right? But Akashi, a freshman, is gonna tutor me." He explained, eyes wandering on his left to make sure that they won't pass the café by mistake.
Hotaru had never considered anything as strange or unordinary just so long as Akashi Seijuro's name was attached. But, of course, it looked like that wasn't the case for everyone.
An unusual thing would remain unusual.
"The amount of studying that Seijuro-sama does, on a daily basis, is beyond mine—or anyone's expectation." Hotaru smiled truthfully at the blonde. "There's nothing to worry about."
Hayama blinked, not sure if he understood it the way she wanted him to, either way, if there was one thing he felt he knew, it would be the extreme faith that the girl had towards the redhead.
She really likes him so much…eh.
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Hayama was too quick to find where his other teammates were seated.
Hotaru was behind, following in silent, eyes prioritizing to search for a certain redhead.
As soon as they got nearer the table, Hayama took off his cap and greeted the other students.
"You're late Hayama." Mibuchi Reo was the first one to speak, already sending his annoyance to the tardy small forward.
"Sorry Reo-nee, I almost lost my way. Thank goodness, I saw Zaki on the way." He grinned as he slid his hips on the same seat as Mayuzumi and Reo. "
"Zaki-chan?"
The girl waved a hand to take their attention back now that she was visible to their sight. She was somewhat towered and concealed by Hayama's built and bulky jacket when he was still standing.
"Hello."
"Uh, Zaki-chan is here as well. I see." Like the sun offering sunshine, Reo, somehow pulled off his mood on a brighter side. A presence of a girl shall be enough to lighten the place, contrasting the noisy and unorganized Hayama.
"Are you gonna help us here as well?" Nebuya asked.
"That's right Eikichi." Akashi was the one who answered while sliding his mobile phone on the side of the table.
"Hmm. If I'm not mistaken, Zaki-chan, you are rank as the second smartest student in first year level." Reo mentioned, chin resting on top of one palm.
"Really now? As expected, Zaki!"
"It's not that…of a big deal." The girl smiled, embarrassed.
"We're in your care then Zaki." Nebuya chimed.
Since the two long chair provided were already occupied by the five regulars—adding the fact that Nebuya's built was like meant for two people, she had no other option but to request for an extra single chair, positioning herself on the other side.
Their sitting positioning came off as this: on one row, from Hotaru's left was Nebuya followed by Akashi who was beside the large glass window. While on her right was Hayama followed by Mayuzumi then Reo at the end who got the same glass window on his right.
"So….what is Zaki's best subject?" Hayama asked curiously.
The girl smiled, "Ahm I don't really have a best subject, my marks are pretty much equal to one another. Though, I happened to enjoy Science the most."
Hayama nodded slowly, grasping the newly acquired information about the girl. Guess she was not Akashi's attendant for nothing, he thought.
"That's right!" the blonde's eyes suddenly sparkled, "Just like Mayuzumi-san."
Finally, he heard his own name. That felt for real now. He was actually with them, at this moment, sharing the same table, eyeing the same faces, breathing the same air. The moment was real.
When was the last time Mayuzumi went out with other people on weekend? He couldn't tell anymore or more like he wasn't sure if such memory or experience happened once.
Mayuzumi had his eyes closed for some time, despite hearing the voices of the newly arrived students, he didn't bother welcoming or greeting them. This gathering, it wasn't like he wanted to be here anyway.
When he opened his eyes to glance at the person beside him, he was greeted by a glittering, almost shining eyes of Hayama Koutaro. Great, how could he easily be as happy as that in this kind of boring occasion?
"Why don't we start now?" he deadpanned.
The blonde pouted secretly hearing the bitter tune coming from his senpai. "Mayuzumi-san, for all I know, you'd be just reading those weird books if this tutoring didn't happen."
That was a bit off.
Were they that close? For him to utter such words as if he knew what he usually do during weekends? Somehow, he didn't like it. Mayuzumi's eyes turned cold at the blonde before averting completely.
"He's right though. But how should we start?" Reo asked, preparing his notes on top of the table.
"Reo, we will focus on Eikichi." Akashi put out his notes as well, together with some books related to Mathematics and English.
"So, Zaki and Mayuzumi will focus on Koutaro?"
"That's right."
Everyone heard it, and just like that the tutoring commenced.
Akashi also noted that the next day, they'd swap. Akashi and Reo would tutor Hayama for the same subject while Hotaru and Mayuzumi would deal with Nebuya similarly.
It was a busy afternoon for the six Rakuzan students. Every now and then, they would order drinks as they felt the dryness in their mouth caused by non-stop talking and explaining.
One hour and half had passed and Nebuya was already craving for some food but he didn't have the courage to suggest a break because it was Akashi that focusing on him.
It couldn't get any worse than that. He glanced to the other person, the one sitting on the opposite chair, exactly to his front.
That Koutaro! Enjoying the bliss of life while I'm here balancing my feet—trying not to lose and fall on this grave of suffering. Dammit!
Must be nice, he thought.
Hayama probably didn't know how much pressure Nebuya was having because of Akashi. Forget about Reo actually, Akashi was the real threat.
Lucky bastard!
Nebuya Eikichi envied the blonde, enjoying the monotonous tone of Mayuzumi and soothing voice of Hotaru. Only right now that he understood how soft her voice could get.
Really, forget about Reo, the guy's tone was nothing to fear. But Akashi, how should he describe it? Like a calm before storm? Or was he already inside the storm but happened to be at the center, in the eye? Any minute, it could snap, and he surely wouldn't want that to happen or more like he couldn't imagine what the scenery would look like if that happened.
Ah… he wanted a swap!
"I don't get this part." Hayama beamed all of a sudden.
Shit, you surely didn't! Nebuya frowned, his irk for the unfairly situation was unconsciously spilling out all over his face.
"Ah, that… It's simple. Just use this equation." The only female's voice retorted. By then, Hayama nodded like a joyful puppy who just received his treat.
"No, I think you have to understand the concept of the problem first." Mayuzumi then countered the girl, sliding his own notes beside the blonde.
Hotaru blinked, of course, he should have known it better—being the Senpai and the only third year, that was what she thought. "Ohh… okay… please explain it to Hayama-san then."
"Eikichi…" Akashi poked his consciousness. "Could you pay attention to your notes?"
"Ha?— Ah, sure."
Dammit! Really unfair!
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Thereafter of what it felt like a boring yet agonizing couple of hours, Hayama Koutaro realized that something was a bit off with his surroundings.
Precisely, this eerie and uncomfortable sensation was actually coming from his both ends.
The blonde blinked, lifting the end of his pen from the paper, frozen on his spot as he silently observed the current situation.
"This, it is not included in the review notes." The third year moved his eyes to the corner.
"It is not, you're right Mayuzumi-san."
A wordless form of questioning face and dubious expression from the third year flashed out towards the girl, So what are you doing elaborating that specific topic?
"If he wants to grasp the thought of this problem, then I believe Hayama-san has to know this topic." Forefinger tapped twice, particularly under the word Velocity at the sophomore's book.
"That's time consuming." Mayuzumi uttered placidly.
"Studying should not be viewed as such." A slight distortion in the skin between her brows appeared.
Somehow, it also caught the attention of the other three students who were in their opposite. Akashi glanced a bit to the girl, the view quite reminded him of the past. That was how he remembered her to be—eager to her point of view and straight forward. Somehow, it had been a long time since he last saw that display of attitude.
Hayama blinked awkwardly, refusing to look neither his right nor left.
Almost five seconds of vacant staring to each other when Mayuzumi broke it with a short—almost in a monotonous tone of "Ah, ok." Not like it's my problem. His eyes fell flatly back to his own notes, accepting what the girl said without any complains. More like… voicing out his complain, fighting over such small, unimportant thing would be the last thing he would include in his list of 'Things to be bothered about'.
Hmmm… Hayama Koutarou remained quiet as he was, thinking that they both had a point. Though, he would side to Mayuzumi's idea, just cause it was easier.
Ah, come what may. Hayama decided to continue jotting all the information that the girl had told him but then after that, the person on his right would just repudiate everything.
So he'd nodded again, pretending oblivious of how things were getting out of hand.
Just who exactly should he follow?
"These two are related. Please also take note of this term."
"Ah, okay."
"Pay attention only to the equation, Kawahara-sensei's type of exam is problem solving." Mayuzumi informed.
"Ah -Oh, noted!"
"He can't just learn the equation without understanding the whole information." Hotaru leaned forward.
"Uhh...Zaki's right. Okay."
"Heh, what? Like whoever invented that formula?"
"Right, Mayuzumi-san is right, no need for the formula." Eh—, wait what?
On and off, Hayama would write, then erase, then write, repeatedly.
Hotaru's eyes twitched, despite that, she was keeping her calm in place. "That's an important information, Hayama-san."
"Really now, like I said, Kawahara-sensei doesn't include that in his exams." He knew it, he had been there. He had taken the same exams before. Why couldn't this girl understand? What would be the point of knowing if it wouldn't even be in the scope of exam? Sooner after this tutoring, he knew that this sophomore would forget everything anyway. Knowing just the equation would guarantee the blonde higher chance of passing because Mayuzumi knew how the exams usually formed.
"What's best is that he learned something." But why couldn't he understand as well? The point wasn't just pass the exam but to also learn. Why was it called tutoring or studying in the first place if she wouldn't even explain the topic properly? She might have struggled with studying before but this time was different, after countless effort and hardships, she finally got to this level. All because she studied hard. She didn't do this just to pass a single exam.
"You can't possibly be hoping that this guy over here can absorb all of this information without forgetting what is important like…example, the main equation. Well, unless he can put 'I know who invented this equation, how he invented it, what made the inventor invented it but unfortunately, I can't remember the equation itself' and still receive a passing mark, then go on, I wouldn't mind at all." Screw that, he didn't care actually. Why he was even arguing with her?
It suddenly had gotten awkward, Hayama thought.
The two had their own reason that happened to be clashing to each other.
Instead of another rebut, Hotaru chose not to say anything. However, both of their eyes refused to calm down, still steadily and seriously eyeing each other.
Well…
"You two." Hayama knew he had to speak. "Chill 'kay?" He threw out his palms to both sides, like a referee on duty, between two contenders.
The girl blinked and somehow, realized the current situation. Perhaps, she reacted too much.
On the other hand, Mayuzumi regretted being dragged to her pace.
"Look, I'm done. Okay?" Hayama slid his notebook to Mayuzumi, in hopes that his perfect answer would cool down the heads of the two. He crossed his arms in a proud manner. "Is it correct? It is right?~"
It was obvious to the blonde that he had been dying to end the tutoring and go straight home, however, his answer was nowhere near correct.
"No." Mayuzumi deadpanned.
?!
"Let me see..." Hotaru took the blonde's notes.
She tried to be optimistic but her face was clearly telling how bad she felt for the blonde because of the answers that would surely affect his future examination result. His basketball career in high school depends to it after all.
"Ah… this is…" She trailed off, and smiled weakly.
Hayama dropped his pen as he flatly sunk his face on the table. "I see…" he mumbled under his breath, feeling dejected. "I knew it. I am really hopeless on this subject."
"D-don't give up Hayama-san."
Mayuzumi could only watch the dispirited figure of his co-player, wondering if he should even pretend worried when clearly, he couldn't care less.
Hotaru looked at Akashi, worriedly, as if requesting for a back up or might as well a suggestion on how they would bring back the blonde's confidence.
"Well…"
"Ahaha! What a weakling!" Nebuya bantered.
"Haaa?!"
"And here I am, already done." The muscled-man crossed his arms.
"You are not, Eikicchi. Don't lie." Mibuchi interrupted.
"No, he is done, Reo."
"S-Sei-chan?" The shooter of the group frowned as he stole the notes of Nebuya. Eh- It is true!
That was surprising, Reo thought as he noticed Akashi smiling out of satisfaction.
Well, that was Akashi for you. Even in tutoring, he was also amazing. Reo admitted, seeing the result of Eikichi.
All is well, still.
Except to one person…
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Going back to the other three,
There's no saving for this guy… Mayuzumi couldn't even comprehend how slow-witted the blonde. Sure his basketball skills was superb but he was the complete opposite in terms of academic. "This isn't going well..."
"W-Wait, What? Why?!" Hayama cried out, slightly embarrassed.
It made Mayuzumi's eye twitched a bit. That tune was so disrespectful, he even thought. As the only third year, he couldn't just accept that treatment so he frowned.
"Hayama-san, let's try again. I'll just explain it once more." Hotaru comforted.
Mayuzumi noticed the transition and movements that occurred on her face when she said that.
She couldn't be blaming herself for that, could she?
Because that was how she looked like from his eyes.
Meanwhile, Akashi narrowed his eyes as he observed Mayuzumi.
The way he was, the red head could tell that he was trying to read the mind of the girl.
Fine by him, it was just what he wanted, for him to watch people and predict what they would do.
However, he didn't find Hotaru worthy of that task. The girl wasn't a player anyway.
Curiosity? Well, if that was his reason then he guessed he could let it.
"You're so kind Zaki!" Hayama said, imitating a puppy's eyes while visibly tearing up. "U-Unlike this one person here somewhere!" he shot a glare at the person sitting on his other side.
"That's cold Mayuzumi-san. Please help us out as well." Reo commented, chin resting on one palm.
"Heh! Shouldn't that be fine, Reo? Our bench is full of players to replace him." Nebuya jested.
Hotaru laughed silently, one curled hand covering her mouth as she did it.
"Z-Zakiiii!" Hayama called, it could mean: One: Help me stop that from happening. Second: Don't laugh.
Anyhow, he shifted his eyes at the person on his right—Mayuzumi Chihiro, no matter what, he really needed this guy at all cost. He hated to admit it but Mayuzum actually explained the lesson easier than the girl. He seemed to make it short and straight to the point, while Hotaru liked to put all the details in it but of course, there was a limit on how much information his brain and memory could handle.
You need to plead more respectfully than that. Mayuzumi thought while vacantly gazing back at the blonde. He wouldn't be tamed with just a look. He needed something more formal, like how a Kouhai make a request to a Senpai.
"P-Ple—" It won't fit Hayama's mouth at first—requesting and all. He felt like his tongue would freeze. But this is for the team! "PLEASE! MAYUZIMI-SAN! HELP ME OUT!"
A groaned, Mayuzumi closed his eyes for a second there, the sudden scream of plead earned detestable eyes from the other customers of the café.
But the third year sensed the eagerness, the guy was even greeting his teeth in the inside.
You badly want to play that much, …huh?
How does that feel? To be able to produce such determined kind of eyes…To want something so bad…Isn't it just a club activity?
"Mayuzumi-san, Please?" Hotaru requested as well.
Well, he was actually enjoying the situation that he was thinking of other ways to reject the sophomore, assuming he could pin some sense of respect to that rowdiness but somehow the only female's voice awoken his conscience.
"Please!" the blonde repeated loudly, once again, still ignoring the judging eyes from other people.
It wasn't exactly how he wanted it to be but it would still do. "Okay."
"Waa, Thank—" Hayama lost control and was about to throw a hug to Mayuzumi when the gray-haired Senpai quickly threw his arms in the air to hinder the contact. This was all thanks to his fast reflexes.
Seriously?
"—you!" Hayama managed to end his thanks despite his arms airing in disarray towards Mayuzumi.
Hotaru smiled.
They seemed to get along just fine. This would do, they could do this.
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"Thank you is not enough, I know that very well. I will treat you next time." Hayama said, pouting in embarrassment and his tune, it wasn't the usual rowdy voice, instead, it was low almost like a whisper.
He really did develop a debt to Mayuzumi.
"Zaki also..."
"It's fine." Hotaru waved one hand up and down, near her chest. "Just ace the exam and win the Inter-high."
"Yes sure! Well then, thanks again. I'll be going this way." Hayama smiled and pointed to the direction of the road behind him.
"Okay. Take care on your way." Hotaru waved her goodbye.
Hayama put down his skateboard and in one stomp, he quickly advanced to his way.
The two watched as his image completely disappeared from their sight.
Suddenly it was just the two of them.
The girl blinked, eyes looking around.
…
It was never this awkward before, she thought.
After that tutoring, somehow, she was hesitating to start a conversation at the person beside, thinking he might be angry or something due to the small clash of ideas they had a while ago when they tutored the blonde.
"Should we-"
"Which way-"
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Ah…
…..
The two paused.
Mayuzumi seemed the same, like how he usually behaved every time.
Hotaru, on the other hand was too obvious with her discomfort.
"Go on." Mayuzumi allowed passively.
She tilted her head for one second, then averted, before finally looking at the direction to her left.
"Ahm, Should we….go home now?"
He nodded.
"Which way are you heading?"
"Here..." Hotaru pointed to her left, the opposite road that Hayama took.
"I'll be using the same way as well." He said and casually put his hands on the pocket of his pants.
Hotaru nodded. "L-let's go then." A tensed smile surfaced her face, tucking one side of hair behind the right ear.
The two began walking side by side, keeping enough distance between them where people wouldn't mistake them as together.
They didn't expect that they would finish this late.
The other three members left earlier than them. Though it was not really early, more like, it was actually the agreed time to end the tutoring. They just didn't predict that it would be that hard to teach Hayama.
At the pathway, there were some people joining their silent walk.
However, upon reaching the next block, the number of crowd suddenly cut to half. Both faces were kept focused on the road, quietly. The air that blew their hairs to the right seemed to be the loudest sound around.
How long would they walk together like this?
Where exactly does this person lives? Both thought in unison.
From their side, few lamp posts started illuminating, giving proper light on the track.
The two caught a sight of one cherry blossom, something rare for the current season. It bloomed near one lamppost. The yellowish light of the post almost dominated its pink petals.
Both saw it yet neither wanted to begin a conversation about it.
Usually, Hotaru could just easily say something but she still couldn't free her thoughts from what happened at the tutoring.
Mayuzumi sensed and gave it a sigh.
"You don't need to worry on that."
The curled hand that was on her chest parted a bit as Hotaru gazed at the only person around.
Ah. "Hm. " She nodded with a smile of ease. "Thank you."
Mayuzumi blinked, his eyes wandered around. For a second, it fell at the top of her hair before shifting it on the other side to take note of one unwanted plant growing in between of pavements.
"Don't thank me. I didn't do you anything to deserve that."
"Still, I want to say thank you." Her thumb was playing silently at the surface of the skin under her forefinger.
Although their conversation happened without looking at each other, somehow it felt just fine and was actually comfortable than earlier when all they had was a long awkward silence.
She really was so formal. He thought. How he wished she would lend some of that trait to his co-players, since she seemed to get along just fine with them.
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The street at night in Kyoto was peaceful.
There weren't much people around, only during daytime that the crowds would all be hyped and packed around to visit the shrines and do some sight-seeing.
Just like the current moment, Mayuzumi eyed a certain Torii standing adjacent to where he was at. It didn't seem like anyone would be inside. After all, it looked worn out and already old, perhaps it was an abandoned shrine and not some tourist spot.
He averted, let his eyes moved on to the next attraction beside, but nothing. Everything was normal to be paid attention to.
So he didn't know why or what went inside his mind that he suddenly called out her name. Was he bored? Feeling awkward with the silence? Or he just wanted to?
Was the dark and dimmed alleyway pushed him to do it? When there were only two people around, the moment can easily turn familiar, making the only audience be closer.
"Sasazaki"
It felt anew. He felt like his tongue would never get familiar with the movements when uttering that name. Actually, it was his first to vocally pronounce it.
Hotaru blinked, something in the way he mentioned her surname caught her attention instantly. Probably because it was the first time he used it.
"Yes."
"…It seems like you're always with Akashi."
He was only stating a fact. Yet, somehow, it felt like something he wanted to confirm for quite some time. Despite trying to analyze it himself, no answer—or at least an assumption deemed fit right.
He glanced at her, just to find her a bit surprised hearing his statement.
Now, did he, somehow, opened a taboo topic?
"…"
"…"
Hotaru pondered, turned her head down to contemplate for a while. Had she actually never told him her relationship with the captain before? She didn't. So, had he never heard it from others then? Probably not.
Hayama and the others may be talkative at times but she doubted they'd expose her relationship with Akashi Seijuro to other people without her or Akashi's consent.
Nevertheless, she wasn't hiding it.
Hotaru smiled, there was no point in dawdling.
Her pace halted.
Mayuzumi, for a second, wondered why she did that. Was she not going to say anything? He wondered.
He turned to face the girl whom he had left two steps behind.
She seemed to be in deep thoughts, he noticed.
"If it's uncomfortable, then you don't have to say anything." he assured.
The girl blinked, a coal black orbs gazed at Mayuzumi as she shook her head. "It's okay Mayuzumi-san." Without removing the gentle soft smile, she continued, "Seijuro-sama is my superior." Will he be able to understand that? Well, the three uncrowned generals bought it like it was a normal thing.
He remained quiet, taking note of the unusual honorific.
Hotaru supposed another accurate explanation must be served.
She slanted her head, eyes rolled up trying to search a convincing term, something appropriate that would be easy to comprehend.
Saying she was his servant would sound a bit off, it might give false image and neither was assistant or caretaker. What word should she use?
"Attendant…? I'm Seijuro-sama's attendant." She finished her words with an awkward smile.
Mayuzumi heard it right and digested it enough for his mind to understand what it meant.
Now that he remembered, Akashi was from a very wealthy family. Perhaps the word 'very' wouldn't suffice to express its extent.
So he was actually a real prince? Then that would be convincing if he gave it a thought. So those attendants actually exist?
"Ah…" He nodded just a little. "That makes sense." he mumbled.
"Very few are aware of that fact. If I would have to name them, that would be Hayama-san, Reo-nee, Nebuya-san, Higuichi-san, the coach and now… you. In the eyes of other people, I'm just the vice president of the student council and the assistant manager of the basketball club."
So…it was that. That was one curiosity that finally got an explanation.
He didn't mean to pry on Akashi's life, he thought. He didn't see any fun on knowing more information about the guy. He merely wanted… or maybe curious about her relationship with Akashi.
He blinked at her.
Why is that?
Ha…
The third year brushed the thoughts away and decided to continue walking.
Silence was around again. They had been walking for what it felt like eternity but not much time had passed in fact.
.
.
"Mayuzumi-san"
What is it this time? Please refrain with starting a topic about Akashi. He thought.
"That is…" She trailed off.
Mayuzumi could sense the difference of her tune.
Unlike earlier, it sounded just a normal voice of someone speaking about something. This tune, this sound of her voice right now, the way she produced it was pursuing his complete attention.
There was an indefinable sensation luring from behind that telling him to stop and turn around. And when he did, what greeted him was something not as foreign as he thought it would be. It was just the usual smile she always had around her face.
Right, the usual, which should be normal, just nothing special, yet he stayed still and watched her slightly bent body.
The question of 'What is she doing?' and 'What is it that she's saying?' crossed his mind but his eyes were too focused on that face to even figure out what the girl was up to.
"Look at that." She said and stopped for a few seconds to give him a look. Forefinger was pointing on to something, somewhere from a certain group of bushes on their side.
She attempted to step forward only to withdraw the same foot to bring it back.
Her lips parted, mumbling to something he believed was a form of hesitation. "Ah… —must not…" Her voice was still that soft and gentle, like always.
Mayuzumi snapped. He moved his eyes at the corner, directing to whatever was it that she was pointing.
He could ignore and leave her if he wanted, although that would be very harsh and ungentleman-like of him. But Mayuzumi wasn't the type to worry about such old-aged traits that woman of modern times liked to assume to almost every male species.
He was not a saint. Like anyone, he gets tired and bored but at the same, he was also just a third year student, a normal person like everyone else and a male teenager whose attention and curiosity could be caught by a girl.
And just like that, he observed what it was that made her delay their way home.
Was it a flare? No, a flash maybe, something in that direction was blinking non-stop.
Moreover, it seemed alive and there was a beaming light coming out of its bottom.
A mixture of yellow and green color being emitted by—if he would describe it, then, it was like a bug. Or maybe it was actually a beetle. It was glowing on and off, crawling at first in the surface of the leaves until suddenly, it wiggled its wings. The next thing he saw, it was flying as it gave a series of beautiful lights.
Hotaru took more steps backwards to avoid interrupting its movements.
Her eyes followed, trailing all the way to wherever the glowing species would go.
Grinning ear to ear, she spoke without a sound and judging the way her lips moved, it matched the same word that popped inside his mind.
Firefly
She was like an excited kid.
Mayuzumi wondered what was so special on that.
In fact, it was one of the things that were popular to the tourist, especially in this area. That should only be normal to them, as a resident.
"Firefly…"
The girl nodded. "Yes?"
He didn't understand the reason behind those smiles.
He watched her as she observed with an obvious amazement at the firefly as it flew slowly to their front then further, and more, deeper, behind the group of trees.
"Is it looking for the others?" The girl mumbled.
Mayuzumi would not deny the fact that it was indeed mesmerizing to look at. The glimmering light coming from its stomach was just amusing and mind-blowing. Absolutely the only insect he wouldn't mind relating to the word pretty.
He noticed the girl beginning her steps forward to follow the sole firefly.
He was not going to do the same, he thought.
He wouldn't go and dive inner to that area. It was already late and he believed that beneath those pile of trees was a small pond which may or may not be the habitat of hundreds of insects. But most of all, there was no reason for him to do it.
He didn't have to come. Not like she invited him to accompany her. And yet, he couldn't get his feet to walk away. His body faced on the direction where he must travel but his feet seemed to be pointing to where she was at.
One minute that became two had passed when he decided to do what his feet wanted and follow that girl that left.
As he went deeper in the midst of trees, he was also losing the only source of light that he had—a lamp post on the side road.
Hands placed inside his pocket as he walked forward.
The crisp sound of the dried leaves he stepped on the ground accompanied him—It was the only sound around.
Then, he stopped.
Aside from the line of trunks and its shadows being casted from the moonlight above, her silhouette came visible to his eyes as he progressed inwards.
There she was, standing against the sea of glowing lights like a series of bokeh.
How could something as normal as this seemed magnificent to his sight. It wasn't like this was his first time to experience this kind of event. In the past, he had already seen group of fireflies illuminate the darkness.
Watching her was like a whisper of night creeping behind. Like an enchanting empress surrounded by her fairytale-like garden and unearthly associates.
His awareness was somehow drawn all to her.
When the wind blew, he felt nothing, he didn't move, it was like an empty time with him submerged in the moment. The fireflies looked like a twinkling fire, dancing in the night, imitating a performance so if that was how it was, then, she would be the conductor, with him being the sole audience, completely captivated.
One fleeting afternoon
After the tautness of my last speech
I remember floating with an empty mind
This seemed like that poem.
The mind, though was empty, wasn't entirely blank.
Perhaps the usual questioning and analyzing weren't needed, he just had to let the mind absorb the images and let it wander inside to however it wanted.
Regardless, Mayuzumi knew that whatever it was that he thought, were all temporary and a mere creation of his mind. After this, he'd realized that nothing was so special about it, about this situation. This was all just a product of a curious imagination created by his emotion. And he knew very well that emotion was fleeting. He could took it, fell into it but after some time, it would all be gone.
Under the dark sky, around the quiet forest, surrounded by the sea of fireflies, she felt the presence of another person.
Hotaru had to look behind.
Her eyes easily caught him. Perhaps, the idea that Mayuzumi would follow never occurred to her. She was quite surprised and actually happy. It was for this reason that she smiled.
She seemed to be trying to tell him something but he couldn't hear. From the way her lips moved, he could assume that she was trying to ask if he wanted to see the same and that this was her first time.
Well, he didn't know for sure and what would it be for him if this was her first time?
Even he, himself, wasn't certain of why he came nor if he wanted to return right away.
Only that…
It was just that...
It felt like there was something about it that he forced to believe as nothing but an indescribable inquisitiveness.
Her hands were all over the air, trying to catch them but when she seemed to have gotten near to one of those glimmering beetle, she would automatically flinched backward.
Why would she attempt to do something she wasn't prepared to do so?
He walked few steps forward to level her on the side.
His eyes were quietly staring at her obvious enjoyment.
Nonchalant and quite mysterious, the fondness she displayed towards the glowing bugs. Did it have any connection to one significant event in her life?
Swiftly, she turned her head to look at him again, all smiling, enjoying the moment.
What was it with those eyes? Was his mind doing him some tricks again? Had he read too much romantic light novels these days to have his brain function this way? Was it just him or was her eyes always been like this? The softness of her gaze , the clarity it gave towards him, as if those coal black orbs were doing an unfathomable conversation with his inner self. At the same time, she appeared to be listening as if she would wait if he ever wanted to say something.
"They are so beautiful…don't you think?" but it was her who spoke again.
Or perhaps, he might have liked the way she looked at him right now.
"Yes." Mayuzumi answered without looking away.
Her smile went deeper, earnestly appreciating the fact that he felt the same. The impression was mutual despite knowing that not everyone, especially people who have lived in this area for so long like it—where such scenery was supposed to be normal—find it marvelous.
"I like it."
"Me as well, I like fireflies…" He mused, as he looked forward and watched as the glowering series of lights engulfed the place. Did he really like it? Or did he only like the moment? Perhaps what he truly he liked was how everything turned out. Mayuzumi, somehow, didn't know anymore. He couldn't point out what he truly meant by that.
How unusual it felt, to sense her eyeing him rather steadily and abiding, the weight of that gaze was pulling him and with curiosity, he decided to look back again. An obvious swallowing from her part made him wonder if he said something off.
Her cheeks had gotten warm, producing a slight blush that he failed to notice because they were only relying at the lights given by the fireflies.
However, Mayuzumi noticed the expression. She seemed to have frozen from her spot for a second.
Until she snapped, "Y-You mean these fireflies?" she ducked her head while asking, her soft black hair bounced upon that movement, hiding her sudden flustered face.
For that he didn't reply. He wasn't sure as well.
Hotaru bit her lips in embarrassment, recalling and reminding herself that this person beside wasn't aware of her name. It could also be that he wasn't particularly interested in knowing. That was it, he just didn't know, that was why he could say it like that. So there should be no reason to feel awkward and shy.
Sooner, the fireflies reached a higher spot in the air as they began scattering, going somewhere—in a place where their two audiences would never know.
And they left.
Just like that.
Indeed, there was no such thing as beautiful that could last for a long time.
Mayuzumi sighed and thought why he was again in this situation in the first place. He noticed how her thumb kept on stroking the nails of the other one, something he noted as what she nonchalantly do when something was bugging her.
Something was different.
"S-Should we go back?" She suggested all of a sudden.
Though she obviously changed in some ways such as the pronunciation of her words, be it in awkwardness or discomfort, Mayuzumi sensed it all and yet, he chose not to say anything as he agreed and took the offer.
The night must end, after all.