"Akashi, Asaka, you're on duty today, right?"

In the midst of loud clattering of chairs being moved, sighs of relief and goodbyes, both of them perked their heads up at their teacher who stood at the front desk.

"Could you please take those books to the reference room? I have a meeting I need to attend now. Ah, don't forget to bring the class journal to the teachers' lounge later. I'm counting on you."

His instructions given, their teacher took his leave. Wasting no time, they stood up and went to the front desk, discussing on how they were going to split the books between them, or so it seemed.

Actually, as Akashi suggested, a single person was enough to bring all the books to the reference room as there were only ten of them while the other would go the teachers' lounge. It was the most efficient way to finish the task quickly and go to their respective club activities and she agreed.

But she soon reconsidered when she looked at both Akashi and the pile of books. Those were thick, plus given Akashi's stature, she couldn't help but being slightly skeptical about his strength.

"You're having doubts about me." The boy noticed her brief hesitation, which startled her who thought it wasn't shown on her face.

A bit curious of the awkward situation, the remaining students were gawking at them like they were watching some drama.

"Ah, I didn't mean to be rude. But as a matter of fact, it seems too much for a single person..."

"So you're trying to say I can't carry those books by myself."

Akashi didn't sound angry at all, either he was or wasn't the problem at that very moment. With him staring her down with his deep red eyes, Ritsu somehow felt pressured to defend herself.

"I-I didn't say that."

"I won't bite. But well, if you're doubting me, then we should probably go together. That way, you'll have no reason to think that way in the future." He clarified while she was left speechless.

He was clearly teaching her a lesson.

During the time she spaced out, Akashi gathered the stack of books in his arms like it weighted nothing and left the classroom, leaving her to take the class journal before she followed him.

"You must be angry with me."

"There's no reason for me to be. I simply dislike being underestimated. Nonetheless I can't blame you for thinking that way, it is a natural reaction to have doubt about somebody you aren't familiar with."

She glanced at Akashi's profile, even if she was taller than him by a few centimeters, his presence was much stronger than hers would ever be in her whole life.

"Then did you ever have doubts about someone?"

They looked at each other without saying anything, only their footsteps resonated faintly in the empty corridor. Maybe her question was rude as he didn't answer, but he gave her a faint smile.

"So far I've never met someone who failed to meet my expectations."

Some would say it was arrogant and overconfident of him, but put in a more positive way, it was more like...

"You totally trust and respect those around you, don't you, Akashi-san?"

It was the first time she read faint surprise on his face, but that lasted only a second before he smiled at her.

"You're a smart one."

School matters aside, this was their first real conversation with just the two of them. Contrary to her first impression of him, she found him quite easy to approach; though she couldn't talk to him the same way she would with Aomine or Midorima, she enjoyed their time together.

"Oh, Akashi's playing the gentleman! You two look pretty cute together."

A tall girl with a masculine hairstyle spotted them as she closed the door behind her and walked up to them.

"We're simply on duty, Hoshino-senpai."

Hoshino Wakana was a third year and her senpai in the volleyball club. It was her who was appointed to be her mentor during the trial period two weeks ago.

"You're such a killjoy, Ritsu! Look, Akashi is carrying all the books by himself. Doesn't that make you feel anything?"

"No, not really..." She couldn't tell her senpai that she was only with him because she had been caught doubting him. "But I'm thankful to him."

Hoshino closed the gap between them and without warning, she pinched both her cheeks. "You really have some nerves! Hey, Akashi, don't tell me you don't feel anything being alone with a pretty girl?"

He, who'd stayed quietly in the background, was now dragged into the girls' conversation.

"I'd be lying if I say I didn't."

Simple and clear, his answer delighted the forceful senpai whose lips stretched into a big grin.

"As expected of Akashi! You know how to enjoy your youth!" Hoshino declared as she sticked out her chest proudly hands on her waist. "You still have a long way to go, Ritsu, before becoming an amazing girl like me! With my teachings you will be both successful in volleyball and... ", She whispered happily in her ear, "...l-o-v-e!"

Ritsu didn't deny the amazing part, she admired her for being a fiery player, but the last part totally threw her off. Maybe being in her third year made her nostalgic of her past school life and she regretted some of its aspect.

"...That's unnecessary concern, senpai. To me at least. Don't worry, you'll find someone before your graduation."

"Oh, Ritsu! You catch on quick!" Hoshino was moved by her kōhai showing concern for her and ruffled her hair. "Well, I won't waste your time any longer. Those books must be really heavy. I'll tell the others at the club, you'll be a bit late. See you later! And don't forget to give me ALL the details later."

She waved cheerfully at them and disappeared around a corner. Ritsu heaved a sigh; Hoshino was such a boisterous girl that sometimes it was troublesome to have a serious conversation with her. During her trial period, she really had a hard time asking for advice as she talked nonsense most of the time.

"The volleyball club seems like a lively one."

"Hoshino-senpai and the captain are exceptions, the other members are more or less ordinary." She chuckled at Akashi's remark. "But without one or two oddballs in a club, it would be rather boring."

Akashi nodded with a faint smile on his lips. Now that she took a closer look at him, he was kind of charming when he smiled. She understood why other girls would fantasize about him.

Usually he bore a poker face when addressing others; what's more, his formal speech didn't help him making friends. But his smile had something appealing. In fact, a simple smile made him rather boyish, just like any teenager instead of an adult-like boy.

In his own way he was the same as Midorima, a weirdo.

"Asaka-san you keep staring at me."

"Oh." Nothing followed, she just dropped her eyes and kept walking like it was nothing.

"To you, I'm also one of the oddballs you're talking about."

"Bullseye." There was no point in denying when the one she was talking to was Akashi. He would have found a way to make her spit it out anyway. She just experienced it a while ago when she felt his presence weighting on her to make her admit she was skeptical of his strength.

"You don't even try to deny it."

"You wouldn't have liked the idea of me pointlessly lying to you. You prefer when things are concise."

In front of the reference room, she opened the door for Akashi and let him go in first. But as he walked past her, she was taken aback by his words: "This is accurate, as expected of someone who keeps me under watch."

He knew she had been watching him from afar.

"Y-You're exaggerating, Akashi-san." She stuttered. "And I thought you didn't mind being stared at."

"I don't." He replied casually glancing at her as she lost a bit of her composure. "But that doesn't mean I don't notice."

Ritsu let out a deep sigh, she had the impression she had lost to him the second she reacted to his words. Besides, it's not like she was holding a grudge against him or stalking him, but the way he put it made her think like she was. She met Akashi's red eyes and couldn't help but sigh again. She had been made fun of.

"That's just observing. There's no real meaning."

"I know. I'm not the only one you're observing; more accurately it's almost everyone." With a plain expression, he dropped the books on a table, grabbed one and looked for its corresponding shelf. "I often happen to see you looking at our classmates or other students when you're alone. You're an observant girl."

"Well, everyone tends to look at everybody. Either me or you, we're all the same. It's not like I'm observant in any way whatsoever."

When she handed him a book, she quivered, having Akashi's eyes on her. It was only for a couple of seconds but they seemed to last forever.

He took the book in his hand and put it on the shelf."...You shouldn't belittle yourself."

She didn't follow. When was she belittling herself? Of course she didn't have Midorima's confidence but she wasn't underestimating herself either, she was right in the middle as any ordinary boy or girl.

"What do you mean?"

"That's a simple piece of advice."

She didn't understand anymore. The moment she thought she had understood a part of him, he had already slipped away from her grasp.

"...A piece of advice, huh? I don't get it. Is he making fun of me?" She muttered to herself but Akashi heard her.

"I'm not. I wouldn't dare doing such a thing."

"Then-"

"Asaka-san. Why do you take it so seriously?" He interrupted her before she could ask anything.

He had a point, like he said, that was just some piece of advice, there was probably no meaning to it...if it were to be someone else who had given it.

However, it was from Akashi; she was fully aware when she happened to observe him that he never told unnecessary things unless it had a purpose.

"I don't even know myself, but coming from you it surely has a meaning. Besides, you assured me that this is no joke, so maybe your words kind of pique my curiosity."

Akashi didn't bother to reply, though she read satisfaction on his face.

Ritsu was too tired to understand the boy's mind. She knew it from the very first time she had laid eyes on him and today only confirmed her assumption. Trying to talk to him or to observe him to grasp a tiny part of his thought WAS a painful task.

Ritsu gazed at the back of the young boy who slowly turned to her with his usual calm face.

"Shall we go?"

... Akashi was just an alien.

Now that Ritsu met all the main characters. It's time for some action!

(Yeah, I know a certain purple haired boy still hasn't made an appearance but don't worry I didn't forget about him. Hehe! he'll appear later.)

Let's play volleyball!