Basketball practice had just finished. After getting changed, a group of people with brightly colored hair were walking to the school gate, chatting about the upcoming school festival that would take place soon.
"Murasakibara-kun, what is your class planning to do for the festival?"
"duwnow... somwfing wfith 'nimwal...mway...be..." a tall boy with purple hair slurred as he was chewing his snack.
"Speak properly, would you?" Midorima told him off because of his lack of manners. "And how can you eat so much? Before practice you devoured a whole potato chips packet!"
The boy vaguely shook his head before gulping what he was eating, licking his thumb.
"Huh? How...? I just eat when I'm hungry. 'Don't need another reason. Look, this is a new flavor." The lazy boy partially took a bag of potato chips out of his school bag. "It's really good. Maybe I'll stop at the convenience store to buy more."
Midorima stayed silent, preferring to abbreviate the conversation.
"You should stop that habit of eating. What if you get fat?" Momoi retorted in her manager mode. In response he just nodded and took a maiubo out of the box he was holding in his arm. The girl surrendered.
"Where do you even get the money to buy all these snacks?" Aomine asked, a brow raised.
"With my pocket money... But Aka-chin buys me some when I'm with him. I get to eat a lot of new snacks." Murasakibara slowly took a bite without another word, leaving his teammates quite shocked by his innocent reply.
"Hey Akashi!" The latter brought his attention to Midorima who shot daggers at him. "Why do you incite him to eating?"
"He looks happy when he eats."
"Seriously? I don't see it. He always has the same face." Aomine put a hand behind his head and stared at the tall boy.
"Mine-chin, stop staring at me." Annoyed, Murasakibara glared at him.
"He really looks happy..." Aomine said sarcastically and muttered to himself: "...he's more like a starving animal."
"You're spoiling him! Because of you he's eating too much!"
"It's not like I'm buying him snacks every day. But Midorima is right, you shouldn't eat that much, Murasakibara. It's unhealthy."
"You're talking too much, Mido-chin." Upset for being reprimanded by Akashi, he poked the bespectacled boy's cheek with a maiubo, making blood rushed to the latter's head. "Eat. You're bothering everyone."
As Murasakibara kept poking his cheek, Midorima snatched his snack and threw it as far as possible.
"Midorima, wasting food is no good." Akashi said in a calm tone.
"My maiubo...!" Murasakibara's eyes helplessly followed the flying snack going straight for an innocent victim.
"Oooh...! Asaka-san, watch out for the maiubo!" Momoi yelled at the girl deaf to her shout. "...Aaah?" Her mouth dropped open in astonishment when Ritsu bent down to pick up a fallen sheet of paper she was reading and thus avoided the flying snack that hit a poor guy instead.
"Woooah! Who the hell threw this maiubo?!" The group with the brightly colored hair heard the maiubo victim shout and look for the culprit before he gave up, rubbing the back of his head.
"She's very lucky." Momoi grinned nervously, still dumbfounded at her stroke of luck.
Ritsu stared at them cluelessly as the group rushed to her. "That's not very nice to throw food at someone."
"We're so sorry, Asaka-san!" Momoi apologised on behalf of Midorima and Murasakibara. "It was just Midorima-kun losing his calm!"
She glanced at the culprit and smiled. "I'm not the one you should apologise to. I didn't get hurt."
"I tried to warn you but you didn't hear me..." The light pink haired girl scratched her cheek with her finger.
"Oh! So it was you who was yelling? I'm sorry I didn't pay attention."
"Hehe... Who would expect a flying maiubo?" The two girls laughed at the same time. The thought of flying maiubo was just so stupid.
"Who is she?" Murasakibara asked his teammates as his hand tried to pick a new maiubo from the box.
"Asaka Ritsu. You know we talked about her last time." Aomine grinned, happy to meet her again.
"Eh...That's her? The one who lost to Aka-chin at... At what?"
"Volleyball." Ritsu answered him in a soft voice. "You must be Murasakibara-san?"
The giant boy nodded in a lazy manner. "Asa-chin, you're in the volleyball club, right?"
"Yes. «Asa-chin»...?" She repeated after him, surprised by his familiarity.
"Asaka, if it inconveniences you, make it clear or he won't stop!" Midorima intervened.
"Not at all. I kind of like it. It's not every time I'm being called such a cute name. «Asa-chin»..."
"That's not something you should be happy about."
She chuckled and gazed at them. For the first time, she could take a look at those four first-years that turned the basketball club upside-down. Red, green, blue, purple and pink. Together, they formed a rather colorful bunch.
"Now that I think about it… Asaka-san, you're addressing people in a very polite way. Can I call you «Asaka-chan»?" Momoi's face got closer to her with glittering eyes when Aomine popped into the conversation, cutting her off before she could answer Momoi.
"Yeah, you're way too stiff! What's with the «-san»? We're the same age, you know." His teeth showed as his grin widened. "And we're not strangers anymore!"
He got a smile out of her at the fact they were no longer just acquaintances. She truly appreciated Aomine's spontaneity.
"Then I'll take your word for it. I hope the others won't mind."
"Like you should care about them! You don't need their permission! Just say everything that crosses your mind!"
"Mine-chin, are you trying to make her stupid?"
Murasakibara took a last bite of his maiubo before Aomine stole it. The box landed in Midorima's hand who caught it on reflex. The green haired boy jerked and threw it back to Aomine who yelled for not keeping it with him.
A dark aura emanated from Murasakibara, having his precious food tossed around was unforgivable. His long arms tried to snatch the box but Aomine was too fast. And it went on like that.
"...Shouldn't we stop them?" Ritsu asked, witnessing their childish display.
"Don't mind them! Nothing good comes out of meddling in a boy's quarrel."
"You sound like you're speaking from experience..."
She glanced around. Akashi as well didn't seem too invested in putting an end to their childish argument. Instead, he pretended to not notice and spoke to her:
"Did you go to practice?"
"Yes. Don't worry about it. I just went to observe."
While she gestured, her bandaged wrist peeked out from under her blue shirt.
"Don't tell me it was from «that» time?" Momoi cried out with a hand covering her mouth. "So that's why Akashi-kun and you slipped out of the gym after the game!"
Two days had passed since then. Few were aware of her injury, only the volleyball club and Akashi actually.
"That's what happened when you're too reckless. Did your club say anything?" Midorima was a bit concerned about her.
"The coach was really mad. He lectured me for almost an hour in front of everyone." Thinking about it, she chuckled. Her coach's face was so red that she could imagine seeing smoke coming out of his ears, but at that time there was nothing to laugh at. "And I was banned from the club for two days in a row. Today the captain made an exception and allowed my presence, so I stayed behind to observe."
"You take it well, given you can't play for a while."
"I can't complain. It was my mistake." Contrary to what she said, her hands and legs were itching to play volleyball and piano. "And if I were to complain, that would be the end of me."
"Why's that?" More interested in the conversation than his little quarrel with Murasakibara, Aomine gave the maiubo box back to the giant boy.
"...I had to write an essay to reflect on my actions..."
"What, for your coach?"
She was reluctant to answer the dark blue haired boy as she could already predict their reactions. "No, my parents..."
The group was speechless; then Aomine suddenly burst out laughing, his hand on his belly and his mouth wide open, followed by a shy Momoi who tried to conceal her laughter. Midorima pushed his glasses up, avoiding eye contact but Ritsu could perceive a vague smile on his lips. Murasakibara didn't move one bit, his face completely frozen. And Akashi bore a very surprised expression like he expected anything but that.
"You-You-You write essays for your...pa-pa-parents?!" Aomine couldn't get over it. "That's too hilarious! Ahaha! That's the first time I hear something like this!"
"...D-Don't laugh please. Every time I complained they would raise the number of pages. At the beginning it was only three pages but it was raised to seven pages."
"So that's what you were doing during class. You made quite a ruckus behind my back." Akashi said calmly as he finally found the reason of her incessant scratching these past days.
"I have a hard time writing it with my left hand, you know..."
"«Have»? You mean you're still at it?"
Unintentionally, Akashi added more to her embarrassment and Aomine's guffaws got even louder.
"My father won't read it... He said my writing sucked so much that it was not worthy to be read. And according to my mother, it was too disgraceful from a girl like me. So I have no choice but to rewrite it until they are satisfied..."
The day of her injury, her parents took the news more quietly than she had imagined but that was just appearance. Their demand proved it, as through this essay they emphasized on her lack of discernment and refinement. Otherwise, they wouldn't keep nagging her for something trivial.
"It must be tough!" Momoi wiped a tear in the corner of her eye as she tried to get a hold of herself. "But what are those music sheets for?
"Since I can't play piano, I can only read them and play in my head."
"Is it your parents' extra work?" Midorima asked very seriously.
"No, it's on my own volition. I miss playing piano."
Seeing her soft expression, the five teenagers could feel her love for the piano as they couldn't help but smile faintly.
"You really love piano, Asaka-chan."
"Of course."
"I thought you were playing volleyball to relieve the pressure on you."
"Where did you hear that, Midorima-sa...kun?"
He only rolled his eyes, instead, Momoi answered. "That's what rumors say. Volleyball is just a way for you to forget your burden."
"No way! Doesn't that make me sound like I half-ass things?!" She was shocked. She didn't really listen to rumors about her but she didn't expect them to be so uncool.
"That's the only thing bothering you?" Aomine placed a hand on his hips, tilting his head. "People are looking down on you Asaka. If it were me, I would show them what I'm made of!"
Aomine was right.
Those kinds of rumors wouldn't exist if she hadn't hidden herself behind an ordinary mask. From what Momoi said, Asaka seemed like a pitiful girl who was being crushed by her parents' authority and was trying to escape reality with anything else but piano.
Ritsu was a bit offended but she couldn't bring herself to impose on others for trivialities.
"Going by the way you look, you won't do anything." Midorima glared at her before losing interest.
"Sort of. I don't need to prove myself to those who cannot value my passion."
"True enough. But for once I agree with Aomine. You should learn to apply yourself more if you're doing sports. It irritates me to see you so weak while you can eventually prove the contrary."
"Eh...Mido-chin, are you complimenting her?"
"I'm giving her a piece of advice."
"...Well, if she's so weak, then she should just stop volleyball."
"Murasakibara-kun!" Momoi told him off as he was going too far.
As she heard the word «piece of advice», her widened eyes dropped on Akashi who didn't say a single thing, remaining quiet as ever.
"You shouldn't belittle yourself." She finally figured out his piece of advice thanks to his teammates.
She raised her head high and faced them with a confident smile.
"I won't put up any effort to stop those unfounded rumors. Nevertheless, I won't mind proving myself to you all."
"Ah! That's more than enough! Show us who Asaka Ritsu really is!"
Aomine and her bumped their fists together, the rest cracked a smile at their enthusiasm. Under the sunset coloring the sky in a beautiful and hazy orange, she promised to show her determination to them...to her friends. Perhaps it would take time, a very long time before she could truly prove herself to them but it wasn't a bad prospect. She had an interesting goal to accomplish during those three years.
"Here, Asa-chin." Murasakibara gave her one of his maiubo.
"Thank you." Accepting the snack, she realized something about them. "First Akashi-kun with a chocolate bar, then Momoi-chan with her lunch and now Murasakibara-kun. I'm always receiving food from you at our first meeting, do I look that pitiful…?"
"See. Aka-chin isn't giving food to me only." Murasakibara noted with a satisfied smile on his lips as he glared at Midorima who had tried to dissuade Akashi to buy him snacks. "But you're really lucky to get snacks without asking..."
"I don't think I'd be happy to receive food from Satsuki." Aomine muttered.
"That's because you can't appreciate healthy food. For you, it's only meat!" Momoi pouted, folding her arms and turning her head from him.
"That's true. I remember. During lunch, Mine-chin gave all his vegetables to Mido-chin when he had his back turned." Aomine gestured, waving his end in front of the purple haired boy but it was too late as Midorima shouted in shock, approaching the culprit to beat him up.
"I knew something was wrong when I could not finish my meal!"
"What! You eat almost nothing!" Aomine exclaimed in his turn.
"It's more than enough. Contrary to you, I eat a proper meal! You and Murasakibara ought to eat more vegetables!" Midorima pointed his finger angrily at both of them.
"What the heck!"
"Mido-chin, the other day, you were scolded by Aka-chin because you didn't eat much... So why should I bother listening to you?"
"Ah?! You're making no sense!"
"Akashi-kun, I think it's time you said something or they'll go on." Momoi whispered to him.
"I don't need to. They get along just fine."
"...Sometimes I wonder if it isn't just laziness..." She mumbled as he smirked at her pout while watching his loud teammates.
The scene before her brought a smile to Asaka's lips. Their strong bond reminded a little of her volleyball team. The seniors were always making a fuss and always teasing the newcomers, especially Hoshino and the captain.
"AASAAKAA RIIITSSUU!"
Speaking of the devil, Ritsu flinched at the sight of her captain sprinting in her direction.
"Who told you to leave club activities earlier?! We have a mixer after! I only allowed you to observe if you come! Where's your honooor?!"
"Who's that fury? An acquaintance of yours?" Midorima asked glimpsing at the fast running girl.
"Er, the volleyball captain, Hibari Masame..."
She better not stay any longer or she would get into trouble.
"I-I have to go. I'll leave the rest to you. I have to come home early."
Without letting the group say a single word, she fled quickly while waving at them.
"What do you mean by «the rest»?!" Midorima yelled at her, not pleased by the idea.
"Hey you guys! Don't just stand there! Stop her!"
A few seconds after she fled, her captain stopped before the group, catching her breath. Apparently she came after Ritsu right when practice ended as she was still wearing her gym clothes, her hair tied in a long braid.
"Y...You'd...all...better take responsibility...!"
"What for?" Aomine dared to ask.
"For letting her escape...! Asaka was our hope to attract guys! Guys seem to like refined girls like her."
The group couldn't bring themselves to raise their voices as it sounded so ridiculous, while the tall brown haired girl eyed them thoroughly, her hand under the chin, inspecting each of the colorful heads.
"You'll do the trick! You are the first-years of the basketball club that everyone's talking about. You'll be a hit at the mixer! Ah, I'm looking forward to it!"
"I refuse. I don't understand why we should take Asaka's place." Midorima turned her down immediately.
"A mixer? I prefer playing basketball instead." Aomine added, not interested at all.
"Will there be snacks?" Murasakibara asked innocently.
"I have to decline. I have other business I need to attend." Akashi rejected her invitation politely.
Momoi was the only one left. She lowered her eyes shyly, tapping her forefingers together. "I'm actually not used to those kinds of things..."
Aomine, Murasakibara, Midorima and Momoi flinched at her death glare, worried as she suddenly began to laugh.
"Sorry, I didn't hear you right. Can you repeat that AGAIN?" As she emphasized on the last word, her face drew closer to the five teenagers.
"Hibari! What are you doing, scaring off the first years?"
Luckily for them, a familiar face came to their rescue. It was Nijimura Shūzō, the basketball captain.
"Teaching them how to take responsibility since they let my sweet kōhai escape!"
The basketball captain raised a brow, glancing at the group. "Ah? Don't tell me, Hoshino and you are still at it."
"You know us well, Nijimura! Wanna tag along? For old time's sake. "
"No but take care of them. If something were to happen to them, I'd have trouble later." His casual reply threw them off as they were counting on him to persuade the girl to let them go.
"Count on me!" Hibari raised her thumb with an evil grin.
As their captain was about to leave, Akashi called out to him.
"Nijimura-san, I need to talk to you concerning basketball practice."
"Make it quick."
"I'll explain but not here."
Nijimura shrugged and suggested to talk on the way home. Thus, Akashi successfully avoided being dragged to the mixer and split from his teammates who were baffled at his close escape.
"Akashi, you sly bastard! You won't get away like this!" Aomine wasn't being fooled by the red haired boy's act. He rushed to his captain and his teammate who intended to leave them behind with some crazy girl.
"Don't forget about us!" Momoi took advantage of this and ran after her childhood friend, promptly followed by Midorima and Murasakibara.
The poor volleyball captain couldn't do anything, having enough of running after people. She breathed a very long sigh while her colorful chance slipped from her fingers. Maybe another time.
Meanwhile, on her way home, Ritsu was reading her music sheets when her phone vibrated. She took a look at the name, it was a mail from Hoshino. Suddenly her face paled.
"Brace yourself, Asaka! I'll make you regret your little sprain." was the message she read with a cute little heart at the end. Even though it was Hoshino's number, the one behind it was her captain. She snapped her phone shut and put it back in her bag, looking up at the sky.
She swore to never, ever again be injured because of her recklessness.