The first day of school is a new start, especially the first step into middle school. All around are other students chatting excitedly, wandering around in curiosity, or nervously trying to center themselves. Sasuke was not one of these students. He knew exactly where he was going and he was determined to go about this school year with the Uchiha pride. He purposely went to a school out of the way from where he lives to step away from the shadow his brother cast. Here, in this new school, away from his brother's influence, he'll make a name for himself.
"Yo teme!" An obnoxious voice screams.
Sasuke sighs, preparing himself for the inevitable. Despite his wishes, some things will never change. A rough shove and a weight over his shoulders forces him to stumble forward a few steps. He often wonders why he even continues to associate with the blond.
"Idiot. Can't you be more quiet?"
A stupid sounding laugh is all he gets.
"Don't be such a killjoy teme, I worked my butt off to get into the same middle school as you. It wasn't easy ya know."
Naruto Uzumaki, a close friend from childhood. The two have been inseparable since their first days of kindergarten, or more accurately, they're the only other people that can stand each other. Naruto's boisterous attitude can be overwhelming. In contrast, Sasuke's cold and borderline rude attitude can be off putting. That fact these two can fight against one another constantly is what brings them together.
"I should've picked a harder one." The raven haired boy mumbles.
"What'd you say?!" The blond questions in outrage.
"I said," Sasuke says shrugging the other's arm off, "I should have picked a harder school."
Before the fuming blond could reply, a pink haired girl walks up.
"Sasuke-kun! What a surprise to see you here!" She squeals, batting her eyes, "I had no idea you also enrolled to this school."
"Sakura-Chan!" Naruto cheers, "It sure is our lucky day, huh? Being able to go to the same school with each other, just ignore this grouchy guy here!"
One of Sasuke's followers since elementary school, Sakura is nonetheless a part of an affluent trading company, Haruno Co. Since their families run in similar circles, Sakura has always had the opportunities to be close to Sasuke.
"Shut up Naruto!"
She does not, however, cohesively bond with the boys.
With another sigh, Sasuke continues his way to class.
—
Ten minutes into homeroom when a black scarf with grey hair walks in.
"Now, now everyone, settle down." His voice is calm and cool, his dark eyes hiding as he smiles. "It seems you all decided to take your own seats instead of waiting for me."
An awkward pause falls over the room, Naruto raises his hand hesitantly before striking the air. "It's because you came late! And what's up with the scarf?! Half your face is hidden, you look suspicious!"
Another eye smile, "I don't question the weird look on your face, so don't question my fashion choices, ne?"
"Weird look— this is just my face!"
"Now that that is settled," the man continues, "let me introduce myself. I am Kakashi Hatake. Call me sensei. Everyone stand at the sides of the room now, I'll be telling you where your seats are."
Groaning starts up, but everyone moves as directed, gathering up their possessions. Among everyone who moves, two people standout like sore thumbs. One being the famous second son of the prestigious Uchiha Clan. His broody dark looks and his air of leave-me-alone makes the preteen girls want to 'heal his hurt heart.'
The other, a nobody, but unbelievably tall for a first year junior high student. Towering almost head and shoulder above the other children, the kid draws attention. Sharp eyes, aloof, and shaggy hair half up. It seems the fangirls in the class found another victim.
"Sasuke Uchiha," Hatake calls out, "you'll sit in the back, second column. Katsumi Matsuzaki, next to him, back of the first column."
Looking over the seating chart one more time, the teacher shrugs before taking a seat.
"Homeroom is almost over." He begins, "In this school, each class will stay in their homeroom for every subject except for extracurricular activities and clubs. The teachers will be the ones who rotate classrooms, got it?"
Nods all around, "Good. You'll be spending a lot of time with each other so get to know one another. I'll be your homeroom teacher for the rest of the year. I teach history, if you have anything to say or questions, try not to bother me too much."
—
"Maaaaan," Naruto yawns between eating his lunch and talking, "classes are so boring the first day. It seems like we don't even do anything."
"Hn."
The blond rolls his eyes, "Almost as boring as conversations with you."
"Hn."
"Hmm?" Naruto squints towards Sasuke, "Not gonna say anything back, teme? What's got you distracted?"
Looking over, he sees that his reluctant-best-friend is staring at the tall kid. A mischievous smile creeps onto the blond's face.
"Kekekeke what is it, teme? Have a crush on that guy or somethin'?"
That elicits a death glare, before Sasuke huffs. "Shut up, idiot." Naruto keeps quiet, he knows when Sasuke wants to say something but is just too shy, "...How do you think he got so tall. Were only like, 12 or 13. He's already the height of some adults."
Naruto explodes in laughter, Sasuke grits his teeth. A flash of pink and then Naruto is rubbing the back of his head, but finally quiet.
"Owwww, Sakuraaa, no need to hit so hard." Naruto whines, "Sasuke's superiority complex was just acting up."
"Sasuke-kun is perfect, Nar-u-to!" Sakura corrects, "Now keep it down!" Turning to the other boy, she shyly looks up, "If-if you want Sasuke-kun, I made a dessert for you to have after lunch."
Said boy ignores her, choosing to contemplate the tall kid's unnatural height.
"Just ignore that ungrateful teme, Sakura-Chan!" Naruto proclaims, "I'll eat it!"
"It's not for you, Naruto!"
Another sigh.
—
Katsumi Matsuzaki sits right next to Sasuke, so she heard everything that Uchiha and Uzumaki said. She thinks they're both idiots and rude for talking about her when she is literally right next to them. She also thinks it's too much of a hassle to call them out, so she ignores them.
Katsumi has heard about the famous Uchiha. Sasuke's older brother, Itachi, is on the fast track to take over the family business. Not only is the matriarch of the family a leading business woman, Sasuke's father is the chief of police. She also knows that it's a 30 minute commute by train to get here, so it makes no sense why the prestigious Uchiha would go to this school. There were more prestigious ones closer to the area they live.
For her, the school is a good name, but not the hardest to get into. There are no uniforms, but there is a dress code, so she doesn't have to spend extra expenses to buy something else. And most of all, it is close to her younger brother's elementary school.
She just wishes she had a quieter class. During lunch, Katsumi continues to calculate the financial budget her family will have to live off of for the next week.
I need to get another job.
—
One week into the school year...
"A-ano," a nervous girl stutters, "I made this bento for you. I hope you'll accept it, as well as my f-feelings. I-I like you!" She exclaims, thrusting the box at Katsumi.
The receiving girl looks at the bento in deep thought, staring intently. Focusing on the girl, Katsumi flashes a kind yet apologetic smile. "Thank you, Miyuki-chan." She starts, "But I cannot accept this. I'm a girl and I'm not into other girls."
"Y-you're a girl?!" A group of females shout, revealing themselves from around the corner of the building.
Scratching the back of her head, Katsumi nods, "Yeah. So, I hope we can all get along. Later."
"Damn," Naruto mutters where he and Sasuke stopped to see the commotion, "She's so cool Sasuke. Way cooler than you."
Annoyed, Sasuke smacks the blond on the back of the head as retribution.
"Ow! What was that for?!" The blond yelps, "Well I don't know about you, but I'm not gonna let that girl out-cool me!"
"Idiot." He replies before walking off.
Despite Sasuke's seemingly nonchalant attitude, his pride is hurt. The pride of an Uchiha and the legacy of cool, good looking, and always superior guys. He is being overshadowed by a girl.
"What's so good about her." He mutters.
—
For the next few days, Sasuke observes Katsumi Matsuzaki. And he doesn't like what he sees, or hears, for that matter.
Usually, Matsuzaki keeps to herself, scribbling into her notebook, finishing up homework, or flipping through magazines. But, even though it seems she's in her own world, she's oddly aware of her surroundings.
One moment she has her eyes trained on what's on her desk, the next, she's tucking it away and grabbing the stack of papers the someone is struggling to carry. Or helping another student get something down from a shelf. She was even conveniently in place to catch a girl that tripped from landing on her face.
No matter what it seems like she's a
"Knight in Shining Armor."
Did I say that out loud?!
Looking to his left, then right, Sasuke sees the day dreamy expression on Ino's face.
"Isn't that right, Sakura?" The blonde asks.
"Hmph," the pinkette crosses her arms, "No one is better than Sasuke."
"Hey, I never said that." Ino snarks, "Besides, Katsumi-kun and Sasuke-kun are different. Sasuke is like the dark prince, cold and glaring, but so handsome and charming anyway!" She squeals, "Katsumi-kun though, it's like she's so aloof and to herself, but then she'll help people out of nowhere and she speaks so calmly. Not to mention she's actually pretty boyishly charming. And her height!"
"Well..." Sakura hesitates, "When you put it that way, Katsumi is pretty cool. It's kinda like she's as untouchable, but more approachable than Sasuke-kun."
"Yeah." Ino sighs dreamily, "I think Sasuke-kun has competition now. Who knew going to a higher ranking school would mean more cuties instead of nerds."
"Huh?" Sakura blinks, shocked, "Do you mean you don't like Sasuke-kun anymore, Ino-pig?"
"Ugh!" The blonde rolls her eyes, "Is your forehead so big you can't see! Billboard! I'll never give up Sasuke-kun. But you have to admit, this school has more than just Sasuke-kun."
Pulling out her phone, Ino pulls up a picture of a pretty boy with pale eyes and long brown hair, his face in a sneer.
"This is Neji Hyūga. He's a year older than us so you might not see him around much." Ino explains. She smirks and looks over to the tallest student in their grade, "Even a year older and he's shorter than our Katsumi-kun."
"So we have three good looking guys in our school." Sakura concludes.
Ino shrugs, "It's only been a week, who knows how many are still hiding."
Sasuke shivers at the predatory gaze the two girls share. A knock on his back nearly makes him face-plant into his desk.
"What the—" Turning around, he glares at the laughing blond behind him, "Naruto. Can you not be an idiot for even one second in your life."
In a split second, Naruto goes from grinning to annoyed, "Hey! I'm not the one giving goo-goo eyes to girls! I thought you weren't interested in them, Sas-uke-kuuuun." He imitates, dodging a punch, but tripping over the Uchiha's out-stretched foot.
"Loser, I wasn't giving goo-goo eyes." He sneers, "You better get your eyes checked, maybe your stupid has ruined them." Sending one last look at his fangirls he assesses Naruto.
He may be an idiot, but he's pretty social.
"I was gathering intel about Matsuzaki." Sasuke reveals quietly.
Immediately, Naruto quiet downs and leans in. He knows a forming plan when he hears one, "What's so good about that guy."
"She," Sasuke reminds with a roll of his eyes, "is apparently in the top three of the girl's good-looking list."
"They have one of those?" Naruto questions, rubbing his chin, "Why haven't I heard of it then. I bet I'm number one, believe it!"
"Shut up, idiot!" Sasuke hisses, choke-holding the blond with one arm and dragging him out of the classroom, "Don't be so loud, loser."
"Let me go!" The blond squirms before struggling out, "So what of it? You afraid that your royal popularity among females is threatened?"
Naruto brushes himself off, but the silence was unnerving. Looking up, he sees that Sasuke is looking away with a scoff, but upon a closer look...
"Your ears are red!" He shouts before doubling over from laughter then falling to the ground from the well placed kick Sasuke gives to the back of his knees.
"Shut up you idiot!"
Gaining some semblance of control over his snickers, Naruto gets up. "Who would've thought the cool and uncaring Sasuke Uchiha cares about his place among us peasants."
Creeping closer, Naruto grins, "I'll tell you what. I'll gather some more intel about Katsumi-chan, then we can make a plan to save your royal highness."
"Hn."
"Aww don't pout Sasuke-kun." Naruto teases, "Ow! No need to hit me, I'm helping you!"
"Whatever, at least you know the plan." Sasuke amends, "I'll keep an eye on Matsuzaki, maybe there's something embarrassing I can hold over her."
"Why would we need that for?" The other boy questions, before another fox-like grin appears, "I bet you just wanna see what makes all the girls swoon over 'er, then copy it!"
An eye roll is his response, "Like I would need to copy a girl."
"Whatever you say, Sasuke-kun."
—
Continuing with his observations, Sasuke concludes that Matsuzaki is pretty her anti-social airs, despite her helpful nature. So far, the girl hangs around the Yamanaka girl a little more.
Isn't that one of the top three Yamanaka was talking about?
Neji Hyūga, an uptight, scowling guy with ridiculously long hair. He seems to be having a heated conversation with a girl in Sasuke's year.
"—can't even see where you're going." Sasuke overhears as he follows further behind Matsuzaki, "The main branch really are doomed with someone like you as the next heir candidate."
The girl—Hina-something?—was shrinking into herself as the boy spoke.
"Ah, Hinata." Matsuzaki spoke-up before the pale-eyed boy could continue, "Sorry I was a little behind, I think I can turn in those papers after all."
"A-ano, Matsuzaki-san, I-I—" The short haired girl tried.
Matsuzaki just smiles, plucking up the fallen papers from the ground and swiping the stack from over Hinata's head.
Not only that, it seems this green-haired girl just can't mind her own business. Having been following her, Sasuke knows Matsuzaki wasn't assigned delivery duty.
"Like I said, sorry I pushed it onto you," the girl repeats, "but I got it now."
Hinata took another glance at Neji, before bowing to Matsuzaki and scurrying off, passing Sasuke without a glance. Matsuzaki just waved at the retreating girl's figure before turning around and walking down the hall to the teacher's lounge.
"Hold it right there, Katsumi Matsuzaki." Neji commands.
Stopping, Matsuzaki glances over her shoulder, "Not in the mood, Neji."
Sasuke could see the irritation wafting off the Hyūga from being addressed so informally.
"Having others do your work for you," Neji goaded, "how shameful—"
"Yes, yes," Matsuzaki sighed, "how dare a low-born plebeian like me try to command those above her rank. If that's all you have to say, I'll be off now."
Sasuke watches as Neji's form tenses, restraining his anger, and can see the profile of his brows furrow further.
"I know!" The angry boy shouts all of a sudden, catching even the calm Matsuzaki by surprise. Neji clears his throat, getting himself under control, "I know. If you don't want your pathetic secret revealed—"
The sharp turn Matsuzaki makes to fully look at Neji, makes Sasuke give his full attention. Whatever secret Neji knows, it could be useful to Sasuke if Matsuzaki is reacting this much.
This thought immediately flies out the window as Matsuzaki towers over the other boy. Her eyes pierce the Hyūga in place, his form rigid. Coal black eyes that could rival any Uchiha slowly roam from the contrasting pale eyes of a Hyūga, to his clenched jaw, minutely shaking shoulders, down to the invisible twitch of his toes.
Then she leans back, and suddenly she's loose shoulders and casually graceful movements that Sasuke never noticed until after that tense moment. She rolls her neck and looks at Neji from the corner of her eye, down at him.
"Let's pretend you didn't say that, Neji-senpai." She comments lightly, "In fact, let's pretend that if you ever had said that, you would know that I don't care. Because whatever you think you dug up on me is either not true or has no consequence to me. And if for some unfathomable reason it could affect me, well," her smirk is playful, but the glint in her eyes are dangerous, "just know that rumors don't come from nowhere.
"But of course," she smiles so bright and wide, her eyes barely seem to peek through, "you never even said anything like that, so I must be talking nonsense. Bye, Neji."
She doesn't give a backward glance, just a lazy wave before she's out of sight.
Snapping out of his daze, Sasuke sprints in the opposite direction. He has the feeling he saw something he really should not have. When he's calmed down, and he's sure that neither Neji or Matsuzaki are anywhere near him, he's flushed with anger.
Why should I, Sasuke Uchiha, be afraid of her?
The memory of her cold, indifferent eyes looking down at Neji reminds him. It seems there is much more to Katsumi Matsuzaki than he originally thought.
—
Despite all the shortcomings Sasuke sees in Naruto, the ball of endless energy is his best friend.
He will never, ever, ever, say this out loud.
The reason being, Naruto is persistent, ambitious, but also loyal to a fault. For Sasuke, he's a little bit stuck with Naruto, but can appreciate the competition Naruto provides. It doesn't hurt that they actually enjoy a lot of the same things, whether it be sports, movies, or music. They definitely vary in food selection though.
In those quiet moments when Sasuke thinks deeply about the relationships he has, he isn't sure what Naruto gets out from their friendship. He assumes it's something similar to himself though, companionship. He doesn't like to admit it, even to himself, but a big similarity Naruto and he has is that no one can tell them what to do. Not without rebuttal. Because of that, Sasuke knows that Naruto will always be his friend.
—
After that incident during break, Sasuke has some misgivings about continuing with his follow-Matsuzaki-to-get-info-and-maybe-blackmail plan. But he is stubborn if nothing, so he doesn't let something as pathetic as fear keep him away for long. After school lets out, he continues his observations. Matsuzaki ducks into a cafe and Sasuke follows her in after a few minutes. He finds her talking to a high school girl at the counter.
The older female is leaning forward and very obviously trying to show off her front assets. Sasuke knows this move from all the women trying to get at his older brother. What's surprising is that Matsuzaki similarly leans in and tucks a strand of the girl's hair behind her ear before leaning back.
Not interested in girls, huh? Maybe just not interest in those her own age.
The cashier blushes and Matsuzaki waves before heading to the bathroom. Sasuke moves to a hidden seating area to wait for the girl. When she returns, she's changed into worn, black cargo pants and a tucked in oversized t-shirt. When she makes to leave, the cashier rushes to her and hands her a packaged sandwich, blushing even more.
He's too far to hear what Matsuzaki says, but he sees her smile at the older female and squeezing her hand.
She eats the sandwich as she walks downtown. Now behind her, Sasuke can read 'CORE Construction' on the back of her shirt. She tosses her wrapper into the trash and walks into a construction site. Sasuke can hear the shouts of her name in greeting above the ruckus of construction tools.
"What...?"
Sasuke waits four hours until she's finished. She exits the gated area sweating and dirty, her hair gathered into a man-bun. He runs to catch up with her as she begins to jog to a local boys and girls club. When they arrive, Matsuzaki smiles softly down at a similarly colored boy, no older than six. She scoops him up, over-large backpack and all, and pecks him on the cheek. She chatters happily with the child as they walk down the street.
Her... child?
Nonono! Think this through logically Sasuke. She's the same age as you, 13 at the oldest, if the boy is 6 then she would have been 7 when she had him. Her younger brother!
Secretly flushed with embarrassment, Sasuke calls for his chauffeur to take him home.
—
Over the next few days, Sasuke learns that Matsuzaki goes to school, has a part-time construction job, picks up her younger brother, she grocery shops on Saturdays, and that she works another job back-of-house at a restaurant.
He never followed her home, but it seems her younger brother is either at school or a boys and girls club until Matsuzaki picks him up. It was lucky that Sasuke found out she works in a restaurant as she's not a server or hostess. He spotted her taking out the trash before going back in from the back entrance.
Throughout everything, he never saw her parents.
Maybe they're just busy with work.
Sasuke also has memory of distant parents. While his mother was affectionate, she wasn't always around. For the most part, Itachi or the nanny was the one who cared for him. Curious, Sasuke decides to follow her home on Monday.
After her usual shift at construction and picking up her younger brother, Sasuke anticipates discovering something new. He pays special attention to stay far enough from them to not be noticed and be as inconspicuous as possible.
They stop by a small taiyaki stand, so he stays hidden around the corner of an alley. Matsuzaki gives one of her gentle smiles to her brother while handing him a menu, motioning for him to stay here. She chats with the owner of the stand and whatever she said, the owner nods in agreement before initiating conversation with the little boy.
Matsuzaki disappears around the corner, but Sasuke can't follow her without being too obvious. Besides, she left her brother so she'll come back. Waiting patiently, he watches the interaction between the taiyaki stand owner and her brother.
That kid seems nothing like her. Shy but very honest. Just a normal kid—
Everything is a blur until he feels the coarse brick scratch his face, he means to push away but his arms are locked behind him in a bone-grinding grip. His legs are kicked into a wide stance that leaves him off balanced. Straining his neck into an uncomfortable position, he sees a glimpse of pastel-green hair and dark eyes before he's shoved harder into the wall in front of him.
Is she even a girl?! How can she be so strong!
"What—"
"What are you doing," she interrupts, "Sasuke."
"R-release me!" He meant to command, but it comes out more as a whimper.
The grip on his hands shifts and he's forced to fall to his knees from the awkward pulling. His face stings as it scrapes against the rough wall. He's immobile and his vision impaired. Panic starts to set in.
"I would have thought seeing me with Neji-sempai would scare you off." She comments lightly, "But it didn't."
Adrenaline pumping through his veins, he's acutely aware of the sound of gravel shifting as she crouches behind him. Her voice is quieter, but much closer than before.
"I ignored you watching me at school," she whispers, "ignored you stalking me through my routines to work and other personal places in my life. But I will not accept you poking your nose into anywhere else."
Mind frantic, Sasuke throws his head back in hopes of getting away from her.
He hits air and catches a glimpse of the way her hair obscures her face as she pivots to the side. His vision is blinded white as his head collides with the ground. His arms now free, come up to cradle his head from the pain. He's distantly aware of the crunch of gravel underfoot when his breath escapes him.
Looking up, there are those same eyes that stared coolly at Neji, now trained on him. Standing above him, her foot keeps him in place. She presses down harder and Sasuke feels his ribs constricting his lungs. He kicks, and claws at her leg futilely. The pressure gets overwhelmingly heavier and he's sure his chest will collapse, he closes his eyes, mind blank except for the pain. A shadow passes over him and then, he can breathe again.
He takes a deep breath before being overtaken by a coughing fit. He wipes the tears that he hadn't noticed before from his eyes and uses the wall to shakily stand back up. Heaving gasps, he's startled, even a little frightened, to see the indifferent face of Matsuzaki observing him.
"I don't care why you did it." she states, "Quit stalking me."
AN
I'm planning to make this a long series. From middle school to after college (maybe) so if you're annoyed with the characters, just know that there will be character growth along the way.