"Suzui-san..."

Akira head rose when he heard the name. He looked around, but no one familiar in sight.

"Um, I really can't."

That was definitely her voice. Akira maneuvered down an aisle, dodging shopping carts, before seeing Shiho and a boy standing next to shelves filled with various cookie packages.

"I know things are tough, but that's why you need someone to just listen."

"I-I know but that person…is not you." Akira smirked as the boy visibly winced. He began to walk towards them.

"But, if you took the time to get to know me, don't you think I could be? I just want to be your friend Suzui-san."

"You can do a lot better than me."

"God, you really are a bitch…"

Akira stopped in his tracks. Shiho's eyes widened and looked at the boy incredulously. "Excuse me?"

"Again, and again, I try to be nice. I try to extend my olive branch. I really just want to help but you keep rejecting me. What else am I supposed to think?"

"That's no reason to call someone a-"

"And? What are you gonna do about it?"

"Well, nothing." The boy had the most incredulous expression on his face. "Because I don't really care, but how are you going to make friends with that attitude?"

"Like you know how to make friends. I've got way more than you do."

"It's not a competition."

The boy gulped, clearly outmatched by Shiho's calm demeanor. He bowed, apologizing before running off. Akira decided to approach Shiho while she was still staring at his trail.

"That was entertaining."

Shiho glared at him. "You could have stepped in at any moment."

Akira nervously chuckled. "You had things under control. I was impressed."

"I was afraid he'd start a scene…I can't afford to be banned from this supermarket." Shiho released a sigh before looking back at the direction the boy ran off in. "Do you think that was his real feelings?"

Akira hummed. "It's hard to say. I think he decided to try another approach after your constant rejections. But there's a good chance those were his real feelings."

"He apologized at the end."

"Probably to make himself look better."

"I don't know why he's so interested…there's not much going for me." Shiho laughed at herself pitifully.

"I disagree."

"Of course you do."

Akira smiled before looking down at the bag Shiho was carrying. "What are you gathering this time?"

Shiho raised the bag to give Akira a better look. "Just regular groceries this time. Fruits, grain, you know."

"That's boring."

Shiho rolled her eyes and turned the attention over to Akira's own bags. "And you?"

Akira sheepishly rubbed the back of his head with his free hand. "Coffee beans."

Shiho giggled. "Of course. By the way, I don't think I've had the opportunity to try out your famous blend."

"Famous?"

"I don't think Ann ever talks about you without mentioning coffee in some way."

"I'd be delighted to treat you."

"I look forward to it."

On their way to the cash register, Akira decided to pose the question he's been wondering about for a while. "By the way, Shiho. Do you happen to know a Chouko?"

"Chouko-san in our year? What about her?"

"You do know her."

"Mhm. We went to the same middle school and were on the same volleyball team. She was really good. The second-best player too. They called her 'the butterfly' because of how it looked like she would hover right before landing her fist on the ball and deliver a mean spike."

"Second-best to you, huh?"

"Well, according to the coach anyway…wait, are you asking me this because you think-" Akira nodded and Shiho looked down, her fists clenching on her grocery bag. "But why? We were friends. She even tried to reconnect when I transferred back. Maybe it was unintentional? Like those two guys."

Akira didn't say anything, letting his silence do the talking.

"Maybe I should just let it go? Would there be any point in bringing it up now?"

"Like at Shūjin?"

Shiho's eyes widened. "No, you're right. I'll talk to her. Nothing might not come out of it, but it's worth a shot. I'll be relying on you to support me. Every player needs their cheerleader."

Akira let out a hearty laugh. "I'm just a cheerleader now?"

Shiho shook her head, her hair that was growing back swaying slightly. "Not just a cheerleader. They're super important. Their confidence in you can give you strength in the most trying of times. I know that."

"Then I'll be the best cheerleader you've ever had."

"I don't know how Ann would feel about that."