Chapter 2

The Year Begins Again

Miku Kasuragi was riding her bike to school. Her brown, wavy hair flew behind her as she pedaled faster and faster. 'I wonder who's going to be in my class this year,' she thought.

She zoomed by someone who was walking the same way she was going. He had red hair that flipped up at the ends and he was wearing a uniform that was the same as her school's. 'Wonder who that was…' she thought, as she pedaled around a corner.

Eiji was walking to school. He was far from being late, because it'd suck to be late on the first day of school. Suddenly, someone flew past him on a bike, almost knocking him over with the wind they generated. The person was going fast, but Eiji could make out brown, wavy hair and a uniform that was the same as his school's, only a girl's uniform. 'Oh well,' Eiji thought, and continued on his way.

BRRIIIIIIIIIINNNGGG!

The bell rang out at Seishuan Academy (aka, Seigaku) signaling that class was going to start soon. But Miku was already in her seat, preparing a binder and checking to see that she had everything for her classes.

A boy entered that classroom carrying a large bad over his shoulder. He walked in and sat next to Miku. She looked over at him. He resembled the guy she'd passed on her bike….but…wait. The guy from yesterday! He had the same features and everything; he just had a uniform on today.

"Hi," said Miku, in the boy's direction. He looked up, scanning her face. Miku noticed that he had dark blue eyes.

"Didn't we meet before…?" he asked.

"Yesterday," Miku answered.

"Oh yeah! With Mochi, nya!" he said excitedly. "I love your dog!"

"Miku-chan?" said a voice from behind Miku. She turned around. A boy with light brown hair and cerulean-colored eyes was standing there.

"Fuji-kun!" Miku exclaimed, standing up to give her friend a hug. Fuji laughed, and hugged her back.

"Didn't think we'd be in the same class again," he said, smiling (and therefore, closing his eyes).

"Fujiko?" said the redhead behead Miku.

"Ah, Eiji," Fuji said, smiling as recognition crossed his face. Miku didn't quite understand how that happened, because he always had his eyes closed and his eyebrows and his mouth had to do all the work for his expressions. Fuji directed Miku toward the redhead. "Miku-chan, this is Eiji Kikumaru. He's on the tennis team with me."

"Yeah, I know," Miku said, smiling at Eiji. "I've cheered for you guys sometimes."

"Really?" said Eiji. He tried to remember someone who looked like Miku on the tennis courts' sidelines. Then he narrowed his eyes. "You aren't a fan girl, are you?"

"Definitely NOT!" said Miku and Fuji together.

"Good," sighed Eiji with relief. "I really despise them. But, I do have to admit, the cheering does help me concentrate."

"Me too," agreed Fuji. "Well, the despising the fan girls part at least." He turned to Miku. "So, how's Mochi?"

"She's good! I took her for a walk yesterday when I was getting a new uniform and other stuff. And on that same walk, I ran into Eiji. Not literally, but…" Miku trailed off.

Fuji looked at Eiji expectantly.

"We just talked," explained Eiji. "And then Miku-chan had to leave. Why did you have to leave in such a hurry, by the way?"

"Oh, that," said Miku, looking at her feet. "Sorry about that. I had to get home quickly because I had to get ready for volleyball practice. I'd just lost track of time, what with shopping and everything I had to do."

"You play volleyball?" Eiji asked.

"Yeah," replied Miku, brightening up. "I'm the defense specialist, or ds for short, and the main spiker for the team. I switch off."

"And a good one too, if I might add," said Fuji. "You should watch a game, Eiji, they're very exciting. I've picked up a few things to use in tennis as well."

Eiji would've replied, but the bell rang for class to start, and everyone took their seats.

The rest of the morning consisted of English, Math, and Japanese History, Eiji's favorite. And those classes weren't very exciting, mostly because it was the first day of school.

The only really funny thing was Eiji trying to do tongue twisters in English class, because they came out all jumbled. And since everyone laughed, Eiji pouted and slumped in his seat, which cheered Fuji up greatly. Miku just laughed silently at both of them, and any time she met eyes with Fuji, they'd both almost burst out laughing. This was mostly to keep Eiji's feelings from being hurt more on Miku's part; Fuji probably wouldn't have cared.

Miku, Eiji, and Fuji were walking to the tennis courts after school.

"I'm so excited! You get to meet the team, nya!" said Eiji, practically jumping up and down.

"What are they like?" asked Miku. She knew that she was going to meet them anyway; she just wanted to know in advance in case there was anything of dire importance. Or anything she needed to watch out for.

"Well," Eiji began. "Ochibi is mean, Momo is fun to tease, Oishi is a worrier, Taka is bipolar, Inui will try to take your data, Kaidoh will most likely just 'fsssshhhh' and glare at you, and Tezuka is…." He looked at Fuji, and then they both looked at Miku.

"Deadpan."

Miku laughed. "And then there's you two. The happy, upbeat one, Eiji, and the always-smiling-and-slightly-sadistic-one, Fuji." Fuji smiled evilly, and Eiji grinned and flashed a peace sign with his fingers.

"Now, let's go meet the team!" said Fuji, and they all entered the courts.