- Chapter 2 -
The day was possibly the hottest day of the week by far. Students had complained and suffered. Shirts were drenched in sweat, faces red. Most had abandoned their blazers and sweaters. Some boys even changed into t-shirts when the teacher was not looking. Others were creative by using their books or some papers as little hand fans, which honestly did not do much.
That being said, when the afternoon started to rain pretty heavily, Suzuki could not help but groan. Her uniform drenched, and so were most of her things.
"Eh Store Owner-san, are you sure you don't sell umbrellas?"
"I told you many times, I don't." The blonde cashier grumbled through the smoke.
"And here I thought you sell everything." Mirai rolled her eyes and sat back down. She turned to face her friend. "Suzuki, what should we do?"
Sipping on some hot tea, she shook her head. "It doesn't look like it's about to stop."
"Uh, no?"
"I guess we could wait."
Mirai huffed, but defeatedly slid down.
Eventually the two decided to share a copy of class notes, discussing homework and eating some konbini food.
"Suzuki-chan, can you tell me about this?" Mirai pointed to a maths equation. "What is this? 6x? How is this 6x?"
"That's an eight actually. And you subtract this to this…"
Suzuki went on though it was obvious that Mirai was not even listening at all. Writing the answer was enough. "Oh I see, alright… Your writing sucks."
"Sheesh, thanks."
Mirai said, pushing up her glasses. "Anyway, what do you think about Saturday's practice match?"
"It's too soon. Only a few days ago we went against Hakusuikan. What's the rush, right?" Suzuki responded.
"Right, right. Maybe because the girls' basketball team is building up again. I heard we've been signing out of matches and tournaments these past years. Lack of ambition, I suppose." Mirai told her. "Say, you never told me why you play basketball, Suzuki-chan. Other than the height, of course."
"Honestly, I don't think without this I wouldn't enjoy the game as much." Suzuki gestured to her own height. "So maybe it is the only reason."
"Honestly, I envy you. People mock me for my height even before they know what I can do. They wouldn't do that with you."
"But that just brings up higher expectations of what I should be able to do. You, on the other hand, can just prove them wrong." Suzuki argued reluctantly. "But then again, you're not that short, Mirai. You're like, what? Almost 170? And I've seen you play, Mirai. You're a great player to learn from."
"Ma, don't humble yourself." Mirai laughed. "I'm going to check outside. See if the rain has stopped."
Suzuki nodded and slouched down, mouth started chewing gum again.
"Hey kiddo." Suzuki turned to the cashier. "Kid, I like what you said about high expectations and that stuff. But you need to learn, you can just shut them down. At the end of the day you only do things for your own good."
"That's easier said than done. Especially in the field of sport where your skill is visualized and not understood." She pursed her lips. "Do you play sports too, Ojisan?"
"I-I am not — don't call me that!" He barked. "I used to play volleyball for Karasuno. I was a student like you, you know so I know how you feel — well speaking of the devil."
A couple of black track suited students appeared from the door, with Mirai trailing behind. She exclaimed. "Suzuki-chan, guess what?"
"Huh?"
"The rain hasn't stopped yet, but now we have an umbrella! We can walk together." Mirai exclaimed. "Your friends here borrowed one."
Suzuki stared at her teammate, to the pair of volleyball players, back and forth. It didn't look like they agreed to anything, she thought. Mirai must have said - ordered; judging by the confused smile from the freckled boy and the obvious eye roll from the tall blonde.
As expected the walk was quiet, other than Mirai's constant questions and answers, of a question asked by herself. Suzuki could only hold a laugh and it mostly came out as a "Pfft" whenever Mirai pondered around the boys.
What school are you from? I'm from Shikado Junior High. I'm not from around here, no. I only moved to Miyagi this month. My father had mutations in the job.
How long have you been playing volleyball? Oh, I have played basketball since elementary school, although I started to get serious during Junior when I was picked for the team. Weird, right? A shorty like me is the main player.
Do you join other clubs? I joined a band. Not the school marching band, but a music band. I'm a keyboardist for the first-year band, we call it: Nichiyōbi no Haru. I think our bassist is from Class 4 too. Sato Renji, know him?
You. You had glasses on. What's your prescriptions? Mine are -2,5 and -2,25. I have had it since forever and I don't like it. You know what sucks? Glasses keep sliding down, especially when playing. That's why I have sports goggles. Well, you should too! I mean your lenses are kinda thick.
The questions listed on. And the boys, they looked really uncomfortable.
Fortunately, after what felt like hours of dreadful walk down the street, Mirai bid goodbye and took shelter at her bus station.
"Alright, any of you can say it now." Suzuki remarked suddenly. "About Mirai, I mean."
"She talks like a train." It was Tsukishima and Suzuki couldn't contain a laugh. "How you manage her, I can't even guess."
"There's no way of stopping her at all." She beamed. "She's the first first-year I know in the club so I guess we're just stuck."
"More like you're stuck with her." Yamaguchi snorted.
"Whatever. She is really cool, though. You know, she reminds me of that Hinata friend of yours. Loud and chatty."
As if hinting a clue, the boys' face lit up slightly. A unison of realization.
Suzuki raised an eyebrow. "What?"
"Ah, no. If you think Hinata is bad enough, you have to meet Nishinoya-senpai. The second-year libero." Yamaguchi told her. "Uh, you know libero is like defending position—"
"I know what libero is." Suzuki said. "I played volleyball before."
"You did, Suzuki?"
"Maybe a few years; before I decided it was not my cup of tea. It was way back in elementary."
"Why the sudden stop?"
"The coach said I've always had a weak spike but it always hurts. So I don't do that anymore. Shooting is less painful."
"Ha, I guess you're not entirely wrong. We practiced a lot of spikes today. My palm still stings." Yamaguchi told her. "Tsukki here is very good at spikes."
Suzuki heard a 'tch' and immediately turned to the quiet one at the back. "You know I don't like you bragging around." Tsukishima sighed nonchalantly.
"Ehe gomen, Tsukki — anyway, this is my turn. I guess we should split, Suzuki. Bye all."
The party of four narrowed into a pair of two.
In the beginning of the walk, Yamaguchi had given his own umbrella for Suzuki and Mirai. When Mirai left them, Yamaguchi moved and shared with her instead as they talked more about school and class stuff. And now since the rain had not stopped, Suzuki found herself walking by Tsukishima's side under his umbrella.
She was not entirely sure what she should ask or say. He seemed like the type to refuse any social interaction.
"What were you two doing at the store?"
It took a moment to register that he was asking a question. "Taking a shade from the rain. And then Mirai wanted to copy my maths notes. A-and some pork buns." Suzuki shrugged. "We plan on staying there until the rain stops. Then you guys kinda showed up—which reminds me, how do you know it's gonna rain?"
"We don't." Tsukishima told her. "We found some spares in the club room. No one was using it. So we did."
"Ah, what a coincidence."
He hummed. "You didn't have basketball practice. Today's gym schedule was ours. Why go home late?"
"No, no. Not club practice. Just some extra project for the council. And Mirai had one of those band session things. So I kinda waited for her." Suzuki nodded. "So, how was the spike going?"
"Like usual," he shrugged.
"How usual?"
He paused. "We're learning some offence strategies. There's a known move we're practicing. A Synchronization."
"Synchronization?"
"When all players move together for a spike. It's the setter's decision to toss to whoever he feels has a good chance of a score."
"So like a blind attack? How scheming."
"Yeah, well, at least that's the idea." Tsukishima said. "Wasn't so perfect, though." She waited for him to continue. He did. "We're not accustomed to it. Some still miss the cue."
"Some but not all. Then, which one are you?"
"Oh, I never miss my cue." There was a glimpse of pride at his lazy smirk. "Like Yamaguchi said; "My spike is great."
"No, he only said good." He does have thick lenses.
"Nah. You heard it from me."
"Whatever you say, Pocky."
"Oh shit."
Suzuki chuckled at his sudden outburst. She instinctively reached her pocket and popped open a pack of gum. "Want some?"
"Thanks." She watched as he took a piece.
The sound of rain drops against the plastic cover accompanied their way through the evening walk. It was only their second time walking along the street yet there was a shift of tenor between them. Silence, yet less awkward. A shift of mood, one might say.
Not long until Suzuki knew their path was about to come to an end.
"Here." Tsukishima said, handing the umbrella to her. She held and watched him swing his bag around to the front.
"What are you doing?"
"Shuddup. Can you hold this really quick?" He said handing over his music device on her other hand. She watched as he unzipped and pulled out his school blazer and coated it around his head.
Only then she realized what was going on. "Wait a minute. No, w-wait. You don't have to—"
"I said shut up." He snatched his item back and shoved it inside the bag. "Right. Bye."
"W-wait." She sighed. "Thanks, Headphones."
She heard Tsukishima laugh. "Whatever you say, Gummy."
"Whoa, that's—" She watched as he already skipped ahead through the drizzling night. Suzuki couldn't contain a smile. She blew a bubble and it popped as a response. "That's fair enough."
- Chapter 2 -
Something felt off that morning.
Something was missing.
"Good morning, kids! Welcome to Monday, a new start of the week. Time flies by very quickly and just now we are closing in on May! How exciting!" Their teacher said, "Though I am afraid I'll start with grieving news. Suzuki Taomi is on permitted absences. So Yamaguchi-kun, you'll be in charge for a bit until she returns, yes?"
"Oh, h-hai," Yamaguchi bowed. "Ano, Masami-sensei, do you know what happened? Is Suzuki alright?"
"Unfortunately her mother passed away on Saturday." He announced quietly. "I'd like all of you to show condolence and support for our class leader. Pray for strength and patience during hard moments and hopefully time will heal her families and friends."
The abrupt news stunned all of the students of Class 4.
Huh, Saturday? Tsukishima pursed his lips, brows slightly furrowed. I just saw her Saturday. He mentally shook his head and continued to listen to the teacher, now talking about class syllabus and progression. She just played in a friendly match on Saturday, after our volleyball practice.
Tsukishima's eyes occasionally flickered at the chair in the front right row, unoccupied. Someone was missing.
"Ne, Tsukki?" Yamaguchi called him during the lunch break. "Tsukki, I don't know what to do."
"What do you mean?"
"I-I mean… should we all, like, visit her? Suzuki, I mean. Should we do something?"
"I am not sure." Tsukishima asked. "We don't know where she lives, do we?"
"Well, I was hoping you would know." Yamaguchi confessed. "You two go the same way."
"Not really. We split up at the next intersection."
"Oh, if that's the case." Yamaguchi hesitated. "Well actually, I was thinking of asking her friend. She might know."
"Who?—ah. Yeah." Tsukishima noted the idea. "But, I think you should consult with Masami-sensei too. I'm sure he can arrange something." He reasoned.
"I guess I should do that first."
When the final bell had rung, Tsukishima found himself tailing behind Yamaguchi; both standing by the door of the neighboring class. With the teachers having a meeting agenda, Yamaguchi decided to go for his first source of information.
"Hey Osama!" Tsukishima called him from the door. He smirked when he saw Kageyama grunted and dashed right to them.
"Don't call me that!" The setter barked. "What do you want!"
"Nothing, Osama."
"What, moron?"
"No actually Kageyama, we're not looking for you. That's just Tsukki trolling." Yamaguchi shrugged and glanced at Tsukishima who was already leaning against the wall. "We're looking for Mirai-san."
"Mirai? Oh. Oy, Mirai!" Kageyama briefly turned back to them. " What do you want with her?"
"It's only a commoners' business, Osama."
"I wasn't talking to you, idiot. Shut up."
"Cut it out, all of you. Move!" Mirai appeared, snuggling through the wall of tall bodies blocking the door.
When they had moved outside (Kageyama had already gone back in), Mirai stopped them. "Have you heard the news about Suzuki?"
Yamaguchi told her. "Y-yeah, well that's why I was looking for you actually. Do you know where she lives?"
"Oh, er, I have never been to her house." Mirai confessed. "Frankly, I was going to ask you guys."
"Oh well, I guess I need to wait until the teachers' meeting is over."
"Can I come? Whenever you plan on visiting Suzuki, can I join you? Actually, can my teammates come too? Just someone from the club, if you don't mind."
"Uh, yeah I guess. We'll see about it later then." Yamaguchi nodded. "Um, Mirai-san, do you know what happened?"
Mirai hesitated. "I am aware her mother was hospitalized and sometimes she visited after school or after practice." The corner of her lips turned. "I met her mother once, when I accompanied her to the hospital. She was, uh, you know…"
"I see." Yamaguchi nodded, cutting her off. "Let's just hope Suzuki is alright. I'll let you know about the visit. Thanks, Mirai-san."
"Sure." She nodded. "I-if there's anything I can do, please let me know, Yamaguchi-san."
Unfortunately for all of the good deeds planned, Masami-sensei just informed Yamaguchi that the funeral was held on a different side of town and the family wouldn't be back in a few days. The current head of class sighed in defeat. The visitation was heavily dismissed.
Thursday came pretty quickly. Though, somehow there was a change of environment compared to the last couple of days. Students seemed to quickly go on by the day. Yamaguchi took on the role of leading class greetings, collecting homework, and coordinating the clean-up. He even took part in a student council meeting, which was why he took his own absence from Tuesday's volleyball session.
Still, someone was missing.
"Che, you all look so grim." A boy, Enma, sat down in the unoccupied chair, legs propped on the table. "Suzuki will return, y'know. Sensei said she would."
"No one asks you, Enma." A girl replied, annoyed.
"Eh, come on. I am part of Class 4 too. I, too, miss her." He said, stretching his arms and propped in behind his head. "I miss her when she often barks orders around. 'Enma, sit your ass down. Enma, shut up and get dressed properly. Enma, this. Enma, that. Blablablah'"
"Go back to your seat, Enma. The recess is almost over. The teacher is coming soon." Yamaguchi told him, already getting tired of his antics.
"Oh, the substitute leader. You think you can do better, Yamaguchi-kun?" Enma mocked. "Hey guys, chill. It is a bad thing what happened to her. In fact, to respect her I did not act up, did I?" He smirked, "But I really do miss her. Well, guess what? You know what I miss her the most? Her long legs."
His boys at the back seat erupted in laughter while most students became very uncomfortable.
"Enma! You shouldn't say that!" Yamaguchi barked.
"Oh relax, guys. I was only joking. Come on, don't gimme that look." Enma felt dagger eyes at him yet he shrugged. "She is an athlete. She must have really strong and lean legs, right guys?"
"You're such a punk, you know that." Yamaguchi grunted. "You're childish and disrespectful. And disgusting."
"Boo hoo, that hurts my feelings. Whatever, fucktard."
"Hey, Enma! Where are you going? Get back. The teacher is going to be here soon."
"What? I am only going to the bathroom. Can't I do that?" Enma laughed. "Why don't you just handle your childhood boyfriend over there? Or maybe a pet. He's been glaring at me like a hawk."
"I thought you do need help going to the bathroom, Enma-san," Tsukishima smirked, his eyes still locked on. "After all, we know you always struggle to reach the sink."
At this, the class laughed and Enma shifted uncomfortably. "Watch it, Four-eyes."
"Do you also need help getting up to the urinal? Can your dick reach it?"
"I see. I see you, Tsukishima. Alright then if that's how it is, guys." Enma said walking away to the door. "If that's how it is going to go. All of you against me, En—"
"Enma-kun, go back inside and sit down." A voice said behind him. "The bell already rang. You sure have heard that, right?"
Enma's back hit a wall of a coming student, towering above him. Gasps could be heard from the entire class. And all the students sat up straighter. Sceptical yet saluted.
No matter how self-proclaimed punk Enma was; no matter how loud and rude Enma was against another student; no matter how much of a bully, he was still much shorter than Suzuki; and people like Enma often forgot to look up. The boy shuddered, and so were the rest of the students. Tsukishima ignored the overwhelmed and shameful Enma retreated to his little corner, all while he watched Suzuki just stand at the corner of the class. "Ne, konnichiwa! Sorry, I'm late."
Quickly some students rushed to her, practically already whispering about. Just so Yamaguchi stole a brief turn to look at him, hinting a smile. She's back! His eyes practically screamed, before walking to her as well.
Soon, the front crowd dispersed and they sat back down on their respective chairs. Suzuki hung her bag and turned to sit down, and when she caught Tsukishima's eyes; she smiled and raised a hand at him, waving.
Three days of absence but nothing changed much. Suzuki was still as tall as she always was; long brown hair into a braided tail. She used the same notebook and the same Pilot pen. She still bit the end of her pen or spun it around in between her fingers when listening to the lecture.
Her lunch box was different from what he remembered. Unlike the usual round, she brought a smaller but two-tiered rectangular plastic box. One thing she always brought was a whole fruit, which today she also had: a pear.
Came a time for another class session and when she started to get bored or tired during class, she leaned back and stretched her legs, her feet playfully touching her friend's shoes, catching the front seater off guard. And when the teacher was not looking, she popped in a piece of gum.
One time, she turned back and their eyes caught, sharing thoughts.
What's up, Tsukishima?
What's up, Suzuki?
He saw she was shaking her head, smirking before turning around to the front. And he found himself smirking as well.
The whole day, Tsukishima's eyes occasionally flicker at the chair in the front right row. Someone has finally returned; he said to himself and suddenly there was a feeling of relief which (too) has been missing for the past three days.
- Chapter 2 -
"Yamaguchi, I'm sorry!" Suzuki called while the students were on clean-up duty. "Can you fill me in about the last council meeting? The Student Head just informed me of another meeting this afternoon."
"Wait, this afternoon? I am not aware of that. It was not brought up before."
"Well actually it is so soon. Anyway, so, maybe you brief me on it? I wanna know what's up."
"Oh s-sure, I have a copy of the minutes. I was meant to give it to you, hold on." Grabbing his bag, he turned to her. "Wait, that means you'll skip another practice?"
Suzuki flopped down on a vacant chair. "I guess. But I have talked to Hiamura-san about this. She said it's fine."
"Oh alright. Here, Suzuki." he handed a bundle of papers. "Tuesday we were mostly talking about the preparation for the Golden Week Holiday. There's a plan to hold a couple of cram classes for some subjects, but it still needs the teacher's approval. Then a couple of talks about the future sports day schedule. Some budgeting and whatnot."
"I see." she said, reading the minutes of the meeting. "Cram class on holiday, meh I don't think so, honestly."
"Yeah, the argument is around that theme." he laughed. "Anyway, Suzuki… if you want, I can fill in the meeting right now."
"Oh sure–wait!" Quickly she looked up from the paper. "Uh, what?"
"I mean, if this is too troubling for you, I can still take-over some stuff. I am still your chain-in-command… or something like that. So you can get some rest." Suzuki stared at the boy, eyes questioning. He blinked. "O-or, practice basketball instead, whichever to your liking. Ehe."
When she kept staring, he let out a sigh. "Masami-sensei said to me at the beginning of this week that I should take care of the role of class leader for a while so you can have time to… adjust to the new week." he continued. "That and Mirai told me basketball practice was getting very dull. With you missing out on afternoon practices, the team was… lonely."
"Lonely?"
"Her words, not mine." Yamaguchi laughed. "Honestly, I can only conclude that Mirai is lonely and she misses you. H-have you seen her, since you came back yesterday?"
"No." Suzuki said quickly. "N-not that I don't want to see her or anything, it's just there are things I still need to work on at home. So I wanted to go home early."
"Well, to me; the more reason you should skip this meeting and go for practice." Yamaguchi encouraged her. "Honestly, I don't mind. Not that I have to do anything during the meeting. And no volleyball for me today."
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah! Well, I'm going to Tsukki's place this afternoon but, meh, he can wait a while – ey Tsukki!"
Suzuki's eyes darted to the boy casually strolling into the classroom, hand holding a juice carton while the other was placed inside his pants pocket. He then stood by the table. "What?"
"Change of plan. Can I come to your house around seven?"
"Uh why?" he said, slurping on the straw.
"Something came up urgently and I need to stay at the school for a while. So? Seven?"
Shrugging, Tsukishima nodded. "Sure. You can have dinner at my place anyway."
"Alright, Suzuki. You should be ready to go to the gym. I'll be ready for the council meeting too." He said, already standing up, snatching back the minutes from her hands. "Alright, see you around guys!"
Suzuki blinked when Yamaguchi had already left and disappeared behind the door. That was something she did not expect at all. But there was a relief, to some extent. If she was given a choice, of course her heart chose basketball practice over some dumb meeting. Besides, Yamaguchi was right; she had missed practices. She missed her teammates.
"Suzuki, now that your business with Yamaguchi is over, can I sit?"
Suzuki looked up to the bored blonde boy leaning against the other table. She didn't even realize she was sitting in his chair and table. Popping a bubble with her chewing gum, she nodded. "No."
"Tch."
"Kidding, kidding. Here–"
"Nah. It's fine." Before she could get up, Tsukishima waved her off and sat down on Yamaguchi's chair instead. "I think I have the right to know what you guys were talking about, since whatever it is just cost me some rescheduling."
"Hm, fair enough. I agree to let him partake in the council meeting again right now."
"What do you mean, you agree to let him?"
"It didn't come up to me at all. I only asked for a summary of the last meeting. And then he insisted he should attend that on my behalf. So I could come to the club practice instead."
"Right." He said, slurping.
"What exactly did Mirai tell you guys?"
"What do you mean?"
"From what Yamaguchi told me, Mirai had been seeing you guys these past days. I wonder how."
Tsukishima huffed a heavy laugh. "Sometimes I caught her peeking through the window and the door during breaks. Sometimes we caught her on the bus stop on the walk back home. She followed around like a damn puppy."
"Now I feel bad. The more reason I should come to the practice. To surprise her and the team." Suzuki said. "I sound like Yamaguchi just then."
"You didn't see her yesterday?"
"Ah no. I went home early."
He nodded. And then reached out to the pocket of his blazer. "Here. "
Suzuki looked when his hand placed something in front of her on her table (well, his table). A carton of orange juice. "For me?"
"Yamaguchi wanted one but he's gone. You can have it."
"You don't drink it?"
"No. I don't like orange juice. Too sour."
"Thanks." Suzuki nodded and reluctantly took the drink. "Heh, no wonder you hate Hinata so much."
Her remark made Tsukishima laugh, quite loudly too. "Ha! Yeah that makes sense." He smiled and glanced around the room. "Looks like your friend is here."
"Huh?"
"Suzuki! Oh my, Suzuki-chan!" Suddenly a group of girls barged into the door, practically hopping over to their table, with Mirai leading the way. "Suzuki-chan!"
Suzuki laughed and stood up to greet them, but she was more surprised when Mirai had tackled her into a hug, followed by the other girl who reached out to hold her. Stealing a look to Tsukishima, she caught him just shrugged and moved out of the way.
"I just saw Yamaguchi and he said you're here. And we wanna see it for real. And you are!" Mirai said, breaking the hug. "Please, tell me. How are you? What do you need?"
"Relax, girls. I'm fine, really." Suzuki reassured them. "Why don't I tell you on our way to the gym?"
After one of the Class 4 students struggled to clean up with the herd around, apologizing, Suzuki asked them outside instead, also tidying up her books and bag. And when she was ready to walk out, the door was already occupied. Tsukishima had too cleaned up his table and headed out.
"Go ahead." He said, stepping aside. "Ladies first."
"What a gentleman," she couldn't help but chuckled. "See you around, Tsukishima."
Popping a bubble gum, Suzuki walked out and back to the nosy girls waiting. Mirai and Aoki, her first-year basketball mates, did cry around her absences. Suzuki only laughed at their antics. She told them about going to grandparent's house for a few days after the ceremony before returning back to her home.
Walking down the stairs, she realized Tsukishima was walking in the front a few steps ahead, perhaps already too occupied with his headphones. When he turned, she thought she caught his eyes drifting slightly to her. But she was not so sure.