- Chapter 7 -

They say time is a great healer. It passes on and gradually cures all of our sorrows, pains, sufferings, and frustrations. Without human interventions, everything becomes normal with the passing of time and time heals all wounds of mind. All pains subside and we forget everything. We moved on.

They're wrong. Time is simply a great eraser. It rolls on and on regardless, eroding our memories, chipping away at those great big boulders of misery until there's nothing left but sharp little fragments too small to see but still heavy enough to bear.

The ache of losing to Seijoh still lingered at the back of their hearts.

The taste of losing to Datekō bittered unconsciously at the back of their minds.

Mirai looked down at the magazine in her hand. Last Saturday was the announcement of the Inter-High Miyagi Prefecture Preliminary Final match. Niiyama was always fierce and tall, earning them 86 points throughout the whole four-quarter game; a strong contender. But even that could not subdue the calm and collected Date Kōgyo with their 104 points. That was even more than what they won last year. The picture of the whites and teals celebrating on the podium staring back at her, their Miyagi Representative Trophy and Certificates twinkled under the spotlight.

A hand covered the page and delicately closed the magazine. "Inter-High is over, Mirai." Suzuki had taken the magazine away. "Come on, let's get going. The National Cup is waiting, Mirai-captain."

"Don't call me that!" Mirai mumbled, pouting. "It's bullshit."

"I'd say it is very cool. A freshman takes over the team after the seniors retire." Suzuki chuckled at Mirai's doomed expression.

"Ah damn it." Still pouting, Mirai fixed her goggles and walked away. "Whatever. Let's go."

"Hai, captain."

"Stop it Suzuki!"

Suzuki would admit it too. Hiamura's decision as well as the second-years' inputs to choose Mirai as vice-captain was a shock to everyone. Even Hiruzen-sensei was surprised as well, but being him, he grinned devilishly and approved the argument, not even caring to listen to Mirai's own objection. Truthfully, Suzuki didn't see any problem. Mirai was already a team captain on her Junior High basketball team and her team got top third place in the regional Junior High National Tournament. Surely, she knew what she was doing.

One day Suzuki and Aoki secretly ask Hiruzen-sensei about it, about why he agreed to have Mirai as team captain.

"She was captain when we lost to Datekō. Even though it was only a sub, she held the burden of failure. She took this very seriously. I could still see the guilt following her around. Funny thing about this, with guilt comes the drive to be better, to win. So, might as well give her a chance to fight back." Hiruzen told them. "And you two will be beside her, right?"

–the moment we will play again, we will fight again!

Sometimes Suzuki wondered if teachers could be this motivating in classrooms as well. Perhaps not, because no matter how motivated you are, no students like to study at all.

Few days turned into a week.

And within the next few weeks, the first-term final exam took place. Students had frantically started to plan their studying approach; copying notes, highlighting papers, memorizing words, all of that. For these three girls, they had prepared a schedule of tutoring sessions, and sometimes gossip.

"I think Inari-senpai and Takone-san have broken up." Aoki started between the writings.

"Ah, sou! I mean, usually he would wait for her until the practice was over. I didn't see him today or these past days actually." Mirai exclaimed.

"Actually, Inari's social media status has changed." Suzuki contributed. "A-and, they don't follow each other anymore, I don't think."

"Honto ni? Hold on, let me check my phone." Aoki quickly took out her phone and began scrolling through. "Oh my, you are right! Look!"

"Nooo! They are such a cute couple. Inari-senpai is really pretty and Takone-san is handsome. They both are from Class 2, right? I wonder how awkward that must have been."

With these three girls, well, mostly gossip.

"It was a shame, really." Mirai sighed, her eyes lingered on a picture of Inari. "I wonder if I'd have the same story in my high school years."

Suzuki snickered. "You mean being dumped?"

The glasses girl gasped. "Well I don't want that! That's just sad. I mean like, some kind of cute, romantic storyline, like those TV rom-coms." Mirai frowned, placing her phone back. "I've never had a boyfriend before. Not even a crush in Junior High."

Suzuki and Aoki similarly thought out loud. "You didn't?"

Mirai frowned even more. "You did?"

"I didn't either. Well, only a fling but not an actual relationship." Aoki admitted. "Suzuki?"

When Suzuki shook her head, Mirai pouted at them. "Well, what's with the shock looking towards me then?"

"Because between the three of us, you have the best chance."

"What's that supposed to mean, Suzuki?"

Suzuki leaned back slightly, smirking. "Well for once, no boys want to have taller girlfriends."

"Haha! Amen to that!" Hearing this, Aoki laughed and offered a fist bump to her, which the latter gladly returned, chuckling as well. "But you, Mirai-chan. You're pretty, small, short-haired, blue eyes and glasses and all kawaii-looking. All the things that boys want."

"Do you really think I am cute?"

"Of course."

"Then why does it sound like a bad thing?"

"No, trust me it's not a bad thing at all." Aoki proudly told her.

"Whatever, I don't get it." Mirai then suddenly asked. "Do you guys mind dating shorter boys?"

It was their turn to share an unsure look at each other. Aoki shook her head. "The fling I mentioned, he was a nice guy but eventually he admitted he was uncomfortable with the height difference. So now, I don't think I can answer that." Aoki admitted heavily. "Suzuki? What do you have to say about that? You're even taller than I am, you know."

"Honestly I don't know how to answer that either." Suzuki squinted her eyes. "How short?"

"Umm, someone like Hinata?"

"Okay thats, uh – I mean if we hugged, his face would've been on my boobs the whole time. That's uncomfortable." Suzuki confessed. "But I don't want to eat my own words in the future because I don't know who's going to be attracted to me."

"True. That's so true. It's hard when sometimes you need to check on other people's feelings as well to make your own judgement." Aoki concluded.

"Wow, I didn't realize it was this struggle for you guys." Mirai smiled sadly. But then something lit up in her eyes. "But Suzuki-chan, don't fret. You have attracted a nice guy!"

"Heh?"

"Ah, yes! I think I know what she's talking about." Suddenly Aoki's face turned into a wide grin. "Don't worry, Suzuki-chan. I think he's tall enough."

"I have no idea what you're talking about." Suzuki rolled her eyes. "Hey are you two done with my maths notes now? Let's move on."

With the two girls giggling and more groaning from Suzuki, they paused on the gossip and went on with the tutoring session. Suzuki kept her face straight, but the curious side of her could not help but think: who are they talking about?

Their thoughts were interrupted when the door of the Sakanoshita Store slid open. And came in a small flock of crows.

"Oh, you three." one of them said. "You're the first-year basketball team, right?"

"H-hai." Mirai stammered. "A-no, you are…"

"I'm Narita and this is Kinoshita. We're from the volleyball club, but we are not on the regular team." They introduced themselves. "You've been around our practice, haven't you? And you came to watch the match against Seijoh. That's where I remember all of you."

"Hai. Mirai Inoe, Mitari Aoki and Suzuki Taomi-des. Nice to meet you."

"Suzuki?" She could have swore the grey-haired one had repeated her name.

Narita nodded. "Anyway, our practice just finished. If you wanna see the freshmen, they're just behind. They'll come by soon."

Narita and Kinoshita had gone to the food racks on the other side of the store. And Suzuki went on to continue writing on her notes, ignoring the two girls sharing a giddy look.

Hinata's voice was already heard from the inside of the store. But the sliding door went unmoving. Perhaps the first-years didn't plan on buying some snacks or drinks on the way back home. Suzuki had thought of peeking through the glass window but the shade was already on. Oh well, they had a good practice. Let's not bother them too much–

"Hey Hinata." Mirai exclaimed, opening the door. "Did you know we can hear your voice from here? Gosh you're so loud."

"Oh, sorry Mirai. What are you doing?" Suzuki heard Hinata's voice louder, and followed by steps of shoes.

"Tutoring. Suzuki and Aoki are here too." Mirai answered him. "Is Tsukishima not with you?"

That caught her off guard. He isn't here?

Yamaguchi appeared, peeking through Mirai's head. "Oh, ossu." He greeted them. "Tsukki skipped practice today. He is not feeling well."

The flock had grown in numbers with the addition of other crows. And so they all began walking down the hill going into their nests, with stories to tell. Still, one crow was missing.

Only when Suzuki had walked alone, she quickly grabbed her phone: Are you sick? How are you feeling?

I'm fine. Another ding not long after: How do you know?

I met Yamaguchi and the team on the way home. He told me you skipped practice and came home early. He said you're sick.

He exaggerates things. It's just a headache.

Have you eaten anything? Do you take any meds for it?

You're such a mother hen. Suzuki smirked at the reply. Both of those I already did. Really, I'm fine.

Good good. Now get some rest Tsukishima. She replied. And don't stay up binge-watching Jonah too late.

He was typing. I'm not—Tsukishima paused his fingers and glanced at the TV screen, indeed Jormungand playing along the screen. He deleted the words and instead made a reply: It's the final episode. Shut up.

Damn it, Tsukishima!

Both of them re-read the brief text, smiling to themselves.

- Chapter 7 -

There he was, the lone boy sitting on a picnic table in the middle of the park. His head propped on the palm of his hand, while lazily scribbling something in his book with the other hand. A plastic cup of ice lychee tea nearby. At the far corner of the park, he chose his table, with shades of trees roofing him from direct sunligt, and hid him from the noisy children running around on the playground. The bench was Tsukishima's favorite place, away from civilization, giving him the time and space to focus on his current task; school homework.

The escape to the park helped to clear the mood.

It was not that crowded on Sunday noon. People wandered but the pace was slower. No running after public transport or pushing between pedestrians. No running after certain schedules or meetings. No need to rush.

When the time came for lunch, Tsukishima went to a nearby convenience store and purchased a rice bowl and some side snacks. And a bottle of apple juice. While paying, his eyes darted to the display racks, displaying packs of candies. Blue pack of bubble gum caught his eyes. Unintentionally, his lips turned. Would she appreciate it if he bought her another pack? How many did she have now? How many he had given her to? Six times, actually now that he counted their latest intercourse, all of those six times he gave her a new pack, each of these six times she snorted; but accepted it anyway.

"Do you like Suzuki? You do, don't you?" Tsukishima ignored Yamaguchi's question. Every time he brought it up, Tsukishima rolled his eyes. But it couldn't be helped that the words stuck in his head. Looking back, he never really explored that side of life, the 'romantic side of life'. Sure, he found some girls pretty and cute, but there was not enough temptation to make the effort.

Suzuki was pretty and cute; and very friendly. Sometimes she showed a rather silly, obnoxious side whenever she tried to annoy Mirai, and more so when it worked. Sometimes she showed she could be very stern about something; like that one time she had to deal with Enma and his friends for making useless pranks in the corridor. Sometimes she could be very determined, like everytime he watched her basketball practice and matches. Sometimes she looked like she didn't care at all, shrugging and popping bubbles at eveything. But most of the time she was very calm and collected. All of that he liked about her. Wait a minute?

Tsukishima stopped in his tracks.

His favorite picnic table was occupied and the occupant looked very familiar; almost too familiar. He walked towards the table, only realizing she had earphones on. That was why she didn't notice him, deafened by the song, already too engrossed with scribbling of pen on her book. He couldn't help but smirk.

Discreetly, he placed the newly bought bubble gum right in front of her. Suzuki flinched slightly, and only until she fully looked up to see Tsukishima that she yelped. "You!"

"Tch. You don't sound happy to see me."

"No, I mean..." She glanced at the gum and went back to him. "How many of these do you have? I thought I was supposed to be the Gum Girl."

"You don't want it?" Her eyes bored into him while her hand snatched it away. He snickered. "I thought so too."

She shrugged. "Math?" She gestured her head to the book in his hand.

He nodded and sat down in front of her. "You too?"

"Science homework for Tuesday. Are you done with this?"

"Of course." He said, smirking

"Sure you do." She muttered, rolling her eyes. "What are you doing here? Do you come here often?"

"You could say that. As a matter of fact, I was here before you came. I was only buying some lunch when you took over my spot."

"Oh, well sorry, I guess."

"You don't look sorry enough."

"You're right, I'm not." She made a jab. "You've gotten yourself a new seat anyway."

"Can we not share a table?"

Suzuki looked up briefly to him, and popped a bubble. "No."

"Okay then—"

"Kidding, kidding." He was momentarily stunned when she had placed her hand on his bag to stop him from getting up. "You can stay. I kinda need help with this anyway. Can you help?"

Tsukishima reluctantly nodded. "Let's trade then. You help my math, I help your science one. Hm?"

"Deal, that sounds good."

Suzuki was still scribbling along other notes so he excused himself to eat his meal first. She writes weirdly. He thought as he watched her, with the position of the book slightly turned to have an angle. But very neat still, and quick.

"Staring is rude, you know." She stole a look from him. "Is there something on my face?"

He blinked and paused between the munch. "Did you know you stick your tongue out whenever writing?"

He snorted when she made a face as a quick response before going back to her notebook. "How do you know this place? This park is quite far from our neighbourhood, don't you think?"

"I used to play in this park when I was a kid. My junior high school is only a few blocks away from here." He told her. "Even the slide doesn't change at all."

"Oh. That sounds nice." She replied. "I just got back from my grandmother's house and then made a stop at a nearby store to buy something."

"You stayed at your grandmother's often?"

"Not all weekends but sometimes I stayed from Friday if I don't have anything to do on Saturday. Like going to grandma after practice. It's only almost an hour and half of bus ride…. If I didn't make any stop like this. And now I ended up here in this park."

"Well, it is what it is." He nodded. "Have you had lunch yet?"

"Not hungry, no - nono, I am fine. You go ahead." She declined when he offered some food. "I had a late breakfast anyway. Still full."

"Alright then." He went on eating. "Ano Suzuki,"

"Hm?"

"Are you free this afternoon?"

"Oh? Um, nothing too urgent. What's up?"

"Do you want to watch The Avengers?"

Suzuki paused her writing as he paused his chopsticks. She glanced up to him. "Avengers? The superhero movie? Oh yeah, it was just released."

When she didn't continue, he asked. "Have you watched it?"

"No. I haven't actually."

"Oh okay. Um, yeah… so, are you free? The movie theater is not far from here. And uh, last I checked there's a schedule for two-thirty pm, if you want."

"Two-thirty?" She glanced at her phone. "If that's the case… we should do the homeworks soon then. We don't have much time."

Tsukishima thinned his lips, unsure. "Is that a yes?"

Suzuki stopped and looked directly at him. "No." She popped a bubble, smiling. "Now, homework please?"

"Alright then." Tsukishima nodded, already taking out his books and stationary.

Suzuki and Tsukishima went on with questions and answers about unsolved problems and equations. They shared concepts as well as ideas and inputs, and oftentimes stories in the middle of their studies. During, he listened carefully and quietly - but he was truthfully uncomfortable. He was sweating beneath the hoodie. His heart beat overwhelmingly fast, his mind froze. What the fuck did I just do?!

This morning he had thought of finishing his homework and then immediately got home. Perhaps buying some food for the people at home, but that was it. He had never planned on watching the movie, nor had he planned to ask her to go with. The question just came out unexpectedly. He didn't even think about it. His mouth moved on its own. And he never expected her to agree so quickly about it.

And then not long, their homework was finished.

"Um so, how do we get there again?"

"Huh?"

"The movie?" She asked. "Do we still have the time for the movie yet?"

"Oh, yeah." Tsukishima glanced at his watch. "Yeah, we do. We could take a bus for one stop. And then a bit of walking. We still have enough time."

"Sounds good to me." Suzuki said, already shoving books in her bag. "You know what, I plan to ask my brothers to watch The Avengers but Tomoru is busy and Takari has some cram classes."

"Cram class, on weekends?"

"Yeah, that's what I thought too. Poor kid," She said, grabbing her other bag from under the table. "Have I ever told you that Takari joined the volleyball team?"

"Not basketball? That's weird."

"How likely is that huh?" She laughed. "But no, he tried both of them and he decided to go for volleyball instead. I think he is a wing spiker in the team."

Tsukishima nodded. "Future ace then?"

"Could be — wait, what are you doing?"

Suzuki stopped when Tsukishima had already grabbed her tote bag. "What's in this?"

"Careful, will you? My laptop is in there."

"What would you do if I dropped it?" he said as he started swinging the bag around.

"Hey, don't!" She groaned. "Don't do anything stupid, Tsukishima."

"I can't promise you anything. Anyway, should we leave? Or should I swing this faster?" Tsukishima smirked. He then slung her bag on his shoulder. "Come on, let's go."

"I don't understand your logic Tsukishima." She said out loud, chuckling. "But let's go."

- Chapter 7 -

Tsukishima sat down quietly, accompanied by a homemade meal and vending machine fruit juice. His headphones were already set, songs blaring through.

"Tsukishima!" Hinata and Kageyama already staggered into his class. "Can you tutor us now?"

The blonde hair stared at them uninterestedly. "No."

"W-why?"

"We only agree to do this before and after club practice." He said and went back to his meal. "Even Osama doesn't look like he wanted to be here. Leave me be."

"Hey! Ah, come on." Hinata sighed. "Where's Yamaguchi?"

When Tsukishima didn't reply to them again, the two bitterly left the classroom… and shared the door with another pair of incoming students.

"Oh, Hinata, Kageyama. What are you doing here?"

"Your jerk of a friend doesn't want to tutor now. For the English subject." Kageyama muttered.

"Can you tutor us, Yamaguchi?" Hinata pressed. "I am having an English quiz this afternoon."

"Gomen, I'm still bad at English."

"Oh," Hinata said deflated, then turned to the other one. "Suzuki? C-can you help us too?"

Suzuki shook her head. "Eh, um? No. My English is not that great either. Sometimes I have someone else teaching me for that."

"Who is it?"

"Tsukishima."

"Meh, nevermind." Both Hinata and Kageyama mused.

Tsukishima watched the exchange, and while Yamaguchi already walked the freaky combi outside the hallway, Suzuki walked up to him instead. Instinctively he paused his song and put his headphones off, letting it hang loosely on his neck.

She started. "Since when did you become a teacher to those two?"

"Since they are stupid enough to score less than the passing grade." He grunted loudly.

"If you're complaining that much it must be that bad, huh?" She chuckled, taking an empty chair. "But why you? And why now?"

"Something to do with Tokyo Volleyball Camp. Then Takeda-sensei made the final-exam as one of the requirements to participate."

"Tokyo Camp? What's that?"

"Remember during the Golden Week we matched against the Tokyo school? Nekoma? They had summer camps for the high school volleyball club for the Kanto region. Somehow we were invited."

"That's really cool. I don't think the basketball team have that sort of activities. When is it?"

"A week after the exam."

"Ah lemme guess, if they failed the exam, they must go to the supplementary remedial instead, right? No wonder they wanted the tutor so bad."

"More like desperate." He clicked his tongue. "Here. Have some."

He pushed his bento box to her. She stared for a bit but reluctantly took a piece of his chicken karage. She nodded. "Does that mean you couldn't help me with homeworks anymore?"

Before the news of Tokyo Camp and the two idiots that followed him around, Tsukishima and Yamaguchi often studied together after school, and sometimes Suzuki joined them. She came as a little helping hand with their math homework. If the timing was accessible, she caught up to them after their volleyball practice and they settled in for a nearby cafe just across the street. If their time was limited, Suzuki could just make a quick call to Tsukishima after dinner whenever he was available. He always picked up his phone anyway.

"We'll make time." he shrugged. "Not that you need one honestly."

"Yes, I do."

"You're too modest to your own liking."

"Heeeh," Suzuki's eyes bore on him. "I'll take that as a compliment then."

"Hm yeah, you're welcome." He shrugged, leaning back to his chair. "I didn't see you eat in class. Have you eaten anything?"

"I have. I ate in Mirai's class." Tsukishima narrowed his eyes when she replied as so while taking another piece. She mimicked his look. "What? That doesn't mean I can't eat this, does it?"

"Nothing can stop you, I guess."

Suzuki couldn't hold an annoyed look. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Instead, the boy rolled his eyes. "Never mind. How's Mirai coping up being a vice?"

"Surprisingly she has come to terms with that. I mean I think she already understands her responsibilities and work done. And surprisingly she is very strict about it, and quite demanding as well."

"Oh?"

"Yeah. During yesterday's practice me and Aoki were snickering at the back of the group and she deemed us misbehaving and gave us extra laps because of that. Ma, I think that's just her messing with us." Suzuki laughed. "But it was fun nonetheless."

"That doesn't sound fun at all."

"Actually, maybe. Anyway, talk to you later!"

Suzuki stared at him and only after taking another small piece of his meal, she got up and returned to her seat, and went on to talk to her chairmates. She heard him snickering behind.

Hmm… Suzuki occasionally stole some glances towards the glasses boy at the far left of the row, staring at the outside field. By now she had realized that the dynamic between them had changed, she thought in a good way. Sure, he was still the same quiet boy with cynical and triggering, and sometimes rude comments often came out of his mouth. Considering how unenthusiastic he usually was, now she felt he was more involved in conversations and interested in some topics.

It was a surprise when he found her at the park. But it was pretty startling when out of nowhere he had asked to watch a movie together, a Hollywood movie which she had no clue about but apparently, he did. On the way to the theater, he told her about the superheroes and past movies. To the point he had told her about the previous Captain America Movie. Suzuki nodded, skeptical about the whole Hydra and super serum thing. Those were never something she found interesting anyway.

BUT, as he explained, he talked faster, his voice lighter, his eyes lit up. That for sure caught something to her, worth listening to.

"The big flying alien reminds so much of a fish called Dunkleosteus." He said suddenly.

"Dun—I'm sorry, what?"

"Dunkleosteus. An ancient giant fish from hundreds of millions ago. It has a very thick skull, kind of like a battering ram. And its scale is said to be very thick and rough, like armour." And apparently she learned that he was into the prehistoric era; dinosaurs and all. "Yeah, that alien reminds me of that."

Unsure on how to respond to that, Suzuki just nodded and asked the basic question of: "Why dinosaurs?" and then she listened more as Tsukishima began a very lengthy discussion related to the documentary of geological exploration and fossil findings. Once again, all the explanations and the Latin words skipped past her brain. Despite all of that, she still thought the same: Tsukishima lit up when he went on and on about something he was passionate about. Gone all the narrowed eyes; they were shining instead. Gone all the smug and condescending smirk, replaced with a smile; so much that she just noticed, he had dimples, much more prominent when grinning.

"—hey, what are you smiling at?"

Suzuki shook her head, laughing. "You have something in your teeth."

She laughed even more when his expression fell and quickly ran his tongue to clean. "Why didn't you tell me?" He grunted, taking the back of a spoon as a mirror.

"Don't rub that off. It suits you, actually."

"Idiot."

"You look more handsome with it."

Tsukishima looked up from the spoon and Suzuki felt an instant tension in her filling stomach, though it was not from the ramen. Oh Suzuki could handle spicy food, alright. It was a steady and abrupt gaze directly to her, she couldn't deal with - from his sharp golden eyes. It made her uncomfortable. What did I just say? She placed her chopstick down, her hands held the warm bowl instead and brought it up to her face to slurp some of the broth. To hide her tightened and reddened face.

She heard a snort, followed by a cackle. This was the first time she ever heard him cackle. "You're such an ass."

From dinosaurs to Tsukishima's old school their bus had travelled past, all the way to a reminder of other school work; there was always something they asked and talked about during the whole ride home. Lengthy conversation and random jokes from the park to back at home, accompanied by each other.

Have you arrived back? She had texted him.

Yeah. Just. He replied not a minute later. Why?

Suzuki nodded to herself. Again, thanks for the movie and everything today. I really enjoy it!

I should be the one thanking you, you know. For agreeing to it.

She couldn't help but snicker. Well go on then, thank me.

Damn you. She laughed at the abrupt text. But, thank you. I'm really glad you like the movie. Anyway, you should get some rest, Suzuki.

Yeah sure. You too Tsukishima. She typed. Also, I've searched the monster fish thing you mentioned. It looks scary.

Oh, so you've found it?

Yes. And it does look like the alien from the movie.

I told you, it looks similar.

Yeah. It looks like you too.

Asshole!

But that was a few days old text. This week was solely focused on homeworks and exercise exams. Sighing, Suzuki automatically took out her book to check on the newly given yet another science work this morning for tomorrow. It seemed she would need to make another message; a call for help.

"Moshi moshi."

"Ano, are you busy?" Suzuki asked through the phone. "You replied to my chat so I assume your volleyball practice has finished."

"Yeah, just got it all cleaned up." From the other side, he replied to the call. "So, science?"

"Yeah. Again unfortunately." Suzuki sighed. "Why do I feel like Tanaka-sensei is torturing me with this?"

"Because you're so bad at this."

"Bah! Who cares about physics anyway." She groaned out loud, rolling around her bed heavily; already putting the call on speaker. "It's not like I want to be a scientist or something."

"Hm, actually this one is a bit hard, I'll admit." He told her, a sound of flipping papers followed. "The problems are different from the examples."

"Even you can't solve it."

"I said it's hard but that doesn't mean I can't do it."

"Wipe that face of yours. I know you are smirking." Even from the voice alone, she could already tell he was very proud of himself as per usual. When he didn't reply, she let out a laugh. "You are, aren't you? Cut it out, Tsukishima."

(He shook his head and snorted quietly, smirking even more.) "Anyway, how far are you with the questions?"

"I had number two, three and eight done. Some I did but I am not sure. Then some I haven't done at all."

"I see. Alright then, wanna check the one you've done? Number two?"

"B."

"Hm, okay. Three?"

"C."

"C? Are you sure? Why?"

"Don't do that to me." Suzuki frowned. "Because it's C. I have calculated it. It's C."

"Fine. It is. Eight?"

"Also C."

"No. This is an exception question. Didn't you read the question?"

Suzuki frowned and read the question again. Since when was there a "not" in the middle of the sentence? She mused. "The 'not' wasn't there before."

"Tch, that's nonsense. You remind me of Hinata just now, always misread the question. Read the question again."

"Yes Tsukishima-senpai."

"Don't call me that!"

"Hai, senpai-kun!"

"Alright, that's enough." (When he heard the loud, free laugh from the girl on the other side of the call, he hung up, smiling wide.)

"Eh!" Suzuki recovered and called him again. He answered with a grunt, and she chuckled. "Hey come on now, help me out with this. Alright, alright, next question please."

Hours later, it was already almost eleven, and the duration of their call was still counting up.