"Zaki!~ Please!~ Please! Convince Akashi for us." Hayama beamed ever since Hotaru arrived at the gymnasium.
"You know that it's not something I am capable of, Hayama-san." She smiled weakly, trying not to make it sound as a rejection or else, he would sulk right to her front.
"P-P-Pleaseee~?"
How did he manage to make those puppy eyes were beyond her knowledge. Somehow those green pupils looked really helpless that it became harder to decline once more.
His clasped hands were slowly getting nearer to her face that she had to step back twice to hinder the closeness.
"O-Okay, I will try but I am not going to promise anything." she said, earning the power forwards' satisfaction.
"If I know, you just want play around." Mibuchi Reo sneered beside. This was replied by a wide grin from Hayama.
Hotaru only sighed.
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And that brought the girl to the current situation, with her facing the redhead.
A sudden paused was made, Akashi Seijuro lifted the tip of his pen on the surface as he turned to look at the girl. His desk, with tons of documents placed on top, separated the two from each other.
"It wouldn't be bad to relax for a while before the Inter-high begins, right?" The girl smiled.
Akashi sighed quietly, shifting his head downwards just a little. "You should know it best Hotaru, I don't have the time for leisure activities."
That was true, but she wouldn't suggest this idea without plan. She knew his schedules better than anyone and just like that, she also knew how to turn a leisure activity to an educational/important one, in a way where he could consider and might as well agree.
"I know a place. There's this one that offers some facilities that our own gymnasium is lacking. Please think about it again, Seijuro-sama." She informed as she placed one brochure to his front. She already made a research beforehand because she knew this would happen. And Hotaru made sure to pick a venue where it would be hard for him to deny.
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"A recreational activity?" Hotaru repeated blankly at the blonde.
When Hayama requested Hotaru to convince their captain, it was only on whim. After all, the consistent stressful and tiring menus that Akashi gave were seriously affecting their social life, especially Hayama's.
Maybe Akashi was so used to this kind of pressure, dedicating his entire time to studying and training, but that wasn't the case to his teammates.
At least, they wanted to have a breathing. The power forward of the team reasoned to the girl.
"That's not true, Hayama-san." She opposed it right away.
Hayama blinked.
It was situation like this where he could easily notice how fond the girl was with their captain. And honestly, it was one of his wonders. Such loyalty was way too much for students and teenagers like them, wasn't it?
Anyway, he knew that trying to understand how the mind of these two worked would only make his head ache.
He grinned at the girl, brushing the slight tension he created due to that comment.
"What about a beach? Or maybe a festival? Oh! Like onsen? Hmmm~" Hayama went on, squinting the already pointed eyes while pressing forefinger on the skin around his chin.
The girl gave it a thought.
In the span of seconds while Hayama Kotarou contemplated what kind of place they should go, she was already thinking the benefits that this kind of activity would give to Akashi if ever they proceeded.
Then, an image of the red head frowning at the documents in his hand popped out inside her mind.
Yes, that was probably the normal and usual sight of Akashi Seijuro from her eyes, she thought. Maybe Hayama was right. It wouldn't be bad to change that view at the very least and made him relax once in a while.
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Akashi read everything that the place had to offer. She was right. However, his schedule might not go along with this plan.
The girl suddenly spoke. The redhead moved his eyes at the corner of his eyelids as he listened.
"Two weeks from now, you'll have two days free."
His eyes twitched. "How did that happen?"
The fact that a free schedule occurred meant she did something. Akashi knew this.
Of course, she wouldn't bring it up if she didn't have a proper or at least a convincing plan beforehand.
The girl looked at him placidly, making her very best to not look suspicious at all. He must believe that this happened coincidentally and she was only taking the opportunity to let it fall on the day of that activity. "Sagamono-san has an emergency at Tokyo, he will not be able to meet you."
Akashi paid her with the same eyes, watching her as if he was trying to read her mind.
He folded the brochure back to the way it was before sliding it to the sides. Leaning his back at this chair, he spoke. "You must have planned it very well, Hotaru."
Nevertheless, the girl knew that hiding it was a futile act in front of Akashi Seijuro.
"Then I suppose I could go along with it." In the end, the redhead had no other reason to decline as he finally agreed.
Hotaru bowed deeply, "Thank you."
Without any ado, she began the preparation.
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"Woah!~, It's the nature!~" Hayama Koutarou's eyes were glittering as he watched the scenery passing by from his seat inside the bus.
Everywhere was nature. It was something far from the dust of the gymnasium and pressuring eyes of the coach, he thought.
This time, it was fresh air, festival food and nature. Of course, there was also one hell of a special training menu from Akashi, but he could just forget that for the meantime. For now, he should try and enjoy the place while he could.
When they arrived at the inn where they would be staying, the energetic forward was also the first one to go off of the bus as he quickly stormed around the place.
"Ah geez, he's like a child." Mibuchi Reo grimaced as his eyes trailed at the blonde until he was nowhere to be seen.
"And you're like the nagging Mother, Reo-san." Hotaru teased while going her way down the bus. She stopped and stood behind the taller male.
Mibuchi quickly dropped his annoyed face to look at the girl. "It's a good thing that you also came, Zaki-chan." he clasped his hands adorably while blinking at the girl.
Hotaru just smiled to his remark, appreciating what he said. After all, she did a lot of insisting to Akashi Seijuro just to allow her to come.
As someone who wasn't really affiliated with the club's training procedures, it really took her quite a lot to convince Akashi. Maybe, the only reason that made the redhead agree was to make her quiet.
Anyhow, it wasn't like she would be a burden there.
Meanwhile, inside the bus, there was a certain student who felt opposite of everyone.
No matter how he looked at it, there was nothing to be so excited about, well, for him.
These freshmen and sophomores were overreacting, he commented through his mind.
At all cost, he must not be dragged by these students who probably believed they were on a field trip.
He sighed before squinting his eyes at the sudden brightness outside the bus.
"I appreciate your participation here, Mayuzumi-san." His eyes fell at the redhead who appeared beside him.
For some reason, the current situation confirmed how short his captain was, seeing how he could seem to level until his chin only.
A pair of bored gray eyes gazed at the shorter person.
What was it? What did he just say again? Appreciate? It wasn't like he wanted this. If he would be honest, the only reason he came was because this very person standing beside him said so. And oh, could he even disagree to that? Mayuzumi wasn't really sure of it himself, but something was really off about this first year that made him unable to oppose, everytime.
They went inside and headed to their own rooms.
Most of them stayed in group. The only ones who occupied a room for their selves were Akashi and Hotaru. That was only a given for Akashi as he had some works to do even though they were on a trip while Hotaru, as the only girl, made it only necessary even though most of the time, she would surely be in Akashi's room. Being the attendant and the vice president of the student council, she must be with him at all times. That was like the unspoken rule she had with herself, no matter what, when or where they were.
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"What about the festival? Let's go! Let's go!~" Hayama kept spazzing around the rest of the players.
Mibuchi could ignore it as he was already used to it but the moment Hayama appeared directly in front of his face while shouting a "Reo-nee! Festivaaaal, I'm hungry." made him lost his composure.
He couldn't help but spoke in irritation. "Oh my god! Could you calm down a bit?!" he pressed his nerves after.
"Reo, chill."
He looked at the person who commented who was no other than Nebuya Eichiki.
Chill? Well, he could say the same to him. They just had their lunch and he was already munching those protein snacks. Yes, chill, indeed. You also chill with those foods.
Reo frowned deeper.
"Ahhh! Reo-nee, a line just formed in your face!"
"Ugh shut it." .
This was not what he signed for. He didn't come for this, Reo thought.
Someone... someone save him.
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"What is with that long face Reo-san?" Hotaru greeted the tall player who seemed drained and tired despite the training not yet starting.
He sighed. "It's because Kota-"
"Eh?! But I didn't do anything!? Reo-nee?" Hayama reacted right away, without waiting for Reo to finish.
The spiky-like tooth peeked outside as he protested.
Mibuchi held one side of his head. This same head of him would definitely explode if this didn't put to stop, he thought.
Hotaru watched the reaction of the two before she chuckled, "You guys are lively as always, especially you, Hayama-san."
"Zaki too?!" the blonde cried out exasperatedly. I'm not even doing anything here. But that was what he thought.
"I can see that you're currently enjoying yourselves but could we start now?" Someone suddenly interrupted. Although his words actually appeared pretty much formal and respectful, the three students couldn't deny the impatience of his tune.
Hayama slightly pouted, mumbling something along the line of 'What's his problem'?
Mibuchi remembered his offer to Mayuzumi the last time. He asked him to try practicing with him so he could get his self used to this ability that the third year was currently mastering, of course with accordance to Akashi's will.
Last time, they talked at the school's gymnasium and agreed to do it during this trip. The black-haired student had his eyes softened. Like a quick change of character, he also thought of preparing his self to teach the newly joined member some proper etiquette also called as 'socializing' during that practice. For the time being, he would agree with him, they might be wasting too much time from talking and so, "Yes, sorry for the wait, Mayuzumi-san." He said and formed a small smile as he walked past Hayama and Hotaru. He was then followed by the blonde.
Meanwhile, Hotaru didn't bother to move nor acknowledge the third year. She just remained still in her position, face still directed at the spot where Mibuchi was at a while ago, making her back the one facing Mayuzumi.
Their last conversation —if it was safe to consider as one— didn't end well. The bitterness was still lingering in her eyes. Despite that, he was right.
In all honesty, they weren't even friends to begin with.
What were they even?
Ah, that was right. They were strangers who just happened to share one place for a while and read the same book...somehow. Aside from that, there was nothing else. And so, greeting him at this moment was unnecessary. That was what she concluded inside her mind.
However, without her knowing, the sight of that 'stranger' was drawn to her figure.
He knew why she was like this and that was fine. It was how they should be.
He didn't care, he thought.
When Hotaru sensed that he already went inside the court, she finally turned to sit at the bench to watch quietly.
Hayama was with them, the four regulars began playing against the other first stringers. Akashi was just watching and observing. His eyes were focused specially at the person whom he was currently cultivating to be the modern sixth man.
The girl wondered for a while as to what exactly this ability that Akashi was referring to —the misdirection. But to no luck, she didn't really understand basketball that much no matter how much she paid detailed attention to everyone's movement.
The least thing she could do was make a guess and develop a theory.
Afterwards, Akashi finally joined the game.
Ah...
He's really good at everything, she thought. Even though he was undeniably the shortest in the team, his skills could easily fill that shortcoming.
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"That's amazingly crazy! How could you do that kind of pass Mayuzumi-san!?"
Indeed, this was the first time that the three uncrowned generals experienced how misdirection worked.
Surely, it was something else, quite an unusual skill to polish in the world of basketball. Although it amazed the whole team especially the regulars, Hayama was the only one to vocally praise the play-style of Mayuzumi.
Anyhow, did they expect that Mayuzumi would be all giddy and happy hearing those flowery words? Much more, be appreciative? Nah, it wasn't like he did that for them or for the team. It was all for his own self satisfaction.
He turned his back from the blonde's glowing expression, somewhat irked with the sudden friendliness that the sophomore was giving. Wasn't he being salty towards him a while ago?
He went to sit on the floor to take a few minutes of rest.
"Here." A girl's voice chimed in as his sight fell on a white towel.
Mayuzumi rolled up his eyes and found her black orbs glinted at him. He blinked, confused with the sudden approach. Adding the innocent-like smile she had made it even more out-of-placed.
Mayuzumi couldn't comprehend if he was being annoyed or mocked. He didn't mind receiving the fabric cloth but something felt off. Didn't they just share an awkward situation a while ago? Weren't they supposed to be ignoring or not minding each other? Or maybe, this girl was testing his patience.
He smirked all quietly under his breath. Was it totally her habit? Annoying the hell out of his carefree life?
In the end, he was unable to surpass the slight frowning of his brows as he took the towel from her possession.
He needed something to wipe his sweat after all. Her timing was just right. Mayuzumi wanted to dry the sweats surfacing around his forehead and back.
"Thanks."
Hotaru nodded a little.
Mayuzumi looked back at her through the spaces of his bangs.
She still had that smile.
To that, he chose to ignore.
From afar, he noticed her giving the same kind of cloth to every player. Now, he would assume that she was definitely the club's manager judging those actions.
Next, she stood beside the redhead as if conversing something serious. Their faces were too plain if he would define it.
Few minutes later, he finally snapped. There it was again. He was watching her again, unintended.
This could be the product of what Akashi told him to do —the 'people watching' task. However, Akashi might have instructed him to do it but only for his teammates and opponents.
Observing a certain girl was not included anyhow, never and not at all.
This must be stopped, he thought as he averted his sight from her.
Going back from the start, he remembered how she would constantly tell him to stay away at the rooftop. Then all of a sudden, she occupied the same place while reading the same books that he had.
Unknowingly, his gray eyes searched for her profile once again. The first thing that he noticed was the length of her black hair, how it seemed to have gotten longer since the first time they met at the rooftop.
Mayuzumi cocked his head just slightly as he contemplated the girl.
Come to think of it, how come they were in the same place every time? Was she really the manager? This didn't appear to be a mere coincidence. Was this all her plan? Was the forbidding of the rooftop only an alibi to get closer because she was actually keeping an eye on him so she could rant his doings to Akashi?
Well, there could be a possibility.
The scenes were connecting, somehow, especially Akashi's sudden appearance at the rooftop.
They could have plotted this together against him.
Well... How awful.
How annoying.
It was like unknowingly losing in a game he didn't participate with.
"Mayuzumi-san..." A pair of green eyes blinked.
Since when did he get an acquaintance beside him?
He blankly shifted his gaze to the blonde.
"How do you like Festival?~ 'Coz for me...well, I like it!~ Let's go!"
Mayuzumi frowned. Nothing annoyed him the most more than a baseless friendship.
At first, they were acting as if they didn't like him and now that he somehow made them aware of his ability, they were all acting friendly.
Ha...
Then, he noticed another's arrival.
"It's not like you'd be doing something after this, right?" Mibuchi said, though he only said that to convince him. If Reo could, he would really love to gather more presence just to avoid Hayama's constant rowdiness that the blonde seemed to direct at him all the time. Like, he had the option to bother Nebuya Eikichi so why must he pay all his attention to him? He only wanted a peaceful and quiet life inside the basketball club.
Mayuzumi was about to decline when he heard another person guffaw behind. To his surprise, it was followed by a deep voice saying "That's right, we're gonna eat some barbeques as well."
Ah...Nebuya Eikichi...
Now, there were three people.
"Ohh! Barbeque 'ya say?! That's gonna be fun, then!" Hayama beamed.
Mayuzumi couldn't get the right timing to speak due to the liveliness of the group. They began talking to one another, planning their next move for this festival and somehow, he was included.
"Ah, let's also invite Akashi and Zaki." Hayama suggested as he looked around to search for the two.
Mayuzumi blinked. "Zaki?" He mumbled, directed to his self only. But that stole Hayama's attention. After all, wasn't that his first time to actually speak in front of the energetic sophomore?
Hayama already had his hands in a circle, placed in front of his eyes, as if imitating a telescope, when he dropped both arms to look back at the gray haired player. He blinked twice, "…I can't believe Zaki's name is the first word you ever said to me." Hayama nonchalantly noted.
On the other hand, Mibuchi Reo noticed something different on that remark. "Hmm, don't tell me you don't know Zaki-chan?"
So... Zaki is her name.
After all these times, he actually didn't know her name. The thought of wanting to know wasn't just there, ever since.
He lifted his head to look at the taller shooter in his front. "The manager..." Mayuzumi trailed off.
"Mibuchi pulled his head back, smiling a little. Ahh...So that is it... "I see..." he spoke under his breath.
"Eh? Zaki is not the manager." Hayama informed, "There, that person, Higuchi-san, is our manager."
"Don't point your fingers like that. It's rude."
"Hm? But I'm only showing Mayuzumi-san who is our manager." As innocent as always, Hayama replied.
Mibuchi could only sigh, shrugging his shoulder as well.
"You have to get yourself used to that if you're really planning on joining us." Nebuya suddenly chimed in, sitting beside Mayuzumi. He nodded at the direction of the two co-players. "...they are always bickering with each other."
Mayuzumi glanced a little. He could actually tell that just by looking.
Anyway, it should be fine. He didn't plan on getting too attached to this group.
One thing was inside his mind at the moment, if that girl wasn't the manager then what was she on this club? Suddenly the theory he just formed a while ago shattered. He was back from the start. Just who was she exactly?
"Ah, there he is, Akashi." Nebuya interrupted.
Hayama, like a kid, quickly approached the red head. Just behind him was the girl.
Mayuzumi looked at her secretly, still hiding his eyes behind his long bangs. Really, these strands of long hair that irked him some time actually had purpose.
So,
...not the manager huh...
He lifted one brow. 'People-watching' might not be that hard but analyzing one's character was definitely something he wasn't good at.
Well, why would he even have to analyze her?
Just... let it go.
He must not care about this, or her.
Curiosity should have limits.
Hayama's arms were unstable in the air, constantly moving in wary while explaining the plan to the red head, of course with hopes of convincing him. He even said how it was the most interesting part of the trip. He earned a slight frown from his captain. The purpose of this trip wasn't to leisure around but to practice, declining in the end.
Hayama knew that as well. However, what would be the point of this trip if they would just spend the whole time practicing, right? He shifted his head behind to call for a back up. Eyes shot at the taller player in an instant. Reo-nee!
Mibuchi winced before sighing.
Well, he actually would like to see that festival a bit. It wasn't a bad idea anyhow so he approached them and gave his opinion. "Sei-chan, I think it wouldn't hurt. Just consider it as an award for today's success, neh?"
"Ahm, Eto, please Akashi!" Hayama clasped his hand and tried his best to imitate a puppy's eyes.
The captain sighed, "Well, just this once then."
Hayama pulled up a fist, eyes almost glowing. "Yay! F-e-s-t-i-v-a-l!"
"Stop it. Are you a child?" Reo grimaced.
And so they went on.
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Then...
For some reason, a certain third year who didn't remember agreeing on joining was included in the group. And oh god, he regretted coming. Why did he let his self be carried in the flow? Especially of Hayama? Ah... He wished he could turn back time and run away right before the blonde approached him.
Escaping also crossed his mind but Hayama wouldn't leave his side.
He was so talkative. Almost every stall, he had a comment, as if he specifically gave thought to each of them.
Meanwhile, just behind the two, Mibuchi was at ease. If not because of Mayuzumi's presence, Hayama Koutaro would definitely be paying much attention to him instead.
At least the only thing he had to endure was the noisy sound created by the tanned player beside him as he endlessly munched his food.
All is well, somehow.
On to the next pair...
Reo blinked and suddenly stopped his pace. Behind him, there should be another pair following them but all he saw was an empty spot.
"Oh, where's Zaki-chan?" he inquired. To think he even noticed one stall that he thought she might like, what a waste that she wasn't here. "There's cotton candy over there, I thought she'd like to try."
"Eh... look for Akashi, they are always together anyway." Hayama commented as he put his arms behind his head.
That stole Mayuzumi's senses.
Always?
Now that he said that...
"...Why is that?" he asked, out of nowhere.
Again, it took the blonde in surprise. Mayuzumi hadn't yet spoken 10 words to Hayama but whenever he did, it would always be related to the girl.
Surely, that seemed too strange, when Hayama thought about it.
The sophomore player blinked and decided to tease the third year. "Say, why are you only talking when it involves Zaki?"
Mayuzumi didn't falter, despite how inappropriate the question sounded to his ears. He made it sound like he was sort of interested in that girl. Curiosity could kill the cat, didn't he know that?
But, not that he was one to talk.
"Never mind, forget that I asked."
Hayama grinned, was that bullseye? "I see, I see. 'Ya like Zaki?"
In a split of second, Mayuzumi frowned at the rowdy player who was beside him, before ignoring him completely. He began his pace, leaving the blonde behind.
Hayama Koutarou was taken aback, arms dropped to the sides of his body in the process as he plastered a pouty lips. Clearly, he was just kidding. Maybe Mayuzumi actually didn't know how to handle a joke.
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He walked and walked without a particular destination in mind.
And after a long while, when he thought he had finally gotten far from the rest, he suddenly stopped, noticing two familiar faces.
Of all people, why did it have to be him to find these two? Where was this thing they called 'luck' when you needed it the most?
Maybe he was really not the most fortunate person around.
He didn't want to see these two, not at all.
Mayuzumi sighed quietly.
From his position, if he would judge the sight he was having, he could assume that the two were like a couple in the middle of a date.
They were standing to each other side by side. They were in front of a stall that had tons of books arranged almost like those in libraries.
He put his hands inside the pocket of his jersey jacket.
He saw the girl form a small smile. It wasn't directed to the redhead but in a certain book in front of her.
'I see, I see. 'Ya like Zaki?'
Suddenly remembering Hayama's question sent frown to his eyebrows.
He scoffed.
Just who would like who?
There was a long long sigh of annoyance, irritation and everything alike on his end. This was tiring, he thought.
Nevertheless, his eyes trailed at the book she took with her hand.
Somehow, he couldn't ignore the fact that he recognized the title. The character written in it might be too small but he knew the art cover.
From his position, a few meters away, he could tell. That was the volume 2 of the LN he was reading.
The LN they both read.
He could only guess one reason as to why she took it.
She has not yet read it.
Tsk.
Why was he even thinking about that? And why was he even watching them, especially her?
One foot stepped back.
He was thinking of going back to the inn to avoid any interactions between him and those two.
Not to her, not when the redhead was there.
His sight was focused on the ground, eyeing the concrete flooring as if it had something interesting to offer.
He just had to follow his right foot and he could be freed from this situation or any possible unwanted scenarios.
Yes, that was simple until a voice chimed in, from behind.
"There you are Mayuzumi-san!" Instantly, he felt an arm arching around the back of his neck.
Seriously, what was luck?
"Ooh, Zaki and Akashi as well! Heh, could it be that you knew where they are?"
The redhead and the girl turned in unison, recognizing the energetic voice of Hayama.
"So this is where you are Zaki-chan, Sei-chan." Reo said, gazing around the area as he approached nearer to the two, wondering what they were doing.
The girl quickly let the book off from her possession, tossing it carefully over the other collections.
Akashi went ahead to face Mibuchi Reo. "Sorry that we lost you." he said, wandering his eyes to the group.
The girl also came closer, just stopping behind the redhead as she acknowledged the group with a slight nod.
This time, the rest of the group, Hayama, Mayuzumi, and Nebuya, gathered with them as well. Though, in Mayuzumi's case, Hayama had to drag him to join them from coming face to face with the captain.
Among all, Hayama was already enjoying the situation, given the fact that he somehow already had an idea to liven the meeting. His eyes were almost grinning due to amusement. He shot a look past Akashi's shoulder while calling the girl's attention. "Neh, Zaki."
"Yes, Hayama-san?" Hotaru blinked unknowingly.
Hayama playfully spoke, cupping his palm on the side of his mouth as if to whisper something. However, he delivered his words loudly, purposely letting the other students from hearing. "'Ya know what, I'm gonna tell you something interesting." He giggled. "Actually, Mayuzu-"
One second passed, Mayuzumi gritted his teeth in the inside as he immediately hit the shoulder of the blonde lightly. "Ah sorry, I saw an annoying ant crossing." he deadpanned.
"Aw! T-that hurts!"
Well he wouldn't be satisfied if it didn't.
Hotaru smiled, assuming that what just happened was an actual proof that they were getting along.
"Anyway, where did you two go?" It was Mibuchi that spoke, completely ignoring what Hayama began, assuming it was just another nonsensical stuff.
"Nowhere in particular." Akashi answered.
"Oh, shall we continue then? There are more stalls ahead."
The group continued strolling around, stopping at some stalls from time to time. They also tried playing in some booths which were led by Hayama who seemed to be the one enjoying the most.
Nebuya was doing fine, tasting each of the food stalls.
Mibuchi, on the other hand, was the first one to give up. His legs were already killing him. He was tired. This long walk surely consumed almost all of his remaining energy.
That being said, he went his way to sit on the wooden bench near the shooting booth where the blonde was at.
They didn't notice the transition of the bright afternoon into the early night. It was already dark before they knew.
The consecutive beautiful and decorative lamp illuminated the pathways.
Though there wasn't enough lamp near the spot that Mibuchi chose to rest, he didn't mind as long as it could provide a place to ease his legs for a while.
The remaining three of the group followed Reo.
"How could he enjoy that much?" Mibuchi mused, referring to Hayama who probably had an infinite supply of energy.
Akashi also sat on the same bench, closing his eyes in the meantime.
Hotaru was just watching the movements of her superior. She knew he was in the middle of thinking about the unfinished task he left in his room. It might be that he was already plotting what he would write so that when he got back, he'd just have to write down the ideas he accumulated.
But this was not how it supposed to be, Hotaru thought.
"Seijuro-sama" She called, just to cut and brush away his thoughts.
It shouldn't be like this.
The purpose of this trip was for him to relax, that was what she planned.
Akashi opened his eyelids in half.
"Would you like to eat something?" Hotaru asked out of nowhere.
Akashi stood up, putting his hands in the pockets of his pants as he spoke. "No." He looked at her,
"Moreover, I just remember something." The girl waited for his next words until she saw his shoulder brushed past her.
She lifted one foot, preparing to follow his steps when Akashi suddenly paused, "There's no need to come, I'll be quick."
The girl parted her mouth.
A few seconds had already passed when she bowed at his figure that slowly became part of the crowd.
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The festival wasn't that big.
In fact, it was just like a normal one but Akashi didn't have much experience of attending festivals due to the tightness of this schedule.
The same would be applied to her. If Akashi was busy, then so was she.
That was why an opportunity like this, to enjoy a festival, should be a blessing; a blessing that must be enjoyed to the core.
Yet, there he was, physically present but his mind was at the documents he left.
Though she was not one to talk, clearly, she wasn't enjoying the event either way. Her mind and attention were too focused at the redhead. She didn't even notice that her acquaintances had already gone somewhere, yet again.
Nebuya was already busying his self with his pre-meal before dinner at the inn.
Hayama, well, he was trying a different booth and for Mibuchi, his attention was all over the stall meant for souvenirs.
There was no one behind her, Hotaru assumed, that, until her eyes fell on a certain someone who was resting casually on the bench nearby.
Mayuzumi Chihiro.
His head was turned in the opposite direction. When she checked what it was that he was looking at, the scenery of consecutive line of trees engulfed in the darkness greeted her.
There wasn't any lamp post over there.
It was scary to imagine someone going inside that forest-like place. Yet, why was he looking in that place?
She put her hands together, clasping them properly in front. Hotaru made her way to sit at the same bench where Mayuzumi was at, keeping enough distance from him.
She knew speaking won't be good, considering what just happened last time and that was why she decided to remain quiet while waiting for Akashi.
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Well, isn't this awkward? The thought crossed Mayuzumi's mind as he faced forward, eyeing a probably newly-planted plant on the ground.
This festival wasn't fun at all, he added in his mind.
Mayuzumi knew that he was being accompanied by someone. The girl, whom he had no idea what the purpose or job in the club, moreover, even her name. She was just beside him and from his peripheral view, she seemed to be wiggling a foot.
Unknowingly, his eyes shifted a bit to watch. Every now and then he would find his self curiously wondering about her and why she was always with Akashi.
"Mayuzumi-san" she called all of a sudden.
He averted, putting his sight back to where it was originally located.
"I hope you don't mind me being here."
He blinked.
Why? It wasn't like he owned this bench.
"...it's fine."
The girl nodded slowly, smiling a bit to herself. He was really a man of few words.
And then it was silent again.
He probably already noticed everything that he could in the surrounding from his right and front but never to his left.
Of course, his eyes couldn't turn in that direction because of her and he didn't want her to get the idea that he was being wary of her.
It had been quite a while since they shared the rooftop. He became busy after becoming a regular.
He sighed quietly and shot a small and short glance.
"Zaki" he called, remembering how Hayama addressed the girl.
This quickly caught her attention.
The girl blinked at him, parting her mouth at first before closing it once again. A small glint of smile crossed her face.
Mayuzumi frowned a bit.
Did he say something wrong? She seemed to be surprised.
Then one thought snapped right inside his mind. Could that name be her first name? Was that the kind of expression a stranger would put on when called by another stranger with their first name?
His eyes, for a second, widened upon that realization.
What a mistake, nevertheless, that should make them even because despite them not being friends, she was aware of his name all along.
Hotaru ducked her head.
No one except the uncrowned generals called her with that nickname. In fact, it was them that gave her that.
"But pronouncing 'Sa' twice is too much of an effort, I feel like my tongue is twisting." She remembered Hayama saying once.
"Zaki is a cute name though.".Mibuchi commented.
And Nebuya, well, he just went along with the two.
She didn't mind that, really.
As Akashi's teammates, she wouldn't mind that.
Yet, somehow, hearing it from Mayuzumi's voice made her shy.
A hue of pink surfaced her cheeks.
"...Sorry, forget it." Mayuzumi countered, what was her surname again? He couldn't recall hearing once.
Hotaru shook her head, airing one palm in protest. "No. I think...it's fine." she smiled, still quite embarrassed.
That wasn't the issue. Mayuzumi just wouldn't want to address her by first name if possible.
People might get the wrong idea, he thought. In order to avoid this, there was only one option.
Knowing that she seemed to be everywhere he went, interacting from time to time was inevitable so it was only natural to have something he can use to address the girl.
"What is your family name?"
But the third year student could tell from her face that she really meant it when she said it was fine.
What's with the disappointed face?
It was taking quite a long time for her to answer.
Well, not that he cared if she wouldn't want to say it.
He could just continue referring her as 'that girl'.
Hotaru won't admit it but she was a bit disappointed when he asked for her surname, sensing his dislike with the usage of that other name. Why was it though?
Whenever others call her by that nickname, she felt closer to them.
There was really a distance between her and Mayuzumi, as it seemed.
"...Sasazaki" Her hands fell on her lap while slightly turning her torso to face the sides of his body directly.
Mayuzumi noted the slowness of her gestures. Just every time, he felt like he could point out her every movement in complete detail, as if she was very careful in everything she did.
"I have never introduced myself properly. I apologize." She smiled faintly.
The slight knitting of the skin between her brows caught his sight.
That was the first time he had seen that. To be honest, it didn't suit her face. He wouldn't admit it but the smile suited her best.
His eye twitched realizing the thoughts he had.
All of a sudden, the girl stood up and went to his front.
What is she up to?
She bowed her head a little.
Mayuzumi pulled his head back in slight surprise.
Is this a class introduction?
So much formality...
"Sasazaki, My name is Sasazaki Ho-"
"Sorry for the wait."
Mayuzumi blinked and heard nothing after that. Next thing he saw was the sight of a certain redhead approaching the girl from behind.
And just like that, as if she was not in the middle of introducing herself, she already turned her way to greet the person who just came back.
The attention that he seemed to have for him was gone.
"Ah. Welcome back."
There it was again.
Akashi was like a shining prince who came back for his princess.
And she was like hailing too much over him. Like a damsel longing for her savior.
It was something that Mayuzumi couldn't figure out.
What were they? What was the relationship between them?
"Where are the others?" The redhead asked.
Hotaru told him their current whereabouts.
Somehow, the remaining person present, who actually didn't cause any problem, was left out from his position.
Akashi's eye only took acknowledgement of him and then that was all.
He didn't even ask why Mayuzumi wasn't wandering or at least trying to enjoy the event like others.
There weren't any words uttered either.
Mayuzumi preferred it that way.
"Ah, shall I call them?" She suggested.
"No, let's just go to where they are so we can head back altogether."
Hotaru nodded and smiled before turning on her back once again.
Mayuzumi was caught off guard for a second time, blinking away from the face she was giving. "Let's go..." She trailed off, the third year glanced and saw the short hesitation on her face before mentioning his name. "...Mayuzumi-san."
Then there was that smile again.
Sasazaki...
He watched the back of the two students walking ahead.
What they were, indeed.
Really, this festival was far from being fun... probably, or might as well not at all.
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