6 Months Later
On the morning of April 1st in her third year of high school, Shizuka was almost late for the train.
Of course it was with her luck that she would sleep through all her alarms, her only saving grace being the sound of her uncle shuffling about in the hallways and sliding the front door closed as he went on his own way. That's how she knew she was already screwing over her schedule, when her uncle was already ahead of his own before she was.
Still, she tried not to think about the stares that watched her as she bounded through the train doors just as they were closing, catching her breath for just one second before finding an empty seat and vigorously brushing through her bird's nest of graying hair. Somehow, despite the train's slightly packed space, she had managed to twist her hair into a half updo. By the time she was finished, putting on her headphones and melting into her seat with a groan of relief, she didn't care if her fellow passengers continued to watch out of annoyance for her unorthodox morning ritual and unfeminine posture, or out of curiosity for her strange natural appearance. There always seemed to be a few new faces every year who couldn't decide if she was real or not, after all.
Mindlessly, as the tunes of her usual train playlist filtered through her headpiece and began to calm her jumping nerves, Shizuka fiddled with the ends of her hair spilling over her shoulders. Though she carried a majority of her mother's genes - especially those that gave her a round face and charcoal eyes - it was her father's genetic makeup which was to blame for her premature silver toned locks.
She could still remember parts of her life when her hair was as black and beautiful as her mother's, the only oddball in looks being her father's gray roots and whiskers sprouting when he was still in his early thirties. But slowly, as she grew older, pieces of her own hair seemed to tire out holding its color, paling and lightening with each new year that came. By the time she had moved to Tokyo for school, almost her entire head had turned white, the tips of her hair being the only thing left that gave any evidence that she was born with a normal hair color. And now, with the start of a new year, and the need for a trim, those last few strands were finally clipped away.
'Betty Crocker? More like Betty White.' She couldn't help but think in amusement before switching her attention to her usual playlists.
It didn't take much longer for the train to pull into her needed station, and soon enough Shizuka allowed herself to be guided by the wave of people also exiting the station.
Luckily enough for her, the cool breeze of spring was kind towards them that morning. As she walked down the path towards Nekoma High School with her other fellow students, Shizuka allowed herself to breathe and her mind to wander aimlessly underneath the gentle rain of cherry blossoms that marked their route. It was a much needed change compared to her stressful wake up call that morning, and she wished she could hang on to the moment for longer than she was allowed.
But eventually, like the song finishing its final note in her ears, her small solace came to an end, and Shizuka registered the familiar sight of the school gates coming into view. Swiftly, she pulled out her phone, working to change her music one final time before a teacher eventually instructed her to put her things away.
That was, until she caught the lingering comments of people whispering behind her.
"The rare specimen, 'Endimosis Shizukus' continues about her day simply. Slithering down paths towards her goal of food and knowledge." One voice teased.
"I hear her change in color is not simply for warding off predators." Another voice whispered just as conspiratorially, "But, also as a sign of her unnatural lifespan."
"That's correct, Rinnosuke. Despite her aging appearance, this beast has only lived for a handful of years and therefore takes her daily quests very seriously."
Shizuka immediately stopped in her tracks and whipped herself around. Unsurprisingly, both Rin and Haru stood right where she expected them to be, smiles terribly hidden as they tried to look unaffected by her sudden acknowledgement.
"She'll also 'very seriously' tie all your shoelaces together when you're not looking if you don't stop."
Somehow, that just made her friends release their laughter, making her roll her eyes as she took off her headphones to walk with them.
"Good morning, Shizu-chan!" Rin greeted affectionately, looping an arm through hers.
"Yeah yea," Shizuka waved away lightly, "How long have you guys been following me for?"
"Since the beginning of the path all the way back there." Haru answered, "We had both called out to you, but you were more distracted than normal. Even with your headphones on. You good?"
"Yeah, just tired." As if to prove it, a large yawn invaded Shizuka's senses and she rubbed at her eyes as though that would relieve her of whatever fatigue remained, "I stayed up late watching the last few movies my dad had sent over and I ended up almost missing the train this morning because of it."
"Wait, I thought you said your dad sent you those movies days ago. It took you that long to finish watching them?"
"There were a lot of movies."
"So you pretty much just spent the entirety of your week break at home watching them?"
"Yes?"
Next to her, Rin frowned, "That sounds a little boring, honestly."
Shizuka only shrugged, "And yet, I had a great time."
"Up until you almost missed the train, I assume." Haru finished for her, smiling when Shizuka tried to kick him in his calf.
Together, the three of them continued on past the gates, following the slowly accumulating groups of students gathering to find their proper class assignments for the year. As if she was unable to contain her excitement, Rin moved to Shizuka's other side, wedging herself between her and Haru in order to hold them both close to her.
"This is it, you guys." Her voice was bubbling, "Our final year! The year where we make the most of everything that happens. Whether it'll be in our club or our class, I can't wait to spend this time with you guys. Together!"
They did not, in fact, stay together.
"Maybe we should have reminded her that the classes were divided by previous test placements?" Shizuka wondered as she walked into Class 5 with Haru.
"I think she might have known about that already." He said, "Maybe that's why she made such a big speech before the inevitable was made clear."
Shizuka snorted, though a part of her still softly lamented having to leave behind their friend in Class 3, the sight of her sad figure waving solemnly after them still etched in her mind.
"I guess seats are already assigned for the first semester?" She said as she made her way closer to the podium at the front of the room, a large book opened on its surface. On the blackboard behind it, the entire class was mapped out, numbers being displayed on each desk chronologically. It didn't take much of a genius for her to figure out the names in the book were supposed to sit at the designated number written next to them.
"Oh woohoo! Lucky me!" Shizuka exclaimed when she found her name, "Back row and window seat!"
"Well, now that's just a bunch of bullcrap." Haru muttered in annoyance, his number leading him all the way on the other side of the room, front row. And right next to the door of all places.
"Hey, think of it this way, Haruo." She patted his shoulder, "If there's ever a fire, you at least know you're the first one out of here."
"So could you if you ever want to just jump out that window for me." He said with a smile.
"Very tempting. I'll consider it. Ask me again after lunch."
Haru gently shoved her head aside, making her huff in amusement as the rest of her was pushed away while he turned to take his leave.
With nothing much else to do but wait for the bell, Shizuka made her way to the back of the class. Other students were already loitering around their desks, chatting with one another for a final moment just before their day officially began. For a moment, Shizuka wondered if she should go back to Haru's desk to do the same. But, as she caught the small flock of birds grazing past and the gentle sway of the treetops outside her new window, she felt a small tug in her heart to stay. If only to decompress more from the tiresome morning.
With a sigh, she sat in her seat and stretched her legs and arms as far as they could go. Then, she curled into her backpack on her lap, allowing the sun to delicately wash over her as she closed her eyes.
Five minutes. She could allow herself to rest for just five minutes…
…
…
…
…do
…Endo…?
"Endo Shizuka?"
If it wasn't the dangerous tone her name was said in that woke her up, then the rough kick to her desk chair definitely did. Shoved a good three centimeters to the side, it took everything in Shizuka's bleary mind not to topple over as she sat upright with wide eyes.
"WHAT?" She exclaimed more out of shock rather than anger. Though, the difference was not noticed by their home room teacher, who glared down the bridge of his sharp nose at her from the front of the class.
"Well, it's nice to see you've finally given us some time out of your precious day." The teacher said with a palpable annoyance, "I would suggest you leave all of your dreaming at home from now, Endo-san."
"Y-Yes…I'm sorry." Shizuka could physically feel her face grow red hot as the rest of the class softly giggled and snickered into their palms.
She did her best to ignore the embarrassment that burned through her skin as she fiddled with her bag, hurriedly setting it aside before anything could fall out of it. She had already made a fool of herself enough as it was, the last thing she needed was for her bag to split itself wide open despite the new stitches she drew in it again.
It wasn't until she set her things to the side, however, that she realized her desk was still shifted off to the side, the evidence of her abrupt awakening clear as day.
And as if realizing this fact themselves, a quiet wheeze huffed next to her on her right.
Frowning, Shizuka quickly readjusted her seat, and turned to glare at the culprit who was also, no doubt, responsible for her disastrous morning—
Only to freeze at the sight of an unfortunately familiar rooster shaped hairdo.
"Kuroo Tetsurō" The teacher called dully as he continued to read off his list.
"Here~" Rooster Top answered beside her. He held his chin in his hand, effectively hiding the smirk that was still etched on his face. But, even Shizuka could hear the amusement laced in his voice. Amusement which she felt to be the target of still.
For a moment though, she couldn't help but stare at the boy's profile, a part of her brain malfunctioning as she tried to make sense of this new reality. She almost choked on her tongue the moment she saw him glance her way, training her eyes back towards the window if only to avoid having to make any unnecessary eye contact.
Still, she fumed.
'Shit.' Shizuka thought in silence, 'Shit. Shit. Shit! SHIT!'
As the teacher continued with taking roll call, she thought back to Haru's earlier jab and wondered if a fall from this height could kill her should she jump out the window now.
"I don't understand what the big deal is." Haru said after their classes were finished.
Together with Rin, their trio made their way to a nearby burger joint, allowing themselves some proper time together after the bustling and boring technicalities of a first day back to school. For Shizuka, however, it ended up becoming a more free space for her to air her grievances. Soon enough after entering the establishment, she found herself wallowing in the corner of their shared booth, her chocolate shake abandoned on the table.
"So, he kicked your butt half way to Timbuktu trying to get you to pay attention to the roll." Haru continued while mindlessly dipping a fry into ketchup, "Really that's on you for both staying up late and attempting to get beauty rest during homeroom."
"It's not because of that." Shizuka whined, "Although thanks for reminding me about it. I was doing pretty well forgetting about it until now."
"Then what is it?"
"You know, Shizu-chan." Rin's voice interrupted as she returned to their booth with her own tray of food, "I've been meaning to ask. But, do you have an ex-boyfriend who used to play sports by any chance?"
"HUH?"
Rin held up her hands in defense, "I was only curious! I mean, you've always seemed like such an athletic person, helping to handle the sets in the theater and running around without looking the least bit tired. But, whenever we do a sport in P.E, you always act as though you're getting your teeth pulled out."
"And you always turn up the music in your headphones whenever we pass by teams practicing outside." Haru pointed out.
"And you always conveniently get your period during the Sports Festival whenever you're assigned to play with a team."
"And don't think I forgot the way you first looked at me when you thought I was still playing Basketball when we first met."
"Okay okay! I get it!" Shizuka groaned before burying her face in her hands, "I have a problem. I should be committed, I know."
"But why, though?" Rin asked again.
It took a moment for Shizuka to answer, her mind reeling as she tried to figure out how to properly explain her thoughts. Eventually, she moved her palms aside, and worked to remove the lid of her shake from the cup instead.
"I just…haven't had the best experience with sports in the past." She said without looking up, "I got involved with a few growing up, whether it was playing it or just watching. But then—well, you guys already know how much my parents and I moved when we were still living in the states. Every place we moved to, every game I played…it was like there was always someone there to ruin it for me. Not an ex, mind you. But, but always someone."
She paused for a moment to steal one of Haru's fries, dipping it into her shake before taking a bite.
"Whenever I think about it now, I can't tell if it was their fault or mine, or if it was a mixture of us both because we were kids and stupid. But either way, the damage was done and now I'm just tired of sports. I've tried too many times to enjoy it again only to be disappointed every time."
"Okay, I guess that makes sense." Haru commented, "So then, what? You're only damage with Kuroo is all because he's on the volleyball team—HEY! Get your own fries if you want more."
Shizuka took her hand away before Haru could slap it, stealing her last few from his pile and sticking them into her drink.
"I guess so…" She mumbled bashfully while looking away. Even she had to admit how silly her reasoning sounded once it all left her mouth.
"Well that doesn't really seem fair." Rin said, "I mean, from what Haru's told us, this Kuroo guy doesn't seem like he's done anything wrong by you besides being on a sports team. And, I guess, almost knocked you from your seat."
"Yeah, and you didn't even know he existed until several months ago when he and Kozume stopped by after the show during the Cultural Festival." Haru added.
Shizuka slowly slid down in her seat, her cheeks flushing as the truth in her friends' words rang clear.
"It's not like I expected to never run into another sport again." She confessed, "I just, well…"
"'Well'?"
"It's complicated, I guess."
"'It's complicated.'" Rin and Haru both said happily, as though they'd been waiting for her to say it.
"The classic Shizu-chan answer!"
"The world just isn't right until she whips that out at least once."
"I hate the both of you." Shizuka muttered despite their smiles, "And you know what? I just hate volleyball too. It's stupid, and it's tiring, and it's just…stupid."
"Well, don't go saying that in front of Kuroo." Haru warned, "He'll spend the rest of his life trying to convince you otherwise."
Shizuka scowled at the idea and ate the rest of her stolen fries in silence.
Haru seemed to take pity on her then, "Look, I may not completely understand why you're so hung up on sports and the people who play them. But, it's not like the two of you need to be friends just because you sit next to each other.
"Kuroo is…annoying honestly. He'll find ways to push your buttons just because he likes to get a rise out of you. But, even he won't cross any boundaries if he sees that there is one. I don't know what these other people must have done to disappoint you so badly in the past, but if you really don't want him to bother you, I can vouch for him enough to assure you he won't. If you don't give him a reason to, of course."
Shizuka huffed, "Of course."
Beside her, Rin perked up a bit, "Oh! But, you finally told us a little bit more about when you were growing up, Shizu-chan! You never do! I was beginning to think your parents just built you like a lego piece and sent you on your way to Tokyo for high school."
That got a genuine laugh out of her, "Well, there's really not much to tell! The most exciting bit is literally just my family and I moving from state to state at least once a year."
"Yes, well now you gotta tell us what sports you used to play! Before you cut yourself off, I mean."
"Uh, well soccer primarily. I probably did that one the longest, playing as goalie. I touched baseball and basketball for like half a second before I stopped. Tried doing track for a year in middle school. And then…"
A memory flashed through her mind, painting an image from when she first moved to Japan almost eight years ago now.
The heat of the sun bearing down on the grass.
The shadows of a net slipping in between her fingers.
The sting of her arms and the sweat on her skin as she continued to watch the path of a ball flying in the air.
And the ecstatic smile of a boy who just barely managed to fake her out.
"That's it." Shizuka said simply as she blinked back to their corner of reality.
"That's it?" Rin asked in confusion.
"That's it."
"That's it?" Haru said next.
"What? Did you guys suddenly turn into parrots? Why are you repeating everything?"
"No, it's just…you were making it sound as though you played more sports than that."
"I did say if I wasn't playing something, I was watching it be played." She pointed out, "I once caught a foul ball during one of my first baseball games I saw and even got one of the players to sign it afterwards."
"Really?!" Rin asked in awe, "Which baseball player?"
Shizuka grinned and tossed her hair over her shoulder, "I don't remember."
"Knowing you, you probably asked someone from the other team to sign it by accident." Haru laughed.
As Shizuka did her best to defend herself - which she already knew she was doing a terrible job at when her first argument was to point out she had no idea where her family was during that time either - the three of them quickly stepped back into the rhythm of things. Topics came and went, and eventually they had no more reason to talk about classes, or seating assignments, or rooster headed volleyball players.
But still, as she rode the train back home that evening, Shizuka couldn't help but think back on her whole situation.
'Just one year.' She had to remind herself painfully, 'I can handle being in the same class for just one year.'
And then afterwards, finally, she'll be free.