My alarm rang and I groggily moved my hand to my alarm clock for what seemed like the fourth time today which it probably was. I sighed and checked my phone, I was late, late enough to miss early morning basketball practice but I couldn’t care less since it was the first day of school.

I entered my contacts and dialled my friend, Misaki.

“Hello.” I heard her slur, I could tell she had just woken up.

“Are you coming to school today?”

“Hell nah, you know I won’t be there till next week.”

“It’s our second year at high school.”

“I fail to see your point.”

“You’re impossible.”

“Thank you for the compliment.”

“That wasn’t a compliment and you know it.”

“It’s fun to annoy you, I bet your face is all red right now.” I huffed and ended the call.

I got up, running a hand through my dark hair before heading to my bathroom. I quickly brushed my teeth and took a bath before changing into my ironed uniform, I put on my shoes and carried my bag before running downstairs.

“Not so fast Arata.” I stopped myself from opening the door and looked at my mother, raising a brow.

“You know what mum is going to say and yet you pretend to be an idiot about it, but when you think about it…”

“Shut up,” I growled, cutting my brother off.

“Thank you,” I mumbled to my mother and grabbed two slices of toast.

“At least you’re eating.” She said with a sigh

I nodded and ran off to the door, opening it. “I’ll see you guys after school.”

“Okay.” My brother replied and I gave the both of them a small smile before leaving the house.

I slowly walked while finishing the toast, my school was only a few minutes away so I didn’t have to worry about missing class. I huffed as I stared at the group of friends that loitered at the school’s entrance and waved at the few who recognised me as I walked into the school.

I got my timetable from the school head and entered my first class, maths. They were a group of girls laughing and talking about something I couldn’t care less about and I sat in an empty seat. I took out my math books and stared out the window counting down the seconds before the mathematics teacher would walk in, late as usual.

“Morning, class.” The cheery woman greeted and I realised the other absent students had shown up.

I closed my eyes and tried to listen to what the teacher was saying but, someone sat next to me completely surprising and distracting me. I opened my eyes thinking Misaki had decided to make a surprise entrance but my face fell when I realised it wasn’t Misaki. The girl’s blazer and tie were absent and her white school shirt was untucked, her skirt seemed very short, and her fashion sense was nothing like Misaki’s.

She had dyed dark red hair unlike Misaki’s blonde hair and wore purple contacts and I instantly recognised her as the popular girl who always stuck to my teammate, Hirata. I hated the boy and decided to ignore the girl

She gave me a small smile, trying to look cute and I gave her a simple nod of acknowledgement before looking at the teacher. She had written some welcome back exercises on the board, simple quadratic equations and I quickly got to work while the girl glared at me.

“Suzuki Kanna.”

“Huh?” I asked, looking at the pouting girl.

“That’s my name.”

“Okay, I didn’t ask though.” I simply stated and looked back at my book.

Her eyes lingered on me and I could already guess that she was pouting. Soon enough, she was poking my shoulder and I sighed and closed my exercise book before glaring at her. She flinched but stood her ground.

“My name’s Yoshida Arata, I won’t reply if you call me.”

She smiled and I scoffed before looking back at my exercise book. I started to check my work, very sure that the psycho had made me make a few mistakes in my solutions. Sure enough, I was right.

“A… ra… ta.” I gave the girl a side glance and watched her smile before she raised her hand.

“Mrs Ida, I’m finished.”

I gasped slightly, I’m pretty sure I didn’t see her do a thing, I thought and huffed before looking back at my book.

The girl stood up and I watched her stand up and hand her work to the teacher before she stood in front of me.

“I’ll see you later, Yoshida.” I gave her a blank stare and continued with what I was doing.

“I don’t plan on seeing much of you again.” She gasped.

“Meanie.” She grumbled and walked out of the class.

I sighed as I looked around the cafeteria contemplating where to sit. Every table was taken by a group of friends and I mumbled a few cusses before hesitantly sitting with the basketball team. I didn’t say anything and rather pretended to be interested in their conversation as I tried to make it through lunch without causing a fight with Hirata.

“Yoshida!” my eyes shifted to the redhead waving enthusiastically at me and I ignored her before focusing on my food.

She didn’t seem to know what she could have possibly stirred up and I hated her for it. An apple came flying at me and I moved slightly and watched it roll on the floor after it landed. I looked at Hirata who was glaring at me and returned it.

“You didn’t show up for early morning practice.” Hirata started.

“I overslept, you can’t expect my entire life to revolve around basketball. Most people have more than two things going on in their life.” I could see him glare at me before he took a bite of his meet and smirk.

“Coach was thinking about putting me as team leader, has something to do with our current one lacking the perseverance.”

“I thought only talented people were put as captain.” I pointed to him using my fork and flashed him a childish grin. “Money can’t buy talent you know? I’m pretty sure he said Hinata and not Hirata.” His face was red and he stood up quickly and left the table.

I sighed, celebrating my small victory. I cut a piece of meat and scanned the cafeteria for any sight of Hirata and he was thankfully gone, I locked eyes with Kanna’s contacts and she gave me a wide smile as she waved again. I gave her a small smile and focused back on my food.

My other teammates were glaring at me and I ignored their stupid gazes and finished my food before leaving the cafeteria for my next class. I took a detour at the boys’ restroom and by the time I entered my next class, the only seat with a single person was a boy staring at a new girl.

“Good afternoon class.”

“Good afternoon Ms Miura.”

“As it is the first day of high school, you will be needing lab partners.” I groaned and leaned back on my chair.

“Misaki should be here, I’ll get partnered with some idiot because of her.”

“Yoshida Arata and Suzuki Kanna.”

“Ka… nna.” The name sounded familiar and soon enough the stupid redhead was sitting next to me.

“Yoshida!” she mumbled with excitement and I sighed before looking at the board.

Ms. Miura had finished calling partners and was scribbling the topic on the board, I heard a few students grumble while a smile tugged at my lip.

“Neutralisation.” Ms. Miura said, turning back to the class. “You should have an idea of the topic from junior year so all I want is for you to perform a simple titration practical with the apparatus in front of you.”

“I hate that topic,” Suzuki whined wearily and I scoffed.

“I don’t care.” She pouted.

“You’re still a meanie.”

“Who still doesn’t care about the shit that‘s coming out of your mouth.”

Suzuki giggled and took the beaker containing a concentrated acid and my eyes widened as she opened it and sniffed it before scrunching up her face and looking away.

“You are aware you’re holding concentrated acid.”

“No kidding Sherlock.” I eye rolled and picked up the base and pipette to get to work.

“Ahh!” we all turned to the new student and a boy I recognised as Arakaki picked up a lizard which she looked at distastefully.

I glared at the new student and looked at Suzuki who was wincing as she wearily gazed at a burn on her arm.

“You burned yourself?” she looked away from me.

“The screaming surprised me.”

“I told you the acid was concentrated, you should have dropped it.”

She kept quiet and I groaned before pulling her arm towards the tap and turning it on. Her cheeks flushed red as I gently rubbed the burn and she squirmed when I pressed on her wound.

“Why would you do that?”

“You keep staring at me, I hate it.”

She huffed and I ignored her.

“Ms. Miura,” I said, raising my hand. “Suzuki got burned and I would like to take her to the infirmary.”

“That’s quite all right Yoshida.” I flashed a small smile and pulled Suzuki out of the classroom.

She stopped walking when we left the classroom and I turned to her. Her head was down and she raised it slightly, pouting.

“Y…you called me Suzuki.” I raised a brow.

“That is your last name, or did I say it wrong?”

She quickly raised her head, “No, Suzuki is my last name, but,” she looked away and moved herself closer to me, too close. I coughed, trying not to look at her slightly exposed cleavage. “I’m giving you permission to call me by my first name.”

“No.”

“Huh?”

“I don’t want to call you by your first name, we’re not even friends.”

She sighed and gazed at me, “Okay, let’s go to the infirmary.”

She took my arm and I tried to ignore my surprise and let her pull me to the infirmary. She pushed the door open and one of the nurses turned to us, raising a brow.

“Suzuki has a burn.” She sighed and gave us a tired smile.

“Alright Suzuki, let’s get that treated,” she looked at me. “Make yourself at home.”

“Yes.” I walked over to one of the empty beds and made myself comfortable while watching the nurse controlling her frustration every time Suzuki squirmed.

Chemistry was over by the time the nurse had finished and Suzuki’s face was red as she approached me.

“I… I’m sorry I made you miss class.”

“It’s okay, I don’t like revision classes anyway.”

She sighed in relief. “I’m glad.”

“That I missed class?” her cheeks flushed and she flailed her arms frantically in the air.

“That’s not what I meant and you know it!” I chuckled slightly.

“You have to pick an afterschool club, don’t you?”

“I’m not into clubs, I have things to do after school.” I gave her a knowing look and walked her out of the room.

“Suzuki!” The both of us turned to an angry Hirata and I noticed how she looked down with red cheeks, it was the first time I had seen her like that. “We had an agreement, you were meant to meet me in the old music room and instead, I have to look for you because you’re ten minutes late!”

“I’m sorry, I got burned…”

“I didn’t ask.”

“Hirata you…”

“This has nothing to do with you Yoshida!” he yelled again, poking my chest with his index finger.

“I’ll see you later, Arata.”

“It’s Yoshida to you,” I stated coldly and walked away.

My phone rang and I grunted as I answered the call, “Speak.” I said, almost yelling.

“Yo…Yoshida, we need you for scouting, students here are very few.”

“Give me a moment.”

“Okay.” The person on the other line ended the call and I sighed and turned my phone off.

“Suzuki Kanna,” I mumbled and chuckled softly before heading to the school’s front yard.

I stomped into the school’s front yard and my stomach twisted in a knot when I confirmed Hirata’s absence. I quickly made it to my team and we stood, watching new students puzzle over the club of their choosing. We ended up getting ten volunteers by the time we had finished and try-outs were being held the following Saturday.

We made our way to the boy’s locker room when we finished and changed into our uniforms before we headed to the basketball court for practice. I finally located Hirata waiting in the court and although I was relieved, I still hated his presence, the other members stormed off with frowns plastered on their faces.

“What gives Hirata?! You were slacking off while we were meant to be working!”

“That’s enough crap out of you Matsumoto! You come here and act like some saint but I know all the shit you’ve been doing. You!” he yelled, pointing at me. “I challenge you to a match, one on one, the first person to five wins.”

I raised a brow, “And why would I waste my time with you Hirata?”

“Winner gets the title of captain, coach approved of it already.”

“Probably because you bribed him.” He glared at me and I gave him a small innocent smile.

“Let’s do this then,” I said and pointed to one of the basketballs.

Matsumoto quickly grabbed one and handed it to me.

“You start Hirata, it would be an unfair advantage to me if you didn’t.” I bounced the ball towards him.

He smirked, bouncing the ball, we heard a whistle and he moved towards my net at full speed. I glided towards him and he tried to move the ball past me but I quickly grabbed it and ran towards his net, shooting it inside.

“Yoshida, one.” Hirata gritted his teeth and smirked.

He grabbed the ball and I ran towards him, taking it.

“You were with Suzuki earlier.” I flinched and he used the chance to take the ball.

He quickly shot it into my net and I quickly took the ball, trying to dribble past him.

“Were you aware that she was late because of you?”

“How is what you do with her my business?”

“I don’t fuck and tell.”

“The saying is ‘I don’t kiss and tell’ get it right.”

“I know what the saying is.”

My stomach growled but I ignored him and shot the ball into the net. “Too bad I don’t give a shit about her.”

He scowled and tried to take the ball but I dribbled well and shot the ball into the net.

“You’re trying to use that to distract me, but I couldn’t care less.”

He was already pissed by my reaction and I was easily able to score the last required goals.

“Good work as always Yoshida,” the coach said and scowled at Hirata. “You’ll be off the team if you keep playing like that.” I snickered and Hirata glared at me. “As for the rest of the team, pick out partners for more one-on-one matches since we’re not complete yet, I can’t give out any strategies.

“Yes sir.” Most of the team said and I sighed, sitting down on the bleachers.

I watched Hirata storm out of the field and gulp down a bottle of water, uninterested in what he was doing.

“I don’t fuck and tell.” Hirata’s words echoed in my mind and I shuddered.

I spent the rest of practice scrolling through my social media and listening to music through my headphones before someone tapped me. I slid the headphones down and gave Matsumoto a questioning look.

“What do you want Matsumoto?”

“The team is going to the ice cream shop and were wondering if you wanted to come, I’m paying for everyone.” I looked at his nervous face and shrugged. “Thank you.”

He said and ran off to meet the rest of the team. I stood up and followed and we all entered the locker room, where I quickly put on my school uniform. The team were laughing and talking about my victory on our way to the ice cream shop while I looked down reigning more cusses on Misaki for ditching me.

We sat at a booth large enough to house all of us and a waitress approached us, I recognised her from our school.

“Yo…Yoshida, what would you like to order?”

The other members looked at me and I realised that I was the only person who was yet to order. I looked at the waitress and noted that her cheeks were red.

“Mint chocolate chip with caramel , rainbow sprinkles, wafers and vanilla whipped cream.” She nodded and wrote it down.

“I’ll be right back.” She said, smiling and I could feel my teammate’s jealous gazes on me.

“You are aware that Ishida has a thing for you right?”

“That’s the name she goes by? I’ll try not to forget.” I looked uninterestedly at my phone and Matsumoto groaned.

“Seriously, you’re going to ignore what we just said? She’s very hot, everyone knows.” The group nodded in sync and I eye rolled. Why am I even here again?

“I mean she’s cute,” I said still looking at my phone. “But I’m not into girls like her.”

“But you’re into Suzuki.” I ignored him and the team changed the topic, knowing they wouldn’t get another answer out of me.

“Um… your ice cream.” I raised my head and could see Ishida blush.

She sucked in a breath and handed me my ice cream bowl with a folded piece of paper.

“Um…”

“It’s mine, I want you to keep it though.” She said, cutting me off.

She walked off and Matsumoto’s eyes lingered on her fading figure before he looked at me with excited eyes.

“What’s in the paper?” I shrugged and opened it, Matsumoto leaned closer to me to read it and I moved back, letting him stumble. I scrunched my brows when I saw a number, her number.

“What’s in it?” Matsumoto asked curiosity in his gaze.

“Her number, I guess.”

“Lucky,” Matsumoto said and I shrugged before squeezing it and putting it in my jacket pocket.

“You’re not saving it?”

“I mean, why ask me now? We’ve been in the same school for a while.” I could see Matsumoto shift uncomfortably in his seat and I grinned.

“Confessions take courage.” He defended.

I shrugged and looked down at my ice cream. “Matsumoto?”

“Yes.” He replied awkwardly.

“If you set me up again, I’m going to punch you, understood?” A good number of the team let out muffled gasps and Matsumoto looked down.

“Yes.”

I took a spoonful of ice cream and closed my eyes, savouring the flavour. “At least one good thing came from this.”

“I’m sorry.”

“There’s no problem.” He looked down at his ice cream and the rest of my teammates continued to talk once again.

I was the last to finish my dessert and the team waited for me before we all started to head home. The walk was filled with more pointless conversations and my irritability had started to grow. Something caught my eyes soon enough, from a distance was a brunette who looked like… Suzuki?

I picked up my pace, leaving the group behind.

“Suzuki?” I mumbled and her cheeks heated as she looked at me.

The bridge of her nose was covered in freckles, her piercings were gone and she wore black glasses instead of her usual purple contacts, her brown hair was in a ponytail and she wore a plain blue baggy shirt and short leggings and her gothic make-up was gone as well.

“Arata…”

“Yoshida, don’t call me Arata again.” I cut her off and her face fell.

“Yoshida I can exp…”

“Yoshida!” her eyes widened as she heard Matsumoto’s voice and I quickly pushed her into a bush before approaching my teammates.

“You ditched us.”

“My house is down the other road, so I need to go.” He nodded

“I’ll see you tomorrow then.”

“Okay. I mumbled and split up from the rest of my team.

I approached the bush where Suzuki sat on the grass, looking painfully at her scraped knee. I scoffed and took out my handkerchief which I wrapped around her knee.

“Thank you.” She mumbled and I stared at her wrapped knee.

“You’re a fan of getting hurt.” She huffed and I sat next to her on the grass.

“That was your fault…”

“Explain yourself.” She sighed as I cut her off.

“My hair dye is washable, my contacts are for my eyesight, I wear make-up to hide my freckles, my piercings are ear magnets and I dress like that at school to show off my figure.”

“So the Suzuki the school knows is just your typical nerd,” I said in a mocking tone and her cheeks blazed red.

“Just, please don’t tell anyone.”

“I’m not into shitty high school drama like that, save that for the MCs in Manhwas, this is real life and this,” I paused, gesturing to all of her. “It’s your secret to keep, don’t think we’re friends or have a reason to talk just because I know you’re a nerd, besides, if you don’t want anyone seeing you, why bother going out like that?” She looked down.

“I understand, but!” she yelled slightly “I didn’t do anything with Hirata.” I raised a brow and her cheeks turned red, “We only made out since he paid but we didn’t go any further even though he tried to.”

“Why are you spouting all this shit?”

“That’s why you’re angry, I think so at least.” I burst into laughter and her cheeks turned redder.

“I don’t care, although, it’s wrong to sell yourself to people like that, it’s still not my business.”

“Huh?” I could see hurt flash through her eyes, she did a good job hiding it.

“Why are you so cold then?”

“I’m cold to people I don’t like, you’re no exception.” She pouted.

“Meanie.”

“You don’t have to pretend to be cute, you nerd.” She scoffed.

“To answer the other question, my parents aren’t aware that I dye my hair or have contacts.”

“Leading a double life, that’s good for you, I guess. I have to go home and I’m guessing you have an appointment with a comic book store little nerd.” Her cheeks flushed and she pouted.

“I’m not a nerd just because I look like one.”

“Well, are you?” I asked, raising a brow.

“In a way.” She mumbled shyly, fiddling with her fingers and I gave her a small smile.

“I need to go home,” I said, standing up.

“Bye-bye.” She said waving and I shrugged, making to stand but she tugged on my sleeve. I turned and glared at her, “You have to reply, stop being rude.”

“Buh-bye.” She groaned and let go of me.

“I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Hopefully not.” She playfully choked and pretended to dramatically faint while I chuckled and left her on the floor.

“You’re supposed to apologise.”

“Goodbye Suzuki.”

“You said goodbye!” I eye rolled and walked off.

I got to my house in five minutes and my mother was already home with my brother who was watching a movie.

“What took you so long?” My mother asked as she handed me a bowl of rice cakes.

“I was with the basketball team… what are these for?”

“Your friend is waiting for you upstairs.”

“I don’t have friends.” I quickly blurted and my mother raised a brow.

“Hayashi Misaki?”

“Oh her, I forgot about her,” I mumbled and my mother sighed.

“You should get yourself and those cakes upstairs.”

“Yes.” I waved slightly at her and made my way to my room.

“Took you long enough.” I heard Misaki say, her blonde hair flowing as she spun around in my chair.

“Why are you here, traitor?”

“We’re friends, I’m free to visit.”

“Only when I permit you to.”

“Okay, Okay. I’m sorry Mr. Grumpy, are we good now?” I shook my head.

“When you mean it I’ll consider.” She stuck her tongue out at me.

I removed my jacket and tie and tossed them on my bed, I carried a loose shirt and shorts and entered the bathroom to change. I walked into Misaki holding a crumpled piece of paper from earlier.

“A girl’s phone number I presume.” I ignored her and carried out my homework. “I heard Ishida had a thing for you.”

“I found out today.”

“And?”

“What else do you want me to say?” She pouted.

“That you liked her too and offered to take her out.” I eye rolled and patted the delusional girl’s head.

“Just eat some rice cakes.” She puffed out her cheeks and took a rice cake.

“Whatever, you’re lucky your mom’s a great cook or you’ll be in trouble right now.”

I walked into school the next day feeling irritated, I waved at a few people on my way to class and locked eyes with Suzuki at the hallway, Hirata’s arm was wrapped firmly around her waist and he gave me a stupid grin, since he still assumed I was affected by his relationship with her.

I ignored their stupid display of what they called affection and carried my books before going to biology class. The class was full five minutes later and Suzuki sat at the opposite end of where I sat, just staring at me, I returned it and could tell she felt uncomfortable although she refused to back down.

“…Is that understood?” I finally tore my gaze to the teacher and the class began to join move their chairs to other people’s desks.

A class assignment, I assume, but what could it be about…

I was distracted when someone sat next to me, I turned to Ishida who gave me a shy smile before dropping her biology texts on my desk.

“You were paying attention, right?” her cheeks turned red and she nodded.

“Yes.” She mumbled

“What was the assignment?” she gave me a questioning look.

“We have to give a detailed report on the life cycle of a toad and frog and give slight differences that are responsible for their difference in structure.”

“And so early in the morning…”

“Good Morning Yoshida and I… shi… da.” I looked at the person who had cut me off.

Her smile was forced, and her rainbow cat ear headband was crooked, her arms looked tired from all the bracelets she wore but all I could see was the same nerd from yesterday no matter how hard I tried to focus on the idiot that was currently glaring at me.

“Can I help you with something Suzuki?” I could see the annoyance on her face.

“My friends group got a new member, making us seven so I told them I’d join another group.”

“Have fun with that, I’m not buying your shit.” She stood still with an annoyed smile.

“Just let her join Yoshida, the arrangement is three members to a group and she’s the only free person left.” I sighed and nodded.

“Fine, whatever, just don’t bother me or you’re gone.” She forced another smile.

“Yes, thank you Yoshida and I… shi… da.”

“You’re welcome.” She sat down and I could tell she was glaring at Ishida as I tried to split up the work.

Suzuki moved slightly on her chair to grind her hip against mine.

“Can I help you Suzuki?” she gave me a questioning look.

“I don’t understand Yoshida.” She fluttered her brows in false innocence and I groaned before moving back.

“So Ishida…”

“Here.” I said, hitting her head with a biology text.

“What was that for?” she asked, rubbing her head.

“You’ll be writing about the toad, Ishida, the frog while I’ll get some images and work on the presentation.”

“Okay.” They chorused and I stood up.

“I’ll be in the computer room if you need me so don’t.” Suzuki huffed and stood up and we looked at her with raised brows.

“I’m coming with you, I… um... I need some printed diagrams for the life cycle.”

“You heard me say I was getting the images, didn’t you?” she sweat dropped.

“Then… I… I need to do some research.”

“No need, the textbooks should be more than enough.” Ishida offered, oblivious of what Suzuki was attempting to do.

“Thank you… I… shi… da.” She mumbled with a forced smile. “I still need to leave.” She said, turning to me.

“To do what? I don’t play with my grades so if you’re not going to take this serious…”

“I need to go the bathroom!” she yelled and the class turned to her, I had already lost interest so I left to the computer room and waited for Suzuki while also getting the diagrams and images.

She arrived like anticipated and hid besides a shelf with electrical equipment while I scrolled through pictures of toads and frogs. I finally settled for a few pictures and life cycle diagrams and turned once the printer had started its job.

“You can come out Suzuki.” I said and I could hear her sigh.

She mumbled something before leaving her hiding place and glared at me. “I made you some cookies…”

“I like my life very much, thank you.”

She sweat dropped. “H…How did you know I can’t cook?”

“I sat behind you in cooking class last year, I smelled a lot of foul things that year...”

“Whatever,” she huffed and glared at me.

“You’re into smart girls, is that why you were listening to Ishida?”

“You’re smart, and I don’t listen to you.”

“I meant girls who act smart, she’s cute though, really cute...”

“What do you want Suzuki?”

“Me or Ishida, who would you choose?”

“In what sense?”

“Romantically, who would you choose?”

“What kind of stupid question…”

“Just answer!”

“To satisfy your ego?” I asked with a mocking tone.

She glared at me, obviously unamused. “I’m serious.”

“Ishida,” she sweat dropped. “She’s more trustworthy and doesn’t go around sleeping with my rivals while trying to seduce me like nothing happened.” She scoffed.

“I didn’t try to seduce you…”

“Sure you weren’t, that was all in my imagination.” I said waving my hands in the air like a child.

She huffed and left while I eye rolled and carried the printed papers back to biology class.

I carried my notes and sketch book before entering my English class, the teacher had gone to labour last year and the school was yet to find a replacement since she would be resuming soon. The students were busy reading or talking and I slipped on my headphones to tune down the sound of the rain and started to draw Misaki.

I had finished with the face and body outline and was trying to imagine Misaki in our new uniform when someone lightly tapped my shoulder. I looked up and drew my headphones down before looking at Matsumoto who failed at forcing a smile.

“Ishida would like to talk to you.” I raised an eyebrow and didn’t fail to notice the way Matsumoto squirmed uncomfortably.

“If this is some stupid confession I swear…”

“I’m sorry.”

“Where is she?”

“In the old music room.” My stomach twisted.

How cliché.

I scoffed and closed my sketchbook before getting up. I slid my hands in my pocket and sluggishly left the classroom, I climbed up the staircase and looked around before entering the music room. Ishida looked at me and I could see the nervousness in her gaze. She looked down at her intertwined hands.

“You wanted to talk?” She looked up at me, flustered.

“Y… yes,” she took a deep breath. “Yo…

Yoshida, I… I lo… love you…”

“You’re not my type.”

“Huh?” Her eyes looked glossy and I almost felt bad.

“I’m sorry I have preferences, I guess.” She gave me a smile, a genuine one.

“That’s okay, I’m just relieved I finally told you.” I gently patted her hair and we both made our way to leave.

The door opened and the both of us looked at Hirata and Suzuki, his hand was around her waist and Suzuki looked down with a guilty expression. I grabbed the hand of an uncomfortable Ishida and left the two of them in the music room. I let go of Ishida’s hand and she looked down, her face was red and she was gasping to catch her breath.

“Th…Thank you.”

“No problem, I have things to do so get to class.”

I walked away and entered my classroom to continue my sketch, I didn’t make too much progress before class ended and I had to attend basketball practice. I carried my books and dropped them in my locker and made my way to the basketball court.

The coach had finished calling attendance when I walked in and he glared at him as I joined the line. He cleared his throat and looked back at the clipboard before looking at us to address us.

“Hirata unfortunately won’t be joining us due to important personal matters…”

“Or because he bribed you.” I mumbled and from the glare he gave me, he obviously heard it.

“Yoshida, you should be happy…”

“That my skills in basketball back in junior high school were extraordinary or you would be gone right now, I know.”

He looked annoyed but decided to ignore me.

“Today’s agenda, a friendly match between this team split up into two other teams, the cheerleading team will be her shortly to test out a new cheer so check the court’s notice board for your team placement as we’ll be using it for more than today.”

I walked over to the notice board and looked at the team placement, red and white teams and I was in the red team. I quickly put on a red vest over my basketball uniform and stood with the rest of the red team. The cheerleading group walked in and I could hear my team mumble something I was sure was lewd and my eyes locked with that of Ishida.

She gave me a smile and I nodded while trying to stop myself from raking her body with my eyes, I cleared my throat and glared at my teammates who quickly kept quiet.

“The strategy, don’t lose or you’ll answer to me.”

“Yes.” They chorused and the coach blew the whistle, the cheerleaders started their routine and the game started for us.

The rain had returned by the time practice was over and I quickly carried my folded raincoat into bag and opened my umbrella. I locked eyes with Suzuki on my way out, she had crouched on the floor tying her shoe and she looked down with a guilty expression.

I sighed and moved my umbrella to cover her head, she looked up with red cheeks and tried to stand up while I adjusted the umbrella.

“Thank you, you didn’t have to do that though.”

“Yes I do, your dye is washable, it looks like the cheap on that washed off when water touches it but I can’t tell with your makeup, and you’ll pester me tomorrow for not helping.” she glared at me. “Don’t think I care about your secret or something like that, I just want my peace.”

I moved the umbrella forward and she took it from me, her hand brushed gently against mine and I cringed before quickly moving my hand away. The umbrella fell and Suzuki stared at it for a brief moment before bending and picking it up, she put it over her head and looked at me with a stressed smile.

“We can share it… the umbrella I mean, besides I’ll feel guilty if you catch a cold because of me…”

“I have a raincoat, so no need.”

“Of course you do.” She mumbled with gritted teeth and I shrugged.

“It’s not my fault that I check the weather reports.” She sweat dropped. “I’ll be leaving.”

“Wait!” she grabbed my hand and I raised a brow, causing her to let go. “What were you doing with Ishida at the old music room?”

“Oh, you mean when you came in with Hirata and saw us which ruined the mood for the two of you.”

“S… stop that! Just answer the question."

“I don’t have to answer the question, you’re not an important person to me.”

“Tch… you’re being a jerk, just answer the question.”

“Making out, she’s quite good at it.” I mocked and her face turned pale which made me chuckle. “If you were so important in my life, you would know I don’t do shit like what you’re thinking.” Her face was still pale and I ignored her and turned to leave the school yard.

“I saw your sketchbook.” I froze and glared at her. “I’m sorry for invading your privacy but… the girl… the person you sketched… who is she?”

“Someone that is not your business.” I stated coldly.

“If it’s the sketchbook, I’m sorry, I… I didn’t think…”

“I’m aware, only people with common sense do.”

“I said I’m sorry.” I scoffed and she looked at her feet. “I really am, I was intrigued…”

“I’m not in the mood for this fake cute thing you’re trying to pull off.” She huffed and I walked away from the school yard to my house.