『 2 』

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Original Art by Bangoul
Slightly edited by  me

BEEP BEEP BEEP

SMACK

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BEEP BEEP BEEP

SMACK

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GASP.

"I'M GOING TO BE LATE!" I shouted as I rose from the dead.

The clock read 8:13AM. I ran to the bathroom to grab my toothbrush and toothpaste then rushed back to my room to find a change of clothes while brushing my teeth.

"AYA!"

Should I visit the convenience store on my way to practice or after practice?

I contemplated my options while carefully putting on my shirt, making sure I didn't get toothpaste on it.

"AYA!"

If I'm already late, I don't think I have time to drop by on my way to practice...

I pondered while putting on my skirt.

"AYA!"

I need to buy some snacks so I can munch on something while I study though...

I thought to myself while putting on my socks.

"AYASE!" Arata burst through my door.

"STOP! I'm changing!" I cried out, sputtering toothpaste all over my brother's face.

He looked at me unamused and wiping the spit off his face. I noticed that I had already finished changing and gave him an apologetic smile.

"Whoops."

"I'm going to a study group at noon so I need you to take over the shop." He said through gritted teeth, trying not to raise his voice at me.

My family owns a flower shop. My brother and I run the store from time to time. It's not often that we have to take care of the store due to our studies but both our parents were out of town tonight and Arata agreed to watch the store today.

"But archery practice doesn't end until noon! And you told mom and dad that you were going to watch the store today!" I protested.

"My career is more important than your dumb club." he retorted, clearly getting annoyed at me.

Arata was right. He's in medical school learning how to save people's lives while I'm in archery club just for fun.

"Fine," I said defeatedly, "but I'm not coming back any earlier than noon!"

"Thanks." He smiled after getting what he wanted then closed the door behind him.

I let out a small sigh. I study so much and get good grades but I don't really know what I want to be when I grow up. Mom and Dad think of Arata with such high regards because he's in the medical field. But that's not what I want to do....

I glanced at the clock. 8:30AM.

Shoot! I'm going to be late!

I finished brushing my teeth and ran out of the house.

"I'm leaving now! Bye!" I shouted out to my family.

"Ayase! Aren't you going to eat break-"

SLAM!

I cut my mom off with the slam of the door. No time for food, I told Hayashi that I wasn't going to be late today.

School was roughly 20 minutes away from home. Less if I sprinted to and from the train station.

I can make it in time! I'll just be out of stamina during practice. Ughh! Why did I stay up so late playing D&D! But....

I thought about 96kami and his request to meet outside the game. I blushed at the thought. He was always kind to me online. Not that applepi wasn't nice, it's just that his goal was always winning. Whereas 96kami would make sure everyone was having fun. He always noticed if I was struggling and would support me for the sake of helping me. Applepi would only help for the sake of winning. I guess you could say that 96kami was my in-game knight in shining armour.

Before I knew it, I developed an online crush on him... But I wanted it to stay like that! Just an online crush! If we were to meet in real life, it would destroy whatever illusion I had created for him. So that's why we cannot meet in real life!

I was so lost in my thoughts that I didn't realize that I arrived at school already.

I checked my phone. 8:50AM.

I sighed with relief. I made it on time!

I rushed to the clubroom and changed into my usual archery uniform.

Hakama put on correctly? Check.

Chest protector? Check.

Hair up? Check.

Contacts in? Check.

I checked myself out in the mirror to make sure I didn't forget anything then headed to the archery dojo.

On the way there, I saw the hand washing station next to the gym and realized that I hadn't washed my face in the morning.

One quick splash won't hurt.

I bent over the sink and started rinsing my face in the cold water. I broke a sweat from running to school so the cool water felt really refreshing against my face. I turned off the water and grabbed a handkerchief from my pocket to dry off my face.

At the exact moment I stood up straight and opened my eyes, there was a boy on the opposite side of the washing station doing the same thing. Both of us stared at each other wide eyed, mouth agape. I didn't notice him there before so it startled me to see him. He was probably startled for the same reason.

He had round golden eyes and black hair with white-ish grey tips. His hair was spiked up in a manner that resembled an-

"Owl..." I whispered.

Wait. Did I say that out loud?!

I bowed to him a couple of times. I could feel my face getting hotter and hotter.

"I'm sorry! I'm so sorry! That was rude of me!"

Without making eye contact I ran towards the dojo.

"Wait!" He called out to me.

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"AYA-PI, YOU'RE LATE!" Hayashi exclaimed as she lightly karate chopped my head for the millionth time.

I pulled out my phone with the time displaying 9:00AM.

"I'm right...on time..." I said in between puffs.

This was too much cardio in one day!

"Early is on time, on time is late, and late is unacceptable. That means you're late!" Hayashi scolded me again with her arms crossed over her chest.

Hayashi stared down at me with such intensity in her honey coloured eyes, her brown hair flowing in the wind. It's like I could see a sea of flames behind her. At that moment, I knew she would work me to the bone.

⟣ ⟡ ⟢

We took breaks every hour. We were currently on our second break at 11 o' clock.

I stood up and patted my hakama clean.

"I have to go home." I announced.

"What! We still have at least another hour of practice left!" Hayashi whined.

"I've already met my quota." I stated, putting away my bow and arrow.

I wasn't exaggerating when I said she'd work me to the bone. Our goal for today was to hit 50 bullseyes. It was impossible actually. And she never expected us to do it. It was just one of her tactics to keep us at practice for so long. I kept missing my mark at first due to the exhaustion from all that running, but once I got into the groove, I hit all my targets with precision. Like I said before, I always hit my mark.

I walked up to Hayashi, still pouting because her plans have been foiled.

"I have to go home early to take care of the store, sorry." I apologized.

Her lips shifted into a huge grin.

"So that's why you can't stay longer! You should have told me that sooner! Oho ho ho!"

She laughed maniacally while harshly patting my back.

"I knew I could count on you to be the ace of our team! OHO HO HO!"

Her pats became more like smacks to my back.

"Everyone! Let's all work hard to be like Aya-pi! You're not leaving here until you hit 50 more bullseyes! OHO HO HO!"

Everyone started to groan.

I got back to the clubroom and changed back to my casual clothes. I let down my wavy hair and switched back to my thick glasses. I left practice early enough so I didn't have to rush home. No more running for today!

Oh! I still need to drop by the convenience store to grab some snacks!

I suddenly remembered as I was leaving the school grounds. Good thing I left early!

"Sakurai-san! Wait!" a male's voice called out to me.

"Huh?" I turned around, shocked to see Kuroo running my way. "K-Kuroo...kun?"

Once he caught up to me, he hunched over with his hands on his knees breathing heavily. He was drenched in sweat.

Oh yeah, his practice match with Fukurodani was today.

"I'm glad I got to you just in time." He said after catching his breath, still panting. "Here."

He handed me a white plastic bag.

"W-what's this?" I asked, grabbing the bag and looked inside.

My eyes widened. There was an assortment of snacks and juices.

"I wanted to thank you for lending your homework to me all this week. You really were a lifesaver!" He smiled while scratching the back of his neck.

"Initially, I was just going to get you a drink but that wasn't enough to show you my gratitude. But then I realized I didn't know what you liked so...I think I went a little overboard." He chuckled while averting his eyes; he was slightly embarrassed.

I was still astounded by his gesture.

"T-thank you," I responded. "This is...actually really kind of you, Kuroo-kun."

I smiled brightly at him.

His eyes widened for a second then he flashed his usual smirk.

"Anytime! Well, I gotta go back to practice. See ya on Monday!" He waved as he sprinted back to the gym.

"S-See you on Monday..." I whispered softly.

I clutched the bag of snacks tightly against my chest as I watched him disappear into the gym. In my 3 years of knowing Kuroo, this was my first time seeing him as kind.

Kuroo Tetsurou. I guess you aren't as bad as I thought you were.

I walked back to the station still smiling.

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