Original Artist Unknown

I relaxed my hands as I calmed myself down.

Now is not the time to lose my cool.

If I learned anything in all manga I've read over the years, it's that when you're pushed into a corner, you have to push back with full force.

I walked to Ishihara and placed a hand on her shoulder, gripping it as hard as I could.

Immediately, her body tensed.

"If you cross me again, you'll wish that the only thing I do to you is merely 'pushing you down'."

My voice was low and ominous as I kept a smile on my face. Everyone stared at us, wondering what I could have possibly said to her.

I didn't have to see her face to know what she looked like. I could feel her whole body trembling under my hand.

I let go of her shoulder and continued walking past her.

"You! What did you say!" Her friend, presumably "Saeko", shouted.

Her voice was getting closer to me. I quickly turned around to see Saeko's hand reaching out to me.

Is she going to grab me? Slap me?

I reflexively grabbed her wrist before she could touch me. I held onto her wrist tightly until her hand fell limp.

"Ishihara-san. You need to teach your dogs to keep their hands to themselves." I let go of Saeko's wrist, letting it drop to her side. "It'd be a shame if something happened to their precious paws."

I turned around and proudly walked out of the cafeteria.

Off in the distance I could hear the students settling their bets. Some of them had predicted that there would be a fight today, and out of those few, some had predicted that I'd win.

Judging from their comments, Team Sakurai won this battle.

But little did they know, I already won the war.

As I walked around the school, I found an empty stairwell. Once I confirmed no one could see me, I collapsed to my knees.

I could feel blood being drained from my face causing it to go numb. My hands were shaking uncontrollably as I inspected them.

I knew the effects of adrenaline but I didn't think it'd come in handy at a time like this. I couldn't believe I threatened not one but two people! In public!

I've definitely gone mad!

However, I can't deny that it felt amazing. I blocked an attack midway; I must have looked so cool!

I think I hurt that girl's hand though. I wanted to scare her off but I didn't think her wrist would be so flimsy. I guess all those years in archery club wasn't for naught.

My mind kept racing. I was proud of sticking up for myself, but at the same time, disappointed in the way I handled the situation.

Those words I said, the things I did...it just wasn't me.

A pair of warm arms slithered around my body.

My shoulders jumped up as my whole body tensed up.

I was engulfed by a familiar scent, calming me down.

"Kuroo..."

He nuzzled his face into the nape of my neck, blocking me from seeing him, but I knew it was him.

"What are you-"

"I'm sorry. Just let me hold you like this a little longer...and then I promise...I'll keep my distance from you again...."

My body relaxed as my shoulders slumped down.

His arms tightened around me, pulling me closer to his body. The heat of his body intermingled with mine.

"You were really brave in there but you don't have to pretend anymore." His hot breath tickled the hairs on my neck as he spoke each word.

It's funny, really. The past few days, so many people have been watching me, observing me....but only Kuroo is the one who really sees me for who I am.

At some point, my hands stopped trembling.

Kuroo really is incredible.

⟣ ⟡ ⟢

Operation Take Sumiko Down (O.T.S.D.) is a five part plan:

Step 1: Clear up the rumours of Kuroo and Ishihara dating, and clearing up my name in the process

Step 2: Set up a grand stage for Kuroo to confess to his lover

Step 3: Have Ishihara believe she has a fighting chance

Step 4: Crush Ishihara's spirit

Step 5: Live happily ever after

After hearing the entire plan, I realized that I unintentionally began Step 3.

"I said I was sorry. Can't you forgive me?" Kuroo begged. "See? We're one Kenma apart!"

"Please leave me out of this."

It has been two days since that incident with Kuroo. And it has been two days since I've been giving him the cold shoulder.

In actuality, there's nothing for me to forgive. I enjoyed every second of his touch and that's what scares me.

If I could, I want to be held by him even more, even longer, even tighter.

When did I become so selfish? I want him all to myself.

And that's why I can't face him.

If I give into this temptation any further, I don't know what I'll do. These days I haven't been acting like myself. Will I end up doing something I'll regret?

I bit my bottom lip, resisting the urge to even look in his direction.

This is for your sake.

I'll keep telling myself that until I can handle these urges.

Once we got to school, all eyes were on us. I knew what was going on in their minds without having to hear it.

"Are they still fighting? Sakurai looks like she's still ignoring Kuroo."

"But they still came to school together."

"I heard the only reason they're together so often is because they're neighbors who just so happen to be in the same class."

In this school that loves gossip, word travels rather quickly.

I can't blame them though, It's my fault they're like this.

I quickened my pace, leaving Kuroo and Kenma behind.

"Aya! Wait up-"

"Kuroo-kun! Let's have lunch today!"

Ishihara, who was waiting in front of the school building, ran past me and linked arms with Kuroo.

The moment Ishihara heard that I stopped talking to Kuroo, she started to cling on to him like glue. And that is how I accidentally got us to Step 3 of O.T.S.D.

The worst thing about this plan is that both Kuroo and I have to endure Ishihara. For me, I have to listen to her annoying voice trying to flirt with Kuroo while I can't do anything about it. For Kuroo, it's....

"No thanks," Kuroo quickly declined her invitation.

"I hope you'll enjoy the lunchbox I made for you."

"I said 'no'."

"I can't wait for you to meet my friends!"

"What part of 'no' do you not understand?"

"This will be our first time hanging out outside of tutoring!"

...Dealing with her delusions.

As someone as pretty as her, she's never dealt with rejection before. To her, Kuroo is a challenge who's playing 'hard to get'.

I'd almost feel sorry for her if she wasn't such a terrible person.

"Aya, wait up!" Kuroo called out to me once more.

"Aren't you tired of calling for someone who won't come? I'll always come to you if you call my name."

I nearly gagged at Ishihara's sad attempt at flirting.

As someone with zero experience, I'm not one to talk, but at least I've never said anything as corny as that!

And fortunately for me, I'm not the one that has to deal with her.

"AYA!"

Good luck, Kuroo.

⟣ ⟡ ⟢

"You and Kuroo are taking Step 3 rather seriously," Yaku commented, watching Kuroo being dragged by Ishihara to the other side of the cafeteria.

For some reason, I was getting annoyed.

"This is great! The way I see it, the higher she climbs, the harder she'll fall," Mizuki added.

"It's not like we're doing this on purpose...." I stabbed the weiner in my lunchbox a couple of times with my chopsticks while idly lost in thought.

It's not like we planned for this to happen. If Kuroo had just kept his distance from me in the first place, I wouldn't have to avoid him. And if I didn't avoid him, Ishihara wouldn't be hovering around him like a fly does to poop.

What's up with Ishihara anyway? Hasn't she been a little too cocky around Kuroo lately? And why is Kuroo letting her drag him around? Are his long legs just for show? He can easily outwalk her!

"S-S-Sakurai-s-senpai. Th-the way you p-play with your food is m-m-making us feel a little un-un-uneasy." Inouka stammered.

"What did you say?" I glared at him as I split the weiner in half with my chopsticks.

He and the rest of the volleyball team loudly gulped.

"Oh, Kuroo! Sto~op!" Ishihara's loud giggles traveled to our table, disturbing my meal.

I sighed and set down my chopsticks.

"I'm leaving."

Despite the other's protest, I packed up my food and left.

Watching Kuroo with Ishihara made my stomach churn so much I lost my appetite.

Yes, it's partly my fault that Kuroo and I stopped talking. But that doesn't mean he should start talking to the enemy! We were supposed to get rid of the rumours, not confirm them.

"Aya, I'm glad to see you!" Kuroo waved to me.

I unconsciously walked by his table and now Ishihara and her posse are glaring at me.

"Did Kuroo just call Sakurai to his table?"

"He's clearly showing off the girl he's going to choose!"

"And who would that be?"

"Ishihara! Obviously! Look at how she's wrapped around him!"

The students around us marveled.

Annoying.

"Help me," Kuroo mouthed while discreetly pointing to Ishihara who was clinging onto his other arm.

So annoying. Everyone is so annoying today!

"Oya? Why does someone as strong and buff as you need help from someone as petite as me?" I asked, feigning ignorance to his predicament.

I placed a hand on my cheek and tilted my head with a smile.

"A-Aya. Don't be like that." Kuroo's mouth twitched into a smile.

We stared at each other for a moment.

"Please get me out of here," his eyes begged.

"You got yourself into this mess, you can get yourself out of it," my eyes responded back.

"Kuroo-bear, let's eat. I'm getting hungry." Ishihara whined as she tugged on his arm.

"You seem quite busy so I'll take my leave, Kuroo-bear."

I gave him a small polite bow and walked away.

⟣ ⟡ ⟢