Peppermint [Asahi Azumane]

~ blue ~

The sun was setting as the sky's mandarin coloured coating shone through the windows.
Nuzzling my face in my hands and pinching my cheeks to wake myself up, the bus is empty.

"You feeling better?" Asahis eyebrows raise.

"Mhmm, where is everyone?"

"They just got their bags out and some of them decided to stay for a bit more practice."

"Shit, I should probably go, my parents are home for the first time in a while."

"Did you tell them what happened?"

"I don't have a death wish, Asahi." I smile at how stupid I would have to be to even think of mentioning this weekends events. "According to them, it all went 'pretty good'."

- - - - - - - -

"Thanks for walking me home."

"No problem, it's dark out, I'd be dumb not to." Asahi smiles down at me.

I was about to gather my courage and give him a quick hug before my mom stepped out of the house, noticing the random man who walked me home.

"Y/n, seriously? Only wearing a sweater? In this weather??"

"Sorry mom, Ill be inside in a sec." I say with a monotone voice. My head looks back to Asahi, forcing a gentle smile. "Goodnight, sleep well."

"Goodnight y/n, I'll try my best." I let out a huff of laughter and opt out of the hug.

The walk up the driveway was nerve wracking, it felt as though I was going to snap at my mom if she asked anything about Asahi. With my luck, she immediately starts with the questions.

"Who's he?"

"A guy from the volleyball team. He offered to walk me home."

"Nothing more?" she nudges my arm teasingly. I wasn't in the mood.

"Nope. Just friends."

Pushing gently past my mom, I slip off my shoes as my feet prickle from the effects of cold fade away.

I keep my eyes on the floor as I try quickly taking my things to my bedroom.

"You aren't gonna say 'hi' to your dad?" he jokingly said, sitting at the dining room table as he ate his food.

He had the tendency to act as though the two of us were all chummy.

"Hi, dad" I muster a smile.

"Well, tell us about the camp!" my mom always tries alleviating the tension, something that irritates both me and my father. For different reasons, of course.

"I pretty much just watched everyone play the whole time." my mom was still looking at me, expecting more. "Uh, and we lost a lot. But it was a good learning experience for them though."

"Ah, I see." she nods slowly. "You should have tried practicing with them a bit. Maybe volleyball can be your sport." she says excitedly.

And that's my cue to leave.

"I don't think so, mom. I'm tired and I have school Monday, so I'll probably go to bed soon. Night"

I finally don't get interrupted as I try going into my room.

Peeling off my clothes and tossing them on the floor of the bathroom, I take a moment to simply breathe. The exhaustion was catching up to me. The shower knob was gently turned, with me jumping back at the cold water spraying across. I shudder in frustration as I wait for when the air fogs up, signalling the perfect temperature for relaxation.