Thirteen Months

The Angel Boy

 After being introduced to the team and to Coach Ukai, Mizuko was directed to sit on their bench and watch practice. During one of the serving drills, a stray ball rolled towards her, and none of the players came to collect it. Picking it up, Mizuko spun the ball with her long, delicate fingers. While the team was distracted with one of the coach's pep talks, Mizuko moved over to a wall on the opposite side of the gym. She began to pass the ball all the wall to herself.

The boys' team continued to practice, but a few of the players stole glances at the small figure in the corner. Daichi especially couldn't help but notice the skillful way she handled the ball, the precision of her passes, the confidence in every move she made. It was obvious the girl had skills.

"Alright guys," Coach Ukai called. "That's it for today! Clean up!" The boys hustled around the gym, picking up stray balls and taking down the net. Mizuko moved to put her ball in the cart as well. "Hey there. Mizuko, right?" Coach Ukai asked, cocking an eyebrow at her. She nodded, eye glued to the floor. "That was some pretty nice work you did just there, ever thought about joining the girls' team?" he asked. Mizuko just shrugged. Daichi walked up beside her.

"Ready to go?" he asked her. Mizuko nodded. "Is it ok if Sugawara walks with us? We usually walk home together since he lives in the next neighborhood over from us." She nodded again. Joining them at the entrance, Sugawara began to walk beside Daichi and Mizuko.

"Hi, Mizuko. My name's Sugawara, but most people just call me Suga." Sugawara nervously said. "Daichi's told me a lot about you." Mizuko looked towards him, her gaze looking slightly past him in order to avoid direct eye contact. She nodded slightly. Clutching at Daichi's club jacket sleeve, Mizuko continued to walk closer to him, nerves at the presence of another person rising in her chest. Daichi exchanged a glance with Sugawara.

"Don't take it personally," Daichi mouthed to him. Sugawara nodded. He had known this would be a difficult adjustment for Mizuko and Daichi's family.

Mizuko turned Daichi's hand over so his palm was face up. In the middle of it, she used her pointer to trace characters. "Hair?" Daichi asked, looking puzzled. She traced the first character of Sugawara's name into his palm. "You like Suga's hair?" Mizuko nodded.

Sugawara grinned. "Would you like to feel it?" He titled his head towards her. Mizuko's eyes lit up as she cautiously reached a hand towards the taller boy. Hesitating slightly, she looked back towards Daichi as if to ask if it was ok.

"Go on," Daichi encouraged. "He said it was ok." Mizuko smiled faintly and reached out again towards Sugawara. She pet his hair slightly and ran her fingers through it, admiring its softness. A real grin spread from ear to ear as she continued to admire Suga's silver hair. "Alright, c'mon you," Daichi chuckled. Mizuko let out a soft giggle and leaned towards him to whisper something in his ear. Daichi grinned. Sugawara wanted to ask what was so funny, but was cut off by a look from his captain that said, I'll tell you later. Suga nodded and smiled a little, happy to have put a smile on Mizuko's face.

The rest of the walk home was quiet. Sugawara was lost in his thoughts, barely even noticing. they had reached the street in which they had to part ways. Sugawara stopped, turning to Daichi and Mizuko. "It was nice to meet you, Mizuko," he said softly. Mizuko tried her best to look him in the eye, but was only able to manage looking slightly past his head. Sugawara smiled, knowing that the girl was trying. "See you tomorrow, Daichi," Suga called, as he broke off from the other two.

"Night, Suga!" Daichi replied, which Mizuko followed up with a tiny wave of her slender fingers.

***

Later that evening, Sugawara couldn't get her out of his head. He was determined to see that smile. Not only see it, but to be the cause of it. His phone buzzed, startling him out of his thoughts.

DAICHI: Do you still wanna know what she said?

SUGA: yea!

DAICHI: She said you looked like an angel.

SUGA: really? aw that's so sweet of her :) 

DAICHI: Yeah, she called you "The Angel Boy."

SUGA: REALLY???

DAICHI: Yeah, lol.

SUGA: do you think she'll talk to me?

DAICHI: It's hard to say. She's really shy. But she talks to me. She said she feels safe around me.

SUGA: that's really cute aww

DAICHI: I think if you just keep being calm and kind to her, she'll eventually warm up to you.

SUGA: i hope so

DAICHI: Alright, I have to go finish studying.

SUGA: ok say hi to mizu for me

DAICHI:  Mizu?

SUGA: mizuko

DAICHI:  Oh, I will! I'm sure she says hi back, in her own way.   :)

Sugawara shut off his phone and laid back on his bed, heart thumping inside his chest. Ba-dump. He exhaled sharply. "Angel boy, huh?" he murmured to himself. Ba-dump. "I like that." Ba-dump. Ba-dump. Ba-dump.