Scars || T. Oikawa Spin-off

25| New Obstacle

   "Pick up the pace, Fujisaki!" Nakagawa yells out as the girl's volleyball team sprints around campus like complete idiots. 

   Why don't you shut up and go back to the pits of hell which you crawled out of? 

   It's cold outside, but my body's working so hard to keep up that it feels like summer. Why would I put myself through this torture? I'm starting to wonder why I thought joining the volleyball club was a good idea in the first place. 

   "I quit the team," I say, panting as I place my hands over my fully clothed thighs, sweat rolling from my face and onto the cold concrete. 

   "No, you don't," Soma says, grabbing my arm and forcing me to push forward. 

   I grumble, looking at the campus as my legs practically fall off. We pass by the garden near the dorms, now covered in colorful leaves as the flowers and other plants begin to die. Most students are sad about this. It is a popular hang-out and dating zone. But it makes me hopeful. As things die, others are born. And next year, it'll come back even more beautiful.

   Even though it hurts, and I'm tired, and I feel like leaping in front of a train, I'll work hard; because I've always held a certain love for volleyball. And because I want to prove to myself as well as them that I can be strong.

~~~~

Akira's POV: 

   "Thanks for the help today. You're amazing as always," Izumi says, her short grey hair bouncing up and down as we walk along the school's crowded hallways. 

   I smile at her, "But of course. I could never let such a pretty little thing prick her finger," I say. Izumi Suzume is the girl that sits next to me in sewing class. She tends to struggle quite a bit. It's almost laughable. Her personality is fairly bland as well. It's quite infuriating when she attempts to engage me in conversation outside of class, but I let it slide. Just as I see most people, I don't find her to be of any comfort to me. 

   She giggles annoyingly, "You're such a flirt, Akira. You should teach me to be as confident as you," she chuckles, holding her books to her chest. 

   Oh, sweats, you're going to have to get a lot prettier if you wish to one day be on my level. And you'll need to be far more...developed, I think, doing my very best not to choke on the air. I can't stand this girl. 

   "It's not something you just acquire overnight, dear," I say, running my acrylic nails through my high ponytail. It's hard to imagine that people have to go through life whilst looking inferior to me. Simply tragic. 

   "I can imagine. It must've taken you a long time to accept your insecurities," she speaks, trying to be relatable. 

   You know nothing about me, foolish girl. 

   "Akira!" a familiar voice calls out to me, causing myself and annoying Izumi to stop in our tracts looking around. 

   When my eyes rest on Sato's beauty, I let out a sigh of relief. Finally, someone who isn't an eyesore. He walks up to us, pushing past other students while waving at me. 

   "Hey, Akira. How was sewing class?" he asks with that signature, joyful smile. He's such a cutie. I want to stuff him in my pocket, even though he is quite a bit larger than me.

   I smile back, "Quite enjoyable. And your creative writing class?" I ask, hoping Izumi will leave if I ignore her, but she stays close to my side, teal orbs never leaving Sato's figure. Out of the corner of my eye, I can see her flushed cheeks. 

   "It was great. I got an A on the short story I turned in. My professor said that I should consider turning my work into a publisher," he exclaims, face lighting up like the star on a Christmas tree.