Tsuki-Dayo

Twenty-Two | 二十二

Twenty-Two

Yuki and Erika watched as Yuno opened the lid to her bear-shaped lunch box. Their eyes lit up when they saw how adorable her lunch was arranged. Drool was visible at the corner of Erika's mouth as Yuno tried to push her face away from her precious lunch. "DON'T DROOL ON MY FOOD! YOU HAVE YOUR OWN LUNCH!!"

"But Yuno...Yours looks so much more appetizing..." Erika argued, with her cheek pressed against Yuno's palm. "Just one bite?"

"No way!"

[Name] let out a nervous chuckle watching the both of them argue. It felt nice to be surrounded by her friends like this once more. "Say, [Name]-chan?" She turned to her side, where her blond friend was. "How does it feel like, being a manager for the boys' team?"

Yuki's warm and bright personality returned as soon as [Name] attended school once more. Her smile radiated so much more warm and kindness now and she no longer spaced out. Instead, she had been by [Name]'s side whenever she finds the chance, trying to make up for lost time, despite being away for just slightly over a week.

"It's honestly been a lot of fun." [Name] grinned. "It's only been a few days but I feel like I've been a part of the team for years! They're very kind to me and never fail to amaze me all the time. Watching them is like I'm playing a match myself, it's so captivating."

Yuki smiled, feeling happy for her friend. "That's great."

"But I still haven't really got used to being a manager. Keeping the records, writing down logs and things like that." [Name] continued, feeling slightly ashamed. "I feel like I'm dragging Kiyoko-san down instead of helping her..."

"It's alright, [Name]-chan. Just give it some time and you'll do fine." Yuki encouraged. [Name] nodded and hummed in agreement. Yuki's smile slowly dropped into a thin line. She looked down at her thighs, trying to find her words. Clenching onto the hem of her skirt tightly, she inhaled before speaking in a shaky voice. "A-Actually... I have -"

"[Name]! A senpai is looking for you!" Someone called from the corridor, cutting Yuki off. [Name] perked up at her name and quickly responded with a 'Coming!'. Before she pushed her chair back, she turned back to Yuki, who was still staring at her thighs.

"What were you going to say, Yuki?" She asked.

Yuki bit her trembling lips as she grabbed more of her skirt. She looked up to her friend with her usual bright smile, all the anxiety from before had suddenly disappeared. "It's nothing at all!" She said. "Now, go on."

[Name] seemed to hesitate a little but did as she was told anyways. Before she walked to the corridor, she turned back to her friend once more, making sure if she was really alright. Yuki gave her a small wave and an assuring smile, causing her to turn back to her corridor.

She poked her head out of the corridor, attempting to see who had summoned her. She gasped softly when she found the beautiful third year, Shimizu Kiyoko standing in front of her. "Kiyoko-san!"

Kiyoko offered her a quick smile, pushing her silky raven locks behind her ear. "Do you have a minute?"

-

The moon was making its appearance when the boys were done with their practice. As usual, [Name] would walk down the hill with Yamaguchi and Tsukishima. They had no idea how this routine had begun but they were just so used to it, they never even question it. [Name] and Tsukishima were bickering at each other once more because Tsukishima had pushed her buttons, again, and Yamaguchi had practically given up on the both of them. It's weird if they don't quarrel, actually. He thought.