𝟭. 𝙃𝙀𝙍 𝙎𝙄𝘿𝙀 𝙊𝙁 𝙏𝙃𝙀 𝙎𝙏𝙊𝙍𝙔 || 𝐡𝐚𝐢𝐤𝐲𝐮𝐮 [✔]

Chapter 3: Reckless

𝖘𝖚𝖓𝖓𝖞𝖘𝖎𝖉𝖊𝖇𝖆𝖇𝖍𝖊'𝖘 𝖋𝖎𝖈𝖙𝖎𝖔𝖓𝖆𝖑 𝖘𝖙𝖔𝖗𝖞
#070722
•••

Her heart raced as she lunged forward. She managed to catch the volleyball just before it slammed into Asahi. The ball bounced out of her grip and rolled away, but she didn't care—Asahi was safe.

Aeris exhaled sharply, her knees hitting the dirt. When she looked up, every kid in the area stared at her—some looking at her like she was crazy, others clearly worried.

"Are you alright?" a tall, dark-skinned man suddenly appeared in front of her, bending down to her level.

"Yeah... I'm alright," Aeris said, breathing hard.

"You sure? You don't look good," a smaller guy added, pointing. "Your knee is bleeding."

"I said I'm—" She tried standing up, but the moment the adrenaline faded, she felt a stabbing pain shoot through her leg. "Fuck..." she muttered under her breath.

"You need help," the gray-haired guy said simply.

Before she could protest, the three of them helped her up.

"I'm sorry for the trouble," Aeris said quietly.

"No problem," the tall one replied with a reassuring smile. "I'm Ojiro Aran."

Before she could react, Aran crouched down and motioned for her to climb onto his back.
Aeris hesitated, embarrassed, but the pain convinced her.

Please eat me alive... she thought as she wrapped her arms around his shoulders.

The gray-haired guy gently picked up Asahi, who clung to him without fear.

"I'm Akagi Michinari," the smaller guy introduced himself.

"Miya Osamu," the gray-haired one said with a nod.

Aeris blinked, still overwhelmed. "I'm Kageyama Aeris. And that's my cousin, Asahi."

"Nice meeting you," Aran said from beneath her.

"Likewise," Aeris answered, a little shyly.

"Where do you live?" Michinari asked.

"Beside the old shrine path," Aeris answered, "the house with the stone lanterns in front."

"Oh—that's the Yoshida residence?" Osamu asked.

"Yeah... how did you know?"

"I live there across the street. Three houses down. That one's ours." Osamu pointed vaguely to the road ahead. "But I haven't seen you before. First time here?"

"No," Aeris said. "I used to come here a long time ago."

"Do you go to school around here?" Aran asked.

Aeris shook her head. "No. I used to attend Takenodai Academy."

"Takenodai Academy?" Michinari blinked. "That's in Tokyo, right?"

Aeris nodded.

Osamu squinted at her face. "Wait... you look familiar. You're—"

Michinari immediately slapped the back of Osamu's head, and Aran smacked him again for good measure.

"What was that for?!" Osamu complained.

Aeris laughed softly. "It's okay. Yes... I guess you recognize me?"

The three boys exchanged awkward looks, but nodded.

"Well... everyone knows," Aran admitted. "If you know, you know."

"You guys play volleyball?" Aeris asked, trying to change the subject.

"Yes," Osamu said proudly. "We go to Inarizaki."

"No wonder you hit so well," Aeris said, impressed.

"Does it hurt?" Michinari asked, eyeing her knee.

"It's alright," Aeris replied, though her voice wavered.

"Still... sorry for the trouble," Aran said.

A long conversation followed as they walked, the boys explaining how they found her. Aeris, as always, spoke comfortably—her best trait was her ability to talk to anyone without hesitation. She was friendly, extroverted, and always quick to connect with people, even strangers.

As they approached her street, a familiar car turned the corner and pulled up in front of the Yoshida house. Aeris's eyes widened—her aunt was home early.

They slowed down as Harumi stepped out, surprised.

"Aeris-chan?" Harumi called out, worry in her voice

« ֪ ׅ ֹ =͟͞ ♡ 𝗘𝗗𝗜𝗧𝗘𝗗.