[English] ~𝒟𝒶𝓇ℯ 𝓉ℴ 𝒟𝓇ℯ𝒶𝓂~ Kenma x OC

Chapter 6: Dye my hair blond, please!

"Are you sure you want to go through with this?" Maru-chan shifted her weight to her left leg and looked at me with an insecure look on her face. I nodded. The idea came to me a few days ago when I was arguing with my mother again. She called me a bad image of my sister. And it was only with her words that I realised how similar I looked to my sister and how she could use that resemblance as a weapon against me, with the intention of making me feel bad. I wanted to change that. I didn't want to look like them anymore. I wanted to be someone of my own. Not just Hikaru's sister. Satisfied, I dropped on the barber's chair and turned to the young lady who was preparing the utensils. "Could you dye my hair blond, please? "

--

I was hardly recognizable. And I was overjoyed. Maru-chan grabbed one of my hair strands. "Wow, I didn't expect the color to look so good on you." Grateful, I grabbed her hand and we walked out of the store and then through Tokyo together towards the meadow in the park of the city. It was the weekend. Lev had earlier written in the group chat that he was going to meet some old friends and that we were invited as his new friends. He knew I didn't like to spend time at home and I was grateful to him for getting me out of the lion's den. The cheerful whirl of voices could be heard from afar, followed by a wonderful smell of barbecue. "Wow, that smells good." We speeded up our steps and soon reached the meadow.

"Izumi-chan! Wow, you're hardly recognizable!" Bokuto-san put his arm on my shoulder and grinned. I threw a light punch onto his chest. "Hello Bokuto-san." The others had also noticed our arrival. I let my eyes wander through the crowd. In the far corner I discovered the face I had unconsciously been looking for. After Lev and Yuki told me they knew Kenma, I secretly waited for him to show up every time we met. And today he was there, his half-length hair tied loosely together into a pony tail, he was wearing casual pleated trousers in beige and a black tight-fitting shirt, which highlighted his rather well-built body. As always, his eyes were focused on his smartphone. I quickly focused on the others. They were absolutely thrilled with my new hair color.

"Izumi-chan, this is Atsumu-san. He plays on the same team as Bokuto-san." Lev introduced me to the young man. I had seen him on TV before. The blond boy shook my hand. "I'm glad to meet you." I nodded and smiled uncertainly. Sometimes I found it hard to understand everything they were saying. Just like now, when Atsumu-san asked me a question, I only understood: ". . . meat broth. . . Bokuto. . . eats. . . Hinata. . . " Confused, I looked at him. "Bokuto eats Hinata?" He blew off and I felt bad right away, but I tried to play it of. Instead, I laughed along. Stupid language barrier...

--

I made myself comfortable offside from the crowd. I was still uncomfortable and slightly embarrassed that I didn't understand Atsumu-san properly earlier. With a small smile, I watched my new friends and missed my old ones at the same time. I reached for my cell phone. Actually, I should be able to reach Rose right now. It beeped twice, then I saw her face on the screen. Her eyes widened. "Izy, what have you done?!" A cheeky grin appeared on her face. "Wow, that really suits you. Your mother will turn red in anger, I'm telling you!" A wistful smile tugged at the corners of my mouth, followed by sadness. "I miss you." Suddenly, I heard footsteps approaching me. "Who do you miss?" Oh shit. I knew that voice. That was definitely Kenma. 

I winced. "Kozume-san." Rose squealed on the other side of the line. "Omg, that Kozume-san?! Do you mean Kenma?" I turned bright red. Jesus, what would he think of me now? Curious, Kenma tried to take a look at my smartphone. "This is just a friend. She's a big fan of yours." Kenma's gaze remained unreadable. I turned my screen slightly. "Rose, I have to hang up. I'll talk to you later." Rose pouted. "Then at least send me a selfie of Kenma and you. Pleaseeee." I groaned softly. "Let's see."After I ended the call, I turned to Kenma. His eyes watched my every movement. 

"Suits you." I was confused for a second, then I realized he was referring to my new hair color. A hint of pink appeared on my cheeks. I cursed inwardly. Why did he have so much influence on my self-control? I quickly mumbled a quiet 'Thank you'. Kenma sat down next to me with his food. "I don't like crowds. Can I eat here?" Just a nod from me again. Distracted, I nibbled on my barbecue skewer. "Why are you in Japan if you don't want to be here? You sounded like you really wanted to be elsewhere. You're not here voluntarily, am I right?" I looked up, startled. Had he seen through me so quickly? What was this guy actually thinking? I felt as if he was reading me like an open book. His gaze was piercing and I shrank under his expression. Who are you, Kozume Kenma, and why do you pretend to know my life?