awkward

two

Years passed and you're finally in your last spring break as a junior high student. You would be starting high school as soon as the break ended, which was quite daunting now that you thought of it. Suzume had completed her first year of high school and she seemed to have little to no issues. First year's nothin', it's a breeze, your sister reassured you.

The fact that Osamu and Atsumu would be joining you in Inarizaki High didn't ease your nerves either, seeing as they'd gained quite a following over the past few years. They started to play volleyball months after moving in, and they were good. In junior high, they became popular as more acknowledged their talent and they gained plenty of admirers as they were easy on the eyes too.

Super easy. Like really easy.

You couldn't deny that the twins were good-looking. It was the topic of many of you and Suzume's late night talks. Suzume explained that her peers would fawn over the twins, which irritated her as it would get quite annoying. She also found it weird since the twins were younger than her.

You would also relate to her, as your classmates and friends would gawk at the twins if they were within the vicinity. You refused to fangirl over them so openly. They might throw eggs at your house if you did.

Back to high school, if news got out that you lived just across the street from the famous Miya twins, you were sure you'd get bombarded with endless questions. You prayed that you wouldn't end up being a messenger pigeon for their fans. Shivers went down your spine as you imagined yourself knocking on the Miyas' door every evening with a pile of love letters on hand. You weren't even that close.

Ever since that one dinner with them, you rarely spoke to them. Sure, you guys would have small talk if you bumped into each other at the nearby convenience store, or said hi if you met at the park, but to call them your friends would be a stretch.

You thought you'd grow closer to the boys but the twins were just too busy and you had grown busy with your own commitments too. One of the few times you had properly interacted with them was in fourth grade.

They had just come back from a training camp and your mother had invited the Miyas over for lunch to catch up.

—

"Ma, must ya really invite the Miyas over for lunch? Ya literally went out with Aunty just yesterday!" Suzume groaned as she set up the table for the Miyas.

You sighed, silently agreeing with your sister. You knew Fumiko and your mother were trying to get you and your sister to befriend the twins like they had with each other. Your mother and Fumiko were close. Actually, close was an understatement. They were like sisters—glued at the hip. They did all their errands together, frequently went out for tea dates and even dragged out their husbands for double dates during festivals.

It was ironic as their children barely knew each other.

Atsumu and Osamu simply weren't interested in becoming friends—well, Atsumu wasn't. He was a bit arrogant and wouldn't even greet you if he saw you in the halls of your elementary school. He had no friends now that you think of it—he didn't have the nicest way with words so he was difficult to talk to.

Your friends gossiped about it occasionally, telling you rumours that he's really mean during volleyball trainings. You told them to drop it, and that it's not nice to spread rumours about someone they barely knew.

But you couldn't help but feel curious. What's up with Atsumu? You figured it was just a phase he was going through—he probably thought everyone had cooties.

Lunch rolled around and the Miyas strolled into your home. Osamu carried a pot of curry while Atsumu arrived empty handed—unless you considered the scowl on his face as something. You smiled at the twins, doing your best to come off as friendly. Suzume was scowling to match Atsumu's expression. She's such a loser for someone so old (she's only a year older but that seemed like a decade to a nine year old), you thought.