The "Red Flag" Guy

- Chapter one -

As the bell rang, it was time for my least favorite class – maths.
Groaning, I forced myself to get up and head to the next period. As I made my way through the halls, I received the usual disgusted glares from other students, but I didn't let it get to me, as I was used to those looks by now.
I found a seat in the back next to the window and prepared to endure another boring math lesson.
It stung to hear the girls gossiping about me once aagain

"Hey, that's Sugawara-senpai's younger sister, right?"
"Yeah. She's so scary. Just look at her eyes," said one voice, a hint of horror in their tone. Another joined, "For real, she radiates dark energy."

I listened in silence. That's right. That's how people react to my  complete heterochromia. One eye hazel brown and the other light green. In their eyes, I was a monster.
Yet, the whispers didn't bother me anymore. Or maybe... It does stung a little.

I adjusted my glasses, trying my best to focus on the task at hand, when our teacher with stern expression, entered the room, carrying textbooks and a demeanor that suggested no room for nonsense.
With a indifferent tone, she instructed us to take our seats and pay attention.

"Today, we'll have a unique lesson," she announced, placing the books on her desk. "Each of you will be paired with a first year student. Your assignment is to teach them the formula we're currently studying. Once they successfully grasp it, I'll hand out a quiz, and if they get it right, both of you will receive an A."

I couldn't believe it. Working with the first years? And if they got the formula right, I'd get an A? It seemed like the teacher was looking to reward both us and the juniors for a perfect score.
I looked around, and most of the class seemed disinterested, but I couldn't help but feel a slight sense of excitement. I can get a good grade from maths, without giving that much effort to it!

I watched as the first years enter the room, my eyes immediately drawn to a tall, slim boy with short blonde hair, rectangular glasses and headphones around his neck.
Is he really a first year?
I noticed my classmates whispering and pointing in my direction, no doubt sharing the same old rumors about me. I couldn't help but roll my eyes in frustration.
Why do they always have to do this? I can't even attend a class without being judged.

I sat there in the back of the classroom, feeling like an outcast as no one dared to approach me to pair up. Two girls were practically fighting over who was going to be stuck with me. It was a familiar situation, and I found it ironic how quickly they changed their minds once someone else stepped in.
I looked up, startled, as the tall guy stood up. "I'll pair with her." He declared in a quiet voice.
My eyes widened. Someone wants to pair with a.. monster?

"Thank you, uh..."
"Tsukishima."
"Thank you, Tsukishima."
He shrugged his shoulders. "Whatever."

When I started explaining the formula, it was clear that I myself had difficulty fully understanding it, but I tried my best for him.
After all, he was the one who had chosen to come and sit with me, despite the rumors that surrounded me.

HUH?! I can't believe it. I had taken the time to explain the formula, and just when I looked over to see if he understood, he was mindlessly staring out of the window with headphones on, not paying me any attention whatsoever.
Irritation flooded through me, and I couldn't help myself from waving at him. "Hello? You still here, Tsukishima?"
He just rolled his eyes at me. How dare he! ? I was doing my best to explain and he doesn't even care!?

I spoke up, trying to keep my cool. "Hey, I know I might be boring, but I need a good grade in math, so could you please pay attention?"
But he didn't respond. I couldn't believe his audacity to ignore me like that.
I desperately wanted to rip those headphones off his head and throw them across the room, but I held back, managing to maintain my composure.

"Kids, it's time for the juniors to write the quiz!"
My heart sank as I glanced at my partner, the boy who hadn't paid attention to a word I'd said.

He got up slowly and spoke softly, "Don't worry."

Frustration boiled over within me. "DON'T WORRY? YOU DIDN'T EVEN LISTEN TO ME!" I pounded a fist on the desk, capturing the class's attention and eliciting horrified looks from everyone.

I immediately regretted it.
"Kaorin!" the teacher scolded angrily. "Um.. Uh.. I'm sorry," I mumbled apologetically.

Why would I do that? Why did I shout? Why had I let my emotions get the best of me? Why do I always screw up? I hate myself for being foolish.

Tsukishima laughed at me. "I'm telling you, don't worry," he said, cocky. "I'm much smarter than you, you know."
I glared at him, feeling even more annoyed by his smirk. As I watched him finish writing the quiz quickly, I was surprised.
I guess he gave up, I thought to myself, sighing. What a waste, no good grade for me today...

The classroom filled with the sound of rustling papers as the other students completed their quizzes. The teacher announced, "Tsukishima and Kaorin are the only ones to have received an A."
  I looked at him in surprise, and he returned my gaze with a smug smirk.
This guy! I thought to myself incredulously. He had actually passed the quiz despite hardly paying attention to my explanation.

I headed to the gymnasium after lunch, reluctantly following my brother's suggestion to check out the volleyball club.

I stepped into the gymnasium and instantly regretted it as the orange-haired guy let out an alarmed scream. "AHHH!! WHO ARE YOU, A STALKER? A MURDERER?!"
I was taken aback by his reaction. "W.. What?! What are you talking about?" I stuttered.

"AND WHY DO YOU LOOK AND HAVE THE SAME MOLE AS SUGA-SAN?!" He continued shouting.
"BECAUSE HE'S MY OLDER BROTHER, YOU SCREAMY LORAX!" I shot back, annoyed at his accusations.
I smiled amusedly as the black-haired guy and Tanaka continued laughing, repeating the word "Lorax" and pointing at the orange-haired one.

My brother then appeared, and the moment he saw me, he hugged me.
"Heya Sugar," I greeted him.
He chuckled, replying, "Hey karen!"
Daichi then approached me,
"I apologize, Kaorin, for their dumbness," he said, rubbing his neck.

"Ah, it's no problem, Daichi," I told him, not taking offense this time. "They're just first years, right?"
Orange immediately protested. "HEY, JUST BECAUSE WE'RE FIRSTIES, IT DOESN'T MEAN WE'RE IMMATURE!"

I couldn't help but respond with a sly comment. "It seems like it."
Koshi chuckled and introduced the others. "The orange-haired one is Hinata Shoyo, the black-haired one is Kageyama Tobio, and Tanaka, you remember him, right?"
"How could I forget our baldie, haha!" Tanaka shot me an annoyed look. "I'M NOT BALD!"

Daichi tried to bring up the topic again. "So, what do you think? Wanna become our manager?"
I crossed my arms, giving a firm response. "You know the answer. Because of the accident, I am definitely not interested."
Daichi sighed in defeat. "At least I tried," he muttered.

"Any idea where are the other two firsties?" My brother asked.
"Nope," the two first years replied.
"Wait, more?" I was puzzled.
"Yeah, we have four first years in our team," he replied.
I digested this information and nodded silently.

I pushed open the entrance door, intending to check if the other two first years were coming. But to my shock, I accidentally hit someone behind it. Huh who was it?

TSUKISHIMA?!

I demanded incredulously, "WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?!"
"What, I can't play volleyball?" Tsukishima responded nonchalantly.
The green-haired boy next to him then asked, "Isn't that the monster girl?"
As soon as my brother heard those words, he immediately attacked him, with Daichi trying in vain to calm him down.

My attention remained fixed on Tsukishima, and I couldn't help but speak my mind.

"You flippin giraffe," I retorted.
He retorted back, with his usual aloof demeanor, "Shut up. At least I don't explain formulas incorrectly."

This guy is so irritating!