égoïste [Akaashi Keiji]

raison #17

That third round was good. That spike felt good. It scored a point. It scored a winning point, and we won the game. But, although I'm happy, why don't I feel satisfied? Shiori creased her brows when she stared at the ceiling of her bedroom. It had been a few hours since Pillows had won the 3rd round, and she was just resting.

Was it not good enough? She closed her eyes, imagining the ball hitting her hand and slamming down onto the ground; the sound that would echo in the stadium when she did and the exhilaration she would get from hitting it and scoring.

Why isn't this working? The sets are good, both Michiko (Pillows' team setter) and Keiji are able to sync up with me—so, it is just me? Or maybe that feeling has escaped me? Does it hate me or something?

She opened her eyes again and sat up, looking out the window. Normally on nights that she didn't want to sleep yet and just lay there, her blinds wouldn't be closed, so it'd let the street lights and moonlight shine in. She stared outside, watching the cat that prowled through the alleyway, only to come to a stop and sit down, wrapping a tail around its body as it sat there, watching.

Well, it's not exactly to say that it isn't progress, because it is, but is it too slow? What's stopping me? Is there some kind of barrier? The Maebara exhaled with a light huff, going to her phone.

She had a message.

Keiji: Please give my thanks to Arata-san for the food. It was delicious.

Shiori smiled. He had already thanked Arata well and truly enough. But, he still wanted to thank him again.

He must have really liked the food, she thought.

"Hm?" She saw another message after that one. It was also from Keiji, but sent after.

Keiji: I've got the match on video. Do you want to have a copy?

She typed a fast response. She didn't expect him to have filmed it since when she looked up at him, he wasn't holding his phone at all.

Shiori: Yes~! Thanks, Keiji-kun!

Not even a short while later did she get a reply.

Keiji: I'll give it via usb.

As she typed a response, another message popped on her screen.

Keiji: You played well today.

It was just a sentence, but it made her happy.

Shiori: Thanks! But, it's late, so go to sleep!

-----

Akaashi stared at his phone. It was indeed late, but he had to catch up on studying and finishing off a few things. He sighed, putting his phone face down to concentrate on his work.

But, his phone made a light sound to signal he had another message.

Shiori-san: Knowing you, you're probably studying so, don't sleep too late, okay? You need to take care of your health too. Anyway, goodnight! :D

The setter read through the question a couple of times more, before replying.

Akaashi: I'll see you tomorrow. Goodnight.

He let a light smile dance on his lips as he completed his work.

-----

"Ah, yeah, I did say that." Shiori spoke to her mum when she called. It was currently lunch break in both Miyagi and Tokyo, so her mother wasn't teaching nor was Shiori in class.