égoïste [Akaashi Keiji]

raison #19

I think I saw her at an archery match today!

What, really?! What did she look like?!

She looked like those pictures, but I couldn't see her properly because she was far away.

You should have taken pictures!

I know!

What school was she playing for?

Fukurodani!

Oh?! That volleyball powerhouse in Tokyo!

Yeah!

Shiori stared at the screenshot of conversation MiracleBoy had sent her, her brown eyes widening as she read each line. She was sure she was seeing things, but she was also 200% sure she wasn't, and that was the real deal right there, happening within the forums.

Just how the hell did they even find out who I was just from these crappy pictures alone? Shiori sighed with a slight frown and crease of the brows.

In any case, why was there a volleyball fan at a high schooler's archery competition? This forum is blowing out of control. It's like there are stalkers everywhere. First seeing me in Tokyo, then seeing me in an archery competition?

What a pain. She pressed her fingers to her temples, rubbing them in circles.

"Shiori, what's wrong? You look really tired." Arata looked down from behind the couch, staring at his sister who was sprawled out on the entirety of the length.

"This." She thrust the phone in his direction.

He glanced at it, his brows raising slightly, before he let out a light laugh. "Wow, they're onto you, dear little sister of mine."

"It's all because someone spread the word on an online forum, or passed the word by mouth." The teenager sat up and put her slippers on. "And that was just today, too. Information passes quickly in forums like this."

"Isn't that because you helped out Fukurodani's boy team?" Arata handed her back the phone.

"Yeah, but..."

"Then it's no problem, right? You're the one who decided to ultimately go through with it. Weren't you prepared for things like this, anyway? It's earlier than what you thought it'd be, though, right?"

"I guess so, but..."

"You're afraid that they'll force you into playing games that won't satisfy?" Arata leaned against the back of the sofa, arms dangling.

"...more than that, I don't want them to follow me wherever I go." She looked to her phone, seeing another message from MiracleBoy.

MiracleBoy: I just saw these! I think you said something about going to Fukurodani, right?! Doesn't that mean she goes to your school?! That's so cool! I'm jealous~

She didn't reply, just stared. She didn't know how to reply to something like that.

Arata let out a gentle exhale and placed a hand over his younger sister's head, purposely messing up her hair before bringing her in closer to hug her.

"Don't worry about it too much, young one."

"Stop speaking like an old man."

"Don't be mean to your brother! Ahem!" He cleared his throat, "Really, don't worry about it. I highly doubt they'd follow you everywhere. They're pretty tame for people related to sports. They're simply curious about you since you disappeared for like 3 years."