égoïste [Akaashi Keiji]

raison #29

"SHIORI!" Bokuto spread out his arms for a big bear hug, almost throwing himself onto the smaller volleyball player.

"WHAT THE HELL, KOU?!" Shiori couldn't even react when he had wrapped his arms around her shoulders, holding her like he would a precious stuffed toy. She poked him several times around his sides to let go, which he did, in a fit of laughter.

Yukie watched with a bland expression like always, wondering why there was such a commotion in the morning. Alas, it was pretty normal for the two.

Just that, the manager looked at Bokuto, who was grinning all shades of happiness, go back to his seat, it feels different.

Shiori felt that something was different, too, but she dismissed it as the mood of the day. She wasn't going to go into itty bitty details about something she probably wouldn't need to know much about. So instead, she focused on doing well for her final exams before summer break.

Oh shit, it suddenly dawned on her, final exams.

When the teacher mentioned it, the whole class's enthusiasm levels dropped to an all-time low, with the atmosphere becoming heavy.

I've been focusing so much on volleyball and eating cream puffs that I've barely studied! Shiori realised, staring at the edge of the desk in focus.

Bokuto had his head on the desk, mumbling something whilst in his emo mode.

Yukie had her usual critter like smile, and she brought her ruler out to poke Shiori's back, "Tutor me and I'll tutor you." And only got a small nod in response, making her shoulders relax in relief.

"So none of you have studied for your final exams?" Akaashi questioned, eating an onigiri. He had just started eating after coming into the classroom for lunch. His seniors were all complaining about the final exams that were at the end of the week.

Konoha was the first one to reply, with a straight up, honest, "Nope."

Shiori shook her head, "I was only eating cream puffs and watching volleyball videos and doing that kind of stuff." She laughed lightly, but there was no emotion behind it.

You too? But you somehow still manage to tutor me in English? Akaashi wondered what was up with that.

Yukie smiled, "I did a little bit, probably more than the two here but not as much as I would've liked."

Bokuto was the last to answer, and the expression he had on his face was like a stone statue. He drawled, "The teacher said that if I didn't get over 40% I would have to sit out of the training camp and do supplementary lessons..."

Komi, who happened to come in at that time, slapped Bokuto on the back, "Cheer up, all you just need to do is study a little bit!"

Bokuto groaned, "I don't wanna study! I just wanna play volleyball!"

"But you won't get to if you don't study." Akaashi sighed. "All you need to get is over 40, so it should be fine."

"But the exams are in a couple of days' time?!" The owl protested, nervously thinking about the amount of all-nighters he would have to pull to get his desired score.

Shiori realised, while Bokuto was talking, that if she failed any, she would have to stay back in Tokyo to do supplementary exams whilst the rest of her family would be up in Miyagi.

Ah, man, I have to pass it all, too, or else I'll be blacklisted by Shiratorizawa...should I get Arata to tutor me?

"Shiori-san, you're a bit pale," Akaashi noticed that the girl wasn't as energetic as usual. He unconsciously brought his hand to her forehead, feeling for her temperature.