Smoldering | Kuroo Tetsurou Love Story |

Warm

A tall, lean girl quietly walked through the hallways of Nekoma High. Her footsteps was the only sound that followed her down the hallway, stopping once she stood before a sliding door that led into the classroom with the placard that read '2-2' to the right of the door. She glanced down at the small sheet of paper she held in her hand before looking back up at the placard. Her pale green eyes were fixed on the placard, reading and re-reading it, comparing it to the scribbles on the sheet of paper she held, ensuring that this was the correct classroom.

How embarrassing would it be to walk into the wrong classroom as a new student, especially on the second week of school?

She pulled the tan strap of her school bag higher onto her right shoulder before stuffing the small square sheet into one of it's outside pockets. She pulled the mass of her shoulder length dull blond hair towards her left shoulder, taking a silent deep breath as her tan, right hand reached out to slide the door open.

Her fingers nimbly hooked into the handle of the sliding door before her ears caught onto a prominent male voice that escaped the classroom. She leaned her ear towards the door, her bangs shifting in front of her eyes.

"...I want you all to be respectful and welcoming to the new student we're expecting today. We'll wait to begin class until she arrives," was all she caught onto.

At least I know this is the classroom. She thought to herself, waiting to see if the voice had much else to say.

After a  few moments of silence, she straightened up to her height, and tucked stray strands of sandy colored hair behind her right ear. Her eyes scanned down from her maroon colored bow tie, to her navy blue skirt and matching knee high socks to her dark brown boots and it's loosely tied shoelaces.

Her right hand reached out once more, hooking into the handle of the shoji doors just moments before sliding it open slowly, just enough for her to slip into the classroom. She turned around to face the door, without making any eye contact with the gazes that were now set on her, sliding it shut silently.

She turned around and bowed slightly, "Excuse me," she greeted before leaning back up, her gaze set on the teacher who stood at the podium at the front of the classroom. Her voice was smooth, and carried an air of relaxation with it that played in harmony with her appearance.

"Ah, there you are," he replied, walking up to her. He had a kind smile on his middle aged face, putting the girl at ease just slightly. "You sure are tall," she chuckled out, his eyes on the same level with hers. "Do you play any sports?"

"No," she replied, her head shaking slightly in harmony with her answer. She could feel as her cheeks warmed up, no doubt showing a light blush that she had done so well to ward off. "Not anymore at least."

"Ah, that's a shame. Well, we have been waiting for you. If you can, please introduce yourself before you take your seat." He added, his right hand pointing out to the classroom, who's students' eyes were trained directly on the girl who stood at the front of the class.

"I'm sorry for making you wait, Sensei." the girl responded in an aloof tone. She turned to face the class and bowed once again. "My name is Hanae Kai. I am originally from Abuta, Hokkaido," she began, looking at no one in particular. She could feel the gazes locked onto her, drilling small, invisible holes into her. Even for her, this unwanted attention made her feel awkward. Her cheeks warmed up even more. "Let's have a good year together," she concluded with a small, forced smile.

She looked over her right shoulder at the teacher, silently questioning if that was enough.

"We usually add a little fact for everyone to know, you can if you're comfortable," he explained, his smile remaining on his lips.

"Oh," Hanae responded, looking back at the class, she took a moment to think. "My parents opened a new restaurant not too far from here.  The food is pretty nice if that means anything." she advertised shamelessly.

Small chuckles came from around the classroom, relieving the small trace of tension that hung in the atmosphere.

"Good, you can take your seat there, Kai-chan." the teacher said, his hand pointing at the empty seat that sat in the middle of the classroom.

Hanae nodded her head silently before making her way through the row that led to her new seat. The faces she passed were all a blur, her mind automatically blocking out their insistent, stares although they weren't as intense as they were just a few moments before.

She silently took her seat, hooking the straps of her bag on the metal hook on the right side of the desk. She shook her head lightly, ruffling her blond hair, before she pulled it's mass to her left shoulder.

Her pierced ears caught onto the lesson that her Sensei had already began, not wasting a moment. She took out a notebook and pencil and began writing.

She slowly felt the gazes and stares die off as every began to follow the lesson before them, all but the one that came directly behind her.

She ignored it, focusing her eyes on the trees that swayed peacefully outside. She leaned her head into the palm of her right hand, the words of the lesson drifting right passed her.

Four more hours until I can get out there. She thought to herself, as her left hand played around with her silver, mechanic pencil. Not that there's anything to look forward to out there, in the city.