Overgrown ➵ Akashi Seijuro

two

Chapter Two

Class ended for the day, and I moved my biology textbooks into my bag with a sigh. Biology had been my favourite subject for years, and it was one of the lessons I wish never ended. I found learning about how life functioned on the planet so fascinating – there was so much out there, and I knew we'd only scraped the surface with our studies. I could have studied it all day and not been bored.

Well, maybe a little, I thought, when I caught Sei's eyes and smiled. It wouldn't have been as interesting without my best friend.

Sei waited for me to finish gathering my things before we left the classroom, headed to the gym for our first official days with Teiko's basketball club.

We walked through the door at the same time as Midorima Shintaro, our classmate and fellow Teiko basketball member. He and Sei acknowledged each other quickly.

"Akashi, you're going to practice now, too?" he asked.

Sei nodded. "Of course."

Naturally, we ended up making our way to the gym as a trio. The two started a conversation, and I hung back on my own. I studied the item in Midorima's hand instead – an ornamental box that looked far too delicate to bring to school, where certain classmates ran amuck. I tried to figure out what it was, and the purpose of him carrying it – considering the odd item he carried yesterday, I was inclined to believe it was horoscope related.

That was, until Midorima greeted me with, "You're a new manager, if I'm correct."

I started at being addressed, but quickly smoothed that out into a smile. Ladies are always courteous after all, aren't they, Mother? "I am. I'm Hirai Akane – just Akane is fine. And I know you're Midorima Shintaro –" I nodded to my redheaded friend. "Sei's already told me about you and the two others who made first string." A pause. "Do you listen to Oh Asa by any chance, Midorima-kun?"

"I do, in fact."

"That explains it," I mumbled under my breath. My theory had been correct.

We approached the first string gym, the sounds of others practicing already coming from the inside. On the threshold, Midorima turned to be and asked, "What horoscope are you, Akane?"

"Me?" I blinked. "Aries."

He frowned. "Your luck is ranked worst today. Be careful – you don't want to be hit by a stray ball."

Without another word, he left us for the locker room. I blinked, a little taken aback by the unexpected comment to instantly respond.

"Thank you?" I said, tilting my head as he left. Ah, well, I suppose that's... nice?

Sei and I exchanged a quick look and I chuckled, not allowing the comment to phase me.

"Akane!"

Satsuki had entered the gym, and waved frantically to me, which I returned. I glanced back at Sei. "Looks like I'm needed elsewhere."

Sei smiled. "It seems so. See you at the end of practice, Akane."

"Good luck," I told him, and hurried to Satsuki's side.

*     *     *

The first official day as manager was highly enjoyable.

Despite two others also joining on as manager, Satsuki and I latched onto each other. There was something to be said for prior acquaintance: even if we only knew each other's names so far, having a familiar face in a room full of otherwise strangers meant more to us than we could say. We chatted amicably as we worked, collecting towels and doing general housekeeping for the team, and I could all but see the seeds for a long-lasting friendship beginning to form between us. Despite my quieter nature, I found myself drawn to Satsuki's bubbly disposition, like needed sunlight on an otherwise cold day.