Ever thine.

Chapter Two.

A chorus of cicadas rang out all around her, in the trees, in the bushes, on the brick walls of the school. It annoyed her, their song being too loud for her to enjoy the warmth of the sun caressing her flushed cheeks. 'How inconsiderate of them,' she would think to herself as she laid in the center of Tōō Academy's soccer field, like she had been doing so for almost a month of being at the school. It was certainly strange to her that the field was empty as often as it was, but she decided not to question it too much, instead being thankful for a place where it can be peaceful as she watches the clouds slowly pass over her as they made their way to their destination.

"But, it is a little strange," she whispered, stretching her long limbs as she adjusted her laying position on the hot grass. "Everyone seems to disappear during our lunch break, I wonder why that is?"

Then, something tapped against her limp hand.

Slowly turning her head and closing one eye, she was greeted by a dirty orange basketball.

"Why?" She grunted to herself as she sat herself up and lifted the ball off of the warm grass, onto her lap, her eyes scanning the area for the owner who was sure to come running over any second.

"I-I-I'm so sorry! I didn't mean for it to come all the way over here!" A very flustered voice sounded from behind her.

Tilting her head back as she leaned back on her arms, Manami blinked at the brunette in confusion, "It's okay, it's not like I'm mad about it."

"You should be! It was stupid of me to just allow--" he had begun to argue, his large brown eyes tearing up, but instantly shut his mouth once he saw the girl shoot up from her comfortable spot on the ground, leaving an imprint in the grass of the shape of her body.

With the ball held in her left arm and her right hand firmly pressed against her hip, she rose a thin brow at him, "I already said I wasn't mad, so stop trying to apologize. I don't want to hear it."

He quickly nodded in response for her sudden action had startled him and he was still trying to find a way to react.

"Tsukino Manami," the girl smiled at him as she returned the ball to his hands.

"R-Ryo Sakurai," he was finally able to manage after awkwardly receiving the ball from her. "I'm sorry again!"

Bowing deeply with his eyes squeezed shut, he was quickly startled by a quiet giggle that soon developed into a fit of laughter. His head jolted upward for his eyes to meet hers, "W-What's so funny?"

"You." a wide grin had swept across her face as she replied to his confusion, "You keep apologizing like you hit me with a car or something, it's just a basketball. Calm down."

"A-Ah! I'm sorry!" The fingers that had been holding the ball had begun to tap nervously on it.

"Hey, it's fine, real-"

"Just ignore him, he's always that way," a voice somewhere in between arrogant and mocking.

Her eyes darted to the male that was approaching Sakurai from behind. Tall, long dark hair and glasses, he seemed like your average high school boy.

Well, almost.

He had a strange aura surrounding him, an aura that made him intimidating, someone who wasn't to be trusted and not only that but a wide cheshire grin was plastered across his face so unnaturally that it sent shivers down her spine. His eyes nearly shut behind his glasses and almost hidden behind the bangs of his raven hair. Why? Why did she feel so strange seeing him? Who was this guy?

"Imayoshi-san!" The timid boy seemed to loosen from his stiff posture as the other male approached them.

"Are you bothering this poor girl, Sakurai?" The suspicious stranger had questioned the poor boy as he casually looked the girl over, the same uneasiness from her first day at school beginning to become known once again as she shifted uncomfortably.

"Could you not stare?" She grumbled as she threw him a mild glare only to recieve a short chuckle in reponse.

"Was I staring for too long?" His tone of voice had shifted from casual to teasing once again and for some reason, it made her blood boil.

'Why? Why was his simple teasing so irritating?'

"Well, Tsukino-san, I'm Imayoshi Shouichi," if at all possible, his grin seemed to widen, "But, if you'll excuse us," he paused, his arm wrapping tightly around the brunette's neck, "Sakurai has practice to attend."

'Why? Why do I feel so annoyed right now?'

"I'll see you soon," and as he turned away from her, she caught a glimpse of a slightly different smile as he pushed up his glasses with his free hand.

Once the distance between her and them was comfortable enough for her, she laid back down, her spot on the grass kept warm from the sun.

"Imayoshi Shouichi?"

She brought her arm up to cover her eyes and sighed deeply, "Annoying."