Stormy Summer

A Cloudy Day of School

The walk to school on our first day was cloudy. For Akaashi-kun it was already the second day though as we didn't attend the opening ceremony.

We've been here for a few days now, as we arrived last week on Friday. Our school uniforms, which we paid for in advance, arrived a day before us, as we'd already sent our guest family the needed sizes. When we tried them on yesterday, I already felt slightly uncomfortable, as I'd have to wear a skirt. I don't usually wear skirts. It's not that I don't like skirts... or dresses, but wearing them makes me uncomfortable. Charlie nearly had a panic attack, just at the thought of having to wear a skirt, that won't cover her knees. Today, she coped with constantly pulling at her skirt in nervousness, but she was somewhat relieved about the thigh-highs, which were a little too long for her. Anna was indifferent to the fact that she'd have to wear a school uniform and Rose and I were slightly disappointed at the news of a dress code since we wouldn't be able to wear our necklaces openly. Since Rose had problems with tying her ribbon, we had to help her tie it. Mine didn't look perfect, but I figured it was good enough.

I'm extremely tired. I woke up several times during the night and it took me an hour to fall asleep again after waking up Rose to make sure she's taking her medication. Only to have my alarm blaring again. Seemingly only minutes later. Downstairs we were greeted by a nice breakfast and Akaashi-kun, who was already eating by the time we managed to wake up Anna.

We were walking while it was still quite dark. Akaashi-kun told us that he's in the Fukurōdani boys Volleyball Club and that he's got morning practice before school every day. The walk to school didn't take long, in fact, I'm pretty sure we will be able to walk there on our own in no time at all. It's just a short walk to the train station, where we take a train and a few stations later, we're already at the school.

At home, the school year starts in summer, however, we still came here in spring, so that the other students wouldn't be as confused with four new students arriving in the middle of the school year, and also, because in this exchange, four students, normally attending Fukurōdani, are in our school back home. To avoid problems, we agreed to leave our home country in the middle of the school year, and return in the middle of the next school year.

The study material for our finals would be sent to us via email so that we can study before heading back to our finals back home. It might become a little stressful, but it's better not to worry about it now. We've still got time to stress about finals at the end of the school year... I'm sure I'm gonna hate myself for this later, though.

Since it was so early in the morning and we had to go to the teachers' lounge first thing, we had a little time to spare, so Akaashi-kun offered us to watch practice from the tribunes for a while. At least until most of the teachers will have arrived. We didn't have a reason to refuse, so we went toward the gym with him.

A tall guy with gelled up, white and black hair, called out as he saw us "Akaashi! You're late! I nearly thought you wouldn't show!" he seemed disappointed and relieved at the same time. Akaashi-kun apologized to the boy, he dubbed 'Bokuto-san' before explaining that he had to wait on us and missed his train because of it. Immediately, I felt guilty at the revelation and wanted to apologize, but Akaashi-kun didn't give me the chance as he continued talking, introducing us to the rest of the Volleyball Club as "The exchange students from Europe," before adding that we'll be watching practice for a while until the teachers arrive at the teachers' lounge.

I'm sure that somewhere in there, he asked a question, like whether or not it's okay for us to stay. Bokuto-san, who seemed to be in charge, nodded his head enthusiastically and agreed, seemingly already forgiving Akaashi-kun for being late for practice. He then nearly jumped over Akaashi-kun to introduce himself to us as 'Bokuto Kōtarō.' I nearly jumped at his over-enthusiastic introduction, not used to this much enthusiasm at this hour.

"Anderson Sally," I replied, still a little surprised. In the corner of my eye, I could see Rose lifting her head, surprised at my introduction. Now quickly introducing herself as well. And while she was at it, she also introduced Charlie, who was hiding behind us slightly, as we were taller than her, and Anna, who wasn't paying any attention, as she read some kind of book on her phone. Though she did look up at us questioningly as she heard her name, she dismissed it almost instantly as her gaze returned to her book. Bokuto-san nodded at us, seemingly happy, though there is a chance that this is just his normal expression.

Bokuto-san continued to grin at us, as his gaze turned to me "You don't look European!" he states bluntly as he looks down at me, for he is much taller than I am. "Oh, wait! Do you even speak Japanese?" he seemed almost worried and also didn't seem to mean any harm, so I wasn't offended, though from behind him, I could see Akaashi-kun shake his head, making his way toward, what I presumed were, the changing rooms.

"My mother is Japanese," I responded in Japanese, answering both of his questions with a simple answer. That is, assuming his first statement was indeed meant as a question. He grinned at that "Awesome! Enjoy the practice, then, An-... Anda-..." he paused, thinking.

"Just Sally is fine," even though my father had told me that offering your first name, at first meeting, is considered weird in Asian countries, I didn't mind, since I'm used to people calling me by my first name. And Bokuto-san didn't seem to mind either since 'Sally' was far easier to remember.

"Okay then. Later, Sally-chan and friends!" he said, before walking in the same direction, Akaashi-kun had disappeared in. I watched his retreating back for a second, maybe he didn't want to disrespect them by just using their names. Or maybe it would've just been a mouthful to say... Or he forgot their names again, which seems to be the more likely explanation. I also just now realized that all the other members already followed after Akaashi-kun, before I turn back to Rose and Charlie, as Anna was still on her phone, to see them looking at me in expectation.

I just shook my head and said "He was surprised that I was European," Rose was the first to nod and dismiss it with the comment, that he was quite loud. I agreed with her silently as we made our way toward the tribunes to watch practice from up there.

As we sat down we noticed that there were already a few players inside the gym, setting everything up.