Next Gen. (The rivalry continues)

𝐯𝐢

- Nagisa -

Walking to school alone and seeing my classmates walk with their friends made me feel jealous. I was uncertain why my dad moved me to Tokyo when I was doing completely fine in Miyagi but now I understand. He wanted me to make friends, to have fun for my last years of junior high but I had no interest in doing that, at least two years ago. I was completely okay with having no friends at all. It barely bothered me when I was in Miyagi. Just sitting at the corner, reading manga or watching anime while minding my own business worked well for me but now, I feel a pint of regret for not being social enough. 

I clutched my bag tightly as I looked at the group of girls in front. Their laughs can be heard all the way here, they must be talking about fun things. My eyes directly went to a familiar face. He walked to the entrance all gloomy, it was a change from how I usually see him in the hallways. He always has a smile on. I tried my best to catch up with him. Luckily, my experience with sports helped me to run faster. This time, I want to make a change. I want to make at least a few friends, and If that means befriending those two, I will. 

" Ushijima-Kun." I gently poked his shoulder. 

" Oh, Sawamura-san." He faintly smiled. I fixed my hair and cleared my throat before speaking, you know, to make myself more presentable. 

" Good morning," I greeted and he greeted back. Natsuki walked slowly to match my pace which in my opinion, is a very nice thing to do. 

" So, we have two weeks of school left. What are you planning to do this summer break?" I looked at him all interested. 

My first impression of Natsuki was rather distasteful. I thought he was an overconfident, cocky guy when I first watched him play volleyball. His attractive appearance was overlooked by what I thought his personality was. His hair is interesting, I haven't seen such colour before. It was an olive-green hue and his pale skin compliments it. His dark green eyes are what I think the girls love the most. Every day I hear the girls squeal or fangirl about him which isn't surprising considering the fact that he's the son of a famous volleyball player.

He looked up as if deeply thinking about my question. 

" Dunno. Maybe, practice volleyball," Of course, I expected that kind of answer. His passion for volleyball is astounding. It makes me feel...jealous to say the least. All my life I kept looking for reasons why I have to play volleyball. Sure it feels fun and exciting but the fear of losing a game overtakes those feelings. My mom had always told me that volleyball is something that will change my life but I have yet to experience a change. Out of all the reasons one sticks out to me the most, it was to make my parents proud. I looked at Natsuki.

There was something off about him like he had just run out batteries. He smiles less and talks less. 

" Volleyball huh. Anything else?" I attempted one last time. 

" Uhh, nothing else." His eyes lowered down, looking at the ground whilst I kept mine on him. 

" You?" He turned the question to me. I was not expecting it at all, how can I reply to him without sounding like a boring person?

" U-uhh. Maybe practice volleyball as well." His face lit up like a puppy. 

" Really?" I slowly nodded my head. My one hundred manga books and I knew it was a lie. I would never spend my summer break playing volleyball and that probably explains why I suck at it so much. I want to quit, I've been wanting to, but I don't want to disappoint my mother. 

" That's cool. You can call me anytime and I'll play with you," Great. Just how I wanted things to work out. " O-oh. No that's fine. I'm going to Miyagi so I won't be, y' know." Natsuki chuckled and shook his head in protest.