Smart Girl | Ushijima x OC

Chapter 10: Cleaning Duty

"When you said you would be extra grumpy to make up for being less grumpy yesterday, I didn't think you were being serious." Mari said, poking Hana's head that rested in her arms.

She lifted it up to reply,
"I found out that I get a sudden urge to better myself solely due to witnessing the dedication of someone who annoys me. I think I'm allowed to be grumpy this morning." She grumbled, taking a bite of her lunch and dropping her head back down.

"I'm guessing your talking about Ushijima? I mean he's the only one who seems to get under your skin" Aya added. Hana let out an frustrated groan and lifted herself once more.

"I mean it's not like I hate the guy- well at first I did but not so much anymore- but he's so unpredictable, like I can't tell if he's thinking about the conversation or plotting his plan for my demise. And even though we don't talk much, every time I see him play in a match, I get this weird feeling, like I should be doing something productive, it's so frustrating!!"

The three continued their lunch together, and kaori sat thinking to herself.

'So you say you don't hate him Hana? Interesting.... very interesting' she smiled to herself.

The four girls were conversing as usual, until the door to the classroom slid open, and a red head bounced in.

"Hey Tendo!!" Kaori yelled, as she got up to meet him and they ran out of the classroom together. Her friends left behind stared at each other in confusion.
"Since when were Kaori and Tendō friends?" Hana asked.
"It's first I've heard of it," Aya replied.

She was gone for about 10 minutes, before she appeared again at the entrance.
"Later Tendo! And remember, the eagle needs to arrive after school, directly before cleaning duty!" She called, before striding back to her group.

"The eagle? Are you two making some sort of bird show or something?" Mari remarked.
"Oh don't worry about that, it's just a thing we have going on" she responded, tucking back into her food. 'A thing going on? Maybe it was just another one of kaori's weird internet things? Yeah, probably' her friends thought, as they carried on with their lunch.

~~~~~~

Hana had just slung her bag over her shoulder, ready to head to the gym for another practise, when she heard something that filled her with dread.

"Who's on cleaning duty today?" Someone called.

"It's Watanabe-san and Tamaki-kun, but he's not in school today. Is it ok for you to do it yourself Watanabe?" The class representative asked. Hana gritted her teeth and sighed, then turned to face him.

"Yeah that's fine. I'll get it done myself." She replied, making a beeline for Yamagata before he left.
"Hey, can you tell coach I'm going to late to practise, I forgot that I was on duty today and didn't remind him." She asked.
"Yeah, sure thing. I'll see you later Hana." He said, before making his way out of the classroom.

Hana waited until everyone had left to bring out all the cleaning supplies and started sweeping the floor. At least it was quiet. The winter weather was beginning to get colder. It was almost December, and the sky was already beginning to change, orange and yellow hues seeping through the windows, colouring the room around her.

It was at times like these where Hana felt at peace the most. With all her thoughts settling, and not having to distract herself in any way. She was wiping down the rows of desks when someone walked past the open door frame.

"Ushijima?" She called out.

He stepped back to peer into the room.
"Watanabe-san, shouldn't there be someone here with you? Isn't cleaning duty in pairs?" He asked. She set down the cloth she was using and leaned against the window frame.