Peppermint [Asahi Azumane]

~ cute ~

I woke up and looked at the clock that read 6:24 am.

I grumble and quite literally roll out of bed.

After taking a quick shower to wash off any of the remaining cashiers cigarette smell from last night, I carefully put on my meticulously picked outfit. Comfortable, but not bummy. I decide to wear a skirt for the first time in a while. I had avoided doing that for a while, but went through with it because of the hope for a new start. Teenage girls are mean.

Quickly slipping on a few of my favourite rings, I stare at myself in the mirror, catching myself before I turn to look at myself from the side and change into pants.

I had my hair done nicely, the pink still vibrant from being very recently dyed.

One of the hobbies I had picked up was trying to look more serious with makeup. My eyebrows stayed well groomed and straight angled as the sparse areas were filled in, my mild hormonal acne covered with concealer, eyeliner winged instead of just smudged since I had more time. I found that if I put effort into my appearance and do my makeup to look what my parents call "scarier", people don't focus on the parts of me I don't want them to focus on.

I left my house rather early, so there was no people by the school to stare at me. Just as I said that, a girl about my age with sleek, black hair passes you as she speed walks.

She notices me and asks,

"Hey, are you new at Karasuno?"

"Um, yeah Im a second year so I just transferred here. I usually wake up early so I decided to walk to school now instead of waiting at home." I smiled at her, trying to push back the feeling of wanting to retract back into myself at the way I spoke.

"Do you wanna hang out at the gym before school today? Im the volleyball manager and since Im a third year, I have to find someone to help out Yachi for when I graduate."

"Whos Yachi?"

"A first year I already started training about a month ago. She'll probably be scared of you, but then again she's like that with everyone"

"Ahhh okay. Well, as long as you aren't gonna kidnap me, Ill come with you."

Kiyoko gave me a soft giggle and a smile as we start walking to the gym together.

I'm close to the door of the gym as the loud squeaks and the sound of volleyballs hitting the ground ring in my ears all at the same time. I'm exhausted from the lack of sleep the night before and it shows.

Because of my current so called miserable resting face, it makes people that much more intimidated by me. Power of makeup and insomnia, I guess. These two guys, one with a buzzcut, and the other very short with a blonde streak at the front, gawk at Kiyoko before widening their eyes to look at me.

"KIYOKO MY QUEEN!! WHOS THAT BESIDE YOU?!" exclaimed the bald one.

"IS SHE GONNA BE OUR NEW MANAGER" the short one squealed.

"Quiet down oh my god." Kiyoko said to the two boys. She turned around to me and said "Thats Tanaka and Noya, they're so loud, sorry in advance."

She continues to tell me everyones names for me to start remembering before introducing myself to them.

As Kiyoko and I were talking, I couldn't help but notice everyone staring at me, probably wondering who the new girl is. I hated this feeling from elementary school and just when I forgot how annoying it was, I move schools once again. I glance at them, identifying the guy sitting on the bench the night before as jersey number 3.

Kiyoko drags me to some girl I'm assuming is Yachi, creep from the convenience store, and some teacher.

I say with a nervous smile, "Hi my names
y/n, Im a second year, and Kiyoko asked me to try out being the new manager.". Everyone introduces themselves back while I try to stop Yachi from shaking at the sight of me.