F̶o̶l̶l̶o̶w̶ Fuck the Rulebook - Kenma Kozume

Searching - C1

Her fingers slipped over the sleek pamphlets shadowing the secrets of the organisations, a detached interest steering her away from the booths, boredom seeping through her
body. Was there any point in this? What sane person is going to devote themselves to a singular club for three whole years? She couldn’t picture herself giving up her individuality to become one with another, it was unimaginable. Her eyes glazed over the fresh faces of the prey scattering around the booths trying desperately to find a place to fit in. A part of  her craved the need to want to fit in, but the outcomes of potential rejection or humiliation were burned deep within her mind. There was no getting rid of it, she knew that. Her eyes drew away from the prey just in time to stare up at a pair of narrowed eyes gleaming at her like a cat cornering its prey. Who is this guy? She squinted at him crossing her arms, allowing herself to observe the guy before her. Tanned skin, broad shoulders with a tall lean body, accompanied by muscular biceps, she knew the only way for someone to have that much muscle mass was if they were athletic. The thought of sports made her shiver. He’s actually, kind of intimidating.

“Hey,” he said running his hand through his black fringe positioned to slightly cover his right eye, “how ya doing?”

Why is he speaking like that? He probably thought she was a first year, they always do, she should dismiss him and leave, quickly. She stepped back lifting her hands,

“actually-” her back hit a solid object preventing her from escape.

“Any luck?” a soft voice questioned.
Oh god, what now? She tried to think of a reasonable thing to do. Should she turn around? Should she run off? What should she do? She could only do one thing. She forced herself to turn around, her eyes lifting to see the new predator, standing just below average height yet still holding a height advantage compared to her. Fluffy brown hair matching his fatigued eyes were fixed on the guy who had just spoken to her.

“Eh, you caught my mouse,” the intimidating boy chuckled, his eyes slowly dropped to hers.

Shit, her mind started to wander into the abyss of panic. Is he going to say something? Is she seriously stuck between these two? His taut lips turned up into a gentle smile, as he reached his hand out,
“I apologise for anything he’s said, I’m Morisuke, Morisuke Yaku.”

Morisuke Yaku? Should she take his hand? It’s rude if she doesn’t, even if she doesn’t want to talk, it’s polite to introduce yourself, right? She slipped her hand into his with a firm shake, pulling away as she returned it to her side, she should tell him her name. What’s the worst that can happen? She parted her lips, a quiet voice slipping out,
“Akasuki, Akasuki Au.”

That should complete the conversation, now she can leave. She went to step to the side but immediately bumped into another predator. Seriously? This time as she scanned over their bronzed skin and bold eyes, standing at average height with a slim well-built figure. His jet-black hair, well, what was left off it, had been shaved into a buzz cut,
“got one?”

Got one? What are they on about? She moved aside so the three of them were in her eye line. Is this a cult or something? The boy who had formally introduced himself as Morisuke slipped out a paper from the first boy, holding it out to Akasuki,
“we’re from the volleyball club. We’re looking for a first year to participate as our student manager.”

First year? Is he serious? Akasuki shook her head with a sly smile,
“I’m not a first year.”

The faces of the boys dropped into surprise as they glanced at one another.

“You’re not?” The first boy questioned holding his head.

She shook her head. Why do people always think she’s a first year? Is it the way she looked? Morisuke kept his hand with the paper out towards her,
“I haven’t seen you around so you must be a second year, right?”