Chapter 36, Permission

THIRD POV

"Sooooo, how is it with the boys?" Shihana's (Shirome's mom) teasing voice mixed with some busy environment was the first thing Shirome heard when she called.

She sighed and laid down the bed, still tired from yesterday's hang out session with Bokuto and Akaashi. Her mom slightly giggled on the other side, excited to hear what her daughter has to say.

"Mom, I'm too young for relationships right?" Her soft voice was slightly laced with worry mixed with sadness, her mother immediately turned silent on the other side.

"You're 15, right? I wouldn't say it's too young for relationship but rather, too immature for a relationship. It depends–why do you ask?" Her mom asked, fiddling with some files. She talked to some people hastily before getting quiet to hear her daughter's response.

"Nothing. It's just that I knew something yesterday–and please I don't want to talk about it, it's going to make me worry more," She sighed and looked at the mirror. She frowned.

"Oh, I see," Her mother said, clearly respecting her. She hummed, "So, how are your roots doing? Yesterday I noticed it," Her mother asked, as if reading her thoughts.

"It's....turning white again," She said as she fiddled with her slightly curly white ends.

"Hm, do you want to retouch it? I bet it's really obvious right now," Her mother suggested. Now that she thought about it, it's kind of weird if your hair is white-black-white.

"I don't know. Maybe some time, I'm really tired right now. Maybe I'll get it fixed before Nationals," She said as she combed her hair with her fingers.

"Alright. Before I hang up because I have some more work to do, may I ask why did you even dye half of it black again?"

Shirome thought about it. It was a childish reason, but she doesn't want to lie to her mother. She'll feel bad if she did.

"Remember Kenma?" She hesitantly asked.

"Oh! The cute pudding head son of Lana? Of course!" Her mom excitedly asked.

"Yeah," The gradient head smiled.

"Of course I do! His mom and I are friends too, you know."

"Fair," Shirome laughed.

"Yes, you and Kenma hangout often?" Her mom asked.

"We just did the other day, but not as often as before.. guess I got really...busy," She trailed off. A frown grazed her lips, but she continued to explain to her mother, "Anyway, yes. Remember when you asked why I keep retouching my roots since my third year in junior? I wanted to match Kenma because he refused to retouch his roots. I thought if I did it, it'd make him feel better," A small laugh escaped her mouth.

Her mom giggled and Shirome could almost feel her wiggling her eyebrows, "I bet he did feel better. He did, didn't he?"

Shirome slightly blushed for no reason, "Oh uh, I think so?" A nervous laugh erupted in her line.

"Oyaa? Alright then, that was a really cute reason though. No regrets right?" Her mom asked as Shirome let out a small yes.

"Well, anyways. I need to continue this load of work, I think your dad and I might be late for dinner. Akame will come home from the University, so you're not completely alone. That's all, love you," Her mom hung up after a kiss sound.

She sighed and set her phone down, rethinking life as she gazed up to the ceiling.

Ping.

With a brow raised, she opened her phone to see who it was. She was slightly surprised.

From: Omi ♤

8:23 AM

did i reply too late? anyway np

Shirome frowned and stood up from her bed. It was really cold, so she moved to her warm couch.

To: Omi ♤

8:23 AM

You did, but I don't mind.

Almost immediately, he replied.

From: Omi ♤

8:24 AM

oh ok

She looked at her phone slightly in disbelief. Her eye twitched but she remained calm, it was no reason to get pissed at. Sighing, she replied.

To: Omi ♤

8:25 AM

ok

From: Omi ♤

8:25 AM

by the way, did you get invited to some under 19 players japan representatives? maybe for girls? because if you did, our buildings are just near each other

Shirome hummed in confusion as her thumbs danced above her phone screen. Nothing was said to the team–yet.

To: Omi ♤

8:26 AM

Nothing yet I think. I bet Ameri's going to get invited though.

From: Omi ♤

8:27 AM

whats an ameri

Shirome cackled as she read his reply, she immediately replied–not wanting to be rude.

To: Omi ♤

8:28 AM

My team's libero.

From: Omi ♤

8:28 AM

oh ok

To: Omi ♤

8:29 AM

When are you visting again?

The girl rubbed her temples as she went to prepare for the morning practice. Her phone pinged but she didn't noticed it. Eventually, she let herself chill in her bath with closed eyes.

•

"Shi-chaaaan!"

Ameri excitedly ran to her like a child and dragged her to the team meeting. She was slightly late since she texted Sakusa a little longer than usual, but there were no regrets.

"Calm down, what's gotten into you?" She frowned.

Ichiro smiled with Guren as she clapped, "Shirome, you've been invited to the All-Japan Youth Camp along with Ameri!"

Her head tilted to the side as the team congratulated her and the cherry head. Ameri dramatically bowed to them as Shirome smiled. She turned to the coach, "When is it?"

"Tomorrow."

Ameri shrieked in excitement as she shook Shirome, the team erupted in chaos.

I wonder when can I retouch my roots. Ah, I'll have to ask Kenma if he's fine with it.

•

The day ended like usual. Practice, school hours, practice, go home, eat dinner, and prepare to sleep. Her parents had restricted her from taking too much work, so she didn't really have to face a mountain load when she comes home. It was a strange feeling, getting more free time. She was completely unfamiliar with it.

Gathering up the courage, she turned to her phone and saw a text from the 1st year of Seijoh.

From: Akira :P

8:56 PM

dont tell a soul i texted you but i just wanted to let you know–the coaches dont want us to text you unless necessary.

To: Akira :P

8:56 PM

Sneaky.

The boy from the other screen blushed slightly, suppressing a smile. He quickly typed a reply.

From: Akira :P

8:57 PM

you didn't know, did you?

To: Akira :P

8:58 PM

No.

From: Akira :P

8:57 PM

lol, btw i 'accidentally' heard our coach say that ure possibly visiting us here in Miyagi at the final day of the camp. wait do i sound like a creep rn

The girl could only laugh.

To: Akira :P

8:58 PM

I guess so.

From: Akira :P

8:59 PM

cool. see you when i see you, i want to sleep now. goodnight, furumi

To: Akira :P

9:00 PM

Goodnight.

She sighed and got up. Her usual night routine was done already, and she was about to go to bed until she remembered something. A slightly harsh face palm was directed on her forehead by herself.

She forgot to text Kenma.

"Oh well, it's not like that boy sleeps early anyway," She muttered and scrolled through her contacts to find the pudding.

To: Kitten

9:02 PM

Pudding, you up?

From: Kitten

9:04 PM

yesg in yp, hpld on im ungsmw (yeah im up, hold on im ingame)

Shirome plopped on her bed as she stared blankly up the ceiling as she waited for Kenma's reply. Words were swirling around her mind, and she doesn't know how to ask him nicely. She was afraid she'll hurt him in some way.

From: Kitten

9:06 PM

whats up? wait arent u supposed to be sleeping rn

To: Kitten

9:06 PM

I wanted to talk to you about something.

From: Kitten

9:07 PM

ure scaring me, tell me now ;-;

She bit her lip as she froze a little, almost forgetting what she wants to say. Sighing, she replied patiently.

Shirome could only wish she didn't regret asking, but it was worth trying.

—

hi