Chapter 37, Sunflower

THIRD POV

"You know people from the places you're assigned to go to?" Shirome's mom asked as she shuffled through the files, searching for the ones Shirome needs to give to the hosts of the camps.

"Yeah. They're really great players," She said as she fiddled with the tips of her hair.

Her mom snickered, "All those boys and you have, like, no boyfriend?"

Shirome raised her brow at Shihana who slightly shivered at her gaze. She laughed to herself. The gradient however wasn't amused.

"I have priorities, mom."

"Right, right," Her mom waved her off and place 4 folders on top of her desk. She sat and interwined her hands, she looked at Shirome with serious eyes.

"You're not cherishing your youth. Live a little," Her mom frowned.

"Please don't rush me into getting in a relationship," Shirome sighed as she skimmed through the neat files.

"Hey, at least I'm not forcing you to arranged marriages," Her mom joked and stuck her tongue out. Shirome narrowed her eyes at her.

"Try me, mom. Next thing you'll know you got a runaway daughter," She pursed her lips and fixed the files.

"Alright, alright. Jeez. You can go now," Her mother dramatically waved her hand, motioning her to get out.

Shirome rolled her eyes at her mother's childishness but obliged. The doors opened and she got out. The girl trudged to her room and plopped on her bed, thinking about what Kenma texted before.

'i dont mind, shirome. im thankful that u did ur hair like that for me, but i dont want to keep you from changing your own style. and plus, it's not healthy for your hair.'

She sighed, still tired from the camp. Tomorrow was when she goes to Miyagi, and then back to the training camp–to the boys' building.

She hopes it goes well.

•

The small captain was yet again met by the interior of Shiratorizawa. Some people were buzzing with life, but it isn't that much crowded. Just one thing she doesn't hope will happen–being ambushed by some people again. She didn't want to be late–she needs to be hasty with the work. She didn't come here to chat, only to take care of some business.

It's fine, no one will notice me.

But she just had to jinx it.

"F-Furumi-san!"

The girl slightly winced and turned to the voice with a small smile. The lot expanded–if before it were just 7 persons, this time it was 10.

Give me a break.. please..

"Yes?" She kindly asked him. His eyes widened as he fumbled with his words, he suddenly handed her a sunflower.

"I-I'm from the Gardening Club and I immediately picked out the nicest flower we planted. Please accept this!" He shut his eyes.

"Okay, but I'm afraid I can't accept anything anymore. I'm only here for a while and I can't carry that many," She sheepishly smiled.

"I-It's okay!" The others exclaimed but felt a little sad.

"I'm really sorry," She bowed and everyone freaked out.

"It's okay, it's okay! Please raise your head," A boy sweatdropped.

"Um, Furumi-san! I can turn your sunflower to a hair accessory–if you'd let me. I want to offer you something today, even if it's just a small thing," A girl nervously asked. She was really cute as she blushed harder when she made eye contact with the gradient head.

"Alright. I'm counting on you," She smiled brightly and sat on a nearby bench. The girl went behind her and fiddled with the sunflower, tying it to her hair carefully with ease.

A few minutes later of chatting with them, her hair style was finally done. She stood up and turned to thank the girl, and she blushed the deepest red there is.

"I-I-I-It's no problem!" She squeaked out.

Shirome smiled and turned to the rest, they too were blushing. An idea popped in her mind. She looked godly.

"Group pic?" She suggested and everyone immediately agreed.

She fixed her tracksuit and posed for the camera. They were all really happy that they got this chance.

(a/n: shirome's hair is in a styled messy ponytail, and the sunflower is twisted around it.)

The girl sighed as she double checked the files and fixed them again before quietly entering the gym doors.

She silently walked through the middle to the coaches, good thing that the boys are busy with training. She gulped when she made it peacefully.

"Furumi-san, welcome back to Shiratorizawa," Washijo and the other coach smiled at her before eyeing her hair.

"Ah, thank you. It's nice to see that the boys are working really hard," She grinned.

Washijo sighed, "Yes. Did the Gardening club make that?" He asked as he pointed to the beautiful sunflower.

She smiled, "Yes, I couldn't reject it."

The other coach frowned, "No one can reject their gifts. But they only gift people who live up to their proclaimed 'standards'."

"You don't say...," She mumbled as she sweatdropped, bits of fringe falling and framing her face.

"Anyway, now that you're late–can you coach the boys for a while? We need to go to an important meeting. We won't take long don't worry," Washijo said. The other coach held a whistle up and shook it.

You've got to be kidding here. I'm about to cry.

"This is also clean, don't worry," He reassured.

"Oh, I guess I can," She slightly heaved a shaky sigh and turned to the boys. The area they're at is slightly far from them, so there wasn't anyone looking.

She turned back to the other coach and took the whistle, the lace rested on her neck. Putting the whistle in her mouth, she whistled. She cringed, it wasn't too loud, but for her it is.

So this is what Guren-san does.

Washijo nodded and went to Ushijima, telling him about the situation. He immediately looked over to where he had pointed out and saw Shirome sitting on a bench while writing on a clipboard. The coaches left Shirome with the players.

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