^ i don't own this!! ctto <33

(a/n)

what's your position if you're a player? and what position do you want if you become a player?

Chapter 51, 集中 メンヘラ

THIRD POV

"Are you alright now...? Kita-san left because they have a match against Karasuno," Ameri sweatdropped.

Shirome smiled, her eyes disappearing, "I'm feeling much better, I'm alright. We have a match in 20 minutes, right?"

Well, she's back. And we need to keep it that way. Fushichou thought with determination.

My pain is the least of my problems. Right now I'm focused on winning, and after that I'll dive straight to work.

"Let's go," Shirome said and walked to the court destined for them. The team just followed even though there's enough time left.

Keep calm. Stay focused. Stay concentrated. Remember your manners. Always stick to the personality you worked hard for half of your life.

Never show them your problems.

The game soon started after their spiking drills, Shirome finally regained her focus and serenity.

•

An hour and a half haven't even passed when Fushichou won over Akamata, the school they fought against. The opponents glared at Shirome, who returned a kind gesture. She smiled at them making their glares fluster, most of them blushed and looked away with a pout. They lined up and said their thanks, officially ending the match encounter with them.

Yikes...the power she holds. The players of Fushichou nervously smiled when they saw 1 or 2 persons nosebleed when Shirome faintly waved and smiled at them.

"Good thing she's back to how she's usually though," Kira hummed and Haide nodded in agreement.

Shirome shut her eyes tightly and crouched down while pretending to tie her shoe lace when in reality, she's trying to compose herself. She felt hazy and the world around her is moving in sequenced images. As if it trails and tricks her mind. Her heart beat faster moving in sync with adrenaline, she felt that rush of getting a lot of people to look at her. And only her.

This must be the lack of nutrients. I haven't consumed and tasted anything ever since I woke up except the taste of toothpaste and the gargle of water.

"Shiro!"

The girl whipped her head to see Bokuto wearing a big smile with his arms raised up. Akaashi gave her a small, secret smile which she gladly returned.

"Kouu," She hummed and hugged him back when he had squeezed her small frame.

The white haired girl lightly laughed on his neck as her feet gets short from tiptoeing, "Kou, let me go. I haven't dried myself yet."

"Eh? You don't look like you sweat at all. Plus, you smell really cute!" He chirped as Akaashi finally approached them with a sigh.

"Bokuto-san, give her space. You're taking too much," Akaashi frowned at him.

Bokuto pouted, "No I'm not."

"You're paler than usual, Shirome. Are you alright?" Akaashi asked, concerned. Bokuto whipped his head to her.

She nodded, "Yeah, I'm just a bit fired up than usual even though it's tiring," The girl reassured them.

"Also, how does cute even smell like?" Shirome snickered and thanked Kuro (who gave both owls a ghoul-like glare) after he had given her a clean towel, and a water bottle.

"Oh! Um um, it's like-," He tried to secretly whisper at Akaashi, "Akaashi, how do I explain how cute smells like?"

Akaashi looked at him boredly, "You don't."

"Eh? Why not??"

"Because cute smells don't exist, Bokuto-san," Akaashi sighed heavily and rubbed his temple.

Shirome hummed in confusion, "Now that I thought about it, you actually smell cute Keiji."

"? How?" He raised a brow.

Her head slightly tilted to the side simultaneously with Bokuto who also stared at Akaashi, "You smell like baby powder."

"I do...?" He confusedly asked and fiddled with his long fingers.

Bokuto gasped, "Akaashi! You smell cute!"

"Um, thank you, Bokuto-san," He pursed his lips.

The horned owl jolted and whipped to Shirome, "Ne, ne, Shiro! What do I smell like?!"

The girl blinked at him for a few seconds before turning to Akaashi but he just shrugged.

"Surprisingly, you smell cool," She answered. Akaashi frowned.

Is that even possible...? The ravenette sweatdropped. The more Shirome hangs out with Bokuto-san, the more she falls into his influence. I'm afraid if this goes on any longer, she might turn into an idiot..

"Ooh! Like what?" Bokuto excitedly asked her.

She grinned, "Like winter!"

"I love it!" He happily laughed as Akaashi just sighed.

"Bokuto-san, I think our match is starting soon. We need to go back," Akaashi said.

Bokuto frowned as his hair slightly drooped. He had a pout as he tried to convince Akaashi to let him stay longer. Of course Akaashi was strict, so he needed to scold Bokuto.

"Ara...," Shirome sweatdropped with a smile.

"What is it, Shiro-san?" Akaashi looked at her.

Her smile remained, "Keiji, you seem to take away Kou's fun," She teased.

"What?? No, no. God, no," He furiously shook his head as his slightly curly hair bounced, "I just think it's better to be early for the scheduled match."

Bokuto had his brows raised but let it slip anyway, "By the time we meet again, both of us better be number 1 out of all the teams here, okay?" He smiled widely at Shirome.

"Yes, yes. Go ahead now," She said.

"Bye!!" Bokuto walked away with a happy face, not knowing that he left Akaashi behind.

"Keijii?" Shirome raised a brow.

The ravenette shook his head, "It's nothing. I wish you good luck."

Akaashi didn't have time to react when Shirome hugged his torso as her cheek planted softly on his chest. She pulled away and smiled up at him, "Goodluck, Keiji!"

"Thank you," Akaashi smiled softly. She waved at him as he disappeared in the crowd, immediately spotting Bokuto.

Ah, what serotonin boosts they are. Thank you, Kou, Keiji.

All I need to do is focus now.

Our matches for today is done.

Concentrate.

Push away the trauma.

Face the present.

Worry about it later.

—

a/n: how was the chapter?