CH 1 - Request

2nd POV

"Mmfgh!"

Your mother panicked as she rushed to you, patting your back heavily as you choked on your 22nd mochi for breakfast.

"Water! Drink water!" Your mother cried out as she handed you a glass full of hot tea.

Eyes wide, you accidentally swallowed what you were chewing heavily. Your mother sighed in relief until you started to cry from the hot liquid of the tea.

"Mama! This is green tea, not water!" You sobbed as your slightly burned tongue hissed. Your hand shook as you reached for the cold water on the table.

She giggled with her tongue out and with a wink, "Oh my, is that so? Hehe, silly me!"

You frowned as you lightly bit your lips, it was red from the burn.

"I'll go to school now. I'm done eating," You bowed as you got your bag from your chair and waved her goodbye.

"Wait, your lunch!"

Almost instantly, you zoomed in back to your house with an intense speed, nodding at your mom who waved you off after you grabbed your lunch.

I'm late.. why did I even stay up until 2 AM for some silly cooking game?! Habits.. You frowned as your eyes still felt heavy.

The bus ride to the school was painfully lonely. You drooped your head low as you felt some people looking at you.

Blend in, blend in! Blend in with the bus seat!

It wasn't something that made you think you were an extraordinary individual, you lacked confidence. No one blamed you more than you did yourself because of your appearance.

You had unusual dark green eyes, pale skin, and your cursed dark black hair that reached just a little below your elbows with 15 inches of your tips colored a dark hue of pinkish-red. No matter how much you cut your hair back then when you were 8 years old, the tips would still show up the morning you wake up. The reason? You ate too much raspberries ever since you were 5 years old until you were 10.

It was a painful 6 years of withdrawal from the said fruit. It stressed you too much that what once was your favorite fruit, became your number 1 nemesis.

You damned fruit!

The state of being overwhelmingly conscious ate its way up to your brain. You tied your hair in a very low ponytail and buried the tail inside the blazer behind your back to hide it.

This will do.

Your big, yet thin, frame of black eyeglasses droop low with your head once you walked in the school grounds.

"Class 2A, second floor and 4th classroom," The school's registrar said as she handed you the schedule that you'll follow for the rest of your 2nd year. After a short bow, you proceeded to attend the classroom. Directions were never a problem for you and as a result you made it safely in the classroom.

Class 2A... I'm not assigned to class 1 this year, huh?

•

The class went by smoothly until the teacher asked you to introduce yourself.

Gods above let me borrow strength. You mentally cried.

The teacher nodded at you and motioned you to move to the middle of the platform in front of the whole class. You inhaled deeply.

"Good morning, I am Sukii Notabe of this year's class. I am pleased to be in your care," You fought against stammering and bowed.

"No way that's her name," Someone from the class whispered next to him.

It didn't help that your hearing was above average. It was always something that hurt you.. after all, you were given unusual skills ever since you exited your mother's womb.

After the teacher thanked you, you sat back down to your seat at the very back. It was supposedly an easy task to just listen to the lecture until someone beside you tapped you on the arm.

It's that tall guy with the cold eyes. You winced.

"Yo, mind if I check your notes? I missed what the teacher said," He whispered.

Not wanting to talk more and look at him, you just slid your notes on the edge of your desk as he copied them.

"Thanks."

"Suna, is there something you need?" A teacher called out midway through the lecture. The boy that asked for the notes beside you shook his head and went back to writing quietly, with his phone secretly on his lap.

A quiet sigh escaped your lips as you subtly looked at the clock on the wall. Hoping that class ended sooner.

•

Yay! Lunch! You beamed as you almost opened your lunchbox.

My favorite time of day..

A shiver ran down from the bottom of your spine to the top. You can't have these people see that you packed yourself lunch that suffices for 3 people.

I guess I'll just eat somewhere vacant. Again. You sweatdropped.

It wasn't long until you found a peaceful area at the rooftop, a smile made its way to your lips as you happily sat down on your bent legs under you after you laid down a small cloth underneath. You happily set out your lunch in front of you.

It was a simple lunch (for you). The 3 boxes contained rice with kaarage and omelette, a small portion of salad with fries, and five ohagis for dessert. All of them were more than average portions.

"Thank you for the food," You clasped your hands together and began to eat.

"Can I have some?"

You jumped and turned to look up beside you. Some tall guy with dark grey hair looked at your lunch with sparkles in his droopy eyes.

It wasn't unusual for you to share food with others even if they were strangers. You just happen to love sharing your food with others.

After you nodded, he took a kaarage and 2 ohagis. He walked away after thanking you without much to say.

What was he doing up here? I thought I was alone.. You thought as you continued to finish eating.

Lunch ended too quickly which was unfortunate for you. You made your way back to class and continued to listen to the never ending lectures. Even though it was your first day, you didn't feel excitement other than lunch.

As if answering your prayers – the class bell rang and students began to pack their things to go out.

I have somewhere I need to go before going home.

You made your way to the student council office thanks to a student that pointed you the way. Every step was unnerving for you since you were nervous about meeting him.

Him. Kita Shinsuke, your cousin from the father side.

Ever since your father died due to an accident by helping people evacuate from the train that malfunctioned, Kita has been there for you. He was part of the reason why you and your mother, along with your little brother, moved from Shibuya to Hyogo and recommended Inarizaki as your school.

Your father was the captain of the train that unexpectedly had its breaks unusable. Kita's father, who was your father's brother, worked overseas as an international rice merchant. He owns a lot of rice fields.

Knock knock. You gulped as you waited.

"Come in," You hear a muffled voice say from the other side.

The moment you entered, you glanced at Kita who was going through paperworks. A plate of his name on the table caught your eye, with 'President' engraved under it.

"Shin, good afternoon," You greeted as you walked over to him.

He looked up and smiled. The boy stood up, walked to you and gave you a hug.

"Sukii, you made it. How are you? How's the school? Have you eaten?" He asked as he mentioned you to sit on the chair in front of his table as he made his way to his seat behind it.

"I have eaten lots!" You beamed.

"As always. Good girl," He hummed.

"What about you?" You asked back.

He smiled, "I'm doing good. School hectic but manageable as always. And yes, I've eaten my lunch," Kita slid a form to you.

"What's this?" You tilted your head to the side as you scanned the document he gave.

He sighed, "Request and invitation letter. For our club."

You whipped your head to him with wide eyes and began to shake your head rapidly.

"You know I don't do clubs, Shin," A frown graced your mouth.

Kita chuckled and leaned back to his chair, "I'm aware. This is a challenge from me to you."

"What for?" You leaned back on your chair as you looked at him.

"My team needs to replace our manager. The current one we have right now will be resigning from her position."

Manager? Team? This seems like an awfully cliché intro for some drama lit or shows..

"Shinsuke, I can't ..," You whispered as you slid the paper back to him. His stern gaze met yours.

"She's a 1st year. The members of the team decided as a whole to request her resignation," He started and stood up to look out the window beside him, "Being a manager of a volleyball team such as a powerhouse required responsibility. She failed to meet that aspect."

"Why?" You asked.

Kita turned around.

"Failing to consistently take attendance, failing to evaluate, failing to tend to the athletes' needs, and failing to be professional. I don't need those incompetence in my team."

You were about to ask about the last statement until he spoke again.

"She had disturbed one of my teammates by confessing that her goal was to date him and not to manage the team."

"That's kinda petty...," You muttered.

He nodded, "Naturally. Because of that, we lack in manpower to operate the players. That's why I ask of you to accept my request, you're the only one I can depend on."

"What made me indifferent from her? What if I chose to date one of your players?" You asked, joking about the second question.

He gave you a look.

"Shinsuke.. Shin, any other person can do this job. Why do I have to be the one you request?" You frowned.

Kita looked at you for a good few seconds, "We've had our experiences with other people. It's hard to know their motives nowadays – the team lost its trust. Besides even if we do – it would be hard to train someone, unlike a quick learner like you."

"What makes you think I can?"

"Because I trust you," He had a small grin, "I heavily trust my judgement, as well."

"-And, I don't condemn you in dating one of them. As long as you uphold your responsibility. But as much as possible – please focus on your studies," He said as he grabbed his bag from his table. You stood up holding your bag as you both made your way out the office.

You laughed, "You speak as if I've accepted. And I don't plan to date one of your teammates."

"That's what they all say, Sukii," Kita said as he locked the office doors.

You didn't have a choice either way. Even against your interest and comfort, you chose to obey. Primarily because you're indebted to Kita for all the things he had done for you, but mostly because once he decides on something, you'd have no choice but accept the responsibility given to you.

"Come. I'll introduce you to the boys before we start our training."

—

a/n
hi