II.

Eira.

If I could write one embarrassing moment on a slam book, I'd definitely write what happened back at the library. Just thinking about it makes me want to find a cave and live there for the rest of my life!

I suddenly remembered that sappy romance novel I reached for. Why was it in a higher shelf, anyway? Was it worth the embarrassment of getting my hands on you, huh? Was it? Of course not! It just costed me my dignity, for Pete's sake! And that guy just stared at me like I was some interesting painting that he had seen in a museum... and I don't mean it in a good way!

But why was I so overly embarrassed? Is it because it was him who pointed it out? I don't even know him... and he was just trying to be nice if you disregard the subtle perverted comment so why do I feel so uneasy? I've had my fair share of attractive guys because my parents always lets me meet their associates' sons, so I should get used to this. I should get used to... those kinds of stares... but there's just something about this guy that made me flinch... I feel like... he's already undressing me just by the way he looked at me. Or was it just me? I really need to lie low in reading mature content novels.

"How's your new school so far, Eira?" Mom asked while we were eating dinner.

"It's okay, Mom. It's just the first day so I can't really say for sure." I told her with a smile. If I disregard this one attractive guy that pointed out my panties. I wanted to add but it only made me even more embarrassed just thinking about it. I hope I won't encounter him anymore but who was I kidding with? We're going to the same school.

Mom nodded, then turned her attention to my younger sister. "How about you, Hana?"

"It's fun, Mama. I already made lots of friends and I joined the volleyball club!" Hanako beamed through mouthful of food.

"Hanako, don't talk while your mouth's full." Dad scolded in a sharp tone. Hanako's cheerful aura morphed into fear and sadness as she nodded then proceeded to eat slowly. "Eat like a lady."

"I'm sorry, Dad..."

"Uh... that's good, Hana!" Mom chuckled awkwardly, making Hanako let out a forced smile.

Right after the first day in my new school, we were summoned back to Kyoto because my parents required our presence at the charity event to look for potential investors for the expansion of their business. I had to be absent until Friday. I still haven't made friends so I had no one to borrow notes from. I only interacted with Kenma, who was my seatmate... so far.

I internally sighed. What was the purpose of our presence in here? Yes, what else? Of course...

My parents and another potential investor by the name of Nakamura Kenji is still talking about closing a deal in their business, while Hanako and I just ate our share in silence, only answering when we're directly addressed.

"Your proposition sounds very promising. I'm willing to invest as much as much as it takes, whatever amount is necessary." Nakamura-san said. Then he directed his eyes to me. "But there's also a chance that our business may merge if our children marry in the future." He let out a laugh, and I prevented the urge to let out a wince.

Dad smiled. "We'll see, Nakamura-san."

I bowed my head, avoiding eye contact with all of them. In the end, they requested that I should dance with the Nakamura heir and get to know him a bit more. The bottomline is, I didn't like him. He was one arrogant son of a gun.

When I returned to school, I indeed missed a lot of lessons. I had to gather enough courage to borrow Kenma's notes so that I can catch up with the lessons I missed.

"I'm sorry, Kenma! I promise I'll bring these notes back to you on Monday." I said, as he gave me a couple of his notebooks.

"We have a quiz on Monday, Masafumi..." Kenma reminded, looking away.

My eyes dilated in shock. Already?! "E-eh? T-then I'll bring your notes tomorrow at your house so that you can study. Let's exchange numbers!"

"Ah... okay."

After exchanging numbers, Kenma stared at me as I'm having an internal crisis. I have so many lessons to catch up on, and there's a quiz waiting on Monday! I guess I'll have to study for the remaining hours in the weekend. If only I have someone who could tutor me... I could ask Kenma but... we're not that close. And I'm sure he'd prefer to study in the comfort of his own personal space.

"Masafumi..." He called out, snapping me out of my pool of thoughts.

"Yes?"

"You can copy my notes in your home later in the evening. Then come to my house tomorrow... I have a friend that can help us study for the quiz on Monday."

Those were the magic words that made my day. I couldn't help but let out a wide smile, any wider and my lips would tear. "Really?" I inched closer to him, but he just slightly backed away.

Kenma nodded. I'm sure that my eyes were already sparkling because I just found my savior. Kenma and his kind and smart friend!

Later that evening, I made sure to copy everything that's needed to be copied. There were a few instances where his handwriting would change as if another person wrote it. Maybe it was Kenma's friend?

Kenma texted me his address and I was lucky enough that it was only a few streets away. I can just walk on the way there. Maybe I can also bring food as a token of gratitude? Vanilla cupcakes sounds nice... I mean, who doesn't like cupcakes? I even woke up earlier than my alarm. Then read Yuka's inspirational quote of the day for goodluck.

Yuka:

"If life were predictable it would cease to be life, and be without flavor." – Eleanor Roosevelt

Keiji:

Yuka-san.

Yuka:

Keiji.

Keiji:

Come downstairs and have breakfast with me.

Yuka:

10 minutes, keiji! Your bed is so comfy lmao

seen by Akaashi Keiji

I almost forgot that Yuka lives right next to Keiji so she comes to his house sometimes for a sleepover. But what I can't fathom is how she can shamelessly sleep next to a guy. And how Keiji doesn't mind it.

I should also come downstairs and help my little sister with breakfast. I made my bed and did my morning routine. When I came downstairs, I found Hanako already close to finishing setting up the table for breakfast. She greeted me with that same usual smile, but I was still worried about her due to the encounter with our father a few days ago.

"I'm alright, Nee-san." She answered when I asked her how she's feeling about the incident. "It was my fault. I got too overly excited that I talked with my mouth full."

"But he didn't have to be harsh about it." I pouted as I took a sip of my hot chocolate. Dad is really a harsh and strict person. He wouldn't think twice about calling out anyone if they don't meet his standards.

"You know how our father is." She smiled at me.

"Aw," I cooed, "How can my baby sister be so sweet and understanding while our father is the complete opposite?" I patted her curly, caramel hair that looks similar to mine.

"Because I want to be like you, Nee-san."

"Like me?" I pointed myself, letting out a short laugh in amusement.

"Yes, a sweetheart."

Kenma and I plan to meet each other in his house after lunch. I wore a casual attire—a pink blouse, white skirt that ended just above my knees, making sure that I wear tights underneath this time and sandals. I just tied my hair in a high ponytail, double checked my bag to see if I had forgotten something. When I was ready, Hanako sent me off, and I passed by a café to buy a box of vanilla cupcakes for Kenma and his friend.

"Uh... I think this is it..." I mumbled to myself as I stood in front of Kenma's house.

I looked around to make sure, then back at the address on his text. Taking a deep breath, my hand went to knock on the door three times. After a few moments, the door opened and my smile immediately faltered when I saw the person I least expected to see.

The attractive guy with the bedhead!

My jaw fell to the floor, and I immediately backed away. What in the actual holy fudge!

He was also surprised for a moment, but he quickly recovered. Then he let out a friendly smile. "Hi there."

"I'm sorry! I got the wrong house!" I stammered then bowed my head in sheer shame. I still can't freaking believe it! We live in the same neighborhood!

"You didn't. Kenma and I were expecting you, actually." He said, making my head immediately raise to look at him with wide eyes in astonishment. He leaned against the door frame with his arms crossed, his smile slowly turning smug. "Who would have known that I'm going to tutor you, too?" He chuckled. "Come on in." He jerked his head, gesturing me to take a step inside his territory. Oh gosh, what are the odds? This feels like a bad idea...

"I'm sorry for the intrusion..." I passed by him, and he just smiled as he watched me go inside the house. I sat down on the raised floor and slipped off my sandals, my hands slightly shaking.

"What's your name?" I heard him ask.

"Masafu-fu—" I spluttered, then I cleared my throat. "Masafumi Eira..."

"Masafumi Eira..." He nodded. I felt goosebumps when he said my full name! And there goes with that stare again! But wait a freaking minute, did he just said tutor? Tutor?! He's the kind and smart tutor?! "I'm Kuroo Tetsurou." I finally have a name for that attractive face! "Nice to meet you. It's nice to finally have a name for that face."

"Likewise." I said.

"About the former or the latter?" Kuroo-san smiled teasingly. I couldn't help the blood that climbed up to my face so I just prevented myself from saying something I'd regret. "Hey..." He looked down upon me, making me shift uncomfortably on my seat.

"Yes...?"

"Are you now wearing tights underneath your skirt this time?" He asked me, but there was no glint of malice in it right now.

But still, I couldn't help but get flustered. "O-of course!" I immediately stood up, and Kuroo-san let out a satisfied smile.

"Good." He passed by me, and I followed him around the house. "Kenma has been using you as an excuse to play video games. You have his notes, right?" He asked me, giving me a side way glance.

"Yes, I'm sorry about that." I bowed my head again.

"It's alright." He took notice of the box of cupcakes I'm holding.

"U-um... it's vanilla c-cupcakes... for you guys." I swallowed, then reached out the box to him to which he gladly accepted.

"Haha, why are you so tensed, Masafumi-san?" Kuroo-san let out a short laugh. He then walked his way to the kitchen, I reluctantly followed. He took the cupcakes out of the box and placed them on a plate. "Kenma is upstairs in his room. You can go there and set up the table so that we can start with the session." He said, turning his piercing eyes back at me.

"Okay..." I muttered. I ignored the smile he gave my way before I walked away with fast strides to go upstairs in Kenma's room. Kenma flinched when I opened the door hastily then closed it behind me. I quickly plopped down in front of him who was sitting on the floor with his PSP.

"Masafumi—"

"Kenma!" I almost screeched at him. "Why—when—what—how?!" I stuttered as I pointed at the door.

"What are you talking about?" He furrowed his eyebrows at me.

"Kuroo-san! Why didn't you tell me that that guy is our tutor?"

"Oh, you didn't ask..." He just said, giving me a bland look. "Do you guys know each other?"

"Uh... no?" I scratched the back of my head, thinking about how did they manage to become friends. Well, with my short encounter with Kuroo-san, I can guess that he adopted the introverted Kenma.

It was useless. I couldn't concentrate even if Kuroo-san broke down and simplified the terms. I don't know if I'm just too stupid to understand or it's because of him. Whenever I look at his face, I can't help but remember that little embarrassing incident back at the library.

"Eyes on your paper, Masafumi-san, not on me." Kuroo-san said, his gaze still on the paper he's writing on. Kenma looked up from his paper to give me a weird look.

"I-I wasn't looking at you..." I denied, which made one corner of his mouth to rise.

"Okay. If you say so." He just said.

Ugh... I want to go home...

After a few torturous hours of our little study session, it was finally time to call it a day. It was already 5 pm when Kenma's mother came home from work. Kenma introduced me, and I can tell that Kuroo-san is really close with her by the way they interact with each other. I bid farewell to them, and Kuroo-san got out of the house with me.

"I hope I helped." Kuroo-san said as we stood outside of Kenma's house.

I turned around to meet him. I nodded. "Uh... thank you, Kuroo-san. You were really a big help. Kenma's lucky to have you..." I offered him a small smile.

"Because I can tutor him?" He cocked a brow, a playful smile displaying his lips.

"No!" I flailed my arms around, flabbergasted. "Sorry, that's not what I meant."

"I know." He chuckled.

"Kenma's lucky because I can see how much you care for him."

"Well, I dragged him into the volleyball team so it's kinda my job to look after him."

"Oh, so you're in the volleyball team, Kuroo-san?" He nodded in confirmation. "Are you guys strong?"

"Why don't you see for yourself?" He smirked at me.

"U-uh..." I swallowed, suddenly feeling my throat dry. What the freaking heck is this guy's deal? I'm so used to these kinds of guys who were subtly flirty by nature but why do I tend to be a stuttering mess around him? "Maybe... when I have time..."

"Well then, I'll be looking forward to it... Masafumi-san... and also to our next session." Kuroo-san waved at me before he excused himself and got inside his own house... which was just next to Kenma's.

I took deep breaths while on the way home. I didn't even realize until now that I deprived myself of oxygen for hours on end! I guess Yuka's right. Life would be tasteless if it's too predictable...