II.

I sighed in exasperation just as I saw the money inside my bank account. What my mother is still not aware of is where I use her money for.

"She's so stubborn," I mumbled to myself as I stared at the numbers - not just any numbers but it contained hundred thousands of yen inside my account.

Mother said that I don't have the need to work at my aunt's cafe, saying that she could be my provider. But my father taught me otherwise, that if you want something, you'll have to work hard to achieve it. Because gaining something out of hard work is the best feeling. It makes you feel independent, confident and it gives you the urge to strive for more and harder.

And my mother didn't want that but who was she to order me around anyway?

I sighed then withdrew almost all and placed them inside an envelope. I do loathe my mother yet letting her money rot would've been a waste, I could just donate it to charity though, like I always did.

As I walked on my way to the cafe to take my morning shift, my feet halted the moment I remembered that I forgot about my English work sheet that's due on Monday. I clicked my tongue in annoyance, of all subjects, why did I chose to forget about a major one?

I wonder if school is open on weekends?

I smirked at the inane question. Of course. After all, I used to come at school even at weekends, like all the time.

I turned on my heels and marked a different destination, which was Karasuno High School.

Who would've thought that that tall blonde fellow is a student at Karasuno? I'm used to just seeing him whenever he wanted to stop by at Moonlight Cafe. And now, he wasn't just my regular customer but also a classmate.

Going to school on a weekend? I wouldn't have to bother myself coming if I hadn't forgot about my assignment.

I heaved a deep sigh of relief just as I saw my English work sheet exactly where I have left it on my desk. I quickly walked down the hallway to exit the place when I heard the familiar sound of ball hitting the wall and squeaking of shoes making contact with the floor.

"You have to lower your hips slightly, Mika-chan."

"Impressive, Mika-chan! You're suitable as a libero!"

"You're perfect."

"I'm far from perfect,"

"To me, you are perfect."

Again. It's coming back again. His figure, his smile, everything was coming back again.

My lips curled up in a smile - a painful one though. Then I slowly moved my feet towards the source of the sound. And behind the net on the ingress that serves as the curtain, my mouth went ajar as I stared at the scene with awe.

"MIKAZUKI-SAN!" A panicked voice called out and just in time, I saw a ball that was coming towards me. My instincts took over and I immediately made a stance to receive it, returning it to the wing spiker who caught it in his hands.

"Woah, amazing..." A middle schooler breathed out. I sighed, I just came to take a quick peek, not to gain any attention from the members.

"The ball came to her in a fast pace yet she received it flawlessly and returned it to Asahi-san... what incredible ball control she has..." The raven haired setter muttered in complete bewilderment. I took the time to look at my slight reddish arm then back to my work sheet, that was slightly crumpled.

I was about to turn on my heels to leave the area when a voice stopped me.

"Mikazuki-san!" Yamaguchi ran to me which arrested my actions. I turned my gaze at him and right then, the team's attention were on mine as well.

"Yamaguchi?" I questioned.

"What brings you here? Do you also have club practice?"

"No, I just left my work sheet on my desk." I simply stated then instinctively glanced at the blonde fellow who was looking back at me with an impassive expression. It only lasted for a second before my gaze focused at the man in front of me. "I just came to have a peek then I'll be on my way." I bowed my head in front of them. "I'm sorry for the intrusion--"

"WOAH, SENPAI! THAT'S A REALLY AWESOME RECEIVE! HOW DID YOU DO THAT?" The middle schooler interjected which made my head dart to him, confusion printed on my face.

"Senpai?" I asked with a raised eyebrow.

"She's not a senior, Hinata," Yamaguchi corrected then turned his gaze at the blonde fellow. "She's our classmate, right Tsukki?"

"Ah, yeah..." He just shrugged nonchalantly then minded his own business.

I couldn't blame him for mistaking me to be a senior for I really look older than my age. Standing at 176 cm and constantly deprived of sleep because of work and studies.

"Excuse me, but are you a member of the girls' volleyball team?" The team captain asked me.

I shook my head. "No," And I don't feel the need to.

"Eh? Why not? You're a really good receiver, Senpai!"

My lips curled up in a smile at the question. "What grade are you in, little one?" I asked the orangehead and slightly bent down to be eye level with him.

"I'M A FIRST YEAR TOO, YOU KNOW!" He exclaimed, frustrated. "I MAY BE SMALL BUT I CAN JUMP!"

"And I'm a first year as well so don't call me senpai." I countered, standing straight.

"Touché." The libero and the bald guy said in unison as they laughed out loud.

"Hinata-kun, isn't it?" I asked for confirmation to which he nodded on. "To answer your question, little one... I just don't like volleyball anymore, that's all." I stated then let out a smile and bowed my head to them once again. "Again, I'm sorry for the intrusion and please do continue your training."

I sighed as I remembered the reason why I don't like volleyball anymore. It's not the only reason, I also cannot balance work, studies and club activities.

It's quite funny and ironic that the one who taught you how to love something is also the reason why you hate it right now.

I quickly got out of school without trouble and ran my way to the cafe because I was late. Not that my aunt minded though, I just don't like being late.

"Oh hey, Kinomi-chan~!" Aoi sang just as I arrived at the cafe. I caught her wiping the table and I passed by her without saying a word. "Why do you keep on ignoring me, Kinomi-chan?" She called out as she faked cry.

I just rolled my eyes then quickly changed into my uniform, shove the work sheet inside the locker then slammed it shut. I tied my long brown hair in a high ponytail then took the time to look at the forming bags under my eyes, an evidence that I was lacking of sleep. If I'm being honest, the synchronization of the bags and my dull muddy brown eyes was making me look hideous.

As I worked for the next few hours, we heard the chime for the nth time, and there he was again. He really does love to stop by in here after an exhausting day at volleyball practice.

Like old times, I greeted him politely then accompanied him to his seat, pulling out my small notepad as I did so.

Then, my inner self smiled. Why did I have to write his order down when I know it almost too well?

"I'll have a strawberry shortcake and an au lait," He recited as he pulled out a novel from his bag.

I nodded then flashed him a polite smile even though he seemed to care less to even crane his neck to give me glance. But right when I turned on my heels, he spoke once again.

"Mikazuki-san," He called out my name but his tone wasn't urgent. It's as if he just wants to say something to me. "isn't it?" He asked for assurance.

"Yes," I confirmed.

"So you hate volleyball." He suddenly wondered.

"What of it?" I asked back, and I just noticed that it was also the first time that we have talked after a long while of him being my regular customer. I slightly craned my neck to see him leaning on his soft seat with his eyes focused on his novel, headphones on.

"Never mind." Then he finally looked at me, his lips slightly curling up. "You look like a loner." He stated blandly.

My right eye twitched at his sentence. I turned to him once again, raising an eyebrow in question. "What makes you say that?"

"My intuition." He told me, now smirking.

"Liar." I mumbled under my breath then stomped my way to make an au lait and I was tempted to add more extra sugar. His intuition? Whom did he lie to?

Right at the moment I placed the tray on his table, I saw his lips curl up in a smile once again, not one of those friendly smiles though, more of an irritating one.

"What?" I demanded and I can imagine my background full of annoyed words.

"Oh, is that how you treat your customer?" He was taunting me, alright.

"So then, how would you like to be treated?"

"With care."

I rolled my eyes. "Oh please."

"Um, Manager--"

"Okay, okay, just be quiet!" I succumbed to him with a panicked expression and that made him chuckle in triumph. "I'm sorry, sir." I emphasized the final word, shooting him a sickening sweet smile.

I bowed ninety degrees then turned around and walked away from him, rolling my eyes three hundred sixty degrees. This might serve as an exercise for my eyes now.

I have never thought he had an attitude like that. How did Yamaguchi managed to handle him?

And he has been my customer for as long as I can remember yet he decided to interact with me now. Why now?

I look like a loner? Your intuition? I guess you're right. It's on purpose.

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OMG I'm sorry if Tsukki is OOC //cries

Thank you for reading! Feel free to vote, comment or anything! Let me know your thoughts in this story! :D

HAPPY NEW YEAR! <3

PS: What's your new year's resolution? :D