IV.

The taste of the food at the canteen reminded me of the taste of hospital food. And as people describe, it was not made to impress one's taste buds. It was like, made just to force food into your system... just something that I should settle at the moment.

I scowled slightly at the meat I'm currently chewing and I swear one more swallow and I'd throw up everything I've eaten. I let out a sigh after I've swallowed the horrendous food then put the spoon beside the plate of half finished food. I've had enough.

I'd gone to the restroom to tidy myself up. And when I faced the mirror, I saw my mother. My deadpanned stare turned into a glare and I suddenly felt the urge to punch the mirror. It's so silly, it feels as if my mother never left my side because we almost looked identical. Well, except for the eyes, thankfully.

When I got out of the restroom, I felt eyes watching me so I darted my head on different directions and I found her, an unfamiliar girl peeking against a wall with her lips printed into a smile. She noticed my stare which made her smile grew wider and her hand gestured me to come towards her. I involuntarily arched an eyebrow but nonetheless, I succumbed to her request.

When my feet moved on her way, she had gone ahead and I followed her up the stairs. I opened the door and it led me to the rooftop. I saw the girl and the nerd sitting on the bench with bentos on their hands. And when the nerd witnessed me standing a few feet away from them, her features morphed into a mixture of shock and horror.

"Ah, there you are!" the girl who called me waved at me. "Come join us!"

Although confused, I took a few reluctant steps towards the duo, the nerd never left her worried gaze at me. And while I was walking towards them, I saw her whisper something to her companion which I assumed she asked why she called me.

"Because she saved you!" the girl exclaimed with a chuckle then her gaze shifted to me. "Come join us for lunch, Mikazuki Kinomi-chan!" she patted the seat between the two of them.

"Why?" I blurted out. "And you did you know my name?" I added.

"Duh, you're the famous captain and middle blocker from Kitagawa Daiichi! How I'd always wanted to become part of their volleyball team! So this year, we're going to join the volleyball club, right Yumi?"

"Ah, yeah..." Yumi flinched when her name was called then answered quickly.

Just by those words, I started to feel lightheaded which made me slightly wince because of the memory I had back at middle school. All they know is the famous captain and middle blocker Mikazuki Kinomi from Kitagawa Daiichi. But she's dead, I killed her. And now, the person standing in front of them is a waitress Mikazuki Kinomi from Karasuno. I took a good glance at the nerd. Yumi, huh? So that's the nerd's name.

"I wasn't there when that bitch Ishida--"

"Saori, language." Yumi cut her off with a sharp but innocent look which made Saori roll her eyes.

"Are you going to join the volleyball club as well, Kinomi-chan?" Saori asked me and I raised an eyebrow at the name.

"Already familiar with me?" I questioned, my lips curling up in a small smirk. "And no, I'm not interested in joining."

Yumi and Saori were shocked at this. "E-Eh? Why not? You're pretty good at this!" Saori whined.

I ignored her complaint. "And I didn't save her," I countered curtly, turning on my heels. "I just told her to stop treating herself like the queen of the school because she doesn't look like one anyways." and with that said, I walked away from them.

"Mikazuki-chan! Where are you going?" Saori whined and I assumed that there's an annoying childish pout plastered on her lips.

"It's called none of your business." I deadpanned, unfazed. But thank you for the offer anyway.

I know what will happen if I ever accepted her invitation on joining them for lunch. Saori will most probably bug me to try to make me talk and if I get unfortunate, I'll become their friend.

Based on my brief observation, Saori and Yumi are complete opposites. Saori is a loud, bubbly girl with a foul mouth - which I liked while Yumi is a shy, timid nerd who's so pure you'd want to taint it. How they became friends is something I wouldn't want to discover and basically, I'm not going to add myself on their circle of friends, if they ever had one.

Because I know the consequences of commitments. Been there, done that.

The more people you start to care, that's triple the pain returned to you.

After half a minute of pondering which beverage I'll buy on the vending machine, I chose a strawberry flavored yogurt drink and when I was about to get it, a big jerk named you-know-who snatched it.

"Oh, perfect choice, Mikazuki-san. It's like you really chose it for me." Tsukishima said with a big smug smile, his hand holding the sweet, cold beverage that was supposed to be mine.

I don't know why but I always seem to lose my cool when it comes to Tsukishima Kei. I don't know if it's just because of his annoying features or his annoying smirk or the way he looks at me. Or just simply, I don't like him.

"Give it back, Tsukishima," I said calmly before reaching out my hand to get the cardboard box but he just simply lifted his arm to where I cannot reach.

Yamaguchi elbowed Tsukishima on the arm which made the blonde male shift his attention on him. "Tsukki, give it back." He said with a worried gaze to which made the scolded boy scowl.

"Shut up, Yamaguchi," Tsukishima deadpanned then impaled the straw on the cardboard box then hovered his lips on it, smiling at me as he did so. "I just wanted to have the first taste."

Tsukishima took a few sips of the strawberry yogurt drink then handed it to me. "Thanks, Berry,"

I scowled at the male who gave me a nickname. Seriously? "Berry?"

"Yeah, because your face looks like a strawberry when you're mad." He chuckled then ruffled my brown hair but I slapped it away, much to his expectation.

"Don't touch me." I growled, glaring at him.

"You're so cute, Berry," He teased before walking right pass me, Yamaguchi followed while giving me an apologetic look. "I'll see you later!" He called out, a smile evident in his annoying voice.

I shifted my bland gaze at the half empty cardboard box then without hesitation, tossed it to the nearby trash bin. It's so full of his germs, bacteria and viruses. So gross.

When dismissal time came, I dashed out of the school, annoyed at the fact that Saori and Yumi - practically Saori, pestered me to hangout with them, join the volleyball team with them and such. But I just brushed them away, like I always do. Because that's one of my fortes - pushing people away.

"You look grumpy today, Kinomi-chan," Reina-san commented as we change into our waitress uniforms. I just ignored her and tied my hair in a high ponytail before putting on my lacy headband.

I heard Aoi giggle on the background. "She's always grumpy, Rei-chan!"

Reina-san just smiled at Aoi's remark then shifted her gaze at me. "You should smile more often, Kinomi-chan. That way, you'll attract more customers." She advised before walking out of the room.

"I'll go on ahead too, Kinomi-chan." Aoi told me and that didn't took to long when I realized that I am finally alone in the locker room.

He lifted the corners of my lips using his fingers, much to my shock and confusion. "Smile more often, Mika-chan," he told me then let out a bright smile as an example. "Like this."

Those smiles were enough to make any girl fall in love with him and I guess I was included in those girls as well. His bright smiles always melted my heart and every once in a while, I'd wanted to be the reason behind those warm smiles of his.

"You always have a reason to smile," I retorted, swatting his hands away which made him let out a childish pout. "I don't."

"Then smile for me."

"Kinomi-chan?" a voice made me flinch, snapping me out of my trance as well. I shifted my gaze at Reina-san who had a worried look. "Are you alright?"

I nodded. "Y-Yeah, why?"

"I was wondering why aren't you still coming out of the locker room. I got worried."

"I'm sorry, I'm coming over."

She let out a smile before closing the door once again, leaving me alone. I let out a huge sigh before following every waitress outside working.

"Oh no, not you again." I literally groaned when I saw the last person I wanted to greet and welcome inside the shop which is Tsukishima Kei.

"Hi Berry," He greeted me with a light smile to which a bland stare is only I replied. Although he wasn't smirking, I still know that he was smirking internally.

"Shut up and take your seat, Tsukishima," I said sternly but unfortunately, Reina-san heard my rude greeting.

"Kinomi-chan, manners!" She scolded with a sharp look then quickly apologized to the annoying customer and led him to his favorite spot. She also took his order.

I just rolled my eyes and continued working generously but then after a few minutes, Reina-san gave me a tray of Strawberries and Cream drink.

"Go and serve this to that blonde boy. And apologize for your rude behavior."

I prevented the urge to scowl at my senior co-worker and just obeyed her. I took the tray from her hands then stared at the Strawberries and Cream which is my most favorite drink at the cafe by the way.

Then I almost laughed when an idea crossed in my mind. Time for revenge, Tsukki.

When I placed the cup on his table, I gave Tsukishima a sweet smile which made me cringe on the inside.

"Perfect choice, Tsukishima. It's like you really chose it for me." I quoted what he said earlier and before he could react, I quickly took the straw in my mouth and took a quick sip from his drink. "I just wanted to have the first taste. Can't help myself, sorry." I let out a fake giggle before walking away from him because I couldn't contain my laughter anymore, his reaction is so priceless.

And while I was in between my laughs, I saw Reina-san looking at me with a disappointed look. Meaning that she witnessed what I just did. Oh well, not that I cared though.