"This weekend will be your first tournament! Good luck! I will go there and support you!" His words were encouraging. He gave me strength, resulting for me to win my first tournament in Middle school

"Since you are a student of Teiko, make sure to win for the school. That's an order, and you must bring glory to our school"

It was an order, and I must comply to him.

His encouraging words, became absolute orders, and a task that I must comply.

~

It's good thing that I don't have morning activities as of now.

I woke up late...

I sighed as I slumped myself back to my bed.

Nightmare again.

Plus, my parents and my brother called last night, asking what happened in school so far, forgetting about the fact that I have school next day, and that we have time difference with my brother.

Also, dad asked me to go to the store one of these days. Seems like the sale was decreasing, and the new manager wasn't telling dad. So he told me to go undercover.

Anyways, I'll prepare myself now. Sayaka won't be coming to school this morning, so I could take the bus as well.

No need to rush.

~

Though I said that, I barely arrived in school! I forgot the arrival of the bus, plus the people lining up. In addition to that, the bus took a different route because there was a construction on the road towards the school, so they didn't stop in school. I needed to run three blocks.

"(F/n)-chan, are you one of the victims of the barely on time students?" I turned to that voice and it was Rie-chan holding a comb "Your hair is at mess. I'll fix it for you"

"Thank you" I sighed then explained what happened to me

"Not just you, but lots of students barely made it. Seems like there are constructions going around the school. No bus would stop in our school until they finish the construction"

"I didn't know nor hear about that"

"Yeah, they didn't announce anything about it." Rie-chan chuckled "now it's done."

"Thank you, Rie-chan."

As I thanked her, our homeroom teacher arrived and mentioned about the construction. There were others who arrived late, in which he let them go for today. Though he told us to adjust our time until they are done with the construction. Seems a major road project. I'll just walk to school tomorrow, and good thing it's weekend the next day.

~

One more class before lunch, I'm hungry already. As I put my book and notes in my bag, I felt my phone vibrated.

Sayaka: I'm already in our usual place for lunch. I brought lunch for you as well. See you

So Sayaka won't attend the last class. Hmmm? A message from dad as well,

Dad: when can you go to the store?

Now I wonder when I can go?

"Ayu, did you see the new set by SH?" I turned behind me, and two seat behind me, I got curious to what I heard

"I saw! I actually went there the other day, but I couldn't buy it" the girl named Ayu frowned "I couldn't buy much lately. My allowance can't handle it, plus Rakuzan doesn't let their students to work"

Ah!

I approached the two of them, and they looked at me confusedly

"Sorry for the sudden approach" I started and smiled awkwardly "uhm, sorry, I heard your conversation about SH"

"Is something wrong?" They asked at the same time

"Can I talk to you during Lunch? Ah, I am (l/n) (f/n). Sorry, I heard you talking about SH, and I really need to ask about it"

The two looked at each other the smiled at me

"Yeah, we can eat lunch together later. I am Shiba Ayumi, and this is Yoshida Hitomi. Nice to meet you."

"Nice to meet you. Me and my friend found a place to eat lunch, we can eat there."

"Got it. But I'm curious about what you will say about SH. Ayu and I are both fans of SH."

"I am glad to know that. I talked to the right people then" I smiled at them

Not long after our next teacher arrived, and I returned to my seat.

~

And during lunch, I led the two of them towards the building that was located at the far east of the school. It was located and like our archery club building, it was isolated. I explained to them that Sayaka and I found it during 2nd day when we were walking around, trying to find a nice, quiet place to eat lunch

Behind the building, Sayaka was already there, and seemed moved a table and another bench there.

"Ohh, you brought two new friends. Hello" Sayaka waved at us and pointed the bench and table added "great timing, I found these and cleaned them."

I sat down next to Sayaka, then the two sat on the other side. We had small introductions first, and while eating, I went ahead with my agenda

"Sorry again for asking you two today"

"Oh, not at all." Shiba-san chuckled "but, we're curious about what you wanted to talk about SH"

"SH?" Sayaka curiously asked then turned to me "that SH? The cosmetic shop?"

I nodded then turned to the in front of me "is it okay to know what is your opinions about SH?"

"Until now I don't know what SH means. I am just receiving SH's stuffs from (f/n)" Sayaka chuckled

"There are two meanings, which one do you want? The Korean one or the Japanese one?" I asked and she looked at me in surprised "what?"

"There are two meanings?!"

"It's a Korean cosmetic business" Yoshida-san answered and explained "Sawayaka no Hi, and, Sangkwaehan, means refreshing in Korean"

"Hitomi and I have been buying SH cosmetics since we were elementary. They have variety for all ages after all. Our family also love them. But recently, price wise, I couldn't ask my parents to buy what I wanted." Shiba-san dryly chuckled

"So the problem is the price?"

"Well, they have stuffs for all ages and genders, but the price are all the same. Students can't afford same price with what adults can afford" she added

"Hmmmm, it really is a problem then. How about the employees?" I asked and they worriedly looked at each other

"There's a new employee there that is annoying. She was kind of bitching, then recommending other stores instead. We talked to the manager, she said she would look at it, but she's still there. It's suffocating entering if she's there" Yoshida-san explained

"That's a big problem" Sayaka shivered then turned to me "(f/n)?"

"I can see the problem now then, and indeed it's serious" I sighed then smiled to the two of them "thank you for letting me know"

"Is it okay to know why you asked?" They asked me

I hesitated for a bit then smiled "well... my mother's family owns it. SH was the name of my great grandmother and her sister, Sawako and Haruka. It passed down to their family, until my mother, then my father agreed to look after the Japan branches, while my grandparents look after the Korean branches while their younger daughter finished her study in America. Well, anyways, to make the story short, I need to find the reason why our business' sales rate is decreasing"

"Oh my gosh! To think that your family owns it!" The two excitedly exclaimed

"Yes, ah, I'll bring over the new products from Korea. They are not yet out here in Japan"

"Is it okay?" They asked then Sayaka showed them the picture I sent to her, three boxes with new products "wow...!"

"She told me to have them, but they aren't foods. Though I like the natural wood bubble bath soap. It's really relaxing" Sayaka chuckled

"As my gratitude, I'll give them to you. I'll bring them partially though."

"Uhm, is it okay? To tell our opinions to you?" Shiba-san asked

"Sure, I'll be happy to. It will be a great help to us, and it will save you money as well. Like seriously, I have lots still." I complained but laughed "but again thank you for helping us"

We continued eating our lunch, while I told them about our business, and telling them not tell others as well.

~

Sayaka left not long after since she needed to talk to her teacher, while the two left with her since they needed to go to the library. I decided to stay for a while since I needed to call dad and tell him about it.

Though, he wasn't answering so I just left a message. I told him that I would try to go there this weekend.

"But to think that is happening to our shop. I need to go there this weekend."

"Heh"

I froze as I heard someone chuckled. I turned around and felt scared seeing the back of this red hair guy.

"A-A...kashi...? Since when...?"

"Leaving their business to the bunch of amateurs."

"You don't know anything about our situation so don't talk as if you know everything"

"I know everything" He stated with conviction and he wasn't showing his face still.

"It's futile to talk to you. You are saying you know everything, but, no you don't know about my family at all" I stood up and decided to leave but,

"(F/n)" I stopped then turned to him again and he was looking at me already "they decided to do a preliminary round for Archery, teams and individuals, this weekend in N Central District. Because lots of teams can join from each school, they wanted to decrease it before the district tournament."

"What?! I didn't hear about it!" I agitatedly told him

"You haven't met your coach after all. He will return this afternoon, and he isn't planning to mention about it. Ah, but, it's up to you if you will join the tournament, or do the errands for your parents."

"..." this guy, he was telling me to win for Rakuzan, now he is pointing out the options I have, to choose what's more important to me. "Of course the tournament!" I hissed and glared at him "It's my goal for the club to bring them to Nationals. My father will surely understand if I explain it to him."

I turned around again and was about to leave when this guy stir up my emotions again

"Good luck, (f/n). With your team, and this coming weekend"

He really has the worst personality! I don't get him at all! And before I left, again

"Should I go and support you?" He is mocking me!

"NO! Don't show yourself there!"

I heard him chuckled and again

"See you later"

"I don't want to see you again!"

I retorted, but he smirked!
Urgh! Annoying!!

~

But, as much as I hate him... he was right. Himeko-senpai messaged me that the male team had returned, so we should go and meet them after class.

Akashi knew, but again, not everything!Also, the question why he was there? I heard because advance class had a chemistry class there. I also found out, that building is a building for Science classes. We would go there as well if we need to use the lab. Seems like there was an accident during a class before, that the fire spread throughout the school. So to avoid that, they built a separate building for Science class.

But then, of all people, why him?! Why he was there ahead of others?!

Furthermore, he knows our secret place now!

~

After class, I messaged Sayaka to go first since I needed to stop by the teacher's office to drop off our class' notebooks.

And when I was about to enter,

"To think that you are still here. I thought we will be having the place on our own. But you got 5 with you" a male's voice, one of the senpais? Since he was talking to senpai casually

It reminded me, I haven't met the other senpai, and the other two new members in girl's team

"Ehem"

I looked behind me and smiled as a male student looked down at me

"You are?"

English?

"...my fire, the one desire. Believe when I say, I want it that way" I cleared my throat and chuckled as he looked at me in annoyance "sorry, I always hear that song from my brother."

"..."

"I'm (l/n), new member" I smiled then bowed down as I entered the room, raising my voice to greet them "Hello"

Sayaka and Himeko-senpai waved at me, asking me to stand with them

"You are late" Sayaka whispered

"Sorry" I responded then looked around and noticed one of the new first years looking at me, as if she saw a ghost "..."

"So you are that (l/n) (f/n) I heard from Sayaka-chan. I am Ikeda Mitsuki, second year and the current captain of the team" she has a brown slanted eyes, with freckles under her eyes. She's a bit taller than me, and I like how she braided her long hair

"Nice to meet you" I responded, and it was then a man, probably in his 30s, came in, with a smile on his face, but it disappeared when he realized our presence

"They are still here" I heard one from the male teams, with a smirk

Now it reminded me Akashi's words...
It was a warning...

"Good luck, (f/n). With your team, and this coming weekend"

Did he mean by this bias coach? Or the members from boys team? Or this other first year, who was glaring at me?

~TBC~