"Thanks for bringing me home, Tsukishima-san," you said, opening your front gate.

"Huh? What do you mean? My house is a few blocks away. You're the one who wanted to follow me," he replied plainly.

You sighed and parted ways. You knocked on your entrance door and was immediately unlocked by your mother. "Good evening, (Y/N). What makes you late this time?" She asked with an interested tone.

"I just found a job today and started working there," you answered, going inside, and took off your shoes.

"Oh, that's nice! What job are you working on?"

A chill ran down your back. God knows what your parents' reaction would be if you found out that you signed up for a job at a maid cafe, but at the same time, you don't want to lie because it will just make things complicated in the end. "I-I work at a cafe." Smooth move.

"Ohh. Then can you explain to me who was that boy just earlier who was with you?" She snickered playfully.

You began to blush. "H-He's only a--" Right when you were about to use the term 'friend', you remembered that you don't consider each other as one, "--a weird stalker that was following me. HAAAH."

"Hohoho~? Are you sure he's not just a stalker?"

"HE'S NOT MY BOYFRIEND, MOM!"

~

The following morning, you reported to your dad that you had switched to college-prep courses and applied for a job yesterday. He was impressed that you were able to nail down his first requirements in a day. He informed you that they received their tickets flying to Tokyo, and they will be departing in three days. You were sad about that fact, but you still kept your chin up for you had a long road awaiting in front of you.

Now that their flight schedule is set, the next thing to accomplish is to search for a place to live in; an apartment would be the best choice. You had to think about where to settle during the school day.

"(Y-Y/L/N)-san, do you wanna eat lunch together?" The shy boy, Yamaguchi, asked.

You agreed in an easygoing manner. The two of you decided to eat lunch at the same location you were at yesterday.

"So, (Y/L/N)-san--"

"You don't have to use -san for my name anymore, you know," you said.

He started to blush. "T-Then... (Y-Y/L/N)?" He intonated his voice at a really high pitch at the end, showing his unsureness. It made you giggle.

"Mhm. Then, is Y-Yamaguchi...-KUN okay?"

He frantically nodded. "So, (Y/L/N), since we started to eat lunch together, I-I was wondering if we could also walk home together, t-that's if you want to!!"

You smiled. "Of course I'd love t--"

At the brink of completing your statement, you recalled that you just begun to have work... At a maid cafe.

"I-I'd love to, but I'm pretty busy after school."

He looked down. "Oh, I see... W-What about tomorrow?"

You stiffened, feeling guilt. "I-I'm sorry, Yamaguchi-kun. I'm busy too, and the next days after that."

He plastered a fake smile on his face. "I-It's okay. I don't want to stand in your way in your business."

Yamaguchi packed away his empty bento box. "Could it be that it's happening again?" He thought, staring off into the swaying trees and leaves that were flying away in loops.

~

School has ended for the day, as well as volleyball club. Kiyoko taught you a lot of the points on being a manager, and a better understanding of volleyball games while you watch the team play a practice game. Since the session finished a little later than expected, you did not have time to socialize with the other club members. You quickly got your bag, stood up from the benches, and exited the gym, leaving only a single "goodbye" to them all.

The sky soon faded into orange as it got darker, telling that dusk approached. Everybody had already parted ways. Tsukishima and Yagamuchi walked home together, but this time, the air between the two became tight; they walked through the sidewalks without saying a word for a while.

Yamaguchi chose to break the silence. "Hey, Tsukki, what do you think of (Y/L/N)?"

He stopped at his tracks. "You mean that loser?"

A lighting struck him. "Y-You don't say..." He laughed nervously.

Tsukishima looked at him with his hazel orbs. "What makes you bring her up? She's worthless. Not worth your time and effort. You should better stop meeting her during lunch time if you still want to be friends with me." He shrugged and shoved his hands into his pockets, then continuing to walk.

"T-Tsukki..." His lips were parted open. He was surely torn apart between you and the person he looks up to, both ways. He didn't know what  he is supposed to feel about that. His fists tightened before catching up to him. "H-Hey wait up!"

~

The next day at lunch break, Yamaguchi was not to be found ever since he left with Tsukishima right after the bell rang. You didn't really mind that fact and proceeded to go to where you would usually eat lunch.

Once you were done eating, which was much earlier since you were not talking to anyone, you decided to get out your favorite book, (favorite book), and read as the tranquil scenery and the cool breeze that brushed through your cheeks made you feel like doing it.

As you were finishing a chapter, a shadow erupted in front of you, blocking the light that was shining on the pages of your book. You tensed as you slowly lifted your head up.

"Oi," the man said. He had spiky bleached hair and a few piercings scattered throughout his caramel-toned face. He was wearing his polo fully unbuttoned, and you can only see his thin red undershirt. He slammed his foot right beside you on the bench, and his hand on the other side, like kabe-don-ing (kabe-don is japanese for a person to slam you against the wall with his arms cornering you:3) you except using a bench. He went closer to your face, showing his pointy teeth when he grinned. "I didn't know such a cute girl would stay here. Hey, do you wanna go have some fun? I just booked a hotel room for two~"

You felt like gagging in disgust. You wanted to push him away, but based on his solid feet and hand glued to the bench, it would only send him closer to you. All you could do was to purse your lips and close an eye shut, leaning back the farthest you can do. That only made him pleased. "Don't worry, girl. I'll take good care of you." He let out a mischievous laughter.

"G-G.. GET OUT OF HER S-SIGHT, PUNK!"

You and the stranger turned your heads to where the sound came from. Standing there was Yamaguchi, panting hardly. He must've ran as quick as he could to come to the rescue, you thought.

The weird harassing man left you and went for the shaking chihuahua, none other than Yamaguchi. He grabbed the collar of his shirt, lifting him off the ground. You could tell that he was mentally screaming. "What did you say?!"

"Screw off," another voice said. It was Tsukishima, and he was behind the stranger. The punk turned around and started sweating when he was greeted by a student much taller than him. He immediately released Yamaguchi, planning to whimper away, but he remembered you. He sprinted for his prey, grabbing you by the arm harshly. You yelped and tried to kick his vulnerable spot.

"Tch. I can't believe you're actually wasting your time on her." He rolled up his sleeves and threw his fist at the guy's face. He spun around and collapsed onto the bench.

Yamaguchi's eyes were enlightened when watched how his friend beat him in one punch.

You lost your balance in your process. Just when you thought you were about to hit the ground, Tsukishima caught you just in time. The gap between you faces were only inches apart. Before his face grew redder even further, he threw you to the dirt ground.

"O-Oi! What was that for!?" You complained, getting back up, dusting your uniform now covered in dust.

"Let's go, Yamaguchi," he said with a cool expression.

"O-Okay!" He ran up to him and they both leave you.

Before he was out of sight, he glanced over his shoulder with disappointed eyes to see you, then followed Tsukishima.