C h a p t e r
f i v e

✿ meeting friends ✿

"Kana? She's Tanaka's childhood best friend. I'm suprised you haven't seen her around yet actually, she's usually around at practice, so it's weird you guys haven't run into each other yet..." Asahi said, thinking how she hadn't actually been at practice in a little while.

"Why do you think we would get along?" Ezume asked, laying her head back on his chest.

"Oh, well to be freinds with Tanaka you have to be pretty energetic, but she's also one of the only people I've ever seen be able to calm Tanaka down. She's kind of like an unofficial manager some days, but she usually just studies and does her schoolwork off to the side."

Ezume thought for a second before murmuring, "Oh! You mean Kana Tokido from the top of the second years?"

Asahi nodded, "Yeah. She's really nice, I think you two would get along."

"That's nice, has she found her soulmate?"

"She doesn't talk about it. She, in fact, avoids talking about it, even with Tanaka. I think its a sensitive subject," Asahi responded.

"Mm, good to know, when I meet her I'll keep soulmates out of the conversation then," Ezume said, eyes drooping dangerously low.

Asahi laid there, with Ezume on top of him, thinking about Kana. She was a very nice girl, similar to Noya in stature and energy at times, but she was also incredibly reserved and quiet at others. It was actually quite odd that Kana hadn't been at practice in a couple weeks, normally she and Tanaka were joined at the hip. Asahi pondered it but was interrupted by a soft snuffle of the girl that laid on his chest. He glanced over to see her peacefully sleeping, murmuring incoherent words in her sleep. Asahi gently rolled her off him, slipping off the bed and tucking her in. He walked out of the room, grabbing his bag, slipped on his shoes before walking home.

✿ ✿ ✿

Asahi walked into the student council room, flagging down the brunette president, "Kana!"

The girl turned, a small smile on her face, "Oh, hey Asahi! What's up?"

Kana was a petite girl with long brunette hair that went to her middle back, an oval shaped face and navy eyes. She stood at around 5 feet and 4 inches, and had a naturally small frame. Honestly, it seemed as if you pushed her a bit too hard, she'd break. It was a mystery how Tanaka hadn't accidentally killed her or broken a bone. "Hey Kana, I've got a bit of an issue."

"Mm, personal or student council type issue?" She asked, scooping up some files she was previously organizing.

"Uh, thats the thing... both? Technically?"

She rose an eyebrow in confusion, "Both?"

"Well... so my soulmate got suspended from school yesterday becasue of a really stupid incident with the principal and--" Kana inturrupted him, "Hold on, I'm gonna need some context dude."

Asahi explained what had happened and her eyes widened in realization, "Oh, so Take was the one of that incident?"

Asahi nodded, "I cant tell you exactly what happened, because i don't know exactly, but i do know it wasn't fair and uncalled for. I hate to ask this of you, but do you think afterschool you could meet her and maybe... figure out a plan to get her unsuspended?"

Kana stood silently, fidgeting with the ends of her sweater, "I mean... i... yeah i guess so, tell her to meet me outside the gates of the school. Shes technically not allowed on campus so I'll meet her there, 5 O'Clock, K?"

Asahi bowed deeply in thanks, "Thank you! What can i do to make it up to you?"

Kana laughed, "there's a reason its called a favor Asahi, I'll call you if i need help with anything!"

Asahi nodded, shuffling out of the room, a small smile on his face.

✿ ✿ ✿

The volleyball team jumped when the door slammed open, they expected Takeda, simply from the noise, but instead, an averge height male with longer reddish-orange hair walked in, "Azumane!"

The scared male jumped at the sound of his voice. The red-headed male ran over, voice laced with panic, "Where's Ezume? She's not answering her texts and she wasn't at practice and i even knocked on her door but there was no answer..."

"Im-- I'm sorry who are you?" Asahi tentatively asked. The boy groaned, "Dammit, you met Yukia and not me, my names Roku Satuyo, I'm Ezume's best friend."

Asahi nodded, remembering his face now from Ezumes lockscreen, "Oh she uh, she got suspended,  she's meeting with Kana Tokido right now to try and fix the situation."

Roku's eyes bugged out of his head, "Sus...pended? Augh, Ezume you stupid girl! I knew her mouthing off was gonna get her in trouble!"

Roku ran his hands through his wet hair, pushing the strands in every direction, "Ahhh, she's gonna bring me to an early grave... thanks Azumane, it'd be great to meet up sometime and get to know eachother but I'm gonna go now. Sorry for interuppting practice everyone!"

The boy gave a sheepish toothy smile, before scurrying out of the gym muttering to himself. The team turned to Asahi who could only shrug as an answer, an eccentric girl had eccentic friends, what could he say. Luckily Coach Ukai had left for a bit to do some last minute volleyball paperwork with Takeda, so he didn't see the incident. Tanaka turned to his best guy friend and nudged him, snickering, "Bro, you could be less obvious you know..."

Nishinoya turned away from the door he was staring at, "What do you mean?"

"Cmon, I saw you starting at Satuyo, you think he's attractive," Tanaka muttered lowly.

Noya punched him in the arm, "That's not true."

"Mmm, mhm, sure bro," Tanaka snickered.

Noya grinned, "Oh we're playing that game huh? What about Kana?"

Tanaka stopped, "What about her?"

Noya laughed, "Pleaseee, you like her, probably always have."

Tanaka scoffed, "No way! She just my friend, we've known each other forever."

"Exactly! She knows eveeything there is to know, whats the issue?"

"Uhm... exactly that Noya. Even if I did like her, she knows everything, what's the point of having a relationship with someone if they already know everything there is to know?" Tanaka asked him.

"Uhh, complete and utter acceptance?" Noya suggested.

"Nah, its stifling and there no spontaneous surpises, or firsts you haven't already done, there's nothing special about it!" Tanaka exclaimed.

Noya sighed, "And I'm hopeless? Jeez, you're so dense."

"Plus, there's Kiyoko, what more could I need?" Tanaka asked eith a wide grin. Noya rolled his eyes humming a low, "mhm."

Tanaka was right about one thing though, she did know everything, and that made it so easy for her to trick her stupid best freind.

✿ ✿ ✿

Kana hummed in thought, "Okay, so I understand what happened, and yeah it was incredibly inappropriate what they did, but your response can also get you in trouble... hmm, with luck I can get it to only a weeks suspension for only what you said at the end."

Ezume beamed, "Please! That's all I need!"

Kana gave a soft smile, "Okay! I'll talk with the student council at tomorrows meeting so we can bring the appeal to the administration."

"Seriously thank you Tokido, this means more than you could ever know," Ezume grinned, excitment filling her eyes. Kana sat silent for a second, opening her mouth to say something before shutting it again.

"Is there something you want to say Tokido?" Ezume asked, leaning forward to see the girls face. Her small hands fiddled with eachother, pulling at the rings on her fingers and her face impassive.

"I... how did you and Asahi tell eachother?" She asked.

Ezume sat there for a second, she was asking her about soulmates?

"Uh well, our situation is a bit unique because I'm a swimmer and he found out when I had a meet. I wrote my meet info on my arm and he saw it, I hadn't really thought much about it at the time to be honest... but at practice the next day, Asahi came to practice having drawn a flower on his hand to find me. It was super cheezy and I was so mad during practice because it was so distracting, but... it was cute," Ezume grinned.

"Are you guys together?" Kana asked.

Ezune shook her head, "Ahhh, I wish... he's very persistant in keeping to himself, which is super sweet and considerate but I wish he would just kiss me and get it over with, i had to kiss him yesterday to get us to even remotely talk about dating."

Kana laughed loudly, it sounded just like something Asahi would do, "It makes so much sense."

Ezume hummed, "Mhm. Hey, don't tell Tanaka, because he would so blab to everyone, but Asahi is definetly a bottom."

Kana laughed louder, nearly falling off the bench, "You're kidding?! The tall ass, beefy Azumane?"

"Yeah! It was so funny, but considering our personalities it makes sense to me too," Ezume said with a laugh. Asahi was right, she liked Kana Tokido. Kana continued her barrage of giggles before her face settled onto a small smile, "I envy you..."

"Hmm? Why?" Ezume asked.

"Because... your soulmate story is so easy and cute... mine is complicated and... near impossible," Kana sighed deeply.

"Pardon me if I'm intruding, but do you know who your soulmate is?"

Kana nodded, "I uh... yeah. I can't tell them though, they'd never love me."

"They're your soulmate though, i doubt that true..."

"No, it's true," Kana shook her head sadly and rolled up her sleeve where there were words scribbled on her wrist, i love shimizu kiyoko.

Ezume couldnt help but stare, "Oh my god... I'm so sorry."

"Eh, im used to it, he writes it everyday," Kana answers sadly, eyes welling with tears, "So... it's just not going to happen."

Ezume sat there silently, staring at the words, she couldn't imagine having to see her soulmate write everyday that they loved someone else, "Do they know you're their soulmate?"

"Nope, and it's gonna stay that way," Kana adamantly stated.

"Are... are you sure?"

"Yup, I've dealt with this burden for a bit over a year now... I'll survive," Kana smiled, but Ezume could see the pain in her eyes, "Alright Tokido... but if you ever want to get back at them for some pain, call me up."

Kana giggled, her eyes lighting up just a bit from the deep seated pain and sadness they held, "Okay! Here's my number, I look forward to it."

The girls exchanged numbers amd goodbyes before splitting their seperate ways.

✿ ✿ ✿

Kana walked into the volleyball practice the next morning, flagging down Asahi, "Hey Asahi, i talked with Take last night and I'll be taking an appeal to the student council at todays meeting!"

Asahi grinned at her, "Thank you so much Kana, i cant thank you enough... hey you look really tired, are you okay?"

"Hmm? Oh, I'm fine, no need to worry about me!" Kana assured, but her bloodshot, sleep deprived baggy eyes said otherwise. Asahi wasnt good at talking to anyone, especially girls, and he didn't want to push her so he just smiled, "So how was meeting Ezume?"

Kana's face lit up a bit at the mention of her new friend, "Oh, it was lovely! She's super sweet Asahi!"

Asahi smiled gently, glad his friend and soulmate were getting along, "Im glad! Have you spoken to Tanaka lately? He's been blabbing about you lately, about how you're ignoring him..."

Kana face held a small insincere smile," Ah, no... I've been a bit busy, tell him to meet me at lunch then please."

"Or you could tell him yourself," Asahi said as he gestured to Tanaka walking into the gym talking loudly to Noya. Kana shook her head, "No, that's okay, I have to go and finish the appeal anyways."

"Uh, too late," Asahi muttered. Kana turned to see her best friend bounding over, "Kana! You've been ignoring me, what gives!?"

Kana laughed, but to eveeyone paying any close attention, it was clearly fake, "I having been ignoring ypu, ive been busy and you've been training the newbies."

"Not true, I've been hanging out eith Noya and practicing spikes!" Tanka argued which made him look much worse.

Kana gritted her teeth and smiled, "okay Tanaka, how about we hang out at lunch then?"

Tanaka nodded, "Okay! See you later Kana!"

With that he turned away and walked to the net where majority of the first years stood, "Hey... you okay?"

Kana turned to see Sugawara approaching where she stood beside Asahi, Daichi in tow, "Oh i am fine! Ill see you guys after school then... bye!"

Kana smiled at them, before turning away, the smile disappearing, a hard set frown on her face before pulling her phone out of her pocket.

:Kana
Hey, remember your offer?
I want to do it.

Ezume Take:
Mmm, i sense a soulmate issue... im down, when do you need me?

:Kana
Does afterschool work?

Ezume Take:
Anything for you, send me the address and time and ill be there.

[A/n: sorry for a day late update i had finals this week so i was busy, hope you all enjoyed! Not fully edited bc im tired lol]