Random Encounters 2

Akari did not wait long.

She was amazed at how fast they came back, though they both looked haggard as they both panted and wheezed. She even wondered if she should call for an ambulance in case one of them, or both collapsed.

It's good that they're both athletes so they didn't.

"You guys," Akari huffed. "you didn't have to rush like that."

"One-one sec–" Matsukawa gestures a finger up as he does his best to catch his breath quickly.

Hanamaki was the first to regain composure as he approached the bench and placed a bento beside Akari. After opening it, it contained 12 fist-size onigiris.

"It was the only thing packed up for me this morning. I can only share these this time." Hanamaki explained while looking uncomfortable. "There are three kinds of fillings though; tuna mayo, salmon, and umeboshi. I hope you're fine with this."

"At least you have variety. Mine's just steak fried rice." Matsukawa also places his bento beside Hanamaki's opened bento box. "Though I swiped three bottles of fruit juice, mine and my siblings share. I'll just buy them replacements later."

Akari chuckles at how they both looked ashamed when there's nothing to be ashamed of. After all, it's already quite commendable that they were even keeping her company just because.

"They both look appetizing."

The three of them shared the meal, it amazes Akari that they were so considerate they both brought disposable chopsticks and plates. They turned out to be quite meticulous when it matters.

While eating, they even got to know more about each other. The way they referred to each other even changed, well mostly with Akari who somehow became so fond of giving nicknames after remembering her 'past'.

"Before you go back to school, Sei-senpai, Hiro-senpai, please try these too." Akari opens one of the containers, the one on top and shows it to the two before they are about to leave. "These can serve as our dessert."

Hanamaki's eyes literally sparkled at the sight of perfectly aligned and chocolate-glazed eclairs.

Matsukawa gave him a bewildered stare while he carefully picked a piece and was even carefully beholding its appearance. Matsukawa was just casual about it and quickly bit on the piece he picked.

Hanamaki glared at his audacity, but Matsukawa did not even notice this as he gobbled up the entire piece instead.

"That…" Matsukawa still looked amazed. "It was really delicious!"

Hearing this, Hanamaki finally tried a bite and his glowing eyes were enough to show how much he liked the eclair.

"I'm glad you liked what I made. Please help yourself for more." Akari offered and both boys no longer stood in a ceremony as they each got a piece in each hand. Akari also enjoyed a piece while thinking about how much she truly appreciated her past self for being so capable.

That meeting ended after a few more pieces were swiped from Akari's container and were completely emptied. She did not mind since she actually have another container for her snack later. They each added each others' contact info before they finally left, though they were almost reluctant to do so at first, especially Hanamaki who turned out to be a sucker for profiteroles and eclairs are like a cousin for it.

But they had to leave since they still have afternoon classes. It was truly a chance encounter that happened due to both of them leaving their lunches at home. They only left after a promise to hang out sometime again.

—

And so, Akari's drifting days continued.

She never thought how much she attracted the attention of everyone as she walked around from place to place, thinking about what to do concerning her aunt's suggestion since that entails having to quit school midway.

It's not the unpleasant kind of attention but one where they always wanted to help her.

'Good to know that humanity in this world is not f*cked yet.' Akari can't help but think.

As she reached another place, she settled down to rest and have a snack too, and she encountered yet another familiar face.

While she tried to think who exactly was this person who was jogging in her direction, the other person spoke first.

"Are you that player from the last tournament, Shishido-san of Yukigaoka?!" she spoke, visibly surprised as she saw Akari's situation. "Are you alright?"

Akari smiles, finally realizing who this person is. It took a while to recognize since she still had long hair instead of her bob cut.

"An accident happened and then…" Akari began as she raised her left leg to show that it was not really bothering her that much. "But I'll be fine. Amanai-san."

"Y-you know my name?!" Amanai Kanoka asked in surprise, not expecting that someone she expected to be an elite knew of her name.

"Of course, I envied your height. It's quite perfect for playing volleyball, right?"

Amanai shyly nods. "Ryu-chan also thinks the same, that's why I'm training hard now to meet that expectation."

It was said with so much conviction that Akari grins at hearing that. 'Ah, youth…'

Then Amanai looked seriously at Akari. "I'll do my best to catch up to you, Shishido-san. So please get well soon so we can play someday."

"Sure. I look forward to it."

Amanai reverts back to her shy self before giving a deep bow and continuing her jog.

As she looked on at Amanai's back, Akari realized that club activity usually happens around that time already. That was why it's not going to be weird if she met canon characters during their training.

She decided to head to another place just for the heck of it and maybe even go watch someone train while she was at it.

And just like she expected, she really met another familiar character.

Like literally, this one popped out of a bush as she was walking, almost scaring the bejesus out of her. It was a good thing she was not easily startled, else she might have stumbled.

A wild Tendo Satori appeared!

"I smelled something really sweet and creamy."

That sounded wild too.

Akari did not know how to react for a bit because the circumstance of their meeting is really unconventional.

"D-do you want some?" Akari finally asked after becoming self-conscious about being stared at while the other person did not say anything. "Let's eat together, shall we?"

Tendo looked surprised by this, he initially did not know what to do next because he was so stunned that he almost caused the accident of someone who was already looking pained. And after listening to her offer, his surprise increased because he did not see any dislike towards him which was a new experience for him.

He was too stunned that he only managed a nod before moving out of the bush to follow Akari.

After a while, seeing as how it was taking Akari a bit of effort to walk, he suddenly sped up and cut in front of her before squatting.

"Wha–what are you doing?" Akari was perplexed.

Tendo pointed at his back. "Piggyback. It'll be faster."

Hearing this, Akari actually did not mind the idea. She shrugs, "why not?"

And as if it's the most natural thing to do with someone you meet for the first time, Akari enjoyed the 'walk' by having small talk with Tendo. She found out that he was training on his own nearby when the scent of the eclair she just ate drifted to his place.

It was the talk on Tendo's solo practice that got to Akari, remembering this guy's background she felt sad for him.

"Is it hard?" Akari realized it too late when she uttered that question aloud.

Tendo stopped to think. "No."

"I meant..." Akari did not know if she should clear the misunderstanding. Tendo might have thought she was referring to him carrying her around but what she meant was something else.

"I know, it's still fun when I beat them by doing what I excel at. It's not that bad if people don't talk too much."

Akari did not expect how perceptive this guy was even three years before becoming the 'Guess Monster' of the future.

Or maybe he is 'that' now but people just tended to isolate those who greatly show unique talents like how nobody appreciated the genius of Kageyama since he tended to think others could follow after him, not realizing that they were already left behind. As a result, he is left alone.

"So stop dawdling around and come back to volleyball."

This jab came out of the blue and Akari was not able to quickly retort. "Was I?"

Tendo just hummed in a sing-song way.

"I just... I think I'll be fine regardless. Volleyball was simply the sport I chose to specialize in junior high."

Tendo finally reached his training spot and set Akari down and made her sit on a stump of s tree nearby. Akari opens the other container and offers it to Tendo while she was deep in thought.

"Rii-chan, don't think that you'll just be doing it for volleyball then. I want to deal with chocolates in the future so I'll stick with volleyball for now but that's not going to hinder me at all. If you're at 100%, there is no stopping you from anything you want to do that's why I find it wrong for you to limit your reason to do it just for volleyball."

"Anything I want..." something clicked in Akari's mind, 'someone' she actually failed to think for. This makes her laugh at finally not considering her past self. "Rii-kun-senpai, you're a godsend! I almost failed to do so much for myself."

As if freed literally from what was truly bothering Akari, she smiles happily and reaches out to touch Tendo's cheeks.

"Just as how I should not limit myself to just volleyball, what's keeping you from going wild and not caring what others think? Just play better and that'll prove them all wrong." She remembers his hairdo in the anime and runs her fingers through his hair as if mimicking the look. "How about a look like this then? It will surely intimidate your opponents."

Tendo happily agrees with the idea while he enjoys such chocolatey goodness~