Honestly I can confirm from the bottom of my heart this.

I hate volleyball.

Or so I thought. But here in front of me stands a beautiful girl. Her voice, eyes and skin are as clear as day. They remind me of water of the utmost purity, holy water, if you will, found only in the most sacred of groves. The ideal image of a water nymph, Her delicate finger pushes a strip of her behind her ear.

Does she not notice all the attention she's attracting?

"Please, if you would like to. I'm looking for an assistant manager."

She hands Yacchan the poster. As expected she freaks out, her bottom lip trembling as she makes soft whimpers of 'eh? ah? uhm'.

"I think Erina would be more suited for this job," she splutters. She looks incredibly overwhelmed; her blush reaches right up to the tips of her ears. You would think this was the type of expression a girl would have when the most popular boy confesses to her.

The older girl hands me a poster too. I make eye contact with her and this time I absorb her beauty. Her red glasses compliment the colour of her eyes well. Her eyes are mesmerising, foxy eyes that pierce my soul. Her beauty mark by her lip is also incredibly sexy and overall exudes an aura that not only demands attention but is one of sexiness and maturity. I can't stop myself from staring at her lips. I soon find myself entranced by her.

"Won't you try it out?" she asks. The offer is tempting, especially when a girl with her appearance asks with such an innocent tone.

"You should totally do it Erina. After all you have volleyball experience too..."

I want to refuse it. But there's some part of me that urges me to accept the offer. My feelings have declared war on each other. I nibble on my Pocky, deep in contemplation.

"How about you both come to the gym after school? A trial session." She smiles warmly.

"I'm Shimizu Kiyoko by the way. Third year."

Yacchan remains in her freakout cycle. "Yes okay we'll drop by," she says nervously. Shimizu-senpai's face beams with happiness as she grabs both our hands, thanks us and takes her leave. I cram the piece of paper into my pocket along with along with empty lolly wrappers and pocky packets.

I lightly slap Yacchan's head. "Idiot! What do you mean by we?"

"I mean she's desperate, right? Why else will she come to us?"

"You," I correct. "She asked you. I just happened to be there."

We walk up the stairs, heading for out classroom but I'm met with a shoulder to the face, losing my balance. Most unfortunately, the Pocky falls out of my mouth as I gasp. I summon my strength, imaging the power rushing down to the tips of my fingers as one thought dominates my mind.

Save the Pocky.

As my left hand reaches for the Pocky, I transfer all balance to the wrong side of my body and gravity has me in its clutches. My right fingertips brushes against the fingers of the blonde boy who attempts to grab my arm. I tumble down the stairs, landing as ungracefully as possible. My fingers comb through my hair, searching for a bump. Tears spill out of my eyes as a result. My head, my chest, hips, knees and ankles cries in pain.

"Erina!" Yacchan shrieks, pulling me back up. "Are you crazy? Did you just prioritise saving your Pocky over you?"

"Are you okay?!" wails a freckled-face boy with green hair. Crap, he's massive. My head aids my eyes in travelling from his feet to the top of his head.

"All good! All good! It was my fault I wasn't watching where I was going." I straighten out my skirt and brush off minuscule dust particles off my vest.

"More like are you okay?" Yacchan asks the trembling giant. Even though I was the one who had a near-death experience his expressions suggests the opposite.

"Yamaguchi, you haven't apologized." What I said about Yamaguchi being tall, I take it back. His friend towers over us. The light reflects off his glasses, enhancing his ominous aura.

I accept his apology quickly, not wanted to drag out the issue. The ringing of the bell saves the day. I think about going to the infirmary, ultimately deciding against it remembering there was an English quiz.

"Also, you," says Yamaguchi's friend. "You should go to the infirmary."

He cooly has his hands in his pockets as he leaves.

"Tsukki~" moans the fading voice.

I return back to the classroom and Ono-sensei begins unpacking her materials. Unable to discard the compiled trash in my pocket, I shove it all under my desk.

Volleyball. Pft, like hell I'd get myself involved again.

I lie.

I stand in front of the doors, listening to the unmistakable sound of the balls hitting the court. It's like listening to intense rain fall. The smell. The sounds. The sights. It's all too familiar. My feelings are barely being contained in this glass cup, threatening to spill and make a mess.

"You're here?"

I face Shimizu-senpai. At the end of the school day she's still dazzling. I bow. "What about your friend?" she asks.

"Ah, about that... she got a last-minute stomach ache." Even though it's true, coming out of my mouth it sounds like a complete lie. Oh, to be betrayed. The feeling of betrayal. Still it was unnecessary for me to show up. So why did I? Right, because I felt guilty. Yacchan had promised we'd both come and it would've been awkward if both of us were a no-show.

Shimizu-senpai slides open the door, inviting me inside. As her back faces me I can't help but comment on the fact that the black sports uniform is incredibly good-looking. Black is by far the coolest colour. Not only is it an easy colour to match, it's a colour that can't be tainted.

The gym comes into view. I rub my palms against my pants, sneakily wiping the sweat away. I've always been weak with people especially when I'm in a crowd, I get even more anxious when the attention is all directed to me.

"This is ..." she starts. 'Oh right' I think. I never introduced myself to her in the first place.

"Horikawa Erina. Class 1-5. Nice to meet you." I bow stiffly.

Author's Note

Horikawa Erina's Profile

Date of Birth: Somewhere near the end of July

Age: 16

Height: 166cm

Weight: ?

Appearance: Black hair, though it was previously dyed red. Currently it touches her collarbones but she prefers to have it tied back. She has bangs and loose chunks of hair that frame her face. She has dark greyish eyes that looks like their reflecting a thunderstorm.

Likes: Pocky. A guy with a sexy lip bite. Volleyball.

Dislikes: Really dense and stupid people who are no fun. Volleyball.

Current Concern: She might run out blood one of these days.

Previously was in the volleyball club in junior high, then the track and field club, then the rhythmic gymnastics club and then cheer club.