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Chapter 1
“It’s lunch break now, where are we gonna hang out?” Atsumu asked France while fixing my things.
“We still have group work later, I might not eat lunch anymore.”
“Fuck, I forgot I’m the group leader.” Atsumu just held my forehead. “I’ll go out for a bit, just to get some air. I need to prepare myself before I carry my group members like they’re a bunch of dumbbells.”
“You’re seriously an idiot.” France said while laughing. “But where are you going?”
“I’ll be at the back of the building for a while,” Atsumu said. “I’ll just smoke a bit. I’m already insanely stressed.”
France raised an eyebrow at Atsumu.
“Are you sure? You might get caught.”
“Then don’t come with me,” Atsumu said while putting his hands in his pockets. He even winked at her. “I won’t get caught.”
France just shook her head and rolled her eyes.
“Whatever you say.” She scoffed. “The newly elected School President likes to patrol, you know. Maybe he’ll be the one to catch you back there. You really do hang around the Guidance Office a lot.”
“Then I’ll just make him my Best friend when we meet, that’s basic,” Atsumu said confidently. “Besides, he doesn’t really care if I take a smoking break in the back. I’m not doing it in front of everyone, right?”
“You’re seriously crazy,” France replied, shaking her head. “You’re still at school, you know.”
Atsumu couldn’t reply to France anymore because he was in a hurry to go downstairs. There weren’t many people at that spot anyway. Maybe because the smell wasn’t pleasant and the place was dirty too. But for him, it wasn’t really a big deal. He cared about his hygiene, but as long as he was able to smoke there, it wouldn’t be a problem.
As he lit his cigarette, Atsumu thought about how he was going to work properly with his teammates.
Atsumu had honestly been struggling with the idea of leadership. The system felt like it was based on whoever was good at something being the one chosen to lead. It could come across as favoritism because others weren’t given the opportunity to prove themselves.
But he also understood some parts of why they did it.
Some people just didn’t care, while others relied too much on the smart one. There were also those who were actually capable but weren’t confident enough in themselves. That was why Atsumu sometimes couldn’t understand other people.
Atsumu thought the reason was because the smart one was usually seen as more responsible.
But responsibility and leadership were two different things. Someone could be responsible without necessarily knowing how to guide an entire group or create strategies. That was how Atsumu felt about himself sometimes. He didn’t know if he was actually capable, or if people just relied on him because they thought he could handle it.
He just wanted to go home. He was tired, and all he wanted was to sleep.
“You’re not allowed to smoke here.” the man said coldly. “What class are you in? Don’t you know minors aren’t supposed to smoke at such a young age?”
Atsumu immediately raised his head to look at him.
“Yeah, I know. And what exactly do ya want me to do about it?”
“I’m confiscating your cigarette,” the man said coldly. Without waiting for Atsumu’s response, he pulled it from his fingers and crushed the burning end. “What class are you in? I’m handing this over to your adviser. Also, where’s your ID? Your uniform isn’t properly worn.”
“What’s it to ya? Give that back!” Atsumu said while trying to take it from his hand.
The man showed Atsumu his school ID and council ID, which immediately made him stop trying to take the cigarette back. Atsumu stared at the IDs for a moment, recognizing the authority behind them. He clicked his tongue, but he didn’t make another attempt to grab the cigarette.
“Do I have the authority to confiscate this?” the man emphasized, making sure every word was clear. “Don’t you understand English? I can say it in Japanese if that’s easier for you.”
I wasn't that shocked. I am more annoyed by how annoying he is. Atsumu thought.
“Fine. Keep it. Use it. Or whatever,” Atsumu said before walking away, but the man stopped him.
“Your pockets.”
“What?”
“Let me check your pockets,” he repeated himself as he stepped closer to Atsumu. “I’m letting you off this time because this is the first time I’ve caught you. I might not be so lenient the next time we meet.”
Before Atsumu could even refuse, the man patted down the pocket of his jacket and quickly pulled out a pack of cigarettes. “Don’t bring these into school again.”
“Before you conclude everything, I’m the only one who uses those. I didn’t recruit anyone inside the classroom to start using them.”
The man looked at Atsumu briefly.
“I don’t care. Just don’t let me catch you a second time.”
He left first before Atsumu followed after him. Atsumu didn’t know why he was being considerate toward him. The man was well-known for being scary as hell to delinquents—basically, people who caused trouble like Atsumu.
Atsumu never imagined that their first interaction would turn out this way.
Though, he wasn’t exactly surprised. He knew he could get caught someday, but he didn’t expect it to happen that easily. Was he really that easy to catch? Or was he just lacking strategy when it came to hiding? Should he change his hiding spot now?
Atsumu had literally been doing this since his first week of Junior High. It had become such a normal part of his routine that he never really thought too much about it anymore.
He already knew the places to go, the times when no one would usually be around, and how to avoid getting noticed. It was almost like a habit by now—something he had gotten used to doing whenever the stress became too much.
When Atsumu went back upstairs, he immediately complained to France. “I got caught.”
“I knew it!” The girl laughed loudly. “I told you, he’s serious. I don’t even know what breed he is, but he’s really good at catching people. Not to mention he’s only a transfer student, yet he’s already making all the troublemakers here give up.”
“How did he beat the other party?”
“I don’t know, he just somehow defeated them,” she said as she handed Atsumu a mint candy. “Freshen up too, our teacher might smell it on you. I didn’t bring a toothbrush, so this will have to do for now.”
“Good thing I have a lifesaver!” Atsumu said while rummaging through his bag to find his perfume.
“You idiot, don’t bring that again. How did that guy even let you off?”
“I don’t know either.” Atsumu said while spraying the perfume. “He just suddenly decided to let me off.”
“You’re just lucky,” she laughed as she tapped Atsumu’s back. “Did you know that the people he catches usually end up going straight to the Guidance Office? He already has a lot of haters too, but of course, he has fans because of that as well.”
“Yeah, I don’t really care.” Atsumu said while resting his head on the desk. He had just finished spraying himself with perfume and was now simply waiting for their second subject teacher.
“You’re really something else.” France said sarcastically. “By the way, why aren’t you and your twin together?”
“We’re not in the same class.”
“Huh? You two used to be inseparable before. So what happened?” France asked again while organizing their group activity.
It just happened. They’re still close, but Atsumu doesn’t want to rely too much on Osamu anymore. Samu has his own life to live, too, and Atsumu knows he can’t keep holding on to him forever. Eventually, they decided to try being apart during their last year.
It wasn’t really a decision they both wanted at first, it was mostly Atsumu’s choice.
Atsumu isn’t as easy to like as Osamu is. They’re different in their own ways. They’re the same thing, just written in different fonts. People don’t always understand how sharp Atsumu can be, how his words and actions can come across harsher than he intends. And because of that, he doesn’t want to drag Osamu into it anymore or make him carry the weight of being the person who always has to understand him.
Of course, Osamu complained about it at first—about them being apart during their last year. But Atsumu only told him that they needed to learn how to be separate sometimes. They were already close to college, and they didn’t even know what they were going to pursue yet.
Atsumu knew that things were going to change eventually, and he didn’t want them to enter that new chapter still depending on each other for everything.
“Nothing happened.” Atsumu answered shortly, keeping his eyes closed. He just wanted to go home and complain to his twin brother. He really couldn’t function properly without him. “Why does the class hour feel like it’s five business days long? I just want to go home.”
“Same, idiot!” France said. “Being a graduating student is literally just suffering with extra steps.”
It didn’t take long before their class started. Atsumu made his way over to his assigned group, which included Hinata, Bokuto, Komori, and Oikawa. The group wasn’t as awkward as he expected—mostly because Hinata and Bokuto were loud enough to fill any silence that came between them.
“I need everyone to already have ideas ready for this group report.” their teacher announced with a smile. “Get started. And please, try not to be too loud.”
“Alright, so what’s our plan for this?” Oikawa asked. “Oh, right. Atsumu’s our group leader, isn’t he? Do you have any ideas?”
“I actually wrote down some plans in my notes,” Atsumu replied.
“You actually have plans?” Hinata looked genuinely shocked. “I thought we were just going to leave everything to fate, then become the best presenters at the last second!”
Bokuto and Hinata immediately put their hands together like they were praying.
“Please don’t make Atsumu look like you and Bokuto in our math class.” Komori said. “Praying alone will not literally solve anything.”
“Wow, that was a very mature statement.” Bokuto nods seriously.
“Yeah, surprisingly wise coming from someone who once prayed for the answer to appear on a test.” Oikawa added.
“Hey! It almost worked!” Bokuto defended himself.
“It did not.” Komori replied.
Hinata raised his hand. “Okay, but to be fair… there was one time I guessed the answer and got it right.”
“Why are we talking about this?” he asked, raising an eyebrow. “I thought we were making a report, not discussing everyone’s questionable survival strategies.”
“It’s related.” Bokuto said confidently. “Sometimes you need faith.”
“Sometimes you need to study.” Oikawa immediately replied.
Bokuto gasped. “Wow. That hurt.”
“It was the truth.” Komori shrugged.
Hinata nodded seriously. “Studying is important. But sometimes your instincts are powerful too.”
Atsumu stared at him. “Yer instincts?”
“Yeah!” Hinata smiled. “Like when I guessed the answer and got it right.”
“That’s called luck, Shoyo.” Oikawa said.
“Luck is also a skill!” Hinata argued.
“No, it’s literally luck.” Komori corrected.
Atsumu couldn’t help but laugh. Their group was chaotic—probably the loudest group in the classroom—but they still managed to get things done. He looked down at their notes and shook his head.
“I can’t believe this is actually working.”
“See?” Bokuto proudly said. “Our teamwork is amazing!”
“I was talking about the miracle that we haven’t been kicked out yet.” Atsumu replied.
They were really loud—loud enough that he eventually found himself joining in. It made the group feel less awkward, even if it also made them even noisier. The teacher had to scold them several times just to keep them focused.
Despite all the interruptions and warnings, they eventually managed to come up with an idea for their group report.
“Alright, time is almost up. Maybe we can talk about this in the group chat. Who can make the group chat?” Atsumu asked while organizing his notes to gather their ideas. “I don’t have any of yer contacts, though.”
“Let Komori do it. He’s connected with everyone here anyway,” Bokuto said proudly while putting an arm around Komori.
“Sure, can I have your contact so I can add you to the group chat?” Komori asked as he pulled out his phone from his pocket, waiting for Atsumu.
“Oh, here’s mine. Just add me.” Atsumu said.
They exchanged their Line accounts. That was when Atsumu realized how much he enjoyed his day. He could barely even remember what happened in his next classes because of how much fun the activity with the five of them had been.
When Atsumu went home, Osamu was already there, helping their mother cook.
“Yer late again,” Osamu said before walking closer to Atsumu. This was their little secret routine whenever they had time together. “So, what’s been going on in your life lately? Do you have a girlfriend you walk with around school?”
“Are you stupid? I barely even have time for myself, and you think I’d get a girlfriend?” Atsumu groaned. “Yer not gonna believe this.”
“Oh, What's up?” Osamu smirked.
“Fuck. I got caught smoking by the new School President, but guess what’s even more unbelievable. Guess it.” Atsumu said confidently to his twin brother.
“What? You’re stupid. Why would you even smoke at school? Are you trying to add more problems for us? Mama’s gonna be mad at you, stupido. Do you even know who that guy is? He’s fucking terrifying,” Osamu scolded him. “But anyway, what happened?”
“I know, I know, okay? But he actually let me off somehow. Like, he didn’t even send me to the Guidance Office. He did confiscate my cigarettes, though.”
Osamu stared at Atsumu for a few seconds, clearly trying to process what he had just heard.
“Wait. Hold on.” He pointed at him. “The School President caught you smoking, and yer telling me yer surprised because he didn’t destroy yer entire life?”
Atsumu frowned. “That’s not the point.”
“That is literally the point.” Osamu sighed, shaking his head.
“It was just… weird.” Atsumu defended himself. “Everyone says he’s scary. Sure. I thought he’d immediately give me a lecture, call my adviser, maybe make me write an essay about my life choices or something.”
Osamu snorted. “Honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised if ya deserved that essay.”
“Shut up.” Atsumu rolled his eyes. “The guy was just… different.”
“Different how?”
Atsumu paused. He didn’t really know how to explain it. The School President was strict, sure, but he wasn’t as cruel as everyone made him sound.
“I don’t know,” Atsumu admitted. “He was annoying, but… he wasn’t exactly a bad person.”
Osamu raised an eyebrow. “You’re defending him now?”
“I’m not defending him.” Atsumu quickly looked away. “I’m just saying what happened.”
Osamu only smiled knowingly.
“Interesting.”
“What?”
“Nothing.” Osamu turned back to cooking. “Just weird seeing you talk about someone without insulting them every three seconds.”
Atsumu clicked his tongue. “You’re making things up.”
Atsumu grabbed some water to drink because he was thirsty as hell. He hadn’t had anything to drink ever since he got caught by him. Not to mention, he didn’t like the water at school anyway.
“So, yer being gay for him?” Osamu asked teasingly.
Atsumu almost spat out all the water in his mouth. “What? Are you stupid?” Atsumu shot back.
Osamu laughed, clearly satisfied with Atsumu’s reaction. “Damn, ya reacted way too fast. I didn’t even say anything serious.”
Atsumu wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, glaring at his twin.
“Because yer saying nonsense.”
“Am I?” Osamu raised an eyebrow. “Ya came home and the first thing ya talked about was some guy. A guy who apparently ‘isn’t that bad’ even though ya usually complain about everyone.”
Atsumu opened his mouth to argue, but nothing came out immediately.
“See?” Osamu grinned. “Yer quiet.”
“I’m thinking of a good insult.” Atsumu crossed his arms.
“Sure.”
“I am.”
“You’ve been thinking for five seconds already.”
Atsumu clicked his tongue. “Shut up, Samu.”
Osamu just laughed and went back to cooking. “Yeah, but be careful, you know? That guy literally wouldn’t even look at you that way. I think he’s definitely straight.”
“Come on, Samu. Do you really think I’d like a fucking boring and strict guy like him? Imagine us dating. He’d probably forbid me from doing everything—even breathing.” Atsumu complained.
“See? You’re already imagining it. You have a crush on him!” Osamu teased.
“Are ya trying to get yer self killed?” Atsumu glared at him.