Chapter 2 -That's so sweet of you-
May 10, 2026 at 11:04 AM
***
I swear I could sleep for two days straight but unfortunately, right at 8 a.m. I’ve heard a loud commotion outside my house followed by the ring of a doorbell. Of course the moving company is here to deliver my stuff first thing in the morning. It’s their job but they could have waited until a more decent hour… like 10 a.m. at least. A quiet groan escapes my mouth when I roll out of bed, put on some slippers and rush to the door wearing pajama shorts and an old, loose T-shirt. I sign some documents to confirm the items got delivered without actually checking if all the boxes are here and soon enough I am left alone. Countless boxes, smaller, bigger, weirdly shaped, all stashed in front of the apartment I rent. Fuck. It’s gonna take at least half the day to bring everything inside, not to mention the fact that some of these boxes are really heavy. Well, that’s what you get for wanting to be independent. I grab a smaller box and get inside to change into more suitable clothes than pajamas. Once I am dressed in sweatpants, fitted crop top and a baseball hat I feel ready for some lifting. I might as well treat it as morning training. I get out of the flat and quickly stretch on the front yard -Let’s just get this over with. -Yo, you need help with that?- just when I’m about to squat for the particularly big box I hear a cheerful voice coming from behind the fence. I look up and see a handsome man with blond hair, leaning on the garden wall. He watches me with his golden like eyes with a grin plastered on his face. - Are you new here? We’re neighbors then!- He approached me -I’m Kise Ryouta - He reached out his hand to shake mine. I am slightly hesitant as he startled me, also it’s still early in the morning. I didn’t expect a helping hand, especially not from a stranger but what can I say? Help is most definitely very much welcomed! - Hi! Nice to meet you Kise-san- I smile while shaking his hand - I just moved in yesterday and well, I kinda didn’t expect my stuff to be delivered first thing in the morning. I’m glad they did but bringing them all inside is gonna take a while. So… if it’s not a problem for you… - Call me just Kise-he waves his hand -It’s definitely not a problem but I do have one condition- I frown a little not expecting any demands but immediately start laughing when he continues -You haven’t told me your name. - Hah, sorry, of course, guess I’m a little awkward sometimes- Wow, way to go Nana, great first impression -My name is Nana Honjo. I’m from the USA so please call me Nana, I’m used to being called by my first name. - USA? Your Japanese is really good though- he raises his brows. - Oh, I was born here!- I quickly add -and my mom is from Japan so technically I am half Japanese. I’m just used to everyone calling me Nana. - Alright Nana-chan, I’m happy to be your neighbour -he points his hand to the apartment block on the opposite site of the fence -I’m living right here. Anyway, that’s a lot of boxes to carry. Perhaps I should call for some help? My friend also lives close, he’s probably going for his morning run but he owes me one so I’ll try my luck -before I can react in any way he grabs his phone and calls someone. -Yup, he’ll be here in a second. He’s a little grumpy but he’s a good guy -he winks at me and walks towards some of the boxes -I’ll start carrying these in the meantime, which is your flat number? Are the doors unlocked? - Apartment number seven, just leave the boxes somewhere in the living room, I’ll figure out what to do next once all my things are inside. And hey, thanks again Kise! It really means a lot to me. For a moment we both carry the boxes, going back and forth. I observe my neighbour and the way his muscles flex. He is strong, I am almost sure he must play some kind of sport or at least is a regular at the gym. It is quite hot outside today so we quickly get sweaty. I run towards the kitchen to grab cold and refreshing water from the fridge. - Hey Kise, stay hydrated- I toss a bottle at him which he catches with zero effort. At the same moment I realize next to him, on the porch stands another guy. - Oi, Nana-chan, come here for a sec- he waves at me and when I get closer he introduces me to his friend -This is Aominecchi, my best friend- He opens the bottle of water and starts drinking. - For fuck’s sake Ryouta, it’s Aomine.Aomine Daiki.- He doesn’t move, his hands in his pockets but he looks at me and frowns -Wait… You’re that shortcake who tried to tackle me yesterday evening? The weirdo who writes shit on her hands?Holy fuck, small world. I freeze and get a closer look at his face. I did in fact see these dark eyes yesterday, the exact same smirk on a tanned face. He isn’t wearing a cap anymore so this time I can see his messy dark blue hair. They look soft, making me want to reach out and ruffle them. Now in the sunlight I can clearly see that his skin is darker than a regular Japanese. Perhaps one of his parents is a foreigner or he spends a lot of time in the sun, hard to say. He is wearing a sleeveless shirt. Similar to Kise, he is well-built, his arms strong and muscular. - I’m Nana Honjo- I mutter, way quieter than I intended too -Thanks for your help and sorry for the trouble yesterday - Tch. I already told you to stop apologizing- again. He looks annoyed. Am I that annoying? His arm brushes gently on mine when he passes by me getting straight to work. He picks up a couple of boxes at the same time and goes inside the building. - Oh, so you know each other?- asks Kise, looking at me confused. - No, not really, I was in a rush yesterday and bumped into him, that’s all. He laughs and I blink a couple of times trying to understand what exactly is happening but eventually just get back to moving the boxes as Kise tells me to ignore him. Apparently that’s just how he is, although Ryouta insists he is charming in his own way. I decided not to worry about it. About half an hour later we are almost done. Kise apologises as he needs to go home sooner, due to the meeting he has today for which he needs to get ready. Or at least definitely take a shower. I am left with only a couple of more boxes…. And alone with Aomine. - Hey, I can manage this by myself, thanks for your help- I point to the left out packages -I’m sure you have more interesting things to do so… - I do- he says but still picks up another box -c’mon, get your ass moving- when passing by for a brief moment he places his hand on the small of my back, this unexpected physical contact made a string of electricity cross through my whole body but I stayed focused and kept a straight face. What the fuck is this feeling?- I think to myself while focusing on the work. For the rest of the time he doesn’t speak to me and to be honest I don’t have any idea how to make small talk with him either. He’s quiet and always has that frown on his forehead like he’s easily annoyed by basically anything around him. And yet he still helps me till the last box is brought inside my apartment. Before I can properly thank he starts leaving. - You owe me a six-pack of beer Honjo- he’s already behind the fence, not giving me time to answer. He reaches to his pocket and gets his phone, calling someone, already ignoring me -Yo Satsuki, I’m coming for practice, don’t fucking shout at me, just gonna be late a bit. Stop calling me when I’m busy. How am I even supposed to give him the beer when I don’t know where he lives. I don’t even have his phone number. It was a joke, right? Right?!***
The rest of the day passes quickly as I spend it unboxing my stuff. Box by box, room by room I manage to find space for all the things I brought with me. With every other package the apartment looks and feels more and more like home. Of course I didn’t get all my stuff from America. I want to buy new things as well, and make new memories… But my most precious treasures came with me. Some photo albums, trinkets, my favourite bowls set, fluffy slippers, the most comfortable bathrobe you can imagine, Howl’s Moving Castle book, which I need to re-read at least once a year, some board games which I can play with friends I’ll make in Japan… and many many more. There was a lot to unpack but I sort of managed to complete this task during the weekend. When Monday came I was full of energy and ready to start my University life. The trip to the camp was nice and smooth, I felt confident until I actually arrived at the school gate. I stopped for a moment and glanced up at the huge building. I don’t know anyone here, I need to show myself at my best today. The semester already started two weeks ago and I am joining a second year so everyone already knows each other. I have to be charming, slightly mysterious and make everyone interested in me! How should I introduce myself?Hi, I’m Nana Honjo but just call me Nana- I rehearse in my mind -Hello, nice to meet you all, I’m Nana- I put on a warm smile on my face. - Huh?- I hear a low, surprised voice behind my back- Wow, you look stupid- Aomine leans on me, placing his hands on the top of my head -Are you like smiling to yourself? You’re mental Honjo. And lame. - Aomine….- I take a look at his uniform, quickly figuring out he must be on third year -senpai…- I add after a short while, oh being respectful to someone who constantly offends you is painful -You’re studying here? - Nah, walking around random campuses first thing in the morning is my hobby- his sarcastic ass passes me and he starts walking towards the school building -you’re going or what, Honjo? I’ve heard you rehearsing your introduction but you won’t have time to do that if you’re late. Unless you’re already skipping? -he looks behind his shoulder at me and smirks. - Of course not! -I pout a little and take a few leaps to catch up on him. - Stop shouting, you’re too loud.- there it is, the frown on his face. - Don’t tell me what to do!- I pout even more and start running towards the building, leaving him behind -the audacity….-I mutter under my breath once he can’t hear me. Anyway, first lectures - where the hell is hall B and how do I get there in just five minutes?
