Snippet #2783424

Surprise captured her features for a split second, but the voice was familiar. Blue eyes fell on the person that she agreed to meet for a good natured game of basketball and a friendly grin replaced that split second reaction. It’s kind of strange meeting up outside of school after talking to that dreadful woman... Akira thought to herself chewing on the inside of her cheek. Though putting her grandma aside she caught on to what he noticed as well, blinking down at her own clothes, then looking him over before laughing. What were the odds that their outfits would match that well? Her hand coming over her mouth and the other over her stomach, Akira stifled a laugh. It couldn’t have been more coordinated if they had planned it.

"We can't be reppin the same team."

Tilting her head, Akira put one hand on her hip the other running through her ivory locks of hair. She didn’t see a big problem, if they had been on teams, maybe, but it was just the two of them... she couldn’t really mistake who her opponent was. Catching the ball just in time as it was thrown to her, Akira was snapped back out of her thoughts, ”Aw, does someone not like matching? Isn’t that kind of a girl thing?” A cheshire cat grin spreading across her lips, jabbing at him a little. He whistled to get her attention and that made her feel a little bit like a dog, especially given how quickly she responded, so it only seemed fair.

Any chance you work somewhere that's hiring?"

Bouncing the ball a few times she nearly lost control of it as his question registered. Work... she did, and she knew that Chiyo would be thrilled. She loved good old fashioned stereotypes and Rhys on the surface came across as the ‘bad boy’ type. Getting to know him better, she didn’t believe that fit him, not really, but it certainly would bring in customers. Regaining control of the balls direction, Akira tucked it under her arm to answer his question, ”I mean, yeah, but you probably won’t be too happy with what it is...” Akira laughed nervously. She wasn’t sure if he would want to work there, especially after telling him the truth about herself, but she felt she... should at least explain things to her friends to lessen the power that Kazuki had over her with his blackmail. If she was going kicked out of the school for pretending to be a guy at some point, she at least wanted her friends to know her side, and it they heard it from her first... maybe they would be able to eventually forgive her for the deception.

However, before she could get another word out concerning Chiyo and the cosplay cafe, Akira realized what Rhys’ solution was to their color scheme issue. Color immediately rose to her cheeks, no longer feeling quite so chilled by the cool air. Did he really have to take off both layers though!? Trying to reign in her reaction on the surface, Akira bit down much harder on the inside of her cheek. Still, her eyes did betray her and linger on his tattoo. She’d seen plenty, but they had a different reputation here. She looked over each shoulder, before shrugging it off. She didn’t care what others misunderstood or if they judged her for hanging out with someone that had tattoos, but she also didn’t want trouble. She wouldn’t back down from defending a friend, but the goal was to have a moment for both of them just unwind, ”So out of shape that the trip here already wore you out at much?” Akira threw out another good natured jab, it helped to keep her mind where it needed to be. If she made lighter of the situation, it was easier to face, but it was now clear she had to fess up, before things had a chance to get more awkward between them, ”Senpai... she’s kind enough that any gift would probably do... but I know what you mean, I’ve been busting my ass since I found out about this crap.” Akira ruffled her cloud-like hair in frustration. She knew what she wanted to get, but it was a bit on the pricey side as well.

As her opponent and rival prepared for the game, Akira took a sharp, quiet breath in, attempting to regain focus. Things were a lot easier at school, less noise, the floor more forgiving than the asphalt, but most importantly he at least had a bloody shirt on! Still, she wasn’t going to let that stop her. He wasn’t the first shirtless guy she had seen and surely wouldn’t be the last. It doesn’t change anything, it doesn’t change anything. Just don’t look. If you don’t look it can’t make you nervous. Akira repeated in her head, and for the most part she managed to overlook it. For the most part, she was still human for Pete’s sake.

"Let's go while I'm warmed up Akira."

Grinning back, Akira rolled her eyes, ”Yeah, it’s the only chance you’ve got to win, huh?” She teased. With that, the game began. Akira didn’t try to make too many shots over him, not if she had a choice. He was a giant in comparison. No, she relied on speed for most of the game. Trying to break through his defense rather than gambling against his offense. However there were several times she had to make the shot, some success, but some failure. He kept her on her toes, that much was certain.

During a time-out the ivory haired girl wiped a bit of sweat from her forehead. Since he did not keep his white shirt on, Akira shed the red sweater she wore. It was time to get serious. She was barely in the lead and it was exhausting. Working very hard to not bump into him, at all, to not even get close enough took a lot of energy. She did not always succeed either, to completely avoid that at all costs wasn’t just to avoid a personal foul, but it was simply better for her focus if they didn’t get too... up close and personal. She was still a girl after all, even if she pretended not to be. She wasn’t entirely immune to the sight of him, stubbornness to not let that effect her performance or not.

Once the game was back on, Akira was grateful for the cool breeze, feeling less encumbered. It was a close call, the entire game, she almost had him beaten, but toward the end she lost the ball to him, allowing him to get the winning shot. One last game before telling him was a good idea, what this will be after he knows the truth is anyone’s guess...

A short groan escaping as she crouched down to catch her breath, head low, Akira burst into a laugh, ”It isn’t always going to be like this you know.” She shook her head, running a hand through damp white hair. Then she took in a calming breath. It was now or never, ”There’s something I gotta tell you though, working together or not, you deserve to know the truth.” she said rising back up with both hands in her pockets, gripping tightly to them with her thumbs sticking out, ”I’m a girl... I... falsified my records.” She averted her blue eyes to the chain fence around the court, not really wanting to see his expression, she didn’t want that burnt into her memory, ”I ended up in a bad way back in Britain. Lots of fights after my parents died. I gave it up but the lifestyle doesn’t really allow that. I was attacked and he got really hurt by accident. I just pushed him... but I didn’t want that following me, ya know? One google search and everyone thinks they know your story. One accident deciding how everyone looks at you.” Akira frowned. Her first year in Japan did not go that well, she was seen as a delinquent, scary, she didn’t want that reputation. She wasn’t that person.

Finally bringing herself to look at him, Akira’s blue eyes fixed on him despite her nerves, ”Miyamoto figured it out. The dude freaking groped me.” Akira frowned, color returning to her cheeks. She didn’t want to admit that, but she had to make sure he knew she was serious and that this was not some kind of well thought out joke, ”He’s blackmailing me with the potential of being expelled and legal charges for the crimes I committed to get a fresh start. Stealing and burning my old records... Falsifying documents... I just wanted to warn my friends here, so you guys can make your choice before this potentially explodes.” Akira confessed. She didn’t expect him or Bishop to stand by her, certainly not Shiori. Even so, it was only fair to them to know what being friends with her could mean later on down the road, she wanted the choice to be theirs. She wasn’t going to make it for them, ”I’m sorry for being misleading up until now, I was just tired of people being scared of me for things they don’t understand. It was self defense, but with my past... no one believes that.” She hissed out, removing her hands from her pockets despite her nerves, ruffling her hair again, her hair becoming it’s usual spiked disarray.

”So... I am Akira Blake, but I am a girl. Everything was true except for the gender bit. I don’t expect you to be okay with it, I just didn’t want to lie anymore, at least not to people I consider my friends.” Akira ended it with that, waiting to see what he would say. What he would do. Her entire body was stiff, preparing for any reaction. Anger. Hate. Confusion. Disappointment. Anything. She could understand how it could easily destroy the friendships she had built. It had only been six days since she met these people. They weren’t exactly invested, but that was the point. That was why she had to tell Rhys now, she didn’t want months of friendship to weigh down on his decision, Akira did not want to have leverage like that, ”Also I could get you on at a cosplay cafe part time. It isn’t the best job in the world, but Chiyo-sama is really flexible with hours and she wouldn’t care about that either...” Akira pointed to his tattoo, well generally, in all honesty she was trying not to let her gaze actually fall there again.

Then it hit her, Akira’s eyes widening, ”I swear none of it was for perverted reasons! I-I’m not like that! A-And I didn’t kill anyone. Just please don’t tell anyone, I-I really like Airdalen!” She all but squeaked out, shaking both arms side to side as well as her head. Kazuki had called her a pervert, so it crossed her mind that Rhys’ thoughts might cross that threshold as well. Pulling out her cheap cell phone she picked her middle school photo, holding it out for him to see what she looked like before the mess, if only to verify her story. It was the year before attending Airdalen, at her first school in Japan. Actually in her old school uniform. This would probably change everything, but if she wanted a friendship worth anything, she needed to be honest. Eventually her friends would find out, how would she continue this facade into adulthood anyhow? I... rambled a bit... That was probably a bit much. Akira sighed. This was... painfully awkward regardless of how necessary it was. Time felt painfully slow as if to torment her further. Whatever he decides I will respect it. Akira mentally resolved to honor his decision where their friendship was concerned, even if it hurt. This was her burden, not his. She didn’t even want to bear it, she didn’t expect anyone else to either. Hell, Rhys had all the information he needed to get her in trouble now as well, she was trusting him to understand at the very least, and at worst, with her future at Airdalen.

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