Hitoka was walking home alone, taking the same path she had used yesterday where Jin had cornered her after school.
This time, she was extra cautious, glancing around nervously, half-expecting someone to jump out at her.
When she finally reached the end of the path without incident, she exhaled in relief. But then her mind flashed back to Jin she had seen earlier that afternoon.
Tall and lean, bright smile, handsome in a way that should have fit the image of the nice boy-next-door… yet somehow, in her head, he was nothing but a scary bad boy.
"Yo!"
A tall figure stepped out from the end of the road.
Hitoka froze. She muttered under her breath, "Yes, that's it… that kind of look doesn't scream 'delinquent' at all…"
But her lips trembled as she whispered louder, "The bad… boy… is here!"
Hearing that, Jin nearly dropped his bag. So this was what she thought of him now? Just because of a stupid prank yesterday, his image had been ruined completely.
Still… the first impression was already carved into her heart. So fine. He'd play along with it.
"Yo, Hitoka-chan." Jin deliberately dropped his voice, putting on a gloomy act.
Hitoka instantly took a step back, her hands shaking. "J–Jin-kun… you again… what do you want this time?"
Her frightened look made Jin's chest ache a little. But apologizing straight out? Explaining it was all a joke? No way, he wasn't the type to bow his head that easily.
"Relax. I'm not here to mess with you. Here, take this."
He handed over a paper bag that Kiyoko had asked him to deliver.
Hitoka nervously accepted it. When nothing scary happened, she peeked inside, it was a notes on Karasuno's current players, plus lists of equipment they needed.
"Um… Jin-kun, I haven't even decided if I really want to be manager yet," she said anxiously.
"What?" Jin asked in his normal tone.
But to Hitoka, it sounded like a lion's roar.
"Eh!! I just meant, my mom said maybe I'd cause trouble for the club. I didn't mean it!"
She spoke in a rush, too afraid to lie, convinced he'd 'punish' her if she made him mad.
Jin blinked. Ah… right. In the anime, Hitoka had also been hesitant about becoming manager because of her mom. He remembered that clearly.
He stepped closer and placed a hand on her shoulder. Hitoka flinched like she was about to be eaten.
"N–no! I'm still a high school girl, I can't-"
"I'll go home with you," Jin interrupted.
"…Huh?" Hitoka's eyes widened.
What did he mean by that? Did he plan to corner her at her own house now? Her paranoia skyrocketed.
But Jin had already swung his bag off his shoulder, pulling out three English review books. He waved them at her.
"Your English is good, right? Help me study."
Hitoka stammered. "M-my level's not that great… I'm not really good at teaching…"
Jin suddenly shifted gears, putting on the face of a tragic, hardworking student. He gazed off dramatically. "This incoming test is really important to me… but if I fail the test, then maybe fate just doesn't want me to succeed…"
His acting was terrible, obviously contrived. But Hitoka was too innocent to doubt it.
She blinked, then whispered, "Um… o-okay. I'll try helping you…"
Without hesitation, Jin wrapped an arm around her waist and lifted her off the ground.
"Knew it, Hitoka's too kind. That's why you're the best!"
Her face went red as she flailed. "Ahh!! J-Jin-kun! Stop messing around, put me down!"