. . . . . . . . . " Matoi."

"I get told that a lot..." It's not a good thing.

" Take you down?! I'm just... shocked to see you still alive. It's a little hard not to stare, especially given the light you give off . . . I'm confident, but not an idiot."

What an intense look... She'd done this a hundred times before, who knew Matoi had grown so self conscious in her leave of absence.

. . . . . . . . .

" if that's what you want to call it, sounds to me more like those fibers aren't done with you . . . tch. "

—— ❗️❗️❗️ 𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗛 𝗜𝗧 ~ 💧

🦈- I am the worst combination of a raging insomniac, which I have been for years but it's creeping up to the way it used to be where I'd get one - two hours a day and some other things thanks to some meds and I hate it here. Someone punch me real hard so I pass out.

🦈- wouldn't be the first cat I've made friends with. won't be the last.

🦈- why's this me...

ㅤ “ Not really, unless we count the many . . . many . . . many times you've tried to.“ㅤ Both resilient and lucky judging from experience. ㅤ “ Shockingly, not everyone shares your short temper and passion for kicking my ass. “

ㅤ “ We'll . . . agree to disagree on that one “ㅤ Maybe her forgetting the many attempts on her life was a good thing! but probably not.ㅤ “ Huh?! What'd I do this time?! — I haven't even had a chance to do anything annoying yet. “

ㅤ “ What? I—Is this about the shower thing still?! That was months ago.“ㅤ BRACE FOR IMPACT. In this state, Hakodate was rarely intimidated by– well, anything. But Matoi was always an exception.ㅤ

ㅤ “ T-Tch . . . when you come after me normally, I usually get it because I've done something intentionally and you know I can take it. “ㅤ This was strangely subdued for Matoi, which made it worse. “ Doesn't feel so good when I genuinely don't know what I've done. “

ㅤ “oh, 𝑵𝑶𝑾 this is a problem?! Tch, look. A one-sided pursuit of love makes a dumbass out of all of us, especially me. but since going this far, I've never felt better! and in case you haven't forgotten, you took my eye at one point. pain wouldn't stop me“ㅤ

"Some days, I just want to shut out the world and just physically and mentally demolish people through a deadly game of tennis. Is that so much to ask?"

ㅤ “ revenge?! . . . I'm as stubborn as you are dense— If I wanted revenge, don't you think I'd have tried that by now? I just follow you because you make me feel like I matter, and because you're my closest friend . . . regardless of the baggage that comes with you. “ㅤ

ㅤ “ Well y'know what, Matoi? That's too bad. I made my choices years ago, so live with it. And I don't know when you decided to go back to being some wannabe loner, but I'm unshakable. hurt me, ignore me, I don't give a shit. you'll see me around again. K?“ㅤ

"Stop gawking and serve or I'll send a tennis ball straight through your skull as though your bones were made of butter~"