Chapter 41, Kouhai-Senpai

THIRD POV

To say that hanging out with Miya Atsumu was exhausting is a big understatement for Shirome.

He took her not only to Starbucks, but to the mall as well. She refused at first but he didn't take no as an answer, he just straight up dragged the small girl everywhere.

It was fun—she knows that. But she can't help but feel enervated. It was more arduous than any of her volleyball matches. Atsumu almost destroyed her ear drums when they went to the karaoke, made her legs slightly wobbly after dancing loads of dances in the arcade, and all she could do was silently suffer while cheering him up at the same time (she didn't want to let him down when he's done much).

She didn't expect this at all from Atsumu. The girl thought he was the type of guy that would get on your nerves—or the type that, that would cheer you up while insulting you concomitantly. Or the type to dismiss girls simply because he didn't want to. He was carefree, evidently oblivious to Shirome's reticent suffering.

And of course as a result, she was yet again late for a training session in Hyogo.

This was not part of my plan. Shirome cried internally.

The girl woke up late even if Ameri had called her dozens of times. She didn't even know they would have one.. just a day after the training camp— it was so sudden. Not to mention her continuous practice on the court last night.

Shirome rushed to prepare herself and called the driver to drop her off to school where the others are waiting for her. She skimmed through the texts again as she frowned. The driver asked her if she was okay and she nodded silently.

I need to stop being late. Shirome thought with her teary eyes closed, and hands clasped together as if she was praying.

The white haired girl finally arrived school after what seemed like a long ride—even though it's the usual thing everyday. Ameri pouted at the girl as Kuro helped carry her belongings.

"Welcome back from the camp, capta–" He froze and noticed her change of appearance, wide eyed.

Most of the girls froze as well before erupting in chaos, I guess could say they were having a hard time regulating their reactions. Shirome's white hair glowed under the sunlight and her milky face was overlayed with the perfect, warm kiss of the sun.

Guren face palmed at them while Ichiro sympathetically looked at Kuro who was completely captivated by her. His mouth was still agape and in awe.

"Captain! You look really nice," Kira and Haide simultaneously said.

Shirome let out a soft laugh, "Thank you."

They all froze for a second, then bursted in in tears.

I sometimes forget how they overreact. Shirome sweatdropped.

Even the bus driver had a small blush and had flowers as his aura, and the captain's weak attempt in cheering the team up. Kuro was also silently crying while looking at the sky. Ameri just watched weirdly with Guren and Ichiro.

"You guys see this shit?" Ameri turned to Guren and Ichigo while raising her brow, arms crossed with a thumb pointing at the team beside them.

"Language," Ichiro sighed.

"Can you all just hurry up? The ride to Hyogo takes so long," Ameri whined and kicked Kuro's shin to snap him back to reality. The guy complained at her but she just stuck her tongue out to him.

Shirome sighed in relief as they finally stopped and got in the bus, Ameri hummed when she looked at her captain head to toe.

"Are you seriously checking her out?" Kuro sneered at the cherry head and pulled Shirome away.

"Oh so I can't look at her now? I never complained when you gawk at her!" Ameri stuck her tongue at Kuro while pulling her bottom eyelid down with a finger.

Kuro cringed at her and just proceeded to gently get the captain in the bus, "Heavy on 'never', dude," He sarcastically said, since Ameri would always complain at every chance she gets.

"Kids these days," Ichiro muttered and massaged her forehead.

Guren sighed, "They're quite a handful. I heard the team that they're up to is strong, I just hope they don't get distracted or anything."

"This is just a training session, whoever wins the matches don't matter. Not to mention this will be the same as Shiratorizawa. 5 matches with one of the top 5 aces in their team," Ichiro said, leaning her head on the window while Guren crossed his arms beside her.

"You have a point," He mumbled and doze off.

•

"Woah! Inarizaki looks really cool," Ameri said in awe as she excitedly ran to the middle of the school's outdoors. People stared at her weirdly, and some stayed–curious why they're here.

"It does," Some members hummed.

"Yoshi, you should be able to take your masks off now. Inarizaki makes sure their environment is appropriate so rest assured," Guren said and walked along Ichiro who roamed her eyes around the entrance.

Kuro stuck by Shirome's side as they walk towards the gym. The walk there irked him because of the murmurs of the people, specifically ones towards Shirome.

"Yeah, I saw her at the mall with Miya-senpai. She's really lucky–I'm jealous!"

The ravenette glared at the girls who were gossiping with each other and they became silent, intimated by Kuro's sharp gaze. He went along in hopes to drown their annoying voices.

"Shirome, who's this Miya? Did he do something to you? What is he to you? Was he making a move on you?" Kuro asked brittly.

She heaved a small sigh, "Kuro, please don't overreact over things like that. Atsumu didn't do anything wrong. He's just a friend that I got along with from the camp, he's a setter like me. And no, he's not making a 'move' on me because as I said—I'm just his friend."

"Just a friend, just a friend," He muttered and raked his messy jet black hair with his long fingers, "That's what they say everytime."

The girl stopped, letting the team go inside first with the super visor and coach. Kuro stopped when he noticed her staring at him.

"What?" He blinked.

She took half a step towards him, "Kuro... sorry if this is selfish to ask... how much do you care about me?"

His eyes widened, "You're not selfish at all! I care about you.... a lot. More than a lot."

"That's good to hear," She gave him a small smile, "Kuro... when you care about someone.. you should consider placing your trust just at the right place."

"Shiro..," He started as he placed both of his hands on top of her shoulders.

Shirome was confused. He smiled, "Even though you're my captain, you're also my junior. I have every right to look out for you. I do trust you, but the concern is overpowering it. You know.. I lo–"

"Oi, Kurobaka! Inarizaki's ready and we need our captain!" Ameri yelled from the gym doors.

"Shut up," He muttered and removed his hands on the girl's shoulders.

Shirome smiled, "Thank you, Kuro."

His heart fluttered and sent big waves of mellow fondness. He smiled back with a blush as he walked inside the gym with her by his side. Shirome told him to go help the team as she still needs to talk with the coaches and the other team's captain.

Shirome, there's not a time since we met that I stopped thinking about you.

He sighed and stared at her from afar as she talked to the coaches with another boy.

Chances are merely possibilities. If your heart desired to accept mine, I'll gladly make mine your home. In any case I failed – I'll still be out there looking out for you. Because I'm beginning to seriously love you.

—
a/n
i think kuro js has attachment issues or smth idk