Chapter 1: Strawberry Shortcake

***

High school.

Almost all of the first years entered the school with either a grin plastered on their face or a nervous look. Some of them were gathered beside the shed waiting for their group to be completed, while some were roaming their eyes as they scanned how huge the place is - unable to stop themselves from gawking.

Although it's understandable for them to be awed, the seniors couldn't help themselves but to giggle as they watched the lower years enjoy their moment. If only they knew what awaits them. They thought.

"Wow," that was her first word when she finally landed her feet in front of her dream school, Karasuno High. A smile crept across her face as she eyed the place, just like the other first years, she wasn't able to suppress her emotion.

She always dreamed of studying here ever since she saw how his older cousin represented the volleyball team of the said school during the Spring InterHigh - they called him the little giant. Although she doesn't possess any sign of being an athlete, she still wants to be a part of the team.

Of course, her older cousin was shocked when he heard the news. It was a long week of conversation with him since he doesn't stop talking about how great Karasuno's volleyball team was especially during his time. Those weeks were precious for her, not only because he treated her to her favorite ice cream parlor, but also because she learned everything that is related to volleyball; the position of each player, their roles, the signs, and the jargons.

Another thing that pushed her to join the volleyball team is to see how the flightless crows fly again. There's a hope in her heart that she will see the fallen champions rise again, and she deeply believes that this is the time where the Karasuno's volleyball team will shine, once again.

"Greetings, first years! Welcome to Class I-3," the lady announced in front, "I will be your class adviser for the whole year..." and she goes on with the introduction.

There wasn't much activity given since it was still the first day of class, and all they did was to introduce themselves which bored the hell out of her - she thought that she will not be doing it since it was already over during her junior high school, but she was completely wrong.

As lunch came by, she immediately asked the seniors where the volleyball gym was located, and luckily they didn't mislead her. Once again, a smile creeped on her face as she walked towards the closed door of the gymnasium. Even from a distance, she can hear the spikes of the players, and the squeaking of their shoes on the gym floor - that, made her shiver.

"Udai-san, what are you doing here?" her gaze fell on the guy who called her family name. Her brows furrowed as she tried to remember that familiar face - cropped black hair and a fringe that hangs on his sharp-dark-blue eyes. As she stares longer (that earned a blush from the guy) she finally recognized him.

"Kageyama-san!" she slightly bowed her head as her classmate approached her, "Are you joining the volleyball team?" she asked.

Kageyama nodded his head, suddenly lost for words as the girl stares to him much longer than earlier.

"Oh, me too!" she exclaimed.

"Really? But how?" that was when she noticed that Kageyama wasn't alone. Her eyes shifted to the short oranged-hair guy beside Kageyama; his brown eyes were sparkling as she mentioned the word volleyball.

"Uhm, I will apply as the-" her words cut short as the door of the gymnasium opened, revealing a beautiful woman standing in front of them.

"Excuse me?" the beautiful woman softly spoke to them, all their gazes fell on her as she walked towards them. "What brings you here?"

"I-I'm going to apply as a manager of the club," she stuttered. The beautiful woman smiled at her and patted her shoulder which made her blushed.

"Come inside," the beautiful woman said. She shyly followed the lady inside, but before she even entered the gym, she saw the short guy's face flushed bright red. Is he alright?

"I am Kiyoko Shimizu, the current manager of the club," she softly said as they both entered the gym. The younger lady's eyes sparkled as she spotted some players practicing their serves, and some were practicing their blocks. They're so cool! "Do you like volleyball?"

"Yes!" she immediately answered that startled the beaut. Her eyes widened as she realized her sudden action, "Sumimasen, I am just excited to be a part of the team," Kiyoko gave her a warm smile.

"It's fine, that's actually good to hear," she said then handed a piece of paper to her, "You need to fill this up..."

"Ah, Udai [Name], but you can call me [Name]."

"Alright, [Name]-san. Hand me the form later after you finished your class. I will introduce you to the team later," the young lady nodded her head in enthusiasm, eyes glistening as she felt herself crying because of happiness.

***

Nothing can ruin my mood today~

She sung in her head as she happily ate her lunch. After Kiyoko handed the form to her, she spent her remaining time eating her lunch at the cafeteria. Her introduction for laters is already prepared, though she feels a little nervous to the team's reaction since most of them are older than her. Wouldn't it be too awkward?

"Oh, shoot!" she exclaimed when she suddenly realized that classes will start in five minutes. She lost track of time by overthinking about what will happen later. Ah, stupid.

She ran as fast as she can. It's a good thing that the building is nearby the cafeteria, so she never really have to worry about being late, but she doesn't want to leave a bad impression to her next proctor so she decided to sprint her way towards their assigned room, not even noticing the tall figure appeared on her way.

"Ah!" both of them groaned as they felt pain on certain parts of their body that clashed; hers was her head, while his was his solar plexus.

"Shit..." the guy cursed while eyeing the last piece of strawberry shortcake he bought to his favorite shop, lying messily on the floor.

"Sumimasen!" she sincerely apologized, "I'll buy you a new one later, I'm really sorry," she decided to look at the figure towering over her; his golden orbs were sharp as knives. If looks could kill, she'll already be dead. "I'm sorry-"

"Stupid chibi," he annoyingly said then left.

She gasped at his sudden remark. What the hell?

***

A frown was plastered on her face the whole period of her class. Her mood completely ruined as the guy she bumped into a while ago mocked her biggest insecurity - her height. Although she almost have the average height of a girl (5'3"), she's still convinced that her height's not that enticing.

Kageyama glanced at her then he noticed how her mood turned sour. She was energetic a while ago, I wonder what happened? As soon as the final bell rang, Kageyama approached her, "Udai-san, are you going to the gym?"

She looked at him and almost forgot, "Yup," that, instantly brightened her face, "Anyway, just call me [Name]."

They headed together to the gym. At some point, she regained her happy mood despite her awful encounter with the arrogant human being. Right, I will never let that guy ruin my day! She thought.

"Kiyoko-san," she called out to the lady they met on their way to the gym. The beaut waved her hand.

"Are you one of the first years?" Kiyoko asked Kageyama.

"Yes," he muttered.

"Alright, head to the locker room and change into your practice clothes," she said to him in which he immediately obliged.

"Come on [Name]," they walked their way to the gym, and sat together at the bench near the gymnasium's door.

"Kiyoko-san!" both ladies were startled as they heard a loud person calling the beaut's name. [Name] saw the owner of the voice; shaved head with widow's peak, a pair of sharp blue-grey eyes, and a grin plastered on his face. Suddenly, [Name] felt scared since he looked like a delinquent.

"Pfft. He may look like he's gonna hurt you but believe me, he's a good person," Kiyoko felt the young lady stiffened beside her. [Name]'s face flushed as the beaut somehow read what she was thinking.

"I-I'm sorry," she whispered, and Kiyoko smiled to her in return.

After a while of watching some of the team's players practice, Kageyama and the short orange-haired guy appeared in front of the gymnasium's door, they were pushing each other's faces as they tried to race their way inside the gym - and the short guy won, earning a glare from Kageyama.

"Alright everyone, gather up!" said the third year student with a short dark hair.

Kiyoko stood as they finally gathered up in a circle near the two lads, "Are we all complete?" she softly spoke.

"The two first years are not yet here," the silver-haired guy said. Kiyoko just nodded her head and was about to speak when two tall figures suddenly appeared in front of the door.

"Ah, they're finally here."

"W-We're sorry we're late," the freckled-guy apologized. Beside him stood a very familiar guy who happened to be the person whom she bumped into earlier. Of course, why didn't the possibility occurred to me earlier?

[Name]'s eye twitched as their gazes met. She wished she could wipe off that smug look plastered on his face. She took a deep breath to calm herself, but his annoying face only made it worse.

Here she was, expecting that she will end her day in the mood, but the odds were not with her especially when the latter asked, "Oh? What's the chibi doing here?"

How I wish I could strangle him to death.