Chapter 2: Like her

***

[Name] has never felt this annoyed her entire life. Her fists beside her hips were tightly clenched as she tried her best to stop the urge of (literally) wiping the smug look plastered on the blonde’s face.

“Uhm, do you guys know each other?” someone boldly asked in the midst of tension building in the atmosphere.

“No,” they said in unison, sharp gazes were still intently fixed on each other.  

“[Name]-san,” a pair of hands that gently squeezed her shoulder were the only thing that put her back to normal. Kiyoko smiled at the noirette who suddenly felt embarrassed because of her moment of irrationality.  

“I’m sorry,” she apologized to the team, fists still clenching at her side.  Most of them just shrugged the awkward situation, while few of them remained curious — the oranged-hair and freckled guy to be exact. She cleared her throat first before introducing herself, “Hello, everyone. My name is Udai [Name], but you can call me [Name].”

“Starting today, she’ll also be your manager,” Kiyoko announced.

“Alright, let’s give our new manager a warm welcome,” said the silver-haired guy with a gentle smile on his face.

“Welcome to the club!” they cheered. Her clenched fists loosen as the warm feeling of being welcomed by the team engulfed her heart. The sight gave butterflies in her stomach as they offered her warm smiles from each of the player — of course, except the blonde.  

“Nice to meet you, [Name]-san. I’m Sawamura Daichi, the captain of the team,” the introduction was followed by the vice captain, Sugawara Koshi;  the second years, Kinoshita Hisashi, Narita Kazuhito, Ennoshita Chikara, and Tanaka Ryunosoke; then the short guy who always stick to Kageyama, Hinata Shoyo; the freckled guy, Yamaguchi Tadashi; and then there’s the tall blonde, Tsukishima Kei who coldly stated his name.

“I’ll do my best to be your manager!” After the short ‘get-to-know-the-names-of-the-team’, they proceeded to the practice — except for Kageyama and Hinata who were instantly kicked out by the captain after the introduction.

“Why aren't they part of tonight’s practice?” she curiously asked the beaut sitting beside her.

“They were punished by the captain for causing trouble,” [Name] only nodded her head in confusion, even though she wants to know the reason why, she refrained herself from asking questions and focused on the things she have to do as their manager.

Kiyoko instructed her to do the things she usually do; like make notes about the players’ improvement, assist them, and practice with them. The noirette’s eyes glimmered as if tears will start to fall on her eyes. Kiyoko asked her if she was alright in which she answered, “Definitely, I am just glad to be a part of this team.”

[Name] sat beside the beaut. The two were busy scribbling on their notes as they observed each players; from the way they serve, receive, spike, and block the ball.

The time flew by without her even realizing that practice already ended. She enjoyed watching the players on the court, she enjoyed every single moment she spent in the club, and it’s too sad that it ended sooner than she expected.

“Alright,” the captain clapped his hands to gain the attention of everyone, “We’ll continue the practice tomorrow morning, I expect everyone to be on time...” he said then glared at Tanaka who immediately looked away, “You may now start cleaning.”

“Let’s go home,” Kiyoko said. They were the first one to leave the school since staying up a little longer would make it hard for them to walk home since it’s getting dark. As they reached the school gate, they bid their goodbyes and walked separately.

[Name] hummed happily as she skip-walked on her way home. Even though the day ended soon, she’s still excited for tomorrow's practice and the next practice after tomorrow, and for next week’s practice — bottom line, she’s always excited to be in the club.

“[Name]-san!” she almost tripped when a loud voice called her name.

“Boke, Hinata! You startled our manager,” Kageyama shouted. Hinata just sticked his tongue out and sprinted towards their manager, followed by Kageyama whose face, even from a distance, showed determination to win.

“Careful!” she said, but the two seemed like they haven't heard a thing and still ran until they both reached her spot. 

“I thought you two already went home?” she asked.

“No, we practiced,” Hinata said while panting.

“Eh? Where?”

“School park,” Kageyama said, still catching for his breath. Just by looking at them, [Name] could see the reason why they were both kicked out earlier, troublesome.

“[Name]-san, are you going to take that path?” she nodded her head, “Cool! We’re also heading that way,” Hinata energetically said despite running down the hill.

She never thought that walking with the two members were fun since both of them never stopped mocking each other, but in a ‘not-troublesome’ way. They also mentioned that they are ‘still’ not an official part of the team since they accidentally shove the vice-principal’s wig on their very first day that troubled the captain. So for them to be a part of the club, they proposed a deal that will prove that they are worthy to be on the team— a match on Saturday.

[Name] was laughing the whole time she’s been with the two. However, just like earlier, it ended sooner as they separated their ways.

***

Saturday came by fast more than she expected. The players were doing their own warm-ups before the match started; Hinata, Kageyama, and Tanaka were on the right side of the court while Daichi, Yamaguchi, and Tsukishima on the left.

[Name] joined Kiyoko at the bench, preparing their notes for the players’ performance while the other members were beside the two managers, making bets on who’s gonna win.

Her eyes scanned the players on the court then wished that she shouldn't have done that since her eyes landed to the blonde who was also looking at her with a smirk plastered on his face. She winced at the sight and immediately avoided his gaze before her mood turned sour.

A few minutes later, the players were now ready to begin. Both team positioned themselves while the referee of the game (Sugawara) tossed a coin in the air; heads for team Hinata and Kageyama, while tails for Tsukishima and Yamaguchi.

“Hinata's team will serve,” Suga said.

“Ah, who among the squirt and Tanaka shall we crush — I mean, take down first?” the blonde mocked. Hinata and Tanaka growled at his remark, “But I’m looking forward to defeat the king,” he added that earned a glare from Kageyama.

[Name] couldn't help but to irked at his airful remark. She rolled her eyes and cursed the blonde inside her head. Jerk.  

The whistle blew and Tanaka served. In an instant, they scored a point since the other players didn't receive his serve. Tanaka grinned and served again, this time, Daichi received the ball and passed it to Yamaguchi then he tossed the ball to Tsukishima who spiked it to the other side of the court that wasn't guarded by the other players, that, earned them a score.

The whistle blew again and Daichi served the ball. Tanaka smoothly received it then Kageyama tossed the ball on the air in which Tanaka spiked on the other side. The ball bounced on the floor, then suddenly, Tanaka wasn’t wearing his shirt anymore since he swiveled it on the air, “Yeah!”

“You’re cool, Tanaka-san!” Hinata exclaimed and joined Tanaka in his bubble of euphoria while Kageyama had a smirk plastered on his face.

“You shouldn't have provoked him,” [Name] heard the captain said to the blonde. She couldn't help but to grin at the latter’s annoyed expression. Karma.

Once again, Kageyama tossed the ball on the air and Hinata came running forward with a smile on his face. They gasped when they saw how he jumped so high, even Kiyoko’s eyes  widened when he saw what the short guy did. He spiked the ball to the other side but was immediately blocked by the tall blonde. Tanaka tried to save the ball but it already landed on the floor, “Damn.”

“I was amazed that you can jump at first. If you were only 30 cm taller, then you could have been a superstar,” the blonde provoked the oranged-hair guy. Hinata just growled at him and went to his position.

On the other hand, [Name] couldn't believe what she saw. Her mouth still agape at the previous sight of Hinata’s jump. For a small person like him, he sure can jump so high. “Oi chibi, don’t need to show that you're amazed to me.”

“Pardon?” the blonde just smirked and positioned himself to serve. Ha, he wished!

“Once more!” Hinata exclaimed.  However, every time he spikes the ball, the blonde’s always there to block him, and the ball bounces back to their court. 12-6.

Ennoshita flipped the score board and sighed, “I’m gonna lose five bucks because of this,”

The first match took longer than they expected, not because of the game itself, but because of the endless provocation of the blonde to his opponent— his main target was Kageyama whom he referred to as King of the Court. Kageyama’s head was low and he was clenching his fists the whole time the blonde blurted about the reason why he was called like that, but Hinata quickly defended the latter and said, “I stand beside you, so don't worry.”

The match continued with a heavy atmosphere inside the court. Kageyama tossed the ball to Hinata but failed to spike it because of its speed that cancelled Hinata’s reflexes, “The king of the court is back,” the blonde mocked.

[Name] gritted her teeth at the sight of Tsukishima’s smug face. She’s really tempted to throw a ball to his face, if she only could, she would definitely do it.

“Once more!” Hinata exclaimed. Once again, Kageyama waited for the ball to fall on his hands. Everyone expected him to be blocked again by the tall blonde, but he quickly shifted his feet to ran to the other side of the court where there was no player blocking it. Kageyama perfectly tossed the ball to him, and Hinata spiked it to the other court in a flash.

The whistle blew and the score was given to Hinata’s team. [Name] blinked her eye at the sudden action of the duo. Was that a quick?

“His eyes were closed!” all of them looked at the captain who spoke.

“What?” they exclaimed.

“Hinata’s eyes were closed from the moment he jumped to when he swung,” even Daichi was shocked and couldn't believed what he saw.

They took a water break first before proceeding to continue the match. Still, the gap between the scores were wide, 20-15. “It was just luck, eh?” Kiyoko nodded her head in agreement.

“But the tosses are improving,” Suga said, eyeing the setter of the game.

And the quick happened again. Hinata was rushing towards Tsukishima and Yamaguchi, but he halted and ran opposite the court where there was no one blocking. However, Tsukishima immediately responded and blocked Hinata, but the thing was, Kageyama tossed the ball to Tanaka who freely spiked the ball on the other court.

“Yeaaah!” he, once again, removed his shirt and swirled it to the air. The second years mocked the latter for stealing the credits from the first years, popping his bubble of euphoria, “Shut up!” he growled to them.

Tsukishima’s team was leading, but Hinata’s team was following up. They scored a five consecutive points that already put them at a point set, 23-24. Then, on Tanaka’s spike, they won the first match.

“Damn,” she heard the blonde muttered.

“Tsukishima! You said you’d wipe the floor with us?” Tanaka grinned as if seeking for a fight. The blonde just ignored his remark and prepared for the second set.

After a five-minute break, the players exchanged court. The whistle blew, and the game began. It wasn’t the same as the first set since each player have their own strategy; like Kageyama who looked like he would toss to someone but he suddenly dumped it to the other side, or Hinata acting as a decoy, or Tsukishima doing feints. However, Hinata’s team were at the advantage, and was leading the match.

“Tch,” Tsukishima’s eyebrows were furrowed, then suddenly, he removed his cream sweater and threw it outside the court.

“He’s pissed,” [Name] chuckled. Kiyoko noticed a devious grin plastered on her face.

“[Name]-san, are you alright?” the said girl’s name quickly turned her head to the beaut.

“Yes,” she nodded her head. The beaut shrugged her thought away and continued to watch the match.

The thing is, [Name]’s been feeling good seeing Tsukishima’s annoyed face. She enjoyed seeing him struggle because of Hinata whom he always mock because of his height. Ironic isn't it? That the squirt he’s always been mocking defeated a bean pole like him. She thought that this match was a sort of revenge in her behalf.

The whistle blew and the match ended. Hinata’s team won with a score of 25-21, “Congratulations!” she greeted the team and gave them their tumblers and towels.

“Thank you, [Name]-san!” Hinata energetically said. She patted his and Kageyama’s head for doing a great job, which earned a blush from the latter.

She left the team and head on to the other side where Daichi and Suga was talking. She gave the captain his towel and tumbler, “Thanks” and warmly smiled at her.

“Here,” she said to Yamaguchi. The boy smiled and thanked her, just like the other members did — except the blonde.

“Oi,” she said then handed the towel to the blonde sitting at the corner, eyes were closed, “Hey,” she slightly kicked his foot.

“What?” he annoyingly said. Their sharp gazes sent shivers down the freckled guy’s spine who was watching them not from a far distance. He wondered if something happened between the two since they were always on each other’s nerves.

Once again, [Name] offered the towel and tumbler that was immediately accepted by the blonde. She was about to walk away when a sudden thought occured in her mind, “It’s weird that Hinata defeated you despite of your height gap, eh?” she blatantly said to the blonde.

Tsukishima smirked then stood in front of her, towering over her height.  He flashed her his brightest (sarcastic) smile and said, “You see chibi-san, I'm not like those duo who took the match seriously, and they seemed desperate, that’s why I gave them a chance,” she snorted and left the guy alone.

The blonde’s smirk was gone as soon as she turned her back on him, an annoyed expression was currently plastered on his face.

“Tsukki, why are you always on each other’s nerves?” His freckled friend asked in which he ignored. 

“Shut up, Yamaguchi,” he said and left the court.

“I’m sorry, Tsukki,” he muttered but his friend was too pre-occupied to hear what he said.

Tsukishima’s always been like that to other people, even to his best friends. But dealing with [Name] is different, just like what Yamaguchi said, they’re always on each other’s nerves. Why? That’s because useless hot-blooded people like her irritates him, and he hated her even more for being like that.