cw: smoking/cigarettes

14 days left

2nd POV

It was a bright sunny morning with you fixing the chairs and filling water bottles, just finished setting out the clean towels for the players to use.

To be honest, it was just like any other day. It seemed too peaceful. Too tranquil.. and it scared you.

It goes without saying that you're overthinking beyond your thoughts. After all, you are locomotive in the real world; tending to the needs of the players. Yet, your mind wanders off to another world, floating gently in space; in a world, you wonder, where the alien creatures have gifted you a second chance unbeknownst to anyone but you.

Your eyes drifted off the chairs behind the wall and to the players. They were readying themselves for the practice match. Their tall figures conversed with one another, wearing their normal practice clothes and holding their sleeveless practice jerseys to put above their shirts.

The twins are bickering per usual and Suna was tapping away in his phone albeit looking dull. As though a river, your mind splashes at every possible ways that things could go wrong amid your streak of getting Suna to warm up. It was no easy feat – you know that more than anyone. Because you're the only one who knows.

As if sensing your gaze, his eyes moved up and wandered to your pair. He noticed the subtle crease on your forehead as your thoughts made it that way, a frown designed your lips as you unconsciously gripped the chairs too hard.

You forced a small smile at him as he furrowed his brows in confusion. Looking away, your grip tightened.

You felt your hand hurt. Your palm was now red with the pressure and you sighed, proceeding to carry a stack back to the sidelines.

I walk in a dark tunnel; Suna's hand clasped by my own. The very core of my hope wishes for nothing more but a light that meets me.

Fixing chairs, setting bottles and towels on a table, and taking attendance and notes for the team. It was your usual routine yet it felt less real than the former world you've done it on. You wondered for the nth time if this was all ever real.

Interrupting your harsh train of thoughts, the gym doors opened and in goes the opposite team that traveled to join you in your practice match. They wore red tracksuits and eyes sharp like cats.

You lightly bowed to them as you went to the coaches side. The other team eyed your team as some of them shook hands before settling down with their stuff on the other side as well.

The bleachers screeched in joy as most of them are girls. Seemingly enticed at the players of the other team.

A sigh was blurted out, causing Inarizaki coaches look your way in confusion. They looked away when you just shook your head to dismiss.

Minutes later, the match begun. It was a good rally from both teams designed by the competitiveness of the twins that willed the other team to get fired up as well. Still even amid the fiery matches they played, your mind couldn't help but foster worries about the mission granted to you. A mission that enables a second chance.

You couldn't help it – things are getting too peaceful for your liking. It doesn't matter whether it's good – you strongly feel that things will not go as consistent as they are right now.

"Oh my god! Are you okay, L/n?" The Inarizaki coach asked in worry, looking at the ball that zoomed just past your ear.

You blinked and flashed them a small smile and a bow, "O-Oh, yes. Sorry."

The players bowed apologetically as some were amazed at the fact that you didn't even flinch after the opposite captain's spike.

You bit your lower lip lightly, focusing on your clipboard. You have been scribbling things unintentionally. Sighing, you erased some of the unconscious scribbles with the opposite tip of your pencil.

Focus, focus, focus. Don't let the uncertainty of events intimidate you.

It was time for a break and both teams rested at their respective benches. You forced a small smile again to cover your face that was obviously clouded in deep thought as you handed some of them their bottles.

I need to stop worrying about things too much. But could I afford letting my guard down when it taxes a fear for the unknown future?

"Yo."

You flinched and looked up, meeting eyes with Suna who had a blank stare, "... Hi. Need anything?"

The dark haired boy frowned, "You don't look alright. You okay?"

"I'm fine. I should be the one asking you," You let out a nervous chuckle, scribbling down your clipboard the time of the break.

Suna didn't look convinced but slowly nodded, "I'm good."

You gave him a small smile before walking away, he didn't give it more thought.

Why did I walk away? I should go back and talk to him more..

You sighed, stopping when there was a guy with bleached top of his hair that stood in front of you.

"G-G-G-Girl manager...," He stuttered hard, "Y-You're so pretty — please marry me!"

The gym went silent as he stood with a flushed face. You were frozen in your spot, holding your pen mid stroke.

Inarizaki team's jaws dropped, as they all stared wide at the guy in front of you with the most intense mix of determination and anxiety stance. Nekoma stared in disbelief and some of them stared as if they were expecting it to happen already. Nekoma's captain rubbed his temple with a thumb and walked to him, sighing in exasperation.

.. What did he say?

You looked to his legs that slightly shook and back to him, "I refuse."

He visibly froze, dropping to the ground on both his knees and palms as he looked like he lost everything he has.

"Oi, Taketora. Get up. Everyone's staring at you," The other captain walked over with a glare, holding his hips with his hands.

The captain looked at you apologetically and bowed slightly, "I apologize for him. He can get a bit.. rowdy."

"I-It's fine," You awkwardly scratched your cheek with your pointer finger before giving him a small smile and walking back to Inarizaki's bench. All of them were glaring at Taketora and the captain.

"Do me a favor and do not stray from our side," Kita curtly said as he eyed you before walking back to the court.

"Y/n," Atsumu grumbled as he handed you his water bottle, "Stay the fuck here."

You flinched, his eyes softened, "I didn't mean it like that – I-"

"Just get back, 'Tsumu. Y/n knows what to do," Osamu smacked Atsumu before handing you his water bottle and going back to the court with him.

A frown idled on your lips as you fixed their water bottles. Suna came up to you with his own water bottle, an unreadable look on his face.

"Looks like someone's got a crush on you," He smirked, but his eyes said otherwise. His words are supposed to come off as teasing, yet there was a dangerous glint in his eyes.

You looked at him for a few seconds, still frowning. His smirk dropped and his features went blank, returning to the court after handing you his bottle.

Can I... really save Suna?

The teams were both practicing their individual moves: spiking, receiving, digging, diving, serving, blocking, and other strategies that they wish to hone and apply in the future for their betterment.

There was a guy in particular that caught your eye. He was smaller than the other guys who loomed over anyone easily; most of his hair was bleached and he sat curled up in a corner, playing something on a device.

You went over to him silently and sat down next to him, flashing a small smile when he looked in alarm.

"Hello. Why aren't you practicing with the others?" You softly asked.

He blinked before a grim line presented itself on his lips, "Uh, I'm tired, so."

You looked at him for a few seconds before transferring your gaze at his device. He was playing a game you were familiar with.

"Boss fight level? Yeah, that can be annoying," You chuckled softly, "You can glitch a combo twice so you'd deal more damage."

Humming, you opened your phone and scrolled through twitter, coming across one of your favorite gamers in the social media. You quietly chuckled when you heard him rage ingame.

"Failed to glitch?" You teasingly smirked.

"Oh, god," He groaned.

"Huh?" Your brows furrowed as you glanced at him, who was looking at your phone in disgust.

"Did you know it was me?" He frowned, pointing to the post of the gamer.

"..... Pardon?" Dumbfounded, you looked at him with a nervous smile.

He rolled his eyes lightly and sighed, leaning back to the wall, "That's me. You're watching."

You gasped lightly, "Y-You're... Kodzuken?!"

He winced at your subtle, quiet scream, "Yeah.... why do you even watch those.."

"I'm a big fan! I've been watching you for years now," You exclaimed in excitement, balling your fists and holding them up your chest.

"You could've worded that nicely...," He muttered, a small blush crept its way on his face as he looked away, "Nice to meet you... um.."

"Y/n L/n. You can call me Y/n," You nervously looked down the ground and fiddled with your phone, "Can we... take a picture?"

"It's fine if no!" You panicked when he got even redder.

Oh my fucking god. I can't believe I met one of my favorite people in the world in a place like this.

He hesitantly shook his head before posing beside you. You held the phone low and posed a peace sign, snapping a picture with him.

"Thank you! I didn't expect this at all," You nervously laughed as you looked at him.

He was surprised at how your eyes looked. It was so expressive, displaying a bright joy. Kenma smiled a little before nodding, "It's no problem. I'm glad my content makes you happy.."

"You're different from real life and online," You giggled, making the boy's eyes widen and his cheeks warm up.

"Kenma!"

You both whipped your head in front. There stood their captain a few feet away, with his arms crossed.

"Kuroo...," Kenma mumbled.

"Get back to practice. Don't bother Inarizaki's manager," Kuroo frowned, pointing back to the court with his thumb as his other hand was placed in front to get Kenma's device.

The pudding head sighed before standing up, unwillingly handing his device to his captain and bowed his head to you with a small smile before disappearing to the court. Kuroo sighed and smiled at you, offering his hand out to help you stand up.

"Thank you," You slightly bowed at him. He shook his head before patting your other hand with his.

"Sorry. My team is uncollected this day," He grunted, walking beside you to the benches of your side. You shook your head and giggled.

"It's okay. My team can be like that, too. When you're manager, it feels like you're handling a bunch of children," You joked, earning a laugh from him.

"Can't say. We don't have a manager, sadly. So it's just me, being a mom to the team," He sighed dramatically, making you laugh at his humor.

Someone grabbed you by the arm, making you and Kuroo stop. Suna blankly stared at Kuroo then to you.

"Kita-san said to rescue you," He said, his grip on your arm getting a little tighter.

You nodded and apologetically looked at Kuroo who raised a brow at him, "Sorry, Kuroo-san. I'll see you around."

He nodded and smiled before going back to the other side of his court. Suna let go of your arm as the both of you walked back to the team's side. You felt that he was giving off a cold aura, but you didn't know why. It led you to overthink again – thinking that Suna might regress back to his former state in the former world.

•

The practice match ended.

Both teams have already showered and prepared to wrap the day, the other team, Nekoma High, have already packed their bags for departure.

Supposedly you'd ask Suna to go home with you but he was already gone when you turned to the ream. Confused, you walked to Kita and asked where he was.

"He told me he needs to be home early," He said, "Do you want to go home with me?"

"Next time. I need to see Suna," You said, about to walk away in a hurry but Kita yanked you gently by the arm.

He raised a brow, "What's with this sudden interest in Suna, Y/n? I don't condemn you getting closer with the team but this alarms me."

"... Why does it alarm you?" You raised a brow back.

His jaw clenched, "Y/n, I hope you're not failing to notice that you've been tending to him more than anyone. It's raising suspicion within the team – they don't feel comfortable about it."

"Why should they care?" You pulled your arm from him, "I have been taking care of all of you equally. Why should a mere interest in an individual affect them?"

Kita heaved a deep sigh before looking at you straight in the eyes, "You know how the former managers are. They're just cautious."

".. Nonsense, Kita," You looked away and headed outside the gym, "They're irrelevant."

He watched as you exited the gym, a frown displayed on his lips before he looked at the twins and the other members who gulped. They were all confused.... and scared.

•

You huffed a shaky sigh, rubbing your arms together as you walked through the cold weather. Your nose was red as your lips slightly quiver from the chill.

It was dark in the streets with only few lampposts illuminating the area as guidance of paths. There was barely any bus that stopped by – resulting in you walking to the nearest convenience store to buy some warm drink.

"...," Suna accidentally met eyes with you when you froze in your step, walks away from the convenience store's entrance. He exhaled a smoke – coming from the cigarette that was held between his middle and pointer finger.

As if you had been stripped of your ability to speak, your mouth parted to speak but no words came out. They closed again. You felt the cold surface of the flesh of your lips.

He's smoking?

"... Rintaro.. why are you..," You shakily said but violently coughed from the smoke. Your eyes watered when you felt the second hand smoke enter your lungs, drying your throat and esophagus even more.

His eyes widened in alarm before he pressed the cigarette butt on the ground and threw it in the bin once it died. Suna stood up and walked to you in alarm.

You had developed a vulnerability to smokes from your past life — your mother was a heavy smoker and alcoholic. It was unsure if it's a psychological reaction, genuine physiological reaction, or both. The reason you were uncertain is because your mother in this life doesn't smoke nor drink.

"Are you okay?!" He slightly panicked as he patted his hands together to get rid of excess debris and wore his gloves before leading you inside the store, a hand on your lower back.

"I'm sorry...," Suna bit his lower lip as he looked at you with regret. Your eyes were slightly red and you were shivering. It wasn't from the cold, but from fear and stress of the past when you were reminded of how abuse followed after the smell of smoke.

"Please don't hurt me," You unconsciously blurred out, making Suna clench his jaw at anger for himself.

He sat down beside you and hesitantly massaged your back, "I'm not. I'm sorry... I didn't know I'd be seeing you."

Your eyes watered again, "... Please don't smoke again..."

His eyes softened when you looked at him with tears in your eyes, genuine fear in them – an emotion he least expected from you when he realized you've seen him smoking.

The reason why he was smoking is bred from being pissed. When he saw how few of the guys from Nekoma looked at you and interacted earlier brought a displeasing feeling in his chest. He figured that he'd let it out through smoking – which he realized too late that it was a dumb idea.

It's not like he's never smoked before. Suna wasn't a smoker — but the overwhelming consistency of the negative events that seemed to be corrosive for him throughout the years has brought him to indulge in the habit.

Part of him wished that someday he'd be able to break free and strip himself away from the chemicals. Suna wanted to quit.

Seeing your reaction made him want to.

The effect of today's events have been bothering him whole day long and he didn't know why. It wasn't like Suna cared about anyone aside from his mother – but it was extremely weird for him every time he'd feel disturbed at the capability of emotions when it came to you.

"Why do you care about me, Y/n?"

His sudden question knocked the fear away from you and was replaced with shock.

He cut you off before you could speak, "Don't give me that 'because I simply care and I'm your manager' bullshit. It should be more, to be making you sniffing around in my business. Why? Why do you fucking care so much? You weren't like this before."

He's... angry. You frowned. But not completely at me. He's also angry at... himself...?

"... Why does it bother you if someone cared about you? You didn't seem to bat an eye before..," You softly said, subtly dodging his question.

Suna froze, swallowing a dry lump that pressed down in his throat.

Just exactly why does it disturb him? He knows he has the option to ignore you and drive you away even more. Why didn't he do that? Why can't he do that?

He panicked internally at the thought that popped in his mind: is he beginning to get attached to you?

That drew out the final blow— it scared him a lot. Suna unconsciously stood up from his seat and gulped.

"... I uh, need to go..," He muttered, taking his scarf off for you to wear before going outside the store.

You stood up and opted to chase after him but he was already long gone.

So much for thinking everything is going well.

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