*Ding~

Bzzt. Bzzt.

Penalty 2:

《Get slapped by Oikawa Tooru》

Reward: 55 points
Failure results in INSTANT DEATH.
Time limit: 74 hours, 43 minutes

Good Luck!
≥3≤

-

"Hey, M/N are you doing okay? You seem to be a little troubled since yesterday." Kageyama questioned as he walked into class.

"I'm alright Kageyama-kun. Thank you for worrying about me" M/N spoke gently.

"You just seem a little off, that's all."

"I'm just fine Kageyama-kun. Oh and I see that the hair dye is finally fading." M/N gave a faint smile.

"Yeah, it's already beginning to come off. Thank goodness." Kageyama let out a sigh in relief.

"Yeah, it's good to see it coming off already. Oh, and remember to take your daily carton of milk from me later on."

"Sure. But you sure you're alright?" Kageyama's face changed to one with concern as he observed M/N's facial expressions.

"Yeah, I'm good. Just a lot on my mind."

"If you say so then." Kageyama hesitantly went back towards his seat.

-

Oddly, I've been constantly receiving strawberry pocky mysteriously. Like there were boxes of strawberry pocky in my bag when I went back to look at it, there were boxes of them under my table and even Kindaichi was constantly offering me pocky.

What the heck is going on?
Though confused, I admit that I do feel a lot better with all these free snacks. Especially since my mind cannot seem to conjure up a good enough plan to somehow get Oikawa to slap me.

Not trying to be narcissistic but I feel that Oikawa genuinely likes me and will not deliberately hit me(even if I were to smack him first).
And because of that, it's giving me a huge amount of anxiety especially when the failure of this task is instant death. It wasn't my normal compulsory missions, but a penalty task with a dire and gruesome outcome that I do not want to experience.
Plus I really want to get back home. My whole family including my boyfriend was waiting for me there... I wonder how they're doing...

"Shut up! Stop moving!"

A very familiar voice was heard.

"Guys! He's going to hear us, quit it!"

Turning my head in the direction of the voices discreetly, I spotted the 'K' trio, Iwaizumi and Oikawa hiding behind the wall, trying to not so subtly observe me.

Oh god... Are they for real?
I can literally see them...
And is Kageyama closing his eyes as if thinking that if he can't see me I can't see him? 0_0 What in the world?

Sighing, I called out, "Iwa, Oikawa senpai, Akira, Kageyama-kun, and Kindaichi-kun, I can see you all. Just come on out."

Hearing me holler and exposing them, all of them froze for a moment looking like a deer caught in headlights.

The first one to unfreeze was Kunimi, who immediately after calmly walked towards me plopping himself down beside me. The next one was Iwaizumi, who collectively claimed the seat next to me too, on the other side.

-

"How did you notice us M/N-chan?" Oikawa questioned as he looks at M/N.

M/N gazed at Oikawa incredulously, facepalming "What? You guys were not only obvious but loud too."

"Oh."

"Anywho, M/N." Kunimi started.

M/N hummed in response as the rest just stared on.

"Are you feeling better now?" Kunimi questioned, concern filling his doe eyes.

"What do you-"

Cutting M/N, Iwaizumi spoke "Don't lie M/N. You are definitely not okay. Don't make me smack some sense into you."

M/N looked taken aback for a second before looking back at Iwaizumi saying, "You can't hit me. Not only because I won't let you, but also because you love me too much 😘."

"M/N, I'm serious here." Iwaizumi's voice turned stricter and deeper.

M/N nodded, "I know you are."

"So, what's going on?"

"I'd really like to tell you, but I can't. But what I do know is that if I can't get over this, I'll die." M/N's eyes held a faraway look.

"Die? Don't be so pessimistic Akiri-kun" Kindaichi awkwardly pat M/N's back.

"Yeah, it's not the end of the world right?" Oikawa chirped.

M/N only shook his head sadly.

"Did all the strawberry pocky at least help you in lightening your mood, at least?" Kageyama glanced at M/N worriedly.

"That was you guys?!" M/N was shocked.

Everyone nodded.

A single tear fell from M/N's face as he smiled brightly at his friends, "Thank you."

M/N had no clue why he was so emotional during this penalty, but what he did know was that he truly has the bestest friends.

And because of that, M/N comfortably decided to rest his mind for a while. Away from the penalty as he shoved his worries to the deepest part of his mind, temporarily at least.

However, M/N failed to notice the concern that glazed over Iwaizumi's eyes as he glanced at M/N tenderly.

-Time skip-
-

And this makes my twentieth receive in a row! Nice!

Currently, we were in volleyball practice, and I just finished my receiving drills😆.

Oh and I think I forgot to mention but our positions are finally finalized. After considerations and observations of us playing different volleyball positions by the coach in the last few practices, Coach Yushi decides that I should be a libero (which was denied by Oikawa but coach was determined).

To be honest, I'm rather surprised at my role, but as it turns out there weren't enough excellent receivers in the team and I apparently have the potential (as the coach calls it anyways).

I really am hating my coach😒. (Coach Yushi of course. Not my beloved grumpy old man who acts like I pissed in his cereal.)
Though I admit that we are indeed lacking in liberos. Guess I'm the sacrifice then. 😔

"Gather round folks!", Coach Yushi called out as I finished my internal monologue.... did that count as one?

As everyone took a seat on the ground in front of Coach Yushi, Kageyama who sat beside me on my right questioned, "What do you think is the announcement?'

"Not sure" Kindaichi who was sitting behind me answered.

"Hmm..."

Kunimi who was sitting on my left, had no reaction to both Kageyama and Kindaichi as they continued to speculate about what was happening. Only caring to lean his body against my left shoulder, opting to close his eyes.

I on the other hand was just doing my usual, whenever I have spare time during practice— staring at Iwaizumi's gorgeous muscles.

Though I was quickly whacked out of my dreamy daze as Coach Yushi spoke.

"We're going to have a practice match against Kentoyuri Middle School tomorrow."

Roars of surprise and excitement flooded the gym as the coach announced the next day's activities. However, all became silent again as Coach Yushi began to announce the following day's starting team for the practice match.

"Oikawa Tooru, Setter. Iwaizumi..."

I started to zone out as the coach was announcing the starter players.
I didn't care, as most likely, being a first year, I wouldn't get selected.

"Akiri M/N, Libero."

WAIT WHAT?!

_________________

Author's note:
I'm late... please don't kill me 🥺.

Anyways, we're approaching the climax of this arc, exciting!
Also reminders, if you guys have any fanart, do email [email protected]

Please don't mind any errors, vote, stay safe and

Stay happy readers! ⋋✿ ⁰ o ⁰ ✿⋌