Chapter Text
Swift footsteps could be heard on the gym's floor, as you moved the volleyball cart. After a tiring practice session, you and the 3rd years stayed behind to clean up the place.
-Aw, man! I can't believe it's Friday already!; stated the libero, as he dried his forehead with a towel.
The other players nodded in approval, while putting down the net. You started picking up the volleyballs, a small sigh escaping your lips.
-You know, Y/N-chan, you could go home if you want. We could take care of the rest.; suggested Aran, a concerned look plastered on his face.
-Yeah, you've been working pretty hard lately, with the practice matches and all.; added Ren on a worried tone.
You turned you gaze to them, the corners of your lips going upwards a little.
-Don't worry! I am your manager, this is MY job after all.
[...]
After a few minutes, Kita broke the silence, asking you about the schedule for the following week. As you showed him your notes, Ojiro let out a chuckle:
-Geez L/N, you never miss a thing while planning this stuff. I can't imagine how it'd be without you as our manager.
-Yeah, remember when we first met her? We knew since that moment she would be perfect for the position; Akagi chimed in.
You shook your head slightly, thinking about how randomly you ended up here.
~flashback~
A light breeze was dancing through the fresh-leaved trees as the evening approached. Rays of sunshine wrapped the school building into a warm blanket, as you made your way to the gym. It was a peaceful atmosphere, only the echoes of your shoes on the stone-paved alley breaking the silence.
*Sigh* I can't believe I've forgotten about it! I really hope the gym isn't closed, or else I'd have to say 'goodbye' to my beloved jacket.
Your thoughts were suddenly interrupted by a loud scream:
-KYYAAA! ATSUMU-SAN, YOU ARE SO COOL!
-YEAH! AND OSAMU-SAN YOU LOOK VERY HANDSOME TODAY!
-CAN I GET AN AUTOGRAPH, PLEASE?!
Your shoulders jolted slightly at the scene: fangirls. Only the projection of them inside your head made you shiver in disgust.
How can someone be so obsessed with the volleyball players? They are just teenagers, like the rest of us.; you wondered, as you got closer to the noisy students.
-Ladies, please, relax~
A tall boy with blonde hair and hazel eyes greeted the small crowd, a proud grin plastered on his face.
-Of course we could give you an autograph; he continued, taking the notebook from one of the fan's hands.
-We better get inside, Tsumu, or Kita-san would scold us again; his brother commented, as he desperately tried to avoid the girls that were blocking the entrance.
Sooo...these are the famous Miya twins? Huh, I was expecting something different. But anyways, I have a job to do!
Your steps reached the gym's stairs, as you swiftly moved through the crowd. Unfortunately, there was no chance you'd get inside as long as those simps were still there.
You took a deep breath, clapping your hands twice, before your firm voice pierced through the noise:
-OI, LISTEN UP PEOPLE!
Everyone turned their gaze to you, scanning your figure.
-Good, now that I got your attention, I would kindly ask you to step away from the gym's entrance. The volleyball club's practice has already begun, and the boys over here need to train as much as they can for the upcoming match; you pointed towards the twins that were looking at you dumbfounded.
-Whaaat?!
-But I haven't gotten my autograph yet!
-And we were just talking to them!
-Can't we see their practice?
Thunderous questions filled the air, making an irk mark appear on your temple. Clapping your hands together once more, you stated:
- Look, ladies. We really appreciate your encouragement and admiration, but now you are only disturbing the members. If you really are their fans, then you should give them the space they need. You could come after the practice is over and chat with them more, but now we have to go.; you gave them a soft smile, but they could sense you were annoyed and won't back down until they leave.
-Fine~~
-Oh, c'mon~~
-We're sorry if we made you upset, Miya-san!
-Good luck on your practice, Miya-san!
-We would still talk tomorrow, right?
And so, within seconds, the students' chanters were lost in the distance, leaving you alone with the Miya brothers. Your eyes locked onto theirs, but you didn't have the chance to speak again as the doors slid open.
-WHAT THE HELL WERE YOU DOING?!! We've been waiting for you FOR 10 MINUTES!
Atsumu and Osamu’s expression changed into a guilty one, as the toned-skinned man scolded them.
-Please tell me you weren't distracted by those fangirls, AGAIN; he spoke with an irritated voice, before he noticed you, watching their interaction with a blank face.
You bowed respectfully:
-Good afternoon! I apologize for interrupting your practice. I've come here because of a lost jacket. Is there any chance I could have a look in the gym to find it?; you looked up at him again, this time, his features relaxed.
-Oh, hello! Sure, come with us.
You followed him in silence, the other boys behind you. The squeaking sound of shoes wrapped the room, as the players had already started their warm-ups.
-OK, EVERYONE! After finishing stretching we'll start with the tosses.
A middle aged man in a tracksuit was ordering around, before he saw the twins coming and a whole show started.
Low-key I feel bad for them, their coach looks kind of scary.
Your feet headed to the girls’ lockers, receiving some confused stares from the boys. However, you bowed slightly your head to them as a greeting.
Now where in the world is that jacket?!
The changing rooms seemed empty. Your figure scanned every spot as your hands patted softly every bench. After about seemed like an eternity, you finally found your jacket, under one of the lockers. Swaying it off your shoulder, you made your way to the exit, until a familiar face caught your eye.
-Riseki-kun?; you asked on a low tone
His head perked up at the mention of his name, a wave of surprise enveloping him.
-L/N-chan, hi!
He jogged towards you, making you giggle at his cheerfulness.
-What are you doing here?
-Forgot my jacket in the locker-rooms after today's PE class.
His mouth made an "O" shape:
-Oooooh~ that makes sense; he nodded to himself, before another silhouette made its appearance next to them.
-Well, well, who do we have here? I didn't know you had a girlfriend, Heisuke-kun~~
There was no other than Atsumu Miya, who had just finished changing into his jersey, not without being scolded by their coach first. His teasing remark made a faint blush rise onto Riseki's cheeks, as you faced the setter.
-No, he is a classmate of mine.
-Y-Yeah; the said boy stuttered a little, embarrassed.
-'Tsumu leave them alone, we have 30 extra laps to do as punishment for being late, I don't want to get another 30 because of you.
The gray-haired twin dragged his brother on the court by his ear, not without thanking you:
-Thanks for helping us earlier!
-Don't worry about it~
Turning back to your classmate, you commented:
-I really wonder how they manage to deal with their fans all the time. Those girls are CRAZY; you whispered-yelled the last word, making the guy roll his eyes in amusement.
-Yeah, me too.
He wanted to add something, but the coach called for him.
-Sorry, L/N-chan, I have to go. I'll see you tomorrow!
-Mhm; you approved gently and started your way to the exit door.
You bowed a little to the boys that were lining up, whishing them good luck with their training.
As soon as you left the gym, a series of murmurs could be heard among the players:
-She was kinda cute, don't you think?; asked Kosaku, his gaze wandering to the gym's entrance.
-Mhm. But who was she, anyway?; Ginjima joined in, a hand placed on his chin.
-Hopefully not another of the twin's fangirls; Suna interfered on a bored tone.
-Yo, Riseki-kun! I've seen you guys talking, do you know her?; Kosaku questioned the first year, who was helping Akagi setting up the net.
-Yup, she is in my class.
Their conversation picked the captain's interest, as he was moving the cart full of volleyballs.
Hmmm... Is that so?
- That girl seemed pretty nice.
His thoughts were interrupted by Aran, who also listened to the team's comments about you.
-Apparently she was the one who helped the twins get away from their fans, and she was very polite when she addressed to me.; he continued, gaining a quirked brow by the captain.
-What are you implying?
-Why don't we ask her to be our manager? You know coach has been rambling about how we need one since last year: even yesterday he asked us if we found anyone suitable for the job.
-But we haven't got to know her yet. Do you really think she'd be a good choice?
-Worth a shot. I mean, she seemed nice, and besides, she's Riseki's classmate, and I'm sure he would've told us if there was something off about her.
Kita sighted, taking a volleyball from the cart.
- I'll think about it.
[...]
-You ask me to be a WHAT now?
You stared at your classmate in shock, trying to recall what he had just said.
-Our manager.
The two received a few curious stares from the other students' lunch tables, as you started stabbing randomly your onirigi with your chopsticks.
-Uhm, L/N-chan...?
Riseki pointed at your bento, a sweat drop forming on his temple.
-Huh?
You looked down to your food. The delicious onirigis your mother has made for you were now destroyed by your own hands.
Shoot! I really wanted to eat those...
The boy watched as your expression changed into a pout.
Cute; he thought, before continuing:
-I'm sorry, L/N-chan, I didn't want to be insistent. It's just... Since we are a powerhouse, our training is really demanding, and we could really need the help of a manager. You seemed perfect for the role, since you are the most well-organized person I know!
You were a little taken aback by the compliment, especially coming from him. It's been only two weeks since you've started high school, so you haven't interacted that much with him. He was clearly exaggerating.
They actually need a manager, huh? Maybe I could give them a hand....No. I have to focus on my studies, being part of a club would only distract me.
You shook your head, trying to pick up with your chopsticks what was left from the onirigi you've attacked a while ago.
-Thanks for the compliment, but have you seen the players’ fangirls? Applying for the manager position would be like writing my name in a death note!; you exclaimed in an exasperated tone.
-Oh, come on! You handled them pretty well last time.
-Yeah, but that doesn't mean I'd like to deal with those crazy simps every day!
He chuckled lightly as you waved your hands dramatically in the air.
-Look, Riseki-kun, I am flattered that you think so highly of me, but I'll have to refuse. I don't believe I'd be a good manager...I have a lot of things on my shoulders, especially with maintaining my grades up and keep my scholarship. Being a manager would add even more responsibilities on my list, and I don't think I could deal with all of them.
-It's all right. Thank you for your time, though.; he wore a disappointed expression on his face and seeing him like this made your heart sink.
Oh, man! I didn't know he'd be THIS upset with my answer.
When the boy was about to leave the table, you took him by his wrist:
-Wait!
He turned his gaze to you, sparkles of hope appearing in his eyes.
-*Sigh* I'll give it a try.
~end of flashback~
You smiled as you recalled that day in your mind. Being the manager of the Boys Volleyball Club turned out to be the most challenging thing you've ever done in your life. It wasn't only about refilling water bottles, giving towels to the players or taking notes. It was about being part of the team: getting to know them outside the court, dealing with their antics and always supporting them, especially during the matches, when they needed you the most. Since you've joined the club not only you've helped the boys, but also yourself, by allowing your mind to enjoy your first year of high school to the fullest, not just with your nose in books.
-Y/N-chan, are you all right?; asked Akagi, who had noticed how you zoned out.
You turned your face to him, as you finished putting the volleyballs into the cart.
-Yeah, I was thinking about Ojiro-san's comment.
The said boy looked at you, titling his head in confusion.
-You've said you couldn't imagine how this year would've been without me in the club, and to be honest, neither do I.; you spoke, a wide grin on your face.
-This club is part of me now, and there's nothing I would change about it, no matter how chaotic things could get; you said the last part in a teasing way.
The 3rd years started laughing, glad to see you enjoying yourself, for once. They knew how much effort you out into keeping everything under control, and they really appreciated you.
-Ok, I think we've done cleaning for today; announced Kita, putting his broom aside.
-How about we go have snack?; proposed Ren.
-I'm in! ; you stated excitedly, since you felt like your stomach flipped upside down due to hunger. They just chuckled at your reaction, before heading to the locker-rooms.
Yeah, I love this team.