SET FOR THE SETTER
Oikawa Tooru, the setter of Aobe Josei High Volleyball team and the prince.
It's been 3 years since I fell for him. I even followed him in this school just to see him everyday. Once we've entered Aobe Josei High, he became real popular and I'm no match for all the women chasing him.
It might be pathetic but for those 3 years, I've only talked to him once. It's when he asked for a copy of my notes. Although we're not classmates, one of his fans recommended me. I was happy that he talked to me but then, it never happened again.
"Tooru!"
"It's the prince!"
"I brought you lunch!"
"Wait for us!"
The noise faded. Whenever Oikawa goes, they're present. It's been a year since I stopped doing that. I thought that he's annoyed but he's not showing it since he's the "prince". I know it won't change a thing but I thought that maybe he needs privacy.
"Tadashi!"
"Yes?"
"Please collect the papers and pass it to me later."
"Yes, sir."
I focused on other things. I became the president of our class and it made me busy but it's enough excuse to stop following him.
"Tadashi, thank you."
"Sure. Just place it here."
They started to pass their papers. After passing their papers, they started to go home one by one. I compiled all the papers and went to the faculty room. I placed it on the table of Mr. Sagawa and left.
I want to go straight home but I stopped by the court. I looked at the girls volleyball team but they're mostly composed of the followers of Oikawa. I hate them for joining for that reason.
I looked at the other side of the court. The boys volleyball team are really serious in their practice. I.. I want to join them.
"Excuse me."
"Ah, sorry."
I went aside. I-It's Oikawa.
"You're from our school,right?"
"Y-yes."
Geez. What are you doing? He'll know you're nervous if you'll keep on speaking like that.
"You're part of the girls volleyball team before, right?"
"Yes."
"Then, why didn't join here?"
"The girls volleyball team members are not even interested in the sport."
He didn't reply to that.
"I'm going."
I left him and went home.
He actually remembers me! Not only that but also, he knows that I'm from the girls volleyball team in middle school! I'm super happy! I-I can't believe that I can talk to him again.
The day after, I can't help but go back again. The girls volleyball team aren't practicing. They're only looking at the boys volleyball team.
"Watch out!"
I looked at where the voice came from and volleyball hit me right in the face.
"I'm sorry. I'm really sorry."
A woman. She's the only one practicing in the girls volleyball team.
"It's okay. Don't worry about it."
I can't help but smile. Someone's actually practicing in the middle of this mess.
"Umm..."
"Ah. Sorry. I'm just happy that someone's practicing from the girls volleyball team."
She smiled back.
"I'm not that good but I really want to play", she said.
"What were you practicing?"
"Service."
"Can I borrow that ball?"
"Eh? Sure."
I walked inside the court.
"What will you do?", she asked.
"I'll try to serve."
It's a good thing that its break and all those women went beside Oikawa to flirt with him. I'm also wearing my PE uniform.
"Wanna receive the ball on the other side?"
"Sure."
I wait for her to go to the other side and prepare. I signed a thumbs up to let her know that I'll serve.
It brings back memories. I threw the ball up and jumped. I hit the ball as hard as I can. It passed the net and she went to receive it. She wasn't able to handle the force of the ball and it went up and outside. I saw her hand trembling.
I realized that she's an amateur. It's her first time to receive a ball since no one actually practices here other than her. I ran to her.
"Sorry. I hit it too hard."
She's not looking at me. Is she angry?
She raised her head with a smile on her lips.
"A-Amazing! More! More! More!"
I know how it feels. I know what she feels right now and I can't help but smile with her.
"Sure!"
OIKAWA'S POV
What is she doing?
She tossed the ball high, jumped and hit it hard. That was an amazing serve! With its force and speed, it will be quite hard for a woman to receive that.
"What is she doing?"
"Geez. She's not even part of our team!"
They will never understand how amazing that serve was. They're not real players.
They serve and receive and they kept on repeating it. They're having fun. Both of them are breathing hard but they have a big smile on their faces. I walked towards them.
"Prince?"
"Oikawa-kun? Where are you going?"
I ignored them.
I continued walking towards them then they noticed and stopped playing.
"Oikawa-kun?"
"Tadashi, let me serve and you receive it."
I smiled at the other woman to ask permission and she smiled back.
TADASHI HANA'S POV
Oikawa-kun knows my name... Oikawa-kun... Oikawa-kun knows my name! I really want to shout it but I'll just keep it to myself.
But what did he say? I'll receive his serve? Well, I'll take it as a challenge.
OIKAWA'S POV
I won't hold back even if she's a woman.
I remember her. She was the setter of their team at the same time, a talented spiker but unfortunately, she stopped.
I threw my usual serve to her with the full force that I use in tournaments.
The ball flew up high.
A-A-Amazing.. She received it. I looked at her. She's smiling yet there's a different aura coming out of her. Rather than simply enjoying it, she's also taking it as a challenge and a victory.
I stood up straight and walked towards her.
"Join the volleyball team."
HANA'S POV
Huh? But..
"I don't know. I love volleyball but with this kind of team..."
The women in the team heard this and protested.
"What?!"
"With this kind of team, huh?"
"Get out!"
I- I need to say it!
"Shut up! You're not even volleyball players!"
"How dare you say that to us?!"
"You don't even practice! Not even exercises! And look at your clothes! Is that what a volleyball player should look like?!"
They're all wearing accessories in their hands and neck. Some of them even wear heels even with their varsity uniform. Their hair are also tied into different styles not appropriate in playing.
"YOU'RE ALL HERE JUST TO SEE OIKAWA-KUN!"
And I ran away. Pathetic. I was right but then I'm the one running away.
OIKAWA'S POV
"YOU'RE ALL HERE JUST TO SEE OIKAWA-KUN!"
That caught me off guard.
She ran.
"I'll be right back."
I searched for her. We need someone like her in the girls volleyball team. She's experienced compared to those in the team. I heard someone running at the back of the B building. I peeked and saw her. She's running, sometimes jumping while telling herself off.
"Geez! You're really stupid! Why did you say that?!"
"Stupid! They'll come back to you!"
"They're too many for you to fight!"
"Arghhh! Stupid! Idiot!"
A-Amazing. I'm totally speechless. I can't believe that she can be like this. Although I don't really know her well but its too out of character.
I stepped forward and it made a noise. She looked at me like she's going to kill me.
When she saw me, she immediately turned her back to me and wiped her tears. She faced me but didn't looked at me. She walked and passed me.
"Wait."
This woman doesn't listen to me. Geez.
I reached out for her wrist to stop her.
"Umm. Please let go. I want to go home."
"I won't. Let me talk to you then that's the time I'll let you go."
"Who are you to dictate me?"
She tried to separate from me but I won't let that happen.
"Fine."
We sat at a bench nearby and I talked to her.
"Why did you stop playing?"
"I can't say it to you."
Before I can ask another question, she asked me something.
"How come you know me?"
"Well, you're always practicing and you're the setter. I'm interested in every team's setter."
"Why not join again?", I asked her.
"I can't and I have a reason that I can't say to you."
She stood up.
"I'm going."
And this time, I let her.
HANA'S POV
All of Oikawa-kun's question only has one answer. I don't want to see him again everyday. I might return back to the way I used to be.
I won't go back but...
That woman practicing on her own... She looked really happy when I played with her. She might be thinking that she finally have someone, a member that will play seriously.
I'll worry about that tomorrow.