Chapter 2: Rising Platform

"If at first you don't succeed, keep on sucking until you succeed. -Curly Howard"

Soon, the entrance of the gymnasium comes into sight. I dash into the gymnasium. The setting sun bathes the whole interior of the gymnasium in its warm orange glow. I turn on the lights and proceed to the storage room where all the balls are kept.

What am I doing? Students are prohibited entry into the gymnasium after 4pm, except for those with club activities. I should leave right now-

Unfortunately, my brain and body still have absolutely no chemistry with each other. Instead of turning back and walking out (and saving myself from trouble), my hand decides to stupidly take a volleyball which is simultaneously the risk of landing myself into hot soup. Brilliant me.

As I stare at the ball in my hands, I'm still questioning why I did what I just did—break into the gymnasium late in the evening when I should have gone home to watch some inspirational videos of some sort. Then, at the back of my head, I recall Karasuno's fight and the way volleyball has lit up their souls.

Maybe volleyball is the 'one' for me, after all?

I laugh to myself, shaking my head at this ridiculous thought.

Impossible. I always thought volleyball was a sport for masochists…

Nonetheless, it's a glimmer of hope.

I breathe in, throwing the ball high up in the air. Readying myself into a 'receive' position, I stretch my arms out and hit the ball.

…The ball hits my arms, but instead of going up, it flies horizontally across and falls to the ground. Furthermore, my arms hurt like hell after hitting smack with the ball.

"Ow! Is this ball made of iron or something? How do all those volleyball people handle this?" I complain, running to catch the ball. I never knew that a volleyball is supposed to be this hard. Back then, we practiced playing volleyball using a softball in physical education lessons so that the impact on our arms would be subdued. So why is it that those volleyball people are using this kind of ball?

…Are they really masochists?

I repeat the same action again. This time, the impact causes the ball to fly vertically. When it lands, it hits my head.

"Ow!" I groan for the second time.

Several tries later and I quickly get bored of whatever I was trying to do. I either miss the ball completely or it just doesn't go the way I want it to. In other words, it's a pain. Why would anyone even like this sport?

After my failed receives, I decide to set to the wall instead. I get the hang of setting the ball whenever it bounces back, but the ball smacks my head more often when I don't catch it in the right position. Soon enough, I find the routine repetitive and revert back to practicing receives. Of course, I continue to fail miserably.

By the end of it all, I collapse onto the ground, the lights reflecting the sweat on my face.

"What am I even doing? Just because those guys look cool doesn't mean I can look cool too. Ugh, I'm such an idiot," I mumble to myself.

"What are you doing here?"

I jump at the voice and immediately glance towards the door. Entering the gymnasium is a group of males clad in white shirts with turquoise details (except #7 who had a turquoise shirt with white details instead). They are members of the Seijo male volleyball team…!

Gah, this is so embarrassing…! They hadn't witnessed all my failed receives, right?

"Eh? Wait, shouldn't you guys have gone home already?" I blurt out instinctively, face flushing.

"We decided to catch some extra practice," Watari explains. Other than Oikawa, he's the only one I recognise out of the bunch since he's my classmate, which makes this encounter infinite times more embarrassing. Then again, none of them seem as perked up as they were on court. Perhaps the loss against Shiratorizawa is still weighing on their minds.

In an awkward effort to comfort them, I say, "Oh, right. Er, don't beat yourselves up about the loss, okay? You guys did great…"

Seriously, what do you say to comfort someone? What do you say? I've never needed to be comforted before, so I don't know!

"Yeah… Thanks. So what are you doing here, Higashi?" Watari asks. After I get over my nerves, I realise that these volleyball dudes are incredibly tall upon closer inspection. They're at least a head taller than I am! It feels like I'm straining my neck just to look up at them.

"Eh, you know her Watacchi?" Oikawa asks.

"She's a classmate. We're not exactly close though," he explains.

I rack my brains hoping to find the perfect excuse to my (forbidden) presence in the gymnasium.

"Uh… I was looking for something," I say. Lame excuse, but well better than nothing.

"There were sounds of volleyball hitting the ground though-" #2 bluntly states before his mouth is abruptly covered up by Oikawa.

"Mattsun! You shouldn't have such little tact," Oikawa hushes #2 whose name is apparently Mattsun (I can't tell for sure; Oikawa seems to give nicknames for everyone) before turning to me with a brilliantly dazzling smile.

"It's okay; we won't judge! You're here because you're a fan of me, aren't you?"

I blink. Twice, out of utter disbelief. Is narcissism a side effect of being popular? How else can he reach such a conclusion just because I'm in the gymnasium?

The guy beside him hits him. His number is #4, because I'm hopeless in differentiating the guys without those numbers.

"Stop being such a narcissist, Trashykawa!"

Well, dude there has stolen my line.

"Hehe, don't be jealous because you have no girls coming for you, Iwa-chan~" Oikawa chirps. He gets hit again, but I have to say he totally deserves that. How can you dis someone about their lack of romantic life like that? Like yeah, I understand high school students see experience in romance as some noble affair that is to be worshipped, but it shouldn't matter even if they don't have any. I am deeply offended as a single person (who also has no guys coming after me).

Not to mention, he's totally wrong about me being a fangirl. That's two mistakes in a row. Oikawa already isn't giving me a favourable impression.

(Although he'll never beat Itagaki when competing for the Worst First Impression award.)

"Not everything in the world revolves around your stupid ass, Trashykawa!" #4 (Iwa-chan? No way I'm calling him by that) shouts back. I cheer for him in my head.

You tell him, #4!

Since 'fangirl coming to see Oikawa-senpai' sounds more embarrassing than 'novice wanting to try out volleyball for mere interest', I decide to be truthful with my reason for coming.

"No, I didn't come because of that. It's just… Well, I watched your matches, and um, I was inspired, I guess. I just wanted to see if volleyball would be fun," I admit.

That actually sounds like pretty nice flattery. I never knew I had the boot-licking side in me going on.

Hearing my clarification, all the volleyball players practically glitter triumphantly. You may think I'm exaggerating again, but I'm serious! Everyone looks like their egos have been inflated to a max with how there are silly grins plastered all over their faces. It's giving me the creeps actually.

Finally, a voice cuts through the silence.

"I'm an inspiration to a girl…" #5 dramatically reiterates to himself as if that's the most shocking thing in the world. Everyone else sans #13 and Oikawa nod along, their tears flying across the air, defying the act of gravity. The only exception is #13 who's shaking his head just like I am and #4 who's attempting to salvage the situation. Oikawa, on the other hand, is guffawing at everyone. Jerk.

"Yahaba-san, a girl finally finds me cool… She didn't call me lanky!" #12 cries along.

I gawk at all of them.

"You all make it seem like World War 3 has happened… Calm down…" I try to use a pacifying tone to no avail.

Is this a side effect of being in an all-boys team? They look like how they've been deprived of the female presence for centuries!

Anyway, Oikawa and #4 manage to sooth the broken boys' hearts after a while. I suspect a combination of stress and despair from their recent loss has resulted in this display (plus majority of the guys have never been encouraged by the opposite gender before- poor them). All I can do is fidget as I'm watching them perform their magical uplifting speeches. It's amazing, really. I may not like Oikawa right off the bat, but he is no doubt a capable leader (like that stupid Itagaki). Maybe it's a thing for leader-like figures to be jerks.

…I feel greatly out-of-place though. I mean, I've never really felt such overwhelming feelings over a game, so I don't know how else to help pacify them.

After that, the volleyball players introduce themselves to me and I can finally stop referring to them by numbers in my head. Likewise, I officially introduce myself to them. This also means we've become acquaintances from strangers. I really don't know how to feel about that.

"Higashi-chan, is it? It's great you have an interest in volleyball! How about I teach you some things about volleyball?" Yahaba proposes.

"Showoff…" Kindaichi mumbles. I have to agree with him.

"I'm not that interested in volleyball though-" I want to refute since only I know just how much I suck at volleyball and I don't want to humiliate myself in front of experts. Unfortunately, Yahaba is as stubborn as a bull. Before I can say anything else, he is already setting up the volleyball net and waving me over. I would be an ass if I still refuse any longer.

Why, oh why did I have to inflate their egos and get myself into such trouble?

"C'mon, Higa-chan!"

Even Oikawa joins in the party. The rest of the volleyball members send me nods. How can I say no now? I never had the freedom of rejection to begin with, anyway.

And so, I'm dragged into evening volleyball practice with a group of new friends.

This is gonna be fun.

"So, you know the basics right?" Yahaba asks. Everyone else is now on own time own target and has already dispersed to do their individual practice, leaving Yahaba behind to coach me. Thankfully. At least if I'm gonna humiliate myself, not everyone is present to witness it.

"I guess."

At the corner of my eye, I spot Oikawa tossing to Iwaizumi. Iwaizumi strikes the ball with such penetrating force that I feel sad for my pitiful receives earlier on.

"You don't really have to do this, honestly. I'll feel bad taking up your practice time-" I attempt to dissuade him from his enthusiasm, but when he flashes me a blinding smile, I swallow the words building up my throat.

"Nah, it's fine. I'm a reserve setter," he states. I blink.

"Um…"

As if sensing my discomfort, he chuckles.

"You don't have to look at me like that, you know? I don't mind as long as we as a team can win. Oikawa-san is a strong setter, and he can definitely do that."

…Huh? Is this how Karasuno's #2 felt when he replaced #9 as a setter during the match?

Being a reserve means not being able to play in official matches, only acting as a substitute for a regular if any mishap happens to that person. How can these reserves actually bear that? If I was used as a mere replacement for someone, I would be hopping mad and would've rage quitted in a minute.

How can they… still play with all their might?

"Catch."

I raise an eyebrow, snapping out from my thoughts. Yahaba throws the ball right to me, and I fumble with the ball before managing to secure my grip on it. Gah, my ball handling skills are as terrible as my manhandling skills.

"We'll practice your setting first. Set the ball over to me."

He squats, preparing to leap to the air. I raise my hands up high, tossing the ball to the spot which I envision him to aim at. However, I end up underestimating the height at which he jumps at and channeling too little power into the toss, so the ball ends up soaring in a low arc… slamming into Yahaba's face.

"Oomf!"

I pale, immediately rushing to the now motionless setter while frantically asking if he's okay. The other volleyball players cast several glances over. Oikawa erupts into fits of laughter like a volcano.

"Yahaba, do you need first aid?" he cheekily asks.

"Nice one, Higashi," Watari comments teasingly. My forehead wrinkles. It's not nice at all! Now, everyone practically knows that my volleyball skills are horrible enough to threaten the safety of a player!

"It's like how the chibi in Karasuno's serve hit Kageyama's head!" Kindaichi chips in.

"That happened? Ugh, I should've seen that!" Oikawa whines, echoing my exact sentiments. I may even be laughing if I'm not the one stuck in that situation myself.

I apologise profusely to the victim of my setting, bowing my head hundred times over while refusing to look at his eyes. Thankfully, there are no bruises on his face. If not, I'll definitely be known as the 'girl who assaulted a volleyball player with her tossing'.

Yahaba straightens up, laughing along with his teammates. A serene smile crosses his face.

"It's okay, Higashi-chan! It happens. Next time, you should consider the height of the spiker and the approximate position comfortable for the spiker," he advises.

…Why is he so calm for a guy who just got hit on the head?

Wait, what if his senses got hit away?!

"My throwing skills aren't that accurate…" I try to weasel my way out, hoping to convince them that me + volleyball = disaster. Unfortunately, Yahaba's creepy grin is still hanging on his face.

"Well, it takes practice. Now, why don't we get Kindaichi to be the spiker? You won't reject me and Higashi-chan, will you Kindaichi~?" he suggests with a velvety voice as sweet as honey. A sinister foreboding envelopes me. Kindaichi shivers.

I groan.

Today is going to be a long day.

Calm Yahaba is actually scarier than Angry Yahaba, is what I concluded. After that accident, he keeps dragging his juniors and Watari into spiking while leaving the setting job to me. All of them look like they're worried for their heads. Of course, he doesn't go easy on me either. He corrects my stance every few minutes and gives me all sorts of killer drills if my toss is off. By the end of the training, I'm sure if I hadn't hated volleyball already, Yahaba's training would've made me hate it to the core.

I collapse onto the ground again, rubbing my nose upon taking in the stench of sweat in the air. My heart is palpitating against my ribcage, and my muscles are all sore from handling the ball.

"Yahaba-kun is a demon…!" I gasp, voicing my real thoughts for once. Both the mental and physical labour of volleyball has caused the filter of my mouth to malfunction.

"Guess Yahaba has you whipped, Higashi," Watari says.

"Whipped? You make it sound so serious, Watari! I was barely firm!" Yahaba protests with a pout. Yeah, whatever. He's a bigger jerk than Itagaki Ryochi.

I climb up, my legs slightly wobbling from all the squats I had to do.

"…Guess what? I'm done with volleyball. It's nice to meet you all. Goodbye," I say, about to leave when Yahaba gives me that terrifying you-owe-me-a-favour look, coupled with a death glare and eerie smile. My footsteps stop out of my own will.

…Why did I hit Yahaba on the face, out of all people? Stupid, stupid hands!

At the same time, I'm kinda glad I hit Yahaba on the face. He deserves it after all the suffering he has put me through.

"All right, Higa-chan! To celebrate your new entry into the volleyball team, why don't we get some popsicles?" Oikawa suggests. Huh? When was I a part of their gang?

I scowl at Oikawa's goofy grin, betting that he's secretly taking pleasure in my misery.

"That sounds great, Oikawa-san!" Yahaba chortles.

Both of them exchange eye contact, sharing the same devious glint in their eyes. Like senior like junior.

Now, I really can't escape from the volleyball curse. Heaps of regrets become piling in. I should've never gone into the gymnasium to begin with.

Conclusion: Setters are hella scary. So are flying balls.

It's terribly awkward being stuck with a group of boys. They're all exchanging inside jokes I have no clue about and it's pretty evident that they have an intangible bond which I don't quite understand. To use an analogy, I'm like a deliveryman knocking at a door of a house when the owners are having a party with their friends.

Now, the question is: Why am I still here?

Well, I would've tried to make an escape if it isn't for Yahaba keeping me hostage with his eagle-like eyes.

Out of politeness, Matsukawa asks me, "So Higashi, why did you come to see our volleyball match if you're not Oikawa's fan?"

I grimace. Do people only come to watch volleyball if they're Oikawa's fans? No wonder the dude thinks every girl is in love with him or something!

"I'm a member of the cheer team," I explain.

"Isn't that a club for the clubless?" Kunimi bluntly asks.

I nod, laughing awkwardly. See? The cheer team is just so notorious for being a Going Home club.

"Yep. Since I was clubless, I was forced to join, courtesy to Itagaki-san," I continue to explain, layering my words with bitterness.

"Oh, Ita-chan is a really great captain right?" Oikawa asks. Huh? I wasn't aware Oikawa and Itagaki are friends. Birds flock in the same feather.

Also, 'great captain'? Yeah, he's definitely a master in the arts of guilt-tripping.

I smile impassively, shrugging. No way am I gonna lie through my face.

"No offense, but I think being in the cheer team is boring even if I appreciate them and all. Why cheer when you can play?" Hanamaki comments. Nodding vigorously at his comment, I decide that he's my second favourite volleyball club member after Iwaizumi. So on point! I'm at the verge of bringing out the eloquent speech Itagaki has crafted about how noble the job of cheering is just so that we both can laugh about the plotholes of his speech together (which I didn't do so when I first met him, sadly).

Then, Oikawa interrupts me, "Yeah, Makki is right. So, why don't you become our manager, Higa-chan?"

Hearing his request, I bulge my eyes in dramatic fashion while scrutinising him carefully.

...Wait, what? Is Oikawa actually poaching me now? I thought he and Itagaki were friends!

Guess friendship means nothing in front of competition.

"Uh, what does a manager do?" I ask.

Oikawa brightens up, before proceeding to list the duties of a manager.

"Many things! Not only can you watch our volleyball matches, but you can collect data of other teams, devise strategies and of course provide us moral support. It's totally okay even if you can't play volleyball at all!" he throws in the last comment as a not-so-subtle jibe. In a fit of rage, I jab him in the stomach.

"Ow! Higa-chan!"

Ignoring his cries of pain, I beam kindly at him.

"As a noob of volleyball, I don't think I can provide strategies useful enough to help the Seijoh volleyball team. Also, I'm terrible at giving any sort of encouragement whatsoever. So, I have to politely decline," I say, pride filling me when the words flow out of my mouth in a movement as smooth as river. Wow! For once, I've managed to reject someone in a clever manner!

(Although that's totally because Oikawa provoked me.)

Oikawa looks down at me with a confronting stare. He smirks.

"But, we're your inspiration, aren't we? It's a pity if your volleyball journey just stops here!" he claims. I have no idea what he's planning behind that scheming face of his, but somehow, I have a very bad feeling-

"It's okay, Higa-chan! I teach my nephew and other kids volleyball during my free time. You can join them too. In the meantime, you can familiarise yourself with the wonders of volleyball. In no time, you'll be a pro at volleyball under my teaching!"

"Ehh?!" I gasp, momentarily lost for words.

Kid…? So now, my skill is on par with the skill of a kid? I feel insulted (even though it's the truth).

"Don't steal my limelight, Oikawa-san! I was Higashi-chan's original mentor!" Yahaba complains. I'm registering none of his words, though. All I can do is continue to gape at the sly volleyball captain in disbelief.

"The mentor who got hit in the head," Oikawa brightly adds, causing Yahaba to redden.

Unable to assemble a proper string of words, I just stare stupidly at Oikawa with my mouth agape, the word 'kids' replaying in my head like a mantra.

Taking this as a cue, Oikawa says, "Since you're not saying anything, I assume you've accepted my invitation!"

"Stop flirting with girls already, Trashykawa!" Iwaizumi hollers, slamming Oikawa's back. I would have shot Iwaizumi an appreciative glance if it's not for the fact that I'm still as stunned as a vegetable.

So, I'm only as good as a kid is at volleyball…

No way am I taking this lying down!

My brown orbs face Oikawa's with steadfast determination.

"Okay," I say, grit underlying in that single word.

You better watch out, Oinkawa. I'm gonna aim the ball at your head next time for comparing me with a kid!

There concludes my fateful day filled with lots and lots of volleyball. I've earned myself a new idol, new friends (maybe) and two new intimidating mentors.

Is volleyball going to be the 'one' for me? Frankly speaking, I don't think so. When I play volleyball, I pose as a safety hazard to myself and others. Me + volleyball = disaster. But still, it's going to be the closest to a hobby that I can get, I guess.

…Besides, if someone offends me (i.e. Yahaba, Oikawa and Itagaki), I can just toss a ball at their heads and pretend that that's because I suck at volleyball. Perks of being a volleyball sucker.

A/N: I didn't intend for the chapter to have so much crack, but it turned out this way. It'll get serious at some point, I promise! Itagaki: 1. Oikawa: 1. Yahaba: 1. Higashi: 0. Is Higashi ever gonna win someday? Lol, we'll see. xP Also, I think 90% of Haikyu! is about people getting hit HAHA.