Chapter 3: Gray
Practice was noisier than usual, especially when the numbers have tripled. Nekoma and Fukurodani have lived up to their reputation and it was a really enjoyable time playing with them. Sounds of quick footsteps echoed across the hall as the year twos from both teams as they did three rounds as a form of punishment for losing each friendly match against the year threes. Loud smacking could be heard as the year ones did some clumsy receives and wobbly spikes. The only voices that were heard would be from the year threes, shouting out directions, orders and warning to the juniors. In short, I would say the first training was going rather well with nearly little hiccups so far, except for the year ones who apparently bicker over the tiniest things.
"Hey! Grab another ball and don't fight over one! There plenty over here," I snapped as I tossed a ball at the two squabbling year ones. Seriously, both of them are good players, but they honestly don't have to fight with each other to show their superiority.
"Someone is snappy again," teased Chiyo as she gently shoved me in amusement.
And irk mark formed on my head as I glowed at both of them for their immaturity. They meekly broke up and took a ball each and went in separate directions to practice. "Honestly, I don't know how to put up with their childishness."
"That's cause you are such a mama," chirped Chiyo as she set me a ball. On pure instinct, I dipped my legs, my calves flexing as I leapt into the air as I swung my right hand. With enough experience, my palm connected the ball at its peak height, slamming it down towards the cold hard court.
"Shion-chan, please spare the floor," teased Akane as she briefly bowed and quickly leapt away as I stuck out my foot to give her a small kick. "Can both of you stop ganging up one me" I pouted as quickly received a stray ball that happened to fly in my direction.
"I'm so sorry," cried this year one Nekoma player as she came running for her ball. She quickly picked up the ball before bowing a few times frantically and scurried away, seemingly in fright.
"It's ok," I called out to her disappearing form as she ran behind the court adjacent to mine. I sighed; I must have just traumatized another junior.
"Do I honestly seem so scary?" I sighed as I turned to Chiyo and Akane who were smirking at me. A "I told you so" look plastered on their face as they broke into giggles as I gave them my trademark unamsued look. Honestly I don't see how a semi annoyed, semi done for look can be hilarious but apparently many people think so. Groaning in defeat I turned around about to pick a ball when Kazumi called out to us, saying that we were going to start a friendly match. The first game of the year it is, I thought as I stretched out my arms in front of me, loosening the impatient muscles that are all ready for a real game. We got into our positions, Chiyo as the setter, Tsukiko as the right wing spiker, Momo and Kazumi as the middle blockers and Aimi and I as the left wing spiker.
As the whistle blew, squeaks echoed in the hall as we leapt onto our toes for greater mobility. Chiyo started the match with a jump serve, throwing the ball expertly with a hand before leaping forward to spike the ball over the net in a neat arc. The libero of Nekoma dived in for a clean save, effectively bringing the ball to the setter. The ball was then tossed over to the right spiker and she smacked the ball over the net, nearly evading Aimi and Momo's block. The ball touched the tip of Momo's fingers, losing speed and falling fairly easily into Kazumi's receiving arms before sending to it back to Chiyo.
I scrambled to the left side of the court as Chiyo sent the ball in my direction. Double jumping, the middle blockers from the opposing team leapt a little too early as I arched back and slammed the ball across the net into the unmarked space at the centre of the court. The libero skidded across the floor, her fingers nearly coming between the ball and floor. The ball came into contact with the ground with a soft thud and the whistle blew as our side gains the first point.
The second serve proceeded with another round of rally, with Nekoma gaining the point. With almost equal strength between the two teams, it was a game that involved a lot of rubbing shoulders and match points. The game became tough when we passed the match points.
Thump. The ball flew wildly back into the middle of the court as I skidded across the ground after that messy receive. I could feel my skin burning as I leapt back to my feet, my thighs and forearms were seared red but I could barely care. All I could hear and feel around me was the sound of my heart, the screeches of court shoes and the disorganized shouting from both teams.
"Umph!" growled Akane as she received the ball from a powerful spike, the ball haphazardly flying across the court. "Sorry! Chiyo cover it!"
"Right!"
I found myself running towards the net, the ball soaring towards my direction. Where should I spike it? I thought as I leapt into the air. I glanced around for a split second but this time there weren't any unmarked spaces for me to hit a clean spike to end the match. That moment of hesitation faded as I opted for the most effortless but effective way. A dump. I tipped the ball slightly behind the middle blockers who came up in front of me. In a split second, the ball hit the ground and the final whistle blew. The first set ended and belonged to us. Cheers erupted from the juniors as we shook hands with other team.
"Shiroyama-san! I'm really amazed by your skills! I'm really looking forward to learn from you!" gasped Nekoma's Libero, Kana as she shook my hand excitedly.
"You are pretty good yourself Kana-san!" I smiled in delight as she continued to bombard me with questions.
"You really live up to what the magazines write about you! Your spike timings are really precise and the accuracy is insane. How do you manage to hit the ball just at the corner? I have been a fan since we were year one but I never really got to talk to you before."
"Oh gosh please don't say that! You are really good to! Your saves are amazing, I'm really impressed how you dive for the ball and can instantly recover within mere seconds."
"If you guys don't mind, leave the conversation for later, we have a training to attend to, vice captain," snickered Momo as she walked past me and bumped against my shoulder. I sent her a glare before sheepishly apologizing to Kana.
"No no! I'm sorry I'm the one who started the conversation! Hope to talk to you later, Shiroyama-chan!" giggled Kana as she ran off, stopping midway to receive a stray ball from a year one before running towards her captain.
"Stupid Momo," I gritted my teeth and walked towards Chiyo who was waiting for me. We spent a good few minutes tossing and receiving before working on her toss and my spikes. A burst of adrenaline coursed through my veins as I rushed forward to meet the ball. Arching my back I aimed for a clean spike when a pair of hands emerged in front of me followed by a familiar smug face. Kuroo. Like a tiger, he extended his hands above the net, his outstretched arms effectively blocking the ball. The ball landed with a dull thud as my feet contacted with the ground again.
My mouth gaped open in shock from the surprise defend, unable to react and comprehend the situation. In front of me, he just smirked in amusement as he placed his hands on his hips and look back at me.
"Omg that was some awesome defence," gasped Chiyo as she walked to my side, "seems like you mesmerized someone." Grinned Chiyo slyly as she nudged me.
"Wait what no." I stuttered, "I'm just- I mean I'm shocked and surprised and uh yea. I'm surprised." I mentally slapped myself as both of them laughed at me.
"You looked like you had never seen a middle blocker defend your spike before, Shiroyama-chan." Teased Kuroo as he ducked under the net and crossed over to the other side. His hair was sleeked with sweat as he combed his spiky mess of hair, only to have it spring back into the same mess as before.
And irk mark appeared on my forehead as I got ready to retort, "Well that's quite true since everyone is afraid of her spike," Chiyo interrupted, making my brow twitch in annoyance.
"Seriously Chiyo must you always say that? And no, I've seen many middle blockers in my life." I said glowering at Kuroo as I placed my hands on my hip.
"Then I'm the first to mesmerize you then?" he commented without a single hint of embarrassment.
"You-" I started as I pointed my index finger in an accusing manner, only to be intercepted by his index finger.
"Eh you are blushing now," he chuckled as I scrunched up my face, my eyes reducing to slits as I glared at him. "How cute."
"I'm not! You are so shameless," I exclaimed indignantly, fighting the blush that was really creeping up my face now.
"Ah, there's a difference being shameless and pointing out the truth. What's with the pink shade on your face then?"
My first instinct was to touch my face, which turned out to be a really bad move as I got caught in his trap. I silently cursed myself again as he laughed at my bashful actions.
"Argh! I give up I'm going to train. Bye," I started to turn only to have someone running right in front of me.
"SHIROYAMA-CHAN! TRAIN WITH US!" shriek Bokuto as he charged right into my face. My ears went deaf for a few seconds followed by a minute of hazy buzzing in my ears. Behind me, Kuroo laughed as I scowled at the boisterous owl head. I was ready to shove mr overly-enthusiast out of my face when I spot a familiar sight walking towards us.
"Keiji!" I called out enthusiastically as I expertly evade Bokuto and rushed over to talk to my neighbour. He was right beside Kenma, both walking in mutual silence.
"Hey aneki, what are you doing?" greeted Keiji rather reservedly unlike his two good friends.
"Supposedly training but those two interrupted," I glowered at the grey owl head and black rooster head. "They insist on training with me."
"That's okay isn't it?" replied Keiji, cocking his head towards the side like an owl, "after all its past official training hours and the coaches are paying more attention to the juniors now."
"EXACTLY! SO YOU CAN TRAIN WITH US!" Bokuto declared puffing out his chest proudly as Kuroo walked over and ruffled Kenma's head.
"I wouldn't want to train with you," I pointedly told the grey hair wing spiker.
"Well, don't you want to train with someone much taller and stronger and you can learn from one of the top five national spiker and the one who can block his spikes?" grinned Kuroo as he spun a ball between his palms.
Now this sounds deliciously tempting. "And why would you help me when I'm on the opposing team?" I eyed him suspiciously. Bokuto stared blankly in shock while Keiji stifled a laugh, finding his neighbour amusingly funny. Kuroo on the other hand seemed to have prepared his script. Dropping the ball dramatically, he feigned hurt as he exclaimed about how this joint training was about learning and sharing with one another and not be selfish with our techniques. This guy has either a gift for talking and teasing or he is simply a drama queen stuck in the wrong club.
"I'm training with Chiyo already, right Chiyo?" I came out with the lamest excuse and smiled smugly at him before turning to find Chiyo. Or I should say where I thought Chiyo was because what was left was a glaringly empty spot. Great she ran off to join Akane amidst my bicker with the guys. I reluctantly turned back to greet his smug face with the invisible words "I won" written in clear prints. I really want to crush his face and wipe that stupid grin of his unforgiving handsome face.
"OHO! WE WON!" He grinned excitedly turning to a semi-confused Bokuto and raised his hands for a high five. Regardless whether Bokuto knew what happened in the last minute, he still reciprocate the high five enthusiastically. I was instantly dragged onto the court by the middle blocker and wing spiker, Keiji stood there looking very done with their actions, but still sighed and joined us. Kenma on the other hand walked off saying that he had to check his phone, Kuroo gave him a nod telling him that he will be done in an hour.
To say I didn't enjoy that practice was an entire lie, I learnt so much in just an hour. I've seen Keiji's steady toss since I was twelve and can easily spike his tosses. Bokuto's spikes were not unfamiliar either, his power is amazing, in the spur of the moment, all his ridiculous and boisterous enthusiasm is channeled into his spike, the ball blazing a trail though the air like a fireball, nearly unstoppable. What amazed me the most was Kuroo's blocking skills. His stats do no justice to his skills. Not only is he a solid receiver, his open spikes are effective despite not being as powerful as Bokuto's. But the most impressive is his flexibility and his threatening block. With his height and outstretched arms, he is capable of blocking Bokuto's spikes, frequent enough to make the wing spiker howl and yell in frustration. The latter of course kept it down when Keiji refused to toss the ball to him if he continued his childish antics.
Training ended at around seven when the keeper came in to lock up the hall, with nearly hundred pairs of hands available, clearing the hall was a simple task that lasted only 10minutes. I grabbed my bag and followed my team out, throwing my arms around Chiyo and Akane as I chatted with them till we reach the school gate before waving goodbye to find Keiji and head home together. If only it was the two of us.
"Shiroyama-chan we are following Keiji and you back!"
I sighed in defeat too tired to evade Bokuto's hug as he grabbed my shoulder and Keiji's and crushed us against himself. He has no sense of personal space. Kuroo on the other hand walked behind us with Kenma making sure the younger setter don't walk into a lamp post while looking at his phone. The party of five lessened to two as we got off the train, Keiji and I walking in silence till we were outside my house. Saying our goodbyes, he patiently waited outside my gate to make sure I was safely in the house before going back to his. Age sometimes does not determine maturity. Keiji and Bokuto are perfectly excellent examples.
A/N: Keiji has a lot of bothersome friends to deal with. So does Shion. Hope you enjoy and please review, favourite or follow if you have enjoyed the story thus far or if you have any suggestions:)
Disclaimer: Everything except for my Shishiki characters belong to Furudate Haruichi sensei!