A/N: Hey! First things first, thanks to Fumiko Matsubara, LuciaBethel, Madama Crimson, PINKruehls, Krisia Lives To Laugh , MusicalHysteria for following/favoriting this story.
Thanks to Tendo for the nice review.
Second, to clear up some things, this story will follow the original storyline as you can guess and there will be minimal differences arising from the question 'What if Taiga was there?'. Other than that, I will try to write parts that weren't shown in the anime/manga as much as possible because it's fun :)
I'm reading the manga but there won't be spoilers from manga unless we progress fast enough before producers can get to fourth season. Btw, does anyone read manga? I think Asahi was so cool in the last manga chapter ^.^
And lastly, I actually planned to update earlier but internal diseases internship is kinda demanding and I'm not sure if I will even survive it T.T Pray for me, if you can :)
Thanks to LittleWordsOnKites, for beta work!
Disclaimer: I don't own Haikyuu!
Chapter 3: Chemical Change of Encounters
Rival: They give you a purpose in your usually meaningless life.
~Urban Dictionary
Taiga
Everyone have his or her own reasons when playing volleyball. For me, it was my best friend and rival. I can still remember the spark in her eyes, when she came up to tell me that she was joining a volleyball club in our neighborhood when we were in elementary third grade.
Afraid of my best friend was going to find herself another friends, more importantly, another rival, I also joined; not wanting to be left behind.
She was even shorter than me, but she was better in basic plays and she had these perfect receives. Soon, she was a libero on the team, one of the most important positions.
On the other hand, my receiving was shitty. My other plays were average but there was no meaning in me being a regular. I was a powerful girl for my age so the couch thought of making me a spiker, but a tall wall always stood in front of me. I was more than devastated.
Then one day, when it was my turn to serve during a practice, I jumped and tried to aim the ball to the back line. Receivers thought it would be go out of bonds but it was a service ace.
It was so simple and effective.
I did the same thing a couple of more times and after that match, coach called me to his side and told me that I had the natural senses of a pinch server.
I can still remember the excitement and exhilaration I felt that day.
But now, they are buried deep under the feelings of something akin to self-hatred and fear.
When Nishinoya arrived school that morning, there was one thought on his mind: "volleyball."
He was back to school but still not allowed to attend to anything club related. Libero knew that Daichi-san was an awesome person but he would never let Nishinoya practice with them until short boy's detention ended, and that was what he needed to do as captain. However, that meant Nishinoya had to figure out a way to practice volleyball during his time in school, without club. He couldn't sit around when there were things he needed to do, like learning how to block-follow properly.
Mother's team, he liked to call middle-aged ladies who practice in Karasuno indoor gymnasium, didn't start their practice until three hour after school hours, and to libero, even his lunch break was precious. He needed to find a way make use of his time but there was only too much he could practice on his own.
Maybe because libero was so busy thinking about these things that he didn't realize the new classmate sitting on the desk right in front of him when he first stepped into classroom.
It was a surprise for him when biology teacher called the name "Kawanishi Taiga" during roll.
And it was surprise for everyone else in the classroom when Nishinoya jumped up to his feet, pointed his finger towards the girl in front of him and yelled "Aahh, you were going to Karasuno?"
"No." Taiga refused without so much giving a thought when Nishinoya asked her a favor as soon as their first break started.
"Why not?" He asked.
"Because I don't want to do it."
"Duh! And I'm asking why you don't want to. "
Nishinoya's request was that she hit some serves during lunch break and a bit after school so he could practice receiving. Why would she not accept was a mystery to him, because obviously it was the perfect situation. A skilled pinch server like her was a great practice partner for a libero and vice versa. Not to mention, they were acquainted in this convenient time right when Nishinoya was prohibited from club activities and needed another way to make use of his time in school. It was practically Mother Nature's wish that things worked out like this for libero.
"I'm not obliged to explain." Taiga answered.
More like she couldn't really explain that she had a psychosomatic situation going on and her shoulders hurt like hell every time she tried to hit a serve for the last two years, and her performance in that last match was just a coincidence she couldn't quiet understand herself.
"Come on, why are you being stingy?"
More like, why he was acting so friendly all of a sudden?
"Nishinoya, was it?" -she stood up, though that didn't do much to add her height from the floor- "Did you already forget about stealing my shirt and pushing me to the floor? Because I didn't. I will definitely pay you for that time but unfortunately we are in school right now."
A swift kick to his lower leg.
"Argh! Why are you so violent, damn it?" Libero howled, "I was the one who took the t-shirt first. Also, I didn't push you, I just let go of the hanger and you didn't even fall in the end, so what? Not to mention I wasn't even aware that you were a girl."
Libero was completely oblivious to veins popping one after another on brunette's forehead. Some of the surrounding students, who had been watching their interaction with interest, swept their desks away from the pair. And after a few seconds, even Nishinoya realized the air around brunette girl was heating up a few degrees.
Taiga, meanwhile, tried to remember about anger management, yes. She really, really didn't want to get into a trouble at the first day of school. What was she supposed to do? Breathe.
She breathed through her nose.
Get away from the source of your anger.
She passed the persistent boy and started walking towards door.
But what happened next was unexpected. And unfortunate.
"Hey, wait!"
Nishinoya, frowning but not giving up, started walking after her. He was careless not to see a plastic bottle on the floor, just on the spot he was about to step on. So, he stepped, slipped and was about to fall forward but fortunately (or unfortunately), Taiga was right there to break his fall.
Except, she also lost her balance and they fell forward together.
The dean, who was just inspecting classrooms peacefully, choose that specific moment to appear at the door of classroom, stopping the momentum of two students with his body, at the cost of getting blown himself. His wig flew off and floated a bit in the air before landing on Nishinoya's hands.
Well, no one had seen that coming.
What did Taiga not want again?
To get into trouble.
But where was she right now?
In an empty classroom, except for one person.
And why?
Because she got detention: cleaning every classroom in second years' corridor after school, for a week. Not to mention, in the first day of her new school.
Where was she supposed to be instead?
On her way to dojo.
She really wanted to punch something, too.
And her mother would be hearing about this. Knowing the woman, she would just assume Taiga attacked a student again and ended up blowing the dean herself.
The girl sighed. So much for a fresh start.
Nishinoya wasn't happy either, expectedly. He was just silently sweeping under desks, his face cranky, for the first time since Taiga met him. Both of their jackets were shed. Nishinoya was wearing one of his usual t-shirts with a random phrase, not the "One-man army" one -thank god-. Taiga had her long hair in a high ponytail but a few dark brown –nearly crimson- locks were freely caressing her skin at this point. Windows were open, and sounds of soccer club's practice were reaching up to second floor. Also chirping of birds.
"Hey?"
The girl looked up at him. Nishinoya wasn't smirking for once but he was scratching the back of his head. "My bad. It was kind of my mistake."
"Yeah, you totally crashed into me." She said dryly.
"But at least, we got away with just this." He retorted, gesturing to the sweeper and dustpan in his hands.
Take a petulant, headstrong personality with a painful past and put it in a petite body, add some athletic skills and that would be the girl named Kawanishi Taiga. She was difficult from time to time but wasn't a complete bitch. Even Nishinoya was being mature about this; she could do it, too. It wouldn't do any good to be at daggers drawn with him in the same class anyways.
"I guess it couldn't be helped. So its fine."
And his grin had returned, just like that. "Then, will you practice with me?"
He just didn't know when to give up, did he? Was it that important to him?
"Why do you ask me in the first place?" Taiga asked instead of downright refusing, genuinely curious about this wish of him for the first time. "Karasuno has a volleyball club, right? It was a power school for once."
His expression going from grinning to sour, he answered, "Yeah, but right now, I'm banned from club activities. It's only temporary though. I will return. That's why I can't sit around."
His grip on the broom tightened for a second and his brows furrowed slightly, making Taiga think that there was a delicate matter under this. So she was a bit hesitant to inquire further. After a second of watching him tentatively, she took her chance, seeing that Nishinoya didn't really refrain from revealing his prohibition to her. Still, she intoned her question carefully, "Why are you banned?"
"I quarreled with a senpai in the school, pushed the dean away and broke a vase."
What is with that?
Normally, Taiga would laugh at that. But she didn't say anything, pretty sure that there was more to this matter. Somehow, it was easier to act around 'idiot Nishinoya' whom she could yell at and threat. But this 'Nishinoya' was in the complicated zone. And as a simple person, she made it a point not to go there.
There was a silent moment in which neither of them uttered a word and just as it was starting to get awkward, Nishinoya spoke up, saving the mood. She was really grateful to the guy for times like these.
"So how 'bout you? Have you applied for girls' volleyball team yet? You know there's Aya-senpai there. She is totally beautiful, maybe on the same level as Kiyoko-san."
And from that spark in his eyes, Taiga knew the 'idiot' was back. And who the hell was Kiyoko-san?
"I don't plan on entering volleyball team" she corrected him, as she picked up a forgotten notebook from floor to put it in lost and found box.
"Eeh? Why? You serve great like that."
"Are you a complete idiot? I already told you that I quitted volleyball some time ago, didn't I? Besides, I'm doing hand-to-hand combat now. It would be difficult to keep doing both at the same time."
"Oh yeah, that! You know that was totally cool back there. Like in the animes" he exclaimed animatedly.
Sports were usually safe territory for Taiga. Because when you talk about sports it didn't really get awkward or weird. So she genuinely joined his excitement without giving much thought as she smiled unguardedly for once. And suddenly, both of them were jittering in the middle of the classroom.
"I know, right? Hand-to-hand combat is really cool. It is nothing like animes though."
"That guy was like 'boom!' when you beat him."
"Yeah, you're right."
"Serves him right!"
Then Taiga sighed disappointedly, "But now, because of this stupid detention, I will miss practice." She complained.
"Huh, you have a practice right now?" Nishinoya asked, his smirking face immediately getting serious.
"Umm" Taiga gave a quick look at the clock on the wall, "yeah, in ten minutes."
"Then why the heck are you standing here, idiot? Hurry and go."
"But what about the detention?" she asked, "And who are you calling an idiot? "
Libero dodged an angry punch as he answered.
"I will take care of the things here. I can't go to club anyways so at least you go to your practice."
Taiga considered. That would be great, but did she really want to leave everything to Nishinoya as she went to do her own thing?
"No, I can't do that." She declined.
Nishinoya could see why she was hesitating. Oh boy, what a prideful girl.
"It's OK, you can pay me back later, if you want."
"Really?" she raised an eyebrow.
Libero kept the urge to roll his eyes.
"Yeah, really."
"Then…Thanks. I will be going." She bowed only her head, walked to the door before turning back to yell at him "But I will definitely pay back, just so you know!"
"Are you still here?" he yelled back.
Later, he watched from the window as Taiga ran through schoolyard. She ran quite fast.
Kawanishi Taiga looked at the plastic bottle in her hands, blue liquid inside wavered with her small movements. Was it stupid? Would this be considered as thanks? Would he even like it? But a sports drink was the best thing that came to her mind. After all, she didn't know if he liked coffee or tea in the mornings but she knew he was an athlete. And every athlete could use a sports drink; she knew from experience that an extra bottle could be lifesaving sometimes.
So she made up her mind and walked into classroom.
Nishinoya looked up as he heard a thud, to see a drink bottle on his desk and an uncomfortable Kawanishi Taiga holding it, looking away.
"What?" he asked.
"A sports drink." The girl answered.
Libero kept himself from rolling his eyes because by now, he knew enough to be cautious of her violent side. "And why are you giving it to me?"
"Thanks for yesterday" she mumbled. Her face was as though she was in pain and Nishinoya couldn't help raising a laugh; not even caring about her kicks anymore.
"Hahaha, why are you like this?" he took the bottle, "Thanks. Wow! It's an expensive brand, too."
His reaction made a slightly relieving feeling come over her; it seemed like she had been overthinking things.
Taiga turned her back and seated herself. But… "Hey, I don't accept this." This time, Nishinoya was in front of her desk, holding the bottle to her nose.
"Why?" she asked, pushing the bottle away from her face.
"If you wanna thank me for yesterday, practice with me. We will call it even then." He said.
And he had that damn smirk in his face.
That's how Taiga found herself in the schoolyard after day's detention, in her p.e. gear and with a volleyball in her hands. They were using the volleyball court in the garden for p.e. classes; Nishinoya was in the other side of the net. She watched his concentrated stance, knees bent, palms open and eyes focused. He was really different from his usual self.
She exhaled to calm herself, willing her shoulders to relax. Confusingly, they didn't hurt so badly this time. Was it because of the other day? Because she had already played once?
She closed her eyes and cleared her mind of these thoughts to visualize a perfect jump serve, and then opened them.
"Here I go!"
"Bring it!"
"I'm off!" Taiga said as she finished tying her shoelaces. Not that there was anyone to see her off, with her grandparents being asleep.
She had her schoolbag on her back but she was wearing tracksuits instead of her school uniform. Before she stepped out, Taiga stopped and made a mental check to not forget anything important. Microwave oven turned off, water heater also turned off. She went through her pocket to see if she had her cell phone and keys; yes, she had.
She stepped out, and shut the door behind her.
It was bright and early in the morning, much earlier before the classes started and yet she was on her way to school already, because of a certain spikey haired, short libero. This had been their routine for a while now, because apparently, practicing only after school was not enough for Nishinoya. Honestly Taiga didn't know why she chose to indulge him in his wish to meet before school. But well, she always woke up early anyways. Instead of looking through her mother's old atlases of human anatomy, she guessed she could use some change. Their practices were fun too.
Nishinoya was an interesting person, surprising; you never knew what he would do. Well, it was like that at first, but after practicing nearly everyday in the last one and a half week, Taiga could tell some of the things about him. Like his favorite food was Gari Gari-kun popsicles, especially soda flavor but he wasn't really picky when it came to food. His worst subject was contemporary literature and his home was close to school.
When he had revealed that he liked four-character idioms, the pair had become all excited and jumpy, sharing their favorite phrases with each other, using onomatopoeias like 'gya' and 'gat' for description. Though, that had reminded Taiga of 'one-man army' incident, which lead their dialogue to end with a swift kick.
She knew that he absolutely loved his position on court; he would play libero even if he were 2 meters tall. When they played, it was easy to see that he took pride in his skills as a libero and he was greatly skilled. This was a side of him that brunette girl could relate.
He was usually very carefree about most things. Taiga sometimes thought it would be nice to be like him in that aspect.
As Taiga learned so much about the short boy, it was a given that he learned some things about her at the same time. But she was always careful to not let out too much. She only gave unimportant information, like she lived with her grandparents because her parents were working abroad, she liked healthy food, she was interested in medicine –not the reason why, though-, and her life motto was 'simple and efficient'.
When they talked about each other, she was always careful to stay in the safe zone. If their conversation started to go into complicated directions, she would always change the topic. It was simple; she didn't want things to get awkward so she drew a line. She didn't ask too personal questions because it would result in him asking questions in the same nature; also because she didn't need to know.
So Taiga still didn't know what happened back when libero got banned from the volleyball club; she only knew there were some problems. Likewise, Nishinoya didn't have a clue as to what caused her to drop volleyball or why sometimes her shoulders got all stiff, and the girl intended to keep it that way. He kept asking from time to time, though. He was insistent like that, but this was one topic Taiga wouldn't budge.
She was nearing the school when she heard a yelp, a woman's voice. She immediately tried to locate it; and it wasn't hard to do so since noises were still coming. As she turned right to a bystreet, she saw it. Two guys were disturbing a young girl. She frowned and immediately made her way there. Taller of the guys was wearing Karasuno's uniform; he had a muscular build, long brown hair and a beard. He was telling things to the other one from behind. Was he a gang leader or something? As Taiga got closer, she came to the conclusion that he couldn't be her peer, because he seemed like a freaking adult.
"Hey, what the hell do you lowlifes think you're doing?" Taiga shouted as she came to stand between the girl and two guys.
"Huh? Who the hell are you, brat? Move or you will get hurt." Shorter one shouted at her.
Taiga gritted her teeth and veins popped on her forehead. Brat this, brat that, she was really getting sick of it. And what was with this situation?It was like the gods made an effort to bring forward problem assholes for Taiga to deal with, and all of them called her brats.
But maybe this was good; she hadn't punched something in a while, except Nishinoya. Also she got to practice martial arts in real life, too. So she punched the guy, and then threw a light kick to his side as he doubled up with pain.
Meanwhile the goatee in the back was watching the scene with his mouth agape and hands up. Taiga turned to him, and said, "It's your turn now" with a frown, as she cracked her knuckles.
"Aah, huh? Umm, p-p-please wait a s-second." He stammered, his face cyanotic and looking like he was having a hard attack. Oh? Surprisingly, this guy got scared pretty easy, despite his looks. But it was no excuse.
Taiga was just about to move when the blond girl behind her held her arm. "Umm, please wait. You got it wrong. This person" –she pointed the trembling goatee- "was actually trying to help me. He was just trying to talk with the other guy. Please don't attack him."
"Hm?"
Oh, no. Taiga mentally kicked herself. Just how stupid she was, trying to hit a guy without listening him? And he was someone from the school, too. This couldn't be worse. She opened her eyes to peak at the guy; he was keeping his distance, understandably, but at least he was looking back at her.
Taiga bowed deep enough to make her upper body parallel with her legs, her ponytail sweeping the floor, and shouted her apology "I'm so sorry. Please forgive my rudeness. I just thought you were a friend of other guy, disturbing the lady. U-uh, I- I mean it's not that you look like a pervert or a gang leader or anything but-" Great, she just made it worse.
"It's OK." He answered in an unexpectedly gentle tone. Then he scratched the back of his head, "you definitely shocked me back there, but it turned out OK in the end."
She bowed again, very deeply, "I'm honestly very sorry."
"It's fine, don't mind."
She raised her head to look at him; it was funny how he said the 'don't mind' part in English. She flashed a timid smile at him as she asked her next question "Umm, could you be a student in Karasuno high?"
"Yeah, I'm Azumane Asahi, a third year."
Oh, Mother Nature.
A third year. A senpai. Great. It was just so fitting, just very Taiga-like to nearly hit a third year because of a misunderstanding. But thankfully, Azumane-senpai was a great person and he didn't make a big deal of it; even tried to get her to relax as she freaked out about attacking a senpai.
Then, after the other girl thanked them multiple times, and Taiga asked the girl not to tell anyone about her hitting someone, Asahi even offered to walk to school together.
"Though, I'm not sure which one of us need the company, but this guy might have friends." he smiled.
"Uh, hai" –a bow, not too deep this time- "then, please."
As they neared the school, Taiga's phone buzzed in her pocket; she drew it out to see Nishinoya's caller ID. He was calling as expected, as she was kind of late compared to usual. She hung up and typed a quick text instead.
Then she raised her head to look at Asahi, -she literally had to look up to see his face- "Umm Asahi-senpai, you're earlier than normal school time, aren't you? Are you attending some kind of club?"
Asahi smiled, "No, I just happened to come earlier than usual. Are you early because of club activities, Kawanishi?"
"Heh, not really" she answered, laughing weakly. She thought a bit about how to explain the situation best, "Well, there is this extremely persistent guy from my class. I'm just here to practice volleyball with him."
"Volleyball?"
"Hai. Apparently, he is a member of boys' volleyball club but he had some problems with the vice-principal and he is prohibited from club right now. Though it seems like he will be returning about in a week and a half. And for various reasons, I accepted to help him practice his receives until then." Taiga explained.
After she was finished with the story, she realized that Asahi's eyes were wide as he looked at her, and then looked away. Well, she guessed it was a surprising story.
"Volleyball, huh. Is your classmate…good?" Asahi asked then.
"Hai" the girl answered. She had to hand it to Nishinoya, no matter how frustrating of an idiot he was.
"He plays a special defensive position called libero" she tried to explain the importance of the position, "and he is very skilled at it."
"I see."
She never understood why Asahi had made such a profound face after her words, nor the reason he put his large hand on her shoulder and said "Do your best" so sincerely, with a sad smile.
But she shook it off as they parted at the entrance of the schoolyard, and Taiga made her way towards volleyball court.
"You're late! I thought you weren't coming."
"Shut up, things happened."
"What?" Nishinoya asked, spinning the red and green ball with his index finger.
"I beat a guy who was disturbing a young girl and met with a senpai." Taiga answered as she took off her jersey.
"Again? Dang. You're too brave for your own good. Learn to hold back a little."
"I don't want to hear that from you, Mr. I-Blew-Dean's-Wig-Two-Times."
"A-anyways, you're late so tell the rest as we practice." Nishinoya shouted and he threw the ball to the girl.
"Oh, shut up." Taiga said, as she caught it and got into position.
Nishinoya woke up at the sound of chattering, which led him to the conclusion that it was already lunch break. He raised his head from the desk to look around and realized most of the seats were either empty or their occupants sleeping like him. He stretched his muscles with a mild groan before standing up. Classes right before lunch break were the perfect opportunity for a sweet nap and now, it was time to find Ryuu and the others and eat.
Then, the brown haired girl sitting in front of him caught his attention.
Now that he thought about it, he never saw Taiga eat a proper lunch. During lunch breaks she mostly sat on her desk with her nose buried in a book, alone.
"What'cha doin'?" He stepped in front of her desk, his shadow effectively limiting her vision and causing her to look up irritated.
Nishinoya was used to her glares though, he grinned in response.
"I was reading" she answered pointedly, only for energetic libero to ignore her point. He looked at the thick book in her hands. Oh, it was one of her medical books. Taiga had a strange obsession with medicine; she read the books that were used in friggin' medical college.
"Don't you eat lunch?" He asked.
"No."
"You can eat with me and guys."
Taiga stopped glaring at him, as she realized it wasn't really working, instead answered flatly. "I'm not hungry."
"Come on! It's not good to be introvert."
"I'm not introvert, you idiot."
But in the end, Taiga found herself standing on the rooftop, next to Nishinoya, looking at four male students that sat in a semicircle. She knew Tanaka, who had greeted her when she came in, but the other three were looking pretty surprised at this addition to their small lunch group. She felt a sudden urge to kick Nishinoya. Didn't he know that she get uncomfortable and stiff in situations like this?
"Guys, this person is Kawanishi, I've been telling you about." Short libero declared with a loud voice, smiling as widely as always.
And then, he poked the girl next to him with his elbow.
Twice.
"Hey, come on, say hi."
Of course he didn't realize that each poke made veins pop on her forehead, inevitably earning him a swift kick in the leg. She really liked throwing kicks, didn't she? And how was she so damn strong, despite being a girl and shorter than him? -Even if by 1.2 cm only-
"Stop poking me, it hurts!" Taiga shouted.
"That's my line! Why are you always so violent?"
"Because you deserve it." girl shot back immediately.
"Just now, what did I do to deserve it?"
When Nishinoya and Taiga started fighting they always tended to ignore everyone around them. Like now, as they kept bickering without realizing others were looking at them with eyes wide and brows raised.
Now, everyone in volleyball club thought the quarrel between their ace and libero was unfortunate, of course, and wished both of them returned to club as soon as possible. And Ennoshita was sure both Asahi-san and Nishinoya were thinking a lot of things in their own respective ways in this time period. That's why the second year hadn't been much surprised when he heard that Nishinoya had found someone to practice with, in school. He was sure that his hyperactive and stubborn friend wouldn't sit and wait around patiently.
The part that surprised him had been Nishinoya's practice partner being a girl; a girl, Tanaka also befriended during a three-on-three volleyball match against bullies in the park. Not only that story was so crazy on its own, everyone in club knew that Tanaka and Nishinoya couldn't really build normal friendships with girls, getting too excited and shy, resulting with the girl literally running away from them.
But even that part paled in comparison when libero dragged a short, angry-looking girl with him to the rooftop, then got a kick to his leg and suddenly they started arguing, without minding Ennoshita and others at all.
"Hey, that girl just kicked Nishinoya." Narita Kazuhito, a second year middle blocker stated the obvious, as if to confirm he didn't just imagine it.
"I'm more shocked at the fact that Nishinoya is talking to a girl like that." Kinoshita Hisashi, second year wing spiker, chimed in. So Tanaka, who was a bit more familiar with the situation than his peers, took it on himself to explain.
"It's alright, they will calm down in a minute."
And true to his words, the pair stopped fighting soon enough and Nishinoya settled between Ennoshita and Narita comfortably while brown haired girl introduced herself once more, this time bowing properly.
"Kawanishi Taiga, nice to meet you."
Her straight hair was a bright dark brown that border-lined crimson; it was longer than Shimizu-senpai's hair and was pulled back in a high ponytail with some bangs messily falling on her forehead. Despite being short, like Nishinoya, she had a fairly muscular build.
Guys, except Tanaka and Nishinoya, also bowed their heads and she added "Sorry for intrusion."
"Kawanishi-san, you're totally fine. Here, have a seat." Tanaka offered cheerfully.
"Ossu" she said, sitting next to baldy. After she sat down, she looked at the boys more closely. They all seemed like average high school students and didn't have particularly striking details in their appearances like Nishinoya or Tanaka. The one that sat right across her smiled politely and introduced himself, "My name is Ennoshita Chikara, nice to meet you." Following his lead, the other two, Narita Kazuhito and Kinoshita Hisashi also said their names.
"I hear that you've been helping Nishinoya practice, Kawanishi-san." Ennoshita said, after introductions. "Thanks for looking after our important libero."
"Chikaraa, the way you say that feels suspicious, damn it!"
Ennoshita smiled sheepishly as Narita tried to placate Nishinoya, "Now, now."
His appreciation had surprised Taiga, albeit it didn't show except a so slight raise of her brows. "Well, I got help from Nishinoya, too. So, it's fine." She explained. "So, you're also from volleyball club, Ennoshita-san?"
"Everyone here is." Tanaka answered the question.
"Wow, that's great."
Then she occasionally asked them questions like the positions they played but mostly, guys asked her, and Taiga tried to answer them. Was it true that she beat a gang-leader in the park? Yes, it's true. Did she like Karasuno? Well, she liked the uniforms. What was her favorite subject? It was biology, because she wanted to become a doctor. Really, why? Because she thought it was great to be able to save people's life. Wow, cool.
"Come to think of it Kawanishi-san, which high school did you transfer from?" Tanaka asked as he popped a piece of eggroll into his mouth.
Taiga bit her bottom lip in distress. To be honest, she expected something like this could happen. In this nice and relaxed atmosphere, which she enjoyed, there could be a tiny question about her that reminded she was, in reality, so miserable in some ways. It wasn't anyone's fault, really. It was a normal question that wouldn't bother a normal person; but for Taiga it was a different story.
"Uh, I was enrolled to Nekoma High School in Tokyo in my first year."
Only one pair of eyes caught the mild sorrow in her face, as Taiga decidedly stared at Tanaka's lunch box while answering. Nishinoya raised his brows slightly, curious about the distress on his temporary practice partner's face.
"You mean that Nekoma?"
"Yeah, I lived in Tokyo until now."
"But Kawanishi-san, we heard a lot about Nekoma. Supposedly, Karasuno had a rival kind-of relationship with that place when Coach Ukai was here." Ennoshita explained.
"Rival." Taiga mumbled, "That's great."
"Right?" Tanaka said, smirking. "Have you never heard of it in a whole year? Not even once?"
"I wasn't very interested in boys' volleyball, Tanaka. Sorry." She grinned.
"But it's fitting, isn't it?" Ennoshita said suddenly.
Everyone turned questioningly to him, who explained while flashing a kind smile her way. "I mean she is a cat, after all."
After a second, Taiga smiled too, catching his meaning. Though Ennoshita continued his explanation anyways, since others were not as fast as her and they kept looking at him like a bunch of fishes, "You see, 'Taiga' stands for the word 'tiger' in English."
"That's awesome!" Nishinoya and Tanaka simultaneously said while Narita and Kinoshita made fun of the two and Ennoshita scolded all of them for getting out of hand too quickly. The sole girl in the group felt her face flush as she watched her peers.
It's like something warm is spreading inside me. What is this? So embarrassing! But still…
Taiga giggled, making Tanaka and Nishinoya look at her awe-struck.
But still… it was so nice.
"Well, my parents named me that because they hoped I would grow to be a strong and tough person." Taiga explained.
"Is that why you're so violent?" Nishinoya asked. And the nice, warm feeling was gone.
Taiga glared at him.
"Do you want me to punch you?"
"See, this is what I'm talking about!"
And with that, another bickering contest started.
When one person encountered another, it caused a chemical reaction.
Somewhere, at that very moment, an encounter that could've changed the world could've been happened.
Maybe in an incredibly distant country…
Maybe on the other side of the planet…
Or it might be in a normal high school in the northern countryside of a small island country in the east.
A chemical encounter that could change a bitter, tiny girl's life had happened right at Karasuno.
Hm hmm hm hm hmm
Taiga hummed the notes of a song she had distantly heard in Sakanoshita Shoten earlier that day, when they were buying Popsicle with Nishinoya after practice. She made a last addition to her math homework that had been on her table for last one and a half hour. She sighed tiredly, stealing a glance at her medical books; reading a chapter on 'BSL in trauma' was really inviting but she was also very aware of how sleepy she really was. Hitting dozens of jump serves for that mass of energy (a.k.a. Nishinoya Yuu) everyday was seriously taking its toll on her body.
Her phone rang just when she was stretching her back on the chair, trying to ease the stiffness of sitting for a long time. She twirled around a stack of books, tiptoed around sprawled clothes, cursed when she stepped on a nail clipper and finally got to the vibrating device and silencing it with a sweep of her finger.
"Hey mom. What's up?"
And then, she gave the usual report to her mom. Well, of course she conveniently forgot insignificant details such as she had befriended a noisy, impulsive boy and played volleyball with him everyday. No, no, that was just a little detail; no need to go through the trouble of telling her mom and making her freak out. Poor woman panicked about her daughter more than necessary as it is and that worry showed itself in the form of interrogation everyday. Speaking of…
"Of course, I'm taking my pills, like I could for-"
Wait.
Instinctively Taiga looked at her calendar on the wall; there were crosses on everyday, for that day's pill. Well, everyday but today.
"-get it. Uh mom, grandpa is calling me. I will call you back tomorrow, 'kay? Later."
Taiga frowned and kept her gaze fixed on a point on the beige wall of her room to concentrate as she traced back to morning in her mind. She had eaten breakfast, boiled egg and tea; she had heated some bread in microwave. After breakfast she had put away the dishes, got dressed, brushed her teeth and take a pill from the bottle that was right next to toothpaste…
Except, she hadn't. Today she had skipped her pills.
Taiga groped her right shoulder with her left hand. After the first shock went away, she couldn't help a smile touching her lips. She had skipped her pills, yet her shoulder hadn't been aching at all. For two years, she had hated those pills because they always reminded her why she could never be happy and how pathetic she was and yet she couldn't do away with them because of her psychosomatic shoulders, but now she had gone a full day without even realizing.
Next morning, Nishinoya was a bit surprised when Taiga came to practice…different than usual. She actually smiled somewhat prettily when she said, "'Sup, Noya-kun"
Noya-kun…
Right.
Libero couldn't help but grin rather stupidly until her first jump serve hit him in the face.
Oh, well.
Preview
"Um, hello mina-san. I'm Ennoshita Chikara, a second yea-"
"Chikaraa! This place is not for introductions, it's for preview." Nishinoya who had just walked in, corrects.
"That's right." Taiga says, appearing right behind Nishinoya. "Author already did the introduction part for you, so you go on to preview Ennoshita-san!"
"Huh, author?" Ennoshita asks with a confused look while Nishinoya thinks out loud, holding his chin, "But maybe we can add a segment like that where we talk about everyone and all."
"Nice idea, Noya-san!" Tanaka comes into scene.
"Huh, segment?" Ennoshita asks.
"You don't know, right?" Taiga asks him, but then shakes her head, "Anyways! Let's get on with the preview!"
"OK, let's see." Tanaka says and looks through MysteryEarth's notes, "Wow, there's Hinata and Kageyama in next chapter!"
"Huh? Who the hell are they?" Nishinoya asks as Hinata comes into scene, jumping and shouting, "You called me?" followed by Kageyama, who simply greets with a nod.
"Welcome Hinata, Kageyama!" Tanaka says and first years thanks him.
Nishinoya looks confused for a while but shrugs it off, deciding it isn't worth thinking too much.
"I will finally be able to show everyone that I can fly!" Hinata says, opening his arms wide as he smiles. Then he turns to Kageyama, "Kageyama, we will win against everyone who comes our way!"
"Of course!"
"Suga-san will also make an appearance!" Tanaka declares, turning to audience, as the first years start shouting in the back, psyching up.
Ennoshita nods in agreement, looking through his own copy of notes, "We will also learn some shocking truth about Kawanishi-san, ne?"
"That's right! Oh, I can't believe it; Taiga did you really-" Nishinoya says, looking at Tanaka's notes from right.
"Hey, no spoilers!" Taiga cuts her off.
"Spoilers?" three of them asks.
"Never mind. Anyways, Noya-kun will you do it this time?"
"Sure, leave it to me." Nishinoya comes to front, and Taiga steps back as if allowing him to take the stage. Then Nishinoya smirks, "So everyone, next time on Of Redemption and Affection, Confrontation."
A/N: Review please. Pretty please! :)