I don't know what happened. I posted last chapter and suddenly there were three reviews and so many favorites and follows! Thank you all! It made me so happy I almost cried! :D

CocoaFirefly : This story is definitely going to be a slow-burn. On all sides. Plus the drama-bonus necessary for all good stories! :P I'm glad the charracters are IC for now, I hope it will keep going like that! ;)

SoulXHunter : Bluntness. A perfect word to describe Ayaka! I never would have thought of it myself, thank you! XD She will help Bokuto, but Akaashi as well and later, the rest of the team - she isn't Bokuto's manager after all, but the whole team's. The bonding starts in this chapter, but it will take some time for Ayaka to get used to the overwhelming Ace.

NekoGatoCat : Thank you for your review, it made me very happy! :D I hope you'll like what follows! ^^

FANFICTION

HAIKYUU! : SOWLMATES

CHAPTER IV : Cut Out for the Job

"A wise manager knows that it is sometimes more important to listen than to talk."

― Eraldo Banovac

"I worked out what would make me happy, and I worked out what I wanted to do, and I trained myself to do the job that would make those two things happen'

'You make it sound so simple.'

'It is simple,' he said. 'The thing is, it's also a lot of hard work. And people don't want to put in a lot of work."

― Jojo Moyes, Me Before You

Ayaka and Ami were talking, sitting next to each other, Akaashi silently eating his bento next to the girls with one of his friend, the male class representative. It was a rather peaceful day, and a peaceful lunch, until a voice all too familiar, made the two members of the volleyball team cringe despite themselves.

"Akaagshi! Kanento!"

They sighed, slightly annoyed to be bothered on a day off. Ami chuckled in amusement upon seeing Ayaka's face. Before the group of four knew it, Bokuto was standing next to them, almost bouncing in excitement.

"Agaashi! Kaneto! Are you free after school?" He asked enthusiastically.

"Today is a day off from club, Bokuto-san," Kanemoto answered calmly, turning around to look up at her senpai.

"I know, I know, but yesterday the straight was starting to take form – until you forced us to stop…" He added with a pout, "I want to try again today! So? So?"

"…I don't mind but… we don't have the changing-room's key, the third-year have it today." Akaashi answered – as if such a minor detail could stop Bokuto.

"Ah AH!" Bokuto laughed, putting proud hands on his hips.

He took out a single key from his pocket, making it spine around his finger with its keychain.

"Go ahead, am I not the best senpai you've ever had?" He asked with a proud smirk.

"Woow… it's crazy, I just cannot get over how amazing you can be, Bokuto-san…" Ayaka said with a monotonous voice and deadpanned expression.

"Ahah, I know, I know!" He exclaimed, not at all perceiving the mockery in her voice.

Once again, Ami had to hold back her laugh and turned away from them, hiding her mouth behind her hand. The class representative only looked between the different people with a very confused expression.

"How did you convince Matsuoka-senpai to give you the key of the changing room? You are the last person who could possibly be responsible about this key," Akaashi said with a little frown.

"I'll tell you when you're older, Akaashi-kun!" Bokuto said very proudly.

"It sounded so wrong coming from your mouth, Bokuto-san."

"But! AkEEEaashi!"

Suddenly, Bokuto winced lightly and his arm trembled. He stopped making the key spinning and he brought a hand up on his shoulder. Immediately, Kanemoto and Akaashi had very serious expressions on their faces.

"Bokuto-san, are you hurt?" Akaashi asked.

"No, not hurt, just sore from practice but–"

"Did you massage your muscles? Did you put any cream or oil yesterday?" Kanemoto asked, standing up from her desk.

"No, but–"

"No practice today," she decided.

"BUT! Ka-ne-mo-tooo! It's not fair!" Bokuto exclaimed, pouting like a child.

She frowned, glaring at him and he hesitated a moment under her hard look.

"There is more chances for you to get hurt when practicing on sore and strained muscles. You're going to the infirmary right now to apply some cream."

He lifted up his hand, pointing an accusing finger at her to start shouting but before he had time to say a word, faster than he thought Ayaka could be, she swiftly grabbed the key dangling from his finger and threw it at Akaashi who caught it without trouble.

"Bring this key back to Matsuoka-senpai and tell him not to listen to Bokuto anymore, ever again. I'm bringing this idiot to the infirmary."

"I won't go to see the nurse…" Bokuto stubbornly said.

"Stop arguing – manager's orders!" She exclaimed, glaring at him for being so childish.

He chuckled, looking down at her petite figure trying to stand taller against him.

"As if you could possibly force me to- OW!"

She caught his ear, forcing him to twist around to try and ease the pain. Bokuto started shouting while she dragged him out of the classroom by the ear, ignoring everyone's astonished faces upon the unusual scene.

"OW! Oooww! All right! All ri– I'm – aie! I'm going! Kanemoto-san!"

Akaashi, the only one not phased by the screams of the Ace, got up slowly before going to look for the third-year Vice-Captain who might be looking for a key at this very moment.

Once Ayaka was sure Bokuto would follow her to the infirmary, she let him go. He pouted and brushed his sore, red ear the rest of the way, tears in his eyes. Unfortunately, the nurse wasn't here, probably having her lunch. Kanemoto started looking for something in the different cupboards while Bokuto was starting to pull and play with the skeleton.

"Ah, I found some massage oil that will ease the soreness," Ayaka said after finding what she was looking for.

She turned around and stared at Bokuto who was holding the skeleton's hand and pulling at the hip bone as if dancing a waltz.

"What are you doing?" She asked with an exasperated voice.

He giggled like a child and she sighed.

"You do know you're playing with a human skeleton. What if you break something when we're here?"

"It's all right! These skeletons are made of plastic anyway!"

"…Not this one. This one comes from an actual human."

Bokuto froze then slowly let go of the bones, taking a step away from the clicking body.

"By 'actual human' you mean…?"

"A human being, like you and me, the only difference is that this one," she continued, pointing at the skeleton, "is dead and its organs, flesh and skin are gone."

The owl-boy swallowed loudly then walked back towards the girl, as if she would protect him from the skeleton's wrath after being played with by a high-schooler.

"How can you know that?"

"Because of the tiny foramina you can see on the bones if you look close enough."

"The for a-what?"

"Tiny, tiny holes where the muscles and veins used to be and connect the bones with one another. You don't see it from here, but if you look closely, you'll see the tiny holes…"

Bokuto glanced back suspiciously at the skeleton, deciding not to check for these holes. The pot of massage oil was put into his hands by Kanemoto, forcing him to look back at her.

"Apply this where it hurts and by tomorrow, the soreness will be gone. Don't force on your arms today, ok?"

The boy looked slightly confused and started reading the instructions at the back of the pot. Ayaka turned around and was about to leave but Bokuto grabbed her wrist.

"Wait, my back is also sore… could you…?"

He pointed with his chin over his shoulder, indicating his back.

"I got it, you don't want to do it yourself…" She mumbled to which he gave a sheepish smile.

Without waiting any more, he quickly pulled at his tie and took off jacket and t-shirts. Ayaka carefully remained with her back turned from him. If she had no choice but to see him without his t-shirts, she definitely wouldn't watch him executing the action of taking off his clothes. Her eye still caught the reflection on the side-mirror. If she hadn't glanced, she wouldn't have seen him wince and slow down when he pulled up his t-shirt.

Bokuto was a good sportive who was practicing regularly. Having sore muscles was normal but to the point of wincing, it just showed how strained his muscles really were.

Once Ayaka heard him sit on a chair, she turned around, taking the pot of massaging oil. She took some on her hands then approached him. Before touching him, though, she froze. Bokuto was calm and turned back to her but looking at him right now, she was suddenly aware that he was a young man. His muscle and arms were more muscly than she would have expected, especially considering his constant childish behavior…

"Kanemoto?"

Ayaka startled at his voice and he looked over his shoulder. She blushed terribly then quickly smacked her hands on his back, so suddenly and quickly she heard the slapping sound of her hands against his skin and his strangled scream.

"Ouch! It hurt…!"

"S-sorry…" She apologized, biting her lower lip in embarrassment.

She ignored her flushed cheeks and focused on massaging his shoulders and back. Even under her fingertips, she could feel how hot and hard the muscles were – and it wasn't caused by his body heat or the fact that he was, well, toned. It was from constantly, everyday, overworking his muscles.

"Bokuto-san?"

"Mhm?" He asked, eyes closed and enjoying how it felt to actually being given a massage.

"Why do you push yourself so much?" She asked.

His smile disappeared and he slowly opened his eyes. Ayaka couldn't see his expression but for once, she could feel that he was serious.

"Why wouldn't I?" He asked with a deep voice.

She finished massaging him then pulled away. Koutarou could feel the warmth where her hands had been but he took his tank top and pulled it above his head, making sure he wouldn't mess up his hairstyle.

Ayaka washed her hands, a grimace on her face from the oily sensation. Bokuto stared at her for a moment over his shoulder before smiling softly upon realizing that when she was frowning, her nose wrinkled. He put on his t-shirt and jacket, moving much easier now.

"I must admit it, you surprised me today," he said, turning around with the blue and white tie of Fukurodani in his hands to face the girl.

She looked up at him in slight confusion and he grinned:

"I would have never expected you to be so bossy with me! But it did a lot of good, I can already feel it being effective!" He added, swinging his arm around.

"Don't push it, be careful," she said, shaking her head in desperation.

Thinking back of her previous question, a serious expression appeared on Bokuto's face, surprising Ayaka.

"Kanemoto, ahem… y'know, I know you don't like volleyball the way I do but… you being a manager… how can I say that?" He hesitated, putting a hand in the back of his neck and frowning from concentration, "It's a very good thing? I'm glad you became our manager and you're supporting me, and Akaashi as well, into practicing straights, y'know…?"

He patted her shoulder awkwardly then grinned happily.

"No matter what you think, I think you were cut out for the job! You were meant to be a manager, Kanemoto!" He said with an enthusiasm that made her chuckle despite all.

A few days later…

Ayaka watched another ball hit the net before falling at Bokuto's feet. The owl-boy was breathing so heavily that his chest was heaving up and down to the point of hurting his chest muscles – it hurt Ayaka just to see him like that.

"Damn!" He swore, frowning.

Akaashi took a deep breath then leaned forward, putting his hands on his knees, hardly breathing as well.

"Let's… let's stop for today, Bokuto-san…" He said between huffs of breathe, but it sounded more like a pleading.

They were exhausted. It had been a week that they were practicing, mostly straights, after the usual practice under Ayaka's vigilant gaze and with her help. Bokuto had asked Coach Yamiji to practice straights even during regular practice but after a few more failures, the coach had asked the Ace to focus on what he already knew. It had, of course, annoyed to the highest point Bokuto, which was why the little progress he had done over a week was now, gone.

"Bokuto-san, you should rest," Ayaka said with a sigh, at a loss at what to do.

"N-no, I-I need to get the straights if I want to win…" He said, his voice hissing from the lack of air and head hanging low from leaning against his knees, "I can't be the Ace if I keep getting blocked… I have to win next time–"

"Bokuto-san," Akaashi interrupted, straightening up and frowning slightly.

His voice was hard and the unusual tone made Bokuto look up, slightly shocked by his kouhai's sudden change of behavior.

"You are not alone in volleyball," he simply said.

Koutarou's eyes widened slightly before his lips turned into a sharp line.

"Once more…" He said through his teeth.

Akaashi sighed and glanced at Ayaka who took up a ball from the ground as Bokuto went to place himself a few meters behind.

"You shouldn't push it, Bokuto-san…" The young girl intervened.

"Once more!" Bokuto snapped, turning towards the two of them so suddenly they startled.

The girl dropped the ball and quickly leaned down to grab it. The Ace was so annoyed – angry, rather – that he didn't notice the first-years' reaction. He didn't notice how he had snapped and how stubborn and senseless he was being right now…

Ayaka glanced at Akaashi who took a deep breath before nodding, ready to receive the ball. She threw it up in the air above his head and he placed himself while Bokuto started running towards them. Akaashi tossed the ball and Bokuto jumped with a perfect form despite his exhaustion. His arm swung down but when the ball went over the net, it was a cross that ended up at the other side of the court, so out that even Ayaka could have done better.

Bokuto landed back on the floor and groaned, clenching angrily his fists. Akaashi looked back at him without a word.

"DAMN IT!" Koutarou shouted, turning around sharply, "Why Can't I spike straights?!"

Ignoring Ayaka, he grabbed a ball from the cart and threw it up in the air before slamming it down on the ground. The angle of the ball was sharp and with his speed and strength, he leaned forward from the momentum. When the ball rebounded against the floor, it flew right up in his face and Bokuto gasped in pain, falling backwards on his behind, hands flying on his face.

"Bokuto!" Ayaka screamed, running to his side.

"I never thought I'd ever see someone getting hit by his own ball…" Akaashi commented with wide eyes, impressed by the way the ball had just flown right back to the Ace's face.

Ayaka glared at him as she put her hands on Bokuto's ones. He still kept his face hidden in his hands, his entire body shaking but she couldn't tell if it was exhaustion, pain or anger – probably all three.

"D-daaaaamn…" He mumbled against his palms.

She hadn't seen a thing: first Bokuto was shouting after landing and then, he was spiking a ball at the floor that flew right back in his face. His speed would almost be impressive, if it hadn't frightened her to the bone. The sound his head had made when it had snapped back, the violence with which he had fallen… She didn't want to be in his balls' way. Ever.

"Bokuto-san, let me see, where does it hurt?" Ayaka asked softly.

She pulled lightly at his shaking hands and her eyes widened slightly. Bokuto's face was completely red but mostly, his nose was bleeding. And his eyes were filled with tears… As soon as Ayaka saw his face, Bokuto closed tightly his eyes and let the tears roll down. Tears of anger, annoyance, desperation and pain…

"I call myself Fukurodani's Ace but… but… I suck at it…" He blubbered miserably, blood dripping over his lips and chin.

"Bokuto-san…" Akaashi murmured with widened eyes, realizing that even if Bokuto always acted overly confident and childish, he was just scared of failing.

Ayaka breathed out, relieved to know Bokuto wasn't at least badly hurt. She put her hand under his chin, forcing him to lift up his head and open his eyes to look at her. His golden eyes were shining, filled with baby tears…

"Your nose isn't broken which is a good thing. You don't seem to have a concussion either but you would have to go see a doctor to be a hundred percent sure. Does your neck hurt? It snapped backwards pretty badly."

"I-it's fine…" He answered with a shaking voice, too astonished to do anything else.

Bokuto tried to sniff because of the snot but the blood made it impossible. He whined from the flash of pain it had triggered and covered his nose once again.

Ayaka glanced over her shoulder at Akaashi who was a little worried about the Ace's state – of mind and body both.

"I will take care of him, can you start putting everything away? I'll make sure he goes see a doctor as soon as he leaves this gymnasium."

Akaashi nodded and started grabbing balls to throw them back into the carts.

"Can you stand up?" Ayaka asked, grabbing Bokuto's biceps to pull him up.

He managed to stand up and remain on his feet but she kept a hand on his arm; partly to make sure he wouldn't suddenly fall over, and partly for comfort.

Koutarou's tears rolled down his cheeks and he sniffed loudly all the way to the closest bench, snot and blood mixing over his mouth and chin. And his nose hurt terribly, he felt like it was on fire and the size of a watermelon, ready to explode…

Ayaka made him sit down then reached for her first-aid kit in her bag. She knelt next to him and washed off the blood and snot from all around his nose and mouth, then she forced him to put a bag of ice on his nose. He winced at the pain but didn't discuss her orders. The manager took a towel she wet with water before washing off the blood from his hands. Her eyes widened when she saw the state in which was his right hand… The palm and fingers were red from constantly hitting the ball, it was probably a little swollen considering the size of his hand (or he just had everything very big and she was even smaller than she initially thought) and it was covered in blisters. One blister looked particularly bad, bleeding.

She disinfected his hands then put on a cream for the sore and blisters. The bad blister was covered with a band-aid.

Bokuto watched her take care of him through blurry, teary eyes. He was ashamed he had started crying in front of a girl, but he was glad it was Ayaka rather than Yukie.

"I'm sorry…" He mumbled against the pack of ice.

Ayaka glanced up at him, her gray eyes hard like stone. He froze, expecting her to slap him and start shouting but she didn't.

"About what? If you apologize for over-training…"

She sighed, continuing to apply some appeasing cream on his hands.

"I understand the annoyance you feel when the one thing you're good at just doesn't go your way. When no matter how many times or how hard you try, it doesn't work out and never satisfies you."

Bokuto felt his heart sink but she continued, looking right into his eyes with an expression firmer than he was expecting from her:

"BUT! It's not a reason to give up. It's because you don't give up than you end up doing something right, that it ends up being satisfying and good. And when it does work… god, isn't it the best feeling in the world…?" She asked with an an ecstatic expression, her face lighting up.

For a moment, Koutarou's heart fastened lightly, as if it was saying for him that he understood this feeling. But quickly, Bokuto realized that in volleyball, he had never really done good. He wasn't bad in Middle School, but he never stood out. He got infinitely better at the beginning of High-School with his growth spurt. And as soon as he had started being good, victory and satisfaction had been snatched away from him and now… now he only felt bitter.

"I think that the people who don't give up are the most impressive of people. Also, think simply: you are better today than you were a year ago, and in one year you will be better than you are today." Ayaka concluded, looking back down at their joined hands.

She had stopped massaging with the cream for the hands. Her tiny fingers were still touching his limp, giant hand. She grasped his hand a little firmer, with both of hers, looking back up with determination into Bokuto's eyes that widened in shock.

"You told me you were glad I was the manager but the truth is that I almost quit during the first week. The reason why I didn't is your incredible determination and your will to never give up. After seeing you struggling so much, I want to see you mastering the straight-spikes like no one ever did and show to everyone what you're worth, Ace."

Koutarou's heart quickened, filled with something he couldn't quite place: a mix of pride, sudden enthusiasm and incredible determination.

"No matter what you think, I think you were cut out for the job. You were meant to be Fukurodani's Ace, Bokuto-san!" She exclaimed with an encouraging smile, saying the same words he had given her a few days ago in the infirmary.

Koutarou's lips fell open and he let the bag of ice down to stare at the girl still kneeling in front of him. When everyone was giving up on him and his straights, Akaashi and Kanemoto had stayed by his side, putting up with his bad behavior and helping him practice, no matter how poor his results were… And now… now that he was breaking down out of anger, fear and shame, Kanemoto Ayaka was still helping him, treating him, supporting him and encouraging him… She had such confidence that he will do it, that he will become an expert in straights…

His eyes filled with tears and his lips trembled, but this time, it was out of thankfulness rather than pain.

"A-Aya-chan…" He bawled, sniffing despite the pain in his nose.

For once, she didn't correct him when he called her 'Aya-chan' and he washed away his tears with his forearm. Ayaka squeezed his hand reassuringly then stood up to finish cleaning up with Akaashi.

Bokuto's eyes lowered on the hand she had taken care of and he stared at the band-aid she had put on his blister. It was a bright blue with yellow little ducks.

"You were meant to be Fukurodani's Ace, Bokuto!"

Somehow, this colorful little band-aid made him feel even warmer than her encouragements and he smiled. It wasn't the big, bright, overwhelming smile he always gave to everyone under all circumstances. It was a soft, tiny smile that no one noticed, but it was a true and thankful one.

I wondered for a very long time how far I could push Bokuto and whether or not his reaction in this chapter was OOC. In the manga and anime, we see him as an 'expert' Ace, on his third-year, master of straights and full of confidence and all... but I suppose that after his cross being blocked, he felt very bad (he is a sensitive bird, after all) and I think that the fear of failure is somethign all Aces have: they carry the weight of the whole team on their shoulders when everyone else loses hope, after all. And crying... well, everyone call him the baby of the team so...

Tell me what you think and whether or not it was OOC from Bokuto to lose it!

Thank you all!

Yours Truly,

May