Cats Have Nine Lives
Chapter 4: Clash
Normal / Text, thoughts, etc
The temperature in Tokyo rose slowly but surely each day. Students in Nekoma High switched from spring uniform to summer, although Teru still found the tradition a tad bit hot for her.
"Well… I am wearing an extra layer of bandages and a tank top underneath." She mumbled as she got ready to go to school, performing her daily ritual of wrapping an ivory colored bandage around her chest. After finishing, she stood sideways and looked at the mirror to make sure that there weren't any suspicious bumps that were noticeable. Teru checked the clock: 7:30. She's running a tad bit late.
'But there's no way in hell I'm skipping breakfast.' She thought as she took out a small carton of milk and a pre-made convenience sandwich. She gobbled it down, keeping track of the time. Then suddenly she got a text alarm. When she checked, it was none other than Kuroo.
FYI transfer student, make sure you have the textbook for Oni-sensei today. Thought I should tell you because you always tend to forget class material. If you left home already, then you're outta luck! :3
Teru hurriedly packed her textbook, which she did indeed forget to pack. In these kinds of occasions, Kuroo almost seemed telepathic, if not a bit psychic. She then checked the time. 7:47. The gates close starting 8 o'clock. She had 13 minutes to walk (or run) almost two miles.
'Great. Looks like I'm sweating early in the morning.' She thought as she put on her shoes. She was starting to regret having her breakfast leisurely a couple minutes ago. She closed the door, then started sprinting immediately. She couldn't afford to be late to the first period of a Monday, when Onishi-sensei (the "Oni-sensei," or so students called), was in charge. After running for a while, Teru finally reached the gates. The student discipline committee was already out to prepare to close the gates to whoever didn't make it in time. But Teru wasn't going to be one of them.
"10…! 9…!" The discipline committee teacher started counting down and everyone started running. As Teru started getting closer and closer, she saw Kuroo and Kenma, who were already inside the school grounds, with Kuroo looking towards her with a cheeky grin. Thankfully, she made it before it got to a count of 5, and soon enough the gates closed, with some unfortunate students complaining and whining, begging to let them in.
"Phew." Teru finally caught her breath, wiping away some sweat off of her forehead. She then met up with Kuroo on the way, who was grinning like he was very amused by seeing Teru run for her life.
"Mornin." Teru greeted the two.
"Mornin." Kenma said, his voice still a bit groggy from just waking up.
"That was quite close." He said. "It would've been extra hilarious if you got shut out."
"What a great thing to say, ya jerk. Karma will get you."
"When did you leave the house?"
"Like 10 minutes ish ago. I ran."
"For how long?"
"For… let's see… 13 minutes."
"And where do you live?"
"Next to the park."
"Dang, that's pretty far! You're a pretty fast runner."
"I'm actually about to hurl my breakfast right now, so stop making me talk."
"Eh"
"So, you up for some serves again today?" Kuroo asked. The last bell rang just a few seconds ago and everyone was packing up to go to their afterschool clubs, with the exception of Teru, who was planning to go straight home, although that hasn't been the case for about a few weeks now due to a certain volleyball club captain.
"…"
"Come on~ You always hesitate when I ask although you always end up coming." Kuroo said. He knew that Teru still had a secret attachment towards the sport, and he thought it was his duty to bring it back out. And, plus, they were now what people call the "Kuro times two" in the class. They had gotten that close, much to Kuroo's efforts.
"..."
"Fine. How about I treat you to some ramen afterwards."
"Hm…" At that, her heart waivered. Just a tiny bit. Actually, quite a lot because he was bribing her with food.
"And I think you should, especially because the ramen place has a student special on Mondays where you get 50% more portion for free."
"I'm down."
She and Kuroo headed to the gym where the volleyball practices were happening. She was waiting for Kuroo and the others to change in the club shack. A couple minutes later, Kuroo came back, in shorts and volleyball shoes. Upon seeing her, he handed her something.
"What is this?"
"Training shorts and a shirt. I didn't know your size, so I just grabbed some of the smaller ones. I thought it'd be really hot for you, even if it's just serves. Go get changed. And plus, you don't want to accidently rip your actual school uniform."
"Ah, okay. Thanks." She said as Kuroo handed her spare clothes. She headed to the bathroom to get changed, although she couldn't shake off the skeptical feeling. She felt like she was always getting caught up in Kuroo's pace. She always ended up doing what he had planned. And now there she was, getting ready to change to practice volleyball.
'What am I doing…' Teru sighed as she changed. She still wore her ivory bandages and a spare t-shirt under the training shirt Kuroo gave her. It wouldn't hurt to be too cautious. She then put on the shorts—and then realized that her legs were a bit too feminine for a high school guy.
"Well this is awkward." She said, upon looking into the mirror. There she was, with shorts that came to her mid-thighs; although she always wore much shorter and tighter short-shorts when she officially used to play, this still exposed quite a bit of skin than she would've liked. And not to mention the curves—the line from her waist, to her hips, and down to her thighs—those definitely gave it away. She would've worn it just fine if it weren't for the fact that she was supposed to be a boy in this school. She ended up wearing a medium-size that went to above her knees and tightened the string around the waist.
After somehow putting on the stuff in the least suspicious ways, Teru made her way back to the gym. Upon her arrival they commenced the service practice, with Teru serving baskets of balls and the regulars receiving. Compared to the last time, they were doing much better, with the exception of a guy named Lev.
"I think we're getting the hang of it. Teru, could you now serve as if you're trying to score a point?"
"100%?"
"Yeah."
"Alright."
Yaku, Lev, and Yamamoto were the first to receive. They waited nervously as Teru grabbed a ball, trying to focus. She took in deep but subtle breaths, imagining the ball rocket across the net. She calmly felt the ball in her hands, trying to feel the optimal point of contact. Kuroo felt chills down his back after watching Teru completely immersed in her own world, trying to focus on the ball. Everyone else did as well. Nekomata, who was monitoring the practice, grinned in amusement as he sensed a subtle tension among the team.
Teru bounced the ball a few times. Then she tossed the ball higher up—and then jumped. What first surprised everyone was the height of her jump. Compared to before, when she was serving at about 40%, she wasn't jumping to her fullest. This time, she was at a position where she could spike the ball straight and would still place it in the court.
'What a perfect, flawless run-up.' Nekomata thought.
She then swung—but not only using her arms, she also used her entire body, with her back arched backwards, then snapping back upon point of contact with the ball. The ball blasted across the net—completely passed their libero, Yaku, barely grazing his cheeks, and landing just past the line. It was out. Yaku gulped. He could feel a sweat drop trinkle down his back. He couldn't react to the serve at all, yet alone twitch his toes and fingers. Everyone gapped at where the ball landed, and then turned to Teru.
"Ah, my bad, it went out. It's been a while since I've served with 100%." She apologized. "I'll have to go around 80% if I want to get it in every single time."
"Wha-? Whaaa-?" Yamamoto stuttered, utterly at loss of words.
Kuroo felt shivers down his back. That was the most flawless serve he has ever seen. Not to mention the form, the power and the speed were beyond his imagination, especially when it was coming from this fragile boy who looked like he could barely hold onto a ball.
"That… was… awesome! Kurobana-senpai! Please teach me how to serve!" Lev hollered from the other side.
"Oi, Teru! That was ridiculous! You were really holding back on us, weren't you?" Kuroo came over and said, slapping her back.
"I-It's no use since it didn't go in. I'll try again. Sorry."
"Alright. Everyone get ready!"
The service session went on for a bit more, and then they switched over to 3 vs. 3 practices. Kuroo told her to wait until the practice was over so they could go get ramen afterwards. Teru just sat down on the side, watching the regulars practice.
"…That really surprised me. Your serve." Kenma, who had rotated out, said as he walked over to Teru.
"Ah… ahaha." Teru just chuckled smugly. "I was surprised too. Everyone in this team is a good receiver."
"We are known for our solid receives… with the exception of the setter, me, and Lev."
"Hm… How long have you been playing, Kozume?"
"Kenma is fine."
"Ah, okay. So how long have you been playing, Kenma?"
"I started around elementary school because Kuroo nagged me… most of the time I was forced to practice because of him." He said.
"But you don't enjoy it?"
"Sometimes. It's tiring though."
Teru chuckled. Kenma reminded too much of him, except for the personality.
"How about you? When have you started playing?"
"I guess… around 2nd or 3rd grade in elementary school." She said. "Although I don't really play anymore."
"You don't want to pick it up again?" He asked. When Teru looked at him, he was looking straight into her eyes. Teru couldn't avoid those eyes. She had to answer.
"I…" She averted her eyes, breaking away from the eye contact. "I…"
"Kenma, your turn!"
"Coming."
Kenma then left, leaving Teru bewildered and even more uncertain than before. Then the images in her head flashed by quickly—she quickly shut her eyes, trying to get rid of unnecessary thoughts. Although she had her eyes closed, her ears picked up the sound of the balls bouncing, shoes squeaking, flesh coming in contact with the ball… that alone was enough to remind her of all the things she tried so hard to forget.
'You don't want to pick it up again?' Kenma's voice echoed in her head. 'You don't want to play anymore? You're not going to play anymore? Volleyball?'
'Of course not…! Not after what happened!' Teru gritted her teeth and stood up.
"Ah, Teru." Kuroo came over after his rotation, wiping sweat away with his towel. "You wanna give it a go? The 3 vs. 3. I'll team up with you."
"I'll pass." She said, getting her stuff together and avoiding his gaze.
"Just once? Pleeeaaase? I really wanted to play with you once."
"No, really… I'm fine."
"He doesn't want to." Kenma said, looking at Kuroo with patronizing eyes. "Kuroo is bothersome to everyone…"
"Aw come on. Why don't you play since you're already dressed for it? Let's play just three points." Kuroo said, wrapping his hand around her wrist—
"Let me go! I said I don't want to!" Teru yelled, still looking down at the floor, with her bag in her hands. The practice came to an abrupt stop as the teammates' attention directed towards the source of commotion, Kuroo and Teru.
"Oi, Teru… what's wrong?" Kuroo drew closer, trying to get a good look at her eyes. He leaned downwards a little bit, until Teru snatched her wrist away and stormed out of the gym. Kuroo, although it was for a brief moment, saw Teru's face—and there were teardrops rolling down her cheeks.
"Kuroo, you're an idiot…" Kenma said, shaking his head lightly.
