"The results are posted!" One of your classmates announced just by the door of your classroom.
You stiffened as you heard it. You've been restless ever since your major exams has ended. You badly wanted to know your performance. But as soon as you found out that results are being posted in public, you couldn't stop thinking about it.
Yamaguchi chuckled nervously, "gah! Talk about timing,"
You forced a laugh, "yeah, a great way to catch you off guard. I haven't prepared myself for this."
"Ah! The suspense is killing me!"
You rubbed his back sympathetically since you can totally relate on how he feels right now, "oh, come on. It can't be that bad right?" Standing from your chair, you grabbed the freckled boy's arm and dragged him out of your room. "Alright, let's see our score."
"Mercy!" He shouted, causing you to chuckle lightly.
Walking out from your college building, you have to walk across to the other side of the campus just to look at the result.
"Why does had to be in the main building? This is so tiring!" You complained, still dragging Yamaguchi behind you.
As you entered the largest building in your campus, someone tapped you on the shoulder which you immediately recognized as one of your classmates.
"Congratulations, (Last Name)-san." She said with a smile.
You raised a questioning brow which caused her to chuckle lightly at your expression, "if want to know, go and check the results."
You did what she just told you. You and Yamaguchi pushed your way through the thick crowd of students wanting to see the results as well.
Once you did, you stared at your name under the department of allied sciences column.
(FULL NAME), BSN-2, NO. 1 - 693/700
Yup, you just made it to the top this prelim exam. You also noticed a familiar name one column away from yours.
TSUKISHIMA KEI, BSBIO-2, NO. 1 - 695/700
"You're so smart and awesome, (Name)-chan! You aced the test! I mean look at your score!" Yamaguchi beamed.
You chuckled and saw his name just under yours. He's in top 2 overall in your year level. You congratulate him. Finally, the both of you can breathe freely since the result was way beyond what you have expected.
You heard a sudden chuckle from your freckled-face friend. Cocking your head to the side, you looked at him in confusion. You were about to ask him what was funny when he beat you to it.
"I'm sorry, the results made me remember something from our high school years." He cleared his throat, continuing, "you and Tsukki used to be in class 4 and 5 all the way from the first year up until our last year. You were both fighting for the top spot every major exam."
That memory made you chuckled as well, "in the end, I always got the second spot. I'll never beat Kei academically."
"But you were always number in his heart," Yamaguchi muttered in a low voice but you heard it clear which unintentionally hurt you.
A bitter smile has settled on your lips, "I used to be but, not anymore."
"Aw! Kei baby, you're on the top again! I'm so proud of you~!" You heard Sakamoto's voice not too far from you.
Your head automatically snapped over to their direction. Your breath hitched as a pair of golden brown eyes meet yours. You can feel your heart beating fast against your chest. You wanted to look away but you couldn't do it. Drawn to those orbs that reminded you so much of your daughter.
For a minute there you can read what his eyes were telling you. But you convince yourself that you must be hallucinating. Does he miss me? Impossible. You thought convincing yourself.
Turning to Yamaguchi, "I should thank, Tetsuro-senpai for helping me in our developmental psychology subject. I wouldn't have been in the top without his help."
"Why don't you come to our practice later after class? I'm sure he'll be there,"
You nodded, not caring if you'll see Tsukishima in the same place, "Looks like, Tetsuro-senpai made it to the top too."
"Suga-san too,"
Your eyes went wide when you saw Hinata and Kageyama's rank number, "holy shi—" you covered your mouth, "Hinata's in top 8 in BSED-2?! Kageyama's in top 6?! W-Whoa! I can't believe this!"
Yamaguchi laughed, "well, they should be, (Name)-san! Remember? We're all under a sports scholarship. We have to maintain the required cut-off grade to maintain under that program."
You whistled, "student and an athlete. Brings back memories when they had to work their ass off during midterms."
"Those two are different from who they were before. They used to slack off in their academics and focus so much on club activities but now, they've learned to balance both."
"So they have learned how to deal with their responsibilities seriously and not half-assing them." Yamaguchi nodded.
"People do change, huh?" You stated, not intended for Tsukishima to hear it but, he did since he was just a couple of inches away from where you stand, "well, let's go back!" Happily marching away from the crowd and from the staring golden brown eyes.
You happily skipped your way to the volleyball gymnasium. Humming in each step on the way there.
Crossing the other side of the campus, you have finally reached the gym. Removing your indoor shoes and placing it in one of the empty shoe boxes, then stepping inside the gym.
You can hear the familiar squeaking noises and ball being spiked. There's also those familiar words that you used to hear when they're having a practice match or practice. A wave of nostalgia hit you all of the sudden that you didn't understand why you wanted to cry.
You gripped your book bag tightly with your fist over your chest. Poking your head on the opening of the gym door, your eyes scanned the place. The practice was already starting and you can say that they've been playing for a while now.
"Go, Kei~!"
You cringed, not expecting that she was there too. You thought people who aren't a part of the team are not allowed inside the gym. Now you were hesitating to show yourself.
"(Name)-chan?" You flinched, not even realizing you have stepped inside the court and caught the players attention.
"Shi-Shimizu-senpai?!" You stared at the girl in surprise. Who would have thought that out of all people who can be the team's manager, it happened to be Shimizu Kiyoko, Karasuno's VBC beauty.
She smiled at you, "it's been a while."
"Shimizu!" You heard a low tone voice. It made you flinched. By the sound of that voice, he wasn't happy or welcoming either. Slowly, you turned around to meet the coach of the team. "Who is this young lady?"
Shimizu stood beside you while her one hand over your shoulder, "This is, (Full Name), sensei. She used to be the manager of karasuno after we graduated."
He stared down at you for a minute before grinning, "manager, eh?" He turned to the boys who was currently watching what was happening. He looked back at you, "would you like to join the club as a manager?"
Your eyes widen, "pardon me, sensei. But what?"
He laughed heartily, "you're a funny one. I mean when I said, will join the team as a manager? It looks like that Shimizu needs some help around. It's her last year too. So, why not spend the rest of your after class with them?"
You were still processing everything. Be their manager, again? Seeing and being with Kei every day? Can I do it? Will I do it? Ah!
"Can I—"
"There's no need to think about it. Follow what your heart tells you!" He laughed again.
You comically sweatdropped at his words. Who would have thought that an old bulky man like him would say those kinds words to you? Encouraging you to follow your heart again.
You sighed, you know he'll force you to join either way. "Ok," you said, "I'll join the team."