Walking onto the court… Niko had to pause, pulling a deep breath in and closing her eyes. All of the emotions that had built up over the past couple months, they rushed to the surface. Blowing the breath out of her mouth slowly, the libero pulled in another breath and opened her eyes. Her teammates were standing there, waiting. Watching calmly as she gathered herself. When she met Matsumoto's nervous, yet excited gaze…
Her face broke out into a grin and Niko couldn't stop the squeal of excitement that left her lips. Around her, the youth team all relaxed at once. No one had been sure how she would react to practice today - so her positivity was a big relief. They'd had a short meeting prior to practice, with the coaches updating everyone alongside Niko with the news that she was able to play again. They hadn't given them much time beyond that to celebrate - instead, they immediately called for everyone to begin stretching.
If she was being honest, that was kind of a relief to her. While the libero understood and appreciated everyone's excitement and desire to celebrate, she just wanted things to start going back to normal. More importantly - she wanted to practice.
"Oi." Niko caught the gaze of Minato from across the net. The slightly taller girl gave her a confident smirk. "We're not gonna go easy on you, you know."
"You'd better not." She laughed, sharing a wink with the other libero. "I wouldn't want it any other way." Minato giggled, hands on her hips.
"Good. Personally, I'm kinda excited to see the great Niko in action, anyway. No pressure." Despite the teasing, Niko knew it was all good natured. Over the past month, both liberos had become friends. It was gradual - both feeling a little uneasy over the circumstances in which Minato had joined the team at first. They got over it after they started really talking to one another.
Similarly, Niko had become friends with Setsuna as well. The wing spiker, Nao's replacement, was incredibly chill and honestly was so laid back that it made it pretty easy to befriend her. Off the court, Setsuna was pretty consistently either napping, beginning to doze off, or trying to find a place to sleep. She gave practice her full effort, but any chance she had to nap… she jumped on it (or would, if she weren't so sleepy….).
With an extra pep in her step from the impending five on five match, the libero made her way to her starting position and waited for the serve. Ironically, the teams were pretty similar to the first five-on-five match they'd had. Setsuna, Suzuki, Kimura, Watanabe, Sato, and Minato wore the purple pinnies while Niko, Maki, Nakahara, Matsumoto, and Oshiro sported the green ones. Watanabe stood on the sidelines, given that there was an extra player on the purple team. She'd be used sporadically to replace other players - just like in any normal game.
The whistle sounded and her whole body shifted in anticipation. Oshiro leapt high into the air and hit the ball beyond the other side of the net easily. It was anything but a light serve. Kimura was directly in the path of the ball, and with a slight step backwards readied herself for the receive. It soared up from her arms, coming a bit short from their setter.
Suzuki wasted no time in moving forward, sliding under the ball and setting it behind her - right into Setsuna's palm. The ball flew towards Nakahara - who promptly shifted out of the way for Maki to receive smoothly. When she set the ball for Matsumoto, Nakahara sent the wing spiker a low grin.
Matsumoto made it clear then, more than ever before, why her nickname was 'Killer K'. The ball was like a rocket - flying past the blockers and bouncing off of the floor on the opposite side of the net with a resounding 'boom'. A breath later, the whistle blew and Tsubasa called it - in. The little smirk curling her lip up came and went so fast Niko was sure she'd imagined it.
"Damn, okay, Matsu-chan." Sato laughed from across the net, a wide grin on her lips. "You've been keeping that all to yourself this whole time?"
Matsumoto straightened up, grinning. "Maybe. I figured it's about time I give you all a run for your money." Winking, the girl laughed and took a few steps back to prepare for the next rally. In reality, she'd shown off her prowess as a spiker many times in the past, but today it felt different. Like this time… she had to give it her absolute all. For Niko. For herself. For the team. They were finally moving into a realm of total comfort and trust within one another now that the rotten, acidic apple was gone.
That seemed to light a fire under the whole team. The next rally was just as intense - the ball going from one side of the court to the other and back again at high speeds. Despite this, when it was spiked by Setsuna towards Niko, everyone found themselves holding their breath for those few seconds.
Until Niko lifted the ball with little difficulty right to Nakahara. Several of her teammates let out excited yells alongside the libero, which just fueled the inferno. The first receive had been wobbly - Niko was more than willing to admit that. It'd gone to the setter, just not in the manner she'd have preferred. The second receive was better. Still shaky, though.
By the tenth receive, Niko was feeling on top of the world. Admittedly, her wrist was getting a little sore, but she'd been told that would be normal. She had very specific instructions on what to do after each game, and during every time out or break whilst in a match - and she planned on following those to a 'T'.
The end of the match came after an incredibly long rally whilst both teams were at twenty-eight points. Eventually, the purple team managed to score - and then score again in rapid succession. Despite this, Niko was anything but disappointed. It was an intense, amazing game. And she could finally say that she was playing again.
She hadn't even stepped off of the court before Hisakawa had brought her a cooling wrap for her wrist. With a smile and a 'thanks' Niko took it and wrapped it around her slightly throbbing wrist. It wasn't incredibly painful, just a minor ache. Which was a testament to just how much physical therapy she'd done to get it back to this.
Her doctors had both been very upfront with her about the fact that while she'd be able to play again, her wrist would still bother her for some time. In the meantime, she had been given explicit instructions on how to care for her wrist - as well as orders to check in with Dr. Ichibata every now and then (including after today's practice) so he could check on her and her wrist to ensure everything was still going well.
As the rest of the team filed off of the court and to the benches for a breather, Niko found herself being pulled along into the group of girls. Everyone was standing together, laughing and joking easily. "Matsu-chan, you really gave it your all out there. It was amazing. Definitely showed me up a bit - at least at first." Kimura was grinning as she said it, nudging the tall blonde with her foot.
"Eh? Well… it just felt right. Like we were finally playing like we were meant to all along. With Niko back, and the team just kinda being on the same wavelength altogether… it was like everything just felt… good." Matsumoto blushed a little, rubbing the back of her neck as she glanced away. For a moment, no one replied - none of them expecting such a sincere answer.
Then, one by one, they all smiled and began nodding or speaking in agreement. Lying back on one of the benches with a towel over her eyes, Setsuna waved a hand around and murmured in agreement. "It did feel different than before. Was cool."
Niko couldn't agree more. Despite it having been so long since she played, it had just felt natural. Stepping onto the court with them, playing the practice match - it all felt right. There was no tension between anyone anymore, no insecurities or side-eyed glances. It was great. Honestly, it was exhilarating. She couldn't wait for more matches just like this one.
One doctor's appointment, three long well-meaning and good-mannered lectures from Asahi, Hajime, and Tōru, and five days later… Niko stood with the rest of Aoba Johsai in front of the humongous building. Volleyball teams and spectators were everywhere. It was amazing.
Spring High was upon them.
Unfortunately, Niko's team was competing in a different building than both boys' teams for the first two days. It wouldn't be until the final day that they'd have the possibility of being in the same building - during the final round of the playoffs. Despite this making Niko mildly nervous, she figured in the end it was probably for the best. Fewer distractions this way, she thought - for herself and for both boys' teams.
She and her team made their way into the gymnasium, chattering amongst one another as they found an area to settle down and stretch. There were unmistakable murmurs from other teams every now and then - along with pointed stares at the blonde libero. It was a little disconcerting, but her coach was quick to snap her attention away from it.
"They're surprised to see you here. I'm sure the gossip has made its rounds - and you know how exaggerated it can be. All you need to do is go on that court and play just like you always do. Got it?" The woman stared down at her, hands on her hips.
Taking a deep breath in, Niko smiled and nodded. "Got it, Takahashi-sensei." With a satisfied nod, the coach turned and walked back towards where the first years were stretching. True to her word, Niko brushed aside the looks and ignored the murmurs even as they made their way into the gymnasium and onto the court to warm up.
The crowd was already buzzing with energy. In the stands, Niko easily located her mom and dad amongst Aoba Johsai's cheering team. While the team was nowhere near as spectacular as the boys' was, it was mighty nonetheless. And her mother was eagerly leading it. When their eyes met, Niko gave a bright smile and blew her parents a kiss.
After that, she pulled her focus in. Sliding on the new compression sleeves that she'd been gifted by the youth team, Niko took deep breaths in and out. When she opened her eyes again, she let the rest of the gymnasium float away. Warmup practice was uneventful, minus a not-so-hushed conversation between a few of her opponents.
"Isn't that the girl who had her wrist broken or something?" One of the girls frowned, watching Niko as she did light receives with her teammates. The libero's ears perked up a little, but she remained focused nonetheless.
"Yeah, the libero. Kobaya-something, I think. I'm surprised to see her played." Another player was staring at Niko, watching intently as she warmed up. "Guess that means we'll have an easy win, then, huh? Not sure how well someone can play on a healing wrist."
From the corner of her eye, Niko could see Tora stiffen up and start to turn towards the two girls. Before she could, another player stepped up and pressed a hand to both of their shoulders. "If you ignore the sleeping tiger, you'll be eaten alive. She wouldn't be on the court if she wasn't ready to be." Both girls jumped, turning guiltily to the newcomer. "Now let's keep warming up."
The black-haired girl met Niko's gaze for a moment when she glanced over, then turned and walked with her teammates to their side of the court. It was a small relief that there was someone who wasn't expecting an easy win just because of her injury. Tora let out a slow sigh, shaking her head. "We'll show them just how sleepy you are, huh, Kobayashi?"
Niko laughed, nodding at her captain. "Hell yeah!"
By the time the match officially began, Niko was amped up, waiting for her time on the court. When it came, she was met with loud cheering from the stands and a chant of her name. Across the court, she watched as several opposing players watched her closely. She knew that they'd test her - and she was more than ready for it.
True to her expectation, the moment there was an opportunity for one of the wing spikers on the opposite team to slam a ball towards her, they did. The girl spiked it hard and fast, aiming right for the libero. It was like time slowed down.
Niko blinked, breathing in as her teammates shifted out of the way. She had something to prove - and they were happy to let her. Her left leg slid backwards and she steadied her stance, folding her hands together and stretching her arms out in front. Hips shifting and knees bending as the ball sped towards her, the blonde prepared for the impact.
The ball slammed into her arms, and Niko let her breath out - in a yell that carried over the cheering squads and other teams playing. "OOORRRRAAAA!" Time returned to normal, and the ball flew up - arcing perfectly right to Tora, where she waited with a grin.
Perhaps out of surprise, or maybe simply because her team was on a high and Hitomu was ready to show the other team just what they were made of… but when Hitomu spiked the ball, it ripped past the blockers and landed squarely in the center of the court on the opposite side of the net. The cheers that followed were delayed by only a moment - and mildly deafening.
After that, Wakutani's girls' team stopped underestimating Niko. The match was anything but easy - but the libero wouldn't want it any other way. When the opposing coach called for a timeout when Aoba Johsai made it to twenty points, to Wakutani's fourteen, Niko rested on the bench with a cooling wrap around her wrist.
She didn't miss the pointed stares of other teams - both those playing or in time out, and Wakutani as well. They were all looking at her wrist, varying levels of interest or confusion - or possibly even concern. It was understandable, honestly. Just as her coach had said, the rumors had made their way to nearly every school in their prefecture. They were all surprised to see her playing - and thought that perhaps she wasn't fully healed, given her wrap.
In actuality, Dr. Ichibata and Dr. Shinto had both been clear in their instructions. Cool the wrist off as often as possible. It helped so far - and she'd continue doing it until told otherwise. She'd deal with the stares until then.
The timeout ended, and Niko folded the wrap and left it on the bench before heading back onto the court. When Aoba Johsai made it to twenty-four points, the opposing team called for a player switch. They were swapping out one of their wing spikers - undoubtedly the replacing player was a pinch server.
When she bounced the ball, her eyes were roaming Niko's team calmly. Then the whistle blew, and she tossed the ball up and ran up. Her jump serve was incredible, Niko found herself admitting internally. It was powerful, and direct. Yuki, for all of her incredible talent as a middle blocker, was still learning how to receive serves and spikes like that. It hit her arms and flew at an odd angle out of bounds.
The pinch server pursed her lips, nodding once - and they all knew what she was thinking. There was no doubt in Niko's mind that the girl had been observing the game from the sidelines this whole time - and caught onto the fact that Niko and her teammates all tended to take on the heavier serves and spikes. That Yuki was the weakest link as far as receiving went. Which isn't to say she was weak - just that she didn't have as much experience as the others. Now, she'd target her again.
Unsurprisingly, that's exactly what happened. The second serve, Yuki managed to lift it a bit, but it still careened out of bounds. At a signal from Tora, Niko prepared herself. The third time that the pinch server aimed her missile at Yuki, the first year ducked out of the way.
Pinch server-girl wasn't the only one who could watch and make assessments and judgements. The ball hit Niko's arms with enough force for her whole body to be shoved backward - but damnit, she lifted it and got it into play again. It spun wildly in the air, and the blonde called out, "Cover!" as she fell backwards onto the floor.
Nanami leapt up towards the ball as it began falling - towards the net. Her hand stretched out and she hit it back towards her teammates. Niko was already on her feet, and got under the ball just in time to receive it and send it to Tora - in a much neater form this time. Tora's arms stretched out as she leapt for the ball. Hitomu was running up, yelling for the ball. Their captain's eyes slid towards the ace and the other team began moving to block the impending attack.
As they began moving, Tora's lips curled up in a smirk and just as she made contact with the ball - she dumped it. Watching Wakutani scramble to get the ball before it hit the ground, Tora let her smirk widen and she landed neatly on the floor. At the same time, the ball bounced off of the floor and scored their final point.
The first set ended at 25-21. The second set was won by Aoba Johsai as well, at 25-22. When they lined up at the end of the match and bowed to one another, Niko could barely contain her excitement. Then the teams thanked one another and although she wanted to yell and shout in victory and excitement, Niko withheld from doing so out of respect for the other team.
She waited until they were in the bus to do that.
Niko was quick to inform Asahi, Hajime, and Tōru of her team's win. When she heard that they'd also won their respective matches, the girl had let out a particularly loud cheer. For the time being, she let herself enjoy all of their victories. It was exciting, no matter what the end result was.
That evening, she stayed up late with several of her teammates, watching videos of their opponents the next day - Shiratorizawa, and then if they won that, Johzenji. Shiratorizawa was one of the favorites to win. Much like the boys' team, the girls' was full of talented powerhouses. Unsurprising, given the school's reputation for putting the maximum effort into their sports teams. Whatever came of the next day, Niko was ready and excited to take it on.
A/N: Hello, hello. Tis I, actually on time with an update! Finally, we segue into Spring High, and Nationals! The next few chapters will move somewhat quickly through Spring High, and then we'll dig in to the second arc ;) As always, thank you very much for your continued support! I adore each and every one of you.
eunoiapaint - Slowly but surely! She's on the rise :) Thank you for your support! I'm so happy to see another review from you, even after my long hiatus!
Ranighastly - Thank yo uso much! I'm so glad to hear that - sorry I nearly made you cry though! I am incredibly happy to hear how much you enjoy the story, and can't thank you enough for your support! They're one of my favourites as well, and knowing how few there are out there I just had to write one - specifically one for Asahi, who is my favourite big ole teddy bear ;-; Thank you! Again!
Coolfire30 - Ahhh thank you so, so much! I appreciate all of your reviews! I'm so happy to hear you took a chance with thise story and are enjoying it! Your investment into it makes me so happy to be able to share it with you each week :) Sorry to make you cry though ;-; promise there will be more happy times... even if not all the time :p