AUTHOR'S NOTE:
I changed my character's name from Kana to Nana. I've always wanted to use that name for an OC. I also added more details in the prologue; you may go back and read it again but I didn't change much. AND ALSO, in the next update, we finally get to see some of our volleyball boys! (although there's technically one in this chapter hohoho). Will be updating this Saturday whoo!
Please leave a review on your thoughts about this story so far! And maybe even favorite? Ehehe.
UNIVERSITY KIDS — A HAIKYUU! FANFICTION
"Nothing is predestined. The obstacles of your past can become
the gateways that lead to new beginnings."
― Ralph Blum
CHAPTER ONE: THE MARKET GETS NEW MEAT
'This is weird,' she thought. 'I'm feeling more restless than usual.'
She closed her eyes and felt a chilly breeze rush over her body. The scent of newly-mowed grass mingled with the cool April air. Even though it's spring, the days were still cold—averaging ten degrees Celsius. Bits of snow were still on the ground and on trees.
It was the type of weather Minatozaki Nana adored the most. Sadly, she had other things on her mind.
While her squinting eyes feasted on the cherry blossom leaves above her, her thoughts still lingered on the weird feeling of calmness in the air.
It was the first day of classes and yet here she was, lying down on the grass with an unfinished novel against her stomach, as if she wasn't a second year university student with a heavy study load ahead of her. Her cloth headband was tied loosely around her head, her glasses were offhandedly hanging on the collar of her shirt, and her entire state was disheveled and smelling like grass. She looked just like your average university student, only tenser.
And that's saying a lot because university students are already very tense.
She wanted to do something. Ever since her debarment scare last month and her quiet return to Tokyo InSci, Nana developed a sense of paranoia when she's not doing anything. The more unproductive days pass, the more restless she feels.
But then again, what was there to do?
Second years no longer had to go through week-long class orientations and awkward introductions with strangers, unlike the first years. All they had to do was submit their study loads to their respective subject professors as a form of attendance. The lectures and laboratories start on the second week, when everything had settled down.
Although it meant extending their vacation, it also meant having to wait hours just to pass a single piece of paper. It didn't help that Nana's next class was scheduled three hours from the current time.
With a sigh, she flipped over to her side. She debated taking a quick nap, but she knew very well that quick naps weren't exactly quick. She also slept a good ten hours prior so any drowsiness she's currently feeling couldn't possibly be due to exhaustion, but boredom. She also considered going back to the dorms but she didn't know what to do there either.
Her interest in continuing her novel had left. She wondered why she started it in the first place. Her days in university turned reading into a chore, sadly affecting what used to be a hobby she enjoyed in high school. Now, at the sight of blocks of paragraphs, she's reminded of the dozens of reference books she had to cram-read days before exams. The thought made her want to puke.
"Minatozaki-san!" a voice called out, catching her attention immediately. Nana sat up and shoved her glasses up the bridge of her nose.
'A batchmate,' she realized. She responded with a casual wave, adding a friendly smile for good measure. 'I think I've seen him around before.'
She opened her mouth to verbally greet him. But, just when her hand was raised in the air mid-wave and her lips were waiting for her words, she blanked out.
'Wait, who's this person again?' She squinted as she struggled to keep the smile on her face.
'Where…have I seen him before?!'
Remembering names had always been a struggle for Nana. She can remember other things alright—numbers, dates, formulas, textbook stuff, general information. However, when it comes to putting names on faces, she might as well just baptize them all over again. She had no problem with people she talked to on a daily basis. It's the strangers she's troubled with the most; unfortunately, they made up at least three and a quarter of the batch population and Nana did not have the social skills to approach all of them.
She wrinkled her nose slightly. 'Should I just call him 'dude' or something?' She frowned. 'Would he notice?'
Lucky for her, Dude looked like he was in a hurry. Oblivious to the brunette's internal struggle, he swung his messenger bag over his shoulder and spoke. "Kanezawa-san was looking for you!" he spoke without delay, pushing his hands inside his pockets. "I saw her at the Arts and Sciences building asking people if they saw you."
'Kanezawa? It took her a while to recognize the name. But it suddenly clicked a millisecond later. 'He's talking about Yoo.'
Even after a year of being classmates,laboratory partners, and roommates, Nana still couldn't remember her friend Yoo's Japanese family name.
During their first year, Yoo used her Japanese name Kanezawa Yuna a lot in classroom introductions. The block easily referred to her as such but it didn't stick to Nana's memory at all. Probably because Yoo looked more Korean than Japanese.
It didn't help that Nana used to call her Kimu-san at the start of their friendship and the other girl didn't bother correcting it. Even after she started referring to the ginger-haired half-Korean as Yoo Na, Nana still couldn't associate the Kanezawa name to the latter's face.
She thought about the time she first called Yoo Kanezawa. She shivered at how foreign it sounded on her tongue. After that incident, she hadn't referred to Yoo as anything else.
"Minatozaki-san?"
Nana snapped out of her thoughts. Her next words spilled out of her mouth faster than her brain could process. "Alright, thanks dude!" she called out, internally cringing at how weird she sounded. She watched him wave his hand as he walked away before she laid back down on the grass with a groan.
"I just hope I won't be seeing him around any time soon," she mumbled to herself.
Sunlight seeped in between the cherry blossom leaves, dotting her face like freckles. Nana shielded her eyes with her forearm while fishing her phone from her jeans pocket. She sent a quick text to Yoo, briefly stating her location, and then dropped the phone on the grass.
It didn't take long for her ginger friend to find her. Five minutes after she hit the send button, she heard loud voices somewhere behind her. She didn't even look up to know who they belonged to.
"Oh, here she is."
"We've been looking all over for you. But here you are, sleeping under a tree. Great way to spend your first day, Nacchan."
"Hey Rua, Yoo," Nana greeted her friends respectively.
"How was the first class?" asked Yoo.
Nana shrugged. "The prof checked my study load then shooed me away. Went back to the dorm to get some things—" she lifted the book for her friend to see, "—and then I went here."
Rua raised a perfectly trimmed eyebrow. "How long have you been here?"
"Two hours, I think."
"You should've texted earlier!"
"Your phone is still broken and Yoo was still asleep. I'm a considerate friend."
"Ugh, don't remind me," Rua grumbled before directing her next sentence to the other girl. "Hey, hey, now that we found her, can I continue my story?"
"Even if I said no, you'd still continue it so knock yourself out."
"Right okay, where was I?" The blonde tapped a finger on her chin before snapping. "Oh right, her sense of style is so tacky. I mean, I own a lot of thrift-store stuff, even if Mom is absolutely against me wearing anything that's less than four thousand yen, but I always pick what looks expensive. She, on the other hand, looks like she just shoves her hands in a rack of cloth and pulls out whatever! And don't get me started on the curtains."
"Curtains, wow. How mortifying," drawled Yoo before shooting Nana a can-you-believe-this-girl look.
Knowing fully well that Rua was complaining about someone again, Nana sat up. "So, who are we talking about this time?" She pulled off her headband and raked her fingers through her brown hair.
"Rua's new roommate," Yoo answered, dropping down on the ground beside the brunette. She folded her legs and propped her elbow against her thigh, resting her chin on her palm. "Apparently, they're complete opposites."
"Do I know this person?"
"You don't even know our own blockmates so that's highly unlikely."
Rua frowned. "You know, I expected a better reaction than this."
"She's an art major. Her building is on the opposite side of the campus. It's not like you'll be seeing and acknowledging each other outside the dorm."
"It's what she did to the dorm room that's riling me up! I can take living with someone who walks around looking like color vomit but I cannot accept someone who defiles my living space! I mean come on! Wine curtains?!" She threw her hands upwards in frustration. "My dorm room looks like a brothel for God's sake!"
Ignoring Rua as she went on with her rant about her new roommate, Yoo picked up the novel that dropped from Nana's lap. With a light scoff, she waved the paperback, as if demanding an explanation for its existence in Nana's hands. "You read Fujiwara Suzume? Didn't expect that from you, Nana. I thought you liked cheesy teenage romances."
"I'm trying to widen my horizons. Reading non-fiction makes me feel mature."
"Even if you don't understand half of it? Just like the one I lent to you last year?"
"To be fair, I don't speak fluent English like you. My comprehension is just as bad."
"To be fair, you're the most mature among the three of us." The ginger stuck a thumb behind her. "Unlike this one."
Nana stifled a laugh at the evident jab in Rua's direction and anticipated the latter's reaction.
The blonde had a knack for getting angry at the smallest things, especially in situations she can't follow or understand. Because of her thin patience and, most of the time, her lack of a good comeback, she's usually on the receiving end of Yoo and Nana's quick wit.
Unfortunately, Rua's attention was caught by something else. With a sudden gasp, the blonde grasped Nana's shoulder, her eyes widening as she exclaimed. "You two better shut your asses and look over there because hot damn."
At the statement, the brunette spun around. Her golden eyes followed the direction where Rua pointed, only to see a group of people walking around the quadrangle.
There was nothing special about them, except the guy at the front of the line. He had tiny flags strapped to his waist and appeared to be ushering the crowd behind him like a mama duck leading her flock of ducklings. Once in a while, he stops and points at the buildings around them while talking in a loud but unclear voice.
Yoo—who thinks a lot like Nana most of the time—voiced out what the latter was thinking in the most Yoo-ish style. "Ah, people. As if we don't see them on a daily basis."
Nana chuckled.
Rua's sparkling gaze dimmed slightly. She huffed and smacked Yoo by her shoulder. "You idiot! Can't you be more observant? Look carefully!"
Yoo and Nana exchanged glances. Here she goes, the silent message said. Without a choice, they turned back to the group.
In a sudden dramatic talk show host voice, Rua spoke. "Look at those nice clothes! Those clear, acne-free faces! Look at their innocent, virgin gazes filled with hopes and dreams! Do you see stress outlining their features? Do you see despair in their eyes? NO! They still have happiness inside them!"
With her fist in the air, Rua concluded. "They're first years! Pure, naïve first years!"
Nana's lips formed a tiny 'o' in realization.
'Did we look like that when we were first years too?' she wondered, looking back to her first day at university. She remembered wearing a red flannel and a pair of black jeans, trying to look nonchalant about everything but internally, she was in awe. When the tour guide—a senior nursing student—led them around the giant campus, Nana hardly kept her excitement at bay. Everything was big and professional-looking, as if she fell into a different dimension.
But now that she's a second year and had seen an entirely different side to her university, she can't help but feel sorry for the new kids.
They don't know what they're getting into.
Yoo let out a low whistle. "Would you look at that? I can almost see the freshness radiating off them," she said in mockingly wistful voice.
"It's a mystery how they're also called freshmen," said Nana using the exact same tone.
"And would you look at that height? Damn, why do these kids get taller every year?"
"Global warming," Nana replied solemnly.
"I see you are a woman of intellect as well." The grin on Yoo's face dropped when she turned her gaze over to her other friend. "Unlike this dork right here. Hey, what on Earth are you doing staring at those kids like they're lunch, Ryuugamine?"
"Shh!" With a raised finger, Rua continued to prey over the first years like a hawk. She pouted, crossing her arms over her chest. "How unfair. They get the height and the attractiveness."
Yoo hummed. "They have the brains too, I hear. Their batch is the largest number of entrance exam passers. And apparently, majority of them got ninety percent and above."
"Where'd you hear that from?"
"The environment," Yoo answered dryly. "Everyone loves to talk around here, remember? Especially with the dean shoving our departments' achievements up everyone's faces."
Nana tried not to shudder at the mention of their dean. "Doesn't matter if they got ninety or whatever. Third year will purge half of them."
"Third year will purge half of us." Yoo raised an eyebrow.
With a shrug, Nana replied. "Antibodies work faster the second time around."
"Nerds." Rua coughed. She then rested her chin on her palm. "But. . . I guess there's one good thing. . ."
"And what's that?" Nana asked, although she already assumed what the response will be.
Rua licked her lips. "New meat."
A groan escaped Yoo's lips. "Oh God, don't do that again, you pervert. You're preying on children."
"They're not children!" the blonde argued. "They're at least eighteen!"
"They're inexperienced," Yoo drawled. "And new, so technically they're babies. You do not pounce on babies!"
"Oh please. Like you're not finding them attractive too."
"I do find them attractive. But at least I have the dignity to act subtle about it."
"It's the 21st century, Yoo. Who even has dignity nowadays?"
"You're at the top of that list for sure."
Suddenly, Rua shoved her hands in front of Yoo's face, earning a surprised squeak from the latter. "OMG, they're coming this way. Act natural!"
"You're the least natural here!" Yoo exclaimed, pushing the blonde's hands away from her face. She turned to the group of freshmen, who really were heading their direction, and she scrunched her nose. "Great. Look who's leading them."
Nana followed her friend's gaze, her golden eyes widening at the familiar face. "Isn't that Kobayashi?" she leaned her head to the side.
"No wonder why the first years look like babies—they're being lead by a giant baby."
"Hey, don't hurt Kobayashi. He's a giant puppy reincarnate," Rua said defensively before running a hand through her golden locks. Donning a charming smile, she waved at the oncoming ensemble of people. "Kobayashi-kun! Hello!"
Kobayashi Son, the first years' tour guide who also happened to be the girls' former blockmate, visibly brightened at the sight of them. He greeted with a wave."Ah, hello Ryuugamine-san, Kanezawa-san, Minatozaki-san."
He was a naturally joyful spirit. He smiles without showing his teeth while his eyes disappear to form crescents. He talks in a slow, careful manner, as if commas were scattered throughout his dialogue. And with his large body structure that greatly contrasts with his personality, it was no wonder why everyone refers to him as the actual personification of a Labrador.
However, despite his kind demeanor, Yoo wasn't fond of him. Maybe it was because he was too nice, too soft. He lacked backbone, and Yoo found those kinds of people suspicious.
Because really, how can a person possibly be that nice?
Kobayashi gestured to the three girls. "Everyone, these are my former blockmates. Just like me, they're second years from the Arts and Sciences department." He then gestured to the new kids. "Ryuugamine-san, Kanezawa-san, Minatozaki-san, these are first years from different departments. I'm touring them around campus today. Please welcome them." His eyes curved as he smiled, earning a snort from Yoo.
"Hi everyone! Welcome to Tokyo InSci!"
"Ah, Ryuugamine-san, we shouldn't call it like that. It should be Tokyo—"
"—Institute of Sciences, yadda, yadda. Nobody calls it that anymore, Kobayashi-kun. It's a mouthful." Yoo didn't bother hiding the annoyance in her voice.
She crossed her arms across her chest, taking on an intimidating role. "Anyone of you from Arts and Sciences?" She raised her eyebrow at the number of hands in the air—a good fifteen people out of the group of twenty-five. "Huh, guess we'll be seeing you guys around. Good luck."
"She's exaggerating. It's not that bad." Rua glared at the ginger, who merely shrugged. "As long as you try your best and balance your time and all that, you'll be good to go!"
"Ryuugamine-san is right, everyone." Kobayashi nodded, plunging into a long speech about perseverance and time management.
Nana resisted the urge to sigh. She knew she had a change of perspective ever since her debarment scare but still, speeches like those never sat well with her. Listening to them felt suffocating, as if chains wrapped themselves around her neck and dragged her across the dirt like a dead animal. Kind of like what she's feeling now. . .
So, when the enthusiastic male talked more and more about redundant motivational quotes, she dipped her head and switched on her phone. To her right, it seemed the ginger was doing the same thing.
Rua, however, despite nodding at the right times during Kobayashi's speech, had her attention elsewhere.
"They're an attractive bunch, right Nacchan?" Rua murmured, nudging Nana's side while keeping her eyes on the crowd in front of them. The lack of response prompted her to look at the brunette. "Nacchan?"
She gaped slightly when she noticed the latter engrossed in a random Internet article, completely ignoring her.
"Nacchan, I swear if you won't look up now, you're going to miss the sight!" Rua whispered.
The blonde's hand shot out of nowhere, grabbing Nana by the chin, and hoisting the latter's face up. Despite being caught off guard, her eyes found a target amidst the crowd of first years and met a stranger's gaze. However, just a second after the unintentional eye contact, her attention diverted elsewhere. The tips of her ears burned and, in a desperate attempt to hide the traces of her embarrassment, she patted down her hair.
'Oh my god, I hope that wasn't awkward,' she thought to herself.
"Anyway, we better get going." At the sound of Kobayashi's words, Nana sneaked a peek back at the first years. She didn't look at anyone in the eyes in fear of another clumsy eye-contact moment.
"Alright then. See you guys around!" Rua waved, grinning charmingly at the group as they shyly waved back before continuing their campus tour.
'Of course she's enjoying this.' Nana thought as she eyed the satisfied expression on the blonde's face. 'I wonder if the first years recognize her last name. . . '
"Welcome to hell!"
And the moment was ruined.
Rua smacked her friend's arm, hissing. "You'll scare them away, Yoo."
"That's the point. They don't know what they're getting into. I'm being a good soul."
Rua rolled her eyes at the ginger, who retorted with a snicker. "Whatever. Anyway, let's get back to the important stuff, okay? The agenda is: I need to get a better roommate. Someone who actually cares about curtain colors. And with a better attitude when I suggest things."
"Better attitude than you? That's fairly easy," retorted Yoo. Nana chuckled from beside her.
"What's with all this bullying today?"
"She felt the need to lather you in slander." Nana grinned.
Yoo snorted. "That's one way to use lather in a sentence." She then stretched out her arms, groaning in relief as the muscles on her shoulders and back lost their tension. "Anyway, if you really have problems with your roommate, you can ask the head of the dorm to move you to a different room."
"But I like my room! I just don't like my tacky roommate!"
"Then you better suck it up," said Yoo, shrugging.
Nana leaned forward to ruffle her distressed friend's mop of hair. "Don't worry, Rua. Once you discover something you both hate other than each other, you'll be forced into cooperation!"
The blonde frowned as she took Nana's novel and chucked it at the other two's direction. She felt even more annoyed when they started laughing. "I hate you both." She crossed her arms. "By the way, what time is our next class again?"
"We still have. . ." Nana trailed off, glancing at her wristwatch. "Uh, two hours and thirty minutes."
"Dear God, that's still too long," Rua whined. "I don't want to go to class. It's not even a class!"
A thoughtful hum escaped Yoo's lips. "Wanna go back to the dorm instead?"
"Yeah, let's go. I want to lie down on a bed and not grass." Rua wrinkled her nose.
The other two shared looks of agreement before pulling themselves to their feet. Together, they made their way towards the dorms, ignoring the storm that will come their way in the next few days.