The spectators' pit was over halfway filled when they entered, Coach Irihata reading the question on Mina's mind had explained that this was the norm for volleyball games without an admission fee. Hence the reason the audience was diverse with students, business owners, middle-class workers and those who seemed to stumble on by. Practice games could serve to be more entertaining than regular games depending on the teams participating as well. The audience was roaring in cheers as Mina took a seat between her best friend and boyfriend. Iwa was sat behind them with his own trio including Matsukawa and Hanamaki. Somehow Mina knew Oikawa was behind this, it was as if she had protection at every corner.
"Somehow I'm surprised and not surprised at the same time." Oikawa's pupils dilated at the sight ahead – the uncontrollable cheers suddenly made sense. It was the MSBY Black Jackals, one of the top volleyball teams in Japan. Ms. Beauvais was certainly living up to her reputation.
"Wow. That's incredible. They really made time to play a practice game against some unknown players." Sugawara had unconsciously moved forward, mesmerized by the revelation.
Mina shifted uncomfortably in the seat, around her the other Seijoh players were whispering about the incredible person who had managed to orchestrate such a show. She found herself biting on her tongue enough to draw blood to control the venom she wished to spit. There was nothing incredible about her mother. Nothing.
Ripping her eyes away from the court, she texted Kuroo and Bokuto, informing them who was playing. Bokuto was too excited to use normal words, instead, he smashed his fingers against the keyboard creating gibberish. The Nekoma captain, on the other hand, queried whether this fact bothered her.
'Of course, it does. She can pull off a miracle like this, but couldn't bring herself to talk to me for months? Or see me outside of her terms?' She assumed that Kuroo had left out the details of her mother when informing Bokuto about her ex, and so she was aware that the Ace would most likely be confused by the message.
'Waa? Who?' And there it was, the Ace's puzzlement.
'My mom, Bo. The person responsible for the game and for my ex being in Japan.'
The announcer had broadcasted that the second team would now be entering, forcing the brunette's attention to relocate to the court. Oikawa leaned back in his seat with his lips pressing into a thin line, awaiting their grand entrance.
"Toru, you look like you could murder someone." For a second she removed her gaze from the court, despite feeling compelled to continue until Victor entered. She reached for the captain's hand, bringing it to rest on her thigh.
"Don't project your feelings onto me, Mina-chan." An artificial smile accompanied his words, prompting the Seijoh Ace to nudge Oikawa's chair in warning. "Don't bully me, Hajime!" Oikawa shot a pout over his shoulder.
Mina ignored her boyfriend's usual antics; she was genuinely thankful that Iwa was there to keep him in check. As her attention landed back onto the court the first two players of her mother's team had sauntered into view. Recognition had brought her eyebrows to raise.
"Do you know them?" Sugawara was the first person to notice her strange reaction.
"Mhmm. They're fairly known in Europe for two reasons. First, because they refuse to join any team unless the other does. Second, because their combos are incredible. Since they've only ever worked together, they're linked in more ways or one. That's why they're called the miracle twins, despite not being biologically related."
"Damn. That's commitment." The vice-captain mumbled to himself.
Trailing behind them was Victor himself. The level of noise had increased dramatically when he entered the court, he appeared to be the ladies favourite. The black-haired male had grown a few inches since she last saw him, otherwise, he was the exact same. A nonchalant smile was offered to the crowd along with a royal wave. There were many squeals echoing throughout the vicinity after that. But suddenly he stopped mid-step, scanning the crowd for a familiar face. Mina hated knowing that it was her.
"I'm going to guess that's him." Sugawara could see that Mina had a type, not that he would ever vocalize it to her.
"Who does he think he is?" Oikawa whispered under his breath, partially annoyed by how animated the audience was because of him, and partially because he was currently having a staredown with Mina.
The second Victor's stare connected with hers; a shiver had crawled down her spine. There was a knowing smirk tugging at the end of his lips, silently communicating to her that he knew her intentions. Her breath had developed into a clog in her throat – why the hell did she feel paralyzed?
"Hey." A gentle finger knocked at the back of her head, dismantling the emotions that had paralyzed her. She turned around to see Iwa gawking at her intently.
"Don't let him get to you. You're here to reclaim your power, right? So do it."
A gentle laugh had expelled at his words of wisdom – it was just so unexpected. "Yeah, you're right."
"I bet his serves suck anyway. We can even boo him if you want." Hanamaki added with a flimsy hand movement.
"You guys are too good to me." Most of the weight over her chest had dissolved. Playfully she swiped away at the top of her cheeks, pretending to wipe away her tears. "Dessert is on me after this, okay?"
"Cake cake café?" Sugawara chimed in, almost bouncing in his seat.
"Whaat? No that's our spot, Mina-chan!" Oikawa had finally ended his glare-down with Victor and tuned into the conversation. As the group discussed whether or not they would be visiting the café, below Victor had lost his usual charm. Irritation had caused his features to scrunch ever so slightly.
The makeshift team created by her mother had held their own against the MSBY Black Jackals, something most of the crowd did not expect. Each time the miracle twins completed one of their fantastical combos, Oikawa would inform Iwa that they would be trying that in future practices. The other players were incredible on their own as well, particularly the libero on MSBY. Mina had filmed one of his receives to show Noya. The group would only fall silent whenever Victor was up to serve. It had to be admitted that he had progressed much since she last saw him.
"I really wish he sucked. It would make hating him much easier." Sugawara confessed, a troubled expression on his face.
"His serves lack power." Iwa commented from behind, with his arms crossed over his chest.
"I agree. He's got nothing on Toru and the big giraffe from Shiratorizawa." A teasing laugh sounded from within her throat as Oikawa debated whether to smile or pout.
"Why did you have to mention him now!" The Seijoh Captain was not a fan of being compared to Ushijima, even if he was a star player.
"Be quiet, pretty boy."
Between the comedic commentaries and constant texting with her Tokyo friends, what was meant to be a dreadful experience turned into a positive memory. Kuroo and Bokuto had texted her some encouragement followed by some memes to lighten the mood near the end of the game. Because she was so focused on the images being sent, she had completely missed the final few points that settled the game.
"That was a close game. I can't believe I was able to witness that." One of the first years had exclaimed, holding a hand with his chest. "So intense."
"You missed the winning point, didn't you?" Sugawara nudged Mina, shaking his head disapprovingly. "Who are you even texting?"
"Uhh. I was kinda put into a group chat with Kuroo and Bokuto." She smiled sheepishly, while Oikawa had sulked into his seat. He still had his reservations about Nekoma's captain. It took Mina a few seconds to comprehend why he was sulking. To pull her boyfriend out of his funk, the brunette leaned over to press a kiss to his cheek.
"I'll kiss you properly in front of the entire team if you continue sulking." A suggestive wiggle was provided to her eyebrows as colour flooded his cheeks.
"Okay, okay. Let's go." The mocha haired captain shot out of his seat abruptly, tugging Mina along by her hand.
The couple had exited with the rest of Seijoh trailing behind, Sugawara had to jog to keep up with his best friend. Once they were in the corridor, the students branched off into smaller groups. Coach Irihata was waiting to speak with Ms. Beauvais before dismissing the club.
"Mina, mon chéri! I am so happy to see you." The unexpected voice was released in a manner that demanded all attention fall upon him.
Sugawara and Oikawa were the first to grudgingly comply, a matching glare on both of their visages. It took Mina a few seconds to gather the courage to face the man who shattered her heart.
Victor was accompanied by a few members of his team, his arms were extended forward, suggesting that he expected a hug.
"What? No hug? What has it been? Two years?" The accent only made him sound like a bigger jackass, Mina mentally noted.
"Hey man, back off. She's not going to hug you." Surprisingly, it was Karasuno's vice-captain that spoke first.
"I'm not interested in you." Victor stated plainly, before pointing directly at the single girl. "I want to hear her. She came today to curse at me, no? Go on." Creeping onto his lips was the same smile before – the one that communicated I know you, you won't do it.
"What do you even what from her?" The silver-haired boy was beginning to lose his own temper, protectiveness over his best friend overwhelming him. "You got what you wanted because of her. Isn't that enough?"
A humourless laugh erupted from inside the black-haired male. "Ah yes. Merci beaucoup mon chéri! My time was well-spent on you."
"What did you just say?" Oikawa was seconds from launching his fist in Victor's face, but Mina had extended an arm out, signalling for him to stop.
It hurt. Of course, it hurt. He didn't regret hurting her. Instead, here he was, mocking her.
"What a man you are, Victor. You used me when I was at my lowest and you're proud?" Pity had flashed in her hazel irises, causing him to snarl in distaste. "I feel for you, really. I just wish I realized how truly pathetic you were when we first met."
At this point the other third years were now huddled closer to her, their icy stares focused on the four foreign boys.
"Pathetic? Was it not you who ran away from the country because of a broken heart? Was it not you who abandoned the one thing you were good at? Ah, let me correct myself. The one thing you were mediocre at." His words had a similar effect of a punch to the gut. He knew exactly where to hit her. It was true, ever since moving to Japan she did not play for any league, instead, she hid behind the role of Karasuno's unofficial groupie.
"Coming from a guy with your serves, that means nothing." The Seijoh Ace's voice was cold and calculated, a deadly duo.
"Saito-senpai isn't mediocre. She's one of the best." Kindaichi had cautiously stepped closer, he had been listening since the confrontation began.
"I agree with you, Kindaichi. There are many things I want to learn from her myself." A supportive smile was presented to Mina from the captain. Their encouragement had renewed her confidence. Kuroo's last message to her also echoed in her mind – don't hide from your feelings, they can be your weapons.
"And yet again, you are unable to stand up for yourself, mon amour. Très triste." Due to her silence, Victor assumed that he won.
"If you shut up for more than a few seconds, I would have been able to say something by now." On the exterior, Mina was composed. On the inside, her heart was beating irregularly fast and she was afraid that she would pass out. "I don't need to explain myself to you. I owe you nothing. My mother may not see what you really are, but everyone here has. And one day the whole world will know your true colours. I'll make sure of that. And when you realize what you did, you'll be tortured seeing my name everywhere. I want you to remember this." Proceeding closer to him, she brushed her ponytail off her shoulder and narrowed her eyelids. "You are nothing to me."
Her words had a physical impact on him, he reeled back as if she had just landed a perfect punch. When he attempted to respond, his words were released in jumbles.
Now, I win.
A/N: This is my longest chapter. WOW. ANYWAY. MINA IS MY BABY. She's not only loved by Karasuno but Seijoh. A true queenIE. Also let me know what you guys are thinking about the story so far! Love to know your thoughts.