Ushijima had recovered from his disorientated state as Mina began clawing away at the crowd to establish some distance between him and the ginger.
"Karasuno will not be going to Nationals. You not only lack in skill, but in composure as well. You are as they say it – all bite and no action."
Hinata was struggling to disobey the urge to snap a comment back, he despised how the Shiratorizawa captain could view Aobajohsai High as a notable adversary, but Karasuno as equivalent to the filth on the ground. However, the patronizing declaration did not sit well with the brunette either.
"You never know, they may surprise you." Earlier when Hinata had called for the brunette, Oikawa had stopped dead in his tracks – leaving his girlfriend to conversate with his second least favourite person? Not happening.
The sudden interruption by the Seijoh captain had drawn all the attention back to him, but his caramel hues were fixed on one person alone. With his hands finding refuge in his uniform pockets, a flirty smile had established over his lips. Mina knew that he had only come to the defence of her school team for her sake. That being said, Karasuno was a team that did continuously surprise him.
"Wah – the great king is complimenting us?" Hinata managed to blurt out with his eyes expanding in surprise.
"Don't let this get to your head, short fry." As his attention shifted from his girlfriend to the short middle blocker, his smile was exchanged for a sly smirk.
"I would like to add something," Mina's back was originally directed towards the Ushijima, and with a quick turn on the platform of her boots, she had returned her icy stare to him. "A good team requires more than strong and tall players." She may have been overcome by nerves earlier, but when it came to her loved ones, she would not remain silent.
"And who are you to proclaim such a thing?" It was quite clear that the question was not stated with any venom, rather it was a valid inquiry. Nonetheless, it had prompted the Seijoh captain to strain his jaw in irritation.
"Mina Saito. Give my name a search and you'll get your answer." The brunette refused to allow him to wiggle his way under her skin. Dipping an eyelid into a wink, she resumed her motion from earlier, gently pushing against Hinata's back to lead him away from the scene. "And you," Mischievousness had claimed her eyes as she located the boy who held her heart. "I'll see you later, pretty boy."
Once she had disappeared down the hall with the short ginger, Oikawa exhaled a dreamy sigh.
"And that everyone, is the girl who stole my heart."
Once the pair rejoined the rest of the team, Hinata was initially scolded by the two coaches who reminded him of the importance of today and how his presence was required if he desired to remain in the first rotation. Following that blow to his confidence, Daichi had also delivered his own speech. The short ginger had mistakenly slipped out the details of his disappearance during his apology, gathering the interest of the remainder of the team.
"The Great King stood up for us! I'm telling you! You should have seen Ushijima's face!"
"Oikawa must have said something because Saito was there." The first-year setter could find no other rational explanation.
"How do you always find yourself in these situations, bro? Maybe we need to give you a bathroom buddy." Tanaka's suggestion was preceded by a devilish laugh.
"I second that." Mina's right hand shot up to the sky as she gave her head a firm nod.
"Okay settle down. We'll discuss this later. Right now we need to focus. Our game against Johzenji High is starting in fifteen minutes. There's no point worrying about Shiratorizawa or Seijoh right now. Let's focus on the target in front of us." And this was why Daichi was Karasuno's captain. A mostly levelheaded individual who knew how to tame the children he had to call team-mates.
"Aww. You talkin' about us?" As if on cue, the blonde-haired captain of Johzenji was leaning forward, grin in place. "Oh hi, sexy. It's been awhile. I didn't know Karasuno had three girl managers."
"What did you just say?" Nishinoya was unsure who the comment was directed at – either way, the three girls present were sacred to him.
A gentle grunt had sounded within her throat as Mina tried to remain civil with the male. "First off, don't call me that. Second off, shouldn't you be with your team right now, captain?"
Terushima's gaze was on the libero, an amused expression on his features. "What a ferocious crow you've got there. And I was on my way back when I heard ya'll."
"Let me at him!"
Within seconds Sugawara and Ennoshita had an arm around the libero, restraining his movements. The Karasuno captain had a small scowl threatening to form on his lips as his eyes went from them to the blonde.
"We assure you that nothing disrespectful was said." The two captains locked gazes as Terushima toyed with the ring pierced into his tongue.
"Uh huh." The Johzenji captain was uninterested in Daichi and his empty reassurance. "See ya on the court." Retreating a step away from the group, he spun around then wiggled his fingers in a wave.
"What's his problem?" Tanaka growled under his breath with his arms crossing over his chest.
Mina couldn't help but wonder if his fascination with her stemmed from their first interaction. The blonde had met with Oikawa after that instance, but she was unaware if anything strange had occurred between them. It was a mystery indeed.
Mina had never seen quite an unorthodox style of playing before – and she had been playing volleyball since she was 6. Johzenji's attacks were highly uncoordinated, Mina could not decide whether they were entertaining or embarrassing. However, despite the clear lack of harmonization, the inability to foresee their next move or a pattern had forced Karasuno to stay completely alert.
"I know their playing style is a bit … messy, but they do look like they're having fun." Yachi observed quietly.
"Yeah, I agree with you there, kiddo. They don't seem too interested in the outcome of the set." Saeko contributed, her eyes on the scoreboard.
"They already lost the first set, and they seem unphased. They're certainly an interesting group." Shimada had been analyzing the game from the beginning, explaining certain technical terms to the two girls unfamiliar with volleyball. Mina did not mind; she would occasionally provide her own input as well.
'Hey pretty girl, how's your team doing?' The text message had lit up the dark screen in her hand.
'Two points from winning! What about you?' After pressing send, her attention returned to the court. They were now one point from winning and progressing to the quarterfinals!
'We just finished up. We have some time before our next match, I'll meet you in the stands. Cool?'
On the court the final point was secured, drawing the few supporters of Karasuno to break into a unified cheer. After escaping the embrace of Saeko, Mina was able to respond to Oikawa.
'We just won! And yes, I'll be waiting!'
It was at this point when she realized that if both Seijoh and Karasuno had progressed any further, they would ultimately become adversaries on the court. It was inevitable. Tonight she would either be consoling her boyfriend or her best friends. Preferably not both.
A/N: I know ya'll are missing the drAMA, don't worry we'll get back to it soon enough.