"First year, class 6. Shimizu Kyoya; it's nice to meet you!"
Motoya Komori stared in surprise at the short first year in front of them. He already expected most of them to be quite short but among this new batch of recruits, the doe eyed boy from class six was the shortest. If he didn't know any better, Komori would have mistaken him for a fourth grader. The first year looked like as if he hadn't reached the hundred fourtiet mark yet.
Usually, first years were often the ball boys or the water boys; Komori hadn't expected any first years to be a part of the regular line up or even receive their uniform in their first year of middle school. Nothing really unusual happened during afternoon practice but for Komori, his eyes often find themselves landing on that first year shorty.
A few days had gone by since they had their new recruits. Some time near the end of practice, as he caught another spike from his cousin, the feeling of being observed washed over him; it was as if someone was trying to burn a pair of holes on his back. When he searched for the source of it, Komori almost flinched back in surprise.
The first year shorty stared at him with wide observing eyes. Even when the first year saw that Komori realized what he was doing, he didn't move his gaze away.
And it made Komori uneasy.The libero was usually outgoing and would go out of his way to socialize, especially that they have new recruits and that he was a senpai now. Something about the particular freshman made his skin crawl.
"Hey, Sakusa?" His cousin hummed, putting on his mask as soon as they finished changing out of their training shirts. "What do you think of the new recruits?"
"Dirty, obviously. All of them are slobs."
That comment sent the libero laughing. "Don't be like that. Besides, they don't go near you, do they?"
"Tch."
Komori took note of the irritation on his cousin's face and realized what that meant. An astonished look painted his features before he laughed yet again for the second time. "No way! Who was it? Tell me! Tell me!" Who in the world was brave enough to approach Sakusa aside from him?! Whoever it was, that person must be a riot!
A thud from the gym reached their ears, causing Komori to stop near the entrance. The doors were slightly ajar and from that small opening, the form of that first year shorty came to view. He didn't know what he expected when he saw the weird boy, maybe pick up a ball from a spike that came from someone who stayed behind for practice or something.
He didn't expect what he saw next.The shorty came in for a pancake, his arm outstretched and his palm facing the floor. As the ball went up due to his save, the first year quickly stood back up on his feet. Komori had to hand it to him; the first year's reaction was amazing. Not many kids his age could have done something like that.
"Motoya, hurry up."
"Hai, hai. No need to be in such a hurry."
.
.
Sakusa Kiyoomi stared at the annoying first year in front of him. "Please let me practice with you, senpai!" Ignoring his plead, Sakusa's careful eyes noted the several dirt marking this disgusting germ's skin. Was that dried blood on his knees? And grass stuck in his hair?! "Go away, you disgusting two-legged germ."
Lightning struck behind the first year who fell down from shock. Done with that shorty's theatrics, Sakusa proceeded to the changing room. He couldn't help but scowl behind the surgical mask he had put on not even seconds ago.
That annoying first year often approaches him, whether it was to give him his towel or his water bottle.(It was because the other first years were too afraid of him so it was up to Kyoya.)
Then, for some reason, that kid began asking if he could practice with him. Of course, Sakusa refused. Why? Because every time he sees that filthy chibi, he would always be drenched in sweat, marred with dirt, or even dried blood. Just thinking about it gives Sakusa the shivers.
Ah, but that first year was too stubborn to take a no.
.
.
Kyoya let out a short shout as he fell on his back, heaving. "Dammit, Sunshine! As much as I love you, give it up already!"
"L-L-Love?!" Hinata screamed in embarrassment before he could ask for another match. What, they had already gone at it for like the third or fifth time already? And they lost every single one of them, too. "He's right," Ukai said as he grabbed Hinata by the head. "They still have to get to Shinkansen."
"If you want to play against us again, do it in a regular game." Nekomata suddenly said, catching Karasuno's attention. "Let's meet on the national stage before loads of spectators, in a place swirling with all sorts of emotions, in a large gymnasium that sparkles and gleams, and have the greatest Battle of the Trash Heap... anyone's ever seen."
Kyoya had already sat by that time, giving Nekomata a sparkling gaze just like everyone else.
"OSU!"
After a few moments of catching their breaths, they began to clean up the equipments. Kyoya was beside Hinata, thinking about how he was going to approach Kuroo. I mean look at him! He's like a sex god incarnate! He's way better than that clean freak! I bet he's freaking smart, too! The tangerine gave his friend a weird look when Kyoya began mumbling incoherent things under his breath.
The libero perked up when he noticed Kenma. "KENMA-SAN!" The blond jumped in surprise, giving him a nervous look. "Y-Yeah?" But Kyoya didn't say anything and just grabbed the Nekoma setter and dragged him to where Kuroo was. They stopped in front of the curious middle blocker as Kyoya hid behind Kenma; making the blond his human shield.
"K-Kuroo-sama!"
"Ah, chibi-chan, do you need something?"
"Y-Youanbsssk..."
Kenma and Kuroo shared a weird glance before looking back at the suddenly shy first year. "What was that?"
"C-Can Inansisjskakshshs..."
"You gotta speak louder than that, chibi-chan."
"... C-C-CAN I PLEASE HAVE YOUR NUMBER?!"
Everyone in the gym stopped whatever they were doing to stare at the blushing shorty.
"PFFT- WAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" Tanaka laughed obnoxiously in the background, pointing at the embarrassed first year.
"SHUT UP, YOU BALDIE!"
"Ah," Kuroo blinked as he took out his phone. "I forgot to ask chibi-chan what school he went to for middle school." Waiting in the comfort of his seat, he began to recall how amused he was when chibi-chan asked for his number. It was pretty cute, actually. Kuroo knew he was hot; he didn't think he was hot enough to catch a boy's attention. Eh, chibi-chan is pretty cute, so I don't mind.
A ding came from his phone and knew immediately that it was from the first year libero of Karasuno. As he read the message, his mind blanked out.
Kenma noticed the weird look on Kuroo's face and paused his game. "What's with that face, Kuroo?"
"... do you remember playing with Dosho?"
The setter blinked. "Dosho? I think I do. We lost to them on the first round during my last year in middle school. Why ask?" The middle blocker mechanically turned his head towards his friend. "Apparently, chibi-chan had gone to that school."
"... the one with that weird ace?"
"Yup."
"Huh... no wonder Yaku-san told me that Kyo plays like he had been to the nationals."
"That chibi?"
Kenma resumes his game. "Yes, Kuroo."
Kuroo Tetsurou never expected that. It was a wonder why he didn't know of chibi-chan, at all.