Fly High: Etsuko was perfectly fine flying under the radar when she switched schools and began living with her cousin after an accident took away the only thing she cared for, however a flying volleyball to the face leads those plans astray. What's this about becoming a manager? OCx?
Rating: Rated T for the occasional use of adult language.
Disclaimer: I do NOT own Haikyuu! I just enjoy playing around with their characters and adding a few of my own.
Author's Note: I am so glad that everyone liked the updated chapters. I realize that it is way too soon for anyone to know who Etsuko could possibly be paired with, but I am still glad to see who everyone is interested in. I'm still torn but I hope I can start to narrow it down in future chapters. Like I mentioned before...this is going to be a slow burn, so I have time. I want to focus on friendships first before anything else. So, without further ado...let's get to work on some of them, shall we?
Word Count: 2,668
Chapter Three
"Amano-san!" Etsuko looked up from doodling in her history notebook, the last class of the day that seemed to drag on and on, to see their history teacher Kimura, a relatively young, red-haired woman, frowning at her lightly. "Now that I have your attention, maybe you can answer question 5 on the board?" Etsuko offered a sheepish smile, a few of her classmates had giggled at the reprimand.
"Sorry Sensei," Etsuko offered before reading the question quickly, a slight frown coming to her face as she comprehended it. "Isn't that a trick question Kimura-sensei?" Kiruma offered the girl a smile, nodding at her answer.
"Yes, thank you for pointing that out. Now, let's pay attention to why, shall we?" Etsuko ducked her head, pulling her history book closer as her teacher began talking about the question, explaining the answer and the history behind it.
Etsuko started taking notes, trying to pay attention so she wouldn't get in trouble or called out again, however her concentration didn't last long, it never did during history. It wasn't that Etsuko found the subject boring, it was actually one of her best subjects, but the heat coming through the window after a long day of sitting down for all the other classes left her restless and her attention often waned. She started doodling again, left leg bouncing under her seat. This went on for another 15 minutes before the teacher called from the front of the room.
"Alright everyone! We'll be selecting groups for your Edo Period projects that will be due in two weeks" Half of the class let out a groan at this announcement and Etsuko sighed. Their teacher just flashed them a grin in response, a stack of packets in her hand that contained the instructions for their project. "Don't worry, I will be allowing you to pick your groups. I will give you a few minutes to form groups of 3 while I pass out the details of your project. Once you are set and receive your paper, you have the last few minutes of class to discuss and plan."
Etsuko sighed, wondering who she could possibly pair up with. She knew she wasn't exactly friends with anyone in the class and her classmates were more than likely to group up with their friends instead of randomly inviting her since they were given that option. What a hassle, Etsuko thought, flipping her pencil between her fingers, liquid honey eyes flicking over her already grouping classmates.
"...Amano-san…" Etsuko turned at the call of her name behind her, once again surprised that the boy was again starting a conversation with her voluntarily. The boy was looking at his desk, head bowed slightly. Etsuko raised an eyebrow at the boy standing next to his desk, Fukunaga, with a small smile on his thin face.
"Yes Kozume-san, Fukunaga-san?" Etsuko prompted, wondering what the two boys wanted. She had an idea, but she was wondering why they would be asking her. Before today, they had never talked to her.
"Do you want to join our group Amano-san?" Fukunaga asked, "We need a third person and it seems like you need a group."
Before Etsuko could answer or question them, Kimura-sensei appeared next to their makeshift group with a smile on her face and a dwindled stack of papers. "So, this is our last group? Nice choices Amano-san, Fukunaga and Kozume could use some help with their Japanese history." Etsuko offered her teacher a small smile knowing she now had no other choice but to join the two boys...not like she had had any other choices left either.
"Yes," Etsuko replied, reaching out to take their packets, passing one to Kozume and Fukunaga as their teacher left, "Apparently I am in your group." Etsuko began looking over the scope of the project, apparently they were in charge of researching the art of the Edo period and presenting what they found to their classmates at the end of next week. "Today is Monday, so we have some time to prepare. How are we going to work around your practice schedules?"
Kozume was flipping through the packet as well, gold eyes reading quickly. Fukunaga was also flipping through, leaning back against the desk behind him. "This could be difficult. We have an away practice at the end of the week and practice everyday this week." Fukunaga sighed, rolling the packet up and hitting it lightly against his leg, a small frown on his face as he tried to think of what they could do.
Estuko frowned, "That does complicate things."
"Maybe…" Kenma began, both of his classmates looked at him, he had brought phone out and was tapping away at the screen, "Amano-san could come to our practice and wait for us…" He continued, "We could work on it afterwards...though that might be too much..."
"I could just work on it without you" Etsuko offered, not really wanting to go to their practice.
Fukunaga shook his head, a frown on his face "We can't ask you to do all the work Amano-san," He said. "We could go and get burgers and work on the project after? Maybe we could further figure things out there."
Etsuko sighed, why is this the one time I couldn't find another group to work with, she thought. She really didn't want to have to go to their practice but she didn't see what other options they had. This project was worth a major portion of their grade and while she had offered to do most for the project, both boys didn't appear to agree to that. Not to mention I get involved with the one group that has a moral conscience.
"Fine," Etsuko agreed, an uneasy feeling beginning to form in her stomach. She managed to spend a few minutes in the gym this morning, she could spend a few more hours without any complications. Besides, she would get the chance to see her cousin in action as he practiced, something she didn't get to witness often. They hadn't had the chance to hang out together much since school had started and he had joined the high school volleyball team. "Will your teammates or coach care that I am basically crashing your practice?"
Fukunaga smiled at Etsuko, wide eyes watching her, "It'll be fine. Coach Nekomata won't mind,`` His eyes widened slightly as a new thought entered his mind, "Maybe you'll even be able to help out today. We have a practice match with another local school," Etsuko frowned, "That is if you don't mind."
Etsuko huffed, feeling like there was an alternative motive but she couldn't place it. "We'll see," She said as the final bell rang. She turned back around in her seat to begin packing her things away in her backpack. She pulled out her phone and flipped it open to see if her friends had snuck her any messages during the school day. The group chat had been silent, she suspected because Machiko would have seen them, but she had received a message from Kana - a picture.
Etsuko grinned when she opened the picture to see Kana grinning at her with a wide white smile, sun-kissed skin, chin-length bright, blond hair that framed a face with beautiful, wide green eyes and a button nose. Kana had forced their other friend, Ren, into the picture with an arm around her smaller shoulders holding the grumpy girl in frame. Her long brown hair was in two pigtails with large, blue rimmed glasses resting on a pale nose and magnifying black eyes. The picture was captured with Kana's words: I'll get Ren-kun to smile one day!
Etsuko tapped out a quick reply, easily moving through the buttons despite the tediousness of having to press buttons to get to certain letters.
Etsuko: That will be the day. Great picture! Where is Hikari?
It only took several moments for Etsuko to get a reply from her bubbly friend.
Kana: She took the picture before sensei came in. Good luck studying! Coach is making us practice in pairs today /(´▽`)/
Etsuko: Good luck! Don't get on Machiko's nerves!
Kana: Yes Tsu-chan!
"Ready to go Amano-san?" Etsuko looked up from her phone, having stayed in her seat while the rest of her classmates filed out, all except two it seemed. Kozume was standing behind Fukunaga, cell phone out as he tapped away on some game, golden eyes focused on the screen as he hunched over slightly, hair hanging in his face. Fukunaga stood with his hands in his pockets, a small smile on his face.
Etsuko let out a small sigh, getting up from her desk and standing before the taller boys, while Fukunaga was almost a foot taller than her, Kozume, who was more of an average height for a Japanese male, was also quite a bit taller than her as well. "Let's get this over with," She offered, waiting for the boys to lead the way. She knew where to go, but she figured she would let them lead as she was the one who would be crashing their practice. Etsuko really hoped their coach and teammates wouldn't mind. She didn't want to cause any problems, especially since it seems they were having a practice match today.
As the small group left the classroom and began making their way towards the second gym, Etsuko glanced over at Kozume who walked beside her, albeit with a larger space than was needed, and saw that he was playing an RPG battle game on his phone. Etsuko was unable to play those types of games on her older model flip-phone but she recognized it from something her friend Ren would play during breaks from classes. Etsuko stepped closer to the boy to see what part he was at and inadvertently caused Kozume to stiffen. Etsuko smiled sheepishly, stepping back when his gold eyes locked onto her from behind his blonde locks. "Sorry," She offered, shrugging as they walked down the stairs, "I was just seeing what game you were playing. My friend plays it as well."
Kosume watched her for a few seconds, fingers fidgeting lightly, before he focused back on his screen, "...it's fine."
"You can go ahead to the gym Amano-san," Fukunaga spoke from in front of the group, shoulders curled slightly as he looked over his shoulder at the pair behind him, "Kenma and I need to change. We'll let everyone know that you are here as well. Coach Nekomata and Naoi should already be there." Etsuko thought back to the older man she had talked to this morning when she had dropped off her cousin's lunch and tried to place the other coaches face but couldn't.
"Alright," Etsuko gave a slight wave and began walking towards the second gym while the boys left her to head to their locker room. She sighed, frowning slightly at the thought of what was to come. Maybe I can help them out just this one time...don't they have a manager to help out though? She thought as she approached the double doors. She slipped her loafers off as she stepped through, pushing aside the netting and pulling on her indoor shoes that she had brought with her from the school - she hadn't felt like walking around in her tights for however long she was going to be here. Knowing what time her cousin usually got home, it wouldn't be till after dark...and they still had to discuss their project after practice. It's going to be a long day.
"Ah, Amano-san," Etsuko smiled somewhat sheepishly as the older, cat faced coach smiled at her from where he was standing next to a much younger adult male. "What can we help you with?"
"Sorry Nekomata-san," Etsuko bowed slightly, her bag clutched in her hands, "Kozume-san and Fukunaga-san invited me to attend practice as we had a project to work on afterwards. I can leave if I will be a distraction," She admittedly tried to find a way out, "They mentioned they have a practice match, I don't want to be in the way."
The coach's smile widened, "No need," He replied, hands folded behind his back as his smile turned even more cat-like, like he had eaten a canary, "In fact, if you don't mind Amano-san, you might even be able to help us today."
Etsuko's smile wavered, "If…" She signed, resigned, "If that's what you need." She moved towards the wall by the door and set her bag down, out of the way, and pulled her school jacket off, not wanting to chance getting it dirty with whatever she ended up doing. She had been hoping to sit out of the way and work on other homework but she knew that wasn't going to happen now. "Okay Nekomata-san, what do I need to do?" Etsuko didn't think that such an old man, who looked so kind and cat-like, could look more pleased.
"Do you mind going to fill up the water bottles Amano-san?" He indicated a group of sports bottles resting in a large bag on the coaches bench. "The faucet is behind the gym." Etsuko nodded and pulled an armful of bottles into her arms, folding them against her chest and made her way back towards the door to switch shoes once more. This would take at least two trips, if not three, to fill all the bottles.
It took her about 5 minutes to fill the bottles she had in her arms and make her way back to the gym. She could hear from inside that the boys from the team had started arriving for practice. She paused, releasing a sigh and slipped from her shoes once more and entered the chaos that was inside. "Etsuko-chan!"
Etsuko offered her cousin a smile as he came up beside her, a slightly concerned look on his face "Hello Yuki," She moved past him to set the water bottles down on the bench next to the empty ones she still needed to fill. Her cousin followed beside her.
"Are you alright, Etsuko-chan?" He asked her, knowing her history and why she had an aversion to his club.
"It's fine Yuki, I don't mind helping," Etsuko replied, piling more bottles into her arms, "I have a project with Fukunaga-san and Kozume-san, and I don't want to be in the way. It's the least I could do."
"Oya, oya," Yuki jumped as his captain Kuroo Tetsuro, the tall, spiky haired boy from this morning that had teased Tora, appeared behind the much smaller boy with a teasing smile on his face. He stared down at the girl with his sly, black eyes. Etsuko simply raised an eyebrow in response, an unimpressed look on her face. "Amano-chan is visiting us again? Did Tora's misplaced spike end up striking your heart in a different way?"
Behind him, though the three weren't paying the slightest attention, the second year mentioned frozen, a heavy blush turning his entire face a dark, cherry red and his jaw dropped comically. "K-Kuroo!" The other boys around him snickered at his expression. A smaller boy with light, short, messy brown hair and matching eyes nugged the blushing boy with a smirk on his face.
"No," Etsuko responded simply. Kuroo's smile widened into a grin at the response while Yuki blushed lightly. What had he gotten in the middle of? He just wanted to make sure Etsuko was alright with the difficult situation she must be feeling, even if it wasn't obvious on her face.
"You seem to know what you are doing," Kuroo continued, a calculating look entering his eyes.
Etsuko huffed, rolling her eyes as she moved past him to go and fill the bottles up. "It's not like it's rocket science." She slipped through the door and into her loafers once more. Kuroo walked after her, grin never leaving his face. Etsuko sighed, looking back up at him. "What Kuroo-san?"
"If it's not hard," He started, "Why not become our manager?"
Note: Uh-oh, what has Etsuko stumbled into? Please review! I'm glad I still had people interested despite taking such a long break. And by the way...I never expected Fukunaga to be so hard to write O-O