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: Alright, I am on a roll! Here is the fourth chapter! I am glad that there are those who are enjoying my story so far! Please continue reviewing and giving me feedback. It always makes my day. I am still trying to air out a more realistic update schedule and I hope to have it figured out by the end of my winter break. I am a teacher and starting my masters at the end of January but I still want to continue updating and working on my fanfiction as it has been so relaxing and rewarding to be able to take breaks and be creative. So, for now, updates are random and when I have a new chapter written, but I am going to be coming up with a better plan in the next couple of weeks.
Anyway, let's go! What will Etsuko's response to Kuroo be?
Word Count: 3,782
Chapter Four
Etsuko couldn't resist letting out an ugly snort, a disbelieving look coming to her face. Kuroo's grin just widened as the other boys in the team starred either in shock or with impressed looks on their faces. The two coaches decided to let the situation play out before getting the boys focused on practice - Nekomata's grin widened as well as this was an interesting development.
"No," Etsuko simply answered, turning on her heel and going to fill the water bottles up and leaving the boys staring after her. Yuki just grinned sheepishly, a blush coming to his face at his cousin's behavior, he didn't know whether to be proud or embarrassed.
"And here I thought you knew how to talk to girls," Yaku, the team's star libero, a short boy with light, spiky brown hair and matching eyes was offering his friend, captain, and fellow third-year a smug smirk from where he stood next to another third year, Kai, a boy with closely shaved black hair and dark eyes that was smiling as well. The other team members, the few first years were torn between laughing at their captain's rejection or blushing at the way the older girl had behaved and acted - she was so cool! Several thought, wondering how her and Yuki were related, and beautiful! Fukunaga just snickered quietly while Kenma watched without reaction, golden eyes giving his childhood friend turned captain an unamused stare. Tora was staring after her as if struck by lightning.
"Mah," Kuroo shrugged, grin never leaving his face as he faced his teammates, "I'm not sure that Etsuko-chan counts as a girl. Your cousin is ice-cold Yuki," He teased the boy whose blush just deepened in response.
"E-Etsuko-chan's not cold!" He protested, "She has good reasons not to want to be manager."
"Really?" Kuroo wondered, hands on his hips and head tilted, "And what reasons would that be?"
"Reason's that are my own," Kuroo froze, smile freezing in place at the cold tone in the girl's voice behind him. He hadn't realized that the younger girl had come back . Etsuko slid past to place the bottles on the bench. "Here you are Nekomata-san, what next?" Etsuko asked the older coach who just continued to smile at the girl.
"If you don't mind starting to help set up for the visiting team while the boys start warming up and practice, that would be great Amano-san." Etsuko nodded, going towards where Coach Noai was now directing her to where the supplies were that she would need to help with. "The rest of you should start warming up. Run 10 laps around the gym then begin spiking practice."A few released quiet groans but everyone began to run. Normally they would go running around the neighborhood or school, but the visiting team would be arriving shortly and they needed to be here to greet them and begin their match. It would be the first time they got to see the other team since the last summer training camp at their school and they were excited to get the chance to play them with the opportunity to test out the new team members they had obtained.
Etsuko worked quietly for the next twenty minutes, pulling out enough chairs for possible coaches and managers, about six depending on the size of the school visiting, as well as pulling the scorekeeping board and the referee stand to the appropriate places. At the same time, the boys continued to make their laps around the gym, her cousin offering her a smile every time he passed while Fukunaga offered her a friendly wave at one point and Tora refused to acknowledge her presence other than his face turning extremely red each time he passed her. She didn't know whether to be amused or exasperated.
This must have been Fukunaga's motive, Etsuko thought, going into the storage room and grabbing the different smocks for the two teams to wear during their practice matches. She would let the boys grab the net and net bars, deciding that was their job. They literally just met me today...I filled water bottles...manager, huh? Etsuko had immediately shot down the third-year captain's request without thought, but she was still contemplating the idea. It's not like she was opposed to the idea because she didn't know anything about volleyball...she actually loved the sport. She was on her previous school's girl's volleyball team, was even made co-captain briefly, but she had decided to quit playing when she changed schools suddenly and for other reasons she didn't currently want to think about.
"Alright, let's practice some spikes," Coach Noai, the younger of the two coaches with short black hair and eyes called, taking place beside a cart full of volleyballs. "We don't have long until Fukurodani arrives! Kenma you'll be setting." The quiet boy sighed tiredly, moving to get into position while all the others boys lined up to take turns spiking. The coach would be the one who would be tossing the ball up to be set. Etsuko moved out the way and went to stand next to Coach Nekomata who had taken a seat on the bench. She fidgeted lightly from where she stood, watching closely at how Kozume made very little movement as he set up the ball for the various players, a blank look on his face.
"Here we go!" Honey eyes watched as Tora, the boy from this morning, called out loudly and went forward, jumping up to spike the ball. It went down sharply with a powerful thwack! "Oh yeah!" He cheered, getting riled up easily. He moved back into line where a much taller and lankier boy with sleek, gray hair and narrow, angled green eyes was waiting to spike the ball next. He had an excited smile on his face as he moved forward the same time Kozume went to set the ball, however the smile left his face to transform into an awkward surprised face as he completely missed the spike.
Kozume frowned, an uncomfortable look coming to his face as the boy turned to him with a whine on his face and in his voice, "Kenma!" Kozume's face morphed into an unpleasant expression, almost pained, as the younger boy complained because they couldn't time up properly, he was convinced the setter wasn't trying hard enough. However, he was made to move to the back of the line by Kai who was smiling placatingly at the boy, getting him off the setter's back. He went with a pout, shoulders hunched.
"Amano-san," Etsuko jumped, having got caught up in watching the team's dynamic. She turned towards the older man, a sheepish smile coming to her face which was returned in what she was beginning to think was the man's default expression; a cat-like smile. He patted the bench next to him, indicating that he wanted her to take a seat beside him. Etsuko looked confused for a moment before moving to sit beside him, tucking her skirt neatly under her. "Amano-san, tell me something," He turned his small eyes on her, "Despite Kuroo's rather abrupt decision to ask, are you actually opposed to being our team's manager?" Etsuko froze in her seat, "Our team hasn't had a manger for quite some time and we could use someone to help out with some of the duties. Plus, it looks like you know your way around a volleyball court."
Etsuko clenched her hands in her lap, looking down at them to avoid looking at the older man, thoughts running wild in her head as there was the continuous sound of squeaking shoes and balls hitting the floor loudly. Coach Nekomata waited patiently for a response, going back to watching over the boys practicing their spikes. This again? They don't even know me! Etsuko tried to collect her thoughts so she could answer the coach, however he continued talking to her as if he could read her mind.
"After all, you used to play volleyball yourself Amano-san," he continued smiling at the surprised girl, "I looked up your student file after this morning's incident, you managed to catch and stop the ball's momentum so easily, I was curious. From what I read, you were quite good. Now I can understand why you didn't continue playing here, as we don't have a girl's volleyball team, but by being our manager you have the chance to participate and be a part of a team again, at least in some way."
Her hands were pale white, fingertips a bright red with how hard Etsuko was clutching them in her lap. She was actually beginning to shake a little. He was right, and Etsuko would love to be on a team of some kind, even if she didn't get to play, but she didn't know if she had it in her. "I...I," She started, not quite sure what she wanted to say.
"Hahaha," Nekomata laughed, obviously seeing the struggle the girl was going through, "Don't worry too hard Amano-san, I don't expect an answer so soon. I have more patience in my old age than Kuroo does." He smiled widely at her, "Why don't you watch our practice match today and think about your answer? We might just surprise you. This is the best team Nekoma has had in years and we could really use a manager like you."
Etsuko sighed, feeling some of the pressure release from her shoulders. Her eyebrows furrowed lightly, still unsure why she wasn't able to offer an answer straight away like she had earlier when the third-year captain had asked her to become manager. It had been so easily to refuse the cocky older boy, so why wasn't it just as easy to refuse their coach? Her eyes flickered back up to watch the boys practicing their spikes; Kozume was currently about to set for Kuroo. The older boy had a grin on his face and he ran forward, drawing his arm back to smack the ball down on the opposite side of the net loudly, teeth flashing as he turned to say something to Kozume, the apathetic boy nodding in reply.
"Ah, looks like they're here," Etsuko stood up to follow behind the coach who had risen to move towards the doorway of the gym where another older man, though not as old as Nekomata, had entered the gym. He stood in a white and black gym uniform, short spiky, gray hair, dark eyebrows and thin, wire-rimmed glasses. He had a smile on his face as he greeted his fellow coach like they were old friends. "Takeyuki, welcome back to Nekoma."
"Yasufumi," He nodded to the shorter coach. "Any new interesting players?" The taller coach's dark eyes had moved beyond the coach and was watching Nekoma's team practicing their spikes.
"A few," Nekomata nodded, grin widening, "What about you?"
"A few," The Fukurodani coach replied, smile widening. Etsuko watched the interaction before her eyes were dragged towards the entrance as the visiting team began to enter the gym loudly.
"Hey, hey, hey!" A broad shouldered boy with wildly spiky, two toned black and gray hair, lightly tanned skin and bushy eye-brows was grinning widely, gold eyes searching the gym. "Kuroo! Kenma!"
"Yo Bokuto," Kuroo greeted his friend, a sly looking grin stretching across his face as he moved to stand in front of the visiting teen, "You know how to hit straights yet?"
"Why you-" He pouted, aiming a glare at the teen before getting fired up, emotions changing quickly, "Just you wait and see! I'll be shooting past your blocks soon enough!"
"Oh yeah?" Kuroo challenged, "We'll see."
"That's enough Bokuto," Their coach called to the boy, "You all begin warming up. Practice spiking with Akaashi." A tall, thin boy with lazy eyes and short, spiky black hair nodded quietly, expression blank. The other members of the team began filing in and changing into their gym shoes.
"Let's go Akaashi!" The loud, owl looking boy chanted, moving to line up on the other side of the net where Nekoma had paused in their practicing to watch the other team arrive.
"Um, excuse us," Etsuko jumped and turned to see two girls who were wearing black and white patterned gym uniforms with a dark blue shirt with their school's name on it. A shorter girl with shoulder length reddish-brown hair with matching eyes was smiling at Etsuko, her large eyes at half-mast. The other girl was taller than both Etsuko and her friend with sand colored hair pulled back in a messy ponytail, blueish-grey eyes set above lightly freckled cheeks and a friendly smile. "Are you Nekoma's manager? We didn't know they had gotten one."
"Oh!" Etsuko shook her head, an awkward smile coming to her face, "I-I'm not. I got dragged into helping because I am waiting to work on a school project. I can help with anything you need. I'm Etsuko Amano," She offered a polite bow to the two girls. Both smiled at her in response before introducing themselves.
"Yukie Shirofuku," was the red-head.
"Kaori Suzumeda," was the taller girl.
Etsuko nodded, still feeling out of place as she led both girls to where she had set up the spare chairs. They were both carrying different things, Shirofuku carried the water bottle cooler and Suzumeda had a bag full of random supplies. "Man, that's too bad!" Shirofuku began, "It would have been nice to have another girl around, especially when we have training camps."
"Training camps?" Etsuko questioned, this was the second time they had been brought up around her since practice started.
"Yes!" Suzumeda answered, grin widening on her freckled face, "We get together and have training camps between our teams as well as Shinzen and Ubugawa. The teams are all close because the coaches used to train and play together when they were young. We try to have them as often as school will allow. They usually happen on weekends but sometimes we get to make it a week long thing."
Etsuko blinked, "That must be useful." She was thinking back to the team she used to be on. They had a few teams they regularly practiced with, and one they had a rivalry with that they took the chance to practice with at all times, but nothing like the closeness that the two girls had just revealed.
"It is! But it can be so draining," Shirofuku said, red eyes shining with a playful smile on her face, her hands making a weird gesture, "That's why we were so excited that Nekoma might have a manager. All those boys can be a handful to take care of."
Etsuko blushed lightly, fidgeting lightly in place. "T-they asked me today to become one, but I don't know."
"Really?" Shirofuku questioned, excitement in her voice. Etsuko nodded, still fidgeting.
"Who asked?"
"Kuroo-san," Etsuko frowned in the general direction of where the third-year was now practicing serving with the rest to the team. He was grinning widely at the silver haired first year and her cousin, who was stretching with the main libero while the rest of the team practiced. "But then Coach Nekomata asked as well."
"Why don't you want to be a manager? Are you a part of another club?" Shirofuku questioned. "If it's because you don't know anything about Volleyball, the boys and coaches will help you learn."
Etsuko shook her head quickly, "No, that's not it. I actually used to play myself, and my cousin is on the team," She briefly pointed to her cousin and the two girls nodded, "I just don't know if I feel comfortable." She shrugged, "I literally just met most of them this morning."
"Wow! Really?" Suzumeda giggled, "And they already asked you to be manager? What made them ask?"
Etsuko huffed lightly, rolling her eyes, "Apparently Kuroo was impressed by my water bottle filling skills." And despite the fact that all three girls had just met each other, they all burst into laughter at the black headed girls words.
Their laughter drew both teams' attention. The two older coaches offered the girls gentle smiles, Nekomata hoping that her interaction with the two girls would encourage her to become the team's manager. He really thought that Etsuko would be a great addition to the team.
Meanwhile, the boys from both teams had different reactions. The first years on Nekoma, other than Yuki, were blushing and starstruck at seeing not only the two third year managers of Fukurodani laughing, but as well as seeing Etsuko laughing freely as well. Tora had frozen in place again, as if struck by lightning. Fukunaga was laughing quietly at his fellow second years response from beside Kenma, who was watching the girls with an uninterested look on his pale face.
"Amano-san really knows how to make friends, huh?" Fukunaga spoke.
"Etsuko-chan has always been easy to open up to people," Yuki offered, glad to see that others were seeing the true side to his cousin.
"Somehow I find that hard to believe," Kuroo offered, grin in place.
"Uh, Kuroo-san…" Yuki mumbled, blushing and feeling like he had to tell his captain something to defend his cousin and to be helpful as well, "Etsuko-chan...she doesn't really like guys who act too cocky." Kuroo froze as Yaku burst out laughing, the smaller boy was beside himself.
While on the other side of the gym with the Fukurodani team, the boys were mainly focused on the unknown girl talking to their two managers. A trio of third years, two tall wing spikers and the team's shorter libero, were all blushing as they looked at the black haired girl that was standing in the gym in the Nekoma girl's school uniform. Her black hair was shiny and knotted in a complicated looking bun at the back of her head, while her skin shined with a soft tan. She was short and petite but still feminine with a narrowed waist and gentle curves. Her face was also cute, with a button nose and large golden eyes that were framed by long lashes and light freckles.
"Wow!" Haruko Komi, the brown haired libero, muttered, "When did Nekoma get such a hottie?" The two beside him nodded in agreement.
"Hey, did you get a manager Kuroo?" Bokuto, the loud grey haired ace, questioned loudly to his friend which drew the attention of the three girls. Etsuko blushed lightly at seeing both teams looking at them while Shirofuku and Suzamada just sighed at the obviousness of their team. Boys really were so stupid sometimes...espiecally Bokuto.
However before the taller captain could answer, Coach Nekomata called everyone to attention. The boys of both teams lined up on the wide of the court while Coach Naoi began pushing the ball cart out of the way and went to take his place on the referee stand. "Now, it's been a while since summer where we had the chance to practice together," Coach Nekomata smiled at the boys on both teams, some were practically bouncing in anticipation, "Both teams have new and familiar faces. Let's see everything we have been working on." He nodded and both teams split up. Fukorodoni went to their coach to get the set up for their sets while Nekoma did the same.
Etsuko offered the two girls a smile before moving back over to the bench Coach Nekomata was now sitting on. She stood behind him while he instructed the boys. "Lev, we will be switching you in and out as we practice," The silver haired boy grinned, "This is a practice match, so hopefully some experience will help you learn what you are still lacking. Try your best to pair with Kenma." His grin faltered and Yaku and his fellow first years sniggered from beside him. Kenma already had an exhausted look on his face and the game hadn't even started yet.
"Etsuko has agreed to think about her decision to become our manager," Etsuko froze, face going red as the whole team turned their eyes onto her. She was not expecting that. What the heck, why did he say that? "So, let's make this a practice worth watching, hm? Hopefully that will help with her decision."
Etsuko avoided looking at the dark eyes of Kuroo that were trained on her, a sly grin coming to his face. She looked away as the players who were starting began making their way to the coard while the rest of the team made their way to the squared waiting area in case they needed to be switched in/out. "Amano-san," Etsuko looked down at the coach who was smiling a closed eyed smile up at her, "Will you keep score with one of Fukurodani's managers?" Etsuko nodded and made her way to sit beside the scoreboard where Shirofuku was already set up on her team's side.
When she took her place, offering the red-haired girl a smile, she prepared to watch the practice match. Fukurodini's team was already getting into position while Nekoma was still in a huddle. Etsuko starred in surprise, a weird look coming to her face, as she listened to Kuroo give a strange pep talk in the huddle. "We're like the blood in our veins. We must flow without stopping. Keep your oxygen moving and your mind working."
"They are so strange," Etsuko muttered, shaking her head and wondering how her two classmates, Kozume and Fukunaga, and her cousin Yuki put up with the strange third year boy.
"Aren't they?" Shirofuku snickered, "But it's not like my team is any better, we do have Bokuto. You should pay attention," Her red eyes cut sharply to the girl, a slyness coming to her smiling face, "Both teams might surprise you. Maybe you'll change your mind about being managed, ne?"
Both girls turned back to the court as Coach Naoi blew his whistle, Fukurodani was serving first. Etsuko fidgeting in her seat again, an uncomfortable but also strangely hopeful feeling beginning to churn in her stomach as her honey eyes focused on the teams before her. I almost hope that they do, was what she thought as Bokuto, the boy with the strange, bird-like gray hair, threw the ball into the air for a powerful jump-serve that went sailing very quickly to Nekoma's side of the court. It was fast and looked like it held a lot of power behind it, Nekoma would be lucky to pick it up.
Etsuko smiled in slight surprise as the libero, the boy with light, short, spiky brown hair dived to catch the ball, seemingly easily, to bring the ball for a perfect return straight towards Kozume. I almost hope that they do.
Note: I hadn't planned to introduce Fukurodani yet, but when I looked up where the summer training camp teams schools were located, they are the only other ones in Tokyo with Nekoma and thus the only ones that made sense. And I really didn't feel like creating a whole new team at the time. I hope everyone seems to be in character. We are getting a little bit more of who Etsuko is with every chapter. She can be awkward, especially if she doesn't know what to say or do, but she has a little bit of fire to her (which she'll need if she agrees to be manager of the Nekoma boys) and is easily friendly with others.