Being a manager was not so bad, Imai decided.
Well, 'assistant-manager' actually. Her job was to follow Kasumi around, do little things here and there, give out water or towels and watch. Hardly thrilling but not the worst thing to be doing.
But no matter how long she has been with Kasumi, the girl remains a mystery. Kasumi liked volleyball, this Imai knew, but beside her connection with Kyotani, she knew close to nothing personal about the girl.
"You know a lot of people," Imai asked, swiping her long hair out of her face.
Kasumi hummed questioningly, focused on her notes.
"You're from a famous school, right? Where they go to the Nationals and everything. I heard people saying something about it. You met a lot of people?"
Kasumi raised her head, creasing her eyes. A lot was over exaggerate.
"I guess? Managers are less known compared to the players or coaches so not many people know me."
She wasn't sure. Managers happen to talk between them but it was more about comparing their teams or experience then anything else.
Volleyball and experience.
"Though I had to apologise to a lot of people, thanks to Hoshiumi. Does it count as knowing ?"
Realising Imai didn't know them she added, "Hoshiumi is Kamomedai's Ace. And the biggest moron I've ever met."
She deadpan, earning a snort from her friend.
"Wasn't the biggest moron Oikawa?"
"He is," she acknowledged, a light frown adoring her eyebrows.
"Actually, they are on the same level. But I have known Hoshiumi since middle school, so I might be biassed."
The bus stopped in the parking lot close to the Gymnasium.
This time, Kasumi took the closest seat from the coaches, knowing it would be easier to focus if she was far from the bunch of idiots.
Kyotani had wanted to sit next to her but Imai beat him to it and the only available seats left were in the back. He ended up next to their libero, Watari, who Kasumi knew was one of the only people Kyotani tolerated.
The poor boy had to endure a double torture: sitting next to a grumpy Kyotani and Oikawa unstoppable ramble. Iwaizumi, forced to sit next to Oikawa, lost his composure more than once and the volume spiked up at that time, followed by a few liberating moments of silence.
Kasumi waited for Imai to stand up and leave the bus before following her.
The second day was crucial. It wouldn't be good if they lose now, before the final Shiratorizawa would undoubtedly reach. They weren't the best of the Prefecture for nothing.
Standing next to Irihata, Kasumi took over Mizoguchi's work as he was stuck with 'Oikawa duty'.
They went over today's opponents data: Date Tech High in the morning, then Karasuno High in the afternoon. Unfortunately, she would only have the previous' games' information, as she didn't stay to watch yesterday' game.
Even if they had a meeting yesterday, being able to see the actions is always better than videos or notes.
Today was relatively calm. Oikawa was present, waving and smiling to his fans, while the others settled in comfortably chatting.
But of course it couldn't stay like this, of course their captain needed to be his drama queen.
"Oh? Isn't it Tobio-chan that I see? Chibi-chan too!" Oikawa sang.
"High King!?" screeched the small ginger.
'High King? No wonder his head's so big, if ginger calls him that.'
"Oikawa-san."The raven-haired said, although Kasumi couldn't know if he liked Oikawa or not. He had a good poker face.
Leaving Oikawa alone for now, Kasumi approached Iwaizumi by his right.
"Who's the tall one?"
"Kageyama? A junior from Kitagawa Daiichi."
"Which position?"
"Setter. Called a genius."
She hummed, "No wonder. Thanks."
"Your welcome,"Iwaizumi nodded, a knowing smile on his lips.
Seeing other players joining the two boys, she decided to step in. She stood in front of her captain, cutting their conversation short.
"I don't exactly know what he said but I apologise."
"No, it's fine! We're used to it."
She raised her head and met brown eyes belonging to a kind looking brown-haired boy. He was awkwardly smiling at her and bowing in return.
She raised her hand to stop him.
"No, I don't know what your relationship are but I know this guy good enough. I would have made him apologise, if I knew I could," she admitted bitterly. "Okamoto Kasumi, second-year and manager of Aoba Johsai High School Volleyball Team."
"Ah. Sawamura Daichi, Karasuno's captain. And third-year," he added bristly. "But it is really fine, we already met."
She nodded, "Then do not mind him, and if he did say something too much say it. I will deal with him."
Opening his mouth to protest, Oikawa abruptly chose not to. While it did surprise Kageyama, Iwaizumi understood. Their manager can be intimidating when she wants to. Even with her short stature and height.
Sawamura hides his discomfort and shakes his head with an embarrassed chuckle. "I'll hold you to it then. Good luck against Dateko."
"Thank you. You too, I heard a little about Johzenji. I hope to see you in the semi-final."
Karasuno's captain lead the rest of his team away. Kasumi watched them leaving, feeling something she couldn't describe. What was that?
"Okamoto?"
Iwaizumi was standing behind her, silently questioning her. Next to him was a suspicious Oikawa, squinting his eyes. It was oddly silent, very unlike Aoba Johsai.
"What?"
"'What?'? No, what was that? Defending the enemy?"
Kasumi rolled her eyes. "Of course." She didn't even try to defend herself, knowing it would be pointless.
"And you admitted?!"
She pushed away his arm pointed at her face. "Whatever."
Surely it was nothing. Her instinct has to be wrong sometime. Doubt started to crept inside her body. The discomfort must have shown since Iwaizumi's hand found itself on her left shoulder.
"You're sure you're alright?" he said as he raised his other hand to take her temperature. "We can't have a sick manager."
"Sick? You're sick, Okamoto?"
"No I'm not." Kasumi pried off Iwaizumi's hand while responding to Hanamaki's question.
Iwaizumi tried again, to be avoided another time. "Why are you avoiding me then?"
"I don't particularly like to be touched, and I'm sure. No sickness."
By that time, their group had attracted the coaches' attention as well as some other unwanted looks from other players' teams. Wonderful.
"What's happening?" Irihata asked.
"Nothing, sir," Kasumi answered at the same time as Oikawa said, "She's sick!"
She flicked her head to Oikawa, "No I'm not."
Irihata raised his eyebrows in a mix of confusion and amusement. Then he turned toward Kasumi, "Are you sure you're fine? We still have time before our game, maybe you could visit the infirmary."
She nodded, "Yes, it was nothing. And Imai is still new to everything, I can't just leave her alone yet. It would be irresponsible."
She threw a glance next to her, meeting Oikawa's brown eyes.
"Someone has to be," she sighted.
Under laughing eyes, she dusted her clothes and joined her fellow manager. Taking her notebook out, her pen easily finds itself running through the pages. Every information, every detail, every data was important.
One mistake and all would be over.
It only mattered how good they will play today. Not yesterday, not tomorrow. Now.
No matter how good she was at hiding her feelings, Kasumi knew it would only take Kyotani one look for him to understand. Her hands were sweaty, her jaw stressed and her eyes unfocused.
Would it matter if they win? Not particularly so.
But would it matter if they lose? Yes.
Because if they lose, everything she has done to make the team grow closer would turn to dust. Even when some would still play together next year, new players would come and unbalance the strings.
It was that brittle.
They have to win. For Kyotani.
She knew she was being selfish. But seeing him, alone and sidelined from everyone, made her heart bleed. He was her hero, the rock in her life. How could he be left out when his heart was aching to be loved? Accepted?
Her grip on the pen loosened as she lifted her head. Her eyes met her cousin's. He was already watching her, careful with his approach as he knew about her reaction.
He tried once. He regretted it.
With a slow nod, Kasumi assured him she would be fine.
Next to her, Imai watched the whole interaction curiously, unsure about how to feel. It was kinda sweet but also-
Worrying?
She shook her head, unwilling to intrude between the two. Family matters were not her problems. She already got some, no need to add more into the mess.
She cleared her throat.
"Dateko's strong?"
Kasumi lifted her head.
"Yes, they are." Her hands never leave the notebook. "We have the best cohesion, over-all good balanced team. Dateko is focused on blocking; they're dubbed the 'Iron Wall' in the prefecture."
Imai rose an unimpressed eyebrow, "And?"
"And they are strong. I won't go into details, you won't understand." She fully faced Imai, discarding her notebook. "I have been the manager of a defence specialist team for one year. Four if you count middle school; and there's one thing I can tell. Never underestimate a defence focused team. Ever."
She rose up, unaware of the eyes she drew on her by doing so. "One block can seem like a minor, uncool move. Spiker crushing down the blockers, setters faints- even save are cooler if you ask the majority. But those points you win, can be as deadly as a spike. Because it crush the spiker, and with it; the team's fighting spirit."
She stopped and immediately became aware of the silence. Her breath was unsteady with a subtle shaking.
The voice in her head spoke again, after months of quiet.
You did it again.
Kyotani stood up and strode toward her. With a quick glance to the Irihata, he took his cousin's elbow and pulled her behind him as he walked out.
Left behind them stood Imai, blinking and humming.
"What happened?" Matsukawa wondered aloud. Baking up by Oikawa nod and Hanamaki arm cross.
He froze a little when Imai got closer but didn't pull away. The last month made him learn she wasn't as crazy or scary as he once thought. She was funny, and could even be nice when she wants. Her sarcastic and annoying personality never failed to push them away at the end.
"That, my friend, was a panic attack."
"Uh?" Oikawa voiced, "Why?"
She scoffed, "How would I know? It's not like I know her long enough."
"Then how do you know it's a panic attack?"
Imai glared frustratingly at Hanamaki.
"Because whatever you believe me to be, I'm not blind to one distraught. I have a heart and a brain. As surprising as it might be for you all." Her sneer signalled the end of her tirade and made them uncomfortable as she left the hall.
No one had really tried to get closer to her since she became assistant manager. Not even when they all saw how Kasumi got along with her and the weird dynamic she had with Kyotani. He actually listened to her, even if half of the time he didn't answer or just offer a one word response.
That was strange.
But there was no sign of her wanting to get closer or talk to them.
Iwaizumi felt stupid for once. He pinched the bridge of his nose in conflict. It kind of made sense. Why would Kasumi -who was nearly bullied- bring Imai to them? They quickly learned how devoted and selfless she was for the team, why wouldn't she be for others?
It didn't matter why. Kasumi didn't need a reason. She just did it.
They got called out of their thoughts by Mizoguchi. "Alright, she needs to go."
"But Kasumi-chan and Mad Dog-chan!"
"They will come back on time, have faith in your manager, Oikawa."
The members started to walk out of the hall and toward their assigned pitch, a bitter taste in their mouths.
.
.
.
"I'm fine, no I don't hate you and yes, I will stay here."
Kasumi returned under ten minutes, trailing behind her an unbothered Kyotani who immediately began stretching. He was visibly more laid-back and less ready to snap. A good development once again brought by their manager.
Kasumi stood opposite Imai, working with Yahaba by throwing balls his way for the spiking training. Like every other time, Irihata couldn't help but acknowledge her experience; it shows in every moves she made, in every stance she took.
It made him wonder, how did you stop? Even moderately skilled players could get to play in a high school team as long as they got experience.
And she likes volleyball.
Her eyes say it all.
But, he looked at her blond cousin, he could see why she did it. Family is everything for some, she had to be one of them.
He closed his eyes before calling them.
It was not the time for feelings. Games are starting, and they have to win.