Chapter 13:
Later in the night, Hinata hangs out at the Nekoma's room, talking with Inuoka and Kenma after bath time. Kenma was busy playing with his game console while conversing with Hinata and Inuoka, as they were talking about volleyball and the recent new team member from Nekoma.
"Hey, who the heck was that middle blocker?" Hinata asked.
Kenma replied without looking away from his game, "Oh he's a first year, Haiba Lev. He's half Russian and half Japanese."
Hinata replied in a bewildered tone, "H-half?! So cool!" He then tries the name on his lips, "L-liev….Liefu…." It was a little strange to pronounce it properly.
"It's Lev. What does it mean in Russian again? Tiger?" Kenma looked away from his game.
"It means Lion. Lion." Inuoka responded this time.
Hinata hummed when he tries to remember from his memories, "He wasn't in our practice match the last time we played?"
"Hn. Lev started volleyball in high school. When we went to Karasuno for Golden Week, he still hadn't played very much and only regular members went." Kenma explained.
Hinata eyes widened, "He could already play like that?"
Kenma furrowed his eyebrows, "Yeah. And when we were paired together, it was really difficult. No matter how many times I tried, our timings are always off. I'm used to it now." He shrugged.
Hinata leaned back in understanding, "I see…"
"Kenma-san couldn't stop sighing." Inuoka grinned.
Hinata's eyes brightened, "I guess there are times where you can't read people, Kenma."
Kenma who went back to playing his game frowned and furrowed his brows further, "Lev it's just too special. Right now, he's working mostly with his physical abilities and instincts and his height."
Hinata also nodded then added with an envious tone. "Yeah, his height is totally unfair! I want some!"
Inuoka joined in as well, "He's been blessed with too much but I'm not going to lose!"
Kenma changed his expression and shrugged, "Well he's a powerful asset, totally honest and not a bad guy. But he's too honest at sometimes." Kenma says before he looked up from his game and stared at Hinata, "Oh but his passing basics are still completely bad. He's worse than you, Shouyo. His serves are worse than yours too."
Hinata expressed his perplexed reaction straight away, "Am I the guideline of what's bad or not, Kenma?"
"But you are bad." Kenma added simply and Hinata could only cringe in defeat because he knew Kenma was right. His receives were way off, not even to Kageyama's level and that pisses him off a bit.
Hinata grumbled a little bit as Inuoka snickered in his defeated expression. The orange haired boy merely shook his head and tried to change the topic. "Anyways! I want to ask you both a favor for tomorrow. Yachi-san is going to be your temporary manager so I need your help to watch over her." Hinata continued, "She's a bit timid and shaky but she's a great support when it comes to matches."
"Sure! Yachi-san seems nice." Inuoka exclaimed.
Hinata suddenly looked smug, "Yachi-san is good in many things. So Kenma, Inuoka – " Hinata clasped his hands together in a begging pose, "Please watch over Yachi-san! I just feel at ease if my friends are there for her."
Kenma gave him a side glance, "It wouldn't be that bad. Yachi-san looks diligent enough so I'm sure she won't encounter any problems."
Hinata grimace as he lowered his hands, "There is something else that I'm worried about…it's…it's…" Hinata seemed to lower his voice and looked around suspiciously, as if he was afraid people would be listening to him about what he's going to say.
Kenma quirked his eyebrow at his gesture but then Hinata leaned in and spoke in a softer tone, "It's your captain I'm worried about. I saw him looking at Yachi-san ever since I got here. My guts tell me that something is off."
Inuoka tilts his head, "Hn? Is Kuroo-senpai interested in Yachi-san?"
Hinata frowned, "I don't know, I can't really tell. But! My guts are telling me that there is something going on. I just can't put my finger on it on what it's about."
Kenma merely smirked in amusement and went back to his game, "Aren't you worrying too much? Besides, Kuroo is not going to do anything bad to her. I promise. He's not that kind of guy despite how he looks."
Hinata loosened himself when he heard Kenma reassured him. "If you say so. Just…tell me if anything happens to Yachi-san with your team tomorrow. Shimizu-senpai told me once that Yachi-san sometimes worked too hard that she forgets to take care of herself."
Inuoka sat up properly then saluted, "Roger! I promise to watch over her."
Hinata saluted back. "Yosh! You're the best!"
Kenma merely chuckled at their antics before the three of them continued to talk about other things. Although his mind did wander back to the person of their conversation.
He doesn't know much about Yachi-san but what made Kuroo observed her for so long today?
Yachi woke up before her alarm ring. The temperature was a little colder than she expected but she felt uncomfortable if she stayed inside her covers. Maybe it was because she was not in her bedroom so she felt strange sleeping in a classroom. So instead of sleeping off the remaining time before her alarm rings, she decided to get ready for the day.
After showering and wearing the sports outfit tor that day, several alarms rang from different phones and Yachi notices now that Kiyoko and Kaori were the ones who woke up from the alarm and turned it off.
"Eh? Yachi, were you already awake?" Kiyoko asks from her sleepiness when she notices the younger girl already dressed.
Yachi was a bit caught off guard by the older girl's appearance at the moment. To say that Shimizu Kiyoko was known as the most beautiful girl in the third year was no exaggeration – even her fresh morning face was also dazzling.
"Y-yeah…I woke up earlier so I decided to shower right away." Yachi replied.
Kaori yawned and stretched her arms, "I'm amazed you were able to wake up that early. I'll get ready too."
Afterwards the managers in that room woke up to get ready for the day while being careful because Saeko-san was still sleeping. It seems like she went off drinking with the advisors and coaches in the previous night.
Yachi came closer and tugged Saeko's blanket up so that she'll be fully covered. When she stood up from her position and was about to leave the room after she grabbed her stuff, Kiyoko came towards her and patted her head.
"Do your best today."
Yachi was so happy for being encouraged like this. She beamed brightly towards the older girl and replied, "You too, senpai!"
After quick breakfast, she decided to wait near the gym and looked for Takeda-sensei or Daichi so she can talk about the rotation plan today. It didn't feel right if she just went to Nekoma's team right away so she needed to at least report to them before she goes off to her the Nekoma's team.
She spotted Daichi entering the gym with Asahi who looked like they just came here right after breakfast. Yachi quickly hurry towards them. "Good morning!"
The two of them turned around to face her and brightened, "Good morning to you too, Yachi-san!" Daichi greeted while Asahi waved his hand.
"Today I will be helping for the Nekoma team today and tomorrow I will be rotating to Fukurodani before coming back to you again. I feel like I had to report to you before I go to them…so…" Yachi trails off, unsure how to continue.
Daichi chuckles and shook his head, "You're too serious about this, Yachi-san but it's okay. Takeda-sensei and coach already talked to us about this so there is no need for worry. Besides, it'll be an experience for us to work with other managers from other schools." He then patted her head gently, "Just do your best and don't worry about us."
"We'll be here in case if you need anything, Yachi-san." Asahi added, giving her his own friendly big-brotherly smile.
Yachi was grateful by their understanding and nodded her head. "Okay! Then I'll see you later, senpai!"
"Hn. Good luck!" Daichi retreated back his hand and waved.
Asahi waved as well. "Do your best, Yachi-san."
When Yachi hops away, Asahi couldn't help but comment. "She's cute as always. Always doing her best too, I'm so proud." He placed his hand on his chest.
"Are you a doting parent?" Dachi snickered when he sees Asahi's face gleamed with pride when he watches the younger girl hops to the other side.
Yachi managed to grab her things and went over towards the side where the Nekoma members were hanging. She then spotted their coach and walked towards him to introduce herself.
"Good morning." Yachi bowed towards the Nekoma's coach who was settling down on a bench on one of the court to get ready.
He turned around and gave a friendly smile, "Good morning. You must be our temporary manager. What is your name?"
"My name is Yachi Hitoka. I am Karasuno's first year manager. Nice to meet you." She introduced herself.
He tapped on his board and nodded, "Oh? Are you a new manager to a volleyball team, Yachi-san?"
Yachi nodded, "Yes, I recently joined." She replied before she bowed again, "I'm sorry beforehand if I make mistakes in the future."
The coach waved his hand in reassurance, "It's fine. I remembered the last time our team did a practice match, there was only one manager so seeing you was a little bit surprising. But a good surprise nonetheless!" He smiled wider, "Welcome to the team, Yachi-san. You can call me Naoi-coach if you'd like."
"Roger!" She saluted.
The coach then instructed her on what to do as the manager for the Nekoma's team. Yachi list down all the things she needed to know and nodded on some parts. It looks like without having a manager, the Nekoma members learned how to support the team in their own way so having her around would make their practice easier if she were to help them with their additional tasks.
"That's all for now. Ah, Inuoka, come here!" Coach Naoi suddenly called one of the closest member who entered the gym.
As Yachi looked towards his direction, she sees Inuoka's face brightened when he sees her and run on light steps towards their position.
"Good morning, coach! Yachi-san too!"
"Good morning, Inuoka." She greeted.
"Inuoka, since Yachi's here – please guide her a little bit to gather the members for practice time. Also make sure that they're not too late this time." Coach instructed.
"Roger! Let's go, Yachi-san." Inuoka saluted and called Yachi out of the gym so that they can call the rest of the Nekoma team to gather at the gym on time.
Along the way, she got introduced to the team members as well. Inuoka brightly introduced her to his team members with such giddiness and even her presence seemed to brighten the atmosphere as some of them were excited to have Yachi-san as their temporary manager.
"Yachi-san! Today I will help you with whatever you need!" Tora spoke up enthusiastically when Yachi called to him to gather at the gym on time.
Yachi laughs lightly, he was really like the mirrored version of Tanaka-senpai but just with the additional stylish Mohawk. "Un! Please make sure to tell your friends to come on time too."
"I will!" Tora saluted like a brave soldier before he ran off to grab his team mates to the gym. Along the way Yachi met Kuroo in the hallway outside of the cafeteria, it seemed like he was walking with Akaashi after breakfast.
"Good morning!" Yachi greeted them.
Kuroo's face brightened, "Yachi-chan, good morning! You look cute today as well."
Yachi was a little shy by his reply so she could only give him an embarrassed smile in return.
Akaashi gave Kuroo a side glance before he greeted Yachi in his own way. "Good morning, Yachi-san. Are you doing well today?"
"Hn. I'm doing well, thank you for asking. Um, Kuroo-san. Coach tells me that we're gathering soon so please be on time at the gym. If it's possible, can you tell the other Nekoma team members if you see them as well?"
"Sure." Kuroo replied before he added, "Ah – you might have to look a bit for Kenma though. He's probably playing his game somewhere but he loses track of time easily when he plays. I always tell him to not play for too long even after quick breakfast."
"Okay. I'll go look for him now." Yachi replied.
Kuroo smiled, "You do that. If you can't find him then just call to any of us. We can drag him to the gym together."
'His wording sounds a little exaggerating though.' Yachi smiled sheepishly.
"Oi – Yachiiii!" Another voice boomed as said person came closer, zooming from Kuroo's side and stood right in front of her after a quick run. "Good morning!"
'He's also so energetic even in the morning.' "Good morning, Bokuto-san."
"You're small as always, Yachi! I was wondering who these two were talking to when I saw you guys from behind." Bokuto said as he tilts his head towards Kuroo and Akaashi.
The calm setter turned towards the ace and furrowed his eyebrows, "Bokuto-san, I don't think height is something you should talk so insensitively…"
"That's okay!" Yachi added without missing a beat, "I'm used to it."
"Really? Then, my apologies." Akaashi lowered his head.
"I-It's fine, it's fine." Yachi's voice wavered by the other boy's response.
Bokuto walked and slipped between Akaashi and Kuroo while wrapping their shoulders with his arms as he pulled them closer to him. "Mou~ Don't be so polite, we're all friends here!"
Kuroo gritted his teeth as he smiled sharply towards the owl captain, "Bokuto, if you scream in my ear one more time, I swear I'll – "
"Bokuto-san, you're being rowdy again." Akaashi reminded him tiredly.
However, this time Bokuto did a pouting expression, "Friends~ friends~."
'He's more playful and child-like than I thought he would be.' The picture in front of her was quite an amusing sight. Before a bicker war would break out, Yachi spoke up that she needed to call the rest of the team members and excused herself.
"See you at the gym, Yachi!" Bokuto grinned as he still wraps his arms around Akaashi's and Kuroo's shoulder.
Kuroo was nudging the arm around his shoulder as he gave a smile to Yachi, "Don't forget to pick up, Kenma, Yachi-chan. Bokuto – get off!"
Yachi chuckled lightly as she turns around and walked away, trying to look for the pudding haired setter.
