Ookami High was one of those schools that never really stood out in the Hyogo prefecture, not in terms of sports that is. Despite their mascot being a wolf, the school was known more for its arts and crafts.
"I heard they had a volleyball club one to two years ago, but with people growing less interested, the club couldn't go on." Noah bends down to pick up his drink from the vending machine. "Honestly, it's a shame. I was hoping to join a volleyball club here."
"You must have been playing for quite a while then." Akito stepped forward as the other boy backed away to give the light-haired boy some space.
"Mhm," the dark-haired boy hummed, "I've been playing since I was a kid- don't exactly remember the exact age." Noah twisted the lid of his green tea before drinking it. "And you? You agree to join so I assume you know how to play..." His words slurred down when he saw Akito flinched.
"Ah..."
"You never played?"
Akito did a sharp turn, "I-I know the basics, don't worry. I'm a fast learner!" The boy had a determined look and Noah chuckled.
"It's fine if you don't know, I'll help you." Noah quieted down before tilting his head as he squinted his eyes. "Then again, what sport do you usually play though?"
Akito's eyes widened slightly at the question, "I usually play tennis. How did you know I played a sport before?"
"Ah... it might sound a little creepy." Noah scratched the back of his head nervously before explaining, "I notice the callouses in your hands and your physique- from then I just guess here and there."
On the other hand, Akito instead looked amazed at Noah's observant skill. The latter continued, "with you on the team, we now only need 2 more people to join to have a starting lineup."
"Two left?! It's still the first day and you already have that many people joining in?" Flabbergasted, Akito counted in his head how many people are usually set for a proper volleyball lineup. He knew a proper team would need at least 7 people or more but he wasn't expecting this Noah guy to be so expeditious. "I-I mean, it's not that I hate the rush b-but are you sure we-"
"Of course, our goal is for us to try the Interhigh that's going to happen this summer." Noah hummed at the idea in glee. "It would be nice to see how the other team plays in matches. We can take it as a learning experience, y'know," He continued nonchalantly.
Akito just gapped at the person in front of him who looked nothing but excited at the idea of going to the actual tournament. He sighed tiredly as he couldn't help but rethink his choices. At the same time, he didn't know that Noah was waiting for him to respond.
Seeing the worried expression from his shorter friend, Noah rose an eyebrow. "What's wrong? Are you worried that we don't have enough people?" The sudden questions at Akito made him jumped slightly and Noah couldn't help but think.
'This guy overthinks a lot, it's written all over his face.'
"It's not that," Akito muttered as he tries to pick the right words to explain. "Don't you think it's a bit too early for a new team like us to participate in tournaments?" Noah blinked before bringing his hand up to his chin in a thinking manner.
"That is true."
"Then why are you go-"
"It's not me who wanted it."
"Eh? What do you mean?"
"It's the captain's goal, I'm just supporting it."
"The captain? I thought you were the captain," Akito questioned in surprise. Noah laughed nervously and waved his right hand dismissively. From what he can see, the white-haired boy finds Noah to be a perfect leader with his calm and observant personality.
"No, not at all. I don't think I'm fit to be the captain." Pulling his hand to the back, Noah scratched his head nervously. "And there's no way Cap would let me do so." The boy rolled his eyes as he remembers what had happened the day before.
"I heard some punk was going around asking people to join the volleyball club- yer the one, huh?"
"And what if I am? You got a prob-"
"Ya should have come to me first, second-year! Ya don't expect to start the club again without me, do you?"
"Dude, can you just get straight to the point? I'm busy."
"This bra-"
Noah shook off the memory before looking back at Akito. "Well, let's just say he represents the school's mascot very well." This only resulted in Akito being left with more questions instead of the opposite. From the dark-haired boy's expression, he couldn't help but feel wary about his decisions.
'Maybe I shouldn't have joined-'
Before he could even finish his thought, Noah suddenly reached out and grabbed both of his shoulders in a tight grip. Akito flinched as he saw the threatening look from the other. The tips of Noah's lips curled up. "Don't you dare."
"I-I'm sorry."
"Oh, if it isn't Noah-kun," a masculine voice drawls out from behind. The said boy stopped for a second before continuing to walk again as if nothing had happened. This only earned another call from the same voice- this time louder and closer.
"Oi, don't ya dare ignore me!"
"Shut up, 'Tsumu. Everyone's looking over now," another voice snapped, this one more calm and monotone.
"Shut yer trap, 'Samu," the first voice barked back. "Oi, Noah-Kun!" This time the boy stopped before turning around, a blank look was plastered on his face.
"What do you want?"
"What? Is it wrong to say 'hi?'" The tall blonde-haired boy questioned with a smug smirk. "We live two blocks away from you!" Atsumu patted the boy, laughing. On the other hand, Noah ignored the older twin before looking at the younger one.
"How's it going Osamu-san?"
"The usual, babysitting this idiot and all."
"Must be hard."
Atsumu gapped at the two, a tick mark appeared on his forehead. "Oi, ya two are being annoying right now!" He threw a fist towards his twin, said person took a step back and dodged.
"I don't want to hear that from you, 'Tsumu." Said twin threw a punch back which the receiver, an angry Atsumu, grabbed before throwing another one with his other hand.
Noah sighed tiredly at the sight in front of him. He only knew the twins for almost a year and he almost regretted everything already. They met at a nearby field where all three of them were planning on practicing volleyball during the weekend. He thought it was just a coincidence and didn't bother to talk to them after seeing the siblings didn't approach him either, but what soon a coincidence turned into regular meetings and it was to the point where Noah couldn't help but had to introduce himself.
From strangers to friends, and finally, to rivals- it makes it even more official when Noah found out that the twins were going to a different school.
"So I assume you guys are in the volleyball team right?" The volleyball question distracted the two siblings from continuing their fight as they stopped before looking back at Noah; Atsumu with a confident look and Osamu with an incredulous expression.
"Of course!"
"Obviously."
Noah hummed, he might look nonchalant at the front but he can't help at the notion of playing volleyball against the twins- no, just the thought of finally playing volleyball in an official match already sent his blood boil in excitement.
"What about ya? There's no volleyball club at yer school right?" At the question, Noah blinked before a smirk tugged at his lips.
"Not for long," he confidently says, "I'm still gathering but I believe we can make it for the Interhigh." The declaration poured out of his mouth and as he does so, he contemplated about all the people he had approached and invited.
Before the two in front of him could respond, Noah continued, "and we're beating you and your team." The exclamation and the predatory look that Noah had made both Atsumu and Osamu flinch at the look. "I can't wait for us to meet in the court," the boy finished, now with a feral look on his face.
"Heh~" Atsumu drawled out, with half-lidded eyes, a dangerous smile pulled on his lips. "From the sound of it, yer team better be good or else it ain't worth it." On the other hand, Osamu stared at Atsumu for a full second before turning his calm gaze towards Noah.
"Then how about a practice match with our school?"
"Hm?"
"Ohoh, that's right! You could have your first practice match with us!" Atsumu grinned excitedly while the older twin nodded. What they didn't expect was the monotone look from the other boy.
Shaking his head, Noah put both of his hands in his pocket pants. "And have you guys beat us right off? No way." The disagreement was clear; Noah can't have these two crazy twins team beat him right off, that would discourage their team and set a bad atmosphere for them.
Yes, Noah saw and admit how good both the Miya twins were. He had observed them and knew they weren't the usual average high-school volleyball players. While he is confident with making his team into the tournament and win some matches, he still doesn't know how well the team players will be able to cooperate.
Volleyball is a team game- this is obvious. While some of the people he gathered knew each other, some don't.
'Not to mention, some of them may have never played the sport'
A flash of a blonde-haired boy stuttering over his words came up in his head and he had to hold back another one of his sighs. He remembered how the twins play and if their team were as good as they were and cooperated as well as these two then it will be obvious that Noah's team wouldn't stand a chance.
'Inarizaki High is a national team too, I rather focus on strengthening the team first before doing any practice matches.'
Seeing the disappointed look from the older twin, Noah smiled sadly too. Despite all the rush of excitement he had, he needs to make sure that his team grows well before jumping into anything too dangerous.
Well, that's what he was planning until a week later.
"Yossshhh! You guys listen up, two days from now on, we're going to have a practice match with Inarizaki High!"
A resounded cheer erupted in the gym and Akito blinked in shock before glancing over to check on Noah.
"N-Noah!?"
Said person had turned paler than usual while standing. His gaze shifted to look back at his shorter friend but his whole vision was shaking.
"G-Guys, Noah isn't responding!"
"What!? That brat better be okay after being all confident and disrespectful with me these days!"
Hey hey hey again XD
Sorry, it took a while, school's starting tomorrow and I just wanted to get this one out before that happens!
As you can see, this one delves more deeply into what Noah's personality is like and how he thinks. You guys probably didn't expect the Miya twins to come out this soon but here they are!
Those two are honestly some of my favorite characters in the entire series and I had so much fun writing about them- I apologize if I made any mistake or if I made them too OOC :(
Well, the next few chapters will be more of a flashback- hope you guys are willing to ride with me throughout this whole arc!
Reviews are motivations!