Playoffs
The next evening Rei headed to the school to watch Minako and the volleyball team play. She was glad the game was late in the day, when the shrine was quieter. Of course, when she had talked to her grandfather about attending the game his eyes had lit up. He guessed correctly that Minako was the reason for her interest in going to a volleyball game, and when it came time for her to leave for school, he practically shooed her off the shrine grounds.
She had never been to any school team's game before. Her sense of school pride was minimal, as was her interest in sports. Even without her shrine duties she doubted that she would attend an inter-school competition. Yet here she was, riding a bus to school on a Saturday to watch a game she didn't care about. Rei snorted to herself. She was always making exceptions for Minako.
While rode the bus her mind turned to their conversation from the previous night. She wondered if Minako's play would be effected by thoughts of her parents. After their conversation Rei felt that Minako had turned a corner, but there was always a possibility that the blonde would still be distracted, or even that their conversation itself could throw her off her game. It had certainly thrown Rei for a loop.
She had long known that there was more to Minako than her bubbly image showed. Even during their earliest clashes Rei could tell Minako wasn't a complete airhead, especially considering how often Minako took the upper hand in them. But Rei was still startled every time Minako's more serious side came out. And her serious side wasn't limited to talking about their parents- Rei remembered the kiss they shared at the sleepover very well. That look in Minako's eyes, her tongue in Rei's mouth, the feel of her own hand on Minako's bare skin. Rei felt her cheeks heat up. It was a kiss she might never forget.
While she tried to cool her thoughts the bus arrived at her stop. There was a short walk to the school, and as she got closer she spotted Ami and Serena waiting for her just outside of the main gates. Ami spotted her first and nudged Serena, who squealed and dashed out to meet her. Rei grumbled about the blonde's excitement, but allowed herself to be pulled along to the auditorium. Serena insisted that they stop by the concession stand for snacks, and after they did they took seats in the bleachers.
"You two have been to a game before, right?" Rei asked after they sat.
"Yeah, we've been to a lot. We started coming after Minako invited us the first time," Serena said through a mouthful of food. She swallowed. "They're so much fun. Minako is so impressive the way she leads the team and Makoto looks so cool when she gets to spike the ball."
"And they're pretty good, right?" Rei asked.
"I believe they're ranked third in the prefecture," Ami said.
"But even the games they lost were close, right Ami?" Serena asked.
"Every loss came down to the last set," Ami confirmed.
"So even though this is a playoff game they're probably going to win?" Rei asked.
"Most probably," Ami said. "They might not face one of the higher ranked teams for another round or two."
"Makes me wonder why I even came," Rei said flatly.
"To support our friends of course," Serena said. "What if they start losing and need our energy to come back and win?" Rei snorted but kept to herself her belief that their presence would have no bearing on the outcome of the game.
The teams came out of their locker rooms and started warming up. Minako was easy to spot with her blonde hair. Makoto took a little longer to spot as there were several tall girls on the team. When they spotted their friends Serena shouted and waved frantically to get their attention. Minako and Makoto looked up, laughed, and waved back. Minako blew a kiss as well.
While they waited for the game to start Rei watched Minako. She looked completely at home surrounded by her teammates. She was chatting and laughing easily with a group of girls as they hit a volleyball around. It was hard to believe she had only transferred in a few months before. Rei knew the other girl was a sociable person, but the ease with which she made friends left Rei a little amazed. She could handle talking to visitors at the shrine as a miko, but she usually found the people around her to be boring or annoying or both. Minako seemed able to get along with anyone. Even someone like herself, Rei thought sardonically.
Warm-ups ended and the teams took the court. Minako and Makoto were among the starters for the their team. The other team had the ball first and served to start the first set. Rei remembered Minako's impressive serve in gym class but even this lower ranked school had a player that seemed comparable in terms of speed and power. The home team handled it easily however, one of the girls knocking the ball high in the air. Minako called the other girls off and pointed to a spot along the net. Makoto took a few steps back then darted forward. Minako hit the ball lightly, perfectly setting Makoto up for a spike. Makoto jumped with a raised arm and whipped it forward, sending the ball through the other team's defenders and crashing onto the court. They had won the first point.
Their team got the ball and Minako walked past the back line to serve. She took a running start, threw the ball in the air, and met it forcefully with her hand. Rei was startled at the ferocity of the serve. Minako must have been holding back in class. The ball screamed over the net and turned sharply down. Someone on the other team got a hand on it before it hit the ground but it careened wildly off to the side.
The opposing team failed to return her next serve as well, but they managed to control the third one and the game began in earnest. Even though they were only high school athletes, the difference in the level of play between school teams and gym class teams was staggering. Both teams moved with purpose. On defense some girls stayed near the net, ready to jump and attempt to block spikes. Other defenders bounced balls high in the air so setters could get under them and set up the tallest players for spikes. Both teams flowed like water, reacting to the ball and the actions of the other team.
The communication was impressive as well. Minako took the lead there, her voice ringing out over the din of other team, the audience in the stands, and the impact of the ball on skin or ground as she directed her team to different positions. Their discipline and skill allowed them to grow their lead, and before long the first set ended in a substantial victory for the home team.
There was a brief break between sets. Serena again called out to Minako and Makoto who waved back at her. Minako added a v-for-victory sign as well. A cheer went up from the crowd in response and Rei realized it had grown quite a lot. She hadn't realized their school cared about volleyball so much. When the team took the court again another thought hit her. Maybe those uniforms helped draw the crowd.
Rei had never seen their school's volleyball uniform in person, and she was stunned by how revealing they were. The tops were nothing special, but those shorts! She was sure she had never seen so much leg in her entire life.
Minako especially caught her eye. Rei focused on her as she moved around the court with grace and purpose, always in the perfect position to set up an attack. When the other team had the ball she crouched down in a defensive posture and Rei had to swallow heavily. When Minako served she threw herself through the air, and the way her body arced and her hair went wild took Rei's breath away. Even her voice commanded attention, loud and clear as it was. Rei knew Minako was beautiful when she first laid eyes on her, but now, seeing Minako at her best and in her natural element, Minako was enchanting.
The second set ended and Rei blinked. She had spent the entire time staring at – ogling, if she were honest with herself- Minako. Serena and Ami next to her didn't seem to have noticed her scrutiny of the blonde. They had probably been too busy cheering normally.
"This is so exciting," Serena said. "If they win here then they'll move on to the next round."
"They've played quite well tonight. Maybe our presence here did help them," Ami said with a smile.
Serena took advantage of the break between the sets to check out the concession stand again and returned with a box of candy. She shared some with Ami and Rei, and Rei tried to calm herself while she ate. Minako was having a tremendous effect on her and she couldn't figure out why. Was Minako that different to how she usually was? Was it the uniform? Rei didn't know, but she already knew that Minako would insist she come to the rest of her team's playoff games.
"How many rounds are there in the playoffs?" she asked.
"I think there are three rounds before the finals," Ami said.
Rei nodded. Potentially three more rounds of watching Minako play- or at least trying to watch her play. Rei frowned. If she was going to sit through three more matches then she would have to get to the bottom of why she was so distracted by Minako.
The third set started with the other team serving. Rei kept her eyes determinedly on the ball as it was hit back and forth. She swore she wouldn't so much as glance at Minako again until the game was over. When the ball reached Minako she ignored her as best she could. When Minako served she ignored the confident way the other girl walked back to the server's spot. When their team won a point she ignored the way Minako jumped up and down. When they lost a point she ignored Minako clapping and resetting her teammates, not allowing them to dwell on any mistake.
Rei cursed herself. If the home team lost a point then the ball was with the other team. So why wasn't she watching it like she had planned to? She sighed in resignation. Minako was a magnet, constantly pulling Rei's attention to her and only her. She wanted to look away but she just couldn't.
Luckily for her the set ended quickly in a rout. Minako and her team would advance to the next round. Rei would have to sit through at least one more match. The teams lined up to shake hands and Serena grabbed Rei and Ami.
"Come on, let's go congratulate them," she said.
Together the three of them made their way out of the stands. When they reached court level the team began celebrating their win with a cheer. They waited for the team to finish before trying to find their friends. When the team was done celebrating they started to head for the locker rooms to change and Serena called out for Makoto and Minako. Makoto spotted them easily and she tapped Minako. Together they broke off from the team to see them.
If Minako had been beautiful from the stands, she was stunning up close. She was flush with exertion, excitement, and happiness. The biggest smile Rei had ever seen graced her lips. She stood confidently, proud of a match well-played.
While Serena and Ami showered the two with congratulations, Rei couldn't speak. When Minako turned her attention and that smile on Rei, Rei's breath caught in her throat.
"So, what did you think? Did you have fun?"
Rei swallowed and tried to collect herself.
"It was more than I expected," she answered truthfully. She certainly hadn't expected to see a shining goddess of victory today.
"More what?" Minako pressed. "Exciting? Entertaining?"
Rei took a breath and composed herself as much as possible. She reminded herself that this was Minako, the most annoying girl in the world who actively went out of her way to bother Rei.
"Loud," Rei said dryly.
Minako pouted. "Is that all?" she asked.
Rei remembered that this was Minako, the girl with a troubled history who understood Rei and went out of her way to help her. "And impressive. Blowing out another playoff team can't be easy."
Minako grinned. "Then you'll come to the next one?"
"Maybe the next game will be closer. A blowout is impressive but it's not very exciting."
Serena cut in with plans to go to Crown for games and food as a celebration and Minako quickly accepted. They all agreed to meet in front of the school and head over together, but before she returned to the locker room Minako turned to Rei.
"If you want exciting, then next game I'll give you a show you'll never forget," she said with a smirk.
She dashed off with Makoto to change and Rei laughed to herself. Without even realizing it Minako had already given her a show she would never forget.
