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: Ohhh boy…has is been a while...sorry? Life is crazy. I've moved twice, started over in a new school district, started graduate school, dealt with pandemic problems…it's just been crazy, ya know? Anyway, if anyone is still waiting on this, thanks for sticking around! I'm hoping to get another chapter out by Saturday, but we'll see.
Please let me know what you think, especially after it's been so long!
Word Count: 2,864
Chapter Five
Liquid honey eyes watched, enraptured by the practice match happening before them between their school, Nekoma, and Fukurodani volleyball teams. Both teams were amazing for different reasons, but she was still surprised at the level of commitment coming from both teams for just a practice match. "Bokuto-san!" The tall, black haired setter of Fukurodani called as he set the ball for the team's ace, a two-toned gray haired boy. The sun-kissed teen grinned, running forward and jumped the same time he reeled his arm back, his hand smacking the volleyball down onto Nekoma's side of the court, in a cross shot that Fukunaga and another boy, Lev, had jumped to try and block.
However, Lev was a first year and beginner in volleyball and he hadn't held his arms in the correct position, so the ball had gone sailing right through them. "Got it!" Yaku, the team's regular libero dove forward, arms together as he caught the ball from touching the ground, a grin on his face from managing to pick up such a heavy ball. "Cover!"
"Tora!" Fukunaga called, moving through a haphazard set together, trusting his fellow second year and the team's ace with the last touch. The boy with the mohawk grinned, running forward to spike the ball down. However, his movements were read and Fukurodani managed to get a soft block in.
"One touch!"
"Akaashi!" The same black haired setter moved forward to set the ball again, running quick calculations in his mind.
"To me!" Bokuto called, raising his hand and beginning to run towards the net to jump as Akaashi touched the ball and sent it flying purposely.
"Bukoto-san!" The loud third year grinned, gold eyes shining and he slammed the ball down straight past Lev, who had read his movements too late, to barely touch the line inside the court. A boy, one of the non regulars from Nekoma, moved the flag and marked the ball as in. Coach Noai then blew his whistle twice, one short and then one long, that was the end of the match; Fukurodani had won!
"Lev! How many times do I have to tell you not to "banzai" your hands!" Kuroo called, a tick mark on his face at having to keep telling the tall first year the same things over and over, "This isn't a party! Make sure your hands go straight up and slightly out!"
"Sorry Kuroo-sempai!" The boy called, a sheepish smile on his face. "I'll try better, I promise!" The captain just sighed tiredly, exasperated by his new teammate.
"Hey! Hey! Hey!" Bokuto cheered, throwing his arms up and doing a little dig, "Still can't block my straights!" He was grinning like a little kid.
Etsuko moved towards the bench Coach Nekomate was sitting on, from where she had been helping to keep score, and began passing out water bottles to the boys who had left the court. She threw a concerned look at her fellow classmate, Kozume, as he practically collapsed on the bench, a surprising amount of sweat on his skin and a pained yet tired expression on his face. "Are you alright Kozume-san?" She offered him one of the red bottles. He looked at her and nodded, face never changing.
"Ah, Kenma is fine!" Yaku spoke from where he stood in front of the boy, bottle in hand and with a smile on his face, "He always gets worn out easily." Etsuko nodded, moving to hand her classmate a towel as well.
"...thank you," Kozume muttered, letting the towel hang over his entire head.
"Kenma!" Lev, the first year middle blocker, whined, "How come you still can't set to me? It's not fair! I wanna hit awesome spikes too!"
The shorter second year refused to look at him, golden eyes fidgeting all around. "...we're just too different…" He replied monotonously. Etsuko smiled slightly, he was so awkward.
"Maybe you should practice at a slower pace Lev," Etsuko spoke, moving to offer the much taller boy a towel, "Slow down so you can try to sync better. Also," The boy looked down at her, a surprised expression on his face to have the older girl talking to him, most girls were terrified because of his height, "Maybe try telling Kozume-san what kind of balls he needs to set and you can both practice with that."
"You seem to know a lot about Volleyball Amano-san," Fukunaga commented from where he stood. Etsuko shrugged, unwilling to offer an explanation.
"Etsuko-chan has always helped me," Yuki said, blushing lightly when all eyes focused on him, "Whenever she visited she helped me practice sometimes is all," He rubbed the back of his head, "She was bound to pick up a few things." Etsuko smiled at her cousin, thankful he had covered for her, even if it was the truth, as she just didn't know anything about these boys to want to share her past with them. It just wasn't something she felt comfortable talking about right now as it was still painful to her, not being able to play something that before had been her whole life.
"You all did well," Coach Nekomata spoke, smiling at the boys and drawing their focus, "There is much room for improvement, but your teamwork is showing improvement with the new starters."
"Yes Coach!" The boys nodded before moving to get advice from Fukurodani's coach as well.
Etsuko began picking up a few of the empty water bottles scattered about to clean them as well as gathering the towels into a mesh bag.
"What did you think, Amano-san?" Shirofuku asked as all three girls stood next to each other outside at the water fountains, cleaning bottles. Etsuko hummed, letting a bottle drain.
"Yeah, our Ace is a little strange," Suzumeda giggled from the other side of the fountain, her green-blue eyes bright, "But Kuroo-san and him always play their best against each other."
"That's because they bring out the worst in each other," Shirofuku sighed, redoing the cap to a bottle. "Bokuto lets the easiest thing rile him up or drag him down, but when he and Kuroo play together they just try to one-up each other."
"It's so funny," Suzumeda nodded, grinning. "But tell us the truth, what did you think of the match?"
Etsuko piled the bottles back into her arms, eyes glancing up as she thought about her answer. "It was...interesting." She walked beside Shirofuku as all three girls made their way back towards the gym, "I'm new to Nekoma this year and while I had heard about our volleyball team, I wasn't quite sure if I expected them to be as tenacious as they were. They really are great at reading the ball and getting it to connect."
"Yeah, that's something our team needs to work more on," Shirofuku agreed, "Read-blocking is so useful." Etsuko nodded in agreement, moving the net in the doorway aside and letting the other girls walk through first before following.
"Oi, Chibi-chan!" Etsuko froze as the white-haired, loud ace was suddenly in front of her, grinning down at her, "Hey! Kuroo says they finally have a manager, is that you Chibi-chan? Man, Kuroo! How did you managed to get such a cu-"
"He didn't," Etsuko cut in, backing up a little so she didn't have to strain her neck to look up at the older boy, golden eyes moving over his shoulder to give the black haired boy from Nekoma a blank, unimpressed look. "And I'm not. Excuse me," She nodded lightly and moved around the boy back towards the bench to get rid of the bottles in her arms.
"What?" The boy turned towards Kuroo, "You lied to me! Not cool man!" And the two proceeded to throw quibs back and forth.
"Thank you Etsuko-chan!" Yuki said, smiling at his cousin. Etsuko gave him a small smile in return as she set the bottles back into their storage bin.
"So, you're Yuki's cousin?" The tall, first year middle blocked, Lev, asked, stepping up beside the boy, a curious look on his face. "Huh, I don't see it! I mean, you're both shorties but Yuki's cousin is too cute to be related to him!" Etsuko decided to let the comment slide, the naive look on his face as the other boys blushed at his outspoken nerve to talk to an older girl completely lost on him.
"Lev!" Yuki couldn't let it go, his face going red as he was embarrassed and trying to defend his cousin at the same time. The silver haired boy had no filter! "That's my cousin!"
"What?" The boy questioned, a confused look on his face. "I didn't say anything bad!"
"It's fine," Etsuko waved a hand as if to clear the air, "The practice match was fun to watch." She tried to steer the conversation away from her.
"It was!" Lev agreed, a pout coming to his face, "I wish I was able to spike more balls though."
"You'll get there," Etsuko shrugged.
"Did you see me save that spike from Fukurodani when I got subbed in Etsuko-chan?" Yuki asked, a happy and proud look transforming his face. Etsuko smiled at her cousin's excitement, equally as proud of him. He had come a long way since she saw him play in middle school and he would only grow with more experience. "I know it was only because Yaku-sempai sprained a finger, but I still managed to pick up his spike!"
"You just need more experience," Etsuko spoke, "You all do." Her eyes flicked to Lev and another tall first year blocker with short brown hair and eyes before settling back on her cousin with a smile on her face. "You'll get there eventually." She offered a light shrug.
"Amano-san," The girl turned towards the call of her last name. Coach Nekomata was waving her over from where he stood beside Fukurodani's coach.
"Yes Nekomata-san?" Etsuko asked, bowing lightly in greeting at the other Coach who gave her a smile and moved off to address his team.
"Ah, Amano-san," The older man folded his arms behind his back, a smile on his face. "What did you think about our match?"
Etsuko leaned on her hip, folding her hands in front of her skirt, "I think it was interesting," Etsuko answered, "There is some great talent on both sides." The Coach's smile widened.
"I am glad you think so, I agree," He said, "Did you spot anything we need to work on?" Etsuko raised an eyebrow at the taller, though not by much, adult. "You have plenty of experience. I am interested in hearing what you think Amano-san."
Etsuko rocked on her heels, eyebrows furrowing slightly. She looked beyond the coach and to the group of boys who had begun stretching, both teams helping each other out. "You have some pretty strong members, the third years seem to have a good handle on their plays, though a few seem like they could be pushed harder to be power players. Tora just needs to practice his aiming more and he'd become a powerhouse I think. Kozume-san…" Etsuko sighed, "He's smart and that clearly comes out while playing but his stamina seems to be abysmal." She looked back at the Coach whose smile had widened even further, "Most of the first years just need more experience, including my cousin. Lev however," She shrugged, "He just needs help and more practice in general. Considering he just started volleyball, he should focus on receiving. He doesn't seem to take it seriously, so I would recommend not allowing him to do anything else until he can at least pick up the ball." Etsuko shrugged, a small smile on her face and cheeks went slightly red. "Sorry."
"Hahaha," The Coach waved her apology away, "No, no, Amano-san. Thank you for your honesty. I was the one who asked. I happen to agree." The Coach turned to watch his team stretch as well. "Have you given any more thought to the question I asked? Will you become the team's manager?"
"I'm…" Etsuko started, "I'm not sure." She admitted, "I had given up being involved in volleyball after moving here, I hadn't even thought of becoming a manager for a team."
"Well, give it some thought." Coach Nekomata handed her a simple sheet of paper that was a club interest form. "We don't have to have your answer now." He folded his hands back behind his back. "We leave at the end of the week for several away games in Sendai, we could use your help. But ultimately, it is your decision Amano-san."
The black hair girl nodded, bowing slightly as she clutched the form in her hands. She didn't know what she would do.
"Amano-chan!" She looked up to see Shirofuku and Suzumeda smiling at her from where they stood near the door of the gym. "Come here and give us your number so we can talk!" Amano smiled back at them, nodding as she moved towards where she had left her school bag to grab her phone.
"Amano-san," She paused, the flip-phone in one hand after she had slipped the form into her bag. Her golden eyes found Fukunaga's narrow black ones, "Once we get everything cleaned up, Kenma and I will be ready to go." The setter was currently helping the other boys clean the gym by taking down the net and putting the bars away, a tired look on his face. "Are teriyaki burgers okay? There is a place down the street."
"That's fine," She agreed before leaving the boy to finish helping his teammates and making her way towards the two other girls in the gym. Shirofuku had a sleek, white smart-phone in her hand while Fukunaga had a smaller, older model touch screen.
"Those stickers are super cute!" Shirofuku told the smaller girl, wiggling her hands in a strange manner. "So you like cats, huh? Fitting."
"Thanks," Etsuko shrugged, a slight flush coming to her cheeks as she passed her much older styled phone to the girl to put her name and number in. Her phone was practical and cheap. Her aunt and uncle had offered to upgrade her to a newer model when she had moved in over the summer but she had refused, already feeling guilty from them taking her in and paying for her school tuition suddenly along with many of her other needs. She had offered to get a part-time job but both had refused, wanting her to focus on her school work and joining a club - being a teenager.
She would forever be thankful for her kind aunt and uncle.
"There!" Fukunaga handed the phone back to Etsuko, Shirofuku had passed it to her when she was done, a gentle smile on her face. "Don't hesitate to chat! We know Nekoma's team can be just as much of a hassle as ours."
Etsuko nodded, a small smile on her face. She and the girls had talked a little about her being asked to be manager for the boys team, but she still wasn't sure. "I won't."
"Bye bye!" She waved after the girls who left the gym followed by the Fukurodani coaches and the boys trailing behind slowly.
"Etsuko-chan," Etsuko turned to face her cousin who was slightly, only slightly, shorter than her. He would probably continue growing as a boy though, while her height was truly up in the air. Her aunt and her mother were both short like them, so it was anyone's guess. "Do you want me to wait?"
"Hmmm," Etsuko hummed, "No, you go ahead. Hopefully the project with Kozume-san and Fukunaga-son won't take long, we're just planning tonight. Will you let your mother know I won't be home for dinner? I don't want her to wait and worry."
"If you're sure…" He said, fidgeting slightly, "I don't mind waiting so you won't have to walk home alone-"
"Ma, ma Yuki," Fukunaga appeared at his side, freshly clean and back in his school uniform, "One of us will walk Amano-san home, don't worry." He reassured his underclassman.
"Ready to go?" Etsuko asked, picking up her school bag. Kozume was slowly walking their way from the locked room, shoulders slouched and phone held in both hands. Kuroo was following behind him, arm behind his head, grin on his face.
"Ready Kenma?" Fukunaga questioned the shorter boy who only nodded in response, laser focused on his game.
"I'll see you are home Etsuko-chan!" Yuki told his cousin, nodded to his seniors and left the gym.
"So where are we headed?" Kuroo asked, grin widening as he locked eyes with the only girl present.
"Ah, is Kuroo-san joining us?" Fukunada asked, truthfully unsurprised. His upperclassman was a wild one.
"I gotta make sure Kenma gets home safely," Kuroo shrugged, "Plus, teriyaki burgers sound pretty good. Right, Etsuko-chan?" His grin turned into a smirk as the girl glared at him.
"You should just go home Kuroo," Kenma muttered, fingers flashing across his screen, "We have to work on a project…"
"I won't get in the way," Kuroo said, "I promise!"
"Let's just go," Etsuko sighed, leaving ahead of the group of boys. "We don't have all night, afterall."