Chapter Fifteen
The moment she wakes up half an hour early because she falls out of her bed, Nakayama Hazuki knows it's going to be one of these days when the world shows her of much it hates her.
First, she desperately ransacks the kitchen in search of her favorite cookies. She almost gives up until her brother comes in and croaks "whacha doin", all the while chewing the highly wanted (dead or alive) cookie. Needless to say that brotherhood had a limit, which was in this case already overpassed by far.
When she steps into her classroom, Hazuki's classmates are all busy revising their notes, because someone somehow learned about the surprise test they would be doing this morning. Hazuki throws her notebooks on her table and madly starts studying like all her classmates, well except for the girl behind who has already given up, considering the fact that she lays on her desk, her silver hair spread everywhere. Hazuki vaguely wonders if she's deeply asleep or dead, but she quickly comes back to her trigonometry. A girl had to set priorities in her life.
At lunch break, Hazuki opens her bag only to find out that she forgot to pack her bento.
"What have I done to deserve this?" She whines.
Fortunately for her, her nice friends decide to share their lunch with her so she doesn't pass out before the end of the day.
After a while, classes come to an end. The afternoon is spared for club activities, finally something interesting for Hazuki.
She hurriedly goes to the gym, where two second-years, the captain and vice captain, are already putting up the nets. They always come early for practice, and Hazuki is pretty sure they'd camp in the gym if they could, in order not to miss a second to play volleyball.
She heads towards the locker room, where the other first-years are already changing into their shorts and tshirt.
A very tall girl named Setsuna, even taller than their senpai despite being younger, tells her the coach will give them their positions today. That only makes Hazuki more nervous, because she knows today is one of her crap days and there's no way she can not screw up at practice.
And she's right because at the end of the warm-up exercise, in an attempt to receive a ball she locks her hands together, sighs in relief when the ball hits her forearms, and stares in shock as it flies towards the coach's head.
Goodbye her dream of playing wing spiker.
"What have I done to deserve this," Hazuki slams her head to the wall.
Two hours before the end, the girls are sitting on the ground around the coach.
"Okay, during those three days I think a got a look at what you are capable of, and what you suck the most at."
Reika winces and whispers to Nao, "is that his way of encouraging us?"
Obviously she hasn't whispered quietly enough because Amano sends her a chilly glare.
The girls chuckles as she coughs.
"Sorry."
He shoots her a last glare for good measure and keeps going.
"Now I'll tell you your positions, according to what you told me about your preferences. If there's anything you'd like to contest, come to me later. Here's the list."
They focus intently, waiting for their names.
"Kozuki Ame, wing spiker. Fukuoka Misaki, setter. Hasegawa Nao, libero."
Reika ruffles the girl's head as she smiles quietly.
"Murano Reika, middle blocker. Kaneko Setsuna, middle blocker."
The tall girl Ame recruited during PE class nods.
"Then the rest, Nagai Shiro, Takagi Kaede and Nakayama Hazuki are all wing spikers. Does anyone protest?"
His question is met with silence. Hazuki sighs in relief, maybe the universe doesn't curse her so much after all.
"Good. Now, let's practice."
For two hours, they work on their receives, the most alarming issue according to Amano. After that, he lets them train as they want.
"I'm not used to set for you yet." Misaki says to Kaede, Shiro and Hazuki, the three new wing spikers. "We should work on that, and on the other side the others will try to block and receive. Tell me if the toss is high enough."
They nod and place themselves.
"Okay let's start."
Hazuki tosses the ball to Misaki and runs. The latter sets it for Shiro, who jumps the highest she can and spikes it loudly. Quick to react, Nao receives it easily and the tall Setsuna makes the kill without breaking a sweat.
"Well done!" Ame shouts.
"Fukuoka-senpai, could you pass it not so closely next time?" Shiro asks.
"Sorry, okay. I'll remember that." The setter nods.
Hazuki realizes that Shiro is no other than the sleepy head in her class, the one who didn't care enough to prepare for the maths test this morning. So she can actually commit to something, huh? She thinks.
Next to spike is Kaede, and when she sees the two blockers rushing in front of her, she has enough brains to do a feint. Ame dives in but too late, she misses the ball by five centimeters.
"The sneaky thing" Misaki mutters in approval.
Setsuna and Reika bump into each other in their attempt to block and with a yelp they fall on Ame who's already on the floor.
"Ouch, I know now what it's like to be buried alive," she chuckles, still lying on the ground.
"Sorry captain," Setsuna laughs.
"We're so skilled, I swear," Reika adds between to waves of laughters.
Coach Amano sighs at the tangle of limbs. They've got a lot of work to do.
"It was fun today!" Reika stretches her arm as the volleyball club pass the school gates.
"Yeah, although a bit tiring" Hazuki adds.
"What are you talking about? It was so hardcore I can't even feel my muscles anymore!" Kaede says loudly.
"Shhh, stop complaining in front of the senpais" Shiro nudges her.
"That's okay," Ame turns to them. "You can complain all you want, I'm used to it with Misaki. As long as you come back to practice fresh and clean!"
"Hey you're hindering my credibility!"
Ame chuckles.
"Which credibility?"
She spots in front of them a head with long, brown curly hair.
"Miu-chan!" Ame calls out. The girl turns around and waits for the group to catch up.
"What are you doing here? Classes finished ages ago."
"Yes, I stayed at the library to work a bit" she explains. "Are you heading out from practice?"
"Yeah. Here's my team, we look fantastic don't we?" Ame beams proudly.
"I'd even say exceptional," Setsuna adds.
"Outstanding."
"Incredible."
"Our first years are adorable" Misaki says with irony.
"You guys look, umh, tall" Miu concludes. She almost gets a stiff neck while trying to look up. Even the shortest girl is taller than her.
"We're going to get something to eat, do you want to come with us?" Ame asks.
Miu ponders her options. She can either hang out with this group of loud, noisy girls or go home at peace. Considering that no one waits for her at home, she decides to stay with her classmate. Miu'll never admit it but it gets lonely to live on her own.
"Okay, I'll go with you," she says.
"And then, he told me to come back in an hour and closed the door to my face!" Reika whines. "I was only two minutes late! That's so unfair."
"Yamada-sensei is very strict when it comes to punctuality." Nao says as a matter of fact.
"I know, but it wasn't my fault, I ran all the way to school!"
"I agree, that's harsh" Shiro answers. "But I heard he was already angry before you came, some boys from class 1-5 caused ruckus this morning."
"Really?"
"Those from 1-5 are the worst first years," Misaki explains. "It's like they choose the craziest kids from middle school and put them in that class every year."
"I heard that last year they broke in the teachers' room to steal the mock exam," Ame adds.
"That's so cool!" Reika exclaims.
"I think you should have been in that class," Kaede snickers.
"How did it go then?" Setsuna asks curiously.
Ame shruggs. "They were skilled enough to get in without breaking anything. But the next morning the teachers found a student id in the room. One of them had let it fall."
"That's so stupid!"
They all chuckle at the absurd story when an anime opening starts to play.
"Oh sorry," Ame takes her phone out.
"Seriously, One Piece?" Misaki deadpans.
The first years snicker.
"Hey, do you have a problem with that?" Ame protests. Then she looks at the screen. "Oh shit, it's him. It's a video call. Oh my god, what do I do?"
"I don't know, answer him maybe?"
Kaede tilts her head. "Who is it, a boyfriend? Crush, maybe?"
"It's the guy she dates but isn't her boyfriend but it's complicated-"
"Misaki!" Ame shrieks.
"You really should pick up now," Miu advises.
"Oh, yes, but it's a video call, how do I look?"
"Amazing!" Reika smiles.
Ame shakes her head with a grin.
"Alright, I'm ready for battle!"
She steps away from the group and accepts the call. Instantly Oikawa's face appears on the screen.
"Hi, Ame-chan." He greets happily.
"Hey," she says unsure. "It's been a while."
"Yes," he pouts "why haven't you talked to me?"
Really? He says it just like that when he hasn't given any news for almost a month?!
"You're the one who didn't talk to me," she says. "I don't know what you were doing, playing hard to get or something like that."
He gasps dramatically.
"I sent you thousands of texts and you ignored me!"
What a drama king, she thinks. And it wasn't even thousands of messages, it was only two hundred and eight.
"I was mad at you" she admits. "But that wasn't a reason to stop sending them."
"What should I have done then?"
"Keep harassing me."
He stops and chuckles. It brings a smile to her face. Oh how much she had missed the sound of his voice.
"And I have heard you didn't stay alone for long," she continues pettily. "How were your dates with huh, what were those girls' names again?"
Oikawa waves it off easily.
"It was nothing, I needed to clear my mind. I was just bored."
"Huh. And did you call me because you were bored?"
"Ame, you're the very reason why my head spins." He says in a low voice, his hair shadows his eyes.
She feels her heartbeat fasten. Stop acting like an idiot, she scolds herself. How come he has such an effect on her? Does he think he can get away that easily?
"Because you're a problem child that problems everything," Oikawa adds.
"Hey, stop being stupid, you problematic jerk!"
He chuckles again. Yes, he can. Definitely.
"No for real. I'm sorry for what I said after the match against Shiratorizawa. I was angry at myself, not at you."
"Alright, you're forgiven," she sighs, she really can't resist him, can she? "But don't go fooling around again, okay?"
"Yes, your highness" he gives a soldier salute. "Do you still like me then?" He bores his calculating eyes into hers.
"You're embarassing, I'm going to hang up."
"Wait no! Ame-chan," he says more seriously. "I'm glad to see your face again. And I'm sure you must be delighted to see mine."
"Not really."
"Rude! But I'm sure you are, I mean, it's the prettiest face in town! And look, I wanted to show you."
He takes his new glasses out and puts them on.
"Do I look handsome?"
Yes, you do. That's what she already thought when she saw that picture on his social media yesterday. Not that she'd tell him about that.
"You look less like an idiot, I think." She mutters.
"I'll take that as a compliment."
She watches her teammates on the side, Reika is holding something in the air high enough for Kaede to not reach it. The wing spiker then climbs on the bench Shiro and Misaki are sitting on. She jumps to get whatever Reika holds and lands heavily on the bench. It cracks and the wood falls with a loud slam. Ame can already hear Misaki scold the two agitators.
"Ame-chan? Are you distracted?" Oikawa asks.
"Sorry I have to go!"
She hangs up without further due.
"What's going on?"
"I don't know about it, but it looks like our teammates are troublemakers just like their captain, you guys have a tendency to break everything." Misaki mocks.
Ame chuckles.
"Come on it's alright, it was an accident."
That is, until the vendor of the convenience store behind the bench comes out with a broom and an angry look.
"Get out of here, you delinquents!"
The volleyball team starts to run away like rabbits. Once they're far enough, they stop to catch their breath and soon laughters replace pantings.
"Is that where you live?" Ame stares in awe at the appartment complex. They already split up with the first years and Ame insisted on walking Miu home as she made her hang out late after school.
"Yes." Miu says simply. She doesn't know what to add so not to make it awkward she explains, "I live on my own since my parents work abroad."
"Isn't it hard to take care of everything? I mean cooking, cleaning, and everything."
"It's okay" the newly transfert student shrugs. "I'm used to it, and I think I'm quite organized."
She giggles half-heartedly and waves it off. Misaki looks quietly at the girl. There's something incredibly sad in her features, whenever she talks or thinks no one is looking. Even when she smiles her face doesn't light up. Although she seems easy going at first, there's a shadow constantly looming over her face. Misaki still finds her a lot more mature than other girls of her age, but not necessarily in a good way. It's like she's too old for her age. She wonders what happened to her.
"Really?" Ame smiles. "But still, it musn't be funny to be alone. You can come eat at home whenever you want Miu-chan! My parents don't really mind, I'm sure they'll be happy to have you."
Misaki's gaze softens at her friend. Although Ame isn't the smartest girl on earth she can still sense when something is wrong. That's why she's friend with her in the first place, she knows she can count on her.
"Thanks, that's nice of you," Miu answers. She doesn't consider the offer, it would be too invasive. Her classmate is probably just being polite anyway. "I think I'll be going now. See you tomorrow." And after a second of hesitation she adds, "walk home safely."
Misaki waves at her and Ame beams.
"See you tomorrow! And we'll talk on the group chat tonight anyway."
Miu waves and sighs once her appartment door is locked behind her. She looks at her phone, there are already dozens of texts in the volleyball club's chatroom. She doesn't even know why Ame added her in. Miu sighs again. Throwing her phone away, she slips off her shoes and heads towards the kitchen. It's just another evening where she'll eat in silence, the only sound being the journalist's voice on tv. Not that she really minds anyway.
Miu picks up her cat and makes herself comfortable on the couch.
"So how's been your day, hm?"
The russian blue meows.
"Yeah, me too. Sorry I was late, I stayed out with a group of strange girls."
She pets its soft head. Ah, speaking of them. She takes her phone to quit the chatroom because it'll just waste her time and she has other things to take care of. As she scrolls down the conversation, she can't help but read it.
[Ame named the group chat "bestest team of the prefecture".]
Kaede : yayyy
Ame : yayyyy
Hazuki : yayyy
Misaki : omg stop it it's so annoying
Setsuna : good evening everyone
Nao : good evening
Reika : Nao have you seen my english notebook?
Nao : No, why would I?
Reika : nvrm who cares about english anyway lol
Kaede : lolol
Shiro : classes are important! You should be more serious.
Hazuki : says the girl who sleeps in class
Shiro : oh shut up
Hazuki : well that is when she comes. didn't even realize you were in my class until volleyball practice
Ame : skipping class is bad Shiro-chan!
Nao : Reika you should start looking for your notebook There's a test tomorrow
Reika : oh SHIT
Kaede : hahahahhahz
Reika : see you tomorrow guys gotta go
Kaede : do you guys really think she's gonna study
Hazuki : well there's a first time for everything
Setsuna : that's not very nice haha
Nao : I hope she doesn't fail the test…
Shiro : aww Don't worry babe she'll do well
Kaede : ew stop harassing the poor girl Nao didn't ask for it
Shiro : she's so cute! We have to protect the sunchild
Nagai Shiro named Hasegawa Nao "Sunchild"
Sunchild : I'm not a sunchild you know I was born in February Which means I'm older than you Shiro-san
Ame : still you're our sunchild Don't worry about Reika, I've never studied before an english test and I still passed in second year
Misaki : that's exactly why you had to take catching-up exams last year
Kaede : ROASTED
Ame : meaaaaan
Misaki : study seriously girls It's important
Shiro : but it's boring!
Kaede : you say that because you never came in class
Hazuki : speaking of study Kaede-chan Is it true that you were the best student in your middle school? With the best grades and everything?
Shiro : wait what
Kaede : yeah lol It's not a secret but I think it alters my reputation
Hazuki : what reputation lol
Shiro : wouah so you're actually smart, who would have thought
Ame : that's so cool keep it up Kaede-chan
Kaede : yeah, thanks Even though that's not a big deal And not something someone would think of me at first sight
Misaki : Never be ashamed to be books smart. Your intelligence is the only thing no one can ever take from you
Ame : so deep so philosophical
Shiro : I count on you to become the best student of the school then
Kaede : then I count on you all to be the best team of the country
Ame : wink I saw what you did there
Kaede : wink wink
Setsuna : we'll make it to the top for sure!
Hazuki : yes!
Sunchild : do you like chocolate muffins? I can bake them and bring them tomorrow
Shiro : omg YES
Hazuki : you're the best
Sunchild : okay :)
Kaede : I love our team already
Setsuna : me too
Shiro : is it soapy time now lol
Kaede : lolol
Ame : say that and I'll never date you again
Setsuna : ?
Shiro : ?
Ame : oops sorry wrong conv
Kaede : wow that was intense
Setsuna : and intimate
Shiro : I wonder who's that guy who got captain's heart
Kaede : must be someone in school You'll show him to us tomorrow right captain?
Ame : lol stop gossiping I was just joking And he's not in our school Kaede-chan
Misaki : Ame you do realize you're the one feeding their gossips
Ame : oh
Miu snorts as she finishes reading the texts. Finally she thinks she'll stay in this group chat.
Hazuki : weird joke, you guys must be close
Shiro : I wonder what he looks like!
Hazuki : I can't wait to find a boyfriend as well
Kaede : lolol you sound desperate Ask Kozuki-senpai for her tricks
Ame : you make me sound like I'm an expert in this field
Kaede : because you are Help Hazuki so she's no longer a lonely puppy
Shiro : that should be a campaign's slogan
Kaede : I know right
Hazuki : hey! I'm good on my own, thank you very much (But if you have advices you can help me senpai)
Misaki : this conversation is ridiculous You should all go to bed There's school tomorrow
Miu : I agree
Misaki : Finally someone with good senses. Go to bed. Now.
Kaede : yes ma'am
Nao : good night everyone
Hazuki : bye
Misaki : good and Ame?
Ame : yes?
Misaki : That goes for you too. Stop talking with the princess and go to sleep
Ame : alright alright
Misaki : I'll stalk you until I see you're inactive
Ame : creepy!
Misaki : good night Ryuzaki-san
Miu : thanks, you too