Hey! Sorry for not posting this chapter earlier, it was ready but I was ready tired these last three days... " Real life is a little difficult for me recently and it's hard to find the time or the right mood to write, so I might take longer to poster chapters but I'm not forgetting you, I promise. :)
I was asked this in a review but I'm putting it here for everyone to see: Sowlmates will eb updated soon. Because I want both stories to finish aroudn teh same time, I have to catch up with QV in the arc - but as soon as the Spring High is over, the two stories' timelines will be aligned. I'm gonig to start writing the SH chapter next, it'll be one long and big chapter which might take some time to write! :)
Thank you to everyone who followed, favorited and reviewed! :D
xSuccubusQueen : Reviewes always make me happy! :D Thank you so much for your words, it really touches my heart and I really need it! :)
Aquafin : I wish I could explore Mad-dog-chan's character more, but I don't think it'll be much possible before the SH arc. :)
RukaHatake75 : Sowlmates will be updated as soon as the SH chapter has been posted here! Promise! :) It's an interesting arc, so you won't be disappointed! ;)
Madama Crimson : I'm very happy you reacted this way, I hope you enjoyed the rest of the story~! :)
AnimeViolinist001 : Of course, they will! Kiku is definitely going to go all mother-mode on him, like she is with everyone else, ahah~! XD It's okay, I was a little worried but I'm glad to know you're fine and still reading this fanfic! :) Actually... it's not just one someone, but I'll leave the surprise to you~! ;)
guest1 : Thank you so much! I hope you'll enjoy it even more! :D As of "old stories", if you mean Sowlmates, it'll be after this fanfic's SH ac done; and as of old stories... the only ones I will eventually update are my Akatsuki no Yona, Loki and LotR fanfic... :)
FANFICTION
HAIKYUU! : QUIET VOICE
CHAPTER LII : Determination for the Future
"To conquer frustration, one must remain intensely focused on the outcome, not the obstacles."
― T.F. Hodge, From Within I Rise: Spiritual Triumph Over Death and Conscious Encounters with "The Divine Presence"
"Desire is the key to motivation, but it's determination and commitment to an unrelenting pursuit of your goal – a commitment to excellence – that will enable you to attain the success you seek."
― Mario Andretti
"Do all the good you can. By all the means you can. In all the ways you can. In all the places you can. At all the times you can. To all the people you can. As long as ever you can."
— John Wesley
"We cannot decide to love. We cannot compel anyone to love us. There's no secret recipe, only love itself. And we are at its mercy – there's nothing we can do."
― Nina George, The Little Paris Bookshop
"God will bring the right person into your life at the right time. Always believe that! If they are not there, God isn't finished yet!"
― Shannon L. Alder
"One does not seek love,' she told him, 'it should find you all on it's own"
― Barbara Lieberman, The Treasure of Ravenwood
"A good friend keeps your secrets for you. A best friend helps you keep your own secrets."
― Lauren Oliver, Before I Fall
"We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars."
— Oscar Wilde
"It is absolutely okay with me if you need to keep some secrets. I've been thinking about this and I decided that a best friend is someone who, when they don't understand, they still understand."
― Nancy Werlin, Impossible
Kiku noticed that something was wrong from the way the students of Aoba Jousai seemed so curious, glancing occasionally at the gymnasium. She initially thought that it was because of the arrival of so many alumni from Seijou for today's practice match but it wasn't the first time it happened either so why were they so confused?
She shrugged it off when they continued their way to their club activities or off the school grounds. Bringing some more drinks for the boys for their practice matches today, her steps slowed down when she saw a vaguely familiar silhouette crouched down and trying to look through a window into the gymnasium.
"…Kageyama… Tobio-chan…?" She called, unsure if it really was him.
But when he jumped at his name, turning around with a panicked expression on his face, she recognized him. Oikawa and Iwaizumi's kouhai from KitaIchi, the former teammate of Kindaichi and Kunimi, the talented genius who had fought so hard, along the rest of Karasuno, against Aoba Jousai during the last InterHigh…
"I-it's you, right?" She continued, approaching him.
He startled, jumping on his legs and glancing around in panic to be caught. He was probably about to run away when Kiku spoke up again:
"What are you doing here?" She asked with a smile, trying to reassure him.
Kageyama looked back at her, looking lost and confused, almost scared… then, knowing he was caught and wouldn't escape his fate, his shoulders went down. Kiku glanced between the window then back at him, understanding that he might have tried to recon some information on Seijou.
"…Were you spying on the team?" She asked.
He flushed in embarrassment to be caught, his fists clenching and unclenching uncomfortably, his gaze glancing around nervously.
"U-um, d-don't you think you'd see better from the benches inside?" She continued.
He turned wide eyes towards her, not believing her words.
"I-I mean… most students from outside aren't allowed here, b-but it happens that some are exceptionally allowed… friends, family, former teammates… aren't you a former teammate of several members of Seijou?" She continued hesitantly.
He opened and closed his mouth, looking unsure and… hurt… Kiku observed him closely then kept her lips thin, knowing what had happened between Kageyama and all his former teammates from what Hajime had told her. She still didn't know most of the details, but she knew everything she needed to understand why he'd be so hesitant in getting any closer to his former teammates, and especially Oikawa.
"…Stay here, okay?" She said softly.
She ran into the gymnasium, hoping he wouldn't get scared and run off. But when she entered on the courts, she glanced to where his window was and saw his crouched silhouette. If she didn't know he was here, she wouldn't have noticed him. His gaze was focused on Oikawa as the setter was talking to some alumni with whom he was about to play. Kiku went straight for Hajime, tapping his bicep to attract his attention.
"T-there's someone to see you. O-or rather, he's here to observe Oikawa but… I don't know what to do about him…" She explained hesitantly.
"Someone?" He repeated, confused.
"A lost crow," she answered.
His lips fell open, apparently understanding who it might be. Hajime turned towards Makki, giving him the water bottle he had been drinking:
"I'll be back soon," he said quickly.
"Okay, hurry up, the set is about to start."
Iwaizumi nodded, following Kiku outside the gymnasium. Without much surprise, they found Kageyama still crouched down and glaring at Oikawa from the window – no, not glaring, he was just staring intensely.
"Kageyama." Iwaizumi called, a little surprise to see his former kouhai.
Once again, Kageyama jumped, turning around to the couple.
"I-Iwaizumi-san!" He exclaimed, before bowing down in a mix of respect and apology for being caught spying, "I-I'm sorry for coming so suddenly and spying on your team!"
"…It's not my team, it's Oikawa's. He's the Captain. Though, he doesn't act like it most of the time, but you know how he is, uh?" Iwaizumi answered, crossing his arms over his chest as Kageyama glanced up at him curiously, "What are you doing here, shouldn't you be practicing?"
"…I wanted to see how much Aoba Jousai– erh, Oikawa-san had evolved since the Inter-High…" He admitted, looking down.
On his face appeared many emotions: the fear and pressure of trying to keep up with the setter he looked up to, but excitement for a new challenge and a revenge during the Spring-High…
Iwaizumi observed him closely – he had always tried to be a more reasonable voice to Kageyama, than Oikawa was. He never viewed Kageyama as dangerous, but he wasn't a setter. He understood Oikawa's fears, but he also understood that Kageyama couldn't help being born a genius. For a short moment, he thought back on that night that changed so much for all three of them, the night Oikawa almost hit Kageyama if it hadn't been for Iwaizumi stopping him. He felt guilty for not having intervened earlier when he had seen the scene because ever since, there wasn't only awe and admiration shining in Tobio's eyes – there was also fear, caused by Oikawa and what he could do to him. Oikawa had learned his lesson, he wouldn't let his emotions take over like that, at least not concerning Kageyama but the latter had yet to understand why Oikawa had reacted in such a way, and how much crossing his path had changed Oikawa for the best.
If anything, Iwaizumi was thankful to Kageyama for appearing, even if it had changed everything for all of them.
Just as he opened his lips to say something, Kindaichi appeared in the doorway:
"Iwaizumi-san! We need you to…"
His voice trailed off when he caught sight of Kageyama. Kindaichi frowned and straightened up, huffing:
"What are you doing here, King?" He asked in a hard voice.
Kiku glanced worriedly between the two first-years. She knew there was bad blood between them too, but she was getting worried. Kindaichi had rarely showed such an angry expression. Perhaps going to get Iwaizumi hadn't been such a good idea, after all.
"Kindaichi, I'm coming back in a minute." Iwaizumi said before turning towards Kageyama, "If you want to see us practice, it won't give you any advantage for the Spring High. I'm sure you'd like to see up-close what Oikawa has–"
"I've seen everything I needed to see." Kageyama cut, looking straight at the Ace as his lips trembled into a tight, excited smile, "He… really is incredible. But I won't lose."
He bowed down to his senpai, glanced at Kindaichi who was still glaring at him, nodded awkwardly to Kiku, then he started walking towards the exit of Aoba Jousai high-school.
"…What did he want, this guy?" Kindaichi asked, trying to smother his bitter tone.
"Just to have a look. He had what he wanted. Let's go back to the practice matches." Iwaizumi said, returning into the gymnasium, patting Kindaichi's shoulder on his way.
Kiku glanced at Kindaichi who was staring at the silhouette of Kageyama.
"If you want to go talk to him, you can go. I'll tell the others you went to the restrooms." She proposed with an encouraging smile.
Kindaichi finally detached his gaze from his former setter, looking down at his feet. He seemed to relax a little, but only because determination appeared on his face – not because he had forgotten his annoyance. If anything, he looked a little sad. And Kiku's heart squeezed painfully to see so many friendship and relationships broken because of unsaid words and bad blood from Middle-school. Even if Kindaichi would never admit it, Kageyama had been his teammate and friend, until he became the King of the Court. He was probably more hurt than he cared to admit about how their friendship had ended – full of bitterness and harsh feelings, all revolving around the setter becoming the "King of the Court".
"…Thank you, senpai but… there's no need. Next time, we won't lose." Kindaichi said with a stubborn determination.
Kiku sighed lightly, relieved to see him confident enough to walk without hesitation. She glanced over at where Kageyama had gone, but he had disappeared. She hoped that someday, the first-years will get over their bad blood. And that Oikawa will realize he doesn't have to fear Kageyama.
She returned into the gymnasium, making sure everyone had towels and drinks for the rest of the evening.
Once all the practice matches were done and everything was put back, after Iwaizumi, Oikawa and the coaches discussed again about today's results and mostly, what to do with Kyouken-chan, the Captain and Vice-Captain closed everything and joined Kiku who was waiting for them.
"So," she spoke up when they arrived, doing some of the way together, "Did you tell him yet?"
Oikawa glanced between the two before gasping loudly, hands on his mouth.
"Are you… are you pregnant…?!" He exclaimed.
Kiku and Hajime stared at him for a long time, desperate that he'd reach this conclusion. Hajime looked particularly annoyed.
"No, we're not, you idiot!" He exclaimed, glaring, "We're still… we haven't… y'know…"
"Oh, I know, I was just teasing you~!" Oikawa answered with a satisfied smile.
"You little…!"
"Anyway! What did you need to tell me?" Oikawa cut, still smiling.
Hajime was still glaring at him, so Kiku took it upon herself to say the words:
"Kageyama-chan came today."
The smile on Oikawa's face disappeared at once. His enthusiasm died and a serious, almost dangerous expression appeared on his face.
"What did he want?" He asked in a hard voice.
"He just did some recon, nothing special. He did say he found you incredible, though." Iwaizumi answered, arms crossed over his chest.
Oikawa seemed thoughtful for a moment, pondering this. If Tobio-chan had come all the way here to observe the team, and mostly him, it meant he feared him. He feared losing against him once again.
Good. He thought, even though he knew it'd be harder to rile up Tobio-chan if they were facing once again.
"He seemed more confident than before, though. I don't know what training he went through, but it seemed pretty effective. I'd say he's even excited at the idea of playing against us once again. He wants his revenge." Iwaizumi added, closely observing his friend's expression.
"Of course, he does. But he won't have it. I won't let him have it. Our team is stronger than Karasuno and whether we face them or not doesn't matter, we'll win against everyone in our way then it'll be our revenge against Ushiwaka and we'll go to Nationals." Oikawa said in a confident voice.
"…Glad to see we're thinking the same way," Iwaizumi answered.
The two friends shared a gaze then smirked knowingly, bumping their fists against one another.
Kiku smiled, glad to see that despite her initial doubts, Kageyama's visit had only motivated everyone.
"I'm going ahead, go home safely, boys~!" She exclaimed, climbing over her bicycle.
"Eh? You're sure? I should walk you back just to be sure," Iwaizumi said, unsure of letting her go on her own.
"I'll be fine!" She exclaimed with a smile, starting to ride off, "See you tomorrow!"
Oikawa waved at her happily as he and Iwaizumi turned around to go their own places, as soon as Kiku had disappeared from view.
"…We haven't walked home together in a while…" Oikawa remarked.
"Um… I… hope you don't mind…" Iwaizumi continued awkwardly.
Oikawa glanced at him, surprised before he shrugged, a somehow sad smile appearing on his face.
"I'm glad you two are happy together. It's not like I miss you considering we still spend a lot of time together. But you probably miss me~!" He continued, trying to light up the mood.
"Urgh." He grumbled, rolling his eyes.
Silence fell on them and finally, Iwaizumi turned towards his friend who wasn't smiling.
"Will you tell me what's wrong? You keep avoiding the topic but ever since the Tanabata festival you've been off." He said, decided not to let his friend evade it this time.
Iwaizumi had considered several options but none felt right. Stress about finals? Oikawa always did good, so it couldn't be that. Nerves because they had to decide what they'll do next year soon? No way, he's known what he wanted to do since forever. The Spring-High and their last chance of Nationals coming up? Impossible, the closer a competition, the more focused Oikawa was on said-competition. So what the heck was messing with his mind?
Going to a stop, Oikawa was forced to stop as well, pondering how he might escape the question… but also knowing that this time, there was no escaping Iwaizumi's perceptiveness. Especially with Kageyama's visit today that had messed with him. Iwaizumi had probably spent an awful lot of time worrying about whether or not he should tell him, worrying about how he'd react.
Sighing, Tooru realized, not for the first time, that he had the best friend he could possibly wish for. And right now, he needed to talk and Iwa-chan was the only one he could turn to…
"I… think I might have a crush on someone…" Tooru admitted, a little embarrassed.
Iwaizumi raised an eyebrow, unimpressed by it – it wasn't the first time Oikawa had a crush on someone. It was the first time it threw him off, though.
"But not a 'oh she's pretty I'd like to ask her out' kind of crush, but a… 'I want to know more about her'… kind of crush… and… I'm not sure what to do about it…" Oikawa admitted, flushing a little and unable to meet his friend's eyes.
Iwaizumi stared at him, about to tell him that it was normal to feel this way about his crush. He had felt the same about Kiku before they started falling in love. Then the weight of Oikawa's words hit him and his lips fell open in shock. It wasn't the first time Oikawa mentioned having a crush on someone… but it was the first time it was more than just a crush, that might lead to more feelings. It was the first time Oikawa had a real crush on someone.
"Y-you… you have a crush on someone…?" He repeated, blinking in disbelief, "Who might have gotten your attention? Is it someone you met at the festival? Someone– why didn't you tell me before?"
"Because I didn't know what to do about it! I still don't know what to do! I'm asking you because… because you're the only person who has a stable, healthy relationship made of actual love! At least, the only person geographically and emotionally close enough for me to ask to…" Oikawa exclaimed, his last sentence ending in a mumble.
"You're asking me love advices?!" Iwaizumi exclaimed, eyes wide, "Oh, you're fucked–"
He stopped when Oikawa turned to him sharply, wide, distressed eyes staring at him in hurt disbelief.
"I-I mean… Kiku and I… we have a bit of a particular relationship with… everything that happened… I'm not sure I'm a good reference and… let's face it, I'm not… the type to know stuff about love. You're the one who… gave me advices. Sometimes, not-so-good ones but…"
His voice trailed off, trying to find something to say then shrugging awkwardly:
"I suppose you should just go talk to her? If it's a 'I want to know her' kind of crush, then get to know her."
"That's… the problem… I… can't." Oikawa admitted, closing his eyes tightly.
"What do you mean, you can't?" Iwaizumi asked, shaking his head, "You're the most popular guy at school, every girl would beg to get to know you better – I still don't get why but well… girls, y'know, eternal mystery. Why aren't you taking your chance?"
"She's… not at Aoba Jousai…" Oikawa added.
"Oh. But aren't you popular with girls from other schools anyway? And when would it have stopped you? Just go talk to her." Iwaizumi continued with a shrug, not understanding why it seemed to be such a big deal.
"She's at Shiratorizawa."
Silence.
Iwaizumi stared at his friend for a long time. He would believe it a joke, if Oikawa's face didn't show how confused and… at a loss he was.
"…She's where now?" He asked, just to be certain he had heard well.
"She… is a student at Shiratorizawa Academy. Or so I assume, but considering she wore this hellish school's uniform several times and she–"
"Wait, wait, wait! You knew her before the festival?!" Iwaizumi exclaimed with wide eyes.
He couldn't imagine Oikawa going within a ten meters radius of a Shiratorizawa student, willingly or not.
Tooru opened and closed his lips before turning towards his best friend:
"I… didn't mention that… didn't I?" He realized, feeling awkward and unsure – it was too unusual for him to feel this way, it was as if he was in a stranger's body.
"Why don't you start from the beginning so that I can keep up?" Iwaizumi asked in a hard voice, firmly staring at him.
Oikawa hesitated but sighed, nodding. They went into the little park in front of the building in which they lived, where they used to play as children. They sat on some bench illuminated by a sad lamp post while Oikawa told his story. How he had met this girl, in his last year of middle-school. While he was crying behind the gymnasium, she came and comforted him about his loss. Then, how they met again the following year and she comforted him again. And how he recognized the Shiratorizawa uniform just before another match. And how they had met before their third-year and she had given him a little charm… and how they had met at the Tanabata festival and she had promised to meet him again, this time with no need for comfort.
"…Why would she comfort and support me if she's at Shiratorizawa? It doesn't make any sense, and considering she's been there since middle-school she must have spent all of her scholarship there. Which makes even less sense. What do you think, Iwa-chan?"
Oikawa turned towards Iwaizumi but froze when he saw his expression. Eyes wide, shock-frozen, Iwa-chan wasn't reacting. Until, he frowned, turning towards him:
"You've had a crush on a girl from Shiratorizawa for the past four years and never told me anything about it?! Why?!" He hissed.
"Three years!" He corrected, flushing despite himself, "A-and b-because! I-I wasn't sure what to think about it! She was… she was just there when she was here, and then, she was gone, and there was no need for me to think about it any more b-but…! But ever since… ever since you've been so happy with Kiku, I… I've been slowly growing jealous…" He admitted, lowering his head in shame.
Iwaizumi calmed down, staring at him as Oikawa continued:
"I'm not angry that you and Kiku-chan are happy together but you're so happy that… that I realize that no one ever looked at me the way Kiku looks at you, and I never looked at anyone the way you look at Kiku. And I… I kinda want that too… I know it's probably selfish but I–"
"It's not selfish."
Oikawa turned towards Iwaizumi as he continued, gaze lost in thought:
"It's not selfish to want to be loved for who you really are. If anything… it proves you're human, after all."
Iwaizumi turned towards him with an encouraging smile:
"But don't you think that the reason why you've developed a crush on this girl is because you're feeling lonely?"
"But why her? Why not any girl at Aoba Jousai? Why her out of every possible person? I barely met her, just a few times, but when I think of a beautiful person, she's here, when I think of a future with someone, I see her… I-it's… it's crazy…"
"…Love is kinda crazy, so…"
"It's not love! I just– have an unexplainable crush on her, that's all…" Oikawa mumbled, flushing a little.
He looked away just as Iwaizumi put his hand on his back, patting lightly.
"Well, if you want to meet her again and by doing so, going to Shiratorizawa… even if it means going in enemy territory, I'm supporting you. And if you think she's the right one for you, then… go for it." He encouraged, feeling strangely happy for his friend.
"I… I don't think I…"
"Don't you want to see her again?"
"W-well, yes, but… I don't know… Sometimes I want to go to Shiratorizawa and go through every classroom and try to find her but sometimes… I just can't. Out of pride, probably. But also… because what's the point?"
He paused, shrugging before looking up at the stars, dim because of the city lights. He wished he could see them as brightly as when he had met this girl at the Tanabata Festival. The stars had been beautiful. She had been the brightest of all…
"She's just a girl I met a couple of times, we're fatal enemies – she's at Shiratorizawa after all…"
"Aren't you exaggerating a little?" Iwaizumi asked, rolling his eyes but as usual, Oikawa didn't listen to him.
"We won't have any other occasion to meet than during the Spring High and then… next year, I'll go to Tokyo. The chances of ever meeting her again are…"
"…So you're giving up on possibly falling in love with her?" Iwaizumi concluded, frowning a little.
"…She's just a girl I met a couple of times and developed a… weird crush on."
"I'll admit that it's the weirdest shit you've pulled off so far…" He remarked, shaking his head.
"O-oi!"
"…But it's also very human and… fragile of you so…" Iwaizumi added with a shrug.
Tooru remained silent on a short moment before straightening up, looking suddenly determined.
"But I'm not giving up on falling in love. Not with her because it seems… impossible. But… I… don't want of another meaningless relationship. I want to fall in love, real love… to know what it feels like, ultimate happiness…" He said in a hushed voice.
Hajime stared at him then smiled, patting his shoulder.
"I'm a hundred percent behind you, Oikawa," he said.
Tooru turned to him with a grateful look on his face, until Iwaizumi added with a mocking smirk:
"Even though I feel sorry for the poor girl you'll fall in love with!"
"O-OI!"
But Iwaizumi laughed. Somehow, feeling lighter now that he had shared everything with his best friend, Oikawa couldn't help but smile and chuckle. It was a little sad that whatever he felt for this Shiratorizawa girl would be smothered before it could spark up into more. But meeting her again, realizing his weird crush, seeing the relationship of Kiku-chan and Iwa-chan develop… it opened his eyes. He just wanted to fall in love, it couldn't be that hard, right?
Iwaizumi's attention was suddenly brought back to his phone, vibrating into his pocket. Pulling it out, he read Kiku's message… before freezing.
You haven't forgotten about the dance party you promised to go with me? I'm so impatient! Goodnight, muffin, I'll see you tomorrow~!
He vaguely remembered something from the summer holiday, memory he had totally forgotten until now.
Kiku sat on the side of his bed, looking down at him with a smile:
"Hajime, I really want to go to some place soon, but Yuuna can't come with me and I don't have anyone to go with. Would you mind accompanying me?"
"Sure. What is it?"
"A dance party~! Aaah~! I can't wait, thank you, muffin~!" She exclaimed, kissing him quickly and standing up happily.
"…Wait– what? A what? I don't… what…" He mumbled, realizing she had tricked him into promising to go with her.
"Oh, fuck…" He mumbled.
Oikawa gave him a strange look.
"I had forgotten about this dance party Kiku wants us to go to…"
"Well, that's a nice date~!"
"…I don't know how to dance… I had wanted to ask your help during the summer holiday, but I… totally forgot… there's no way I'll find time to learn – we have a practice match this week-end!" He exclaimed, hiding his face in his hands.
"I'm pretty sure Kiku-chan is aware of your incapacity at dancing. Why don't you tell her again you don't know how to dance? I'm sure she'll love teaching you." Oikawa continued calmly.
"B-but, I wanted to give her a surprise… and I forgot! I'm such an idiot! Do you think you could teach me?!" He asked, whipping towards Oikawa.
"Wow, you must be truly desperate to ask me so earnestly…" Oikawa mumbled, a little amazed, "You… really want to make her happy with this surprise, right?"
Hajime blushed but nodded. His friend seemed thoughtful, putting his fingers against his chin as he thought about it deeply…
"Well… I'm a pretty good dancer but I never learned, I just roll with the music. I'm not sure I could teach you well enough… and I don't know anyone else at school who is a dancer good enough to teach you in such little time…"
"Why do you sound so condescending…?" Iwaizumi mumbled, pretty sure he wasn't such a desperate cause at dancing to deserve such a tone.
Oikawa's eyes suddenly lit up. His lips fell open, as an idea struck him and he turned towards Iwaizumi, a mix of excitement and amusement shining in his eyes:
"But I do know someone who is a good dancer and might be capable of teaching you in time. And she just happens to be visiting Miyagi this week-end~!"
"…Who?" Iwaizumi asked suspiciously.
Oikawa's eyes shone as he opened his lips to give the name of Iwaizumi's future and improvised teacher.
A few days later, at Aoba Jousai's volleyball gymnasium…
"Remind me why we came on a Saturday for a practice match all together? I mean, couldn't we wait another free day to practice all together?" Makki asked, yawning to be up and sweating so early on a Saturday.
"Because we have to practice to coordinate with Kyouken-chan~!" Oikawa answered happily, "Where is he, by the way? Yahaba, did he answer to you yet?"
"No, Oikawa-san… I'm sorry he's such a–"
"It's fine, it's fine~!"
"Here are the drinks!" Kindaichi exclaimed as he brought them all with Kunimi.
"Thanks, Kindaichi, Kunimi~!"
Exceptionally, even if it was an unofficial practice, Kiku wasn't here. Tsubasa – coach's wife and their ally in this little plan to teach Iwaizumi how to dance in time – had requested her help at the clinic and so, their manager couldn't help them out. Mizoguchi and Irihata weren't here as well, trusting the boys to practice well enough – both had been taken up by duties and couldn't come, but it was only better for the team. Not only they were free to practice as they wished, for as long as needed, but Oikawa's plan could then be applied perfectly. Of course, the main goal of the day for the team was to practice their teamwork with Kyouken-chan. Time was too short to count on normal practice before the Spring-High to be a hundred percent ready, so they needed these supplementary practice. But, for Iwa-chan… the goal was to learn how to dance.
After Kyoutani had arrived, late, but still here, and getting scolded by Iwaizumi and glared at by Yahaba, the ones who weren't warmed up yet started to do so.
"I still can't believe you're going to get dressed and go to a dance party just for Kiku…" Makki said, snickering at the thought of Iwaizumi in a ball room.
He glared at him for mocking him but then Matsukawa glanced at Oikawa:
"Are you sure his teacher will come?" He asked.
Oikawa opened his lips just as the gymnasium's doors opened, attracting everyone's attention on the new arrivals. A smiling young girl they had all at least heard of, Kanemoto Ayaka, and just behind her was…
"Hey, hey, HEY!" Bokuto Koutarou exclaimed, excited to meet talented players from another prefecture.
Tobio-chan and Bokuto in one chapter, aren't you happy? :D
I'm quite satisfied with the way I wrote hte interaction between Kageyama and Iwaizumi+Kindaichi and the later reaction of Oikawa - but if it felt wrong in any way for you, don't hesitate to tell me, I'm open to critiques. As for the ones who don't know my othe fanfic, Sowlmates, Kanemoto Ayaka is the main OC and love interest of Bokuto - she appeared a few times already in this fanfic! :)
Yours Truly,
May