Atsushi hated running on the sand, it felt like he was about to slip and fall on his face every time he took his foot off the ground. He didn't understand why they had to do this so much—as in he wasn't paying attention when Shiori was talking about running in the sand helping their legs and general balance.
He'd have to ask Chie-Chin why Shi-Chin was being so mean when they got back—but that did remind him of the best part about this.
Once he got back Chie-Chin would be there and give him some water and tell him he did a good job…well maybe not the last half but she would at least be there to give him water.
Atsushi had found himself enjoying the rare praise she did give, even though it would be muttered and shortly thereafter he'd find her blushing and trying to hide it from him. It was a cute attempt but Atsushi was physically much stronger and was able to pull her back over and make her show him if he so decided. She naturally didn't like that, and ended up smacking him at one point or another when he released her. It was cute, but he really wanted to kiss her again, that last time was…really nice.
Broken from his thoughts when he heard Muro-Chin speak, Atsushi looked down and blinked at the raven haired male that kept up with the long legged Center thanks to his own stamina and Atsushi's laziness. "What is it?" He drawled and Himuro looked a tad bit amused before nodding to the side. "Look." Was all he said, and Atsushi turned his head to see the Nekoma team playing on the beach.
Sitting on a bench was an older man and a slightly younger man that Atsushi assumed were the Coach and assistant Coach, though Sayaka was doing more of the coaching. He couldn't tell what she was yelling at them, just that it looked like she was yelling at them.
The team was covered in sweat from working under the heat constantly, especially that kid with the long hair that showed them around the other day—Kenma, Sayaka's cousin.
It was a miracle itself he remembered that name when all he could think of was Pudding Head when he saw him.
"They're good." Himuro mused as he watched the next set—the one with the Mohawk Sayaka later told them was Tora served normally, but as soon as the other team had it back over the net it was sent to the center by the Libero, Yaku as Himuro recalled, and Pudding Head, as Atsushi liked to call him, tilted his head back some and reached up. The ball went to the right and in a blur of motion Lev, the half Russian that seemed to have less of a problem being friendly with Sayaka right now, slammed it down with his long arm that reminded Himuro and Atsushi of a whip. Several people dived for the ball, but just got a face full of sand.
"Are we really gonna play them?" Atsushi whined quietly before Okamura let out a barking laugh in the front. "Of course, Shiori-Chan said it could be good for us to have some fun! And she's looking up all the rules for us so we're not totally lost about it..." He said with an awkward laugh, but then noticed they were almost back to the gym.
Atsushi didn't say anything more about it; though Himuro had a feeling it wouldn't be as hard as he thought it would be.
They got back to the gym doors and the girls were waiting with bottles of water for the team, handing them out from a cooler one by one. When Atsushi got his own from Chieko, he stared down at her with oddly soft amethyst hues. She stared back at him calmly before averting her eyes with a light blush. "You're holding up the line…." She said quietly, and he turned his head briefly to see other players waiting for water, covered in sweat and he slowly moved away.
But not without reaching out and ruffling her hair—she had it down, which she didn't do all that often. It looked nice….
"Alright, back to practice let's go!" Araki shouted at them and a few let out tired groans before heading back inside for a long practice session.
When night came everyone was pretty worn out from the day's practice, the coach was pushing them to their limit that was for certain and Shiori wasn't giving them any slack either. Atsushi complained most of the day about it but it usually just got a smack from Araki's wood sword before he was back to work again, but was more annoying was how Ayano would just sit there and stare at them before randomly taking a photograph.
It was creepy but Chieko just told him to suck it up, that annoyed him more.
After dinner they were left to do as they pleased, and that was when Shiori and Sayaka had gathered them all up outside with the Nekoma regulars.
"Since you guys don't have an actual trained Libero, Yaku-Kun is going to sit it out to make things a little fairer." The short boy didn't look displeased in the least, as he got to sit with the pretty girls all gathered on the bench Nekomata-Sensei and Naoi were seated at during their practice. "And I'll be your Setter." Sayaka added with a sly grin, resting her hand on her hip lazily.
"Somehow I don't think anyone will survive this game…." Shiori thought bitterly when she saw the tight scoop top and small basketball shorts she wore. Kuroo noticed—his eyes were lingering in places they were more allowed to linger than anyone else.
"That seems….fair…." Okamura said slowly, trying to keep his eyes up when he faced Sayaka. Hotaru felt a little self-conscious of herself around Sayaka, and a little more than slightly envious Okamura looked at her like that.
Wait, what?
"I feel like there's going to be a lot of bloodshed." Ayano drawled as she adjusted the camera lens and the brightness settings so she could get good shots while not blinding the team. "If Atsushi knows what's good for him he'll keep his eyes up." Chieko hissed with her amethyst hues narrowed to near slits and Ayano's chocolate brown hues glinted slightly as they slid toward her taller figure. "Does that mean the rumors about you two are true?" She cocked a brow getting the other girls attention briefly.
"R-Rumors?" Chieko spluttered, eyes widening some.
"That you and Murasakibara-San are going out." Eri drawled and smirked at her increased blush, the normally snippy girl looking toward the very bored looking giant while he listened to Shiori and Sayaka explain volleyball's rules. "It's….complicated."
"Alright, think you got it?" All but Atsushi nodded, and Sayaka decided not to comment on that—as long as he didn't break any rules it was mostly good. Mostly.
"Alright, the Captain's will flip a coin to decide who serves first." Sayaka jerked her head to Kuroo and Okamura nodded, heading over to the slightly irritated raven haired man.
"I feel like he wants to kill us from just standing on the same net as her…." Okamura thought with pursed lips, but smiled back when Kuroo forced one back at him. "Let's have a good game." Kuroo drawled before producing a coin.
"Tails for Nekoma, Heads for Yosen." Okamura decided as soon as Kuroo flipped it.
"Lucky!" Fukui grinned lazily when it landed as Heads, throwing his arms up almost sarcastically. "Since we're so lucky you can serve Fukui-Kun." Sayaka grinned at his whine before giving Shiori a thumbs up. "Wish us luck pretty." She cooed making Shiori roll her eyes but nod. "Good luck guys." She turned and joined the other girls at the bench, blinking at Chieko's oddly flustered expression.
"You alright?" Just getting a nod in return, Shiori decided to ask about it later and merely sat beside her best friend.
The formation was pretty good for the start; Sayaka was in the back right hand side with Atsushi on the upper left and Okamura in the center. Himuro was on his right and Wei was in the back left. They had a strong vanguard going right into it, and to Shiori it seemed like they wanted a strong receive in the back once the rotation went full circle. "Nice serve Fukui." Sayaka called as the ball went over the net with a simple serve.
"Keep your knees bent Murasakibara-Kun!" Sayaka called before hurrying forward to the net.
Nekoma's formation was good too; Kenma was in the same position as Sayaka was with Inuoka in the back for the time being with Kai. Kuroo, Lev and Tora standing in the vanguard.
Of course Kuroo got the ball and sent it to the center. "Left!" Tora called as he headed to the side of the net. Kenma glanced toward him, and Atsushi noticed that and planned to go there until someone grabbed his shirt. "Go right." Sayaka hissed and he complied simply because he was closer to the right anyway.
However it didn't go right, it went right over the net—right as Sayaka dropped to her knees and leaned back, sending a toss to Atsushi from the ground. "She sent a toss from the ground!" Hotaru gasped as the ball flew toward Atsushi. "It's all yours big guy!" Sayaka called with a sly grin, and Atsushi only grumbled because of the work he had to do.
But it was strange, when he jumped and slammed the ball down it just seemed all too perfect.
Lev dived for the ball but missed by a wide margin. "Lev! This is why we practice dive receives!" Yaku barked from the bench with an angry growl making the half Russian laugh awkwardly. "Sorry Senpai!"
Sayaka looked down at Kenma and flashed a toothy grin at her cousin. "I love you but I love winning more." She cooed and the boy seemed to huff quietly. "….Just don't overdo it." He muttered before getting back into position.
It was always hard to get a service ace, and since they were new Sayaka didn't expect any aces from the team of course. She just knew she had to be fast and get the ball to the one in best position to score.
"Don't drop the ball." Sayaka cooed as Himuro bounced the ball to her on his arm, feeling the sting of it made him chuckle lightly. "I will try my best." Getting into swift position, Sayaka glanced around their side of the sand court but Nekoma looked ready for a dump—those two cats tended to think alike. She knew that, which is why she set it to Okamura. "Give it a good spike gorilla!"
Leaping, Okamura let out a loud booming cry as he slammed down on the ball, but it bounced right back to their side of the court instantly. "Yay!" Kuroo grinned as he landed next to Tora and Lev, and Sayaka pouted some. "Damn that sexy block…" She whispered to herself quietly before waving her hand at the dejected Okamura. "Don't mind! Kuroo's one of the best Middle Blocker's sadly." He looked slightly better now, but Fukui had to make him suffer a little more.
"How do you expect to impress Shigeko-Chan like that!?"
Hotaru hid her face in Chieko's shirt while Eri cracked up laughing at Okamura's flustered blubbering.
It was their turn to defend, Sayaka stood up front with Wei and Fukui while Himuro and Atsushi were in the back this time around. "Get ready to block a spike from Kuroo." Sayaka whispered once she saw Kenma prepare to set the ball—both looked confused but nodded all the same.
Once the ball was in the air, Sayaka took off to the left as Kuroo ran for it, thankfully their long legs made it easy to catch up and they jumped to block. However Kuroo hesitated before jumping and they were already falling. "Shit, in the back!" Sayaka called, looking over her shoulder as the ball flew past them.
Himuro dived and the ball flew up toward the net by some miracle, poor thing had to eat sand though to do it. "Ouch." Shiori cringed.
Sayaka moved in place and tossed to the center. "Wei!" The Chinese man huffed before leaping up and spiking the ball down swiftly before the blockers could get there in time, they thought she might send it to Okamura to help lift his spirits some. She was always sympathetic like that, but also sly as a fox.
She knew they'd think that too….
"Good job, you might make MVP." Sayaka grinned at Wei, and for whatever reason just hearing that made Kuroo's mood worsen more.
"MVP?" Hotaru looked toward Yaku, sensing the rage coming off Kuroo and it scared her half to death of course. "It's something Sayaka did before her and Kuroo were going out, the Most Valuable Player of the game got a…motivating kiss…." Yaku cringed slightly himself at the dark satanic aura coming off Kuroo right then. "Jeez, what the fuck happened between those two…" He muttered quietly, scratching his head. "Don't worry though; I doubt she'll kiss anyone that's taken." Yaku said once he noticed Shiori and Chieko's rather agitated expressions, which quickly turned into adorably flustered ones. "Right…." Shiori laughed awkwardly, glancing away from them swiftly.
"Looks like it's my turn to serve." Sayaka whistled to herself as she spun the volleyball on her middle finger, ignoring Kenma's mildly worried look. Sayaka threw the ball into the air and raced forward before leaping up and slamming the ball forward hard, it zoomed toward the back corner because among all the Nekoma team that was just full of amazing receivers, she knew Tora was the worst at receiving hard serves.
As expected, it bounced off him and to the side after nearly striking his face. "Ah fuck not fair Sayaka-Chan!" Tora whined with a pout and she winked at him before catching the ball once it was tossed back to her by Kenma. "We're in the lead." She cooed, glancing at the score board they'd been using.
Nekoma was at 6 but they were at 9, soon to be 10 if she made this serve too.
Himuro watched the jump serve with a narrowed golden hue, but it widened when Kuroo moved in front of Tora and received it instead, sending it toward Kenma with perfect precision. "Thank you, Captain!" Tora grinned as Kenma got into position to set.
"Send me a toss!" Lev cried as he ran to the side where there were no blockers. "Get over there!" Sayaka called to the vanguard, which at the moment was at its highest.
Atsushi ran to the side with Okamura, both leaping up by Lev's arm snapped out like a whip and it went right down the side, Sayaka diving for it but it was far too fast.
Kenma huffed quietly as his cousin got up, pouting some and mumbling about sand getting in her sports bra.
Fukui had to look away when she started shaking her shirt to knock the sand out, as did many others to avoid Kuroo's dark looks. "Alright, shall we get that point back now?"
The end of the first set came and it was Nekoma's victory, 23 to 25, and Sayaka considered that immensely impressive for their first ever game.
"I blame the height." She teased them softly before getting ready for Himuro to serve. She liked having him in the back; he was quite good at receiving and felt like he'd make a good Libero with the proper training.
He impressed her even more by doing a perfect jump serve. "Nice serve Himuro-Kun!" Sayaka grinned; even more pleased he aimed for Tora and managed a service ace. "It's a lot harder than it looks, I'll say that much." Himuro chuckled before preparing another jump serve.
This time he wasn't able to aim it for Tora, and Kuroo managed to pick it back up and head it toward Kenma. "Go Kenma!" Kuroo called, and before Sayaka could get over there he landed a dump over the net that Fukui wasn't able to catch. "Damn it!" Fukui growled, glancing up at Kenma as he stared at them intently.
Somehow, they felt like he was watching them more than before….
Nekoma's serve was picked up by Wei and bounced to Sayaka, who then set it to Okamura with a whistle. "Take 'em down!" She called to the larger man, Hotaru finding herself bouncing in her seat. "Go Okamura-Kun!" Spurred on by the cheers, Okamura's spike blasted through Kuroo and Lev's block, mostly Lev's though.
"Lev! I've told you a million times how to block!" Kuroo snapped at the Russian making him flinch slightly but smile awkwardly. "Sorry Captain!"
He really did suck overall.
Though they battled hard, the battle went to Nekoma with a last minute quick from Inuoka. She forgot how much he'd been practicing his speed to keep up with Karasuno's #10 Shrimp, and no one had been expecting it as they hadn't seriously used any quick's besides Lev's occasional quick. "My bad, you guys did really well though." Sayaka smiled at the Yosen team before looking at their score—Nekoma 25 and Yosen 21, it had gotten a little stressful at the end there and they all believed they could have done better, however….
"That was a lot of fun!" Fukui chirped, and Okamura nodded eagerly. "I must agree, volleyball may not be as fun as basketball but I did enjoy it." Himuro said softly, glancing at the sweaty giant beside him. "I think Atsushi enjoyed it too."
Atsushi looked away, but didn't say anything against it. But they all knew he preferred winning above all else. Sayaka managed a grin before Wei recalled back to something she said before.
"So who do you think was the MVP of the game?" It really was said innocently, but Kuroo's dark expression made them all shiver. "Idiot." Ayano muttered before taking a snap shot of Kuroo's scary face. "Hmm….I think Himuro-Kun is, since he managed to pick up a jump serve just from watching me so easily! Quite the talent aren't you?" She grinned, and just before Shiori thought she was going to kiss him, Sayaka went over and grabbed Shiori by her shirt and dragged her over to Himuro. "Why don't you give him a kiss instead?!"
Shoving her non to delicately, Himuro seemed to have caught on instantly because as soon as his arms wrap around her, his lips were on hers in a soft but passionate kiss.
Wolf whistles erupted around them from both teams minus Atsushi, who is mostly looking at Chieko like he wanted to eat her which was making her highly uncomfortable.
Damn that woman, putting her on the spot like that….
It was impossible not to melt into his arms, from that sweet kiss….
Everyone disbursed to shower, allowing Sayaka to go first since there was only one large showering area before the girls headed back to their room while the boys showered.
Once they arrived, Eri was the one that finally asked what was on most of everyone's mind.
Most because Chieko Eri and Ayano didn't really give a damn, Hotaru and Shiori were just worried. "So why are you and Kuroo on such bitter terms right now?" She blurted out, and Sayaka blinked in mild surprise before plopping down on her roll out bed. "Wow, so blunt…I like it." She grinned slightly before looking out the window with a sigh.
"Chinatsu-Senpai—""Nah, it's cool don't worry about it. Truth is—it's kind of stupid…." Smiling bitterly, Sayaka glanced down at the Nekoma Jersey with Kuroo's number on the back. "So, a little while back we rekindled a rivalry with Karasuno, Nekoma's longtime rivals up until their old Coach retired. Kuroo really wants us to be a great team; he wants to have that standoff with Karasuno at the Nationals and let the Coach have his dream come true….He wants to bring us to nationals…It's something I always loved and admired about Kuroo, ya know?" There was softness to her voice, and a fondness in her eyes that made her look so docile and sweet to Shiori in that moment, but then she frowned and looked down.
"But Kuroo was putting in a lot of hours to the team, he was wearing himself out and whenever I tried to talk to him about it he'd brush me off, say I was just worrying too much….Or just ignore me, we hadn't had a date since we had that practice match too….The only real time I got with him was when he'd walk me home after school, even then it wasn't entirely alone. Kenma was usually with us until we got to his house, then it was mine and then his…." Sighing, she scratched her head before lying back on the bed and stared up at the ceiling with a blank expression.
"I tried teasing him, maybe give him a hint I'd felt a little lonely and maybe that would help get him to take a break from working so hard ya know? If I could just get him to come over for a while, set up a movie rub his shoulders get him to sleep properly for once….I said something stupid…." Shiori's lips curled down when Sayaka's voice cracked somewhat.
"As much time you spend with the team and not me, I'd almost think you love the team more than me…. Of course his response was pretty sour….He said if I didn't like having a boyfriend that worked hard for our team I should find someone that doesn't give a damn if they make it to Nationals….So I got even more stupid and said something along the lines of, we'll see if you like seeing me flirting with someone else then. Something like that, kind of fuzzy around then I was kind of crying….I think everyone still considers us together, but considering he never went after me when I ran inside….I think we broke up…." She mumbled and Sayaka turned on her side to wipe at her face furiously and took a deep breath to calm herself.
"Sayaka-Chan…." Hotaru whispered before coming over and hugging her from behind tightly. Sayaka's shoulders shook but soon Shiori was joining the hug, both trying to sooth the crying girl. She looked to be a tough woman, but really, she was just a little heart broken. Ayano and Eri weren't good at that sort of thing, neither was Chieko but she at least managed to try patting Sayaka's head.
Damn her hair was soft.
"So…that's why you dress like a total slut, to get Kuroo's attention?" Eri asked bluntly and actually made her laugh between sobs, but she nodded her head still. "Haha, yeah that's why….thought maybe he'd get pissed off or jealous enough…He was always such a possessive guy, it was pretty sexy but….He hasn't done anything…." She choked back a sob, wiping at her eyes. "It's such a stupid idea; I know….But I don't know what to do…." She trailed off slowly, trying to blink back tears.
"Come on, let's go to the bathroom and wash you up." Shiori said softly, wiping Sayaka's eyes softly. "A-Alright…." Sayaka mumbled, standing up slowly before leaving with the three girls.
Chieko waited outside while Hotaru and Shiori helped Sayaka clean up, drumming her fingers along her thigh before a familiar voice yawned her name.
"Chie-Chin?" Blinking amethyst eyes quickly, she turned and saw Atsushi exiting the boy's bathroom with drowsy purple hues. "What are you doing up?" Chieko frowned some as Atsushi came over and ruffled her hair, causing her to grumble and adjust it accordingly. "Had to pee….Why are you standing outside the bathroom?" He raised a brow himself as she let out a tired sigh. "Sayaka was upset about her and Kuroo…You showered with Nekoma right? Did he mention anything about her?" Atsushi tilted his head, almost looking like he was thinking hard but then….he shrugged. "Dunno, didn't talk to him. Why?" Sighing, Chieko scratched her head softly. "I think Hotaru and Shiori are gonna stick their nose in other people's business and try and patch things up between those two…." Sighing tiredly, she knew those two would drag everyone into getting those two back together. She had a feeling she'd get Himuro to help, too.
"Hmm…." Humming, Atsushi's only reply was that as he stared her down intently. "W-Why are you looking at me like that?" She spluttered, staring up at him with a flushed face. "Nothing." He stated before leaning down and tilting her head up, silencing her protests with a deep kiss that made her knees knock together.
She was not prepared for this!
"M-Mmn…!" Chieko couldn't help it; his kiss was a little….intoxicating. Atsushi's large hands gripped her hips while she latched onto his thick biceps through his shirt to stay standing, head tilting back as he dominated the kiss and her heart thoroughly.
She pulled back a little to gasp for air, only for his lips to attack her and his tongue to slide into her mouth. The moan that tore from her lips as his tongue tangled with hers messily finally made her shove him off and she was quick to lean against the wall, panting hard. "Y-You can't just kiss a girl like that without have even taken her on one date!" She rasped out breathlessly, eyes wide and face flushed. Atsushi looked perplexed for a moment, licking his lips far too seductively before something dawned on him. "Oh, I forgot." He said it so simply too.
"…..You….you forgot!?" She gaped at him as he stood there scratching his head innocently. "H-How can you forget something that!?"
"I just enjoy being with Chie-Chin, Muro-Chin said I should take you out but then we had to come here and I forgot." He shrugged his shoulders and looked down at her with his lazy amethyst hues. "I'll take Chie-Chin out Maiubo shopping when we get home."
She should have known that's what he'd classify as a date….
"Night Chie-Chin." Turning on his heel, he was about to walk away before she blurted something stupid out.
"A-Atsushi…! A-A-Are we…a-am I y-your…g-girlfriend?" She finally asked, it might have been stupid but she felt like being stupid.
Atsushi stopped and looked over his shoulder, a lazy smile playing across his lips. "Well, you are my Chie-Chin….." And with that he left her to slide down the wall and curl up into a ball of embarrassment alone.
Sayaka, Shiori and Hotaru came out and saw what state she was in, Sayaka unable to help making a crack about it. "Is it your turn to break down?" She joked, but Chieko just shook her head furiously and hid her flushed face. "Shut up! I don't want to talk about it right now!"
Sayaka and Hotaru looked a little lost, but Shiori managed a smile.
"Those Yosen boys are pretty frustrating, huh?"
But just so irresistible.
(Honestly I am both amazed I wrote as much of that game as I did, or that I updated this again within a month! Both are amazing for me. xDD Haha, anyway I am not skilled in the art of volleyball, what I know is from watching Haikyuu so I sort of skimmed some parts and skipped through to the end after doin some shit.
Dunno why I think Himuro would make a good Libero, some might think he'd be a better Setter I imagine but I think he'd be good at following the ball, and with such good reflexes for fakes I imagine catching the ball would be easy too ya know?
Anyway, someone requested some more love for Sushi and I made it fit perfectly! :3 At least in my opinion.
Ahem, sorry for any stupidity or mistakes, no Beta monkeys but myself after all.
Also a quick news letter I will later add to my profile since this is my most read story.
For those of you who are interested in keeping track of what I am working on and shit like that, check my profile but also-
Currently I've started a yaoi fic for Haikyuu, a BokuAka fic because it's been in my head for a bit now. If you've read my KNB yaoi you'll know there will be serious gratuitous smut in it, but not in every chapter like My Sin is Greed. xD So if you're into BokuAka, check out Owl You Need is Love, yeah there are stupid Owl puns in it it's Bokuto after all.
And for those of you who liked An Unlikely Deal, I've decided to do a sequel!
It will be a One Shot again, however it will be SUPER long cause I am not gonna wanna do three stories at once. Because of that, it wont be posted for quite some time but that will be in the works starting tomorrow. Since I am gonna work on it after my shifts the next few days.
Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this chapter! Next chapter will have a bit less action in it and more of them butting their lives into Sayaka and Kuroo's.
I know the argument is a little stupid, but anyone who's dated anyone knows how stupid fights can be and how out of hand they can get so damn fast.
Reviews give me motivation~ :3 )