𝐂𝐇. 𝟓

⋅. ˚₊ ‧  𐙚  ‧ ₊ ˚  ⋅

⸻

Y/N's POV

It's match day.

The gym's packed. Students are yelling. Girls are screaming Oikawa's name like he's a K-pop idol instead of a sweaty high school volleyball player.

I'm at the sideline, clipboard in hand, watching warmups and doing what I do best—being efficient and silently judging everyone's form.

Oikawa's serving, of course. Trying to impress the crowd.He lands one jump float and smirks, turning just slightly to check if I'm watching.I don't give him the satisfaction. I turn and start organizing water bottles like they're the only thing I care about in this world.

But someone else notices.

"Hey," a smooth voice says beside me.

I glance up. It's a guy from the rival team—No. 5. Blonde, sharp jawline, smug smirk. Great.

"You the manager?" he asks, leaning in a little too confidently.

"I don't wear this clipboard for fun."

He laughs. "You're cute when you're mean."

I blink. "You're not cute when you're breathing."

That makes him laugh harder.

"What's your name?" he asks.

"Why?"

"So I can remember the name of the girl I'm gonna ask out after I win."

Oh my gosh.

Before I can fire back, a voice cuts in like a thunderclap from hell.

"She's not available," Oikawa says, suddenly appearing between us like a six-foot storm cloud in sneakers.

The other guy laughs. "Relax, pretty boy. I'm just talking."

Oikawa smiles—a fake one. "Great. Talk to someone else."

I look at him. His jaw's tight. His smile's tight. His hands? Not relaxed.

This man is jealous.

And I hate that it's kinda hot.

⸻

During the Match

I'm pacing the sideline while Coach barks out instructions and the team's going head-to-head with the rival school. Oikawa's focus is shot. His sets are off. His glare keeps drifting to No. 5—who's grinning way too much.

Meanwhile, I'm just trying to do my job.

That is, until Rival Guy winks at me again mid-rotation.

"OI!" Oikawa shouts from across the net, loud enough for the ref to look up.

"WHAT?!" Rival Guy yells back, still laughing.

"EYES ON THE BALL!"

I put a hand over my face. I can feel the secondhand embarrassment.

The match continues, but Oikawa's playing like he has a personal vendetta. Every time Rival Guy jumps, Oikawa's hands are already there. Blocking him. Stuffing him. Humiliating him.

By the end of the match, Rival Guy's cocky attitude is gone. And Oikawa? He jogs over to me like a victorious man ready to gloat.

"You saw that?" he pants, sweaty and glowing.

"Unfortunately."

"Didn't even look at anyone else on that court but you."

"Creepy."

"Romantic."

"No."

⸻

After the Match

The gym is clearing out. I'm cleaning up the bench area, trying to ignore the lingering adrenaline rush in the air. I hear footsteps behind me. And without turning, I already know who it is.

"Manager-channn~," he says.

Here we go.

He's got that stupid smug post-match energy. Hair messy. Shirt untucked. Grin criminal.

I don't respond. Just keep wiping down clipboards.

"You know, I was thinking..."

"Dangerous."

"I should take you out."

I stop.

Turn.

Look at him.

He smiles like he just solved world hunger. "Like... on a date."

I stare for a long moment. Then I laugh. Loud. Sarcastic. Unapologetic.

"A DATE?" I say, leaning slightly against the bench. "You're kidding."

He frowns. "Why does that sound insulting?"

"Because it is."

"But I'm Oikawa."

"That's literally the problem."

He points at me. "So you're saying... if I wasn't Oikawa, you'd consider it?"

"No. If you weren't Oikawa, you wouldn't be asking."

He pauses. "Ouch."

I pat his shoulder. "Don't take it personally."

"How can I not? You've rejected me like—eight times."

"Try twenty."

"Then let me make it twenty-one—Y/N, go on a date with me."

"No, Oikawa."

He clutches his chest like I just stabbed him.

"You wound me."

"I wish."

⸻

Later That Night – Oikawa's POV

[To: Iwaizumi 💢]

Oikawa: bro I'm down catastrophic

Iwaizumi: what happened now

Oikawa: rival team guy tried to flirt with her

Iwaizumi: okay

Oikawa: she shut him down but like still

Iwaizumi: still what

Oikawa: what if she likes guys like him

Iwaizumi: you're not even her type

Oikawa: I COULD BE

Iwaizumi: you literally just asked her out

Oikawa: and she said no. again.

Iwaizumi: good. you need to be humbled

Oikawa: but she laughed when I asked. she LAUGHED

Iwaizumi: maybe because it's funny that you keep trying

Oikawa: I think I'm in love

Iwaizumi: get a grip