𝐂𝐇. 𝟏𝟎

⋅. ˚₊ ‧  𐙚  ‧ ₊ ˚  ⋅

Today marks one full week since I was bullied into becoming Aoba Johsai's manager.

One week of sweaty uniforms, screaming coaches, and Tooru Oikawa's relentless attempts to flirt with me like it's his full-time job and he's trying to hit a bonus quota.

I was only supposed to do this for a week.

One week.Then I'd be free. Peace out. Back to normal life. No more boys. No more whistles. No more... volleyballs flying at my face.

But apparently, freedom is a lie.

⸻

Practice ends like usual: sweat, chaos, and Oikawa fake-swooning over a set like he just won an Oscar.

I'm gathering clipboards and rehydrating from emotional damage when my dad claps loudly from across the gym.

"Alright, team! Great practice!" he yells. Then turns to me. "Y/N—come here for a second."

I walk over, suspicious. "What?"

He grins. "Since it's officially been a week since you started managing..."

I nod slowly.

He continues. "You're staying."

I blink. "Huh?"

"You're staying on as our permanent manager."

"I'm sorry—WHAT?"

I turn to the team.

They're all watching me.

And every single one of them is nodding.

Like synchronized traitors.

Even Kyoutani.

I point at them dramatically. "YOU—YOU ALL KNEW?!"

Hanamaki: "We may have signed a petition."

Matsukawa: "It was laminated."

Iwaizumi: "Coach said you're the most organized person we've ever had."

Oikawa: "I said she makes my heart beat faster."

"YOU DON'T COUNT," I snap.

My dad shrugs, like this is normal. "The team voted unanimously. I agreed. Nobuteru agreed. It's official."

"THIS ISN'T A DEMOCRACY," I yell.

"Too bad. You're staying."

"THAT LITERALLY MAKES NO SENSE—I HAVE RIGHTS! FREEDOM OF—of..." I struggle. "FREEDOM OF SPEECH! Wait—no. Choice. FREEDOM OF CHOICE"

"Still nope," my dad says cheerfully.

"I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS."

Before I can even plan my dramatic exit, Oikawa sprints at me across the gym like it's the final scene of a romance movie.

He's glowing.

Radiating joy.

Too much joy.

"MANAGER-CHANN~!" he yells, arms open wide. "I'M SO HAPPY YOU CHOSE TO STAY HERE WITH YOUR BELOVED HUSBAND!"

And then—he hugs me.

Full-body. Dramatic. Lift-you-off-the-ground style.

I freeze. Arms pinned. Traumatized.

Then—

I knee him directly in the family jewels.

"DON'T. TOUCH. ME," I snap. "BEFORE I KILL YOU. AND I DIDN'T CHOOSE TO STAY!"

Oikawa Crumples.

He drops like a fallen hero.

Hands clutching his very existence.

"MY LEGACY," he wheezes.

"YOUR FAULT," I say flatly.

The team's reaction?

Hanamaki: "Oh my god—she actually did it."

Matsukawa: wheezing "She eliminated him."

Iwaizumi: "Good."

Kyoutani: "Finally."

⸻

I walk off toward the benches, muttering to myself.

"I can't believe this. Trapped. Betrayed. Stuck with them."

Coach Nobuteru pats my back as he walks by. "Welcome to the team, Y/N."

I stare at the ceiling. "I hope the ceiling collapses."

⸻

Group Chat: 5 Minutes Later

Group Name: "Y/N's Stuck With Us Now 😌"

Hanamaki: she actually kneed him

Matsukawa: and he fell like a Shakespeare character

Oikawa: she's so violent. and i'm so in love

Iwaizumi: maybe don't hug her without warning

Kyoutani: is she allowed to knee us or just him

Oikawa: she's allowed to do whatever she wants

Y/N: I'M IN THIS GROUP CHAT YOU KNOW

Oikawa: hi wife 🥺

Y/N: shut up before i knee you again

Oikawa: 💘

⸻

I'm pacing around my room, eating instant noodles like they're emotional support food, when I hear a knock.

My dad peeks in. "Still mad?"

I glare.

He walks in, sits on the edge of my bed. "Listen. I know it wasn't part of the plan. But you're good at this. And the team... actually listens to you."

"That's because they're scared of me."

He laughs. "Exactly. You've got them in line. You bring balance. And don't lie—you like yelling at them."

I sigh. "Okay. Maybe a little."

"And I think it's good for you," he adds. "Being part of something. You've been on your own since quitting the volleyball team."

I'm quiet for a second.

"...It's not terrible," I admit. "Except Oikawa."

"That's fair."

"Seriously, he's like if a golden retriever had a TikTok following."

My dad cackles.

⸻

Oikawa [10:02 PM]:soooo... still mad at me?

Y/N [10:02 PM]:i'll be mad forever

Oikawa [10:03 PM]:but you're still our manager 🥺

Y/N [10:03 PM]:against my will

Oikawa [10:03 PM]:you kicked me in the life sourceand i'd let you do it again

Y/N [10:04 PM]:you need help

Oikawa [10:04 PM]:you're my help 😌

Y/N [10:05 PM]:i'm going to put hot sauce in your eye drops

Oikawa [10:05 PM]:romance 😍