𝐂𝐡. 𝟏𝟏

⋅. ˚₊ ‧ 𐙚 ‧ ₊ ˚ ⋅

Practice starts like normal.

Meaning: I'm holding a clipboard, the gym smells like a high school locker room, and Oikawa's already flirting like we're filming the third act of a rom-com.

"Manager-chann~" he calls, jogging up mid-drill, "If I land this serve perfectly, will you reward me with a smile?"

"No," I say.

"What about a wink?"

I glare. "I'll give you a shovel and help you dig your grave."

He gasps like I've just broken his heart. "So cold..."

Iwaizumi passes behind him and slaps him on the back of the head. "Focus on the ball, not your fantasy life."

Thank you, Iwaizumi.

⸻

The drills go well. Iwaizumi is killing it. Kyoutani's serves are wild. Matsukawa and Hanamaki are arguing about who tied the net wrong.

And Oikawa?

Still looking over his shoulder every five minutes to see if I'm watching.

I hold up a sign that says "I'M NOT" on the back of my clipboard.

He gasps again. "My beloved—so clever—so cruel—"

"PLEASE SHUT UP."

⸻

Practice Ends... But Then—

Just when I think I'm free, my dad claps loudly, Coach Nobuteru right next to him.

"Everyone! Sit down," Coach Sadayuki says. "We've got an announcement."

The team instantly perks up, dropping onto the floor in a semi-circle.

I hover behind them, sipping from my water bottle.

Coach Nobuteru grins. "We've scheduled a practice match against a school with a... unique style."

My dad adds, "It'll be a great challenge. And we're going to start training specifically to beat them."

The team erupts.

Hanamaki: "Let's gooo!"

Matsukawa: "Time to dominate."

Iwaizumi: "About time we got real competition."

Oikawa: "I'm going to annihilate them."

I blink. "Okay, wait, who is it?"

Coach Sadayuki smiles. "Karasuno."

I blink harder.

"Ka...kara... Karasuno?" I repeat, dumbfounded. "Who's that?"

The entire team turns to look at me like I just said I'd never heard of gravity.

"Karasuno," I repeat slowly, "is that a school or a bird species?"

There's stunned silence.

Then Iwaizumi stands up, sighs deeply, and grabs my arm. "Come on."

"What are you doing?" I ask, confused.

"You're sitting with us. You need an education."

⸻

Volleyball 101: Chaos Edition

Iwaizumi plops me down next to Kyoutani, then sits beside me like he's my handler.

"Okay," Matsukawa starts, "Karasuno's weird. They used to be average, but now they're climbing fast."

"They've got a freak quick attack that's almost impossible to read," Hanamaki adds.

"They're unpredictable," Kyoutani mutters. "No rhythm. It's like fighting a wild animal."

"They're loud," Iwaizumi says with a frown. "All heart. No hesitation."

I blink. "Okay... sounds intense. Who's the top player?"

That's when it happens.

The air shifts.

Oikawa dramatically flips his hair (that's not even long), takes a step forward, and says:

"M'lady... if I may."

Oh gosh.

He gestures like he's about to give a TED Talk. "There is... a certain individual on Karasuno."

Iwaizumi groans. "Here we go."

Oikawa's jaw tightens. His tone drops an octave. "Tobio Kageyama."

I blink. "Okay, who's that? Is he like a top ace or something?"

Hanamaki leans over and whispers, "They have history."

"Kageyama," Oikawa continues, "was my underclassman at Kitagawa Daiichi. A talented setter. But arrogant. Cold. And obsessed with perfection. They used to call him the 'King of the Court.'"

"Wait," I say, holding up a hand. "That sounds like a cool nickname."

"It's not," Oikawa snaps. "It was an insult."

"Why?"

"Because he treated his teammates like puppets. Demanded perfection. Would rather win alone than work together."

I tilt my head. "So... basically you, but meaner?"

The team bursts out laughing.

Oikawa clutches his chest like I shot him.

"You wound me daily."

"Glad to know I'm consistent."

⸻

As the team continues hyping themselves up, I lean back slightly, eyes drifting to the ceiling.

Kageyama, huh?

A player that gets under Oikawa's skin just by existing?

Interesting.

Very interesting.

A slow smirk tugs at my lips.

"Oh, I'll have fun, alright."

⸻

Group Chat That Night

Group Name: "Karasuno Get Ready 😈"

Hanamaki: y/n really said "kara-what??"

Matsukawa: LMFAO

Oikawa: can we not talk about Kageyama for ONE NIGHT

Y/N: sorry i'm still laughing at you holding a grudge at kageyama"

Iwaizumi: same

Oikawa: i was being dramatic and vulnerable

Y/N: you sounded like a medieval butler

Oikawa: i hate you but also love you

Y/N: feelings not mutual. goodnight.