𝐂𝐇. 𝟏𝟒

⋅. ˚₊ ‧ 𐙚 ‧ ₊ ˚ ⋅

Y/N's POV

It's game day.

The gym's buzzing. Karasuno and Aoba Johsai are on opposite sides of the court, stretching, tossing, running plays—tension practically oozing off the floor. I'm just trying to mind my business and keep everything running, but it's kind of hard when Oikawa keeps looking at me like I murdered his dog just because I've been talking to Kageyama.

Which, okay, fair, because I am actively bonding with his mortal enemy.

Oops?

⸻

Petty Alliance Status: Active

I slide over toward Kageyama and Hinata during warm-ups.

"You ready for fake bonding, bestie?" I whisper to Kageyama.

He glances at me, deadpan. "You've said that like five times."

"I like consistency."

Hinata blinks between us. "Wait—are we like... scheming?"

"Exactly," I say, grinning. "You're in too."

"Oh cool!"

"Don't ask questions," Kageyama mutters.

⸻

The Scrimmage Begins.

The whistle blows, and both teams launch into the first set.

Karasuno's fast plays are insane—Hinata's practically flying, Kageyama's setting like a machine, and Aoba Johsai is actually working to keep up. Oikawa's playing like he has something to prove (which he probably does), and Iwaizumi's already yelling at him five minutes in.

I'm scribbling notes, watching everything—and definitely not noticing Oikawa glaring at me every time I smile at Kageyama.

Nope. Not at all.

⸻

Kageyama serves a clean ace.

I clap. "Nice serve."

Oikawa immediately sets the next ball so hard he nearly tears a tendon.

Hanamaki leans into Matsukawa. "He's gonna crack."

"Oh yeah. That smile she gave Kageyama just added five new wrinkles to his soul."

"Can you see the way his eye is twitching?"

"Yep."

⸻

This game is intense.

Both teams are neck and neck. The energy is sharp. Focused.

But even in the middle of all the chaos, I'm weirdly... enjoying myself?

Hinata waves every time he scores. Kageyama pretends not to notice when I compliment his receives, but he blushes every time.

And Oikawa?

Oikawa is literally malfunctioning every time I make eye contact with the Karasuno duo.

Which means I'm winning.

⸻

After the game, both teams are sweaty and exhausted. They line up for final bows, and the coaches surprise everyone by dragging in bags of food.

"Dinner's on us tonight," Coach Nobuteru announces.

Suddenly the entire gym is cheering like they just won nationals.

Everyone grabs their food and flops on the floor in messy circles, some mixing across team lines, some sticking with their own.

I scan the room.

Spot Kageyama and Hinata sitting in a quiet corner, already munching quietly.

I grin and head over.

"Hope this seat isn't taken."

They both blink up at me like I just descended from the ceiling.

"Uhhh—yeah sure," Hinata says, scooting over so I can plop down between them.

"You guys did insane out there," I say, opening my bento.

"Thanks," Kageyama says. "You... did manager things well."

"Wow," I say flatly. "What a glowing review."

Hinata snorts. "I think that means he likes you."

Kageyama: aggressively sipping his water

"Aw, thanks, Kageyama," I tease. "You're tolerable."

"You're tolerating," he corrects with a tiny smirk.

"I'll take that."

Hinata beams. "You like us!"

"You guys are cool. Probably my favorites today."

"REALLY, Y/N-CHAN??" Hinata yells, voice cracking like a cartoon character.

I laugh. "Yes, really."

⸻

We eat and talk about volleyball, dumb inside jokes from their training camp, and Hinata explains—with wild hand motions—how he once hit himself in the face with a spike.

Kageyama, who barely laughed all day, chuckles under his breath. I blink at him.

"Did you just smile?"

"No," he says instantly, expression returning to neutral.

"Liar."

Hinata whispers, "He totally smiled."

I whisper back, "I saw it."

We all laugh quietly to ourselves.

I don't know when it happened, but this whole fake-bonding thing? Kinda turned into... real bonding.

Oops again?

⸻

Everyone starts standing up and saying their goodbyes. Coaches are herding teams toward the exits.

Kageyama and Hinata walk toward the doors.

I bolt up.

"HEY—WAIT!"

They turn around just in time for me to hug them both at the same time.

They both flinch like I hit them with a volleyball.

"Uh—hug??" Hinata squeaks.

"Thank you guys," I say, grinning, "for being my fake best friends—even though we kinda actually got along."

Kageyama blinks. "We did?"

I nod. "Shocking, right?"

Hinata grins. "SEE YOU NEXT TIME Y/N-CHAN!!"

Kageyama even smiles a little. "Yeah. See you."

I wave them off and turn around—

Only to see him.

Oikawa is standing behind me, arms crossed, face blank.

"You hugged them." he says, voice dangerously neutral.

I blink. "Yes. They are my honorary sons now."

He blinks back. "You've known them for a day."

"And I liked them better than I've liked you in two weeks."

He clutches his chest like I stabbed him. "That's actually so hurtful, manager-chan."

"Don't call me that."

"Wow. Hugging Kageyama? Laughing with Hinata? You're cheating on me emotionally and spiritually."

"News flash, Oikawa," I say, stepping around him, "we're not in a relationship."

He follows me toward the gym doors like a dramatic romcom ex. "But we could be. Imagine the power couple."

"We'd be a crime documentary."

"I'd still watch it."

I pause. "You're so annoying."

"I missed you today."

I stop. "We saw each other all day."

"Yeah, but emotionally? You were with them." He squints. "Especially him."

"Please don't say him like that."

"Kageyama has the personality of unsalted rice. What do you see in him?"

"Peace and quiet," I say, walking off.

⸻

Today was good.

Chaotic, exhausting, a little emotionally disorienting... but good.

Kageyama's less scary than I thought. Hinata's a ray of sunshine. I actually had fun.

And Oikawa?

He's spiraling.

Which is still my favorite part of the day.