𝐂𝐇. 𝟏𝟕

⋅. ˚₊ ‧  𐙚  ‧ ₊ ˚  ⋅

The gym smelled like sweat, chalk, and—if I squinted hard enough—impending disaster. It was early morning, and the bright sunlight filtered through the high windows, casting long shadows over the volleyball court. The team was already warming up, stretching and chatting, but my attention was fixed firmly on one person who was sitting way too comfortably on the bleachers.

Oikawa Tooru.

He had that smirk on his face, the one that said "I'm up to something" and "You're going to hate me, but I'm gonna make you laugh anyway." I rolled my eyes, grabbed a handful of cones, and began setting them up for warmups.

Coach Sadayuki had been crystal clear: "No fighting, no bickering, no flirting. For the team's sake, I want you two to keep it civil." Like that was going to happen.

No fighting, sure, but no flirting? With Oikawa? I was practically allergic.

I was crouched down placing cones near the net when I felt his presence before I heard him.

"Manager-chaaaan~"

Oh, hell no.

I straightened up, folding my arms across my chest. "Didn't Coach say no flirting?"

He stood and sauntered over, a cheeky glint in his eyes. "That was more of a suggestion, really. You can't blame a guy for trying."

I raised an eyebrow, pointed at the cones lined up perfectly. "Try focusing on the cones, not on annoying me."

He grinned wider and crouched beside me, elbowing me gently. "You looked cute just now, all serious and focused."

My head snapped toward him like a rattlesnake. "I'm not cute."

"Yes, you are."

"No."

"Yes."

"No."

"Yes."

This ridiculous back-and-forth had started so many times already. The only thing that never changed was my growing irritation and his relentless teasing.

"Do you ever get tired of being annoying?" I asked, trying to keep my tone steady.

"Never. It's my superpower." He puffed out his chest like he just declared world domination.

I groaned and went back to setting up the cones. Every few seconds, he'd make a ridiculous comment about my serious manager vibe or imitate my tone perfectly, which made the team laugh but made me want to throw a volleyball at him.

The guys were watching us, exchanging knowing looks and stifled laughs. Iwaizumi leaned over to Hanamaki and whispered something that made Hanamaki snort.

"Do they always fight like this?" Yahaba asked, looking confused.

"Like this?" Hanamaki grinned. "No. This is next-level."

⸻

The warmups started, and I barked orders, timing drills and making sure everything went smoothly. Oikawa played along, but with his own twists.

"Alright, guys, sprint to the end, back, then a quick set of jumping lunges!" I said.

Oikawa shouted, "Sprint, sprint, sprint! And don't forget to think about how adorable your manager is!"

The entire team stopped and laughed.

I shot Oikawa a glare sharp enough to cut glass.

Coach Nobuteru blew his whistle and called, "Focus, everyone! Especially you two!"

Oikawa just shrugged and winked at me. "Can't help it if I'm charming."

⸻

During the stretching phase, I was helping organize water bottles when he sidled up again, dropping his voice to a mock-serious whisper.

"So, what's your secret? How do you manage a team full of hormonal teenage boys and still stay so flawless?"

I smirked. "Lots of caffeine, a really good skincare routine, and pretending to be a drill sergeant."

He laughed. "And what about me? How do you handle me?"

"You? You're the reason I need the caffeine in the first place."

He put a hand over his heart. "Ouch! That hurts. You wound me, m'lady."

I shook my head and tried not to laugh.

Just then, Iwaizumi came over, shooting both of us a warning glance.

"Seriously, enough with the theatrics. Get the team ready."

We both snapped back to "serious mode," but the tension between us hummed just beneath the surface like electricity.

⸻

Walking out of the gym, Oikawa caught up and elbowed me.

"You know, for someone who yells at me nonstop, you sure do let me stick around."

I smirked. "You're like glitter—annoying, impossible to get rid of, but kind of sparkly."

He grinned and put an arm around my shoulder.

"Deal. I'm your glitter."

I groaned, but my heart did a weird little flip.