𝐂𝐇. 𝟐𝟖

⋅. ˚₊ ‧  𐙚  ‧ ₊ ˚  ⋅

Match days were always the most chaotic.

Sweaty shoes. Loud yelling. Balls flying way too close to my head.

And today? Add a cross-school scrimmage against Fukurodani to the mix.

I was already exhausted. I had three clipboards in my arms, a whistle in my mouth, and two towels over my shoulders. I looked like a hot volleyball-themed mess.

But apparently, that didn't stop someone from flirting with me.

"You the manager of Aoba Johsai?"

I turned around.

A tall boy in a Fukurodani jacket leaned casually against the wall, spinning a volleyball in his hands. His hair was dyed a soft ash-brown, and he had that lazy, charming kind of smile—like he knew he was attractive and enjoyed making other people flustered about it.

"I am," I said, raising a brow. "And you are?"

"Minato," he said smoothly. "Wing spiker. Third year. And possibly falling in love."

I blinked.

"...Huh?"

"You've got this whole 'terrifyingly organized but kind of hot when you yell' thing going on," he added, eyes scanning my clipboard like it was a love letter.

"...You good, sir?" I asked flatly.

"No, actually," Minato said. "I just saw you blow a whistle at your captain and wanted to marry you a little."

From across the gym, a ball slammed into the wall.

"Nice spike, Oikawa!" someone yelled.

I turned—just in time to see him glaring holes into Minato's head.

Oh no.

⸻

Oikawa's POV

I didn't mean to spike that hard.

Okay. I did. But still.

What was that guy's deal?

He was hovering around Y/N like he was auditioning to be her boyfriend. All smiles and compliments and fake charm. Like she was going to fall for some random spiker with pretty-boy hair and weak knees.

Y/N was laughing.

She was smiling at him.

That was my job.

My jaw clenched. My fist tightened around the volleyball. Iwaizumi gave me a look from across the court—half warning, half "don't start."

But I was already started.

Because the guy was leaning closer.

I couldn't hear what he was saying, but Y/N tilted her head and smirked. Her arms were crossed, that clipboard against her hip like she wasn't fully saying no.

No. Nope. Not happening.

I walked straight across the court.

⸻

Y/N's POV

"Hey, manager-channn~" Oikawa said, suddenly appearing out of nowhere like a passive-aggressive storm cloud.

Minato looked at him curiously. "You the captain?"

"That's me," Oikawa said with a smile that absolutely screamed fake. "And you're?"

"Minato. Nice to meet you."

They shook hands. Too tightly. I heard a knuckle pop.

"Great form, by the way," Minato added. "Y/N was just telling me you've got one of the best serves in the prefecture."

I choked on air.

"I—no—I didn't say it like that—"

"She talks about me?" Oikawa said, looking at me like he was winning a trophy. "Aw. I'm honored."

"She also said you were annoying as hell," Minato added cheerfully.

Oikawa's smile dropped 2%.

"...Funny," he said. "She says the same about people she likes."

"I'm right here," I muttered, rubbing my temples. "I can hear both of you being idiots."

⸻

Iwaizumi's POV

From across the gym, I watched Oikawa try to out-alpha a dude from Fukurodani.

It was like watching two peacocks slap each other with feathers.

Hanamaki leaned in. "On a scale of 1 to flipping tables, how jealous is Oikawa right now?"

"Eight," I said.

Matsukawa nodded. "Solid eight. If that guy touches her clipboard, it's game over."

⸻

Y/N's POV — After Practice

The scrimmage was over. Fukurodani had headed to the showers. The gym was clearing out.

Oikawa stayed behind, aggressively wiping down a bench like it had personally offended him.

I was packing up cones when he finally said:

"So. Minato."

I blinked. "What about him?"

"You two seemed... close."

I turned to look at him slowly. "Did you seriously stay behind just to passive-aggressively sulk about a guy saying hi to me?"

"No."

He wiped the same spot again.

"Yes."

I laughed. "Oh my god, you are jealous."

"No, I'm protective."

"Of my clipboard?"

"Of you."

The words hung in the air like a volleyball in slow motion.

He looked up, eyes suddenly too soft.

I swallowed. "Oikawa..."

"I don't like watching other guys flirt with you," he admitted, voice low. "I know I'm annoying. I know I joke a lot. But I mean it when I say you're—"

"—If you finish that sentence with 'my future wife,' I will throw this clipboard," I said quickly.

He grinned. "Then I'll save it for later."

I threw the clipboard anyway.

⸻

Group Chat:

[Matsukawa]:oikawa's been grumpier than usual. what happened?

[Iwaizumi]:some pretty boy from another team flirted with y/n

[Hanamaki]:ah. so we're in the "possessive spiral" arc

[Kyoutani]:someone give him a leash

[Oikawa]:I'M NOT JEALOUS

[Y/N]:he's jealous.

[Oikawa]:YOU SMILED AT HIM

[Y/N]:because i have a face