𝐂𝐇. 𝟒𝟑

⋅. ˚₊ ‧  𐙚  ‧ ₊ ˚  ⋅

It was déjà vu, but louder.

The gym was alive with tension, sneakers squeaking, volleyballs thudding, and voices rising over the net. But even with the chaos—this time, it didn't feel as nerve-wracking.

Because this time, I wasn't standing in the corner wondering what I was doing here.

This time, I knew these boys. Their rhythms. Their flaws. Their favorite snacks.I wasn't just here out of obligation anymore.

I was part of this.

And also—maybe—I was here because a certain someone had snuck under my skin, flirted his way into my daydreams, and now wore my scrunchie on his wrist like a badge of honor.

"Let's crush them," Oikawa said to the team as they huddled together before warmups.

"Respectfully," I added.

He turned and winked. "Only because you asked nicely, Manager-chan~"

"Touch me and I'll tackle you."

"Romantic."

⸻

Oikawa was locked in.

It wasn't just focus—this was something sharper, something hotter. A fire in his eyes I'd only seen once before.He wanted this win badly.

"Kageyama's not beating me," he muttered as he adjusted his kneepads.

"Is this about revenge?" I asked, handing him water.

"This is about pride," he replied.

Then, after a pause: "Also, yes."

⸻

Kageyama's POV

"Iwaizumi's going to crush us."

Hinata stretched beside me. "And Oikawa's going to be a dramatic pain."

I scanned the court. Aoba Johsai looked dialed in. Especially their manager— Y/N who was grinning in a way that spelled chaos.

"That girl's scary," I muttered.

"She's so cool," Hinata said with sparkles in his eyes.

⸻

Y/N's POV

The whistle blew.

Karasuno served.

Aoba Johsai received.

The gym exploded.

The first few volleys were fast, aggressive, both sides giving their all. But Aoba Johsai was clean—cleaner than before. Their rhythm was tight, movements efficient. Oikawa's sets were crisp, unshakable. He was in command.

But so was Karasuno.

The score ticked upward. Point for point. Ace for ace.

I bounced on the balls of my feet as I filled bottles and watched the court like a hawk. I couldn't yell instructions, but I could yell support.

"LET'S GO, IWAAAA—GET THAT SPIKE!"

"YOU GOT THIS, MATTSUN!"

"MAKI, STOP STICKING YOUR TONGUE OUT, IT'S WEIRD!"

And then—

"GO OIKAWA, DESTROY THEM WITH STYLE!"

Everyone turned to me. Including Oikawa. His eyes widened.

He choked mid-serve.

The ball veered slightly to the left.

Still landed in. Still counted.

But the look he gave me? Priceless.

"YOU'RE SCREAMING FOR ME NOW?" he shouted across the court.

"I BLACKED OUT, DON'T MAKE IT WEIRD!"

⸻

Okay. Maybe I screamed too loud.

But listen. Watching Oikawa work like that on the court—it was hard not to yell. He made the plays look beautiful. Calculated chaos. And he played like his heart was in every single point.

"Since when do you scream his name like that?" Hanamaki whispered as I handed out towels during a break.

"I do not!"

"You do now," Matsukawa smirked. "It was kind of cute. In a totally cringey, embarrassing, Oikawa-loving way."

"I hate you all."

⸻

Final Set — Match Point

It was neck and neck. Match point.

Karasuno served.

Oikawa called the play. Iwaizumi's hand went up. Spike.

Boom.

Match won.

Aoba Johsai: 2 — Karasuno: 1

The crowd roared. The bench leapt up. I forgot professionalism and screamed with the rest of them.

Oikawa didn't even celebrate right away. He turned—eyes scanning—until he found me.

I gave him a thumbs up.

He smiled. Not his smug one. Not his flirty one.

A real one.

Just for me.

⸻

The gym was still buzzing with energy. Players were shaking hands, congratulating each other, chugging water like it was liquid gold.

Oikawa sat alone on the bench, sweaty and out of breath. I walked over and handed him a cold bottle, nudging his knee with mine.

"Proud of you," I said softly.

He looked up, his voice raspy. "That means more than winning."

I scoffed, rolling my eyes—but my heart twisted just a little.

"You're so dramatic."

"And you screamed my name."

"By accident."

"You still screamed it."

"Do you want me to squirt you with the water bottle?"

He grinned. "I want you to stay right here."

So I did.

Right next to him. In the noise. In the calm.

Right where I wanted to be.