𝐂𝐇.𝟐𝟎

⋅. ˚₊ ‧ 𐙚 ‧ ₊ ˚ ⋅

I was crouched near the edge of the court, organizing a stack of freshly printed practice schedules, trying not to get hit in the face by a flying volleyball. Again.

It was a pretty normal afternoon. The team was going over serve receives, Oikawa was being irritatingly good at everything, and I was resisting the urge to throw a clipboard at his head every time he smiled at me from across the gym.

Standard stuff.

"Oi! Y/N!" Iwaizumi's voice broke through the hum of shouting and squeaking sneakers. "Heads up!"

I ducked just in time as a volleyball smacked the wall behind me with a loud THWUMP.

"Seriously?!" I shouted.

"Sorry!" Yahaba called from across the court. "It slipped!"

I stood, brushing dust off my knees and muttering, "This team is going to be the death of me."

Oikawa jogged over, towel draped around his neck, grinning like a cat who just got away with murder. "Need a helmet, manager-chan?"

"No, but I'd love some peace and quiet."

He leaned closer. "You sure you don't want me to personally guard you from stray volleyballs? I have fast reflexes. And strong arms. Want a demo?"

"I swear to—"

Before I could finish, Iwaizumi came up behind Oikawa and smacked him in the back of the head.

"Back to your drills, Romeo."

Oikawa pouted and shuffled back to the court, throwing one last look over his shoulder at me.

I flipped him off.

He winked.

⸻

Iwaizumi's POV

I noticed it more and more lately.

The way Oikawa looked at her when he thought no one was watching.

It wasn't the over-the-top, wink-and-smile crap he usually pulled. It was quieter. Softer. His eyes lingered, and his grin would fade—not in a bad way, but like he was... thinking.

It was disgusting.

And also kind of adorable.

I watched as he took position at the net, but his eyes kept drifting toward Y/N as she talked to Coach Nobuteru near the bench, motioning to a clipboard and nodding seriously.

Oikawa wasn't even pretending to focus.

I walked over and stood next to him.

"You're staring," I said casually.

"Huh?" he blinked, startled.

"At Y/N."

"What? No. I was—watching Yahaba's form. Obviously."

I raised a brow. "Yahaba's on the other side of the court."

Oikawa looked caught for exactly two seconds before scowling. "Can't a guy just look in a general direction without being accused of something?"

"Not when your 'general direction' includes heart eyes."

He groaned and ran a hand through his hair. "Shut up."

"You're soft," I teased.

"I am not."

"You're blushing."

He shoved me lightly. "Go bully someone else."

⸻

Y/N's POV

I was sipping water on the bleachers when I heard Matsukawa grumbling.

"Why is Oikawa being praised again? I swear Coach just loves hearing himself compliment him."

"Yeah," Hanamaki chimed in. "Like we don't all contribute too."

I glanced toward the court, watching Oikawa serve with precision and ease. Say what you want about him, but the guy could play.

"You guys act like he's not the reason we win half our games," I said casually.

Hanamaki blinked. "Wait... are you defending Oikawa?"

"Absolutely not," I said quickly, then added under my breath, "...maybe a little."

Matsukawa gasped dramatically. "Y/N-chan's going soft!"

"I am not going soft. I'm just saying—he works hard, okay? You guys act like he just flirts his way through life, but I've seen him stay late practicing alone."

Hanamaki narrowed his eyes playfully. "You have been watching him..."

I raised my clipboard like a shield. "Shut up."

⸻

After practice, I lingered behind to help clean up. Iwaizumi was wiping down volleyballs while I stacked towels into a basket.

"You know," he said casually, "you didn't have to defend him earlier."

I froze. "Were you eavesdropping?"

"Not my fault you talk loud."

I rolled my eyes. "Fine. Maybe I defended him a little. Doesn't mean I like him."

Iwaizumi smirked. "Sure. And Oikawa doesn't dream about you every night."

I paused. "He what?"

"Nothing."

I squinted at him. "What did you say?"

"Nothing."

"Iwaizumi—"

He laughed, raising his hands in surrender. "Hey, don't shoot the messenger. I'm just saying... the tension between you two? Palpable. The team is starting to place bets."

"On what?!"

"Whether you'll murder him, kiss him, or both."

I covered my face with my hands. "This is my nightmare."

He patted my shoulder sympathetically. "Nah, this is just your slow-burn romance arc."

⸻

Later — Group Chat Shenanigans

Hanamaki:leaked footage of oikawa STARGAZING at our managervideo.mp4

Matsukawa:he's literally in love

Iwaizumi:he's soft

Oikawa:I'M NOT SOFTI AM A COMPETITIVE ATHLETEI HAVE A REPUTATION

Y/N:you're also an idiot

Hanamaki:so... when's the wedding?

Y/N:delete this groupchat right now

⸻

That night, I laid in bed, staring at the ceiling, replaying the day over in my head.

His smile. His stupid comments. The fact that I defended him. The look on his face when I handed him his water bottle with only mild eye-rolling.

Something was happening.

I didn't know what, but I knew one thing for sure:

I was in so much trouble.