Chapter 7

KAGEYAMA's POV

I envy her. The cheerful desposition she shows to the team made her easy to fit in. And her skills. Her skills are way above mines, possibly on par with Oikawa-san's, but at the same time...I adore her.

The practice has finished just minutes ago, but everyone were still surrounding her -- listening to her voice and the guitar's vibration resonating throughout the gym.

I continued practicing my tosses, getting frustrated more often since I haven't hit a bottle since we started.

"--I'll try every wayIt makes me know we'll be alright--"

Her voice dominated my concentration, making me turn towards her. She sang effortlessly and elegantly in the simplest way...it's no suprise people would fawn over her.

"Just hold me close and we'll be fineOur hearts togetherYou're forever mineJust know--"

I stood up, sighing. I made my way towards the bench where my bag was.

"--I'll try every wayIt makes me know we'll be alrightWith your smileIt makes my day."

She ended the song with a soft strum, applauses coming from the group of people watching her.

"Cliche," Tsukishima retorted, earning glares from a few people.

"What's so nice about that?" I muttered to myself, dabbing a towel on my face.

"More Kumi!" Nishinoya shouted.

"I think that's enough, Noya-san," Kumi chuckled. "Let's head to Keishin-san's store and buy pork buns! My treat!"

Everyone cheered and jumped enthustiastically as they hurriedly cleaned the gym.

"Something bothering you, Kageyama-kun?"

I stood stiff, slowly facing to my left where the voice came.

"You were silent the whole time, it's a miracle you only yelled at Hinata once today." Kumi said.

I stared at her, absent-mindedly studying every detail of her face. The incident suddenly popped into my mind, mentally blushing at the thought of having her so close to me.Her vanilla scent still lingered in my nose, which was hard to ignore, and now her scent was growing stroger now that she was infront of me again.

"Sorry about, uhm," I scratched the back of my neck awkwardly.

"I-i-it's fine." She stuttered, avoiding eye contact.

Is she...flustered? She looks cute when she's flustered.

"Did Hinata apologize?" I asked.

"He did. To you?"

I turned to the orange-haired boy and turned back to her. "Yeah."

"Help us clean up, then we'll buy pork buns." She smiled before grabbing a mop and started cleaning.

I stood frozen and speechless in my spot, clutching my shirt.

Why is my heart beating faster?

And my stomach churned weirdly the moment she smiled.

Idiot!

I shook my head as I broke out of my trance and started picking up the volleyballs.

---

"Arigatōgozaimashita!" We all said in unison as we munched on our food.She flashed a smile, standing beside Tsukishima and Sugawara-san.

"I should get going," she said, waving her hands.

"You're walking alone?" Tsukishima raised a brow.

Everyone's expressions changed as they turned to the blonde with a shocked look.

"You care?!" Hinata exclaimed.

"No," Tsukishima deadpanned.

"I'll be fine, Kei," Kumi laughed, reassuringly patting his head as she teased, "No need to be worried!"

"I'm not."

"Atleast one of you please walk her home," Sugawara-san said worriedly.

"It's fine, really, there's no need. Thank you Suga-san," she flashed another smile, emanating a heavenly glow.

My stomach's acting weird again.

I watched as she ruffled Tsukishima's blonde hair playfully, earning a glare from him. "I'll go now!" Kumi said as everyone bid her goodbye before walking into the streets and disappeared to an intersection.

I stared at the way she went, thinking to myself if I should follow her or not. It's a dangerous path down there...If I remembered correctly.

"Kageyama."

Is it safe for her to walk alone?

"Kageyama-kun."

At night?

"Kageyama."

What if--

"KAGEYAMA ARE YOU DEAF?!"

I snapped back to my senses, turning towards an annoying orange-haired boy infront of me.

"HINATA BOKE!" I snapped angrily.

"Kageyama, Hinata, not too loud!" Suga-san scolded with a whisper.

I clicked my tongue, stuffing the little amount of pork bun left frustratingly. "I'm going," I said to the group. They turned their attention to me, muttering goodbyes.

"Eh? That's new?" Hinata commented, "You're actually going home earlier."

"None of your business, dumbass." I retorted before separating from the group, hearing Hinata's shouts from behind.

"Kageyama take that--"

"Hinata don't shout!"

As they were no longer in my sight, I turned to the intersection where Kumi went and sprinted off to find her.

——

It took me a few good minutes to spot a familiar brown-haired girl that stood about 5 feet tall. I jogged towards her as she stopped by a vending machine; breathing deeply when I walked casually and stopped beside her.

She suddenly noticed my arrival, looking up to me, she flashed a puzzled look.

"Oh, Kageyama, hello."

"Hi."

Stupid! I mentally slapped myself at the lame response, digging my palms in my pocket while I searched for a coin.

"Um, anything you need?" She said awkwardly.

I nodded slowly in response, my eyes glued to the products inside the vending machine. I dropped a coin, pushing specific buttons to get my favorite dairy drink.

"I see you love milk," Kumi commented beside me.

"How can you tell if I like it or love it?" I asked her with a blank expression, taking a sip.

"The way your eyes widen in excitement when it came falling towards you," she chuckled. "It's the same excitement I see when you spot a volleyball."

"Excitement?" I mumbled, tilting my head.

She nodded with a smile and asked, "So what is it you need? You'll walk me home again?"

"Yes. No! I mean," I cleared my throat as straightened my back. "Help me practice."

"Eh? Right now?"

I nodded in a serious manner, watching her take out her phone and started dialling a number.

"Hey mom—" she spoke through her phone, "I'll be home late. Yes. No. I'm with a friend—"

She considered me...a friend?

"No, it's not Kei. Don't worry I'll be fine. I'm not a kid anymore." She mumbled the last part quietly. "All right. Bye, love you." She placed down her phone and turned to me as her mood brightens up even in the night. "Do you have a volleyball with you?"

"Yes," I replied stoicly.

"Okay! Come, I know a place."